Alzheimer's Priority Quilt

The Blanketeer's have committed to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative for 2012.  These quilts are only 9"x12". My goal is to make one per month.  Here's my first attempt:

The quilt isn't finished yet, this is just the unembellished background.  It's going to be a clothesline quilt.

Chris knit three tiny afghans for me that will swing from the clothesline.  If it turns out cute I may use the clothesline theme again.

Country Chain and Cross Quilt Complete

It's done, it's done, it's FINALLY done!  Only took three years.  Three years of the Flynn Frame, falling out of the closet every time I opened the door.

I like how it has turned out very much.  Considering it was initially called the "Ugly Brown Quilt"; it turned out great!

The prints in this quilt came from the donated fabric that went through the Great American Smoke-Out.  Remember "fabric lasagna"?  Thank heavens for Febreze and a sunny day.

This quilt is absolute proof that there is no such thing as ugly fabric, only fabric that hasn't been cut into small enough pieces.

80 small scraps and 160 tiny bits of fabric were used in this quilt.  Most of them were unattractive and any number of them were butt-ugly, and yet the quilt is pretty nice.  It's a wonderment!

Cabin Friends

I finished Cabin Friends over the holidays.  I'm very pleased with it, though working with so many browns and greys made me long to do a nice bright project.

It was supposed to have snowflakes in the corners, but I wanted Christmas trees.  They were really fun to embellish, though I should have waited to bead until after quilting.  Live and learn!

I used beads as accents instead of French knots on the eyes to give it more shine.

I added some bling to Frosty's hatband as well.

And each log cabin block got a center bead. This wall-hanging is almost crusty with beads. This wall-hanging is almost crusty with beads. 8)

                       
I made a rod pocket in the back with three button-holes for the hooks.

My stitch-in-the-ditch turned out pretty well this time. I set my machine as slow as it would go, then ran it full out; it took forever, but I got much better results than normal.

The 80's will never die

I visited my Mom at her new house over Thanksgiving.  I had the choice of either helping cook the big feast or re-purposing the old master bedroom drapes in the new guest room.  I chose the drapes.  I spent several hours shoehorning big valences into much smaller windows.  It was the most rigged-up piece of work I've done in years, but Mom really liked the final result.  She really wanted to reuse those old curtains!  I took home a leftover valence and spent a few more hours on some accent pillows.  Turquoise, peach and mauve.  The 80's will never die.

Now I just have to get them to Green Bay.  The box squirrel that is my husband has made several valiant, though failed, attempts to get the mailing box size right.  I just need to be patient.  Oh yeah, Mom, don't look, these are for you and they're supposed to be a surprise.  8)

I'm back and I've been BUSY!

In the past 2 months since I last blogged I've completed 5 tiny cross-stitched Christmas stockings, 1 cross-stitched Easter egg, 1 handanger ornament, 1 big quilt, 1 small Christmas wall-hanging and 2 pillows.  I don't have pictures of everything yet, in fact, I gave away 5 of the stockings and both ornaments and forgot to take ANY pictures. 8(  Here's one stocking I did manage to photograph:  (Note:  all the stockings and ornaments are part of my personal Craft Book Challenge.)

Real life seriously kicked my butt since Grandma Vivian's party.  Work was very hectic. Plus, we spent a week in Green Bay at Thanksgiving, I hosted the Christmas Bee party, two of my Blanketeers retired with two separate parties, and we presented the Quilt of Valor to a very deserving Green Beret.  CRAZY!  Fortunately, after Christmas in Shreveport, I had two LOVELY weeks off to stitch.  Heaven!


More posts are coming as I gather the pictures.  I've missed you guys, but I'm back now!  8)

Grandma Vivian's 100th Birthday Party

On Tuesday Grandma Vivian turned 100.

Her favorite grandson gives her a big hug!

"Have you heard?  They're throwing me a party!"

There was singing by the Larks...

And beautiful flowers....

And THREE cakes!!!

And even a tribute from Pastor Mike.

Her son-in-law gives his compliments to the chef.  You can see her "Throne" in the background.

Vivian's granddaughter and great-granddaughter came from Oregon looking festive in red velvet and matching necklaces.

