The Quilter's Planner 2016

I'm so happy to have my SML Sailboat Summer block included in the innovative 2016 Quilter's Planner created by Stephanie Palmer over at Late Night Quilter.  I received the email yesterday that my block was chosen; but I've been looking forward to the planner coming out since I heard about it a couple of months ago.  Take some time to check it out, Stephanie has really worked hard on such a great quilter tool!

http://latenightquilter.com/quilt-planner/2016 Quilter's Planner

QAYG Combined Art Pillow

I had planned on having a big reveal for tonight's post, but I have a bit of a binding issue going on that hasn't quite worked its way out yet.  So I'm sharing a recent smaller project, a pillow I made for my s-i-l. Here's the thing, she's an artist (like a real educated artist), so I'm a little nervous making things for her.

I downloaded and printed (on printer fabric) a picture of one of her art pieces from Facebook, then designed the pillow around it.  I really hope she enjoys our combined artwork.

I used some of Tula Pink's lovely Moon Shine fabric, along with a bit from my stash.
I chose the print on the back because I felt it fit right in with her home in Maine.  We're visiting there next week, so I'll be sneaking it in my husband's suitcase packing it to give her after we get settled in for our stay.

What I learned on this project:  When using a directional print for the back of a pillow, make sure you sew the seams on the panels so they'll be right side up when sewing them on to the front panel. Luckily, that was a pretty quick fix.  (The seam ripper is my friend, the seam ripper is my friend...)

And on another note, I'm so surprised to have won the First Blogaversary Giveaway from Sharla at Thistle Thicket Studio!  Sharla and I got to know each other through the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers blog hop.  She's worked really hard on her blog and it looks great!  Sharla has amazing crafty ideas; I've been thinking about making a ceramic pincushion since I saw the rooster pincushion she made on her blog.  (Can you believe it, I don't have a single pincushion?!?)  I love the typewriter key necklaces she makes too! I'm looking forward to playing with that lovely Shannon Cuddle Charm Pack; I think it would make a lovely baby blanket.  What a generous and thoughtful giveaway.  Go check out Sharla's thistle thicket studio blog, she's amazingly creative!

Keep creating!

FABRI-QUILT New Block Blog Hop 2015 Day 4

Today is Day 4 of the Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop 2015.  Fabri-Quilt sponsored this blog hop and provided each participant with six lovely fat eighths of what our hosts named "Watermelon Summer Palette" from the Prairie Cloth Solids line.

In addition to getting 60 new block ideas, you can also enter to win a 1/2 yard bundle of your own! Visit each day's host and the Inspired by Fabric blog for details.

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter
Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination

Please also visit the other bloggers today to see what great blocks they have:

• Robyn of Hoops & Thimbles
• Helen of Midget Gem Quilts
• Anja of Anja Quilts
• Kathryn of Upitis Quilts
• Mary of Quilting is in my Blood
• Emma of My Handmade Home
• Francine of Mocha Wild Child
• Dina of Living Water Quilter
• Deb of The Farmhouse Quilter
• Lori of SewPsyched!
• Amy of 13 Spools
• Denise of CrafTraditions
• Sandra of The Bias Edge
• Sandra of One Million Stitches

When I received the beautiful Fabric-Quilt fabric in gorgeous summer colors, I had a lot of ideas, the first being, what made me think I could create a block?  Many ideas centered around Smith Mountain Lake (SML) or the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the Peaks of Otter I see from our front yard. After several sketches and mock up blocks, I settled on a sailboat. (Have I mentioned I haven't done this before?)

Unfortunately, I cannot get my printed instructions to copy correctly to my blog.  Please click on the following link for directions with diagrams that you can print or save.

http://1drv.ms/1PMh0lb

 

What I didn't know when beginning this project was that our area would be mourning the loss of two members of a local news station, who were killed during a live newscast out at Smith Mountain Lake, while interviewing the Executive Director of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The Director was also shot, but survived and is recovering in the hospital.  In memory of Adam and Alison, people have been wearing teal (Alison's favorite color) and Va Tech maroon (Adam's favorite) ribbons and clothing.  As I was processing my feelings, I created another sailboat block in memory of them using the WDBJ 7's Facebook emblem in use since their deaths.

