Montoya 18

 Dear Nick:  I had purchased the licensed Dallas Cowboy fabric about a year and a half ago as they were your favorite team.  I know you wanted me to make a quilt for you and time got away from me.  When we heard of your accident and subsequent death I had a lump in my chest.  If only I had taken time to get this quilt done - If only you were still here with us - If only If only If only.  If only is not a good mind set.  So I did what I do and hunkered down to make the quilt that I had said I would make for you.  Though you won't be here to wrap yourself up in it I hope your sweet wife, our beautiful Jessica, will hold it close on occasion and know that you are still watching over her.

Love,

Aunt Amy

This quilt was made using modified version of the Town Square pattern from Easy Peasy 3 Yard Quilts by Fabric Cafe.  I added some photos to the center of the quilt hoping that my niece can feel the love that we have for her and her kiddos.  I made her daughter a pillow using a photo of her in her prom dress with her step-dad who thought of her as his princess.  Thank you for that Nick.

The quilt finished at 65" x 94 1/2" and I machine quilted it with a pantograph called Stars of Honor from Quilting Pantographs. I used Glide thread in the color Cool Grey.

I hope you all hug your loved ones and let them know that you will be there for them through Hell or High Water.

Finished at 65" x 94 1/2"

I borrowed some photos from your FB Jessica.

Hope you don't mind.

Those who could wore their Dallas Cowboy clothing

to your Honor Walk.  I noticed they had the

#18 on the shirts.

Dear Kaleigh with step-dad.  Pillow

to hug when those moments of missing

him hit you.

May Our Flag Forever Wave

 I enjoyed making this quilt using Amy Smart's pattern called Fly The Flag.  I made one of the blocks using only white strips but decided that I wanted to use a variety of cream colors instead.  So the white stripe block now resides in the top right hand corner of the quilt (left side if you are looking at it from the front).  I also pieced the backing as I didn't quite have enough left of some 108" backing that I had used on another quilt.  However, as I don't allow the Quilt Police to bother me.  I am perfectly fine with the pieced backing.  I also made a scrappy binding (wahoooooo!).

The quilt ended p being 68" x 82".  I machine quilted it with a pantograph called Scrollwork from Urban Elementz.  I used Glide Thread in the color White on the top & Blueberry in the bobbin.  Love the way it stitched out.

All the fabrics came from my stash.  I had quite a bit of red/white/blue fabrics with the intention of making patriotic quilts.  Good thing I have an assortment to choose from.  LOL  The red & blue & cream fabrics were actually Fat Quarters.  Don't ever discount those wonderful precuts as they almost always fit into a pieced block somehow.

I am currently adapting Amy Smart's pattern to make larger blocks and see where that leads me.

68" x 82"

I called this one "May Our Flag Forever Wave"

Even a scrappy backing can be appreciated!

RBD BOM 2025

 Completed the Riley Blake Designs 2025 Block of the Month.  I really like the colors now that it's all put together.  The fabrics came from my stash so no new fabric was purchased for this quilt YAY!!  My favorite top three blocks in this quilt are (which may be included in future projects):

1.  The center block designed by RBD.  I really like the 9 square center of this block (center block)

2.  Around the Corner by Beverly McCullough (2nd block from the right on the bottom row)

3.  Irish Spring by Vicki McCarty (center block on the bottom row)

This is the second RBD BOM that I have done.  I enjoyed making almost all of the blocks.  There is always that one that you probably won't make again.

I backed & bound the quilt with a teal fabric from the Zen line by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks.  I had purchased 7 yards of 4 or 5 of the fabrics from this line a couple of years ago.  I love how it worked so well for the backing.

I machine quilted the quilt with a pantograph from Urban Elementz called Fishtail Palm.  I am very pleased with how it worked out.  I used Glide thread 40w in White on the top & Grotto Blue on the bobbin.  

I hope all of you that did this challenge enjoyed it as much as I did.

Find Joy in YOUR journey.

66" x 66"

Wonky Strippy Stars - Once Upon A Time......

 Once upon a time there was a seasoned quilter who decided to use the bag of 2 1/2" strips of fabric (Jelly Rolls) that were purchased in a mystery bag.  Deciding at last that she would make the "Jelly Roll Race Quilt" designed by Donna Jordan of Jordan's Fabrics to honor her (she passed away a few months ago).  Well, the quilter laid the strips out in the order that she thought would look appealing and set to work at one of her trusty vintage Singer sewing machines.  She sewed and trimmed according to the well written pattern knowing this would be a great quilt.  Well, time passed and the top was completed.  However, much to the quilter's chagrin she had trimmed the strips, NOT at the appropriate length, but somehow trimmed the sections at different lengths.  UGH!  Total operator error on this one.

