Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Monday, October 15, 2018

Quilting Season Begins :)


My little quilting helper . . .
well maybe not a helper,
but he's good company :)


Hey, I finally had time to visit
the Art Barn and start quilting.



I was so needing to get my hands 
wrapped around some fabric. 


That I made my first quilt of the season
in three days :)


The pillow shams are two that I 
purchased at Goodwill a couple
of years ago.





I used a layer cake for the center.
I used toile for the boarder. 
And this paisley for the binding.
This printed fabric . . . I have had forever.  
It finally came in handy 
and was the perfect match 
for the back of my quilt.
 That's it a very easy quilt . . .


and a good choice for kicking off
my quilting season.


I didn't make it for the bed . . .
just put it there for the purpose of
taking photos.
Now, it sits resting on the quilt rack,
ready to offer warmth to a cold soul on a chilly evening. 

~~~💛💜💓💜💛~~~ 
I hope your day is a sweet one,
that all your troubles are few
and your blessing overflowing :)

~~~💛💜💓💜💛~~~
Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

85 comments:

  1. It's beautiful Connie! I love all of the fabrics. Now, if I can get back and finish a baby quilt I am working on!!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once the weather starts turning cold and the garden is put to bed . . . I turn my thoughts to quilting, sewing and just having fun out in the Art Barn. I'm looking forward to a productive year :) Have fun while making your baby quilt . . . they are a lot of fun to make :)

      Delete
  2. Ahhh, love those blues and toile and paisley and... Looks great with the found shams,too.
    Definitely quilting season; the trees are coloring nicely --even tho the temps are still hovering in the 80's here. But some people have white stuff all around.
    A blessed new week to ya!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I was just visiting a blog in Utah and they had snow on the ground this morning. It certainly feels like we are going to have a early winter.

      Delete
  3. Your quilt is so fun - I love all of the blues.

    Your quilts inspire me. I have so much fabric I need to use up - can't bear to get rid of it. I need to just set up the sewing machine and get busy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carol, you won't be sorry . . . cozy comfortable quilts are so welcoming. They just say Love with a capital "L". What better way to put some of that fabric to use, right?

      Delete
  4. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt that was finished sooooo fast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it went incredible fast . . . I guess it was all that pent-up desire to sew that I didn't have the time for during gardening and canning season :)

      Delete
  5. It looks the epitome of French chic! I love the colours and the fabrics. You put me to shame as I am taking weeks to finish a simple wall hanging!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elizabeth . . . it was just a burst of pent-up energy. I have been dreaming about quilting and sewing as I cleaned the garden and finished up my canning :) It just felt so good to be sitting at my sewing machine again.

      Delete
  6. Lovely!! I'm quilting a baby quilt now. I hand quilt so it certainly won't be finished very soon. With hand tremors it makes me slower, trying to put the needle just where it needs to go. :) Does your hubby come sit in the quilting barn while you sew?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy hand-quilting and have one that I need to get started on, if I could only find a nice fabric for the backing. Yes, Steve does come out and sit with me, but sometimes I have to shoo him out the door. I can't get much done if I have to visit. It's impossible to concentrate or to listen to someone over the hum of the sewing machine. I love my man, but there are times when I just don't want him around, LOL.

      Delete
  7. Wow, that was so quick. A beautiful creation, a wonderful array of fabric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it was a pretty easy quilt, but the fabrics are what makes it look so pretty. I love french toile especially in blue and white :) It was a great way to get my quilting juices flowing and kick the quilting season into gear, LOL

      Delete
  8. Good afternoon, Connie~

    Oh, my heart is happy just looking at these photos of your beautiful quilt. I love to quilt. I used to make quilts with my best friend for our Relay For Life auction. Unfortunately, we are no longer friends so that part has ceased....all things have their season. However, I will be continuing to quilt, but by myself and for my family and that will make me happy.

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us!

