Anael I don't normally label my quilts, cause they are going to wear out before they become antiques:D but if they are for a special occasion then I will put a label on. I know some people put labels on everything they make, that is just not me...

Thank you mirabelle. I normally don't label my quilts either. Only time I did it were the ones for the mentally challenged and the quilt my DS and DDIL got for their birthdays. And I will make labels for the twin quilts. So no label on my wall hanging I guess :D

Welcome, merciland! If you hang around for awhile, you will see that we have become a true virtual quilting bee. Instead of each other's kitchen or dining room, we meet on our computers and share bits and snips of our lives inbetween showing what we've been working on. We laugh, we cry, we encourage, we love...it's a place where we can stop as often as we wish without traveling out of our home...and it all started with making the FWS or PC quilts. Some have been here from the start and others have been welcomed along the way. Thank you!!
JanRN...your new block is stunning. Great work, Dubib!
QNS...glad you had some peace and quiet yesterday. It can be so invigorating.
Anael...beautiful quilting. Jeanie...you could do that even if you draw it on first. Nothing wrong with that.
QuiltE..I think the hardest part for me at this stage of my quilting is to decide what design to use. Seeing how the pros like Mirabelle "speak" to each part if the quilt design and enhance it is mind boggling!
Yesterday I got a beautiful pineapple in the mail! I'll share pictures and details later today. The SS needs two more rows joined and it will be ready for binding. I ran into a learning curve with my new machine and it took me a little to figure out what to do. Something continues to dig in my cocoa hull mulch and make a mess. Hope they soon get their chocolate fix and leave it alone so I can plant it. Peas and potatoes are sprouting. More things to plant but SS calls.

Good morning, all. QE, I just went back and looked at your "Cow Quilts"--awesome job. As to quilting suggestions, I'm not the right person to ask that LOL. I still roll finished tops up and throw them in the closet to do "someday". I do like the all over meander that Anael suggested. I would have to draw it on first tho.

Speaking of drawing designs, what marking pen/chalk system do you use? I've bought every washable marker on the market and they dry out most times with only a single use. Chalk has given me problems removing it. The best marker I've found is white chalk from the Dollar Store but it rubs off before I get too far.

I don't make labels for my wall hangings or table runners but I do sign them with my name, date, and of course a Peace Sign. After I'm "gone", my DIL will send everything to the Salvation Army anyway.

Laurie, welcome back and I hope your health problems are under control. Have you had a chance to go back in this thread to check out the finished Pony Club quilts? You'll see some very creative quilters have taken this ride.

Off to the Bat Cave--I have a day where I have nothing to do but sew--how rare is that for any of us????

Good Morning!

Anael ... That really takes meander up a notch! Nicely done! Thanks for the visual. I printed it and have just sat here tracing over it with a pen. I'm not a big placemat person, though my plan is to haul out some prints and make some for practice pieces. Yours will be one!

JeanieG ... As I walked into the room this morning, the lilacs hit me with a waft of scent ... and now, I am starting to fill up! Yes, somewhat allergic, but I like to tolerate it, to have the enjoyment!! I'm like you and have problems following a FMQ design without getting trapped in a corner ... or forgetting to put the loopy flower in the midst. Lately I've been printing them out, as above, and then tracing to help me get the flow of where to do what!

MiraB ... thanks for the suggestion ... my problem is what sort of a design works. And as GGal mentioned, your ability to match the quilting with the elements in a quilt is amazing and let each part of the quilt "speak". It's so good to "hang out" with you, and try absorb the abilities! Osmosis? :D Good Plan ... add camera to your FFC bag! :D

GGal ... good description of what our group has become! Now, do you suppose we could get Guild status, to allow us the LQS discounts? :D Oh delicious ... cocoa mulch! :) Maybe it's the Easter Bunny?

JanRN ... When I did Monty last year, I had the whole border marked for cross hatching, and part way thru had to re-mark, so now I've been doing it in sections, then quilting, then marking ... but that's such a pain! Your signing, etc. do you do that as part of the quilting? or with a marker on front? or label on back? or? ENJOY your "all to yourself day" ... Remenber it's all about Me! Me! Me! :D


Marking Quilts ... too funny, JanRN, I was asking the exact same questions, and then I saw yours! I'm always wondering what to use. Maybe with both of us asking, we'll get twice the feedback? :D Especially for darker fabrics, what do you use for marking? Chalk? Anyone use the "soapstone" marker? Pros Cons?

