FAT QUARTER PATCHWORK QUILT ALONG #1

I can not resist a block of the month program.  So once again I have enlisted myself into this one.  The Fat Quarter Shop has started this one beginning this month and going through the year until December.  I have decided to do mine in red fabrics.  This is just three of the six blocks I've finished.  You can sign up for the quilt along with Jedi Craft Girl under her Recent Posts Fat Quarter Shop Quilt Along 2017.  Her post showed her blocks done all in red.  I have tons of reds so thought it a great way to use up some of them.   Well it is practically a finish so I am linking up with

Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Busy Hands Quilts

   

1930's PRESIDENT'S QUILT

My guild is making a quilt for our outgoing guild president.  It will be a sampler and I selected a pear block.  These blocks are 6 1/2 inches square.  The biggest cut of fabric was 2 1/2 inches and the smallest ones are 1 inch square.  It is a challenge and it has to be a perfect 6 1/2 inches.

Pear number one, perfect and very cute.

And pear number two.

And it is done.  The only thing left is the embroidery of two pear seeds on the right hand pear.  Embroidery is not my thing, so I have attached a note to my block and the gal in charge will have to do that for me.  Hmmm I see my design board is covered with threads.  I have tried to use a lint roller to get them off, but they are pretty stubborn.  One of those things I guess I will have to live with.

Given I have a finished block and a messy design board I will link up this week with:

Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts

The Needle and Thread Network

Susan at Midweek Makers

QUILT SHOW PREPARATION

I belong to our local quilt guild, over the last several years I have been involved with our semi annual quilt shows and served as treasurer for three years as well.  Michelle was in charge of the basket raffle, but her home is very small, so I volunteered to store all the articles coming in from guild members in our guest bedroom.

The show set up is one week from today and the show will run on Saturday and Sunday the 21st and 22nd.  Michelle and I got together here yesterday and we loaded all the offerings into baskets coordinated with patterns, books, and fabrics.  There is a knitting basket, a golf basket, a child's art case, and of course all kinds of quilting baskets with books, and patterns.  These will all be set up and show attendees can purchase a raffle tickets for $1.00 each and put them into a jar in front of the basket of their choice.  We have 26 baskets spread out all over the guest bed ready to go to the show venue.  At the end of Sunday a ticket will be drawn for each basket.

My antique quilts are almost ready to take to the show for a bed turning exhibition.  There is a bit of a funny story about these quilts.  I was visiting my friend Brooke in Idaho for a week and my husband called me to tell me he had gone to a garage sale and bought me three antique quilts and the stand for $10.00.  Well, I am not much of a fan of ratty old antique quilts that could possibly be purchase for $10.00, but the thought was nice right!
I got home and the quilts were in perfect condition except they were yellow with cigarette smoke, and they smelled awful.  I had no choice I tossed all three into the washing machine and ran them through twice and hoped for the best, and yes I did the unforgivable and ran them through the dryer on delicate too.  Remember I am not much of a fan of antique quilts, so please do not call the quilt police on me.  However, despite my abuse they came out in like new condition.  No rips, no stains, and all that hand stitching without a break or seam opened, and they no longer smelled awful and the white fabrics are now white.  The red and white one has an embroidery date of 1929.

And last my three quilts that will be hung in the show are ready as well.  So it is a finish so I am linking up with:

Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Busy Hands Quilts

    
    

A LITTLE AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

I did a little after Christmas shopping this past weekend.  I started out just to run in and grab a couple more batiks for my fall runners. The lady checking out in front of me had some really great Christmas prints.  My stash of Christmas fabrics is very depleted.
She said they were 50% off.  I could not resist.  I purchased a yard and a half of each.  

 These Christmas basics could not be pasted up either.  Don't you just love a good sale?  Nothing like new fabric either.

Now here is the real splurge.  I recently made a basket liner that required a good deal of gather long pieces of fabric.  It is a real pain, the thread often breaks.  So I invested in this ruffler foot.  One of those things you might not use all that much, but when you need one you are so glad you have it.  Time to go back on my resolution not to spend money on fabric and tools and also to link up with.

Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts

The Needle and Thread Network

Susan at Midweek Makers

BIRTHDAY GIFT

A gift for my granddaughter; her birthday is the 23rd and she will be eleven.  Sorry for the poor photo.  It is raining outside and this quilt is pretty big, so we had to take photos inside.  I should have enlisted help last night from my daughter, but husband and I are on our own this morning.  

It was made mostly from scraps of Thimble Blossom fabrics, and is 72 by 80 inches.  Those 12 inch blocks add up pretty fast.  She lives in Idaho so I expect a large cosy quilt will be nice to cuddle in.

It is a finish so I am linking up with 

Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Busy Hands Quilts

FALL RUNNERS

For some time I have been thinking of making fall runners for my entertainment center and sofa table.  I looked at all sorts of patterns with leaves to appliqué, but just did not find anything that really caught my eye.  Over the last few days I was going through quilt magazines to determine what to keep and what to toss.  I saw a really great quilt idea, and immediately knew it would be perfect for my two runners.  

I decided to use all batiks so pulled out my stash and then added just three more purchased prints.  I may have to take a trip to another quilt store for one or two more.  The upper photo is a start on the sofa table runner, which will be 13 by 43.  This lower photo is the start for my entertainment center which is 18 by 70.  

It's a nice start so I am linking up with

Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts

The Needle and Thread Network

Susan at Mid Week Makers