Blogiversary: Four Years of 52 Quilts

It's hard to believe today is the fourth anniversary of the first post on 52 Quilts.

The very first photo I shared was of a lap quilt made for my Mother's 92nd birthday. The pattern is "Butter Charm and Jelly" by Legacy Patterns.

When my Mother died not long after receiving this quilt, my sister took it to a nearby nursing home. She gave the quilt to a lady whom the staff reported "never spoke." When Julia put the quilt on the woman's lap, the recipient stroked the quilt and murmured, "So pretty, so pretty." And that's why we quilt, isn't it?

I often tell the story of how "52 Quilts in 52 Weeks" came to be. In case you've never heard the tale, here is what I wrote on the occasion of the 500th follower giveaway:

I started the "52 Quilts in 52 Weeks" blog two-and-a-half years ago in response to the Younger Son's nagging. 
It was November of 2011, and in July of that year I had mentioned that I had made 36 quilts so far that year. Elder Son said, "You've almost made a quilt a week!" I took up the challenge, and for the rest of that year, and the next, and the next --- I made one quilt (top) per week.
Younger Son insisted I should start a blog, so Thanksgiving week he set up a design on Blogger for me. 
I remember how excited I was when my friend Amy became my very first follower! And Randi of Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics was the first person to comment.

A lot has happened in the past four years -- a lotta quilts under the needle! I didn't make 52 quilts this year, but I did knit 52 Hats for Sailors! Along with teaching the Jelly Roll Party every month, I've taken a job at Ruth's Stitchery cutting fabric and sharing the fun of quilting with our customers.

Time for a Giveaway!

From that first follower (thanks, Amy!) to 850+ on Bloglovin' and nearly 800 on Google, as well as 1300+ on Facebook, it's you, the dedicated followers, who have made Aunt Marti's 52 Quilts a success.

Thank you!

Since it's the 4th Blogiversary, I'm giving away four quilt kits from my stash. I hope you find one you like!

Giveaway #1:

is "Arcadia" by Sanae for Moda. The quilt will finish at 66" X 76". 

Giveaway #2:

1930s reproduction fabrics are back in vogue, and here is a darling little jelly roll quilt from Me and My Sister Designs. "Strawberry Lemonade" is packaged in a matching tin, and the quilt finishes at 60" square. 

Giveaway #3:

Direct from Paducah, Kentucky, "Housetop" from the Quilts of Gee's Bend. This kit of hand-dyed fabrics will make a 57" X 65" quilt.

Giveaway #4:

Designed by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics, "Monaco" is made of 8" blocks and finishes at 58.5" square.

So how to win?

1. This giveaway is to celebrate followers of 52 Quilts in 52 weeks, so you must be a follower. Either by Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect, or via email.
2. Make a comment on this post to say you're a follower. Tell me which kit you like best!
3. For another entry, follow @52Quilts on Instagram. Comment to say you're a follower.
4. For a third entry, "like" 52 Quilts on Facebook. Comment to say you've "liked" 52 Quilts.
5. International entries welcome!
6. No-reply comments will be disregarded unless contact information is included.
7. Giveaway ends at noon MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) next Saturday, November 28, 2015. 

Thank you all, for making Aunt Marti's 52 Quilts so much fun. I appreciate you!





From the desk of your

WIP Wednesday: Downton Abbey

Are you a Downton Abbey fan? We viewers in the US are counting the days until January 3, 2016 , when the final season of Downton begins. UK fans -- don't tell me what happens!

I decided I should finish up my two Downton Abbey quilts before the final season begins. Thanks to a major blizzard in Colorado Springs today, I had a full day to sew and sleep. Look how much I got done on Ladies of Downton Abbey:

More than half the blocks for this quilt! Our school district is closed tomorrow, so I should be able to get the quilt top almost finished. Yay for snow days!

Saturday is my 4th Blogiversary -- come back to celebrate with a big giveaway!


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TGIFF: Jelly Roll Party

Because I've been in Texas, I've missed a few Jelly Roll Parties at Ruth's Stitchery. I'm excited to see my stripper friends this afternoon!

The latest "Jelly Roll Finish" is "No-Measure Bargello" from Cozy Quilts.

I used a Moda jelly roll, "Lakeside Gatherings" and yardage to make my version. The only modification I made was to make a narrow third border rather than the flange called for in the pattern. I knew a loose flange would annoy my long-armer, as it would require stopping and starting the quilting so as not to stitch down the flange. We must keep our long-armer happy!

CJ quilted a lovely loose paisley design. 

I used the dark anchors yardage for the backing, and inserted a leftover bargello strip to add a little interest:

The methodology for this pattern makes cutting the bargello strips a lot easier. But fair warning: there is a LOT of stitching required for this one!

Today we choose patterns for the 2016 Jelly Roll Party. What's your favorite jelly roll pattern?

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Thursdays are for Knitting: Hats for Sailors Send-off

My knitting goal for 2015 was to knit 52 Hats for Sailors.

