A Quilting Journey

February's First Finish!!!!

2012-02-15T20:41:00.002-05:00

The Big Zig Zag

with pretty purple binding

and a little accent big stitch in the borders

February's First Finish

The Big Zig Zag

Completed = 02/13/2012

Another Log Cabin Table Runner Is Now Complete!!!

2012-01-15T13:52:00.001-05:00

Log Cabin Table Runner - completed 01/15/2012

I made this table runner when I taught a quilting class at Ball Camp Baptist Church, back in 2008

I chose these colors purely based on being totaly different color values so that my students could see how the blocks come together.

That being said, this quilting project has remained incomplete all of these years and the only thing that it needed was binding ... I put the final stitches in the binding just moments ago.

Another finish!!!! :)

Red Log Cabin Table Runner Is Now Complete

2012-01-14T18:18:00.001-05:00

Red Log Cabin Table Runner - completed 01/14/2012

Todayhasn’t been a super productive sewing day but I have managed to completeanother unfinished quilting project. The Red Log Cabin table runner projectthat I had completely forgotten I had started. I tried my hand at stitch in theditch machine quilting on this project and I turned to backing forward tocomplete the binding by machine as well. This table runner is made from anextra log cabin block that I made years ago when I made Jamie a log cabin quiltfor his birthday.

Big Stitch Class Practice Block Is Now Complete

2012-01-14T11:19:00.001-05:00

Big Stitch class practice block - completed 01/13/2012

Yesterday afternoon I put binding on this block to finish it up. This block was not part of a quilt top project but simply a practice block to learn the technique of big stitch hand quilting.

This block worked at the 2009 AQS Knoxville Quilt Show where I took a class given by Pepper Cory on Big Stitch hand quilting.

By far that class and this technique has been the biggest influence and made the biggest impact in my quilting to date.

Unfinished Quilt Project #5 Is Now FINISHED!!!

2012-01-11T16:31:00.001-05:00

Unfinished Quilt Project # 5 is now...

FINISHED quilt project # 5

Fire n' Ice - completed 01/10/2012

Leo Doll Quilt Is Now Complete!!!

2012-01-07T15:26:00.000-05:00

I was able to get the Leo Doll quilt machine quilted a few days ago but had a knitting project going that I wanted to get completed! Which I did, see post below about the beanie hat.

This morning I made the binding for the Leo Doll quilt

Then I was able to get it sewn on while enjoying my morning coffee.

Leo Doll Quilt - Completed 01/07/2012

And the recent addition to my "pig" piggy bank collection...

A Christmas gift from Mrs. Roy

The back of the Leo Doll quilt

3 For 3

2012-01-03T17:24:00.002-05:00

I'm 3 for 3

I just completed the Nativity Wallhanging!

As you can see from the left hand corner of the picture - I had one package of gold quilt binding

(3 yds) which I thought would be enough ...

well, it wasn't - so, I made the remaining binding from a strip of yellow scrap fabric.

Besides, batting and possibly more thread - I should have to buy any fabric at all to complete the quilt projects on my list.

So, I've made that my goal this year in my sewing room - use what I already have!

Nativity Wallhanging

Completed 01/03/2012

With quilt label and all ...

Man, I'm on a ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 For 2

2012-01-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

I'm on a ROLL ...

2 Completed Quilt Projects in 2 Days!

I just completed my 2011 Round Round Quilt.

This quilt top was pieced by me and the Nob Hill Notions Quilt Group.

Thank you, Jo, Gisele, Lydia, and Kay!

2011 Round Robin Quilt - 01/02/2012

Happy Happy Blessed 2012 - First Quilt Finish of the New Year!!!!!

2012-01-02T10:20:00.000-05:00

The First Completed Quilt Project of 2012

Negative Space I

01/01/2012

I put the final stitches in the binding a few minutes before midnight last night.

Happy Happy Blessed New Year Everyone

I hope 2012 affords me a lot of time in my sewing room and at my quilting frame.

Raven Quilt ... What I have been calling the Tufted Tweets Quilt???

2011-10-10T16:54:00.000-04:00

Shelby calls this quilt "The Raven Quilt" and I have been calling it the Tufted Tweets quilt. Since it is her quilt I will go with the Raven Quilt.

I finished this quilt a while back but I haven't had any pictures to post of it.

Today I decided to take some pictures of this quilt and document it on my blog.

Summer in the City a.k.a Amber and Matt's Wedding Quilt

2011-10-10T14:14:00.000-04:00

Summer in the City Quilt

a.k.a. Matt and Amber's Wedding Quilt

Completed 10/10/2011

Columbus Day

Cannon Walker Leadbetter's Baby Quilt

2011-08-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

Baby Quilt for the newest member of our family ... my 2nd great-nephew ... who hasn't actually arrived yet!

I made this quilt with Laurie Wisburn's Pooches and Pickups collection by Robert Kaufman. I made a strip quilt because the fabric is just too cute to make small cuts - so I made long strips so that the design could be showcased. I used machine piecing and big stitch hand-quilting.