Labels and Names ... My quilts have always had their own names ... the big red one, the white one, etc. :D I never thought of "naming" them til I came to the QB. Even now with names, I still usually reference them as Eloise's quilt instead of In The Pink. And these ones will probably just get called the cow quilt and table topper ... even though they are named! Labels, I tend not to do, though I do put a label on any that I give away. It's just me!

About marking: I don't mark the FMQ. When I'm using a template I use a Prismacolor Metallic Silver pencil. It rubs off quite easily. I don't have chalk as I've read about disappearing before you have a change to quilt!

QuiltE, didn't you get the friendship block from me yet? I thought it would have arrived by now. Or didn't you go to the post office ?? :D

Anael ... oh yes, it came ... and you just had me totally confuzzled as I was sure I had emailed and thanked you. It's absolutely wonderful with your big A and that pretty pretty embroidery. :) Just checked, and yes, I sent you an email and you replied. And then you posted the block to the FFC thread. Now the truth is that I did not reply to that email ..... yet! :) Just call me the tardy one. :(

The snails delivered two more to me yesterday! :)

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were talking about the block I posted here. I didn't realize you actually got it so I thought it might have gone lost ;)

Sorry!! ... I wasn't trying to check you up on it, it was just that I was starting to think I had lost my mind, so I went back and checked.

That font is so elegant, and with the extra florals added to it, it really finishes it off ever so nice. Maybe you could use that same font and put Bram's and Isa's names on the front corner of their quilts?

Prismacolor Metallic Silver .. would this be something you get at an art store? LQS? or where?

!!!!HI Laurie!!!!
its good to see you back :D come by whenever you can :D

I ordered it online from a quiltstore. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy online than to go to the LQS! It's made in the USA :)

I honestly TRIED to take a pic of the ducks yesterday but it was much to windy and they were not coming out for nothin! they are looking brown these days... I think they looked PINK when the feathers were peeking out of the FLUFF... they have since lost their fluff! so now they look a ROSIE Brown :D

we had a busy week so far... we had DhDD over and her seven kids :D they got to explore farm life :D then we went on a dirt road trip! those kids where exhausted! but sooooo much fun! (I have pictures to share but havent found my camera cord.... hmmmm) when DhDD left she left Nick who is 6, he is SUCH a SWEET boy, he is the same age as MY DD, they FIGHT. I wonder if it ever really changes? boys and girls fight no matter WHAT age they are :D :D :D
ANYWAY I will drive Nick home tomorrow!!!

LATER Ladies! I will FIND that camera cord and shoot those Ducks :D

!!!!YAY!!!! Aneal that is soooo exciting!!! so Bram is doing better then? ohhhhh FUN :D :D :D

PICS!!!! and my Duckies too!!!

we took the kids out to the sunstone knoll, then to the sand flats for a little mirage chasing! the kids were fascinated that we never could catch that lake :D the lake... CLEAR lake... because its see thru... lol the Volcano in my backyard, and the "Lace Curtain" and MORE barb wire!!! (can you SEE how inspired my PC is?) then Desert Blooms :D

WHAT a FUN day with grandkids :D :D :D

Wow, what a view DD! All from your back yard? :D
Your duckies are brown with a tiny bit of pink! Thanks for the beautiful pictures!

No, Bram isn't doing better, the doctors just thought it's time for them to spend a night at home. He still needs that procedure done. Monday he's going to the UMC in Groningen and we'll see from there.

DDamsel ... shot the ducks!! :D I can see the pink'ish tinge!
What a Grand Day you had with the Grands ... are there more than the 7 in that bunch? I'm sure they adore their GrannyDDamsel for all the excursions you take them on!! Such beautiful pics ... thanks for sharing your views with us!

Anael .... HOW EXCITING .... Weekend Leave!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yipppeeeee for the SewGrands!!!!!!!!!! Their weekend home will do everyone good .......... though I wonder about Mick's thoughts? :D

Love the duck pictures and scenery, DD. No, I do not know what kind of ducks they are; must look that up.

Anael, wonderful news the Sew Grands are coming home for the weekend!!

QuiltE, your lilacs are wonderful, I can smell them in the picture!!

Picked up the E. machine after lesson, and table for the 1530 Bernina I have now. The table the for E. machine will come the first weekend in June when we go back for another lesson...dh will take that lesson, but I will be there too.
We will unload in the morning, I am tooooo tired to do it tonight. Everything will be refreshed in the morning including us. New machines will challenge me for whole summer; to set the room and learn how to use them to their fullest potential.

Relayed info about QB and our group to the quilt shop and to a good eatery waitress where we lunched late...it was almost two then. And we stopped at the nursery again for a 'few' more plants. Everyone have a good evening.

