Thursday, May 27, 2010

Stitches...at a standstill.

First...here is another past photo of our two daughters...who are 2 Sweet Sisters:


& here's a past photo taken of our daughter Girly~Twirly at one of her Kappa Delta Sorority's get-togethers.









I have said this before..."I try to do at least one post a week...cuz i have a hard time finding time to do one, much less any more than that!" haha
So, this week along with Jenny and her awesome Alphabe-Thursday S. 
& Alicia and her fantastic Friday Photo Flashback.
...this post is linked up with Amy's 3rd sensational Spring Quilt Festival.











It would have been "easy-peasy" for me if I was able to link up my recent "Q" post for the Quilt Festival, since it was about some favorite family quilts and my unfinished ones.

(*side note* I am a novice quilter so love to learn all the time...like blogging...I am always learning something new!)

Since this has to be a new post for the Quilt Festival, I thought I would focus on my unfinished ladybug quilts.


(*Side note*: I have always loved the Grandmother's Flower Garden quit pattern... Here is a beautiful vintage one that I found on the search engine: bing.com


"...the flower garden pattern is also known as grandmother's flower garden or french rose garden." & "i did a little research and this pattern was revived in the 1920's from the hexagon mosaic pattern from the 1830's. in the late 1920's there was an american quilt revival which incorporated a new color palette of pastel prints. quilts made from these fabrics are sometimes referred to as depression quilts. the flower garden quilt pattern is supposedly still the most popular quilt pattern today."  -Julie King- 


I was able to hear from Julie and ask if she wouldn't mind me sharing her grandmother's lovely quilt. I love the little hexagon Shaped... Scrappy fabric prints that are Stitched together to form the Stunning flowers.) I've heard that hese hexagon shapes are often put together as "paper-pieced", but never learned what that meant.  I didn't cut paper into hexagons for my quilt, but just cut the fabric into hexagon shapes, and sewed them together edge to edge.

Well, when Girly~Twirly became a Kappa Delta in her first year of college (Fall of 2001) and I learned about their chapter's ladybug mascot...I thought how cute would it be to make a quilt for her with ladybugs. And I pictured in my mind... little hexagon pieces of red and black stitched together like a Grandmother's Flower garden, but instead of flowers... into ladybugs.


I showed a few photos of that progress in a slideshow on this recent post, which is also about some family quilts that are special to me.

I had so much fun buying small strips of red and black fabric, whenever I would go to a fabric store (which was pretty frequent!). My goal was to have this quilt pieced and quilted by the time she started her 2nd year of undergrad ...um that would have been in the Fall of 2002....

Here is another picture taken, when my hubby was in Iraq and Girly~Whirly, Heartbreaker and I went up to see her at one of her sorority functions in 2003.  ...and still her quilt was not finished.



And then in the Fall of 2004, our other daughter Girly~Whirly also became a Kappa Delta girl!




So, I started cutting out hexagon pieces for a ladybug quilt for her too...


They are supposed to be twin size quilts. But so in the hopes of completing them faster, I had entertained the thought of maybe appliquing the ladybugs that I do have onto a solid background (...but I really like my initial plan of separating and joining the ladybugs with a variety of white on white patterned hexagons.)

So, my goal is that I will get these ladybug quilts completed...  Although, instead of a twin size...I have thought of crib size quilts from these ladybugs for each of the girls' first babies (I have a blue and white one started for Heartbreaker is also unfinished(!), so it may turn into one for his first baby. The blue and white one was my very first attempt at piecing...).  (My hubby did bring up the fact that I will have to have a quilt for all of our future grandchildren. But, I actually have quite a number of quilts started...enough for grandbabies of each of our children-Girly~Twirly, Girly~Whirly, and Heartbreaker!

These are white fabrics that I am using for the "linking hexagons" between each of the ladybugs....and with the odd excess scraps, I have started another "scrappy" crazy quilt as I go.


