Sunday Check In

I have been busy finishing these projects.  A prayer quilt for a classmate's wife who is going through cancer treatments.  Diane loved this quilt.

There are lots of ties on the quilt for many many more prayers for her.

 14 bags for Beads of Courage

My friend made 15 bags and her daughter took them with her to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  Her daughter works at Cincinnati Children's Hospital so our 29 bags have been delivered.

Baby Quilt for Coworker

This quilt will be given to her tomorrow.

My heart and prayers go out to the community of Newtown, Conn.

Karen

Back to Sewing

A couple of weeks ago my daughter got married.  She was a beautiful bride and it was a perfect day.  

For November in Ohio the weather was gorgeous.  It was sunny and in the 50's.

This is a picture of my daughter, Tonya, and her friend Amanda.  Amanda's mother is having cancer surgery on Tuesday.  I got busy sewing and made Amanda's mother this prayer quilt.  I mailed it to her on Friday and she received the quilt on Saturday.  I think Sudoku Quilts are always very pretty.

Even Sherry likes the quilt.

I finally found the words I have been looking for to make my prayer quilts extra special and meaningful.  I found a prayer shawl on Pinterest and Louis Chiquette had a wonderful description of the meaning of the prayer shawl.  Louis was kind enough to let me use this meaning to work for my prayer quilts.

I went Black Friday shopping to Good Wives Co. Quilt Shop.   I purchased these two pieces of fabric.  I love this kind of Black Friday shopping.

I need to go back to sewing on another prayer quilt.

I hope you have a sewing week.

Karen

Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin

Back in March I signed up for a Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin over at Michele's Quilts From My Crayon Box.   Here is the block I made for the round robin.

My block started it's journey by traveling to England to visit Diane.  The next 7 months I didn't know where was my block.  A few weeks ago the block arrived home and oh how it had changed.

I spent a few days admiring the block and I decided it only needed quilted and binding.

Here is my finished block.

  As you can see it is a beautiful addition to my table.

Thank you ladies for making this round robin fun and for the treasured table runner that now graces my table.

Below is a list of all the Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin quilts.  Check out thei quilts.

Melinda - Tilda's Twisted Life
Deonn - Quiltscapes
Kylie - My Addiction to Quilting
Wendy - Why-Not-Kwilt
Bea - Beaquilter
Jane - Jane's Fabrics, though her reveal will be posted on Michele's blog
Pippa - Pippa's Patch
Madame Samm - Sew We Quilt (hasn't received her quilt back home yet, hopefully in Monday's mail)
Annie - Annie's Musings
Diane - The Cheshire Quilter
Vicki - Sew On and Sew Forth
Lisa M- A Day In The Life of Raising Six Munchkins
Renae - revealing here on Michele's blog
Kathy -Kathy's Quilting Blog
Charlotte - revealing here on Michele's blog 
Celine - Espritpatch
Lisa C-revealing here on Michele's blog
Edy - revealing here on Michele's blog
Ella - Throw a Wrench in the Works
Rachel - Suz Made Me Do It
Samantha - Sami's Quilts & Crafts

Karen - K's Quilting Korner

Leslie - Les Quilts
Ann - Orange Crumpled Napkin
Sharon - Dancing Through Threads
Doris - Made By a Brunette
Margaret - hasn't received her block back yet, will be posted on my blog when it arrives
Tiffany - Pink Sweet Treats
Janet - Caribou Crossing Chronicles
Michele - Quilts From My Crayon Box

Thanks Michele I had a great time with this mystery round robin.  I will be looking forward to another mystery round robin in 2013.

Happy Sewing.

Karen

Tuesday Linky Party

 It seems like time is flying by.  This morning I woke up to snow.  I really don't like cold weather and snow. In 11 days my daughter is getting married and it seems we still have 101 things to do.

 With that said I haven't had much time to sew.  I did finish this quilt to give to the hospital gift shop.  I gave it to them on Friday and when I volunteered on Monday it was gone. It is amazing what you can create with a few scraps left from other quilt projects.  I really can't sew fast enough to make sure they have quilts to sell.  I believe this is #9 donation for this year.

Some excited mail came a week ago. Julie at "The Intrepid Thread" had a 600th post giveaway and I WON. There are 18 fat quarters of Avignon.   I have picked out a pattern for these beautiful fat quarters.  Now if I just could find the time to sew.  Go over to Julie's and check out her shop.  This is a great place to shop for fabric.  Thanks Julie.  I love the colors.




I am going to link up with Freemotion by the River before I go back to work on the list of 101 things yet to do.

Happy Sewing.
Karen

Charity Quilting

I have been doing charity quilts for about five years.  I wanted to give back and this is one way I can give back.  I first started with an online group called Charlotte's Garden.  We made quilts for serious ill children and adults.  They had Caringbridge sites so you could keep up with their progress.  They knew someone was making them a quilt and we tried to made the quilt with fabrics they might like.  I  added prayer ties to each quilt.

  My favorite pattern I used for the prayer quilts is Warm Wishes from Quiltmaker magazine.    Warm Wishes goes together very  quickly when you need a quilt.  The unfortunate thing is the online group is no longer active.  I still make prayer quilts but mostly for my friends and family.




Then I found Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  I make quilts for her Hands2Help projects.

H2H Quilt

I have made some QOV quilts.  

QOV

Bookkeeper

I also made a bookkeeper for a lady going through chemo.








As I continue to read blogs I heard of Phoenix Quilts.  Phoenix Quilts are giving people quilts who have lost their homes due to fires.  There have been almost 1000 homes  destroyed by fires.  They are touching many who is going through a terrible time and I wanted to help.  Please go to Phoenix Quilts and see how you can help.

