One down...one to go

                                                 I finally finished one of quilts for my boss.
                                                      I love how some of the quilting looks,

 not happy with some of it.

A little hard to see the quilting from this angle.

Leaves in the corners.

Tree in the center. 

 I could not get a real good picture, Mr. Quilt holder upper was getting cold and when he gets cold his feet and legs really really hurt, so I didn't want him to stay out too long.

The tree really looks awesome.  The tree and the leaves are the parts I really like.
I think it turned out good for my first time of more custom quilting.
The borders look really good too. (pictures are not so good)

What I wasn't pleased with is my loops and inner borders.
 Borders too plain and loops, I don't know ...
a little off.  Over all I love the way it turned out.

Here is something else I have been working on...
I found this in the bottom of a box of quilting notions.
I don't remember putting it there when we moved, and I don't know how it ended up
at the new house.  I still have a lot of old quilting stuff in storage, mauve and country blue
calico,etc., you know what I'm talking about.  But anyway, UFO found it's way to the new house.
I thought it would be good to finish it up, since I probably made it 7 or 8 years ago.
It would have looked really good in our log house in the country, not so good in our current house. 

If my memory serves me right, I never quilted it because I never could decide
on a border.  So I decided no border.  It measures 62X62, perfect size for the quilt ministry.
I need to sew on the binding and deliver to Sarah, http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com
So Sarah this UFO is coming your way. 

I hope there is someone on your list that likes plaid.
I quilted in a large meandering with navy thread (looked better than any other color I had).
Very soft navy flannel for the back.
Even though this quilt was not on my UFO list I going to count it as one and
 link up with Susan at http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com

That's it for me this week...what about you?
Thanks for stopping by.

I still have a few quilts that I need to finish from 2011.  I am working on one of my boss's (I have two bosses, (is that right bosses?) quilt right now.  I pieced both of them before Christmas, remember these were Christmas presents, but the quilting was taking me longer than I thought it would, so I had to bump a few projects ahead of theirs.  I have the one I started on before Christmas back on the frame.  I hope I have not messed up by taking it off the frame and then putting back on, so far so good.  All I have to share today is a little bit of the quilting and I hope it shows well in the pictures.

With a lot of questions answered by Ann at http://bunkhousequilts.blogspot.com/

I am trying my hand at custom quilting.  Hopefully you can tell this is oak leaves.  There is a cluster of these in each corner.  Smaller ones around in different areas.  Can't wait to show the tree in the center of the quilt.  I probably should explain that I work at a wholesale hardwood  lumber company.  We kiln dry red and white oak and sell to customers all over the world.  So that's why I choose oak leaves and a big tree.

Oh I just noticed I missed something.  Do you see it?  Yes a vein in one of the leaves.  I'll have to go back and correct that.  Notice the fabric, maple leaves.  Green is also our company color.  Hopefully, this will turn out close to what I had in my head. 
Joining in with Sarah at http://confessionsofafabricassict.blogspot.com for Whoop Whoop Friday.
What are you working on?

34

I was able to finish another Christmas t-shirt quilt, delivered on Christmas Eve.  Santa was running a little late, but she he made it in the nick of time. Santa's elf didn't hold it up very well. Something we will work on this year. 

This one was for a young lady involved in a lot of activies.  Her mother found t-shirts for everything except music.  It's hard to see but the sashing fabric has little musicial notes on it and her school colors were purple and gold. 

I was also able to finish one of the Cat in the Hat quilts for a lady at work. She wanted it made for her granddaughter's 1pm birthday party this past Saturday.

.I delivered it at 1:15p.m., nothing like being short on time.  It was a big hit at the party.

Stevie has my holder upper this time, he might have found a job if he was taller.

This one made number 34 for 2011.

reflections

This is the time of year that most of us reflect on the ending year and whether by list or mental notes, make a plan for the new year.  Last year around this time I joined Susan http://www.blackberrycreek.typepad.com/ to finish some UFO's.  Susan, I must say, stayed on top of her list of 43 and finished 12 of them and made a start on a few others.  I, on the other hand, didn't do so well. I completed the Batiks quilt for our family room.  Finished piecing my fall quilt.  That's it....but wait in all fairness I did finish a few new quilts.

