Priority Quilt Revisited

I started talking about this quilt nearly a year ago, on August 6, 2009. I brought it back out to see if it could be saved the other day and ended up cutting off the borders and just keeping the center. Then I attached new borders and put some batting in between that and a new backing. It's not really crooked IRL, that's my bad photography. I will quilt the borders, probably folloing the hearts in the fabric, but it needs something else. I'm thinking of maybe putting a pink piping on before I bind it. What do you think? All suggestions are welcome! I don't have much time, need to get this one done.

Some Exciting News!

I got an email from Kathy Shaffer who owns a new little quilt shop in Millburn, Illinois called The Common Thread Merchantile. It's the cutest little shop tucked in amongst beautiful trees in a lovely, calming setting.



She had come across my information at the Village Quilters Guild where Annette Hendricks had been the speaker and I brought my hand dyed fabric to sell. Kathy was interested in carrying my fabric in her shop, so I brought her some of my inventory and it is now available to you through her. The shop is well worth a visit, although currently her hours are limited, so visit her blog for details and directions. I had the opportunity to sit on her porch and enjoy the beauty, and it was very peaceful and inspiring. Thanks, Kathy!

Time . . . . so fleeting!

I can't believe how quickly time is passing by. My son is graduating from 8th grade this week and will soon be off to (GULP!) high school. He was a baby not that long ago!

Needless to say, all this has kept me busy with all the preparation and events leading up to the actual graduation, but I'm in the studio dyeing as well. My favorite Canadian customer wants some rainbows ( I just love these! ) and she has a fondness for lime green, so I'm doing some yardage for her.


My studio renovation has stalled - things are crazy at work for both my husband and I so our free time (ha!) has disappeared - hopefully things will get back on track soon so I can get some sewing done! One good thing that comes with graduation . . . the school auction comittment is over for me, turned over to other hands!

One fun note: My sister Diane and I are going to the taping of The Quilt Show in August in Bolder, CO with Ami Simms. Should be fun - we're talking about making a road trip out of it which could be quite an adventure! Will keep you posted!

Alzheimer's Name Quilt #2

I finished the second Alzheimer's Quilt (see the last post for details) and will send them both off to be bound by another generous person. I am proud to have been one little cog in this huge wheel that has raised not only money, but awareness of Alzheimer's.


This one is hearts - it took me a while to figure out how to make them continuous, but once the idea hit me, it went very quickly. For me, the quilts signify all the love that has gone into this project and the love that we have for those who have been stricken by this horrible disease. I pray that a cure will be found soon!

What I've Done This Week

Among a multitude of other mundane tasks, I have just finished quilting this rather unusual quilt. This is a section from the first of two 6" wide by 7' long name quilts (you read it right, six inches by seven feet) I'm quilting for the AAQI new exhibit Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope. The two I'm doing will hang with 180 others, each bearing the names of 55 people who currently have Alzheimer's Disease or have died with Alzheimer's or a related dementia. There will be over 10,000 names represented in this exhibit and that's not even a fraction of those who have been stricken. Many hands have touched each of these quilts, those that donated the fabric, collected the names, assembled the tops, those that organized them and sent them to quilters all over the U.S. (maybe farther!), those that quilted them and then to the hands that bind them, finally to those who will hang them for display. It's quite an amazing feat, all spearheaded by the tireless Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan.


I chose to do a leaf pattern, symbolizing hope in the new research that's being done to thwart this horrible disease. I'm not sure how I'll do the second one yet, I'm still thinking that one over.

OWOH . . . I Have Been Remiss . . .

I have not blogged for a while, it's funny how quickly time flies by when you're not looking!

I received two other wonderful prizes from the One World One Heart event and want to show them to you.

The first is this lovely set of note cards from Pat Knowles at Images Through An Open Window:


And the second is this adorable bird print from Vickie at Whispers of Inspiration.



Vickie also sent me this cute little notecard!



The whole adventure with One World One Heart was a blast - thanks to everyone who participated!

Look what I WON!!!

This incredible bit of art from Alaska arrived safe and sound in my mail box today. I won him in the One World One Heart blog giveaway. His name is Jasper and he was created by Pat Haight of Wigglebutt Clay Creations. She also generously sent me some wonderful hand made buttons and a gorgeous heart pin that were a total surprise.


What a wonderful thing to have show up in the mailbox today! Thanks, Pat!