She stared at the wonky top and finally sucked it up - got out her well used 12 1/2" square up ruler and went to work cutting squares on the diagonal.  

Yes, 12 blocks later she decided to utilize the smaller left over sections of the wonky top by cutting them into 4 1/2" squares.  Then to honor the wonky top she proceeded to use those smaller squares to make wonky star blocks.

As you should always have a touch of black (for mourning or classiness - is that a word?) she bordered each of the blocks with 1 1/2" strips of black fabric.  Thus she now had 20 blocks to make a new design out of the debacle that was the Jelly Roll Race top.

Thus, the Wonky Strippy Star block was born.  The quilt finished at 65" x 78".  It is machine quilted with a pantograph called Fern from Urban Elementz using a Glide 40wt thread in the color Khaki.

If you haven't guessed already, I am that quilter.  Yes, at times I do fail at my attempts but the important thing to me is to remember that every quilt deserves to have a life of giving comfort.  Does that quilt need to be perfect, No.  Does it need to win a ribbon, No.  Does it need to find a home with someone to love it, Yes!

So, if you too have those moments of disappointment with your project, fear not.  There is always a light to shine on you.  It may not be the spotlight that you may have wanted, but you will definitely brighten someone else's world with your finished project.

Find Joy in YOUR journey.

Memory Bear

 A friend's mother passed away in February of this year. She asked me if I would make a memory bear with some of her mother's fabric. Of course! It's always an honor to do this service. My friend also gifted me alot of her mother's fabrics. What joy that will be to make quilts to donate.

Three Amigos

 I made these quilts for a neighbor's grandsons.  She said all of the boys are crazy about construction vehicles.  Found some fun fabrics and a pattern called Lightning from Fabric Cafe.  The pattern reminded me of roads and I though the kiddos could "drive" their vehicles on the quilts as well as snuggle in them.

The quilts finished at approximately 52" x 66".  I quilted them with a pantograph called Nutz & Boltz (one of my go to patterns for quilts for boys) from Urban Elementz.  I used Glide thread in the color Baby Blue on each quilt.  I also made them each their own pillowcase to go with their quilt.

Hope the kiddos have fun with these ones.

Next project: a memory bear for another neighbor who lost her Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms, Aunties, Grandmas, Friends, and lover of kiddos.  Enjoy your day and remember, you are so special in someone's life.

Enjoy your journey.

Gifts for Kiddos

 Finished two more quilts for some neighbor kiddos.  I didn't want them to feel left out when the new baby arrives.  The little boy quilt was made with some fabric I had bought for another project.  I did have to buy the yellow fabric to go with it as yellow & orange are not usually colors that I have on hand.  I backed the quilt with a cuddle flannel & called this one "Vohn's Construction".  It finished at approximately 44" x 56".  I machine quilted it with an edge to edge pantograph called Nutz & Boltz from Urban Elements with Glide thread in the color Grotto Blue.  Hubby really liked this quilt.

The second quilt I made using the Louver pattern from Fabric Cafe's 3-Yard Quilts On The Double.  I had all of the fabric in my stash (surprise!).  I have had the print & the pink print for a while now and knew this was the quilt to use it in.  I called this one "Nova Smiles".  It finished at approximately 46" x 63".  I machine quilted it with an edge to edge pantograph called Yellow Wild Flowers from Quilting Pantographs with Glide thread in the color Pink.  So girly don't you think?

I have made coordinating pillowcases for these quilts.

Find Joy in Your Journey!

44" x 56"

Label: Vohn's Construction

46" x 63"

Nova Smiles

.

Star Gazers

 "Star Gazers" is the name that I gave this new quilt.  I had purchased the panel & coordinating fabrics & decided to make a quilt for a little one who is due in a couple of months.  I cut down the panel to a workable size then added borders in a Churn Dash pattern to finish it out.  I love the fabrics which is from a line by Stacey Yacula for QT Fabrics.  The quilt finished at approximately 48 1/2" x 57" which is a nice size for a crib/youth bed.  The little one will be able to grow into this quilt.

If you want to make a similar panel quilt just trim your panel to the size that works for you.  I trimmed this one so that the white border would be the outer border allowing me to add fabric borders to create a nice size quilt.  I make half square triangles that trimmed to 7 1/2" unfinished & the "bars" were cut at 4" which when sewn together gives you a 7 1/2" unfinished stip.  I used the darker of the two border fabrics as the inner border and the darker half of the half square triangles faced into the quilt.