The quilt is 45 inches x 60 inches

Note, I put the name that my niece has chosen for their new baby ... Have Mercy, I hope they don't change their minds!!! :)

I completed the hand-quilting this morning and the baby quilt is now ready for binding. Maybe I will get the binding on this evening.

Completed 07/23/2011

KMQG Robert Kaufman Solids Challenge Quilt

2011-07-16T20:33:00.001-04:00

RK Challenge Quilt

I completed this quilt last weekend. This quilt was made using a Robert Kaufman Kona Solids Charm pack. I had a great time learning all about my sewing machine and the difference "foot" attachments. I did some straight line machine quilting with the walking foot attachment and I did a littl free motion quilting with the darning foot attachment. I also put the binding on using the button hole stitch on my machine. I learned a lot about my machine in the process. Then this morning I donated the quilt to a family in need. It was a lot of fun.

Something I Learned Long Ago ... Still Rings True ...

2011-05-23T18:28:00.002-04:00

Speed cutting, Speed piecing, Speedy chain sewing ... Just like the next person I love all of the "tools" I have that make cutting and sewing easier ... and faster but, I think that we are missing the boat if our goal has become to pump out as many quilts as possible as fast as possible. I'm not trying to imply that having time saving technequics and tools is a bad thing or the wrong thing, I'm just sort of saddened by the lose of the "old ways" of quilt making. Maybe that is why I have choosen to hand-quilt my projects. Quilting has become so many things for me ... more than just the act of making a quilt. Quilting is a connection to my family loved ones who were and are quilters. Quilting is a creative outlet. Quilting helped me stop smoking and remain smoke free. Quilting is relaxing, comforting, strengthening, reassuring and just plain enjoyable. The entire process from start to finish. I'm a fan of time saving ideas, quick and easy patterns, and I would hate to give up my rotary cutter and mat but I hope that quilting never becomes a "timed" event for me. Slow, relaxed and steady ... no pressure and no stress, just the sweet simple joy of sewing and being in my sewing room surrounded by fabric, colors, and inspiration.

Another Sewing Project ... Finished

2011-05-22T17:04:00.000-04:00

The zipper pouch I completed for the KMQG zipper pouch swap.

The fabric is Michael Miller.

Shelby's T-Shirt Quilt

2011-05-22T11:58:00.000-04:00

Shelby's T-shirt quilt

This quilt is machine quilted due to it's construction mostly - t-shirt cotton for the top, flannel for the sashing and the backing, and 100% cotton batting. This quilt is very heavy, and it was even difficult machine quilting this piece but it is now complete and ready for use.

A Finish ... from 2006

2011-05-22T11:46:00.000-04:00

This quilt was completed in 2006 - August to be exact. This quilt is green, gold, and purple, "The Mardi Gras" Quilt. This quilt was given to my dear friend Mary Rosson for her birthday ... which is on the same day as my son, Zack's. birthday. It was so much fun to see a quilt I made a few years ago. :)

A Quilty Finish ...

2011-05-16T18:39:00.000-04:00

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice ...

The little girl coffee carafe wrap

Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails ...

The little boy coffee carafe wrap

These coffee carafe wraps were made for my good friend Amy's Mother for Mother's Day 2011

Nob Hill Quilters 2011 Round Robin Challenge ... ROUND THREE ...

2011-03-20T09:32:00.001-04:00

Gisele added a beautiful purple paisley to the color scheme of Jo's block along with more perfect points! I will be working on Jo's block in the month ahead

2011-03-20T09:09:00.000-04:00

Kay wasn't able to be with us for our March meeting but Gisele brought Lydia's block which Kay had added a beauitful red border and machine appliqued the most perfect circles, squares, and triangles. Lydia's block has gone to Jo for our next round.

2011-03-20T09:03:00.000-04:00

I added grandmother's flower garden blocks to Kay's this round and machine appliqued the flowers to a green leafy background fabric. Kay's block is now in Gisele's creative hands.

2011-03-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

Lydia worked her magic on Gisele's block by adding beautiful needle turn applique circles. It is gorgous! Gisele's block went to Kay for our next round.

2011-03-20T08:56:00.000-04:00

Jo did a beautiful job on this round of my block. Jo set the block on point and there are machine embroidery details (you can't see in the picture). My block went to Lydia for our next round.

Nob Hill Quilters 2011 Round Robin Challenge ... ROUND TWO

2011-02-20T21:09:00.000-05:00

Lydia's addition to Jo's block

Gisele's addition to Lydia's block

Jo's addition to Kay's block

My addition to Gisele's block

Kay's addition to my block

Great quilting friends, a chocolate fondue fountain, and round two of our 2011 Round Robin Challenge.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Getting Ready For The Quilt Show And Sisters Weekend

2011-02-19T11:01:00.000-05:00

Right now I am getting ready for the Smoky Mountain Quilters presents the Thirty-First Annual Quilt Show and Competition and Sisters Weekend. This year both me and my sister, Mrs. Roy, will have entries in this quilt show. March 18, 19, 20, 2011 - Cooper Athletic Center - Maryville College, Maryville, TN. Best of all we will have an entire "sisters weekend" to enjoy each others company. My sister will be entering - The Griffin Quilt that she made ...

