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Tuesday, January 16, 2018

A Very Special Quilty Gift


I've never, ever bonded with my laptop,
so by the time it boots up and begins to behave,
I've lost the impetus to write up a post.

Such is the case today.  
Besides that, I miss PicMonkey.
I might have to splurge and purchase a subscription.
I'm not exactly tech savvy, 
and PicMonkey makes it so darned easy.

I wanted to share a quick update on the doggie blocks
I have been working with.




Quilt flimsy number one is being cross hatched as I type.
I miss my Janome!  But, this will do.




I found some cute doggie themed flannel 
at Joann Fabric's most recent sale,
60% off.
Couldn't resist, although I don't often purchase fabric there,
but I picked up 3 different lengths.

To date, I have 2 sets of placemats finished
and 3 flimsies sewn together.
I'm making progress!

Did I mention,
I miss my Janome?
Crosshatching is time consuming,
so I thing organic wavy lines will be used
to quilt the next flimsy.

I've been meaning to share this beautiful quilt
that was gifted to me on my birthday last fall.
My quilty friend, Pat, (on the island)
invited me over for show and tell one afternoon,
not knowing it was my birthday.

After we looked at all her beauties,
she pulled this one out and said,
"I really want you to have this one."




It was a very bright morning,



so, it actually photographed better from the back
with the sun shining through it.

Pat's quilts are very special.
To begin with,
most of her fabrics are upcycled linens
from local thrift shops.
As if that isn't special enough,
they are almost all hand pieced,
hand appliqued, 
and
hand quilted.

I was over the moon,
because no one has ever made a quilt for me before,
and, as I said,
it was my birthday,
and she didn't even know!
It looks very pretty on my bed,
really brightening up my room.

I know you read my blog from time to time,
Pat, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so sweet.

(Over the years, I've often been heard telling people that
when I grow up, I want to be just like Pat!
She's a dear!)

That's all for today!
I'll try to do better next time!

Stay warm, stay safe!
XO,
Karen




34 comments:

kiwikid said...

You did well with your post, love the dog block, the cross hatching looks great, and the backing fabric you found is perfect. Interesting how we get used to a particular machine isnt it!! The quilt you were gifted is beautiful, Pat has sensational timing as well as skills.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I hate my laptop that I got a year ago and wish I had a different one, this one just gives me problems all the time. Love reading what you are up to though so persevere!

Fiona said...

that isa special quilt and so pretty... love the lead lighting look you get with the light shining through....

Doggies are coming along well - you are getting lots done with all the blocks...
Hugz

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a special and unexpected gift. It's beautiful. I love mixing textiles; old and new and different textures. It just adds something special to a quilt. Love the dogs. I love my Janome. I'd be lost without her. :o) Happy Quilting.

Sondra said...

It was meant for you! How sweet and I love the colors of your gifted quilt. Your doggie block is such a cutie!! He deserves a bone!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Good luck quilting the dogs. That's an awesome gift. I miss PicMonkey, but found something else similar. It's called Ribbet. I've only used it a few times, but I'm happy so far.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love the pooch ❤️❤️❤️Gorgeous quilt ❤️❤️❤️

Julie said...

I love reading about a moment in time, special, and sweet. I felt like I was there, too, and now it's my memory, too. Thank you.

Great visual of the dog placement. Yes, I understand the need to do wavy lines vs cross hatching. I may do as you recommend.

By the way, did I hear you say you miss your Janome? (Check Craigslist where you have landed for the winter!) I just saw a sign in a local quilt store where we stay in Florida, Quilt Lover's Hangout, that they allow quilters to come in and use their machines at no charge. Just bring your own thread. Isn't that a nice thing?!

Karen S said...

Glad you are making progress on your quilt even if you miss your machine.
How lovely to receive such a beautiful quilt. That is special. I think most quilters would say they have never been gifted a quilt because others think you make them for yourself.

Louise said...

What a sweet and wonderful gift! Pat's work is beautiful.

Your puppies are coming along nicely! I'm always amazed when straight line walking foot work takes longer than free motion. Isn't the foot doing all the work?? Turns out that's just an illusion. Wavy lines will look really nice on your next puppy piece since puppies never move in a straight line anyway :)

Karen said...

Oh, I love that quilt! My grandmother always sewed with pink and I have special feelings for anything with pink. I bet it's beautiful on your bed, Karen.

Tish Stemple said...

Sounds like you are making great progress in your doggy adventure and I'm glad to hear you are not drowning in sea of puppies but swimming right along with them. I say go for those wavy lines! What a sweet gift from Pat. I cannot imagine the time it must take her to do all that hand work.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I hate my Win 10 laptop. I bought it for Terry to play games on and he hated it too so I bought him a tablet.

