Design Wall Monday-Oil Change, Secret Clues & Shop Hop

I have some back-tracking to do.  I did not post my visit to Fulton, two weeks ago.  It always seems a little funny how some of my shop hops develop.  I mentioned to several of my "quilty" friends that I was going to D & D Motors to have the oil changed in my vehicle.  Then I planned to head over to The Quilt Box Quilt Shop in Kewanee.  Kathy O and Maribel K decided that they wanted to accompany me on my journey.  The day was easily made into a multiple store shop hop. 

Here is a clue to a future story:  Before heading out to Kewanee and picking up Kathy O and Maribel K, I shipped a quilt to Houston.

When I headed out to pick up my friends, the roads weren't the best so it slowed me down.  We were a little late arriving for the oil change.  I think we made up the lost time quickly as the mechanics wanted to go to lunch, so tire rotation and oil change happened smoothly.

Arriving at The Quilt Box was a warm experience.  The girls who own the shop are always happy to see us.  We took in our template for English Paper Piecing the Patchwork of the Crosses.

We used the above template to audition different fabrics and to imagine how we would cut out the different designs.  I found a bargain bin of $2 fat quarters.  (Did the happy dance!)  After leaving our money at the store and taking their fabric, we headed out for lunch.  We voted on an economy style lunch saving more money for future shopping.

A quick selfie after picking up sandwiches at Subway.  We headed for LeClaire, Ia, for Expressions in Thread, not.  I had "sometimers disease".  I forgot the turn off for LeClaire and drove straight to Fulton's Susan's Calico Creations.  The girls didn't act like back-seat-drivers and question where I was going.

 

We spent the rest of the day at the sewing day in Fulton.  I was excited to introduce Kathy and Maribel to all my friends that meet at Fulton several times a year.

Congratulations on your beautiful finish, Susie!

Below is the back of the quilt.  Just stunning. 

 

Below are Susan's Patchwork of the Crosses blocks. 

This is an example of why we audition fabrics with the template.  Notice how the stripes are used in each block.  Also, the placement of light and dark fabrics changes the block design.  You look at fabric very differently after taking a class in this technique.

 

Susie made this wonderful Quilt of Valor for a man in her town. Susie designed the center block as the man was in the Navy.  It was going to be presented at his eighty-something birthday party the following weekend.

 

There was another Quilt of Valor that was a surprise.  I will have to get more information about it before sharing the story.

 

Today I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times, Nurdan at Hug-a-Bit Quilts, and Beth at her scrappy blog Cooking Up Quilts.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

Friday Finishes

What a great evening at guild last night.  My friend, Kate Hall, gave her "I want to be an Artist" speech.  Kate and I met many moons ago at my husband's class reunion.  As you might guess my husband and Kate went to high school together.  So Kate and I started talking and learned that we both liked quilting.  We swapped email addresses and stayed in touch from time to time.  It was exciting when about four years ago Kate and her husband moved back to Princeton along with joining the Covered Bridge Quilt Guild.  She is currently Co-President and helping to guide us all towards a successful quilt show on March 21 and 22 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

Kate took us on her quilting journey through her family's many moves, health issues, and design decisions.  (Remember quilters don't make mistakes, we make design decisions!)

 

Have you ever borrowed a gifted quilt back?  Kate brought this quilt back from Arizona.  It is her brother's quilt and will be shown in our show later this month.  Love those rainbow colors. 

 

Kate has a soft spot for African fabrics.  She trades fabrics with her good friend, Patsy. 

 

Kate taught a quilting class with the Girl Scouts and look at these funky houses.  Kate put out a challenge to our group to make her house blocks to add to the finish of this quilt.  She gave guild members a timeline of one and a half years to complete the challenge which is the length of her Co-President term.  My brain is spinning with ideas!

Thank you, Kate, for sharing your quilting journey.  I am happy to call you my friend and fellow quilter.

 

Here's a little show and tell.  This quilt belongs to Sandy G.  It was a round robin quilt  with 7 participants.  Sandy love oriental fabrics.

Above is Maribel's Patchwork of the Crosses  new block.  You can see more blocks HERE.

 

Here is my Friday Finish.  This quilt is called Framed Ladies Wreath.  It is only 18" x 24".

 

I am currently working on quilting Pink Patches Doll Quilt, pattern by Kathleen Tracy in her Sewing Circles book.  I had a glitch in my longarm computer this week which delayed the finish of this quilt.  I am thankful for help from Elaine Gilmore, Handi Quilter Educator, and I am back to quilting.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend.  I am looking forward to some warmer temperatures but not the mud in the backyard as the snow melts.

 

Today I am linking up with ..... Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Link a Finish Friday, Freedom Fridays, and Crazy Mom Quilts. 

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry