Pillowcase Challenge

When my friend Sharon passed away from cancer her husband was kind enough to give me all of her fabric. Then I learned about the, "American Patchwork and Quilting Million Pillowcase Challenge". I couldn't think of a better way to honor Sharon's memory than to use her fabrics to make pillowcases and donate them to our local Hospice in her name.

So, yesterday I gathered Sharon's fabrics and started cutting 26 inch bodies, 8.5 inch bands, and 2.5 inch contrast strips. Samantha helped me mix, match, and ironed while I sewed.

So, today I was able to complete 50 pillowcases.

The cases will be delivered tomorrow. I know that Sharon is smiling down on us.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/

Have you ever wondered......

....what 30 quilt tops folded and stacked upon each other would look like? Well, wonder no more, I can show you. LOL
I am trying to get them done, one quilt at a time. lol

Flying into Spring is done

That's right, it's done!! The photos are not the best, I will try again tomorrow.

Today's progress

I have been sewing most of the morning, enjoy the photos.

If you would like to see more here's the link to the album.

http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt23/PennyStr/Lola/

Busy weekend

Well, I took the time to pin one of my own quilts onto Lola, Sorry Sue. LOL This was in April's issue of American Patch Work and Quilting magazine. And, you know me if it's 30's I couldn't resist.
Here the quilt is ready to pin onto the Long arm.

This is the left border. My first attempt of feathers of any kind. I used a graphite pencil to mark on some guide lines but the feathers are all free hand.

This quilt is going to be amazing when it's done. Love it!!!
Have a great week, I will keep posting photos of the progress of this quilt.
It may become my count fair entry.
Penny

Finally done

My first "Costomer" quilt is done. The owner LOVED!! it.

Touching Base

A very dear friend reminded me yesterday that I hadn't updated my blog in a few days and when I don't, "she gets worried" LOL

So, here is a brief up date:
The quilt "Star's all around" is back from the quilter. If you recall, this is the lone star quilt that I was hired to make for a couple. It is a gift from the husband to his wife. The quilting is WOW!! out of this world. I would show a photo but they don't want to see it until it is Done Done. I have the binding yet to do and finish the dust ruffle.

I quilted my first customer quilt this past week, working on the binding now. I will post photos soon. I am also doing the binding on that one as well.

The Y2K quilt is all pieced and is now on the long arm. My goodness, the sucker is HUGE!!! it is over 110x110. Then I will have the binding to do on that one too.

I finished 2 more pillow cases for a grand total of 42, 8 more and I will have reached my goal of 50, 25 for men 25 for women. I am using up fabric from Sharon's and will donate the pillow cases to a local personal care home. They can't wait to get them. This really has been a rewarding project for me.
I will post a photo of them too, and our local news paper is going to do a story about my special gift.

Now the biggest news of all!
I bought a NEW car!! I am the proud new owner of a Chevy Equinox LT2 all wheel drive. Leather heated seats, xm radio, sun roof, remote start. All the ding dongs bells and whistles. LOL I love it!!!! The "new" car smell is soooo nice.
The car is Silver, with grey leather and black trim. I'm still learning where all the buttons are and what they are for. LOL

Well, that should be enough to keep your head spinning for awhile. If we ever see some sunshine again I will take and post some new photos. I have a lot so show you.

Well, until next time.
Peaceful Piecing

Retreat project up date

It is taking me longer than I thought it would to get this simple "fly into Spring" quilt top done.
Goodness!!!!

I've had a lot of distractions this week that might explain why.
I should finish the borders tomorrow, and mark the quilting. The plan is to put it onto Lola as soon as I finish the one that is on her now. My goal is Sat.

I also have 2 pillow cases to make and a dust ruffle for a king size bed. The "stars all around" quilt that I sent out to be done is almost finished. I heard from her yesterday. SO, that means I will have that binding to put on, I just love bias binding on scallops! lol

Next week is filling up fast.
Hope your week isn't as crazy as mine. Be safe and warm
until next time
Peaceful Piecing
Penny

My own little retreat

I have gone on my own in home retreat. lol I do this every year on "Super Bowl" weekend so it is nothing new to the family. I cooked enough this week so there are a lot of left overs to be reheated. I have picked out the pattern, gotten the fabric ready and starting yesterday, I have locked myself in the sewing room and I am DND (Do Not Disturb) lol

This years project is from April's issuse of "American Patchwork and Quilting" magazine. The quilt is named, "Fly into Spring" designed by Eleanor Burns, of Quilt in a Day.


The whole quilt is cut out and step one is done on the flying geese. The freezer paper templates are cut out and ironed on to my fabrics, the flowers will take more then a weekend to make. There are 24 flowers, 69 leaves. With any luck, the geese blocks will be done today, and I can do the flowers and leaves while I sit and watch the super bowl. Have a wonderful weekend and I will keep you posted with photos.

New free hand pattern

I have been practicing a new free hand filler pattern. Called 1-2-3 or free hand feather filler, I'm using this pattern to fill the large background area's.