Next month is my one year anniversary with the Sarah http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/and the Sewing Sister.  I have had so much fun with these ladies and their dedication to a glorious quilt ministry. 

I pieced 5 flimsys (might have been 7, I know I didn't take a picture of every one) for the quilt ministry,

a few of those I quilted.  I quilted 2 flimsys for Sarah when things were running behind. 

I quilted Sarah's quilt that the Sewing Sisters made for her. 

I did not keep up with the number of quilts I made this year, I knew there had been a few, but never in my wildest dream would I have believed (I finally counted)

33!!!

I even managed to spent time with Stevie, take a few weekend trips, sod my yard,

 mow the sod (what was I thinking) clean house, laundry and cook meals, oh and I forgot a
40 hour a week job to help with my quilting addiction.  No wonder I am tired.

But you know what I enjoyed every minute and wouldn't change a thing.

Sarah usually host Whoop Whoop Fridays, but today she ask us to share our most memorable

quilt in 2011.  There have been so many this year...H2H quilts, Down Syndrome baby quilts, ministry quilts, retirement and wedding quilts, baby and toddler size quilts but my most memorable quilt in 2011 is

TA DAH...

The quilt for my friend at work, whose father passed away, made from his father's shirts.  A star for his father, log cabin for home, red center for love and mother, one star for each child, pinwheels for each grandchild and great grandchildren.  He loved the story the quilt told of his father's life.

Maybe not a masterpiece, but I loved making it for him and he loved it and very proud of it.

Shirt lapels on back and a

pocket label.

I still need to write the story down and attach to the back of the quilt.

This year I hope to do as much, I would like to learn more longarm quilting and master the new rulers I received for Christmas.

First on my list is to finish my bosses quilts that were for Christmas (one is out of town until Jan 13th, so I have until then)  instead they received a box of candy with the note

Santa is running behind,

So your present didn't arrive on time

This will have to do...

until your present arrives to you!!

I think they liked the poem better than the candy.

Looking forward to a new year and all that it brings. 

I have enjoyed and think a lot of my new blog friends and hope that those friendships will

grow over the years. I normally do not make list, because I know I won't follow them, but one thing I want to do this year is attend the Paducah quilt show and maybe take a class or two.  I will have to drive back and forth, if I go more than one day, because of Stevie, but I still want to do it.

I hope you have a

Happy New Year!!!!

This elf is tired, are you?

Taking a short break to share and link up with http:confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com

I made this notebook cover for a Dirty Santa gift exchange  with the Sewing Sisters.

This is Sophie's, my great niece, Christmas quilt.  Made with Cat in the Hat fabric.  She will start daycare in Jan and needed a naptime quilt.  i just love how it turned out.

My favorite part is the name and the black and white stripes




 Of course, Vinny, my great nephew, needed one also.  Made with the same fabric but alittle different.  I also included The Cat in the Hat book.

A look at the backs.

I hope they like them.  I have two more, just  like these, to make for a lady at work for her grandchildren.



In addition to these I have made two more t-shirt quilts.  I failed to take a picture on one of them, made with 30 shirts.

This is a Christmas present for a young man.  His father is friends with a lady at work and after seeing her son's t-shirt quilt he wanted one too.  First time I used jerseys, but they worked out fine.  His father cried when he saw it. 


I have another commission t-shirt quilt to make and two quilts for my bosses at work before Christmas.  I have the tops pieced but want to do custom quilting.  And yes, I do know Christmas is a week away.

Stevie was the Stink bug in the school Christmas play, titled A Buggy Christmas. Now you might be like me and wonder what a stink bug or any bug has to do with Christmas, well you'll have to keep wondering because I didn't understand it either.

Well,I guess I had better get back to work, oh I mean quilting.

This Santa elf is working hard

Been alittle while.  Like a lot of you I have been very busy.  I made a t-shirt quilt for a friend of a friend.  30 t-shirts to be exact, this quilt was huge.  I think it was 95x126.  It turned out a lot better than I thought it would.  You will have to take my word for it because it was so big Mister quilt-holder-upper couldn't hold it up.  I brought my camera to work so someone at work could hold it up, but everyone was too busy looking to take a picture, but it didn't matter because my camera wouldn't work.  When the lady came by to pick it up I was going to use my phone, but she was so excited I forgot to ask her for a picture.  Sooo, no picture.  Take my word for it, it was pretty.  I'll post a picture if I can talk her into bringing it back.