Ah...so, here it is 2010 and this is the Story of Stitches...at a standstill...
just a couple out of the many other unfinished ones and so many others I would love to do! I am such a novice at quilting, so I would love to get back into a guild so that I can learn from those that have so much experience!)

So a Sincere "thank you!" to all of you who have Stopped by...and for your understanding of my joining in with more than one awesome meme.

Blessings & Aloha!

Here are some ladybug drawings...

EDITED* added on June 1st*
(I realized that some are new to by blog, and after an email from another blogger...I should have explained about the drawings :o) Every drawing that I do is drawn entirely with a person's name. The whole image is with a name. I appreciate your interest and please do contact me for info or ordering any image...using any name. :o)




This was from a photo of the original, so the image was not as bright as it actually is.



This is a photo of the same image after I added color. Since it's a photo, it also looks like the mat was not straight, but it is a fishbowl distortion from the lens.



...and this one was one of the quilt-related drawings that I had on my previous "Q"post (Quintessential Quilts and Quilting Quandary)...



***Oh! Here's a favor to ask...If you are a quilter or seamstress, please let me know what type of sewing machine you use... I gave my sewing machine to our daughter Girly~Twirly and am looking for another...I would like to find one that also does monograms...and is "user-friendly" :o)***

***also...it is hard to believe, but I am coming up on my 100th post...please check back, since I will be having a giveaway on that post for a Personalized Sketches artwork and a special discount. I just noticed that this is my 92nd post.*** Thank you to all those that have stopped by and it is so fun meeting you :o)

69 comments:

Annesphamily said...

Always lovely posts here with your wonderful family! Enjoy your weekend! Blessings to you! Anne

kate blue said...

did not know you quilted too! Man, the talent in your family amazes me...your dd's (darling daughters) are stunning but the boy child (love that pic-he looks so sweet) is who we adore :)

can you believe Brandon is 6 this week??

Ebie said...

Oh, Maria, you have lovely girls. And they look like twins! And your quilts, they are a product of love.

I have done a hexagon pattern garden flowers in crochet.

P.S. Please check your email for the fried lumpia recipe I sent last night.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

It takes me forever to quilt as well. So I feel your pain! :0)

Bacardi Mama said...

The quilts are almost as lovely as your beautiful girls. Have a great weekend.

Pondside said...

What a sweet mama you are, to make such pretty things for your girls - lovely 's' post!

More Than Words said...

I'm always so amazed by your creative talent!! I can imagine all the pretty things your girls had growing up!!

Such a gorgeous family, Maria! I know I tell you that all the time!

julie king said...

oh thanks so much for posting a photo of my grandma's flower garden quilt. it is truly one of my most treasured keepsakes. your daughters are beautiful and your blog a delight to read!!

Thearica said...

You are a very talented family! And your daughters are beautiful! (I am sure you have heard that a kazillion times!) :)

Thank you for taking time to stop at my blog and leave a comment on my quilt entered in the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

I use a Janome 6260 for all of my sewing. A lot of people rave about the Bernina's but I have been using Janome machines for years and I love them! They have always gave me great service! And when I go to buy, I always choose the middle priced one. I dont need ALL the bells and whistles but I dont want the cheapest one made either. Buying in the middle has always been an excellent choice for me. :)

Quilt on!

Viki said...

I'm sure by the time your grandchildren appear, you will have all those quilts finished. I just know it ;-) I just love your idea for the ladybug quilt. Great S post.

Monika said...

Hi
I too am popping over here from the Quilt Festival. Thanks for popping into mine... :o)
I adore your drawings. How original! And I love your ladybug quilt. Hexagons aren't something a beginner would tackle, so you are very brave.
Cheers from Oz!!

LV said...

You hit the nail on the head today for me with all you shared. Loved seeing your beautiful girls. They are just like you. I have a passion for quilts and have several. I have one just like your pattern, flower garden. It is very old. You are a jack of all trades. You have so many talents, you blow my mind. I was not aware you were such a seamstress. I thought you just did awesome sketches. It seems whatever you do you do it very well. I loved seeing some more of your sketches. I understand now why you do not have time to blog any more than you do. You are one busy lady. Take care my friend.

