Mug Rugs

I started reading two new blogs this year, Sandi who is a wonderful writer and quilter and Karen who lives in the UK, is a long arm quilter and does beautiful embroidery. Both Karen and Sandi wrote on their blogs about "Mug Rugs", I had never heard of them (maybe these are nothing new) but thought what a cute idea.

I had to try them. I had a panel with 18 of the different coffee mugs and the coordinating fabrics...so this is how mine turned out.

They measure about 6" x 9". I think they are real cute and will make a perfect gift with a cute mug and maybe a Starbucks card included.

Happy Quilting,
Pam O.

Let the Challenge Begin!!!!!

Let me start by saying I have used Sandi's pattern of the "Candle Mat" so much this Christmas Season. Not only did I make one for the online swap that went to Norway, but 11 more for my Wednesday Night Friendship Group gift exchange. NOW, I made one for a challenge that could last forever.

This is how it started: Kathy a friend/co-worker sent me a gift this season wrapped in fabric. I told her, if you are sent a gift wrapped in fabric...it turns on a challenge. You must take the fabric and make something with that piece and send it back wrapped in fabric. She, in turn, makes something out of that piece and returns wrapped in fabric..and so on and so on.
The piece she sent me is the border and a hint in the binding of the "Candle Mat" shown in the picture. I didn't get a picture of the fabric prior to cutting, but it measured about a fat 1/8.
We have no rules other than no stress and no time limit...even if it's only one item per year.

It will be fun to see what goes back and forth from coast to coast, Kathy is in Florida and I'm in California. I'll post as we send and receive. The cupcakes fat quarter is what I'm sending Kathy.

Start something new with one of your quilting friends in a far away place, I know I'm excited about this.

Let the challenge begin!!!
Happy Quilting to all in 2011
Pam O.

Christmas Corner...

This is my little Christmas Corner in my sewing room. Most items have been pieced and waiting to be quilted....so working on some of that this week.

But, is makes for a cute little corner, don't you think?

More pictures when they are completed.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Sunday Dinners..

Cooking together as a family is one of my most favorite things to do...think that is why Thanksgiving is my most beloved holiday of the year....so can't wait for next week!!!

We try, when we can, to have Sunday Dinners together, busy schedules sometimes get in the way. There are 14 of us when we do, so lots of fun. Marcus is away right now, maybe we'll bring the computer to the dinner table and have him join us via Skype. That will work.

Pictured is Meggan and Olivia making cookies with Grandpa . For dinner tonight, chicken and rice .

YUM!!!

Only a Mother's love...

I was going through some things in my sewing closet today when I came across this crewel piece I did for my Mother, I actually think it was Mother's Day when I gave it to her. When she opened it, there was a look on her face that she wanted to laugh, but thought she better not....until she no longer could hold it in and laughed until she cried.

Now this was my first attempt at transferring a pattern of any kind, but look, the handwheel of the sewing machine is on the left side. She always told the story, I made it that way because I was left handed. I could have blamed it on being young when I did it, but it has my married name in the signature....hmmm, was young when I married though.

She got the biggest kick out that and it hung in her sewing room for many years. I think I laughed just as hard today as she did the day I gave it to her.

Only a Mother's love..
Always quilt with love and passion.
Pam O.

It's up and hanging!!!

Well there it is. I finally have something I made hanging in my home. My friends will be surprised. The truth of the matter is, I really don't have a lot of wall space, I had to take down a picture to hang this.

I finished one of four large blocks of the Feathered Foursome pattern by Cathy Wierzbicki and my friend Sue Salinger, who is a long are quilter, quilted it for me. It picks up the colors in my sewing room , so that is where it hangs.

Because of the Christmas colors, the design Sue did in the quilting is holly, but I'm one that always says you should keep a touch of Christmas up all year round.

Anyway, there it is hanging....very proudly.

Always quilt with love and passion.
Pam O.

