Spring in Dublin Table Runner For Sale

I am so in love with this table runner! I named it Summer in Dublin because I also love Ireland. Dublin is a big city, lots of gray and concrete...lots of gray rainy days. But then spring comes...and there's tiny bits of yellow that start to pop out. :o) 

Can you see those little bits of yellow?

I quilted the runner in 100% cotton, and used a 100% cotton batting as well. Then I free motion quilted it with an all over stipple pattern. I have been so in love with that squished up puckered look on quilts...that's just one of those things it's hard for the store bought imports to copy. I've seen a few of them in the real high end stores...but you're paying hundreds for theirs too...and there's a reason for that. ;o) 

You can see here a little more of that yellow that says "spring is coming." :o) And more of the crinkled puckers. 

 You can see a little better the over all puckered pattern the 
stipling gives the quilt.

 This table runner is available in my Etsy store  Here

Flying North Mug Rug

 

Between bigger projects I like to whip something little up...a little instant gratification ;o) I also happened to get a new ruler to help make flying geese which I'm considering for a bigger project in the future...and so the Flying North Mug Rug was born. A mug rug is really an oversized coaster, or a small placemat...I'm not sure which. lol But it's the perfect size for a cup of coffee or tea and a cookie or muffin. It's spring here, and we've seen quite a few geese heading north as the weather warms up. In the fall I love to see them come...but by the time winter is over, I'm even happier to see them go! lol 

 

 

 

Thin Blue Line Quilt For Sale

I am SO excited to finally be able to offer this quilt for sale!! I love being able to combine my passions...thanking and honoring our Defenders, and quilting! :-D

The quilt is 56x46 inches. The front is pieced with 5 different black print cotton fabrics and a solid blue cotton. The back is blue Anti-Pill fleece. This means that the quilt is warm and soft, easy machine wash and tumble dry...and the Anti-pill keeps it looking nice, not old sweat shirts after a few washings ;o)  The binding is black solid cotton and is machine stitched for durability. The entire quilt is made to last a lifetime. Every bit of it was made by me...from picking the fabrics, to making and ironing binding before sewing it on.

I am the daughter of a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer)...and so when inspiration struck and I knew I was to make quilts to honor our Defenders, I had to start with those nearest and dearest to my heart. :o)  I remember well the swing shifts changing every 28 days, the missed programs at school, the New Years and holidays that we were never all together...and of course the constant thought of just the sheer danger of the job in the back of all our minds. I'm not sure it can be understood unless you are part of the LEO family...we're just a bit different. ;o) But VERY proud! And we should be...it's an honorable job that gets very little respect from others, and we all know no one does it for the pay. lol I am so thankful to be a LEOD!! :-D

And with that, I also understand the safety and privacy issues that come with the job. I assure you that when you purchase, your information is kept private and secure! All of your information will be seen by only me, for this purpose only, never sold or shared in ANY way. Packaging will be a large plain bag.

Cost is $125 for the quilt. Shipping will be the exact price of the packaging materials and the cost of postage, the quilt weighs two pounds. If I overcharge you, then I will refund the difference if it is $1 or more.

Also, if you send me a patch, I will sew it in the center of the thin blue line for NO charge...just the stamp to send it to me. :o) If you'd like another quilt more personalized with badge numbers, patches, etc...I'd love to work with you to design your own quilt! Just leave me a comment or send me an email at PinkElephantQuilts@gmail.com :o)

Thank you for taking a look, and if you are a LEO, or the family of one, thank you for your service!

Thin Blue Line Quilt Top Finished

I decided to go for it...Instead of just in the right corner though, I decided to go straight across the bottom...and I'm loving it! :-D It's my first large applique project, and it went really well!  I was a bit concerned about the stitching coming undone with repeated washings and such...so after all the blanket stitching I took a needle, moved each thread to the back, and then did some extra knotting to be sure that everything would stay secure. If I wanted a quilt that would fall apart I could buy one from Walmart...that's not what I'm going for here! ;o)

Here you can see the blanket stitch that I used around all of the letters. I liked that it looked like bars...it reminded me of the place the bad guys should be behind! lol

Here it is all pieced and stitched. I need to go ahead and wash it, and then add the batting and backing, which I'm thinking may be a piece of matching blue fleece right now...and then it'll be ready for the home of a Defender :-D I still think it would look great with a police department patch in the middle of that blue line...but that will be up to the person who buys it.

