Christmas Table Topper

Look what came in the mail today.

I want to try and do at least 1 Christmas project a year. When I saw this topper on p.s. i quilt that Rachel designed for Moda Bakeshop I just knew I would make it. Then a few posts later on Rachel's blog she let everyone know that kits were available to purchase from Quilt Shoppe.

I couldn't resist. I ordered 2 kits (1 for me, 1 for my sister) plus backing for both in Glace. I wish I could start right away, but sadly I can't start until September; I just have too much on the go right now.

You all should head over to p.s. i quilt, she is hosting a fabulous Fat Quarter Shop giveaway. Just click on the button below to go to the giveaway blog post.

Edit: The winner has been announced, so if you are Rose you better head on over to claim your prize.

Weekend Designing - Zig-Zag Layout

Zig-Zag Layout
Originally uploaded by maripenquiltmomI spent the weekend designing my next quilt-along quilt which is happening at the ORBC Quilt Along flicker group.

I am planning on doing a twin size quilt that will measure 72 x 90 inchs. My fabric choices were inspired by this.

Also, if you want to see what everyone else is planning or you want to join in the fun click on the Zig Zag Quilt-along button in my right sidebar to take you to the flckr group.

There will be lots of WIP photos to come on my progress with this quilt and also another quilt-along by Crazy Mom Quilts (I didn't join in on round 1 so I thought I'd join in on round 2 since I am accumulating so many scraps - this ones a great scrap stash buster).

WIP Old Red Barn Co. Quilt-along #2

My sister and I have been busy sewing up a storm. Actually, we have had several storms and a serious heat wave here in the lower mainland of British Columbia. I haven't been able to get motivated to clean or really do anything in this heat, but there is always energy for sewing.

As I mentioned in the previous post my sister and I are both sewing quilts inspired by the Old Red Barn Co. quilt-along flckr group. Last week we got together and sewed all the strip sets. Then this weekend we cut all the blocks and today decided on layout.

Diagonal view of my quilt layout

It's been great sewing with my sister, it's always fun working together.

My sister's quilt

My sister and I each had enough scraps from the ends of the strip sets to make coin quilts. Below is a picture of the 6 columns of coins I sewed together, so, 2 quilts for the price of one - almost!

Second ORBC Quilt-along Quilt for Megan

Second ORBC Quilt-along Quilt for Megan

Originally uploaded by maripenquiltmom

I've been enjoying the laziness of summer but I still manged to get a second Old Red Barn Co. Quilt-along quilt cut out. Aren't these fabrics fun. I'm going to call this one Paula meet Sandi! I'm using Paula Prass' Flights of Fancy and Sandi Henderson's Farmers Market. I'll be using the fabric on the top right for backing and second from top on right for binding.

My daughter saw Quilting Barbie's quilt when I had it here for quilting, and said "mom, I want one with some of those fabrics" so I thought why not, I'll make her one too and bonus, my sister will be piecing one right along with me! Our own little quilt-along. Hopefully soon I can do a post on both our quilts together. She is using mostly Farmer's Market fabrics for hers!

My first ORBC Quilt is on my longarm machine. I have a few rows quilted but I thought I may as well get started on the next one.

I'll be piecing it at the same time as the zigzag quilt-along that this group is moving on to. I can't wait for that to start on Monday! I'm still picking out my fabrics from my stash for the zigzag. I'll show you my selections soon.

My First Quilt

Camille and Carrie are hosting a Parade of Quilts and I had a last minute thought to participate. Today is the last day to enter.

My first completed quilt is a Debbie Mumm Maple Leaf quilt done up using Fall colours. I still love it today. I made this quilt in 1995. As a matter of fact, I have it hanging in my longarm studio and I gaze at it several times a day. It was a great quilt to start off with as it has basic piecing as well as lots of half square triangles; so, lots of skill development opportunity.


My very first pieced top was actually the Woodpile Log Cabin in Barn Raising pictured below. I am still today not finished this quilt as I wanted to handquilt it and have been doing that on and off since 1995. I kept losing interest in it even though I still love the colours (I love brown and cream). About 2 weeks ago, I actually pulled out all the handquilting which was more than 2/3 done and I'll be machine quilting it later this summer. I'll show it to you when it is finished.


My last completed quilt is a baby Stacked Coins quilt which I longarm quilted with "Daisy Swirl". I found this awsome tutorial at the Moda Bakeshop by Simply This and That. Instead of the traditional white columns I decided to sash it in yellow and I have come to love the effect. I continue to learn new things with every quilt but I think the most important thing I have learned is to take risks with colour, it usually pays off.


I have been working on many quilts since this last one; I'm the type of quilter that needs lots of projects going at once.


Thanks for hosting this Camille and Carrie. I really look forward to the Parade of Quilts wrap-up tomorrow!