First Finish in over 2 months!

Oh boy, I checked and the last finish I had was April 18!  Oh my, where does the time go.  This one   I re finished for my niece for Relay for Life.  Oddly, the other finish that I posted, was for her too!! Selling a house and quilting just aren't the best of friends, especially when you have a full time day job that doesn't know boundaries.  However, I did get this one finished, less than 24 hours before it was to be delivered.  It was delivered unwashed, but all the markings removed.  Phew, that was close.  Here's the two quilts that went for relay for life.

Then a friend asked for help with drapes. What turn down sewing of any kind, not a chance!!  And it was great, when she was done that machine stayed on and I was able to get three Splendid Sampler blocks done.  My first ever Dresden plate.  Starting out on a 6.5 in block may not have been the best thing, but I love it.  I skipped the circles and the center is bigger, so I could use the accuquilt cutter for the circle. Have any of you done the sewing fashion block?  Oh I LOVED that block when I saw it. I very naively thought, paper piecing too, bonus!!  Oh boy, those were some itty bitty paper piecing pieces.  That was a bit of a challenge but so good to get my quilting fix in today.

And if quilting weren't enough all on it's own, I got to spend a little time in the garden.  We've got hydrangeas blooming, Anna Belle and Oak Leaf, Lilies and hosta flowers along with a few host leaves, really brighten up a room.

And these sweet little guys, got so spend some time holding them and playing a little baseball with the big brother.  Craft brew fest in Chicago as well.

Been a long time since I've posted, but plenty of others are posting all the time, check out the linky parties on the side bar.

Love

What does love look like? It must look like all these quilts. It comes in all different colors, all different shapes, sizes and its different from person to person. These wonderful people came together over the course of a few months and made 17 quilts. My heart is filled and warmed with the compassion and kindness the following people have given: Veronika Craig Burgess, Liane Koehl Robert Koehl Laurie Kobeszko, Ellen Crosbie, Tom Daurio Nancy Daurio. Without your help this never would have been possible. They have given time many weekends over the past few months to make 17, yep that's right *17* quilts. One was given to a local person recovering from a horrific accident. One is on the frame being quilted now. Two will be for Michelle Daurio Sacchitello for Relay for Life, 6 will go for Happy Chemo, and eight will go locally to Sage Cancer Center here in McHenry (including the one on the frame). For those in looking to find goodness in this world, look no further, it's right here with these people in my front yard. Thanks to Sarah at Confession of a Fabric Addict  for hosting.  I record setting year!! 

First May Monday!

We've had a little sewing in the past couple of week, two  Love quilts put together for hands2help. I really do Love them. This puts our total at 11 quilts. 5 are complete, 6 waiting to be quilted.

They had to wait a little while as I had Sandra's quilt on the frame. She made this for her granddaughter, all those tiny 1in squares and the gingham, this was definitely a spirit lifting quilt while quilting, bright and cheery. My first ever 4h sewing project was with pink gingham, a little apron. Pantograph is drunken feathers by Barbra Becker, glide thread on top and bottom. Quilters dream cotton batting

There's also a few more blocks finished for the Splendid Sampler. I didn't want to do the hand embroidery block and couldn't get it to digitize nicely so I found my own pattern. Lady slipper is wonderful isn't it? My fabric line is Lady Slipper Lodge so it's all good. Then I thought this lovely lady slipper needed a companion so I made this sweet butterfly.

Block 21

Block 22

Block 20 - well my version anyway

a bonus block

And of course I spent some time with theses sweet little guys.

That is one proud big brother!

They look like they are telling each other stories don't they??? So Sweet

Don't forget to check out the links parties on the side bar, so many inspiring things out there.

DWM 4/18

I'm writing this post on an iPad on the train, sure hope this works 😁.my design wall has a fairly diverse collection of blocks and quilts this Monday. Splendid Sampler blocks,18 so far. Table runner with left over hsts fro hamds2help2016 quilt, and a nice sized lap quilt for Hands2help.  I've had these scraps sitting on a shelf for almost five years. Finally, I cut these while waiting for twins, more on those sweet guys in just a few minutes. And sewed them together while waiting for paint to dry. Seems I can get quite a bit done while waiting for either twins or paint to dry

H2H Hi quilt 1

Splendid sampler blocks, table runner and super sized Maramalade quilt

H2H Hi quilt 2

H2H HST, love these solids 

The McHenry Happy quilters got together for some Hands2help sewing, we had six machines going, three tops completed, these ladies are awesome. I believe that puts our total at nine quilts, we jul might hit out goal of fourteen this year! These are stacked bricks from the book Skip the Borders by Jaybird quilts.The husband put together a wonderful sandwich tray, these ladies worked up an appetite!

