This one's for 'My Jade' - Happy Thanksgiving ;-)

Just came across this one and immediately thought of 'my Jade', since we like to cruise and 'jam' to this song...at least yours truly does ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving, Jade!

And a BIG Happy Thanksgiving to Each and Everyone of You,
~Deb

Quilting Bernice's wonderful Quilt of Valor

Been wanting to post about this wonderful Quilt of Valor for quite awhile now, and here it is!

Patriotic Snowball Quilt of Valor

'Miss Betty' and I knew immediately that we would McTavish those nice, luscious borders, we'd outline those Red and Blue stars in the white sashing area then do 'something' to help make those stars Pop!  We weren't exactly sure what to do with the snowballs, sashings and cornerstones but we figured that out:

McTavished border w/Superior's So Fine Hot Chillies

McTavishing in borders, outline and stipple quilting to help those Stars POP

Again we turned to Dave Hudson's Random Stars Panto - I know, I know, but hey...we're 'exhausting' ourselves on the Random Stars, OK?! ;-)

Dave Hudson's Random Stars Panto w/McTavishing

Look who had to come and save the Quilting Day - Miss Betty I

Betcha haven't seen this too often - TWO quilting machines on the frame at the SAME Time:

HQ 16 in front, HQ Avante in back

Miss Betty II started breaking needles and just developed ALL kinds of attitude on the final stippling of this Quilt of Valor.  Since I had promised to have it all quilted by our East Central IL QOV Sew-IN last Thursday, I had to finish.  Can anyone say, "He-e-elp!"

Miss Betty I to the rescue - and she quilted like the 'champ' she's ALWAYS been - gotta love her ;-)

Miss Betty II/left and Miss Betty I/right

When I phoned Bernice to let her know her wonderful Quilt Of Valor was all finished, she generously offered to let it join some of the QOVs we will be awarding at our local VA in December...Thank YOU, Bernice!

And it's snowing outside - time to piece another top for 'one' of the Miss Betty's to quilt...

Later,
~Deb

Veteran's Day Tribute - I STILL Believe...Do You?

In Memory of Those Whom Have Fallen...

In Honor of Those Who Remain.

Thank YOU to those who have fought and died for our Freedoms,

~Deb

#3 Final Veteran Quilt coming off the frame!

This really neat Veteran quilt has been on my frame for almost 2 weeks waiting patiently, watching yours truly try to organize/shelf/put away tubs FULL of books, fabrics, quilting rulers, etc.  His turn finally came up a couple of days ago and just now finding time to blog about him.  Turned out he was a blast to quilt:

Veteran's Row Quilt coming off the frame

I have a standing reservation once per year to quilt SewFest quilts from those busy QFC ladies.  I get to quilt any ol' way I want, as long as it compliments and honors the quilt and the intended - I can even add a border or two for some of my favorite quilting treatments.  And the quilt tops they sent me this year have been a real pleasure to quilt.  Lately, I've been having lots of FUN quilting pantos in the main interior of these types of quilts, and then adding various border treatments:

Dave Hudson's Random Stars panto utilized in the interior

What can I say - I LOVE this panto.  It's got random, dancing stars, it's just dense enough to create a good quilting 'fill' for any patriotic quilt, it loves ALL kinds of threads, and most importantly...it's FUN to panto quilt...what's not to LOVE?!

Then, of course, my favorite quilting technique and stress buster - McTavishing!

McTavishing w/swirls

Once again, I'm using one of my favorite threads - King Tut Freedom, to quilt out this quilt.  The variegation gives these quilting motifs such texture and depth and w/Red/White/Blue coloring, it lets EVERYONE know what this quilt is ALL about.

And I know I've been using ALOT of 'swirling' in my patriotic quilts lately, too but...their fast & FUN to quilt, too!

Swirls land-locked w/McTavished borders ;-)

 I got the 'swirling' idea from Professional Quilt Artist/Teacher Jamie Wallen.  Here's a video where he demonstrates just how simple and FUN these swirls can be to implement:

For now, I need to get back to 'Miss Betty' and finish up a gorgeous Quilt of Valor...
~Deb

QFC SewFest Quilt #1

QFC SewFest Quilt #2

QFC SewFest Quilt #3