Quilted Pillow Practice

Thank you to all who checked in on me with regards to the last post. My family and I are doing much better.

This weekend I was able to get in a bit of quilting. I've been wanting to practice making pillows from a new pattern. I used inexpensive white muslin to practice and because I didn't have pillow inserts you see flat pillow covers. Another new project has also been started but I won't post that just yet....I have enough UFO's why would I think I need to start another new one? Simple really, I wanted something different, new and rejuvenating.

Last post I received email about the hollyhock quilt behind the rabbit. It is an older quilt that hangs in my bathroom because it doesn't go anywhere else in my home. The quilt name is "Harmony" from the book Spring Mill Days by Nancy Odom. Quilt is 24 x 39.

A Bunch Of Nada.....

This past week hasn't been the best for sure. I don't post about every detail of our family life here at Quilt Hollow. There has been some changes, some illnesses and also loss of a very loved family pet.

No quilting for myself this week but did get my customer quilts finished. Unsure what the delays are for you "others" and you know who you are....hint, hint! I've got openings and as always first come first served. Now is my opportunity to play and tackle my own.

If your like me, you like a picture with your blog reading. This is an old to me but new to you! I'm guessing my blog bud Darlene aka Speedy will really like this one. If you wonder why I call her Speedy just take at look at all this gal accomplishes and fast!

What I Did On National Quilting Day....

...your looking at it. I baked. No time for quilting this weekend due to family events and son's play. These cookies are a family favorite so I made them for his cast party. I'll share the recipe because they are that good! A hint and something I learned from my husband; though you likely know about it and I never knew! Put a slice of bread in with the airtight container of fresh baked cookies to keep them moist. It really works!!

Oatmeal White Chip Cookies

2 c. brown sugar, 1 c. shortening, 2 eggs, 2 c. flour, 3 c. oatmeal,

1 1/2 t. soda, 1 t. salt, 2 t. vanilla

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs, vanilla and dry ingredients. Mix well. Add in about 1 c. white chips (more or less). Roll in a ball the size of a walnut. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 for about 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool and seal in airtight container.

Wild Women Quilt Lecture/Show

If you ever have opportunity to see the comedy quilt show of Sue Patton and Karen McTavish I suggest you don't walk but run to get to it! Drive miles if you have too.....it is well worth the evening of entertainment that these two gals provide. They are a hoot! One of our guild member's is also the quilt shop owner of Ye Olde Forest Quilting in Greensboro and has Sue and Karen in all week for a huge quilting event. In addition, our guild sponsored a quilt show and lecture for all the area guilds. I'm told that they will be at the shop through Saturday giving free demonstrations of their work. Oh, how I'd love to go but last night was also son #2's opening night to the play and it runs all weekend....and I'm working it. I'm thankful he told me that my missing his opening night wasn't a big deal to him. You know, the mom guilt thing?

I'd honestly have to say that these two gals have got to be the hippest coolest quilters with awesome personalities to boot! Check out those tattoos!

Waste Not Continued...

Darlene posted about backs for quilts and asked for other blogger input about what they do for backs. This is a quilt of mine using leftover blocks and not having enough of any one of the fabrics I used in the top I pieced a "leftovers" back. This would have to fall into the WASTE NOT category as I did pay good money for these fabrics. Cindy left me a comment saying "I don't keep scraps - I keep "left over fabric" - because I always find a way to use any piece of fabric." It made perfectly good sense to me!


My little quilts are now quilted, bound (is that right?) washed and dried for a good crinkle and now hanging in my kitchen area. The pattern designer wanted me to toss out the scrap from the top quilt. Well, those were perfectly good LEFTOVERS and I was able to make the 2nd quilt by just adding the additional blue fabric.


I've spent this morning baking for tonight's guild event. We are having Karen McTavish lecture and trunk show! Longarm quilter's are well aware of McTavishing....and perhaps you've seen the quilter with the tattoo!

Waste Not!

These two little quilts have been ready for quilting for months. The one on the right was made with "leftovers" from the left quilt. The instructions said toss them, they wouldn't be needed. I'm sorry, but I paid good money for that fabric! I added the Thimbleberries blue to create the second quilt top. My next post should show two quilted, binded, washed and crinkled little quilts.

Happy St. Patrick's Day To Me (EARLY!)

My DH refinished this Singer stand and made the wood table top. This works out perfectly in the guest room. I love it!

Natalie had a little green giveaway for St. Patricks Day. I've always said I never win a blog giveaway....green must be my lucky color because look at all the green winnings! Natalie is not a quilter but awesome crafter of country and primitive items; check out her Etsy shop. Thank you Natalie!

Boxy Stars Nearly Finished

Well, it isn't quite finished as you see. This quilt ended up measuring 100.5 x 73 so I've got lots of binding work ahead of me. I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself.

Then I tried to get a few close up shots to share quilting detail and fabrics. This quilt was made from my scraps. You can find the free pattern here. Click on Lots of Links on the left side and then scroll down to find Boxy Stars. Oh, I'm also mentioning that the photo of Bonnie with the title "Behind Her Scrappy Mind" was taken in my quilt studio. The quilt hanging over the longarm is another one of Bonnie's generous free patterns called, "Double Delight." No...it isn't mine, it's Bonnie's.

It has been a weird week for me. We had absolutely gorgeous weather last weekend and into the first few days. My clothing consisted of t-shirt, capris, sandals and my windows wide open. Oh the warmth felt so good but I wasn't feeling well. It could have been a tad of what my guys had the past weeks but it really made me feel so tired and worn down to include slight fever. I'm getting back with the program so to speak but just in time for a dreary, cold and raining day. I'm now double layered and heat back on! A perfect day for upstairs.....heading there now.

Boxy Star Sneak Peek

Just that...a sneak peek. I've been playing and having fun with this one.

Check out Carol's blog to see another one I quilted recently. I won't post customer quilts especially if they are bloggers. But will direct you to their blog if they post.

Barter Your Quilting Skills

Barter - to trade by exchanging one commodity for another. I've been watching the news about people losing their jobs and turning to bartering. Rather than exchange money they have their skills for trade. It all makes perfect sense to me.

It got me thinking. Why not use bartering in the quilt world? How many bloggers would rather piece a top than to quilt the top? What about applique? Are you awesome at applique but not so fond of, let's say a paper pieced project you've admired? Do you make for example tote bags or purses but always long for a table runner or quilted pillows? Quilter's also have tools of the trade (extra rotary cutters, templates, rulers etc) and fabric stashes they aren't using but do need or want something different. The quilt world is a good place for bartering.

A Few Quilts From Hampton

I absolutely fell in love with this seal quilt! It looked so real in person and just seeing the photo here again reminds me of truly how wonderful it was. This quilter has some talent!

I love kitties.....this kitty quilt was gorgeous! Though not a quilt I would ever attempt. I can appreciate the art!

Mexican Stars is the name of this quilt. This wasn't in the show but at a longarm booth. I liked the way they quilted it so took the photo for inspiration.

Another quilt in a vending booth that was made with two honey bun rolls. My friend purchased the two honey buns to make this simple log cabin quilt. Finished yet Pam?