Category: quilts

fabric · pretty fabric · quilt top · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting

Small Change = Big Difference

Wild Rose Quilter6 Comments

Ok, so I really like these fabrics together.

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I really like the individual stars I’ve been making with them.

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However, I  wasn’t liking them together. It just wasn’t working for me.  I was feeling like I was really messing up a lot of pretty fabric.

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And then I rearranged them…again.  But I used a different approach.  Instead of trying to alternate lighter star/darker background blocks, I quit paying attention to that, and laid them out according to backgrounds only.  Much better!  Now, it’s working for me.  🙂

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Only 29 more to go!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Happy New Year!

Wild Rose Quilter5 Comments

I did manage to get my Daddy’s Log Cabin quilt completely finished last night, by putting the final stitches into the label.  I didn’t get as many projects finished as I had hoped, but all things consisdred, I think I had a good “quilty” year.

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I have started my “2009” page, which you fill find under the “Quilting Projects 2009” tab at the top of this page.  I’m ready to start getting some numbers going on my stash tracking page!

I just finished eating lunch.  Blackeyed peas & cornbread, of course!  Yummy!  I will confess that I didn’t make the peas from “scratch”.  I made my cornbread from scratch, but the peas came from a can.  Bush’s Blackeyed Peas with Sugar Snaps.  They are so good and so quick and easy.  Speaking of quick and easy food, here is one of my favorite new products from 2008.  Ore Ida Steam ‘n Mash ‘taters.

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I was so excited when I saw the commercial for them on TV.  This is a great time saver for me, and they are really good!  Now my family gets mashed potatoes on weekdays again.  When I get off of work at 5:00, and come home to start dinner, peeling and chopping up potatoes is not high on my list of things I want to do.  These guys get two thumbs up from me.  They also come in sweet ‘taters, and galic herb and some cheesy ones.  I like the sweet and the regular russets the best.

Sometime today I have to do statements for the shop, but I am going to spend some more time working on my Gracie’s Star blocks, and my Oklahoma Backroads.  My vacation was officially over yesterday and I went back to work.  But today is another day off. 

A few months ago, back in October, I had a mammogram scare.  Turned out to be nothing at all, but for almost two weeks, we didn’t know.  It made me think about scary words like mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, reconstruction, and fighting for survival.  Well, I start this year with a great appreciation that I’m not facing any of those things.  I’m thankful that my family is in tact, and I have more blessings than I can count.  Every day is gift.  Thank you for sharing this past year here with me!

fabric · freehand quilting · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

Lots of Stitching Going On

Wild Rose Quilter19 Comments

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  We had a very nice, laid back day around here.  It was just my husband, son and me.  Then yesterday, we went to Pampa to spend the day after Christmas with my parents.  We had a wonderful day with them.  We waited til the day after because the fabric store there is having a going out of business sale, and it was open on Friday.  I am sad it is closing.  Mom & I really enjoyed our little outings there together.  So of course, we had to have one last hoorah there 🙂  There will be more about that in my Sunday stash report…hehehehe.

Today was a great day, as well.  I finished up the quilting on my customer quilt, and I am pleased with it.  I hope she will be.  I sure had fun working on it.

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After I finished this, I felt like just doing some piecing.  Piecing for the sheer fun of watching the pretty blocks come together.  Remember these fabrics I purchased earlier this year?

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I couldn’t stand just looking at it any longer.  I had to start cutting it up and sewing it back together.

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These blocks are FUN to sew together.  I also washed some white fabric and some 30’s repros that I want to use in another quilt.  And I’ve done some sewing on the leaders/enders scrap quilt I’m making for my Mom.  I’ll put pics of that in tomorrow’s post. 

I am truly grateful for days like this.  They are like a little gift.  I hope you are enjoying your weekend and doing something you love!

daily life · food · freehand quilting · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

Why Am I Up So Early?

