Back from vacation . . .

        We had a wonderful relaxing time under the Mexican sun, & I believe I read at least 4 books in the two weeks.  Can't believe it's all over & we're back to snow in Iowa.  But we are thankful for the snow & pray for rain, lots of it, this spring to bring up the river levels & prepare for a good crop year.

        Well, the same thing happened to me that happens every time I go to blog - I get reading everyone else's wonderful blogs & looking at the recipes, then I end up on Pinterest, & before I know it an hours gone.  There is just so much going on in our quilting world & everyone is so busy at it!

These next pictures are all of the River City Quilt Guild

 in Baton Rouge, LA.

 Just before I left on vacation I

received some digitals from Glen

Parks of the River City Guild.

 

 This guild had used my Vicksburg pattern for a mystery quilt class! 

 What fun! 

Since the pattern calls for 1 dark, 1 medium, & 1 light, it was perfectly simple for a mystery class. 

Just look at all the color variations these gals came up with. 

I'm so proud of all of you & your quilts. 

Thanks so much, Glen, for sending me the link.  See more of the quilts up close by going to  River City Quilts.   

 Go to Photo Galleries, 2012 November Meeting, Mystery Quilt, War Between the States.

Love those Browns & Toasts of Jo Morton's !

Jo Morton's browns have been calling me for some time now just knowing I was going to do something special with them some day soon.  Well, the day's coming . . .

Late last summer I was enjoying an antique shop in Okoboji, Iowa - a wonderful resort area near us - & spotted a very old quilt hanging off the door of an old Hoosier cabinet.  The simplicity of the old quilt just grabbed me; 'ya know how that goes.  So I had to snap a picture of it hanging there to share with you. 

This quilt is my inspiration for a little brown basket quilt of my own doing.  I've begun the baskets by designing them in EQ - making them 4 1/2" square on-point. 

Now I believe this old quilt's been sewn by simply appliquing the baskets on muslin in rows.  But my baskets are pieced with appliqued handles made from bias strips.  I began with 5 fat quarters of Jo's pajama prints - beige off-white - not too white & 10 of Jo's brown fat quarters for the baskets.  They really are coming together nicely.  I should be able to share a digital with you soon.

Have a great day & don't forget to visit & support your local quilt shop tomorrow!  I'm sure they'll have some super bargains to share with you!





 

Vol. 1, Quiltmakers 100 Blocks, Reprinted !!

Super good news!  Quiltmaker has decided to reprint Volume 1 of 100 Blocks !  So if you missed out on the first issue, go to your newstand today to get it.   Quiltmaker is also offering some free issues & mugs to match.  Don't miss out again. 


Go to http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/?p=15255.  You may win a free issue or a free coffee mug!

My block which was very simple & traditional made it onto the front cover of the very first issue.  Can you spot it?

It's the middle block in the 4th row - A Country Mile!


Well,don't forget to visit & shop at your local quilt shop on Thursday!  Maybe they'll have some specials for you on
LOCAL QUILT SHOP DAY - JANUARY 24, 2013.

A Whirlwind of Christmas & on to the New Year !

Jordyn Marie Jensen - 6 mos. old

I hope you have all enjoyed many celebrations with family & friends over this holiday season.  I know we have celebrated many times over by the tightness around my middle that I'm feeling today.  Anyway, it was all worth it ! 

We had our first great-grandchild Jordyn Marie here from Montana to help with the merryness.  Such a good happy baby !




Now we are on to 2013 -  & it's bound to be a great year ! 

Vinyl see-through bags

I have been enjoying this week between holidays - my own Sit 'n Sew in my studio here in the basement every day.  I didn't have to pack up my machine or fabric or anything - just come down here every morning & cut & sew . . . cut & sew.  I've had a ball sewing these little bags with vinyl fronts so you can see what's in the bag.  I really have to say though that I had big problems figuring one of the patterns out during the first sewing . . . directions for something like this are not good unless there are enough pictures or illustrations.  But then, after one was made, the sewing went quickly to do more.

Volume 6

And, of course, while sewing, I've been cleaning up my sewing space.  Isn't that what always happens when you start to take some sewing time for yourself.  Anyway, in the process I found 2 of the Volume 6 Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazines that were not accepted by the quilters whose names were drawn.  If you didn't get a copy for one reason or another, please email me directly & I will mail one out to you.  The first 2 bloggers who email me their mailing address at evonnecook@clotheslinequilts.com will receive these copies. 

My very good friend Shirley showed me just a few weeks ago that my block Checkerboard Star was made into a quilt in the Block Tester's Gallery on page 90 of the magazine.  It is a bright festive holiday quilt created by Karlene Larson with Kaufman fabrics & named Peppermint Polka.  Go, look it up quickly, it really is cute.   Thanks, Shirley!

Got to go & get back to my sewing - it feels like free time!  But I wanted to wish you & yours all the best in the New Year 2013 !!  Take care & Be Happy !