Then there were five

This has been such a beautiful week. The weather has been more than gorgeous, and I have spent a lot of time planting my garden and enjoying the contrast of the green grass with the  flowering azaleas in my yard. The bird feeder has hosted many birds some of my favorites are cardinals, yellow finch and red finches, and the first hummingbird of the season.

What could top all of that, well I was able to finish the final block of the Blessing Baskets Mini offered by Temecula Quilt Co in the month of March. Today I am awaiting the final instructions to see how to assemble these five blocks into a mini!

What's red and green?

Well, I have started my red and green quilt. Ever since I learned to needleturn applique, I have wanted to make a traditional red and green quilt.
I found a used book on Amazon called Red and Green An Applique Tradition by Jeana Kimball. The pattern features a large center block and it is surrounded by twelve smaller blocks.
I started collecting fabric for this quilt over the Christmas holiday when my husband and I visited my sister and her family in Rochester, Illinois.  I discovered a great quilt shop in Rochester called Peace & Applique Quilt Shop. If your ever in central Illinois you need to stop there. They have four rooms filled with gorgeous fabric, the variety was unbelievable.  Then we traveled on to Cookville, Tn to see my inlaws and of course I had to stop at Hancock's of Paducah to find a few more fabrics. So, after finishing my king size Double Irish Chain, I am finally starting my dream of making a red and green applique quilt.

This is the center block, although it is not completed.  I still have to add four pineapples and some swags. So far, I am enjoying the applique, and everything that goes along with learning a new technique. I find it a great way to quilt throughout the year since the summers are too hot down here in Arkansas to be under a quilt quilting. I am not sure how long it will take me to get all the blocks done, but I do know I am really looking forward to the journey.

One +One = Two

Block number two complete!

Temecula Quilt Co mini

The mini group at Connecting Threads which is moderated by Betweens is making this mini in a quilt along offered by Temecula Qult Co..  I love tradional quilts, and have always wanted to make a basket quilt.

Well, I decided this was my opportunity to at least fit in a mini. It will be a great addition to my mini wall. I have also started a red and green applique quilt. Making minis is a great little break from working on such an intense project. Hopefully, I will finish my first block on my red and green and will have something to post soon.

Double Irish Chain

I have been following Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville. for quite some time. She inspired me to try and make a scrappy quilt of mine own. I completed my king size scrappy Double Irish Chain last night. It has been nine months in the making. The finished quilt measures 110X110 inches.  I use Quilter Dream Request cotton batting, moda muslin and scraps from my past sewing projects to make this one. It was the first time I had used a cotton batt to hand quilt. I must say this product does live up to its name when it says it is easy to hand quilt. I also love the drape and the weight it added to this quilt.

I used a celtic quilting motif on both blocks that make up this quilt. I just quilted it in two different sizes. I am pleased with the results.  I tried to capture the hand quilting in  the photo to the right.  The border is made up of four patches joined along the edge and I quilted them in an orange peel design.This is the largest quilt I have ever attempted to make. I am so glad that it is completed, can't wait to snuggle under it tonight.