“Donation Quilts” Bette makes many donation quilts for charities. And she uses the opportunity to learn new patterns and design techniques.

“Stars Upon Stars” I started this quilt at Ocean Waves Quilt Camp in class taught by Joyce Geiszler and it took me over a year to finish! The pattern is based on a hand-pieced and quilted antique quilt that was started in 1880 and finished in 1950 by Edyta Sitar. Combining 9 fabrics in the large stars was intimidating but I got the hang of it after the first few. I really liked using larger scale prints for peeks of color.

Birthday banner for my youngest grandson who loves watching ‘Bluey’. Because of all the little pieces, I used adhesives.

Purchased a bundle of fat quarters (with three blocks completed) at MPS’s Silent Auction. The quilt’s circles are different sizes. I had enough fat quarters to piece a backing. Quilted in a free motion swirl pattern. Quilt will be donated to Hopewell House.

“Ohio Cardinals” Our 2023 Heritage on a Small Scale Challenge got me recalling the pleasure of watching Red Cardinals in the winter as a youngster. The cardinals are pieced. Leaves and berries are turned edge; used embroidery floss in blanket stitch to finish the leaves and berries. Stems are embroidered with pearl cotton. I changed the pattern by adding a female cardinal.

These two NICU quilts are a ‘Thank You’ to our program directors, Christie and Liz, who brought Krista Moser and Candy Grisham’s wonderful presentations to MPS. I reduced Krista Moser’s Fanfare pattern to practice with the small diamond tool. After Candy Grisham’s presentation, I immediately used several of her suggestions to improve my Dresden Plate block. Liked using interfacing to stabilize the block’s center, card stock to press and design ideas.

“Wild Geese Landing at Sunset” This was the quilt pattern for a retreat and figuring it out for colors and arranging was new to me and I didn’t like it. So I needed to stretch. I really disliked having to figure out the placement. It took me with help, from 8 am until 10 pm to do that. After it was all together, I really liked it. And even more after quilting.

“Dream” I’m new to free motion-saw this panel done in 2017, and loved it. i was so overwhelmed by the idea. I took a lesson at Montavilla after Covid when we could have classes again. The instructor used a frixion pen for lines. I’d done more free motion by then & bought a used Tiara ii sit down mid-arm. Was still overwhelmed but finally finished and I love it. Bought a Dream Bigger and another regular sized.

“Privacy” I saw the Pajogi curtains and wanted to use them somewhere. when I painted the living room a cream color I realized that I could put up a privacy curtain and the Pajogi technique seemed the prefect way to do it. Added color, lets light in too. Now I want to make at least one more so I can change the colors as I please.

“Christmas Stars” This was my 2nd or 3rd class taught by Clara at Jenkins Estate. She would pick the pattern and everyone worked on same project. Vicky (one with cream background) finished hers. I had top done, partially quilted & didn’t like it. Pulled back out in 2023 & decided to make changes before finishing. Never give up on UFOs!

“Nifty Notions” I made the scissor and thread wall hanging in the workshop led by Christie and Liz in May 2023. In January 2024 I recalled I had the makings to do the featherweight machine and put it together. I enjoyed revisiting the scrappy appliqué technique. Quilting is straight line quilting with mono-filament thread.

“Penguins” I challenged myself to find a way to use the penguin fabric designed by Charlie Harper in a quilt for CARES Northwest. There was just 1/2 yd. of the fabric so my supply was limited. I thought Sam Hunter’s pattern was a good way to feature the fabric.

“Wintery Flowers” I used the Rainbow Color Challenge each month to select the fabric for one block looking first through my florals. It was quite fun to work just from my stash to find all the fabric, including batting I pieced together for this quilt. This was another charity quilt.

I became inspired to clean out my stash on New Year’s Eve. I found these blocks from a quilt that I was never going to pay to have quilted…. So, being the frugal person I am, could not make myself toss them. I could donate them to our auction hoping no one knew they were mine ( lots of unintentional design changes), or alas…make some lap quilts to donate, hoping the recipient enjoys the warmth!