So what exactly is "Hats for Sailors?"

The Hat for Sailors' mission is to provide deployed Sailors of the US Navy and the Coast Guard with handmade 100% washable wool hats made by loving volunteers from around the world. These beautiful hats are delivered in time for the December holidays, a bit of warm love and thanks to those who unselfishly take time away from their families to serve our Country.

Each year we select one or more ships to receive the hats we've knit that year. In 2014, we knit more than 500 hats! 

Well, I did it!

On Monday, I mailed 55 hats (52 knit by me and 3 by friend CJ) to Sandra to forward to the ship selected to receive hats this year.

I printed a little label on business card stock to attach to each hat. It reads:

Thank you  for your service to our country.

You are remembered and appreciated

by someone in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Here are close-ups of the last few hats I made:

This one is modeled by my friend who just returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. Yes, I knit a hat for her, too!

And just in case you're thinking I've used up all my yarn knitting all those hats -- here is the haul I collected on the "Best Little Yarn Crawl in Texas" last month:

If you're a knitter or crocheter, I hope you'll consider making a hat for a Sailor. Go here for the details. If you're on Ravelry, my user name is AuntMarti. You can read the pattern and yarn info on my project page.

Fair winds and following seas, Sailors!




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Design Wall Monday: Block a Day

This season's "A Quilt Block a Day" is "Flying Birds." The tutorial is here.

November 1 was the 40th day  of Autumn. I thought I was caught up, but when I placed the blocks on my design wall, I realised I am short eight blocks.

It only took two hours to make eight blocks, so I should be caught up by tomorrow!

Post your "Block a Day" blocks on the Facebook page, "A Quilt Block a Day."



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November UFO Parade: Just One More!

It's time for the second-to-last UFO Parade of 2015. We've enjoyed some great "finishes" this year, and October was no exception.

But first, the number to work on during November:

And, just in case you're planning ahead, the last number of 2015 is:

And now for the parade!

I am in love with this gorgeous "Lady of the Lake" by Sandi. I'll let her tell you about it:

My October #8 UFO is complete (as are all of the remaining 2015 UFOs).  So here's the story on Krystal Kreek.  It is a Bonnie Hunter design called Lady of Lake Erie that was published by Quiltmaker Magazine in the May /June 2011 issue.  I made mine a smaller version.  My sister coined the quilt's name; it is a good one being bright crisp blue fabrics that one could just feel from a rippling creek.  

Go to Sandi's blog, KwiltnKats, to read more. Sandi, that would make a great "A Quilt Block a Day" project!

Thanks also to Sandi who did the needleturn applique' on this lovely sea turtle for Debra of Quilting Pretty Quilts:

My first finish is a Karen Brow, Java House Quilts, Newly Hatched Quilt. It is a wall quilt and I am giving it to my daughter who has a water theme in her house. Sandi Delman (thank you, thank you, thank you) did the needle-turn applique on the baby and I did freezer-turn applique on the mom. I am really happy with the "finished" little wall quilt.

Debra also finished this quilt, using a tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company:

I really have enjoyed the quilt tutorials by Missouri Quilt Company and the quilt photo is of a disappearing Hunter's Star. Youtube has a wonderful tutorial on how to make the quilt. The finished size that I made is 51 x 71.5 - enough to wrap around yourself and tuck under your feet. This top is being donated to Rosie's Calico Cupboard Camp Reach for the Sky (http://www.rosiescalicocupboard.com/). It is an excellent organization!!! Woot! Woot!

Debra has really made up for lost time this month! Here is finish number three:

The attached photo is of a quilt I found in Primarily Quilts by Di Ford. The quilt is called Oak Alley and measures 65 x 65. I enjoyed every moment in making this quilt. I loved the fabrics, I loved the pattern and I love the way it came together very easily. I have marked quite a few other quilts from the Primarily Quilts book that I hope to make in the very near future. This is my third entry this month. I guess you could say I am making up for lost time. Thanks Aunt Marti for all you do.

And, if you can believe it, here is finish number four!

This will be it for me for the month. My fourth UFO. This is just a fun little quilt I had cut and finally decided to make it into a quilt.  This quilt will be donated to Rosie's Calico Cupboard's Camp Reach for the Sky. The finished size is 45 1/2 x 63 1/2.

Kerry is also a multiple-finisher this month. Here is Bonnie Hunter's "Lady of Lake Erie" in a different colorway. Now I can't decide which one I like best!

Bonnie’s original was made in blue and Cream, I chose to make mine in red and cream. This quilt will be for my mom, once I get the quilting and binding done!

The second one is for one of our grandkids and is from a Planes panel. I pieced all the blocks around it. The pattern came from Aretoy Quilt shop and was designed by Julie Calvario.

Pam has really outdone herself this month. I love her story!

This month there were several finishes. What can I say, mid-August myhusband and I came up my 'Crazy Challenge II" which was to finish 13 quiltbefore the end of the year. As with Crazy Challenge I from several yearsago, the list has expanded.