In memory of Adam Ward and Alison Parker 

Two WDBJ7 employees shot and killed; suspected shooter kills himself

Two WDBJ7 employees shot and killed; suspected shooter kills himself



No this post isn't about quilting.  I am just feeling overwhelmed.  I was raised in Roanoke VA, the Star City of the South.  I've watched as the violence in Roanoke has escalated.  I moved to the "country" to raise my sons, some 24 years ago.  I now live in Bedford, normally a quiet rural community.  Bedford is a large county, but just outside Roanoke at points. Violence has touched our rural community recently, as well.  The shooting yesterday happened in the Moneta area.  My sons attended school in Moneta, but a good way away from Bridgewater Plaza. Bridgewater Plaza is a nice little local and tourist spot at Smith Mountain Lake.  Somewhere I never thought would be the location of an ambush.  I'm just feeling so sad.  I worry about my family, my sons, young men on their own now, both living in Roanoke.  I worry about their partners, I worry about my nieces, I worry about my parents.  I wish there was an easy answer to the violence in our society. In 2015, the U.S. has not gone over an 8 day period without a mass shooting.  As strongly as I believe our gun laws need to change, I don't believe they will.  The NRA has a lot of power and a lot of money.

I'm sad, I'm overwhelmed, I feel deep sorrow.  My heart breaks watching the WDBJ7 crew trying to continue reporting on their own colleagues being gunned down while trying not to dissolve in tears.  I just needed to get some of these feelings out.  Forgive me for using this format, which is usually for sharing our creative experience.  Thank you for listening.  I ask that you pray for the families of Adam and Allison, two bright stars whose lights were snuffed out by a madman.  (What else can I call him?) Please pray for their colleagues and friends at WDBJ7, struggling to continue on publicly through their grief.  I do pray that we'll remain #RoanokeStrong.

Week 4 2015 New Quilt Blogger Hop

Gosh, it's hard to believe it's the last week of the hop!  It's been work, but a lot of fun too.  Be sure to stop by and see Sew Fabulous Hive's final week bloggers.

Margo@ http://www.shadowlanequiltsandcrafts.blogspot.com/
Josi@ www.AvocadoQuilts.com

Deb@ http://www.thefarmhousequilter.blogspot.ca/

Emma@ http://www.myhandmadehomejourneyblogspot.co.uk

Also, visit our wonderful hosts to see what they're up to and enter to win the Week 4 giveaway.

Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs
Terri Ann @Childlike FascinationStephanie @Late Night Quilter

Happy quilting!

Sew Fabulous Hive Week 3 Blog Hop

Hello friends,

Unfortunately, I haven't felt up to posting lately.  I've been in a period of fibro fog.  Those of you familiar with Fibromyalgia will understand, I'm sure.  I've managed to get some work done in my studio, but I'm pretty wiped out afterward.  I have gotten several more Farmgirl Vintage blocks done and I've gotten the tops and bottoms of my son's chevron quilt done.  Tomorrow I'm hoping to move on to sewing the rows together.  My husband told me he didn't make my design board big enough to hold two quilts so I have to get one finished, LOL.  Here's a partial view of the chevron quilt, as well as the FGV blocks I've completed.

Speaking of my sweet husband, he woke me up yesterday, told me he was taking me to lunch and then on to a surprise.  After a lovely lunch, we went to the library where the local quilt guild, Peaks and Pieces, was holding a quilt show.  Here is some of the beautiful work displayed: 

I have to admit, Moody Blues was my favorite and what I voted as Best in Show.  When my son was in marching band, I just loved it when they included a Moody Blues piece for their half-time show.  If you noticed, the tops and bottoms of his chevron quilt are music notes, which l am also using for the backing.

Please be sure to stop by the week 3 Sew Fabulous blogs, as well as our wonderful Hive leaders' blogs to enter some great giveaways!

Week 3 - July 13th Sew Fabulous Hive

Julie@ www.pinkdoxies.com

Carrie W @ www.thezenquilter.blogspot.com

Lori@ www.sewpsychd.blogspot.com

Cindy@  Www.sewingmoxie.com/blogs/blog

Hive leaders:

Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination

Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Stash Score!!!

See all this gorgeous fabric?  Oh my gosh, this was my fabulous birthday find!  It took me several hours to choose from all the goodness at Fabric.com, all 34 yards of it.  You guys aren't going to believe the deal..wait for it...wait for it...

$83.14 before tax!!! Are you kidding me?!?  That works out to $2.45 a yard, holy cow!  

The day before I received this box full of goodness, my Massdrop order
of Tula Pink's Moonshine arrived.  My first Tula Pink!

You can probably tell I'm working on the Farmgirl Vintage blocks from all the gingham and polka dots in my huge fabric find.  The fabric delivery was just on time for me to work on the Autumn Star block, which I finished today.  It took four days, whew!

And here are all the blocks I've completed.

Thanks to my new quilt blogging friend, Megan, at sewstitchingcutequilts I now know about and am linking up to and showing off my fabric find over at Sunday Stash w/ Molli Sparkles, so stop on over and show your stuff off, too!

Father's Day, Birthday and Week 2 New Quilt Bloggers Hop

Hi Quilty Friends,

I hope everyone has had a great weekend.  Not only did I get to spend Father's Day with my Dad, I also celebrated my birthday with the family - my two sons and their significant others, my parents, and my wonderful husband.  What more could I ask for?

