The Quilts of 2024. - TaDa!!

 Boy, did I have to dig around to find all the quilts of 2024.  Luckily, I hadn't given any of them away, I just had to find them in their hidey-holes!!  But - hours and hours have gone into finding a photo!!  I ended up taking a new picture of 2 of them.  All in all, 9 quilt projects were finished in 2024 - a turn in the right direction!!  Hip hip hooray!!

Here they are!!

Nana’s Quilt - 63 x 69

 

One of my favorites is this scrap 9-patch quilt that I hand quilted.I started working on it in 2018.  I recommend Quilters Dream Green batting and YLI quilting thread for hand quilting. My quilt is 100% hand quilted.  I started making the scrap 9-patches not knowing where I was going with it.  It's always good to have a stash of one of your favorite blocks - the perfect place will come up!!

I saw a quilt that had stripe alternate blocks - but the stripes were going every which way.  With my love a scrappy, I was surprised I don't really do 'random' very often!!

Did I mention that I'm not very good with diagonal rows these days??  Yikes!  My math is definitely not up to it!!  Those outside triangles - just make them an inch bigger than you thought they should be.  The red border is one of my favorite old fabrics.  I sure didn't want to mess it up/ruin the fabric.  The last bit of quilting was done on vacation - on the porch of our condo in Palm Springs.  I like working on quilts on vacations / trips.  Adds memories!!

I entered it in Azalea Quilt Show and the Curry County Fair.  Here are the judges’ comments:  Nice red border, really makes the quilt really cute.  Set on point gives it a more interesting look.  I loved it from the first stitches!!

Portland Block Party Table Runner  - 20 x 40

I was living in Brookings in 2013 - and got an invitation from Newport Quilters to join them at the Portland Block Party.  It was a great deal of fun.  We took classes from Jo Morton, Bonnie Hunter and Debbie Caffrey.  Add 3 day slumber party with good friends - great fun!  

We had gorgeous weather and one night we went exploring on the tram - well, we were trying to get to a restaurant in The Pearl but missed our stop!!  Don't think they are ever going to forget that!!  

I entered it into the Azalea Quilt Show and the Curry County Fair; here are the judges’ comments.  Very intricate.  Love the colored thread.  Straight border needs to improve.  But it got the second place ribbon in it's category!!

Doni’s Birds - 41 x 47

                                                                                        

I found this pattern 'Bird Block Pattern' on the Block Lotto in 2013 on the web.  It was love at first sight.   And SO cute on kids quilts!  I have shared this website with lots of quilting friends over the years. The bird legs are cutest if they are made with strip fabrics.   Bird quilts are everywhere!!  

Our guild calls it "Doni's Birds"!!  I entered into Azalea Quilt Show and the Curry County Fair.  Here’s the judges' comments:  Very nice.  Good use of stripes.  It’s a fun quilt!  

Of course it is!!

 Hunter’s Plaids - 28 x 40

 

                                                                                               

I love this old pattern.by Country Threads.   And of course, you know how I feel about plaids!!  I finally got the umph to make it.  Patti made one too!

  Row Robin with Friends - 46 x 54

Row Robins are as many challenges as participants!  Everyone gets to pick what their 'theme' for their Quilt is.  Some chose 'Purple" and 'Words'  My challenge was “Low Volume”.  I have been playing with it for a while. 

Left over “Plus” blocks make top and bottom borders by me.  Scrap block row by Patti Burden. “Sew Inspired” by Cindy Golding.  Sampler blocks by Lynettte McPherson.  Patchwork and circles by me.  The vertical row is by Kathy Dedmore.

We entered them in as a group at Azalea Quilt Show.  I entered it in County Fair -Judges'  comments:  Colorful.  Border Size is inconsistent.  Inspiring!!

Turquoise Baby Quilt - 32 x 43

                                                                             

Josh and Kelsey have a new baby!  A welcome to baby boy Declan.  Everyone is doing fine. I If you remember, Kelsey has strong thoughts about quilts,  she wanted a baby blanket that didn’t look ‘babyish’.  Check!  I also sent 2 receiving blankets with ‘farm’ theme!  And since she'd told people that she wanted 'farm',  she was buried in them - each one farm-ier than the next!!

