Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Couple of Stitches

Last spring my niece got married and I promised her a quilt.  And true to my word I made the top the month she got married - April.  I had great plans to free motion quilt it while we were on the mission trip so I sandwiched it, rolled it up on a long stick/dowel so it wouldn't wrinkle too badly and hauled it all the way to Louisiana.  Only to discover that the small machine I took with me wouldn't free motion quilt.  No way, no how.  So I hauled it all the way back to Arkansas and this week I quilted it.  It's ok though because someone told me once you should never give a quilt as a wedding present - wait till the first anniversary at least just in case it doesn't last.  Sad statement I suppose but in view of our times not so far off the mark.  I'm pleased to say she's still married and I'm done quilting and binding.  My free motion quilting is in the baby stages of learning and I'm calling my style "primitive."  After all that's my favorite decorating style so my quilts should be the same - right?  Be kind ya'll.  Nice matters!  I did spirals in each block.  Some of my spirals are nice circles.  Some are more oblong.  Whatever.  I'm calling it Krystal's Krazy Stars.  Can you see the stars? Hint...the white triangles are the points.
 Even though I vowed I wasn't going to start anything new (these are small so they don't count, right?) when I saw Madame Samm's Mug Rug all my good intentions went out the door!  I love these...room for a cup or glass of chai latte on one side and my cookies or muffins on the other.  :)  Finished size is about 6 x 9.






17 comments:

Tracy P. said...

These are all just yummy Marlene. We need a close-up of your primitive stitching though. You need to have a baseline to see your progress. It will certainly look professional to me. Your niece is very lucky and I KNOW she will consider it worth the wait!

Cindy said...

I so wish I enjoyed quilting so I could turn out things like these. But while I adore the finished projects I just don't like the piecing process.

I love the fall placemat.

Sparky said...

Ok, first nice design, colors -topper...glad to hear she is still married lol...and can about those mini quilts..tell me they are not mug rugs...lol gorgeous..don't you just love making these...I know I do..can't wait till this weekend...day retreats fri and sat...I plan on making hundreds of them..ok, maybe a few lol

rlbates said...

They're all lovely!

Cornfield Quilter said...

The quilt looks awesome and I love the Mug Rugs! Ya know, when I first started quilting I also did mine on my regular sewing machine and the recipients loved them anyway! It's all the love and thought that goes into the things we make for others I think that they love so much. Great job!!!!

Renee said...

Love the quilt. It's so pretty. And those little mug rugs are so cute. I've been seeing them here and there and they are wearing on me. I thought of some ladies that they'd make great little Christmas gifts for. Yours are so cute. Good job. Take Care.

Needled Mom said...

And....you used one of my favorite fabric lines on the quilt. Perfect!!!

Love the mug rugs!!!

Julie Fukuda said...

Very pretty quilt. Now I don't feel so bad about the wedding quilt I am working on. I'm going for the second anniversary ... unless I finish sooner ...

Marge said...

I have several tops that I need to just sit down and quilt, but I too am just a beginner with machine quilting. I need to see a closer shot of your blocks so I can see how you did it. Okay?

Blessings to you.

molly said...

Love the quilt! It has a very soft, water colour feel to it....I'm sure your niece will love it!

Lea and her Mustangs said...

Just love all that you do. Wish I could. Just don't have the patience.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

The stretched stars quilt is terrific, and those snack mats are just too cute!! You've been one busy lady...

quilary said...

The quilt looks amazing - she should love it. Beautiful little mug rugs - especially the Christmas one - that would be very cheery to look at while drinking tea and eating biscuits!

Arkansas Patti said...

Yikes, that really was a pessimistic statement but sadly not far off the mark today.
Lovely quilt and I am sure she will treasure it.
I really liked the colors on the Autumn mug rug. Neat idea.

Grammy Staffy said...

You amaze me

Angie said...

What's 'free motion quilting'?

Janet, said...

I love your mug rugs! They look like something I could make a lot of...not real time consuming. I am so impatient when it comes to quilting. I've been looking around at all of your projects, you are so talented! An inspiration to us all.