Miss Sweet Tea said...

What great pictures of your girls! They look beautiful! The ladybug quilts will be so cute when they are done! And making it baby size is a really good idea - very sweet and sentimental!

Have a good weekend, friend!

Jo said...

oh you are a talented lady! those quilts will look so cute once they are finished!

Jenny said...

You are certainly one talented lady. That is a wonderful quilt.

Every time I stop here on my little journey through Alphabe-Thursday I am amazed by your lovely family, your talents and your gorgeous photos!

I always look forward to my stop here.

It is such a joy!

And so are you!

Thanks for linking up each week!

I really appreciate that you participate!

Hugs and A+

Muthering Heights said...

You have such lovely daughters! :)

Christy said...

What a great stop - I love your quilts. Your daughters are so beautiful!
Keep working on those quilts they will be amazing when you finish!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Thanks for stopping by. What beautiful girls you have. I read you live in Savannah. I love to visit that beautiful city.

Joanna said...

You do have a beautiful family. I love the ladybug sketches and quilt. It's eye catching. I was always told that ladybugs bring good luck, so I am partial to them. I also want to compliment you on the header of your blog. It's very pretty. I look forward to reading your future posts.

Bacardi Mama said...

Oh, how I would love to win a drawing. I have loved all my others so much. I'll definitely be checking back. I always do. Have a great holiday weekend.

RNSANE said...

Goodness, you are so ambitious with those beautiful quilts...I have always loved them but never learned the art. In my younger days, I did a lot of crewel cross stick, and decoupage - don't even do that anymore. I ended up raising three sons alone - two without child support from the time they were 1 and 3 so my life was spent on call, doing sexual assault cases for San Francisco - till my job of 21 years ended 15 months ago and I very mournfully retired.

I have three sons but, at last, I do have a daughter-in-law...did a blog about their May 7 wedding. It was the happiest I've been in 15 months.

I am originally from Columbus, GA - clear across the state from you - on the AL border, at the Chattahoochee River. Left at 17 to go to nursing school in New Olreans and only back to see my mom, now in extended care in the Atlanta area.

Heather Jones said...

I love your ladybugs! I think they would be really sweet as crib quilt for your future grandchildren!

Beth said...

I wanted to say thank you for leaving a comment (and such kind words) with my quilt entry blog.

Your lady bug idea in tandem with the hex's is genius!! and I will look forward to seeing it completed (I hope 2010 is your year)!

As far as tips regarding FMQ, it is just practice and determination. Oh, and a great pair of quilter's gloves (you know, the type with the rubber palms and fingers).

Try to be certain your machine sits lower than "normal" table height to ease neck/shoulder tension, and then remember to relax and smile while you move the bulk of the quilt under the needle. Always work from the center out - as much as you can - and keep an adjacent table to your work space for the portion of the quilt you are NOT quilting to rest on (...it helps to be able to maneuver the quilt if the rest is supported at the same height and not creating a sort of drag effect).

Have fun getting back into quilting, and do let me know how you progress on the LB quilt. Cheers!

Kathy Schwartz said...

Enjoyed checking out all the beautiful pictures on your blog.

Lourie said...

Your daughters are beautiful! And I love the quilts too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog

Vicki/Jake said...

First of all, thanks for such a complimenting comment on my blog! And that you shared it with your kids.I think you're the awesome one. Look at your lovely daughters, your talent with the quilts and your drawings. No wonder you can't find time to blog everyday!
Thanks again for stopping by and I'll try to get here more often...

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

I love your hexie ladybugs. I'm yet to tackle hexagons - not sure I'm brave enough just yet.

Fantastic quilt :-)

BTW - thank you for your lovely comments on my blog. Very appreciated xo

Amanda Lee said...

Someday we'll get all these quilts finished! (maybe?) I always start way too many projects than I have time to finish.

