Sunday, January 31, 2016

REMARKABLE QUILTS, INFORMATION, AND LINKS

Jeanne Bird sent me a picture of her version of last year's Sampler at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  This is what she told me about it:

"I appliqued the center, using a pattern of my own creation and made four extra blocks for the first inside border.  The outside border is a panel I cut and pieced back together, using extra fabric to fit the 120" x 120"quilt. I hand quilted the center applique and Carol Huster did a wonderful job machine quilting the rest. It was hard to take it off my bed two weeks ago."

What a stunning quilt, Jeanne.  It has been so nice to see the finished quilts from last year's Sampler and see how different they all are.

Adrienne sent me this picture of a quilt that she created from a picture her son had sent her.  This is what she says about it:

"This is what Daniel sent and asked me to make a sofa throw sized quilt for his new apartment. He was the guest chef at this Melbourne, Australia food festival. He trained here in GR at the Culinary Arts program at GRCC, which is one of the top five in the US. He went home to New Zealand after graduation with his diploma, but after a year he decided to strike out in Australia because it was a true " foodie" city. Five years later he was named Junior Chef of Australia. He's now 38 and owns five restaurants, has been a competitor and a judge on Iron Chef, and Master Chef Australia."

Thanks Adrienne! I love it when my readers send me pictures.  Your son is going to love this!

Misti sent me this picture of a table runner that she made for her Dad's birthday.  She amazes me as to how much she gets done after working 40 hours a week.  Great job Misti.  I bet your dad will love it!

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!   Carol DeVries sent me this message with a must-see link.  Here is what she said:

"It’s been so wintry lately that I thought a few pictures of sun and flowers would help us pass the time.  I recently had the fun of being named this week’s International Daylily Garden of the Week.  You can see this posting by following http://www.daylilydiary.com/Archive.  Since they put together such a nice write up on my garden with great photos, I wanted to share it with you as a quick glimpse of a ‘year’ in my garden.    As a gardener, you know how much work goes into a garden, so it’s always such a treat to be able to show it off a little.  So much more fun than weeding!
Hope you are enjoying the winter!"

You can click on the link here  to see her fantastic garden!  Thank you Carol. These pictures are awesome and much appreciated at this time of year!

Are you ready to get out of the house?  You might want to mark your calendar for this:
2016 Spring Quilt Show
String –A-Long Quilt Guild of Valparaiso, IN presents “Quilted Crossroads”
Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 9am-5pm CST
Sunday April 3, 2016 from 10am-4pm CST
At the Porter County Expo Center
215 E. Division Road
One mile south of Rt 30 on Rt 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383
The show offers vendors, guild boutique, raffle quilt, raffle baskets, silent auction as well as special displays of Comfort Quilts, Quilts of Valor, antique quilts, and more…
Admission is $6, under 12 free
DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • Charity Quilts – Monday, Feb. 1
  • Make It Take It – Wednesday, Feb. 3
  • Pineapple Tool – Friday, Feb. 5
  • UFO Night – Friday, Feb. 5
  • Sampler – Saturday, Feb. 6
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:   
  • Sewn Up has a tutorial for a foundation paper pieced heart!
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Thursday, January 28, 2016

MUST HAVES FOR YOUR STASH

 When I was at the Attic Window Quilt Shop yesterday, I noticed several new fabrics had just arrived.  I want to share them with you (just in case you need to add to your stash).  Above is the Lorraine line by Moda.
 This line is called Lil' Red by Moda.
 This is a mix of fabrics by Exclusively Quilters and Henry Glass.  Think Valentine's Day!
 Above is Collections Mill Book 1889 by Moda.
In the cart waiting to be placed on the shelf, is Harrington by Leone Bateman by Penny Rose Fabrics.

Stop in at the shop this weekend.  I know you want to add to your stash!

DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29 
  • Charity Quilts - Monday, Feb. 1
  • Make It Take It - Wednesday, Feb. 3
  • Pineapple Tool - Friday, Feb. 5
  • Sampler & Bee - Saturday, Feb. 6
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  
Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

PUTTING IMAGINATION TO WORK

The first gathering of the Come Sew With Me group met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Wednesday.  Above, Lee Anne shows us her latest charity quilt.  She said she decided to use these donated fabrics in a rail fence pattern.
 Misti sent me this picture of her latest work in progress (she's finishing the binding).  She sent me a picture of the finished table topper but it was smaller and I liked this view best.  Thanks Misti for sharing with us.
Marilyn showed us her finished quilt from last year's Sampler.  Notice the design she used to set the blocks.
This is what Sue C. did with last year's Sampler.  Same blocks, different settings.
Above, Sue peeks over the top of her quilt!

DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29 
  • Charity Quilts - Monday, Feb. 1
  • Make It Take It - Wednesday, Feb. 3
  • Pineapple Tool - Friday, Feb. 5
  • Sampler & Bee - Saturday, Feb. 6
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Monday, January 25, 2016

THESE LADIES HAVE BEEN BUSY

There was some show-n-tell Saturday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I knew you'd want to see these.  Above is a bag that Lee Anne made.  Check out that wonderful fabric.  (Sorry it is not from the shop).  Lee Anne said she made this bag for a fourteen year old young woman who has cancer.
Lee Anne said she had fabric left over after she made the bag and decided to make a pillowcase for the young woman with cancer.  She has touched my heart.  What a wonderful thing to do!
 Yvonne showed us her Stand and Stow bag that she recently made during a class with Marilyn at the shop.
 Cheryl showed us her Stand and Stow bag.  She chose to make the larger size.  I think I'll have to try that next.
Jill has been busy.  She showed us this medium size Stand and Stow bag and the Sew Together Bag.
 During the day Saturday Cheryl worked on this stunning quilt.  I love those fabrics!
Cathy stopped by and showed us her latest finish.  She used the quilt as you go method. I had her fold it over when I took the picture so we could see both sides.  The front is on the right and the back is the left.  Wow!  Looks great from either side.

I wanted to show you what Adrienne was working on.  She took the blocks she made during our Mod Squad meetings last year, along with some donations from others in the group, and cut them up. She is making a charity quilt out of them.
Look what she came up with by slashing those 12 inch blocks and creating a new design.  I love it.  I think she is going to put a bright border around it.  Can't wait to see it.

DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • Come Sew With Me – Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11  
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
  • February is just around the corner and I thought you might be interested in this valentine project from Modern Handcraft.
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Sunday, January 24, 2016

THESE HELPING HANDS HAVE FUN!

Saturday I attended the Scrapper's Helping Hands at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Rosa, right, runs this group and makes kits from donated fabrics and decides which projects we will work on, and makes sure that our donated sewing gifts get distributed.  That is quite an undertaking!  A special thank you to Rosa and all the women shown above who work diligently sewing for charity.
Just before I left I took pictures of pillowcases made during the day and some that were brought in for distribution.  We have some wonderful women who sew at home too.  I counted a total of 36 pillowcases that day and when I left the women were still sewing!

These were also included in the above count.  You may note the red, white and blue pillowcases.  Last November Rosa put out a call asking for fabrics for pillowcases that will be given to our veterans.  Several ladies, who asked not to be named, brought in bags of red, white, and blue fabrics for us to use. We used a lot of the fabrics then and the pillowcases were distributed to veterans. Above are more pillowcases made with fabric from those donations.  We were in awe at the amount of wonderful fabrics. A special thank you goes out to those anonymous women who donated.  I've always said, Quilters are the Best!
Above, Nancy shows us two of her pillowcases that I don't think were included in the pictures above.
These are the four pillowcases that I made that day.  All the fabric for these pillowcases has been donated to the group.  Again, a special blessing to you who have donated.  It is that time of year when you start de-stashing and organizing so don't forget that this group will gladly accept any donations for this charity group.

 DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • UFO Day – Monday, Jan.. 25
  • Come Sew With Me – Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11  
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
  • Campbell Soup Diary has a free pattern for a mini sunburst.  This would make a cute hot pad.
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Thursday, January 21, 2016

PRACTICING FOR PERFECTION

Cathy and our friend Kat are participating in the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club.  You can learn more about it here.  When I saw what Cathy and Kat are doing, I decided to try it.  You can see Cathy's finished piece here. I think the object for this first block is to make your own bias tape and create a block with it.  Although I am not participating in the club, when I saw what Kat was doing I decided I had to try it.  You can see Kat's quilt squares on Instagram under Hexiekat.  Anyway, I'm a copier and pretty much copied what she did.  Above are two of my four blocks.
After I had the four blocks together, I again followed what Kat did for two reasons.  The block looked too plain as it was.  I needed to practice my free motion quilting and this was the perfect project for that. Above you can see my try at free motion quilting.  I really, really need to practice on those pebbles.
This is a close up.  I hope you can see it.  I plan to finish FMQ on the other two blocks this weekend.  If I get the binding on it I'll take a picture and post it next week.  If you are looking to improve your skills I would recommend you try this.  Remember, practice, practice, practice.

 DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • Four Patch Fun – Friday, Jan. 22
  • Scrappers Helping Hands – Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Come Sew With Me - Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11  http://westmichquilter.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-class-act-at-attic-window-quilt-shop.html
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

SNOWING AND SEWING

 It's snowy and cold here in Michigan and that is a good time to stay inside and sew.  I do get more quilting done during this time of year.  Above is the quilt that I have been working on.  It's on the frame and being quilted.
Of course, my little friend is keeping me company.  Do you recognize the bag that she has chosen to snuggle up in?
Next is the binding.  I chose to use scraps from the blocks within the quilt.
And this is the finished quilt.  It is crib size and a quick easy project.  The pattern is Mosaic and is in the book Fat Quarter Style.  The pattern comes in four different sizes.  You can't go wrong with this one.  You can make this quilt with me on March the 17th at the Attic Window Quilt Shop!

DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • Four Patch Fun – Friday, Jan. 22
  • Scrappers Helping Hands – Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Come Sew With Me - Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

SCRAPPER'S HELPING HANDS

Misti sent me this picture of her Pat Sloan BOM.  I love the scrappy look.  Thanks for sharing, Misti! I think Cathy is doing the same block.  Check out her blog here.

DON'T FORGET:
  • To come to the Attic Window Quilt Shop this coming Saturday to Rosa's Scrapper's Helping Hands.  Today I went through my stash and found fabric that I could use to make three different pillowcases.  I know Rosa has kits on hand too if you would like to come and sew those.  Also, if you cannot attend on Saturday, Rosa said that fabric donations are welcome!
THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • Four Patch Fun – Friday, Jan. 22
  • Scrappers Helping Hands – Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
  • Sew Mama Sew has a tutorial for making a hexagon English Paper Pieced necklace!
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Monday, January 18, 2016

MAKE A QUILT OR MAKE A BAG

 How is everyone doing today?  Have things settled down after all the Holiday rush?  Then maybe it is time to take a class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Above is the block you can make with Vickie S. on Friday, Jan. 22.  It is called Four Patch Fun.
I took the class from her a couple of years ago and loved the blocks so much that I used them to make this bag which I sent to my Aunt.  There are so many wonderful things you can do with these blocks.  Give the shop a call and register for the class and get your supply list.

DON’T FORGET:
  • THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:
  • Four Patch Fun – Friday, Jan. 22
  • Scrappers Helping Hands – Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - See sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Thursday, January 14, 2016

A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT

 I just have some odds and ends to show you today.  Above is my block for Pat Sloan’s BOM.  You can join by going here.
 Misti sent me this picture of some pillowcases that she made for her mom.  I love that they are so unique.  I never would have thought of using stripes.  What a great idea!  The Attic Window Quilt Shop has pillowcase kits with instructions.  Also, you can join Rosa and the Scrapper's Helping Hands on Saturday, Jan. 23 in making pillowcases for charity.  Kits are available.
Cathy made this apron for me and gave it to me over the holidays.  I love it.  I like aprons with a bib,  For some reason my food stains are always above the waist.  I’m hoping Cathy will give us a tutorial on how she made this adorable apron.  BTW, Cathy has started her own blog.  It is on my sidebar and you can also look at it here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • Stand & Stow Bag – Friday, Jan. 15  - -Sample here
  • Stitch-in & Mystery Block – Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Rising Star – Monday, Jan 18 - Sample here
  • Scrapper's Helping Hands, Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28 - Sample here
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR!!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

