NEW QUILTS ON THE WAY

I am not getting any sewing done this week. And for a very good reason: family from Idaho is visiting. This is a picture of two of my grandchildren, Rachel and Eric.

Both of them have their own Grandma-made quilt, and they seem to like them. In fact, the quilts came with them to Long Beach and they have slept under their own each night. I told them if they wanted a new quilt to each pick out nine (9) fat quarters, from my large FQ collection, and I would make them a Wacky Divine Nine. I just love Robin's Wacky Divine Nine Quilt pattern Robin Quilts Etc. The above is Rachel's pick.

This is Eric's pick. What do you think? A couple of good looking quilts coming in the future? Kids always do well picking out fabric if you just leave them alone and let them go for it.

Happy quilting,

Marilyn

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - ORNAMENT

I joined a Christmas challenge with Amanda (http://amanda-lotshappening.blogspot.com/ ) For the month of June, we were to create a Christmas ornament in any medium. Here is my finished ornament. It is using the English Paper Piecing method. I just decorated a square cube with some beading and ribbon. That's a bell on the bottom. My friend Pat Barton was a great big help in this. Thanks Pat. Be sure and go check out all the great ornaments rolling in on Amanda's blog. Next month it is a Christmas table runner. I have it started thanks to the X-Block workshop.

New Quilt Room

I have a new quilt room. And new hardwood floors. Well, actually all I had done was the old carpeting ripped out and the wood floors underneath refinished. But, don't they look wonderful? Now I can just dust the threads away. I haven't had time to take a test run yet. I am planning on tomorrow being an all-day quilt fest.

Even have room to leave my design wall up full time. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Happy Quilting,

Marilyn

AND THE WINNER IS

SHARON - NZ. The Random Number Generator picked Sharon Hume of New Zealand. ( Material Magic by Shar ). Now, what are you going to make with this Sharon? Start looking for it in about a week or so. Congratulations!



I really enjoyed this experience. I have received some wonderful comments and I hope to hear more from you all. Think I will have to have another one much sooner than the next 100 posts or two-year anniversay.



Happy quilting!

Marilyn

X Block Workshop

I took a workshop yesterday with Patricia Pepe (http://www.patriciapepe.com/ ). She is the Queen of the X-Block. It was an amazing workshop. This one block, and the tool she has invented, makes it a fast, fun and easy block. It works into so many variations it is mind boggling. And, she is able to convey it to the student without a lot of head scratching. And beleive me, that is a talent.

Here are a few of the ways to twist and turn the blocks to make each block look like something different.

Aren't they all great?

Just take a look at Kasey's in the center there. Doesn't is look complicated? It's not. It is still just a 9-patch turned in a few directions. Of course, it too was cut using the X-Block. It was a great way to spend a Saturday. I hope you take a look at Patricia's site to see some beautiful quilts.

Happy quilting,

Marilyn

Sew Simply Charmed Finished

This darling pattern is the very first quilt pattern by Khristina McCarthy in Australia. I tested her adorable pattern and it is available for purchase at: http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/ I like how it turned out, and by the way, so do the members of my quilt guild, www.quiltersbythesea.com . I took it for show and tell last night and then handed it in to Community Relations so they could give it to one of our charities. The top picture I snapped before it was washed.

And, since I have two dogs, who think quilts are very soft to sit on when I am binding, I really HAD to wash it. So the second picture is after washing and a glimpse of the backing. I opted to quilt it with a simple stitch in the ditch and straight lines on the white. This had a variety of vintage repo fabrics and less was more in this case, don't you think?
Happy Quilting,
Marilyn

Charm Pack and Jelly Roll Giveaway

This is post 100 for me. This one. And, June 15 it will be exactly 1 year since my first post. So to celebrate both my 100th post and my one-year blog anniversary, I am having this giveway. I have recently decided that having charm packs and jelly rolls as part of your stash is one of life's little pleasures. There are so many patterns out there using one or both. And having them ready to go is absolutely super for our busy lifestyle. OK, so here is how to go about it - the normal drill.

1. For one entry - Leave a comment on what you like about charm packs and jelly rolls.

2. For two entries - Become a follower or tell me that you are already a follower on another comment.

3. For three entries - Post about this giveaway on your own blog and let me know that you have done so on another comment.

I will be using the random number generator on June 15, 2010. Good luck. I hope you win.

Marilyn

QUILTING TODAY?

If I can get to my Janome 6600P today, I am going to start quilting these two tops. I am having my hardwood floors refinished in the front two bedrooms and somehow I managed to stack piles and piles of things in front of my big sewing machine. I am really in the mood, so I'm thinking I will probably make the effort. As soon as I am finished and they look like quilts, I will tell you all about them. Like most quilts, they have a story.

Here are the backing fabrics. I wonder if I have any batting left? Oh darn, that may mean a trip to M&L or Joanns.

Wish me luck. Happy quilting.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY CHALLENGE

Amanda is having a Christmas in July challenge. Go check it out and join in the fun. http://amanda-lotshappening.blogspot.com/2010/06/christmas-in-julywell-sort-of.html