2015 Donation Quilt for Rainbow Hospice

Every year since 1997, my Mom and I have been making donation quilts.  The first several years, we made them for Relay for Life and then we started making them for the Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson County. 

It will be on display at the Fireside in Fort Atkinson, starting the week of November 23rd for several months, as they sell raffle tickets on it.  It will be in a window display in the hallway of the theater. You can purchase raffle tickets to win the quilt at the ticket window. Just ring the bell.

I will be showing the Tulip Quilt at my Quilt Trunk Show on Tuesday night (September 15th) in Viroqua, Wisconsin.

The Quilt Trunk Show is for the Vernon County Piecemakers Quilters Guild. Everyone is invited to the September 15th "kick-off" Meeting. They will be inviting new members to join that night, so there may be as many as fifty to seventy-five quilters.  They meet at the Viroqua Area Medical Office Building on 507 S. Main Street in Viroqua in the lower level community rooms. The meeting starts at 6pm.

I will be sharing not only my Tulip Quilt, but a variety of quilts including table runners and toppers, place mats, wall hangings and quilted bags and pocket purses. I will be bringing along my original quilt patterns and showing many examples of my quilt patterns. Plus I will be talking about Long Arm Quilting as that is what I do.

I have 6 suitcases full of quilts to share!

My Mom and I each year select fabric and a pattern for our donation quilt.  This year, we selected solid colors with a solid black for the background.

I rolled it on my quilting machine.

I wanted to have some fun with some whimsical quilting in the tulip blocks. Loops in the border and swirls in the outside border.  It looked so plain.  It needed some bounce!

I selected "Power Purple" for the quilting thread.

I stitched in our names in the bottom right hand corner.

Made with Love by Joanne and Marcia 2015

And then the binding.

Here are a few up close of my quilting.

Remember I take the photos so you can see my quilting.  In "real life" it doesn't stand out as much. 

Here's the backside.

First, I folded it to put in the suitcase and then I decided to roll it. 

After I show it on Tuesday night, I will be taking it to Fort Atkinson to the Fireside.  I plan to take a photo of my Mom and I with the quilt, before I present it to the Fireside for the Raffle to raise money for the Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson County.

My Mom and I enjoy making the donation quilt each year. Some years, we make them together and some years we don't. Click here to see a post from 2012 when were making our green donation quilt --- my Mom and me sewing together. 

Click here to see a post about when I started the Tulip Quilt and my inspiration for the quilt. 

This is the book with the quilt pattern is Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott.

Other information about our Tulip Quilt:

All 100% cotton fabrics

Hobbs 80/20 Black Batting

Free Style (free motion) Quilting by me

All Machine Embroidery Stitched Binding

Quilt is displayed on a King size bed. Photos taken with natural lighting.  

The quilt measures 62" X 87"

Machine washable and dryable


Enjoy your day!

Marcia

Tulips for Rainbow Hospice!

I completed 30 Tulip Blocks at Quilts by Barb's Quilt Retreat.  I have more to make, as you can see. The retreat project this year, was Log Cabin Quilts, but you can select a project of your own.  I chose to work on this year's donation quilt for the Fireside's fundraiser for Rainbow Hospice.

Every year, my Mom buys the fabric and we make the quilt, usually together. This year, I started the quilt blocks at Barb's Quilt Retreat. I have attended the retreat every year for the past 12 years.  I signed up for next year, too!

We originally selected a blue background and only dark solids, but I changed my mind and went with a black background and added light solids.

It looks like a rainbow!

So pleased with the fabrics we selected for our Tulip Quilt.  The quilt pattern is in the book - Jelly Roll Quilts.  I did not use jelly rolls. I cut strips from my fabric 2 1/2 inches wide for the pieces.

At a quilt retreat, you need to take a break and eat a few snacks to energize yourself, so you can sew and sew and sew and then eat again!

I love all the colors with the black background.  Really makes them pop!

One of my friends said she had never taken a "Selfie" so we tried to take an "Us - sie" together! 

If you don't know what I look like .... I am the one on the left and up front holding the camera with the funny smile!

Another wonderful quilt retreat hosted by Quilts by Barb. 

I was inspired by one of my customer's quilts and that is why I selected this pattern.  Click here to see her Tulip Quilt.

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

Take a Look Back --- A Signature Quilt for Kathy

This is another post in a series of posts titled: "Take a Look Back".  

I am sharing photos of quilted projects from over the past 10 years that I have not shared before, as a part of the celebration of 10 years in the long arm quilting business. I plan to quilt another 10 more years at least!

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Several years ago, I made a Signature Quilt for Kathy. Kathy was battling cancer for the second time.

Joanne and Kathy and Marcia

I sent the individual blocks to Kathy's daughter and husband. They gathered signatures and messages. 

They returned them and I assembled the quilt, quilted it, and did the binding on the quilt. 

We surprised Kathy with her Signature "COMFORT" Quilt!

Here are several photos of Kathy's Signature Comfort Quilt.

This was the email Kathy sent to friends and family...

This gorgeous quilt was given to me this evening by Marcia and Joanne. I will treasure each and every one of the comforting messages on each square of the quilt!! When I need some warmth or just a comforting word or two, I will crawl under my "comfort quilt" signed by my wonderful family and friends and I will feel safe and loved.

I love you all,

Kathy

I also made a Quilted Tote Bag for Kathy. 

She carries her Signature Comfort Quilt in the bag, when she goes to her Chemo Treatments. She can also pack it with magazines and stuff to keep her busy while she has her Chemo Treatments. 

I free style quilted it with the Humanity Words as part of the quilting. Some of the words: Hope, Joy, Honesty, Loyalty, and including the words Best Friends! Names could be quilted on the bag too! That would make it more personal.