    Blessings~
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura, thanks for visiting and I am delighted you like my quilt.
      Here's to many happy hours of quilting for each of us :)

      Delete
  9. I love the pretty old fashioned blues! WHEN...I make a quilt, I'll try to do something like big squares. I know that would be more fun for starting out. Wish you could look over my shoulder and get me started though! heehee! Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Big squares is an easy way to get started quilting and as you can see it's an easy way to kick off the quilting season, too :)

      Delete
  10. Connie, That quilt is so pretty. I love the blues. You are so good , making a quilt in three days. The little shams look good with it too. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was my fastest quilt ever . . . I was just in the mood to sew and by using big ten inch squares and nothing complicated it was an easy and enjoyable way to start my quilting season :) I'm happy that you like it.

      Delete
  11. WHAT? You made a quilt in three days? Wow. Your good. And the quilt is beautiful!!!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I did . . . It's my fastest quilt ever. I have one that is sitting in a drawer that I need to finish, I started it two years ago, LOL. Maybe I should make it my next project to finish :)

      Delete
  12. Your latest quilt is so lovely! I didn't know it was possible to make a quilt in just 3 days!!!
    I confess I had no idea what in the world a layer cake could be but google soon enlightened me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Layer cakes are really nice. If you want a simple quilt like this one, you can use them as they come and the fabrics are always very complementary. I quilted on my regular sewing machine (I do not have one of those fancy quilting machines) but yes, three day! It's my fastest quilt ever :)

      Delete
  13. I love your little companion such a sweet face. Haven't you been busy, getting that quilt all finished in just a few days, congratulations. It looks so nice on your quilt rack with the others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My little companion was my retirement present to myself. I always wanted a puppy so when I retired where I would be home every day I started searching for by little boy. I went to this ladies house and she had 6 or 7 puppies. I sat down on her kitchen floor and while all the puppies jumped all over me, this little fellow walked over and curled up in my lap :) My heart skipped a beat and the two of us fell in love. He's so much company and a little sweetie pie. He's a mutt, just like me, LOL. So we get along perfectly :)

      Delete
  14. That is so so so beautiful. Love your color schemes ---especially the big border fabric..... You have a a talent for putting the right colors together. Do you ever make quilts to sell???? I have one that was my Mom's and it is so special. ME???? I have NOT one bit of TALENT in that area.... SO --I count on seeing the beauty through people like you.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Betsy, Thank you for your kind words. No, I do not sell my quilts, they are made with love for family and for our home. It's a good feeling when I can know that someone that I love that lives far from me can cuddle up in a quilt that I made. It's a way to send a hug from miles away :)

      Delete
  15. I LOVE it. Blue is my favorite color so the fabric colors are perfect. It may be a simple quilt but there's no way I could have finished that in just 3 days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ann, I surprised myself as well. This is the fastest quilt I've ever made. I guess I had a lot of built up quilting energy, LOL

      Delete
  16. Now that's a great start to the quilting season. I love the blues...so calming and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the choice of fabrics for your quilt, Connie, just beautiful. Your little 'helper' is so cute! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's always willing to help out in the Art Barn . . . I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that I have a doggy treat jar out there, LOL.

      Delete
  18. I love the colour and you matched it all up so beautifully. I would like to quilt one day. Have a good Autumn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Thelma, I am delighted that you like my quilt. If you want to start a quilt this is a great one to try . . . very easy and quick. It is the fastest quilt that I have ever made. I do not use a pattern I just create as I go. If there is no pattern, there is no one to say you did anything wrong, LOL. Imperfectly perfect!
      Have a sweet day.

      Delete
  19. Hi Connie! It DOES look cozy! Well done! I like the blues so blue! What's next?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's next! Sounds like you are in as big a hurry as I am to get this "quilting season" on a roll, LOL.

      Delete
  20. Beautiful quilt, I love your fabric choices.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You kicked off your quilting season right through the center of the goal post! Touchdown

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you . . . it was an easy quilt, but my quilting juices were flowing and I just had this hunger to be behind the sewing machine. Sometimes it is the most comfortable of all places to be. I know you know what I mean :)

      Delete
  22. I LOVE those blues in the quilt. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You've made something that will be passed down for generations. I have my husband's grandmother's quilts and I wouldn't give them up for anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilts are a great way of holding on to the ones you love . . . both for the makers and the receivers. There is love put into each and every stitch. Quilts have the ability to warm our bodies and our hearts at the same time :)

