A UFO completed!

I can't believe that it took me so long to get some Machingers gloves.  What a dream!  I added a couple of borders to make this UFO top complete, basted it and now it is ready for some quilting action.

I did lazy 8 in the outside green border, in the ditch in the maroon border, and diagonal in the body of the quilt.

Lots of those pesky ends/knots to bury.  What a chore!



Getting the binding on with care.



Inspecting for loose strings that might need to be buried.



Still working on the knots/strings!


And there you have it.  A completed quilt.  It measures 72x89.



Shortly after this picture was snapped, I took it in to wash the last of the blue marks out and give her that loved, crinkly feel!  Much to my horror.....the reds ran!  I had 3 color catchers in there.  I have washed it again with color catchers, and she is a bloody mess!  Any suggestions?

Linking to Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!!

Anything Goes Monday!  with Stitch by Stitch's Marlize.

My first tutorial! Last minute gifts for everyone!

I am going to be going to a Christmas dinner, where I was planning on making zipper pouches for each of the women.  Then I thought that it wouldn't be nice to leave the men out of the picture.  So,..



I made some rice heating packs!  Easy peasy, and fast.  All you need is some rice and some scraps!



You will need 2 - 8.5x13.5 rectangles cut from your feature fabric and a lining fabric.  I used muslin.
If you want to make these pieced, go for it!  Show off your quilting talents.  If you are using batting to quilt your pieces, you really don't need the lining pieces.



Turn one short end of each piece back 1/2in and press.



Match folds and sew around 3 sides, twice.



Trim corners and turn right side out.  Push corners out with a blunt pointy object....like a chop stick or a knitting needle.



Mark your channels 2.5in in from each long side and sew.



You will need a bag of rice and a funnel at this point.



Hold the funnel in each channel one at a time, filling about 2/3 of the way full.  Pin the top of each channel as you get it filled.  At this point you could add some essential oils or dried lavender for aroma therapy!



Once all the channels are filled, sew across the top to close....twice!



And there you have it.  Less then 20 minutes later, you have a great gift for anyone on your list.  Just pop it into the microwave for 3-4 min to heat.  Fluff it a bit before using it to make sure there aren't any hot spots.  Be especially careful if you are using this with a child. 

So many uses for a gift like this.  Great for that teenage girl who is suffering monthly.  For your sports enthusiast that over does it on the weekend.  Cold beds and even colder toes.  You get the picture.  Enjoy!!



These aren't part of the tut, but they also make great last minute gifts.



Thanks again for making to the end of this post!!

Tesilating stars!

This was such a fun quilt to work on.  The small squares in the 4 patches are only 1x1.



It measures 43x43.



When your back is just to narrow, add a row of blocks!



I am a sucker for a stripe binding!



I quilted this one myself.  I did a simple loop-t-loop with Aurifil 50wt.

A new toy!

Can you guess what was just delivered to my door?



Can you see why I needed a second machine?  I absolutely LOVE my Elna eXellence....but she weighs 30lbs.!!  That is way to much for me to be lifting in and out of my trunk each week.  I went on line to SewVacDirect.com and started shopping around.  Actually, I went to a lot of online stores to shop around.  I found that their prices and service are great.  Adam was such great help.  I have ordered from them before, and am very happy with their personal customer service.



This is 'Jemma'!  She weighs only 12.5lbs, and is a real work horse.  I think that I will be much happier lifting her in and out of my trunk.  Now I must make a pouch for all of her accessories, and a cover to keep her warm while not in use.

If you are interested in a new machine, or just like looking, I suggest that you head on over to SewVacDirect.com to see what they have.  No, they are not a sponsor, but when you are happy with their service, I think a good word speaks volumes.

Really Random Thursday is over at Live A Colorful Life with Cindy as host.  This is truly on of my favorite linky parties of the week!!  Thanks Cindy!!!

Quilts in miniature!

