Scrappy hearts

I'm still in my scrappy phase and just finished a scrappy hearts little quilt. It was inspired by a book that I have had for quite a while and have used a lot. LITTLE QUILTS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE by Alice Berg, Mary Ellen Von Holt, and Sylvia Johnson. I never follow patterns exactly but they have great ideas for little quilts. The hearts and background were from my scrap pile but I must admit that I did buy the border. I found this fabric one at JoAnne's when my quilting buddies and I went to Dover. It just fit so well that I bought it. I used the freezer paper needle turn applique process and pressed open seams. Both methods worked well. I still want to get a little better on the hand turned ...some of the hearts weren't quite the way I wanted them but the more I made, the easier it got. It is hand quilted.

I just cleaned my quilting room like I do after every project. Hmmm... what should I do next. I have so many ideas in my head - the biggest decision is what to start!

I just got the DVD Eleanor Burn's Christmas at Bear Paw Ranch....she has some great ideas in that! Maybe I should get my Christmas fabric out!!

Little quilts and other fun stuff

I have been busy for the last several days. Lots has been happening. I started to work part-time at a bookstore within walking distance of my home. I always joked that I was going to retire, become a beach bum, and work in a bookstore....my prophecy came true! Actually, I told my husband that I am working to support my addictions...books and fabric!

But that's not all. I have begun to make some little quilts for several reasons. First, I want to try out some new techniques. Second, I want to use up some of my scraps, and third, my guild sells little quilts at the quilt show that is held every two years. I figured I'd better get busy and make some even though the show is still about a year away. Here is my first one. I wanted to try open seams on a small log cabin block. The open seams worked wonderfully!!! I am now making a little quilt using freezer paper for applique - something I've never tried before either. I wasn't really into applique even though I have tried it off and on over the years. So far so good ...will have to upload a picture of that later.

Last night, I had a great time. Several of our guild members really love the work of Pat Sloan and since she was going to be doing a workshop and lecture in Dover which is about 45 minutes from here, one of my good quilting buddies asked me to go along to the lecture with her. Pat Sloan is so personable and creative. She showed many of her own quilts and talked about being free to experiment and not necessarily following the quilt rules! Girl after my own heart. (I have a plaque in my den that says IF YOU OBEY ALL THE RULES YOULL MISS ALL THE FUN). This is my friend and the quilt she made using Pat Sloan ideas.