And, this year I have two entries - The His and Hers quilts.

I can't wait! Happy Quilting!

2nd Completed Quilt Project of 2011

2011-02-11T21:26:00.001-05:00

This is the 2008 Round Robin Challenge Quilt that my friend Jo H. and I worked on. I figured that since we just started our 2011 Round Robin Challenge quilts ... that I should probably finish the first one ... just sayin'!!!

BOOYAH!!!! Not just one finish this evening but TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008 Round Robin Challenge Quilt ~ completed February 11, 2011

1st Completed Quilt Project of 2011

2011-02-11T20:20:00.001-05:00

My first completed quilt project of 2011 - it is the Valentine's Table Topper that I started last year ... right before Valentine's Day. I decided to get my walking foot attachment out and practice some machine quilting. This year I would like to become more familiar with my sewing machine and the quilting attachments that came with it.
Valentine's Table Topper in Brown ~ completed February 11, 2011

Booyah!

Nob Hill Quilters 2011 Round Robin Challenge Has Begun ...

2011-01-30T12:35:00.000-05:00

The Nob Hill Quilters begin our 2011 Round Robin Challenge. Jo's perfectly paper pieced points and amazing color choices block has gone to Lydia.

This beautiful block was made by Lydia's Grandmother, it already has some batting and some hand-quilting. Lydia's beautiful block went to Gisele.

Kay's positively pretty purple block with it's pretty floral designs went to Jo.

Gisele's beautiful modern freestyle block is now in my hands ... and there are a few ideas in minds eye already!

This is my block - 1 inch finished squares = a postage stamp block in batik and bali fabrics. Kay will be working her magic on my block. Stay tuned ... with each addition to our blocks I will be posting pictures of our progress!

Blessings :)

Sewed and sewed and sewed ...

2011-01-23T17:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was able to hand-quilt all day long. I don't often get days to just sit in the silence and warmth of my livingroom with a quilt project so it was just a lovely day in quilting nirvana. Once I get a day like yesterday to just sit and sew ... it just makes me want MORE MORE MORE! Until the next time, I will be snatching all of the quilting moments that I can. I finished 6 quilt projects in 2010 ... I'm hoping to a more successful quilting year in 2011. Stay tuned ... I promise there will be a finish (maybe finishes) soon for posting and my quilting group has just begun our 2011 Round Robin Quilt Challenge. Hopefully, my quilting journey will be much more active this year and more challenging too!

Something I "Am" Learning ...

2010-11-09T05:55:00.000-05:00

It is not always about the finish. Most always it is more about the process. Happy Quilting! :)

BOOYAH ... Another FINISH ...

2010-11-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

Here it is ... the HERS/Pink quilt ... right before I put it in the washer. Booyah! Another finished quilt project. Which also happens to be a Christmas gift this year!

2010-11-07T17:57:00.000-05:00

I used brown pearl cotton thread for the hand-quilting in the big stitch technique that I have grown to love. Although this quilt (and the HIS/Blue quilt) do not photograph very well both of the quilts really are pretty in person. :)

2010-11-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

I used the cross-hatching design in the 3 middle blocks, just as I did in the HIS/ Blue (Blue/Brown) quilt. I used a heart motif for the rest of the quilting.

FINALLY A FINISH!!!!!

2010-09-25T20:59:00.001-04:00

The "Junk Store Find" quilt was finally completed on September 23, 2010 - finally ... I actually finished one of my many quilt projects! Oh what a wonderful feeling! :)

2010-09-25T20:49:00.004-04:00

I hand-quilted this piece using big stitch quilting. I used a flower stencil and I free hand quilted the vines.

Various Stages Of Completion ...

2010-08-29T08:56:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have a lot of UFO = unfinished objects (a.k.a. quilt projects) and I do actually make progress from time to time and actually complete a quilt project. I find that at any given time I usually have 3 or 4 quilt projects that I am working on at the same time ... in various stages of completion. For example these string pieced blocks are completed and ready for making into a couple of quilt tops, until I totally lost interest in them. When I was organizing my sewing room the other day I ran across them and I asked my sister if she wanted them when she mentioned to me that her granddaughters were wanting her to make them a quilt. She said, yes ... next day they were stuffed into a flat rate box and mailed to her. This may not be a traditional way of completing a quilt project but for me ... I consider my String Pieced Blocks quilt project FINISHED! :)

2010-08-29T08:47:00.000-04:00

String pieced blocks ... sent to my sister ...

2010-08-29T08:45:00.000-04:00

I'm still working on finding the placement (setting) of the Easy Pieces blocks that I made from a class I took at the AQS Show in July ... This quilt may never get past this stage of completion, the possibilities are endless and they are uniquely beautiful in their own way ...

2010-08-29T08:42:00.000-04:00

Oh the possibilites ...

2010-08-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

When I realized that I had ran out of #308 green pearl cotton and wasn't going to be able to finish hand quilting the "junk store find" quilt, I decided to get the Hers/Pink quilt top ready for hand-quilting.

