Long Arm Work

The two quilts below belong to Judy, I was privileged to quilt them for her.

The inspiration for this quilting design came from the background fabric which has tiny
flowers.





for closer
detail click the
picture.






The border is quilted in a vine of leaves.














The whole quilt, isn't it a beauty?














The second quilt is a friendship star. The quilting on this one is
an all over design. No real inspiration, just wanted to do
swirls to soften all the lines and this is what resulted.






























Check out our Wyoming blog for some Christmas decorations.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND GOD BLESS

Crazy Quilting Tablerunner

Here is the finished table runner for DD, Samantha.




















Several of my CQ friends helped me do the stitching on this beautiful runner.
Below are close ups of the finished work. I love how it turned out and am hoping
Samantha will, too.







Be sure
to click on
the picture
for a close up.

































Thank you girls for helping me with this, it will be heading to its new home this next week.

Dakota's Quilt

Click picture
for a close up.








This beautiful quilt was made for Dakota, she is in high school and was involved
in a bad car accident. She spent a month in the hospital and we are thankful she
is recovering just fine. She has been home about a week now.

The quilt is filled with loving messages from her school mates and teachers.

I was honored to be asked to quilt this quilt for her. Marylou designed and piece the top.
Below are some detail pictures of ;

The rick rack border, which was paper pieced.















some of the siggy blocks















one of the corners















the back of the quilt. I am very pleased with the addition the quilting
made to the quilt. Get well soon, Miss Dakota.

A Few Words

New additions to Samantha's table runner.

Christmas Table Runner

More lovely details of Samantha's table runner

This seam treatment and snowflakes were created by Candi.














Karrin decorated this corner of the runner.














More work by Candi. Except the arched treatment, that one is my first addition.














More to come, I am adding the words Love, Hope, Charity, Joy and Faith.

T-shirt dedesign & Christmas CQ

I wanted to redesign the collar of this t-shirt. I don't like things against my neck so after checking out the internet on how to do this, I dove in and here are the results.















I also shortened the shirt, no more puckers of fabric around my waist, which doesn't need any more attention. LOL














This is DD, Samantha's Christmas table runner done in Crazy Quilting. I put together the table runner and sent it around my CQ group for help in decorating the seams. It has been to Texas, California, Arizona, South Dakota and is back here in Wyoming so I can add my touches and finish it off. Last year when Samantha, Andy and the boys visited for Christmas we went to Cody, Wy. for after Christmas sales and she started getting blue, crystal and white things for a new scheme for her dining room. So this is part of that.




Click on
the pictures
for a
closer look
at the
details





by Susan and Moira














Close up of seams details















Spider and web by Susan.....spiders and webs are good luck in CQ

More details of the table runner to come. Believe it or not Christmas is only 3 months away.

Citrus Gift Sets

Time to share the gift sets I have. Each set has 3 soaps, all in a citrus scent. Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit or a mix of several.

Below are examples of the sets. There are 5 sets up for sale @ $15.00 each plus shipping. Individual soaps are also available for $5.00 each, all are different.



Please click on
picture for a
closer look.




















































A look at
interior
labeling.











Please leave a comment with your addy and I will contact you. Thank you for looking.

August Already.............

I am sitting here with the AC going, it is to hot to work outside or up in my studio (no AC up there yet......well it will most likely be a swamp cooler but what the hay, it will be cool).

So I though that since I have been a bad blogger and not posted in awhile.....
I do have an excuse if you want to hear it.....well a half way excuse....my computer is down and has been for over a month and I am using the lap top and it doesn't have my picture program on it so it is kind of a pain.....so I finally decided to bit the bullet and figure it out so I can post a picture or two. Next it is my camera, it is not well at all and unless Santa brings me another one, I don't know how much longer I can get it to work. Sigh......so those are my excuses. Oh and I must add, all my links are on the other computer, and I have not bothered to get them on here, it was only suppose to be overnight, but you know how those things work out.........I miss my computer...........................

What have I been working on. Below are a few pictures of and American Hero quilt that I quilted and is back at headquarters for binding and give out. It came with another quilt that I ended up ripping the quilting out of because it was loopy, it is now back on the longarm and being quilted.













































I am still working on my LC quilt, creating a elk center for it. I will hopefully show you that soon.

