"...in a time lacking in truth and uncertainty and filled with anquish and despair, no woman should be shamefaced in attemping to give back to the world, through her work, a portion of its lost heart." Louise Bogan, American Poet 1897-1970

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Mug Rug

     Two days before Christmas I decided to make my BFF and neighbor, Kathy a Mug Rug. I had sooooooo much fun making this small gift!! I got to use some of my fancy machine stitches and I echo quilted from the fan out.  Echo quilting has always been my fav, but I haven't used it until this cute little mug rug. I'm hooked! Little things are fun and challenging. Don't wait as long as I did to try one. Go ahead. I bet you'll like it, too.

                                                                    approx. 7x11"



     Happy New Year everyone!!  May the new year bless you richly, Deborah

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Autumn Four Patch

     Another top is complete!! I'm calling this one Autumn Four Patch and it is for my sister-in-law. 


     I now have completed, at least the tops, of all the quilts I started this year. Only three remain in the UFO category, all the rest are finished and have been given to whom they were made for.  Okay. So I still have some that are cut out from last year, but I don't want to talk about those right now. heh, heh.
     Here's hoping all your sewing projects for your holidays are near completion!
     Blessings, Deborah
    

Monday, December 5, 2011

Another Top Finished


     This is for my cousin Nancy who is the Mama to Kristi. This is called "Off the Grid," by John Adams (Quilt Dad).  You can find the recipe at the Moda Bake Shop. See my original post http://quiltingyaiyai.blogspot.com/2011/05/off-grid.html for the link.
     Happy Quilting and many blessings, Deborah

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sliding in Sideways.........

     Wow! November 30, already?!! Where did this month go?
     I have a perfect excuse for being absent of late...


     Our beautiful granddaughter, Brittany came to stay for three weeks!! She brought her new sewing machine and I taught her how to thread and use it and away she went!! I gave her access to my fabric and some Quiting Arts magazines and she was unstoppable.





     She thought the grass she cut out could pass for false eyelashes. We laughed so hard. Laughing was a daily occurrence with Brit around. 
     One of the days she said she wanted to make a skirt.  So she cut out some fabric she had purchased and proceeded to make a skirt...without a pattern. She has done this before, she told me and then sewed it by hand. What a gal. She used her machine this time and said she would never sew clothes by hand again! The skirt ended up being too small, but she said not to worry and cut it off and made two straps and it will become a summer top. That's my girl!
     The past three weeks have been very full. I miss her very much.
     I now need to get caught up on reading your blogs and get some of my own quilting done.
     May your days be blessed with laughter and finished projects, Deborah

    

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Guess Who?!!

     Guess who is the new president for our guild?  If you said Deborah, (me!) then you would be right!! I'm very excited to be serving for the next two years, beginning in January 2012.
     If any of you have any good program ideas I would love to hear them. 
     Okay. I can't believe I said yes. When I told my SIL, I rendered her speechless.  I'm kind of a shy person, but when I feel comfortable I do okay.
     Wish me luck and don't forget to comment with your ideas.
     Thank you!
     Blessings, Deborah

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kristi Received Her Quilt


     Do you think she likes it?!!  
     Blessings, Deborah 

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Basics Quilt Drive Needs More Quilts!!

http://bumblebeansbasics.com/

http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/


     Please click on one of these links and read about a wonderful quilt drive they are doing for homeless families. All the info. is there if you can help. They take completed quilts only, so if you have any quilts that a need a home please consider sending them to this worthy cause. 
     Thank you, Deborah

Monday, October 24, 2011

I Won Another Book!!

     I can't believe I forgot to share my good news with you! I won this book,


from Pat Sloan's Blog! (see her link in the Blogs list)  She was having this huge giveaway and I won the book. I'm so excited!  Thank you, Pat and Emily Cier!!  Here is the Amazon link so you can take a peek.
http://www.amazon.com/Scrap-Republic-Quilt-Projects-Those/dp/1607052148/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319491192&sr=1-1
    
     My last post was about Kristi's quilt, Tipsy Log Cabin.  It was mailed last Wednesday and it should be getting to her today. *fingers crossed*  I should have mentioned that Dave at Wooden Spools did the quilting. He was the one who quilted those beautiful roses in each square and the leaves in the borders. Thank you, Dave!!  I have a long way to go before I can quilt anything that detailed. :o)

     Happy Quilting!
     Blessings, Deborah

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Two Quilts Finished!

