Christmas Quilt

"The Surprise"

So this was another hurry up and get it done quilt. One week before Christmas and I needed a special present for my husband. His mother had passed away on December 19 the previous year, so this Christmas would be hard.

While cleaning out her house the summer after she had passed away, we found some old feedsack material that she had kept from the 60's. I tugged and pulled on it to make sure that it was not rotten. In December I washed and ironed all the pieces and cut out several squares to make a nine patch. I had sewed about four blocks together when my husband came home that night, so I showed him what I had finished and I told him that I wouldn't be able to have it done for a while with Christmas just around the corner. I explained to him how I wanted it to look when it was finished. So I cleaned up my mess and packed it all away, and continued to get ready for Christmas, or so he thought. I had removed the project form his sight.

The sewing machine was set up in the spare bedroom, which had become my sewing room while he was at work and at night while he was asleep. I'm running on very little sleep.

Our family celebration was to be on Christmas Eve. The night before on Dec. 23, Charley was very tired but, he had been having trouble sleeping more than three or four hours at a time. I talked him into taking some medicine to help him sleep. I sure didn't need him waking up early. With my last night to finish the quilt, I needed all the time that I could get. I went to bed at 4a.m. on Christmas Eve, I got up about 8a.m. Charley left for work and I ran to the spare bedroom. I had work to do. The top was finished and basted but only half tacked. Between cooking for the evening dinner and and finishing the quilt, I barely had time to breath. Unlike before, I actually got it finished. When my husband came home, everything was ready. He wanted me to turn up the heat and at this time in my life there was no way that was going to happen. I told him to hold on a minute, brought the quilt in and spread it over him and asked if that would do. SURPRISE!

With tears in his eyes and everyone elses, he said that would do.

I told him that every time he covered up with it it would be like a hug from his mom. The quilt has become very special to him.

"Christmas Cactus"
This quilt was made in 2005 for my oldest granddaughter Lois, the one that lives with me. I had no pattern for this quilt, I simply saw a picture of it and created my own pattern based on the picture. I also added extra borders. The flowers inside the octagon shapes are appliqued. It is hand quilted, as most of my quilts are. Well with not much more to say, i guess that is it for this one.

Rose Quilt

I found this pattern in a little store in Ohio, but the pattern doesn't have a name.

This quilt is what I call my "take along project." It only has two colors, red and green, with a white background. I am in the process of embroidering twelve blocks. With only two completed, I have a long, long way to go. So there is not much to say about it at this time.

"A Quilters Snowflake"
In early December 2008, I started this quilt as a birthday present for my oldest son. With only three months till his birthday on March 22, I didn't have any time to spare. So with that in mind, I quickly got to work. This was no easy task however, as every spare minute was filled with sewing, basting, and quilting. I thought that I was doing very well with almost three-quarters of it quilted, then I noticed my mistake. So then of course, I had to rip out a block of quilting to fix the problem. With every stitch I had to remove, it was like I could hear the clock ticking as time ran out. As I'm sure anyone with experience has guessed, I should have started a little sooner. I FINISHED IN MAY!!!

Can you find my mistake in the above picture?
(Scroll down for the answer.)

Answer: My mistake is hidden in the top left corner of the 1st and 3rd picture.
I wish I had seen it sooner!

Doll Dresses

"Here Come the Bride"
This doll is wearing a white satin dress covered by a white shear flowered lace with silver threads. The veil is bridal tulle with flowers glued to it that I cut from the dress material. The veil is held on by a pearl headdress. She is also wearing pearl jewelry. The bouquet is flowers that was attached to a hair comb out of the bridal department at Walmart.

"Just A' Swinging"
This dress is made from pink satin trimmed by white lace. The swing that she is resting on is made from Styrofoam, covered is pink satin ribbon, trimmed with white lace, with a few pink flowers wrapping around it. It is hung by fishing line. Her jewelry is made from pink ice crystal beads.

"Spanish Senorita"

This doll is wearing a dress made from red satin with a shear red and gold overlay. Her jewelry is rubies. I bought the chair from a craft store, then painted it white, attached two red rose bouquets and white lace.

"Layers of Lace"

This dress is made from green satin covered in layers and layers of lace. The bodice is green satin with a lace and gold braid wrap. The doll is also wearing emerald (fake) jewelry.

"Blue Southern Bell"

This dress is made from mainly blue satin and lace material. The hat is just a little straw hat that is covered with blue satin trimmed in pearls and lace. The doll is also wearing pearl jewelry.

"Pink Lace"

This dress is made from pink satin with a pink lace overlay, pink rosettes, and pearl jewelry. Covering her shoulders is a pink shear wrap.