Bloggers Quilt Festival

I came across the Blogger's Quilt Festival through a fellow blogger, Allie,  because she had entered her Lemon Tree Quilt in it.  So, while I was reading the entry requirements, I thought about entering a quilt.  Now we all know that my scrappy Pineapple Log Cabin quilt is my favorite, but the quilt that holds a pretty special place in my heart is this one:

It is not a new quilt.  I guess I started it in when I was in a block swap.  I made a copy of every block I sent away.  When the swap was over, I had a lot of blocks, but not enough to make a quilt.  So, I decided to make blocks from leftover fabrics from the quilts I made.  I love it because it is my personal sampler block quilt (if that makes any sense).  I also enjoyed the quilting because each block is different.  So this is the one I will enter.  Thanks to Amy who is hosting this festival.

What Have I Been Doing? and a Giveaway

I have not been able to get into my sewing room for a long time.  I have been busy, busy, busy...but I did find the time to sew these wallets.  I gave one to my daughter one before she went off to college and she wanted a bigger one.  So, of course, I ended up making three in different sizes.  We will see which one she picks...

Unfortunately, this was the best picture I could take.  It was hard to take a good picture with the "see through window".  They actually look better in "real life". 

Vegetarian Hunter is having a 100th Post Giveaway, go on over and check it out.

Qbot Update and Apricot Moon Designs

So since I got my Qbot (for those who don't know what a Qbot is...it is a quilting robot), I have been practicing and playing around with it.  The Qbot comes with a set number of designs (block, overall, border, and corner).  There are only two overall designs (roses and puzzle pieces).  Since most of my quilts are very busy, I tend to use overall designs.  The first few quilts I completed on the frame/Qbot, I practiced free motion quilting (not using the Qbot).  Then I completed two quilts using each of the two overall designs.  Since I get bored very quickly, I started to look for more overall designs and found that Apricot Moon formatted their designs specifically for the Qbot.  So I ordered two overall designs (bubbles and French curl).  It was very easy to download and use.

Here is the quilt that I am using the bubbles design on...

and a close-up...

I love the way this quilt is turning out.  Of course, I will post a picture of the completed quilt when I am done.  

Owl and Lady Bug Pin Cushions

So while I was looking at pin cushion patterns for the swap, I came across a few that I wanted to try.  I made an owl pin cushion, I thought it made such a cute stuffed animal...that I made two more.  Of course, I kept one and I sent the other two to my daughters.  They seemed to like them.  The tutorial for this owl pin cushion can be found at the Moda Bake Shop.

I also made these cute little lady bugs.  I found them on this link called Bitty Bug.

My All Time Favorite Quilt

When I look at my all time favorite quilt, it brings back so many memories.  I used to take one adult education course at a time.  Throughout the years I have taken framing, stained glass, etc..  It was where I took my very first quilting course.  My teacher was very old fashioned, she did not allow us to use a rotary cutter or rulers.  She taught us to use scissors and templates.  I was enjoying the class, but it was not until she brought in an old quilt that I fell in love.  She had purchased it unfinished at a garage sale.  The quilt pattern was a pineapple log cabin, but it was not flat...it was folded somehow.  I searched for that pattern for years and finally found it on line.  Of course, I ordered it and made it with all of my scraps...after all, I am a scrappy quilt lover.  It took me 5 years (how sad is that?)  Because you fold the fabrics, there is a muslin base...which leads to my very first mistake.  I should never have added batting because when all was said and done, the quilt was not only way too heavy, but also a bit stiff.  So I rolled it and covered it in sheeting and stored it in my closet for "someday".  And then last night, it was a bit cold and I thought, "Why not?  So what if it's a bit stiff, maybe it will soften with use."  It is not only my all time favorite quilt, but also my all time favorite pattern and I wanted to share it with you.  Oh, boy, this is wordy...anyway here it is:

and a close up...

So I was wondering, what captured your heart?

Received My Pin Cushion Swap Package

I received my package...YAY!

I am so lucky!  My secret partner, Kimberly Roberts, sent me not one, but 2 pin cushions (the second one is behind the 2 buttons).  She also sent me two colorful fabrics and 3 vintage lace trims.  I love, love, love it.  Thank you Kimberly.  She also included a magazine, Abaco Life, which is all the way in the back of the picture.  It shows pictures and stories of island life.

Here is a close up, not very clear, but it was the best I could do.