My March finish

I've been busy this month and have finished my UFO of an ancient JoAnn's Block of the Month program.  Remember these blocks?

I cut 8 1/2" squares of some similar era (as in old, probably JoAnn's remnants) Christmas prints and pieced together this diagonal row-by-row top.

It is destined to be a charity quilt, as soon as I turn it into my traditional guild, the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (QGGH), to be quilted (or tied) and bound.

I also finished not one, nor two but four blocks for this special hush-hush quilt for a friend in my modern guild, the Houston Modern Quilt Guild (HMQG).  Hopefully we have enough blocks collected now to finish this quilt for one of our members -- hush-hush.

This is called the Japanese x and + block and it was fast and easy to sew.  It finishes to a 12.5" size (or 13" unfinished).  Megan of CityStitches has posted excellent directions in case you wish to make your own Japanese x and + block on her blog here:

http://citystitches.blogspot.com/2012/03/japanese-x-and-tutorial.html

I did more stitching and pieced another charity top for my traditional quilt guild, QGGH.  So next month I will be turning in two quilt tops to our Comforters Corner (charity quilts we make and give away) in April.

Of these three projects, I like the Japanese x and + polka dot blocks the best.


This completes my month's "A Lovely Year of Quilt Finishes" challenge.  Join our monthly challenge group, or click here to see the others who have completed their March goals and posted links.  I am linky #29 (gotta love a prime number!).  On the Goals for March page where the Goal Setting Party is happening, I am linky #58 (my goal linky is twice my finish linky - more math fun).
 

Torah Stitch by Stitch

It was nearly one year ago that I first learned of this amazing project being pursued by a Canadian fiber artist Temma Gentles.  Temma is creating a Torah entirely by embroidery stitches, cross-stitches to be exact.  She has named this endeavor "Torah Stitch By Stitch" and is busily recruiting volunteers to stitch up four verses at a time.  As she explains on the website: "Torah Stitch By Stitch honours the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch) through the timeless medium of cross-stitch, a basic textile tradition in many cultures.  Participants from numerous national, linguistic and spiritual backgrounds - regardless of gender or craft skill - are joining hands and hearts to stitch 1463 individual panels of the Torah in Hebrew, 4 verses at a time."

If the image above is difficult to read, go directly to the website:

http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/

I was excited to learn about this project and knew immediately that I had to be a part of it.  So I eagerly filled out the online form, paid my $18.00 and waited patiently for my kit to arrive.

I waited .... and waited ..... and waited.  I contacted Temma to inquire about my status only to learn that my kit had been mailed months ago.  A replacement kit was sent out ... more waiting ... more emails .... to make a tediously long story much shorter, one week ago my kit turned up!  Hurray!

 

Mailed in a plain white legal sized envelope, my complete kit arrived.  As there was not a postmark on the envelope, we can only imagine where in the world it has been traveling to between leaving Canada and arriving at my home in Texas.  I contacted Temma who was as thrilled as I was and I began stitching immediately.  Here is the first word of my portion which is from the book of Genesis, chapter 50, verses 14-17.  I have officially begun!

This portion is about Joseph's return to Egypt after he had traveled to bury his father in the land of Canaan and about his brothers reaction to their father's death.  Here is a translation that I found on the Chabad.org website here (Hebrew is read right-to-left, opposite from English):
 

