Pinwheel Explosion

 This is a simple, scrappy quilt that I designed with different sizes of pinwheels.

Pinwheel Explosion (84" x 84")

The pinwheels finished at 12", 6", and 4". It could be made with 8", 4", and 2", if you prefer [or other sizes, if you want to do the math 😉].

 

 

Pinwheel Explosion (detail)

 

I arranged the pinwheels so that, on a bed, the smallest ones would fall in the center. I used scraps for the pinwheels themselves, though the background was cut from yardage.

 

Pinwheel Explosion (backing and binding detail)

I backed the quilt with a green brushstrokes print and bound it with a yellow/gold solid.

A very simple block and arrangement--sometimes, simple is just the ticket! 🎫

Happy Quilting. 😸

 

It's Mystery Time Again

Every year, I look forward to Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt which begins the day after Thanksgiving here in the US. It is fun to quilt along with so many others from around the world.

I've completed Clues 1 and 2 of this year's mystery--Rhododendron Trail.

Rhododendron Trail (Clues 1 and 2)

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how this mystery comes together. 

If you would like to participate, it is easy! Simply visit Bonnie's blog and click on the Rhododendron Trail tab at the top. All the instructions will be posted there each Friday. There is no need to sign up anywhere, and the mystery is free. Be aware that when the mystery is done, the instructions will be removed, so save them to your computer as you go.

Happy Quilting! 😸

Anne of Green Gables

 A young lady very dear to me is turning two! I marked the occasion with a big girl quilt.

Anne of Green Gables (72" x 72")

 

 I made this from a fat quarter bundle, a panel, and a few additions from stash. The panel had a double friendship star motif, so I replicated it in the quilt. (Kindred Spirits fabric line by Riley Blake)

Anne of Green Gables (detail)

I used some of the larger elements from the panel in a few of the centers. In others, I fussy cut quotes from the books from the fabrics and used those.

Anne of Green Gables (detail)

The center square of the quilt was cut from the panel.

 

Anne of Green Gables (detail)

 

 

I backed it with a pink brushstrokes print and bound it in aqua.

Anne of Green Gables (detail)

 

I also made an Anne doll to go with the quilt, and I included three different editions of the book with the gift.

 

Anne of Green Gables Doll

 

 I think the gift was a hit!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

 

The Moon Quilt--Quilting in Children's Literature

 Quiltmakers put memories and dreams into their work. This story celebrates that creative element.

 

Warner, Sunny. The Moon Quilt. Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

Organized around the waxing and waning of the moon, this book tells the story of an old woman who puts her dreams and her everyday life into her quilts.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

When she dreams of her old man, who was lost at sea, she adds the dream to a quilt she is making.

 

She gardens in the morning and stitches at night. When she plants pumpkins, they also go into the quilt . . .

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

 

. . . as do the children who trick-or-treat at her house and who are treated to pumpkin pie.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

Finally, she puts herself and her cat into the quilt, and with the last stitch, the quilt is done.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

The old woman and her cat have earned a rest--and with that rest, more dreams come.

The illustrations include quilt pieces and collage. This book highlights the beauty of little things and the power of imaginative creativity in a completely charming way.

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

 

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.

A Bit More Retrospection (Bonnie Hunter Designs)

As I was looking back at my Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts (see previous post), I thought it would be interesting to remind myself of the other BH patterns I have made. I have included  Bonnie's name for the pattern and my name for individual quilts [in brackets], if they differed. The year indicated was the year that I completed the project.

Carolina Chain (2015)

Patches and Pinwheels (2015)

 

Bricks and Stepping Stones [AKA Autumn Path] (2015)

 

These were three of my first efforts. I was afraid of the small pieces, so I made the units a bit bigger than the pattern indicated.

 

 

Spiderweb [AKA Flowing Flowers] (2015)

 

This was not a BH pattern--I've done several Spiderweb-type quilts; however, the idea for the offset blocks came from Bonnie's blog as she was constructing her own version.

Random Ohio Stars (2015)

This was a favorite of mine--the little stars were just SO CUTE! 😸

 

Jamestown Landing (2016)

Jamestown Landing (in red rather than blue) was my first complex BH pattern--lots of little pieces. It took me quite a long time to make the millions of HSTs required (okay, not really millions, but it seemed like it!). Finishing this one felt like an enormous accomplishment. 

 

Pfeffernüse (2016)

This is still one of my favorites--so warm and cozy in brown and red with its flannel backing.

