Monday, April 30, 2012

Labels, labels, labels.

Yesterday I spent the day finishing the quilting on the comfort quilt for my sister.  Even though this was a comfort quilt, I want everyone to know that the fabric for it did not come out of Iowa Comfort fabric.  Not that it would have mattered to anyone .....but just the same I wanted to let you know. 

Last night it was a label kind of night.  I pulled all seven quilts that are slated for delivery on Tuesday out and started attaching their labels to them.  NOTE to self....lets learn to attach labels while attaching binding.  Ah but that would be logical wouldn't it.  :-)

I'll have to see if Jacque Johnson has any free time on Tuesday so she can join me when I deliver the quilts.  The shop has been doing great at collecting pillow cases for the center.  We have far exceeded the original request of 80, and they just keep coming.  Not to worry though, should we exceed the needs of the center....we will find a place for them locally and brighten someones day.

Well I am off to load a customer quilt....I'll be able to order batting this week!  Its a good thing.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Dino's

Yesterday I showed you the quilt that is being raffled off by the De Soto library. So I thought I would show you the little quilt I made for the Adel Library.

Again this quilt is not an Iowa Comfort Quilt, but I do have enough fabric left over that there maybe one similar to it being donated to Iowa Comfort.

There will be a silent auction the weekend of June 22 and 23 for the Adel Library.  For the past several years  Adel Quilting and Dry Goods has an outdoor quilt show, during that show several items that have been finished by the ladies of Quilt Circle are available to be bid on. 

If my memory serves me correctly the last two years this little auction has raised close to a $1,000 each year for the Adel Library.  Last year I know that they used the money to purchase more books.  The nice thing about this auction is that there is a "Buy it now price" for each item.  My donation last year was sold at that price prior to the actual auction.  Finished items were on display prior to the auction at the library, and someone decided not to take a chance on the bidding process.


So here is my donation this year.  It is actually quilted and bound already...but of course I don't have a pic of the completed quilt.

Here are some close ups of those little dino's.....






oops he is side ways!

I fell in love with this whimsical fabric, and hope that the library will benefit from these little dino's.  The finished quilt measures 48 x 48, so it would make a great binki for a toddler.  Put a trip to Adel on the calendar for June 22 or 23, come see the show and to see if there is anything at the auction that you really can't live without.







Saturday, April 28, 2012

De Soto Library quilt

Although this quilt isn't an Iowa Comfort quilt it is a charity quilt and I wanted to show it to you.

For the past three years a group of women have met once a week (until the quilt was finished) to create a quilt for raffle for the De Soto Library. The city of  De Soto hosts a family day once a year in August, and the library host games for the kids and other fun things to do that day.  During the days festivities they raffle off a number of items including the quilt.

This year I was only able to donate the quilting of the quilt, as my schedule did not allow for me to assist in the actual piecing of the quilt.  Lets take a look at their quilt.

Here is a close up of the quilt.

The camera is not doing it justice! The fabric in this quilt are rich in color.  Deep reds, creams, burgundy, brown, blues and golds.  It is just a beautiful quilt!

And the best part is that it is a QUEEN size quilt! 

As I said before the quilt is available for raffle.  Tickets can be purchased at the library, or you can send me the money and I will purchase the tickets for you and then send the tickets back to you.  I believe it is a $1.00 a ticket or 6 tickets for $5.00.  That is a really reasonable price so I hope you support the De Soto Library and buy MANY tickets.  All proceeds will be used in library programs or to buy books.


Friday, April 27, 2012

David's quilt

I really did wait to long to go to the doctors office.  It took a full 48 hours before I could even think about getting into the quilting room.

This week I have been focused on trying to honor my sisters request for a quilt for her son.  Actually the quilt is for her to remember her son, thus it is in 9 shades of blue, his favorite color.

