Sunday, March 20, 2016

Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop

Two blog posts in two days, can you even believe it?  I had hand surgery recently and will be having another one soon, so my typing skills are less than great right now (my dear husband is helping).  Thank you Marian for putting this all together.  We have some great giveaways and discounts, so keep reading!



This blog hop is all about what quilting is to us, how we got started, a great accomplishment, or why it is important to us.



When I was young my grandmother gave us wonderful quilts for special occasions.  For my 13th birthday I got a fabulous quilt that was used until it was so worn and falling apart it was put away.  For my 16th birthday my grandmother, grandfather, and great aunt and uncle made me the most wonderful king sized red, white, and blue quilt.  They spent evenings and weekends tying it with red yarn.  To this day it is my "sick" quilt.  When I get it out and use it my husband asks what is wrong.  :)  When I feel the worst somehow it is like having all all four of them give me a hug and makes me feel better.  It is made out of polyester (not quilting fabric by today's standards), but it is loved.



When I was 19 I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes and that was the event that made me decide it was the time for me to learn to quilt.  I found a community education class and drug my 14-year-old sister with me.  We were the youngest in the class by about 40 years, but I made some great friends, and I found a hobby that almost 30 years later I'm still enjoying. I still have that quilt we started all those years ago, in a bag, unfinished.  I take it out sometimes and look at it and remember just where all this craziness started.

Quilts have marked different special occasions in our lives, like the double wedding ring I started for our wedding that still needs to be quilted 21 years later... :)  My son seems to be the recipient of many of the quilts I have made, kind of like how my grandmother gave all her grandchildren quilts, it is a way to show someone just how much you care about them and love them.



Quilting is always changing, and there are always new things to try...


New patterns (I love this quilt)...


and new ways to actually quilt our quilts (I'm still in shock I did this!)

It is all a learning process, and it keeps us all updating and changing the way we look at quilts.

There is 10% off a purchase at the Fat Quarter Shop during the duration of the shop hop with the coupon seamstobe316.

Please leave a comment here to win one of three fat quarter bundles from Hoffman!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please stop by these blogs to win some fabulous prizes.



After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
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Thanks for stopping by, hopefully I will be back to normal soon. Happy Stitching!!--Kristen 

96 comments:

lefuntz said...

Quilts really are a hug. No one in my family quilted so I don't have a sick quilt and I must admit I'm a bit jealous. But I love making those hugs for my family. Hugs to you.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I used to have a sick quilt. Sadly it fell apart. It was with me for a week stay in the hospital with pneumonia. It really did comfort me. Nice post. Hope your hands heal quickly.

mumbird3 said...

Bi still have my first quilt although it is in tatters! I loved it to bits! It reminds me of my progress as a quilter!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Thanks for sharing your history and your quilts!

Dorian said...

I love my quilt that my Great Grandma made me when I was little. It's starting to fall apart, but it's still much loved. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

claire ross said...

Beautiful work, thanks for sharing.
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

Renea said...

I hope someday that my grandchildren will cherish the quilts that I have made for them. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.

Darlington Delights said...

Wishing you a quick recovery from your hand surgery. kmcassie at gmail dot com

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Thanks for a great post....you'll be better I no time!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Very cool that you can share those quilt, and they are so special. Hope your hand heals quickly. Nothing worse than having something wrong with hands, especially if you are crafty, or musical.

Rhonda said...

Hi there! I wish you well with up coming surgery.
What a great post. I see you where also influenced by your grandmother!!

Grandma said...

What a wonderful gift made by you family. Awesome that 2 were you father and uncle!
patsystitch@gvtc.com

VA said...

Beautiful quilts! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Dody said...

I have two daughters that have had major surgery this month. One of them had two lung surgeries this month. Luckily they are out of the hospital,one is staying with me and the other lives next door to me. We also have a new grandbaby too. She was born last Thursday.Prayers sent for your surgery. I love your quilts and thank you for sharing!
Dmac5958ataoldotcom

quilter said...

I hope you feel better soon, must get back to quilting!
cork@pa.rr.com

sewlost said...

Very pretty quilts. Sorry you have to have surgery before you can get back to something you love.

Jean Campbell said...

Family quilts are so special. They're wonderful for comfort and more wonderful for the memories. Hope you are back quilting at full speed soon. nelljeancam@gmail.com

Sandra said...

Isn't it horrible when your health prevents you from doing what we love. I am also on and enforced time out from most of my crafts.

Hope you feel better soon.

syvisser@gmail(dot)com

Annmarie said...

I love that you have a special quilt for when you are sick - precious. Thanks for sharing your story.

Unknown said...

Feel better soon! God bless

Lynne Stucke said...

I love the fact that you are still using your 'sick' quilt! Thank you for sharing. lynnstck(at)yahoo.com

Lori Smanski said...

i have always found it interesting what brings others to quilting. for me, i watched mom quilt and give a way. and the joy it gave her. i wanted to do the same, so she taught me the basics. i love to make and give.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Anna brown said...

