Murdock Manor

Latest book

2011-05-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

I finished reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. What a fun read! Not a deep story, but fun and light. I love a good character and Major Pettigrew didn't disappoint.

Fun little wall hanging

2011-05-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

I love ruler work. I find it very relaxing, so this project was just what I needed. Sue did a great job piecing it!

Click on photo to enlarge

I loved how the treatment in the dark blue border turned out. Too bad it wouldn't show up in a photo =(

I love spring!

2011-05-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

It's getting harder and harder to stay indoors and focus on work. I keep going outside to check on my plants. Here's a few quilts I managed to squeeze in. Once the heat hit's I'll be in my studio with the AC cranked up all day! Hopefully I'll be cranking out quilts all day too and getting back on schedule.

Fun colors!

Sometimes I like the back just as much as the front!

One big mama! Someday I'll make one of these....someday.....

I LOVE how happy this quilt is. I would have been just fine if the owner never came to pick it up lol.

Not happy with Blogger right now =(

Happy mothers day!

2011-05-07T11:44:00.001-07:00

One of my fondest memories of my mother is her hats! Here she is (far left) trying some of the hats she made on a couple customers. When hats began to fall out of fashion she switched to wedding crowns and veils. I loved playing in her studio, those veils were far better than the half slips I used to wear on my head for dress up. I was blessed to grow up with two amazing parents. The best ever!!!

And this is how I remember her most. Smiling, bright eyed and wearing a colorful moo moo in her garden. I wish my kids could have met her, she was such an amazing and talented woman. Not one of us 7 kids ever heard her say a negative word against another person. Gossip simply wasn't in her vocabulary. She used to learn a new word everyday and used it in sentences when we got home from school. Which usually ended in fits of giggles. I remember her lying on her death bed hemming a dress for me. She was too sick to even sit up but she wanted me to have that dress for the dance. Love you mom!

'Young woman, you're going to be an old woman someday--don't sweat it!'

2011-04-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

I love these women! Makes me happy just watching this video. Love the lines after 1:55. Makes getting older seem fun!!!

The perfect PNW bag!

2011-04-21T15:44:00.001-07:00

I love this vintage bag! I would so buy an umbrella bag, I think it's genius! It's perfect for the Pacific Northwest. And cute, cute, cute.

(found at http://helmiotsalla.blogspot.com/)

Recent Quilts

2011-03-23T20:11:00.001-07:00

Just off the frame tonight.

Sadie's quilts are always fun to quilt and this one was no exception.

It's HUGE ....and would fit my bed perfectly =) I love it!

Linda's quilt from kaffe Fassett's class. The fabrics are fabulous, and just happened to be picked out by Kaffe himself. Another quilt I'd be happy to keep.

Here's Stephanie's beautiful quilt from the same class. Amazing how different they look.

Close up.
Another fun feather meander. (I never get tired of this look)

Lynn's quilt (with flash for true colors)

Close up to show catty wompus concentric circle posie.

Full quilt.

Patty's traffic in the city. A very fun creative quilt! (Same owner as The Naked Lady quilt)

Large fun posie's

Soft loose quilting for a comfy baby quilt. Lucky baby =)

Uh...did you think that through?

2011-03-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Recently while at a friends surprise 50th birthday party we were divided into groups for games. By pure coincidence my group ended up all women, and all from my book club. After a few minutes of not being able to come up with a name for our group I said lets just be the BB's since our book club is the B & B book club (Books and Brunch)

One of the men quite innocently asked if BB's stood for Big and Beautiful. Huh? Are you serious lol. Yes, we want to be called Big and Beautiful. NOT! Another well intentioned man wanting to save us from the unsolicited insult said "I think they would prefer to be called the Bony Butts". What? Seriously, that's better lol? Technically only one of us qualified for that tittle...and she didn't want it either. Thank goodness for Chad who chimed in "Beautiful Babes". Phew, so much better! Thanks Hun!

Done!

