Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Finished Quilt

Last spring when rains after rains came our way, I tackled my tote containing greens and purples. Out of that tote emerged five quilts. (A few more potentially remain.) These quilts are intended for giving away. When my brother-in-law and his family experienced a house fire a couple months ago, I knew I wanted to get a quilt quilted for them. So I chose this one, a double four patch.
 
 
It sounds like their house is coming along nicely now, and inside work is being done. However, my sister-in-law just had open heart surgery the day after Christmas. I think she is doing as well as can be expected. The stress from the house fire and all that goes with that contributed to her need to have the surgery. This family has had almost more than their share, we would think. They are an inspiration to us as they hold on to the One who has seen them through hard times in the past, and they know He will continue to be faithful to them.


 
So this quilt is for them, if they still need it. I know they received much from local people. We long to go and help them, but my men are currently busy with a huge building project. When they catch up with that, perhaps we can make the trip to Pennsylvania!


Monday, December 23, 2013

Celtic Solstice

The past couple years I have been fascinated by the mystery quilts hosted by Bonnie Hunter. Because I am responsible for my home based business which involves baking, I didn't feel I had time to add yet another project at Christmas time. However, this year I convinced myself that I could participate in the mystery; I would simply sew at my own pace.

Friday Bonnie posted the fourth clue, and SHOCKER! ~ I am caught up!

 
 
The above picture shows the four patches I made for the fourth clue. I am using only two different fabrics for the green. I hope that will work out okay!

 
 
Above are each of the completed clues. I decided to go with Bonnie's color scheme, even though I was uncertain about the orange. But it is growing on me. 

 
And now I wait for clue # five. Well, not actually waiting ~ pies to make and deliver in the morning and family to prepare for coming on Christmas day.
 
Merry Christmas to all!

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Star Tricks

 
A couple weeks before Thanksgiving I had a few spare hours and decided to start a quilt I had been collecting fabric for. But when I realized I had forgotten background fabric, I nixed that idea. Still wanting to sew, I paged through the book to find another pattern I have been wanting to do. I went through my stash and found suitable fabric. Impulsively (which is unlike me) I started to cut, even though I knew I had no black. When I checked with a local Amish store, their fabrics were all poly/cotton blends. I decided to hold out for a Joanne's visit. I sewed what I could, and then laid it aside in lieu of Thanksgiving orders to fill. And then Bonnie Hunter's mystery started, and the star again got pushed aside. However, yesterday I decided I would finish the star before I did clue #4.
 
 
 
And this is the result of that decision. I still want to add borders around this, and then add to that to make a full size/queen size quilt. But that will wait until after Christmas. I have family to host and orders to fill for the next few days.
 
I have also been on a candy making blitz. A local bank asked me to make six kinds of candy for a total of 27 dozen. When I delivered that, they promptly ordered 18 dozen more. I never wanted to do candy, but I have enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Nicole helped me make the ten dozen peanut butter balls, which I really appreciated.