Some 2012 quilts

I love seeing end of the year quilt-making wrap ups. Thought you might too!

I wasn't nearly as good as last year at keeping records, so I've gone through some of my photos and shared my favorites. Enjoy!

Wishing each and every one of you a Happy New Year! Thank you so much for visiting my little space and chiming in occasionally! I have lots planned for 2013 - including the pleasure of making a quilt for a new grandson! Hope you have lots of great plans too!  . . . Cindy

Read More

Lucky Stars BOM

I've decided to join in the fun with Elizabeth and participate in her Lucky Stars BOM for 2013. After I took a paper piecing class with Marsha a couple of years ago (and loved it), I vowed to keep up with my paper piecing skills. This is so perfect - one block a month and I so love fancy stars.

So I took a little time collecting a palette from the stash. I've been drawn to navy recently and thought the high contrast shade would be perfect for these complex stars. 

Though it officially starts in January, we got a bonus block today to get started. Hope to do that in the next few days. 

Have I peaked your interest? The club is only $10 for 26 patterns (13 blocks each in a 6" and 12" size) until the end of the year when it goes up to $15. Such a bargain for 13 blocks! More info: Lucky Stars BOM  . . . Cindy

Read More

Kitchen Window quilt

This quilt top has been on the UFO pile for maybe a year? In my quest to finish up, this one is finally quilted! The pattern is from The Practical Guide to Patchwork and most of the fabrics are from Patty Young's Sanctuary line.

I procrastinated on this one because I was struggling with a quilting design. The dark brown frames posed a problem with thread color - a difficult decision for me when I have such contrast in color. I ended up with a soft orange thread and did a simple cross-hatch on the blocks. I went back with green thread and used loops in the sashing.

The backing is one of my absolute favorite prints from Sanctuary.

This is really a great pattern to show off a gorgeous fabric line! And one of the easiest in the book!

And finally, I want to wish all of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. May your holiday be filled with family, friends, good health, yummy food, and some fun presents (maybe some fabric!).

Peace . . . Cindy

Read More

So where were we?

Thank you, thank you for all your comments, thoughts and prayers. We came home from the hospital, had a little slip-up and landed back in the hospital for a few days. We're home now, both of us feeling good and all is well! Amidst the tragedy that's on our minds and everyone else's, we are so thankful for the kindness that has come our way from family, friends, doctors, nurses and many of you who barely know us. My husband read all your comments and especially loved being called "Mr. Hyacinth". And if you ever find yourself stuck at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis (and I hope you never do), be sure to get the wonderful homemade soup in the cafeteria. There's a new flavor every day!

So I thought I'd share what's been on my design wall for the past few weeks. 

I pulled a stack of grays, aquas and soft melon fabrics and have started these blocks. The quilt is called Starstruck and is in The Practical Guide to Patchwork.

The fabrics I'm using are from Simply Color, Marmalade and Dear Stella, combined with coordinating scraps. The blocks are fun to make and I hope to keep moving along on this one.

I've also had this project on the wall for a while. The blocks are Anna Maria Horner's free feather pattern. I spent a half day playing with these blocks and came up blank with an idea for them. I would like to do something with just 4 blocks. I finally gave up, sewed them together and added a border. And honestly, I'm not real happy with the result.

The plan is to take off the borders and stare at it until the perfect idea comes along. Maybe a lap quilt with lots of negative space?? I'm open to your suggestions!

I'm continuing to try and finish up some UFO's! With just a binding to finish, I'll have another quilt to show - hopefully by the end of the week!   . . . Cindy

Read More

A bump in the road...

You may have noticed that I've been absent for a bit. Yes, we definitely hit a bump in the road that brought my quilting to a halt. After 4 days of doctor visits and tests, my husband had open heart surgery on Friday to repair a valve in his heart. The whole thing took us by surprise and scared the dickens out of us. All is now well, though we're in for a long recovery time. But in many ways we are so thankful and looking forward to a quiet, relaxing winter at home.

So, before the bump, I did finish a couple small projects. This pincushion was for a Christmas party exchange at my quilt guild. I didn't get to go to the party and I think I ended up with a super cute pincushion.

the back...

I also had this unfinished pouch sitting on my UFO pile. Sometimes I wonder why I wait. It took me 20 minutes to finish it! And it will make a nice gift!

Just so you know - my blogging may be sporadic in the next few weeks. I'll be taking care of my favorite guy before any sewing gets done. He really is not very demanding, so hopefully I'll sneak a little quilting in here and there. Say a little prayer for us - we'll be over the bump in no time. . . .Cindy

Read More