Fun Stuff

Hello Everyone,

I know we are all really busy with the holidays upon us. I am no exception. I have been busy with the kids, tying up loose ends, finishing customer quilts, and trying to get a little "me" sewing time.

I wanted to share some of the "me" sewing time first. It is not always just me, it is often my helper Rolo.  I have a small quilt next to my sewing machine that keeps him comfy. Here he is in all his glory.

Here he is all tuckered out from all the strain of watching me sew. He just loves it, can't you tell!

Here is a look at him from a distance. Yes he is a big guy, all 22 pounds of love!

I also thought that I would share a few purchases I could not resist. These little fat quarter packs from Bee Square Fabrics. Aren't they great.... love them!

This kit from Nanette at Freda's Hive, I just couldn't resist. I can't wait to make it up! I love the fabrics she chose for it and the cute covered button.

She also included this cute little ornament that smells so nice. It is already hanging on my tree! Thanks Nanette! **** Edit **** Quick hurry over to Nannette's, she is having a fantastic giveaway ALL week long!!

Also, as some of you are aware my friend Deb's brick and mortar quilt shop Gone Quilting went out of business in June. However, she maintained some inventory online. Now she needs to totally liquidate it by the end of the month. I believe she is selling everything at 65% off. So hop on over to her site and see what finds there are to be had.

By the way, I know I am late on my newsletter for December it will be on its way soon. But I have to tell you I am also late on my blogiversary. It happened last month, but my 100th post is coming up soon. So keep your eyes opened. 

Until next time, Happy Quilting!

Fun Stuff

What Have I Been Up To?????

Hi Everyone,

Besides Thanksgiving and working on customer quilts, I have actually had some quality sewing time!! YAY!!

First, I have been working on my strata quilt. It just sings to my heart, I love it! Here is my pile of blocks...

Here is the fuschia and yellow block....

Here is the purple and fuschia block....

Here they are next to one another in 2 separate stacks....

No matter which way I look at them, I just love them!! I bet Jane will appreciate the fuschia and Terri will love the purple???

Now onto what I have been working on for the Black and White Challenge. Here is a glimpse of the block....

Another glimpse....

And here are 3 on my design wall. Only 6 more to go!! Woo Hoo!!

Just one other side note, if you haven't stopped over at Anina's, she has a new online shop open. She is running a 20% off sale. What are you waiting for go check it out....

Also, check out my friend Kathy's new blog and welcome her to blogging!!

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!

What Have I Been Up To?????

More Retreat Pictures

Sorry the font looks weird in this post..... Blogger is going haywire today.

Hello Everyone,

First I want to say that I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm over my Black and White Challenge. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone's work over the next year and getting to know you all better. It is going to be a great project.

I have been really busy quilting customer quilts to return them prior to Christmas. You can see some new ones I added to my site by clicking here.

Anyway, in my last post prior to the challenge I was showing you photos of my yearly retreat with friend of mine. I shared with you everything that I accomplished, now I would like to show you some of what my friends did.

Here Joan is showing her beautiful Christmas stitchery.  She worked long and hard on this one.

Here Erica is showing her wonderful pink and green star quilt. I just love the colors.

Terry is showing an apron she worked on made from one Fat Quarter. I believe this is going to be a gift. I can't believe I just didn't get a picture of the quilts she was working on at the retreat. Darn!

Here is what Eileen was working on. Sorry I don't have a picture of Eileen with her 2 projects. The biggest one on the design wall was a hold over from last years retreat. She really made progress this year.

Maria made this wonderful snuggly flannel quilt among tons more projects. She is definitely an over achiever at these retreats.  We love her!

Justine is just plum tuckered out while she is modeling this quilt.  She is our pillow case queen. She just brought this quilt over to me to quilt. So this will be in my gallery soon.

Julie also accomplished quite a bit. Among them she was working on this Double Irish Chain for her son.

Patty made this beautiful spring batik quilt. She is going to use this on her table come spring time. 
Diane made this wonderful contemporary quilt.  I just love it and also quilted this one for her. This will be in my gallery soon as well.

So there was a little look into my retreat. Good times, friends and quilting! 

I am also going to put a post on the Black and White Quilt Blog today, be sure to check it out.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Jackie

More Retreat Pictures

The Black and White Quilt Challenge Project

.............Thank you to everyone who has joined in on this Challenge. It is now officially CLOSED. I think we have close to 60 members!! YAY!! Follow our yearlong journey by clicking the icon on my sidebar. The remaining invites will be e-mailed today! Welcome Everyone!.........

Hi Everyone,

In my last post I mentioned a wonderful yearlong challenge! Yes, I said yearlong. Well, I had stirred some interest and have some participants. So I thought I would make it official. I have created a new blog called The Black and White Quilt Challenge Project, this will be a place where all participants can post progress on their projects throughout the year and offer us all some inspiration.

So here is the deal....

