Veteran's Day

Freedom isn't free.

  Today America salutes its Veterans.

Today's Quilt Finish

Last April, I won quite a few blue and white Monkey Wrench blocks in a block lottery.  This is my first finished quilt using some of those blocks ... there will be more since I won 45 blocks (wahoo!).  You might catch a glimpse of some orange in the binding - those are the basketballs - I used the same binding material as the backing.  It is a cute print with all kinds of balls used in sports.  Very boy-friendly!

Longer top than I usually make - 72 inches.

Glimpses of the binding and backing.

Shows more of the cute backing fabric.

And I found out by accident that today is the anniversary of when Sesame Street began:

     Nov 10, 1969 - Sesame Street

premiered on PBS, featuring Jim Henson's Muppet characters  and actors and cartoons. The teachings and antics of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster filled the minds and hearts of thousands of preschool children, and the award-winning educational series was a tremendous success. Sesame Street was produced by the Children's Television Workshop.

I'll have to search out some Sesame Street fabric and make a top (hey, any excuse to buy more fabric works for me!).  Congratulations, Big Bird and cast.

What's in Process

I've just been dabbling at a few things - jumping from one project to another.  Here's a few projects that are now in the works in the sewing room:
(1)  The  Sunny Days blocks from this post
 http://quiltingwithelves.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-design-wall.html
are growing in numbers and I’ve been fiddling around with a few layout ideas.

To see what dark sashing would look like.

No sashing - would need to have more blocks and add borders.

Don't think I want to add alternating dark blocks.

The secondary design has stars - would need to add one last column on the right to complete the effect.

 (2) A friend is a member of a church that is collecting gifts so that children can select a gift to give their parents for Christmas.  I am making a few of the criss-cross coasters from this site.  These are fun, look cute and most of all, are quick and easy!

http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

Set of four - shows two criss-cross fronts and two backs.

Second set of four - didn't take picture of backs.

(3) I have cut out, but not quite finished the embellishments, on two more Project Amigos bags - see the button on my sidebar for more information.

That's it for today!

More Quilt Show Pictures

Here are a few more of the great quilts displayed at the Cypress Creek Quilter's Guild's show on Nov 6th:

The cute matching mini was displayed with the large quilt.

Part applique and part paper-pieced



Beautiful machine embroidery is shown in a close-up that follows





Lovely stained glass effect achieved by paper-piecing





This picture doesn't do justice to the gorgeous florals



This was the only rag-type (or raw edge) that I saw, very soft and huggable

Beautiful applique - I noticed that many used professional machine quilters

The machine applique and the batiks were perfect together.

Detail

The use of wool made for a very rich-looking design

This is an example of a tube-type construction - very well made

You can see a little of the backing pattern showing thru due to the bright sun behind this quilt - it was as adorable as the front but I didn't get a picture - drat!

I loved the colors and this unique design

Very striking color combination

A very pretty stack and whack type design - her note says she started this in 1997 and a UFO challenge got her to finish it!

Quilt Show !!

The Cypress Creek Quilter's Guild held their second annual quilt show today on the grounds of the USF Botanical Gardens.  Last year the weather was perfect and their luck held again this year.  The weather turned a little chilly for us here in central FL, USA, but it was great jacket weather and a little breezy.  The quilts were hung under the massive oak trees and there was a quilt there to suit any fancy.  Here are a few of my favorites:



Bug Quilt

Bug Quilt Detail

Butterflies

By the Seaside

By the Seaside Detail











Jester's Court Quilting - the Jester's Caps had bells on them and was done in variable colored thread





Jester's Court



Titled: My Sunflowers

This one was simple in design but channel quilting every 1/4 inch made it super special and so huggable

Very interesting quilt traditions from Pakistan

You had to see the fabulous embellishments on this beauty!

Gorgeous, intricate applique

I could have looked at this one all day - the geckos were tending their gardens and having a delightful time

This has to be one of the cutest mini's on the planet!

The tulip appliques were perfect and the colors were so appealing

Another Mini that makes you wonder how they do that!

You wanted to toss some feed to this flock - just amazing.

And who could resist this whimsical creature?!!  Not me!

More Quilt Photos Tomorrow!!