Quilt Studio

I have had trouble with my Google password  and finally got that resolved so I could blog.

I will be posting again soon to share some Yukon Quest pictures that hubby took in February.

 I have been wanting to share some pictures of my quilt studio that is just about completed.  We are still working on the design wall, and we just covered the large L shaped counter with fabric. I bought ironing, quilted, insulated fabric yesterday to make a large ironing surface for the counter. I love working in this room, it is very restful for me and as I get things in their correct places it will be even more restful.

 I have sorted my fabric and now it is in clear tubs with labels.  Love it.

 I have several chairs for relaxing, hand sewing and visiting with friends and family.  The coffee pot is usually on, so come for a visit.

 I separated the flannel from regular cottons and store them in this shelving unit.

 My Nolting Long Arm machine.

 A view from one corner, I have several machines set up but use my Bernina QE the most.

 There is a lot of storage under the large L shaped counter. I have my sewing thread sorted in the blue lidded tubs by color.

 I keep my projects in process in these plastic boxes, so when I want to work on a project, the pattern, the fabric and everything I need is all together. 

 I made this quilt for friends in Eagle Alaska, which hubby took along as a house gift when he went to stay with them in February for the Yukon Quest.

 A close up of the Eagle quilt.

 The fabric for this quilt was purchased in Alaska,when we were there 3 years ago.  I made this up for two special friends in Fairbanks.  Hubby took this along as a house gift when he went Alaska.

This is not the best picture but I thought you might be interested in my quilt labels.  I print the details on fabric

Then I add a border that matches the quilt and then just attach by hand or machine.

Christmas Photos

We like to take a few "official" photos of each Christmas. I am sharing some pictures of Christmas 2011. I had our tree on the four season porch this year, because of having more room.  We opened our gifts out there and took our Christmas pictures there also.

Theresa and Kent and their family.

Mike, Liz and their family minus Alyssa and Fredrik.

Beth and Rod and their little girls.

Kristen, Randy and family.

We have a Christmas tradition, of having fondue on Christmas eve. We have the big table and the kids table.  Oh, what fun.  We have been serving fondue on Christmas eve for 47 years!  Wow, that makes us old.

The newest grandchild, celebrating Christmas.

The quilts were in constant use at Christmas, so I think they liked them. I made labels for them this week, to put a record on each one as to when it was made , to whom and from grandma Mary.

I just had to add a few pictures of Ellen, that were taken on Christmas day in Iowa.  It was warm enough to be outside without a coat. 

Ellen and her mother.

Christmas Quilts

 I see I have not blogged for one month.  I have been consumed with finishing the quilts for our 10 +1 grandchildren for Christmas.  They were all pieced and quilted by Christmas day. This was a two year project and I work best under pressure so I burned a bit of midnight oil!  It was a labor of love, I could think and pray for each grandchild as I worked on their quilt.  I will be beginning the pictures with the youngest to the oldest:

 Ellen Grace, born in September with her baby quilt.

 Jesse, age 4, with his match quilt, there are 2 matching blocks of each fabric for him to find. Jesse's comment the day after Christmas was "I love my blanket. I think I dreamed it".

 Jace, age 6, with his sports quilt.

 Meredith, age 8, with her purple quilt.

 Gretta, will be 11 in two days, with a quilt to match her room.

 Zach, just turned 11, with a sports and animal quilt.

 Grace, age 13, got a Gracie fabric quilt, with a small Gracie in the center of each block.

 Lauren, age 16, with a diagonal patchwork quilt of Mary Englebright fabrics.

 Taylor, a college Junior with her snowball quilt.

 Alyssa and Fredrik, live in Jokkomokk, Sweden and I sent their quilts in early December and they arrived in time for Christmas. The center fabric in Alyssa's quilt is fabric that I purchased in Sweden, two years ago while visiting her. It depicts the rising sun and the midnight sun.  They live on the Arctic Circle so they miss the sun in winter.

I will post some Christmas activity pictures in a few days. 

Happy New Year to you.

Our new building is almost finished and we have been using ther rooms and I love my quilt studio. 

Here are a few photos of activities in our new retreats. 

 The wood shop has been busy, he has been trimming out the windows and doors and the floor heat is so fabulous.

A few photos of the Christmas projects that have been going on in the quilt studio - names not included, because of Christmas coming.

 We had a family wiener roast close to Halloween and the grand kids dressed up. They were just too cute.

 Lauren holding baby Ellen (7 weeks old)

 Grandma Mary Ellen and baby Ellen.