The tale of the tiger!

Once upon a time there were two ladies and they both had little boys that were 4 years old. These two ladies met because they were both quilters and became very good friends. During the course of their lives, one of the friends moved away to many and various places but they still remained very good friends and would continue to visit each other almost every year. One year they both needed warm robes for the long cold winters of Iowa and Montana. During one of the visits in Montana they decided that they would make nice warm fleece robes so they went on a visit to JoAnne's.

But . . . they only had one coupon! What to do, what to do?

Being the very smart woman they were, they decided to buy the same fabric and make matching fleece robes. They had so much fun wearing their robes when the went to visit each other and at quilt retreats. With a quick glance at their backs it was hard for people to figure out which was who and who from which! That was fun!

Finally, the robes wore out so on a trip to Iowa in 2010 they bought more fabric to make another set of matching robes. The friend from Montana got hers made and wore it that winter but the friend in Iowa was too busy and her robe fabric sat in a basket under the writing desk, totally neglected until her 2nd daughter took pity and cleaned the dining room table, laid the new fleece out and pinned on the pattern - THEN LEFT IT!

When the lady from Iowa came home from her shopping trip that day, the fabric with the pattern pieces was still on the table so there was nothing to do but the cut the robe out! She then folded it up and put it back in the basket under the writing desk. Where it sat again. Finally, she made a promise that it would be the next item she sewed. And she did!

Did I mention that those little boys are now 32 year old men with wives. Paul and Lindsay have 2 little girls and a new baby boy born in April. Hank and Mandy are expecting their first baby in September.

2011 MAQ guild BOM

When I looked back at the last post I was so surprised at the date. July 13th seems like so long ago, but then again I wonder what have I accomplished during that time?

Well, I did get two things done. I accomplished my BOM blocks for the Maquoketa, IA, guild. I am turning in two blocks as I did not get the July block done on time. After making those blocks I immediately set out to make the August blocks. I took the pictures and set them aside, thinking I would post them on the blog right away. Guess what? I've already forgotten which were July's blocks and which were for August. Ugh! I guess it doesn't matter anyway, so here they are in no particular order.

I don't remember anything special about the flying geese block. Except for the fact that I cut the red fabric too small the first time round. Where does my brain go some days? Must have been on a mini vacation when I went to cut that fabric.

Now, as for these blocks!

The story goes like this. I decided to see if I could straighten out the drunk! And I will admit it was a challenge. I probably didn't do right by him but I tried, I suppose he will go back to his drinking and wandering around but guess I can't do much about that.

Have a good day!  Jo

Purple & Friends

A finished quilt for you to view. I named it Purple and Friends. Why you ask? Because I couldn't figure out if the second color was pink or coral. No, I am not color blind. Yes, my Grandpa was, in fact they wouldn't let him pick the strawberries because he was always picking all the green ones. Grandma got so mad when he would try to help.

Yes, I do have one son and two grandson that are color blind. No, not in the same family. My understanding is, the women are the carriers but it's the guys that get it.

Back to the quilt. I pieced the quilt approximately 15 years ago. Then it just hung in the closet and got dusty. This must truly be my year to finish up. This is the 3rd quilt in 2011 to get finished from something old.

62" x 85"

close-up of quilting motifs



Tie-Dye Table Runner

A good friend of mine stopped in the shop a couple of weeks ago and volunteered to make something out of the new fabric that I had gotten for the shop. She took home 3 of the new fabrics and solid black. After making two blocks she decided the black wasn't quite what she wanted.

So, what do you do with two blocks, why of course, you make a table runner. That she did, then brought it to me and I hand quilted it, big stitch style. It was fun using all four colors of thread.

15" x 28"



Doll Quilts

And another doll quilt! This was made many days (or was it weeks) ago but I just got around to binding it.

22" x 22"

This little quilt was made with leftovers from a few different projects. I'm slowly getting rid of the little pile of little pieces that were sitting on the sewing table. The rest of the little pieces were sewn together but were not big enough for another quilt so they have gone into a "box". I think I am done with doll quilts for the time being. 

Doll Quilts



23" x 23"

Yesterday, I pieced a flannel back for this doll quilt made out of the scraps from Luke's baby quilt. Then I machine quilted and bound it. It seems to have taken me all day to do this. And, evidently wore we out. I am exhausted today!

I now have the center and sashings all quilted on my "Purple & Friends" quilt. I've spent 3 hours playing with different ideas for the borders. Not sure yet what it will be. Two borders are 4" and the other two are 3". That complicated things a little bit. I'm hoping to have a light bulb moment soon!

2011 MAQ guild BOM

I only have one block to show you this time, it's mine. Why? Well, it's applique and since I don't like applique all that well, I put it off until the last minute. So Monday (6/6) I was only able to finish the block to give the guild. Then I didn't have time to take a picture of it, but it was just like mine only with the tan/beige background. I think they came out pretty good, even if I do say so myself. And no, I will never become an applique person.

MAQ Guild Library Book Challenge

It's pieced! On Sunday evening, May 29th, I laid the blocks on the floor, then rearranged a few and walked away. On Monday, I started sewing the blocks into rows and the rows into double rows, then the double rows together, finally finishing it on Wednesday, June 1st.

Next I cut, washed, and sewed the backing together. It's a green leafy print. Then I finally figured out that my backing was not going to be long enough! Oh, what to do, what to do! I ended up piecing some of the 6" squares into a row, opening up the seam and inserting the row of squares. On Sunday I sent it off to a long-armer to be basted. I guess that means it will be the next quilt on my list to get hand quilted.

 I'm pleased with the quilt. I love the way the black motifs stand out but more than that I like the way the softer colored motifs slowly make themselves known. It was a fun challenge.

Oh, and before you say anything I will tell you that the picture was taken before I did all the sewing an yes, I did catch the blocks that were turned the wrong way.

Have a good day!  Jo



Blocks to Raffle

Oh please, don't ask me why I do what I do, I just do. Yes, I bought a $1 worth (5) 5" squares of yellow fabric at the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild (Quad Cities) meeting last month. I guess the reason is that I love yellow and could not resist. You were able to add anything you wanted to make the blocks into 9 patches with yellow centers. I added scrappy, with the four corners light and the four inside squares darker. By doing this, if the winner wants to recut the blocks into 4 pieces, the rectangles would be the darker fabrics.  Will I actually put my name into the drawing? Not sure!

Mostly I have been quilting.

Luke, Hexagon Doll Quilt & Scrappy Hex Flowers

I just have to show you another picture of the newest grandson, Luke. I love this picture.

Just hangin' round.

This is the hexagon doll quilt I gave to the Margaret P., doll quilt chair of the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild. She was teasing me and said to the whole guild that maybe "Jo, would make a hexagon doll quilt" for them. Well, if it were anybody but her I probably would have said no, but I just had to make one and surprise her. As I recall, the quilt is approx 24" x 29". I used the 1" hexagon papers.

These are the next 7 scrappy hexagon flowers to go on my

 Scrappy Hexagon Quilt.

I am also back to hand quilting a top from 15 years ago. It's approximately twin size so it will take a bit of time.

Have a good day. Jo