Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Red, White & Blue Quilt Completed :)

It always feels good to have a quilt completed,
and ready for snuggling up with, on a chilly day. 


This quilt is a combination of piecing and quilting,
(don't look close, because it is also a perfectly imperfect quilt)


 Stenciling,

 and appliqueing. 

 The back . . .

 The binding . . .

and the label :)
I have a sister-in-law that stresses, 
that a quilt is not finished until it has a label.
Just in case it lasts for years 
and gets passed along through the family.

Do you remember my new fabric?

I've started piecing . . . 

 and doing a bit of machine embroidery . . .

 I started this scrapbook when I first got my machine.
It contains all of patterns that I had downloaded.

 I'm using some from Urban Threads . . .
http://www.urbanthreads.com 

 and these daisies 

 from Oregon Patchworks.
Thank you so much for visiting.
I love comments and read them all.
 My wish is that I could invite you all over 
to bring your projects and play with me.
I guess that is kind of what we are doing
when we post and share :)


Have a great day!

I hope you have a little time 
to do the things you love to do . . . today.

Keep smiling:)

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

49 comments:

  1. Hello Connie, thank you very much for visiting my Blog and for your kind words. Lovely of you. Your Blog, studio and 'makes' are wonderful and I am very happy we have made a connection xxx viv xxx

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    1. I am delighted to have you as my newest blogging sister. The projects that you do are so whimsical and unique. I love all of the detail you put into everything you make. I am happy that you like my little corner of blog-land and excited about growing a blogging friendship :)

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  2. Your Red White and Blue is lovely - very vibrant!! And good on you with getting the label on too... :-) Love how your new project is looking too!

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    1. Hi there Farm-girl, it is great to see you and thank you for your sweet comment. This quilt started out with the fabric from the legs of a pair of denim overalls, LOL. Just goes to show where our imaginations can lead us :)

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  3. Your quilt looks great. I've heard that quilts are also supposed to have names. Do you name yours?
    I love the idea of a scrapbook to keep track of your downloaded embroidery designs. That would make it so much easier to find them.

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    1. Hi Ann, firstly I do not name mine . . . I think it would be too hard to come up with a name that was unique. When you go into your downloads you just have the date and the file name, that is usually just numbers and letters that the company gave them. It would be impossible for me to remember what each one looked like without my reference scrapbook. I recommend making one; it is very helpful :)

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  4. Hi Connie....thanks for stopping by....maybe you will win a Valentine Card from me when I pick the names on the 8th. I need to pull out my sewing machine and make something. I am always inspired when I come to your blog and want to make something. I think if we loved closer I would always be over to your house to see what you are making.
    Louise

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    1. If you lived close we could create together. Cards and quilts . . . that would be fun :)

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  5. Oh my gosh I love your quilt! I love that it has a variety of sewing techniques. And that's it's perfectly imperfect! And that you labeled it. Your sis in law is correct! I wish I could come over too and let you teach me how you do all that you do!

    Cindy Bee

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    1. Cindy, it would be so much fun to stitch together . . . you could teach me the granny square, too :)

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  6. thanks for your comment on my blog....its so hard to get anyone to comment these days...so i appreciate that you took the time...i once made a quilt....and it was one of the most frustrating things i have ever done in my life...so i you know how much i admire folks that can do this...love the red white and blue nautical one...really shows your talent...i will check in often....thanks connie....

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    1. Hello Linda, you are so sweet and thank so much for the visit :)

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  7. What a great quilt! I like all the different elements that you used! Stencil is a fun idea! It was great to hear from you. Hope you are good!

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    1. Hi Susie, I'm delighted that you like my quilt . . . it started out with fabric from the legs of a pair of old overalls, and grew from there :)

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  8. Oh Connie...it turned out great. I knew it would. I would love to have one of those machines someday. Have a blessed Friday!

    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. I love my machine, it is a Brothers and less expensive that most, but it works wonderfully and I enjoy it so much. I saved for a while and then when I had the money saved it was hard to part with . . . my husband was so proud of me when I used it to buy this machine. He said it was about time that I treated myself:)

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  9. This is an heirloom piece, Connie. Such beauty, and your friend was right to get your name on there! All artists must sign their work.
    Your new fabrics are exciting. I was in the sewing shop today browsing all the quilting doo-dads. So many! And I thought of all the people who pour themselves into these labours or love.

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    1. Hi Melanie, it is great to hear from you! If you would have asked me a few years ago about quilting, I would have said "NO WAY, it is not for me"
      Then the quilting bug bite me and I fell head over feet in love with it :) Thanks for stopping by; I've got to come over and see what you have been up too, too.

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  10. Your new quilt is very pretty and congratulations on a finish! I have never put a label on the back of my quilts I have made. Maybe it is something I need to think about! Thanks for sharing! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, My sister-in-law gave me a book on quilt labeling. One of her cousins wrote it. So I am not sure if she is promoting labels because of her cousin's book, or because she truly feels passionate about it. I do know that if I had an older quilt made my an aunt, grandma or any family member, I would appreciate having their name and the date that they made it. So, I guess I agree that labels are kind of nice:)

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  11. Cute! I love the denim squares.
    You do wonderful work... I say kudos to you for finishing a quilt! I've not ever finished one...but if I did, I'D WANT MY NAME ON IT! ;)

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    1. You go girl! It is a lot of work and a good quilt can last for decades. So, if it ends up in the home of a daughter, granddaughter or a niece, I'm sure that they would appreciate having your name on it and the date that you made it. The label makes it more of a treasure . . . if it last that long. I like to think that my quilts will be loved to dead and have ragged edges from being taken on camping trips, to the bench, spread out for picnics and just plain loved:)

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  12. I will be picturing you as summer approaches all bundled up in your new quilt on your front porch drinking hmm....a strawberry lemonade. Happy quilting!

