One of my first Quilting Projects...

was this Christmas Wreath in 2009. I got the pattern out of a book I checked out of the library, and, unfortunately, did not document the name of the book. I have not been able to find it again. It was a hard way to start. All of those little triangles prompted me to write this "Quilter's Lament."

I carefully measured and rotary cut
All the squares and triangles (or so I thought).
I carefully sewed a scant quarter of an inch
Feeling sure the seams would surely cinch.

Why is it then my square's so askew?
Does this disaster ever happen to you?
Twirled like a pinwheel…sadly atilt!
Whatever made me want to quilt?

It's just a little project…no big deal.
But yet I started feeling full of zeal.
My hat's off to you, you quilters so handy.
If I could quilt like you, I'd feel so dandy!

 

Out of the same book, I found this pattern for an adorable felt mouse. My grandson Michael and I would always play a finger game involving "Squeaky Mouse" when I visited him in California. I made this mouse with its own sleeping bag so that Michael would think of me when I was not there.

 

 

Canvas Tote Bag No. 1

On a trip to Mexico, I purchased two wall hangings made from bark. I needed to buy two canvases to mount them on. In an effort to save money, I decided just to purchase canvas by the yard and have my husband build stretchers for them. Somehow, when shopping for the fabric, I left my math skills at home and came home with an overabundance of canvas. What to do? At the same time, I decided to make tote bags for my daughters, Laura and Kristin, who are avid quilters. They have been my inspiration to take the giant leap into quilting. Eureka! Canvas was the way I would go. For the first one, I made a log cabin block. I copied the hummingbird from the fabric and used fabric paint to continue the motif on the pocket.

 

 

Canvas Bag No. 2

I discovered this great retro quilter's fabric "Housework Whenever!" by Sharon Yenter for In the Beginning fabric. It couldn't be more perfect for an avid quilter. This time, I also made a pin cushion to accompany the bag. When I made my first canvas bag, the inside seams drove me into a frenzy. Canvas ravels very quickly, and the seams were very unruly. First, I tried zigzagging the edges. They still looked untamed so I ended up encasing them in bias tape...a solution, but very time consuming. On this bag, I did a French Seam: a seam stitched first on the right side and then turned in and stitched on the wrong side so that the raw edges are enclosed in the seam. This worked like a charm and saved me many minutes of gnashing my teeth!

 

 

 

Pocket Panel

 

Pincushion

Savannah's Pillows

I was amazed at how many kitten print fabrics are available, but we just couldn't work every one into the quilt! I especially liked the kitties in their nightwear, but the colors did not quite jive with the other colors. I made these two throw pillows instead to go with Savannah's new quilt. I backed both of them with furry fleece as I had seen here.

 

 

My Third Quilt Top!

My daughter Judi selected the fabric and cut out all the pieces for this quilt for my granddaughter Savannah. As she works a full-time job, I volunteered to sew the top together. The design is from Karla Alexander's book, "New Cuts for New Quilts," and is called "The Spin." I didn't count those triangles before I started...little did I know, but it came out beautifully!

 

 

 

 

2010 Mosaic

2010 Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Grandma Ginny's Attic