In the press........

Hey everybody!

April is almost here, and I have been doing a lot of work in my Daylily garden as well as my vegetable and herb gardens.  Spring is definitely on it's way.....when you live in Missouri, you just have to take the weather one day at a time.......and NOT complain! (It doesn't do any good anyway!)

Please understand my intentions of this blog is not to stay on one note and blare it until no one can stand it anymore.......but.........I am very proud of the accomplishments "Radar" has made thus far.  In the press.....he made a 4 page spread into an international quilting magazine!  WAHOOOOO!

On Track! magazine is published by the

International Machine Quilters Association.

The article is very nice, and focuses on "Radar's" conception and creation by me and my friend Ann. It goes into nice detail about Ann's quilting and has some really great photos.  I am completely honored and beyond blessed to have been able to be a part of this creative work.  Thanks Ann!

And...........

Something new has been added to my quilting resume'.........

I SOLD THIS QUILT!!!!!

The selling of my RSC14 quilt happened very much by accident.  I was flying with a long time flight attendant friend and while chatting in the galley he asked me about my quilting.  I shared with him several photos of various works, and when he saw this photo he immediately asked "HOW MUCH???"  I was like......"huh?????"  He was extremely persistent and wanted to buy this quilt top and have it quilted.  After much deliberation on my part, I decided that I would sell it to him, quoted him a price, and he said, "SOLD!"  Sooooo.........this one will be going to my friend.  I never EVER thought I would sell a quilt!

And lastly in this post,.......free tickets led me and my friend Ann to the International Quilt Festival Chicago 2015.  We had a great time making the one day road trip there and back.  Enjoy photos of some of my personal favorites from the show........

I hope you enjoyed the photos!

Meet me in Paducah!!!!! (Sang to the tune of "Meet Me In St. Louis.")

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Sentimentality......among other things........

Greetings and Salutations Quilters!

I have been waxing sentimental this past week.

Why you may ask?

For a great many reasons I suppose?

Remember this time last year?  We were in our first month of the QOV block drive I hosted on this blog.  I remember how overjoyed I was, and still am, simply realizing how generous quilters are in so many respects.  Little did I know in that first month the outpouring of support I would receive from you all would produce enough blocks to make 189 QOVs for veterans.

The QOV block drive quilts continue to be quilted by

QOV, Eastern Missouri, and by extremely generous long arm quilters.

Here is a sampling of some quilts that I have recently received.

The labels are being sewn down by my friend Joanie.  Thank you SO much Joanie!

These quilts have been quilted by my friends Dar, Vernie, Kim and Candy!

I can't thank you all enough for your support!

The quilting is so beautiful!

I was honored to be able to meet a young quilter along with his grandmother this past weekend at the 

Thimble and Thread Quilt Guild of Greater St. Louis quilt show at Queeny Park.

Meet Graham and his Grandma Gerry!

And Graham's AMAZEBALLS quilt!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE meeting young quilters, especially boys that are learning to quilt from their 

grandma........JUST LIKE I DID!  It truly takes me back in time.  From Gerry's smile, I think you can tell she is a little bit proud of her grandson Graham.....can't you? LOL  And Graham is certainly beaming with pride over his accomplishment.  We all were able to visit at the quilt show, and Gerry told me it is almost impossible to explain the pride she feels when Graham sews with her. I think my grandma probably felt the same way!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GRAHAM!

  "Radar" was also in this show warming up for Paducah!

Ann and I can't wait to see him hanging there!

"Autumn Dresden" also hung in the show.

This is the quilt I made for my best friends Jamie and Ted.  You can read about the making of "Autumn Dresden" HERE.

It was really great being able to share this experience with Jamie, and she was very delighted being able to see the quilt I made for her and quilted by my friend Ann hanging in the show.

Another reason I felt sentimental......I used my grandma's cardboard dresden template to make this quilt.

And how could you not smile seeing this?

It cracks me up!  What a sense of accomplishment!  Just like a little kid!

It only took him a year, but, my buddy Mike finished his first quilt top!

He says he was inspired by me, that's cool.....and sentimental.

But, moreover, I love being able to share this art we call quilting with other guys!

Here is Mike's top not completely sewn together, but, I think it is a very good looking quilt!

Many things were learned in the process of him making this, and what's great is.....

he is already talking about making a second quilt!

Meet "Sugar!"

On St. Patrick's Day, this little Pug (mix) came running up to me when I got out of my truck.

You all KNOW how much I adore my Boston Terriers, and I knew whoever this little girl belonged to must be frantic!  Through the wonders of social media, I was able to reunite her with her owner in the matter of a few hours.  She sure was a sweety!

And here is the "Americana Bear Paw" quilt I HAD to get out of my system!

Yes, it struck again, that overwhelming creative feeling to just sew what is racing through my mind!

No pattern, just playing, and challenging myself to use fabrics I wouldn't normally use.

