Patriotic July

"Land That I Love" is the name of this pattern.  I made this quilt quite awhile ago but it is one of my favorites. With July right around the corner I'm excited to get out some Patriotic decorations and enjoy the warm sunshine.

 

"It's A Grand Old Flag"

 

"Surrounded By Stars"

 

"Circling Stars"

 

The two blocks shown above are made from my Dad's shirts. I found about 30 blue shirts and I am working on a new quilt. I thought you might like to see a preview. What do you think? I am going to be putting alternate blocks with these blocks.  I have been enjoying working with dad's shirts. It is like he is in my sewing room with me.

 

The last few weeks have been crazy around here. I put in for retirement from United Airlines (that was a bit scary after working there so long). Woo Hoo! It is time to have fun and devote my time to being "Geoff's Mom" pattern designer, company owner, and, of course, Geoff's mom. 

 I am also going to be moving. I get to be a "snowbird" and I can hardly wait. House hunting soon. I have to finish cleaning out my dad's house and sell it but that process seems to be moving right along. I am so grateful to have such wonderful supportive friends and family helping me.

Winner! New Pattern Aunt Sarah Jane

Aunt Sarah Jane

 

The pattern is finally finished and will be on the website tonight. Geoff had the pattern started but with the passing of Grandpa it kind of put a stop to everything. I'm glad to say we are back and working on fun and new projects!

Some words of advice here: If you have a safe deposit box make sure your children or who ever you would like to look in it after you pass can have access. When my parents died they were really prepared with Trusts and such but.. my name wasn't on the safety deposit box and boy what a pain to get access too.

I have been cleaning out my parents house and it makes me know that I need to go through my stuff so that Geoff won't have a mess.. my dad kept papers from 1957..lol

Life is good though and enough about that!

The winner of the gift certificate is:
Michele please send me your email address and I will get the gift certificate right to you!
geoffsmompatterns@gmail.com

 

Michele said...

I use Brenda Henning's Triangulations CD. I can create perfect papers for any size half sq triangle and Qtr Sq Triangle. I use Carol Doak's foundation paper (rips out easy). Someone mentioned "why don't you use kid's coloring paper?"
So I have even been known to use that too. Print as many as you need. Sews up fast, fast. I just did 90 sheets of 1.5 in finished HST. Took me about a week of an hour or two an evening to sew, cut and pull papers, 1600 HST. No trimming needed. It's the best way to do lots at once. 

 

 

Thanks so much for commenting on my blog friends!

I will be having another giveaway soon!

Have a great day!

 



GIVEAWAY and I learned something NEW!

 

Here are the blocks I am working on for a new quilt. I thought I would like to share them with you. They look large here but they are really only about 7". Isn't it funny how pictures don't do blocks justice? I have noticed with patterns it is so incredibly hard to photograph the quilts and make them look good. The photos just don't show size.. maybe that is why people put quarters next to their blocks so you can see the actual size. It was a little hard for me to get a quarter to stick on my design wall.  After I get this quilt finished I will take another picture so you can see the size. I am using "Homestead Gatherings" designed by Lisa Bonjean of Primitive Gatherings and I just love the fabric!

 

While we were on our cruise I finally gave in and tried using "triangle paper"... OMG where have I been? Do you use it?????

It is the best. I took a class from Paula Barnes of Red Crinoline Quilts and she had us use triangle paper for at least a block or two. Yep friends I am now hooked! I love to square up my pieces but this makes them perfect so I don't have to square up. I still measure my paper to make sure they are going to be the correct size and I even check a few of my finished half-square triangles to make sure they are correct.

 

Here is a picture of the triangle paper I am using for the blocks shown above. At first I worried about how much paper was going to waste, but then I figured out... what a good fire starter for me to use at the cabin. I am saving my papers to make nice cozy fires.

 

 

Now for the Giveaway!

$25 Geoff's Mom Gift Certificate!

Please leave your comments and let me know your thoughts? Do you use triangle paper? Do you have any tricks or techniques we can share?

I will draw the winner on June 21st.

 

Have a great day!

Follow the exciting adventures of Crazy Cruising Quilters

Here we are. Our first "selfie" on our way to the ship. Who knew we could be so attractive? lol

We made bags with Florida fabric for our cruise. We were thinking about how fun it would be to buy fabric from places we travel and stitch the fabric into souvenirs.

We stopped to purchase some fabric at this shop "Quilter's Cove"

Class we took from Paula Barnes of Red Crinoline Quilts

Glory Bound

This is Paula Barnes "Lucy Boston" block. I bought a book and papers to get this started. I think I really must be CRAZY!

Day at the beach with friends.

Wonderful hint to storing your English paper piecing a "tech" bag from Vera Bradley.

 

As you can see we had the BEST time. We are all going to be saving our $$ for the next cruise in the planning stages from Olde Green Cupboard.