Wild Rose Quilter5 Comments

It’s 5:30 and I’ve already got a loaf of cranberry nut bread in the oven.  Did I mean to be up this early? No way! 3:30 this morning and I was wide awake.  At 4:45 I finally just gave in and got up.  I’m sure it will catch up with me later today. 

The Red Velvet Whoopie Pies were a hit.  Mine aren’t near as pretty as the ones in the magazine, but they taste good.  I didn’t follow the recipe for the filling, though.  The recipe calls for a filling made from cream cheese, marshmallow creme and butter.  I was getting ready to make it and my son stopped me and requested that I use my butter cream frosting.  Since I’ve never had them before, I can’t say which way is better, but my butter cream frosting sure is yummy in there.

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They look pretty sitting on the counter next to my new mixer, as they are almost the same color red.  I chose the cinnamon color mixer, which is a deeper color than the bright red.  The recipe for the whoopie pies can be found in the December Better Homes & Gardens issue, or the BHG recipe site, by doing a search for Red Velvet Whoopie Pies.  You will have to register at the site to view the recipes, but it’s free.

I also made a batch of beef jerky yesterday.  It’s my second try in my new dehydrator.  I tried once using the oven, and I ruined all my jerky meat.  This batch came out really good, so I think I’m finally getting the hang of it.  We like it hot.  Can you see those red pepper flakes?

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Since it is Wednesday, I will throw in some more pics of the WIP that is on the machine, and a pic of the memorial t-shirt quilt I have started.

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Oh yum! The cranberry nut bread just got done…can you smell it? 🙂  My house never smells like this at this time of day…lol.  This will throw my little family for a loop!  Me…cooking before coffee…how in the world did that happen?

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They really won’t care, though, since it doesn’t involve bacon, eggs, toast or pancakes.  Those items are a supper dish around here.  I tell them if they want them for breakfast, there’s a perfectly good restaurant in town that serves them in the morning.

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope Santa is good to you!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Reporting and a shout out to Anita!

Wild Rose Quilter17 Comments

My stash hasn’t changed much.  2/3 of a yd out for binding.  Oh! I had to come back and add a yard I forgot about! I have gifted a yard to someone, they just don’t know it yet! So 1 & 2/3 yds out of my stash this week.

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  118 & 1/12 yds.
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 34 & 1/12  yds.
Today’s post is mostly for my dear, sweet friend…Anita.  We became best friends in high school.  Life has kept us apart from each other, physically, for about 12 years now.  But the quilt I have on the machine now is Anita’s.  This is a very special project for me! Twenty-seven years ago, would you have thought we would be working on a quilt together? 🙂  A little sneak peek for you, so you can tell me if you think I’m on the right track.
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Now do tell me if you don’t like it! I’ll pick it out and start over! Really!
Working on this today got me thinking about this.
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This was my wedding gift (my first marriage) from Anita, her mother and grandmother.  Her grandmother made it.  I have forgotten a lot of things over the years, but I remember that the card that accompanied it said they hoped I loved it as much as they loved me.  The marriage lasted a whole five years.  I had to choose some things to leave behind.  This was not one of them.  🙂
longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

I Got There!

Wild Rose Quilter17 Comments

I did get to the end on this one last night.  The pics aren’t the greatest, but it’s so big, and so busy, it’s the best I could get.

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Now the waiting begins.  The waiting until my customer comes to get it and I see her reaction.  I think she will love it, she has loved everything I have quilted for her, but will I ever quit being nervous and worrying about this part?  Ever? 

Longarming is a linty job…for sure.  This is what it looks like in the bobbin area, after just one pass.

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This is how much thread I used, just on the top of this one.  The cone on the left was brand new, and you can see how much is gone, compared to the new one next to it.  I used a complimentary solid on the bottom, so you can see that this one took a LOT of thread.

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This morning I gave my longarm, Corky, a thorough cleaning to get rid of all that lint.  Cleaned the table and table rails, wheels, and gave her a thorough oiling.  Put in a new needle, and she is all ready to go on the next quilt.  This one is going on next.  What nice bright change from the dark fall colors I just finished! Won’t this be fun?  This top belongs to Joanna. 