Thank you for hanging in there with me, I appreciate your comments and friendship.

I have been Neglectful

I want to touch bases with you all, I have been very neglectful with all of my blogs. I hope I am beginning to get back into a more settled place.

We gave Ken his quilt on July 5th at Claudia's memorial service and he was/is very touched. He can't believe how everyone came together for him, people he does not even know.

Our kitty, Missy Mew, who we believe was bitten by a snake is now back to her ornery little self, we were very worried about her, she was a very very sick kitty for nearly a month. At one point we feared brain damage because of the sickness, thankfully we were wrong.

My current projects include a king size log cabin quilt for our bed. Instead of a regular backing my plan is to do a 2 sided quilt, I have found a pattern I like so we shall she how all that comes together. So I still need to piece another top to become the back to my log cabin. LOL.

There is an American Hero's quilt on my machine, it is taking a long time because I had to rip out one and a half rows of quilting.........it is ready to begin quilting again. I really do not like the design I am doing but it is to late to do anything about that. So now for a test run before starting again.

Also, making soaps for Ole Timers a celebration of the Anniversary of our town, with this year being 100 years. I need to do more soaps, it is next Sunday. Have been playing with different techniques.

We also have (well Kirk has) been putting a porch on the house. Tomorrow we have to go cut fire wood, and need to make a few more trips before winter (yes, winter is coming).

Thanks for hanging in there with me....

Ken's Comfort Quilt

On June 4th we lose one of our dear neighbors and friend to an unexpected death. It has effected all of us in our small town. Claudia's death left us all stunned not to mention the
shock to her family. Her husband Ken is doing pretty well considering.

I decided that it would be good to make a comfort quilt. Putting out the call on two of my quilt lists and in town 30 orphaned blocks arrived and a nice amount of cash donations. Of course not all 30 blocks are being used in this quilt, but will be saved for a future need.

Fabric, batting and thread purchased, work began on construction of the quilt. Spending most of the afternoon for 3 days, sashing, and borders went together.

My vision for the quilt worked out well. Done in dark chocolate brown, sage and blue.

There is one pink block in the middle of the quilt, which is to represent Claudia.




















Here you can see the detail of the borders. Sage green, with a blue flip (that is what I call it) border and brown outer border. The quilt is a very nice size to snuggle under for a man who is 6 feet tall.















Once I get the quilting done (tomorrows work) it will go to Marylou for binding. Kris has enlisted the help of her sister to embroider the label on her machine.

Claudia's service is July 5th, and it is our goal to present Ken with his quilt then.

The label will read

This quilt is filled with hugs,
to comfort you and keep you snug.
Don't worry about washing the hugs away,
they are sown in to stay.
In loving memory of Claudia.

I want to thank every person who has helped us make this quilt a possibility.

Quilt is Finished

A couple more details on Kasey's quilt.

A block close up.














And the label for the quilt, which is edged in lace.















The quilt is ready to mail, tomorrow I hope.

Note: to see more details see previous post.

Now onto finishing the logcabin quilt, and making a comfort quilt for my neighbor Ken.

Quilting done

The quilting is finished.......(what is with the underlining????)
Please click for a closer look.
The white blocks have a double heart with feathers















A close up of the side borders and half square triangles (where'd the underlining go??)
In the half square triangles I did not echo the hearts feathers because of space.















In this photo I wanted you to see the upper corner of the border with the feather design, and the quarter square triangle design.















Next, is a picture of the lower corner of the border.















Tomorrow I will get the binding on, as well as the label.

Magnolias

I got this via email today, and wanted to share it with you all.
Get a tissue...........

