A Shopping Expedition / Chilhowie

November 14, 2022 12:55 am ⋅ Pam

Yesterday I drove a little over an hour to Brookhaven, Mississippi to shop at a new-to-me quilt shop –Gardensong. This shop has everything, including an awesome collection of batiks.

Many of you know that Bonnie Hunter released the colors for this year’s Quiltville Mystery quilt, Chilhowie. My personal rule is I can’t start a new mystery quilt until the last one I started is finished. I finished Frolic , the 2019 mystery, last week. I posted about it Friday. Information about this year’s mystery can be found HERE.

While I was in Lowe’s for the 3rd or 4th time in as many days, I picked up the color cards. When I got home, I discovered I had the PERFECT greens left over from a quilt I made a couple of years ago. I wouldn’t have to buy any. The lavender fabric (from the same quilt) is a bit lighter than the paint chips, but why not? I need a few more pieces of the lavender, lighter oranges, and the neutrals – if I can find them “locally”.

Gardensong did not disappoint. I’m so glad the shop is over an hour away. It’s close enough to get to, but yet far enough away I can’t just drop in on a whim.

Posted in: Chilhowie

Finish It Friday

November 11, 2022 9:09 am ⋅ Pam

On this Finish It Friday I have 2 quilts to share. First up is my Atomic Starburst, shown here hanging in my foyer on the new hanging rod.

This is one of three quilts I made with the FQ Bundle of Radiance + 10 ‘solids’. I’ve finished Shimmer, and still need to quilt Bauble ‘n Beads.

In each of the diamonds I placed a motif from a Double Wedding Ring Melon, then morphed it to fit the diamond. I did ruler work in the sashings and the starburst blocks.

My other finish this Friday is my 2019-2020 Quiltville Mystery quilt, Frolic.

I enlarged it and changed up the borders. It measured 118″ x 118″ before I quilted and washed it. Here it is hanging on my 12-foot quilting frame. I opted to do an all over Edge-to-Edge design called Fresco Feathers.

I only have 8-foot ceilings, ~~so I don’t~~ wait a minute, I have vaulted ceilings in my den, I might be able to get a straight on picture — if I had something wide enough to hang it on. I’ll have to think on that for another time. Here it is on my driveway before binding.

I bought a wide backing, but it wasn’t wide enough, so I added in a strip with ‘extra’ blocks. In reality I made those specifically for the backing.

Posted in: 2022 Brandon Quilters UFO, Atomic Star Burst, Frolic, Machine Quilting, Ruler work, Uncategorized

Halloween Quilting

October 30, 2022 11:41 pm ⋅ Pam

I’ve collected Halloween fabric for a number of years with the intention of making a Halloween quilt. This year I’ve made several projects, ironically none with my collected fabric! Most of this fabric came from The Quilted Cow in West Branson, Missouri from watching their Wednesday night shows on Facebook. There are a couple of exceptions.

This table runner is made with the fabric line Too Cute to Spook by Me & My Sister for Moda Fabrics. I purchased it from Stitch-On Fabrics in Lawrence, Kansas. It is one of the table runners in Little Charmers II by Anka’s Treasures.

This is Pint Size Parking, an Atkinson Designs pattern. The fabric is from Jo-Anne’s.

The towel on the left is from the Riley Blake line Halloween Whimsy, the one on the right is Haunted Hallow by Clothworks.

Dry Ideas drying mat has Whimsy fabric on one side and an autumn print on the other.

This table topper is Orange Spice from the Little Charmers IV pattern by Anka’s Treasures. It’s made up in Halloween Whimsy.

I bought a kit for another Whimsy quilt, but ran out of time. Perhaps next year.

Next I have several projects using Gnome-str Mash fabric line. First up is the Tinzley Table Runner, a pattern by The Quilted Cow. Super fast to make and fits on top of my tea cart.

This is another Quilted Cow pattern, Wicked Big Hexi.

This is a sofa pillow that I change out seasonally.

I purchased a 4-yard kit, backing and binding. It had these 3 fabrics, a green and black buffalo print and the ‘tossed gnomes’ for the backing. I opted to make this three yard quilt Roman Holiday from Quilt As A Wink 3-Yard Quilts.