At my Reedley retreat last weekend, I sat next to a very interesting quilter. Her name is Karen Cary, and she quilts in miniature scale for doll houses.

I only wish that I had placed a nickel on this little quilt. It measured 5x7. Those little 'Sun Bonnet Sues' are on 1 in squares, and each Sue is only 3/4 in tall.  Each one is hand appliqued!  So sorry that these two pictures flipped on their sides.  I have no idea how to flip them back.



This little wedding ring block is so tiny. Those are regular dressmaker pins. each piece is about 1/4in and hand sewn.



Now...this last pattern she has is for a 'yo-yo' spread.  That is my dime over on the left by the pink circle. These are tiny, tiny little yo-yos.  She is making these items for sale.  She belongs to an international society that is involved in miniature houses and furnishings.  She has given me permission to print her website.  If you are interested in such remarkable work, you can contact Karen Cary at       www.karencary.com

She was telling me that she only started full scale quilting since last Christmas.  I was very impressed.   Hope you have enjoyed this lopsided look into miniature quilt making!

Jumping over to the linky party at Freshly Pieced...WIP Wednesday!  Thank you Lee for being such a gracious host each week!

A quick weekend retreat! And a GIVEAWAY!!

About 1/2 hr. away from Fresno, is a small farming community named Reedley.  There are all sorts of crops growing between here and there.  This is a quick snap of the changing colors on the peach trees.  I attended a retreat there this weekend.



The retreat was held at the Mennonite Quilt Center.  It is one of the best quilt shops in the area. 

They carry whatever one would need to make a killer quilt.  They even have long arm quilting services!   www.quiltcenter@mcc.org    www.mennonitequiltcenter.com

Here is a photo of the quilt that we were going to learn how to make.  This pattern was designed by Carol Honderich with Patterns of Faith.  It is called "Sisters of the Bible".  She has several quilts that she has designed with the women of the Bible in mind. www.PatternsofFaith.com





It was a great intimate group of only 8 women.

I used the blanket stitch to attach the handles to my baskets.





I got the center of my top done while at the retreat!



Today I quilted it, and buried the ends/knots like a good girl!



I trimmed the excess batting and back...



...and attached the binding to the back.



I am totally sold on machine binding now.  It is fast and easy!



Ta..daa...a finished top.  It measures 30x30.



A peak at the back.  It is whole cloth, and was a dream to work with.

I would love to give one of you the opportunity to win a copy of this pattern.  Just leave a comment below, and let me know what your favorite fresh fruit is.  If you become a follower, or are already a follower, leave a second comment as to how you follow A Quilter's Mission.  That will give you two chances to win!!  I will close the giveaway on Friday, November 22, 12 noon PST.  GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!

Congratulations to Kim H.!!  I look forward to getting that out to you.  Thank you to all who participated.

A quick update!

Charlotte is doing well.  She is now a member of the 5+lb club!  She is still in the hospital (NICU), but the Doctors and nurses are very encouraging.

The kids surprised me on my birthday, with the privilege of holding her for the first time!  Yes, I was the first person, other then mommy and daddy, to hold her!  My heart was singing!!

She is eating well, and growing so fast.  About and hour after we left, the Doctor pulled her feeding tube.  She is nursing on her own, and doing great.  Obviously, she is over 5lb now!!

Look at those bright eyes...I wonder what color they will eventually become? 



We just can't seem to get close enough!   Huddled knee to knee to get our faces closer to hers.  She has had a couple of setbacks this week....decelerating heart rates.  Each time this happens, the going home clock is turned back 7 days.  Her original due date is Nov. 25, so we are praying that she will not have any more episodes, and that she will be home for Thanksgiving (Nov. 28).

Thanks to all who have kept her in your thoughts and prayers.  We are almost there!  Please, don't stop.  We will be up there for Thanksgiving, I hope I will see her in her own bed!  Again, thank you for caring.

Anything Goes Monday with Marelize at Stitch by Stitch!