The Circle of Trade

Amy is a "party planner" and needed a birthday party, she was planning, catered. Joy agreed to cater the party if Amy would finish her baby quilt. Amy pieced the baby quilt and sent it to me for the quilting. Now it's quilted and Amy will be cleaning my house for the next 100 years. Fair trade This little quilt is for baby Ewan. It is so "yummy". The fabric colors are very relaxing with interesting designs in the different blocks. The back is ivory minkee and begs to be "curled up in". Just perfect for a little boy.

Bulls Eye, Frayed Hearts and Turning Twenty

Marcia Gines has found her artistic flare through quilting. Below are some of her stunning quilt With out a doubt, I love "bulls eye" quilts. This is one of Marcia's favorite quilts. She has it wrapped around her all the time. She did a perfect job on piecing this one.

The technique on this quilt is called strip quilting. She used all the fabric from her stash. Interesting pattern and a great way to use scraps.

She is so good with color and design. She pieced this "Frayed Hearts " and it is a cutie for sure. When she washes it the edges of the heart's will fray just like the "bulls eye"

This is an adorable, bright 'Turning Twenty" quilt. Marcia sells some of her quilts and wants to sell this one, if interested call her @ 801.231.9544 . Click on picture to get detail

Steps ( my 12 Step Program)

Early stages of the quilting process. Spread out on the floor to admire and measure Many of my friends do not understand what it is I do with my quilting machine. I thought I could explain it in pictures.

A client, who loves quilts as much as i do, comes to my door with their adorable, pieced, almost done quilt top. (see above) They also come to my door with the backing and batting or can buy batting from me if they prefer.

I then load the 3layers on "Lola" my long arm. (She is long and lean, approx 14ft, and takes up lots of space).

I then search my brain for a way to quilt it so that it can remain adorable. Thread color, design and density of the quilting are involved in this search process .

Lola is oiled and lubricated very routinely to keep her running smoothly. After switching the "ON" button I give her 30 minutes to warm up. I take a breath,place my thumb on a little black button on the handle and, "we're off and running"

On my next blog this "cutie" will be quilted and ready for binding.

Hummingbird Tough Love

A neighbor told me the only way to get that stray hummingbird south for the winter, is to take the feeder down. So maybe I could drive the tiny bird, that can fly backwards, south for the winter.

I will, reluctantly, take the feeder down.

Some of Wildlife's Best

Kay pieced and appliqued this incredible wildlife quilt for her husband Ed. All the critters are out of wool to make them more realistic, and then hand sewn on. I really love the skunk, and the wolf and the ........( i really love all of them)

Going Batty

Kim loves Hallowen. In fact, she just goes "batty" over the whole thing. (me too)

She makes several quilts each season, and gives them to nieces and nephews. Lucky kids

Two sides to every story

Jayne pieced this sweet baby quilt for a new baby boy. She also pieced the back of the quilt. Lot's of extra work but adorable.

The back, or the front ?? eeny meeny miney moe

Cheryl's Quilts

This is called "quilt envy". Classic "30's" replica prints on a white background. This is a 9 patch block exchange that Cheryl, Diane and I started a year ago. Cheryl is the only one finished, so far. Breathtaking.

Here is the larger image of the quilt Cheryl did for Marc's wedding gift. Minkee on back. This is a yummy quilt.

Hummingbird

Today, quite unexpectedly, I saw a lone hummingbird at my feeder. I was very happy for the visit, but only for a second. It is the official beginning of Fall (autumn) in 2 days, and I seriously want that poor little bird to make it south for the winter. ( Biblical or Crazy Old Woman????)

Black and White with Red

( above) Detail on one of the throw pillows that goes with Kristin's quilt

This is Elke's first quilt( I am not lying ) and she mitered both borders. She committed to making a quilt for her youngest daughter's (Kristin) wedding . Wow! Enjoy Kristin and Aaron

Elke's mother was a professional seamstress and used sewing to help support her family. She was a perfectionist to the end and it rubbed off on Elke. This quilt is an absolute spectatular oversized queen . My backyard deck does not do justice to it . I must find a better setting for large sized quilts.

Halloween Tease

I just got this "buggy barn" Halloween quilt and haven't even quilted it yet. I was too excited and had to get a picture. Beyond cute . You will definately see this one again.... quilted.

