Chalkboard mat

Chalkboard mats will be a Christmas gift for my great niece and nephews. I found the original idea on Pinterest but altered it. The side that holds the chalk I added batting between the layers and quilted it. The batting and quilting really helped to make it much more stable. I think it will be enjoyed.

Trip down Memory Lane.

Here is a little trip down Memory lane. This is the first quilt made taking a quilt class and an actual pattern. I remember trying to read the pattern "Yellow Brick Road" and at the time I had no idea what the instructions meant. This quilt was made for my sister's birthday in  July 2009. I certainly have learned a lot since that quilt. My first quilts were made in the winter/spring of 2009.

Rustling Leaves quilt

 I started this quilt in January of 2012 and finished the piecing by June. (Please note my blog post of May 2012) January of 2013 I added the borders. January 2015 I had it machine quilted with leaves. My quilter, Betty, did an awesome job; it is beautiful.  This August I put on the binding and finished it today.

I am really pleased with this quilt.
 It will be perfect for fall.

This quilt took me 3 1/2 years to finish. I have completed numerous other projects during that time. This was definitely a Work in Progress.

It is never to late... to finish a project.

Chatty Cathy finally has a new dress.

Chatty Cathy is a doll I received  when I was young. When my husband and I bought our home in 1991 my Mom thought it was time that she came to live at my house. She has worn the same dress since that time. I was encouraged by my Mom and my good friend, Susan, that it was time for her to expand her wardrobe.

Chatty Cathy is "chubbier" than American Girl dolls so their clothes wouldn't fit. I found a vintage Chatty Cathy pattern on ebay. I had a good time making this dress. The pattern instructions  from 1962 were very interesting and different from what I have used.

Her next garment will be a seasonal dress.

Next she needs shoes......

Demo at the County Fair

I did a Demonstration at the County Fair  in the Open Class area. This year I demoed "Fabric Boxes." They are fun and easy to make for a beginner sewer. I wrote step by step instructions and included the youtube link I got my inspiration from.

They can be made any size.

 You can add buttons or not.

Open Class Fair Entries

This year for our County Fair open class I entered the quilt I entered into the quilt show earlier this year, a snowman wall hanging, a card and a pillow case. My son has a Farmall tractor that he uses in local tractor pulls and thought he would enjoy this pillowcase. 

1 Hour bag

This bag is only suppose to take an hour to complete. I spent a bunch of time quilting it. Every time I make a project I learn something and find ways to do it easier for the next time. I think I will try a stiffer interfacing. Next time the handles will go on the ends (where they should be.) It isn't a purse but a bag to store items that would otherwise clutter your living space.

Cosmetic bag

 This is a cosmetic bag I made for my daughter. I had not put in a zipper in 40 years. My Mom and I watched a youtube video to make this bag. Between the 2 of us, we only took out the zipper 3 times before we get it correct. I watched a  different video by "Crafty Gemini" who has an awesome youtube channel and putting the zipper in with a lining finally made sense. I enjoyed working on the bag, learned a lot and my Mom and I had a lot of fun laughing at our mistakes.

Rag Quilt

I always enjoy making rag quilts. This one has a thick polyester batting. I used 2 different types of "wolf"  fabric. It is the light blue and green fabric.

Rail Fence Quilts

My daughter asked me to make a quilts for her and her husband to coordinate with the colors in their living room. I had received an Accuquilt and was anxious to try out one of the dies. (2 1/2 " strips)
I decided to make Rail Fence quilts with 2 1/2" strips. The larger one has a definite pattern while the smaller one doesn't. I used a high loft polyester batting and quilted in the ditch. Instead of doing a hand binding, I knew they might get a lot of love from my 2 grand dogs as well, I decided to machine zig zag the binding to the front.

2015 Quilt Show entry

I am part of a Quilt group that puts on a Quilting Show every year. The quilt show invites all to participate. We even have a category for youth quilters. We have divisions for Large, Lap and Baby sized, hand quilted, and applique. This year the focus category was Optical Illusion. Next year the theme is Patriotic. I made the Log Cabin for my oldest nephew and his wife celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year.