Jelly Roll Deer Hunting quilt

 This is one of those creative quilts, where I had to create blocks that would fit around the 5 deer panels that I had. I also had several bundles of jelly roll camouflage that I wanted to use with it.  Next I tried to use the darkest camo to create a rail fence design, but had to insert some plain blocks to make it all work.  Fianlly after it was done, I appliqued maple leaves onto the plain blacks.  Anyway, this is how I started, and below is how I finished.

This is also a "create your own design" using scrappy pieces I got at a sale in Monticello.  I love the colors, and thought it turned out quite fun.

My next project was to make some Valentine pillow cases to use up some more of my stash.  I think I made about 22 cases in all, but only had 3 of them done for this year.  But I'll be ready for next year!

Pillow cases for next year.

The Rest of the Retreat Story and Quilt Gifts

A quilt I finished up for a Christmas/wedding gift for Glenda and David Guzman, my cousin in California though I bought the top on e-bay I did the binding and Jeri did the quilting.  They live near Fresno Calif, where I spent part of my early mission.  They work with marketing produce for local farmers, so I had her include grapes on the border area.  It also reminds me of when I picked grapes in the Lord's vineyard in Fresno, and all the people I came to love through those experiences.

Michael finished up his Eagle Scout requirements before Christmas, so I got busy and completed this quilt for him.  We delivered it in January, when we were up tending kids for Anthony and Ashley.

After Christmas I got busy, during the snow storms and finished up the quilt projects I had started last fall.  I had to resew the last row on this, as I had it backwards, then added the borders, and had Jeri Montella quilt it, using purple thread on a cream colored background.  I love it!

My goal this winter is to finish up projects already started, and use up my stash.  Luckily I had a nice lavender flannel for this baby sized pioneer quilt.  Again Jeri did the quilting, using cream on lavender.

I had quite a few already cut pieces left from the wave, so I made a smaller quilt using these.  I used a minky throw for the backing.

2014 Fall Retreat

Blue Mountain Quilting Retreat 2014

The Blue Mountain Lodge was a beautiful setting for the Grayson Quilters Fall retreat in 2014.  This revived my interest in quilting again.  It is always so fun to be with good friends, doing things together that are creative.  We had wonderful food, lots of laughs, played cards, and sewed like crazy!

My sewing buddies for the weekend were Nancy Kimmerle, Carole Fredere, and Kathy Hurst -- though all of us wandered around visiting with everyone there and checking on their projects.

Blue Mountain Lodge is the most awesome setting for a reunion or a retreat.  We were even blessed with a wonderful rain storm on the second day.  Perfect day to be there in a cozy place, and still able to see the wondrous vistas of rain from all sides of the lodge while sewing and talking.

More Grayson quilters, doing that they do best.

 Kathleen Lyman was our Guild president this year, and did an awesome job.

This was Carol's first pieced quilt and it turned out wonderfully well.

Second Day afternoon photo shoot with projects nearly done.

My two projects nearly completed.   I love the colors

T-Shirt Quilt for Ethan

This was done several years ago, but will stick it in this blog, as I just discovered the picture.  This is a quilt I made for Rob and Kathryn's son Ethan.   As he got older, he even learned how to make his own quilt, and now he's planning to make a mountain man outfit, the old fashioned way, with bone needles and leather.  What a great kid he is, with lots of creative imagination and energy!

     I made this quilt for Ethan Christmas 2011 and his mom furnished the t-shirts.

                                                             By the next summer 2012, Ethan was ready to learn to sew, and made this quilt for his baby brother

There was one minor little problem, when Ethan managed to run the machine needle through his finger!   But he came out smiling once the needle was extracted and the finger bandaged!

T-Shirt Quilt for Ethan

This was done several years ago, but will stick it in this blog, as I just discovered the picture.  This is a quilt I made for Rob and Kathryn's son Rob.   As he got older, he even learned how to make his own quilt, and now he's planning to make a mountain man outfit, the old fashioned way, with bone needles and leather.  What a great kid he is, with lots of creative imagination and energy!

     I made this quilt for Ethan Christmas 2011 and his mom furnished the t-shirts.

                                                             By the next summer 2012, Ethan was ready to learn to sew, and made this quilt for his baby brother

There was one minor little problem, when Ethan managed to run the machine needle through his finger!   But he came out smiling once the needle was extracted and the finger bandaged!