May FMQ Challenge

I finally had time to get this posted.  This is the May Free Motion Quilting challenge.  This month’s challenge was given by Leah Day at the Free Motion Quilting Project.  If you haven’t checked out her blog, it is definitely a must see.  You can find the FMQ Challenge over at Insights from SewCalGal.

I thought I would also throw in a sneak peek of a project I have been working on for myself.  It isn’t done yet so you only get to see a small section.  I think it is going to turn out really well.

Hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend!  Please remember all those that have served our country!

Rhonda

Playing Around

I was playing around with my Mom's embroidery machine today.  Thought I would share what I made.  This is a Hoopsisters block from a Block of the Month that my Mom has been doing.

This is the back and I just love how it turned out!

Here is the front.  The purple in the middle is actually a silk fabric.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment so I know someone is still reading!  LOL
Rhonda

First Saturday Sampler Block 2

I have been participating in the First Saturday Sampler at a local quilt shop.  L & L Yard Goods is located in Madison, Indiana, if you ever get there.  Thought I would share a picture of the April block.

Hope you are having a great day!!!

Rhonda

Another quilt finished!

Here is another quilt I finished recently.  This was a mystery quilt done through L & L Yard Goods, a local quilt shop.

I think it turned out really well.  It has already gone to a new home!

Rhonda

Erin's Quilt

First off, today is my little brother's birthday!  I doubt he reads my blog but just in case he does---Happy Birthday John!!!!!!!!!

I posted yesterday that I had some quilts finished.  I have only gotten one photographed.  The handy dandy quilt holders were not here yesterday.  Kids!!!

Here is one that I made for a little girl that I met about a month ago.

This is a Turning Twenty.  This is from Book 5 called Simply Sashed.  I used a FQ Bundle from Connecting Threads.  The quilt shown in the book has used black fabric for the sashing.  I think the white works quite well.

Hope you are having a good weekend.  Going to have lunch with a friend today.  It will be good to see her and see what trouble we can get into (or start)!  LOL

Rhonda

Christmas 2011 LOL

I was looking at the photos I had on my camera and found photos from Christmas 2011.  That is sad!!!  lol
I had this idea to take some unfinished cabinets my brother left behind before he moved to California and make a Christmas gift for my Mom.  He had started making these cabinets for a house he was building and they weren't in the best condition.  I did get the project done and I had taken a few photos along the way.

This photo is of the cabinet in its rough stage.  I had patched a few screw holes but that was it.  I think this cabinet was originally for the sink but I am not sure.

 Gave it a couple of coats of white paint.  I think it ended up taking 3 coats.  It seemed like 20 but I digress!  lol

Here it is with the top on it.  Used a 2' x 4' piece of plywood that I picked up at Menards already cut to size.  Covered it with fabric and 2 layers of scrap quilt batting.  We also added some casters to the bottom for easy moving.

My stepdad as added some bling to the cabinet since then.  He added a piece to the left side and some slots to hold her embroidery hoops and rulers.  He also added a couple of strips of wood to the back so her large cutting mat slides right onto the back for flat easy storage.

She wasn't the only one to get one for Christmas!  I couldn't make just one!  I had to make one for myself too!  Love it!!!!

Cabinet = Free
Paint = left over from painting my ceilings in the house
Plywood = $12
Batting = scrap from the quilts I have made
Fabric for top = gifted to me from a friend
Casters = $6
_________________________________
Total cost = $18 and time

That is it for today!  2 posts could be a record for me.  I have gotten a couple of quilts finished the last couple of weeks.  So check back tomorrow to see those!

Rhonda

April FMQ Challenge

As you know from previous posts, I have been participating in
SewCalGal's FMQ project. 
This is my April project. 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Rhonda

Free Motion Quilting Challenge-March

I have been participating in the Free Motion Challenge over at Sewcalgal’s blog.  This month the challenge was from Ann Fahl.  My photos this month are horrible but what is new.  I used a lavender thread on a very busy purple print.  Hopefully you can see them better when you click on them.

I am ready for April now!

Rhonda

First Saturday Sampler

A local quilt shop, L & L Yard Goods in Madison, does a First Saturday Sampler each year.  The first meeting was on Saturday where we received our first block and finishing kits.  I couldn’t wait to get home and do my block.  The fabrics are gorgeous!

I am ready for next month!

Rhonda

Great Gift!

