In Your Words

Hi, my name is Terry, and today is my day to participate in the "In Your Words" blog hop.

Thanks to Madame Samm from "Sew We Quilt"  and Linda from "Buzzing and Bumbling" for hosting this event. I have to admit that this is the first blog hop that I have participated in and I have been pretty excited about it.

Although I have been quilting a little here and there for about 5 years, it has been mostly small projects.  I am self taught for the most part and still learning.  About a year ago I joined the Hi-Ho Quilt Guild which is a wonderful group of women that are both helpful and inspiring. The name represents the 2 big lakes here, Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake.  I am blessed to live between the two. I do have other interests which are listed in my profile, but for now lets get on to my project. This project, of course, had to include words!

I had picked up several pieces of flannel that was donated to our Quilt Guild, and one day I decided to play around with it.  I started by cutting out both 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles, and 2 1/2" squares. I then sewed 6 squares together to make a rectangle and sewed that to a solid rectangle and continued until I had 6 rows.

During this process Mattie and Sugar felt the need to check it out to see if it was good to sleep on.  Looks like it was!

And then it sat in the cupboard until I heard about this blog hop and decided to dig it out and finish it up.  

Only this time I had to put words in my project!  OK, think...think!  Well I think flannel is warm and comfy so I used that as my inspiration.

I went to the store and bought more flannel for a border and backing,  I already had some cotton batting.

I added a 5 1/2" border on all 4 sides.

I then added 6 squares in the border, one at each corner and one on each long side and edged them with a decorative stitch.

So now for the words, this is what I came up with: 

I got on the computer to pick out a font I liked and sized the words to fit in my border.  They were printed on cotton fabric transfers. Then they were placed and ironed on the border surrounding the center panel and I edged them with a decorative stitch.

Remember that I told you I was not a very experienced quilter, and I have never free motion quilted except on a few scraps to try it out. Not real successfully I must add.  So I held my breath and started stitching and  very easily swirling in my plain rectangles. And then just running around my border. OMG I did it!  Not perfect in any sense of the word, but it is quilted together, and you got to share in my first free motion attempt!  Ta-Dah! Here's the finished lap quilt. Approx 34"x41"

I will be having a giveaway to one lucky visitor who leaves a comment on my blog, if you are a follower or become a follower, you may leave another comment for a 2nd chance to win. The blog hop ends on January 16 and I will draw a name on the 17th.  Make sure your email is visible so I can contact you. This is what I am giving away : a 40 pack of 5" charms in small floral prints.

 Here is the list of the other blogs to visit today:

Tuesday, January 8

Piece Peace (Patricia G.) 

A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

krislovesfabric (Kris T.)

Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)

Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.)

Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)

Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)

Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)

The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)

Also, be sure to go to Mdm. Samm’s page each morning for the top picks of the day and additional chances to win prizes!

Thanks for visiting, remember to leave a comment to be in the drawing and have a wonderful day!