OSCAR AND THE AUCTION QUILT........

Oscar (my longarm)and I had the pleasure of quilting my SIL's beautiful quilt she made for the church auction. She is very trusting....to allow me to do this,as this was the first large quilt I have done. I practiced on some of my Schnibble's to get the hang of longarming. As you can see, my SIL has a wonderful eye for color, as well as being an excellent quilter. She inspires me to be more "free" not only with color, but with my choice of fabrics. I'm sure she thought I had lost my mind when she saw me buying some Kaffe Fassett fabrics. She must have been wondering "who is this person?" I am slowly creating a stash of Kaffe's fabrics for a New York Beauty......yet something else out of my usually traditional comfort zone. I am trying to loosen up and be a bit more contemporary.

For the church quilt I did a simple meander, as time was a major issue with all the recent events in my life.Oscar started out with a bit of colic and had to have a visit from the longarm "doctor". I would liked to have done a more intricate design on the quilt, but that was not an option. The quilt did very well at the auction and now has a happy new home. It will quickly be time to start planning the quilt for next year's auction quilt. Here is the quilt almost done..Whew!!

Hope you have enjoyed the beginning adventures of a longarm quilter. Stay tuned for my future endeavors !!

Until Next Time......

 Trish          

CHANGES....... AND DOLL QUILT SWAP 9

The last few months have been extremely difficult for me and have not allowed me to publicly thank my DQS9 swap partner,Tami. 

Mr.Quilttales relapsed with his cancer. He lost his battle on September 10, 2010. He was my heart and my heart will be forever broken.

Mr.QT was very kind and gentle man,and thought of himself as a simple man.....which was anything but true. He had a delightful sense of humor, loved to read, play drums and delighted in  the beauty of  nature.  

                

He especially liked raptors.....the beauty, mystery, freedom and flight of eagles and hawks brought him great pleasure.  It brings me comfort to know he is now free.  Fly free my love...on Eagle's wings.



   

Now I would like to thank my wonderful DQS9 swap partner Tami  for the lovely quilt she sent me.  It came at a time when I really needed a smile. The colors are just perfect. She designed a beautiful quilt that is beautifully made. She is a very talented quilter.  How did she know I love Green ???  She also sent a bundle of charms that match this beauty.  I soooo like this fabric.  It is Moda's Origins by Basic Grey. The back of the quilt is just as beautiful as the front. Tami, thank you for such a lovely doll quilt !!





Until Next Time.................

Trish

MEET OSCAR AND CONFESSIONS OF A CONFUSED SCHNIBBLER !!

Look what followed me home !! Not really....it was quite an ordeal to get Oscar my house.Mr. Quiltttales named my longarm Oscar from the Odd Couple. Oscar is a completely computer guided Statler Optimum. We had to have professional movers deliver him to his new home. Two Guys and a Truck quickly turned into four guys and a Truck. Oscar arrived safely and is quite happy in his new home.

                   

My SIL makes a quilt each year for her church auction.  This year's quilt is a very colorful string quilt.  This is the test block I worked up for her to see.  She delivered the quilt to me yesterday for quilting.  She chose a darling bubble pattern for the quilting.

I have to confess. After I posted my picture of Joy Luck, I realized I forgot to put the sashing strips between the rows.  I then pulled the whole quilt to pieces and added the sashing.  Joy Luck is now sitting on Oscar waiting for me to quilt.

Until Next Time

Trish

JOY LUCK !!! JULY SCHNIBBLE .....

Where did July go ????  It went by sooo fast, I almost didn't get JOY LUCK done in time for the parade.  I chose soft pinks, yellows, and greens from Three Sisters by Moda. 

When I made the rail fence borders, I used a green strips as the middle of the rail fence.  I can't wait to quilt this one.  I have already chosen a varigated thread for the quilting.  Carrie is so clever with her designs !! I have to say this is going to be a favorite!  Can't wait to see the August selection.

Until Next Time..............

 Trish

THREE UFO'S BLASTED OFF MY LIST !!!

It really feels good to get some of those unfinished quilts done !! It truly gives me a sense of  accomplishment.  The first quilt was done by my LQS as a Mystery Tour Around the World. I started this at least two years ago.   Here is  the quilt for Japan.  

This was machine quilted by Sarah Parrish.  She used beautiful Asian Butterflies as the quilting pattern.

My next finish is from the book "Quilts Without Corners".  This was super easy to make and you can just about finish piecing it in a week-end.  So why did it take me so long to put the binding on??

Hmmmmm...no real excuses, just trifling!! This was also machine quilted by Sarah.

 My last finish is a table runner that is both machine piece and appliqued.

 It is from the Thimbleberries Calendar Quilts book. This runner was machine quilted by Deb Jacobs.  It was quickly claimed by Mellow Yellow,  Mel for short.  Sometimes we even call him Melman from  the Disney movie where Melman the giraffe worried about his spots. I think the runner received a  FOUR PAW approval !!!

 I will leave you with one last photo...of my favorite day lily "Always Pink".

Until Next Time...."                                                                                                                  
Trish                                                                                      

                                                                                     

        

  

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY MR. QUILTTALES !!!!

Yes, that's right..Mr. Quilttales is celebrating his 2nd birthday.  How can that be?  Did I really "rob the cradle"?   Actually, chronologically Mr. Quilttales is 3 days older than I am. Today is a day of celebration. Two years ago today, Mr. QT was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.   Not exactly what you expect to be told when you go to the orthopaedic doctor for what you think might be a torn rotator cuff.


These last two years have been those of change.  Change in diet, medication, attitude and understanding.  Mr. QT has risen to the challenges brought to him each day. He has done so with grace, determination and optimism.  He is a wonderful and caring man....an example to us all.  His mantra is  that of Michael J. Fox  "Don't give me a lighter load,  give me broader shoulders." So today we celebrate..........the precious gift of two years.

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME...........

Trish

MAY'S SCHNIBBLE PARADE - QUILTER'S CHOICE

May's Schnibble was a Quilter's Choice.  I think we will see a wide variety of Schnibbles this month, and it will be fun to see the design least picked.

I chose DECOY for my parade offering.  It is made from Moda's Minnick & Simpson's Prairie Paisley line.  It is just right to celebrate Memorial Day to honor those that have given their service or their lives for this country.  Our freedom in never free. When I see a soldier, or a veteran, I always thank them for serving our country. Most of them are quite surprised to actually be thanked  for their service. When Mr. Quilttales and I are in Starbucks, we send bags of coffee to the troops. It's not much, but at least they know someone  cares, and they have a little taste of home when they are so far away with few comforts. If I see a soldier in the coffee shop, I treat them to a cup of coffee and say thank you. Just a little random act of kindness.  I don't have to agree with the war, but I do feel out troops deserve our respect and support.

Rascal is giving my Schnibble its official CAT SCAN. I think      Rascal is thinking about trying a little quilting on her own.  "I think I know how this thing works.....Mom makes it look so easy.  Do you think I'll get in trouble? " 

    Wonder what the Schnibble will;be next month??? Let the Parade begin !!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME.....                                                                 

                                               

            TRISH