     My last post was ten days ago and I had some quilts to finish. I have finished two!
     Kristi's quilt called Tipsy Log Cabin (see original post and my last comment for credits) here:  http://quiltingyaiyai.blogspot.com/2011/04/finish-up-friday.html#comments.

                                                                    Tipsy Log Cabin

                              There are two sets of Prairie Points. This also shows the border quilting.

                      Quilting shown from back. Each block has a rose quilted in the center.



     This is the Quilt of Valor soldier quilt that is finished. I found out a local man is going to Afganistan in December and he will be given my quilt before he leaves. Gives me goose bumps. My husband told me they grew up together and he knows him well. More goose bumps. I am so honored.
     Two down, two to go! YAY me! Who am I kidding. There are two left that were mentioned in my last post, but there are far more than that on my WIP list.  *grins*
     Wishing you blessings and finished projects of your own, Deborah

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Happy October!

     Oh boy. It's October already. How in the heck did we get here? Geeesh. I'm behind and all I can say to family who are waiting for their quilts is.....life happens. The unexpected. The horrid. The joyous. A quilt will be coming to you soon. Promise. No really.  It will.
     Soooooo many quilts, sooooo little time. Deep breath. I admire all of you who manage to write a blog post almost everyday and pump out a quilt a week. You are amazing! I want to be like you!!
     In this order - Kristy, Soldier Quilt, Nancy and SIL. Onward. Starting today. Go!
     Wish me luck.
     Wishing you a blessed day, Deborah
    

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Sharing My New Blog

     I wanted to share a new blog I started yesterday. You can find it here http://sharing1000epiphanieswhilewaiting.blogspot.com/.  I was told about the blog "A Holy Experince" (see blogs I read for the link) and you can join a group and begin your blog to share 7 good and perfect things you are thankful for everyday.  It is a God blog, so if that would offend you, please ignore reading my other blog.  I just wanted to let those who would be interested and invite you to come over and leave some comments of your own of things you are thankful for or go to "A Holy Experience" and begin a blog of your own. Be sure to let me know if you do.
     Blessings, Deborah

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Hexies!!

     One block I have always wanted to make is the hexagon. Today I did, but not the traditional way of English paper piecing and sewing all those beautiful, tiny little hexies together by hand. I found a new way to do them in the Autumn 2011 issue of Quilter's How-to Workshop by McCall's Quilting. It is a wonderful pattern by Sandy Klop that has you piecing triangles together to make the hexagons. You start by sewing two 2 1/2" x WOF strips together and then use a triangle ruler to cut the triangles out from these strips. Each strip will give you two complete hexies, plus two left-over triangles. 


     You only make half of the hexie. They get sewn together when you sew the rows together.


    
     This is the neatest thing to me since sliced bread.  I can add this pattern to my Happy Thought list. I'm thinking these could become a Mug Rug. Oh my. Be still my brain.
     May you find something that you can add to your Happy Thought list.
     Blessings on your weekend.  Deb

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thread Winnings and an Autumn Quilt

     This is my gorgeous Aurifil thread that I won from Jennifer over at Ellison Lane Quilts. (See my blog list for her link.) Thanks again, Jennifer!! The blue on the end is wool! Yummy! And the melon color on the other end is a varigated #4250.  I love them all.

    
     The next picture is not the best, but I still need to sew the 4 patch blocks into rows. Originally I was going to put sashing between each block, but once I laid it out this way I'm not so sure. So the question is: To sash or not to sash? If I sash, I was thinking a neutral color. White on beige or vice-versa.  I have one that is a tiny leaf pattern. What do you think?

     I'm also thinking the first thin border will be purple. Decisions, decisions.
     Enjoy your day! 
     Blessings, Deborah

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

World Alzheimer's Day

     Today is World Alzheimer's Day.  Please visit Michele's blog http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/ to read a touching story and learn several ways you can help.
     My step-father, Les Lowrey had the early stages of Alzheimers before he passed away from cancer in 2004. The day before his passing I went to visit him in the hospital and he told me he was worried about my mother, who had her own set of health issues. He said he just couldn't take care of her anymore. I told him not to worry, that she was doing okay and I was taking care of her and that he should just concentrate on getting well. Little did I know I would get a call the next morning telling me he was gone.  My mother passed one month later. I still miss them both so much.
     My heart goes out to anyone suffering from this horrid disease and to their families.
     Bless them all.  Deborah

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Fun Has Begun

     Quick! Go here http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/09/13/quilt-along-block-1/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_campaign=0&utm_content=416375
to join the Christmas Quilt Along. (See button on the right side of my blog page.) Pat Sloan is the first designer with a Red & White block and you can download the instructions. Pat is a hoot! I just love her!