1. You need to create something with black and white fabric and add only ONE color.

2. It can be a quilt, a wearable, a tote, really whatever you like.

3. You have a whole year to complete your project.

4. If you choose, you can make multiple projects over the year.

If you would like to join me as well as, Eileen, Stephanie, Jacquie, Annemarie, and Henny, just leave a comment on this post letting me know and I will send an invite to become a team member for the new blog and you can start posting at anytime.

Oh and I almost forgot that Jane has an offer on some Black and White fabric....

I have an offer for you in my eBay store I have a set of 30 black and white fat quarters on sale, if anyone from your challenges says they are in your challenge, I will take $5 off the price. 

Also, you can put the picture that is on my sidebar on your blog with a link back to the new blog. That way anyone can join in at any time during the next year. 

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Until next time, Happy Quilting!

The Black and White Quilt Challenge Project

Quilt Tops Finished at Our Annual Quilt Retreat

Hello Everyone,

This past Sunday I arrived home from my annual quilting retreat with my friends and I wanted to share with you some of what I and my friends accomplished while there. This will be a 2 part post. So here come the pictures...

First we had a challenge to do for this year. We all had to use the mottled batik in the border of this SECOND quilt and had to incorporate it with up to 6 more fabrics. The project could be no bigger than 45 X 45 and no smaller than 25 X 25. Here are our interpretations...

Erica pieced this beauty.

Maria paper pieced this beauty.

Justine appliqued this beauty.

I paper pieced this beauty.

Joan piece and appliqued this beauty.

Julie pieced this beauty.

Diane free form pieced this beauty.

Isn't it just amazing how they all came out so different from just using one focus fabric?? Next year's challenge is simple. We are to make a black and white project, but may only add one color. If any of you in cyber land would like to join in I would love to see what you make and you have a whole year to do it!! Just e-mail me your pictures and indicate in your comment that you will be participating.

Now onto the projects that I finished while at our retreat. My goal was to bring projects that I had already started. I had to complete the tops and the backings so that they would be ready to go onto my long arm when I arrived home.  So here is what I accomplished...

My Mary Englebreit top and backing.

Some of you will remember my mystery quilt. It is now done and the backing is as well!! Yay!

This one is my Ramblin Rose BOM that I taught at Gone Quilting when it was still open. It is for our bed and my hubby really likes this one. He is excited to get a new quilt on our bed.

This one is from the Laurie Shifrin class Mango Tango that I took not too long ago. Gee looks like next years challenge is already complete... LOL... not!

This is an oldie but a goodie. I had started this pineapple quilt about 7 -8 years ago. I had all the pineapple blocks done and sewn together, but no borders. So I brought it with me and everyone helped me to plan the border and get it done with the backing complete!!

So I finished all the projects that I set out to complete and started a new one. This one is a strata quilt and I absolutely love it!! I have exactly half of the quilt complete.  These are truly my colors. I just love the bright fuchsia, yellow, and purple. This is from a pattern called Fabulous by 4th and 6th Designs. They also have a book out called Strata Various. Great book!

Let's see how long to finish this one.

One last note, you can see some more beautiful eye candy here. I just posted some new customer quilts and they can be seen on my website in the gallery or on any page under Recent Additions. Also, my November Newsletter is online and there are some interesting things you may be interested in. So what are you waiting for.... go check it out here.

Until next time, Happy Quilting!

Quilt Tops Finished at Our Annual Quilt Retreat

Last Quilt Market Photos

Hello Everyone,

I am sorry I am getting this last market post out a little late, but I just returned from a wonderful quilt retreat. More on that in my next post. But first onto my photos.

This first photo is of me and Pat Sloan. A funny story we had been e-mailing each other that we would meet up at market. As of the second night had yet to find one another. Then my friend Pam and I were at dinner and I went to the ladies room. As I was coming out of the stall, there she was with Heidi Kaisand! How funny is that? The picture is from the next day. Where she was doing a book signing.  Go over and visit her blog and check out her new book.

The next picture is my friend Pam and RaNae Merrill. We attended her schoolhouse and then went to get a signed copy of her gorgeous new book Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts. She was really a very spirited person and a bright and cheerful personality. Please check out her site here.

This is of course RaNae and me.

Then we had to stay and visit with the lovely Darlene Zimmerman. If you are a fan of 30's repro fabrics, which I am, then she is the queen. She gave a little demo and then gave away some signed copies of her books.  

So that is my wrap up! If you haven't checked out the beautiful slideshow of the quilts from Houston, just click here and turn on your volume.

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!

Last Quilt Market Photos

A Feast for The Eyes!!

Hello Everyone,

Well, here is my next installment of Quilt Market Pictures. This one is truly a delight. It is pictures of many of the beautiful quilts on display... A true feast for the eyes. 

I made a wonderful slide show, with music and everything wonderful. You MUST click on this link right here to view them. This display took us hours to walk through and you will be able to see them all in the matter of minutes.

So sit back, grab a cuppa, and enjoy!! Please let me know what you think and invite your friends to view it. I would love to know what everyone thinks.

But remember you MUST go HERE.

Don't forget to turn on your volume. All the music is Simon Webbe.

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!

 

A Feast for The Eyes!!