I machine quilted this quilt with an edge to edge pantograph called Lisa's Raindrops from Urban Elementz using Glide thread in the color Grotto Blue.

I will definitely use this technique on other panel baby quilts.

Happy Easter to you all.  

Fun panel with pieced borders.

Label: Star Gazers

Star Legend Farms

 The final patriotic quilt that I had cut out is completed!  No, that does not mean I do not have other patriotic fabric lurking in my stash.  I have wanted to make the Glisten pattern from Fabric Cafe ever since I purchased their Quick Christmas 3-Yard Quilt book.  The pattern did not disappoint.  I enjoyed making the "star" blocks.  It was a totally different layout of the half square triangles than I have done before.

The quilt finished at approximately 60" x 84 1/2".  I used a white on white background fabric, navy blue grunge, South Hill by Fran Gulick of Cotton & Joy for Riley Blake Designs, and the focus fabric was the last of my Heritage U.S.A. from Grace Popp for StudioE.  I also used the RBD fabric for the backing.

I call this quilt "Star Legend Farms".  I was sitting at my embroidery machine & somehow that was the name that I knew I needed to give this quilt.

I machine quilted this one with a pantograph called Curly Twirly from QuiltingPantographs.  I used Glide thread in the color Navy. This quilt is machine bound.

For those who have asked this is the cost breakdown on this twin size quilt.  I did give a break on the cutting/construction as you can imagine how much time those half square triangles took to sew and trim.

Star Legend Farms 60” x 84 ½”

Quilting: 5,070 sq in x $0.03

Miscellaneous: binding 24.08 ft x $3.00 ; cutting/construction 8 hrs x $25

Costs:     Construction: $ 200.00

                Fabric: $ 142.89

                Batting: $ 30.00

                Binding: $ 72.25

                Thread: $ 5.00

                Machine Quilting: : $ 152.10

Subtotal: $ 602.24

Hope this breakdown of costs on this particular quilt gives you an idea of what it takes to construct one of these creations.

Have a wonderful Easter!

My helper is holding this up for the photo.

Label: Star Legend Farms

Machine quilted with Glide thread in the color Navy

Three Little GIfts

 I decided I would make the 3 oldest kiddos in a family their very own quilts.  Shhhhhh, it's a surprise!  I am trying to set up a delivery time when the family will be at home.  The oldest child's favorite color is orange.  Not my favorite but it is hubby's favorite color.  I modified the quilt patterns to include pieced names of the children in one of the quilt rows.

For Rocky's quilt I used the Rickrack pattern from Fabric Cafe's Quick As A Wink 3-Yard Quilts.  I thought it looked "grown up" for a boy.  I used greys and orange for the top and a white with orange flannel for the backing.  It is machine quilted with a pantograph from Urban Elementz called Nutz & Boltz.  The thread is Autumn from Glide Thread.  The quilt finished at approximately 45" x 62".

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The next quilt is Ari.  I used a pattern called Happily Ever After by Ribbon Candy Quilt Company.  Her favorite color is (you guessed it) Pink!  She loves fairy tales and I thought this Cinderellaish pattern was perfect.  I have had the pattern for quite some time and knew this had to be used for Ari.  I enlarged the top to include her name.  The quilt finished at approximately 46 1/2" x 59 1/2".  I machine quilted this one with a pantograph called Love Knot from Urban Elementz using Glide Thread in the color Pink.  I hope she likes this quilt.

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Of course we can't forget Gideon.  His favorite color is Blue!  (mine too!!)  I used a pattern called Sew Fast from Fabric Cafe.  I liked the way this pattern worked out so well that I am planning on using this pattern again very soon.  I machine quilted this quilt with a pantograph called Argyle from Urban Elementz.  I used Glide Thread in the color Sand Dune.  I modified a row to include his name.  It loses value in the photo but I like the dark blues in the name.  It finished at approximately 45" x 60 1/2".

Fabulous Fourth

 Just completed another patriotic quilt today.  The pattern is Stellar from Fabric Cafe's 3-Yard Quilts On The Double.  I used a washed denim color in the center of the stars as I only had one yard of the patriotic blue print.  The background was some yardage from Riley Blake.  I love the off white with gold print as it was perfect with the rest of the fabrics that I used.  I think it worked out very well.  I had just enough yardage of the paisley fabric that I had purchased several years ago from Connecting Threads for the backing.  The quilt is approximately 62" x 86".  I used a polyester batting and machine quilted it with Glide Thread in the color Baby Blue.  It quilted very nicely.

