Monday, October 24, 2011

Goofy Kittens

They're just like children I tell you! 

If you leave something within their reach they are going to play with it. 
It started out with Jesse (the instigator) knocking the bowl off
the shelf to check it investigate the bowl further.  



And Frankie thought it looked like so much fun that he decided to give it a try also.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I might actually be getting the hang of this machine quilting thing...

After almost 15 years I've become a pretty good quilter. I'm no [insert name of the most fabulous quilter/designer you can think of] but I can hold my own pretty good. I am self taught and have been able to teach myself everything I've wanted to...for the most part.  

But anyone who knows me well, knows I hate machine quilting.  It stresses me out.  I dread the times when I have to quilt something myself.  I'm worried about it not looking perfect.  I'm worried that this project I've worked so hard on will be ruined by my lack of skill.  I'm worried about people looking at it and thinking "she did THAT?!" 
Get to the point...right?  Well as you know I've been working on some samples for a shop that is going to vend at Houston Quilt Festival.  Among the things I made, I completed four miniatures.  When I said I'd do them I never stopped to think who was going to quilt them...not even for a second...what a dummy. 

Things are crazy at the shop right now.  My BFF for life is quilting day and night trying to get samples quilted so they can be bound before we leave for Houston.  So she doesn't have time and besides they're 16" x 20".  Who would ask someone to pin a tiny quilt to a huge Gammil to quilt it?  I would!  But I didn't.
I put on my big girl panties and quilted all four miniatures by my big girl self!  Would you like to see them?

The first one turned out a little wonky so tilt your head ever so slightly to
straighten it out (stitch in the ditch and diagonal quilting in the outer borders).



The second one came out a little less wonky...sort of
(stitch in the ditch and more diagonal quilting).



My third attempt is where I branched out and tried to be a bit more creative. 
It's not perfect by it'll do.  I should have done thread color changes.


My fourth and last attempt I think turned out the best.  I really tried to go all out for this one. 
Because let's be honest...before this was quilted, it was just OK.  Now I'm tickled pink with it.


So maybe I'll never be as good as Judi at Green Fairy Quilts, Mary of Quilt Hollow, or Margaret of Sewing & Quilting Gallery.  But I know now I can quilt a miniature without having a coronary.  And who knows?  Maybe someday I'll actually have the nerve to touch the longarm machine that resides in my dining room.

Monday, October 10, 2011

I've got...

...nothing new and exciting to share...zip...nada...zilch.  I'm busily working away helping get samples and kits ready for Houston Quilt Festival.  I had a lot of catching up to do after being sick for two weeks back in September.  It put me drastically behind.

Being so busy has left me with little time for anything else.  I haven't even been replying to comments and emails.  I hop y'all will forgive me just this once.  I hope to be done with all the Festival stuff this week...fingers crossed.

Since I don't have anything new to share I thought I might post some random photos of some older quilts of mine that I designed for this and that.  I have no clue which ones I've shared before but that really doesn't matter does it?


Tropical Beauty
24" x 24"
3" Finished Blocks



Love's Promise
100" x100"
(designed for 2009 Raffle Quilt)



Walk in the Garden
60" x 60"



Indian Blanket
60" x 60"



No Name Quilt
60" x 60"



Fons & Porter Baby Quilt Contest Entry
36" x 36"



Scrap Happy
56" x 72"
Made quilt-as-you-go


I'm going to be MIA for the next few weeks so be alarmed if I don't post for a while.  I will try...but no guarantees.

Hope y'all have a great week!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

More Highlights From the Trinity Valley Quilt Show 2011


Sand Castles
Made By Billye Olsen
Quilted By Susan Corbett






Mom's Quilt
Mady By Marjorie Winters & Vivian Stroman
Quilted By Frieda Coblentz




Fantastic Night
Made & Quilted By Pat Burnham


Rio Festivale
Made & Quilted By Pat Burnham



Puppy Blues
Made By Pat Burnham
Quilted By Nina Henderson



Purple Predilection
Made & Quilted By Amy Varner


Block Swap Stars
Made By Carolyn Bowden
Quilted By Donna Akins



1800 Petit Four
Made & Quilted By Sheri A. Macom


Bob's Pumpkins
Made By Peggy Sympson
Quilted By Dawn Smith




Civil War Ancestral Tribute
Made & Quilted By Sheri A. Macom





Independence Day
Made By Sara Bourgeois
Quilted By Susan Corbett



Vintage Touching Stars
Made By Carla H. Roberson
Quilted By Melinda Giacamorro



Flowers With Happy Smiling Faces
Made By Gwen Dunn
Quilted By Linda Johnson


Saturday, October 1, 2011

Highlights from the 2011 Trinity Valley Quilt Show


Graceful Gardens
Made By Billye Olsen
Quilted by Susan Corbett




Rhapsody in Blue
Made By Billye Olsen
Quilted By Susan Corbett




Stars & Tumblers:  A Little Bit Blue
Made By Rebecca Yarborough
Quilted By Creative Christians of Gladewater, TX



Dandelion Time
Made & Quilted By Jolene Mershon




Vintage Purples
Made & Quilted By Sheri A. Mecom



Love in Bloom
Made By Sally Brown
Quilted By Susan Corbett




Fleur de Lis
Made By Carol Staehl
Quilted By Sheri Mecom




A Hint of Fall
Made By Pam Gantz
Quilted By Susan Corbett





Pretty Pink Garden
Made & Quilted By Dawn Horvath



Best of Show Winner
Blue Birds For Conway
Made & Quilted By Reta J. Lawrence



I have a few more pictures from the show that I'll try and share tomorrow.