      Delete
  24. Hi Connie, Three days! Wow! You make me really feel slow! I love your quilt and the colors you have chosen. Love that picture of Butchie too. Aren't they a lot of company though. Coco is my buddy. How large did you make your squares? Did you have a hard time machine quilting that large of quilt and how did you get nice straight lines! Is your Brothers machine heavy? I have a old kenmore and it is so heavy! How wide do you cut your bindings? I have been cutting mine 2 and 1/2 inches but my friend only does hers 2 and 1/4 inches. Thanks for sharing! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy, let me see,
      * my squares are 10 inch.
      * The larger a quilt is the harder it is to quilt on a regular machine, but I quilted the center blocks first and then added the boarder and quilted it next.
      * I take a long strip of fabric 2.5 inches wide, fold it in half to make it less flimsy and then run it along my fabric and use it as a guide for my presser-foot. My sister-in-law uses masking tape.
      * It's not a super light machine, it doesn't bounce all over the table. The heaver the machine the better in my book.
      * I usually cut my blinding 3 inches, that works best for me, That gives we a good 1.5 inch to work with after it is folded and pressed.
      I hope this helps you. Happy quilting sweet friend!

      Delete
  25. I love the blue and white fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your little helper he is adorable. What a beautiful quilt ~ you are amazing my friend.
    Stay warm and cozy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's a good little friend always happy to be helping me in the Art Barn and the kitchen. He's really good at keeping my floors clean in the kitchen and probably happy that I tend to drop little morsels time and again :)

      Delete
  27. Your Quilt looks magic Connie- very cottage like feel to it- looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilts do give a home a cozy feeling, don't they :) Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  28. Connie, your new quilt is so pretty! and you made it in three days! Unbelievable! Your little helper sure is a sweetie pie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it was pretty unbelievable to me too . . . I guess I was just in the zone. That's what happens when you haven't had any time behind the sewing machine in months, LOL.

      Delete
  29. Stunning quilt! Just love the blue tones , I see your going to be a busy bee! Where do you think is the best place to purchase fabrics? Love what your doing.... Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa, if I had an email for you I could send you links to the places I buy from on line. The last few years I have bought most of my fabric on line :) Maybe I can add them to a comment on your blog, but I don't think that they will be a link, maybe a copy and paste. I'm not super computer wise.

      Delete
  30. Beautiful quilt! You are a very talented lady!
    How wonderful that your quilt is such a great match to the second hand shams!

    One of these days, I will be a quilter. My grandma quilted well into her 90's and made many beautiful quilts.

    Have a great rest of your week.
    ~K.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Large layer cake squares would be a great way to do your first quilt. This was a very easy quilt to make.

      Delete
  31. Oh my Connie you are the Energizer Bunny! Wow - three days! It's beautiful and love the blues and beiges and I too LOVE toile, especially pink! Your paisley binding is wonderful too.. I have been collecting paisley prints to make a quilt.. I have an entire bag of them from different quilt shops. LOVE the use of the squares. How did you quilt it? You said you use your regular sewing machine. I can't imagine getting a big quilt stuffed into the small space for quilting! I know people do do it, they roll it up or something. How do you do it???? I think I need a tutorial on that! This quilt looks so so pretty on your guestroom bed with the darling shams. What a find those were! I think my next quilt will be a simple and easy one. I did finish my strip quilt for my son and now just need to get the pictures posted. He was amazed and tearful to receive it. My only problem with sitting a long time quilting, is that my back gets very sore and also my neck. Darn! I could sit all day and do it, but I need to get up every half hour or so (or more) and walk around and stretch things out! I am so happy for you that you can begin spending more time in the Art Barn! xoxoxo Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marilyn, Oh it is so funny that you compare me with the Energizer Bunny . . . he is the one and only bunny that I can say truthfully say that I hate. Those commercials with that rabbit are the most annoying things I have ever had to sit through. I will not even buy their batteries because I don't want to support that darn bunny, LOL.
      With this quilt my squares in the center are 10 inch squares. I joined 4 squares one way and 5 squares for the length. Then sandwiched them together with batting and backing and quilted that section on my machine first. That way when I added the boarder to the quilt the center was already done. That prevents having to much fabric under your machine to work with. Then I added boarder to the sides first. I took my fabric and laid it right-side down on the quilt top and the same on the back side and joined them to the already finished center. Next I folded them out and sandwiched batting between them and quilted each side. After that I did the same to the top and bottom boarders.
      I hope that I explained it where you could understand. I know that I am a hands on visual learner. If you lived closer I would have you over and show you my steps. This makes it easier and keeps you from having too much fabric under your machine. It still gets to be a bit much, but nothing like doing the entire quilt at once. Better yet and easier is to make the boarders separately quilting them before joining them to the center in the "Quilt as you go" method. I do this a lot too.
      i hope this helps.
      Happy quilting, sweet friend !!!

