Quilts and Tops for Sale

My brother John is continuing to post quilts I have collected, and tops I will never be able to finish -- the website is www.SimplyPiecefulStudio.com. I will continue to post some of these and others on eBay under my seller name, "simplepleasuresquilting."

There is one that is absolutely gorgeous -- a true heirloom -- "Folk Art Wedding." My friend Betty Stubler, who sadly passed away a few years ago, did a beautiful job on the applique, and I loved choosing the fabrics for her. She made a quilt for herself and the top for me, from patterns that were a block of the month by Robyn Pandolph. I know someone will fall in love with this to finish for a special person. This is a closeup of one of the blocks.

December Is Here!

That busy month of the year is upon us! I'm still organizing my space (LOL) and posting excess fabric and wool to ebay. I've also had my brother John busy posting quilts and now quilt tops for sale on the website. Here is one that is one there now -- keep checking back to see what's new. Most of these quilt tops were made as shop models by teachers and staff, and are looking for a good home, all they need will be quilting, by you or your favorite quilter!

Here's a red and green rag quilt, perfect for snuggling during the holidays!

Sew and Tell Saturday

On Friday night, before our group get together, I stayed at Candy's and had to take a picture of her Buster on this quilt she made from Jo Morton's "Necessities" fabric line. He and Gretta had a great time together!

Enjoy the pictures of Debbie's trunk show --

The quilt on the left was made from the "Gatherings" fabric line by Linda Brannock and Jan Patek, and the Christmas quilt was a paper piecing class Debbie took years ago at Liberty Quilt Shop.

Two designs from Girl Gang by Jan Patek

Two more wool applique designs -- the table runner was a class Debbie took at Primitives of the Midwest with Lynda Hall, and the floral wall quilt was Sue Spargo's block of the month this year.

Debbie made found this pattern in a magazine for this wool applique on silk quilt. She used Renee Nanneman's silk homespun for the backgrounds and hand dyed wools for the applique.

Debby and her hooked cat rug and Jo's Little Women Club project, "Baby Rose"

Sew N Tell on Saturday

Our monthly meeting of old and new friends was enjoyed by all -- everyone brought their current project, whether it was quilting, hooking, cross stitch or knitting -- Naida brought her cooking magazines and her enthusiasm for her journey with Weight Watchers. She's done a great job, and provided lots of tips to the rest of us.

Candy showed this quilt top she put together for her nephew's wife's father -- a good choice for a guy!

We were also treated to a trunk show by Debbie of lots of things she's finished in the last couple of months.

Dad's Trip to The World War II Memorial

Two weeks ago, Dad went on Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. What an incredible experience! This wonderful group of volunteers provided the trip and the support to veterans of the war, and are continuing their mission to get as many WWII veterans to see their memorial while they can.

To find out more about this program, especially if you have a family member who should make this trip, go to www.honorflight.org. Dad's trip was sponsored by Central Missouri Honor Flight, and he hasn't stopped bragging on them yet.

Another Version

This soft and sweet version uses Renee Nanneman's fabrics -- the baskets are all "Itsy Bits" collection and the setting green is from her "French Farmhouse" line. I've named it "Pistachio Sherbert Baskets."

Stamp Basket Little Quilt

I've been having fun making these stamp basket blocks and then setting them. I used Cindy Blackberg's set and this version is using Jo Morton's "Cinnamon & Spice" and "Shirtings" groups. I like to call it "Spice Baskets." The blocks are 3 1/2" finished and the handles are appliqued. If you haven't tried stamps for hand piecing, they're great! The "marking" goes so fast, and then all you have to do is cut out.

Country Patchwork Quilt Guild Show

This variation of the English Medallion quilt was machine pieced and hand quilted by Kathryn Jones. The pattern was taken from Bettina Havig's book, "Classic English."

I always love to see Jo Morton designs and fabrics -- this "Snowballs at Harvest" was made by Gayle and Marlyn Hawley, machine quilted by Michael Marsh. It is made only with Jo's fabrics, and will be given to their grandson.

"Dusky Meadows" was machine pieced by Gloria Krumsiek, our friend here at the Lake of the Ozarks, and machine quilted by Denise Hester. Renee Nanneman is a good friend of Gloria's and gave her a fat quarter set of her fabrics, "Meadowsweet." She used all of them but one and placed a bird in the center of all but two blocks. The quilt was published in the July/August issue of "Quiltmaker" magazine.

I think I like this quilt from the Gee's Bend exhibit best. "Rick Rack" by Mary Lee Bendolph is made from all corduroy. She is a community elder and marched with Martin Luther King in the 1960's.

From the program: "In 1972, the Freedom Quilting Bee secured a contract iwth Sears, Roebuck to produce corduroy pillow covers which were an inexpensive staple item that appeared in the Sears catalogs for years, and the Sears contract soon became the Bee's main income. The introduction of corduroy scraps stimulated a profound creative response and beginning in 1973 and continuing forward for 2 decades, well over 100 documented quilts were made in Gee's Bend that utilized the corduroy remnants."

Country Patchwork Quilt Guild Show

On Saturday, Rachel and I drove to Marshall, Missouri, for the quilt show. They had a special exhibit of Gee's Bend Quilts -- Here's Naida and Sharon taking it all in.

Sew Crazy Retreat at The Barn

Mary and Jane made the same quilt in 2 versions -- how different they look!

JoLynn worked really hard to get this tractor and truck quilt top made for her grandson!

Kathleen brought a Jo's Little Women Club project -- "Calico Surprise" -- beautifully machine quilted by her.

Candy brought 2 quilts to show -- one is a reproduction stars quilt; the other one is a 30's quilt.

This year's fabric was a bright stripe -- Helen worked to get them set together; there's just one block missing from our friend Vicki who couldn't make it.

