Christmas in July- just barely

This pattern is called Christmas 101 and is from the Jan Patek book Country Quilts.  

This is a great book with lots of Primitive patterns.

This is also a Jan Patek pattern  Santa Clause Lane which  I won in a giveaway on Lavender Quilts back in  August of 2012. 

The tops have been pieced for some time and I finally got them quilted and off my UFO list.
It was my plan to have quilts to hang for Christmas when all the family was still coming to my house for Christmas dinner.  Well, time has moved along and we now all get together at my Daughters house.
I have become very lax in my seasonal decorating  maybe these will inspire me to do more.

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

I looked all through my quilts and this is the only patriotic one I could come up with.  

It's a little pattern from Diane at Butterfly Threads.  It even comes with a tiny little tumbler template.

Diane has this picture posted today  and it’s much clearer than mine.

Happy 4th!

Nancy

Encouraged to Post

I met with my little quilting group last Thursday and was told they had all seen enough of Chester Criswell's Block 20 and would I please post something new.  So today I thought I would update things a little and put up some pictures of the little quilts I have finally gotten around to finishing.

This first one was made from a bunch of waste triangles I had left over from other quilts.  The little half square triangle blocks are 1 inch finished.

This little quilt was made from some left over Drunkards Path blocks.

Spring Nine Patch and Simple Shoofly are two I made from Temecula Quilt Company’s 2013 monthly Mini program.

And this is what happens when you wait too long to post about something.  I can’t remember where this pattern came from any one have an idea?

I believe this one came from Quilts by Cheri but am not sure and when I checked her blog most of her pictures were just black boxes with a triangle and an exclamation point in them.  I wonder what’s up with that?

This last one I made for Lillian’s little 4 year old pre-school class to give to their teacher as an end of the year gift.  Each child (with the help of their mother) chose a special word they thought described their teacher and made a 12 inch hand print block. I put them together in a wall hanging.  From what I have heard it seemed to go over well.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy

More little quilts & a Winner

First the winner of the giveaway is number 24 Annette.

Annette said this about the reason she reads blogs.

I LOVE blogging and bloggers! I am so inspired by blogs...including yours. So many talented quilters out there and within reach of a computer screen. Just amazing. And I appreciate the kindness and support from those who read mine. That keeps me motivated. The blogging world is an awesome community isn't it.

Most of the comments were similar to Annette's.   I think we just enjoy connecting with other quilters.  I know I do.  If you would like to connect with Annette go here.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to come by and leave a comment and congratulations to Annette.

This little quilt was made from a SAL by Cheri at quiltsbycheri's blog.  She calls it Piecework Sampler.  As hard as I try I just can't  pass up a SAL from Cheri.

My second little quilt was made from a pattern I won in a giveaway on Quilty Folk.  You should check out both of these blogs because they always have something interesting going on.

Finally let's not forget to remember and honor all of America's Heroes on this Memorial Day.

Monthly Minis

I have completed the latest three little quilts from Temecula Quilt Companies Monthly Mini program.

Lucky Little Clover

Simple Shoofly

Sweet Valentine

I actually attempted to hand quilt this one.  

Little quilt were starting to pile up around here so in an attempt to find a place for them I decided to make a little quilt wall downstairs.  Rather difficult to get a picture since it is in a hallway but it is fun to see them hanging.

Simple Star

Monthly Mini March quilt from Temecula Quilt Co.
I really like the green in this one and the pink binding.
I would never have thought about using pink.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

This Quilt

This is my first binding finish.  I thought I would start small.  This little quilt is called "This Quilt" and it is a pattern from Quilts by Cheri.  Cheri has some great primitive patterns and she is always posting free little quilt patterns on her blog.
This Quilt measures 30 x 17 and was quick to make because all the applique’ is wool.

I hope you are having a wonderful day,

Nancy

Monthly Mini and Log Cabin ebook

Temecula Quilt Company has a monthly mini program and I have been working on their little quilts since July.  Each month I receive a little brown package in the mail with a new quilt.

 July’s quilt was called "Freedom Rings" and is 12”x 16".  Each little bow tie block finishes at 2 inches.

August had two little quilts to make "Little Stars" 9”x 12” and "So Small Shoofly" 10”x 13”.  I love the cheddar in Shoofly.

