Gingersnaps

Here it is, as promised, the scoop on my latest quilt. It took months to get around to this. I made the quilt top a year ago, started it while at a Quilters Retreat. This fall, I felt a strong need to accomplish a finish. I wanted my own quilt and I wanted it soon! I was busy quilting the Autumn Porch quilt for my mother, that and other things that kept me hopping! So I decided to send everything off to Quilt Hollow for machine quilting. Once it was returned I sewed on the binding, washed her up and FINALLY I have one of my own quilts done and you bettcha this quilt is going to live here at Stillmeadow. Picture me grinning ear to ear!

Kansas Troubles "Gingersnaps" for Moda

Machine quilted swirls by Mary Flynn at Quilt Hollow. Fantastic quilting! I am so very pleased with Mary's quilting. If you are in need of a machine quilter's services, ETE Pantograph or custom work, I recommend Mary. She made waves disappear! Yeah, there was a teeny bit of a wave in the border. She brought my quilt to life and I do love it! Yes, I cried happy tears and tears of relief to see how excellent her work really is.

I shipped the quilt top and supplies to Mary. We reviewed thread choice and pantograph options. It's not that easy! She nudged me in the right direction but ultimately I had to decide what to do. This was a learning experience for me. Fun, too!

A closer up shot of the quilt after washing. Washed up just right. I use color catcher sheets when I wash my quilts so I caught the slight color bleed that occurred. Because this was a kit of fabric, I was not able to wash the fabric before cutting. I usually do wash when I can.

Gingersnaps is looking mighty pretty in the autumn sun, right next to her cousin, Kansas Troubles Sampler, a wonderful companion quilt that arrived earlier this week. My friend Carol sent this quilt as a PIF...a very generous and fabulous gift.

I can certainly say that my longing for a quilt of my very own has been satisfied. After all these years, fifteen years since I began learning to make quilts, I end up with two wonderful quilts in the same week. Does it get any better than this?!

Kansas Troubles Are A Good Thing!

Trouble arrived at Stillmeadow this morning.

The best kind of trouble, lol. Kansas Troubles!

A beautiful quilt from Carol at Carol's Crafty Creations.

Looks right at home here. I absolutely adore Kansas Troubles by Moda! And I LOVE this quilt, a sweet Pay it Forward gift.

Here's a shot showing a bit of the backing. It has acorns on it. Go ahead, Click on the photos for a closer look. :-)

She did her own machine quilting and it is excellent, a perfect quilt for keeping cozy warm while I visit blogs and answer emails. It's right at home on my favorite comfy chair in the sunniest spot in the house.

Thank you, Carol, for this delightful "made for me" quilt.

Quilt Arrived in CA :-)

"A beautiful surprise, Kim! One I will treasure forever. I feel wrapped in a sunbeam and each stitch is a hug! THANK YOU, my dear!"

Tiamo,

Mom

You may have gathered from my last post that I was not intending to keep this quilt for myself. The quilt was already on it's way to CA to live with my mom and I wanted to surprise her so didn't let the cat out of the bag. She loves it!! Loves the cozy warm and vibrant color that it brings to her favorite reading spot. It's made sturdy so she can share it with her kitty friends, Max and Misty. I also tucked in a package of homemade Anise Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti ~ I made it just the way she likes it. Gosh but it feels good to surprise someone special. Real good!

Glad you love it Mom!

Autumn Porch Quilt

I've been working on this quilt as time allowed since early September. It certainly is vibrant! I love that about this quilt.

I machine quilted and then did a scrappy binding. Washed and dried it to get the gently worn softness that usually comes over time. In my opinion a quilt is just not done until it has been washed and dried!

This is an Eleanor Burns design from her book Quilts Through The Seasons. The fabric is her autumn color selection by Benartex. I bought the book (she signed it for me) and fabric at her shop, Quilt in a Day, in San Marcos, CA way back in January of 2008.

Yes, there is a dog in the shop. She works there.

Classroom ~ HUGE space.

I have the fabric pictured below. It's for the Summer Front Porch Quilt. Love the fresh crisp look of this color way.

Meanwhile, everyday life continues. While Tom is still home struggling with his health concerns, life has settled down to a more normal feel. Tom does see improvement as time passes. Has his ups and downs. He hasn't been able to return to work as he thought he might.

Life is quiet, yet busy for me with Tom home. Believe me, I try to keep him busy, too. He tags along for some walks and I enjoy his company. Walking is part of his recovery plan, so we walk a lot. I have kept up with my walking goal, meeting and surpassing the 10,000 steps...on some days. There are days when two miles is a challenge. I walk anyway!

I finished stacking the firewood, the leaf mulching is done, the lawn and gardens are put to bed for the winter. I am ready for the holiday season to come, but before we get to that I'll have another quilt finish to share with you. Soon. Just need to stitch the binding down, wash, dry and quilty goodness is all mine. Yup, I am keeping this one for my very own and I can't wait to show you!

Hope life is treating you well.