My Phd Finishes

this one was a special order, my sis picked out the fabrics to match her baby's room.






I made two angel hugs, one for my guild that I forgot to take a picture of and this one, with matching pillow for little Jacob Clay. My favorite picture, I love the way the light looks in this one.






there's more I want to do with this one, beaded garlands perhaps, but I consider it finished as far as quilting.

I made 3 of these Valentines, paper pieced, two were sent to my sisters, and this one was given to my DH.

My disappearing nine patch that found a home in front of my computer.

quilters academy

In an effort to improve my process I've ordered a copy of the Quilter's Academy Vol 1 by Harriet Hargrave. I met someone who happens to work in the same building I do through my guild, who actually met this author and has a signed copy of the book. She (my co-worker) proposed the idea of meeting together and working through this book. I am so impressed with her! Not only her quilting interest but her leadership qualities as well. Two other ladies in my guild have joined our little group, and maybe others will join us as time goes by. I have ordered my book, and can't wait to read it. Since I am mostly self taught, and learned things on an as needed basis, I have missed a lot of basic knowledge that so many quilters I meet seem to already possess. It will be a welcome change to work on the same project with others at the same time instead of just muddling along by myself. I will post here as I learn new things, so stay tuned!

new fat quarters

I have the best mother in law in the world. She cooked dinner for us last night, fried chicken, and she gave me these fat quarters. Aren't they pretty?

Paper pieced Christmas tree

Here is one pinned corner. See how nice and big the head is. I should be able to keep up with these pins.

My Christmas Tree Wall Hanging

I'm back on this one again. I may have mentioned before I hate to pin? it's not the pinning I mind so much, it's finding lost ones with my feet, or the baby. Not good. I gave up pinning for a while. Until I got some large head ones, those are colorful and maybe I can keep up with them. Maybe.

Baby Quilt and Pillow

I added to my list of projects for a special reason: my cousin's first grandchild was born in March. That seems weird to me that I have a baby, and my cousin, who is younger has a grown daughter with a baby of her own. Life is strange and wonderful all at the same time. The new baby is a boy named Jacob Clay. I was inspired to whip up a quilt and pillow for him, hope he likes it.

the process pledge

I, Quilter Brenda , pledge to talk more about my processes, even when I can’t quite put them in the in words or be sure I’m being totally clear. I’m going to put my thinking and my gut feelings out there. I enjoy reading the thought processes of all you other bloggers out there, so mine are going to be shared too.

where is Gina?

Gina, if you are reading blogs and just not blogging any more, would you let one of us know that you are ok? If you're tired of blogging, just tell someone so we won't worry. I enjoyed your blog so much but understand if life is taking you in another direction.

Miss you!!!!!!

Half-square triangles

Someone who sews much better than I do responded to a complaint I made recently. What I was complaining about was the tediousness of cutting out lots of triangles and sewing them back together. She pointed out there were lots of ways to make the process faster. I found several ways, the pre-printed ones, the easy rulers, the chain piecing. I have a bunch of them left over from a batch of signature squares that I made for a friend. THen I saw a pattern that showed how to cut an X out of a square to get four triangles, why not sew two squares together first and then cut the X? Is there a reason for not doing them this way? Here's what I mean.

First I put two 6.5 squares right sides together and sewed all around with a quarter inch seam., then cut the X and pressed open my four 4 inch triangle squares.

This was fun to do, now I have to get back to my hand quilting. Happy Sewing!