Free Form Quilting

I got some emails about my last quilt....which is now named "Flowery" and how I quilted it. This is another quilt that I did in much the same way. I love this quilt. It was made by myself and some other women, Cynthia Myrna, Terry and Suzanne. I made the bird block, gave them some of the fabrics and then each of them made me a block. This was over the course of a year and I didn't see the blocks until the end.



Cynthia's Block

Terry's Block



Myrna's Block

Suzanne's Block

My Block

I added these roses (taken from Suzanne's block) to make my block bigger and balance out the top.

As you can see there is a lot of quilting in this. The feathers were added because they are easy and can fit anywhere.

The quilting is not precise or even but it really doesn't show up. I think because there is so much quilting, the eye just keeps moving around.

Another close up of the quilting.

another.....

One way to get more confident at machine quilting is to just go for it! I make a lot of baby quilts and that is where I practice and try out new things. Very rarely does something not work out. It may not be my favorite but it helps me figure out how to go about the next one. So go piece a small baby/kids quilt and do something other than meandering (not that there is anything wrong with that!) and see what you come up with. You can always donate it to a worthy cause.
Kelly

Miscellaneous Monday

How cool is this...it is called a Surprise Ball. My sister in law Angie sent it to me. Angie is very cool and always finds cool things. She is also very artistic you can check her out at her blog Angela Deal Meanix.

It was so pretty I didn't want to open it.....but finally I did.

You start unrolling....

Unrolling......

and unrolling.....

As you unroll there are little vintage items withing the folds so you find little surprises as you go....hence the name "Surprise Ball".

Maddy modeling the fan and what I think is a little parachute.

I loved this little watch.....

I also found these in my travels this weekend.....only $4.50 I could not pass them up. The embroidery is amazingly well done. I am not sure what I am going to do with them...

I also found these....I am a Jersey shore girl so I had to have these. Now if I can only find one for Stone Harbor!

Kelly

Names?

Another UFO completed and perfect for spring! I am so happy to be finished with this on a number of levels....first I spent a lot of time appliqueing these and it needed to be finished (especially all those hydrangea flowers), I like the colors even if the fabric is a little dated and it is relatively small and was easy to handle for machine quilting (38 x 38).

Roses



Daffodils



Hydrangea



Virginia Bluebells


The quilting was so much fun, even if it did take a while to do.

It was hard to get some good pictures. I did free form quilting. That is I had no plan when I started  and just sort of made it up as I went. I first quilted the parts that I had an idea about, then pondered on the other parts over the  next couple of days. It was so fun and I never felt pressured to make everything symetrical and perfect!

These are a few details I was very happy with.....the rick rack around the leaves, love the spikey feel. I also like the quilting in the leaf, it feels like a hosta leaf to me now.

The one thing I don't like (isn't there always something?) is how the blue shows through the yellow petal. funny how I did not notice until it was finished! So focused on the quilting.....

Now the big dilemma, what to name it? I will admit I do not have a fondness for coming up with names for my quilts. Usually I just ask my husband but he is not home right now. Any suggestions?

This  pattern is not my design. I bought it at the Lancaster Quilt Show years and years ago! I don't remember the name and I gave the patterns away to Joanne ( J do you remember or still have them?).

Kelly

Calico Cutters Annual Auction

My guild, Calico Cutters has an annual auction that is one of our main fund raisers. Members donate unused or gently used items. The committee organizes them into baskets that look real pretty and then the fun begins.

My friend Christine was the auctioneer and did a great job keeping us entertained and raising lots of money.

The tables always have a spring like look to them and the flowers are given away as door prizes.

Everyone brings food and we never ever have been able to eat it all!

One of the best things about being is a guild is participating in our charitable endevours. These are our Kid's Quilts. Every meeting  there are some of these to donate.

We were able to donate $3,500 to the Domestic Violence Center from the proceeds of our raffle quilt! Needless to say they were thrilled.


Sujata of The Root Connection blog and Terry the maker of the beautiful quilt Ghost Orchids



Cheryl of Cheryl Lynch Quilts blog

This is the best part of being in a guild, all the friends you make who are just as crazy as you!


Kelly

I Have a Ways to Go Yet

One more block down! I am not sure I will embroider the stems of the little flowers on the upper left hand side.....I kind of like how they float!
Today is the auction at Calico Cutters Quilt Guild. Pictures to follow later today.
Kelly

New Quilt Fiesta Winner

I did not hear back from Suze so the new winner of Quilt Fiesta is Linda,  from Iowa. Linda I sent you an email so send me your address and you can start on your next quilt!
kelly

A New Winner?

Suze of GA's House where are you? I have sent you emails for you to send me your adddress so I can send you your prize, the book, Quilt Fiesta! IF I don't hear from Suze by tomorrow night I will be picking a new winner on Monday.......
If you are out there Suze, contact me.

Kelly