Quilt Camp Tote

I completed this Quilt Camp Tote this week.  It went in the mail yesterday to my friend Pat.  She is celebrating her 60th birthday next Saturday.  I won't be able to attend her party but am sending this tote.

  The pattern is by Penny Sturges for Quilts Illustrated.  I purchased it at Three Dudes Quilts.   It is large enough to hold a quilter's ruler and cutting mat.  Perfect for those quilting classes.  I did have one complaint with the pattern.  The photo on the front of the pattern shows this great looking quilt block for the front pocket of the tote.  However, the pattern doesn't give the instructions for that quilt block.  It has instructions for a different block but states that you can use any 12" block.  I designed my own block to match the lining fabric.  I used my Janome 11000 to embroider a quilt design in the center.  The back of the tote has another pocket but I made it from the tote fabric.  Inside is lined and has another pocket of the same size.   Lots of storage in this tote.

"V" - Violin Quiltie

We are nearing the end of our Alphabet Quiltie Swap on Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  This is my V quiltie.  The crochet flower was an after-thought.  It looked a little bare with just the fabric and dictionary pages so I added this crochet flower.   I made it a few months ago.  It was the perfect color even thought it has nothing to do with the letter "V".   The quiltie will go in the mail tomorrow to our hostess, Penny.  Hope it makes it to her by the end of April.  I'm running a little late this month.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter with family and friends. 

April Block Finished

I finished my April Block of the Month last evening while watching American Idol.  I'm very pleased with this block.  I'm not a fan of applique but I think it turned out o.k.  This is the center block for the Chestnut and Vine Block of the Month Quilt.  When placed in the center of the quilt the square will be set on the diagonal.  You can see the completed quilt top here.   So glad to have that first square completed and ready for Block 2 in May.  The kits are from Three Dudes Quilts in Phoenix. 

Mild Spring = Beautiful Roses

We've had a lovely spring here in Arizona.  Weather in the 80s and 90s here in April.  As a result of the wonderful Spring, there are beautiful roses throughout our neighborhood.  As Cody and I go for our daily walk, I am amazed at the lovely roses growing along our route.

These pics are from our own back yard.  The rose bush is a climbing rose and the bush is over 50 years old.  This year it is filled with lovely blooms.  The color is so bright this year too.  We are still enjoying many of the flowers on the patio and in the flower beds.  It won't be long until temps begin to exceed 100 and the flowers will be gone. 

Hope each of you are experiencing lovely Spring weather.  Wishing you a Happy Easter weekend.  I'm planning to see RIO with the granddaughters Friday since they are out of school that day.

A Birthday Watercolor

My CA sister visited in March and brought me my birthday present.  This lovely water color featuring great colors and a fisherman.  She found it in Palm Springs.  It will hang in our vacation home in KY later this summer.  For now I have it hanging on the dining room wall.  The colors match the spring quilt I have on the wall in the living area of the room.

 It was unframed and just today I found the perfect frame at Michael's.  It was an odd size and I had to trim it down a little.   It was not signed but I love the scene.  Please excuse the glare on the glass.   

Another Block of the Month

Call me crazy but I have decided to join a second block of the month club at Three Dudes Quilting.  This one is called Chestnut and Vine.  It is from Bloom Creek.  I am currently working on the center block.  It includes applique.  I'm not a fan of applique but they assured me that there wasn't enough applique to keep me from enjoying this quilt.  So far I have attached one set of stems.  After much thought, I decided to use a machine applique stitch and invisible top thread.  It looks good so far. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Wish me luck working on two block of the months at the same time.  Since we aren't traveling this spring due to DH's health issues, I decided to keep myself busy with quilting projects.  It's been a few years since I concentrated on my quilting.