2011-03-13T23:10:00.001-07:00

I am finally finished with my first attempt at quilting a portrait quilt. I think Patty did an amazing job designing her "Naked Lady" and I LOVE the style of piecing she used. I think I'm hooked now. Although I must admit to panicking half way into it thinking she was beginning to look like a body works piece. But with encouragement from a much respected art quilter and friend I moved forward. Once she was finished all the echoing worked and I'm really happy with her.

Here she is with flash.

And a close up of the background quilting, side lit and no flash. Thanks Gayle for telling me the name of this type of quilting. "Sediment". I've always loved it but never knew what to call it. As usual, click to enlarge.

The scissors help give an idea of scale. She is much larger than life.

Head prior to quilting.

And after. I love the swirl in her bun/twist.

I'm not dead.

2011-02-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

My daughter recently informed me that I'm a terrible blogger. I must confess I enjoy looking at other blogs more than I enjoy updating mine. For you Amy....here's a few recent ...or not so recent quilts.

Love this quilt my sister Carol made for my brother Steve. It was loads of fun to quilt, and BIG!

Does this say Lynn or what? Other customers walked in and knew immediately whose quilt it was.

Love this quilt of Nadine's and can't wait to make one...................someday before I die.

Some fun whimsy loosely quilted to stay soft and cuddly for a baby.

I think this quilt is fabulous!! So simple and yet makes a huge statement. The colors are even better in person.

I never tire of a good cream quilt. So soothing. Another on my someday list.

Texture! This quilt by Meg is all about texture. I can't even imagine piecing all those little triangles. It's gorgeous and HUGE...and I wish it were on my bed!

Click to enlarge this photo to really appreciate all the work put into piecing this quilt. Her own design. Now anybody that really knows me knows I am terrified of butterflies. My love of all things purple helped me see past the butterflies to the true beauty of this quilt. Stunning.

Nice and clean quilting to show off the embroidery (perfect embroidery I might add). Gotta love a bunny quilt!

Swirling windmills and a nice leaf border make for a comfy TV quilt.

OK that should keep Amy happy for a week or so. I promise to do better Amo =)

Dark Shadows!

2011-01-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited I can't stand it. Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins!!! I haven't been this excited for a movie to start filming in ages.

A few October quilts

2010-10-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

I love this Celtic quilt Holle made for her daughter. The borders were done with stencils. I learned an important lesson, air erase marks do not like rain lol. The marks were disappearing in seconds. I could only mark about 5''s at a time. I finally decided to try again the next day with better weather. What a difference! I could mark 1/2 a border at a time with no worries. (As usual, click on photo to enlarge)

And the back...

I've quilted this quilt pattern for Lynn a number of times but never in a flannel. And it's a Shabby Chic to boot. I love it!!!

This last quilt was quilted for my dear friend Carrie. When I called her to tell her it was finished she said "Oh how fun, I totally forgot about it". Ack, how long have I had this one, lol? Quick check of the paperwork made me feel better lol. Not only was Carrie excited to come get her quilt but she agreed to be my dead bride in the haunted house this year. I'm lucky to have such a great friend. Not may people would say "Do what ever you want to my quilt, when ever you have time..... and yes I will be your dead bride".

A few August quilts

2010-10-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

A quick picture of Lynn's latest quilt for the Quilts for Kids auction. I love this quilt and hope it brings in a high bid for the kids. I really admire Lynn's dedication to this organization.

It was fun to quilt and makes me want to make a bright cheerful quilt of my own. Hmmmm maybe I ought to just finish one of the many I've already started lol. Surely there's a bright happy one in the mix. (I just noticed the arched lettering looks crooked in the picture. It's just the way it's hanging. Darn, wish it was still here to get a better picture)

I really like this customers quilt. Isn't it pretty? The very last corner quilted was the bottom right....Ughhh a turned block. (It's actually less noticeable in person, but I still can't believe none of us caught it. Even after 10 minutes of looking her friend still couldn't find it. YES!) The customer decided to leave it as is. She said "No need to flip it, it's OK to not be perfect". Great attitude to have in life!

Oops I said a few...so here are two more august quilts ....or is a few just 3?

(Click on picture to enlarge) I love the simple borders on this one.