Well polyester isn't the best fabric to use...But it sure is warm and last a long time....I have one mom made out of polyester and a flannel backing...I live in Maine and it gets cold here and i wouldn't trade it for any other blanket....Mine isn't tide but mom has a few my grandma made that are tied....the one mom did is hand quilted my dad made her a quilting frame....Ty for sharing i loved your crazy...... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Jill said...

A friend dragged me to my first quilt class and I have never looked back. Now quilting is my main hobby. Hope you heal fast! Jill

Needled Mom said...

Keep healing so you can get back to creating more beautiful work.

Kathryn said...

Quilting keep me sane. I love doing for others. Be well.

Vicki H said...

I enjoyed the story of your sick quilt. I hope your hand recovers quickly.

Janie said...

Your quilts are lovely. Thank you for sharing the stories behind them.

Martha said...

Enjoyed looking at your quilts. Hope your heal quickly! martha_ogden@yahoo.com

Calicojoan said...

Love your quilts the last one is so bright and cheery! Sending the best for a speedy recovery from your hand surgery. I'm recouping from a broken wrist myself right now, so I know what you mean about typing skills!

Seacoast Quilter said...

Thank you for sharing your story. I was started on this Quilt Qwazy path by my mother and grandmother. I treasure the quilts I have that they made. Like hugs, for sure. Hope your hand heals well.

QuiltShopGal said...

Thanks for sharing your Qwazy quilt story. Quilts truly offer great comfort. May your hand quickly heal and you get full movement and no pain very quickly.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

GranChris said...

I feel sad for you. One year I broke my right wrist, surgery, next year I did the left, more surgery. I can share in your pain. I hope it is all over soon. I missed sewing so much.

Heather said...

Here's to healing quickly! Hope you're all better soon! Thanks for contributing to such a fun blog hop!!!!

lalaluu said...

That's the best thing about quilting - there are always new things to try so we'll never get bored!

Anonymous said...

HI,LOVE LOVE YOUR LAST QUILT PICTURED HERE!THANKS FOR SHARING! MY PASSION AS A QUILT QWAZY QUEEN IS TO MAKE BABY QUILTS FOR OUR LOCAL CHARITIES ! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

allthingzsewn said...

The last quilt is so pretty, colors, pattern and the quilting. Nice job. The ever changing challenge is what I like about quilting. I get bored quickly. I don't see that happening with quilting.

Carol Swift said...

I love the challenge of learning new things and being inspired by people like you. Your quilts are amazing! So sorry about your hand...I hope it heals quickly!

Susan Stanton said...

I'm in a happy place when I'm quilting! Loved hearing about how you got started.

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

I love those petal applique quilts!

LJ said...

When you said, "Quilting is always changing, and there are always new things to try... and new ways to actually quilt our quilts." it really spoke to me - so true. I think the reason I have so many UFOs is because there are always new things to try. :) Thanks for sharing your story.

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing your quilting journey with us. Best wishes for quick healing so you can get back to it.

celia ambrose said...

I make quilts for my family members and for charity groups. Often, I find it to be a spiritual meditative experience. Many memories of my grandmother as I sew on her treadle machine give me many reasons to be grateful.

Patty said...

Quilting is a journey for sure - and a fun one! Thanks for sharing.

JANET said...

LOVE the blue/green Wedding Ring quilt! Very pretty.

Sarah J said...

I loved hearing about your "sick quilt"- it is amazing the comfort a quilt can bring!

Gloria said...

I had to laugh about your 21 year old wedding quilt! Makes me feel better about my 26 year old bridal applique quilt for my daughter and son-in-law. This is the year to finish it....of course, I've been saying that for years!

Anonymous said...

I love black, white and red quilts like the one you pictured, and the new take on the Wedding Ring quilt is awesome. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Teatime Creations said...

Love your "sick" quilt and that it was crafted by your family. And the colors are so perfect for a teenager. The last quilt is beautiful. Wishing you fast healing and a quick return to stitching.

DebraKay Neiman said...

Love the family tradition of quilts, trying to continue it in my family. New Follower here, love blog hops they let me meet so many new quilters. crystalbluern at tds dot net

Lisa England said...

Those new things you have tried are gorgeous! Such cheerful quilts. And how wonderful to have a quilt with all the family love stitched into it.

Quilting Tangent said...

You have wonderful family memories, thank you for sharing them. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Sally said...

How wonderful to have that sick quilt to get your family's love around you when you're not feeling well. Your last quilt is stunning, awesome quilting.

rrjane011749 said...

Love the footballs!

@lutzcats said...

Oh I must make those footballs for my friends!!! Thanks for sharing.

Donna W said...

Thanks for sharing with us. Also, thanks to your husband for helping you get this post put together.

Pam McDonald said...

Thanks to the hubby for helping you post. Take care of that hand and thanks for sharing your memories. :)

tac73 said...

Family quilts are the best! Thanks for sharing.

Mara said...

So lovely to have family heirlooms, laughing a little that your wedding quilt isn't finished yet, hehe.

