Look what the mailman just dropped off at my house...

He honked and I smiled 'cause I had a feeling something special might be in one of those packages my mailman was delivering to my house today and I was right!  Just look what was inside - another gorgeous Quilt of Valor from Clairellen those Quirky Quilters in Michigan:

Terri's QOV Star quilt top

Initially, when I first took it out of its wrapping from the box it came in, I had a few quilting ideas but...looking at it now in these pics, I can definitely see I will be changing up how this quilt is going to get quilted.  Aren't pictures great - brings a whole new perspective!

These log cabin background filler blocks were originally destined for 'another' type of quilting but now, as I mentioned, considering something very different.   

Won't these look great heavily McTavished?  Or maybe a swirl design fill...mmm...

Whichever gets chosen, should help make these stunning stars just Pop, don't you think?

Did this super-creative QOV quilt top creator know how to perform a surgical 'fussy cut' or what?  WOW!

I'm anxious to get started quilting this beauty but first, need to take a few more pics to help w/final quilting decisions...

Later,
~Deb

How Great Thou - Easter...

You know how I LOVE The Piano Guys, right?  I just came across a recent piece of theirs that is so perfect for such a great and glorious day:

Nothing left to say except...Happy Easter Everyone!
~Deb

Toss-Up Tuesday...

Been adding borders to various quilts while waiting for the current wave of Spring storms to pass so I can get back to quilting on Betty again.  Here's a nice sun-shiney quilt I've wanted to quilt as a 'summer' quilt for one of our guest bedrooms:

'Summer' quilt top w/newly added sunshine yellow border - ready to be quilted

This quilt is begging for feathers in ALL those red squares:

Red center squares and red alternating blocks w/triangles should get some 'feathering'

...along w/borders should proved ample room for plenty of various feather quilting:

Blocks & Borders provide plenty of feathering real estate

And, was also able to finally finish up some pillow cases I had promised to some online quilting friends over at QFC.  Hopefully, once these storms pass, can get them in the mail on Wednesday so they'll have them in time for Easter ;-)

3 children's pillow cases destined for Easter...

For now, time for some shut-eye while it's no longer thundering!

Later,
~Deb

PS...want to see some Quilt of Valor quilt tops that just got borders added to them, too?  Follow this direct link:  http://eastcentralilqov.blogspot.com/2014/04/borders-and-bindings-for-qovs.html

Starting April off right w/some FUN quilting techniques on a QOV

A different quilting approach seemed in order for this particular Quilt of Valor:

First quilting pass - lookin' good so far

Ruler work, McTavishing, and a Star Spangled Delight digital panto from urbanelementz.com, sized to 8.3" is working great.  My first panto pass is never my best but...it's pretty good on this one.

Star Spangled Delight panto - first pass

Ruler Work in striped border:

Ruler work in striped Liberty border w/McTavishing in red solid borders

Side border w/McTavishing

McTavishing red side border

Superior's Rainbows Patriotic thread really shows up great in the red borders w/McTavish quilting, doesn't it?

Haven't made a final quilting decision on what to do in the white perimeter borders yet, still pondering.  I'm thinkin' I'll just do them altogether after I've finished up everything else.  Surely the quilt or quilting will let me know what needs to be in there by then ;-).

To see how this one got pieced, follow this link:  http://eastcentralilqov.blogspot.com/2014/04/putting-together-special-quilt-of-valor.html 

UPDATE 4/29/2014:  this neat Lady Liberty Quilt of Valor coming off the frame:

Lady Liberty QOV coming off the frame

Added alternating swirls/McTavishing/ and ruler work in piano key borders

Well, if it wasn't storming...again...I'd go back to quilting!  Just gettin' started when the latest storm decided to blow in early...Oh well, I've got some quilt blocks to finish.

Later,
~Deb