BIg News!

I've been absent from my blog, sewing and probably life in general lately.  I'm PREGNANT!  I'm so excited and happy - but I have been so sick, tired, and unmotivated.  Today I start week 14 and I am finally feeling more like my old self.  I look forward to getting some projects done and seeing people again.
My due date is 1-11-11.  Hope for a boy.
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Happy Hour

Happy Hour
Originally uploaded by Legg Beater

Without stripes. Better? Worse?

Happy Hour - 2

Happy Hour
Originally uploaded by Legg Beater

So, My Grandma Gallagher was going to go to New York next month. She wanted a quilt to give to the host family she was going to spend time with. Since she only had a month, she enlisted me to help her. The plan was, I was going to cut out all the fabric and we were going to sew them together at her house. The day I was supposed to go sew, her colon ruptured and she ended up in the emergency room. Luckily, the surgery went great and she is recovering well.
I started sewing the blocks myself so we didn't get behind schedule. I took some liberties with the instructions she gave me. She wanted green/orange/flower. I wanted stripes. The reason I know she is recovering is because she told me today EXACTLY how she felt about the stripes (and it wasn't good).
So, now I've finished enough blocks for a 101"x101" quilt and she wants me to redo the ones with the stripes. What do you think?
She wanted a pattern from the Happy Hour book, but since I can't find it - I cut 5.5", 2.5", and 7.5" rectangles to make 14.5" blocks.

Sew Fun Bee

Sew Fun Bee
Originally uploaded by Milky Robot

I joined the Sew Fun Bee!!! Of course, I joined without asking and then had to beg mercy on me and they let me stay in the group anyway. WAHOO!! I'm glad to be a part of it.

Home Machine Quilting Show

Lessons I learned from the Home Machine Quilting Show:

1-I'm not into art quilts or any quilts that have CRYSTALS on them.  I appreciate them for what they are, but I have no interest in a quilt that cannot be washed and used.  I thought I wanted to do competition quilts, but apparently, I only want to do "utility" quilts.

2-All the classes I took were far beyond my ability on my long arm.  That being said, Linda Taylor gave a 20 minute talk about how you should be your best cheer leader and always be happy with your own work.  I really needed that pep talk.

3-No wonder people think quilting is for 60 year old ladies with no taste.  I appreciate the time, effort, and commitment made on every quilt, but I am not in the vendors "target" audience I guess.

Here are the photos of my favorite quilts.  In all fairness, I rushed through the quilt displays because Jeff and Gillian were waiting for me at home, but here are my favorite quilts of what I saw.  "Obama Hope Quilt" by Corinna Weir.

This is based on the poster by Shepard Fairey.  I love everything about it.

This is a fairly simple pattern, but it was made by a high school student who pieced it and quilted it them self (I'm sorry I didn't zoom in on the label to properly credit this).  The bright crayon colors on the white is stunning.

  That is all the photos I took.

Green/Yellow - More Blocks

Mothers Day

So, I tried to take a photo of Gillian and my Dogs for Mothers Day.  The only thing harder to take pictures of than kids are dogs......or vice versa.  However you want to look at it.

Here are Gillian, Marla & Buzz Lightyear

Here are Gillian, Tulip & Buzz Light Year

Here is Tulip consoling Gillian after Buzz Lightyear got taken away.

Soaper Hero Love!!

Ever Since the first "Pancakes and Maple Syrup" Lip Balm my husband brought me, I've been in love with SoaperHero products.  Her lip balms are delicious and all natural.  

She is a local artisan that can be found on Etsy and  at Craft Sabbath.  Jeff followed up the lip balm with christmas cinnamon soap, egg shaped soap, and some sort of delicious berry soap. 

Whenever I need unique gifts I call on her.   This "Sassie" Soap is for derby girl and long time friend "Sassie Lass."  She is having a baby in July and this will be Thank you presents at her baby shower.

It even looks like playdoh!!