It's hard to see but this one has concentric circles on the circle fabric. I love the whimsy in this quilt. She's one of Lynn's good friends and I can't help but wonder if Lynn suggested the polka dot fabric. It's a very "Lynn" thing to do lol.

Fabric give away

2010-09-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

No I'm not giving fabric away, Sarah Fielke is! While waiting for a coat of paint to dry I started perusing some of my favorite blogs tonight and came across her give away. It's fabulously fun fabric!! head on over to her blog and check it out! The Last Piece.

Oops, I almost forgot the name of the fabric line..... "From Little Things."

Cute isn't it? I absolutely love the happy colors and designs. Gotta love a little whimsy =)

Quilt, paint or make arms?

2010-09-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

The butler finally has a bride. So much to do and so little time to do it. Quilt, paint or make arms for the bride?

Every time I see this dress it makes me think of my friend Carol. She made the dress for a Titanic dinner party and then retired it to this dress form. It stood in her guest room for years until she gave it to me a couple weeks ago. She's a life saver as I didn't know where I was going to find the time to make a period dress. I rolled it into the Halloween room and saw my Butler holding the head Chad bought me. YES! The perfect match. Now all I have to do is make/buy her arms. I think they make a cute couple. Don't you = )

She is a huge improvement over his first wife, who's bubble wrap body with slightly square bosoms kept sliding down her pole. I'll repurpose the pole with a clown for the nursery.

Charity quilt

2010-09-02T12:28:00.001-07:00

I wish I had written down the name of the book Lynn's art quilt depicts. It's a wonderful children's book. The quilt will be auctioned off later this year at the Quilts For Kids charity event. This was my first time quilting something with tulle laid over the top, so a bit of experimenting had to be done. Once I realized not all of the tulle could be removed so I could quilt underneath it, I decided on much lighter quilting. I think in the end it matched the light feel of the clouds better anyways. Lynn's work is amazing!

I love this Africa themed wall hanging. Nadine did an amazing job piecing it. It's artistic yet whimsical and was FUN to quilt.

This is another quilt of Nadine's, I had a hard time saying good bye to this one lol. Love it!

And last a close up of a border I had a lot of fun doing. I hope I can quilt this design on one of my own soon =)

Some August quilts

2010-08-26T15:46:00.001-07:00

Click on photo's to enlarge.

I liked this quote

2010-08-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

So I thought I'd share.

I'm content that God be God. I wont instruct him on his duties to us. I know he lives and loves us, that he is God. He's not unmindful of us. We don't suffer out of his view. He doesn't inflict pain on us, but he sustains us in our pain. We are safe in his love.

Finally quilting again after a two week break. Will post soon.

The Zookeeper's Wife

2010-07-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

I finally finished The Zookeeper's Wife. Great story, horrible story teller. I was able to get into it by the end, but man the beginning was torture. I usually pause my audio books if I have to leave the room. Not this book, I left it running and hoped the story had moved on to something interesting by the time I s l o w l y came back.

I just started the Hunger Games and 10 minutes into it I am intrigued. Lets hope it stays at this nice interesting pace. I'm in the mood to be entertained.

Latest quilts off the frame

2010-07-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

I love this baby quilt and it was fun to quilt. What grand child wouldn't love to get this from their grandma. Sadly it's not mine but I wish it were, my grand kids would love it.

The same customer made this wonderful charity quilt. I admire the time and effort put into charity quilts and this one is great! I hope they get all they are hoping for out of it.

Front
Backing (love this back)

Marcus goes to the ER

2010-07-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

I'm hijacking my daughters facebook post about my grandson Marcus and his run in with Farm Grandma's table.

Our first trip with a child to the emergency room for stitches last night! Boy, that was not what we were planning on doing yesterday. Poor Marcus! He was so tough and handled it like a trooper though.

He was running full speed and went right into the corner of grandma's dining table. He cut a pretty decent gash above his eye that was too deep for butterfly band aids. We drove him to the emergency room and he got three stitches. He was so cute and hilarious for the nurses and doctor. He asked them if he would have a scar like Harry Potter! And when they told him it would hurt to get the shot to numb the area for stitches he said, "It seems like I was just birthed to get hurt all the time!" That broke our hearts AND made us laugh. Finally, when they gave him the stitches and he just laughed and talked through it, the nurses told him he was brave and he said, "This is the bravest day of my whole life. I think Jesus is giving me brave power!" It was an adventure and I'm just really glad if it had to happen, that it happened at grandma's house because we had family here to watch the other two kids and Marcus got our full attention.

Marcus called me from the ER to tell me all about the magic medicine that makes you not feel anything. He was so excited to tell me his story. But that magic medicine really excited him. He thought it was the coolest thing ever. The way he words things is hilarious. And the words he uses, I don't know where he comes up with them. You never know what he'll say next..

Blast from the past triggers the ole brain

2010-07-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

One of my customers dropped off a quilt last week and said "Quilt it like the other one you did for me". Of course there is no such picture in her folder and it's not in my file of quilts from the the last 10 years. I remember doing it, arghhhhh. Just my luck I didn't get a picture of it.

However I did come across a few past quilts that brought back..... odd memories.

I must have the worlds worst memory but the strangest thing happens when I quilt while listening to music, audio books or a movie. I can stop quilting on Friday night and as soon as I start quilting on Monday I can tell you exactly what song, part of a movie or even what line was being read in an audio book. It doesn't happen if I start quilting in a new place, only when I go back to the spot I left off.

While looking at the photo's I remembered what books I was listening to on these four quilts. Just popped in my head. Strange!! It only lasts a second and then it's gone. Any body else?

Finished!

2010-07-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

I never tire of red batiks. And Lynn put them to good use in this quilt. Lynn's a whiz at fabric selection and tweaking quilt patterns to get the look she wants. This one was perfectly flat and square, a quilters dream.

Another of Lynn's creations. Simple piecing and simple quilting make for a stunning piece of art work.

And finally, I'm finished! I love this quilt, it'll be hard to give it back to Marsha. I'm also loving curved crosshatching, it's addictive. I'm wanting to piece a quilt just so I can do it some more.

This quilt was so perfectly pieced that I could have set my channel locks for the 1/4"ing. Perfection!

Missing the rain

2010-07-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

I found me a little rain to enjoy......I miss the rain! I've always wished I could rig my house to have rainy windows like the haunted mansion at Disneyland. That was one of my favorite parts of the ride as a kid, and still is. Makes you all cozy inside.

Fine Line Rulers

2010-07-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

Last month I was lucky enough to be a beta tester for Fine Line's new CC (Continuous Curve) rulers. (As soon as I can figure out how to do it I'll attach her link) Anyone who knows me knows I love ruler work, so this was fun! I'd never worked with Fine Line rulers before and was surprised at how much I liked the little handles. I thought they would get in the way but I found they were great for stabilizing my grip.

I've had fun doing a variety of curved crosshatching with them. I tested the 6 1/2" and the 10". They will be coming out with a 12 1/2" as well which will be great for those larger areas. (Yes I will be ordering one, I'm hooked lol)

They've got me thinking outside the box again. Which is a good thing, ruts are never good!! Makes me want to go to another convention and see whats out there and get those new ideas flowing some more.

Quilting again

2010-06-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

I've been quilting again and testing a few new rulers. I LOVE them! (Will post more about them after the testing period) After a couple weeks off it feels like forever since I quilted, I feel renewed. Here's a cable border I haven't done in a while. I forgot how much I like this treatment. Nice and clean.

I never tire of clean lines.

I've quilted many lighthouses before but never any like these. Fun!! Gotta love a little whimsy in life.

A little more whimsy....... love me some jumbo flowers. (New rulers for the sash)

Amoebas....hard to see in this small picture, but their there. (click on pictures to enlarge)

And finally a full picture of the first quilt. I am loving the border on this quilt! I am so lucky to get such fun quilts to work on. What a variety = )

Hands

2010-06-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

The other day Kay posted a picture of her "Gramcrackers" hand. (great name!)) I loved it! Hands in a photo really speak to me, and hers was just precious. You could feel her spirit and imagine the life she led. It made me want to know more about this wonderful woman.

Here's a photo my niece Cassie took a few years ago. I love it. Hands tell such stories, don't you think?