Brenda said...

My goodness your daughters are beautiful. Your doing a great job on your quilts. I have a desire to finish the one I have started for my middle daughter so I can start my youngest daughter one. Too many irons in the fire. Thanks for stopping by my S post!

Laurie said...

First of all, your daughters are beautiful and the quilts almost make me speechless! What a great idea to make the ladybug quilt! I LOVE it - you have done a fantastic job!!!
As you know, I am a Bernina owner - actually I own 4 Bernina's and I highly recommend them! I know the new top of the line is super expensive - too expensive for my pocketbook, that's for sure! I have purchased 2 Bernina machines as used machines and they turned out to be excellent purchases, so I would suggest looking into a used machine if you don't have the funds for a new one. I LOVE my Bernina's!

Lily Mulholland said...

Now that's a whole lotta hexagons! But such a cute idea with the ladybugs :) You should hurry up and get sewing! For the future grandkids, that is!

Mami said...

Your ladybugs quilts are wonderful!! you have really charmig daughters as twins!!

thanks for visit.I'd love to hear of you soon

Mami from Japan

Deborah OHare said...

You have a beautiful family.
I love hexagon quilts. Look forward to seeing it completed.
Deborah

RACHELLE said...

your daughters are beautiful!

great quilt!

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

Cheryl said...

My grandmother was a depression era patchwork quilter. I still remember the feel of the well-worn cotton sheet backing, the weight of the old blanket used as the lining, and colorful pieces of fabric from dresses no longer wearable.

My mom and aunt make lovely quilts.

The lady bugs ~ these are perfect. I hope you finish them someday. My family has the same start and stop approach so I understand how you get sidetracked.

Kristen said...

Your sketches are really great! I love these ladybugs. Keep it up. It looks wonderful! I have a ufo that is more than 10 years old! It has a lot of hand stitching too.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

love the hexagons!! and the sorority letters! my machine doesn't do any embroidery.. but i still love it!

jenn said...

those ladybug quilts are awesome! love'm!! and the drawings you included with this post are pretty nifty, too. thanks for sharing!

Marlynn said...

Thanks for the wonderful comment on my blog! Your quilt is faboulous! Makes me want to have one!
My machine is a bernina 1008 I know they don't make that model anymore, but my sister has the newer model and likes it (don't know what number sorry). Mine is just a regular machine no fancy gimicks on it.

Leslee said...

Hi Maria!! Your daughters are so lovely...

I commend you for even TRYING much less MAKING the quilts. I know what a busy lady you are and wonder how you find the time!!

They will be so cherished ~

Jacque said...

Good Morning!

My mother's favorite quilt is the Flower Garden. She hand pieced a hundred of them!! She hand sews them together, and then binds them off with her machine to make the top and then has someone else quilt them.

This is my first visit to your blog. I will have to stay awhile and read more. Looks like you have a super busy life as well!! I am finding it more and more difficult to keep my blog up and running too! Too much ado about nothing!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit. We love having company!!

Have a great Memorial Day!

Lynn Barbadora said...

I so enjoy seeing the pictures of your beautiful family and reading the stories you have to share about them. The lady bug quilts are certainly a labor of love. I'm sure they will be treasured for years to come. As always I am AMAZED by your drawing talent. I just love the ladybug sketches.
Happy Memorial Day
Hugs,
Lynn

PERMANENT POSIES said...

Well, I have been on vacation and am just now getting around to Alphabet Thursday "S". You look like you could be a Sweet Sister of Girly-Whirly and Twirly-Whirly (I think that was their "names"} Maybe I should just resolve myself to not being able to post but once a week as well. Too busy! On my sight today is Creative Tip Tuesday. You could link to it but first, I have to go write something....hahah. It is new. Loved the quilts.

Anonymous said...

Your children are beautiful, just like their mother! I always wanted to be a sorority girl, it just never worked out that way.

The quilts look great so far and sorry but I don't sew or else I would have an answer for you.

