Orphan blocks...

Do you have any in your stash you'd like to get rid of?  Do you like to make mini quilts and doll quilts?  Do you like to sew for little girls? Then check out the Get Your Mrs Claus On Project  going on over at Debbie's Stitchin' Therapy.  These are 2 of her doll quilts made to dress up doll cradles and beds given to little girls in need at Christmas.

This is the second year of this project, so if you'd like to participate, contact Debbie and let her know. 

Another thought...if your town has a Christmas gift program for needy children, maybe they could use these little doll quilts to add to their packages.  That way you would be helping local girls but without the postage costs.  I'm sure an organization like The Salvation Army would love a donation of doll quilts for their Christmas baskets.  I know I have a small stash of odd blocks that never made it into quilts--I'll have to go search them out.

If you like vintage redwork patterns, Floresita at Vintage Transfer Finds is sharing with us.  These patterns are in the public domain, so they are ok to share, but you could search forever and not find some of the ones she has in her collection.  Her last post was a collection of 7 DOW (Day of the Week) lambs.  Here is one, isn't it sweet?

Perfect for stitching up a set of towels for a Christmas gift.

On my Scrappy & Happy Yahoo group, we've been making and swapping strippy signature hearts.  It's the first time I've tried this foundation-piecing technique, but after I got the rhythm, I liked it!  It was fun, fast, and I used up a whole lot of scraps.  Here are the hearts I've made so far.  

 Can't wait to do more of this technique.  And I have lots of scraps to play with.

Until next time...
Happy quilting from Sharon, Katie, & Patsy Cline

A few of my friends...

and I went on a bus trip to the Vermont Quilt Festival a couple of weekends ago.   It was an exhausting trip, but we had a great time.  Between all of us, we brought back lots of  fabric and patterns that we hadn't seen before.  But  besides the shopping was the display of beautiful quilts we saw.  These are a few of them.



This one makes me want to get started on my 30's quilt.



This one had gorgeous hand quilting.

This guy had a dimentional sleeve with a knife on his arm.

This was really neat-a honey comb full of bees.
See the close-up below.

 

There were lots more quilts, but by the time we had to get to the bus, this picture about sums it all up for most of us, lol.





So until next time,

Happy quilting from Sharon, Katie, & Patsy Cline

Christmas in July...

What??  You mean you haven't yet started thinking about all the presents you need to make before December gets here?   A gift for the new baby in the family, or the newly married couple?  Or what about your sewing group and your quilty friends?  

Not to worry...Sew4Home has joined with Moda to help solve some of your gift-giving problems.  Starting July 2nd, they began a series of tutorials/articles with several Christmas fabric items you can make for your loved ones.

Learn the beginnings of what we now think of as Christmas in July in their July 2nd post.

Then make gorgeous new Christmas stockings for all the kids and the new baby (or those newlyweds) based on the new Moda line of Blitzen.

For your sewing group,  try out the pattern for charming Christmas gift bags that can be reused again and again.  Dear Mr. Claus by Cosmo Cricket for Moda is delightful and anyone would love receiving these filled with candy or baked goods made especially for them.

And don't forget your quilty friends.  How about a new Christmas runner to grace their table or sideboard?  Done in JOY by Kate Spain,  it makes a beautiful addition to their Christmas decorating.  Although, I don't think I'd add the pom poms, myself.  Maybe just finish it with a pretty matching binding.  But that's your choice.

Have I started you thinking about your Christmas gift list now?  Good!  'Cause I have to go and get my list made so I can get started on mine--ortherwise I'll never be done in time, lol.

So until next time...

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

May you all have a safe and happy July 4th.  Enjoy!

I'm Baaaack..........

Sorry I was away for so long, but I needed a break from everything for a while.  Now to catch up on all we've been doing in my little corner of the world.

First--If you want a new quilt for Christmas, hop on over to Hazel's Quilts and get caught up on the Festive Mystery quilt QuiltSue has designed and a group of bloggers have been sewing since March.  It's called  a Christmas Quilt-a-long.   All the installments are still on their blogs or just email them for the info.

Second--Starting July 1st is a Red/White/Blue Blog Hop hosted by Jane's Fabrics and Quilts.  About 6 different bloggers each day will be presenting R/W/B blocks with tutorials and some giveaways from July 1st thru July 16th.  So now is the time to start your patriotic quilt.

Then check out the Bowls With Borders Blog Hop Madame Samm has been telling us about.  This would be a darling wallhanging for your kitchen with a few bowls on it.  Contact Carol at Just Let Me Quilt to sign up and get the free pattern.  Unfortunately, you have to play to get the pattern for free, but you can purchase it from the designer, Regina.  Those who do not want to participate will be given Regina's links on July 1st. (You can purchase directly from her at a cost of 5 Euros.)



And finally, check out the new blog hop offered by Madame Samm of  Sew We Quilt. Think Christmas blocks. (6.5 or 10.5 or 12.5)  You could be inspired to make another new Christmas quilt, or tablerunners, or potholders, or wallhangings, or .... and the list goes on.   Lesley at The Cuddle Quilter is hosting it, so go over and read all about it and start pulling out your Christmas fabrics.

I'll end with some pics of my friends and our latest quilting venture.  This is the Dresden Fan workshop Diane S. held at the fire hall last month.

We all had a great time, and of course, the food was fabulous!  We have some great cooks in our group!

Until next time,

Happy Quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline



A great loss....

Many of you may have heard the terrible news that we lost our friend, Gerda, yesterday. It was such a shock to hear -- I guess I never expected she would ever let anything get her down, especially some nasty germ from within. She was always so upbeat and positive about life, her family, and her hobbies. Gerda was so compassionate and giving of her time and resources to others less fortunate. She truly earned her nickname, "Marian the Librarian" with all the wonderful sites and tutorials she found on the Internet for us to
enjoy. She was a great internet friend and mentor, sharing her wisdom and skills with us all. She will be greatly missed by all her Groups--Block Central, Scrappy & Happy, the Quilted Table, Quilt & Needle, Seasons, and other groups she belonged to.

Rest in peace, Gerda, and know that so many people are hurting with your loss.


March 11, 1953 - June 4, 2012