And here's an oil that my sister Robin did of my daughter Amy's hands holding her daughter Emma as she met her new little brother Liam for the first time. You don't need to see more than a mothers hands to see the love she feels.

When I was little I loved my grandpa's hands. I loved how they felt and how he was missing most of his finger tips from woodworking accidents. (Once when he cut off a finger grandma cut a hole in a little box and stuck her finger up threw the hole and laid it on some cotton with a touch of ketchup. She'd ask us kids if we wanted to see grandpa's finger and then wiggle her finger when we lifted the lid. Ahhhh memories. Grandparents are the best!)

Book club report

2010-06-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Typical B&B book club meeting. No one read the book so we're postponing the discussion until December and the person who was assigned to bring food thought it was next week. So we ate yummy fruit, giggled and planned a girls lunch date for next week and a BBQ with the men next month. We are SO not about the books. Oh and of course we discussed going to the midnight showing of Eclipse. No wonder all our brainy friends quit on us lol.

June's book

2010-06-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to start listening to this months book for book club (since we discuss it in 3 days). I hope everyone is reading it, it should make for a great discussion.

I love book club! I look forward to seeing my friends, eating, laughing, telling stories and occasionally even discussing a book. I don't think we have ever had a month were we all read the assigned book but we sure have fun!! I think we're more about the giggles and field trips.

Ah-ha momment

2010-06-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

While driving home from Costco and discussing some of my newest food allergies Chad laughed and said "Maybe your just allergic to all foods now". Brilliant! I blurted out " Oh my gosh I'm not fat! I'm just really swollen from food allergies, the more I eat the more I swell...and if I quit eating the swelling will go down"! So there is my answer. I will never diet again. I will just handle my allergies better. Tee hee. Now doesn't that sound better than a diet?

Pin Cushions

2010-05-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

I love pin cushions! But I hate clutter so I haven't allowed myself to indulge in them. But with all the cute pin cushion patterns out there I just can't stand it. I'm going to start making a small collection, starting with a pear pattern I found. I hope this doesn't turn into yet another un-achieved goal in life lol.

Will post pics as soon as I actually make one. Wish me luck : )

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T10:42:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is having a splendid mothers day today! You deserve it : )

Can this weekend get any better ? I spent yesterday watching my daughter Amy run her first half marathon. It happened to fall on her youngest son's first birthday. I can't imagine running a marathon just a year after having a 10 lb baby lol. Way to go Amy!!! After crossing the finish line she walked across the park and set up a luncheon / birthday party for Liam. Oy to have that kind of energy. I couldn't have been prouder. Way to go Amo and Happy birthday King Liam! (We call him King Liam as he was in a 3T by the time he was 11 months old...he's one big boy!)

A perfect day!

2010-05-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

My son Chris and I spent the day watching all the grand kids at my daughter Amy's house while she headed up the beautification day for Marcus's school. (Britt stayed home for a much deserved break....thanks for loaning Chris to me for the day, I couldn't have done it with out him) Rylie and Liam were a hoot to watch playing together. Emma changed her clothes about 10 times and Marcus taught me a new board game. I brought my camera and wouldn't you know it I didn't take a single picture of them! 8 hours of grand baby photo ops lost. I didn't think the day could get any better and then my phone rang..... Chad had good news .....

I told myself I wouldn't post anymore Halloween finds until I'd posted a few quilts or grand baby pics ....Not wanting to seem too obsessed and all. But this just couldn't wait! Chad found my butler a buddy today. A good friend called him from a garage sale and told him to get over there quick! I have been wanting this guy for years! He got him for a steal and had him standing in the entryway when I walked in. While he can't compare to a day with my kids and grand kids it was a great end to the day.

Marcus is excited to see granny's new friend and Emma is not in the least bit pleased with the news.

Sweat Shop Views

2010-04-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

I felt very blessed yesterday. I was listening to a great audio book and quilting away when I glanced up and saw this view. Not bad for a sweat shop lol. I love this time of year! The scent of rain and intense colors. Only Fall can compare.

Thank goodness for a supportive husband who believed in me and encouraged me to quit my job and start my own business.

