We're In The Big Leagues Now!!!

IT WAS ON SALE!!!

Batting by the bolt and we got one!

A whole 40 yard bolt of batting!

For Colby and Maria

This past weekend it was cold and snowing outdoors so I spent the weekend in the kitchen and the quilt studio.  I made Paula Deen's chicken pot pie and homemade rolls in the kitchen.  And in the quilt studio...a birthday party hat for Colby

and a Travel Bag and Cosmetic Bag for Maria.

Becky

My New Sewing Machine!!!

My 1984 Kenmore still works like it did when I found it under the Christmas tree all those years ago.  I don't think it has ever failed me.  We have a long history together.  But, I found that when a machine is 27 years old you can't get things like a walking foot attachment, a quarter inch foot attachment, etc.  If you quilt you know these aren't vital attachments but really make the process a lot easier and more efficient.  So, I spent several months shopping, researching and so on until I chose this Janome 2010.  It's computerized and makes 50 different stitches!  My old Kenmore is resting after being serviced and oiled and now awaits our next quilting bee when we're certain to need an extra machine. 


Becky

The Picnic Quilt

This quilt began with my admiration of a colorful Moda "honey bun" while visiting my favorite little quilt shop...Main Street Quilt Shop in Shelbyville, Illinois.  It was raining.  I wandered in the squeaky door, stamped the raindrops from my rubber boots and saw it.  I strolled up to the shelf.  Picked up the fabric spiral.  Thought, "hmmmmmm?"  Placed it once again on the shelf.  Walked away and wandered through all the other displays of beautiful bolts.  I couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities of all those cute 1 1/2" strips.  I walked back to the shelf.  This time looking up and spying the daisy/black-eyed susan print poised on the self above.  What can I say...I had to have them.  No fabric dieting that day! 

I didn't have a plan for my purchase, just hope that inspiration would come.  After lunch with Alan at the Courthouse Diner and a sleepy drive home to the rhythm of the windshield wipers, I returned to my sewing room and unrolled the "honey bun."  I ironed each strip, placed them in rows across the table, rearranged them and moved them again.  A little sketching, multiplying and dividing on graph paper and an idea came to me.  So, I shrugged my shoulders and switched on the sewing machine.

I kept sewing, added some white fabric from my stash and didn't quit until I had created this very large quilt that is probably my favorite.  One problem, the design was best suited to remain a square.  Don't see too many square beds anywhere!  Oh well, we dubbed it a picnic blanket and plan to put it into use next summer.

Becky

Another sewing day . . .

Today, Claire is coaching Gramma Evie
in tote bag making

We must not reveal what caused such a ruckus!
(but it was darn funny!!)

Aunt Becky and Olivia working on
another new quilt

Oh, Claire!

The Birthday Trip

Olivia . Sydni . Mary Alice . Evelyn . Nancy
Becky . Claire . Alix . Cindy

Gramma trying to pose with the 4 girls . . .

still trying . . .

much better!

We're here!!

The birthday girl and her goodies :o)

Our founding member (mom / Gramma Nancy) had a VERY special 70th birthday celebration this summer when our group, including dear friends, Evelyn & Mary Alice, took a fun-filled road trip to the land of all-things-quilts (at least in the Mid-West) . . . Paducah, Kentucky.  We met bright and early one Saturday morning, the birthday girl had a special BIRTHDAY sash pinned on her and we were off!  Laughter was abundant the entire day and we have been planning our next trip ever since we got back.

Quilts in a Day

Grandma gets Alix started

Olivia and Claire

the beloved "Featherweight" machine (yes, it still sews!)

Claire contemplates

Kristin and Becky lay out a quilt on the bed;
Olivia lays hers out on the floor

The Queen Mum

The Charter Members
(Sydni was absent)

Claire having a little TOO much fun in the quilt shop :o)

We began early in the morning.  We measured and cut and contemplated the patterns, and then sewed all day.  The last sewing machine finished humming around 10:30 p.m. (we did have to take a little afternoon break and run to our favorite little quilt shop in Paris, Illinois for more fabric!) and then we were off again the next day.  Grandma Nancy couldn't go from room to room fast enough to "assist" with all the quilt making!

QUILTS OF 2010

It was a Q U I L T I N G frenzy!

We were sewing together.  We were sewing at home.
We have shop-hopped in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and California.
We each have a bad case of Quilt-Pox and don't want to be cured.

Alix's first quilt! (summer, 2010)

Olivia's first quilt ~ Spring 2010

Claire's very first one! (Spring, 2010)

Olivia makes quilt #3 ~ her "sorority quilt"
(yep, those are her feet - she didn't want to "be" in the photo this time :o)

We had this embroidered on one of the blocks.

Cindy made this one, aptly named "Garden Whimsy" for her
sweet cousin and friend (and amazing gardener!), Maria Herren, in Ohio

Claire just finished! (1/13/11)

A very proud Claire lovingly passed on this one to her
pink-loving friend, Staci.  I think she liked it!