complete projects.

Today, I have 2 completed projects.  Yay!!

 

First up is a rag quilt created with two layer cakes.  It is en route to a dear friend who came along side our family during this difficult time, and as much as her care warmed my heart, I hope this rag quilt will warm hers. 

And secondly, a baby quilt made with love for a sweet little girl who has been on my heart so much (she is off to a bit of a rough start).  I pray for her every time her little name enters my mind.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week.  Our weather here is heavenly, and I have been outdoors every chance I get.  xoxo

sew and tell.

good morning and welcome to my little contribution to sew and tell

In addition to sewing and cutting out blocks for my fall quilt,

I pretty much spent every waking moment working on this ...

a rag quilt for my mother in law.

And when I say every waking moment, I mean just that.  

I began cutting the 10" squares on Sunday 

and pulled it out of the drier on Thursday before lunch.

This girl's a mammoth!  There are 110 blocks (which translates to 220 - 10" squares of fabric and 110 - 8" squares of batting in each block).  

This is the largest rag quilt I have made.

A few little stats:

We were on a strict budget and needed a quilt made, this size.

So I went to Connecting Threads to purchase the  

16 yards needed.  Their fabric is nice quality 

and you just can't beat the price.The picture above is a favorite fabric.  When I was sewing with it,all I could think about was my Nanny's bedsheets.  Sweet and soft.

 

am also linking to :

made with love

 one of my very favorite things about Christmas, 

is the gift of giving

it blesses my heart more than words 

can express

 to delight someone with a handmade gift

this year, I was able to make three larger gifts

(2 rag quilts and 1 queen sized quilt)

plus several smaller gifts,

and I look forward to getting a head start on 

next years gifts (say January?!), 

because I have to be honest,

these have been right up to the minute 

and it feels so much better

having it all ready ahead of time

And ... one of the neatest things has taken place ...

I am learning how to crochet!!

If I ever get past a chain stitch and a single stitch, 

there is a possibility everyone will be receiving 

scarfs at this time next year!  Wish me luck!  :o)

one down. one to go.

this first quilt is for Woody's aunt and uncle

my rag quilts are always 10" blocks 

and this particular one is 7 blocks x 8 blocks

(in "their colors")

and this here lovely stack will become a rag quilt 

for Woody's mom who chills easily and so the batting

is extra warm and cozy

it too will be 7 blocks x 8 blocks

(and of course in "her colors")

both quilts are for Christmas

we have had some chilly days

and this is where we found our sweet kitties

all three on Katie's bed and what you may not 

be able to see, is that Thomas was laying

right on top of the other two!

I hope you all had a nice weekend and 

are staying snuggling warm!

sew and tell

Remember I mentioned that a little baby shower sort of snuck up on me this past week?  Well, problem solved.  I was able to complete a soft and cozy rag quilt for this beautiful little blessing, whose life to be we will celebrate on Saturday.

I am linking to amylouwho's Sew and Tell Friday.

My favorite Friday place to be!

rag quilt completed plus wreath update

Ok. This wreath was driving me bonkers with only one color. I love simplicity in decorating, but it just looked blah hanging there with no color. So I added some smaller matte red balls and it just looks happier to me.

Last Saturday night was the first of two baby showers that I am attending, and here is a glimpse of the finished product from the fabric that I showed you. It is a rag quilt. Soft and cuddly for a sweet little boy who is due to be born any day.

birthday blanket

A dear friend of mine is turning 80 in just a few weeks

and I created a rag quilt in colors that reminded me of her.

Isn't she just the cutest?!

My (birth) daughter Valerie is due any day now. Her actual due date was last Sunday and this little guy is taking his own sweet time. My 40th birthday is next week (the 12th) and I am secretly hoping that he will be born then.

I am flooded with a million memories of the day Valerie was born. Her adopted parents were my birth coaches and I could not have survived that day with out them. Her dad always cracking jokes and her mom the most gentle and compassionate woman to have by my side.