For Father's Day, I made a pillow for my dad with a picture of the 611 steam engine.  The 611 is a big deal around here, especially since it was recently refurbished and returned to Roanoke last month.

I used printable fabric in my inkjet printer to print the 611 picture and found some great Riley Blake fabric to frame it.  I thought the stars and stripes were awesome!

Here's a picture of my dad with his gifts.

Just for fun, here's a picture of me today with the ring my sweet husband gave me for my birthday.  I actually wore makeup today, I usually only manage that about once a year.

Now on to our 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Hop!  Last week I had the pleasure of introducing myself and I've made a bunch of new blogger friends.  Coming up this week in the Sew Fabulous Hive are:

Erin@ https://twinmomquilts.wordpress.com/

Anja@ anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/

Carrie B.@ choppingblockquilts.wordpress.com

Adrian@ http://quiltingfabulous.blogspot.ca/

Thanks again to our wonderful hosts who are 'sew' supportive.  Be sure to check in with them, as well, to enter Week 2 giveaways!

Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination

Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Happy quilting!

WIP Wednesday

The great thing about being a newbie quilter is discovering things about my own creative style.  I've posted previously about how excited I was to receive the Farm Girl Vintage book.  I have really enjoyed working on the blocks and I think it's now my favorite quilting project!  I love picking out the fabric and putting everything together.  It still amazes me at how the fabrics are pieced to make the block design.

Yesterday I discovered that I really don't like using plain white fabric as background.  I didn't realize that until I spent an awful lot of time trying to find anything else that I could use besides 'just white'. I finally found a grey and white print fabric to use.  I think I'm going to have to eventually give in and use a plain white; the next block is the Autumn Star and there's a lot of white background.

Here's what my space looks like when I'm pulling fabric for blocks.  This is just one reason I love my studio, I can just turn off the light and leave it until tomorrow (or whenever I can get back to it).  If you look closely, you can see a Michael Miller Modern Basics fat quarter bundle that just came in from Massdrop yesterday.  (And a big thank you to one of my IG quilting buddies for introducing me to Massdrop!)  When I saw this bundle, I knew it would come in handy for my FGV blocks.  Plenty of polka dots and houndstooth!

Here are my 12" blocks so far.  I completely messed up the Apron Strings block; but I think it's my favorite and my hubby says it's definitely his.

Of course, the problem with having so much fun with these blocks is the project that's still looming on my design board, DUNH DUNH DUNH!

Luckily my son isn't in a hurry for it, especially since it's a flannel quilt and we've been in the 90s of late.  My goal is to spend part of each day in the studio sewing together at least one row to break up the frustration, LOL.

Happy quilting friends!

2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

Aloha, I'm Jinger and I'm happy to be a member of the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop.  Many thanks to our Sew Fabulous hive leader, Stephanie, over at www.latenightquilter.com.

A little about me, I 've been married for 11 years to a wonderfully supportive husband.  I have two adult sons, 25 & 22 (who are still my babies, I don't care how old they are) and  I am a step-grandmother to 13 year old twins, a girl and boy.

I began seriously quilting in October 2014 after our move back from the Big Island of Hawaii to Bedford Virginia.  I had struggled with not feeling productive since my retirement, but coping with chronic illnesses prevented me from moving forward.  My sweet husband set up a studio for me in our new home, which enables me to have everything ready to just walk in and work whenever I feel up to it.  Because I'm not able to go out often, besides doctor appointments, finding quilting blogs has been really helpful to me.  I didn't find many blogs featuring newbie quilters like me, so I started this one.

Hopscotch, First completed bed quilt

Dogwoods and Butterflies

These two are QAYG (quilt as you go) that I made for the grandkids. The one below took me three years to compete.

I like to post what I've learned at the end of my various projects. The biggest lesson I recently learned in quilting is to use scraps to test instructions that aren't necessarily clear.  Do you find ending project tips helpful?   

In blogging I've learned to reach out to others when I have questions and not to be afraid to post about mistakes I've made.  Are you someone that enjoys offering tips to newbie quilters?

At the beginning of this post, I spoke about moving back to Virginia from Hawaii.  We do still own a condo in Kailua-Kona that we rent out on VRBO, which enables us to go back to visit at least once a year.  Here's the evening view from our lanai:

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  Please visit the other featured Sew Fabulous bloggers for this week, as well:

Tessa@ www.halfsquarequilts.wordpress.com

Sandra@ http://musingsofamenopausalmelon.blogpot.ca/

Kelly@  blog.quiltingitout.com

Johanna @ Sewingtimewithbrownie.blogspot.com

Again,  many thanks to our 2015  New Quilt Bloggers Blog  Hop organizers:

Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination

Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Happy quilting!