Special Trip Around the Midwest completed!

In 2005 I retired and moved 

from Buffalo Grove, Illinois to Clarinda, Iowa.

The relocation went well, 

but I really missed my church and quilting friends from Illinois.

In 2007 

my friends Cindy Kiel, Lenor Davis, Glenda Foley, 

Carmen Talbott and Beth Carroll 

drove in to Clarinda from their homes in

 Illinois, Oklahoma and Kansas to visit me.

We talked and quilted for four days and 

all went to the Praise Band service on Sunday at 

the Clarinda First United Methodist Church. 

Before they left, they gave me a gift of several fabrics 

and I added some of my stash

and made a quilt using the Trip Around the World pattern

to remember their visit.

I machine quilted it and my sister Judy Steeve 

just whipped the binding down.

Thank you, Judy!

Lovely fabrics....great friends....

Special Trip Around the Midwest!

* * * * * * * *   

My sister Deb Corcoran came today 

and helped me pin on another Civil War quilt.

Thank you, Deb!

Last night when I was choosing one to quilt, 

I found I had two (almost) identical  108" square quilts.

It appears I forgot I already made one 

from my "to do" list and remade it. 

Well, I really do like the pattern!

When they are both done, I'll send pictures. 

I can't believe I forgot I made two almost exactly alike.

(I do remember being grumpy 

because I was almost out of fabric.)  

Hope you don't do that...unless you want to.

Carlene

February quilt bonanza for Elllowyne and Linus!!

My niece Brittany Loudenback pieced this bright quilt 

for her 26-month-old daughter, Ellowyne's big girl bed.  

I chose a simple and sweet machine quilting pattern
that features hearts, flowers and circles.

The cotton flannel backing makes it so cuddly.

* * * * * * * * *

My sister, Jo Anne Souza pieced

 a Duckling and Puppy quilt for 

her new grandson, Linus Franklin Loudenback 

born February 15th.

* * * * * * * *

Ellowyne enjoyed making a snowman 

during the ongoing snowfalls in Connecticut.

My sister Debbie Corcoran pieced 

this Tawny Scrawny Lion quilt for Ellowyne.  

The illustrations on the quilt are based on 

the Golden Book of the same name.

Ellowyne will receive both the quilt and a copy of the book.  

My family loves quilts which makes me very happy.

* * * * * * * * * *

Great progress on Civil War series of quilts...

My plan is to name each my Civil War quilts after a battle
my great-grandfather, Jacob Buck fought in
during the War Between the States.



With the help of my sisters,
Deb Corcoran and Judy Steeve, 

Gettysburg, the Civil War modified rail fence quilt
shown on my last blog, is completed.

Deb helped me pin it on Leticia,
our Gammill Classic Statler Stitcher. 

 I used the Goose Down pattern
designed by Dave Dennis.  

Judy helped me square it off.  

I prepared the binding and sleeve
and attached them to the quilt.  

Now Judy is whipping down the binding and sleeve.  

I so appreciate their help so
I can get so many quilts completed.  

* * * * * * * *

  

When I saw this photo (above) 
in a Country Living magazine years ago, 

I knew I would be making it some day, 

so I ripped it out and placed it in my 
"Interesting quilts" file. 

 I decided it would be a unique one 
using Civil War fabrics 

and solid "School Bus orange", red and pink. 

This one (below) is still unnamed.

I used Electric Quilt to design it
to my preference--the 100" x 100" size
and determine fabric yardage needed.

 My family is not enamored with it, 
but I really like it.  

I'll have a better photo after it is quilted.  

I think I nailed the original, don't you?  

* * * * * * * *

Bobbin (below) in her felted wool cat cave.

Well, Bobbin, my mackerel tabby cat 
is giving me the "stink eye" 
as she is ready for "us" 
to go to bed as it is after 11 p.m.  
I can't wait to start 
another Civil War quilt tomorrow.

Hope you are staying warm
during our cold snap.

Carlene