Rina Mason said...

Quilts are amazing things. They start as pieces of fabric that no one would give a second look at until they are sewn together to become a beautiful piece of art that will comfort someone. Thanks for sharing with us. Rina

vicki said...

Love your "sick quilt"! Hugs from the ones who love you are the best. Get well soon so you can quilt more beautiful quilts! vickise at gmail dot com

June D said...

Beautiful quilts and beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing. So wonderful that your family got together to make the special quilt to hug you always. Best wishes, and thanks for the chance.

OhioLori said...

Thanks for sharing about your "sick quilt"...so sweet to have such a Treasure! I made my Kiddo's quilts (more like knotted comforters) when they were little...am doing actual quilting now..tho simple & full of Love..and Grankiddo's are herenow, to make for too! :) Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way! :D

barbara woods said...

Thanks for the great giveaway , good luck on your surgerys

Pat V. said...

Quilts are definitely hugs! I love to wrap up in a quilt while watching TV, and usually end up petting the fabrics. ;)

Sewgirl said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilts. Best wishes in your healing process. Hugs to you.

Heidi said...

I love that your quilts serve as a sort of timeline. Your work is beautiful, thank you for sharing!

Jen Barnard said...

Now I curious to know if your sister got hooked on quilting too.
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

Scrapatches said...

A quilt is the best kind of warm hug. Yours are beautiful! Thank you for sharing ... :) Pat B

Edie said...

Thank you for sharing your story about your quilting journey. Love the story about your 'sick' quilt from your grandparents. raydeer@memlane.com

Emily C said...

I love all the fun ways that quilts change, too. So much fun.

Bobbie said...

Thank you for sharing your story. Hope you have a speedy recovery on your hand.

wendy said...

Thank you for sharing! With time I have seen how my quilts and fabric choices have changed. It's funny, how even now I wonder at the fabric in my stash!

Laura said...

Thank you for sharing. Reading these stories has been lovely. And now to answer the question Qwazy, me?? I'll try anything and have been known to spend alot of time touching my fabric collection. Also like to dress up at quilting events!

Carol Hofstetter said...

I remember a few polyester quilts in my lifetime. Those things just don't wear out. Thank you for participating in the blog hop!

Bonnie58 said...

Great blogs, folks. Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration

Kathy L said...

Your quilts hold a lot of memories. Wonderful to look back and reminisce.

Unknown said...

I have a quilt my mother made me from my grandmother's fabric, and dresses. Love that quilt.

Pamela said...

How wonderful that you have a quilt that was made just for you by four special people. Thanks for sharing your moving post!

Lisa said...

Glad quilting brings you purpose too! Love your designs!

Deal.licious Real Food Debby said...

Every quilt really does have a story. I love to look at the ones my grandmother made and remember those stories. And I hope that those after me love the ones I am creating.

debbygrawn at yahoo dot com

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

Awe, I love how your special quilt hugs you and makes you feel better. Thank goodness for grandma! I hope my grands think of my quilts like that someday too. Prayers for quick healing on your hands!

Janarama said...

Love the quilts. One of these days I'll attempt to make a quilt with curves. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can get back to creating more great quilts.

Cloud 9 said...

Love how you have a special quilt to help you feel better when sick. Great job on the two curved piecing quilts. That technique is on my bucket list, but not sure when I'll ever get around to learning it.

SewDoUQuilt said...

You article really hits home for the reasons to be quilting...to give that love to others. Your quilts are beautiful. jarvenpa1ne(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

"It is all a learning process, and it keeps us all updating and changing the way we look at quilts."

I love that. It was worth it to visit just for that, even if I didn't love the quilts - which I did!

Michele T said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories... There is something to be said for the love that is stitched in every quilt that is made for another!!

Peggy said...

I've just started making quilts for charity-made 4 so far.

Thanks,
Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Walter said...

Everyone on the blog hop is an inspiration. thanks. pjrquilter (at) msn dot com

Amy said...

I love the thought of a sick quilt, and being wrapped in love. Your last quilt is just gorgeous. The quilting is exquisite.

Jane's Quilting said...

I have an o K dcqui L T my aunt made. She I only made ome and that was a baby quilt. She passed 16 years ago at the age of 86. She never was able to have any children so it was tucked away in an old cedar chest. I now have the quilt and cherish it. So I know your closeness to your grandmothers quilt she made for you.

teachpany said...

Great post! I hope your surgery heals quickly. Love the photos!

ShirleyC said...

I love the story about your "sick" quilt. The others are gorgeous!

Linda Fleming said...

Love your stories. Thanks for sharing!

Amanda Best said...

Good luck on healing quickly! Love your post. Thanks for sharing.
I have been crazy for quilting for many years now, too. I so enjoy sharing my work with my loved ones.
My email is: bestbelle2010@aol.com
Thanks!

Marian said...

Great post, I loved the double wedding ring that's still waiting to be quilted, I believe we can all relate to that, perhaps not with that pattern, but definitely with the length of time on some of our UFOs...

Marian