Candle Mat - sending (3 of 3)

When I first starting blogging, in 2009, I wrote you could find my quilts all over the globe, Peru, France, Spain, Canada. It's not that I am famous quilter by any means, it just that we have friends and family in these countries. Well, I can now add Norway. As not to give away the element of surprise, I won't give out the name and think there are several participates for the swap from Norway.
I had a really good time with my first on line swap. My partner wanted Fall fabrics in oranges, greens and beige's...so this is what I picked for her.
I'm not the best machine quilter so fell back on my old standard of straight lines. I found a great fall color, variegated, thread to use and think it all worked well in the mat. I used some cute little fall buttons in the four corners to add a slight accent.



Using Fabric Sheets for the label, I sewed the final touch on the back.




Sending any additional goodies was not required. However, I have been making some Snappy Bags and thought my partner would like one made from the left over fabric, and as not to waste any fabric, I also made her a pin cushion out of the salvages.


This has been great fun and look forward to another Swap.
To my new found friend in Norway, I hope you enjoy your Candle Mat!!!!
Always quilt with love and passion,
Pam O.

Candle Mat received (2 of 3)

Dearest Karen,

http://therunningchickenquilting.blogspot.com/

I was so excited when I received my Candle Mat. It could not have come on a better day. I'm going to post extra pictures of this as I wanted my friends to see the work that went into it.... and I know they will say, "Oh, that is so Pammy".

I absolutely love the French/English fabrics you picked and the embroidery and hand quilting made it very special, something I will cherish forever and ever. I love embroidery!!!!

The Candle Mat now sits by my front door. I love the compliments I get and the story I can tell about it.

Because my blog is about family and quilting, I will tell this could not have come on a better day. Our youngest son, Marcus, has taken on a new job in his life, something both my husband and I are very very proud of.

Marcus, left this weekend for six months of training. We had just gotten home from saying our good-bys and wishing him well and I had some tears (happy tears of course), when I found my package in my mail and opened it....it definitely brought a BIG SMILE back to my face.

Karen, thank you so very much for my Candle Mat. I love love love it.

I now have a new quilting friend from the U.K.

******************************************************

Standby, next posting of the one I'm sending out.

Always quilt with love and passion,

Pam O

Candle Mat Postings (1 of 3)

I wanted to dedicate the next three postings to the Candle Mat Swap that I signed up for. It was my first online swap and I really have had a fun time with it.

The pattern is by Sandi Anderson: http://alegacyofstitches.blogspot.com/

Originally, I had picked Christmas fabrics, posted in an earlier posting. However, the person I'm sewing for requested more Fall like fabrics. The mat is turning out really cute and I'll post pictures of that one later this week.

I just had to see what the mat looked like out of the Christmas fabric and it made good practice. It's not quilted yet...but will be by the holidays.

Standby, next posting of the one I received.
Have a good quilting week,
Pam O.

On the cutting mat for this week.

I actually have a few things on the cutting mat on this week. I have made a little something out of these beautiful fall fabrics. I only have the quilting to do and then it will be ship off to a far away place. I'll post a picture sometime in mid-November and the story behind it. Stay tuned.

The other project I have on the cutting map is...I finally have picked the project for the Wednesday Wackos annual Christmas Gift. YEAH!! I'll post pictures of those sometime mid-December. Stay tuned.

Guess it's that time of the year..full of surprises!!!!!!!

However, these are a couple of Table Toppers I quickly put together trying to use up some 5" squares and practice my machine quilting on. Kinda of cute and good practice for me. Not sure who I'll be giving these to...have a few more of these to do.

Have a good quilting week,

Pam O

Wednesday Wackos reach 8 years together!

Not the the best picture of the Wednesday Wackos...but non the less a picture of out 8th Year Anniversary Dinner.

Starting on the left is me, than Pat M, next to Pat is Sue but you can't see her. That is Margie at the end of the table, back right is Linda, Robin, Marilyn, next to Marilyn is Terri but you can't see her either. Front is Susan and missing all together is Pat B who is on a road trip with her husband and Rob, our youngest, who is busy moving her family to a new home.

I have written many times about the Wackos, so you know how much each and everyone means to me. We have made every effort to meet every Wednesday sharing ideas in quilting and sewing, stories, retreats, shopping, families and have as much fun as we possibly can.