2010-08-29T08:38:00.002-04:00

Marked and basted and ready for hand-quilting ...

2010-08-29T08:37:00.000-04:00

Almost completely hand-quilted ... except for this little section ... I ran out of #308 green pearl cotton that I am using to big stitch quilt the leaves and vining .... Grrr, so close and yet so far. I had hoped to finish hand quilting this quilt this weekend and set the binding ... maybe next weekend.

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-08-24T18:53:00.002-04:00

Lists = Lists are good, for example I have a list of unfinished quilt projects ... obviously, that list is the reason for this blog. I cannot post pictures of unfinished projects on this blog ... only pictures of finished projects you'll find here. But back to the topic of this post ... Lists ... I have 12 days of vacation left for this year and in a couple of days I will be taking two of them. I will be taking these two days of vacation to help my baby girl move into her college dorm. Sunshine is beginning her new college life with lots and lots of lists. Lists given to her by the college of what is needed and then the list of what is not allowed and so on. I like lists, I find an element of comfort in listing out the steps needed to complete whatever goal it is I am attempting to complete. Upon seeing my sweet Sunshine's lists I was called to take pen and paper and begin my list of quilt projects to work on during my "stay-cation" in September. Here are the projects that I want to finish: Hers/Pink, The Junk Store Find, a Nativity Panel, and 3 Mahjongg bags. Wish Me Luck! And Stay Tuned for some actual pictures of completed quilt projects for posting~

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-08-15T09:17:00.003-04:00

Stay organized - Yesterday I cleaned and organized my sewing room ... getting ready for my week of vacation in which I plan to sew, sew, sew. And, also getting ready for fall and winter - the seasons where I tend to get most of my quilting completed and/or ready for completion.

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-08-13T18:10:00.002-04:00

The closer I get to completing a quilt project ... the less time I actually have available to complete it! Grrr! If I had one day - even just an 8 hour day ... I would have another completed quilt project to post! In the immortal words ...
Time ... why you punish me? ~ Hooty and the Blowfish!

Something I Have Learned ... 3 to 1

2010-07-24T09:17:00.000-04:00

For every quilt project that I complete - I start 3 new projects = 3 to 1 ... must stop starting new projects ...

Something I Have Learned

2010-07-12T06:56:00.004-04:00

Quilting stabilizes me ... evens me out, if you will. As I venture into the unknown of "the change" (menopause) most of the time I feel as though I'm a nervous wreck. Except those times that I am quilting. Whether it be hand-quilting on a piece or piecing a quilt top on my machine, I feel at ease with myself. I'm being creative and I feel useful. One thing I've learned about menopause is that at times it leaves me feeling useless. And, useless = a very unhappy state for me. On Wednesday I begin vacation and enter into 4 days of quilt show nirivana. Amen!

Tis' DONE

2010-06-19T09:14:00.001-04:00

HIS/Blue

This quilt was completed Wednesday June 16, 2010

Big Stitch Hand-quilted in Brown #8 pearl cotton

2010-06-19T09:12:00.001-04:00

I love the detail the Big Stitch quilting has added to this quilt.

2010-06-19T09:11:00.001-04:00

Here is another example of the detail of the stitching. My photography skills are exteremly lacking but still this quilt, for whatever reason, doesn't seem to photograph well. The detail of the fabrics don't show up very well.

Get Ready ...

2010-06-15T20:38:00.000-04:00

I am stitching the binding on the quilt project that I am presently working on ... So get ready ... because very soon I will be posting pictures of a FINISHED QUILT PROJECT!!!!! :)

Something I Have Learned ... Mrs. Roy Has Found The Frugal Way ...

2010-05-01T16:54:00.000-04:00

Something I have learned ... I'm pretty sure that Mrs. Roy has found the way ... and I am ready to follow...

http://mrsroysway.blogspot.com/

I'm feeling very good about now ... adopting Mrs. Roy's way of frugal thinking. Needing a design wall in my sewing room ... I could have purchased one in the price range of $30.00 to $300.00 ... and beyond, I'm sure ... or I can buy a picnic table, tableclothe with a ployester backing on clearance for $4.18 ...

2010-05-01T16:49:00.003-04:00

... and take a couple of skirt hangers from your local department store found in my closet from purchases of the past ...

2010-05-01T16:48:00.002-04:00

... and I end up with a design wall I can hang from the bookshelves in my sewing room that is not only inexpensive but portable and completely functional!

Female Folly

2010-04-28T17:57:00.000-04:00

Female Folly = the unfinished quilt project I am presently working on ....

New Bright and Sunny Sewing Room

2010-04-28T17:55:00.000-04:00

Sewing machine and computer station ... ready to SEW

2010-04-28T17:54:00.000-04:00

My new table set up as my cutting table = cutting mat and rotary cutters, you'll find here

2010-04-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

Book Shelves with all manner of quilting books, patterns, and unfinished quilt projects

New Cozy Guest Bedroom ...