 

Carolina Chain (2016)

Another Carolina Chain, but this time I made it in Christmas fabrics. This is a great pattern to show off fabric prints.

 

Twirl Around (2017)

As soon as I saw this quilt pattern, I knew it would be my next project! I switched out the colors, making mine green and rust.

 

Sand Castles (2019)

This was the most fun I've ever had making a quilt. Sand Castles went together so well that I felt like an expert. I love the way it turned out.

 

Winter Blues [AKA Summer Sunshine] (2021)

When I saw the pattern for Winter Blues, nothing would do but that I make it in yellows. I don't know why--yellow isn't my favorite color, but I'm so pleased that I went with my impulse. This quilt is on my bed now, and it simply brightens my day every time I look at it! 😎

So, in looking back, I find that, including the mysteries, I have completed twenty-one Bonnie Hunter patterns! Wow--I wouldn't have believed that possible when I began. 😺

I'm not sure what my next BH project will be (other than this year's mystery), but I'm ready to make another quilt. Stay tuned!

 

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

The Promise Quilt--Quilting in Children's Literature

The Promise Quilt is a picture book set in Virginia during and just after the American Civil War. 

Ransom, Candice F. The Promise Quilt. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Walker, 1999.

Addie's Papa promised: "When you are bigger, Addie, I'll take you to school on the other side of the ridge . . . You'll learn to read and write and make your mark in this life." But then the War came, and like so many others, Addie's father never returned home. A lady from Pennsylvania, where Papa had died in a hospital, sent the family his red flannel shirt, and Mama gave it to Addie. 

 

The school had been burned during the War, so education seemed impossible. However, Mama was determined to find a way, for the children to learn. She arranged for a building to temporarily house the school, but there were no books or slates for the children to use. Could Papa's promise ever come true?

The Promise Quilt (illustration)

The Promise Quilt (illustration)

Ellen Beier's soft watercolors set just the right mood for this story. They are simple and clear, yet full of detail.

This book uses a quilt to represent hope and healing in the face of personal and national loss. The book also illustrates the importance of education in the face of hardship.

Happy Quilting! 😺

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Retrospective

Like so many other quilters, I am looking forward to Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt this year. I decided to look back at the ones I have done in the past. The dates refer to the year of the beginning of the mystery.

Allietare (2015)

 My first mystery quilt, Allietare (2015), was serendipitously in my favorite red! I was apprehensive about this one--it was my first BH mystery, and I knew there would be so many small pieces. With the wonderful instructions for each step, I wound up having no trouble at all! I changed the border a bit from Bonnie's directions. This quilt is on my bed each winter.

 

 

En Provence (2016)

The next year's mystery was En Provence (2016)--I wasn't sure about the magenta star points, but I was happy with it in the end. This was a gift to my daughter.

 

 

On Ringo Lake (2017)

 On Ringo Lake (2017) was next. I called mine the "Chocolate Lovers" edition, because my browns were printed with chocolate candies and chips. I made a change in the instructions from aqua to green. It was a Christmas gift to Mom.

 

 

Good Fortune (2018)

Good Fortune began in 2018. I subbed a yellow/gold for the original orange of the mystery fabrics. This quilt lives with my sister.

Frolic (2019)

I'm STILL using leftover units from Frolic (2019)! I seriously overestimated the number of pieces I needed. The quilt now lives with my mom.

Grassy Creek (2020)

Last year's mystery was Grassy Creek (2020). I used a blue constant instead of the suggested green--it looks like a clear October sky.

 

 

Unity (2020)

 

Not exactly a mystery, but rather a quilt-a-long from Quiltville, Unity (2020) was a bonus quilt to help quilters cope with the 2020 lockdown. It is a medallion-style quilt to which rounds were added weekly.

😷😷😷😷😷😷😷

 

 

I've done a few after-the-fact mysteries as well.

 

Old Tobacco Road (2009)

I loved choosing the colors for Old Tobacco Road (2009) from an inspiration photo. The quilt was a gift to my son and his family.

Celtic Solstice (2013)

I changed the colors a bit with my version of Celtic Solstice (2013). It is made with constant fabrics in solid colors.

Orca Bay (2011)

 Orca Bay (2011) was a pattern that intimidated me, but I took it one step at a time, and I succeeded! It is made with Christmas fabrics, and it is mine. 🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄

The colors for this year's mystery will be released around Hallowe'en, and the mystery will begin the day after Thanksgiving (USA), 26 November 2021. Information will be posted on the Quiltville blog.