Ok guess who's here??  Yes they finally made it, Louis is 19.5 inches long and 6 lbs 1 oz, while Calvin weighs in at 6 lbs 4 oz and 22 inches tall. They are not identical so we can all tell who is who and I have to say they are the sweetest little guys! Love them so much. I'm on my to the city to spend the day with them and their older brother. So much fun.  These guys showed up between blocks 17 and 18 of the splendid sampler, super splendid if you ask me.

Hope everyone has a great week, don't forget to check out the pinky parties on the side bar, lots of inspiration

Still Waiting.....

No twins yet, but they will definitely be here for the next Monday post, so EXCITING!!!  I think I just may be a bit more excited than any of them.  In the spirit of babys' I did finish Veronica's Pachyderm Pals.  Such a cute pattern by Cheri Leffer.  Hobbs 80/20 batting, Glide thread on top, magna glide in bobbin.  I quilted elephants in the big squares, the fabric is so busy it's hard to see but creates a nice texture change for the little guy.  When you look a the back with the minky you can see the elephants, they look polka potted, so fun!

Continuing to pace back and forth with projects - this guy is done, just need to get the backing together, another quilt for H2H

And this guy got started, oh I do love the solids and the earthy tones.  This should be a good one for a guy.  I try to make guy quilts for H2H as well as the sweet girly ones. But ya know the guy thing is a bit harder, at least for me.

And one more splendid sampler block that I made on Lia, have I told you how much I love her?  She sews like a dream.  I may only use Amanda for big long seams.

Ok next I post, there will hopefully be two cute pictures of those sweet little guys that we are so anxious to meet.  Check out the linky parties, so much inspiration and creativeness out there.

Still waiting for the twins, oh boy I know she's more impatient that me.  So rather than doing a lot of sewing on any on thing, I'm like pacing from project to project.  Are they here yet????  They may not be here, but this is a nice distraction - look as this wonderful hunk of  quilting sweetness!  Yep she's mine and her name Amelia.  But don't tell daughter #3.  Daughter #3 wants that name for her first girl.  I have 4 girls and 6 grandsons. That's right not one grand daughter. Ya ya I know how the chromosomes work, but I want the name, I had the baby first :)  I'll rename if and when she has a little girl.  I'll try not to call her by name when she's around.  Sounds fair right?  At least one of us will get to use the name. I did not paint her, she came this way. But I do have a machine that I want to try to paint, I really need a pink one to go with this green cutie.

Amelia (but if daughter #3 asks it's Lia)

And Amelia runs like a dream, oh my.  Not only is she just so darn cute, but she just hums.  She got right to work and the rows and first border on this guy.

Three more blocks for Splendid Sampler.

Block 13 - my favorite so far

Block 14

Love love love paper piecing, block 15

I did get rid of some nervous energy by cutting some kits for our next Hands 2 Help sewing get together. Have you signed up for Hand 2 Help yet?  Three great charities and lots of prizes.  See button on side bar.   Two layer cakes and lots of 5 in charms.  I pulled 40 for fat quarters from my stash, didn't even make a dent.  Can't wait to make a couple of these Love quilts on the Moda Site.

And *finally* the quilt is properly loaded.  I had 7 quilts and a couple of backing just hanging on the bars.  That really stalled loading the frame. I do have quite the back log for quilts right now but look at these sweet little pachyderms on the  frame, love her fabric choices.  Can you believe these are her first flying geese? She did awesome!

Now hopefully next time I post, it will be of two incredible little guys that we welcome to this world. (ok I'm just a *little* excited about this)  Check out the link parties on the side bar, so much wonderful quilty goodness out there

Busy Busy

Just a couple of quick picks - H2H strings

quilt one needs a couple borders

same with quilt two

Love the them all together.

On the design wall more left overs from the Moon glow quilt - I must have left something out...

Simple nine patch and snow ball blocks, made with 2.5 in strips

Oh, what's this??  A new family member, the Easter Bunny dropped this at my door  - love.

More words next time, crazy busy here.  For those that are counting (ok maybe that's just me) less than 3 weeks before the twins get here, super excited!!!

Only one block for Splendid sampler.  Will get caught up before the next one comes out

Check out the linky parties, lost a fabulous fun with fabric out there.