This post really makes me smile, when I think of the joy that the Signature quilt brought Kathy.  It gave her strength and comfort from all her loved ones. She is still battling cancer.

Taking a look back!

Marcia

Working with Green Fabric Scraps!

I went to a quilt retreat this past weekend. I sewed and sewed and ate ... and sewed and ate and laughed and talked ...  and slept a little ... and then got up and did it again!
I worked on only two quilt projects.  This one is our green donation quilt. I completed several blocks, but I didn't get them all done!

Remember the post of Mom and me when we started the green donation quilt?  Mom pressed and starched. I cut the strips.  We sorted them into a drawer organizer. Then Mom carefully selected each fabric strip for each block.  Want to see the post about the process? Click here to go to that post. 

I separated them on the design wall, because there will be lattice strips and corner stones in between each block.  I will share that later in the month when I get more of the blocks completed.  The rest of the blocks will be completed in 15 minute intervals.  I set it up by my sewing machine. When I have a few minutes, I will sew!

Mom and I are planning a weekend in March to lay out the blocks and add the lattice strips and corners stones.  I will post about that, then.  I have to get going and get all the blocks completed before Mom arrives!

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I'll share about the other quilt project next week. I took lots of photos.  Here's a sneak peak of the my Home Sweet Home Quilt.  I am doing the Quilt-A-Long - Home Sweet Home Quilt from Kim's Crafty Apple.  They are on the 9th block. I just started this past weekend.  Hop over and check it out!  I made several blocks. I am catching up fast! You can too! I am creating a Bonus Block for Kim for the Home Sweet Home Quilt.  In this photo, I am putting together part of Diane's block.

Of course, I chose blues.  The hand dyed fabrics are from Quilts by Barb and Dye Candy Fabrics.  Both have wonderful fabrics!  Hop over and check them out too!

This is the blog and website for the Homestead Retreat Cabins that I attended in Hillpoint, Wisconsin.  It is a wonderful retreat center. Patsy takes photos of everyone and their quilts on Saturday night.  When she shares our group, I will let you know.

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

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Linked with:

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can - March 1, 2012

I am featured on this party today with my donation quilt for the Relay for Life in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin! I was so pleased when Gail emailed me!

Sew Chatty: Made with Love - Feb. 26, 2012

Manic Monday - Linky Party - Feb. 27, 2012

Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show - Feb. 27, 2012

Quilting by the River: Linky Party Tuesdays - Feb. 27, 2012 

The Shady Porch: Rock and Share - Feb. 29, 2012

Happy Quilting: TNT Thursdays - March 1, 2012

Faith, Grace, and Crafts: Pearls and Lace Thursday - March 1, 2012

The Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Things Friday - March 2, 2012

Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded - March 2, 2012

Amylouwho: Sew and Tell - March 2, 2012

Crazy Mom Quilts - Finish it up - March 2, 2012

TGIFF Thank Goodness it's Finish Friday - March 2, 2012

Richard Quilts - Link a Finish Friday - March 2, 2012

Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? March 2, 2012

Quilting in My Pyjamas: Favourite Things Friday - March 2, 2012

Love Affair with My Brother: This Week - March 3, 2012

Six Sisters' Stuff: Struct your Stuff - March 3, 2012

Sew Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty - March 4, 2012

Pieceful Life: Little Quilts Monday - March 5, 2012

2805: Potpourri Friday #26 - March 2, 2012

At the Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday - March 2, 2012

Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday - March 5, 2012

Mom and Me --- Making This Year's Donation Quilt

Here we are proudly displaying the first completed block of our donation quilt.  We decided to do all greens this year for our courthouse round quilt.  Mom purchased the green fabrics and supplies for the quilt. I cut the strips. Mom lays out all the strips for each block on paper towels in a pizza box. 

I cut each green fabric into strips of all 4 sizes needed for each round of the courthouse round, thus giving us a large variety of greens for the block. We started with about 35 different greens and later added a few more!

Then I place the cut strips into the drawer organizer to make it easier to select the strips for the rounds for Mom to lay out on the paper towels.

We are big fan of blues, but we are loving all the greens...

Then I take two blocks at a time and sew them together.  This isn't a fast method for making the blocks, but it is an organized way of making them, as each block is very carefully planned out, so all the greens look great together.

Of course, we took over the dining room --- It is my favorite place to sew.  Lots of light - not so good for taking a picture, but I wanted you to see where we were sewing.

The dogs wanted to be in the photo too.  They are always under our feet as we sew.

We donate the completed quilt to the Fireside Dinner Theater of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They raffle it to raise money for Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson County.
This is last year's donation quilt. The Fireside raised almost $3000. in the raffle for Rainbow Hospice.
Rainbow Hospice is near and dear to our hearts as they took wonderful care of my Dad 16 years ago. He died of cancer.  Each year, my Mom and I make a donation quilt in his memory.  

Now it is is my job to complete all the blocks for our donation quilt. Then I will assemble it and quilt it. I will share more pictures later.
Enjoy your day!
Marcia

Linked with:
Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I get a Whoop Whoop? - Jan. 20, 2012
Love Affair with my Brother - This Week - Jan. 21, 2012
Amylouwho: Sew & Tell - Jan. 20, 2012
Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish up Friday - Jan. 20, 2012
Quilting in my Pyjamas: Favourite Things Friday - Jan. 20, 2012
Pieceful Life: Little Quilt Monday - Jan. 23, 2011
Sew Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty - Jan. 22, 2012
Sew Chatty: Made with Love - Jan. 23, 2012
Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday - Jan. 23, 2012