Mama's last afghan

I finished my grandmother's last afghan over Christmas break at my mother's house. My grandmother was just starting it when she went into the hospital. She actually made a mistake and crocheted just 3 rows for the first set of green and everything else was four rows. Since it was the first section, I just finished it out the same way; ending with three rows of green.

Working on it was actually kind of theraputic for me. I was putting all of my love into it as I worked away. I think she is happy I did it in her place. I also learned that my stitches are very much like hers, maybe just a tad bit tighter.

It's also a lot longer than she normally made her afghans. It turned out about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide, I would say.She would usually do them no bigger than 5 feet long, though I do have one that she made for me long ago that was about the same size. 

I got da blues!

I was going to give my mother one of my quilts; a purple one, with all sorts of other colors mixed in. Then I started piecing this blue one. So I was talking to someone about it and said, I don't know if I should tell her I changed my mind, since I had already told her she could have it. Would that be wrong?

I knew she would like the blue one so much better, so I decided to ask. I called her up and said, "Mom, I don't think I should give you the purple quilt." She said, without missing a beat, "Why, did you make a blue one?

Ugh. My mother. You can't surprise her with anything.

Anyway, here is my latest set of photos.

Started two new quilts today

My material is all washed, pressed, and squared up.

I had to laugh when someone recently asked me if the material for my quilts comes already cut and I just have to sew the pieces together.

Though I am sure there is a population of quilters out there that gets pre-cut fabric, by pattern, that population does not include this girl. And here's the proof.

This first set of fabrics is going to be one quilt.

This set of blue fabrics will be in another.

 A closer look at a few in the first set.

Ready for the Longarm Quilter!

This weekend I forged ahead and put the rest of the quilt top together. It was tough, and I worked all the way through Sunday, but here it is:

 Before the Dresden plates are added and 4 borders

After 4 borders and Dresden plates. Whew!

This is my first queen size pattern, and I am happy with the way it fits a queen bed, but I think if it were meant for me, I might make it a little bigger on the sides. Actually, I may look at adding a little more width. I do like to hog the covers!

The corners were a bit tough too as they were mitred. I have mitred before, but these were a bit more involved. They really came out great though.











I think I will be using buttons or something special for the centers of the plates, though I am not sure yet what that will be. Regardless, it needs to be quilted first, so I have a bit of time before I am forced to decide.

Productive Weekend

I had a very productive weekend of making my new Dresden Medallion quilt. I took some pictures to document the steps I've taken so far.

Mama's Quilt

It seems appropriate to kick off my new blog with one of the happiest moments of my crafting life; when I gave the most beautiful thing I have ever made to my grandmother for her 80th birthday. (pictured here after we hung it on her bedroom wall - notice the vacuum!)  After we moved her bed and removed the step ladder, she was compelled to get rid of the dust bunnies that had been living there! :)     



Sadly, Mama died a couple of months ago, but I will always cherish this memory, and smile when I look at this photo, with an ache in my heart.

Making Mama's Quilt

Just some close-ups so you can see the beautiful job they did on Mama's quilt on the longarm. It was a custom quilt design that was created by Sandy at Sew Inspired in Simsbury, CT.