One More...

…I quilted and finished this one over the weekend. This little one has already flown the coop and is on it's way to *It's Forever Home* via Margaret's Hope Chest.

*#USA* pattern is, what I believe to be public domain: rail fence. Rails cut at 3.5 in, blocks at 6.5 in. The ideas for the hashtag border from this post from Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

panto info: Starry Dreams

The backing is this red tie-dye that I have been hoarding. #USA was made so that I could use this backing and quilt with red thread.





Anyone else do that?! Decide on a project from the back?! LOL.

Another exercise in *trying to use what I have*.  *grin*

I'm also counting #USA as an entry for the *100 Quilts for Kids* Challenge that Heather at Quilts in the Queue is hosting this year.  I do believe today is the final link up day.  See all the quilts here at this link. I think there are at least 3 pages of donated quilts!

Design Wall Monday

My design wall is empty.

My allergies have been getting the better of me this season so not a whole lot of quilting is getting done.

I was able to quilt this little one. It's another Mock Trip Around the World using my last Eagle pillow panel inset.

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World by Quilting Assistant.

panto info: Starry Dreams













This was my September goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes at Fiber of All Sorts.  I was number 33 on the September Goal Setting Linky, found here.  I'm linking up with the September Finish Linky party, found here.

This little one will be sent to Margaret's Hope Chest so I am also linking up with: Heather at Quilts in the Queue for the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge, found here.

WIP Wednesday 9.17.2014

First, I fixed *Hashtag USA*. I had a block turned in the bottom row. Luckily, I only had to frog three seams to get the block to the right rotation.

pattern info: rail fence -- public domain. strips cut at 3.5 inches, blocks cut at 6.5 inches. Idea for *hashtag* border from Cynthia's Quilting is More Fun than Housework post here.



Second, I really, really like the Turning Leaves pattern from McCall's Quilting like from 2002.

I decided to make my own oak leaf template and give a few blocks  *a go*.

This set will be a table runner in the family room.

This set will be the wall hanging in the kitchen by the table.










This set will be the wall hanging on the far wall in the family  room.

And this set will be made into hot pads.


I didn't think that I had so many batiks in my stash! and I have more leftover!




Looks like there will be a scrappy batik quilt in my future sometime!

WIP Wednesday 9.10.2014

I decided on *hashtag USA*

pattern info: rail fence…public domain. rails at 3.5 inch cut, blocks at 6.5 inch cut, and hashtag at 3 inch cut.

idea for hashtag from this post by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Around the World Blog Hop 9.8.2014

I was invited to join in the Around The World Blog Hop! What a fun idea! You will learn a little about me and will be able to travel back in time to visit with the blogger who invited me to participate.  At the end of this post - I'll introduce the two bloggers who accepted my invitation to participate in the Around The World Blog Hop.

I was invited by: Alycia of Alycia Quilts fame!  I met Alycia online - but not in person (yet!) - through her amazing work with Quilts of Valor. I hope one day to be able to meet up with Alycia as I feel she is a kindred quilting spirit!

:)

1. What am I working on?

Right now, I am concentrating on quilting for the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge hosted by Heather at Quilts in the Queue. The quilts I am making will be going to Margaret's Hope Chest for their Prison Ministry Outreach.  They are in need of boyish quilts to take into the Michigan Prison system. This Ministry is very personal to me as we currently have a family member incarcerated. Through her years in and out of the system, she has lost custody of her three children. Fortunately, her mom (DH's Auntie)  has custody of the kids and is raising them.

I am sewing up some of my rwb quilts, in hopes that the children will like them. My patterns are a little small for the new Quilt of Valor requirements so I am going to have to re-visit patterns that make up to the new QOV size of 60 x 80.

Here is a quilt with a Eagle panel inset. This is the Mock Trip Around the World pattern.

Here is a rail fence in red/blue. My rails are cut at 3.5 inches, blocks at 6.5 inches.

I might add this flag border to jazz it up. I'm thinking of naming it *#USA*…get it? or maybe not…

I saw this on this post of Cynthia's at Quilting is More Fun than Housework.








2. How does my work differ from others?

Hummmmm….tough question. I tend to use lots of squares and rectangles in the patterns I make. It's TRUE! When I appliqué - raggy edge all the way. I do piece stars but I either float the points or make them wonky.

God Bless the Quilter that developed the Wonky Style!

3. Why do I create what I do?

The creation of quilts is an outlet from my more organized life. I think this is one reason why I like the wonky style - it gives me a sense of freedom in my structured life. Plus, quilts are a great gift! I've always explored some sort of craft. I've been known to dabble in painting, calligraphy, basket making, card making and scrap booking to name a few. Notice cooking and baking are NOT on the list!

4. How does my creative process work?

I like to think of patterns as guidelines, free to be interpreted by the individual quilt maker.

5. Who am I?

I'm Pat.

A daughter, sister, wife, in-law, mother, friend, quilter and hockey fan.

I've been sewing for about 13 years.













Who did I invite? Please meet:

Holly at Fabric Mom.

     Holly and I met through blogging. Holly was one of the first to reach out to me when I was a new blogger in 2008. Starting a blog was a giant leap of faith for me and Holly help to reassure me that all was well (and fun!) in blogland! Holly has turned her talents to embroidery and pattern writing to just name a few of her talents! She is indeed a kindred quilting spirit!