WOW!  Two posts in one day!  No I am not ill!

I received a great gift today.  You might not think so but I sure love it!

This was my grandmother’s sewing machine.  A family member passed it on to me today.  Did a little research and found that it was manufactured in 1948.  The cabinet is in great shape too as well as the bench that goes with it!

Rhonda P.

Yard Sale today

Bonnie Hunter over at http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/03/yard-sale-saturday-take-three.html is having a Yard Sale Saturday on her blog.  So this makes a perfect time to do a yard sale post on my blog.  So here goes!

For Sale-Accuquilt Go Die cutting machine (machine only)

Cost $140.00  (money order only please) will be shipped as soon as payment is received.

Buyer pays all shipping costs from 47230 zip code

Approximately 2 years old, like new condition

I am selling this item because I have the studio model and Accuquilt has designed an adapter so I can use my GO dies on my studio cutter.

For more information, contact me through my blog email.

 

Rhonda Phillips

A Couple of Quilts Finished

I know my photography has a lot to be desired.  How can I not admit this fact with the proof on my blog! 

I finished a couple of quilts recently.  I wasn’t able to take photos of these quilts until I got to the office on Monday.  Right now my house is a total wreck because of a bathroom remodel.  If you have ever done any remodeling you know exactly what I am talking about.  So I got to the office, laid the quilts out on the floor and then used my cell phone to take the photos.  Yep!!!  Not good photos at all!  I have an idea of how I would like to hang the quilts here at home for photos.  One problem though!  I haven’t found a wall big enough, one that is available anyway.  Hopefully in the really near future I will get that figured out!  In the meantime, here are the photos of my last two finishes.

This first quilt is a Take 5 pattern.  One of my coworkers need a baby gift.  After I was almost done with it, I found out the new parents are doing an ocean theme nursery.  It couldn’t have worked out better!

This next quilt is a Turning Twenty quilt using batiks.  It should actually be called a Turning Thirty since I used 30 fat quarters for this quilt.  My absolutely wonderful, fantastic, knows all my secrets, talented, I know her secrets, bestest friend Joanne over at Splitting Stitches had sent me a fat quarter bundle of batik fabrics.  I just had to use them for this quilt, plus a few more!  Thanks Joanne!  I sure do miss our Saturdays together!  And no you can’t ask for your fat quarters back now!  LOL

That is it for now!

Rhonda

February FMQ Challenge

The start of a new month means a new tutorial for SewCalGal’s FMQ Challenge.  This month the expert is the fabulous Diane Gaudynski.  Her feathers are fantastic!

When I got home from work and seen the tutorial, I couldn’t wait.  I jumped right in and got it done.  It doesn’t look bad but if you look closely some of my feathers are a little flat.  I definitely need more practice!

Have a great evening!

Rhonda

Take the pledge! I did!

I have taken the Sewcalgal Free Motion Quilting Challeng for 2012.  You can play along by clicking on the link on the right.

For January, we were challenged with a leave design by Frances Moore.  So here is mine for January.  The fabric is some that a friend gave me a while back.  No it isn’t my kind of fabric but it works for this challenge.

Rhonda

Merry Christmas to All!!!

I haven’t had a lot of time to blog lately.  But I did want to make sure to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!  So…..

 

Merry Christmas!

 

We spent a fantastic day with the family.  It was one of the best in years.  I only wished my brother could have made the trip this year.  It was our first year in ages that we weren’t together for the holiday.

What did I get?  Great things!  My wonderful hubby gifted me with a $100 gift certificate to one of my favorite quilts shops, L & L Yard Goods in Madison, IN.  My son gifted me with a $100 gift certificate also.  This one was to Margies Country Store, another great quilt shop in Madison.  Received some cash, great photos of my niece’s family, some clothes and of course a gift card to McDonalds.  Love their Vanilla Iced Coffee!

Well, that is about it for today!  Looking forward to a peaceful day tomorrow finishing a quilt on the frame.  I am starting to build a pile of tops in the frame room!

Merry Christmas!

Rhonda

Quilting Gallery weekly contest

I entered a quilted wallhanging in this week's contest.  Sure would appreciate a vote from you if you feel I deserve it.

http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/12/16/vote-christmas-quilts/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=416375&utm_campaign=0

Thanks!

Rhonda

Giveaway Alert

Hurry over to http://www.ourbusylittlebunch.com/2011/11/giveaway-for-9-yards-of-new-eco-cotton.html to enter for a chance to win a great giveaway for 9 yards of Pellon Eco Cotton Batting.

