I Have a Blog Button!!!!

Do you want to make your own blog  button?  Well, check out the great tutorial at http://oikology101.blogspot.com/2008/09/make-your-own-button-for-your-blogger.html

Thank you so much!

Cat Patches Is Having a Great Giveaway!

Look at the fantastic prizes that Cat Patches is giving away!  Awesome!

http://catpatches.blogspot.com/2011/03/fun-fact-friday-freebie-returns-next.html

A Quilt for Meme

In celebration of my sister's 50th birthday, I used the Prairie Star Basket Quilt pattern from Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Magazine October 2010:



My sister, Marilyn (aka Meme), wanted pinks and greens as the color scheme.  Thankfully, I was able to find just the right fabric from a local Jo-Ann's that was going out of business (THAT caused a great deal of stress for me!!  However, they are relocating and will reopen midsummer!). 

I must admit that the bias and on-point requirements did deal me some misery -- this was only my third quilt to piece and was a bit challenging, to say the least. 

Here's a close-up of the block and a look at the backing:

Notice the beautiful machine quilting done by my friend, Millie!  Just perfect for this quilt!

Here's the finished product:

Here's to new beginnings for her and blessings for the future!!

Love you, sis!

Awesome Giveaway!

PinkPlease! is having an awesome giveaway!  Check it out at:  http://howaboutpinkplease.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-wing-it-jelly-roll-giveaway.html

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway at:  http://jabotquilt.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaway-and-mini-quilt-art.html

Check out the beautiful fabric that'll be given away on March 31st!

A Great Giveaway!!

Follow this link to a great giveaway by Rocknquilts:  http://rocknquilts.blogspot.com/2011/03/100th-post-give-away.html

Look at the neat prizes:



Drawing will be at 9:00 pm (CST) on Sunday, March 27th!!

Purses and Shoes -- Quilt Accessories

Last year, I was asked to create a special quilt for my niece for her 13th birthday.  Her mom wanted me to use her dance costumes which had accumulated over several years worth of dance recitals.  Because Madison loves purses and shoes, the obvious design would include blocks showing a variety of "accessories."  Thus, the purse and shoe quilt was born.

Her favorite color is teal and she loves zebra stripes -- two perfect additions to her quilt!  I used the zebra stripe for the backing and also made her matching pillowcases with the leftover fabric.

Here are a few of the individual blocks:

Notice the beautiful machine quilting done by my friend, Millie!!

And here's what made the whole project worth it -- a great big smile!!

Now, I have to figure out what to do for her brother, Peyton, when he turns 13 in a few years!!

My Sampler

Last year, one of my friends and I took a "class" to learn how to construct a sampler quilt.  Little did we know at that time that we would forever be hooked on cutting up fabrics and sewing them back together again to make quilts!  Though the Sampler Quilt was my first one to make, it was the last one of three that I finally finished!  It's the "first shall be last..." idea, I guess!

At this angle, you can see the intricate machine quilting my friend, Millie, did on it!  I just love this design!

Here's a close-up of the Grandmother's Fan block.  I HAD to add that one in my quilt since I AM a grandmother!

This photo shows the backing material as well as the beautiful quilting design.

Finally, here is the finished product!  I'm rather pleased with the way it turned out -- not bad for a beginner!