Who Doesn't LOVE a Quilt Show??

While thinking about what I am thankful for in the quilting world - quilt shows are pretty far up the list!  I love big quilt show events, and small local shows just as much.  I always come away feeling inspired by all of the creativity on display and the amazing workmanship. I also really love the vendor mall, but hey, all those fabulous quilting supplies in one convenient location?  Who can resist?

I've been lucky enough to attend the Quilt Festival in Houston a few times, mostly with a good friend. We get excited about the quilts, the classes, and we never discourage each other from shopping! 😂 This year the Quilt Festival is "virtual", as is most everything right now.  But that means for $10 we can all attend without leaving the comfort of our own home.  If you want to take classes or attend lectures you pay a few dollars extra, but still what a deal!  For more information click here:

https://www.quilts.com/quilt-festival/virtual-quilt-festival/

I plan to purchase a ticket, and maybe attend a lecture or two!  I've never attended a virtual quilt show before, but there's no time like the present to give it a try!  Maybe I'll see you there 😉

 

Squash Squad Almost Finished!

This weekend I worked on the last of the Squash Squad blocks - a Sue Spargo project on Instagram. So, pictured above is Block #9 and pictured below are all nine blocks sewn together.

Then it was time to decide what to do about a border...

I decided to add a small black border (I cut the border strips at 1 3/4 inches), then I carried some of the background embellishments from the blocks out into the border.  I'm really happy with it!  Now a pretty Fall backing and some black binding and I'll get ready to quilt it.  The whole thing measures about 18 inches sqaure - a perfect little wall hanging for Fall 🍁

Below is Michelle's Block #9, done in mirror image and with a pretty colorful little caterpillar!

Here are her  nine blocks all laid out, as she contemplates how she wants to do the quilt top.  I'll have to post a picture when she gets the top all done!

I just had to share this picture Lisa posted on Instagram.  She did her squash all on a cream background and embellished a fancy border with leaves, vines, flowers and bees.  I love it!

This brings me to giving thanks - this time to QUILT TEACHERS, who share their creativity, their designs, their time and talent.  I have learned so much over the years from many different quilt teachers.  This Squash Squad project was provided for free on Sue Spargo's Instagram and website.

❤️❤️ #givethanks to all the wonderful quilt teachers out there!! ❤️❤️

 

Stitch Page #12

This week I emailed out the last stitch page for the Stitch Book class that began last January, back when we thought we would all get together every month and work on these 🤪. I remember last Spring when they asked us to stay at home for two weeks to "slow the spread" of the virus.  At the time I thought it sounded kind of nice to not have to go anywhere for two whole weeks!  Think of what I could get done!  And now.... here we are months later, facing holidays without loved ones and things seem even worse.  I let myself get rather down this week thinking about it all and then I watched this video that reminded me of all of the good things in life, and all that we have to be grateful for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i51gcWCs-Ho

President Nelson asked us to, for the next seven days, share on social media what we are thankful for, using the hashtag #givethanks.  I realize that by sharing what we're thankful for, others might be uplifted, but the biggest benefit is to ourselves because it helps us focus on the positive things in life and not the negative. On Instagram I'm focusing on what I'm thankful for in general.  Here on my quilting blog, I decided to think about and focus on what I'm thankful for in the quilting world.  So scroll to the bottom each day to see something new I will post with gratitude 😊.

Below is Beth's latest stitch page!  Way to go Beth!  I think she is pretty much caught up!!

#givethanks for FRIENDS!!  The biggest benefit by far of the quilting world for me has been all of the wonderful friendships I've made and developed over the 25+ years I've been quilting. Quilters are the most wonderful people and I've been so blessed to get to know and enjoy friendships so many wonderful women.  I have really missed them the past few months, our guild meetings, our classes, our lunch dates etc.  Here's hoping for a vaccine and cure to this virus so we can get together again soon.                                              Be safe and healthy friends. 🙏❤️😊

 

Knitting

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post The Loome (above).  I used it to make the vines on last week's squash.  It really brought me back to my macrame days in the 70's!  Did anyone macrame hanging pot holders for every member of their family?? 😂

This little vine was made using size 8 Perle Cotton, so much tinier than the thick twine I used to use. So fun though!  Then I couched it down in the shape I wanted my vine to be.

You can find out more about The Loome here:

https://www.suespargo.com/store-detail.php?ID=4047

Last January I started a 12 month knitting class.  We knit a different block each month, to learn several different techniques.  I learned SOOOOO much and had such a great time making these blocks.

Yesterday I finished sewing them together to complete my afghan. It's so pretty and so soft, I just love it. A big shout out to Ann, who taught the class and ended up having to finish teaching by email (like I have with the Stitch Book).  She did such a great job making that work... obviously, I mean look how nice mine turned out, right?? 😂  It's so pretty!!  I love it!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hope you're having a really great day!!

 

Squash Squad Block 8

Squash Squad Block 8 - all complete!  Mine is above and Michelle's is below.  So many fun threads and stitches on this block - I love it! ❤️. This week we're working on the last block of this little series.  It will make a cute little Fall wall hanging for next year 😊

This weekend I also worked on stitching together my knitted blocks! 

I'm so excited about this, truly my first real knitted project.

 

The Fashionista

More Beautiful quilts from the Garden of Quilts show in September.

Be sure to scroll down to see our little fashionista 😊

Love, love, love this flower quilt!  I love the colors, the big flowers, and how the quilting in the negative space echos the flower design! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

My daughter and granddaughter FaceTimed with me yesterday because they had a quilting question.  My granddaughter proceeded to ask me which design I liked best, "this one .... OR THIS one that I designed by myself!"  Well, of course I loved the one she designed!  She had arranged four melon shaped into a wedding ring, much like the quilt above!  A little quilter in the making.  She also recently informed her aunt that the fabric on the back of her baby's quilt is called Minkie!

I must be loving big, bold flowers today because I love this one too! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Amazing quilting - above, and I'm guessing these are some Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks in the quilt below.  Looks a lot like the quilt I made for my daughter and son-in-law when they got married.

Who remembers Barbie when she looked like this??  I kind of do, but I was more from the Malibu Barbie era 😂

And here is our little Fashionista!  We love her SO much!! 😊❤️

 

New Fabric Design!

My friend Kim has a new fabric design!  It's so pretty!  (I love the little mice in the foreground and the cat's watchful eyes 😊)  You can find her designs and artwork at:

https://kimberlysimpson.biz/

Just for fun I had to share some recent pics of my adorable granddaughter! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I hope you're having a great day! 😊