     I just got back yesterday from a fabulous weekend with two of my BFF that I have known for over 40 years. We laughed until our cheeks and stomachs hurt. Can't wait to do it again. I made them each a tablerunner and FMQ them myself. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Arlene's before she left on Sunday, but here is Michelle's:


     Still need more practice, of course on my FMQ, but my friends loved their gifts. They said mistakes add character. So sweet.  You can get the tutorial to make this easy tablerunner here http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/08/16/two-hour-table-runner/. It is by Carli Heinrichs of Good Earth Quilting.


                                                                Michelle and Arlene

     Thanks for a great weekend ladies! You ROCK!!
     Blessings on your day, Deborah

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I Won!!

     Hello! I can't believe I won something. I have entered contests on other Quilt Blogs many times and I was lucky enough to win a 5 pack of Aurfil thread from Jennifer's blog http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-aurifil-and-now-four-more-of-you-can.html.
Click the link to see my name in print as one of the winners and the prize.  I'm very excited as I've always wanted to try this thread and haven't been able to find it in my travels. I know it's out there in lots of  places and there is always the internet.
     It is amazing how long ago I posted. Time flies for so many reasons, eh?
     This weekend I'm off to meet up with two school chums. One I have been BFF since 6th grade and the other since 8th grade. We haven't seen each other for at least seven years. Shame on us! We have vowed not ever to do that again and will meet every 6 months or so.  I'm so excited I almost can't stand it!!!
     I have been working on a couple of table runners. I've been in a funk these past couple of weeks and it has been hard to get motivated, but I will share pictures when they are finished. I'm trying to get them done before I leave for the weekend.  Time is flying!! Will I make it?  Only time will tell. :o)
     I better get back to working on them. Time's a wasting.
     Thanks for stopping by! Blessings on each of you.  Deborah

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tuesday Girls

     I'd like you to meet some of the girls I hang with on Tuesdays. Of course, we are never all there on any given Tuesday, so it is catch is while catch can.  I will try to remember my camera the next time I go and maybe I can catch the rest. We all belong to the local guild that meets the first Thursday of the month, but Tuesdays are available if you want to bring your machine and sew or do some hand sewing. Heck, we've even been known to knit, crochet or do our mending.  We just like hanging together, so we call ourselves the Tuesday Girls.


                                            F.Row  JoAnn                 Pres. Michelle
                                            B.Row  Linda                       Mary


                                                      Darlene (aka: The General)


                                                                           Betty


                                                                          Kathleen


                                                                            Linda


                                                               Maxine & Glady


     These are the nicest ladies a quilter could ever hang out with.  Just think, there are even more of them! :o)  Some of the ladies are working on soldier quilts and some are getting ready for Christmas events. Glady is the lady who does the handsewing on our soldiers quilts. We sew the bindings on the quilt and Glady does the handsewing to tack them down. Saves so much time!
    
     We have grandchildren coming to visit this weekend, with their parents of course. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!
     Blessings all over you!!  Deborah
     P.S. When I previewed my post, the lettering under the pictures was all wonky! I don't know why it does that! Sorry. I hope it straightens itself out. :o(

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Drum Roll Please

     I DID IT!!!! My first quilt that I did from cutting to binding and everything inbetween, including the FMQ. Woot! Woot! The proof:

                                                                Before I washed it.


                                                                  I love my spiral


                                               I just started to meander around and...


                                                    and around until I was all done.


                                       I put a free form wonky star in each corner block.


                                                     After it was washed. So cuddly!

     Whew! I am now wearing BIG GIRL PANTS!!! This was easier than I ever imagined and no it is NOT perfect.  I can't believe how much fun it is to do this!! If I can do this, anybody can. Really. YOU CAN DO IT, TOO!!  A big THANK YOU, to Em for starting the blog Celebrating! Big Girl Pants and inviting me to join. You gave me the push I needed.  Love you, Em!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

My New Baby - Bro


     Isn't he adorable?!! I'm in love with his 60 built in stitches, #43 is a quilting stippling stitch for FMQ I didn't even realize he had!  Even though it may take me a few to days to figure out all the bells and whistles, I can already tell we are going to have a lot of fun together. He is my first computer sewing machine and I am sooooooo excited.
     That's all for today. Gotta go play with my new Brother CS-6000i.  I hope my other machine doesn't get too jealous. We still need to finish grandson's quilt together!
     Blessings, Deborah