Posted in: Halloween, Uncategorized

July 2022 Road Trip Fabric

October 26, 2022 2:05 pm ⋅ Pam

While in Kansas City, my SIL and I did a quilt shop hop of our own making. I knew I wanted to go to Hunters Quilt Mart in Centerview, Missouri since the batiks were on sale. I am making Bonnie Hunter’s Rivanna in batiks on black. I picked up 18 of the batiks at Hunters and more at other shops during the week. Since I’ve been home I’ve brought my total count up to 30.

The pictures are sorted by ‘quilt’, not shops and are not in the order I visited the shops. The Magnolia, gold, cream and gold & green piece I found at Hunters. I think the dark green, almost black I found at Stitch On in Lawrence, Kansas and the bottom green on green was in the bucket I won at the Guild meeting! It’s going to be the backing. As I look at this picture I think I have an extra fabric.

The stripe in the middle I found at Missouri Star, which is where I picked up the pattern Quartered Stripes. The purple fabric I bought on a whim while I was at Hunter’s. Later that week we called and ordered the rest of the bolt as we discovered it works so well with several fabrics we picked up.

The final stack of fabric is from a variety of shops and are not for specific projects. The solids were on the clearance rack at Hunters. the FQs I bought at Mes Amis in New Orleans. The black on white I found at KC Maker Studio.

Tuesday we stopped in at Show-Me-Quilting in Raytown, MO specifically to pick up a couple of things I ordered on line — the book and blue fabric in the left picture. I picked up some cork to use in bag making and found fabric on clearance for the quilt, binding and backing. Of course now that I look at the stripe, I’m not sure it will work well for the Quarter Stripes quilt.

Purchased at Mes Amis, the tiger stripe will be the backing to the purple, yellow & white Athena I’m making. The green backing I picked up at Missouri Star to make tablecloths. I’m not sure where I found the red buttons. I purchased it for the centers of a log cabin quilt, but then opted for another fabric.

I love these waterlilies and dragonflies. The prints I picked up at Missouri Star, there’s that purple again from Hunters. I’m not sure where I picked up the pink/lavender.

At Prairie Point Quilt and Fabric Shop in Lenexa, Kansas I picked up fabric to make a blouse and the pattern for a bag. The bag fabric came from KC Maker Studio off the clearance rack.

Notions from Mes Amis, KC Maker Studio and Missouri Star, thread from Hunter’s Quilt Mark, and the barn wood star from the grocery store in Hamilton, Missouri.

I’m happy to report that the tablecloths are made.

And I’ve started on Rivanna. I’m using it as my leader/ender project. Lots of HST, so I’m working on them one color at a time. 3 down and 27 to go.

Posted in: Athena, Butterscotch, Leaders & Enders, Rivanna, Road Trip, Stash

A Week in Kansas City

October 24, 2022 2:07 pm ⋅ Pam

Back in July, my sister-in-law and I flew to Kansas City for a week. We did a few touristy things, hit a lot of quilts shops and naturally visited with family and friends.

Monday on the touristy front, we visited Powell Gardens. They had a special butterfly exhibit while we were there. This was spontaneous stop.

Afterwards we went to a baseball game. The Kansas City Royals won!

Tuesday we ate Barbeque at Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que at their original location. I had eaten at their other locations before. After dinner we went the Starlight Quilters Guild meeting. I won one of the buckets and a door prize from the guest speaker – Missouri Quilt Museum.

Wednesday we were off to Hamilton, Missouri to visit the museum and shop. They had 2 special exhibits – Red & White quilts and miniature quilts.

On the way home (my brother’s) we visited my sister in her new digs. We are standing on the roof in this picture.

Thursday we took it easy. We ran to town where I purchased team shirts. I can’t wait to go to another baseball game and wear my Royals’ shirt. I’ve been wearing my Chiefs’ shirt while I watch the games on TV.

Back at the house, I dug through my grandfather’s carved teak chest. I didn’t think to take a picture of it. I knew there was information about my grandfather’s last flight. I found the telegram the government sent. I also found a photo composite of our military men. My grandfather is on the bottom right and his brothers above and to the left. Now to figure out who the other 3 men are.

Friday I needed to run into Kansas City for an appointment and we had time for another spontaneous stop – the Johnson County Museum.