Thin Blue Line Quilt

This quilt is looking so much better in person...and I know the light is horrible, and it's not a great picture...but I had to share it with you :o)

I'm in the debating stage right now. I've already got the letters ready to applique "Thin Blue Line" in the lower right corner...but can't decide whether I want them there, or if they are redundant. I also think the quilt would look great with a police department patch in the center of the blue line.

I just love seeing a quilt come together...and especially when it honors our LEO's! :-D

The Thin Blue Line

 

 I am SO excited about this quilt top!

I've been sewing and quilting for awhile now...and while I love it, I hadn't quite found my niche. That thing that just made me really happy. I had been praying for direction...and God is faithful to give generously. :o)  

After the Boston Marathon Bombings I saw a couple pictures on the internet. One was of a group of National Guardsmen crossing the finish line in full uniform and ruck. The bomb went off just after  that and the second picture was them rushing right back to help the victims. I thanked God for our Defenders...as I often do. We, as a family, are very grateful to all who serve...those in the military, as well as those here at home in the police, fire and rescue. :o)  The police especially are near and dear to me. 

And all of a sudden I knew exactly what I was supposed to do! :o)  There are a few things I love...Babies, especially fresh ones...our Defenders and their service...and creating things. And so I created my first Thin Blue Line quilt top in honor of all the Law Enforcement Officers who go to work each day, leaving their families, unsure of what their days may hold. There is just a thin blue line that separates then evil from the rest of us...pray for them today! :o)

Hello Chicken! :o)

It's spring time, and the time of year that we used to get baby chicks from the farm store. We no longer live on a farm...and I miss my baby chicks, so I made a little one to keep me company while I sew! :o)

Zippered Pouches

I've been doing lots of sewing lately...and my girls are very good about letting Mama sew...but every now and then they want a little something for themselves, and that's ok :o)

There's just something about a zippered pouch that makes us all smile. I made the pouches larger, so they can fit small books, Barbies, and any number of treasures in it. They each picked out their own fun fabrics. The monkeys are for my middle little...she's our funny bunny. I love the bright green with the pink!

 

The second bag was for my second oldest. She LOVES cats...loves loves loves them...and is so allergic to them. Bless her heart within just a few minutes her eyes puff up and she starts sneezing. She's hoping someday she can get a shot of some kind so that she can have one...until then, these little kitties will have to do. :o) 

And this is the bag for my littlest. She picked out the Dora fabric all by herself when she and I went on a date to JoAnn fabrics :o) She doesn't know any spanish except the word for stars...so when she found this she was sure it was there just for her...who was I to argue? lol

The quilts I make, and the oohs and aahs I might get, are nothing compared to the bright smiles, hugs and kisses and "thank you Mama" that I get for a few simple little zippered bags. :o)

Chevron Cup Cozy

Chevron is all the style right now...but boy is the fabric hard to find! In my searches I have found two fat quarters in the classy gray scale. I continue the search...but until then I have a limited amount to play with. 

This cozy was a commissioned piece and is sold...but I can make a limited number of others! :o) The chevron fabric is cotton, the batting is cotton, and the lining is a micro suede in black. Price is $6, and shipping is based on location...but should be very cheap. :o)

Bird On A Wire Set For Sale

Bird On A Wire Set is ready to be wrapped around a sweet baby!

The blanket is 34" square. The burp cloth is aprox 10x14 inches with an appliqued heart which is stitched down to be sure it stays fastened. 

I used 100% cotton flannel to make this reversible receiving blanket. To clean use warm wash, tumble dry.

Cost is $20 for the set. Shipping will be based on your location. 

Berry Happy Table Topper

  

Do you remember the late 70's or early 80's? Take a good look at that center fabric...look familiar?? :-D  That strawberry pattern was everywhere! I love the retro fabrics...and I love the memories that come with them. This strawberry pattern was all over my doll furniture, my kitchen set, my robe, the back of my rocking chair...and who knows where else! 

