My class last week on the Runaround Bag went well. I had 2 students and both finished their bags in about 3 hrs. I had a couple bags partially completed so I could show them how each step was done. Last weekend I cleaned off my cutting table so I could rearrange the room. I organized the fabric as I put everything back. I rediscovered the blocks for a Four Patch Posie quilt using Christmas fabric. I had set it aside because I didn't know what to use for the sashing. I found a piece of green on the cutting table that will work. Now to finish it...

Today I sandwiched a quilt at the community center. The great thing about going there is there are lots of tables so quilts can be laid out. I also cut some fabric for the binding. Last week I made 2 table runners for Thanksgiving. I have a couple other quilts that I'm working on, one of them I'd like to have done by the end of the year.

I've been staying very busy lately. I made some Runaround Bags by Lazy Girl and will be teaching a class at my LQS. The class is on Nov 6th and 2 people have signed up already. Two weeks later I have a class scheduled for another Lazy Girl pattern, the Wonder Wallet.

I've been trying to keep up with my wall hangings for my door at work. I made 2 for September which a co-worker purchased. They are purple coneflowers in a hiking boot and yellow coneflowers in a hiking boot. I have 2 started for October and hope to finish them before the month ends.

I have a couple quilts started. One is a Christmas gift and I have the top finished. I still need to piece the back and then I'll machine quilt it. The other quilt is a gift which I'd like to give next month. I have some of the blocks completed and hope to finish the rest this weekend.

I donated a quilt to a church for a silent auction. I'm very pleased to say that it brought in $75 for a program the church sponsors.

Derby Quilt

My Derby Quilt has been hanging up in a Quilt Show since mid-August. It is 90"x108". It didn't win any prizes but I thought it was the best. Each large square is a KY Derby related fabric. The large light colored spaces are horseshoe fabric and the small white spaces are fleur-de-lis fabric. The red fabric is fireworks fabric. The name of the pattern is BQ by Maple Island.

Has it really been a month since my last post? I keep meaning to write something but am distracted before I can do it. I have been busy as usual. I made another wall hanging from the "Small Quilts Big Events" book that I used before. This one is called 'Warm Wishes'. I gave it to a co-worker who retired on August 1st. He always had a blue coffee cup with him.


When I was on vacation, my niece and I went to a quilt shop. As we were leaving, we were given 2 FQ's each. I made her a purse with hers. The pattern is "Runaround Bag" from Lazy Girl.



In my efforts to decorate my office door I made a new wall hanging. Since I work for the school system and school started this week, I thought it appropriate to make a school bus. The school bus is pieced and from the book "Block Magic" by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. It is a 15" block with a 2" border.

Back from vacation

I'm back from vacation. It's great to go but also nice to return to the daily routine. I was visiting family and did some sewing while there. I taught my nieces to make a pillowcase, helped my sister-in-law and mother with some quilts. I even had time to work on a new quilt and a tote bag.

Time sure does have a way of getting away from me. I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted. I finally got around to taking some photos. This first one from the book 'Small Quilts Big Events' by Julia LaBauve & Tammy Silvers. It is about 15"x16". This is now hanging on a friends' door.

I got my Derby Quilt back from the LA. She did a fantastic job quilting it. I have been working today on the binding and almost have it done. Then I have to put a hanging sleeve and a label on it. Here is a photo of it. I hope to get better photos soon.

Derby Quilt

I finished my Derby Quilt tonight. I will press it tomorrow and find something to put on the back. I will also call someone to see about quilting it. I used the BQ pattern by Maple Island Quilts. It has fabrics depicting several of the KY Derby festivities like hot air balloons, marching band, fireworks, horses, red roses, airplanes and marathon runners.

I have been planning this quilt for a couple years and collecting the fabric for as long. I got a nudge a while ago when I entered a local contest. The rules require at least one fleur de lis on the quilt. After more thought I decided on using this pattern instead of creating one. I think someone will be very happy with this quilt.

I took a 'Picture Piecing' class taught by Cynthia England. I chose the 'Snow Scene' kit to make. I completed one section so I still have a lot to do. It is easier to do than paper piecing and you can get the same level of detail. All stitching lines are straight. The 2nd part of the class was on designing. Cynthia had some exercises for us to do to learn to draw a pattern. She critiqued eveyone's drawing. Everyone brought a photo and Cynthia told how she would draw the pattern. It was a very worthwhile and enjoyable class that was over way too soon. I highly recommend it.

I have started my Derby quilt after collecting the fabric for a few years. It will be queen size and I have 9 of the 30 blocks completed so far. I hope to have the top completed by June 15th. I will be entering it in a contest in August.