Pam at Mamaspark's World

     Pam and I also met through blogging. She asked for greens and I responded to her request. We have been great friends since then!  We were also fortunate to meet up *in person* a few times! Blogger friends are great online and even greater in person! Pam's talents have taken her in many directions, too! She has been published on the Moda Bakeshop for Pete's sake - she's a Rock Star! and another kindred quilting spirit!

Be sure to check out both of the ladies' blogs.  You won't be disappointed!

Have FUN!

Road Tripping

I put aside all and road tripped to Madison to Quilt Expo!

I didn't partake in any of the classes, sit n sew's or lectures but I was able to cruise thru the vendors and see the wonderful quilts!  Oh my! So BEAUTIFUL! The quilts on display are truly works of art.

I also did my part to help fuel the economy. lol.

From Nancy's Notions: a few rwb yard cuts, fq's and a *jelly roll*.

From Fabric Cafe: two 3 yard bundles with *free* patterns, plus since I paid cash - I got a prize: a free pattern!  sweet!

I also picked up this year's t*shirt.

I have a green one and the group at the Expo Information Booth was commenting on how *old* it was! I'm thinking only about 6 years!



I have fabric older than that in my stash - how 'bout you?!

Whoop! Whoop! 9.5.2014

It's a flimsy!

Whoop! Whoop!

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World with Eagle inset pillow panel.










Linking Up with

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

and

Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

Thursday 9.4.2014

Today's sewing is brought to you by: blocks!

Yup…I pieced together the blocks for the Mock Trip Around the World

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World by Quilting Assistant

WIP Wednesday 9.3.2014

Today's sewing is brought to you by: block segments.

Yup…making the segments for the Mock Trip Around the World Blocks.

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World by Quilting Assistant.

September ALYOF Goal Setting Party

Time to set a September goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes over at Fiber of All Sorts.

I'm not really sure whether I want to finish the red/blue rail fence on the left.  I have more of the red and *thought* I had more blue but I can't seem to locate it.

:(



Or maybe I'll finish the Mock Trip Around the World with the Eagle panel inset. I do have all the fabric needed for this project.

:)

pattern info:  rail fence - public domain. strips at 3.5 cut, blocks at 6.5 cut.
                                       easy peasy to make.

                    mock trip around the world by quilting assistant

Housekeeping: I am #33 on the September list.

Today was the first day of school for DD - Welcome to 10th grade!

O where did the time go?!

Driver's Ed starts in October - yikes!

Happy September 1st!

Greetings!

We arrived home late last night from our vacation and today is filled with the post vacation activities.

For me: laundry and a trip to the grocery store.
For DH: a breakfast food trip to the grocery store (he's an early riser), wash of the minivan and bicycles followed by mowing the yard. Thankfully the weather is co-operating.
For DD: last day of summer vaca - she's on a Grey's Anatomy marathon.
For DS: business as usual… he manned the *fort* and kept the home fires burning for us!

The beginning of the vacation was a trip to Mackinac Island with an overnight stay! two actually.  This is one of my bucket list items…I always wanted to sight see at a leisurely pace.  Also DD took about 300 photos of the Island and Island life. We got soaked a couple times but all in all…I can't complain! We just did indoor activities when it was rainy. :)

Here are a few of her unedited pictures:

 A ferry bringing tourist over to the Island.

The view of Grand Hotel from the ferry.

We toured the Fort.

The view of the harbor from the Fort.

We watched the firearms demonstrations. This cannon is from 1842, I believe.

We toured one of the two Butterfly Houses on the Island.

 DH took us on a Carriage Tour so that I didn't have to climb the steps (like a million!) to view Arch Rock.

Mackinac Island is known for their fudge. What a better fudge shop to shop at than JoAnn's?

Did I ever share that my Mom wanted to name me Joan?!


We then headed to my in-laws cottage in lower Michigan. On the way there, my fuel pump died. Very luckily, we coasted to a stop at the only rest area between Mackinaw City and Grayling, Michigan (our destination). Very very luckily, my FIL was at his property in Grayling and came to rescue us! You see, my SIL was having outpatient knee surgery that day and my MIL stayed behind to help out.

The next day, DH and FIL took out the elderly neighbor's pontoon and FIL's.  I was able to eek in my pontoon ride of the season as DH drove it over to the boat ramp to take it out of the water to store for the winter. A few niece/nephews arrived later in the day…it was their Mom who had the knee surgery.

The next day, things went downhill really fast. FIL, DH and the kids were taking the SeaDoos out when my FIL fell on the slippery ramp. He landed on his head…ouch.  Concussion, 5 staples to close the head wound and a #6 rib broken rib…not a good thing.  :(  He's 75.

A good thing, more reinforcements arrived in the form of the two BILs/SILs. After getting Grandpa and SIL--knee--situated, everyone worked really hard to get the SeaDoos and speed boat out of the water. The boys were actually trailering the speed boat over to the storage shed after dark.

Sunday was the dock and lift removal day. So many helped from either side of the cottage plus all the brothers and their kids.  My other SIL scrubbed the boat lift canopy before it was stored for the winter. Many hands made light work! I was on Grandpa duty and I'm happy to report he only escaped once from me to get outside to check on the removal process! DH thinks he'll need to make a trip back in October to help with the leaves and get the cottages ready for winter time.

One sad note --- the quilt shop in town closed.  :(  Another smaller one opened so it was fun to look at her selections but I didn't buy any fabric or quilting related souvenirs.

Thanks for sticking with me and reading along. DD started school tomorrow -- 10th grade. I'm hoping for more time in the sewing room but this week brings QUILT EXPO to Madison!  I'll be spending a day there!  :)