Friday, October 09, 2009

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Greetings Quilters!

First off, thanks for stopping by my humble blog. There are tons of fantastic quilts being showcased on the Blogger's Quilt Festival, hosted so wonderfully by Amy at http://www.parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/. This is a fun event and I am excited to be a part of it yet again. I have a great post to share with you, and at the end of some fun pictures, there is a giveaway, so don't miss it. So without further adu, let the show begin!


Over the last year or so, I have made a lot of quilts. I have been active in many swaps, both those that make mini quilts and those that make just blocks. I usually make quilts for baby gifts or Christmas presents. Most of the quilts I have made are linked on the sidebar to the right. The quilts, however, that I am most proud of are the ones I am showing you here today.


Over the course of the last 3 years, I have made over 100 lap-sized ~45"x65" quilts to donate to the local chapter of Project Linus. In January of 2007, this started as an effort to trim my scrap stash, which at that time was really not very large. It gave me something to sew without needing to buy fabric too! That quickly became addictive. I told my friends and family what I was doing, and within a few weeks I had a dining room full of more donated scraps! And that is how the cycle began. Last Fall, at a Linus function entitled the Book-Blanket Challenge I showed this quilt (which incidentally was my entry for the Blogger's Festival in April too!). Our local chapter was closing because the rep was stepping down and a replacement had not been found. She had been trying hard to get me to take over the position, but my life was too busy for that then. She had two large boxes of fabric which had to contain 60+ yards of top quality material which she gave me. I told her I would use that to make quilts to give back to Project Linus. And I did.
Last month, I broght 53 quilts to donate. These were made between January and September of 2009. The day before I brought them, I layed them all out on my yard for a little "quilt show". One blogger commented that it looked like a "Sea of Love". I think she was right.
Many are scrap quilts. Many are quilts I designed. Some were done to let me "test" a pattern or an idea. Some let me practice certain machine quilting techniques. Some were made from blocks acquired in various swaps.
All will be loved and cherished by the children that receive them.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. If what was done here for the children is of any similarity to that, I'd be remiss for not mentioning a few of the wonderful people that helped make this 53 quilt donation become possible. The quilt above had the indiginous Australian fabrics donated to me by Bernadette in a swap. The one below was made from swap blocks from the Broken Heart pattern by ladies of Kate's Birthday Block swap. I hosted the Spring Fling Round Robin earlier this year and received blocks to make 5 quilts from these talented ladies. The aforementioned Kate sent me 24 Jacob's Ladder blocks and another 24 Bento blocks to make another 4 quilts. Such overwhelming generousity. And I have never even met any of these people either.
It's true, I did spend a ton of time assembling, sewing, quilting and binding these. It's a labor of love, and if this is the only time in my life that I am able to make such a grand donation, I am still satisfied.
And so would you.
And yet another quilt below made from more donated fabrics from Anna Y.
The quilts here represent on the order of 275 yards of fabric & batting!
I spent much of my quilting time this last year on the quilts I showed you here, but the time has come for change -- a change in my quilting focus and a change in my personal/professional life. I am a trained and experienced mechanical engineer. Since having three kids, however, I have realized that going back to work full time is unpractical and just daunting. I want to be here at 3:30pm when they arrive home. So after much soul-searching and planning, I have opted to take a plunge off the deep end so to speak. For those of you that read this blog, you know this. But for the sake of the newcomers, I will mention that I just purchased a long arm quilting machine. And I am in the process of trying to establish a business making and machine quilting quilts (that is after my husband helps put the frame together this weekend!). I encourage you to bookmark my new business website http://www.mainelyquiltsoflove.com/. Visit often! At present, all I have shown there are a few small items and a number of quilt tops that I will quilt in the coming weeks. I will, however, be adding to this soon. Once I am taking orders, I will very likely do an internet quilting special for a while, with an extraordinary price!
As a giveaway in support of the Online Blogger's Festival, I will offer to machine quilt one person's quilt. It may be up to a large lap-size. You'll have to provide the batting and the postage, but I will quilt an all-over pattern which compliments the top. I will offer to do this anytime after January 1, 2010. I will randomly select someone at the end of the Blogger's festival. To be included, please do the following...(1) leave a comment here, and (2) blog something to your personal blog that promotes my blog and new Mainely Quilts of Love Quilting business. Thanks and have a great time spying all of the fantastic quilts.