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much Connie! That makes sense to me and I want to try it!!! I'm going to print this out and keep it for my next quilt (if I get to one this winter and I hope I do!). Great idea to quilt the center blocks first. I think I could actually handle that! Love the idea of pre-quilting the borders and then adding on in the quilt as you go method! You are one smart lady... wish I did live closer. I'm a visual learner also.. need to SEE it done.. .written instructions sometimes are greek to me! That's so funny about the energizer bunny! Had to laugh..... hugs... Marilyn

      Delete
  32. Your little helper or company is just the cutest :) Oh my I just love the fabrics you used on your quilt, you did pretty good finishing that in 3 days!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it was like my fingers were racing time. I guess that I just had some pinned up energy and hunger for getting behind the sewing machine, LOL.

      Delete
  33. How wonderful to know how to quilt! I have often thought about learning how to do it, but I'm not so good with a sewing machine and feel more comfortable with a crochet hook! I love all your quilts! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought that I would be a quilter either, then one day the quilting bug bit me and I've never been the same :)

      Delete
  34. that is a beautiful quilt Connie. I love the blues and whites. It’s one of my favorite combinations. It is getting to be that kind of snuggly time of year for weather.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you are so right . . . time to cuddle up with a quilt and a cozy fire, or in our case an electric fireplace, LOL. I love how real they seem anymore, and no mess :) I happy that you like my blue and white quilt.

      Delete
  35. Such a beautiful quilt. Yes time to get the snuggly blankets out. I don't have any as pretty as you do.
    betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, quilts, sweaters, hoodies and leggings. The weather is changing fast :)
      I'm delighted that you like my quilt, thank you.

      Delete
  36. Oh Connie....this is just gorgeous! I am crazy for quiltes and you have some real gems here! Thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ten years ago, if someone would have told me that I would be quilting, I would have laughed. Then that quilting bug bit and here I am . . . I enjoy it so much :)

      Delete
  37. great quilt. I am still working on wheelchair quilts for the nursing home

    ReplyDelete
  38. Connie, I adore the colors and your work. I'm normally a red girl, but blue and white have been my obsession lately. I have always wanted to learn how to quilt. It's on "the list"...hahaha!! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I started quilting 5 or 6 years ago and that darn old Quilting Bug bit me and I've never been the same. I love mixing and matching fabric and making warm cozy quilts to cover those I love :) This quilt was a very easy one to make, it would be a great starter quilt :)

      Delete
  39. Wow Connie!!! You are SO talented, what a beautiful quilt...I love how you put it...now it sits on the quilt rack waiting...very lovely image!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you . . . cozy and ready for the cold winter weather :)

      Delete
  40. I'm so impressed! I've made quilted pillows and they took longer than 3 days. :) Very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mari, thank you . . . this is the very fastest quilt that I have ever made . . . I just had a burst of energy and was dying to get in front of my sewing machine again. From late Spring through Summer I am just too busy to get much sewing done.

      Delete
  41. so country and perfect are your quilts Connie.
    I do love the look, so fresh and warm
    thanks for your visit to me in the Islands
    aloha Lilla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lilla, it's sweet having you stop by to visit :)

      Delete
  42. Connie, your sweet quilt is perfect for Autumn,,, I went to the Eastern Wash. annual Quilt show,, and am just in awe of all you fabulous creative quilters... I really need to try my hand at a sweet quilt.
    Happy Autumn.

    ReplyDelete