Kay is from Kirksville, Mo -- she also had her blocks from last year's retreat put together in this fun quilt!

Becky led the way with her jacket made from last year's exchange blocks. Every year there is a challenge fabric and those who participate make enough blocks for everyone and then exchange them. Good job Becky -- you'll be ready for the holidays!

Sew Crazy Retreat at The Barn

Not much worth talking about happened since the last post -- mostly at home trying to finishing selling on ebay. But, last weekend, I had my annual fun retreat with the Sew Crazy Girls. This was our 10th year and Sew Much Fun! Thanks to Candy for organizing it, and everyone who attended for all the laughs and fun. I'll show a few of the Show and Tell from the weekend.

Ready for Christmas

All I could get Cindy to do was peek her head over the top of this beauty -- it is a Red Wagon design from Gerry Kimmel-Carr's book, "Every Seven Years." Cindy was the one in the shop I made crazy with the block of the month programs! We always had a good time though.

Another Project by Sharon

Sharon just got married this spring so it was good to see her again! She used to work in the shop with me, and is such an accomplished quiltmaker. This is the latest one she's finished.

Working with Wool

This beautiful wool table mat is being made by Debbie. Perfect for Fall!

Candy's small quilt for the sale

The end of September brings the Quilters Guild of Greater Kansas City annual quilt show at Crown Center. Candy made this small quilt for the sale benefiting the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. She's just finishing the binding.

Sew N Tell Pictures

Last Saturday I went to my Sew N Tell group in KC -- always fun to see others and what they're working on! My "new" niece, Andrea, came from St. Louis to go with me; here she is with her first quilt -- she hand pieced it and is in the process of hand quilting with varigated thread. She loves the whole process, and is anxious for her next project!

Mini New York Beauty

This wonderful quilt was made by Mary -- one of Jo Morton's Saturday Sewers and another true artist! The tiny New York beauty blocks are accented by her own applique design in the border. Another "must be seen" to be appreciated -- I'm just glad she brought it!

Jo Mac R's Art Quilt

Here's Jo Richard's own design -- I think she has a split personality -- The reproduction look and this. This quilt was made with several layers of different colors, she outlined the shapes and then cut through to the layer of color she wanted, and used the quilting machine for the thread painting, then embellished with lots of crystals. You have to see in person to fully appreciate it!

My friend Jo Mac R

At the first retreat Jo Morton had last June, I met Jo Richards from New Cambria, Kansas. She is a very talented quilter, especially with her long arm quilting machine. Here she is with her completed block from June, the appliqued flower basket. I've enjoyed getting to know her, now we have to go to all the retreats!

Salt Cellar Pincushion

Look at this darling little thing! Cindy brought it to the retreat and we all went crazy. It inspired a mad search of the local antique stores by some for the small salt cellars. I came home and found a few in the cabinet, and bought a few more off of eBay. What a great treasure to make for a special friend!

Sewing at the Orchard with Jo Morton

Last Thursday, I drove to Nebraska City, NE for my third time to attend Jo Morton's "Sewing at the Orchard" retreat. It was a great time -- being with friends and making new ones, and being inspired by others. The class project was making LeMoyne Stars by hand piecing; I used the stamp set from Cindy Blackberg and loved it. Here are blocks that were made during the class. We are having a block exchange for this block on the JoMortonStitchers Yahoo group, and the stamps will make it much easier!

Time Flies!

Wow! Where did the last month or so go? It is a beautiful summer here, and we enjoy every day the sun shines.
I'm leaving in a few minutes to go to Nebraska City, Jo Morton's "Sewing at the Orchard" retreat, where I'll see some old friends and make some new ones. I know I'll return inspired!
On the JoMortonStitchers Yahoo group, we just finished a Secret Sister Pincushion Exchange. I received a wonderful package from my SS in San Diego (one of my favorite places) and I'm posting a picture of it here. What a treat to receive something like this in the mail! I'm taking it along to use this weekend.

Above the Wool Department

The girls in the shop love to work with wool, hooking or applique. A well-stocked wool department makes it easy to choose your favorite colors for your project.

Down the Center of the Shop

Stroll down the center of the shop, surrounded by fabric. So many things to look at!

Piece O' Cake BOM

Tucked in among fabric were these blocks from a Piece O' Cake block of the month in gorgeous fabrics. I'm trying to resist signing up for this!

New Block of the Months

Here's a new wool-on-flannel block of the month by Paul Stoddard the shop is offering. Soft colors with whimsical sheep.

Inside the Door

Here's what you see when you step inside the door. Every inch is used to display wonderful fabrics, patterns and ideas! Hanging in the center is Kay's version of a Jan Patek quilt design. It's beautiful.

Visit to the Rabbit's Lair, Rogers, Arkansas

After this impressive entrance to the shop, I wasn't disappointed at what was inside! Candy and I went to the Rabbit's Lair to teach a couple classes and were totally impressed! Located in a former bank building in the historic downtown district, the shop is packed full of wonderful fabrics and projects!

Aren't they Darling?

Today I got the neatest note from my nephew John and his new wife Andrea. Here it is -- a picture of them! These are the best kinds of thank you notes! We love having her in the family. And an added bonus -- she is learning to quilt. Now if we can just get moving on that wedding quilt we had everyone sign blocks for.

Intermittent Sun

Also last week (or the week before) they had the official "ribbon cutting" for my sister Tricia and her family's new venture -- a motel! It is the new hub of our family get togethers, because they can't all leave at once. Tricia will hopefully get her new quilting and scrapbooking area set up so that when she has a minute or two she will have her own little getaway. We'll see who gets their space set up first!

We are having some sun, but still lots of rainy days. Lots of green, but enough already!