I look forward for many many more years with my Wacko Sisters!!!
With love to each,
Pam O.

Runner - French Rose

The French Rose Pattern has always been one of my favorite.

I actually finished the quilt top this last summer. I had these four blocks left over so made a runner.

I was glad I had this, it gave me an opportunity to practice my quilting before I do the quilt. Frances Moore, http://www.frantastic-stitchwitchery.blogspot.com/ would be so proud of me....I took her quilting class a few months back. Think if you click on the picture, you can see some of the quilting. The flowers are raw edge which gives it a nice look too.

Will post the quilt when I'm done.

Pam O.

I got carried away....again

Ok, so this is what happened. I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Malinda Quilts ETC. http://melinful.blogspot.com/ a few weeks back. One of her sewing friends was sick and so a pillow case was made for her to cheer her up. I could almost see the smile on her face when she received it and thought what a very nice thing to do.

At the same time I was reading that, I thought about my friend Terri's Mom who had just taken an awful fall and ended up in the hospital. So I pulled some bright fabric from my stash and made this one for her. Love the colors and hope it too brought a smile to her face.

After I finished, I just started pulling fabric and cutting pillow cases kits. I have made so many of these and it's a great way to cut down some of your stash. I actually have never saved any for me to have. I usually make them for my grand kids and have made them for gifts.

I got carried away, again.

These are the ones I finished. Most are for children and a few Christmas. This time I'll keep a few on hand for when the grand kids spend the night.
The thing I noticed after pulling all that fabric, it really didn't make much of a dent in my stash. . Hmmmm

Pam O.

Getting Ready...my first online Swap

I love this fabric!!!

I picked it up last summer in Temecula, CA., it is called 12 Days of Christmas by Moda. There 14 different prints and I bought 1/2 yard cuts of each..... I was real low on Christmas fabric.

I recently signed up for my my very first online swap called "Candle Mat Swap". If interested, you can click on the button on my side bar which will give you all the details.

Anyway, I pulled the fabric today and thought it would be perfect for the Candle Mat. I hope who ever I get assigned to wants Christmas fabric, they do have an option to pick otherwise. If not, the pattern itself will be fun to make and I'll just have to make the Cristmas one for me, family and friends. I for sure have enough fabric to make several.

I can't wait to get started on it.
Pam O.

Tuesday - To Do (on Monday)

Last week on my Tuesday - To Do I was to cut some "Snappy Bags" and quilt some little runners I had made. Well, not only did I cut and sew the Snappy Bags shown in a prior posting...but made 10 more over the weekend (made 28 total).

As for the little runners, this is not one on them but was the smallest in my things to quilt and I knew I could get it done before the deadline. This was a cute little kit I pick up over the summer, only measures 17"x 21". Nice little table top.

I thought about this, and think my Tuesday - To Do is going to be very short lived, two weeks to be exact. It's the deadline thing.

See, not only did I over make what I said I was but posted on Monday my Tuesday - To Do trying to get ahead of the deadline.

I think if I keep doing this, it might take my joy out of sewing..and won't let that happen for sure. I decided I'm going back to Pam's Activities, that is the name of my Blog after all. Will post as it happens. I love my sewing and quilting too much to get stressed by deadlines.

AHHHH, I feel so much better and free!!!!!!!
Happy sewing/quilting to all,
Pam O.

Snap, Snap, Snappy Bags

I'm so excited, on my "Tuesday - To Do" this week I was only going to cut out the Snappy Bags. Well I got started and couldn't stop. Not sure what took longer, the cutting or the sewing, but made 18 of these in absolutely no time at all. My friend Robin showed several of us how to do these a few weeks back, you can make two with two fat quarter, some fusible fleece and pieces of a metal tape measure. I won't get into the how to as I think Robin may post a tutorial soon, I'll let you know. I will tell you, the metal tape measure is cut into two piece the width of the bag and inserted so when you pull it open it SNAP SNAPs

These are the 18 that I made. I think these are going to make cute little gifts for all ages. What you can put in these and stick in you handbag is endless...., gift cards are always great too.
(click on the picture to enlarge)

My daughter and grand daughter are already placing an order, they want some for their friends and co-workers.