Happy Birthday to me

2010-04-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Last year my family gave me a life size mummy for my birthday. I couldn't imagine being that excited about a gift again .....and then my husband told me to go ahead and order my butler this year. I can't tell you how happy I was when he was delivered to my front door. Poor Emma is once again scared to come to grandmas house but Marcus seemed to like him. That is until grandpa slid him forward with his foot while we were all watching his animations. It even creeped out the adults.

My best Goodwill find to date! I love these little shelves. Actually they're pretty good sized.

This past Saturday was the big Neighborhood garage sale and I loaded my explorer to overflowing 3 times with great finds for the haunted house and still had to send my husband in his van to get the rest. If I spent half the time and money on buying and decorating my own home my house would be looking pretty darn good by now. But alas I find so much more joy in Halloween.

Oh and I found a fantastic cast iron day bed to make a cemetery fence out of. I couldn't believe my luck lol

More haunted nursery finds

2010-04-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

I love this little angel and creepy old clown. No creepifying needed here lol.

Oops I forgot to respond to a few emails asking who the face belonged to. It's a life casting of Johnny Depp! It's a little strange seeing/holding a 3D veiw of someone you've only seen in movies. Feels a bit like a peeping Tom lol

Black & White blast from the past

2010-04-06T21:12:00.001-07:00

While going threw my old quilting photos for ideas I came across this little beauty. I loved it the second my customer brought it in. It's on my "someday" list. As much as I hate, no make that detest spiders, I love the web effect. I really need to start whittling away at that "someday" list.

I'm guessing ...hoping : ) we all have lists. What's on your list?

Halloween fun!

2010-04-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me and my Husband know how obsessed we are with Halloween. Every year we do a Spook Alley for the Church Halloween party. It's our new hobbie to plan the next years theme and work on a portion of it each month. With the recession I have learned to be creative with my monthly Halloween budget and Goodwill has become my new best friend. Especially after my friend Judy told me about the "colored tag" deal. 50% off cheap is a very good thing : ). Surprisingly I find I like the challenge of a tight budget. One of the rooms this year is a creepy Nursery.

I felt a little bad buying up all the porcelain dolls knowing I was going to destroy them (or rather creepify them). But I felt awful when a group of little girls ran over to my cart and said how pretty they were. Watching the cashier carefully wrap and point out the lovely qualities of each doll was even worse. As she pointed out the wings on one of the dolls and wrapped her so she wouldn't break I couldn't help but think "Break? Hmmmm a crack would be nice, a missing eye even better".

A few more trinkets for the nursery. I LOVE the monkey candle holder. Do you recognize the famous face? For someone who wouldn't step foot in a thrift shop a couple years ago I've come a long way. An addict maybe?

She's done it again!

2010-04-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

The word boring is not in Lynn's vocabulary. Her quilt tops are works of art and a joy to quilt. And the fact that I am given creative license is sheer heaven. I love the simplicity of this art quilt....

We kept the quilting clean and basic to let the simple piecing shine. I love this piece and am inspired to copy ....I mean create my own version of it some day : ) Yet another "someday" project.

This quilt screams Lynn! I can't see a red or black polka dot fabric without thinking of Lynn. A small photo does not do this quilt justice. It's loaded with fun whimsical polka dot fabrics.

Edge Rider Wheels

2010-03-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh the sweet joy of new wheels on a longarm. You never realize how bad the old ones are until the new ones are on. I chose a simple finger feather to test them on. WOW what a difference to actually have the machine go the direction I am trying to go. No more white knuckling those curves lol

(Click on picture to enlarge)

And finally two springy quilts. I love a happy quilt and both of these made me especially happy.

Both are quilted with an all over swirl and 3 huge random flowers. The orange quilts flowers were about 2 1/2 feet across. FUN!

Patty & Deirdre's quilt

2010-03-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

As a longarm quilter I rarely see the quilts I work on finished and in a bedroom. So it was very fun to get pictures this morning. The quilt was made by friends Patty and Deirdre.

Isn't Deirdre's room gorgeous!

And here are a few in the works photo's ...the only way I usually get to see quilts. (No flash, so the color isn't true)

More Bread and Butters...