		יגוַיִּשְׂאוּ אֹתוֹ בָנָיו אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ בִּמְעָרַת שְׂדֵה הַמַּכְפֵּלָה אֲשֶׁר קָנָה אַבְרָהָם אֶת הַשָּׂדֶה לַאֲחֻזַּת קֶבֶר מֵאֵת עֶפְרֹן הַחִתִּי עַל פְּנֵי מַמְרֵא:
14  And Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and all who had gone up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.		ידוַיָּשָׁב יוֹסֵף מִצְרַיְמָה הוּא וְאֶחָיו וְכָל הָעֹלִים אִתּוֹ לִקְבֹּר אֶת אָבִיו אַחֲרֵי קָבְרוֹ אֶת אָבִיו:
15  Now Joseph's brothers saw that their father had died, and they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us and return to us all the evil that we did to him."		טווַיִּרְאוּ אֲחֵי יוֹסֵף כִּי מֵת אֲבִיהֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוּ יִשְׂטְמֵנוּ יוֹסֵף וְהָשֵׁב יָשִׁיב לָנוּ אֵת כָּל הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר גָּמַלְנוּ אֹתוֹ:
16  So they commanded [messengers to go] to Joseph, to say, "Your father commanded [us] before his death, saying,		טזוַיְצַוּוּ אֶל יוֹסֵף לֵאמֹר אָבִיךָ צִוָּה לִפְנֵי מוֹתוֹ לֵאמֹר:
17  'So shall you say to Joseph, "Please, forgive now your brothers' transgression and their sin, for they did evil to you. Now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." ' " Joseph wept when they spoke to him.		יזכֹּה תֹאמְרוּ לְיוֹסֵף אָנָּא שָׂא נָא פֶּשַׁע אַחֶיךָ וְחַטָּאתָם כִּי רָעָה גְמָלוּךָ וְעַתָּה שָׂא נָא לְפֶשַׁע עַבְדֵי אֱלֹהֵי אָבִיךָ וַיֵּבְךְּ יוֹסֵף בְּדַבְּרָם אֵלָיו:

I have been working steadily on my portion, sometimes as I relax and watch a little television at night or while I wait in the car for my teenage boys (I am still their favorite chauffeur).   Here is where I am as of today .... approximately half-way ....

If you are interested in learning more about this massive undertaking click here; or in making a donation to the Torah Stitch By Stitch click here; or in stitching your own contribution click here or here or contact directly via email:  torahstitchbystitch@gmail.com.  Buttons are being solicited  to help attach the panels of portions together.  Click here for more information on the buttons requested.  Last of all, click here to see an artist's rendition of the final display as well as an article that appeared in The Canadian Jewish News, October 2, 2014.

More quilts from WHQG's recent show

The quilts were great at the recent "Quilted Roads of Texas" quilt show put on by the West Houston Quilter's Guild.  Here are more favorites of mine ...

Christmas on the Fourth of July by Beverley Bennett

Beverley stated that this Christmas Flag pattern is by Tina Curran, and was published in the Quilter's Newsletter magazine in 2012 as a series.  Three blocks per week were published from the 4th of July to the 12th of November.  Beverley completed the quilt top in time for Christmas 2012 and had it quilted by the Quilt 'n Sew longarm machine service in time for Christmas in 2013.

detail of Christmas on the Fourth of July, by Beverley Bennett

I love the flag look of this quilt.  It is an innovative way of making a row quilt (making  a row quilt is one of the many on my "Quilt Bucket List").  Each stripe of the flag is a different repeated motif related to the holiday season.  Quite fun. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that this quilt won First Place for the Wall Quilt Pieced, 2 person.  Congrats to Beverley (who made many of my favorites in this show).

Postage Birds by Joy Denk, quilting by Jane Plisga

Joy stated that this quilt was originally intended as a gift for her Mom who has always been fascinated by birds as well as for her Father who worked for the post office (hence the postage stamps).  She made the original quilt larger so as to fit her Mom's nursing home bed, but after completing it, was concerned that it may disappear too easily so she decided to keep it herself as a lovely reminder of her parents.  So sad that her fear is a well-founded one (I made several replacement blankets and throws for my grandmother during her years in a nursing home).  I love that Joy kept it herself as it is a beautiful memento of her parents.

detail of Postage Birds, by Joy Denk

I can remember spying this fabric on the bolt in a shop, but had no idea what I would ever do with it.  Perhaps this is why I enjoy it so, plus I absolutely love the colors and the birds and the postage stamps and all.

detail Pretty Dresses by Marie Robinson, quilted by Barb Knoblock

This quilt won Honorable Mention in the Wall Quilt Applique, 2 person division.  The pattern is called Pretty Dresses from Black Mountain Quilts.  This quilt is a result of an applique class taught by Sylvi Sealy that Marie took shortly after arriving in Houston from Australia.  She used a freezer paper/hand stitch technique to applique the dresses made from Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  It is delightful, even though only a sliver of it shows in the photo above (my full image was too blurry to share).

