Quilty Things & Northern Lights

 I got some nice photos of my newest granddaughter on her quilts.

My oldest granddaughter and I went to a quilt store in Anchorage, Seams Like Home. I bought a Laura Heine pattern that I've been wanting to make.

My granddaughter was chatting with all the ladies at the store, and she must have made a good impression, since as I was checking out, one of the ladies asked her if she would like some fabric to make some napkins or something with her grandmother.  Of course my granddaughter said yes.  They gave her 13 fat quarters of this fabric.

13 fat quarters

The day before I had bought a used Accuquilt die to make turkey placemats for the kids.  This fabric will be used in those placemats.

Someone texted my son last night to let him know that the Northern Lights could be seen from their area in Anchorage.  He and I drove up a mountain (away from the city lights) above the tree line so that we could see the Northern Lights.  I got several photos.  This is my first time to get to see the Northern Lights!  The photos were taken from the car (windshield) or out the open car window.

This morning I took some photos of hoar frost outside the patio window.

hoar frost

hoar frost

I haven't gotten any sewing done since I arrived.  That's ok.  I'm having fun playing with all the grandkids instead.  

Just a bit of stitching before my trip

I'm in Alaska!  Our 4th grandbaby was born the end of January, and it's my turn to help the new mother out.  Hubby is still at home, so he is missing out on all the grandkids.  

In the week before I left, I got some blocks made.  I was behind on my Women of the Bible blocks.  I made one for Mary, mother of Jesus.  I also made one for Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, and one for the Canaanite Woman.

Mary block (15 inches)

Elizabeth (10 inches)

The Canaanite Woman (10 inches)

I'm making these blocks with Civil War reproduction fabrics.

My Treadle On group is having a block of the month this year.  I stitched up January's and February's blocks.

January's block

February's block

I'm making these blocks with 1930's reproduction fabrics. 

I also wanted to make some things for my son and daughter-in-law's kitchen.  For Christmas, I made my daughter-in-law placemats, using Pioneer Woman fabrics, and I used some of the scraps to decorate some kitchen towels and washrags.

two of each

up close

I also made some dish drying mats using more of the Pioneer Woman fabrics and a towel on the other side.

two drying mats

To fly to Alaska, I had to fly thru Seattle this time.  As we were coming in to land, I took a couple of photos of the Seattle skyline.  I even got one photo with Seattle just off the airplane wing.

Seattle skyline

Seattle just off the wing

I did get one photo of me holding my new granddaughter.  I'll get photos of her on her new quilts before I leave.

sleeping, as usual

Not much sewing going on for two weeks.  I do have a hand project with me, but I only got a chance to sew on it on the plane.  We'll see if I get any more stitching done before I come home. 

Some Finishes and Some Fun Gifts!

I've finished two quilts this week.  One of the quilts, I made the top back in the summer.  It's the 2nd quilt like this.  The first was for one baby, and this one will go to my new granddaughter.  I quilted this differently than the first quilt.  I used my walking foot for the quilting. 

Little Lamb baby quilt

I used a backing fabric that is similar to a Shannon Cuddle Luxe.  I followed the tips & tricks from Shannon Fabrics for sewing with Cuddle Luxe fabrics.  The tips are for sewing the fabrics together, not for quilting, but it worked nicely. Here is the backing that I used.  I think it looks like sheep fur. (the fur is all white, the brown is the light from my sewing machine).

backing on Little Lambs baby quilt

I also finished one of my Family Reunion quilts.  I just needed to to sew the binding onto the quilt. The pattern is String Crossroads.  I changed up her pattern to substitute 4 patch blocks for the string blocks.  I like how it turned out.  I still need to sew the binding down on the 2nd one (I made 2 quilts, one for me and one to auction off to raise funds to cover Reunion costs).

1930's reproduction fabrics

Friday was my birthday.  It was a fun day!  I had friends take me out to Red Lobster for lunch, then to a quilt store for some fabric fun.  Dinner was at Olive Garden with my husband and oldest son and a close friend.  I was surprised with lots of fun gifts.  Here are a few.

Marilyn made me a Iron Caddy for when I take my iron to sew-in's, etc.  I'm showing it open, too, because the fabric she used is sew cute!  I had to read all of it.

Iron Caddy

fun fabric

insulated fabric inside

I also got 2 Bluebonnet towels (Texas State Flower) from Kathy.  

Bluebonnet towels

Kay gave me a thread caddy, thread and a cute sewing themed door knob sign.

thread caddy, thread and door knob sign

My youngest son sent me flowers for the first time.  

I also got to show off my new Accuquilt Studio 2 after lunch.  I also got more Birthday cash to go towards it and the dies I've bought.  

Now to stitch the binding down on the Autumn Chains king size quilt (and make a hanging sleeve).  This has to be done before the quilt show March 11 & 12, 2023.  I'll be starting that as soon as this posts. 

Announcements, Etc.

I have several things to announce today.

First, the winner of the Stash 'n Store from the Villa Rosa Blog Hop.

The winner is Marie L.  

Cathy B will be getting a set of the blog hop patterns from Villa Rosa Designs.

I pulled 5 other names for different prizes for the Villa Rosa Blog Hop and sent those names to be entered for the other prizes from the sponsors.  Each blogger who participated turned in 2 names for the 'big box' prizes.  Finalists from my blog are Sarah S. and Quilting Tangent.

Each blogger who participated also turned in 3 name for other prizes from our sponsors.  Finalists from my blog are Concordiabelle, Darlene B and Kay.  

Good luck to all 5.  I hope you each win!  We'll see.... (I'm not sure exactly when the winners will be announced).

Unfortunately, I had almost 50 commenters that did NOT have an email address that I could reply to, so they were not entered :(

My next announcement is my 4th grandchild was born on Monday.  Welcome to Emmalynn Sage, 10lbs 4oz, 21 1/2 inches long.

Emmalynn Sage

I finished Emmalynn's Compass quilt the day she was born (except burying the thread tails and washing it).  Well, the oil/grease marks DID come out, thank goodness!

Emmalynn's Compass

showing the quilting

showing the quilting and faux piping binding

I quilted this myself, using straight line quilting with my walking foot. I put light gray minkee on the back of this quilt.  This will be in my guild's quilt show in March.  If you will be near the Chicago area March 11 & 12, you should come to the show.  I'd love to meet you in person.

Friday is my Birthday! (it's a BIG birthday this year)! I tend to get money for my birthday and also for Christmas from some people.  Well, I've saved it up (for several years) and I bought myself a BIG present!  I got myself a (used) Accuquilt Studio 2 cutter.

I also bought a Studio 2.5" strip die and 2 trays and some other things from the lady selling the Studio 2 cutter (all used, so deeply discounted).  I also splurged and bought the 12" Block Cube set (8 different dies) from Accuquilt (on sale!).

the set makes 72 different quilt blocks

I did try this out using another die that the seller gave me (for free).  It works!

nice cuts with this die

I've printed out all 72 quilt blocks from the illustration above.  I've already chosen some for some upcoming block exchanges.  I also bought the Morning Star die after seeing Vicki's pretty table runner that she made with that die.