True confessions....

...of a UFO addict!

Okay, so here's the story. As I was organizing and downsizing my fabric closet I came across some unfinished quilts. Like, a lot of them.

I start counting how many are waiting (patiently) to be quilted, and I found 21 that need to be sandwiched and quilted. Quite a hefty number of UFO's! I have a feeling I could probably find three more and make it 24 in some form of unfinish.  Well, I am going to try to make it a goal to quilt at least two a month and maybe, MAYBE have them all quilted by the end of the year. Or if I can only manage to tweak out one a month, it will be a two year goal. I've got to make good this wonderful gift my hubby gave me.

Do you have any special quilting goals this year?

With This Pledge

War is brutal, savage, horrific. The Civil War was the bloodiest war waged in America. Over 600,000 men lost their lives during this conflict. The South could not match the numerical strength of the North. This war was complex, affecting more than the men who died. 

Tamera Alexander has written an historical novel recounting the battle of Franklin Tennessee. She captures the account from the real life letters written between Captain Roland Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston. Ms. Alexander masterfully weaves their love story in the midst of this tragic Battle of Franklin and all that it entails. Her attention to detail is well researched.

If you love historical fiction, you will enjoy this well written and engaging novel. It's a powerful story capturing the horrors of war, and the hope of man.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Quilting on my DSM

I've always quilted on my DSM, mostly using straight line quilting. Even after taking a class on machine quilting, I never felt that I could move past geometric shapes.

But when I found Foolproof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta, I was able to step up my machine quilting.

 

Here are a couple of pictures of quilts inspired by her book.

 

If you ever want to move past straight lines, I would recommend her book.

Gift card holder tutorial

I just can't seem to wrap my head around paying for a box to hold a gift card when I can make one from a simple envelope! So here are the easy steps.

I use envelopes that you find in the stationary section of Wally World or the office supply store (approx 4 3/8" x 5 3/4").  They usually come in a box anywhere from 50 to 250 and I use them when I make cards.

First moisten the flap and seal the envelope.  Then fold down the edges on three sides to fit the GC.

Trim the top portion using decorative scissors.

Open the envelope and make little tabs on the bottom.

I use double sided tape to stick the tabs down on the underside.

Your Gift Card is ready to slip inside. 

 I punch two small holes and thread some ribbon to make a handle.

You can stamp or decorate any kind of greeting on the outside for the appropriate gift. 

Metamorphosis Monday

Grace at Home
  Welcome to the Weekend
Saturday Sparks Party 

Blue strings for a little guy

Lots of different blue fabrics have gone into this little quilt.

My plan being a kind of a Where's Waldo" quilt.

Animals, trains, cars, basketball players, dinosaurs.... Hoping the little guy will be able to find the somewhat hidden pictures.

Just have the quilting left to do and it will be on it's way.

Can I get a Whoop Whoop! 

 Finished or Not Friday 
Brag About your Beauties
String Along 

Inside the Lines

Quilting. What is that to you? Is it only the chosing of color and fabric? Or the cutting up said fabric and sew it together? Or do you consider your quilt is not really "quilted" until the three parts are quilted together? Do you do it yourself? Or do you send it out?

I have always quilted my own quilts. Mostly lap size and smaller. But since acquiring the HQ Sweet Sixteen, I'm being challenged to quilt larger quilts.

I found this book at the library. Which I think will be very helpful.

Lots of examples to learn and copy from.

As I looked through my own library I found these helpful books.

Lots of patterns

And then I found this classic book in my own library.

Even though it was written for hand quilting, I think some of these patterns could also be used for machine quilting.

And then there are these?

I've used these before and have had pretty good success.

How about you? What do you do to help your machine quilting along?

Happy Quilting?

 

I Love You, Funny Bunny

I so enjoy reviewing books for different publishing houses. Lately I started reviewing kids books, and they have been so much fun.

I Love You, Funny Bunny is the latest children's book I reviewed. Beautifully written and illustrated by talented Sean Julian.  Starting out with "I love you, Funny Bunny, from your whiskers to your toes." Such heartwarming prose, this delightful children's book is one that will warm a child's heart and imagination. It can be a bond between a child and parent, or a grandparent. Fun and whimsical, I love the positive character qualities that are expressed throughout the book. We need more books like this for our children.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.