It was a fun project to work on, sometimes it's just all in the fabric that makes them so cute.

Pam O.

Tuesday - "To Do"

So last week I started my Tuesday - "To Do", (aka, Monday Design Wall). I was to complete the binding on two table runners and one quilt, and believe it or not, I got it done.

The peach colored is a pattern by Jo-Ann, "Pentagon Table Runner". All pre-cut paper shapes were included in the pattern. Once the pentagon were completed, I used one of my decorative stitches around each flowers when tacking it down to the background fabric.

The light green is called "A Simple Point" by Crooked Nickle Quilt Designs using a fusible grid. Both runners were a lot of fun to do.

OK, one of my Wednesday Wacko friends will have to remind me of the name of this quilt pattern. Several of us took this class at Road to California and for the life of me I can't find the pattern. The top was completed a while back and recently my friend Terri quilted it for me on her long are machine. She did a wonderful job on it and I can't wait to use it this winter.


Above are this past weeks completed projects. Yeah me for getting these done.

9/21/2010 Tuesday - "To Do"

1. I want to do some cutting this week. Getting ready to make some "Snappy Bags, so if I get several cut out, they will take no time to sew up.
2. A few weeks ago I got seven runners done using 5' squares out of Moda Christmas fabric. If I get a few of those quilted I will be happy. Thinking these will make cute gifts for family and friends.

Hope you all have a great sewing week too.

Happy sewing/quilting to all

Pam O

and the Sunshine Award goes to........

Oh look, I just received a Sunshine Award from my friend Marilyn, one of my Wednesday Night Wacko friends. How cool is this!!!

So I need to award this to some of my fellow bloggers.
So, ta ta ta da, the following blogger friends are receiving this Sunshine Award from me. CONGRATULATIONS, love you all!!!


Marilyn: http://www.marilynpond.blogspot.com/
Robin: http://robingallagher.blogspot.com/
Rob: http://robkilmer.blogspot.com/
Pat: http://patlovesquilts.blogspot.com/
Melinda: http://melinful.blogspot.com/
Frances: http://frantastic-stitchwitchery.blogspot.com/

There are rules for this award (Marilyn, I thought Wackos had no rules):
1. Save the image and post to your own blog
2. Pass it on to 12 fellow blogger (I broke the rule and only sending to six)
3. Link the nominees
4. Let the nominees know by commenting on their blog
5. Share the love, link the person you received the award from, for me that would be Marilyn.
Marilyn http://www.marilynpond.blogspot.com/

I know, I know.... for those of you getting this award today you may have already gotten the award from Marilyn. It's OK, all of you are deserving and qualified of many Sunshine Awards!!

If you are a blogger visiting my blog, know you too are deserving of this Sunshine Award. Please feel free to award those bloggers you know.

Also, please visit the Blogs of my winners and be amazed by their work.

Thanks again Marilyn!!!
Pam O.

Tuesday - "To Do"

I think some quilters have what they call "Design Wall Monday". I thought about this over the weekend and actually got my Design Wall out. It lives in a little black bag in my sewing closet and when assembled measure 54'x54', I think. I got to step one, lay all the pieces out on the floor... and quickly went back to step zero, putting it back in the little black bag and sending it back to it's home in the closet.

It's not that I would not love to have a design wall standing at all times, it's just Monday's are very busy for me, not only am I back at work, but I'm also trying to catch up around the house with chores and laundry. My weekends are packed with grand kids and their sports and all other family and friend activities, fun stuff, YEAH!!!

So I thought about it today. Instead of "Design Wall Monday", I'm going to start my:
Tuesday - "To Do"
Every Tuesday I'll list what I plan to work on for the week and the following Tuesday post the completed project(s). Hope this works!!!!