2010-04-28T17:51:00.000-04:00

This was once my sewing room / shared office space

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-04-17T08:41:00.003-04:00

Some people can sit down at the dining room table and whip out a quilt top in a matter of hours ... I am not one of them. Some people can set up a sewing nook in any given 3 foot space (or closet) and produce quilts and/or quilted items with effortless ease ... I am not one of them. And, doggone it ... I wish that I were. I've read stories about ladies who live in a RV with their sewing supplies tucked in some compartment under some part of the RV making award winning quilts! Which totally boggles my mind. I have eaten off of T.V. trays in the livingroom for a month while I've had a quilt project dominating the dining room table and every surface space in the dining room. Memories of my son, Zack's graduation quilt pop into my mind ... Eeeek! When Zack moved out on his own his bedroom became my dedicated sewing room and I loved every square inch of that room ... and I set about filling it up with books, notions, fabric, and UNFINISHED QUILT PROJECTS! Since that humble beginning of a sewing room, I have gotten married and moved into another home. Since the move I now have choices of rooms in our house for my sewing room. At first I took an empty guest bedroom upstairs, which was sunny and lovely but when we had guests (because it was a bedroom as well) I had to put all of my sewing stuff away and I didn't like that. So I decided to move my sewing room downstairs into my husband's office and although this was a good idea ... no cleaning up when guests arrived ... all I had to do was shut the door! HA! But as it turns out because I am rarely downstairs, I'm rarely in my sewing room ... thus, there has not been a lot of sewing going on and I don't like that ... what to do? So I have been going online looking at ideas for dedicating a space just for sewing and organizing that space in order to become more productive.

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/craft-storage/hobby-rooms/cozy-sewing-room/

So ... something I have learned ... I need a dedicated space for sewing (okay maybe it is a want) but still ... doggone it ... I want a sewing space of my very own. I'm blessed in that I married a wonderful man who agrees that I need a deciated sewing space ...

This was the first sewing room / guest bedroom

My present sewing room ...

Which is absolutely wonderful except for the fact that it is downstairs ... and I never seem to get down there.

Stay Tuned ... today I am going to be working on moving my sewing room ...

I will soon be posting pictures of my new sewing room ... a.k.a. "Sewing Studio"!

~fifi~

Guest Post by Mrs. Roy

2010-04-11T17:18:00.002-04:00

Guest Post by Mrs. Roy

http://mrsroysway.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Roy and Fifi

Fifi and I like to enter our quilts in quilt shows. One of the unseen portions of the exercise is that the judge very kindly takes the time to write you a note with suggestions for improvement or encouragement for what they liked about your quilt. Considering there may be 200 or more quilts in a show, that’s quite an undertaking. However, we’ve found over time that the comments tend to be rather consistent and generic, so we take them with a grain of salt.

For instance, just about every note says “could benefit from more quilting.” Fifi and I are the first to admit that our quilts are not as densely quilted as machine-quilted quilts. We both hand-quilt. That’s our first gripe – maybe hand-quilted pieces shouldn’t be judged by the same standard as machine-quilted pieces.

Machine-quilted pieces are usually magnificent. The quilting and stitching is sometimes so dense it actually creates the design, making it more like embroidery than quilting. I love to look at the designs and see how they used the machine-quilting to add texture and depth to the designs. These quilts are miles apart from the type of heirloom quilting Fifi and I enjoy.

Our quilts are more about the piecing and fabric choices than the quilting. On our quilts, the quilting is more often functional than decorative. We are learning more techniques like big stitch quilting and our quilts are developing as we go to quilt shows and guilds and talk to other quilters but we will never have quilting as dense or as meticulous as machine quilting. It’s completely different.

As an example, I am working on a quilt now that will be a gift for a friend. This friend’s mother died and they gave me all the fabric they found when they cleaned out her house. Among the stacks and bags of fabric were several string quilt squares she made in 1961 (the date on the newspapers she used for stabilizer) , a large piece of embroidery, three kitten faces that had been cut out and embroidered and a few other random 12 x 12 pieces any design. I appliquéd the kitten faces onto three of the blank squares, added a border to the embroidered piece and added just a couple more squares, sashing and backing from her fabric stash to create a large bed quilt. We had even found two bags of batting so I used one of those for this quilt also. I made a decision to tack the squares instead of quilting them because I am concerned about the stability of some of the fabric due to age. I also wanted to maintain the integrity of the embroidered pieces and I felt quilting over them would distract from the original design. I have used big stitch quilting on all the sashing to give it some added texture and design. It is coming along nicely. I’m planning to enter it in at least one quilt show next year. However, I feel confident a quilt show judge will tell me to add more quilting instead of tacking the squares. I understand it; I just disagree.

Similarly, Fifi is working on a quilt that incorporates appliqué and folded handkerchiefs to create what she calls “Sassy Senoritas.” The squares she has completed are just breathtaking but you can be sure that the finished piece will be more about design than quilting density. Can you really compare a traditional, heirloom design to one that’s more modern and abstract? I wouldn’t want to be the judge trying to compare the two.

One other argument Fifi and I have about hand-quilting vs. machine-quilting is that most of the quilts that are done by hand in which the quilting is dense are a product of many, many, many hours of quilting. How can that compare to the machine method?