Wednesday I tried to work on the quilt top, and spent a lot of time with the seam ripper and about 3:00 I realized I was actually dizzy while sitting in my chair trying to sew.  Luckily for me my sister Kellie was on my wave length and gave me a call.  She needed someone to talk to, she was at home alone and feeling a little overwhelmed.  We talked a good 30 minutes and had a few laughs along the way.  By the time I was done visiting with her I was done in the quilt room for the day.

Yesterday I spent the better part of the day working on the top.  Five rows joined together, row 6 pinned to the other 5 just waiting to be sewn down.

Today I hope to finish the quilt top and get it loaded on to the longarm this weekend.

I want to thank everyone who offered to help me with this quilt.  I know that I wanted to get it to my sister right away....and many of my wonderful friends offered to assist in the construction to make that happen.  In the end I really needed this quilt to be a me project.

After this quilt is completed I will be back on track with Iowa Comfort quilts.  It won't be long and I will be needing supplies.....so if you know anyone who needs longarm work done give them my name and number.  I currently do not have any customer quilts, so there can be a fairly quick turn around.  And those customer quilts do pay for the batting and backing for Iowa Comfort Quilts.

Thanks again to all who support Iowa Comfort!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Prairie Womens Sewing Group

I belong to the PWSG hosted by Adel Quilting and Dry Goods.  Jacque has been a strong supporter of Iowa Comfort so I wanted to help get the word out about the group.  I have copied a notice that I received a couple of weeks ago below.

If you are interested in quilt history....or even just history you will find this to be a wonderful class.  I am excited that they are adding additional speakers and slide shows to Journey 3, don't worry if you haven't attended Journey 1 or 2.....each lesson stands on its own.

Here is Jacques message:

Many of you have already registered for Journey III and thank you for that. We have about 10 openings left so, invite your friends, relatives and neighbors to join us. I am really excited as I plan Journey III. You can expect big screen slide shows, fascinating guest speakers, lottery blocks and new hand sewing projects to work on while you share and chat with your sisters of the cloth. Our first meeting is June 16 and will continue on the third Saturday morning of each month for all 6 Gatherings of Journey III. If you have not registered or if you have a friend to refer, please do soon so we can order the required pattern and lesson plans. So looking forward to it! Until then - Piece Be With You All! Jacque

Contact the shop at 515-993-1170 if you are interested or have questions.

Hope to see you in class!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Anyone want to restore an antique quilt?

While I was in Nevada earlier this month, I had a call from someone I use to work with.

Sherry has come into possession of an antique quilt (1930 ish) by her guess.  She has fallen in love with the quilt and wants to use it.  She told me that there were a couple of patches of fabric that were well worn and needed replaced.  She has vintage fabric to replace those patches with....she just doesn't have the skills to do the repair work herself.

If I recall the conversation correctly, the quilt was hand quilted.  So the top would need to have some fabric replaced and then some hand quilting would need to be replicated once the restoration is done.

Contact me for Sherry's number if you are interested.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Quilts 29 & 30

While at Circle of Friends last week Joyce Scott gifted us two quilt tops that she had determined that she would never finish for herself.

Joyce has been going through some major purging the last month or so and those things that she can live without are finding new homes elsewhere.  Lucky for us....these two tops get to come and live with me for a little while until I get them quilted.  YAY!

Lets take a look at them....

Opps my hubby was holding it the wrong way....ah well you get the picture.  Patriotic fabric and the border fabric has exploding fireworks.  So very very fun. 

Here is the second one;

Mostly the same fabrics as the first, minus the white.  I love all the flags going every which way.  I could see these quilts going on a small boys bed at the center, or maybe a veteran at one of the local nursing homes.  I'll have plenty of time to think about it since I have several to quilt before it.

I finished binding one of the little quilts that I quilted earlier this month while resting in my recliner last night.  I should have the other one done today.

I should probably call the center later today to set up a time to deliver quilts.  Right now though my head is beginning to pound so I think I'm going to relax for a little bit.



