Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Thursday, November 21, 2013

I'm As Busy As A Bee ~ A Quilting Bee



It's Done!   
 
Ready For Christmas Gift Giving :)
These horses all came from a design package at
http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/ 

Check out my mitered corners . . . 
my dear sister-in-law showed me how to do this :)
 
I know that Abbey will love the horses, but aren't the ladybugs cute, too.
 
From everything that I have read about quilting,
A quilt is not finished until it is labeled by the quilter.
Oh, my goodness, did I just call myself a quilter?
A beginner . . . but still a quilter, right?

The quilt above was quilted on my sewing machine.
It's a lot of fabric to deal with and keep flat and straight . . .soooooooooooooo
I when out to the side of the house and rescued Steve's old saw horses.

Scraped, sanded, and painted them.

While the paint was drying I covered two six foot 1x4's with batting and fabric.

Viola! my very own quilting frame.
The only thing that I had to purchase was three 6 foot boards.
One I cut in half for the sides and the other two are the top and bottom of the frame.
Under $25 . . .pretty good, right :)


Here's the side view.
It may not be the prettiest frame, but it works,
and I made it myself :)

I even had room to add a couple small shelves to hold supplies. 
 
Here's the quilt that I have pieced for my youngest granddaughter. 

Aren't these little girls cute.
They are from 
http://www.oregonpatchworks.com
and come in a package of ten different designs.
(also the sewing machine on my quilt label came from Oregon Patchworks, too)

Here's another.

Well, my quilt is all stretched out and tomorrow and the next day,
and the next day, and the next day . . . you get the idea,
You know what I'll be doing.

The best part is, I'll be doing it with a big smile on my face.
It's so much fun to be a grandma :)

This is a way that I can wrap them up in my love,
even if I'm miles away.

Keep Smiling,
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
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57 comments:

  1. What a beautiful quilt, Connie. I have never tired machine quilting and have not made a quilt in years. I keep thinking I will do that again one of these days. The one for your granddaughter is just darling- I love the little girls! xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, I am always so pleased to see you and thank you for the kind words. These quilts are keeping me very busy, but I'm loving every minute :)

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  2. Oh, you have some very lucky Granddaughters! Your quilts are just darling - love the embroidery and the sweet fabrics. You are so clever for making the quilting frame, too! I know your Granddaughters will treasure these. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. Hi Karen, I had time to sit for a couple of hours today and start quilting. I think that I am ready going to like doing the hand stitching, it's very relaxing, will take a lot longer, but I enjoy the quiet time. Thank you for your encouraging words, I truly appreciate your friendship :)

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  3. what an awesome quilt that is. Fabulous job for a beginner. I'm still in the wanna be a beginner stages.....lol

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    1. Hello Ann, thank you, I feel real good about the way this first one turned out. I'm sure that Abbey will love it :)

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  4. What lovely quilts! The horse one looks great :)

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  5. Beautiful quilts Connie. Yes, you are a quilter, and a master frame builder also. Your grand daughters will be thrilled to receive their quilts this Christmas and probably cherish those quilts forever!!! You inspire me to want to make something and pull out may machine and sew a few squares together.

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    1. Hi Louise, I am delighted to be an inspiration. I know that I jump around a lot from one type of project to another, but it keeps life interesting. I will be looking forward to seeing your squares :)

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  6. Looks like you have well and truly made the transition into quilting. Of course you can call yourself a quilter. We all had to start somewhere! Well done with the frame... and such a budget price too!

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    1. Hi Carolyn, thank you for your kind words. This quilt making thing is new to me, but I am truly loving every minute of it. I have visited many quilt shows and always been amazed by the art of quilt making . . . I never really thought that one day I would be quilting, too. I'm still a little bit surprised with this new outlet for my creative itch, LOL

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    2. Oh, my!

      I just wrote those same words on Lavender Garden Dreams where she posted a similar redwork quilt. She had found hers at a thrift shop.

      BEAUTIFUL work.

