Christmas Again and One More Quilt Show

I'm continuing to work on Christmas projects.  Here's my latest.

The first is "Season's Greetings"; I ordered the panel online, and tried free-motioning it with metallic gold.  I'm pleased with the top, but not too proud of the back.  Not to worry though; it will be against the sunroom wall! "wink" 

"Season's Greetings"

The next one is another creation from my mind's eye.  I know there is a pattern out there somewhere for it, but I didn't want to wait to order it.  I had been gathering candy fabric everytime I saw it.  It will be perfect on my den coffee table (as shown) and will be covered with cans of homemade candies during December.  I can hardly wait!  I'm naming it "Ahhhh-Christmas Candies" 


"Ahhh---Christmas Candies"

Somehow in my last couple of blogs, I failed to include a Civil War block.  I had skipped it where it came along in the project, but I finally got the applique done with the fabrics I wanted.  It is Week 40 - "Order Number Eleven".  Not perfect, but passable I hope.  Now I have only one more block to finish, and that is Week 3 - "Seven Sisters", and it will have to wait until after Christmas!  Then maybe I can decide how to put all those blocks together!

Civil War - Week 40 - "Order Number Eleven"

Last Saturday a friend and I went to another quilt show in Stephenville, Texas, also known as the Cowboy Capitol of the World, but I would add they also always have a great quilt show, and lots of friendly quilters!  Here are just a few of my favorites.

This explains the picture below.  The quilt has lots of small CW pictures scattered throughout in addition to the large one at the bottom. 

Beautiful layout for the peacock fabric; lovely quilting too!  Wish the picture were better!



"Christmas Wonders"; You would know I love this one!



"Alaska"

And I just have to include one from Texas Cowboy (cowgirl?) Country.  Several were there; one Stack and Whack with boot fabric was really cute, but maybe this one gives a wider view of Texas. 

We really enjoyed that show, and then we went to "The Flying Needle" quilt shop there; lots of good stuff there, majoring on cowboy fabrics!  I didn't need anything, but did buy a new ripper!  I'm sure I'll need that!

I'm looking forward to next Saturday when Ruth (Country Log Cabin Quilter) and Jennifer (Purpleheart Orijinnals) will be coming to spend the day with me, sewing in the sunroom!  I think we are going to make this an annual October affair!  More on that later.

Got to go work on another idea that's swirling in my head!   Hope you enjoyed the quilt show!

---"Love"

More Quilt Show Pictures

These are some of the pictures I took of the beautiful quilts at the Trinity Valley Quilt Show in Fort Worth, Texas, on  September 29, 2012.  As always, this was an excellent show, with many, many gorgeous quilts!



Same block; what a difference color placement makes!



Civil War Quilt

Lots of Cheddar



Double Nine Patch



Beautiful Applique; Gorgeous Quilting!

Attached Yo-Yos; No Backing!  Huge!  Beautiful!

Absolutely Incredible!

Ruth, does this give you ideas?

More beautiful applique!

Check out these animals and fabrics!  Cute, cute!!

This one made me think of Alice!

Took this one up close for Ruth.  Gorgeous patriotic quilting all over it!

The water really looked wet!



This was an eye-catcher for me!



This one was gorgeous, and I loved what she said on the card:
"Advice -  Read ALL Directions!"

By now, you should feel like you had spent the day in Fort Worth!  It was a wonderful show, and again, these by no means are the only lovely quilts there!  Also again, if someone sees one that is yours, you will know I was much impressed by it!  Sorry I couldn't give names and information on each one.

For now, I think I'm caught up on blogging for a few days.

Have a good week, everyone!

---"Love"

Quilt Show Pictures

These are some of the pictures I took at the September 22, 2012, quilt show in Weathrford, Texas, where there were so many beautiful quilts!

Best of Show

Huge Tumbling Block Quilt 

Who does this one remind you of?



Or this one?



Hand Painted

Interesting 9-Patch; Look Closely

Horned Frogs - Paper Pieced

Embroidered and Map Colored; Gorgeous Quilting!

Log Cabin Hearts and Snowmen



Red Seven Sisters



Stars framed by Single Iris Chain



Lone Star



Just One of Several Beautiful Antique Quilts on the Turning Bed

What a show this was!  These pictures are just a sampling of the many beautiful quilts there.  Sorry I can't give proper credit to the makers.  If you see one of your own there, just know that I was impressed!

---"Love"

Too Much to Share in Just One Post

Can you believe it's been over three weeks since I've posted anything?  I kept thinking I would slow down, but I never have.

Here's the Gold Stars finished.  I stitched it with gold metallic  after stabilizing the blocks with matching thread.  It is not perfect, but finished, and it suits me!  Before quilting it, I read a lot about metallic thread, and learned that I should use a size 90/14 needle.  Believe it or not, the thread shredded only twice which gave me more confidence.  It is 60 x 22".

When I saw Moda's 1915-1920 postcard Christmas greetings fabric at a quilt show, I had to have it!  You may recall that my dad was a rural letter carrier for 44 years, and these cards and stamps reminded me of him.  I found the more modern stamp fabric at Hobby Lobby.  Then I borrowed a portion of the pattern "Christmas Romance" by Kathy Bauer shown in the December 2005 McCalls Quilting Magazine.  Her pattern adapted well for the postcards.  In order to fit the place where I want to hang it, I had to eliminate her piano keys borders.  Hers was a queen size; mine is 33 x 28".  I did mostly stitch in the ditch; suits me fine!

 I'm currently quilting on two more large Christmas panels; I can hardly wait to finish them, but I'm trying to take my time. 

Several days ago, I heard a loud thud on the sunroom window.  When I looked, I could see the oily, dusty imprint of a dove that had flown into the window.  They do that often when the feeders get empty and they see me in the sunroom.  I got the ladder and went outside to take a picture, which is incredible when blown up onscreen.  Even the minute ruffled edges of the feathers can be seen on the glass and in the picture.  He did a full body slam, but must have survived; I never found him, but I bet he had a headache!  You can see my cabinets and reflections of the neighbor's tree as well.  Be sure to enlarge the picture to see the little feather edges!  If you look closely, you can see his head, bill, and even his eye!

I've been to quilt shows the past two Saturdays, and hope to go to another one this coming Saturday.  I'll  post some of the pictures from each in another blog following this one, with few words --- maybe! *wink*  Saw lots of pretty quilts, and enjoyed each day with quilting friends. 

Seems like last week I had to be somewhere every day and every night!  I was worn out, but I had fun!

Just 86 days, and Christmas will be over!  Are you getting ready?  I can hardly wait!

---"Love"