Friday, August 5, 2011

WHOA Nellie

     The past two weeks have been a whirlwind and I feel if I am ever to get caught up with everything I'm going to need to stop the world and get off for a while. Last week hubby was on vacation and we spent two glorious days on the coast in Gold Beach, Oregan getting our ocean fix. Two days after we got home hubby's oldest daughter and granddaughter and my youngest son came for a visit.  Travis had to leave Monday (sniff) and the girls left Wednesday (sniff). What a wonderful time it all was and now I'm paying for it, but gladly. Tuesday the girls and I had a movie marathon while I tucked in threads from my FMQ on grandson's guilt. I'm almost done with the FMQ and I'm so excited how well it is turning out. Whoda thunk? Laundry is all caught up, but the housework is weighing on my shoulders as well as weeding the gardens. Plus, there is all these quilts to finish and more to start and blogs to catch with!! Little by little it will all get done.
     So. That's why I haven't been commenting or anwsering e-mails.  Now you know what I've been up to. How about you?
     Blessing galore on your day!  Deborah

Monday, July 18, 2011

ButtonMad Buttons

     I found an awesome website called ButtonMad aka Incomparable Buttons that is based in South Africa. You can read about them here http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/03/10/lets-go-button-crazy-give-away/  (This is an old giveaway) or here http://incomparablebuttons.blogspot.com/2011/02/sunshine-team.html.  These buttons are all handmade and handpainted in South Africa. These are the ones that were given to me:


     I just love them! Thank you again, Tamara! There are all kinds of buttons. Almost anything you can imagine from fancy to whimsical. I think the cats and dinosaurs are darling, but then so are the turtles and......  Well go and take a peek for yourself. Like they say, "Why buy plastic?"  They are based in South Africa, but have places where you can buy them in the USA, so you don't have to pay international shipping. Actually, they are all over the world.  They are also on Facebook for my FB friends.

    Bless yourself today by going and reading about these fabulous ladies and checking out their buttons!  Deborah

Friday, July 15, 2011

Borders and Backing

     All the borders are on grandson's quilt and I even got the back made yesterday. YAY, me! Now it just needs a really good pressing, then clamp it to the table and pin the heck out of it so it is ready to Free Motion Quilt!!  I have three pictures to share with you. The first is the top, then the back and last is a close up of the beautiful Native American fabric I found at the quilt shop over the hill that I used for the borders and back.  I'm happy with how it turned out. I have decided to go with a stippling stitch (meandering stitch) for the FMQ. Wish me luck.

I wish you all a happy and blessed weekend,  Deborah





Tuesday, July 12, 2011

One Border On

     Yesterday I managed to get the first border on grandson's quilt and I'm hoping to get the second on today, or tomorrow at the latest.  I'm feeling bugish today. Like that word? Bugish. Sad tummy and headache kind of day. I may have to take to the couch and finish the book I'm reading. I'm very anxious to get the quilt top done so I can begin FMQing and post my work on the new blog!  I don't want anyone to think I'm a flake or some such nonsense.  I think a little reading and maybe a nap is in order. The nap is sounding really nice. Let's go with that one.
     Blessings, Deborahzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Saturday, July 9, 2011

OH WOW!!

     I was invited to be a contributing quilter on the new "Celebrate! Big Girl Pants,"  free motion quilting blog. Me? Yes, me. :o)  It is for quilters who want to learn FMQ, have already been practicing and everything in between. Any quilter who is ready to put on their BIG GIRL PANTS and take the plunge. Here is the link: http://fmqcelebration.blogspot.com/. It is already so much fun and it was just what I needed to push me out of my funk. I'm still a little raw around the edges, but I was able to dash over the hill this morning to the quilt shop and buy the borders for our grandson's quilt. They are in the washer as I type.  I want to thank you all again for your kind words during our loss. Some of my favorite people live in my computer.  People I've never met, but are becoming some of my dearest friends along with my dear old friends.  I am blessed.
     I'm very excited about quilting my own quilts. To be able to do the complete quilt - cutting, piecing and quilting - would just be so awesome. And to have this little community of other quilters cheering each other on is just icing on the cake. Yep. I am blessed.
     May you feel happy blessings all over your weekend.  Deborah

Friday, July 8, 2011

Our July 4th

     Our July 4th was not the greatest.  We lost one of the best dogs we've ever had.  Her name was Tootsie and she was a Border Collie/Lab mix.  Tootsie was wonderful with the grandkids, a silly dog with a personality all her own. Losing her has zapped my creative side where I can't seem to focus on quilting. Not cutting. Not designing. Not sewing.  One day she was healthy, four days later she was gone. It was some kind of liver disease that does not show itself until it gets to the acute stage; until it's too late.  I really miss her.  Kinda hard to wrap my mind around.  Know what I mean?