I miss Pic Monkey too. Check out ... Befunky.com It is very similar and I have been using it with ease and it's free.

OMGosh!! Your quilt gift is so very pretty. I would have fainted if I were gifted such a wonderful gift because surely I would have quit breathing in elation.

Stay warm and healthy.
xx, Carol

sunny said...

What a beautiful quilt! And what a special friendship you must have. Are you getting snow now? when I think about writing a blog post, I'd usually rather just keep sewing. But I"m trying to do better this year. We'll see how that goes.

Needled Mom said...

Laptop (or any computer) can be such a pain and a real time drainer.

Your dogs are coming along nicely.

I LOVE the quilt Pat gave you.

Janice Holton said...

I know EXACTLY how you feel about getting that quilt. I would be ecstatic if someone made one for me, especially now that I know exactly what goes into making one! That is truly a special gift and I know you will treasure that one for a very long time.

Ioleen said...

The doggies are looking good. What a wonderful quilt Pat gave you.

Lin said...

Your post is brilliant - no problems there. The quilt that Pat made for you is beautiful, the picture from behind is amazing. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year to you. xx

Dar in Mo said...

What is Pic monkey. Never heard of it but if it makes posting easier, it sounds like something I need desperately. What a wonderful gift. How amazing to have friends like this.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

What a beautiful gift from Pat, all the more special that is was made by hand. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your doggie blocks but I get the feeling, and I may be wrong, that you somehow miss your Janome? Sad, but you will be reunited before you know it. I have never quilted organic wavy lines before, I must give it a try.

JanineMarie said...

I feel your pain about using a laptop. I feel the same, but it seems to be the only way to write a post. Wish I could do it on my phone or ipad. Oh, well. But your posts are always attractive and fun to read! Your puppy looks cute with the cross hatching, but I can see how that can be really time consuming. What a wonderful gift from your friend! I bet the texture is amazing.

Allie-oops Designs said...

I'm not only haven't bonded with my laptop, tonight I tried to kill it. I dropped it from waist height. Fortunately it didn't take it personally and still works. I miss PicMonkey too. Love your dog blocks and holy cow that quilt your friend gave you is stunning!!! Does she need any more friends????

Ann said...

Cute dog blocks and backing. Pat's quilt is fabulous. What a lovely gift with all those upcycled linens in sherbert colors.

Linda said...

I for one, love my laptop. It's how I keep in touch with you! Isn't it just the most wonderful feeling to receive a quilt as a gift!! Ask me how I know. hugs

Cheryl said...

Greta quilt finish! I miss PicMonkey too and have been on the lookout for another app or website which is as easy and quick to use.

Susan said...

That was pretty good for not being in the mood. =) I'm sorry you're missing your Janome. The gift quilt is beautiful! And I like your dogs.

Julia D @ Jada's Quilting Adventures said...

Wow! What a beautiful gift! The second picture reminds me of a beautiful stained glass window! Just absolutely gorgeous!

Ellen said...

Your quilting looks good and I think the backing fabric is perfect. What a wonderful and beautiful gift - lucky to be you!!

Createology said...

Such a beautiful quilt treasure from Pat. I love how the sun is shining through it. Great doggie block and such fun flannel for backings. Posting sometimes feels like a chore however I am so glad You persevered and posted. JOYful January Dear...<3

Canuck Quilter said...

I'd be a bit lost without my usual machine. I know how it sounds and works and feels, and I don't like switching to another one. I can, I just don't like to! The quilt your friend gave you is lovely. I think you must be as special a friend to her as she is to you.

Raewyn said...

HI Karen - your blog seems to have dropped off my list so I've come to hunt you down - and what a delight it was to see 'my dog there being quilted! So pleased you were able to use it!! I tend to do all my stuff on my PC - I know I would be frustrated too if I tried to use my tablet or laptop. What a beautiful gift from Pat, it sounds like there is a lot of love sewn into her quilts and how special she must think you are to gift one to you. Hmmm staying far too warm at the moment with lots of humidity as well as the heat!

Judy said...

Gosh, lucky, lucky you! That's a lovely quilt, and then to have it hand made out of linen no less, what a treasure. It's always nice when someone gives you something like that, as that really doesn't happen very often. Great find on the dog flannel fabric, I like it a lot.
Happy sewing,
Judy

Christine B said...

What a beautiful quilt to have been gifted! It must have made your birthday very special! Happy New Year! Christine x

krislovesfabric said...

Very nice quilt and your cross hatching looks beautiful :)