Have A Great Day!

Rhonda

Some Projects Finished

I know it has been quite a while since I posted.  I have been busy but that really isn’t a good excuse.  LOL

Between school and work I have gotten some projects finished.  So here they are!

This was the Buck A Block project from L & L Yard goods in Madison.  I know the photos are pretty bad but I don’t have kids around enough to hold them up for me.  I knew there was a good reason for having kids at home.

This is one of the blocks of the quilt.  Just wanted to show the quilting design in it.

Here is a photo of the quilting on the back.

This is a photo of a quilt that I did for one of my coworkers.

Here is the quilting design on the back.

Here is another quilt I did for a coworker.  A Turning Twenty Around the Block.

The quilting on the back.

A tote bag I made one afternoon.

Another quilt for a coworker.  This is Quilters Weave from the book Color Shuffle by Karla Alexander.

The quilting from the back side of the quilt.

Another quilt for a coworker.  This is a Turning Twenty.

The quilting from the back side of the quilt.

Well, I think that is it for now.  Working on a few other things so maybe I will post again soon.  I will try not to take so long the next time.

Rhonda

Update on Perfectly Paisley

My Perfectly Paisley quilt top is ready to be quilted.  But, yes there is a but, I don't like the size.  I don't feel it is long enough for a lap quilt.  I am thinking about adding some fabric to the top and bottom.  What do you think?

At least one of the kids was home today so he could hold it while I took the picture.  Not the best photo but better than on the floor!

I also started a Color Theory Class in one of the Yahoo groups I belong to.  The group is called Stitchmap.  This is my lesson 2.  We had to make our own color wheel.

Hope you are having a good weekend.  It is cold and rainy here!  Heading back to the sewing room to cut up some scraps with the GO cutter.

Rhonda

More!

I thought I would show you a little bit more of the quilt I recently started.  There are 18 blocks that go around the center section.  All of the blocks are the same design but do use some alternating fabrics.  Here is one of the blocks.

This quilt is a free pattern that you can download online at http://www.wilmingtonprints.com/PImages/Pdf_125.pdf
I did make a slight adjustment to the pattern.  Instead of the kaleidoscope blocks in the center I just fussy cut the poppies instead.
Hope you can get some sewing done this weekend!!  I plan to!
Rhonda

Something New!

I started this quilt Tuesday evening and so far it has been going together pretty fast.  It was a kit that I purchased at the local quilt shop.  I don’t usually buy kits but I had went in this shop twice and it kept grabbing me!  It is called Perfectly Paisley by Cynthia Coulter.  This is just the center section.  There are 18 blocks that still go around it.  The photo is horrible since I used my cell phone to take it.


Rhonda

I know it has been a while!

But I really have been BUSY!!! 

I got the binding on that ugly quilt that I did a poll on a while back.  Thought I would post a photo for you!

I am sure I will be able to find it a good home!

I also got another quilt finished.  Actually finished the binding this past weekend.  I went through all of my scraps and made a bunch of wonky log cabin blocks.  Hope you like it!

I know it isn't a great photo but it was bigger than the floor space available.  Don't you hate when that happens!

I have another large scrap quilt ready to go on the quilting frame but I got to do a little practice first.  You see I finally broke down and purchased a stitch regulator for my Janome 1600.  It arrived yesterday and it was pretty simple to attach.  I loaded some practice fabric and was off and running.  Running pretty good if I say so myself.  So I plan to get some practice with it done before I load the next one.

Hope to post another finish again soon!

Rhonda

Giveaway Winner

I truly appreciate all of you that stopped by and voted on binding the quilt!  I love all the comments that were received, but it is now time to announce a winner.  The quilt will have the binding put on it and given to someone that will appreciate it.  I am sure it won’t be hard.  I do donate a lot of quilts for various charities and fundraisers. 

If you remember, the winner receives this tablerunner that just has no hope of surviving my family.

I won’t make you wait any longer!

The winner of the table runner is……………

Becky said...

I absolutely love your tablerunner!!!! Definitely bind the quilt and use it:)

 

Congratulations Becky!!! 

I have sent Becky an email and await her snail mail address.  If I have no response from her in the next 48 hours, I will draw another name.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! 

