One More Plus

I had so much fun putting together the plus quilt for my father-in-law that I thought I would try one that is a little more girly.  I'm using a rose print flannel that I have in my stash as my inspiration...pink flowers and green leaves,  If all turns out the way I hope it will, I'll use the rose print flannel for the backing.

Silent Sunday

Warm And Cozy

Here's the scrap quilt that I have been working on for my father-in-law all quilted and bound.  The flannel back really makes it a warm cozy quilt and from the sounds of the long range forecast, a warm cozy quilt is going to come in handy this winter!  

Reject

This was actually my first attempt for my Colors of Cancer quilt, but I got a little carried away with my design and it turned out to be too big for the challenge.  I liked it too much to scrap it, so I went ahead and finished it anyway.  I'm happy things turned out they way they did, because this little quilt now adds a bright spot in my sewing room.

Colors of Cancer

Another challenge for this year's Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild's exhibit was to make a small quilt using an awareness color from any type of cancer in honor or in memory of someone who has suffered from the disease.  These quilts are all for sale during the month of the exhibit with all profits going to the American Cancer Society.

Unfortunately, I have too many family members and friends who have had to battle cancer to just pick one to represent, so I decided to make a small version of my Elements challenge quilt using 1" squares of as many colors as possible.  I titled my quilt, Too Many Colors.

Silent Sunday

Challenge

The challenge for the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild's exhibit this year was to make a quilt representing one, any combination, or all of the elements.  I chose to represent fire and earth with my quilt, Sunrise Around the World, but when I showed it to my husband he said it looked like an aerial view of a jungle explosion.  I guess either way you look at it I accomplished my goal!

Shortbread Cookie Bites

 

It doesn't get any better or any easier than a simple shortbread cookie!

Shortbread Cookie Bites

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups flour

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add flour and continue to mix until mixture forms a soft dough (it will be crumbly at first, but keep mixing and it will form a dough). Form dough into a ball with your hands. Roll dough 1/4-inch thick on a surface dusted with flour with a well-dusted rolling pin. Cut into 1" squares (I use a pizza cutter) and place on prepared baking sheets prick centers with a fork (I use a small three prong seafood fork). Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until cookies are pale golden brown. Let cool on baking sheets.

If desired, melt 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips with 1/2 tablespoon shortening and pour into a shallow bowl or saucer; dip the bottom of each cookie into the melted chocolate, scraping off the excess.  Place cookie chocolate side up on parchment paper until chocolate is set. 

Silent Sunday

We Will Never Forget

From Scraps To Quilt Top

My father-in-law's scraps are now a top!  It turned out to be a small throw size, about 40x50...just the right size for using while lounging in the lazy-boy! Now to get it on the frame and quilted.

Silent Sunday

I Have To Share...

I just have to share this news report about the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild's upcoming exhibit.  My friend, Kate, did such a wonderful job of explaining the heart and soul of our guild.  (You will also get a sneak peek at exhibit which opens this Friday!)

Scraps

My father-in-law has been doing a little cleaning out this summer and during the process he found a small tote of his late wife's fabric scraps, so he asked if I could use them.  She wasn't a quilter, but did do quite a bit of sewing back in the day.  When I opened the tote I recognized most of the scraps as placemats, curtains, pillows, slip covers, and other items that she had made for their home over the years.  It didn't take me long to decide that I needed to make a quilt for my father-in-law with these scraps.  There's not a lot to work with, but I think I have enough to make a small throw.  There's even a large piece of flannel that will make the perfect backing!