First up is Diamond Links. This was started as a mystery quilt back in 2007.The top was completely quickly - it was the quilting which took forever.Technically a September finish, I pulled it out of the dryer too late tophotograph it for last month's parade. Yes, that's Susie's Magic Binding.http://pamela.avaraarts.com/diamond-links-3/

My first official finish for October is my Sylvia Bridal Sampler Blue &Brown Swap. The "pieced" blocks were swapped back in 2009 and it took meuntil 2012 to decide on a setting, make the chain blocks and finally get theborder on the quilt. Then it sat. I didn't know how I wanted to quilt it anddidn't know where the quilt was headed. In mid-September this quilt wasadded to the Crazy Challenge II list. I then had to decide how to quilt it.Several thoughts went through my mind, but in the end 'done is better thanperfect' kicked in and I opted for crosshatching. Another quilt with Susie'sMagic Binding. As quick as they are to stitch down (30 minutes on thisquilt) I plan on doing more of these bindings when at all possible.http://pamela.avaraarts.com/sylvias-bridal-sampler-swap-quilt-is-done/

Next up is the 2013 Aiming for Accuracy. The top was finished timely, but it took 2 years for it to float to the top of the To-Be-Quilted pile. Not having enough yardage to piece the backing from a single fabric, I pulled blocks from my orphan block box to create the backing. In some ways I like the back better than the front!  Yes, Susie's Magic Binding was used. http://pamela.avaraarts.com/aiming-for-accuracy-is-finished/

Here is another finish from Pam in KC, taking time out from watching the Royals in the World Series to finish up a quilt (or four! or five!)

Well, the pic is not the best – but it’s supposed to be wet all day so I just have the quilt pinned to the shelves which always distorts the quilt. This is Orange Crush – the Bonnie Hunter Mystery from 2008. I hope to have a better picture on my blog next week.

And here is the fifth finish from Pam:

. . . got distracted by the World Series. This is the 2nd of the 3 Disappearing 9-Patches I'm making for my nephews. One more to go.

Sue writes, "I can't understand where the year is disappearing to!" My sympathies, Sue, I have the same feeling!

But she managed to put together this clever quilt with string blocks:

I've have blogged about it here. http://quiltybitsandbobs.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/a-ufo-update.html
I'm beginning to think this year will be a write off from here and start over again in the new year, I can't understand where the year is disappearing to!

It seems to me that I'm not the only "BOM" addict. Nancy finished this pretty BOM, "Wishes" from Fat Quarter Quilts,  She blogs about it at Fabric-Addiction.

Mary J sent in a fun "Black and White and Red All Over" quilt. 

My biggest October finish is attached, and I'll blog about it tomorrow. I'm calling it  "Black and white and red all over". Remember that old joke?  The pattern is "Lemon Pepper" by Madison Cottage Design.  I rarely use patterns, but this one was quick and fun! 

Mary, I have a kit to make that quilt in the original black and white and lemon yellow -- guess I'll add it to the queue for 2016!

And another multi-finisher! Heather sent photos of three finishes -- you're all making me feel like a real slacker!

Heather's first two quilts are both made using directions in Pat Spaeth's book, Nickle Quilts. I urge you to go to Heather's blog, Peachy Pages, for details on "Labor Day Madness." 

Would you believe this quilt is made at the same time? Heather persuaded a friend to make the same quilt, using different fabrics. Then they swapped the duplicate/reverse blocks to have a completely different quilt, "Pinwheel!"

Elizabeth's Prairie Garden is part of the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle. That's a lot of hexies, Heather!

Sixteen finishes is darned impressive! 

Looking back at my "2015 UFO Challenge" list, I see that I missed awarding a Parade prize a few times. So this month, there are four winners! Heather, Sandi, Kerry, and Sue -- please send me your mailing addresses. I have a prize for you!

Only one more parade in 2015 -- let's get finishing!

From the desk of your

TGIFF: Jelly Roll Party Sample

When the outdoor temperature remains in the 90sF, it's hard to work on quilts! So I haven't done much quilting the past six months!

However, I did manage to finish piecing the sample for the December Jelly Roll Party. It needs to go on display at Ruth's Stitchery November 6, so must go off to Cornelia for quilting today.

It's hard to take a photo of a 78" X 93" quilt on the bed -- but this photos gives you the idea. The pattern is from Cozy Quilts, "No Measure Bargello." The fabric is Lakeside Gatherings for Moda. I'll warn you: Bargello quilts take a lot of stitching! Although the pattern calls for two matching strips of each fabric, I used one jelly roll and matched the fabrics as best I could. In the photo, it's almost impossible to tell that every other strip is a different fabric.

I thought I was sewing the lap size, but it came out big enough for a full-sized bed. Since the colors are those of Pacific Lutheran University, I guess it will go to the Elder Son for his college dorm!

My favorite weather forecaster promises temps in the 80s next week -- I hope he's right!


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