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

Giveaway & Another Finish

First of all, I just checked and the poll has 2 hours to go.  Once the poll is closed I will try to get a winner chosen for the tablerunner.  If you haven’t gotten in on that giveaway you need to just scroll down one post and leave a comment.  That is after you vote in the poll!  Good Luck to all that have entered so far!

Lately I have managed to get some quilting done on some tops that were finished.  Here is one that is completely finished and already off to a new home.

Sorry about the photography but that isn’t one of my strong suits.

This quilt was a kit that I had purchased from Connecting Threads.  The quilt was suppose to be smaller but since they sent so much print fabric, I substituted the white with some I already had and made the quilt larger.  This quilt has been donated to a church in Charlestown, Indiana so that they can raffle it off to raise funds to help someone with surgery costs.  I hope they are able to raise quite a bit of money.  I know it will go to a good home as they were really excited to get the quilt.

I have New Student Orientation this evening at school.  So I best get something done before I have to go.

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Is it worth putting binding on? And giveaway!

I quilted a top over the weekend and have to say that I think that is one ugly quilt!  I am considering not even putting a binding on it.  I wonder if a nice dog would like it to sleep with.  Maybe it would make a good chew toy for some nice doggie!

Just think if this adorable dog had that quilt to chew on instead of those shoes.  Don’t you think he would have had more fun, after all, shoes do correspond with foot odor!

Maybe that quilt would have saved that chair!

Anyway, I thought I would let my readers vote!  Is this quilt worth binding?  You be the judge! 

I will do what ever my readers choose for me to do! 

To place your vote, just look to the right side of my blog and place your vote in the poll.  Then leave a comment telling me you voted.  Why do you ask?  Because that will get you in the drawing to win a prize.  What is the prize you ask? 

This is the prize!  I was looking for something in my sewing room today and found this tablerunner I made.  So why not give it to someone to use because I won’t.  You really need to live with neat people to use tablerunners and placemats and I don’t see this family changing anytime soon.  LOL  And before I forget, anyone can enter but please only enter once!

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Just had to let you know!

There is a review of the Cutting Edge rulers over at Fresh Cut Quilts.  There is also a giveaway!  So head over there fast because it is about to end!

 

Hope you are having a better day than I am!

 

Rhonda

Late Valentine’s Day Gifts

I don’t know about you but I just can’t see paying so much for those pretty red boxes of chocolates for Valentine’s Day.  So it has kind of become a tradition in our house that we celebrate the occasion on February 15th.  I hit the Walgreens this afternoon and got all my kids and of course the granddaughter, those nice boxes of chocolates.  All at 50% off!  I even got the granddaughter a stuffed dog at 50% off.  So instead of paying $72 for those items I paid $36.  So that is $36 that I can purchase fabric with and do you think the kids care.  Not a bit!  LOL

 

So next year think about hitting the Valentine’s Day aisle a day late.  Even the flowers were 50% off.  In previous years, there was a larger selection to choose from.  Today I was still able to get some nice things but not like I had in the past.

 

So I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day!

Rhonda

Back Again!

I was talking with my dear friend Joanne on Friday and again on Saturday.  Joanne was nice enough to remind me that I hadn’t posted to my blog for a while.  So here I am again!

There hasn’t been much going on around here except snow, then a little more snow, then even more snow and a little ice too.  I have been working on using up some of my many scraps.  That sure will take a while!

I have complete 3 quilt tops but I haven’t gotten them quilted yet.  Still waiting on backing fabric to arrive.  As soon as it does, they will be loaded on the quilting frame and quilted.  So in the next couple of weeks I should have some finished quilts to show you.

Until I have some quilts to show you, head over to Joanne’s blog and check out what she has been up to! 

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhonda

Shiisa Quilt purchase!

Shiisa Quilts is a fantastic quilt shop in Bloomington, Indiana.  Lots of color!  So on Monday when Janet, the owner, was having her Cyber Monday sale, I stocked up!

Here is what I purchased!  Forgive my photography!

This first one is really a dark Navy blue. 

This is really a wonderful red and black print.  Again, please forgive the photography!  lol

The next one is actually the real color!  Yeah!   Won’t this be a fantastic quilt!

A few batiks and another print.  (real colors, lol)

These 3 prints I thought would look great with a cream solid.

So that was some of my shopping on Cyber Monday!  Notice I said some!  My other fabric purchase is winging its way to me as I type.  Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow.

Thank God it is Friday!

Rhonda