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    3. I have always been a fan of redwork quilts, there is such a simple old fashion charm about them. I see more in my future :)

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  7. BEAUTIFUL work! I love red and white quilts! The next quilt is darling! You are so cool to make your own frames! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

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    1. Good Morning! and thanks so much for stopping by . . . I love company. I also really do appreciate your encouraging words, thanks again :)

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    2. Your quilts turned out beautifully, Connie! They will be loved for years to come:) I Have quilts that both my mom and grandma sewed, and I just treasure them! Love your repurposed frame idea!!

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    3. Good Morning Donna, thank you so much . . . I am getting so much pleasure from quilting. I think a lot of the joy, is knowing that they will be treasured and warmly wrapped around the people in my life that I count as treasures. I also have a quilt that my mother made back in the seventies. It is totally made by hand, every stitch, and a treasure that I will pass on one day :)

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  8. Both quilts are absolutely beautiful. I love the fact that you add a patch which says you have quilted it, so wonderful. You are certainly a quilter and a very good one, What lucky grandchildren.
    Ali x

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    1. Oh, Ali . . . you are such a sweetheart, I don't deserve such praise, but it doesn't touch my heart that you like my quilts so much, thank you :)

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  9. Hi Connie,

    You ARE a quilter - and a very good one! I love the label on the quilt - what a keepsake. Are you quilting them by hand? I love how you rescued the sawhorses and made your own frame -- and you used them to sew the horse quilt together ---- see what I'm gettin' at?!?

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, actually the horse quilt was all done on my sewing machine, but I am quilting the second (butterflies and little girls) by hand :)
      Those old saw horses where getting used about once every couple years, so this is a great use for them. I'm loving this new quilting adventure :)
      Thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words.

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  10. Wow those are beautiful quilts! You are definitely a quilter :). Your grand daughters will love their Christmas gifts.
    Blessings

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    1. Thank you so much . . . I am sure that they will both love their quilts . . . I sure hope so :)

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  11. Connie you are so darn talented! This is gorgeous.

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    1. Good Morning Debbie, I am so excited to have you visit, and thanks so much for your encouraging words :) Your web site rocks!

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  12. Connie, what a wonderful quilt for Abbey - a beautiful heirloom. I can't believe you're a beginner quilter, you did a great job. And I love your quilt frame - very ingenious! -- Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, I did a great job, if you don't look too close, LOL. I can see all the little places where I can improve, but I guess that happens with practice.
      I have fallen in love with quilting, and plan on making more . . . so with time, I'll get practice :) Thank you for your loving comment.

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  13. Your quilt is beautiful! And...making that quilting frame...wow!!! I have never tried quilting but my mother made quite a few so I have total respect for the art. Don't hesitate to call yourself a quilter. You are obviously good at it!

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  14. I am in awe of your sewing skills!! Absolutely beautiful work which I am sure will be treasured by the recipients!
    Have a lovely week,

    BH x

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    1. Good Morning . . . I am so happy to see that you've come to visit and thank you for your lovely praise . . . I'm new at quilting, but I believe it is like everything else, with practice we become better :)

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  15. Both are lovely quilts and how clever to make your quilting frame!

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  16. Morning Connie, These quilts are so precious and sweet! My sons room growing up was a western, cowboy theme. I love the red bandana look in the quilt! Yes, you are an official quilter!! I don't think there is anything you can't do....such talent!! And the good thing is...you use it! Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving~~~Roxie p.s ...LOVED your comments on my last posting! I agree!

