Bloggers inspire me

Today's mail brought this charming book full of cute quilts. It was sent to me by Kim of Magnolia Bay Quilts because I was the lucky winner of her generous giveaway. As many of you know, there has been a Schnibbles Parade going on monthly. We can view several creative versions of these quilts in not one but two sizes. Thank you, Kim! Now I can join the parade :-)

This next photo shows my first crocheted dishcloth. I use to crochet about 35 years ago and was inspired again when I saw Laura of Paws 'n Tails Quilts showing the ones she had made. It took me several attempts to jog my memory and finally went to a video tutorial to get going on the right path. It was too much fun and today stopped by a local yarn shop just to check it out....$$ later, I have gorgeous yarn and a pattern to make a hat :-) more later on that!

My hand stitching has continued. Here is the 5th block:
From Psalm 90 is Fly away
"Psalm 90 is about the fact that life on earth is short. Our opportunity to do something meaningful, to make a difference for others is here today and gone tomorrow." Carol Honderich...Psalms quilt designer
Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psalm 90:12

The 6th block is:
From Psalm 16 End of Day
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me: even at night my heart instructs me.

Block 4

All quiet on the western front here. Just some stitching and studying and walking dogs. We watched fireworks on TV and the dogs didn't even wake up for them...much better for them that way. We did celebrate with a nice dinner and peaches from the San Joaquin valley for dessert. MMMMMMMMMM!
This is my fourth completed block for the Psalms quilt. Road to Heaven for Psalm 73 I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26

Ruby is just happy the celebration is over and we are back to quiet on the streets :-) We are finishing up a little quilt top for the neice and nephew today. I have a couple of blocks left over and I'm going to make a little pillow to go with it. Pics to follow eventually.

Happy Summer Y'all!

I won the nautical quilt top :-)

Rana made this quilt top along with some other quilters in what they call a 'progressive'. Then she offered it up in a giveaway and I won! Yea for me! It came home with me tonight and I can't pick out which block I love the most. I love lighthouses but the walrus, the seagull and the little umbrella and chair are too much. I guess it's good they are sewn together and I can see them all at once :-) I hope my quilting and finishing will do it justice. I am honored to give it a try. Thank you so much Rana! I will also enjoy the extra blocks and fabric you sent along with it. What an amazing giveaway!

summer projects

It is still cool here but less blustery. I think we are finally moving into some June gloom just in time for the month to end. We have been sitting on our front porch wrapped up like it is snowing but enjoying the fresh air and chatting with neighbors taking their walks. This has given me some nice to time to read and hand stitch. I completed the 3rd block for the Psalms study and quilted Izobel, the giraffe.

This block is called Patience and is for the study of Psalm 37. Wait for the Lord and keep his way.

Izobel is ready to grace a wall for me. She holds a fond memory of Nancy Brown's class and being able to see Nancy's quilts up close and personal. She does such amazing work with the animal portraits. I am in awe.

Prepped here is this week's handstitching.

I'm also making up a quick little quilt for visiting nephew and niece.

block two

The second block in the study is for Psalm 19 and is called Rising Sun. I am hand piecing these blocks so the edges look a little wonky but will smooth out just fine when I machine piece them together with sashings, etc.

Psalm 19 is one of my favorites. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from His pavillion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. ...It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

For some rather fun giveaway news, head over to Rana's blog. She has an adorable nautical quilt that I'm going to hope I win :-)

Elinor was helping with quilt prep last night. She sends her regards.

giveaway notice :-)

Mary at Quilt Hollow is having a sweet giveaway. I've been enjoying her blog posts for some time now and this one even has a 'reward' !
PS Mary wants you to mention that you heard about her giveaway from my post if you make a comment on her site.
Quilting and blogging at my house have been at a relaxed summer pace...even though the weather has been cold and even blustery! I hope to share some pics soon. I wish the rest of my schedule was 'relaxed' :-)
Marianne says it's boring here.

finally the first block..

Way last October I posted about starting a quilt for my niece. I have been doing the Psalms study with Carol Honderich. Each week we read and study a Psalm and also applique or piece a block designed to accompany the thoughts in the Psalm. Previously, I made a similar quilt call the Women of the Bible quilt with this same group leader, Carol.

I have kept up with the study but the blocks...not so much. Finally, I have finished the first block, Psalms 1 "Prosperity". And am prepping for the second, "Rising Sun".

Again for this quilt, I am using Cherrywood Fabrics. I needed to do the Synthrapol treatment on a few pieces and then get them pressed. Elinor here is helping me with the ironing.