LET IT SNOW WHILE WE SEW

 
The Happy Scrappers met Wednesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  The snow and cold kept some participants away but a few of us came and had lots of show-n-tell.  Above Judi A. showed us her latest fun stitching with her new machine.  She wears her Let It Snow proudly on her denim jacket.  It is darling!
While at the shop today Judi completed this beautiful cover for a tissue box.  She made all these snowflakes on her machine at home prior to class.  Oh, what fun time she is having.
 Peggy must have one of those fantastic embroidery machines too.  Above she shows us this sewing machine cover that she made.  All of this fabric is embroidered.
 Above, Peggy shows us the other side of the cover.  She created the iron, and large buttons.  I tell you that in case you think she brought the fabric.
And this was on one end of the cover.  I am in awe of this machine cover.  Peggy did a fantastic job.
Diana finally let me take a picture of her Snail At Sea. It is paper pieced and I've been pestering to get a picture.  She will be teaching you how to make this wonderful quilt on Saturday, Apr. 30.  Call the shop to register.
I had to show off my paper pieced quilt that I just finished.  I think I started this a couple of years ago at Happy Scrappers.  It was a fun quilt to make but I'm glad it is finally finished.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • Make It Take It (Sweet Pea Pods) – Thursday, Jan. 14 - Sample here
  • Stand & Stow Bag – Friday, Jan. 15  - -Sample here
  • Stitch-in & Mystery Block – Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Rising Star – Monday, Jan 18 - Sample here
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28 - Sample here
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THIS?

 Did you know that there is another BOM due to start at the Attic Window Quilt Shop sometime in late February?   The kits for Primo Batiks come in two different colorways.  Above is Radiant Reflections.
This colorway is called River Rock.  Vickie S. made these samples and will be the class instructor.  You won't want to miss this one!  Call the shop to register for the class in advance so you will be sure to have a kit in the color of your choice.

SPEAKING OF REGISTERING:  
  • Have you signed up for the Heart of Winter Tour that is being held Saturday, Feb. 13th?  It is sure to be a fun filled all day event!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • Make It Take It (Sweet Pea Pods) – Thursday, Jan. 14 - Sample here
  • Stand & Stow Bag – Friday, Jan. 15  - -Sample here
  • Stitch-in & Mystery Block – Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Rising Star – Monday, Jan 18 - Sample here
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28 - Sample here
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

Monday, January 11, 2016

IS IT A WEAPON?

 I want to share a laugh with you.  Last Saturday the Happy Scrappers met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  We were socializing and stitching and having a great time.  At one point Adrienne stood and walked toward the ironing board.  I didn't pay any attention until I heard a little cry "Yikes!"  I looked up and heard her mutter in that cute New Zealand accent of hers, “It looks like a bloody Ninja weapon.”  When I went to investigate, I saw this adorable little pin cushion bobbin/scisssors holder plastered on the side of Diana’s machine.

This is a closer look of this delightful little creature.  He may be a little scary at first glance, but what a handy item to have right there on your machine.  I want one and asked the shop owner about it.  She is out of stock now but more of these little guys will be in the shop soon!  I wonder if Adrienne will be getting one too?

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
  • Make It Take It (Sweet Pea Pods) – Thursday, Jan. 14 - Sample here
  • Stand & Stow Bag – Friday, Jan. 15  - -Sample here
  • Stitch-in & Mystery Block – Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Rising Star – Monday, Jan 18 - Sample here
  • Quilt As You Go – Thursday, Jan. 28 - Sample here
  • London City Bag – Friday, Jan. 29  London City Bag, Friday, Dec. 11 - Sample here 
  • Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
  • Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19
Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 
  • So Scrappy has a tutorial for the first block in her Rainbow Scrap Challenge 16 BOM.  I want to try this one.  
♥ Caroll, 
Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles
lkjlkj

Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
Quilting Bloggers Logo