Hooray For the Red, White, & "Moo"

 I have been out of stock of patriotic quilts (with the exception of the ones I am keeping).  This month I decided to start on the next round of quilts.  They will be red/white/blue ones.  This quilt was made using a pattern from the Make It Christmas with 3-Yard Quilts from Fabric Cafe.  I have used this pattern before and knew that the panels could be cut to fit the large squares in the pattern.  The cow panels were Heritage U.S.A. by Grace Popp for Studio E Fabrics.  They were the perfect size for this project.  I had some of the white on white fabric left on a bolt so it went into this project as the background.  I backed it with a soft red flannel fabric. 

I machine quilted a pantograph called Scrollwork from Urban Elementz. I did use this design on the last quilt and since it was already set up on the longarm I decided it would look nice on this quilt as well.  You just never know what I am going to do with a quilt design!

The quilt finished at approximately 63" x 87" (twin size).  I machine bound this quilt.  I used the blue grunge fabric for the binding.  I do love a grunge fabric!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my crafty friends.  May your day be filled with kindness & love.

Love the use of a panel for the

cow blocks.

Scrollwork by Urban Elementz for

the pantograph stitching

Label: Hooray For the Red, White, & "Moo"

Gnome For Christmas

 I purchased a layer cake (10" squares) quite a while ago and it has been sitting waiting for me to do something with it.  The fabric is Gnome For Christmas flannel by Tara Reed for Riley Blake Designs.  I added some red flannel as an outer border to make the quilt 70" x 78".  I was lucky enough to find the matching fabric for the backing after I had purchased the layer cake.  

I machine quilted it with an edge to edge pantograph called Scrollwork from Urban Elementz with Glide Thread in Cardinal Red.  The backing and binding are flannel from the same line of fabric that is in the layer cake.

I had laid the squares out in a diagonal color wave.  Of course I had to move it around a bit as to make the colors line up as I wanted them to.  However, I think it worked out quite well.

Sometimes you just need to whip up a quick project!

Approximately 70" x 78"

I named the quilt after the fabric line.

Sometimes you just have to unpick!!

 I had quilted just a few inches down the quilt when I decided I do not like dense quilting.  Yes, I could have carried on with the stitching, however, when it feels like you are not happy with it just take it off the frame and get your buddy Jack the Ripper out.  This will take a while but I just couldn't go on any further and be happy about it.

Yes, sometimes we have to make the decision to change directions even though it will take time to undo what you have already done.  Isn't that true of life as well?

So, keep smiling and enjoy the journey.

Chocolate Moose

 When I found the "Chocolate Moose" pattern from Cotton Street Commons I knew I had to order it.  Though it's been over a year since purchasing the pattern I finally pulled fabrics from my stash to make it.

The background fabric is from the Date Night line by Basic Grey for Moda.  I had used this line in two other quilts and knew I had this piece left.  I had purchased this fabric from the Sunflower Quilt Company in Axtell Utah.  It made just the right background for this quilt.

The quilt ended up being approximately 72" x 83" & will be in the "For Sale" stack I am accumulating.  I machine quilted a pantograph called "Inkblot" from Urban Elementz and used the color Linen from Glide Thread.  It is machine bound (gotta do what my hands will allow some days).

I have another pattern from Cotton Street Commons that is in the lineup to make this year (I hope!).

Keep creating and enjoy the journey!

Chocolate Moose is a fun pattern put together

in sections

Inkblot pantograph

I named it "Chocolate Moose" after

the name of the pattern

January beginnings

 I typically will try to do a no buy January each year. That means going through my supplies on hand for the next projects.

I have had 2 soft book panels for quite a while so out they came today. Fun projects on a snowy Tuesday.

I broke out a different sewing machine today as well. Riccar 808E. She followed me home a while ago and had some TLC in her new home. She sews like a champ.

I must confess that I did buy a quilt kit today, however, in my defense it was the last one they had & it's something I have been looking for. Brings back memories of my school days in CA.

I promise to try to be better at no buy January. Well, unless something on my dream list crosses my path. 😇

Enjoy your week!

Mistletoe Kisses - First quilt of 2025

 When I first saw the Sleigh Bells pattern from Fran Morgan of Fabric Cafe in their book Quick Christmas 3-Yard Quilts I knew I was going to make it.  I had purchased the last of a bolt of Poppy Cotton's Warm Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses from their Snuggle Up Buttercup line and was waiting for just the right time to use it.  There was less than 2 yards which was required for the twin size quilt but I took a chance!  I had just enough of the focus fabric for this quilt.  I had purchased the maroon colored fabric from Creative Notions with this quilt pattern in mind.  I had the green fabric in my stash & a bolt of fabric from The Winter Twist Collection from Jason Yenter for In The Beginning Fabrics.  I really like the way this pattern worked up.