Happy Quilting! 😺

 

The Dream Quilt (Again!)--Quilting in Children's Literature

As I mentioned in a previous post, there is more than one children's book entitled The Dream Quilt. Today, I'm highlighting another.

Zerner, Amy and Jessie Spicer Zerner. The Dream Quilt. Tuttle, 1994.

This could be classified as a picture book for older readers. There is quite a lot of text, but the pictures form an integral part of the story rather than simply serving as illustrations. It would be a wonderful read-aloud at bedtime since it is divided into six sections each with its own story. The stories build upon one another, but they are satisfying on their own as well.

The book is about the week that Alex spends with his Aunt Rachel in her home by the sea. He is a city child, and he learns about the differences between his urban life and the rural life at his Aunt's. On the first night, Alex is worried that he won't be able to sleep in a new place. His aunt opens a sea chest that had belonged to his great-greatgrandfather, and takes out a quilt which in her words "has been all around the world. Who knows what sights it has seen . . . You'll have a wonderful sleep tonight. It's a dream quilt, you know."

 

The Dream Quilt (back cover)

 

 And he does!

The Dream Quilt (illustration)

 

The Dream Quilt (illustration)

 

The lovely collage illustrations by Amy Zerner capture the detailed, imaginative dreams of the text, and they are fascinating to examine.

This book addresses a quilt as comfort, family heritage, and a springboard for imagination.

Happy Quilting! 😺

 

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.

Time for a Baby Quilt!

 My niece has a new (big!) baby boy, so you know what I did--made a flannel baby quilt!

Baby Quilt--36" x 54"

 

The red flannel is printed with a funny assortment of animals (cows, horses, owls, foxes, giraffes, elephants, and dinosaurs--dinosaurs?!?). I think the fabric designer asked some kids what their favorite animals were, rather than sticking with a theme. 😸  I made this as a D9P with green in the center squares. I also pieced the back.

 

Baby Quilt (back and binding detail)

Welcome little one! 👶

More Donation Quilts

I use 3.5" squares as Leaders and Enders which I sew together to create donation quilts.

Donation Quilt (74" x 80")

Donation Quilt (backing and binding detail)

This one will likely be used as a donation for my department's adopted Holiday Family in December.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

These five will be given to Abilities First, an agency that helps individuals with developmental disabilities.

Donation Quilts (62" x 74")

I use scraps and scrappy bindings for these quilts. It is fun to look back over the projects I've done that year by revisiting the leftover scraps.

I enjoy making these--it helps me feel like I'm giving every time I sit down to sew.

Happy Quilting! 😸

The Dream Quilt--Quilting in Children's Literature

 There is more than one book entitled, The Dream Quilt. After all, quilts and dreams do go together!

Ryan Celeste. The Dream Quilt. Illustrated by Mary Haverfield. Waterbrook, 1999. ISBN: 978-1578562237

 

 

 

This Christian picture book centers on the following Bible verse:

"You, O God, are strong.

And You, O Lord, are loving." (Psalm 62: 11-12)

 

Michael has nightmares. He wakes crying and his mother comforts him and tells him,"When I was little, I had scary dreams, too. Granny Rose would pray with me and cover me up with my special quilt. It made me feel so warn and safe." When Michael asks if he could use her quilt, the two of them went into the attic and found it.

That night, after Michael said his prayers and settled in bed, they played the game that Mother and Granny Rose played when she was little. She asked him to choose his favorite square on the quilt. He chose a blue one. Mother told him to pretend that he was a letter and the quilt was his envelope.

The stamp on his envelope was a kiss. A rhyme repeated through the book is "A kiss for a stamp--and quick as you can, away you go to a bright blue land!"

That night, Michael had beautiful blue dreams.

The next night he chose a yellow square, and the result was a yellow dream night.

When Granny Rose came to visit, she took the quilt home for some needed repairs. Michael was worried that without the quilt his bad dreams would come back, but his mother told him about God's promise in the rainbow, and with a prayer and her kiss, sent him to a rainbow dreamland.

Rainbow dreams

Granny Rose returned the quilt, but Michael "almost never had bad dreams again."

In this book, the quilt is a comfort and a reminder of God's love.

The Dream Quilt

The illustrations in this book are mixed media--some include collage. They are interesting to examine in detail, yet bright and simple enough to clearly depict the story. 

The text is clear and easy-to-read. The vocabulary is limited, and some word meanings can be deduced by looking at the illustrations. The recurring rhyme adds to its appeal as a read aloud book.

Happy Quilting! 😸

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.