U.S. Postal Service Fan of the Month

Sandy and I do a lot of mailing back and forth through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).  Since she lives in Upstate New York and I live in Central Ohio, it’s really the best (and least expensive!!!) way for us to pass projects back and forth.

Look what she just sent me!  It was a big box of fabric for a project we started in August.  I am a huge fan of all these beautiful grays, yellows, golds and creams.  This box not only made my day, it made me the USPS October Fan of the Month!

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Truth be told, Sandy hit a creative wall while trying to work out a new pattern design.  I jumped at the chance to give it a try because the combination of these colors and fabrics will provide me with a great cold weather project.

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Then, as luck would have it, I was at the Red Rooster Quilt Shop with my dear friend, MJ, when I stumbled across a scrap pack that had the same large floral fabric along with some other gray, black, yellow and cream fabrics.  What a find!

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Sandy, I’m working on it, I promise!

Well, I mean at least the fabric is out of the box and Norma has given it her sniff of approval!

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Patriot Inspiration

Thank you to the Veterans of the United States Military for your service to our country!

My quilt guild held a two day retreat this past weekend.  Since it was Veteran’s Day Weekend, I decided to finish tacking down the binding on my American Flag Quilt.

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The flag in the quilt is actually a panel by Timeless Treasures Fabrics that I purchased at Red Rooster Quilts in Dublin, Ohio.  Red Rooster designed the quilt by adding a wide inner border of off white fabric and a wide outer border of Timeless Treasures blue & white stars.  The quilt is finished with a red binding.

I fell in love with the fabrics in this quilt because they all have a “weathered barn” look which can hide a multitude of wear and tear.  Hopefully this quilt will see more wear and less tear!

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My quilter, Ms. SJ, used a stars & loops design to add another patriotic dimension to my fast and easy masterpiece.

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This quilt is now on my couch where it will provide patriotic inspiration all year round!

Travels Pillow: Opinions Needed!

While shopping at Red Rooster Quilts in Dublin, Ohio, I found this USA map panel.  It’s the perfect size for a large pillow that will probably finish around 20 x 20 inches square.  These colors work perfectly with our family room color scheme, game on!

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I decided to start in the New England states and work my way from east to west, keeping with the history of our nation.  I’m outlining every state with a straight stitch…Rhode Island is really tiny!

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Since I visited Alaska last year, I am very much in love with this state!  I can’t wait to get started on outlining AK!  By the time I get there, it will mean I’m almost finished with outline quilting.  Wish me luck with outlining all those little Hawaiian Islands!

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Back to Opinions Needed:

What is the best way to mark each state I have visited in my travels?  Should I add a bead?  A sparkle?  What would you do?