9/14/2010 Tuesday - "To DO"

1. Tack down the binding on two completed Table Runners
2. Tack down the binding on one completed quilt

This past weeks completed projects:

1. Cody's Wedding Quilt, posted below and shipped off to him and Jessica.
2. One sample "Snappy Bag" that my friend Robin showed us how to do at our Wednesday Wacko Meeting. I think she soon will have a tutorial on her Blog, I'll let you know. This was quick, easy and fun to do. You use very little fabric, some batting and metal measuring tape cut into two pieces the width of the bag. Great for makeup or even for kids as a pencil bag and small school supplies. This will soon be on my Tuesday - "To Do", want to make more of these for gifts.

Pretty cute, don't ya think?
I better get busy,
Happy sewing/quilting to all

Pam O.

Cody's Wedding Quilt

As I left for the wedding a few weeks ago, all I had left on the quilt to do was tack down the binding and sew on a label. I decided not to carry the quilt on the plane and would mail it up after the fact.

Cody, one of my favorite my nephews, lives near Roslyn, WA, a small town that is so beautiful, lush and green and made the perfect backdrop for him to merry Jessica. All of the activities were done out side. The wedding was on a hill top called French Cabin Creek and the reception was at another beautiful outdoor location near their home. It had started to rain...but it was only a moment when a double rainbow appeared.

I think, seeing that double rainbow, means something good for them for sure.

I loved how family and friends came together to help with the set up and prepare all the wonderful food that was served. I think the most unique thing they did was have an Ice Cream Truck come into the reception area and serve as much ice cream and candy as anyone wanted. Pretty cool, pretty different...all the little and big kids a like loved it.

I was so glad I waited to send up their quilt. I was able to capture this great picture of Cody, Jessica and their girls just moments after saying there vows. I printed the picture on a fabric sheet for the label to put on the back of the quilt. The caption below the picture reads:

Jessica and Cody on your wedding day, August 28, 2010

French Cabin Creek, Salmon La Sac, Washington

With all my love and best wishes to you both

Aunt Pam

Cody and Jessica,

Every stitch was made with love, congratulations to you both, enjoy your quilt!!!!!

Please note: Pattern used for the quilt is called "Magnolia Lane" by Robin Gallagher

Airplane's for Evan's room

My grandson, Evan, loves airplanes.
His bedroom was recently painted and a new comforter put on his bed...airplanes, of course. At one on our local fabric stores, I found a panel of just the control panel of the inside of and aircraft, added a few borders and wa-la the perfect wall hanging for above his bed. It all came together so nicely. I also made a matching valance for the window (not shown).
Evan loves his new room!!!

As I was taking this picture of his room, I noticed someone had done a silhouette of Evan. When I asked, my daughter in law, Erin, she said his teacher had done it. I love it and think she did a perfect image of him.

Sleep well Evan, love you,
Mema

Finally!!!!

Every time I opened my sewing closet, I would see this fabric just looking at me, wanting to be sewn...I had to do something. I was actually trying to get ready for a retreat, but pulled this out and said it has to be done.

These are Moda Fabrics, most were in 5" squares. I sewed the squares together, put two borders and said there, I got it done, well.... I actually got seven done. I think they will make nice table runners at Christmas for family and friends.

Again, just need to get them all quilted.

Five Ten Twenty...is done

I actually did finish this quilt top back in July....just slow in writing.

I showed the fabric below, on the May 24 posting. Turned out kinda of cute. I still have enough of this fabric to make another quilt.

Still needs to be quilted....hmmm when will I get to that???

Something new to start.....at some point

Not that I will get to this anytime soon, but my friend Robin has created a new pattern call "Five, Ten, Twenty". Really cute, the fabric requirements are either, 5 one yard cuts, 10 half yard cuts or 20 fat quarters. The blocks will be oversized that will be trimmed and assembled quick and easy, I think.

I picked up these fabric's last summer and think they will be perfect for the pattern using 10 half yard cuts. So it's on my design wall at some point.

This pattern and some of her other patterns can be found on her website, Two Wacky Women, http://twowackywomen.com/shopqlt10.html.

Check it out.

40 Years

This past weekend I went to a Two Wacky Women Retreat in Laguna Woods, Ca. These are fun and relaxing quilting retreats put on by two friends of mine, Robin and Marilyn, please take time to check out their website http://www.twowackywomen.com/ .