Calicoes, batiks, florals....these are items I rarely if ever use.  But, they are in my scraps and need to be used!  I don't think this quilt looks "feminine" even though I used these fabrics?

Very poor quality photo, and I am sorry about that.....you know....a windstorm blew up so inside I went!  The neutrals really read well together, and those bear paw blocks POP!

As most of you know I love it when a quilt top sparkles, and the various shades of blues and reds really make this quilt do just that!  The saw tooth border was made from bonus triangles from this past year's "Grand Illusion" mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter.

LOVE IT!

Thanks for letting me get some sentimental journeys out of my system!

I hope you take the time to reflect back on some great days in your quilting life!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Congratulations...........

Today was the day to congratulate my friends Samantha and Matt on the upcoming arrival of their daughter, Amelia.  A wonderful time was had by all.  I was asked to cater the brunch, and of course I said yes!  I think a lot of us quilters enjoy cooking also, don't you?

Here are few photos from today's Baby Shower.

Samantha was thrilled to see this banner I had made for the shower, and for her nursery.

Here is the spread, the cookies are by "Sweet Treats -STL".

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

The mommy to be requested my artichoke dip at the top with pita chips.

Another friend brought the veggie tray.

The main dish was this Roasted Salmon Nicoise Platter.

This is an Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa) recipe you can find HERE.

Omit the lemon juice as Ina does not use it in her video, and it makes it too thin for marinating the salmon.  This is always a real crowd pleaser.

Bow tie Pasta Salad

Waldorf Chicken Salad

And my Aunt Mae's Popular Punch.

Thanks for indulging me with a little non-quilty items.

So, Samantha is making a face here because her gift was double wrapped......

you can't get to your gift that easily! LOL

Reading the label.....

Always label, and always give credit where credit is due!

Mom and Auntie had to sneak a peek too........hey......turn it around!!!!! LOL

I believe the mom and dad to be are very happy with their baby girl's quilt.

I loved being able to make and give this to them.

Congratulations Matt and Samantha!

In other news........

I was able to see "The Phantom of the Opera" with my sister and niece at 

The Fabulous Fox Theatre.

This is a St. Louis landmark, and it was about my 4th or 5th time to see this musical.

Sets and staging were beyond incredible for this tour!

And, this is about all of the sewing that got done this week 

between all of the other business!

I am excited to be able to share this extremely scrappy quilt during my presentations this year.

Spring is here!

Happy Quilting!

Happy Cooking!

Happy to be alive!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Moving right along......

I would like to thank all of you for your kind comments via my blog and Facebook concerning "Radar" 's acceptance into AQS Paducah.  I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am about seeing him there.  And yes, "Radar" is a "he."  He told me so!  I am going to have to share a blog post concerning how "Radar" came to be.  I hope you all will find it interesting!

Moving right along........

Linking up with:

Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River

My side of the river is pretty well thawed, how about your's Connie????

This baby quilt is finally completed!

As you all know by now, this is a free Bonnie Hunter / Quiltville design

It is called "Emery's Stars".

I gave Bonnie full credit as is needed when making any of her designs.

I called this one:

"Amelia's Stars"

"Emery's Stars" pattern and design by Bonnie Hunter.

Bonnie doesn't mind you renaming your quilt, but, PLEASE give her proper

credit if you make one of her designs when labeling your quilt.

It's the right thing to do!

My friend Ann of Attic Threads taught me a new free hand technique called "water."

It was a really cool feeling quilting it without any pantograph or using any rulers.

Not perfect, but, fun none the less!

One more shot for your entertainment.........and mine!

Last week I attended my niece's 17th birthday party, and fun was had by all!

Lil' Bubs thoroughly enjoys annoying his big sister.

I am glad I passed this trait on to him! 

The next day I was able to do a little antiquing in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

This is an older signature quilt I found that I thought was a study in neutrals?

However, on closer inspection, this had to have been another color that faded over time.

I wish that "Louisa Harden" could tell me what color it was in it's glory days?

Any guesses as to what color it could have been by any of you?

 I also found these two quilts. (above and below)

My story is, these are siblings quilts....my assumption, brother and sister?

I want to think that a loving grandmother, aunt or mother made these for

a brother and sister, or perhaps 2 sisters?

A very fun design none the less!

I was able to spend the gift certificate Santa left me in my stocking at

The Golden Needle in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

One of my favorite places on earth!  I was able to get a good visit in with my friends there too!

I got ALL of these stash enhancements and a book!

I think I am addicted to neutrals!!!!!!

And of course, my featherweight, Miss Bev has been getting a work out on 

my layovers.  What a headache travelling has been for ANYONE these last few weeks!  The travelling project I have had for almost a year is coming

to a finish soon!

I love hearing from you all and I try to reply to each and every response I receive.

What are you quilting on?

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter