Slow Stitching Sunday

I am slow stitching today.  I'm not hand quilting, but, I am hand stitching the binding down on this quilt.

hand stitching the binding down

This is the front of the quilt.

twin churn dash quilt

This quilt will be going to Illinois tornado victims, thru Quilts of Compassion.

I'm linking up at Kathy's Quilts.  Check out her post today, and, go read the great story about finding the 'owner' of a thrift shop quilt.  Great story!

Beginning, Middle and End

I have a couple projects that are in 'stages'. 

I started 8 snowmen mug rugs this week.  These don't have to be finished until January, but, it was nice to get them started.  So, here is my 'beginning'.

8 mug rug tops

My 'middle' was actually done last week, but, I didn't post about it.  The Frog Churn Dash quilt top is done.  Now to make the backing and get it basted and quilted.

Frog Churn Dash quilt top

Since the colors don't show well in the picture above, here are pictures of just the blocks, before I stitched them together.

blue Frog blocks

green Frog blocks

Now for my 'finish'.  I still need to stitch the binding down by hand, but, other than that, this quilt is DONE!  This quilt will be going to Illinois tornado victims thru Quilts of Compassion.

twin size churn dash quilt

 The colors are washed out in this picture, sorry.  Here is a better picture of just the quilt top.

twin size churn dash top

OK, not that much better.  I never said I was a photographer. 

Keeping Busy

I've been keeping busy, in the sewing room.  I've cut out 2 quilts, and started piecing both of them, in the last week.

I'm joining Jean's quilt along, Red, White and True.

Red, White & True Quilt Along

Here is what I cut out.

my Red, White and True quilt, cut out

And I stitched up the first part, and trimmed the blocks.

first part done

I don't like cutting quilts, but, this one went quickly.  There is plenty of time to join us for this project.  You don't have to do it in Red/White/Blues.  Jean shows other colors, too.  She also has 2 different sizes in the directions (throw size and twin size).  Mine will be a Quilts of Valor quilt, but, I may make another one, too. 

I also cut out a Frog quilt.  This is my design.  It will also be twin size.

Frog quilt

I started stitching this at my guilds sew-in, on Saturday.

strips for sashing and part of the Churn Dash blocks

I told you in the last post that I'm in a 'Churn Dash' mood.  Here are the finished Churn Dash blocks.

Frog blocks

Frog blocks

Now to trim the sashing strips.  The cornerstones are already cut.

I woke up early on Saturday, so, I decided to cut out some fabric baskets before sew-in.

http://kelbysews.blogspot.com/2015/03/1-hour-basket-tutorial.html

I didn't make mine quite like hers.  I found several yards of pre-quilted fabric, a while back, and, I've been waiting for a project for it.  This only used a tiny bit, and some fabric from my stash for the lining and handles.  These went together quickly.  I didn't use any fusible, like she does.  I cut the fabric at home, but, stitched both baskets together at the sew-in, in about an hour (both baskets).

my completed baskets

baskets, already in use

 I'll make more of these.  They are handy dandy.  I may use them to store fat quarters.  If so, I'll need several more.  They are also great for putting projects in (as you can see in the last picture).

As for other quilty things, I have the twin size Churn Dash quilt on the dining room table, layered, and ready to baste.

Churn Dash quilt

 Sorry about the bad color, it really is a nice red fabric (when you don't use the flash).

backing for Churn Dash quilt

I need to get this basted, so that I can quilt it for Quilts of Compassion. 

I also wanted to show a great thrift store find I got last week. 

flying geese strips

I found these flying geese, already sewn together.  Each set has 3 separate strips of flying geese (total of 6 strips).  Can you see the price in the picture?  Each set of 3 strips cost $0.75.  I don't have a clue what I'll do with these, but, I just couldn't pass them up.  Maybe I'll take them apart, and make blocks with them.  Maybe I'll just put sashing between the strips, and make a quilt top.  I'm waiting for inspiration to hit.

Kevin the Quilter, part 3

After Kevin finished his presentation, it was time for show-n-tell.  This was one of the best show-n-tells in a while.  Wego Quiltin' has about 18 members.

