Next projects

Wow! Can't believe it's been a couple of weeks since I last blogged! Where has the time gone?
The T-shirt quilt is now in the hands of the quilter. I can't wait to see it finished...we decided to use variegated thread for the quilting and I found a great batik fabric for the back. I purchased Fairfield's Classic Cotton batting for this quilt, so I'm anxious to see how that works out, too!
Now that that project is out of the way, it didn't take me long to move on to others. I'm beginning to think of Christmas gifts. I've found the perfect pattern for this year's ornament for everyone; I've pretty much decided what I will make for the gift exchange within my quilting circle; and I'm designing the doll quilt that I'll make for my granddaughter. New aprons are needed for the little ones, too.
If you need some quick little gifts, why not try my newest pattern, shown here, "Scrappy Sacks"? They are fun to make and each one is unique! Check out the details of this and all my other patterns on my website: http://carolsscrapquilts.webs.com. Happy stitching!

Pattern's Ready!

Little Pink Houses is now ready! Hope you like it! It's my tribute to all those ladies who have been or are now battling breast cancer. It is designed to be a fund-raising quilt. I hope lots of you will use it to raise lots of $$ to help find the cause and a cure for this disease. It has affected way too many women in my life!!! (and probably in yours, too!) The pattern is available from me...check my website for ordering instructions: http://carolsscrapquilts.webs.com

More Waiting

I guess it is a good thing that the answers to the T-shirt questions haven't come yet. The other day my sewing machine decided to act up. I wore out another gear in it, so it is out of commission for at least a week. In the meantime, I'm doing some hand-sewing, cutting the pieces for a couple of quilts, finding backing so I can take a wall quilt to my quilter, and putting together my latest pattern. "Little Pink Houses" will soon be available. I hope to have it on my website in the next day or two. Keep watching for it! Happy Stitching! :)

Waiting

The T-shirt quilt top is all finished. I'm now waiting for answers to my questions: What type of backing should I use? Batting or no batting? Machine quilted or tied?
It was a challenge to get all the parts to fit together, but I'm happy with the results. Hope they will be too! I have a couple of T-shirt squares left that I will work into the back of the quilt. There will be many T-shirts returned; had I use them all, I think they would be able to wallpaper the room with the finished quilt!!!!
While I'm waiting for the answers to the questions, I'm working on some UFOs. It feels great to be making progress on them!
Have you checked my website lately? Only about 10 more days of the summer sale on my patterns. The sale ends on Labor Day. "Scrap Nick" and "Little Bit Frosty" are two easy scrappy patterns--the wall quilts, runners and place mats would make great Christmas gifts!
Go to: http://carolsscrapquilts.webs.com and take a look!

Something Different

This week's project is a 90 x 90 T-shirt quilt. I've made T-shirt/clothing quilts before, so that is not what is different about this project. What is different, is the subject of the T-shirts--Grateful Dead. (My kids think it is really funny that I am making a Grateful Dead quilt!)
As I was first sorting the shirts, all I was looking at was the size of the design and the colors used. It's when I started preparing them for the quilt (BTW: I LOVE Pellon Shape-flex) that I really started to notice the pictures. I can understand skeletons, skulls and tie-dye colors. But what I don't understand is how the Peanuts Gang fits in...several of the T-shirts show Snoopy and friends dancing around. The only connection I can think of between Charles Shultz and the Grateful Dead is that they were both from California. I'm curious...I'll have to check into this...

Book Review

I just finished reading "The Aloha Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini. I enjoyed it very much. Not only was it a good story about one of the Elm Creek Quilters, but it was also a history lesson. I learned a lot about Hawaii's past! Another added bonus: woven into the story are complete instructions for making a Hawaiian-style quilt! My fingers were itching to try it, but unfortunately right now I have too many other projects started.
If you want a good, easy read, I recommend this book!

A True Vacation

Last week we were on vacation in southern Missouri. We rented a cabin for the entire family at Lake Wappapello State Park. It turned out to be a TRUE vacation because we were very limited as to the available technology. My son-in-law had to drive 25 miles to find wi-fi access* and not everyone's cell phone worked. There was satellite TV, but not a whole lot of stations. I didn't even do much of the hand sewing I took along because the lighting was poor and there were no real comfy chairs. We were forced to relax and it was very nice!!! Several of us remarked that it had been a long time since we had a day where nothing was planned.
Even though it was hot, we hiked a bit, went swimming, played games, etc. And each of us was working our way through a good book.
As usual, the week went by very quickly and we were soon back to real life! For me, that's ok...I couldn't wait to get back to my quilting projects! :) (Now if only someone else would do the cooking and wash the dishes!)
BTW: no quilt shop in that town, but 3 McDonald's!