So CUTE!

I also love Tea Tree Oil in everything.  It is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, so it is a great essential oil to add to soap!  I hope she continues to make more of this.  She gave me two bars today and I already know I want two more.  Or Ten.

Plus, Her lip balms are as delicious as they are soothing. 

Civil War BOM

This is a class I am taking at Quilters Haven in Bountiful.  It is a Civil War Block of the Month.  I thought this would be a fun challenge quilt that would reinforce technique and precision.  Most of my current projects are about avoiding anything traditional in quilting.  

I knew these blocks would be difficult, but I didn't realize how time consuming.  I have an average of four hours per block.

February:

March:

April:

Adopted Project

We had our First Ever Modern Quilt Guild Sewing Day.  It was really fun.  There were demonstrations on home machine quilting and plenty of food.  While there, I adopted this Yellow/Green project.

Red, Black, White WIP

Self Proclaimed "Fashion Girl"

Goes Hiking

House for Sale

http://www.utahrealestate.com/953795

HMQS - Updated

So, I have a work scheduling conflict and I had to change my classes at the HMQS.  I am still doing Class #326 "Show Quilts, from start to finish" but I had to cancel the Karen McTavish class. 

I picked up #413 Fabulous Block to Block by Pam Clark.  May 7, 2010 from 4-6 PM.

HMQS - Home Machine Quilting Show

I have signed up for class 311-Mastering the art of McTavishing taught by Karen McTavish and 326 - Show quilts from start to finish Beautifully taught by Linda Tayor/Cheri Meineke-Johnson.  I'm very excited and wouldn't mind company if anyone wants to join me.

When a 3 year old gets a hold of the digital camera

Megans Cowboy Quilt

Megan Pieced this quilt and I quilted it for her.  She is making all of her kids matching quilts - because they (ALL 3, Soon to be 4) Share the same room.  By Choice.  Not because she doesn't have other rooms in her house.   I'm not sure why - but it works for them.  There will be a "Blue" one, "Green" one, "Pink" one and then I pieced this one for the baby girl on the way.

As you can see in the photos, there is an adorable cowboy print that is common to all four quilts.  Great Idea to coordinate and still be able to tell them all apart!

Kitchen Backsplash

Before

After

Philadelphia

Charity Quilt Blocks

At the last modern quilt guild meeting, we did a lot of talking about "wonky log cabins."  When Jon from the quilt guild asked for black, white, red blocks for a charity quilt, I knew I had to try it.

His quilt is going to be titled "Coming Out."  So, a quite literal interpretation, I made another wonky log cabin, cut it into fourths, turned it inside out, and put it back together.

I hope he likes these blocks and I hope they work into the quilt he is making.  It is my understanding the quilt will be auctioned at the Utah Aids Foundation Annual Oscar Party.

Jens Quilt

Jen Wilcox pieced this quilt and I quilted it on a HQ 16 longarm.  I used yellow variegated thread in polyester (since the back had polyester as well).

Amy Butler Fabric

I wanted to tell you the name of the pattern book this came from, but I can't find it.  It has very lovely and fun patterns.

I used a stipple pattern to quilt it.

 I started this quilt with a yard of Amy Butler fabric (the turquoise and olive large print floral).  It was originally purchased for a shower curtain, but ended up as a quilt instead.

I found all the rest of the fabrics in my Grandma Gallaghers (my maternal grandmother's) stash.  She has enough fabric in her basement to fill a fabric store.  For some reason she likes to buy BOLTS of fabric.  No messing around with charm packs or fat quarters for her.  It makes it convenient for me.  This is intended to give to my mom for my sisters room.