Monday, April 23, 2012

A morning wasted

Good afternoon all!  I wasted my morning sitting in the Urgent Care waiting room this morning.  Evidently everyone in the western suburbs decided to go to the doctors office today.  I finally escaped around noon.  The doctor asked me when I was going to learn to take better care of myself, and reminded me that I am no longer in my twenties.  I told him that I was glad I wasn't in my twenties anymore.....I had more stress when I was.

Anyway I officially have acute bronchitis and sinus infection. I need to rest the next couple of days....so I won't be doing a lot of quilting or sewing for at least 48 hours. Good news is that I can set back in my recliner and stitch down binding, so that is the plan.

I have a couple more donations to show you tomorrow.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Iowa comfort quilt #28

Here are a couple of pics of the third quilt donated by Wanda Hickey. This one is at least a twin and maybe a full size quilt.

I just love the design of this quilt.  Again a three color quilt.  I know it looks like black, red and white again.....but it actually is cream, hot pink and black with cream colored polka  dots.  Here is a closer look.

Wanda quilted the top with that wonderful cross hatching.  I so wish I had the patience to quilt like that!

I just want to thank Wanda one more time for her generosity.  I know these three quilts will brighten someones day when they receive them.





Saturday, April 21, 2012

Iowa Comfort Quilts 26 & 27

Earlier this week I attended my monthly quilt meeting.  It is called Circle of Friends and it is hosted by Jacque Johnson owner of Adel Quilting and Dry Goods.  I wasn't really feeling like going, the week before hectic and sad.....but I felt like I needed to get back into my own routine, and Circle of Friends is part of that routine.

It was tough because people just reached out and hugged me, offered condolences and anything else they could.....and I did a really poor job of staying strong.  I made it through the night and I was really glad to have the fellowship of my friends.

While I was away, Jacque accepted three completed quilts for Iowa Comfort.  I'm going to show you the first two today, and then the third one tomorrow.

These quilts were donated by Wanda Hickey.  She did all of the work on them and they came to me ready to be donated to the center.

Lets take a look.


I recognize so many of the fabrics in this quilt!  In fact I have several of them waiting to go into a comfort quilt soon.  So much fun.....and I love the binding on it.  Wanda used up all the left overs from other quilt bindings.  Silly me, I thought I was the only one that kept that 16 inch by 2.5 strip of left over binding, now I know better there is at least Wanda and I that do it.


Here is a closer look at the quilt.  You can see on the left hand side the binding going from a yellow floral ( I think I have 5 yards of that fabric in my closet) to black.  I notice that there is some ISU fabric in this quilt..... how fun is this quilt for left over fabric.

Here comes quilt 27


I love quilts that are red, white and black!  This little quilt is going to bring such pleasure to whoever receives it at the center.  It might make its way to a little person at the center, or may be a lap quilt for an adult.


Here is a close up of the quilting.  Cross hatching, so lovely.  I someday hope to be able to cross hatch a quilt, it is on my bucket list.....it appears to me that Wanda has mastered the skill.


One last picture today.  Both of the quilts above have this really soft and warm fabric as the backing.

These quilts will be delivered at the end of April or first week in May depending on when I can make arrangements to get together with staff.  I have a STRONG feeling that they will probably be in the hands of someone needing a little extra TLC within days of their arrival at the center.

Once again thank you so much Wanda for your generosity, I know your quilts will bring a smile to several people in the very near future.





Friday, April 20, 2012

Comfort Quilt # 25

Earlier this week I set a goal to finish all three customer quilts by Friday.  I finished quilt number 2 yesterday and have quilt # 3 on the longarm now.  Barring some kind of an emergency I should be able to meet that goal. Always a good thing!

Yesterday I showed you what Lonnie gave to Iowa Comfort.  Today I will show you what I received from someone who would prefer to remain anonymous.  This person just showed up on my door step and asked if the following items could be used at the center.  Take a look:


Isn't this soft and pretty!  I have always liked scalloped edges on a quilt....but have always been to chicken to try.   Officially this is Iowa Comfort Quilt #25, and it is ready for donation at the end of the month.  Here is a close up.


