Tag Archives: Quilting

One More in The Books

No, no – the project here at Whispering Pines has another day (or two, depending on the concrete delivery!) before that gets wrapped up. What is ‘in the books’ – signed, sealed and delivered – is Alexandra’s quilt.
You might recall back in May I talked about the tradition I’ve been carrying on about making each grandchild a bed quilt once they’ve outgrown their crib quilt. Over the years my time-line goal has changed from when they move into a ‘big bed’ to hopefully before they turn 7! Well, it was sweet Alexandra’s turn!
This is where we were when we left Ohio –
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The fabric was purchased and the pattern had been chosen. By the time we were heading to the cabin to get ready for the Family Reunion, I had it cut out – which was a very good start! I even set up a little sewing corner at the Cabin to continue to make progress on it!
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I finished up the squares in West Virginia, and started constructing it Oklahoma!
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By the time we made it to Texas it was ready to get sandwiched. (Securing all three quilt layers before the actual quilting happens. Check out all those safety pins!)
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Pretty thankful for that big table at the SOWER office!
Finally – it was time to do the actual quilting!
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Man, that was a lot of straight(ish) lines!
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Got it labeled,
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and just a week after her 7th birthday this well traveled quilt that started in Ohio (then went to Vermont-West Virginia-Oklahoma-Texas) returned to Ohio!
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I think it was a hit! It was a joy to make it for her and pray over all those stitches before I sent it on it’s way!

Next up is Taran – he turns seven in February.
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Gulp. =) The clock is ticking……..

Baby Things

Starting with grandbaby number one (back in 2003!) I started making two crib quilts for each baby. One was pre-birth and was made with heavy duty wear in mind. It was the ‘throw on the floor’ quilt that I hoped would gets lots of use. The second was constructed after the baby’s arrival, usually with lots of input from Mom. I still hoped it would get lots of use, but (in my mind anyway) was a bit more special. This past year we’ve had two additions our family – Deacon Wood arrived a year ago October, and Everly Quinn joined the family in early June.
Here’s Deacon’s pre-birth quilt –
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and here is Everly’s (we didn’t know she was a she until she was born, so I just went with bright!).
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When we were together with the families at the end of the summer I was able to steal away with the Moms to pick out fabric and patterns, and then I was good to go! Since Deacon was oldest, his got first priority. Abigail picked out some great fabrics and this was really fun to put together!
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So many triangles!!!

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You are such a hoot, Deacon!

Once I had a good start on Deacon’s quilt it was time to get started on Everly’s.  We’ve had a run on little boys lately, so it was especially fun to work with the pinks and greens and flowers….seemed like a while since I’d been working on those hues!
I was able to ship it up to Ohio several weeks ago, and it seems that Mom was pleased!
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And little Everly seems to be enjoying it too!
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What a little munchkin!!!

Making quilts for my grandbabies makes my heart happy! Each quilt goes to those little ones filled with love and prayers. But beyond the designing and sewing and quilting, what I truly treasure is the time I got to spend with my precious Daughters-in-love as we  planned out and shopped for each quilt. With all the busyness of family life, those excursions are too few and too far between, so I never want to take them for granted. I don’t know if there are any more grandbaby quilts in my future, but I’m pretty sure my quilting days aren’t over. Alexandra, aren’t you next for a bed quilt?

My Addiction

ATKtagalongtote_LRGToday I succumbed to one of my addictions. In the years since I acquired this pattern (2011) I have made this bag over 20 times. I’ve made them for all the grandgirls, a DIL, and both my sisters. I’ve made them for friends, I’ve made them for auctions, and occasionally I even get paid to make one. I often make them in pairs, since it’s just as easy to make two as it is one (like lasagna, right?!). I love it because it’s cute, functional, and I can make one/two from start to finish in a day. Apparently, I am unable to resist the urge to make one of these bags when I have my sewing machine out and I’m between projects. (Well, I’m not exactly between projects, but I am at a stopping point and I need some additional fabric to continue and I won’t have that until next weekend. So what to do with a mostly empty Saturday? Find three fat quarters that go together, and make a tote!) Now mind you, I have three of these bags in my stash drawer, but still I felt the need to make another. I think this will work just great for our upcoming cruise, don’t you?(43 days and counting!)
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Or maybe it will just go into the stash! But all in all – it was a fun way to spend a Saturday!

I rummaged around in my pictures to see if I had any pictures of my little totes – and here is a selection of the product of my addiction!

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I love making these (complete with zipper closure and inside pocket), so if you have three fat quarters that you love together, let me know! I bet we can make a deal!