Yesterday I had a date with one of my daughters. We ventured a couple towns over to a new quilt shop that I had found out about at the quilt show last week. When I saw this strawberry fabric I just knew I had to have it! :-D  Four hours later I had this table topper pieced. I'll add the backing and binding to it later today. 

It makes me Berry Happy! :-D 

Love Birds Extra Large Flannel Blanket

 

Yesterday I was commissioned to make another extra large flannel baby blanket...and I was thrilled to! :o) I love the bright colors and the whimsy of the center flannel. The blankets are 34 inches square. I also made a matching burp cloth, and I hope to add a special touch a little later as a surprise. ;) 

There's nothing better than a baby...I love being able to make soft lovies for them :-D

Cup Cozies

One of the things I love about sewing is having someone say "I would love to have <fill in the blank>, could you make that for me?" And then being able to do so! 

My sister has wanted a cup cozy for her coffee shop addiction. I was able to make a couple, and plan to make more over the weekend. They're great not only for hot cups of coffee, but those cold drinks that have a tendency to sweat as well. I made them out of 100% cotton with the exception of the small elastic piece...so you can throw them in the washing machine and dryer with no problems. As an added bonus, you're doing something good for the environment. :o)

If you have a certain favorite color or design you would like, send me a message...I'll see what I can find for you! :o)

Bird On A Wire Burp Cloth Commission

After posting the picture of my first Bird On A Wire burp cloth I received a message from a friend asking if I could make her two for her grandson. I was thrilled to! This is my first official sale after starting Pink Elephant Quilts :-D 

After making the additional burp cloths and studying the heart appliques, I decided I was not convinced the iron on bonder was going to hold up to a baby and multiple washes. It was stuck on...but when it comes to babies, you can't be too safe...so I decided to blanket stitch around the hearts. I love the look of the blanket stitch over the more common satin stitch. 

These burp cloths are sold, but I'd love to make some especially for you! Just send me a message at PinkElephantQuilts@gmail.com :o)

Bird On A Wire Burp Cloth

I finished my first Bird On A Wire burp cloth this morning. Applique is something I'm still working on, but basic shapes and I get along just fine. :o) 

I say first...because...drum roll please...I have had my first sale as Pink Elephant Quilts! And I hadn't even listed anything for sale yet! A friend saw this burp cloth on Facebook and sent me a message asking if I would sell her two of them. Well sure! :-D I still have the above one to go with the blanket I made...I like sets, so want to keep them together. 

I can't wait to get back to my sewing machine!  

Sherbert Smiles Top Pieced

Sherbert Smiles is pieced! :-D Oh it makes me happy! I thought about adding an owl or something to it...but really, I think it would just be an odd distraction with so much going on in the center block section. It's the perfect toddler/crib size. 

I'll be sending this to a long arm quilter to be finished. This will be the first piece she does for me...so I'm very excited. I met her at the local Quilt Show last week before heading out of town. She had beautiful work there, and has won awards for her quilting. :o) Best of all she she is local, and very reasonably priced. I have a feeling we will be working together quite a bit! 

Because of the very high cost of long arm quilting machines (you could buy a brand new car for what most of them cost!), it isn't something that I will be able to do for quite awhile. Finding a reasonable, but GOOD, long arm quilter was very important to me because that cost has to be added in to the pricing of my quilts. I'm excited about the possibilities this will open up for finishing my quilts! So many hours are put into the selection of fabric, cutting, sewing etc...that to not have them finished in the best way really would be a shame. 

Bird On A Wire

I love these mornings when I can sit out on the porch and listen to the birds while enjoying a cup of coffee. The sun rises behind our house..so the front porch is still shaded, the breeze blows, and it's just wonderful! Inspired by my chirping friends, I made this extra large double flannel receiving  blanket.

I hope you have time to enjoy a little spring today. :o)

Sherbert Smiles

A new quilt begun today...and my first official Pink Elephant Quilt! :-D 

The sherbert colors seemed cool and refreshing on the first day of the year to hit 87*. We went from snow and sleet last week, to full blown summer this week! I'm ready for warmer weather though...and all the happy things that come with it! :-D

Tomorrow I will finish piecing the top, and then I will decide about a possible applique. I'm thinking possibly a branch and an owl?? We shall see!