Summer Kick Off

This photo makes me a bit dizzy! Flag Day is always a good time to get out my patriotic and red, white and blue quilts for summer. The banister makes a good holding place until I can get them changed up around the house.

More.....more...more. I admit I make/have  a lot of patriotic quilts and other decor.

All ready for company! We'll keep the light on for ya'!!

Little of This and That

 Here's my little cowboy grand nephew Neil. Thanks again for the western/cowboy fabric you shared for me to make him a quilt. I get the joy of seeing him every so often while I'm working. I entertain him while mom and dad eat lunch. He is so much fun!

 Here are my next three Sally Post blocks. They aren't stitched yet, but I wanted to show them to you. I love the one in the basket.

 

I've got a few friendship stars made for a little swap at Sunriver with some friends who will be gathering soon for the Sisters Show. I'm getting so excited!!

Speaking of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show,  the nearby town of Redmond is having a 

Summer Quilt Expo from Thursday - Sunday quilt show week. Click on the link the take you there. If you plan on attending print out a coupon for a discount on your entry.

I was honored to be the featured blog for the Ninigret Quilters Guild newsletter. (Rhode Island)
Thank you so much!!

Only a few more weeks until Google Reader is no more. I'm trying to "claim" my blog at Bloglovin and they want me to insert this into my post. Feel free to subscribe..
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Medallion Sewalong Border 4

 Here's my quilt all basted and ready for quilting. I'm hoping to have that done in the next two weeks.
Just remember I am not a professional quilt designer or a pro at putting patterns on the web. Thanks goes to Kaaren and her excellent help! In order to do the outer border you will need to go back to the center pattern HERE and get that. It utilizes the same pieces. (isn't that convenient?!) You will find the pattern for the date HERE.  Let me know if you have any troubles getting it. The date is reversed for using fusible paper.
First thing you will need to do is add another little border. We don't need to make anything fit so I don't like to call it a coping border, but it looks nice. Personally I think it should be the same size as the inner small border. Mine finishes at 1". When that is attached it should measure 30.5" square.

It was easier for me to sew the borders on then layout my applique pieces. I cut my borders 6" wide. Why not 6 1/2"?  I really wanted this quilt to be backed with one width of fabric.  I added my borders, top and bottom, then the sides,  then laid out my bias binding, pinned it heavily, then laid out my applique pieces and ironed them in place. Feel free to play with the layout or use the photo as an example.
Below is a tutorial on how I do my bias binding. As usual there is 101 ways to the same end result.

 This particular one is for fusible, but it was probably all I could find at the time. Feel free to fuse your vine as well, This makes 3/8" wide bias strip.

 If you want more than a straight vine you have to cut it on the bias, which looks like this. It doesn't have to be exactly 45 degrees. It's going to have some stretch regardless.

 Because my bias maker is 3/8" you double that to know what width to cut your fabric. In this instance it is 3/4".  Sew your pieces together to get a very long strip. There are  breaks at the quilt corners that you can cover the ends with an applique piece, so your strip does not need to go around the whole quilt. That is just not that easy. (at least for me!)

 Insert your fabric like this. Use a pin to push the fabric out the small end.

 Ta-da! Here it comes all folded over for you.

 Turn it over and get your hot iron ready.

 Slowly iron and pull the bias tape maker. I spray the heck out of it with starch to keep it from unfolding. Watch your fingers so you don't get burned!

Once I have my bias strip made I turn it over and iron in the position I'll need it to be on my quilt border. I use steam to help me accomplish this.

I can't think of anything else. Please ask questions if something isn't clear.
Be sure to add the link to your medallion so far -HERE.. I love seeing what you all have come up with!

I Interupt this Quilt Blog....

To bring you a bit of life's excitement!

I couldn't stop with just one jump. I think I've caught the bug!!

It was a beautiful spring  day and I was so excited. The last time (first jump) the weather was cloudy and chilly, but this time I waited for the forecast to be sunny and clear before committing. And it was. That is Mt Jefferson off in the distance.

Right about the middle of the screen is the jump zone. It is looking pretty small and we are barely in the sky!

Another pretty view of the mountain.

 

Three Sisters mountains in the distance. I climbed the one on the right last August. It was the hardest physical thing I've ever done.

The flags are on both sides of the landing zone. Wind is your friend on landing.  As you can see in this photo there is NO wind. The guy I was tandem with let the ground crew know what to expect when he yelled, "Coming in hot!" We had a bit of a tumble on the landing, but it is considered a good landing when you can walk away!

This is not a peace sign, it is 2,  as in jump #2. I love this photo even though it isn't very flattering. I was so excited! Next up? Class so I can jump alone. Whoop! Whoop!

Medallion Link-Up Party!!

Come right back here Tuesday for the final border directions of our Medallion Sewalong.
You will need your center pattern so have that handy. You can always download it again here.

BTW, The outer red border was not associated with row 3, we will add that before the final border. This was the only photo I could find.

If you haven't linked up one of your parts please do it here! It doesn't have to be just with row three. If you started late and only have the center block completed, then please add a link to your blog with that center.
If you do not have a blog and you are sewing along with us, send me a photo and I'll link it.