When we got back to the house there was a beautiful sunset.

It having been a long week, the family just chilled after dinner.

Here we are Saturday morning before we left for the airport.

We shopped so much, we had to buy luggage to take it all home. Good thing we were on Southwest!

The fabric haul will be another post.

Posted in: family, Uncategorized

The Pink and Brown Quilt is Finished

October 18, 2022 5:58 pm ⋅ Pam

Can you believe it’s been 3 1/2 months since I last posted? I’ve had knee surgery, 4 weeks of physical therapy, went to Kansas City for a week where I shop hopped so much I had to buy additional luggage to bring it home, installed my design wall in the Quilt Studio, hosted Bunco twice, my office cabinets were installed, made several Halloween projects and quilted Atomic Starburst. There is a lot to catch up on.

But first, the Pink and Brown quilt is finished! It all started with this “ugly” pink and brown vintage fabric a friend gave me back in 2007 or 2008. I spotted a free pattern called Pathways to the Stars in a Windham Fabrics ad and started collecting vintage pink, brown and neutral fabrics. I finished the top back in June 2009.

After the top was made I found the perfect fabric for the backing, which I pieced, matching the pattern so it’s nearly impossible to see the seam.

I used Strawberry Blond Glide Thread and the Baptist Fan E2E. The batting is Legacy 80/20.

Prior to washing the quilt measured 67.5 x 95. After washing it measures 64 x 89 1/4″.

Posted in: Pink and Brown, UFOs

My Quilting Mind

June 28, 2022 6:27 pm ⋅ Pam

My quilting mind wanders. I setup the 2nd two cutting/pressing stations Saturday night. The space is still not finished and the boxes are not correctly labeled – not to mention stuff got shoved into them when packing last year. (Can you believe it. I signed the mortgage papers on this house just over a year ago)

Anyway, buy Monday night the space looked like this. How did I get there. Come along on a ride.

My SIL asked me if I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby since this week the fabric is on sale. Of course.

I need more fabric for this table topper for Halloween. I’m hosting Bunco in October and need something to protect my wood tables.

My pink and brown quilt needs a label and I don’t want to use bright white.

It’s been suggested that we wear costumes when we get together for Bunco in October so I need to figure that out. I briefly thought about Minnie Mouse when I saw a 1″ white dot on red fabric, but if the costume doesn’t get made I’m not sure how to use the fabric. So I’m going to do Belle in her blue dress and apron. There are 3 reasons for this option. 1 – if I don’t get the costume made, I can use the fabric in a quilt, 2 – I can use the costume to test fit my pattern for a ‘real’ dress, and 3 – a light blue dress with a white pinafore and blond wig becomes Alice in Wonderland or with blond wig and tiara it’s Cinderella. I’ll be set for 3 years of costumes.

This still doesn’t explain the mess. That happened after I got back. I started looking for my Halloween fabric. This meant every tote was opened. Oh look! It’s the music ‘jelly roll’ race. If I add borders it’s will be of donation size.

Isn’t the music fabric in the tote under the shelves by the chimney?

Oh – and there’s the red & white fabrics. Need to remember that and some of the Halloween fabric.

All this music fabric and nothing is working. Back to the drawing board, but where is the Halloween fabric.

Found it. The labels are new. I added them as I opened each box.

At HL I stopped my SIL from buying some fall fabric. Actually what I said was I purchase 1 yard of 3 different fall fabric from The Quilted Cow and she could have some. I had to stop and cut her some fabric.

Now If I had just stayed home and worked on the project on my sewing table. There are 3 maybe 4 projects there. A purple and yellow quilt in the zipper bag. My fabric swap blocks, a band for the second tea towel. The lavender fabric is for a pillowcase — if I make it. The whole area needs picked up.

So what am I going to do next? Who knows. None of the quilts have deadlines and who knows how long it will take to get the dress fitted. I’m leaning toward working on the dress.

Posted in: Uncategorized

An Out and Out Brag

June 23, 2022 7:04 pm ⋅ Pam

A number of years ago I walked into a quilt shop and spotted this pink & brown pheasant fabric. Not my style, I don’t even like it, but I knew it was the perfect backing fabric for my Pink & Brown quilt. The only catch is it was 44/45″ wide and my quilt top is 67″ x 94″. So I bought an extra yard of fabric to match the seam. I think I nailed it.

