1. Patchwork quilt

This was my mom's first quilt made mid to late 1980's. She actual made three of these, one for each of her daughters. She used remants of her silky-type blouse materials. Mom cut each square out separately and sewed them together and used a fleece material for the back side. I don't suggest using silky-type material unless it's not for use. I learned this when our cats wanted to lay on it. From that moment, it became a show piece only and so it still looks like new to this day. However, the fleece type material for the back side is cuddly and comfy. After these quilts, she learned more efficient and faster ways to cut the quilt pieces out. This quilt and viewing the Amish quilts eventually began the quilting in our family, especially for my mom and me. That's why I'm showing this first quilt in our family.

2. Fan Quilt Block

This was the very first quilt I made. I hand appliqued the fan pieces onto the block, machine sewed the blocks together, and afterward hand quilted around the fans. This quilt was made as a laprobe for me, but is long enough to cover me from head to toe with space left over. That's how I like it. This blanket is also a quillow - a blanket that can become a pillow too. In the early 1990s, quillows became the rage.

3. Tumbling Block

This was my second quilt. I made this laprobe for my husband - extra long too. Several events made this memorable for me. First, my husband joined in and helped me select the pattern and placed the colors. He supports me in my projects but rarely gets involved. This was fun and made it special for us. Second, he wanted the batting extra thick, so I doubled up on the 4 oz. That was a challenge! My 20-year Kenmore sewing machine rebelled but did its job anyway. Third, it was around 110 degrees outside and we had no air conditioner, except for an over-head fan. I was hot and sewing the thick quilt took some physical work to maneuver the blanket through the needle. All of it is machine quilted. I went around each star looking shape. This too is a quillow. With the first use, my husband somehow ripped the quillow part, by sticking his foot into the pouch. I sewed it back without harm done. To this day, this quilt was the most difficult to sew.

4. Quillows

These quillows show the pillow part from my first and second quilts described previously. When I finally decided to try my hand at quilting, I decided on laprobes first. I had an array of beautiful hand-stitched or delicate to look-at-only pillows lining our sofas and chairs. However, men always gravitated to them and sat, leaned or used them as pillows. I couldn't stop them unless I took the pillows away. So, I suggested to my son and husband that I make each of us a quilt that can turn into a pillow, which we can actually use. Both immediately said "yes" and hoorayed. They couldn't wait to get their own quillow. I believe I finished all three quilts within a year or less. We all loved our very own quilts.

6. An Alaskan Sampler

September 1996, I entered a block-a-month contest at Quilter's Choice in Chula Vista, CA. The store owner chose An Alaskan Sampler by Debbie Caffrey quilt book. I won the August 1997 "Canoe Block" with four fish on it. The final contest was after the twelve blocks were sewn together. There were two themes, one of them was a Christmas theme, which I chose. The only fabric that tied all the blocks together was the very last one I wanted. I hated it, but no matter what color we placed together, this tan texture was the only one that fit. I can't tell you how disappointed I was. It also took away the Christmas spirit. I was sick at heart, yet I completed the quilt and as it happened, it's some of my best workmanship. I tried to sell the quilt, but had no takers; however, many do love it and it brought the people into my craft booth. Over the years, I sort of grew attached to it and I take it out for display at Christmastime.

7. Canoe Block - part of the Alaskan Sampler

This is the block I won in August of 1997. Please see previous image and story of the Alaskan Sampler quilt completed in 1997.

8. Chilkoot Pass Block

This was my first large quilt order made around 1997. My friend had me make a quilt for her. I cut out each flower individually to fit the piece. The quilt turned out beautiful and she loved it. I made a matching pillow too. Image (12.)

9. 12 Block Quilt

I don't have or remember a name for this quilt, but I think this is probably my favorite. In 1998, I entered for the second time a block-a-month contest at Quilter's Choice in Chula Vista, CA. It was completed in 1999. I hand quilted the borders between the blocks and even embroidered a flower in each corner between blocks. One of the blocks I believe won, but I don't remember which one anymore. I didn't win the completed quilt project, but I sure thought I had a chance. I loved and still love this quilt!

9 a. Close up of quilt in (8.).

This is a close up view of the previous quilt.