September’s little quilt "Red Cross" 17”x21" is one of my favorites with all the little red crosses.

The quilt for October "Four Patch" is a little larger 16”x16” with 4 1/4” blocks.  I like the grey in this one.  I think grey has become the new cream in quilts lately.

and finally for November my all time favorite "Courthouse Step" finishes 15”x15” with 5” blocks.

If you like log cabin quilts as much as I do you should check out the new ebook here it’s free.  I especially like the block charts that tell you what length to cut your strips for different size blocks.

Hope you are finding a few moments to stitch.

Nancy

In Full Bloom

One day  while reading some of my favorite blogs I came across this post on Karen’s blog Log Cabin Quilter.  

It was a free pattern by Edyta Sitar found here..  

Well, not having enough to do and thinking it was very cute I decided to make it.  I commented on Karens post and asked her where she got her background fabric.  To me the background is what makes this little quilt so special.  Karen being such a thoughtful person offered to send me a piece of the fabric.  So here is my version of  "In Full Bloom".

If you enjoy looking at quilts especially applique’ you should visit Karen’s blog.  She does beautiful work.  The headers alone are worth a visit.  

Happy stitching,

Nancy

Back to sewing and Building Houses

At the beginning of the year I joined the Building Houses from Scraps party on Jeanneke's blog.  It looked like a fun thing to do.  

I printed the pattern and made a few houses. 

Well, it didn't take me long to realize this was not for me.  

Making the little houses was not difficult but it was time consuming.. Taking all the papers off when finished was another thing.  It took me forever and I seemed to mess the stitching up.  I picked and pulled with the tweezers and even tried misting with water but that  just made a bigger mess.

So I took my eight little houses and made a tiny little quilt with them.

I am just amazed at the work some of the ladies are doing on this blog.  You should really check it out.

The quilts they are making are just wonderful, but it is not for everyone.

Nice to be back stitching.

Nancy

Trash and Waste Triangles

This little quilt was made from pieces I usually throw in the trash but after reading what Kathie from Inspired by Antique Quilts and Bea from A Needle in a Haystack were doing I went and rescued some  scraps from my trash and made this little quilt.  I named it Trash and Waste Triangles.

I totally forgot to post about my FQ Win from Quixotic Crafter.  I really like orange. Thanks Susan

This summer I joined the Rocky Mountain pieced bow at Primitive Gatherings.  I think all the blocks are going to be the same except for the fabric. Here  are the first six and I already have the second set waiting.

I hope you find some time for Stitching this week.

Nancy

PS: Does anyone else have trouble with the font on their blog continually changing??

This, That and The Other

I completed a couple more blocks from Christmas 101 and I ran into a little problem.  I have always used Elmer's school glue sticks to tack down my larger applique pieces rather than lots of little pins.  
Last week I saw  this new glue Lapel at the quilt shop so I bought some and used it last night ....Look what happened when I pressed this block.  
Now these glue sticks are a lot more expensive than Elmer's so it's back to Elmer's for me and Mr. Lapel has a new home in the trash.
Here's hoping it comes out in the wash.

I am also up to date with my Marti Michell Farmers Wife red and white blocks but not for long because a new set comes out Friday.

       This little quilt was made from 1 1/2 inch waste triangles. I think it's pretty cute.

This is my version of  "Brass Buttons" from the  Civil War Legacies book.

I think I have the little quilt fever thanks to Kathie from Inspired by Antique Quilts.  She just posted another one I would like to make.

From My Sewing Room

In May I entered Sew Mamas giveaway day

and I can't believe I won one of the prizes. The package arrived all wrapped in polka dots  

Just look at this great book & Flea Market Fancy fat quarters I won from Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts.

How lucky am I?

 I haven't done much in the way of piecing this week but I did manage to finish three little quilts from Quilts by Cheri. 

Apple Brown Betty

Plain and Simple

and Georgia's Quilt.

also  two from Temecula Quilt Co .

                                                  Twelve Days of Christmas

                                                   and Blessings.
Temecula Quilt Co has just started a free summer star sew-along if you are interested check here.

I have also discovered perfect patchwork templates from Marti Michell and I really, really like them.

I have been using them to make A Farmers Wife blocks in red and white and I tell you they really make a difference. The blocks turn out just the right size.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy