When Skies Are Gray

This quilt started as a pattern test for Leanne Parsons (@devotedquilter). The pattern is named “Friendship Galaxy” (her blog is here and the pattern available here). I decided to use gray and white fabrics (both bought at Wal-Mart). Just after starting the quilt, I learned that my friend, Janet, had admitted herself to a mental health hospital for severe depression. Her husband had requested no visitors, no food, nothing. I ignored this, and with another friend's help, made a care package for each of them. For Janet’s, I made a fleece tie blanket and a dollar photo album with Bible verse images I had printed as photos off Pinterest. I also included lots of yellow items (socks, rice/lavender heating pad, yellow bottle of water, and snacks) because that is her favorite color. Beyond that, I wanted desperately to help, but had no idea what I could do. So I did what I knew – I quilted and prayed. Every time I sat down to sew, I prayed earnestly for Janet. I also hummed/sang the chorus to “You Are My Sunshine.”

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, don’t take my sunshine away.”

Flannel Quilts from Leftovers

I purchased some flannel fabric at a garage sale in Las Vegas. From this one purchase, I made four quilts! First was this one, then these three.

Most of the flannel was already cut into strips and squares, so I just had to get creative on how to lay them out.

For this one, I laid pink, yellow, and green rectangles into a "rail fence" design to create a chevron pattern. I finished the quilt top on January 6, 2014.

I purchased additional matching flannel from Jo-Ann's in Springfield, Missouri for the back and binding for all three quilts. I quilted this one using a walking foot on my Bernina 930 Record by stitching 1/4" on either side of the chevron seam lines. I finished the quilt on December 17, 2015.

I gifted the quilt to my friend, Stacey, at her baby shower for her baby girl that is due in February 2016.

Curious George

I had planned to make this quilt for my friend Kiffany's son, but time got away from me. When Steve she announced baby #2 was a boy, I knew it would be perfect!

I bought the fabric panel, backing, and binding fabric at Prairie Flower Crafts – a quilt shop in Alden, Kansas.

I pin basted the back (also a Curious George fabric), batting, and fabric panel and quilted a large circle design using my Bernina 930 Record.

I mailed the quilt to Kiffany as a 2015 Christmas gift.

A quick finish and it's crossed off the WIP (work in progress) list!

Deer Quilt

After completing the Missouri art quilt, another angel was needed for the same #MYAHswap. I had another idea, so I volunteered to make another one.

The quilt was inspired by “stencil quilts” made by Daniel Rouse. He made a t-rex and a deer quilt. He says, "The quilt is one in a series of “stencil quilts” that I have designed and created. The technique involves creating two patchwork quilt tops, sewing the layers together along the lines of a stencil, then cutting out the top layer to reveal the stencil beneath. I was inspired by an antique quilt whose well worn top began to disintegrate, revealing and even older and more worn quilt inside that had been used as batting or stuffing."

I Spy Quilt

After joining Pinterest, I found an I Spy quilt that I liked, so I started collecting fabrics. I got fabrics from scrap bags, fat quarters, and even got some from other quilters!

Red and Black Brick Baby Quilts

The story of these two red and black baby quilts started way back in March 2012. One of the tops was sewn during the ski/sewing retreat weekend (read about that here). I accidently cut two of the squares for the second top, so it did not get sewn together.

Moda Reunion Quilt

Not long after joining Pinterest, I discovered an online tutorial for a quick, raw edge, quilt as you go quilt. I knew I wanted to try it out!

I bought two Moda Reunion by Sweetwater charm packs with a $10 Fab Shop Hop gift certificate I won for doing the online shop hop. I paid an additional $9.75.