Amish with a Twist by Debra North

Amish with a Twist began as a Block of the Month by Quilt 'n Sew quilt shop.  It is not your traditional sampler quilt ...... Debra added the pieced and appliqued border "just to make it more attractive". 

detail of Amish with a Twist by Debra North

I love the bright-brights, the appliqued flowers and most of all that her additional border has offset corner designs.

Bali Tiles I by Sharon Dixon

Sharon stitched this quilt from the book Tiles Play by Cozy Quilt Design.  The quilting pattern is Swirly Gig by Judy Allen.  Sharon won first place for the Bed Size Pieced, MQ, one person category.

Bali Tiles I with Sharon Dixon

Sharon has quilted many quilts for me over the years.  She also does t-shirt quilts and crown Royal quilts along with her longarm service.  Check out her website http://www.katytshirtquilts.com/.


Sharon also made the quilt below using more of her Bali Tiles.  Click here to order your own fabric Bali Tiles to own....

Bali Tiles II  by Sharon Dixon, quilted by Linda T. Minton

This quilt is adapted from Shadow Box online tutorial by Jean Madan.  Hmmm, I may need to make a variation of this pattern for myself too.  Sharon loved the Bali Tiles so much that she insisted on making two quilts!  Linda Teddlie Minton, a dear friend of Sharon's (and someone I know as well!) quilted this for Sharon.  Follow Linda's art on her blog http://fiberreflections.blogspot.com/.



The West Houston Quilters Guild had fun planning for this quilt show.  This is evident with the lovely wall decorations of classic quilt blocks, all drawn on point.

Isn't this a delightful way to line the outer walls of their quilt show?  I am not certain, but my guess is that there are no duplicate blocks appearing on this long banners.

I wonder how many worked diligently on creating this handcrafted wall borders?  Job well done to the WHQG quilt show planners and worker bees.

Quilted Roads of Texas

Isn't this a grand theme for a Quilt Show deep in the heart of Texas?  That's the theme for the recent West Houston Quilter's Guild Quilt Show which I was fortunate to attend.  I thought you might enjoy a few of my favorite quilts from this small yet spectacular show, beginning with the Best of Show award winner:

Family Tree by Becky Hoffman

Becky used a pattern by Edyta Star to stitch and quilt her award-winning creation.  This is the third time she has made one of Edyta's patterns.  This is a lovely one, don't you agree?  Edyta's website is https://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/.

This next quilt is the first place winner of the Guild Challenge to create a quilt using a string quilt technique visible on the front of the quilt.

Balls of String by Beverley Bennett

Beverley was inspired to create this original design as she contemplated what to make for this Guild Challenge.  As she thought of string quilts, her mind kept wandering back to thoughts of balls of string .... after some creative piecing, this fun quilt was made.  It is one of my favorites from the show -- so quirky and fun, with a rainbow of colors.  It makes me smile.  Great job, Beverley!

Houston Oak Alley by Debbie Adami

This quilt, Houston Oak Alley by Debbie Adami, was made from a kit by Red Crinoline Quilts.  After making it, Debbie had Geeta Mehta quilt it for her, then she donated it to the Southern Dominican Gala in 2014.  It raised $2,000 to be used for the education of new priests.  Impressive.  The new owner, whomever they may be, agreed to loan it to Debbie for this show, where the quilt won first place in the category of quilts made from kits or block-of-the-month programs.

Traveling Texas by Patricia Cook

This is a second place winner for the "Quilted Roads of Texas" theme quilt.  Patricia used the pattern Texas Squared by Catherine Flowers and incorporated images from her travels with her husband around the state of Texas into this quilt, giving it additional special meanings.  I love her gulf waters.

