An 'Atom' of work completed

It's been crazy busy here (just like most of your lives, too).  Church musical dinners (I was in charge of food for about 90 people) then driving to/from Oklahoma to get my youngest son's stuff from his dorm.  He's moving to Alaska on Sunday for the next few  years, or even longer.  We're not sure if we'll even get to see him again before his wedding in 2015.  Waaa!!!! 

My inlaws (did I mention that I have the Wonderful kind of inlaws) have come for Christmas.  My father in laws birthday was last Friday.  He is a retired physics professor.  When I saw this pattern, I just knew I had to make this for him.

paper pieced Atom block

paper pieced Atom block

I don't remember just where I first saw this, but, the pattern is by Elizabeth Mosher over at Doodle ee doo' blogspot. 

I searched tons of quilt shops (yes, tons) and finally found an atom fabric by Michael Miller on a shop hop back in October, to be the backing for this.

This is a great block, but, if you make this block, be warned that it has a total of 161 pieces in it!  Now I know why it took me so long to make this one block!

finished mini quilt

I pieced and quilted this on my favorite hand crank.

1959 Singer Spartan hand crank

I love the precision I get paper piecing with a hand crank sewing machine.  I even did the quilting with this machine. 

I STILL haven't finished all the Christmas presents, but, I'm just not going to stress over them.  I'll finish my inlaws binding before bed tonight (can't bind in front of them) and also the binding on another 'secret' project that I just wrapped.  It will get finished Christmas afternoon.  I did get my last 'secret' project done, too, but, I can't show pictures of it for a few more days (the recipient sometimes reads my blog).

My inlaws leave on Saturday, and my son flies out Sunday morning (waaa!!!!!).  I won't be on the computer much until after they all leave. 

Don't forget.....

Jesus is the reason for the season! 

Merry Christmas!

NewFO's

Barbara, over at Cat Patches hosts the NewFO's party each month.  I ran out of time to do my posts for September and October.  I'll add a bit of those months to my November NewFO post. 

I had a Treadle On Block Exchange that was due Oct 1st.  I was really late starting these, and, they took much longer than I thought they would.  I didn't like how the pattern was drafted.  If I make these again, I will do them much differently.  As Treadle On blocks, they had to be made on a 'people powered' sewing machine, so, they were made on my 1925 Singer 99 hand crank.  I finished them on my Minnesota trip.

Treadle On Block Exchage (TOBE) blocks

Also in September, I 'started' some blocks for 12" mini quilts. 

3 different colorways of Maple leaf blocks

These were made on 2 different hand cranks.  I'm in the process of hand quilting them.  I'm running really late on these (they are Christmas presents).  I've been working on 2 different commission quilts instead of working on these. 

here is one that has been hand quilted

The very last weekend of September, at the Lyons Farm Fall Festival, where I got to show off some of my vintage sewing machines, I started (see, another 'new') quilt top.

started these blocks on this treadle

Here is the finished quilt top.

finished Quilts of Valor top

In October, after I got my 1959 Singer Spartan hand crank's tension fixed, I finally got to start designing how Connor's quilt blocks would go together.   I 'started' the blocks back in the spring of 2012, but, I 'started' designing the setting of the blocks in October.

Connor's quilt top

 I also designed pillow shams to match this quilt (shhh... they are still a secret!)

matching shams

These went to the long arm quilter early in November.  I picked them up after Thanksgiving, and, I'm working on finishing the shams (haven't started that yet) and binding the quilt. 

November was a BUSY month for me!  I started (and finished) a Snowman block for an exchange with my little quilt guild.

started the embroidery on the snowman

finished snowman block

I also had a commission quilt that I needed to replace the backing on.  This was grandma's quilt, and the backing was faded and worn out.  I was given a pink flannel for the backing.  I tied the quilt, and buried all of the strings so that they wouldn't show. 

finished commission quilt

binding was done (again) just like grandma had done the previous binding

I was NOT asked to fix where the fabric on the front had worn away, the green is the old backing showing thru

some of the cute prints in the quilt

another cute print in the quilt

This quilt was picked up earlier this week, and, the client was very happy with my work (yipee)!

I was also asked in November to do another commission.  A lady needed someone to finish her quilt blocks and top, as she is unable to do so at this time.  This is a (multiple) block of the month from a local quilt shop.  This is what I've done so far.

Saltbox sampler blocks

Some of these blocks are 'fiddly' so, I made a block for me, with my fabrics, before I used her kits to make her blocks.  These are my blocks.  I made a total of 20 blocks.  I'll start on the border blocks and applique later this month. 

This is only the things that I've stopped and taken pictures of.  There has been more done that I'll try to post at a later date (if I get time). 

Quilt Guild and Quilts of Valor

First, the giveaway will have to wait till after the New Year.  I don't know about you, but, I'm so behind.......  I'm hoping I can get caught up soon.

Wow!  I haven't been blogging, but, I have been working hard on projects.  I really need to get my NewFO post up.  I totally missed Octobers post. 

Monday night was my little guild's Christmas party.  Everyone had a chance to make and exchange a snowman block.  We made these blocks in either 14.5" or 16.5" squares, so that they could be turned into pillows if wanted.  I've got more pillows than I know what to do with, so, I'll probably turn the block I received into a center of a quilt, or, make a small table topper with it. 

This is the block that I made.

the block I made, 16.5" square

up close of the center of the block

My block was based on a snowman block from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, vol.6.

block in this issue, see it, 2nd on the cover

this is what I based my block on, yes, I changed it up a bit (as usual)

this is what can be done with this block (included in the front of the issue)(sorry for the glare)

I may have to make another block, just for me.  It was fun and easy!

Here are the other blocks that were exchanged.

front of block

this was included as a backing for a pillow, etc

embroidered

sewing themed snowman

this one has a knitted hat, and lots of other 3D things added

Here is the block I received.  It is now pinned to my design wall.

block made by Jinnie (in wool)

There were also lots of other goodies handed out.  I didn't get pictures of all of them.

snap purse made by Marilyn

inside of my snap purse

my 'treat' that was in the snap purse

whole box of chocolate goodies (these will be horded away in my sewing room)

snowman & napkin ring made by Thelma

lavender filled sachet, also made by Thelma

On Tuesday, it was Quilts of Valor sew-in at Prairie Shop Quilts in Batavia.  We had a soldier come in and he was presented with a quilt. 

Quilts of Valor presentation

I also finished a quilt top at the sew-in (and remembered to take a picture).

quilt top I finished for Quilts of Valor

There were lots of show and tell quilts and tops, but, I didn't have my camera out.  Info is on the blog along with a link to the story that the local newspaper did about the presentation.  If you go look at the picture gallery with the article, I'm in the 3rd picture, far right, sewing my blocks together. 

Oh yes, I have had a small bit of time to visit a few thrift stores in the past month.  I found 2 treasures that I thought you might be interested in.

lovely Christmas wall hanging

on the bottom back corner of the log cabin wreath quilt

twister wall hanging

I just couldn't resist these.  I just don't understand when people put something like this at the thrift store.  Oh well, 'I' appreciate all the work that went into each of these.