Pure - Joy

A few months ago, I walked into a quilt store with the intention of buying some of the Bliss fabric line.  Instead, I walked out with Pure by Sweetwater.  I had also originally planned on making a quilt for myself with the fabric, but a great idea came along and so I offered up my fabric for the project.

A woman in my ward was just released as the Relief Society President due to her husband's terminal cancer.  She has had a great impact on my life and I wanted to make her something for two reasons: a) to show my appreciation for all she does for those of us in the neighborhood, and b) to give her something to wrap herself in during the really difficult days ahead.

Those that served with her in the Relief Society each wrote messages to her on hearts, which I then sewed onto the blocks I made.  The quilt was machine quilted by the lovely, talented Natalia.  Another girl in my neighborhood will sew on the binding and hopefully we will present it to our old RS President this weekend.  And hopefully everyone has kept it a secret so it will be a huge surprise!

 Not the best picture, since I'm in my office at work.  It doesn't show the whole quilt, but it gives you an idea.

Some of the quilting, view from the front of the quilt.

A view of one of the blocks

 Another block

The hearts all face different directions so she can read them no matter which way she has it around her.

 Quilting, view from the back of the quilt

Close up view of the quilting

I had 3 blocks leftover from the front, so I incorporated them into the back of the quilt.

I am loving this quilt!

Dick N Jane

After making a queen sized quilt for our bed, I needed a project I could conquer quickly.

I found this Dick and Jane fabric a few years ago and bought all these fat quarters.  

Now, I just need to bind it and stash it. 

A lady I work with bought me one of the Dick and Jane books and told me I had to keep this quilt

for my own babies someday.

Diving Right In

I started the blog for the sole purpose of sharing my creative pursuits.  I've been thinking about Amy's Quilt Festival all day and decided to throw my hat in the ring.

I started quilting again about 6 months ago after a 5 year hiatus.   I have so many unfinished projects from 5 years ago, but I absolutely fell in love with this fabric after seeing it in blog land and also seeing it at my local quilt shop.  I came home with the fabric hoping that my husband wouldn't mind the purchase.  I was shocked when he loved it even more than I did and suggested I go back for more so I could make a quilt for our bed.

The quilt pattern is On The Run by Mary's Cottage Quilts and the fabric line is called Eclipse by Exclusively Quilters.  

It was quilted by Natalia of Piece N Quilt.  She did a fabulous job.  

Once I cut out all the fabric, the quilt was finished within a week.  The cutting took me a few nights after working full-time at my day job.  I took the quilt with me on a road trip to Minnesota to visit family.  I bound 2 of the 4 sides and finished up the last two sides a few weeks later. (These pictures were taken before the binding was done).  Now, it sits proudly on our bed.  I have leftover fabric and I'm hoping to make some pillowcases to go with the quilt. 

I've found that quilting brings me a sense of peace in my life.  Any time I can get in with my sewing machine leaves me feeling relaxed and happy.  This quilt is the first of many to come.  Two more are already with Natalia.