Hugs and Kisses by Dianne Kuper

Hugs and Kisses is an original design by Dianne Kuper, and won an Honorable Mention in its category of Group Quilts.  The blocks were made by a group of Dianne's friends with the direction to use a Valentine theme as they designed their blocks.  Dianne stated that she loves "these group quilts because they are a challenge to put together, everyone participating has a unique quilt, and I can look at the blocks and remember my quilting friends". 

UFO to work on....

Trying to clean out old projects, give away old fabrics, basically make new space in my sewing area (it's too messy at the moment to call it a sewing studio!), I came across these blocks.  They are from a Block of the Month from JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores several years ago.  I did not purchase the blocks when they were first being released (one per month), rather I grabbed them from the clearance section.  I've done this before -- I buy multiple sets of the months I like and then create my own new setting for the quilt.

 

These blocks were already all pieced.  The quilt has a Christmas-y feel, but you may not get that from just these four blocks.  These blocks are my project to finish this month for A Lovely Year of Finishes.  I plan to come up with a new setting, and find other fabric in my stash to use to finish this into a lap size quilt which I will then donate to my local traditional quilt guild's charity quilt collection.  Click here to see who else has joined this month's challenge by setting their goals of finishing one project and sharing the progress (or lack there of) with the Lovely Year of Finishes gang.  Look carefully to find me; I am linky #58.

Also this month, I must piece a few new blocks from new fabrics for a "Hush, Hush, surprise quilt" for a quilting friend -- and that is all I can say about that at this time.  But I will share the fabrics that I aim to use.  

Here's a hint for the "hush hush" theme -- do these colors and polka dots make you think of Mickey and Minnie Mouse?  These blocks are my NewFO for March.  Sadly, Cat Patches is no longer running her NewFO challenge - it ended in January 2015.  Sigh.  It is still fun to start new projects though and I love that she gave us the permission to start something new, guilt-free.

Quilter Blogger

It's official, I've been added to the Quilter Blogger roster!

My posts will rotate through their rolling blog posts on their website.  Be sure to check out all the other quilter bloggers at http://www.quilterblogs.com/.

There are some wonderful chats going on, great photos being shared, and much more.  Drop by for a visit soon!
 
 

New to Thangles

Here is a quick peek at new patterns seen in the Thangles booth during the International Quilt Festival earlier this year, well a last fall....

Thangle Maple Leaf is the quilt on the left.  This pattern uses Thangles and teaches how to piece the leaf block using fewer seams.  It uses 2 1/2" strips of fabric, perfect for using with Jelly Rolls, Bali Pops or such.  Click here to learn more and order your Thangle Maple Leaf Project Pack.
  
Mod Triangles is the quilt on the right and is a new best seller for Thangles.  It uses the popular 5" charms (40 charms for the lap size, or 91 for the queen size quilt).  Click here to order your Mod Triangles Project Pack which comes with the pattern and enough Thangles to make the queen size.


 Here are two more classic patterns created by and with Thangles.

The left and center quilts are a simple pattern that is hard to find (I don't see it on the website at the moment, but email and ask for it).  I love it.  It is called Memories of Mondrian.  Like the Thangle Maple Leaf quilt above, this quilt pattern uses 2 1/5" strips and gives directions for several sizes.  I envision making an alternate version where some of the blocks are nested inside others -- but then that would be a different look, and thus a different pattern, wouldn't it?

The quilt on the right is a best-selling Thangles pattern called Orion Star.  It pieces together easily that looks like the Hunters Star in the finished quilt.  However this pattern does not require any of the difficult "y-seams" during the stitching. Click here to learn more about this pattern, which happens to be high on my "Quilts-to-Stitch Bucket List".

Do you have your own "Quilts-to-Stitch Bucket List" too?  If so (if sew?), which quilt patterns are on your bucket list?