This is my To Do list until Christmas...

1. piece and quilt Anthony's t-shirt quilt.

Has been pieced, along with the back and

 is on the frame half quilted. 

2. Piece and quilt 2 quilts for the Bosses at work.

Everyone pitched in for material cost but I have

to make them.

Not even started.  In exchange the ladies at work

will make up the candy bags for Stevie's classroom so

that I have more quilty time..

3. Piece and quilt another t-shirt quilt for a friend of a friend's friend.

4. decorate the rest of our house.

Christmas tree is up, no other decorating inside.

Half of the outside lights are up, ran out, had to go buy more.

(trees and bushes must have really grown.)

5. close out year at work, inventory, etc.

Working on it (inbetween blogging).

I have decided this 8-5 job really interferes.

But I do like a place to sew and I do like to eat so I guess I'll

keep it.

Mister (disabled) quilt-holder-upper says he will wrap presents and

cut out letters for bosses quilts since he can't help me with physical work.

To everyone who is in the same boat,

Get- R- Done!!

So glad all of my shopping is finished.

Check this out

http://catpatches.blogspot.com/p/occupy-your-sewing-room.html

(I don't know if I did that right)  I can't occupy my sewing room for a whole day but I have to use every minute I can.

lots of "stuff" going on

I had to give in and buy a new computer.
Iwas missing my blog buddies.

Took advantage of a great sale going on. 

Taking alittle getting use to. Laptop that is.
Miss my mouse, I keep reaching for it.
May be Santa will bring me one...I'll have to remember to add that to my list.
Although, I don't think a mouse has anything to do with my ability to type,
or should I say inablity to type.
A little catching up
My great nephew turned the big 1 on Nov 2
my sister (his Grandmother) had a great idea.
She bought him a regular size man's Michigan State football jersey,(dad is a big fan)
with his name and the number 10 (year he was born) on the back.
Every year on his birthday he will have his picture made wearing the jersey.
Now this is where I come into the picture.
She needed a book, scrapbook that is to put these pictures in.
No problem, I scrapbook.  She told me this on the Thurs before the party on Saturday.
I'm in Nashville, she is in Buffalo (traveling To NC for the party) and the birthday boy is in Charlotte,NC.  Thank goodness I live close to JoAnns and there is FedX.  I made 4 pages and promised the other 14 as soon as I can get to them.
Here they are 

I don't know why it's sideways and upside down, it would be easier, at least for me, if you just turn your head sideways to see it

Well at least I got this one turned the right way.
His picture will go where the white piece of paper is.

This will be next years picture.  That's little glue tabs so they can place the picture on the white paper.  My sister knows nothing about crafty things, including quilting, so I have to be detailed when I tell her how to put the pictures on the page.

Number three, guess by now you get the picture.

Last one. Aren't you glad I didn't get all 18 finished. All were finished in one night and FedXed on Friday.

That's only a small part of what I've been working on.


Should have posted this first.....
I do have a something very important to share with everyone who donated a quilt to the Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle Tennessee.  I wanted it to be a surprise but I can't wait. (especially since I can blog about it now)

This is me delivering the quilts to Shelia, the director.  They were so, so excited.  They never dreamed someone would do this for them.  Could not believe quilters from different states helped me.
(I had been to the pumpkin patch with Stevie's class on a very windy day so overlook the hairdo)  They have written article that will be published in our quarterly magazine, explainly about how the idea came about, 100Quilts for Kids challenge, and all of the wonderful ladies who helped make a dream come true and how this will be an on going thing for me.  They are also going to send it to the National Down Syndrome Assoc for the national magazine.  I told them I had not worked out all of the details, but I had an idea of teaching people with DS to quilt and together we would make quilts for newborns or in the hospital.  They want to include it in their summer camp program.  How awesome is that?  They gave the first one to the youngest person with Down syndrome at the Buddywalk.
This has been a lot longer than I expected, more things to share, but right now I must go to bed so that
I can go to work tomorrow, very late here.  I have a very large quilt I've been working on to show you next time we get together.
Thanks for stopping by.