I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-long Extra Block - Elf

Some of the participants in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-long on Facebook decided to make their angel block and elf instead of an angel.  I knew I had to make an elf.  What to do for a pattern?  I googled "elf drawings" and up popped a tutorial on how to draw an elf.  So I drew myself an elf with a few adjustments to make him easier to quilt.

Here's his face.  I used a light cream fabric and decided to leave off the nose because no matter what color fabric I chose it looked funny.  I think he'll have a quilted nose.

I had to make the hammer out of leather so it looked realistic.

The elf had to have the pointy shoes!

I love the way my elf turned out and I can't wait to include him in my quilt!

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

Free Motion Friday - Gorgeous Quilts from Houston

Today I bring you some quilt with AMAZING free motion quilting!  This first one is by Susan Stewart.

These applique dots were smaller than the eraser on the end of a pencil........

This last quilt is by the fabulous pair of Karen Kay Buckley and Renae Haddadin.

I hope you are as inspired as I am!

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-long Block 8

I decided I wanted to make an applique Rudolph and found this one at Stitches of Love.  I decided to use leather for the head of the reindeer so I didn't have to worry about the green fabric showing through the head.  I'm trying to stick to a color scheme of red, cream, green and a bit of brown.  I also used leather for his antlers.  I love the rough effect it gives.   

If he's Rudolph he has to have a big red nose!

I fussy cut a green with gold batik for the holly at the top of the reindeer.

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

Houston Inspiration - Moths and Moons

I took a class Saturday called Moths and Moons by Jane Sassaman.  She's a fabulous teacher.  Here are some people's moths!

This one is mine....

I'll be sharing some of my photos from Houston this week in my Machine Applique Adventures Facebook group!  Come join in the fun.

I hope you get to quilt today!

Suzy

International Quilt Festval Houston Day Two

Day two was filled with nine hours walking all of the quilt and all of the vendors. It was magical.  Here are a few snippets.

Some gorgeous fabric I bought from a vendor from Brazil.

A few of the amazing Cherrywood Van Gogh Challenge quilts.

It was fun to see Sarah Ann Smith again!

I met up with The Quilt Rambler and fellow Island Batik Ambassador Karen Overton.

Seeing Karen Stone's quilt OG was inspiring.

And I gothink to see my auction quilt which had bidding on it today!

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

International Quilt Festival Day One

Today I spent the day in class with Claudia Pfeil.  It was so fun! She is a great teacher and I would highly recommend her classes.

Her quilt Fractal.

Drawing examples.

My moms example from our first class.

Me and Claudia.

Mom's amazing piece from our second class.

Show and tell at the end of class.

I hope you get to quilt today! I get to shop and see the show today!
Suzy

I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-Long Block 7

Block 7 is a pieced poinsettia.  I was looking at my blocks and realized they were all appliqued up to this point so I decided to make my poinsettia applique too.  This was originally a quilting motif I modified into an applique pattern.  I love the birds in the background fabric!

For the tiny dots at the center I used a green and gold batik cut in really tiny dots and outlined with a gold Glide thread.

I leave for IQA Houston today!  Many posts to come!

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy