Maddie, I Hope You Dance

Finished a special quilt order today.  When the order was placed for the granddaughter I was told that she was passionate about ballet.  Well, there is a song sung by LeeAnn Womack called "I Hope You Dance".  The words have great meaning to me.  I knew the quilt had to be named "Maddie, I Hope You Dance".  I used one verse from the song on the label.

The pattern is the Disappearing Pinwheel Basket by Missouri Star Quilt Co.  When I first saw the tutorial given by Jenny Doan the center of the blocks reminded me of dancers twirling around, arms spread out, and skirts in full twirl.  This had to be the pattern for this quilt.

The fabric is Artisan Batiks - Aqua Spa, Moda solid white, and Cobblestone by Connecting Threads in lavender.

I love this quilt,  My granddaughter loves this quilt.  I hope Maddie loves this quilt too.

I Hope You Dance
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance 

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance 

Apple Time Quilt

My daughter in law, Trista, wanted to make a quilt for one of my grandson's teachers.  Apparently, she is an exceptional teacher.  Well, Trista is a busy mother of 4 & attending college as well.  I ended up making the quilt after finding a pattern called "Bushel of Apples" by  Penny Rose Fabrics.  It measures about 68" x 68".  I really like the bright colors.  Trista had purchased several fat quarters & I added some pink, yellow, white print, and the yellow & red border fabric.  I have given information on the apple appliques in a previous blog.

I machine quilted a very simple all over loop pattern with a custard colored thread.

I usually make a matching pillowcase to gift the quilt in.  However, this time I used the left over 9 patch squares and the one apple applique block and made a tote bag.  I am very happy with the results.

The sun finally shining through the front windows.  We had a storm blow through last night so it was too wet to take pictures outside.

I love all of the colors.

Had to make the label on my Babylock as my embroidery machine needs some work.  But it will do for this quilt.  I named the quilt "Apple Time".

Made a matching tote bag with the leftover 9 patch blocks & the one left over applique block.

Easy Strip Set Cuts

I like to find multiple uses for my die cutters. Just marked a horizontal line across the 2 1/2" strip die. Cuts the sets in  no time & they are ready to sew into 9 patch squares.

Cutting begins

I cut 10  1/2" pieces from the fat quarters then ran those through my Accucut die cutter using the 2 1/2" die. Seconds later I have all of my strips cut to make strip sets to make the 9 square blocks.  I can cut 10 layers of cotton fabric at one time!

Teacher's Quilt Started

My daughter-in-law requested a quilt for one of my grandsons teachers. Found the pattern by Penny Rose Fabrics called Bushel of Apples. It has 41 appliqué blocks. Well, you know how I like to simplify. Got out my Accuquilt dies and found three that would help me on this project. The 4" circle worked for the apple. I just had to draw the apple on the iron on transfer & cut out a small portion of the cut circle. Then I used the bottom of one of the cedar tree dies for the apple stem and used one of the leaf dies to ginish the apple appliqué. Started sewing them today. I rwally have enjoyed my die cutter!

New Year Brings New Projects

Well, I started a design in my head one night just after New Year's.  It is a simple block using all kinds of left over fabric.  The 2 1/2" squares have been utilized over the past 2 years and the box just doesn't seem to empty!  The 2 1/2" strips were from projects over the past year including kids PJs.  The 5" squares were leftover from prior projects.  It amazes me just how many quilts you can make from a little bag/box of scraps.  I have an idea to use some of the remaining scraps too.  I haven't even touched my scrap bins!

This quilt finished at approximately 78" x 87".  I backed it with some awesome flannel fabric.  I have used this flannel for PJs a few years ago and bought another piece of it a couple of years ago at Joann's Fabric.  What can I say, other than I love flannel backed quilts.  They were my most requested backings on the baby/kids quilts.

I used the one remaining block for the label.  Don't know why I named the quilt "Pieces of Time" other than the pieces used were from projects over the past couple of years or so.

Good way to use my not so favorite color (orange)

You can see the fun fabrics here: Dinosaurs, Monkey, Paisley, etc.

You can see that I tried to use up more of the 2 1/2 squares in the border!

This quilt was made using this one block.  It is how you set them in the rows that changes the look of the quilt.  I liked this setting the best.

Oh yes, This is what I still have left of the box & bag.  What's a girl to do?

Hope this year is fabulous for you and that you enjoy every single minute of it.

Deltasaurus

A while ago I stopped at a lovely quilt shop in Delta, Utah.  Mom's Crafts & Fabrics.  Found this cute little dinosaur quilt kit.  I don't buy kits, but I could not resist the little dinosaur print.  I just finished the quilt today.  It is backed with Minkee fabric.  The last of the Minkee fabric.  This is not my favorite fabric to sew on.  It makes me sneeze!  Anyway, one problem I found was that the directions had the wrong measurements for the strip sets.  They need to be 10 1/2 inches and NOT the 10 inches as in the directions.  I ended up making a scrappy binding as there was not enough grey fabric to use.  But you know me, I am all about scrappy!

The quilt finishes at approximately 40" x 50".  I named it "Deltasaurus" in honor of where the quilt store is located.

Cute little quilt.

Love the dinosaurs.

"Deltasaurus"

This will be the final quilt of 2017.  Hope you all enjoy the coming year and that it is filled with stitching.  Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread House!

Hannah called me on my cell phone while we were at IFA shopping for some needed items.  Of course she wanted some Grandma B time.  What can I say!  She wanted to make gingerbread houses.  Well, it's a graham cracker house but she designed and decorated the project.  She seemed to have a great time.  Good day.  Thankful for grandchildren, time off from work, and creativity on a shoe string.

.... and so the project begins.

Hannah had to snap photos of all sides of the finished project.

One proud and happy child.

Busy Week!

I am taking the next 3 days off of work.  I have wrapped the Christmas presents; I am working on the Dammit Dolls; and the pumpkin pies are in the oven.

So much to be thankful for at this time of year.  Actually, throughout the entire year.

This is what the quilt frame is used for when there is no quilt on it!  I don't take any quilt orders after October.  If I do, they are not due until the next year.

Dammit Doll manufacturing station.

A few of the little guys are done.

I printed the labels on photo fabric this year and sewed them onto their tummies.

Typically I just print a paper label & attach it to the ribbon around their neck.

Cooling racks waiting for the pies to be done.

Hoping that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  From our house to yours, The Bevilockway Clan.

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Colossians 3: 15 - 17

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Aquamarine

Finished a quilt order last night.  I designed the quilt utilizing a two block system that I found in a book "Creative Two-Block Quilts" by Trice Boerens.  I designed the borders and the quilt finishes at approximately 75" x 82 1/2".  Also made a matching pillow case.  I had to special order the teal fabric & was very happy with it.  The navy fabric came from the same company.  The grey fabric was purchased at Christensen's Department store in Richfield, Utah.  I machine quilted the quilt with free motion quilting in a posey design.  I really like the quilt.  What is amazing is that my hubby really likes this quilt too.  I hope this is what the person who ordered the quilt was hoping for.  I like having free reign in design, but you just never know what the customer is expecting.  I used one of my vintage sewing machines (Aldens) to make this project.  I really enjoy using my vintage machines.

I think the next projects will have to be Christmas gifts.  Christmas is only 3 months away!!  PJ patterns - here I come!

I really like the inner border on this quilt.

Posey edge to edge quilting

And of course, the label

One pillowcase to go 

One of my vintage machines.  She sewed like a dream on this project.