I basted my quilt yesterday so hopefully we can give you ideas on quilting as well.

The Unperfect Pattern and Giveaway Winners

It feel like eons ago that a lovely generous blogger passed me the pattern for the Scandinavian Christmas. I loved it! But the pieces were much too small and fussy for me, not to mention the difficulty I had cross stitching.  So while I was cleaning my sewing room I came across these two blocks and thought I'd finish them as a mini and pass the patterns along. (On their way to France!) I'm sure I'll enjoy this little quilt, but it wasn't the "perfect" pattern like I thought it would be.
I've been busy and still haven't made any decisions about the other "perfect" pattern! lol

Without further ado, here are the winners of the giveaway.

Market goodie bag- Heather- Peachy Pages

American Girl doll patterns- Linda in NC

Pile O Patterns- Diann Smith

Primitive patterns/books-  LoriS - Lucky Pup Blog

Thank you all for entering and following my blog in all its humbleness!!
Have a great weekend.

The "Perfect" Pattern

Thank you so much for the wonderful pattern suggestions. Below the photo is a list with links to many of those quilts. You may find your "perfect" pattern lurking within the links.

Isn't this white wool applique gorgeous?! Nancy from Tom Minor Folk Art designed it and it is in the latest issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects which I won from Nancy.  Unless you are familiar with the pattern you probably wouldn't even notice that not all of my patterns pieces fit, so I improvised. Thank you Nancy!!

http://jenkingwelldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-patterns-out-soon.html
Green Tea & Sweet Beans

http://patchworkonstonleigh.typepad.com/patchwork-on-stonleigh/2013/05/sweet-william.html
Sweet William

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Primitive Primer
*Pinecones & Hollyberries
*Collector series
*Hospitality Sweets
Aunt Audra's Iris Garden

http://quiltsbycheri.com/

Folk Art Gatherings
Sweet Land of Liberty

http://www.thequiltedcrow.com.au/
Elegant Quilts, Country Charm

http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Gatherings-Quilts-Accessories-Patchwork/dp/1564776506

Primitive Gatherings by Terry Burkhart & Rozan Meacham

http://www.countrythreads.com/shop-now/
Garden Club Quilt by Country Threads
Life in the Country

http://www.kimdiehl.com/frontpage
Kim Diehl quilts

https://www.frommyhearttoyourhands.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi
Really considering **Remember Me
(not what I had originally planned but a nice way to showcase beautiful
fabric and have a fun appliqued border)

http://www.legendandlace.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2
Tiptoe Through the Tulips

http://www.threadbear.com.au/online-store/product/view/29/84
English Basket quilt (sorry Carole, not even close to big, chunky applique,
although so beautiful!)
Phoebe quilt- A 100 year project for me!

http://www.minickandsimpson.com/pages/where_to_find.php
Spirit of Sacajawea

http://www.primitivegatherings.us/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=13678
Evelyn's Album

http://karencunninghamdesigns.blogspot.com/
Irish Circles

http://www.rosemaryyoungs.com/
Amish Circle

Giveaways!!

Giveaway Closed!!

 Here's my Quilt Market giveaway. I'm afraid you'll have to cock your head because no matter what I did I couldn't get it to load upright. It's completely fun and random things. Love Andover's tote bag especially.

 I'm doing a bit of sewing room purging and if you'd like a pile of random patterns please tell me when you leave a comment.

 I know there are lots of Grandma's out there sewing. Be forewarned, these are not beginner patterns!! I made doll clothes before I made quilts. (and Halloween costumes!)You won't get these unless you specify you want them.

Here's one pattern by Lynda but I will be adding a few more patterns and probably a book or two to this group.

Leave a comment and I'll draw names on Friday!!

Giveaway Closed!!

Thanks for all the great ideas on the "perfect" quilt! I've compiled a list and will share it later this week. You blog readers are the best!!

Help Me Find the "Perfect" Pattern

Of course, we all know that the "perfect" pattern doesn't exist, and what may be perfect for one person won't be perfect for another. But I would like your help.

Here's a few goods from quilt market.

A beautiful Moda bundle called Crossroads by Jan Patek.

 This is one of my favorite quilts that I use on the couch. I'd love to make another sampler with various motifs in easy to applique big pieces! (a bit of piecing is great to!) I've seen a few newer prim patterns and as far as I'm concerned there is too much background space (meant to sell more fabric I think)
If you come across something I may like please let me know. The Porch quilt would be perfect, but I don't plan on making that one again!!

Thank you for reading my blog and all your wonderful comments, support and encouragement. Monday I'll have a giveaway ready!!

Christmas Blocks- Caught Up!

This is one of my two monthly projects. I fell behind and didn't get any of these made in April, but I am done....for a few days! This is not an easy block to make, but I'm hoping I'll think it was worth it when it's done.

No, they are not all the same...... It just happens....

Like the Sally Post blocks I like to try and get the rows together while I'm making it so it isn't as much work at the end.

I've noticed I was at 999 followers (not including bloglovin'). I'm purging my sewing room and have a few quilt market giveaways, which are super random objects. So, be looking for a giveaway next week!!