The same person when through their closet and found some items that might come in handy at the center.....check this out.


Those two sacks have gently used clothing in them.


This last sack had travel size shampoo, conditioner and soap in the bottom.  This sack also contained a comfy soft pair of pj's.

I have more show and tell to show you tomorrow.  The next couple of reveals are of completed quilts, ready for donation.  I have to admit I was feeling kind of low earlier, thinking I was letting the center down by only getting 3 or 4 quilts done this month.  With the quilt above and the next 3 I will show you, we should come in with 8 again this month.

Stop back again.


Thursday, April 19, 2012

one quilt down

I finished the first of my three customer quilts yesterday.  I have to admit it felt good to just turn on the I pod and shut out the world.  Felt even better completing this one because I knew it had a time table, and I had to cancel the original in take of this quilt because of my family emergency last week.  Sometimes I do work better under pressure, but not always.

I spent last night binding my Adel Library quilt donation.  I'll have a picture of that later in the week.  I also stopped in at the De Soto Library.  This makes the third year that a group of ladies make a quilt to raffle for the De Soto Library, this year I was only able to contribute the quilting of the project.  The rest of the ladies picked the pattern and did all the piecing on it.  I'll have a picture of it later also.

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago I had such a mess in my sewing room?  Well I thought I would show you my new storage system.

Isn't it pretty!  The plan is to have larger cuts of fabric in the bottom row and smaller cuts in the top.  Each color of fabric has its own basket.....now just to label them so I don't have to pull them out to find the yellow fabric.  The back side also has baskets in primary colors (I went to every Target in Des Moines and bought every pastel I could find).

So now that I have my pretty storage take a look at this:

Lonnie Keeran went through her fabric and decided that some of it could come and live with me!  Or at least could stay with me until I find use for it in and Iowa Comfort quilt.  These sacks are HEAVY!  I'm thinking I need to do some sorting and get them into the baskets above or in the name of Desi Arnaz " I'll have some xplaining to do!"



Here are a couple of shots of what was in those bags.


Lonnie has also volunteered to provide the backing for the next Iowa Comfort quilt that I hope to quilt next week.  Thank you so much Lonnie!

More donations and information coming this week, keeping coming back for the reveals.








Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Back to it today

Yesterday afternoon I went back to work.  I have three customer quilts to work on this week.  I have the first quilt about half done.  These quilts have come at a good time, I will need to purchase backing and batting again soon (isn't that wonderful....means that we are putting some comfort out there!) and as you all know my quilting for customers fund the Iowa Comfort Quilts.

I am going to have to get out my camera later today.  I thought I had pictures of the De Soto Library donation quilt along with the Adel Library donation quilt that I was working on before my trip out west...but I wasn't able to find them today. 

I have had so many donations over the last week.  I will get them all posted this coming week....I promise.

So this week I plan to finish quilting my three customer quilts.  This weekend I plan to work on the quilt for my sister, I hope to get it pieced this weekend and quilted Sunday and Monday.  Each night I will work on binding one of the two quilts I finished before I went out of town.  Nancy Hagelberg took one of them home with her last night from quilt circle to finish binding it.....I feel a little bad as it was the biggest of the three that needed binding.  Thanks to all that helped find that binding last night, my head was in a fog.

I'll just take it one day at a time until I get back into my routine.  Give your kids and your spouses a hug...we never know how long we will have them.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

An apology

I would like to apologize again to any of you who showed up for the community prep day, only to realize I was not there.

I do realize that your time is very important, and since I had not asked who might be coming early on.. I had no way of notifying you all individually when I needed to cancel. I just did not have the time to pull the fabric for the event in one day.

Kathy thank you for giving me a call, and putting a note up on the door for anyone else that may have missed my last post.  I wish I had thought about calling the library and asking them to post a sign this morning.