As promised, here is the picture of my new pineapple from Carrie. It plays well with those already here.[ATTACH=CONFIG]415102[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]415103[/ATTACH]And then I finished Sunbonnet Sam.[ATTACH=CONFIG]415104[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]415105[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]415106[/ATTACH] I finally put the binding on my Utopia quilt that has been waiting for it for about 4 weeks. I'll hand sew it tonight while watching TV. I did pull out the Easy Street Blocks and began sewing them together. I'm hoping to have it completed and ready for a flea market a local store is going to. Very productive day.
DD...what scenery!!...and wonderful memories for your little ones.
ANAEL.....What a happy Day!!!! What a long way those little ones have come. Will be praying for you all and the bumps that will inevitably rear their heads.

QNSue ... you are brave with the need to learn both machines at the same time! Good that you are getting your DH to go for the next lesson too. Maybe they would let you use their store machine, so you can actively participate at the next class too? Before long, you will have both machines mastered!! Now have a good rest tonight and be ready to get all organized tomorrow.

GGal and CarrieM ... looks like a perfectly pointed block and such a nice mix of fabrics. CarrieM, did you PP it?

GGal ... Look at all those adorable Lil Sams! :) How cute with the bandana ♥s! You have me curious as to what your Utopia quilt is?

Take care all!

You are all so sweet!! Thank you bunches for the welcome back.

To Anael--I'm so happy that the babies get to come home for the weekend.

To QuiltE--We have lilacs, too. The fragrance when I hang my laundry on the line is wonderful. I just wish they lasted all summer!

JanRN--I would Love to see the completed quilts. Can you tell me where I can find them? Are they all together, or scattered about? :)

MercysLand ... I'm SO with you ... lilacs all summer and all the other flowering bushes too! That'd be one way to encourage one to do laundry!!! I really miss having a clothes line, though every time I get all mopey about it, I give myself a shake as to the realityt ... living on the edge of the bush + birds + clothesline ... just wouldn't work!!!!!! :) It's rained off and on, all day, so having the lilacs indoors have been a nice bonus!!! Re the completed PC quilts, they are scattered here and there throughout this thread as each person finished theirs! My flimsy is at #2570.

Anael--re: labels- I have never put a label on a quilt or runner to this point. The only time I've signed something I've made is the BBs I sent to most of you for the swap. I have had people tell me I *should* label them, but haven't. Now that I have my new machine (Janome 6600) I have a couple simple alphabets so might start putting my name and date on the backs of the quilts I make.

D_D--those are some great pictures. Looks like the kids are all having a good time.

Ggal--SS turned out very cute. I am sorry my pineapple strips are narrower than the 1" as originally planned! I got a little carried away when squaring up each time and didn't realize what I was doing until I had several rounds on. Next time I make that block I will know better how to measure or cut the strips wider than the 1 1/2" so I have more room to play and keep it looking straight/square.

QE--no, I did not pp, just did two opposite sides, cut off excess, and then added the next two sides and did the same. Tried to follow the original link for pineapple instructions...

Way past my bedtime tonight. DH is off work tomorrow so everything gets done later. :) I got backing for the airplane quilt today. Yesterday I got backing, borders and binding cut for the LC. I have to cut batting and then will start quilting tomorrow. Airplane quilt is about ready for quilting too...just have to cut backing and batting for it. Tomorrow is a home day so unless DH comes up with places to go I *should* be able to make some good quilting progress.

Wow I have only been gone for a day and it takes me an hour to catch up on the chatter:D

Another beautiful MB
Glorious scenery and ducks

As for marking quilts I use the Frixion pens that when pressed disappear. I have heard negatives and positives about these pen and I have had no problems with them, for dark fabrics I use a white chalk liner NOT the blue one. I marked a cream quilt top with blue chalk and I had to hand wash it out, boy was I panicking as it was not my quilt

The only advice I can give you about what design to use on a quilt top QuiltE is what I was told many years ago, if the background fabric is busy, keep the design simple as you are not going to see any fancy quilting. If it is a solid or light background I generally try and use a slightly darker thread which will show your design. When reading (studying) quilt magazines, books etc I always like to see the quilt design they have used on their quilts. Oh I wish I lived closer:rolleyes:

Anael what wonderful news I am jumping for joy that the twins are getting a weekend pass. Meet you all in the RV tomorrow for a celebration:thumbup:

Mercysland maybe we could organise something so you can see our beautiful quilts, like your own personal quilt show

This is the wall hanging I made. The design is called Modern Celtic and is from Quilter's World Summer 2013.
The second picture is a close up of the FMQ.
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Perhaps we could 'republish' our photos of the our Pony Club quilts here again? Just so Mercysland could see them together without having to hop all over??

