Over the past 5 years I’ve raffled one or 2 quilts a year and donated the money raised to a local family that has serious medical bills.  They have always done pretty well just passing it around facebook but this go round it seems to have possibly run it’s course as we have only a handful of tickets sold.   Based on this go round, I may end up putting it on hold for 2019 or simply discontinue it.  I know even if we only sell $100 in tickets that still helps a family but it doesn’t make sense to spend $200+ on fabric and months of work to raise less than the costs to make it.

This is the quilt we are raffling for the 2nd half of 2018.  Tickets sales run thru December 9th with the drawing December 10.  So far we have about $80 in sales and an additional $220 one person purchased.  I was oping to equal the May one that hit $1,300 but it looks unlikely.   It’s a bargello heart made in blues, greens and browns.   Queen size – 100% quilt shop quality fabrics and quilted in white poly thread.  The fabrics are so much prettier in person.

Last year we made quilts for Houston after Hurricane Harvey went thru.   My friend Wess who lives in Houston was kind enough to help us distribute them so I thought he needed one for his new apartment as well.   Unfortunately we had Hurricane Irma after that so I didn’t get any more made so I used some of the red white and blues for his as well.   Hoping to get it washed and in the mail this week.    Quilted this one with an all over star pattern in white thread.

 

I asked our pastor if the church could gift the oldest man and women veteran in our church a quilt for the veterans day service.   Robert made one top and I made one and quilted them both.   I think they came out very nice and hope they will get handed out.    Hoping to wash and deliver to church this Sunday.

This was my first attempt at making a round quilt.  The way the pattern is cut you end up actually getting 2 identical quilts from the same fabric.  I gifted one to a wonderful lady in our monthly craft group since she loved green.  The other will go to my amazing sister Jill.   She has this awesome large round table in her living room so I added a little red to the center so it tied into her red sofa as well.    The orange is just a background fabric, not part of the quilt.

Now that I see making a round one wasn’t that hard, I’ll eventually try my hand at that phoenix pattern I have.

No reason.  I just post him cause he’s so cute.   Any time you get a quilt out to do the binding he and Merlin have to fight over who gets to lay on it.  He always wins cause he’ll just stand there till Merlin gets tired of him breathing on him and gets up.

And speaking of dogs.  It’s never good when your 1000 miles away and your house sitter sends these pictures.  I’m sure they rolled in cat poop.

Not only did I get to see Jill and Mark again but I convinced Shannon and Robert to come along.   We had such a great time.  Jill and Mark came up with some great places to visit.  We spent one day visiting a safari like place where the animals are left to live in their natural habitat rather than in cages.  The next day we went and visited the famous Trans Alagheny Lunatic Asylum.   Wow not only was it really amazing to see how ornate and well built those places were, but to hear the history and things like how simple it was to have someone committed was great.

We got to meet Jill’s mom and dad. What a wonderful couple and so sweet.   I need to make him a pirate quilt.  Our last day we got to visit Aunt Bonnie and hubby Jack in Hurricane WV.  They are just the sweetest couple you’d ever meet.  Even got to deliver her the Blenko glass fish I found in Georgia.    But as always, the highlight of our trip was getting to spend time with Jill and Mark.  Shannon and Robert even found me a little antique iron in a local shop in Ohio.

 

I would like to say I’m too busy but the truth is, I forget to come here and add to my blog.  Trying to get better about that.

I have a neighbor that owns the duplex next door and has been so kind to cut my grass all summer – for free.  Figured the least I could do was make him something that said thank you.  Finally got it delivered yesterday.

Sewing machines are like baseball cards to me.  You get one and enjoy it till another one you want comes along, then trade it.  So my featherweight goes off to her new home tomorrow and my embroidery machine came home yesterday.

I think this design will be my new quilt logo.

Over the years I can proudly say I have taught 19 people to quilt.  Most have gone on to continue quilting and hopefully enjoying it.   None brought me greater joy than to begin teaching my sister Jill.  To see her find something that brings not only creativity but happiness into her life is just so heartwarming to me.  I can’t wait to see all  the great things she creates.

I almost burst waiting to give her the early Christmas present.  I thought if she had a small, lightweight machine maybe we could encourage her to get out and try some quilt classes, meet some quilters.  We all know most quilters are amazing people.  So, since we celebrate Christmas when we meet, I gifted Jill a 1950 Featherweight.  I understand she has been named Queenie.

I couldn’t believe how quickly she picked up the process.  I took along a quilt kit and with just 2 days of sewing during vacation, she had all the blocks made for her top and took it home ready to be pieced together.  It’s always fun to see quilters learn but it was a joy to watch her begin.   Not only has she finished her top but she is now working on quilting it herself.  I didn’t have the nerve to try that for at least a year.  I am always so impressed by not only her ambition but her joy and zest for every day life.  I wish I wasn’t to old to grow up just like her.

I wish I’d gotten a picture of Mark with his new sheet music and watch.  Well I should say vintage.  Hope he enjoys his Fender watch.  It’s what every guitar player should own.

I was able to get the binding on these 2 during our peaceful vacation.  The heart was sent off to Hazel in Minnesota and the fans went home with Jill.  It’s wonderful to know they will both be used, not packed away out of site.