Friday, June 4, 2010

I Feel Like An Empty-Nester.... On Sew & Tell Friday!

Hi, all!


Well, there they are - the five quilts for my daughter's silent auction.  Every one is quilted, bound, washed, dried, and photographed.  They've been named, too - from left to right above they are Chocolate on My Mind, Memories of Maui, Summer Wreaths, Breakout Butterflies, and Springtime Susies.  They are also in Nancy's possession now, and my sewing area is looking remarkably empty.  I find that I don't like being "between projects"!!

Here are photographs of Memories of Maui, which was inspired by Ashley's beautiful quilt, Framed.

My daughter saw this quilt after it was washed and said, "Oh, I love all that crinkly white goodness!"  It really is pretty, soft and warm.

And here's my friend Tracy, who donated those fantastic Sunbonnet Sue blocks left over from her granddaughter's quilt that were used to created Springtime Susies.  She wanted to see the finished quilt before it went to the auction, and I wanted to get her picture with it, since she played such an important part in the creation of this quilt!


The front came out really well - I stitched in the ditch around all the blocks, then quilted 1/4 of an inch out around the Sunbonnet Sues.  The solid blocks have wavy lines stitched across them, and the yellow borders have the same wavy lines that intersect in the blue corners.  I  love the back of this quilt, too - lots of scrappy goodness!  It was tedious sewing all those strips together, but I absolutely love the punch it gives this quilt!  The center is a white on white panel, so the outlines of the Sues show up well.  The back is actually as pretty as the front, in a different way - almost like having two quilts in one!


On a slightly different note, this morning I was trying to clean up a little bit and came across one of those 4x4 magnets that they attach to the front of phone books around here - usually advertising an attorney's office.  I started to put it on the refrigerator, thinking all the while how ugly it was.  Then I flashed on the can of spray adhesive I ran across yesterday in a cabinet, and the pad of scrapbooking papers tucked away in my desk.


Five minutes later, I had this:


And fifteen minutes later, I had this!




A beautifully coordinated fridge front!!

It looks like my next project will be a little quilt for Another Little Quilt Swap 4.  I'm experimenting with some different kinds of designs - who know what will come out of this?!  It's fun, anyway!!  I'm already starting to think about doing a "process" blogpost....

Be sure to check out all the Friday finishes at Sew & Tell Friday!!

Later!

Sarah

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Check out this Far Far Away fabric giveaway!!

Hi, all!!

I really had to share this, even though it means there might be more competition for this giveaway - Jennifer at Sugar Stitches is giving away one (or maybe even two) fat quarter bundles of Heather Ross's Far Far Away 2 fabric!!  Be sure to check it out!!  And check out Jennifer's blog, too, while you're there....

Later -

Sarah

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

To All Our Unsung Quilting "Heroes"....

Hi, all!

Tonight I am reminded to be grateful for my quilting "heroes" - those who, while they don't quilt, enable us to do what we love most with their support.  For me, that would be my husband - who never complains about dust in the corners, and who rubs my shoulders when I've spent a few hard hours wrestling with a quilt.  It would also be my granddaughter, who even at the age of two, realizes that a little appreciation goes a long way, and always extravagantly compliments my creations.  She also "complements" them by being my photography assistant!  And it's also the bloggers who share their creations with the world and inspire me to reach higher and farther - and teach me the proper way to use a seam ripper or apply a quilt binding.  Thanks to all of you!!!

Who are your "heroes"?  I'd love to hear.....

Later!

Sarah