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One last thing...I am hosting a block swap on flickr. If you are interested in a swap that will yield enough high quality blocks to make a queen sized quilt, with a monthly committment of only 2 blocks, check it out!

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would be happy to post about your new quilting business, and I would be thrilled to win your quilting services!!!

Dolly said...

Wow.....you are wonderfully proficient !
I was sitting here reading about the Linus quilts, and assuming that you already HAD a longarm machine which you used on these ! To find that you didn't is amazing !

I'll happily promote your new idea for a business, as I wholeheartedly support moms being there when the kids come home !

Kaye Prince said...

I cannot believe that you made this many quilts to donate to charity! You are definitely one special, giving woman!

Kimberly said...

Wow, that is amazing. I don't think I could make that many quilts in a year, much less that many to give away. Your generosity is unbelievable.
I would love to win & have you quilt something for me. I have never used a long arm or sent out my quilts because it isn't in my budget to do so. I posted about your blog on mine. :)

Zonnah said...

All I can say is WOW!

Ivory Spring said...

What a lovely collection of quilts you have made -- very impressive!

http://www.ivoryspring.wordpress.com

Shawn said...

what a sea of beautiful quilts! Great work.

Emma said...

That really is a fabulous achievement! Have a wonderful time setting-up your new machine and trying it out. I wish you all the best in your new venture; with your creativity, commitment and skill you're a sure-fire success!

sallgood said...

What a wonderful collection of quilts! Best wishes for success with your new business!

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

It's one thing to read the number of Linus quilts that you've made and quite another to see them in all their glory spread out on your lawn. Simply impressive! And I can spy one of my blocks too. :-)

happy zombie said...

WOW... a sea of love... that's an understatement! You are AMAZING Margaret! I think you have super hero powers!!

Sand and Sunshine said...

Beautiful all of them outside like that, what a great idea. Before I sent of my donation of neonatal quilts I did much the same thing (on a much smaller scale) and spilled them all over my bed and photographing them that way. Captured in time moments before mailing fills my heart.

Wow you're giving away longarm services, that's really something, I'd be happy to link up with you us SAHM's have to stick together (and away from all those drafted plans and blueprints!)

Sand and Sunshine said...

Can I make a sidebar button for your store, and if yes which photo would you like me to use?

Carol said...

Your "sea of love" is quite inspirational. Hope your new venture works out well for you.

Kathy said...

How impressive to see all your donation quilts in one photo! You have worked very hard this year to accomplish so much. Just think, it will be so much easier to do the quilting on your new machine! Bravo, job well done! There will be so many new quilt owners from your efforts.

Mary P said...

Wow--53 quilts in year! I think I've made less than 53 in the 20 years I've been quilting. I guess I need to catch up!

stitchinpenny said...

I love the fact that you made or got donated 53 quilts and now are going to start a business. Good luck/

Robin said...

How very inspiring! Those quilts are most certainly a labor of love. And they are all beautiful! Best of luck to you in your new (and exciting) business venture! :)

Aunt Spicy said...

I think what I love the most, is how all those different patterns and colors in each quilt all look so beautiful put together! Amazing that you made so many and donated them, Amazing!

Katie B said...

I am blown away by your generosity! I'm new to quilting, but I have definite plans to donate some quilts in the near future. You are an inspiration!

Quilts on Bastings said...

Wow! Your sea of quilts is just amazing. What a wonderful story - thanks for sharing. Good luck with your Longarm Machine Quilting business from one Longarm Quilter to another..

Quilter422 said...

you totally rock! and the quilts are really beautiful, too.

Sarah said...