Singing In the Rain - 21 x 25

    

                                                                                    

I love the April Challenge at guild every year.  This challenge was ‘movie poster’.  My entry was an adapted paper piecing pattern.  Singing in the Rain was always a cheerful movie.  But Oregon’s winter season this year made it hard to smile at rain every %#@&!?! Day!!

So I added some ‘sage’ advice for fellow Oregonians on the diagonal ribbon:  "Might as well start singing - it’s going to rain!"  We still love Oregon no matter what the weather, but when the sun is out -  we head to the beach and long walks.

This was a 'double dip' piece  - the ModSquad challenge was “butterflies/dragon flies”.  Look closely at the raincoat fabric!! 

Panel Baby Quilt - 40 x 46

 

                                                  

I found this A-dor-able panel while shopping - and I HAD to get it.  A while back, a good friend GW sent me some scrappy blocks.  So cute, but I kept in the closet waiting for the perfect project ... found it!!!  

They made a perfect outside border for the panel (and even had a strip on the back!)  Bonus:  Panel quilts last forever!  I entered it into the Curry County Fair.  Judges' comments:  Great utilization of prints.  Interesting panel.  Clever quilting.  It was awarded 3rd place in it's category!       

Asym HST Baby Quilt - 34 x 43

Yes, I love Half Square Triangles!  And I can make more patterns than asymmetric rings - I just don’t want to!!!  I love the scrappy fabrics; I LOVE the asymmetric lay out - its just fun to play with it.  But it’s always hard to give away the quilt.  

Okay - this post has taken way longer than I thought!!  Today is Jan 20, but it will be interesting to see if the 'start' date will show up on the heading.  Nope it didn't!  I"ve been working / researching for a week!!

Most of the problems are working with a new laptop.  With a new 'word' program.  AND the resources I rely one - well, someone lazy didn't do them for over a year!!!!  ARRRGH! (Yes it was me!!)

Microsoft wants me to pay a monthly fee for Word and Excel.  They don't seem to care I worked for one of the teams that tested it during it's first year.  <insert raspberries here>  So I'm on Libra - and there are some big differences.  I'll get it in the long run - and working only on it with blogging - I'm sure it will get easier ... please!!

Books, Books, Books!!!

I missed blogging the last year and a half!! so I’m starting with my favorite books 

from 2024. I have been rating the books I read since 1985; when I read 74 books!!

I rate them 1-5 stars. I loved this system because when you get in a slump and

can’t find anything interesting … you’ve got 5* authors on a list, you can see if 

they’ve written a new book! I have to admit, I don’t rate 1 and 2 star books – I 

usually just quit reading them! Didn’t used to – but sure do that now!

AND 2 years-ish ago I had to start to check out only LARGE PRINT books. There 

are several drawbacks to be limited to only LP books. The spine labels do not 

number the series.  Usually, there is no list of books in order inside the LP.  AND

 you’re old!!! I know I can get many books electronically; but even 

making the fonts larger, the lighting still does a number on my eyes. So I 

struggle on. I’m thankful for our library’s network. I can easily request any LP 

book from 7 Coastal Libraries. (for free!) What a system!! And they are delivered 

right to my home library.

Today I want to start my list with my absolutely favorite authors. These authors

 have garnered many 5* on their writing – even 6*!! I've read them and to be 

honest, re-read them for years.  I love starting at the beginning and reading them 

in order and seeing the characters develop. Here in no apparent order -

John Sandford-   Love his' Prey' series, first book is Rules of Prey.  

Then his Virgil Flowers series. first book is Dark of the Moon

 As a friend once said – 'I love me a good cowboy!'  

Now, Davenport's adopted daughter, Netty, is grown up and is working for the

government. First book is The Investigator.  I love her character, this series is 

going to be G-R-E-A-T!

Nick Petrie is a new author to me. But once I found him, I read his series straight

through! – most of his books have 5*s. The series starts with The Drifter.

Thomas Perry has stand alone stories (Pro Bono) and his ‘one woman Indian

Protective service’ Jane Whitefield series. First book is Vanishing act.  I do love 

strong women characters and she is definitely one.

