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.

Antique Wedding Rings Quilt

This quilt was given to me by my Grandma.  It was her parents quilt that they received on their wedding day.  This quilt holds terrible memories for my Grandma and her family.  I'm actually surprised that it still exists.  My Grandma kept it in a plastic bag in a box for the last 50 years.  When I became interested in quilting about six and a half years ago - she dug through her basement and found it so she could give it to me.

I don't have the same negative feelings about this quilt that my Grandma does.  I keep it in my sewing room (with no windows) so I can see it when I work on my projects.  I hope that some of my quilts will hold memories for years to come.  Of course, I hope they are good memories.

Stash quilt

http://www.funquilts.com/gallery/patterns/patterns.html

This pattern is from the "free patterns section" at the bottom of the link above.  The website has inspired me to find more modern patterns and pay more attention to color during fabric selection.  They have a modern "quilt along" that would be fun to try sometime.

The fabrics in this quilt have been in my stash for a long time.  I bought them from a 90 year old woman at a yard sale.  I've spent years wondering what to do with them.  I'm very happy with this quilt and the best part is - I can't decide which I like better, the front or the back!

Oh My Stars!

Block of the month during 2006 with Jayne and Jen- The class was offered at Quilters Haven in Bountiful.

Xmas 2009

LOVE THIS BLOG!

OH! Fransson
Check out her free quilt along Patterns and the pattern for purchase "Mix Tape" on her Etsy Page.  I will be making these soon.

Casie & Adam Wedding Quilt

This is a pattern from a magazine and I believe it was quilted by Shari Fisher.  It was not quilted at the time I took the photo.  It was queen size.  The solid black had a pin tuck texture that was really elegant.

Donation Quilt

This was donated to a silent auction and sold for $300.00!!  It is Queen sized "Stack and Whack" and quilted by Shari Fisher http://www.itsquilted.blogspot.com

Polka Dot Log Cabin

This is a pattern I got from a magazine.  I bought fabric for one quilt and was able to use scraps for a second quilt.  I quilted these myself on a HQ Long Arm.  The backs are polka dot minky which was a hit with the recipients.  The orange one was given to a derby girl "Miss Discipline" and the blue one was for my new nephew Tristan.

Old Quilt

This year is all about finishing old projects and using fabric I already have in my stash.  This block was made in February of 2006.  If I'm lucky, the entire quilt will be done in February of 2010.  I'll post pictures when it is finished.

Hunter Mehr Quilt

This is the quilt I made for Megans second son Hunter.  It was quilted by Shari Fisher.

First Quilt Ever

This is the first quilt I ever bought a pattern and fabric for.  The pattern is "Yellow Brick Road" and I was trying to do Brights - but you can tell my fabric selection was not very confident and not very bright.  I also  did a "stitch in the ditch" on my sewing machine which I now regret.  At the time I guess it was okay.  I gave this quilt to my friend Megans Mehr first son Justin.