I machine quilted it with Glide Thread in the color Jade using the Red Christmas Poinsettia pantograph from Quilting Pantographs. As there was space between the flowers I did free motion loops to fill the blank space.  I machine bound this quilt after glue basting the binding.  The glue does not hurt the fabric nor the sewing machine.  I use Elmer's School Glue using a very light bead then press it in place.  This process relieves some of the pressure on my hands when I machine bind.

Here's hoping you have a blessed New Year.

Finished size: 59" x 71"

Pantograph with free motion loops as filler.

I called this one Mistletoe Kisses in homage

to the focus fabric.

TBear 2 & TBear4

 Last night I completed the last two quilts for my grandkids.  Now all of them (including the adopted grands) have a "grownup" Grandma quilt.  

TBear 2 was made for #2 Grandson.  The pattern I used for his quilt is Porch Rails from the Pretty Darn Quick 3 Yard Quilt book from Fabric Cafe. This is the 4th pattern that I have made from this book.  The pattern allowed for the focus fabric, Winter Forest from Benartex which I purchased from Creative Notions in Salina UT together with the brown & the green fabrics, and it worked well in the large block.  I machine quilted this quilt with an edge to edge pantograph called Live Wire from Meredith England.

TBear4 was made for #4 Grandson.  This pattern is called Legendary by Elizabeth Hartman. I have a few of her patterns and I would strongly suggest you take a look at all of her patterns as there are so many fun ones.  I used assorted fat quarters for the green trees, the brown is Shades from Riley Blake Designs, the background fabric I purchased from Joann's Fabrics in Cedar City.  I quilted this quilt with an edge to edge pantograph called Nylon from Urban Elementz.

These quilts bring a 2024 total of 19 quilts PLUS 9 for the Sleep In Heavenly Peace project.  So 28 quilts this year.  Not too bad considering I had a 2 month period of no sewing after hubby's accident.

May each of you have many blessings in this coming year.  Enjoy each day as there may be days that seem not so good but they will have something good in them.

God Bless!

Legendary pattern from Elizabeth Hartman

Size: 66" x 78"

Quilted with the Nylon pantograph from

Urban Elementz

Label: TBear4

Porch Rails pattern from Pretty Darn Quick 

3 yard Quilts from Fabric Cafe

Size: 63" x 86"

Edge to edge pantograph is Live Wire

by Meredith England

Label: TBear2

Loving Caring Anonymous Friend

 A morning trip to the Sunflower Quilt Company in Axtell UT this morning. Hubby's longest outing since coming home. To my amazement there was a lovely gift waiting for me from an anonymous friend. My heart is full. Thank you, thank you for this amazing gift. I am speechless.  Please know what a joyful impact you have made! I am humbled & blessed by your thoughtful gift. From the bottom of my heart I am sending love & hugs to whoever you are. I will make a quilt for myself to remind me that good people exist & I am blessed to know them.

Divine Intervention

 Sunday, October 13th. Tom was hit by a car while taking a short ride on his motorcycle. The impact severed the motorcycle in half. EMS arrived shortly after the incident. Assessed at our local hospital then Life Flight to Utah Valley Trauma center. Broken foot, ankle, tibia, femur neck, wrist. They put a titanium rod in the right tibia, screws in the femur neck. It was decided that the ankle & foot did not have enough displacement to warrant surgery at this time. This morning he is in surgery to put a plate & screws in the wrist. He woke up in pain before surgery so at least when he is under anesthesia he will rest. 

Upon seeing photos of the motorcycle remains my oldest son said: "For the ones that don't believe in anything, these photos prove them wrong. You don't walk away from this without Divine intervention."

As hubby had no head, neck, or back trauma I can testify to the truth of this. Injuries were all on the right side of his body.

He has a long road ahead of him, however, he won't be traveling it alone. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has brought me patience, peace, & hope.

Hug your loved ones.  Pray for those in need. Be a friend who watches over others. God bless you all.

Front of bike.                   Back of bike.

What's left of the bike.

Ride Free

 I had purchased the cotton motorcycle print a few months ago (oh and I recently bought the same fabric in tan/brown colors) and I had also bought 2 pieces of Minky fabric thinking that's what I would use for a backing for this fabric.  Well, I ended up making a twin size quilt so I had to piece together Minky in order to have enough to use for backing on this quilt.  The pattern is "United" by Fran Morgan of Fabric Cafe from their Make It Patriotic With 3 Yard Quilts book.  I have enjoyed using their patterns as they are fairly quick to make & always fun.

I called this one "Ride Free" as that was one set of the words on the motorcycle fabric.

I machine quilted this one with a pattern called "Square Halls" from Quilting Pantographs.  It was graphic enough to work well with this quilt.  I used Glide thread in the color Cool Grey for the quilting.

Even though the backing turned out more wonky than I had planned, I don't mind it at all.  Sometimes I push myself outside the box.  This backing did that for me.  Yes, I am still vacuuming up the Minky fluffies.  I even had to clean the ceiling light fixture as it had more fluffies in there as well.  I guess I do sew fast sometimes.  Let the fabric fluffies fly!!!

Size: 62" x 87"

Label - Ride Free

Pieced backing