Vintage quilt tops quilted

Below are pics of two more vintage quilt tops that I just finished making into quilts. The tops were made (all hand-pieced) by Mary Susan (Weathers) Senter, and she was born in 1843 and died in 1937 at age 93. She married Robert Winthrop Senter in 1861 when she was 18. The style of the fabrics look to be early 1900s to 1930s, but it is amazing how vibrant the colors are still in them now, about a hundred years later. 

These are the final ones of twelve tops that belonged to a couple that I'm good friends with (he's the grandson of Mary Susan Senter). I quilted all 12 tops for them, so this will complete the project now that I started back in 2009.  I'm glad to have these all done now, but it was really an honor working on these quilts that were started so long ago.  As a quilter, I like to think that Mary Susan would be glad to finally see her work completed. 

Charity quilt quilted

I'm a member of the Arkansas Quilters Guild and one of the charitable projects we've taken on is to provide quilts to the local Safe Places organization.  They provide services for children who are victims of sexual assault, family violence, child abuse, and other forms of violence.  Here's a pic of one of the quilts that was pieced by the members and I quilted it on my longarm.  Way to go Team AQG!

 

Happy Holidays with new potholders

Last year (yes, last year) at Christmas I told my mother that I would make her some new potholders since her's were rather sad looking.  So last night I sat down and made some.  While I was making some, I made some extras to give to my mother-in-law as well.  They're simple pinwheel blocks with a layer of Insulbright inside as insulation.  I made 8 total using Kansas Troubles fabrics and then tied them up in bundles of 4 each using some Moda canvas ties I had from some fabric layercakes.  Hope they like them!

My tote challenge entry

I was invited to participate in an online tote challenge, so I decided to give it a try.  The challenge was to make a tote out of solids only fabrics, i.e., no prints.  The other rule was that the tote had to incorporate either patchwork, applique, or reverse-applique.  So below is my result.  The pattern is one that I adapted from a quilt design by Blackbird Designs from their "When The Cold Wind Blows" book.  Theirs was a bird pattern but I wanted mine to be a red-winged blackbird so added the red accent to his wing.  I quilted in on my longarm using a leaf motif.  My first tote bag!

And some flea market finds...

In addition to the fabrics I bought at Rabbit's Lair, we hit some flea markets today on the way back home.  And looky at what I found.  I don't know if this thing will even work or not, but the case was in pristine condition and there was a bag of accessories with it, as well as the original manual.  So I decided to get it.  It may become just a piece of decor, but I liked it a lot.

And I've started collected pastry blenders for some reason, don't know why, I just think they're cool.  So I added to my collection today.  Imagine all the pies these things have brought into someone's life. :)

And I also like marbles, so I added to my collection of those today.

Road trip finds....

Since I didn't get to go to the big quilt show shindig in Houston this year (which is this week), I did the next best thing....went on a road trip here in the state collecting fabrics and other whatnots.  I have to say, it was pretty darn consoling, LOL.  I went to Rabbit's Lair up in Rogers, Arkansas, yesterday which is about a 3.5 hour drive.  Got to see the shop owner, Mary Schopp, and see her shop for the first time.  I've met her several times as a vendor at local events here, but had never made the trek to her ship.  I found her back in her office area and surprised her, it was a really fun visit to her place.  I bought yards and yards of fabric (see below), as well as some books, etc.  And Mary, being the wonderful person she is, showed us around the shop, talking with us about things, etc.  A wonderful trip!

OK, enough of my blabbering, here's the fabrics that I bought: