9/11 Tribute 2018 - We Will NEVER Forget...

In Memory of those who fell on that fateful day:

In Honor of those who remain.

My Best,
~Deb

QOVs #2 - 6 ALL Quilted!

Miss Betty & I have been having so much FUN quilting these gorgeous Quilts Of Valor from a fellow East Central Illinois Group that we almost forgot to post!  So without further chit chat, here we go:

QOV #2:

QOV #2 comes off the frame

"Star Spangled Banner" e2e quilting up close w/Glide white in needle

Quilting w/back -Signature Silver in the bobbin

QOV #3:

Coming off the frame after being quilted

"Liberty" quilting up close

Striped backing complements this wonderful Quilt of Valor

QOV #4:

Circle of Honor coming off the frame

"West Wind at Night" quilting design by Christy Dillon - adds great texture and design elements to an already incredible QOV

QOV #5:

QOV #5 coming off the frame

Star quilting

"Becker's Shooting Star" quilting accents this QOV nicely

Back w/Star fabric showing the Star quilting

QOV #6:

QOV #6 coming off the frame - ALL quilted!

"Windy Night" overall quilting

Back w/Stars and Star quilting

It has been a true honor and privilege to quilt these stunning Quilts of Valor for a fellow area group.  As a result - six (6) more area Veterans will be honored for their sacrifice and service for our country...Thank YOU.

My Best,
~Deb

PS...QOV #1 of this series of six (6), may be found by following this direct web link:
http://donebybettyboop.blogspot.com/2018/08/quilting-qov.html

Quilting a QOV...

Six (6) Quilts of Valor are in our quilting queue for the next 7-10 days, which must ALL be quilted by September 1, 2018 in time for a very special QOV Award Event.  Beautifully pieced by a fellow East Central IL QOV group, and a joy to quilt!

The first in the quilting line-up:

QOV coming off the frame

Christy Dillon's digital quilting design, West Wind Night e2e quilted out perfectly:

Gorgeous quilting stitches today!

Glide 'white' in my needle, Signature 'silver' in the bobbin created these gorgeous quilting stitches:

The back looks as good as the front - stitch quality, that is ;-)

This Quilt of Valor turned out stunning and was an honor and privilege to quilt.

Time to load QOV #2 - the Circle of Honor quilt, original quilt pattern design by Lisa Sutherland of www.QuiltJubilee.com, another real beauty!

Later,
~Deb

Catching up on Quilting for our Veterans

Been a busy few weeks, including catching up on our quilting for our Veterans.  These are our latest endeavors - including piecing and quilting various QOVs:

Doris's Quilt Of Valor comes off the frame

...and a recent panel challenge from the QOV Stars Group:

QOV Stars Panel Challenge

Our version of the Split Back Star lay-out, borrowing from one of QuiltJubilee.com 's patterns, the Circle of Honor...Thanks, Lisa!

Split Back Star QOV

Aren't these some great fabrics for this quilt?

Added borders to another of our Doris's quilt tops to get it to the required size for a Quilt of Valor:

Sewing on the very last border

Borders up close

Borders complete and ALL ready to quilt!

Once all these quilt tops are quilted/bound/labeled later this year, they will be awarded to area Veterans and Service Members.

Time to quilt!

Later,
~Deb

EQ8 Chicago Star Block Challenge

Jenny of EQ recently posted a June EQ8 Block Spotlight Challenge featuring the Chicago Star.  Being a native Illinoisan, I couldn't resist this challenge and designed not one but two quilts with this block, and I can see endless possibilities w/various colorways and block setting options, I really like this Star block!

This is my second attempt:

Chicago Star - recolored

This is the Chicago Star block I used:

Chicago Star block w/HSTs in corner stones

My first attempt was posted on our sister blog over at East Central IL QOV, but we'll give you a sneak peak:

Chicago Star - Traditional setting

This was a lot of FUN and something I will definitely continue to explore and challenge myself to explore and expand my quilt design capabilities...Thanks, Jenny! 

I have had previous versions of Electric Quilt - EQ8 is by far my very favorite!  In the short time I've had it, I've already designed more quilts in less time than I did w/previous versions combined!!

Back to exploring alternate design possibilities w/Chicago Star...;-)

Later,
~Deb

What is Memorial Day?

In Memory of those Whom Have Fallen:

We Will Never Forget.

Have a Safe Memorial Day w/Family & Friends.
~Deb

Circles of Life

Sometimes, a quilt just has to be designed and created to deliver a very special 'quilty' hug - the kind of hug that ONLY a quilt can give.

"Circles of Life" is just such a quilt:

Circles of Life quilt coming off the frame

Circles of Life was inspired by a very dear family friend in need of a quilty 'HUG', coupled with a colorful Moda jelly roll - which brought to mind our dear family friend, Ashley.

Moda jelly roll

Combined w/additional Kaffe Fassett fabrics from a previous wedding quilt project, this quilt became exactly what we were hoping for!

With strips and circles, along with a Circle of Life quilt design, we think we accomplished what we set out to do - a colorful 'quilty' hug, designed and created especially for our dear family friend.

Photo timeline continues:

Sewing these colorful strips together

Strips all sewn together - time for borders!

Time for some Circles:

Cutting circles is easy & FUN w/AccuQuilt GO! circle dies:

Time to applique those circles in place:

Using the small applique stitch w/coordinating cotton threads 
to ensure the circles are securely attached to the quilt top

Once all the circles are attached, time to quilt!

Quilting the "Circles of Life" w/Circle of Life quilting design;-)

After this quilt was completely quilted, time for binding:

Ashley's "Circles of Life" quilted/bound/labeled and ALL ready for Hugs!

Ashley's "Circle of Life" quilt has reported for duty and we're happy to learn, fulfilling it's 'quilty hug' job duties...Enjoy!

Happy April - snow and ALL ;-)

~Deb