I put my camera down after Kevin's presentation, so, all the pictures from this post (part 3) are Kevin's pictures (Thanks Kevin for letting me use them).  We still only got a small part of the show-n-tell projects. 

Marilyn, our president, helps the 5th grade class to make a Quilt of Valor each year, at the school her grandson's used to attend.  This is the 5th year she's been helping them make a Quilt of Valor.  This is this year's quilt (just needs trimming and binding).

Quilt of Valor made my 5ht grade class

Jo, our newest member, had lots of show-n-tell.  This is just part of her show-n-tell.  (She was busy over the winter).

Jo's One Block Wonder

another One Block Wonder

Jo's trip around the world

Jinnie's latest quilt

finished Seed Packet quilt, for tornado victims (mine)

up close of Seed Packet quilt

me with my Leg Lamp mini quilt

my son's wedding quilt

signature quilt top (for the wedding)

After quilt guild, we had to go get some Chicago style pizza at Giordano's. YUM!  Kevin took a picture of hubby (John) and I, with our pizza.

John and I

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  Kevin had to head back home on Tuesday morning.  He promises that he'll be back, and, I plan on visiting him, too.


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For those who follow my blog, I was the 'collector' of quilts (and afghans and blankets) for the Illinois tornado victims.  All quilts/afghans/blankets will be distributed thru Quilts of Compassion, starting today.  They may need to make several trips, to get everything distributed (they have a great system to do this).  Marilyn and I drove up to Rockford, IL, and dropped off 29 quilts from both of our quilt guilds (Wego Quiltin' and Pride of the Prairie) at Quilters General Store.  More than 220 quilts/afghans and blankets had already been dropped off for the tornado victims by the time we got there on Tuesday.  What great people, crafters are!

Tornado's went thru several states yesterday (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska...), and Quilts of Compassion will be collecting and distributing quilts in these areas, too.  Check them out, and help them collect quilts/afghans and blankets, if you can.

Illinois Tornado Quilts

I mentioned in my last post, that I'd give any info on quilts for the tornado victims in Illinois.  Here is the info that I sent to both of my quilt guilds, on where to send quilts.

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I just got off the phone with Janice, the founder and Exec. Director of Quilts of Compassion.  This is the group that Peddlers Way worked with for the Washington tornadoes, and who they are working with again for the tornadoes near Rochelle/Fairdale. 

Quilts of Compassion is working with Quilters General Store in Rockford, IL as a drop off point for quilts.  They need the quilts delivered there before May 7th.  I will be making a trip there, to take any completed quilts on either May 5th or May 6th. 

Quilts of Compassion has been doing this kind of work since 1999, with disasters all over.  They have a Facebook page (open to see for those of us that are not on Facebook). Quilts of Compassion

			Quilts of Compassion "Bringing Hope & Encouragement to the Hurting" 58,000 quilts and...
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Quilts of Compassion requests quilts that are lap size or larger (twin/full), and more for men and women.  They do NOT accept Holiday quilts, since they have found that it reminds the person receiving the Holiday quilt of all that they lost. 

All the quilts that we donate to them WILL be distributed in the Illinois areas that were affected by the tornado's last week.  Quilts of Compassion will be working these areas May 7th - 10th, and will come back if needed the next week. 

If anyone has any more questions, please contact me, or Quilts of Compassion.

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I know that many of us (me included) don't Facebook, but, Quilts of Compassion's page is 'open' so that anyone can view it.  Quilts of Compassion works all over the country.  They also keep quilts on hand, to have ready for a crisis like this. 

Quilts of Compassion also takes afghans, for those knitters and crocheters out there.

The news today reported that there were 11 tornado's that touched down in Illinois.  Two of those tornado's devastated 2 different communities.  Quilts of Compassion will work to get quilts to everyone that was affected by these tornado's, not just those in the two communities.  They will keep working until the job is done, even if that means multiple trips.  Quilts of Compassion are still working with the people of Joplin, Missouri, since there are still many people that are still trying to rebuild their lives.