As quilting machines become smarter, the design possibilities grow. These quilts are totally different than the ones cut and pieced by hand, then lovingly hand stitched over the course of many hours. Different standards need to be used when judging these totally different types of quilting, both of which are wonderful ways of expressing ourselves through textiles.

Brian's Pin-up Girls Graduation Quilt

2010-03-30T11:38:00.000-04:00

I have noticed that I get a lot of "hits" on the graduation quilt that I made for my nephew Brian. This picture is of the matching pillow that I made for him to go with his quilt. This photo has the best view of the pin-up girls fabric that I used in the construction of Brian's string pieced quilt and pillow. Following are several more pictures of this quilt and pillow in various stages of construction and completion for those who have had interest in this quilt.

2010-03-30T11:34:00.000-04:00

The quilt ... the pillow ... and Abby. For whatever reason our cat Abby really liked this quilt ... if I had this quilt out working on it ... she would come out of hiding to supervise.

2010-03-30T11:32:00.000-04:00

The off set layout of the quilt = as you can see the blocks host the pin-up girls fabric.

2010-03-30T11:31:00.000-04:00

The quilt and the matching pillow

2010-03-30T11:30:00.001-04:00

Me and Brian the day that I gave the quilt to him.

Kayley's Graduation Quilt

2010-03-30T10:20:00.002-04:00

This morning I completed another unfinished quilt project. This quilt is for Shelby's best-friend Kayley. A few months back Shelby asked me if I would make Kayley a quilt for her graduation gift from us and I thought that was a great idea. Yes, I know ... imagine that, me thinking that making a quilt was a great idea! HA! Well, here it is ... completed, quilt label and all. This is a green/tan 9 patch quilt in batik and muslin fabrics hand-quilted with celtic motifs. And, I tried my hand at making my own binding on this quilt. As for binding and the making of it ... I have so much to learn.

2010-03-30T10:14:00.000-04:00

Celtic design = All of the motifs used in hand-quilting this quilt. The one above is a never ending dragon motif which I added seed beads for the eyes.

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-03-19T17:46:00.001-04:00

I love local quilt shows. I love having a quilt to enter in local quilt shows. I love seeing one of my quilts hanging along side quilts made by others who love local quilt shows too! Yahoo, it's quilt show weekend!

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20100318/LIFE/303189992

http://www.blounttoday.com/events/2010/mar/19/203/

Making Progress ... Just 34 Unfinished Projects To Go ...

2010-03-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

I purchased this quilt top, I'm ashamed to say, more than a few years ago and it was on the poles of my quilt frame for at least a year ... so today I decided to take if off the poles, cut it in half and then cut one of the halves in half...to make a lap size quilt and two pillows. It worked! I just completed another quilt project. Just 34 more projects to go!

Completing Projects

2010-03-13T09:43:00.000-05:00

I have a list of 36 unfinished projects ... quilting and otherwise. This is the first Saturday I have had in a long while that has been FREE to do some sewing and quilting. I was looking over my "Unfinished Projects List" and I realized there were a couple of projects on there that were a button or seam away from being completed. Hopefully today I will get a few of them done ... posted ... and sent to the person they were meant for. This Needle Holder is for my Aunt Joyce.

2010-03-13T09:36:00.000-05:00

This is the Needle Holder open - The center has felt to hold your pins and needles.

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-03-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

By this time of year ... the days have become to long, to gray, and to gloomy. Over the year's I have come to realize that there just may be something to "seasonal depression" ... because I'm pretty sure I have it. Not only does the gloom get me down but also the fact that just a few short months ago I had visions of completing so many of the quilt projects I have on my unfinished projects list...yet, didn't manage to finish but one of them. It seems the more time I want to spend quilting the less time I actually get to spend quilting. Blah!
~fifi~

A Treasure 15 years in the making ... giving ... and receiving ...

2010-02-19T19:36:00.001-05:00

Welcome Friends (and Family) One and All ... I received this quilt in the mail today from my sister. What a beautiful wonderful gift. A gift that I will always treasure. My sister tells me this (in the note she put in the box with the quilt);

Dear fifi:

I started this lap quilt when we lived there; got bored with it about 3/4 of the way through and stuck it in a cedar chest. I pulled it out a couple of months ago and finished it. I thought you might enjoy having it in your sewing room (exactly ... ).
We'll consider this a celebration of all the quilt projects that need to be finished - some day!
Love, c

I'm very blessed.
~fifi~

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-02-11T22:39:00.001-05:00

Each year about the middle of August ... the days are still long and still hot hot hot! I've weeded one to many flower beds and filled the gas can for the lawnmower for what seems like the billionth time, and I begin thinking about shorter days, cooler weather, and my sewing projects. I get excited about "ALL" of the UFO's I'm going to complete, I make lists, I buy supplies and inventory my stash ... it becomes the middle of February and I have very little to show from "the quilting season" that is about to end with the April Showers that bring May flowers. Here I sit in the middle of February and yet again ... I have very few UFO's completed. I didn't accomplish my goal of making a (as in one) new quilt block a day in order to learn new techiques. And ... I'm Bummed! I wanted to have so many more unfinished quilt projects completed and posted by now! Grrrrrr!

