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