Sampler Quilt

I just finished working with quilt blocks that I inherited from my Mom.  I made a quilt for my son, Greg, who was happy to pose for the photo. The sampler blocks that went into this quilt are all different colors, with flower prints.  Greg loves vintage, but knew I would need to give the flower prints a masculine feel, so I used a dark gray for the sashing, borders, and straight line machine quilting.  The graphics are bold and the quilt doesn’t feel feminine at all.

When I saw the Tim Holtz “Communication” fabric, I knew Greg would love it for the backing.  It has vintage type and typewriters, and the classic Tim Holtz grunge look.  I was so tickled to see he has a fabric line, because I use so many Tim Holtz products to make cards.

Greg loves his quilt.  I certainly loved making it... and mom lives on.

Be Creative and thanks for stopping by.  

Shower Curtain Quilts

Many years ago, mom made a Patchwork Shower Curtain that I fell in love with.  After all the compliments I gave her, she made a similar one for me. Over the years, we both installed glass doors on our tubs and the shower curtains got packed away.

I couldn’t let them go, and I wanted them to be used. After a few repairs and some minor modifications, I made throw quilts for my brother and sister.  I got to re-make something lovely and they got something to remember mom.  

Shhh!  Let's make this our secret. They will never remember the shower curtains.

Be Creative and thanks for stopping by. 

Mistake or Home-Made?

My dad got the next finished quilt from the tops I inherited from my mother.  It is a new fixture on his couch, and someone is always snuggling in it. 

This was the most recent project she was working on and it was not in a completed state.  I had to put some blocks and rows together and add the blue border.  In that process, I didn't actually see the pattern the small squares made.  I realized I had put one of the small block portions together incorrectly, long after the border was sewn.  I decided to keep it that way.  It is very hard to find and it makes me smile to remember how precise my mom's work was.  

Some will disagree, but I believe that some mistakes help define "home-made" gifts and make them even more precious.

Be Creative and thanks for stopping by. 

Surprises Are Wonderful

I inherited a few more quilt tops from my mother.  I will post them in the coming weeks.  I finished this beauty for my brother.  My mom's sewing on this top is so precise and exquisite.  I varied the distance between the rows in my straight line machine quilting to create a pattern, but it's not highly noticeable.  I just did it to make the quilting fun.  I really wanted the piece work to shine.  The fabric and overall simplicity make it beautiful.  

Best of all, my brother and sister-in-law absolutely love it.  They were very surprised when UPS delivered it, and surprises are wonderful.

Be Creative and thanks for stopping by.