Thanksgiving Table Runner DONE!!!

Here are the fruits of my weekend labor.  One Pumpkin table runner for someone who has no seasonal decorations in his home and company coming Wednesday night.

I happened to find a related fabric when browsing this weekend.  I used it for the backing and binding.  I love the earthy barns scenes, apples and pumpkins all over.  I think I'll be able to find many other uses for this fabric as well.

Seasonal Denial Disorder

Here's today's accomplishment.  Very Autumn-y, don't you think?  Used up some leftover blocks, and made my own applique.  I know its simple, but sometimes less is more.  Still needs a little embroidery (vines).   This project is behind schedule, but I'm having fun with it.  Plus I'm making a statement:  It's important to set aside time to be thoughtful and thankful.

I don't want to believe Christmas and Old Man Winter are right around the corner.  I'm in denial, and I want to stay here a a little longer.  Can you blame me?  It's 50 degrees outside and the grass is still green.  Never-the-less, neighbors have put up Christmas lights, carols are playing in the stores, and holiday music has been on the radio since Nov. 1st.  Heck - in my mind, Nov. 1st is when you get to eat the extra Halloween candy!  LOL. 

If we go directly from Halloween to Christmas, its as if Thanksgiving doesn't even exist.  Now is the time to give thanks for what we have, and think of those less fortunate.  (If you are able, please donate to your local food pantry.)  No wonder I'm befuddled by the holiday glitz.  But it could be worse....my flowers are even MORE confused than I am - they think its Spring!  :)

On Being Thankful

Here's a fabric that warms my heart: Friends, Family, Giving, Celebration, Bounty, Hope, Harvest, Life, Health, Love, Beauty, Generosity, Inspiration. 

What beautiful images these words bring to mind.  But I think the fabric designer must have run out of ideas at some point...because it also says: Cool, Crisp.  Makes me think of tossed salad! LOL.

Still, I love the sentiment and colors.  Will use this fabric for a harvest themed table runner.

Meanwhile, I found this fabric.  WHAT does one do with one lonely little fat quarter of golf fabric? I'd love some suggestions!


 

Fort Hood Quilt is Here!

This quilt is destined for Fort Hood.  Ain't she a beauty?!  Sure wish I could take the credit - but that goes to the High Country and Friends quilting group.  Gosh, they do nice work!

 http://www.americanquilter.com/quilt_world/guilds_view.php?id=2056

I hope you can see the red, white & blue variegated thread that makes up the free motion quilting.  Gorgeous.

In a previous post, I speculated that a quilt from Wisconsin really ought to have a few cows on it.  Well, great minds really must think alike, because some of the red squares contain tiny black and white dairy cows.  Gotta love that!

FYI - I checked Cherry House's postings, and she will eventually post information on all 31 quilts sent to Fort Hood.  I can't wait to see the rest.  See:

http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/cherry_house_quilts/

Well, its time to get to the post office.

First Ever Jeans Quilt

Here is my first-ever jeans quilt.  Like the puple nine patch, this is a college quilt.  I'd been thinking of making a jeans quilt for some time.  Found the flowered denim and blue checked denim and knew it had to happen.  I got this bright idea 2-3 weeks before graduation! 

One week prior to graduation I found the pink jeans and opted to make the pillow and border.  Only the quilt top was done in time for the graduation party. 

So I put color coordinated bandanas and assorted school supplies in each of the pockets, boxed the quilt top up, wrapped it up and presented it to the graduate, promising to have it complete by fall.  Here are the results. 

The back is a variegated pink fleece.  Low loft batting inside.  Pink yarn ties.  As with my other jeans quilts, user reports it's very warm!

Where Pumpkin Pie Really Comes From

A little seasonal humor....

The Friend of the Wife of a Friend of a Friend

Had coordinated a group effort to whip up a patriotic quilt for Fort Hood.  But in the process, received a generous offer from the friend of the wife of a friend of a friend...who has not one, but THREE patriotic quilts on hand! 
The donated quilt will change hands several times before it reaches me, and of course, once more before reaching Fort Hood.  Kinda neat to think about.
Can't wait to see the donated quilt next week! and to credit its creator..Will snap a picture or two to share before I send it on to TX.

Meanwhile, my 24 partially pieced squares will be lovingly packed away until RW&B fever compels me to piece some stars to balance all the stripes. Being a Wisconsin quilt, I woul like to find a barn print with some mik cows on it.  But this will become a project for another day.

Veteran's Day, My Birthday

Now and then I get the urge to create something red, white and blue.  The table runner at left was a first attempt at quilt-as-you-go strip quilting - made about the Fourth of July. The quilt at right is a jeans quilt I made during a bout of election fever in 2008.

Now, I'm compelled to work with red, white and blue again- this time for the families of the victims at Fort Hood.  I rallied the troops (i.e. fellow quilter friends and friends of quilter friends) and we're going to coordinate our efforts.  I've always wanted to do a community quilt, where different people contribute different squares.  But I'm saddened it will be for this purpose.

So, tomorrow is my birthday.  As a kid, it meant that there was no mail on my birthday so I couldn't get any cards.  As an adult, it has of course, taken on deeper meaning.  But I approach it with a heavy heart knowing some young Wisconsinites were injured or killled at Fort Hood, just a few days after leaving home.  I've talked with people who know families affected by the Fort Hood incident.  On one hand a family rejoices their loved one survived.  Other families greive.  Hard to comprehend how life turns out sometimes.

But I do take solace in the response of the quilting community to the call for quilts.  Confirming once again, the power of the human spirit, commitment and community and (of course) that quilters are the salt of the earth.  Peace.

And Cheerful, It Is!

Yup, blue is definitely more cheerful than gray.

This came together quickly once I got all the triangles done.  Next time you see it, it will be quilted and bound. 

Hmm...to keep or give away?

Too Damn Cheerful

I was recently told by a coworker that I'm just "too damn cheerful!"  Those words came to mind as the border for this table topper started to come together.  The original instructions called for assorted greys, to represent the days grays of mid-winter.  I just couldn't do it.  On a gray day I don't want to be reminded of MORE gray days - I want to think about beautiful blue skies! 

So there you have it, call me what you want, but this is going to be one cheerful snowflake runner. :)