Do you buy or subscribe to quilting magazines

For years I subscribed to American Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I have quite a collection of their earlier editions. But then something changed. Heidi Kaisand was no longer the editor. Not only did the magazine itself change, it seems the subscription staff changed as well. After years of being a loyal subscriber, when my subscription ran out, I was not notified. No endless letters or offers. So with that, I decided to just let it go. If I wanted a certain magazine I would just buy it.

But truthfully it was rare that I would purchase a copy.  Until this August.

The mini quilts designed by Carrie Nelson caught my attention. As did the articles on pre-cuts.

Would I subscribe again? I don't think so. I've subscribed to another magazine for several years, and it seems like every issue is just a reformulation of the same quilts that we have been making. So when this one runs out, I won't renew. I recently went through all of my magazines, kept the ones I "might" make, and gave away the rest.

How about you? Do you subscribe or just buy a copy that catches your interest?

Bread for the Journey

Matthew's quiilt

When I was a new quilter in 1985 I took a quilting class at the local craft store. Back then we were taught how to cut out the pieces with scissors and used cardboard templates. Towards the end of the class, our teacher showed us a tool that looked like a pizza cutter. She told us this was a Rotary Cutter and would speed cutting time. Of course we all laughed and said it could not take the place of scissors! HA!

About that same time, my sister in law took a class at a quilt shop. She learned Eleanor Burns Quilt in A Day pattern for the Log Cabin. She shared with me how quick and easy it was to use this method. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.

"Matthew's Quilt" was started back around 1986. I purchased 100% cotton fabrics from a quilt shop. My plan was to make a quilt for my then toddler son. We worked on the Log Cabin pattern, and I completed the top. It was my goal to hand quilt this quilt.

So I started working on it, but did not make very speedy progress. As a matter of fact it was not completed until 2004!

This is one of my favorite quilts and the only one I hand quilted. It was fun to work on, and I love how the colors all worked together.

Are you a hand or machine quilter? Either way, enjoy your quilting experience.

Another Whoop-whoop

I made this table topper several years ago.

Unfortunately, the binding fabric has been buried deep inside the stash fabric.

But this weekend, I decided it was time to head for the finish line. So another UFO bites the dust!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop? 
Finished or Not Friday 

 Finish it up Friday 

Bread for the Journey

Let's get inspired

Whenever we travel, I try to locate a quilt shop in the area. It's always fun to see what kind of quilts are being created.

On a recent trip in our traveling cottage, we landed in western Georgia.  I found the sweetest little quilt shop called Southern Stitches.

Located in Thomaston Georgia, the shop, although not very large, was warm and welcoming.

I chatted with the owner, Dana, before other people started coming into the shop. She was such a sweet gal. The shop has been open for about four years, and they are getting ready to move closer into town in the next few weeks. She tells me they need more space. Sounds like a good problem to have.

If we are ever back in that area, I would love to see what she does with her new shop. I always enjoy being inspired when I visit quilt shops.

And yes, I did purchase fabric. Although I have been trying to be very good, working down my stash and not buying (much) fabric. But who could resist.

This was tucked in with the patriotic fabric and it's from Timesless Treasures. 

I also purchased the fun cake fabric from Southern Stitches, the the others were a Hobby Lobby find. We do not have Hobby Lobby in our area, so when I find one when we travel, I like to check it out. Being a new grandma, I've been keeping an eye out for kids type fabrics. And now that we found out that grandbaby #3 is on the way, well, what's a grandma to do?  Yep, that's right...buy more fabric ;-)

Do you find inspiration when you visit a quilt shop? Do you seek out new shops when you travel? I love to see how patterns, sometimes old favorites like Yellow Brick Road, are worked with different fabrics.

Happy Quilting!

Best Gift ideas

Every year I love to share gifty ideas and tutorials. Grab your cup of coffee and visit these interesting and informative tutorials.

One of my all time favorites is Travel-sized Tissue Cozy pattern.  Kim shares her easy tutorial on "an oft traveled road".

The Pink Penguin shared her tutorial for a sweet Fabric Basket.

A quick pattern by Tea Rose Home,  called Modern Square Garden quilt.

Who couldn't use another purse in your choice of color. Bola Chica offered a tutorial on the Pleated Purse. You could certainly make one for every outfit. And who wouldn't love and use this adorable Friendship bag courtesy of "p.s. I Quilt"?

Have you got a little buddy to make a gift for? How about this TOO cute Softie doll from "60piggies".

Stuck on zippers? ............. Noodlehead shares a tutorial on a sweet Lil Cutie Pouch. Make them by the dozens. For teachers and friends. And add a Notebook Cover from "My Patchwork".

Crazy Mom Quilts is a prolific quilter and shares many  Tutorials  on her blog.

I love to read Karen's blog  Sew Many Ways  She always comes up with new and creative ideas.

And if you really want easy tutorials, you can always check out Missouri Quilting Company.  Jenny Doan shares lots of great patterns.  Quick and easy.

If you start now, you will have a huge jump on Christmas :-)

Have fun and create!!

Bread for the Journey

It's all about the cuts

Making a quilt is always a bit of a brain thing. You need to measure twice before you cut once. I've had my share of mishaps over the years, but thankfully, most project were salvageable.

Case in point. I started making this quilt, but the directions were slim, and I assumed things that were not so. I ended up lacking a couple of rows of blocks because of my mistake.

However, in the end, I was able to save several of the blocks that I had not sliced, and ended up a lap size quilt.

The result -

 ta-da!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop? 
Finished or Not Friday 

 Finish it up Friday 

Free Scrap busting patterns

If you would like to do some Scrap busting, check out these free patterns.

Scrap Happy: More Than 50 Fabric Scraps & Remnant Ideas

Fat Quarter Fun

Plus -

40 Free Tote Bag Patterns

50 Reusable Grocery Bag patterns

Bread for the Journey

I praise you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written,
every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts,
O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them,
they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139: 14-18

A Welcoming quilt

A new grand-baby is due to arrive in a few weeks. A baby boy, Jonah. We are excited to welcome a grandson into our family.

I've been working on a baby quilt for Jonah and I'm almost done.

Not sure I'll be able to do much more quilting. 

My DIL is pretty big, and has been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. So Jonah may make an early appearance. Need to get the binding on, so the quilt will be ready when he arrives.

Happy Quilting!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop? 
Finished or Not Friday 

 Finish it up Friday