Raw Edged Flower Lap Quilt Finish

 My mom wanted a little lap quilt to keep her warm. So using the left-over fabric from her Chevron quilt I made her back in 2014, I made this little flower quilt for her. It measures 33' x 51".

This is it BEFORE I washed it.

 The Quilting

 Soooo after psyching myself out by looking on Pinterest and others blogs for quilting ideas, I finally just jumped in and first started by FMQ on and around the flowers.  I then added a little "anchor" flower in the center where four corners of the flowers met. I also stitched in the ditch the entire perimeter of the quilt top. Then a had a flower border pantograph that was the perfect accent!

I used this Soft &Comfy brown 100% polyester fabric for the backing.
 I was a little dissatisfied when I saw how "wiggly" it ended up. 

Here's a close-up of the quilting on the front...like my little stitched note to my mom? (smiles!)

See that wiggle...ugh! But wait!

After Washing

Look at the difference once I washed this little quilt! 

The borders are all straightened up. Wiggle gone. I've never used this kind of backing before, so I was careful not to pull it too tight on the frame and more than pleased to see how it tightened up after it was washed. I think the quilting was perfect...balanced and not too dense, which is what I wanted.

Just look at those flowers with their little ravel started!!

It makes me happy to know how much my mom will use this little quilt and inspires me to get back to sewing my queen size raw edged flower quilt I have started! Sometimes a little project in-between the big projects is kinda rejuvenating isn't it?! As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting.

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This week on the frame....

Off for my morning walk then plan to finish this little lap quilt I made for my mom. 

These raw edged flower are so quick and easy to make. I can't wait to quilt this one today.

Even better...this entire quilt was a stash buster! 

This fabric was leftover from the chevron quilt I made for my mom in 2014. 

Hope your week is off to a great start as well.

JOIN US for my Fourth Annual Piggy Bank Challenge.

Click HERE to read more about it. Help spread the word and join in!

Tomorrow's theme: Featherweight Sewing Machines!

Flower Pot Tablerunner

These wool flowers have been so much fun to stitch over the past few weeks.

I used Genziana Wool thread to sew the floors onto the cotton using a small whipstitch.

I then used #8 Valdani Perle Cotton for all the decorative stitches and
always love using buttons for an additional layer.

I kept the quilting simple and as many of you previously commented, sometimes simple is just what a project needs...especially when they are of a "primitive" style like this one. This tablerunner was inspired by a Potted Flowers pattern I saw in my Kim Schaefer Flowering Quilts book. Yet, instead of appliqued flowers, I choose to make mine from wool. So fun!

This tablerunner measures 20" x 40".

I love that this entire tablerunner was made from leftover fabrics. And...I have to admit, when I layed this out on our coffee table last night, it fit the decor of our house perfectly, but mom, you can expect some Happy Mail next week as this one is on it's way to you..."just because"! Wishing everyone a great Friday! 

(I'm up early as today our local FFA high school kids have their Spring Flower pots for sale and I want to be first in line. Perfect way to start May don't ya think!?)

FMQ: Keeping it Simple

Here's a peek at what I'm working on for a Friday finish this week:

Sometimes I think some good ol' fashion stitch in the ditch quilting is all a project needs.

How about you?

I'm off to pull the basting, trim the strings and sew the binding on.

Just wanted to drop in and share what I'm up to and say howdy hi!

Beach Houses Quilt Finds a Home!

Last summer I made my Beach Houses Quilt.

I had a Lucy's Crab Shack Layer Cake and really enjoyed making this quilt.

Most of all, I loved it as a finish! But, it has just sat on my quilt ladder since.

Well, the other day my mom called and asked me what I do with all my scrappy quilts as she want to buy one! First of all, my mom is NOT buying a quilt from me. I proceeded to ask her what she's wanting. She explains that she just needs an extra cover at night that's her own, as my dad doesn't get as cold as she does and she'd love to have one of my quilts! Insert another "ulimate moment" here!!(So cute! I just love my mom!) I exclaim: "Mom you need to take the Beach Houses Quilt!" (FYI: She has loved that quilt ever since she saw it last summer. She also loves the beach,) She was so happy! So I packed it up  and shipped her "quilty hug" on Monday.

I got this text picture after work today:

It arrived safe and sound and is already on "her" side of the bed!! Like so many of you, quilting is my therapy. Those scrappy quilts are just me scrap busting and being frugile. (So I can then buy new fabric of course!) But admittably, it makes my day when someone loves a quilt finish as much as I do! I call these my ulitimate moments. Mom, thank you for making my day! I know you'll enjoy your quilty hug, but know I enjoyed gifting it to you just as much. I hope each of you, my readers, have had moments like this. Is so, please do comment and share. I'm a sentimental girl and would love to hear your stories...as if you couldn't tell. LOL!!! 

Scrappy Tulip Bed Quilt

After writing yesterday's Tuesday Archive post about Machine Applique, I was reminded of this quilt I made before I started blogging (Oct. 2012). This wonderful assortment of 56 scrappy tulips were inspired by Kim Schaefer's Flower Festival book (it includes 50 Applique Blocks to "grow your garden").I took her Tulip Lap Quilt pattern and grew it into this queen size quilt. After having been displayed in the local quilt store for a bit...