John Grisham is an oldie and goodie. His lawyer series are awesome, but he 

also has many stand-alones. Our Bookclub is reading the third book of the 

Camino Island series. (Our bookclub reads older books, not the new bestsellers

 – so we can find it and often request it at the library!!)

Carley Fortune is a ‘new’ romance novelist. I love a kick-butt woman and that’s

who she writes about. First book is:  Every Summer After.  There’s a new book  

coming out soon-ish. I can’t wait.

J A Jance has 3 strong characters each with a long series; 

 Lawyer- JP Beaumont; first book Dismissed with Prejudice.  

County Sheriff– Joanna Brady, first book Desert Heat

and Reporter– Ali Reynolds, First book Edge of Evil.

Sometimes the lawyer and sheriff work together! My favorite has to be Sheriff 

Joanna Brady.  But they are all good - read them in order for the full story.

Janet Evanovich – I know you know this author. I love, love, love Stephanie 

Plum from Trenton NJ!! First book - One for the Money and the series keeps 

going – last one I read was 31!!

Elyssa Friedland is another new author who consistently gets 5* from me.  First 

book is Love and Miss Communication

James Byrne writes about a ‘British’ Jack Reacher. I loved the series, a group of 

us read each book and passed each book on between friends. The first book is 

The Gatekeeper

Here are some of my new favorite books:

 Peter Heller: The River 

 I picture it set in the Great NW! The story of two friends on their annual river trip 

and what they run into.

Jane Harper: The Lost Man 

 Jane is an Australian writer and she can put you right there in the middle. She 

has at least 6 books out, each one worth it. The first book is The Dry.

Jennifer Weiner: The Breakaway 

 I love Jennifer’s new style and characters.  Bicycling Club in NYC!

JamesPonti: Let’s talk about Young Adult books. You know we all read Harry

 Potter and got hooked. Ponti writes City Spies series. About children working as

 spies for MI6. The covers are confusing – you’re not always sure you in the right

 order – but oh, so worth it!

Elizabeth Berg never fails to hit the mark. 

 Pull of the Moon was about a 40-ish wife who just has to make a change – yep, 

she runs away. Some of my friends weren’t as enthusiastic as I was, but make up 

your own mind??

David James Brown: The Boys in the Boat 

Our bookclub read this one, and the movie was on Apple TV. Our Bookclub trys 

to watch the movie after discussion if there is one. I ended up loving the book,

again most of the story was based in the Great NW. I even made my DH watch 

the movie, we both think it's great!

Here are some new (at least to me) romance authors. As I discovered them – 

their ‘kick-butt women’ characters were never disappointing!

Check them out: 

 Sue Henderson;          Katherine Center,            Kate Spencer, 

Sophie Cousens,          Lucy Gilmore,                 Kat Martin, 

Susan Mallery,             Phaedra Patrick,             Emily Henry, 

Erica Boyce                  Kasey Michaels

Next post is going to talk about 2025 books and 2024 quilts!  See you soon!!

New Year's Resolution - blog every month!!!

 Well, I certainly didn't blog lately - I missed an entire year and a half!??  Okay, you've read this before, but I'm going to try to post every month?  

The problem is I not only abandoned blogging and social networks but also dropped any journaling.  When it was time to look back at quilt projects in 2025 - I had NO NOTES!!  And I have to admit - at 73 - my memory is sketchy at best.  If I didn't miss journaling day to day; I certainly missed it when trying to look back to do the review!  I'll try my best in 2026.  

Presenting the famous Quilts of 2025 Review!  What I can remember!!  Hold on to your hats!  

We are still living in Brookings, Oregon.  On the edge of the earth.  Amazon delivery is now at least 5 days out!  Fred Meyers is purposely removing all of my favorites there.  For some reason they have dropped Imagine Broth!  That is a staple in my kitchen.  It's in all of my soups and whenever I have to add moisture to any leftovers - I add the broth.  I was able to get some online - Walmart had it online but not in the Crescent City Store??  Whatever!!  What broth do you recommend?

Onward to the Quilt Count!!  10 projects finished this year.  Sounds impressive, right??  Well, four are small wall quilts!  And I mean small!