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And check out this sweet little surprise she had tucked in the box for me!  She tatted this little Christmas wreath.  It’s awesome and I can’t wait to hang it on my tree!  Thank you, Joanna!

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Lastly, I wanted to thank everyone for all the sweet comments about BunBun.  I found one final pic that I’d like to share.  This is right after I brought her home.  She thought she found a new mama. 🙂

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longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Stash Report, 11-9-08

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84 yds.
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  116 & 5/12 yds.
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 32 & 5/12 yds.

I’m hanging in there with the stash busting! I busted 2.75 yds. on the final border of one of my 9P & stripe quilts.  That has me over 30 yards now, which is just over two whole bolts worth out of closet.  This quilt top is HUGE!  The book says it’s 108″ square.  Hmmm…mine is 114″!  Anyway, thanks to everyone who suggested adding a small accent border between the red border and the rest of it, to keep the red 9P from disappearing into the border.  It was the perfect solution.  It’s so big, I had trouble getting a good pic for you.

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I also got the pieces cut out for my guild mystery quilt.  I’m not counting this in my stash totals til I get it sewn together.

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And, I only have about three or so more rows left to finish the quilting on my customers Turning Twenty Again.  I won’t bore you with anymore pics of the the quilting til I get it finished.  And that probably won’t be til this next weekend, as each row takes me an hour, it’s not something I can work on during my lunch breaks.  And I may not be up to it the evenings after work.  Plus, I’m taking tomorrow off, in addition to getting Veteran’s day off, and going to spend a day & night with my parents, and my aunt & uncle that will be visiting.  That will be fun!  So you may not hear much more out of me til later in the week.  Have a good one!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

WIP Wednesday

Wild Rose Quilter14 Comments

I had hoped to have this quilt loaded by today, but I had a quickie Christmas table runner come in that I squeezed in first.  Tonight, I’m just too worn out to load it.  I’m still feeling the effects of the crud I had caught last week.  I’m just drained by the end of the day.  This is a big kingsize Turning Twenty Again, and my customer has requested that I just freehand it.  She’s one of my best customers and I enjoy quilting for her.  I’m going to have fun with this one.

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I’ve been brushing up on my freehanding with some doodling.  This one isn’t very good, but I left the notebook with the better ones in it at work today.  Still, you should be able to get the idea of how I’m planning on quilting it.

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It’s for the same customer that brought me this Wizard of Oz  to quilt, and the gorgeous kingsize sampler in this post.  She also generously gives me permission to post pics of her projects.  She said she feels they are part mine, also.  🙂  I will post some quilting in progress pics once I get going on it.

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Stash Report, 11-2-08

Wild Rose Quilter12 Comments

I busted four more yards of fleece fabric this week on a fleece blanket for a customer.  No new fabric came in.

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84 yds.
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  113 & 2/3 yds.
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 29 & 2/3 yds.

I finished the binding and label on the Chinese Coins baby quilt.  A quick wash and it will be ready to be on it’s way to it’s new family.  I used Terri Watson & Michele Wyman’s Star Swirl panto for the quilting.

I finally got my storm at sea completely finished, including a hanging sleeve.

I also was busy at the longarm this past week, working on the three lap quilts, one baby quilt, and the four casserole cozies for one customer, along with the aforementioned fleece blanket.  I lol’d when I read this insert in the package with the casserole cozies.

The casserole is NOT included?  Really?  Really!  Wow…

And, since I’m kind of like a kid with a new toy since I figured out the video posting, and I didn’t have anything really interesting to post, I’m giving BunBun some time in the spotlight…hehehehe.

I have some really fun customer quilting coming up, barring any technical difficulties, of course.  First one up is a kingsize Turning Twenty Again that my customer told me to just “play on it” and do my thing.  Hopefully, I will get to start on it during this week, but I’ll have to see how it goes at my day job.  If not, this weekend, for sure.