Quilt Progress

I've been talking about quilting alot, and browsing quilting blogs and websites, getting involved in some charity sewing for the Pillowcase Challenge and Quilts for Kids. And I have been sewing, actually sewing quite a bit. Soon, very soon, I'll have some finished items to show on the blog. Today, however, I am posting a couple photos of the doll bed quilts that I made for Jenna and Allyson. They are roughly the size of a big placemat, and I did a rather amateurish "stitch in the ditch" quilting job on them that made them look even more like place mats to me, bright lively placemats as they might be. But I may have found a new sewing outlet in doll bed quilting.



Last week I learned a new quilting term; "PIG" translates roughly to "Project in a Grocery (Bag)". This is not to be confused with a "UFO", or un-finished object. It made perfect sense to me because the quilt top below became my very first PIG. I found a really neat quilt pattern online, but was disappointed that the directions made a very small quilt. My idea; make Two and put them together. It could just be me, but it didn't work very well. Although I still find the quilt design attractive. My final solution was to match up the three long sections I ended up with. Hack off any extra non matching places. I will use the same color blue to add a narrow framing border that I am sure will look just awful in places where it will be double. I also found and interesting fabric for the wide border. Here it is so far, pre-borders. One of many wonderful free quilt designs available online.
http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/american_heritage/

When I find some backing that doesn't set me back too much I'll send it off to Tomi. Because in the past, especially with my early quilts, it has been Tomi who makes them into something I felt happy with. As I always say, I make the quilt, but Tomi makes it special. I've added the link to her studio on my blog list of websites. She is especially talented at her craft.

And here was a prize winner at January's Road To California quilt show. Not sure if, given the time and patience this must have taken, I would try it.

1 Million Pillowcase Challenge

MAKE A PILLOWCASE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Calling all quilters, sewers and crafters! American Patchwork & Quilting is challenging you to join our efforts to Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference. Every pillowcase can make a difference in your community. A pillowcase can provide comfort for a cancer patient, hope for a foster child, encouragement for a battered woman, or beauty for a nursing home resident.To participate, find a shop hosting One Million Pillowcase Challenge events in your area. Once your pillowcases are complete and donated locally, log on below to enter how many pillowcases you made. Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION Pillowcases.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/index.html

The above text was copied and pasted from the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge webpage, see the link also to the right of this posting.
Our family and friends love the special pillowcases that Kiera and I have made as gifts over these past few years. Princesses and Tinkerbells, Pirates, Elmo and Big Bird, Sock Monkeys, Snoopy and Hello Kitty, Butterflies, Clowns, Flowers of all kinds, even some Snakes. We love making them and giving them, and everyone seems love having them.

The people at American Patchwork and Quilting had an idea and we are responding. If you don't sew yourself consider "sponsoring" a pillowcase for someone who does. Each requires three fabrics and generally you would buy a bit extra to allow for cutting. You can experience the fun of choosing the fabrics that "speak" to you!
Using 42 to 45 inch wide cotton fabric; 26 inches of fabric for the main body of the pillowcase, 3 1/2 inches for the narrow decorative band, and 12 inches for the end section. For those of you thinking about venturing into the world of rotary cutting, mats and sewing these pillowcases are a great way to start.

Kiera in November 2007 with the pillowcases she made as gifts. All fabric chosen personally by her with the intended recipient in mind. Jenna's first is there.

Natalie with one from the pair of Disney princess pillowcases we made her last Christmas.


Fabric Patch, one of our local quilting stores, is our local collection point. They have designated David and Margaret Youth and Family Services; http://www.thehealinghousela.com/index.asp
to receive pillowcases donated by our local sewing enthusiasts.

Modesto Jan 2010

I tossed this together, and so it isn't especially good. But I was so glad to get access to these great photos that Mike shot in Modesto last month that I chose this quick method. Great time together, just great, I can't really describe it.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Snow Day

No, not here. But in Sofia Bulgaria the intrepid Jason and Gabriel are willing to brave the elements to shovel the driveway and drive around the neighborhood in Jason's fearless Subaru to generously pack down the snow for Kel and other driver's benefit. Right, bet that involves much more than necessary sliding around.
Jason and Gabriel;

Confessions Of A Blog Stalker

I prefer to call it Blog-Surfing, because the use of the word "stalker" sounds dark and, frankly, creepy. For most of you who read my blog I will assume that you have also enjoyed Kel's blog. She is the primo blogger in our family and if you have been restricted from reading with the sign in requirement please email me at gbennett325@yahoo.com and I will pass along your request to be invited (back) in.

After viewing the current photos of my incredibly cute grandkids, Naia and Gabriel (cousins to other incredibly cute grandkids Jenna and Allyson, and the ever adorable cousin on Kel's side Cassidy who are all featured in blogs of their own) I always go next to the MountainWave Dawgs and see what's up with Sara and Leo on the Cape. No Sara and Leo don't know me, we have never met, but at this point I consider them friends by blog association, whether they are aware of that or not.

Under Blogs We Read on Sara's site there are lots of entertaining and interesting friend and family blogs. In particular I like the adventures of Reuben in Korea whose life is chronicled in the Take No Prisoners blog.

On my own list of bloggers I follow are several Quilting related blogs and on each of those sites you can also wander off into totally unknown but pleasantly entertaining blog locations.

And, for example, here is a guy's cycling blog I stumbled on by just clicking Next Blog one day! Moxam's Cycling Adventures, www.costins.blogspot.com

Most blogs offer the opportunity to Comment and I wonder what it would be like if all of us who read each others blogs thru this bloggers by association were to offer comments on all of those blogs we read? Would it feel strange and creepy? Or would it feel warm and welcoming to "introduce" ourselves to our fellow blog surfers?

Comments are welcome!

Below is one of my favorite quilts from the 2010 Road To California quilt show. Of course the photo does not do it justice but there are somewhat better ones on the website; www.road2ca.com under 2010 Showcase Winners



Winner 3rd Place: Art Pictorial
Sponsored by A Very Special Collection
Entered by Lauretta Crites (Glendora, CA)
Made by Lauretta Crites
Quilted by Lauretta Crites
Started in 2008, Finished in 2008
Design basis: Original
Artist statement: This quilt was created for a guild "challenge." I used my son for the model, inspired by a family vacation to Hawaii a couple of years ago where we had a wonderful time snorkeling

Ryan and Kiera

Yes, she is pretty much THAT tall. Last Sunday Ryan and Kiera went to the Grand National Roadster Show at the Pomona fairgrounds with their dad. He snapped this great shot of the two of them.

Modesto Family Time

Until later today when Mike will distribute his photos from the trip to Modesto here are a few of mine.

Jenna and Naia having breakfast together.

Allyson picking out a new book to read.

Jason and Gabriel in the backyard stretching those toddler legs.

Naia and Jenna and bubbles.

Kiera and Jenna play with the Wii while Zoey watches. Ok, so Zoey is just in the picture and not really watching.


I spent Tuesday through Sunday at Shannon's in pretty much Mom/Nana nirvana enjoying just hanging out with everyone. Mike, Kiera, and Zoey joined us Friday afternoon for the weekend. <