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-01-16T08:44:00.001-05:00

Modern Mayhem Quilt Completed 01/09/2010

2010-01-09T10:57:00.001-05:00

This morning I completed the first quilt project of 2010. I finished sewing the binding on the Modren Mayhem quilt this morning. This quilt is a gift for my friend Diane in South Carolina. We share the same birthday and I was making this as your birthday gift this past December. Clearly ... I missed the mark and didn't get it completed for her birthday ... or for Christmas ... but ... better late than never ... right? ;c)

2010-01-09T10:53:00.000-05:00

I pieced the backing for this quilt with fabric from my friend Diane's favorite college. Although you may not be able to see it clearly the backing is made with Clemson fabric, purple fabric, orange fabric, and I, of course, had to add a "splash" of University of Tennessee fabric ... just to round things out.

2010-01-09T10:50:00.000-05:00

I used a new technique ... sort of ... I stitched the binding on this quilt using a decorative stitch on my sewing machine. I did this one other time using the zig-zag stitch but it didn't work as well. This time I used a wider decorative stitch and it worked much better at catching the binding on the front and the back of the quilt. I think it looks really nice. I like this technique and I will probably use it again in the future.

Something I Have Learned ...

2010-01-06T09:58:00.001-05:00

When I am very close to finishing a quilt project ... I get so excited that I try to "speed things up" and "get finished"!!! I have come to realize that this is NOT a good thing because this is usually when I start making "costly" mistakes. Such as not measureing correctly when making the binding of the quilt ... or I cram the quilting needle under my thumbnail making it impossible to quilt anything for several days (until the swelling and throbbing of said thumb subsides). So now a days when I start getting that anxious excited feeling ... I stop, step back and relax. I just walk away from the project and do something else. That in part is probably why I have 30 some odd unfinished quilt projects on hand. Use to when I would get that anxious excited feeling and start making mistakes I would simply begin a new quilt project. Now I spend that anxious time either deciding which of the unfinished projects I'm going to start on next or I just pick one and start working on it where I left off. It's been very helpful for me to realize when I start feeling that anxious excited feeling ... and to stop before I make PAINFUL mistakes. Trust me, once you've crammed a quilting needle under your thumbnail ... it is not a mistake you want to repeat! ;c)

2009 Completed Quilt Projects in Review

2010-01-01T21:24:00.000-05:00

Something I Have Learned ...

2009-12-20T10:18:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that this is not something that is unique too me ... but considering that I have so many unfinished quilt projects ... once I complete a quilt project I then have to decide from my huge pool of projects which project to work toward completing next! Sometimes this decision is made for me due to a "deadline", such as a graduation date or the birth of child. But with the completion of Shelby's Graduation Quilt I now have to choose the next project to begin working on to completion from the huge list of possible projects. This is at times thrilling because there are so many possiblities and at other times (like now) this is overwhelming because there are so many possiblities.

Shelby's Graduation Quilt

2009-12-16T21:41:00.000-05:00

This is Shelby's Red/White 9 Patch Graduation Quilt - I was able to finish this quilt yesterday - December 15, 2009 - my birthday. I took a vacation day and spent the day completing Shelby's quilt. I plan to enter this quilt in the Smoky Mountain Quilters 30th Annual Quilt Show, in March 2010. This quilt will be presented to Shelby on her Graduation from high school in May of 2010.

A Blast From the Past ... Pat's Scrap Quilt

2009-12-16T21:37:00.001-05:00

This scrap quilt top was purchased at an old junk store in the Old City. I saw the corner of something I thought was "interesting" under a table ... so I get down on my hands and knees to check it out. In a basket there were two scrap quilt tops. This one - which I "tacked" with yellow yarn and another one that I am presently "tacking" with blue yarn. You can't see the detail of the backing fabric very well in this picture but it is of 1940's and 1950's Pin-Up Girls.

2009 Quilt Group Christmas Donation Quilt

2009-12-09T16:52:00.000-05:00

This is the 2009 Quilt Group Christmas Donation Quilt - I belong to a wonderful group of ladies who share there love of quilting with me. This year we made this Christmas Quilt for donation. We will be donating this quilt to a family through the Tennessee Child and Family offices. The ladies who donated time, talent and quilt blocks for the quilt are; Jo, Lydia, Kay, Gisele, Cindy and myself. This quilt fits a double bed.

2009-12-07T06:16:00.002-05:00

I made this quilt for my youngest son, Dane, it is made with Asian print fabrics. I'm in the process of "brain storming" quilt ideas for Dane's Graduation Quilt. So many options … so much fun considering all of those options! Then there are the fabric choices … I'm giddy!

Jamie's Log Cabin Quilt

2009-12-07T06:12:00.000-05:00

I made this quilt as part of a quilting class that I taught at church. Once completed I gave it to my husband, Jamie, for his birthday as he picked all of the fabrics for this project. This quilt is lap size … or as my husband calls it, "a quilt-lette". I also made a matching pillow for this quilt. Both the quilt-lette and the pillow now reside on the back of our denim couch.

