Country Charmer Preview

Hello Everyone,

 

Just a teaser today.....Lesley The Cuddle Quilter's Country Charmer quilt is finished and off my HandiQuilter.

 

You will have to stop by Lesley's blog tomorrow, November 1st, to see the whole quilt.  This red, white and blue quilt looks fabulous in my guest room here in the United States.  Do I really have to send it back to you in Nova Scotia Lesley???? 

Here's the whole back of the quilt.  I know I teasing you but I want Lesley to be the first to reveal her gorgeous quilt.

 

Lesley organized the Country Charmer Quiltalong and quilters around the world joined in.  Patterns have gone as far away as Russia and then south to Australia.  This has been fun!  Thank you so much Lesley for organizing the Quiltalong.  Thanks also go to Quilt Sue for designing the QAL button that has been popping up on blogs around the world.

 



It's never too late to make a Country Charmer.  I have detailed tutorials listed under the Country Charmer Quilt Along at the top of my blog.  The tutorials discuss color selection and block construction.  The patterns are available by emailing me at patched55@comcast.net or go directly to In Between Stitches.

It's a fun, scrappy quilt to make in any colorway.  Here's my darker version.

Here's my original red and green version.

Again, thank you Lesley for organizing the QAL and trusting me to quilt your quilt.  Now we need to work out a visitation schedule so I can meet you in Nova Scotia and visit our your quilt!

Soon,
Lynn

Taking Aim at Heartfire

Hello Everyone,

I've been diligently working on my Heartfire quilt.  So has Quilt Sue.  Sue is adding some applique to her centers which I think is a great idea.  I LOVE the Midwinter Red fabrics by Minick and Simpson!

I made a collage of blocks which will help me experiment with different fabrics for the setting triangles.  Warning.....the blocks are addictive!  I'll put a tutorial together on the block's construction.  There are a few little tricks I use with my ruler when I trim each strip.

 

On another subject, we always try to attend any school function or sporting event in which are grandchildren participate.  This time is so precious and memorable, and we don't want to miss a thing. 

 

 

Last Sunday was a very special event for our very special granddaughter, Emily.  Emily was born with congenital cataracts almost 11 years ago.  Her vision may be impaired, but her spirit and will is strong.  After seeing The Hunger Games and reading the book, she decided she wanted to try archery.

She joined 4-H and became a member of the archery team.

There was a tournament last weekend which was a fundraiser for breast cancer.  Each girl shot 40 arrows and scores were taken after each round of 4 arrows.

Emily's cheering section was so proud of her!  She's happily displaying her target showing many arrows found and made their mark.  I know Emily is going to make her mark on the world in a positive way.

Never give up.  Never think you can't do something because YOU CAN DO IT!  YOU GO GIRL!

Soon,
Lynn

P.S.  Here's a link to another post that I wrote about Emily 2 years ago when she started quilting.

Toyland Tree Class is in Session

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was my on-going Toyland Tree class at In Between Stitches.  All kinds of cute Christmas characters were out and about and decorated the design wall.

  

The girls have added many sweet little additions to their blocks.

A couple of the girls are using green background fabrics which is really going to make a realistic tree.

This little guy is going to be on a blue background.  I can't wait to see him finished.

Evelynne painted her buttons with felt tip pens, then applied glitter.  These are going to look great on the yo-yo's!

 

 



Here is a link to a Smilebox presentation I made for Toyland Tree when I finished my quilt last year. Turn on your sound so you can hear the music. Enjoy!

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox   Soon, Lynn

Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2013

Hello Everyone,

 

Today is the beginning of the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side.  Thank you so much Amy for organizing the Quilt Festival.  It's a virtual quilt show filled with inspiration.

 

 



 

My entry into the applique category is my own design that I named Harvest of Hope.  I've always loved Autumn.  It seems like so many of us say Autumn is our favorite time of the year. 

 



It must be the colors during September, October and sometimes into November that are just captivating.

I'll bet there will be some happy cows in this barn!

Everyone needs to have a blue bird of happiness in their home.

Color, color, color.....I try to get as much color into each and every quilt I design and make.

This is a very dapper scarecrow with an ascot.  He's not going to scare anyone away.

Every garden needs to have a purple pumpkin!

The geese are gathering to fly south for the winter.

 

I was so fortunate to have a horse and carriage stroll by when I was taking pictures of the quilt.  The horse seems interested in the back of the quilt!

 

If you click on the button at the top of the post, you will be directed to Amy's Creative Side where you will be able to see many beautiful quilts throughout the week.  Next week you can vote for your favorites and your name will be entered to win some great prizes.  Here's is the link to the applique quilts http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/10/25/bloggers-quilt-festival-applique-quilts-2/

Soon,
Lynn

MIdwinter Reds Meets Heartfire

Hello Everyone,

 

Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson for Moda is going to be turned into my Heartfire pattern.

 

When Quilt Sue was visiting me in California, she purchased a fat quarter tower from In Between Stitches.  She thought this fabric line would make a beautiful Heartfire quilt.  I agreed with Sue and started one too.

At Pacific International Quilt Festival I found the companion bundle of plaids, stripes and checks.  This was just too good to pass up!

I'm using the wovens around some of the center sections.  After I attached the first round of strips, I starch it with spray starch to prevent any stretching or fraying.  I use so much starch, you could almost bounce a quarter off the block!

Normally the "wonkiness" of the stripes and checks would drive me crazy.  I'm okay with it in this time since there isn't any way possible to get everything to line up.  I like my ducks in a row when I quilt, and it's just not going to happen this time!

 

Whenever I do any strip quilting I get out my pasta dryer.  It keeps all of the strips organized and takes up less real estate on my workspace.  Plus I can see everything at a glance and can easily find the perfect fabric for the next round of piecing.

 



Quilt Sue is adding applique to her centers.....another good idea.  Sue is just full of good ideas!

We have a couple more towers of the Midwinter Reds at In Between Stitches....no wovens, but any good red or beige plaids or stripes would work in nicely.  I'll be teaching this pattern during the next quarter of classes at In Between Stitches.  The quilt should be finished just in time for Valentine's Day.

I love this pattern so much this is the 3rd time I've made it!  The first time I made it in Fig Tree fabrics.

The second time I made it in French General fabrics.

Now my daughter and both daughters-in-law will each have their own Heartfire.....when I decide to give them away!

Soon,
Lynn