Now to load the quilt.

Posted in: Pink and Brown

Tuesday Morning and Midnight Gardens

June 22, 2022 10:24 am ⋅ Pam

First up is Tuesday Morning Garden. I was in my local Tuesday Morning looking for something and discovered they had a decent amount of charm squares, jelly rolls, and layer cakes. I’m not a huge fan as typically there are only 5 prints in each collection, but I really liked this one. The tag says ‘Garden’ so Tuesday Morning Garden it is. I bought a charm pack and a FQ bundle. When I got home I paired it with the remaining background yardage from Shimmer (was I supposed to make a pillowcase? Oops!) and found 2 yards of the splotchy fabric in my stash for the backing. It was supposed to be used in a sweatshirt jacket that clearly I’ve not made. I started this quilt on 6/16 and finished it this past Monday (6/20).

Pattern: Jumping Jacks by Sweet Jane’s Quilting & Designs

Size: 38″ x 49″ before washing

Quilt Design: ‘Butterflies 10’ – I’m not not sure where to get it.

Thread: 40 wt Glide in Peacock. I thought it was a pink until I set it next to my purples.

I’ve really need to stop watching Facebook Lives. But I love this fabric line – It’s Botanical Magic. It’s a quick and easy sofa pillow with an envelope style backing. I couldn’t find a pillow in the recommended size locally, so I bought a ‘travel pillow’ from Walmart. I think it’s 14″ x 20″.

My last ‘project’ is this Amish Diamond block. I wanted to test some instructions. This block will go in the orphan box for a future project.

Also, as a result of my spending the past couple of months, I’ve decided to track my purchases and usage again. I started on June 1st. My fabric stash is not included in my beginning total. By the end of the year I’d like to have my usage be greater than what I bought. Tops already completed don’t count, but any backing that I use will go against my usage #. I’ll post my first # on July 1st. It’s not going to be pretty.

Posted in: Magic Sofapillow, Stash Busting Report, Tuesday Morning Garden

Plenty of Finishes —

June 11, 2022 10:07 pm ⋅ Pam

Just not mine.

My sister and nephew were in town this past week to quilt. They set up their machines on the driveway side of the studio. They got a lot done while they were here.

First on the frame was The Ancients. My nephew pieced this quilt top this past spring and added the borders at the quilt retreat.

It was his first time using the longarm. He did most of the work under the guidance of his mom.

We found this really cool dragon E2E design to use. I’m not sure when I’ll ever use it again, but it was perfect for this quilt. He’s already delivered it to his friends in New Orleans.

Alison quilted and bound this quilt this week. She made the top at the quilt retreat in March. It’s called Starlight Dazzlers.

She also quilted and bound this quilt for her newest granddaughter.

This ugly fabric swap quilt was bound this week.

Last summer Alison loaded a quilt and started quilting it. About halfway through quilting it she realized she forgot to add the borders. So, she quilted the borders and as soon as she gets the additional fabric she ordered, she’ll add them to the quilt.

Next up is Diamond Divide. She made this quilt top last month. I think she did a fantastic job with the ruler work. It was also bound while she was here.

This was a BOM from a couple of years ago called Pinswheel Pizzazz. It was quilted before I left Kansas City. She got it bound while she was here.

While they were very industrious, I made this bag. It’s a June Tailor printed batting bag called Sophie. I bought the kit from The Quilted Cow a couple of weeks ago.

With assistance, I put together my pressing station. I’ll do full post on how I did this when I make my next one. This one is 24″ x 72″. I have plans for a 24″ x 60″ and 25″ x 72″ as soon as I get the shelving ordered.

As they were packing up their quilts, Josh pulls out his graduation quilt as asks if I can fix the holes. One was from a dog and he thinks the other were from the washing machine. Clearly this is a loved and used quilt, so of course — but I don’t have any more fabric and if I did it wouldn’t match this 13 year old quilt.

Since most of the holes were around the sail boat block, I went with a sea theme. Octupuses, a parrot (think pirate), and a sail boat. Since the dog chewed the quilt we added the paw prints on the top.