I guess my mind is still cluttered and focused on honoring my sisters request. 

For those of you who do not know.  I was out of town most of the week.  I received a call from one of my sisters that my 26 year old nephew had passed away.  I hopped on a plane and spent most of the week out in Henderson Nevada, helping in anyway I could.   Before I came home my sister asked that I make a king size blue quilt for her, to remember David by.  David's favorite color was blue.  I plan to make a quilt similar to one of our first quilts.  The blue blocks sashed in white, only bigger.  I'm hoping that I can get it cut and pieced together quickly for her, and that it will bring her comfort.

Of course with me being gone for a week my schedule is all messed up, so I'm going to have to  spend some time with the appointment book and see what I can get accomplished with the rest of the month.

I'll start showing some pictures of some donations starting tomorrow.  Stop back and see what is going on with Iowa Comfort.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

community day

There has been a death in the family.  Which took me away from home for most of this last week.

Unfortunately that means I will not have time to prepare for this Mondays community prep day as planned.  So I am going to have to reschedule it for a later date.

I'll try to get back to posting here very soon, hopefully be mid week or so.

Please keep checking back .

Monday, April 9, 2012

Last week

I caught a bug late in the week and it totally missed up my schedule.

 I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Thought I would post a recap of last week, just so you know where we are on this months quilts.

Last week I quilted ICQ 16,17 & 20.  As a refresher here they are below:

Since I have three customer quilts coming in this week; I plan on trimming and binding these quilts this week after I am done quilting for the day.  I hope to have them all finished by this weekend.

This past week I also pieced a little quilt for the Adel Library Auction in June, and started quilting a raffle quilt for the De Soto Library.  I'll show pictures of each of those this coming week.

Hope you have a great week.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Quilts delivered

The staff at the center had a conference this week, so catching them on site was a little tricky.  I was able to meet up with a volunteer on Thursday morning and deliver the completed quilts to them.  The volunteer said that our group inspired her.  She told me that at a recent conference she had learned how a gift like ours could bring a sense of security to those that they help.

I am just really glad to be able to help make someones life a little bit nicer.

As of today we have given the center17 quilts, 15 quilts this year, and 2 late last year.  We have exceeded the initial goal, and I know that it would not have happened without all of your help.

So on this Easter weekend I want to say thank you for all of your support on this project.  And thank you for taking the journey with me.  We are making a difference in many lives.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Soon to be organized

With the warmer weather we have had the last 10 days.  My dear husband decided to start building my shelves for under my longarm.  Terry only likes warm weather so the cooler weather the last couple of days had him staying inside, but yesterday he put on a sweatshirt and went out and stained the trim for the shelving units.  Once they are good and dry, he will put them on the units and we will be ready to bring them inside.

Do you remember those cute little pastel baskets I found about 10 days ago?  Well this week we hit two Target stores and pretty much took everything they had.  Of course this means when they come in I truly will have to organize the fabric by color.

GOOD NEWS is that it will be just in time for the community prep day.  I'll just grab the baskets and be ready to head for Adel.  I do have a call into the center to find out how many queen size beds they have, that information should make it easier to make the kits.

Here is a look at the shelves in progress;
each of those units will hold 16 of these cute baskets

I should have plenty of storage!  Lets hope it works out in practice as well as it did in my mind.


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Community Day COMING SOON!

I'm not ready for a community sew day yet.  I have about 6 weeks of quilts to quilt yet....and I have heard rumors that I may be getting a few more completed quilt tops in the near future. But I do need help.

I have decided that the next quilts we work on in a community sew day will be for the four queen size beds for the center.  Additionally I decided to make them all a scrappy nine patch.  I need help cutting and kitting these quilts.

I have reserved the Adel Library from 1 to 5 on April 16th.  I'll bring the fabric, if you would like to help bring a mat, ruler and a rotary cutter.  All Help would be greatly appreciated.