Dec 26, 2013

Arkansas Razorback T-Shirt Quilt

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  I finished this quilt last week.  It was a Christmas present for Joyce's husband.  I really like the red and black color combination.  I used the University of Arkansas print by Sykel Ent. and Robert Kaufman Kona cotton black.  Not sure if I'm going to have any other finishes this year but I am looking forward to picking out the fabric for Terry's sew-along.  If you think you might be interested in joining, you can go here and check out Terry's blog to find out more information.

Dec 19, 2013

T-shirt quilt made out of scrubs/white coats.

A couple of months ago I get an email from Molly saying she had all of her husband's scrubs/white coats and wanted a quilt made.  I just finished the quilt last week.  It's going to be a Christmas present for him.  She picked In The Navy by Jackie Studios for Camelot Cottons. The quilt is so much more cooler looking in person.  It's very modern.  The picture just doesn't do it any justice.  I bet he's going to be surprised!

Nov 30, 2013

How to attach a wreath to your car.

Every year, for the past 14 (?) years, the day of or after Thanksgiving we decorate our cars with a wreath...I LOVE this tradition!  Not only does it put me in a festive mood, I love seeing kids smile when they see it.  Now before I begin - I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL when it comes to this but I have used common sense when figuring out how to put a wreath on our cars and wanted to share the process with you.

1. What you will need:  wreath, bow, scissors, glue gun, 2-4 zip ties (the long ones - 12-14 inches), dark green felt and wire cutters.

2. Take the wreath and bend all the branches upward (even the branches that are in the back). This will be the front.

3. Now you are going to add felt to the back of the wreath.  Flip the wreath over and cut the felt into big rectangular blocks. USE AS MUCH FELT AS YOU WANT because you don't want the wreath to rub up against the front of your car.  Then use your glue gun to glue the felt the wreath.  This does not have to be pretty, just make sure all metal parts of the wreath are covered.


4.  After the glue has cooled, flip it over and adjust the branches a little.  Grab your bow and twist tie it to the top of your wreath.  Most bows come with a twist tie, if your bow doesn't have one you can use string/twine to secure it.
5. Get your glue gun and start gluing the back of the ribbon (top to bottom) to the branches.  This keeps your bow in place and adds more stability.  I usually bend the branches to match up with the ribbon before I start gluing.

6. Attaching the wreath to your car.  Now I am lucky enough to have a metal grill on the front of my car.  It has squares I can put the zip ties through.  At this point, hold up the wreath to the spot you want to put it and mark (with tape) where the zip ties need to be.  Attach the wreath with the zip ties - loosely.  Don't put the zip ties all the way - yet.  Once you make sure the wreath is centered - then pull the zip ties until they are tightened.  Make sure the wreath is tightly secure, you don't want it blowing around. Then take the wire cutters and cut the excess plastic strip.

7. Once you have tightened it, adjust the branches.  In the picture below, the bottom right hand side needs to be adjusted.
 
You are ready to roll!

Now when I had my Dodge minivan (years ago) the wreath did rub some paint off.  I am not sensitive when my car gets dings in it.  If you are - don't do this.  Also, if you have a better idea on a certain step - please let me know!

And I'm going to take a play out of the all those medication commercials by saying:  As much joy this will bring to you and others, you assume all responsibility if you attach a wreath to your car.  :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



Nov 23, 2013

Log-A-Load for Kids Quilt 2013

This is a special quilt.  I made it for the Log-A-Load for Kids banquet we had in August.  Log-A-Load for Kids is where the logging industry, in Arkansas, raises money for the Children's Hospital located in Little Rock.  There are many other states that are associated with this group that donate to their own children's hospitals.  This quilt was made with donated t-shirts.

Nov 20, 2013

Dream On

A friend of mine gave me a tumbler template a couple of years ago.  I started this quilt last year.  Since I was waiting for a fabric order to come in, I figured I should just finish it.  And it was a great feeling to get it done.  I used Dream On by Urban Chiks.

Nov 16, 2013

4 t-shirt quilts in 3 months




I love making these kinds of quilts.  The icing on the cake is when the person receives it and tells me that they are happy with it.  I have a few more to make but I have realized that I have not made a quilt for me...in a long time.  Terry over at Terry's Treasures is starting a sew-along in January.  You can see how it's pieced on a You Tube video on her post.
It's a pretty pattern.  Before I commit - I'm going to take a few days to chew on it but if this pattern speaks to you, you should check it out.

Jun 24, 2013

The Terrible Towel Quilt

I have to admit, this quilt was exciting to make.  I've never worked with towels before so I scoured the net to find the best way to put this kind of quilt together.  There was some information out there but after all the research, planning & thinking about the best ways to put this kind of quilt together...I ended up making this quilt backwards.  It turned out just the way I wanted it.  The lady I made it for was happy and that is all that matters to me.  Hope everyone is have a great summer!


May 13, 2013

UARK T-Shirt Quilt

This is my 3rd finish as of last week.  I had it delivered just in time for Jonetta's son graduation. She picked a gray toned fabric by Marcus Fabrics called Modern Method by Studio 37.  Looking at the picture, the quilt looks so much better in person.  This is one manly looking quilt.

May 11, 2013

UCA T-Shirt Quilt

This is my second finish for this year.  I was asked to keep the high school shirts on the top part of the quilt and the college shirts on the bottom.  The purple kona cotton (& ash) was a perfect match.  I'm proud of how this quilt turned out.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

Mar 30, 2013

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!


The winner of the books are:
1. SunnyBee
2. Kim

The pin winners are:
1. Linda (msstitcher)
2. Punkiepie (Jen)
3. Cindy
4. Terry
5. Mimi

Thanks for playing along.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Mar 25, 2013

The Giving Quilt Book - GIVEAWAY!

Plume has been gracious enough to give me 2 books and 5 pins to giveaway.  So if you would like the chance to win one of these books or a pin, just leave me a comment...no strings attached - anyone from anywhere can play along...lol!  I will draw on March 30th and notify the winners that evening.

If you are a fan of Jennifer Chiaverini, you can click here to get to her official website.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

At Elm Creek Manor, the week after Thanksgiving is "Quiltsgiving," a time to commence a season of generosity. From near and far, quilters and aspiring quilters—a librarian, a teacher, a college student, and a quilt shop clerk among them—gather for a special winter session of quilt camp to make quilts for Project Linus.
Each quilter, ever mindful that many of her neighbors, friends, and family members are struggling through difficult times, uses her creative gifts to alleviate their collective burden. As the week unfolds, the quilters respond to Sylvia's provocative question in ways as varied as the life experiences that drew them to Elm Creek Manor. Love and comfort are sewn into the warm, bright, beautiful quilts they stitch, and their stories collectively consider the strength of human connection, and its rich rewards.
Featuring not only well-loved characters but intriguing newcomers, The Giving Quilt will remind us all: Giving from the heart blesses the giver as much as the recipient, and while giving may not always be easy, it is always worthwhile.

This post is now closed.  Thanks for playing along.

Mar 24, 2013

1st finish for 2013

I finished this quilt a couple of weeks ago.  Trang was really great to work with.  I believe there were about 25-30 emails between the two of us going over the details.  I didn't mind it one bit because it's all about the details.  I like how the corner stones look in this quilt.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Mar 20, 2013





2012 was an amazing year.  Heck...2013 has been pretty amazing so far too!  I've been wanting to share the quilts I finished between Sept. - Dec.  ...here they are.  I can't wait to post the one I just finished.  OH, and I'll have a surprise to share in a day or two.  Hope y'all are having a great week!