The First quilt I EVER loved

My Great Grandma Johnson (my mother's grandmother) made this quilt for me when I was very young (I think I was 2), so around 1980 (It's not considered an antique yet is it????)  You can see she used polyester fabric that she came by either free or very inexpensively from her work.  It was some sort of clothing or fabric factory in Kearns, Utah.  She put a very soft fabric on the back (think minky of the eighties) and then trimmed the edges with lace.  I used this quilt on my bed until I was 12.  The reason I remember the age is because the year my sister Kelli was born, my parents built me a bedroom in the basement of our old house and I got new carpet and bed quilt that matched.  This has been in storage in my parents basement until about two years ago when I finally cleaned out all my old stuff.

Skulls & Roses

This is a very simple two fabric quilt in a simple pattern.  I did not fussy cut the fabric because I couldn't decide if I should focus on the skulls or roses.  It ended up being a very dramatic quilt (if I may say so myself).  It was quilted by Shari Fisher.  This quilt was intended to be given away.  If I ever finish the binding on it - I will certainly give it to the intended recipient.

Kites

This is an early quilt I did - but still one of my favorites.  I love the all warm colors together.  I saw an Atkinsons Design pattern that used a block layout like this (I think the original pattern used pin wheel triangles in the center of each window) - instead of buying the pattern, I used AutoCAD to lay it out and figure out the fabric yards I would need.  I also made a KITE template using AutoCAD.  I cut all the colors and whites into the shape of the kites, sewed them together, and then trimmed the white ends so my blocks were square.

I wanted to use white blocks as the solid blocks in between the "kite" blocks - so I chose a white/white pattern. Since it was a first quilt, I did not pay attention that the pattern was directional.  I ended up with some of the solid blocks facing one way and others facing another.  It was all sewn together before I realized it.  Instead of fixing it - I left it, even though I was very disappointed.  You really can't tell (unless you analyze very closely) and I chalk it up to another quilt lesson learned by experience.

This quilt was quilted by a relative of Shari Fishers.

Buggy Barn Pattern in Moda Fabrics

I love scrappy quilts (and borders) - this is a Buggy Barn pattern that was made with Moda fabrics.  Shari Fisher quilted it for me.  Her name comes up a lot in this blog.  For those who don't already know, she is my friend Jayne's Mother-in-law.  When Jayne and I started quilting, she was (and still is) a huge influence, inspiration, and mentor to us.  My Grandma Gallagher and I bought a long arm shortly after Shari bought hers.  I haven't had her quilt any of my latest quilts - but she is much more advanced on the long arm than I am - and she is still who I call when I need ideas on how to do my quilting.

Black & Tan Quilt

I pieced this quilt for my Grandpa Gallagher in November of 2008.    It was a quilt kit that my Grandma Gallagher bought at Quilts Etc!  The pattern intimidated her and I wanted it very badly - but couldn't afford it.  Since I give all my quilts away anyways, I asked if I could piece it for her.  I was delighted when she said yes.

After the blocks were sewn together my Grandma was going to add borders to make it queen size and give it to my Grandpa for Christmas.  Time got away from us, and we decided it would be a good Fathers day gift.  He became sick and died before we could finish it and give it to him.  He never saw it.  All the quilts we've made and given away and we never made one for my Grandpa.  This one is still in the basement unfinished.

Turning Twenty! Quilt

One year for Christmas, My Grandma Gallagher made quilts for my mom, aunt, and uncle.  Then she took the scraps and pieced this Turning Twenty quilt pattern.  She was tired of this fabric by the time she sewed all the blocks.  She ended up giving them to me.  I finished putting the blocks together and I had a lady in Evanston, Wyoming quilt it for me.  This is the quilt I've had on my bed ever since.  I've patched many holes in it and I'm not ready to give it up.  It has a very elegant feel to it because of the fabric choices.  I also like the all over pattern with no borders.

Mary Englebright Quilt

This is one of the first quilts I ever made.  I think Shari gave me the pattern and I believe one of her relatives quilted it for me.  My three year old daughter Gillian took the photos for me.  On this quilt, I made the back too small.  Whoever quilted it had to add a black strip of fabric to one side to make it fit the front.  Every quilt teaches a lesson.