      Wishing you peace and blessings, Deborah

Friday, July 1, 2011

Go Vote!!

     Here is the link so you can vote. http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/07/01/vote-now-patriotic-quilts-2/  Hopefully it works this time. You can vote for 3 quilts. There are some beauties.  Here is my quilt once more.


     Thanks for taking the time to vote!
     Blessings, Deborah

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I Entered a Quilt Contest!


     I just entered this soldier quilt in a contest over at the Quilting Gallery.
<a href="http://quiltinggallery.com/tag/weekly-themed-quilt-contest/"><img src="http://quiltinggallery.com/images/photo-contests.jpg" alt="Weekly Themed Quilt Contests" width="125" height="125" /></a>

     I made this quilt in 2009 when our local guild was making them for our soldiers fighting in the Middle East.  It was the first time I made a quilt with the squares on point and inset triangles. Easier than I thought, once I found a triangle math chart already made for quilters at Victoriana Quilt Designs. There is a link to her blog under my blog list.

    Anyway....starting Friday - Sunday, you can go to the link above and vote for my quilt. I would really appreciate that.

     May all your days be blessed with peace.   Deborah

Monday, June 27, 2011

Grandson Quilt


     I've been working on a quilt for one of our grandsons.  It is a Navajo blanket pattern I found in "The Weekend Quilter" by Reader's Digest 1997.  In their version, the rectangles are much bigger and made of wool. I cut mine 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" and used cottons. I included some boy appropriate novelty prints I had in my stash - puppies, fishing gear, planets, etc.


    
     Since this only turned out to be 36" wide I will need to add a couple of borders. That will require a trip to the fabric store. :o)

I hope you've been having sunny and blessed days.  Deborah

Monday, June 20, 2011

A Few Q.A. Squares


     These are a few of my Quilt Along squares.  I wasn't sure before I laid them out if they were going to work together, but I think it is working just fine. I'm so glad I thought of purple as one of the fall colors. I love what it adds. I have the four outside corner blocks made and they each have purple in them, also.

     I am still working on my office/sewing room. Purging, decisions, decisions and planning. I found a cute little shelf at our local second hand store. It is perfect for holding all my little things that had to be moved everytime I wanted to look through a bin of fabric.


     Isn't it cute?!!

     It is warming up here. I hope you are enjoying the sun where you are.
     Blessings, Deborah

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Giveaway! Giveaway!

There is a great giveaway over at Green Fairy Quilts (http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway-giveaway-plus-all-fat-quarter.html). It is a Fat Quarter Bundle called Holly. Wouldn't I love to win this FQB!  Oh boy. Makes me tingle just thinking about it!

She is also having a sale on all FQB's. Hurry over and enter to win and shop!

Blessings on your day, Deborah

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Quilt Along Fall Fabrics


I'm going with fall fabrics for the Quilt Along. Last Friday and Saturday, I got all 144 squares cut out. The sashing will be a neutral, either tone on tone or off white. The next steps haven't been posted yet. I really want them. Bad.

Shhhhh. I already put a few squares together. I'm having a hard time playing by the rules. Heh, heh.

Blessings, Deborah

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Joined A Quilt Along!


Yes I did! If you would like to be part of the quilt along go to
for more information. It is a very easy quilt. This week we are getting our fabrics together and next week she will tell us what to cut. I'm so excited. I would like to host one of these in the fall, so I thought I should be part of the whole process to see how it works.
I hope you'll join us!
Blessings on your day!
Deborah

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Sunbonnet Sue


     My neighbor and best friend recently lost her mother.  There was a quilt her mother had made years ago using the leftover fabric from the dresses she made for Kathy and her sisters when they were little and Kathy is now the proud owner of the quilt.   This quilt is beautifully made, all by hand. Mrs. Philip began the quilt in 1945 and finished it in 1989.

It is register with the British Columbia Heritage Quilt Project.
It was originally given to Kathy's oldest sister, who passed away before their mother.
Here are more pictures of the quilt.


There are two rows of prairie points around the outer edge of the quilt.



In between each Sunbonnet Sue block is a solid blue block, also hand quilted.


These last few pictures are close ups of the detail work of each Sue.
Do you see the grid hand quilting behind each Sue?
There are the same number of stitches to make each square in the grid pattern.
Are you swooning yet? I am!
Mrs. Philip was an amazing quilter.
She will be missed for many reasons, not the least being her love
and skill of quilting.