Mystery Quilt 2015

I had done this mystery quilt a few years back a few years ago with a Yahoo Group called OhioQuilters.  I really haven't been too active with it lately, but when I came across this quilt, I was reminded of how fun it was to make.

Groups are a great place to meet other quilters with out having to leave your house!    Try it out.

This is another top I had sitting around forever and finally found the time to add backing and binding..  My theory is that we all have a certain amount of creative process built up inside and we just need to keep making it/doing it until we just can't do it anymore.                                                                                                                                                                                      I make quilts, Afghans, whatever with no particular "receiver" in mind.  My only rule is that they "want" or will appreciate the gift. I would be sad if it showed up at the thrift shop but it could be a more grateful receiver would be the final owner instead. 

Columbus Area Quilt Adventure

On Thursday June 8th, my friend Kay and I went on a quilt adventure in the Columbus, Ohio area. We try to go to another city or state when we can but today we stayed local and had just as much fun.                                                                                      We started the day at Quilt Beginnings.                 Always a great place for new fabric combos, ideas and inspiring samples.  The staff is very friendly and helpful.

  

Then we headed to another one of our favorite places,

  Sew To Speak. Which has an assortment of quilting, sewing and knitting supplies.  Eclectic fabrics and patterns. Friendly and helpful staff combined with wonderful samples.  They always have something new that I can't leave without.

I purchase a linen piece to coordinate with a few linen items I had acquired on a few previous trips. The gray with light dots I got at  Sew To Speak, the gray cats on the black background I got when we went to Pittsburgh to the Knit and Crochet Festival in March from a vendor at the  show.  There were actually quite a few quilt vendors which was great as Kay and I love both knitting and quilting.  The rolled piece of red hearts on the tan background I purchased in Chester England last year at Liberty Bell. 

I would really like to incorporate the three fabrics together into a clutch or a bag of some sorts.

 

After all our shopping it was time for lunch and an adult beverage at The Whitney House in Worthington

Then we finished off our day at the Red Rooster Quilts 

Where we each bought a 5" charm pack of Poppy Mae by moda.

T-Shirt Quilt and Crochet Rug

A few years ago i had the opportunity  to make a few t-shirt quilts for a guy I worked with.  He had been in Boy Scouts for many years and had a collection of t-shirts from a lot of jamborees he had participated in. 

I made a template that incorporated the design and made a uniform size [there are clear grid templates that make this easier]. I trimmed each down. Used iron on interfacing to give each a stability to keep them from stretching out. 

I surged them all together.  Used a dark green fabric [boy scout color] as the backing and binder.   

                  

With the left over material I cut into 1/2" to 1" strips and made "yarn" balls.  I joined the pieces randomly, crocheted them into a circle using a large hook.  

This is the sweet little rug i produced. Approximately a 36 inch circle.

Haven't decided where to use it or gift it to yet. 

Cherry Country Quilt Shop Sutton's Bay Michigan

My husband and I made a recent trip to one of our favorite vacation areas last week, Traverse City, Michigan.  

We like to take short little shopping trips in the area. This was from Sutton's Bay.

I stopped at a cute little quilt shop in the area, Cherry Country Quilters.  I've been there many other times and I always seem to find something I just can't live without. This time was no exception. 

I came home with a bundle of cherry themed fat quarters and a third of a yard of script fabric.  I just can't resist fabric with writing.

The ladies were super friendly and chatty.  The store has a wonderful assortment of fabrics and samples.