Lynn

paulette said...

What a gorgeous family you have!! I love your ladybug quilt...very original...never seen one like it before!! Just lovely! I have a hexagon quilt 'almost' finished..thanks for reminding me to drag it out and attack it one more time!! Take care!
Paulette

Inch Worm Fabrics said...

I love the ladybug quilt idea. My first quilt was a grandmothers flower garden. I was 12 and I finished it when I was 18. I have been quilting since then. Thanks fro sharing. JJ

HeatherOz said...

I LOVE the ladybugs! I may have to show them to my Mom. She is a quilter and we have many beautiful quilts from her. My Grandma makes "cuddle quilts" for all of her grandbabies AND great grandbabies. My kids can't sleep without them!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my blog too! And your kind remarks about "Starring Buckwheat." LOVE hexagon quilts! Yours is quite lovely.... Barb/Just Say Sew

quilary said...

I adore your ladybird quilts. How clever to use the grandma's flower garden and turn it into those cute little critters. Thank you for dropping by and leaving me such a lovely comment.
Australians and Americans have many ties to oneother. My local church is dedicated to the friendships forged between our countries and has an Australian and an American altar dedicated to those who fought in the battle of the Coral Sea. Quite a few plaques, donated by visiting Naval ships, line walls on the American altar. Blessings to you and your family.

tirane93 said...

your lady bugs are ADORABLE! what a unique application of hexagons. love it!

Sandra said...

Love the ladybugs-what a great variation on the GFG. Maybe you should make each girl a wallquilt or a throw size quilt.
Thanks for commenting on my antique cheddar orange star & repro
Don't know if you saw my 2nd antique quilt entry
http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com

Magoo said...

Aloha to you! thanks for stopping by my blog on the great quilt fest. tour! what a great blog you have, and such a wonderful family. i love the lady bugs!, i too and a fan of granny's flower garden, i just finished 2 place mats from them it will get finished one day ;)and if not, what a great story behind all the pieces.
oh, and to answer your machine question: i have a Brother XL 3750, that came with a quilting package (walking foot and table extension) i got back in Dec. at Target. nothing fancy, but i wouldn't trade it for anything! she is reliable and hardworking ;)

thanks again for stopping by and have a great day!!

Margo
www.Limeandlace.blogspot.com

Have a great evening!

SewCalGal said...

I've never see a LadyBug Quilt like yours before. I absolutely love it. Very cute design, lovely fabrics and great colors. Such an inspirational quitl. You did a fantastic job.

And great post too. Your daughters are beautiful and have your lovely smile!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Craft-aholic said...

I love the ladybug hexagons. I have not made any hexie quilts, yet, but I do admire them.

I started out making wall hangings mostly and then lap sized or crib sized quilts. As I gain more experience my quilts are getting larger. Be brave, you can do it!

Lovely daughters!

Rie said...

Thank You for your wonderful comments, I was glad to see you stopped by. But after reading your Blog, you are simply AMAZING!! I love the ladybug quilt! It's so Original...and I love the red, black and white combinations. You have a flair for color. When do you find time to sketch?? You and your family have talent abound! You are truly blessed. I plan to occasionally pop in to see what's new and I hope you do too!
PS. I have a Janome straight stitch sewing machine.
Maria.

Seams Sew Together said...

Aloha!! Thanks for stopping by my blog, I love your lady bug quilt its adorable, always have loved red, black and white quilts. You should be very proud of your family, your girls are gorgeous. My daughter is a dental nurse and loves every minute of it. Maybe soon you will get more time for quilting, I have my fingers crossed for you. Happy Quilting!!
Hugs
Mandy

Suzanne said...

Thanks for your comment on my Festival Quilt:)
I can't believe all those hexagons!! I can't imagine having the patience to do all those but I know most people who try love them!

marlene@ByTheSeam said...