...it found it's way to my parent's geust room. My mom was so kind to actually text me most of these pictures yesterday and flattered me when she replied:
"I only let special guest actually use the quilt." LOL!! 

The Applique Process:

I really did have alot of fun creating these little appliqued flowers... 

...and watching them grow on my design wall.

I used a button stitch to machine applique each flower to it's neutral back.


Here's a few close-ups of my our favorite tulips:

We love our dogs!

We enjoy our wine.

Quilting Trick:

Here's a great way to "try out" some designs without having to use a seam ripper later! Save your dry cleaning plastic or use any other thin plastic and lay it over your quilt. Then, using a black sharpie, doodle your FMQ patterns.
 As you can see, we kept this quilting simple.

The Back:

And don't ya love when you have enough fabric leftover from another project to create a back...it's like the BEST freebie isn't it! I had enough scraps from the tulips and fabric from my Underground Railroad Quilt to create a scrappy back:

With a special label:

Thanks for the pictures mom and for taking such good care of this quilty hug!
With smiles!
Val:)

Tuesday Archives #35: Irish Chain & Fall Quilts

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! 

(Check over in my right margin for the list of our November themes)

This week is all about skimming through those archives and finding quilts that showcase your IRISH CHAIN QUILTS/PROJECT and everything and anything that says: FALL. 

IRISH CHAIN QUILTS: 

Okay here's a blast to the past for you: YES! That's me about, 20 years ago! I found these photos slipped into an old pattern book and started busting up! I mean check out my hair! As I shared here, I'm a cancer survivor and I remember referring to this crazy hair as my million dollar perm. Seriously, it came back in ringlets after my 10 months of chemo. You may have noticed I'm not a long hair gal, but I did enjoy this wild hair for awhile. 

Remember the Mauve days of decorating!! Bahahahaaaaa!!! I made the bunnies too! I geuss you can say, "Crafts have always kept me sane" as these projects kept me busy when I was home sick from chemo or the girls where early to bed in the evenings. My mom still uses this quilt twenty years  later and takes such good care of it.

Fall

I've yet to meet a person who doesn't love the colors and transition of Fall. Last week I saw this wonderful Fall quilt by Shannon who blogs at Modern Tradition Quilts and knew immediately it had to be highlighted this week for our Fall Linky!

Mom's Chevron Quilt Finish

Well here it is, my last finish of the summer. I always love watching quilts evolve through

 fabric selection and design wall stages, to cuddling with them on your lap as you bind them to this final finish stage. It was also fun to read your previous comments left and to discover I'm in good company when it comes to enjoying hand binding. 

I used the Fabric line: Hot For Chocolate II by Betsy Chutchian with Blue Hill Fabrics to create this quilt and a dog pantograph upon my mom's request. (I think she wanted to match my dad's quilt.) I used a cream Kig Tut thread from Superior. (I almost went with a brown thread, but like how the cream showed the quilting a little bit more.)

This quilt measures a cozy 53" x 73".

My parents arrive this weekend for their final visit of the summer. I can't wait to gift it to her!

With Smiles,

Val:)

A Layer Cake for my Birthday!

Whoop! Whoop! I get one more year in more forties! Yah!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love birthdays!

I'm starting my second graders day with cookies to celebrate and then we load a bus for a field trip to the city to learn  more about the water cycle and plants. Yes, call me crazy but admittedly, I love every minute of it! LOL!

 I managed to get this layer cake sewn into a 6x7 flimsy this week during my evenings!

All's I have to do is add the border and twist it like I did here.
I know this is a repeat gig...but hey, when it's a good thing that's what ya do! LOL!
This is actually going to be a gift to my parents. (I know your are peeking mom, as we're never good at keeping crafty secrets between us. SMILES!) In exactly one week from today...my parents will be here, soon followed by my daughter and family. YAH! We can't wait! This quilt is being made to coordinate with the Underground Railroad I made for their motor home a few years back.
I know my dad will especially find the cozy, soft flannel hard to resist. 
Happy Friday  Everyone!
With smiles,
Val:)

Tuesday Archives #9: Boys & BOM

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Click here to read more about this linky party.  And, hey! If you are new to my blog...welcome! I'd love for ya to help spread the word by adding my button to your blog and after taking take a look around, I hope  you'll become a  follower too!

  Also, I posted May's themes on my sidebar.

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This week is all about BOYS and BOM...whether they are a work in progress or finished BOM quilts...please do share! 

BOYS: 

 If you are a follower, you know I became a new grandma this past October. This little guy is the first "boy" in our family. I'll add my links to the few quilts I've made for him so far, but know I'm looking forward to all your "boy" posts. I can use all the inspiration you have to share! (I'm use to pink and purple!) Soo, a big thanks to ya ahead of time.

BOM (WIP and/or finished)

This, Underground Railroad Sampler, is my first and only BOM...so far!

It was the second quilt I made. In 2009, I jumped into a Monday BOM night class with a wonderful bunch of ladies, following my Intro to Quilting class and boy, am I grateful I did! I learned sooo much about the basics of quilting.

It's a queen size quilt made from the Kansas Trouble fabric line. I made it for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. My mom and I enjoyed picking out all the fabrics. It looks wonderful in their motor home and it makes my heart happy knowing that they have a little piece of my work with them where ever they go.