My "Trek" Quilt

Those of you who know me know that I have been on two handcart treks at Martin's Cove. These treks have a very special place in my heart because I've had some amazing experiences in helping to plan them and being in that wonderful place. I cut out all of the skirts and bonnets that the girls and women wore and of course I kept all of the scraps. And what do quilters do? Turn those scraps into quilts!
I finally found just the right pattern from Cotton Way called "Slice of Charm". I changed it just a little by putting hearts in the center of the wheels instead of the patched circles. I love how it reminds me of wagon wheels.
I love how the back looks!

I used T shirt transfer paper to put a few pictures on it.

And I used a pigma permanent marker to print the names of all the pioneers our group trekked for around the circles.

Then this past weekend while my husband and I were at Martin's Cove helping with a training seminar, I presented it as a memory quilt to the Director's wife. She LOVED it! (which always makes a quilter feel good)
Now I need to make myself one of these memory quilts!

Something to keep my busy

When I'm not quilting, I am making baby beanies for newborn kits for the humanitarian center. I am not one to sit still and can get a lot done while sitting around visiting or watching a movie or during a Mario Marathon.

Bringing Springtime Indoors

I am soooooooo tired of the gray and snowy days. I saw this kit at American Quilting and it was the inspiration I needed to pull out the sewing machine again and get quilting. Our house has been torn apart for the past 2 months with construction and I was due for a mood lift. At least it looks springy inside now! This is made in the new "Verna" line.
I had a charm pack of "Birdie" so I made one for Carissa.

And I had a charm pack of "Spring Fling" so I made one for another one of the girls.

Crayon Holders

I saw this idea a while ago and got in the mood last week to make one. I ended up making 7 with more cut out. They only take about 1/2 hour start to finish and what a fun idea for a birthday present! There are directions all over the web and I adjusted one to make a colored pencil holder. If anyone wants specific directions, just let me know and I'll get them to you.

THE NEW BABY IN OUR HOME......

OH don't you just LOVE the colors red and aqua together!!! I do too! It is just like pink and brown are suppose to be together well so is red and aqua. I have a lot of those colors in my living room. Well I think it is time to make a quilt with just those colors. And I have just the place to put it.

on my new BABY!

(loveseat with out the couch potato)

(loveseat with the couch potato, notice the chips she is eating. TOTAL COUCH POTATO)

Only in Omaha could you find such a SWEET antique! Man, I love antiques in Omaha. They are the BEST. this is one of the MANY that I have stocked up on in the last few months. And don't you worry, I am NOT done stocking up yet. I will have to post my cool thrifty finds. But for now I will leave you drooling over the newest addition. For now it sits in my living room until we move to our new house and it finds a perfect home there. Ok, I won't hold back these are some of the other finds I have gotten.

bench and enamelware. Both $10. each. WHAT A STEAL!

RUSTY ENAMEL WARE PITCHER $15 (and it is AQUA)

(The refinished quilt cabinet- painted to match my velvet curtains $50)

(see the red and aqua theme?)

(this little gem was in a cute antique store. I was with a friend and I did give in. $30)

I can't take credit for this quilt. A lady named Amy Smart made this but, but I just love it and may just have to borrow some ideas from it! Just ADORABLE. Can't you just picture it with the red loveseat. Oh I CAN!

It is always nice to see where my quilts find their new homes

So I have a friend that has more of my quilts than I think I do...... WAIT how did that happen?...... well here are a few of them displayed. I love where she has put them!

Better Days are Definately Ahead!

We have been in need of a little cheering up around here lately. Don't even get me started with everything that has gone wrong over the past 2 months. And I mean some serious stuff. Anyway, I received a surprise package in the mail last week on an especially troublesome day and look what was inside! Wouldn't this cheer you up and make you think spring is almost here and better days are definately ahead?

I LOVE IT!!!!!

So thanks Carissa for making my month.

Give Away

The very very talented Lila Tueller is giving away this fantastic quilt. I love it! Especially the colors and the cute little ruffles and the scalloped edge and the flower in the middle. Head over to her site here:http://lilatuellerdesigns.blogspot.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFF!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!!!!

Since, I know this won't get to you ON your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It is in the mail!

This is Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane. I first saw this new line on-line. But I didn't fall in love with it. BUT (and there is a but) When I saw it in person- I FELL (fell hard) in love with it! This just looks like you Tiff. Of course.... like most of our quilts..... I have one too! And I will finish mine! (hopefully)

(finished product)

notice the little pink border. It is only .75" cut. So sewn it is like less than a 1/2" thick! And.... do you notice the cream border fabric? Yep, it is from your old curtains from your first house.

back of the quilt/ pieced together to add some PIZAZZ! (actually I just didn't have enough to cover it--- but this is TOTALLY the cool thing to do anyways!)

back of the quilt

stitched with circles.

Of course---- the staples. Quilting gloves a MUST have..... and the Mountain Dew.... And even MORE MUST HAVE!!!

Another must have- Sharp Sissors.

My helper, helping me pin it.

getting ready to quilt it.

HOPE YOU LIKE!!!!

Don't you just LOVE the holiday quilts.......

Decorate with a quilt that says "LOVE is in the AIR". Here are a couple Valentines Day Quilts.

These are fun Valentines Day quilt ideas-

the hearts are all pieced together. (above)

Table runners

Hand appliqued hearts.

Stitch hearts on your quilts and have them fray as they are washed.

The OLD stand by- strip quilt!

P.S. unfortanately only Shannon can take credit for all of these. Yep, I don't think I did one of them. My valentines quilt TOP only is in a box waiting to be quilted..... huh No surprise!