What A Good Idea

Today I had an incredible deep tissue massage. It almosts feels like I went to Moab (see previous entry "Moab/My Mecca"). Debbie Stringfellow (see Bento Box post), a very good massage therapist , worked out the stress in my neck and shoulders. Yahoo, I feel new.

What a good idea..

Medallion Show Stopper

Diana pieced this breath-taking quilt for her neighbor's September wedding. What an incredible and meaningful gift. The " bride to be" was a piano student of Diana's and close family friend. Lucky girl

Just for Fun

Diane made this quilt for her family reunion auction. She used no new fabric, just scraps she has collected for the past 9 years. I would love to have this quilt on my bed.

The heart quilt is adorable. Appliqued heart on a four patch . This line of Moda fabric is perfect for this design. Very sweet.

Parchessi

This cute table topper (above) reminds me of the board game Parchessi. Shirley and her sister Wendy each did one of these for their tables. It is such a happy little quilt. They each pieced the heart quilt for a centerpiece also (top) . Table toppers are a great idea for a fun look in the kitchen,

Southwest Deserts / My Yearly Mecca

Moab - Full moon October 2008. If i can't get to a red desert in the southwest at least once a year, preferably fall , then i can't breathe properly . What is it about red dirt , red stone fortresses , and sitting on sun warmed rocks????

It's just plain taking a deep breath. Must be a genetic imprint. My Native American spirit

Another Red and White

Susan pieced this red and white quilt and i think it will be" just for her". It is so beuatiful, i think it's a good idea to keep some of our quilts. We all tend to give so many away. Way to go Susan . Enjoy your quilt. I love red and white.

This and That Fun Quilts

" Show Stopping" Bento Box for Toni and Debbie's nephew. One of my all time favorites is the bento box (Japanese for 5 compartment lunch box). I especially love the color scheme in this one.. Fantastic wedding present.

Detail on Cheryl's son (Marc's) wedding quilt. The quilt was huge so did not get full photo. Another incredible spin on a black and white quilt

This quilt was too cute. Sadly the full image was double exposed. Retro fabric in a spider-web design. Everything about this quilt is incredible. Another family reunion auction quilt

Janet's adorable lap size quilt. What a fun quilt to have for Valentines decor.

More This and That

Applique Wedding Quilt

Jane appliqued this quilt for her grandsons wedding, what a labor of love. Fabulous

Just a little more detail so I won't forget if i get more applique quilts. Did i mention, i love applique, a method that takes so much time.

Great Barter Quilt

My friend Francie did a barter with me. I built her a quilt, designing, piecing and quilting, and she and her husband Brian did landscaping at my house... Great trade for me.

Sunbonnet Sue (Classic Favorite)

All I can say is , I wish this was mine. I did quilt it but I sadly had to give it back to it's rightful owner. I heart Sunbonnet Sue.

Some Buggy Barn Quilts

The quilt below I did not quilt but is a cute example of buggy barn piecing. This quilt was on display at Broadbents (one of my favorite quilt stores) I have no idea why the color is so distorted.
This next" buggy barn" star quilt was pieced by Shirley. A bunch of her friends got together and took a class. I got to quilt several of the quilts but forgot to get photos of each one. So fun

Becky did this " buggy barn" doggy quilt for her grandson. Lucky boy . The noses are wool.

Reversable Quilt

I liked the back of this quilt as much as the front . This is a wedding present for Judy's son. I used verigated green thread that went from forest green, to lime green, to white, with a little yellow for good measure. I quilted it very tightly and the back looks great. Sorry sounds self promoting.

Family Reunion Quilt

This is an incredible quilt for an auction at a family reunion. Cheryl hand stitched the family creed into the quilt and also added Pres. Hinckley's Be Attitudes. The bidding for this quilt went high! Great sentimental value

I Love Black And White

Here's another fabulous black and white. This is a "block of the month" 2009, from Quilts Etc. that Susan did for her daughter who is in Florida right now. Her daughter is going to scream with delight, because, This. quilt. is. spectacular.

Christmas

I know we just sent the kids back to school and that the high of the day will be well in the 90's but with fall just around the corner, it really is time to start thinking about Christmas.

This is one of eight panels Marlene did for her grand-children last year. Wouldn't you have loved to receive one of these? I just love Nancy Halvorsen and think this panel is so darling. I might have to see if I can find one on Ebay.