I love what your hubby said that you would have to have quilts for all your grandchildren. I have 8 and I am working on number 3 right now. Talk about far behind, LOL. I think your lady bug quilt will be so cute. I had a Viking machine for a long time and then I got a Bernina. I love the Bernina I can be much more accurate with it.They say nothing sews like a Bernina and it sure is true! Thanks for coming to my blog and leaving a comment, I enjoyed your visit!

Coffeebean's Dailies said...

Wow! Beautiful family! Your idea of laby bug quilts is TOO CUTE!! I love it! All the best with what you do decide to do to finish all THREE of them!!

I used a Janome 4800 that is not that old but no longer sold her in Oman or on the Janome website??!! Hello?

My hubby bought me a Bernina 440 last July and I just opened it up in March once I got my studio done. I have the capacity to add embroidery to it at any time so you might consider that one. Using it is wonderful and QUILTING on it is even better!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I hadn't found you yet on the Festival so am so glad that I have!

Take care,

The Four Week Vegan said...

You have such beautiful children. I love the ladybug idea. I am not a quilter, but my step-mom is and she has made us more than one - they are so beautiful and they will be family keepsakes for sure. I know your children will be so blessed by your taking the time to make them quilts.

TheaMinPA said...

first - could you forward that fried lumpia recipe from Ebie to me? my dh loves those and I don't have a clue how to make them!

I've been quilting for sooo long I can't remember how it started, but when I REALLY want to get something finished - I set a deadline, calculate how long it takes to do a segment (such as a square foot or one block) then calculate how many segments are in the project. I commit to X number of segments per day in the time remaining to the deadline. This usually gets me at least pretty close to getting it finished, altho I've certainly missed my share of deadlines!
This works very well with paper piecing, which is very portable - and your ladybug concept is fantastic and very imaginative so I would love to see this momentous effort accomplished.
I add borders to my hexie quilts - by appliqued strips all around so I can finish them with straight bindings. I have two more in the works at the moment - but they will probably be table runners! I don't have my last four large quilts finished yet, so promised I wouldn't start another large quilt until they are done!
btw - I have a quilt started in '97 that isn't done yet - don't feel bad! The baby quilts I started for my nephew's first and second daughters are still not done, either!

xinex said...

I know I have said this before, you have a lovely family. Your girls are so pretty and you are so talented....Christine

myletterstoemily said...

what a treasure those quilts will be for
your beautiful, beautiful girls!

they could be miss america!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

Smart S post,
Have A Sweet Weekend!

Unknown said...

Your daughters could pass for twins. Everyone thinks my two older boys are twins too.

Love the ladybugs. gorgous quilts!

Thanks for always coming by my blog. I love your comments and encouragment. You are a blessing!

How could I get some of your artwork? I would love to order some generic cards though that I could use for anyone. I love the lighthouse one you posted in the most recent post.

Thanks again,
Dani Joy

Eileen said...

absolutely love your ladybugs--my blog is called ladybug lovelies and i've been collecting the little cuties since 1960's along with hearts starting in the 70's when hubby was stationed in frankfurk, germany. good luck with the baby quilts--grandkiddos are the best!! i have had two brother embroidery/sewing machines and loved them both. after several years of hard use gave the older one to daughter in law who's just learning to sew. my new one is the duetta 4500d and i love it for both embroidery and sewing--a real work horse. good luck with choosing one you'll enjoy using. went to school on north shore in the 60's near pcc. aloha

Sue said...

Hi Maria, I saw your message on the blog to finish all our UFO's and your blog sounded interesting, so I have come over to have a look. WOW!! You are SO TALENTED!! I want to become a Follower of your blog, but could not find the spot where I can do that. Would you please let me know how to? My blog is www.country-blossoms.blogspot.com I look forward to spending some time looking over your blog and reading all your posts! Hugs n Blessings from Sue in Oz xx

Sue said...

Hi - me again, I found it!! I am your lasest Follower now. :0)
Hugs n Blessings from Sue xx

Barb said...

What an original hexagon quilt!
Your drawings are incredible too

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