Independence Day Dresden Plates

Happy Independence Day!

Here are a few dresden plates I've made for American Hero Quilts. (Surprisingly easy to make!)

We're making red, white, and blue blocks every month and we'll have a sew day to put the quilts together sometime in the fall or winter. 

Our quilt group continues to support the efforts of American Hero Quilts to give quilts to injured service men and women. I look forward to the day when we won't need to make any more. Yes, that is my hope.

Make it a wonderful day!

March Quilt Group Friday

A couple of old gals came to our quilt group today. (I can't believe I used the word "gals"….)

These were made for Helen by her mom a long time ago. Helen's been going through things and came across them, packed away and missing their outfits.  I loved their sweet faces. Helen's going to make them some new cloths, probably Kaffe brights. 

Helen also brought a fabulous quilt she's been working on, and one she may hand quilt.

And she made a block using some very small leftovers from a previous quilt. Hope she makes more of these!

Our group is trying a new project for quilts to donate. Each month is an assigned color. We'll see what we wind up with, but the plan is: Make a 12" block using any pattern and any combination of fabrics that read as the assigned color. So this month's color is green.  Someone will take that month's blocks and sew them together, adding sashing or whatever they want to finish the sampler quilt top. We shall see… hopefully, this will work!!

We're also continuing to support American Hero Quilts. So each month, we'll also bring a red, white, and blue block.

Ardith's working on a Halloween quilt that started with the center and corner panels and she's added borders.

 Lori made this fox pillow for a grand who loves to read...

 And Nan made not one but three baby quilts…

(These are a couple of matching burp cloths.)

And Nan made this challenging quilt. Lots of curved seems along with appliquéd circles too.

Jenny brought a 30's reproduction fabrics quilt with hand appliqués.

I didn't get a photo of Marsha's Aunt Gracie blocks- she donated a quilt and now is making another one to keep.
But I did get a photo of her daughter's clay bunny. M is grown now, but her bunny makes an appearance every spring. His ears are a bit shorter than they used to be, but I love him.

Thank you Marsha for the fabulous lunch and for hosting us today.



Make it a wonderful day!

Quilt Group Friday/February

So I'm waaaaay behind on posting pictures from my monthly quilt group. I did miss a few meetings due to travel. But I 'm going to start catching up by posting a few from last month's get together. 

Here is Helen's brights with gray- perfect for our gray Pacific Northwest .

She brought the perfect fabric she found for the backing.

Our project this year was to bring blocks as requested by the person whose month it was. Did that make sense? Anyway, it was Ardith's turn this time, and she requested red, white, and blue stars. Here's what she got… and we look forward to seeing what she's going to do with them! 

Kareena shared some cute crayon blocks she's working on. 

Jenny shared the quilt she assembled for her kid's elementary school auction.

See these tiny "X" blocks she designed for the posts? Very fun!

 This is Janet's Christmas quilt, pieced and panel blocks.

And this doesn't do justice to Lori's hand embroidered Halloween quilt with pieced blocks in the center.
The quilting by Terry adds so much beautiful texture too.

Lori also shared this cute kitty quilt. I like how she added one gray one too…

 This is a table runner by Denise- love the small color blocks set in the linen blocks.

And another one by Denise. Here is a recent wall hanging she patiently paper-pieced.

Oh, and take a look at this WIP by Jenny- a block for each state, with the state flower fabric for each and the state abbreviation embroidered in the center. An heirloom in the making!

I did have a quilt to share, but shhh! It's a secret project for now…

Make it a Wonderful Day!

A Very Special Quilt

No, I didn't make this. But some very wonderful women made it for me and for my son, Ryan.

Ryan serves as a 1st Lieutenant, US Army, now deployed in Afghanistan. I'm not a military person to say the least. I can't understand how we humans have been on the planet this long and haven't figured out how to get along. But there you have it. Ryan chose this path to serve his country, and I love his desire to do good in the world. He explained to me that he isn't in the fight because he's angry at the world, mad at the bad guys, etc. He loves peace, and wants others to have a chance at that. Who am I to argue with peace?

Anyway, it's not easy having a loved one in harm's way, regardless of their motives. So my quilt group could see I was sad about this (did the tears give me away?), so they took it upon themselves to make me a quilt.

We've made many a quilt for American Hero Quilts. These are given to the returning wounded soldiers. It's a small way to remember that war is suffering that doesn't go away. I think it's important for the costs of war to be on our hearts and minds, and stitching a quilt is one way to let someone who is suffering know they are not forgotten.

Ryan has not been injured, and I hope and pray that he and the soldiers with him remain safe. But my quilting friends wanted to honor Ryan's service, and they knew a quilt was a good way to express their love and support to our family. And when Ryan comes home, the quilt can be his. For now, it's mine.

Quilt Group's May Meeting

Our group was small this month, but still an inspiration! Wish I had time to sew!!

First up is Janet's red, black, and white quilt. Scrappy but focused at the same time. Love the sawtooth border.

Next are Helen's house-'holders. Raw edged appliqued. Super cute.

Helen also shared a "kitchen sink" quilt she made from UFOs. We commented on how Helen has the best leftover blocks! Sweet quilt, with a touch of sassy in the black and white binding...

Terry does such careful applique. These are turned-edge Easter eggs- she'll be ready for next year!

She shared a circle quilt too- we still are in love with them!

And here is a Dr. Seuss quilt for a grandchild-I know this is going to be well loved...

Neva's quilt for her friend has been quilted, and is ready for the binding. I loved the fabric in the pieced backing too.

I didn't get a photo of the guest book Nan made for her son's upcoming wedding. Everyone will sign quilt blocks, and after the wedding, Nan will make them into a quilt. A fun idea for creating a memory quilt!

Thank you Janet for the delicious lunch, and to everyone for the fun get together.


Make it a Wonderful Day!