March OMG: Finished!

I always love seeing how the quilting seems to "finish" a quilt top.

Since this fabric reminded of the the city with it's taxi and apartment building prints...

 ...I used a Car, Go, Go pantograph and really like how the cars added a new dimension the quilt.

Here's a close-up:

I found a wonderful "sketch" backing to compliment all the grey and blacks tones in this quilt and used a mustard colored thread for the quilting. I love it!

I found this pattern card on an end hook at Craft's Warehouse a few years ago for $2.99. It's called Summer Song by Villa Rosa Design. It used ten fat quarters and 20 5" squares. It was quick and easy

This one measures 46"x 58" and it's a keeper guys.

I'm happy to report this is my third Stash Buster for the year and I'm joining everyone else at this month's OMG goal party hosted by Elm Street Quilts. Click HERE to check out everyone's finishes.

Thanks for stopping by!

I specialize in edge to edge  with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Tuesday Archives #189: GOLD

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: "GOLD"

Whether while searching through your archives you find post with gold flowers or

of the quilty kind, I hope you have as much fun as I did looking and reading old post.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

March OMG: Progress

This one is on it's way to the quilting frame today...

I love how quick and easy this pattern was. It is definitely a stash buster for anyone who has a bunch of fat quarters in their stash. It uses ten and measures 46"x 58"  once finished. LOVE IT!

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Quillows & A Change of Plans...

 Well hello! This Friday I find myself with a fresh cup of lemon/honey tea at hand, my faithful companion by my side, comforted by the hum of the fire burning as I emerge from having the flu over the past two days. (Well I technically still have it...just today I'm among-st the land of the living)  And yah! This strand did not have me running frantically to the bathroom every hour...more the chills, severe body aches, then fever, cough kind of flu....all which have finally calmed down but leave me isolated and with a huge change of Spring Break plans ahead.

But, seriously, when our life gets forced into a halt, how do you handle the change?  Honestly, I initially sound something like this: "Darn it! I don't have time for this!" I mean I realize that catching the most recent "bug" that is going around IS an occupational hazard in my line of work. Truth be told, it's been four years since I've caught it. So I guess it was inevitable. Never-the-less, not fun.

Then, I start finding myself  going into one of my "life and learning" reflective modes with my new found time. Like right now. Here I sit realizing all my Spring Break plans of a 10K hike tomorrow, spending time off with my husband, visiting a local Vineyard on our way to see the grands, Grammy Camp....have all changed...cause I actually feel like this: (Though I really don't want them to go.)

 It's weird to suddenly find myself  "quarantined", completely exhausted, with no plans. Luckily the Easter Bunny has a "carrot" dangling, as next Friday I'm invited to go on a Easter trip with the kids....so my assignment:  REST! (Okay....but you all know me well enough to know, rest for me is a two mile walk. LOL!!!) But okay, okay I get it. REST. Hydrate. Luckily, my body knows what to do and my head has learned to listened.

Now, back to answer my original question. I choose to make lemonade from the lemons when my life gets forced into a halt. I know from reading your blogs, many of you do too. I mean, I'm way disappointed. But in reflection I'm also grateful for the energy, activities and people that were to fill my Spring Break. These opportunities will come again.Until then, I need to choose a new happy. A Plan B. Like right now, I'm seriously channeling Matthew McConaughey as I'm beginning to think:
All Right, All Right, All Right...

Time for this gal to get sewing, quilting and stitching don't ya think!

 I just don't know how people survive without a hobby of some sort. A hobby is defined as something that is done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. I think you'd agree, that our hobbies keep us healthy. I know we all find life to be frustrating, disappointing and challenging at one time or another. But I encourage you to continue to choose happy even in those hardest moments.  So to answer my own question, that's exactly what I plan to do with my forced halt and sudden change of plans: I choose to ENJOY my hobby. I choose a new happiness as I play among-st my array of fabrics and projects because really:

Ironically, I think sewing has always sustained me through life's ups and downs. Not one to sit idle, I'm reminded of the year I made everyone in our family a Quillow for Christmas.  My poor nephew's even had a few forgotten pins in his! (Ouch!!Sorry bud.) Our girls were toddlers and I was going through Chemotherapy. Sewing took my mind off my troubles, helped me feel productive during a time I felt helpless.  I've been sewing since I was in Middle School and it has continued to sustain me when I have felt sick, lonely, sad and yes, happy. I'm grateful for our hobby and that I learned it young. It's truly my therapy, as I learned it is for many of you as well.

The girls, Christmas of 1993.

Out of curiosity, I just went upstairs and found I still have these Quillows in our blanket closet!

