Jelly Roll Quilt

I finally completed this small jelly roll quilt.  Shown here on the park bench in our backyard.  It is a college graduation gift for a cousin's daughter.  I purchased the jelly rolls at Fat Quarter.Com and the pattern is from a friend's jelly roll quilt book.  Sorry I don't know the name of the book or the pattern.  I should have noted those before returning the book. 

I did free-motion quilting on this quilt.  It isn't a true stippling.  My friend calls it meandering.  I would just call it free-motion.  I did use my Bernina 165 for the quilting.  I prefer quilting with this machine since it is housed in my large Koala Quilting Cabinet.  I debated on color for the binding and finally decided on this Moda blue fabric.  I'm very pleased with the results.  Quilt measures 46" x 58".  It could be used as a wallhanging, throw, or lap quilt. 

Machine Embroidery Patchwork Tote

Below are close-ups of the two sides of a machine embroidery tote that I recently made.  The tote was a birthday present for my sister.  The designs are from Anita Goodesign.  It is from their Projects series -Patchwork Tote.  Each of the quilt blocks is embellished with machine embroidery.  I think my favorite is the bird but I also like the tapestry blocks.  Even the patchwork blocks were created on my Janome 11000.

The fabric for the tote was left over from the Chestnut and Vine Block of the Month Quilt.  It was the perfect fabric for this tote. 

The tote is lined with a pocket.  I'm hoping to make one for myself at a later date.  Each of the detailed embroidery blocks takes approximately an hour to complete.   Maybe I can work on it a block at a time. 

Thread Catcher

I'm back from a blog vacation.  No I didn't go anywhere just took some time off.  This is one of the projects I completed during my time away.  It is a thread catcher.  I made two of these wonderful creations.  The other was a birthday gift for a quilter friend.  It is so convenient to have a little bag right there at the sewing machine where I can drop those thread clippings and other scraps.  The pincushion also is very handy.

The project is an Anita Goodesign Project "SEW FUN".  It includes a number of great sewing related designs and instructions for the thread catcher and a wall organizer.  I simply love Anita Goodesigns machine embroidery.  Later I'll be posting another of their projects (a tote for my sis).

Below is a close-up of the embroidery design.  I used my Janome 11000 embroidery machine for this project.

Easter Fabric Postcard

I made three of these little Easter Fabric Postcards for my friends.  I had wanted to try redwork embroidery with my Janome 11000.  This was a perfect opportunity to experiment.  The design is from Martha Pullen.  I purchased it a number of years ago when I attended an embroidery conference.  She was one of the guest presenters.  I just love to listen to her speak.  She suggested that we use # 30 thread.  It is thicker than regular embroidery thread.  I didn't have any so I just used my regular thread.  I'm hoping to get to the fabric store next week and I'll purchase some of the thicker thread.  I would like to do a complete quilt with redwork.

I plan to make one more postcard tomorrow and I plan to use a bright pink thread.  I think it will work for an Easter card. 

I'm finding it difficult to find to time to blog.  Things are very busy here at home with DH's health issues and picking up my Grand Girls from school each day.  I do try to read as many blogs as possible.  I'm thinking it may be time to take a blog break and catch my breath.

Welcome Spring

I finished my Easter Tabletopper.  I had planned to make a wallhanging with the squares but decided to do a tabletopper instead.

The blocks were inspired by the St. Patty's Day Anita Goodesign Embroidery Party last weekend.  The party was so much fun and I was excited to get home and use my Foundations program.  All the background quilting on the blocks has been done with the Foundations program.  I them added the embroidery to the corner squares.  It is another Anita Goodesign "Easter Bonus Collection".  All the fabric was from my stash.  I decided to fill the center block with HAPPY EASTER.  It looks so good on my little table in the breakfast nook.  So glad I decided to attend the Embroidery Party.  It is always good to get ideas on how to use all those embroidery designs I've purchased over the years.

I'm linking to Pink Saturday at Beverly's How Sweet the Sound.  Stop by her blog for many other Spring Ideas.

Easter Quilt Block

I spent Friday and Saturday at an Anita Goodesign Embroidery Party.  I was so excited to try out my new Foundations program.   I can home last evening and completed this Easter quilt block.  The program is wonderful.  You select your block size and quilting design.  The batting is added  in when you do the background quilting.  Next you just select one of your embroidery designs and embroidery in the center of the block.  It is so easy.  I am making a small 9 patch Easter wallhanging.  Only 8 more squares to go.  It is a rainy day here in the desert so it will be a great afternoon to spend in the studio.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Partick's Day!  I will be attending the second day of the Anita Goodesign Embroidery Party.  The party is sponsored by Mulqueen Sewing Center.  I'm sure the Mulqueen's will remind us of all things great about being Irish.  Day one of the embroidery party 

was great and I purchased some really neat embroidery designs.  Can't wait to get in the studio to create something.