I also make Beads of Courage Bags for children's hospital.  These bags are for children going through cancer treatment.  Each bead they receive tell a story of strength, honor and hope.  This is another charity group who could use lots of help.  The first 10 bags I gave were given to the children the day I gave them.




I pray for each receiver as I sew.  Sometimes I know their name and sometime I don't.  I also pray my gifts bring them joy, warmth, love, and comfort.
As you know we can never sew enough quilts and bead bags for all the needs there are.
I found this quote a long time ago and I hope this what my quilty hugs bring to the receiver.
"If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you
And share with you it's beauty
on the days your feeling blue."

You can say my passion is charity quilting.  What is your passion?
Karen

Third Quarter FAL

As I look back at my 3rd quarter FAL list I wonder how have I done.  I see there were 7 projects on the list.
1.  table runners - done

2. 50th Anniversary Quilt - done

3. Rag Quilt - done

4. Jelly Roll Quilts - 1 top done

6. Charm Squares Tablecloth  - done

The only project that didn't get completed was one jelly roll quilt top.  I almost finished it.  It only needs the last border.  I am pleased with my success.  I am linking up Quilter In the Gap Finish A Long Party.  Check it out to see how everyone else did.

Keep Sewing.

Karen

Green Apple Ribbon

I entered my charming quilt tablecloth in the Applefest quilt show.

And it won a green apple ribbon.

The GREEN APPLE RIBBON is for FIRST PLACE.

I couldn't believe I won.

 Especially could believe I won 1st place.

Here is my quilt hanging at the show.

First time I entered in the local quilt show.

I am already thinking of what quilt I will make for next year's show.

Karen

Charming Tablecloth

I have finished my charm tablecloth.  There are 729 different fabrics in this quilt.  I need to make another tablecloth for the other table in the patio.  I  love all the different fabrics that my friend gave me.  What color of thread do you think would look best on the quilt?

Another UFO finish as a top.  When it is quilted I will give it to the hospital gift shop.

  I didn't need another project but I wanted to make a Sudoku Quilt.  I found these fall fabrics and think they will be a great fall quilt.  Need to go shopping for a border fabric.

I am linking up at Sarah's to see what everyone else has been doing this week.

Happy Sewing Today.

Karen

Plan B Quilt

I bought this Bear Hugs Jelly Roll from The Quilt Corner thinking I could make a baby quilt.  It only has 20 strips so I am thinking my jelly roll quilt will be half the size.  Great!   Perfect size for a baby quilt. 

WRONG!

I sewed my strips together and this is what I got.  Strips going up and down instead of sideways.  So I regrouped and went to PLAN B.  I added borders.

 If you look at the  picture the bears are sideways. 

After the day I have had they look normal to me.

What I see is a bright, cheery little girls quilt.

What do you see?

Karen

Tuesday Updates

Last week at work our computers didn't work for TWO whole days.  I didn't realize just how much I use my computer at work.  Needless to say I am way behind in my work.  Do you think maybe we can start school a few days later this year?  Probably not!  The great news is my sewing machine is working fine.
I have been on this mission to finish my 3rd quarter finish-a-long projects.  Here is an update on my list.

#1. DONE

#2.  50th Wedding gift.  Only needs a label.  Don't you love the colors?

 #3. Rag Quilt.  DONE.  Donated to the local hospital gift shop. 

Front

Back

#4.  I have the 4 patches & solid blocks quilted.  Not sure how I want to quilt the border.

#5.  One border on one jelly roll quilt.

#6.  No sewing on the 9 patch blocks. 

I did sew 20 jelly roll strips together thinking it would be a smaller quilt that would be a perfect size for a baby quilt.  It didn't turn out the way I thought.  I went to Plan B on the sewing of this quilt.  I should have it finished this week.

Happy sewing,

Karen



Mission NOT Impossible

I knew I needed to get these table runners made.  A friend said I could use her serger.  I decided I couldn't put this task off any longer.  On day one as I am sewing I realized this is not difficult.   Then I become obsessed to get the runners done.  It took me three days and a couple of hours of sewing each day to complete them.  

SUCCESS!!!  32 Table runners finished. 

 

 I am determined to continue on my 3Q FAL list.  Next project to complete is this brown and pink quilt.  A week ago I had one block sewn  together.  Today I have all 20 blocks sewn.  I am working on the borders.

It looks like no mission is impossible if I just continue to stay on task.

Happy sewing.

Karen

3rd Quarter FAL List

I finally have time to list my third quarter finish-a-long list.   I didn't do very well on second quarter finishes and I think have a more realistic third quarter list.

I have added a couple of projects from the second quarter that didn't get completed.

1. Wedding table runners. One compete many more to sew.

2.  Pink and brown quilt. My target day for this to be complete is in August.

3.  Rag quilt.  It need the blocks sewn together and the rows sewn together.

4.  This quilt needs quilted, binding sewn on, and hand stitching.

5. Two jelly roll quilts that need borders on.  I still have four more jelly roll quilts I want to make.  I plan to have these two complete before fourth quarter.

6.  Charms square quilt.  I have 71 blocks sewn now I need to sew them together to make a tablecloth.

I plan to complete these projects even though my job will soon get very demanding and time consuming.  I hope I can add more projects to my list.

I will be linking up with Rhonda over at Quilter in the Gap.   Thanks Rhonda for the motivation I need to complete my projects.

Happy sewing.

Karen