Beautiful story (and message)

MAGNOLIAS..........By
Edna Ellison

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding
Running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo
Shop, and the church about forty miles away.
As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian
Young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched

My budget dwindle
So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son
Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to
Walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of
His dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy,
Saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about
Three years old!
To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who
Had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white
Blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful
Arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.
After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we
Banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we
Left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this
Would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music,
The ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers -
Would be remembered for years.
The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and
While her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiance Tim
Walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we
Opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost
Fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white
Flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm
During the night had knocked out the air conditioning
System, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted
And died.
I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to
Our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for
The wedding. Tim turned to me. 'Edna, can you get more flowers?
I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in
These arrangements.'
I mumbled, 'Sure,' as he be-bopped down the hall to
Put on his cuff links.
Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark
Wooden beams in the arched ceiling. 'Lord,' I
Prayed, 'please help me. I don't know anyone in this
Town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a
Hurry!' I scurried out praying for four things: the
Blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an
Unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg,
And a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I
Asked to cut his tree to shreds.
As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance.
I approached a house...No dog in sight. I knocked on the
Door and an older man answered. So far so good. No
Shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, 'I'd
Be happy to!' He climbed a stepladder
and cut large boughs and handed
Them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload
Into my car trunk, I said, 'Sir, you've made the
Mother of a bride happy today.'
'No, Ma'am,' he said. 'You don't understand what's
happening here.'
'What?' I asked.
'You see, my wife of
sixty-seven years died on Monday.
On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on
Wednesday . . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his

Eyes. 'On Wednesday I buried her.' He! Looked away.
'On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back
Home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.'
I nodded.
'This morning,' he continued, 'I was sitting in
My den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last
Sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But
Now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an
Eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to
Cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you
Knocked, and said, 'Sir, I need you.'
I stood with my mouth open.
He asked, 'Are you an angel? The way the light shone
around your head into my dark living room...'
I assured him I was no angel.
He smiled. 'Do you know what I was thinking when I
handed you those magnolias?'
'No.'
'I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why,
I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to
everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers.
People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of
them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to
hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what
I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until
the day He calls me home!'
I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On
Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage
someone who was hurting, I would have said, 'Forget it!
It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness'
sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.'
But God found a way - Through dead flowers.
'Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's
the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the
difference.'
If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my e-mails, you may have missed a
laugh. But, if you have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR,
JESUS CHRIST, you have missed everything in the world.
May God's blessings be upon you.

THIS IS SO TRUE, BEING NEEDED IS SO UPLIFTING TO EACH OF US.


This story is far too beautiful not to send along its way to others
... And its's true.
"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it
is usually through another person that he meets our
needs." Spencer W. Kimball


"Though our trials are diverse, there is one thing the
Lord expects of us no matter our difficulties and
sorrows: He expects us to press on." - Elder
Joseph B. Wirthlin

Today's Long Arm Work

Thought I would share the work I am doing on my niece, Kasey's wedding quilt.

It took me a bit to decide and design what I would do, since what I wanted to do would not work out given the size of the blocks on the quilt and the limitation of 18" on my longarm. So on the plan 2.

So I went in search of something to draw a nice heart with, and ended up with my scrapbooking templates. Using 2 different sizes, placing one inside the other and putting feathers around the outside. The pen I am using here has disappearing ink, it is so cool to be able to draw on the fabric and then it just goes away.















Since this quilt is set on point, we have half square triangles around the edges so this is the design for that area.
















The quilt has 3 boarders. The outside border has feathers, the 2nd border, meandering. Border #3 has a vine of leaves. As I advance the quilt to a new section I quilt 18" of each border on each side of the quilt, then do the center blocks.















Here you can see one of the half square triangles and one of the full squares. In the strip pieced squares and around the hearts is meandering. I do about 2 advances a day, by then it is time to stop for one reason or another. In this picture I have advance 4 times, with about 7 more to go.
One of the advances will fill in the stripped blocks with meandering and the other will include the hearts, feathers and meandering, both also including the border designs.

Remember to
click for a
better view.










So we are looking at about 4 more days on the long arm (it is so nice it is at home now, makes it so easy to go and work), then the binding and label.

Until later....God Bless

RR details

Sorry it has been so long since my last post, I keep getting distracted. We have been working on the studio , gardening, making jelly, etc.

My RR group is drawing to a close on this round. I have been working on Karrin's block, it is now on it's way home. Here are my additions.
On the lace I put the deep rust silk ribbon, tacking it down with french knots and beads.















then a buttonhole stitch with beads, along the cute hankie.















And around the center panel of pansies, variations on the buttonhole stitch (please click for a better look) and the little dragonfly button next to the pansies. It was a fun block to work on.
We will be taking the summer off, starting up again in the fall.















Next up, Tristan's tote, Leslie's quilt, Kasey and Jon's quilt.