Anael, you have used yours for very special persons and haven shown us photos.

Mirabelle, yours looked so great; we all have hopes that you will take 'best of show' in all your events there.

QuiltE, has won ribbons with her FWSQ, and PC is also a winner in my eyes.

Others have had family priorities and are still working on them, doing a great job. Mine is a work in progress, although I have the top pieced, and borders cut, it is not quilted yet. I think JeanieG and JanRN have their PC together; please assist me, everyone, on your status...for Mercysland. Thank you. All of you have encouraged me with your progress and in my eyes, your PC quilts are the best!!

Anael, another great job! Love the bright colors.

Thank you QNS.

Here is my PC quilt. As you can see I only used 8 blocks.
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and here how it's used in the Day Care Centre:
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Here is one of my PC quilts. It is on a built in "day bed" in our living room. I am making another with red as the sashing/border.

Wonderful Carrie! If I would lay out a quilt like that my killer kitty would make it her own in no time! I think I don't want that, she will be using it to sharpen her nails as well :(

Here are my two quilts, Farmers Wife Sampler made using predominantly Civil War fabrics which was a huge step out of my comfort zone. The second quilt is my Pony Club Sampler using the fabric line American Rose Banner. It has been quilted but I can't find the photos of it:o

Hope you enjoy our quilt show Laurie

Anael that is a beautiful wallhanging and I love your quilting:thumbup:

Anael--I agree with Karen on the wall hanging...very pretty! There are normally some throw pillows on the bed and we put an older quilt over the top of my PC one so the dogs can lay up there. Our cat doesn't visit the living room very often (she and the dogs don't get along, they just co-habitat) so I don't have to worry about her tearing it up. :)

Karen--I don't think I ever saw your FW, but both quilts are great.

All of my pics are on my other computer :O I will hunt them down ;)

!!!!GoodMorning!!!! everyone :D :D :D

Im off to take little grandson home, must make a stop to buy batting and more thread cones! I didnt make baby blankets for all of these kids when they were babies... now they are big enough to pick from my stash :D Im getting the quilts done so ALL of the kids will be COVERED.

Yes, this DhDD has 7 kids and I have 4, most of them are in the same age group! it makes it SUPER fun to get together, I didnt realize that my 8yr old son has turned into the ringleader! he is smaller than most of the grands but he makes up for it in spirit! he was bouncing from rock to rock like a mountain goat! SIGH..... he broke his arm last summer... lets see if he gets through this summer unscathed!!!

Have a GOOD one Ladies!!!

Oooooooh a PC and FWS quilt show!!! Yippeeee!!!!
I'll go and get my pics and post again soon! :D

Anael ... don't sell yourself short, you did more than one PC!

It's so nice to go back and re-look at all these wonderful quilts!
So FUN to see Anael's and CarrieM's PCs being used!

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CarrieM ... Thanks for the hint to make strips wider and trim to precision/squaring. This block has me intimidated, for some reason! :) Perhaps another date today, with MrCarrieM? :D

MiraB ... thanks for the extra tips! Makes total sense re busy fabrics, simpler quilting ... plain fabrics more elaborate. I think in the past I was lazy and did not pay a lot of attention to quilting designs, being that I did not do it. This last year, I've paid more attention, and yet, almost feel as though I know, no more! Or am I just more confused?? :D

Marking ... I use Frixxions but mostly for wrong side markings. I have found they can bleach the fabrics when ironed off, so am hesitant when doing top work. The old test-test-test is vital!

Anael ... two fabrics, and what a classic look to it. And even in my autumn colours! I tried zooming in to see the FMQ, but can't get a good look of it. Darn!! :) Looks like an open feather sort of design?

DDamsel ... yes, shop shop shop for more quilting supplies and get that machine singing along!! Be sure to get what is needed to quilt your PC!! We want to see that barbed wire!! :D As for your DS, perhaps he is just following in his Mother's footsteps? A little of monkey see-monkey do? :)

Did I QuiltE? I don't remember making more PC quilts :)

I took another picture of the quilting and changed it a bit with Picture Manager. Maybe you can see it better now? It's some kind of paisley design.
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Here is my PC flimsy ... before borders. I forgot to get an all together pic before taking it to the LAQ! The first border is the red cornerstone; the outer border the blue sashings. Both are Fusions Mists. Binding will be in the blue, with a red flange.
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And that's all for now ... the first I tried to post, it only gave the attachment, but no view. I've managed this for now, and will try again later for my FWS pics.