Red and White Crazy!

As most of you know there is a wonderful Red and White Quilt Exhibit in NY this week. I am lucky enough to be able to go and will be there tomorrow with some of my friends. I really do like red and  think we will be seeing many red and white quilts in the next few months!

In honor of the exhibit I am going to show you how I making my applique circles for Beyond The Cherry Tree using Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles.

Cut a circle about 1/4 or even 1/2 larger than your finished size circle. As you can see it does not need to be a perfect circle, just eye ball it.

Next sew a basting stitch all around the inside edge, like you would do for a yo yo. Sorry for the bad picture.

Place your perfect circle in the center and gently pull the thread across the circle. I find it works better this way

It will look like this. Don't trim your thread yet.

Pull on the thread to keep it in shape and press with the iron.

Turn it over and give it  little press with some spray starch, I like Mary Ellen's Best Press and iron again until it is dry. Trim the thread a generous 2 inches.

Let it completely cool, this is important. While you are waiting prep the next one. Once cool, gently open the circle and pull out the template, only open as far as you need to get it out. Use that nice long thread to pull it back into shape and give it a little press if needed.

Now they are very easy to place on your block. With the edges already turned under they sew up in no time.

Kelly

Planning A Summer Quilt

It is no secret I like florals and pastels especially of the vintage kind.

From Pink Fawn's Notebook

These little loveys just happen to fit into the "what I like" catagory. I found a cute little site called PinkFawn's Notebook. I wanted one of each but kept it to 5. My package arrived on Friday and when I opened it up it was like a breath of summer. Nancy packaged it so nicely that it looked like a little present. Go over to her blog and check it out.

I have promised myself I will finish quilting the project I am working on now before any new quilts can be started. I would really like to use these for a summer kind of quilt, we'll see.

Kelly

Ahhhhhhh!

They are calling for some snow on Sunday morning......the calendar will say March 27, what's a girl to do?

Go to Longwood Gardens of course and see the orchid exhibit! Warning picture heavy post.

This is the "living wall"! The entire hallway is planted and it is beautiful. The doors to the left are bathrooms and they are "green" using solar. This is a must see.

This is a beautiful place to visit, people come from all over the world to see some of the most speectacular displays you will ever see. The old buildings and water fountains add to the charm and beauty of the place. If you are ever anywhere near Philadelphia you must make a stop here, you will not be disappointed and the inspiration is endless.......and there is a volunteer quilt committee who have a quilt displayed for your enjoyment.

All of us agreed we were much more peaceful and less stressed when we left, nature will do that to you!

Kelly

WIP Wednesday

I got my inspiration from Mrs Schmenkman Quilts.

Next comes the quilting....I also posted this over at Freshly Pieced.

Kelly

Spring?

I say Spring? because as I type this they are calling for snow tomorrow.....a little north of us they may get accumulating snow....I don't really like spring just for that reason.

I went back to the Lancaster Quilt Show with my friend Judie on Friday. I must say I did not buy much at all this year! It seems lots of people were not in the buying mood.
I had to get this Hello Kitty fabric to make a pillowcase for Maddy. She loves Hello Kitty and peace signs? at 3......I am also going to make pillowcases for the other 3 grandchildren Fallon, Griffin and Elliot for Easter. That gives me about a month.

I have been waiting for this fabric line to come out. I love her colors and the little designs on them.

I did find some vintage feedsacks that were very cool. Other than that I got a book that I can't find at the moment and can't remember the name!

I did make 2 blocks for Beth at Love Laugh Quilt . Beth won the Swanky Jelly Roll giveaway and she is asking for blocks that will be made in to quilts to send to Japan. If you have wanted to do something for this tragedy check out Beth's blog and send her a block or 2.

Kelly

Jersey Shore

Sorry I just could not resist the name for this quilt. I am not a fan of Jersey Shore, the tv show, but I do love the Jersey Shore, Stone Harbor in particular. I never understood the Love/Hate relationship people have with New Jersey if some one can explain, please do!
This is a pattern from Gwen Marston's Liberated Quilting. I adore that book and would make every single quilt in it if I could.

Collecting the "beach" fabrics was fun and the top went together in no time! It was fun, fun, fun! The polka dots represent bubbles and I just like polka dots, there are never too many for me.
The quilting is just meandering all over....this is a quilt the kids will be wanting to play with and will drag all over.....and it is another UFO!!!!!

Thank you all for your nice comments on the give away. It was so nice to meet so many new people, I really enjoyed reading all the comments.

I have been lazy about posting my loot from the quilt show, maybe next week.

Kelly

Drum Roll Please....

The winner of the Swanky jelly roll is Beth of Love, Laugh, Quilt. Congratulations Beth and thank you everyone for the lovely comments. I am so happy to have "met" all of you.
Carla congratulations to you on your first anniversary!

Kelly

Give Away

The Giveaway is now closed!

Carla over at Lollyquiltz is celebrating her 1 year anniversary! Carla has made some really gorgeous quilts that are very inspiring. Her hexies have once again made me want to get back to mine.....so many projects and not enough time!

In Carla's honor, I am giving away a jelly roll of Swanky by Moda. If you would like to win this, here is what you do......

1. Leave me a comment on what you like to see in a blog.


2. Become a follower.


Carla's hexies

 3. Hop on over to wish Carla a Happy Anniversary!

4. In order to win I must have your email!

I will be picking a winner on Saturday evening. Good Luck!!

Kelly

Quick Post of the Lancaster Quilt Show



Sujata and her quilt Zig Zag

Cindy Seitz-Krug  Best of Show







This quilt was one of my favorites! The nine patches were only 3 x 3!!!

Terry in serious talk mode with the long arm dealer....will she take the plunge? We all are betting on it!

Sujata taking a test drive and looking like she does this all day long! How long before she decides to get one too?

I met Kathy of Inspired By Antique Quilts  and Barb of Fun With Barb. They were both so very nice!

Heading back on Friday with Judie, more pictures of quilts and loot to follow. Giveaway tomorrow.

Kelly