 They were made from a simple panel.

These measure 40" x 68".

A 15"x15" pocket was added to the back and I used a thick ribbon as a handle.

Trying to think what to do with these? They are still in good condition, but I have no grand girls to pass them on to. Any ideas? Foster Care kids? I just hate to see them not getting used.

I know there's tutorials all over the internet for these but as I get ready to participate in the H2H Charity Challenge  I'm totally inspired to make a quilt into a Quillow for my Happy Chemo donation. Well look at that! Once again, lemonade from lemons, as while writing this post, I've not only found a new happy but inspiration from that which was hidden away in the closet all along!
All Right, All Right, All Right, time to get sewing don't ya think. Well after a cozy nap. Stay tuned!

Remember to:

I specialize in edge to edge  with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Tuesday Archives #188: SPRINGTIME!

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: "SPRINGTIME!"

This week will find us celebrating Springtime! How do you welcome Spring?

I'm always inspired when Carole celebrates with her tablescapes: 

This is her Spring Tablescape from two years ago. Click HERE to read her entire post.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

A Springtime Walk??

Noooottttt exactly. I spent the weekend visiting our daughter and her family. We awoke to a skiff of snow yet had already had signed up for a Saint Patty's Day 7k along the Snake River Rim Trail. 

So we bundled up and conquered the cold below 32 degree weather.

I wasn't so bad once we got going and the sun peaked out every now and then from behind the clouds. We gradually got to the 2 1/4 mile turn around spot: Evel Knievel's Ramp.

My grand-guy and I even conquered the "mountain" that was built as the base for his ramp.

With a four mile walk behind us, Dad took the boys home and my daughter and I took advantage of no kids to get our Easter shopping done...and well, enjoy a green beer just for the fun of it! 

Oh Guess who is already four months old!? THIS little guy!

And big brother continues to grow like a weed:

It was a relaxing weekend just spending time together.

I have a quick four day work week ahead then can look forward to Spring Break! I'll  be spending more time with these two grand-guys and of course, enjoy some R and R as I catch up on my sewing.

Wishing you a great start to your week and look forward to sharing some projects with you soon.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Tuesday Archives # 187: Rainbows

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: "Rainbows!"

This Rainbow of Hexagons is one of my favorites made and as I skim back through my archives this week, I'm surprised to realize that it's been three years ago since I made it for Sarah's Annual Hands to Help Charity Challenge in 2015. I need to start thinking about this year's donation.

Speaking of H2H...sign ups have begun. Click HERE to read about the variety 

of charities to choose from and perhaps think about joining us. 

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Arg! Time to Spring Forward!

Many of us woke up Sunday with an hour lost. I'm personally all out of sorts with it staying light later. Then Monday rolls around and we're  back to "going to work" in the dark. Arg!

I don't feel sleep deprived, more wanting to spend more time outside at the end of the day yet it's still too cold. But oddly, I still like it all. I grew up in Arizona with no Daylight Saving Time. I find that it helps add a little hop to our routines. How about you? Do you like Daylight Saving Time?

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Knitted Baby Blankets and More...

Many of you who follow my blog regularly know I sometimes like to highlight the beautiful projects my mom knits for our family and friends. I just received this one in the mail yesterday as a gift for my previous teacher partner's family, as they just had their second child, a baby boy, two weeks ago.
They named him Everett and for some reason I just love that name. 

I love the pattern in this knitted blanket. It is super soft and the babies will often be found with their little fingers weaved through those tiny holes when you are cuddling them. It's so sweet.

She also made a small, car seat blanket. I love how the yarn is variegated and the pattern it creates.

I made two receiving blankets last night. Dad's a local high school football coach and mom loves elephants. Needless to say, they both loved their personalized blankets. Upon request, this summer  I'll be making them a football designed quilt in our town's school colors. I'll use minky on the back and it will be perfect for mom and son during those Fall football games next year. 

I even made another "taggy" blanket with minky on one side and satin on the other. I like to use books as "my card" and included The Baby's Handbook of Songs thinking is was perfect for big sis to "sing and read" to her new baby brother as all the pictures are in black and white.  

Well...I hope you found a little inspiration here and perhaps even a few baby gift ideas.

Hope your weekend is filled with sunshine and happiness.

PS: Here's one more gift idea perfect for preschoolers. Their preschooler "cut" for the entire two hours I was there. Bless her little soul. She was having so much fun before she noticed a new little blister on her finger. Luckily it was nothing a band-aid couldn't fix and she was back to cutting before we knew it. It was cute. She is three and our grand-guy who is four, really enjoy this book:  

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.