GIRLS MISSION HOME QUILTS (24) TO MEXICO

My daughter and I had the privilege and blessing to make 24 bunk size quilts for a girls mission home in Mexico that is run by a missionary family (J & LB) that church has connections to when they were here in November 2013. Each quilt is different so each girl will have a distinctive one for herself. We only got photos of 12, but they are all the same pattern, just varied blocks and borders from the donated fabric we have.

FOUNDATIONS

FOUNDATIONS: This quilt started out as an entirely different quilt, but the longer I looked at the planned design, the less I liked it. So, typical of quilters, I rearranged the pieces and fabrics and came up with this design. I am sure it is known by a different name, but I was thinking our our American heritage as I was working with these reproduction fabrics and decided that the while I love the foundation of our country, I am not real thrilled with the current direction it is headed. We have lost site of the moral and Biblical values this country was founded on, and that loss has not improved our country.

I pieced this quilt while in Caribou, Maine in Sept. 2012 and it was machine quilted by RLM in Dec. 2012. The top is 100% cottons, the batting polyester, and the backing is navy blue linen. I finally got the binding on it in Dec. 2013. Size is: 51" square. (#1015)

CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER (12)

12 QUILTS TO CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER:

I feel very blessed to be able to work with such a great group of teen girls at church who want to make a difference. They get together (usually) one Sunday afternoon a month between morning and evening services and work on these quilts to be given out to 2 crisis pregnancy centers in the area. I cut out all the blocks and borders from donated fabrics, and with a lot of patience and guidance, the girls are able to do the rest from sewing the tops together, ironing the tops, tying the quilts together with yarn, and binding the edges. They are always so happy to see the fruit of their labor. One or two of them will go with me to deliver the quilts another day.

Thanks to all who donate supplies and allow their teenage girls to do this wonderful ministry. We live in a world that can be very selfish and it is so good to see young people give of their time and talents.

SAMPLER QUILT (Hand quilted)

SAMPLER QUILT: The blocks were given to me as a going way gift from the Loring Quilters in 1991. I added the alternate blocks and borders. Hand quilted by self. Finished size is 66" x 92". Loring AFB holds a lot of good memories for me - the people in the area were fantastic, and the scenery was beautiful. The cold winters meant I was inspired to make more quilts for my own house. (#115)

MINIATURE CENTER DIAMOND (Hand quilted)

MINIATURE CENTER DIAMOND: I made several of these in various colors. This is a well known Amish pattern in Lancaster County, PA. However, instead of making one big quilt from one center diamond, I made 4 small ones and put together into one top and hand quilted. The finished size was 20" square. Sold.

DUCKS (Hand quilted)

DUCKS: The finished size of this was 24" square. I put the top together while still in Germany, but did not hand quilt it until we were back in the States. Sold in 1990.

AMISH 9 PATCH & TEDDY BEAR QUILTS (Hand quilted)

AMISH 9 PATCH & TEDDY BEAR QUILTS: Both of these were made in 1989 in Germany. In this picture they are hanging in a small quilt show. Both were hand quilted. The Amish 9 Patch was 25" x 30" and hung in my house until the early 1990's when I donated it to some good cause for auction. The Teddy Bear quilt was sold immediately after the picture was taken.

BUNNIES (Hand quilted)

BUNNIES: I made 3 of these for customers back in the 1980's while living in Germany. They were 30" square and hand quilted in the borders and sashing.

MARINER'S COMPASS (Hand quilted)

MARINER'S COMPASS: This started out as a cheater block with 2 borders added to it to make it 22" square. It is a cotton top with muslin backing and poly batting. Hand quilted for customer

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HOUR GLASS QUILT (Hand quilted)

HOUR GLASS QUILT: I made this quilt while living in West Germany in 1989. Cotton fabric for top and backing, with poly batting. Finished size was 24" x 30". Hand quilted. Sold.

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CRISIS PREGNANCY QUILTS (19)

19 Crisis Pregnancy Center Quilts: This spring the teen girls at church started making baby quilts for two local Crisis Pregnancy Centers. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to minister within the community and learn basic sewing skills at the same time.

 I cut out the pieces at home and then the girls go from there. Some like the process of sewing, others like to tie, and one likes to do the bindings. I am privileged to be part of this.

Today the girls turned in 19 that they have done over the last 4 - 6 weeks. The quilts are normally 36-37" square.

Thanks to all those who donate supplies for us to make these quilts.

16 PATCH QUILT

16 PATCH QUILT: Gave this 16 Patch scrap quilt to a young couple (T. & C. V.) at church who got married this past weekend. Their favorite colors are red and purple so I made the inside border various purples, and the outside border various reds. Machine quilted by RLM. Finished size was approx. 92" x 92". (#1084)

MORE PADUCAH 2014

More photos from Paducah 2014: Even quilters remember our veterans. It also reminds us to love the USA and be patriotic.

PADUCAH 2014

PADUCAH 2014: The quilts range from Wow! I could do that to it's beautiful, but I would never do it. This is the second year the tent makers from Cairo have been there and I am fascinated with the way they stitch so fast and use large scissors and needles compared to appliquers here in the States. On Friday evening, I was able to go see Ricky Tims in concert and it was well worth the time - great fun.

COURTHOUSE STEPS TABLE RUNNER

 06/29/2018 Note: This item has been stored and unused since it's completion.  COURTHOUSE STEPS TABLE RUNNER: I built this entire project around a piece of fabric that I found locally (the center blocks) of eagles and flags. It was easy enough to do and there are only eight 15.5" blocks. The finished size is 31" wide x 62" long. The backing is a reproduction fabric that reminds me of blowing bubbles. I pieced it in Sept. 2012 and it was machine quilted by RLM in Oct. 2013. Since then it has been laying around waiting on me to bind it and do the tag. Well, the project is finished as of April 2014 - yeah ! (#1038)

Here is another idea for this versatile design.

VETERAN QUILT

VETERAN QUILT: A co-worker (MP) is a Vietnam veteran and I made this quilt for him. When I gave it to him, he said it was the only recognition he got for his 2 tours over there. He told me later when he took it home and explained to his wife where he got it, she cried. (#1024)

Thanks to those who donate supplies and hands to do veteran quilts for our US military heroes.

VETERAN QUILTS

VETERAN QUILTS: I just sent these 6 quilts today to Christians Serving Veterans who will give them to resident veterans at a nursing home or are hospitalized. Our veterans have done so much for us, and this is just a very small way that I can give back to them.

Thanks to all who donate supplies and time for this ministry.

ENGLISH PAPER PIECING

ENGLISH PAPER PIECING: Here are a couple photos of a current project. This one is English paper pieced, so is very easy to pick up and put down - especially when traveling. I started this in Nov. 2013 and besides working on it here, it has also gone to Minnesota to work on as I sat in the hospital with my Mom. Her nurses and doctors were fascinated with it and that I could just work on it so easily without a sewing machine.

I have enough pieces to make 7 rows of the hexagons (4 are currently complete) and will put a coordinating print as the strip between the strips with the hexagons.I like working with hexagons, but did not want to do another flower garden quilt, so this was what I came up with.

Have fun and it is ok to come up with your own patterns and/or designs.  Just because no one else is coming up with a new solution to a quilt design problem doesn't mean you have to do what the other quilters do - explore, be creative and have fun.