In past posts I have written that when I go away on these retreats my husband, Carlos, more than likely will have a surprise waiting for me when I get home. Well, this weekend was no different, not only did I go on retreat but on Thursday, 5/20/10, I reached 40 years working for the same company. That's hard to do these days...but I did it!!!

Carlos knows how much I love clocks, not sure why I do but I do and have many in my home, some that work and some don't. This one is so cute, it will play a melody on the hour. You can set it to 6 Classic or 6 Hymn, or 6 Christmas. It has a light sensor, so will shut off automatically at night. It's just beautiful!!!!

Not sure this time, if it was that I was on retreat or the 40 years of services, but love my gift. I'm going on another retreat in July...what will my next surprise be???

Thank you Carlos, I love you and my clock!!!

It's DONE!!!

It's not the end of May yet, I finished my Cinco de Mayo Quilt Top before this months end. Now... I have to quilt to before next May.
Think it turned out kinda cute!!!

Cinco de Mayo

Last week I was at the Glendale Quilt Show and picked up this Stencil Quilt Patten and the stencils from Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli's booth.

It's a fun pattern to work on, once designs are stenciled onto black kona cotton you embroider blocks using the chain stitch and bright colors. The borders, also in brights, are than pieced and added making a finished size perfect for a wall hanging.

These are a few of the blocks I have been working on. I'm making this my April project trying to complete by Cinco de Mayo. Think it will make a very happy quilt just in time for the celebration!!!!

OLE!

First Quilt...First Ribbon

A few months back I posted about a day of sewing with my granddaughter, Natalia. She was given a school project called, Beauty is_____ and she needed finish the saying.

She said, Beauty is Love and she wanted to make a quilt. I helped her with her first quilt and there she stands with her first ribbon that was given out at her schools Open House Night last week.

She is so proud and I am proud of her!!!!

My 2010 Work in Progress Project

This is the Mumbo Gumbo, by Pie in The Sky Quilts, pattern I'll be working on this year. I started this last August and have 12 of 48 blocks done as I continue to collect lots and lots strips of different widths. One just can't have too many!!

The quilt is very simple to make and looks great when all 48 blocks are sewn together. There are no borders, so once all the blocks are complete, it should go together quickly.

I do plan to complete this by years end, really.

My Hugs Quilt

A Hugs Quilt is something you really want to get, but don't want to do what you have to do to get one. After breaking my shoulder, my Wacko friends came together and surprised me with a Hugs Quilt.

All the brights just cheer you up immediately and will bring you the biggest smile ever. I love this quilt and have used it every day since I got it last month. I just kinda of feel like a little kid with their security blanket.

As my grandson, Sebastian, says, I cried happy tears when I got it.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!

I WON!!!

My very very first on-line win and I'm so excited. Melinda, who is the sister of my friend Robin, had a giveaway in November, or maybe it was December on her blog http://melinful.blogspot.com/ and I entered and WON.

This is such a cute pin cushion made from salvages and backed in red fabric. The best part, I have a collection of pin cushions, this will be added as one of my special ones.

Melinda is one of the busiest quilters I follow. She is a long arm quilter, a teacher of quilting and blogs it all to share with us.

For this giveaway, I think there were to be three winners, however, once the deadline was met, she decided to make and give one to everyone who entered. How sweet was that??

(this was a prior posting, deleted by mistake)

A Slow Return

Well, I'm off to a very slow start in 2010. I took a very bad fall on New Years Eve and broke my shoulder.

I wanted to you let you know I'm on the road to recovery, this is my first day trying to type, however, it will be some time before I can sit at my sewing machine.


I do want to take this time to thank my family and friends for all your good wishes, flowers, cards, visits and best of all the good meals that were brought to Carlos and I. I love you all for the help and support.

The photo is an applique I did this last year and the flowers were from my friend Pat B., just a picture of what I have had the opportunity to do this last month, sit back and enjoy my coffee and smell the flowers.


Will be back to posting real soon.
Pamela O.
(this was a prior posting, deleted by mistake)