2010-03-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

A few blasts from the past. I loved this vine quilt, simple vines in the center and blooming around the borders.

Flowers

A little whimsy

Edge to Edge

Gotta have my circles

Swamp Thing

2010-03-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

This quilt (Swamp Thing) was inspired by a photo art quilt challenge I was talked ...no, make that coerced into participating in. I ended up having a blast making mine and hope to do many more art quilts someday. (yet another "someday" project to add to the long list) I fell in love with the colors of this piece. And couldn't stop buying snippets here and there.

A close up of the original art quilt.

With flash

I loved the variety of greens and blues together but wasn't sure of how to bring them together on a larger scale. Then I saw this border fabric one day and it had all my colors together and I loved it.

Once my blocks were completed my daughter Amy and I laughed at how much they looked like a swamp. (Swamps, ponds, habitats etc. are a running joke around here) Well how appropriate to have a swamp quilt.

I decided to turn the border into waving grasses surrounding my swamp. The swamp has rings of rain drops in the center of each block. The little x's are the legs of the water skippers and the little swirls represents the movement of the water bugs.

Lovely thought eh? Ick!

Bread and Butter Quilting

2010-03-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

The topic of Bread and Butter quilting came up recently on one of my favorite longarm quilting sites (MQR). For most longarm quilters B&B quilting makes up the majority of the quilting we do.

They are the quilts that get used on a daily basis. The quilts that get dragged to the park and threw the sand box. Some will hang on walls and some will sit on laps to keep life cozy. Some are given as wedding gifts that will be cherished and some will not be the brides colors and will live out life in a box. But they are all equally made from the heart and a hope that the receiver will feel warm and cozy and best of all loved.

Since starting this blog I have struggled to think of things to post. And here I thought I would have miles of rambling to do. With the kids grown and gone I seem to come up short on interesting things to share. So I have decided to start posting some of the B&B quilts that have past threw my doors. (And hopefully a few that I've made for my own home)

Clean Quilting

2010-03-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

I love and admire "heavy" quilting. At a quilt show I can stand and stare forever, mesmerized by the intricate work. But I also love simple quilting, I just love the look and feel. I crave quilting projects that need simple clean lines. Here's a few that made me happy lately.

Everybody smile!

2010-02-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if we achieved our goal of everyone looking and smiling at the same time, but it sure was a fun afternoon. I thought this one turned out rather well. No running off, no tears, no eyes shut, no looking the wrong way and no pulling on bows. Success!

Rylie and Liam found it much more fun to look at each other than look at grandma.

One brother to take the bow out.....

And one to put it back. What a sweet big brother you are Marcus!

The funniest part of the day was when Emma couldn't understand why we all kept telling her to smile when her bow was in danger. We hadn't realized a HUGE worm was inches away from her beloved bow that had been tossed to the sidewalk. She finally broke into serious enough tears that daddy saw what was happening and saved the bow in the nick of time. Yuck!

It was a fun afternoon worms and all.

Quilty thought for the day.

2010-02-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

While quilting "swirls" on a customer quilt a couple months back I noticed the apple core design being created on the first pass and thought it looked wonderfully soft and comfy. While I love dense quilting for some quilts, there are those that call for nice loose cozy quilting. I just knew I had to make a simple quilt so I could do apple core quilting on it. Here is the inspiration quilt made by my wonderful customer Meg.

It was quite the coincidence when I pulled out the charm pack Meg had given me for Christmas and it was the perfect fabric for this project! I'll post pictures of my quilt after I get the borders on. I wont buy the fabric until I'm ready to sew it on. I've recently joined a Stash Busters club and don't want to buy any fabric until I'm ready to buy it and bust it at the same time lol.

Rylie's Baby Blessing

2009-09-29T14:37:00.001-07:00

There's nothing better than a weekend full of grand babies, family and friends. Of course I didn't get a picture of Rylie in her beautiful dress, darn. I'll have to get one from Britt to post. It was a perfect weekend, I miss them all already.

Liam and Rylie holding hands

Can you believe they're only 10 weeks apart?

Take that! Good thing Liam's a good sport : )