I'll be happy to post about your new business. Your story of the quilts you made for the Linus project is amazing. I wouldn't think there are enough hours in that amount of time to produce so many quilts. What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment you must have! Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story, and thanks for stopping by to visit. I appreciated your comment. ~ Sarah

Sunflower Design said...

Quilting is obviously your passion! Congratulations on completing all those quilts and good luck with your quilting business.

Anonymous said...

Don't need a quilt quilted as I have a machine, but I wanted to comment on your QUILTS...how beautiful is that sea of love! What a wonderful gift you are giving to those kids.

Thank you for sharing,
Bari

jessica said...

How beautiful! What an incredible story and generosity of time and love to make all these amazing quilts for Project Linus. It is truly inspiring, thanks for sharing.

Miri said...

These quilts are just amazing! Each one is lovely and cute and the kids will just love them!

You're a very special person to have devoted 9 months to making all these wonderful quilts! Thanks for sharing and good luck with your new business.

Rene' said...

Wow...what generosity. It is great that you make so many quilts for charity. I try to do one a month and that seems overwhelming sometimes...can't imagine 53 in less than a year. You go girl!!! Good luck on your new business venture. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I have entered your name in my hand-painted fabric giveaway. Then I visited your blog and was so inspired by the number of Linus Project quilts you have made. I would like to be entered in your giveaway--quilting a top that I've made. I will add a link to your blog so that others can learn about your new business. I wish you the best of luck with it.

hetty said...

Your 'sea of love' is a wonderful achievement! So much work to make others happy! I am inspired. Thanks for sharing.

tooznie said...

What a HUGE collection of beautiful pieces, how generous of you to give away sooo much time. 100 quilts in 3 yrs??? I'm gobsmacked.

Susan said...

Way to go...from a fellow blanketeer! Your quilts are wonderful and I know they will be cherished by whoever receives them!

Unknown said...

I am so impressed. That is certainly a Sea of Love.

Julie Bagamary said...

Wow - so many Linus Quilts. Good for you!

Rebekah said...

Amazing quilts! You are such a generous quilter. I love seeing all of these quilts together

Solidia said...

Congratulations on your new LA Margaret! I know you will be a great success.

Kristin said...

What a beautiful picture! Very inspiring! Making quilts for charity has been on my list of things to do for a long time, but it always gets put aside by other things. You just might have inspired me to actually get to work!

Rhondi said...

All I can say is WOW!! You are one busy girl!

Angela Nash said...

All those little people are certainly loving those wonderful quilts. Great job!

Quiltluver said...

Wow, you have been busy! That is a wonderful thing you did for all those children. Beautiful quilts.
Karen

NiCoLe said...

Wow, that was really neat to see so many quilts laid out together. Your generosity is admirable. Good luck in your new business.

Jocelyn said...

Wow! Amazing.

Letterpress said...

This was quite a treat reading about all your donated quilts to Project Linus. Congrats on making the decision to stay with the little guys--you won't regret it in the long run (but there will be days. . .). I gave much of my life to my children, and am enjoying my "second life," my teaching career now.

Good luck with your business!
--ELIZABETH E, #115

Aimee said...

That is an amazing amount of quilts! All so beautiful!!

Rose Marie said...

This is absolutely amazing and each child will love their quilt!

duckyhouse said...

wonderful quilts...all 53 of them!! I can't believe you have made that many in such a short time. It really is a labor of love. good luck with your business and in everything you do :) And should I need the services of a long arm machine I will surely keep you in mind.

Angie in SoCal said...

LOL - i posted you should practice on charity quilts - that was before I saw your "sea of love" Girl, you are ready!!!

Sara said...

Wow! I can't imagine finishing that many quilts in that short of time! Very neat. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Evelyn said...

Wow! I'm a Project Linus "blanketeer" too, and my goal this year is to make just one quilt a month. I can't believe you made more than one a WEEK! I'm so in awe.

Good luck with your new business. I've never sent a quilt out for quilting, but I might just have to try it out. :-)