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    1. That's exactly where I'll be. You're welcome to join me, I'll even give you this quilt to wrap up in and squeeze fresh lemons for our lemonade :)
      Steve and I like to go out in the evening and sit on the porch . . .it's a nice way to end a busy day and slow down before bed.

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  13. I love the colours that you use, so much fun. Xxx

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    1. Hi Fran, thank you so much . . . I am happy that you like it.
      Have you discovered how many grand-babies you can hold at one time?
      I think that it is wonderful that your children are all having children at the same time.
      They are going to grow up being great pals and building a lot of memories together:)

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  14. Your quilt is just Beautiful!! Great details and quilting!! The new quilt you started looks like it will be perfect for spring with those pretty flowers and colors in your fabric, how wonderful to have an embroidery machine for those times you want to make a quicker quilt, can't wait to see that come along more too!

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    1. Hi Connie, you are so generous with you comments . . . you're going to give me a Big Head, LOL. I'm delighted that you like my quilts. I put a lot of love into them and it makes my heart happy to know that they are liked so much. Thank you :)

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  15. Hi Connie! Thank you ever so much for visiting and following too! I'm following you now! Your quilt is gorgeous! I am looking forward to getting to know you better.

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    1. Hi there Gina, it is wonderful to see you here . . . you have made my evening by following me back.
      I know that we will have a lovely blogging friendship. Have a great weekend, and thank you for stopping by:)

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  16. What a lovely quilt, and very patriotic!! Lots of interesting details you've added. I think that's the best part of making quilts is the various fabrics or elements that are added to it. I remember spending many long mornings as a child admiring the quilt that my grandmother made for my bed. It was simple squares, but I was intrigued with all the different fabrics. Looking forward to seeing the next project :) Wendy

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    1. That is what is so intriguing about quilts. Everyone is so unique:)

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  17. You are so talented! Quilts take a lot of precision and dedication. It is truly beautiful!

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    1. Hello Rosemary, I don't want to burst your bubble, but I don't think of my quilts as precision or dedication . . . they are pure fun! I do not use a pattern, but instead make them up as I go. I also give myself the permission to have an imperfection here and there. Otherwise I would lose the fun, the creativity, and the desire to continue. The older I get the more I am convinced that life is for enjoying and stress is not something that I want to get hung up on . . . so I think of my quilts like a child with a sheet of white paper and a new box of crayons . . . I'm in it for the pure pleasure of having a good time . . . and if something useful and creative comes from my fun, then I am overjoyed with the result. I hope that you have a delightful weekend and thank you so much for your friendship . . . you're a sweetie pie :)

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  18. Your quilt is beautiful - so many pretty fabrics.

    I want to do some quilting, but I have to get my creative space organized before I can do anything.

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    1. Hi Carol, I have been having fun out in my space just sewing away. Spring will be here soon and I have many outdoor projects and events planned, so as they say, "make hay while the sun shines", that's what I'm doing in my art barn. I am so sorry to hear about your hand . . . you are in my prayers.

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  19. Such a beautiful quilt! I love how you added the denim looking fabric with the stencils - adds a whole other dimension to the piece. Very creative : )

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    1. Hi Mindy, I cut up the overalls for another project and then had the legs leftover. Those legs are what inspired this quilt. Also the navy blue with stars and the red with stars was given to me. My friend's daughter inherited a new classroom and that fabric was spread out from a display the former teacher had set up. This quilt was made up of a lot of recycled goods . . . I like that . . . being creative with scraps and leftovers. It stretches your mind and makes a cheap project . . . cheap but useful, LOL.

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  20. Hello from Greece,

    Thank you for leaving a comment in my blog . It is nice to meet you, too. .
    I love your Art Barn. I also have a small room which I call 'my studio' but yours is so spacious and bright! It is every crafters
    dream space:) . Your quilt is very pretty!
    Best regards,
    Tina


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    1. Good Morning Tina, thank you for stopping by, I love making new blogging friends. Your blog is so pretty and fresh, I love all the photos. I will never be able to travel to any place as far away as Greece, but through you lovely photos I can see the beauty of your country. Have a wonderful day :)

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  21. Hello Connie, it's so amazing to be able to peep into other peoples lives! Your quilt is beautiful, so well finished on the back too.
    Best wishes, Felicity.

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    1. Hello Felicity, thank you for stopping by to visit. I wish that I could have had cake and tea, and been there to meet you at the door:) It is fun to peek into other peoples lives and see the wonderful and creative things that they are doing . . . like your dolls, they are delightful and so unique :)

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  22. That machine embroidery is awesome! You have a fancy machine, mine's just basic.

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    1. Hi Joy,
      I saved for that machine for a long time, Then when I got the money saved I didn't know if I wanted to part with it, LOL. You know, save it for a rainy day :) My husband was so happy when I bought this machine. He said that it was about time that I used my saving for myself and bought something that I really wanted.

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