I am so fortunate to have an open adoption with Valerie. I have known her, her whole life. I thank God for the grace He has shown on me over the years. The momma's heart that longs for the baby she could never keep was and has been a heavy cross to bare. But God ... He has been my comfort and my pillar through every tear, as well as every answer to prayer!
Here is a glimpse of a quilt I am creating for this little man who I hope to meet one day soon.

spray paint & a baby quilt

The sun was out today and I was wanting something to relieve my nervous energy that I had, with Bear being gone. It was not the surgery that I was concerned with, it was his fear of the office. Well, he is home now and sleeping in his yard. He is still groggy, but I am sure that will wear off soon.

Thank you to those who said a prayer for my sweet fella!

I painted our old microwave stand and a favorite basket, black. Both are in my laundry/craft room. My little chair is done, but I think I want to sand the edges a little more, to make it look old and worn. It is slightly hiding my wall plug. I need more black and white ribbon for a pretty bow! I think that will complete it and hide the cord better.

Recently I sewed another rag quilt. This one is going to a young lady who is expecting her baby in the early part of December. However, she has been hospitalized for the past two weeks because she has gone into labor and bleeding. If you think of it, please say a prayer for her. This is a scary time and this is her first baby ... who by the way is a little boy!

Packaged and ready to go! I can't wait to deliver it to her!

air conditioning woes and my assistants

Our air conditioner's "A coil" finally gave up the ghost. So after a little "computer time" this morning, I will shut the computer off for the day ... it creates heat and I am trying to keep the cool in and the heat out. Thank the Lord for some cool temps and clear skies!

I have been working on my tutorial for the rag quilt and wanted to introduce you to two of my three assistants.


Some of you may have already met "Easter", however we have three indoor, fury, family members (Bear is an outside dog-as much as I wish he weren't!).
Here is Miss Elizabeth. She really needs a tiara. She is the princess amongst the group.

rag quilt and a tutorial

There have been a couple of inquiries regarding the sewing of a rag quilt plus having a tutorial. Yesterday I purchased four fabrics that will be part of my tutorial (click on the image for an up close look). There is one yard of each pattern and three yards of the cream flannel. I have extra flannel at home in my stash, so if I am in need of more, I won't need to purchase it. You may want that extra yard just to make sure that you will have enough.


For this quilt I will have the four patterns on the front and a very soft cream flannel on the back. Once you see how this is constructed, you will be able to make changes in size and design. That has been the best part for me! I saw several tutorials and have just pieced together my own. There are no limits.

I do need to say, with this much fabric, this will be a large quilt. I am doing this quilt for our living room, where I am pulling in reds, so I want to make a statement. You may have seen an earlier post where I sewed a baby size quilt. Piece of cake! At that size, it all comes together very quickly.

Ok ... I will give a shopping list for you and just basic measurements to keep in mind. If you do not have a cutting mat and a rotary cutter, you may want to buy them. It is not necessary, but I have done it both ways (ie; scissors and pattern) and I have to say that the rotary cutter makes it a whole lot easier, faster, plus your squares will be equal in size.

Something to keep in mind, old shirts and jeans are awesome in making a quilt. If you plan to work with denim, make sure you have a strong needle to sew with. So if you want to raid your closets, go for it. (I have several pairs of my husbands jeans that will eventually make it to a quilt!) I am all about shopping the house and reusing what we have.

Here are the tools and materials I will be using:

*rotary cutter
*cutting mat
*yard stick
*scissors
*thread (I use Coats-machine quilting and crafts)
*sewing machine
*100% cotton fabric of choice and as many patterns as you like
*flannel fabric for backing
*batting for the center (the type that comes in a roll-I use a light weight)
*as for measurements - I will be cutting 8"x8" squares

While you are gathering your supplies, I will be washing and ironing my fabric to get started. Please check back in the next several days, I will post pictures for each step. Not to mention, if you have ANY questions, do not hesitate in asking. I am a visual learner and appreciate good instruction, so if I have left anything out, be sure to tell me so that I can help you succeed in your creation of a rag quilt.

This will be so much fun!! I would love to see any pictures of your own fabric choices! I had to purchase all mine at WalMart (which I am fortunate, my WalMart sells name brand fabrics) rather than going to an actual fabric store ... I live in the sticks ... remember! Smile!

rag quilts.

my first rag quilt ~ Miss Elizabeth is enjoying

my second rag quilt ~ I created this particular quilt for my step-mom after the death of my dad in May. I am in the process of working on my third, which I could have finished a couple of months ago. I ended up putting it down and picking up a spray paint can instead though.