Organization

I guess we quilters are always running out of room to store our "stuff".  I found some unused space upstairs in a bathroom.  Yes, a bathroom.  The ceiling slants at four feet so the bathroom had quite a bit of unused space under the slant.  It isn't unused now.  I moved my storage shelves/containers in there, and boy were they messy. I've worked all afternoon organizing.  I'm happy with the results.  Here are some before and after pictures.  Before:

After:

I still have way too many scraps, even after I tossed a lot.

Hi Bonnie Hunter!

I had the privilege of meeting Bonnie Hunter today at the quilt show in Pigeon Forge!  She is great! I purchased her latest book on making quilts out of shirts and she autographed it for me.  Hi Bonnie, it was so nice to meet you!!

If any of you haven't yet, go to her blog at http://quiltville.blogspot.com/ and see some great stuff.

Three Weddings

I have three weddings in the next two and a half months.  So that means.......three quilts.  I usually don't sew during the week but this week I have had several nights of sewing.  I was able to finish this one.  I had the hardest time trying to find fabric for the border; ended up ordering some in the same line.  I'm not crazy about it, but it does look better in person than in this picture.

I also got the blocks sewn together on this (4th) shirt quilt.  I hope to find some border fabric for it tomorrow at the Quilt Show in Pigeon Forge.  I have decided it will go to one of the young couples. 

I am auditioning colors for the border.  I like the color of my recliner with it!  That is probably the color that would have looked best on the Smokey Mountain Star shirt quilt I finished recently.  By the way, we are going to donate that one to Jim's office in a March of Dimes fund raiser. Jim wanted me to make one for the event and since I had three I really wanted to make for these weddings, he agreed to give up the one I had just made for him.

What color for border?

I like hearing everyone's thoughts on what color borders to use.  I am open for suggestions on this one.  The pattern normally has a two inch border then a five inch.  Any suggestions?   I realize it can be difficult to comment on the blog, so email me!  This is a wild mixture of plaid and striped shirts.  I'd love to do something on the borders to bring it all together.  It is probably going to go for a fund raiser.

I've just got the blocks laid out.  I may have to move some around a bit.  Borders??

Shirt Quilt #4

I guess I just can't get enough of these shirt quilts.  This one will be a gift or a donation.

As I am cutting off the 8 1/2 inch squares of the strip sets for the above quilt, I am saving my scraps and collecting these 2 1/2 inch wide strip sections.....scraps from scraps.....

Another shirt pillow

Can't help myself.....just love these.

Blog2print

I found this great website where they will take all your blog posts and create a memory book.  It looks pretty neat.  I decided to do it to document all of my blogging posts.....from day one.  You can find it here at blog2print. Be sure to check Google for a coupon code before you place an order.  I saved 15%.  If I ever order something and they have a place for a coupon code, I always stop, open another window and search Google for a coupon.

Something else to do with old shirts

My friend told me about this website instructions for shirt pillow.

You can learn how to make these. So simple and fun.  A perfect accessory for the shirt quilts.  Cute for a little boy's bed.  You could tuck little notes to him in the pocket.

Finished!

Got the quilting finished today and just finished the binding.  Jim likes it. you can find the pattern here

Looking for chairs

I need a bit of help.  I am wanting to replace my dining room table with a more family friendly one.  The trouble is I really like my current dining room chairs but I only have five.  Yes, five.  I know, that is an odd number.  I would love to find 1 to 3 more of these chairs.  They are about 10 years old, and I can't find the name of a manufacturer or brand anywhere on them. Does anyone out there have a clue how I could go about trying to find more of these? Its original cushions were a cream color.

Progress

I've got these four rows together, only 143 more squares to sew together in rows.......

I may not put a border on it.  It looks so very old-fashioned, which I like.

I wasn't able to find material for a border for the black/brown/gold top; I ended up ordering some fabric online.  I think it will go to the young couple.  This scrappy one, I think I'll keep.  The hubby has been wanting another lap quilt.  He said this one looks summery.

Squint

Squint and use your imagination.  I think this scrap quilt is going to be great......it just takes a little imagination at this point in the process.  This is another one of Bonnie Hunter's free patterns, called "Smokey Mountain Stars".  Check her out at www.quiltville.com.  Again, guess what I am making this one out of??  you guessed it, old shirts!  Lots of Jim's old shirts in this one, a few scrap pieces of Elijah's and a just a few leftover woven scraps from a previous project.

Good News

I haven't mentioned it on the blog, but I have recently had another breast cancer scare.  Had to go in for another MRI to recheck something that didn't look right after my biopsy surgery in September.  This time had the joy (NOT) of experiencing a MRI guided, vacuum assisted, core needle biopsy.  The end of the story is, what they thought was early stage breast cancer was benign, again.  So, after six months of testing, waiting, worrying, testing and waiting, I am finally cleared and good for a year! I do appreciate my doctor who wanted to be sure and kept after it.  It isn't something you want to ignore.  So, all you ladies, do your monthly checks and your yearly mammograms.  They save lives.

Next Project

I've got a gift to make for a young couple.  I started making these blocks from a Bali Pop.  The colors and style seems modern, which I thought a younger person would like.....but, I am not sure.

I've also got these great plaids and stripes from cut up shirts, and I could make this quilt.  It is more traditional.  Any comments?

Friday

They are back!

I heard them "crowing" or whatever they do.  I thought Jesse had caught another bird, but when I opened the door, and looked across our road, I saw these 20 turkeys!  I couldn't get them all in the picture!