Julie Illinois

Pictures of kit quilts

2008-11-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard the saying that "the quilter that dies with the most fabric wins" or something like that. My fiancee probably thinks that I have that one won for sure. I have one of my spare bedrooms with fabric and these vintage quilt kits. I also have my huge Gracie quilting machine set up in this room. Since I took my current job, I haven't had much time for attempting any of this, especially the hand applique quilts.

I found these vintage applique quilt kits on Ebay. I always thought that it would be so neat if a company would replicate these old kits for the new generations. Some of these are really beautiful and intricate when you get to looking at them.

I'd love to hear about other quilters and what they are doing as projects or any neat new tools you have come across.

Vintage applique quilt kit

2008-11-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

Bubbles

2008-11-04T17:50:00.001-08:00

log cabin quilt

2008-11-04T16:59:00.001-08:00

The bright primary colored log cabin quilt is still a work in progress. Many of my family members tell me that when it is finished that they should be the recipient of it. This took me over a year to sew all the strips into the 4 inch blocks and then arrange the blocks so that they look like they are weaving under and over each other. As you can see, my wooden hoop is still on the quilt as I am still in the process of hand quilting this item. I was really pleased with the contrasts between all these colors.

I got my love for quilting from my grandmother. My family lived with my paternal grandmother while I was growing up. Being from a small farming town of 1000 people, I was exposed to quilting from an early age. My grandmother loved to sit in the living room during the winter and hand piece her quilts. Myself, I prefer to use the sewing machine to sew my quilt tops together. I feel that hand piecing is not "secure" enough and they it would all come apart after I am done.

I also love the beautiful applique quilts that were made from kits during the 1930's and 1940's. I have been fortunate to find some of these kits on Ebay and someday hope to create these masterpieces also. I know many people create quilts and then sell them. Perhaps this could be another venture. I feel I would have a hard time parting when something like this that took so long to make.

I made a double wedding ring quilt using material that is in shades of purple and blue and white with bubbles throughout it. My fiancee has decided to claim this for his own and has it neatly hidden away for himself. I also have another one is progress that is using fabric that is black and white and looks like cow material. Then I plan to embroider a picture of a cow in the center of each block. The one thing I love about these quilts is that they are one of a kind and no one else has one exactly like mine and I am only limited by my own imagination.

My secret passion "quilting"

2008-11-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Bears win

2008-11-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

How about those Bears? Chalk up another win.

Another item to ponder

2008-10-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him...is he still wrong?

Things to Ponder

2008-10-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

That little yellow round guy with eyes at the left hand side of my blog sure comes up with some things to ponder doesn't he? I like the one : Before they invented the drawing board what did they use to go back to?

Another diet fad?

2008-10-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

I was just recently in the checkout line at my local grocery store and saw a headline for the Turbo Zone Diet on the front of one of the magazines. It stated "Dr Sears reveals the natural compound that makes your body release 'toxic fat'. I decided I just had to research this more. There was just enough information in the article to peak my interest. It talks about using super Omega 3 fish oil and following the Zone diet. My vote is still out on this subject as I am awaiting a copy of the book to review for myself.

getting older

2008-10-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

I was just realizing the other day how fast time flies. I remember thinking when I was a kid that the school year lasted forever, it was a long time until next christmas would roll around etc. Now, it seems like it is the first day of the month and before I know it, it is the end of the month.

My oldest daughter will be 29 years old on New Year's eve. Seems like yesterday she was a pom pom girl in high school. Now she delivers mail in Virginia Beach and is entering fitness competitions. She won first place in this competition. She has a great amount of discipline.

I, on the other hand, after turning the dreaded "50" , have scratched my left eyeball twice within a month (makes it very hard to see or read), have fallen off the riding lawn mower and thought I broke my wrist and now have managed to do something to my back so that when I stand up, I can't straighten up. Hopefully, next year which is fast approaching, will be a less accident prone year for me. I hope to see my daughter compete next year in competition in Chicago which is much closer to my hometown.

Change in Weather!!!!!

2008-10-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, it sure is beginning to feel like Chicago Bear Football Weather. Remember all those freezing games on Soldier field? I'd rather be all wrapped up in the stadium watching the game than freezing my butt off on the field like they are.

2008-10-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

This blog is my sandbox to learn what I can do with a blog. Women extraordinarie survives the cold Illinois winters.