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    1. Good Morning Roxie, I never thought that quilting would ever be something that I would enjoy . . .Boy! was I wrong. You are so correct about it being something that gets used; I am sure that my little granddaughters will curl up with these for many years to come. They both love reading and I can see them all wrapped up and cozy with a good book :) Thank you so much for your sweet friendship and the encouragement that you have giving me through my blogging adventure. Here's wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, too :)

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  17. Wow! I am so impressed with your darling quilt! I just know that your Grand is going to LOVE it!!
    I'm super impressed with your creativity, and being able to whip up your own quilting frame. I think I could even make one like that. .... I'll have to give it a try one of these days.
    How blessed and lucky you are to have Grands and how blessed and lucky they are to have you!!!
    Hope this is a wonderful week for you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. We are going to Steve's sister's and enjoy Thanksgiving with them.
      I'm the one bringing the sweet potato casserole :) Thank you for your lovely comment, I am truly blessed,
      and very grateful.
      I love my quilting frame. It works great, but I am already seeing improvements that I can make to conserve space.
      I would love to have a basement studio where I could spread out without the problem of space, but with one basement,
      I need to conserve space when possible. I'm not in any hurry, because this works fine, and I'm enjoying myself :)
      Thanks so much for stopping by and for your encouraging words.

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  18. Hi quilting bee, I am admiring your work! CHrista

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  19. Hi.. Just dropping by to say thanks for your lovely comment on my blog....... And that's one fab quilting frame you've made yourself!
    Effie

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    1. Hi Effie, Nice to see you and thanks so much :)

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  20. this is so pretty. abbey will treasure it!!

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    1. Thank you so much . . . I'm sure she will love it :)

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  21. I love your quilts...especially the red one with the horses (I have a friend who would die for that!) but I'm going to steal your DIY quilt frame! J

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    1. Hi Julie, I am delighted that you are going to use my quilt frame idea . . . that is what sharing ideas is all about :)

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  22. Oh my goodness! I L♥VE the redwork quilt, and you're a beginner? You are off to a grand start. Love the embroidery that you have incorporated, I'm a beginning quilter too:>)

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    1. Hi Kathleen, I am delighted that you like the redwork quilt. I've always been a fan of redwork. It's nice to find another beginner quilter . . . most of the quilters that blog are well seasoned and make quilts that although are beautiful are way out of my league, LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Oh, and I love your little cardboard houses . . . so pretty :)

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  23. Oh, they are darling, and once again, Connie, you are so clever! Your girls are going to be so happy this Christmas!

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy, It is so nice to see you and thank you for this sweet comment, I certainly hope that they love them . . .. oh, I'm sure they will :)

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  24. Oh these are sooo pretty!!!!! <3

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    1. Hi Alicia, thank you for visiting and for following. I am very excited to welcome you to my sisterhood of friends. I just want to reenforce my encouragement to not stop blogging . . . blogging is much more than just sharing ideas and as you continue on your blogging journey you will discover many delightful and passionate people from all over the world, who all just want to be happy and to give to our families and make wonderful homes for those we love. Hang in there and just keep doing what you are doing :)

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  25. Lucky grandchildren Connie. I also have a "horsey" daughter who I must make a quilt for. Hmm, on my "to do" list.

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    1. Hi Carolyn, it is so nice to have you visit and thanks so much for following my blog. I think that my little Abbey is going to love her horsey quilt.
      I had a lot of fun making it :)

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  26. Wow! You are amazing! Your work is gorgeous!!! I love the quilt for Abbey and it will be a treasured heirloom. Do you know I have a daughter named Abbey with the same spelling :) Great creation of the quilting frame. So nice stopping by to visit with you! Kindly, Lorraine

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    1. Hi Lorraine, thanks so much for the sweet and encouraging words. I am new to quilting, but having a great time learning. As for the saw horse quilting frame, it is working wonderfully and I'm enjoying the process of hand-quilting :) Thanks so much for popping in to visit. I love reading comments and receiving company :)

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  27. That frame you built is pretty darn amazing!

    And what a sweet quilt for your granddaughter...I'm sure she's going to treasure those horses and ladybugs. The quilt label looks fantastic, too. It doesn't look like a beginner's quilt to me!

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    1. Hi Jamie, thanks for your sweet and encouraging words. I love my saw horse quilting frame, it really works great and I didn't spend an arm and a leg to build it :) More money for fabric, LOL Thanks again for visiting and do come again :)

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