10. Uncle Sam

I was introduced to Americana quilts, designs, and colors by a young women who ordered many projects from me. It opened my eyes to a different style that appeals to many American patriots. Uncle Sam wall quilt was one of the first quilts she ordered from me. This design is from the book Americana Country by Debbie Mumm. I learned so much through her. Not only did I learn how to make Americana quilts but about some of its history. She and her family were involved and dedicated to the Civil War Reinactments. I believe that was the first time I ever heard about these clubs or organizations. Very interesting.

11. American Flag

This was another Americana quilt ordered by the young woman I mentioned in image (10.). I remember making this and spending time with the stripe sizes. Other than choosing a standard block, I don't think I used anyone's pattern. It was simple enough for me to create and sew.

12. Quilted Pillows

Above are some pillows I quilted. You probably can guess who some of these quilts went to based on previous images.

13. The Wedding Ring Quilt

I made two identical single size quilts for our RV in 2007. Both blankets were done and one was complete with hand stitching. The other one I stitched throughout our 3-month trip to Canada and Alaska. It was completed just before we returned home. I did a few things different. A neighbor made wild animal templates out of very thin wood and I painted these animals in the center of each ring using fabric paint. Then I stitched around them. I used Polar Fleece material for the backing and no batting. It works great for us! Light and cuddly to use as a blanket in the summer with just sheets underneath to protect the quilts from our body oils. I wash and dry them once or twice a year as needed. The painted animals are still showing nicely. A tree fell on that RV and the replacement RV had a queen size bed. I sewed the two quilts together at the center overlapping it to match and it worked. I'm happy!

14. Georgetown Circles King Size Quilt

I made this quilt as a wedding gift for our son and daughter-in-law. I was informed about their wedding in May of 2009. I asked what special gift I could make for them and this was their wish, which included the colors and block design. The 30 block pieces were sewn by machine and the batting attached individually to each block. After I hand stitched the center and border, I sewed all blocks together and sewed on the back side. It was a huge project, but I managed to get it completely done by 2:00 am the morning of their wedding on April 2, 2010. My husband and I were very busy that year, so it's always amazing to me how much can be accomplished when one puts their mind to it.

15. Georgetown Circles Pillow

This pillow was made from the remaining blocks of the wedding gift for our son and daughter-in-law. See image (14.) The blocks were made in 2009 but finished as a double sided pillow in 2013 and presented to them as a house warming gift.

16. Log Cabin Quilt-Blue Plaid

This single quilt was just finished in January 2014. It is one of two that I'm working on for my cousins in Germany for their RV. Other than the design, it is done similar to our RV quilts (13.). Polar Fleece backing with no batting in between. It's also a hand stitched quilt. I found out, using plaid homespun material is not that easy. The material easily unravels and was hard to cut straight with pattern lines. If I cut with the pattern lines, the material could be somewhat wavy and I was afraid that it wouldn't straighten out when sewn. I decided to cut it straight, but the pattern lines are not always in line. Hand stitching is actually more difficult at times. But the over-all effect is nice. I hope and pray that my cousins love it. The other quilt should be done by mid February 2014.

16 a. Log Cabin Quilt-Red Plaid

I finished this quilt in February 2014 to go along with image 16.

16 b. Two Log Cabin hot pads to match images 16 and 16 a.

I made these hot pads to match the quilts.

18. Dragon Book Cover

I sewed a lot of book covers over the years. This one I made for my husband for Christmas 2013. It has a different touch to it. I painted dragons on each side using fabric paint, then I sprayed Clear Cote over it. It's an experiment. Mike loves dragons and I couldn't find dragon material at the time I was looking; so then I thought of this.

19. Christmas Stockings

At three different Christmases I made the above stockings for our son's family and us. These are my first tries and I had to create the patterns from graphic cut-outs. I asked my son in 2010 what he would like for a gift. He asked me to make stockings with the wisemen on it for his family. After some thought, I came up with the above. Then, this last Christmas (2013), I decided to make Mike and I new stockings. We were still using our precious cheap ones that we purchased in 1978. I decided on the same style as our son's, but making two different designs with Joseph & Mary and baby Jesus in one. I haven't decided yet if I just like it or love it. Meaning, if I like my creative workmanship. It's different.