Daisy Dazzle - 16 x 20  This was the Guild's April Challenge.  Daisies and Diamonds.  I always participate in the April Challenge, but I vary my 'start'!  This was a last minute finish.  AND when Rick was in the hospital 6 (?) years ago; the Gift Shop had these adorable 'bee' barrettes.  It was a miracle that I could find one in my sewing room.  Works perfectly.  Clipped to a safety pin! It won a red ribbon at the Quilt Show Viewers Choice and a Blue ribbon at the County Fair!

Leftovers Waiting for their Turn - 23 x 23  This lovely applique block was created by P - she was actually going to get rid of it!!  I grabbed it, stored it and thought about it for awhile.  I had been working on miniature Log Cabins for a few years. At Retreat last February I had a few left over from a top.  They were perfect for the border, the colors blended, the border looked old fashioned - just right!

Be Mine -  18 x 19  a Kathy Schmidt pattern.  Part of a monthly block set.  I love it, but had trouble getting the heart straight!  Ripped the borders off 1 1/2 times!  But it will be hanging on my wall in February.

Tinsel Town - 27 x 24  A Sue Spargo pattern.  It started as a Guild Sisters' Shenanigans challenge.  Group together and make the same pattern? Sounded  doable.  WELL, I don't say this often (ever) but of the 4 of us, I'm the only finisher!    I loved adding in words via scrabble tiles.  It got a Blue ribbon at the County fair!

Sweet Dreams - 59 x 71  I love this quilt.  Snap Scrap was an online challenge - I was late to the party, but started during the last of COVID.  I incorporated many 'I Spy' fabrics.  A good friend needed something to raffle to raise money for going back to school.  I finished it and donated it.  I think it did well. But apparently I didn't win it back!  DARN

Graduation Quilts for Grandkids.  Miss P graduated last June!  She's a freshman at OU and doing great!  I can't really wrap my mind around that she's 19!!  Did you know that college beds are now 90" long!!!  YIKES!  And that's not going back to regular twin size anytime soon! I made her a batik charm squares quilt with black borders - very dramatic!!  When I gave it to her - their tv is always on, and on sports.  WELL, the pictures I took included the pitcher 'looking at the quilt!!'  Hilarious!  That's the back.

  

PS I started a new 'label' for these quilts.  I took a picture of P running on the beach to the local t-shirt store.  I had it printed 5 x 7 on a kid t-shirt on sale.  It turned out great.  I turned the t-shirt inside out; sewed all the way around the picture. Making a envelope with 2 sides. Cut it out, then carefully cut thru the back and turned it right side out.  Simply appliqued it to the back.  P  loved it!  Good memories.

I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep quilting - it's been a race between my hands falling apart and my eyes failing!  So, I really panicked about the other 4 Grandkids!  But I have a plan.  I'm finishing 2 graduation quilts every year, while I can.  

I actually finished the first 2 in 2025.  Done-done!  And I have the third top pieced and ready to pin baste!  2 boys in HS; 1 in Middle School and the youngest, E is in 3rd grade; but with the new quilt size - I'll have to work on them while I can still "wrestle the alligator thru the machine".  I'm choosing tops I have made that I think the kids will like and finishing them.  There will be no 'special orders'!!  Bad Nana!

Every year P and I make a Quilt of Valor top, then L, another good friend, usually machine quilts it wonderfully for us.   One of my favorite patterns is double 4 patch.  So easy yet so graphic!  We got it done early summer.  Then my birth brother in Nebraska, who is fighting cancer, mentioned his older brother got a QOV.  So we sent our QOV to Nebraska and arranged a presentation thru a friend.  He loved it!  But now we're making a second QOV for our group.  Using a panel for this one, first time for me!  I'll let you know how it goes.

Every year I make a couple of quilts for our local Hospice.  It means so much to me, I've accidently met with families that have gotten one of my hospice quilts and we all tear up talking about what it meant.  

 

And here is the first picture of the 2nd Graduation quilt made this year.  There will be a better one later!!

Time to close and get busy!  We've had a wonderful low tide this week - in between rain storms.  But we had to head down to the beach and be amazed.  These pictures are from Lone Ranch Beach just north of Brookings.  One of our favorites.  AND the star fish are back!  It's been slim pickings lately - a blight a few years back from spiny urchins.

Happy New Year!!