Sunny Summer Days

July 9, 20189 Comments

My quilting buds and I decided to take a break from quilting and enjoy a sunny summer day in the park.

As you can see, Sadie is considering what food might be near that picnic table off to the right and Norma is guarding her stick. Me…I am just relaxing in the shade, thinking about what ~~food~~ flavor of ice cream is in the freezer!

Sadie, Cindy and Norma

We were taking a quilting break because my neighbors, who just happen to be teen-age girls, or TAGs (acronym for teen-age girls) came over to make a table runner for their annual July 4th celebration. What fun we had! Fabrics were sorted and debated while listening to the latest top 40 hits.

Cutting was a breeze with the rotary cutter (after discussing safety rules, of course!) Let’s just say flip flops and rotary cutters were making me a nervous wreck!

The design wall was a hit…lots of mixing, matching and singing to those top 40 hits! They were in love with the blueberry fabric.

Looking good….sewing took a bit of time.

We had to test the “almost finished” project to make sure it was just the right size!

Good news! We finished the table runner in the nick of time! The TAGs and I are working on another project that I hope to show you soon!

Now, where was I before I got distracted by quilting?

Patriotic Table Runner – Free Pattern!

May 24, 2018July 6, 20189 Comments

Memorial Day is just around the corner and that means July 4th is not far behind! I got a jump start on July 4th planning by designing this Patriotic Pinwheels Table Runner.

Patriotic_pinwheels_2

The fabric is from the Sweet Land of Liberty Collection designed by Thomas Wood and Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics

I am attracted to fabrics with words and this word fabric…well…it practically jumped off the shelf and into my welcoming arms! Pinwheels are another favorite of mine, so why not combine my faves into a great July 4th table runner?

Patriotic_pinwheels_1

Below is a bird’s eye view of the finished table runner. If you are a beginning quilter, our step by step instructions will help guide you through the pinwheel making process.

Patriotic_pinwheels_3a

You can download the pattern by clicking on this link:

Patriotic Pinwheels GBD 07 06 18

We’ll be posting this pattern to the Fave Quilts website as well. There will be plenty of July 4th quilting inspiration on Fave Quilts so be sure to take a look!

I bought lots of extra Sweet Land of Liberty fabric so I’ll get back to work and make a few more table runners for Christmas gifts. Yes, it’s not too early to start thinking about such things!

Happy 4th of July!

June 29, 20174 Comments

Woo hoo! My favorite holiday weekend is upon us! To celebrate, I wanted to share pictures of this lovely quilt. It hangs inside our county office building. I love everything about this quilt — and I love the fact that the county officials think so much of it that it hangs in a place of honor outside the official board chambers.

The quilt designer is Debbie Mumm.

The purple hills with the fabulous cloud-like quilting in the background bring tears to my eyes.

Is this applique work perfect or what?

What do you think, machine embroidery for the letters or was it done by hand?

Notice the double arrows pointing upwards above the steeple — neat detail!

The label is lovely too. The embroidered stars demonstrate the perfect level of detail in this quilt.

You can find the America the Beautiful pattern here.

I hope you have a fun weekend with friends and family. Stay safe.

“Your Opinion” Give Away

June 1, 201719 Comments

I need your opinion!

Everyone who comments will have their name entered into a drawing for one package of American Made Brand 5″ cotton solids in patriotic colors (shown below).

The winner of the drawing will be announced on Monday, June 5, so be sure to check back in with us!

Now, back to why I need your opinion!

I made the quilt below from a kit I purchased from Quilts & Sew Forth in Mentor, Ohio. It’s a fast and easy pattern that uses two yards of three different fabrics. BUT there was not enough fabric in the kit to make the binding. On to plan B which requires a trip to the quilting store…I love this plan!