The pantograph that I used to machine quilt this one is called Coquina from Urban Elementz.  I seem to be drawn to pantograph designs with curves.

I named this quilt "Fabulous Fourth".

I have another project cut out and waiting & just pulled 3 more projects out to cut and make as gifts.  Sewing is my happy place.  I hope you all find your happy place too.

Approximately 62" x 86"

Love the patriotic prints.

Pantograph is called Coquina.

"Fabulous Fourth"

I love the paisley backing!

Community Corners

 I decided to create this quilt as it had no HSTs (half square triangles) in the pattern.  I have been making quilt patterns with lots of HSTs lately and just wanted to do something basic this time.  The pattern is called "Corner Play" from Fabric Cafe's book "Pretty Darn Quick 3-Yard Quilts".  This one was very quick.  I have been cutting several quilts out at a time so they are ready for me to put together when I have time to sit and sew.  So far this has worked well this year.  I am drawing fabric from my stash and have been finding fabric that I had forgotten about!  Who knew I had so much patriotic fabric!!

This quilt uses a red & a blue grunge fabric from Basic Grey for Moda.  The gold print is from Dan Morris Design for QT Fabrics.  I did not have enough of the gold fabric (which is referred to as fabric #2 in the pattern) so I found a blue with gold star fabric that worked for border #1 & a strip of it in the backing to make the 4 yards of navy fabric large enough to use for the backing.  I also used it for the binding.

I machine quilted this quilt with the same pantograph that I used on my prior quilt.  It is called Starz & Hearts from Urban Elementz.  I used Glide thread in the color Navy.  It worked out well.

On to the next project!  I have two more cut out and ready to go with patterns and pulled fabric set aside for a few more.  Sewing is my therapy.  I like to keep my mind and hands busy.

Remember to change your clocks tomorrow night.  Ugh!  I don't like losing that hour.

Quilt finished at approximately 69" x 89"

The red fabric looks more red in real life.

Added a strip of fabric to the backing to

make it big enough.

I decided to call this one "Community Corners".

It seems as if small towns gather together

to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks.

Liberty Farms

 I had purchased a bit of fabric that was Americana.  It has barns, cows, and flags on it.  I knew I had to use this in a patriotic quilt.  I had the Make It Patriotic With 3-Yard Quilts book from Fabric Cafe and loved the Liberty pattern.  I made the twin size pattern. The navy blue grunge was always one of my favorite fabrics and fit perfectly with the print fabric.  I call this quilt "Liberty Farms".

The quilt finished at approximately 64" x 83".  I machine quilted it with a pantograph called Starz and Hearts from Urban Elementz. I tried out a new poly batting and it worked alright. A little more loft than what I care for.  I still prefer the Hobbs 80/20 for my quilting.  I used Glide thread in the color Cardinal Red and it was fun to see the pantograph come to life on the quilt.

On to my next project!

Hubby held the quilt for me

Starz & Hearts pantograph

Label: Liberty Farms

Before hubby held it up I had it laying

on the kitchen floor.  Need better lighting!!

Spirits of the Wind

 Last year I purchased a kit from Creative Notions in Salina UT.  I don't usually purchase kits as the first kit that I had ever purchased had an incorrect cutting/finished size for one of the blocks.  There were no updates on the pattern.  I was fortunate enough to pull enough from my stash to closely match what I needed to correct the block.  Fast forward to 2024 & I hit a great sale at a local quilt store in Salina UT and purchased this wall hanging kit.  I loved the colors.  I was even fortunate enough to have enough fabric leftover in the kit to add 2 outer borders and binding.  Granted the binding had to be cut at 2" but it worked out just fine as I hand bound the quilt.  

The quilt ended up being 41" x 58".  I didn't want to piece the backing as I only had "x" amount in my stash to use so I was able to use the width of fabric and a few inches longer for the length.  I machine quilted a pantograph called "Livewire" on my Brother 1500 which is on a Grace Start Right frame.  Worked out very well. In order to give myself some room on the sides for machine quilting I sewed a 5" or so strip of 2 1/2" fabric into an extension to pin onto the quilt sides to allow my machine to have a wee bit more room when quilting.  It works well for me.  I even use this technique on my longarm when I don't have enough to give an additional 4" all around on the backing.  Ingenuity can work in my favor sometimes.

I named the quilt after the pattern "Spirits of the Wind" by Pine Tree Country Quilts.  I really like that the pattern not only has the wall hanging pattern but a throw size quilt pattern as well.

On to the next quilt!

Finished size with extra borders: approximately 41" x 58"

Spirits of the Wind

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"