Larry looked too tall next to Dad's tiny girlfriend, Sabra, so he scrunched down for this shot.

"You should wear that more often, Dad.  It looks terrific!" ;)

Vivan's grandson-in-law was the only one who would hold still for a picture; he was trying to take one himself.  Good luck with that, Evan.

A HUGE thank you goes to Edie Maddox, Grandma's Sunday-school teacher, for making all the arrangements.  It never would have happened without you!

Happy Birthday, Grandma! 

We love you!!!

Apple Kissed Autumn - October Finish

I haven't posted in a long time, but I haven't been slack either. I finished "Apple Kissed Autumn" by Shepherd's Bush, in time for Grandma's 100th birthday next month.  I'm so pleased how it turned out, and I know Grandma will love it too.

This cross stitch kit has gone on so many trips it's too bad it couldn't collect frequent flier miles.  Las Vegas, Canada, Phoenix, New York, Wisconsin, San Antonio, Colorado, Houston; it's been everywhere!  It was my favorite go-to kit, and routinely got packed every trip just in case I felt like stitching.  I finally started it in Phoenix last year, made a mistake, ripped it out, then put it away until our trip to Canada last month.  I finished it October 1st, just missing the September OPAM cut-off.

rows of crows

ripened vines

apple baskets

autumn's signs

Craft Book Challenge

I saw this challenge tonight and it REALLY spoke to me. 

See, I have a few craft books...

on knitting and crochet

the first 40+ issues of Inspiration magazine

on quilting and embroidery

and on painting and drawing

You get the picture.  lol  I LOVE craft books!  So what better challenge than to actually try to MAKE something from them?  What a concept!  You can make stuff from them?  Wow!  Who knew?  What an ingenious concept; I'll have to try that.  ;)  I'll keep you posted.  Anyone care to join me?

August Project Day - Applique

We had a Blanketeer Project Day on Friday. The plan was to learn to applique and collaborate on a Sunbonnet Sue quilt.  I was supposed to be the teacher - lol.  I spent all my time preparing the kits and very little time learning how to applique.  Fortunately, Sheila's Mom, Bea, showed up.  She's an expert in applique and was very gracious about helping everyone out (especially me!)

Rachel missed the morning session, but Sheila soon brought her up to speed.  I had planned to demonstrate three applique techniques: freezer paper, needle turn and reverse applique.  But everyone took off doing freezer paper and never looked back.  I think Bea and I were the only ones doing needle turn.  Whatever works.  At least I got to explain about reverse applique and show them the one Dear Jane block I did with it.

Dorthy grumbled about how awful her block was (it really wasn't that bad at all).  She wants me to bring her more muslin tomorrow so she can completely redo it.  Sigh.  SO self-critical!

Jonquele seems well-pleased with her little Sue, as well she should be; it's adorable! 

Lu Ann did this darling Sue.  Everyone loved the lace on the hat.

Lu Ann is Mary's friend, whom we haven't seen in ages.  It was lovely to have her join us again. 

Mary did this seated Sue, which turned out to be totally adorable!  All the Sues have print dresses in Aunt Grace fabrics, with coordinating solids, and a bit of the print on their hats.  I think it's going to make a terrific group quilt!

As usual, a fun time was had by all, and thanks go to Sheila again for getting us the hall.

The Artist's Way - new blog forming

Martha over at Quilt Contemplation must have been reading my mind when she decided she was going to restart the Artist's Way workbook this fall.  Martha suggested forming a members only blog for anyone interested in supporting each other while we work through the twelve week creative process.  I've decided to join her.  I've worked the Artist's Way before and it really helped energize my creative spirit, though you can see it was pretty hard on the first book! 

It became clear as I was (not) working on "Ethan's Quilt" that I had a problem.  If I hadn't committed to getting it in the guild quilt show I'm not sure it would ever have gotten finished.  I had these great ideas but I was really blocked from putting them into action.  It was so frustrating to see it hanging there for months, while I worked like a beaver on any other project that wouldn't require any creativity or risk at all.  Then I was so stressed to get the quilt done that the process wasn't any fun at all.  This is not the way I want to achieve my goals!

Anybody thinking of joining us on this journey should leave a comment here or on Martha's blog.  We'll be starting next month.  Any questions?