Jamie's Orange and White Scrap Quilt

2009-12-07T06:08:00.003-05:00

I made this Orange and White Scrap Quilt for my Handsome Prince, my Knight in Shining Armor, my husband Jamie.

;c)

2009-12-07T06:04:00.002-05:00

I spent over two months hand-quilting this quilt, "Jamie's Orange and White Quilt", and never noticed the mistake that I had made in piecing the quilt top UNTIL we were taking pictures of it! Can you find the mistake?

Dick and Jane Quilt

2009-12-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

This quilt was made from the "Dick and Jane" fabric collection. I made this quilt as a gift for my sister as she helped me learn how to read from Dick and Jane Primers … back in the day. I presented her with this quilt, Thanksgiving of 2008.

A Beautiful Woman

2009-12-06T20:26:00.000-05:00

The loving beautiful woman who taught me how to quilt, my Grandma.

Quilt Diva Quilt

2009-12-06T20:23:00.000-05:00

I have been quilting since 1996 and I had never made a quilt for myself. It seems that every quilt that I have made so far has been made for and given to someone. The fabric I used in this quilt has little cartoon characters of a lady with sewing notions all over her. I bought this charm pack (by Moda … I believe) from a quilt show that I went to one time. When I bought that charm pack of fabric I knew I was going to use it to make a quilt for myself. The fabrics in this quilt are bold and bright. Carefree (including the pink polka dotted backing fabric) and fun … which I hope in some ways describes me … and well, Diva … that's just me in a nut shell! HA! I completed this quilt February 6, 2009. So roughly 13 years of quilting later … I have a quilt of my very own. ;c)

Trey's Bug Jar Quilt

2009-12-06T20:20:00.000-05:00

I completed this baby quilt for my great nephew, Trey, in August of 2008. I thought it fitting that a little boy should have a quilt with bugs and spiders and frogs and grasshoppers and stuff on it! ;c) For the backing fabric I used University of Tennessee fabric as Trey's mom, my niece, was born in Tennessee. Trey's Grandma, my sister, liked that idea too!

Shelby's Blue and White 9 Patch

2009-12-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

I completed this quilt for my daughter, Shelby, in February of 2004. I made this Blue and White 9 Patch from fat quarters of blue fabric that I had collected over time. I love the way this 9 Patch came together so much that I am presently making a Red and White 9 Patch for Shelby as her graduation quilt. I am hand-quilting it now and I hope to complete it in time to enter it in a Quilt Show in March of 2010. Nothing like a deadline to keep me on track!

ETCH Donation Quilt

2009-12-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

This quilt was made with my friend Jo. We made this quilt as a silent auction item for a fundraiser for East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Pictured are two of the kind ladies from ETCH who accepted our donation quilt. We called this quilt, "Stripped Away" and was made complete from strips of scrap fabric from our fabric stashes. It is a great cause and we had a great time making it. Completed in 2008

Tissue Holders ... Fast ... Easy ... and Fun

2009-12-05T16:56:00.000-05:00

I made about a million of these tissue holders - it is a great fast, easy, and fun project - it is wonderful for that "instant gratification" feeling! I originally made a few of these tissue holders as Mother's Day gifts for all of the "moms" I know. Then I made more to donate to a local project that helps single mothers through the church I attend.

An October Quilting Weekend ...

2009-12-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

This doesn't happen very often but … this year in October I had two quilt projects that were both very close to completion. The Black and Tan 9 Patch and my nephew Alex's Graduation Quilt. So in one weekend I completed two of "way to many" unfinished quilt projects that I seem to have at any given time ...

Black and Tan 9 Patch

2009-12-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

This quilt is made from a quilt top that had been thrown in the trash … literally. A gentleman that I worked with a few years ago gave it to me. I came into work one morning to find this quilt top laying in my chair. Mr. Hays asked me if I wanted it and I said YES! Apparently, his mother was cleaning out a chest of drawers and had thrown this quilt top away. Mr. Hays rescued it from the trash. He asked his mother if she was sure she wanted to throw it away and she told him that she had no need for it. She said that she had had it for so long that she couldn't even remember who had made it and that she wasn't going to do anything with it. So, Mr. Hays, knowing that I enjoyed quilting, brought it to me. I "tacked" this quilt instead of hand quilting it. I completed this quilt October 18, 2009.

Alex's Graduation Quilt

2009-12-04T20:53:00.000-05:00

Alex wanted University of Tennessee fabric for his graduation quilt. This quilt took me a really long time to hand quilt. I pieced the quilt top on the machine in a weekend. I found the pattern I used in one of the many quilt magazines that I always seem to have on hand and it was a very simple pattern to piece. I don't know why it took me so long to get this project completed but it seemed as though I had it in the frame for a really long time. I completed this quilt October 17, 2009.

Something I Have Learned

2009-11-29T17:55:00.004-05:00

The process of learning how to quilt has taught me a few things ... one of those is that I love and appreciate where I come from. In recent years I have even become proud of the hometown I grew up in. I no longer live there and even though I no longer have family there I try to get back to my hometown as often as I can.