Applique Bath Towels, Ocean Friends, & a New Spool Quilt

Keith’s daughter Keri visited last weekend with his almost 10-year old granddaughter, Lyric, who was an absolute joy.  They were visiting from North Texas for a wedding that Keri was going to attend over in Gonzales, Tx.

When she arrived, Keri said she forgot to bring a gift and felt bad.  Grammy to the rescue!  Personalized towels are perfect and so easy.  She bought some towels at a local store and then we picked out an applique font and some fabric scraps.  I used the Brother Simply Applique program to create the design.

I floated the towel over hooped wash-away stabilizer and used a wash-away topper to keep the stitch down stitches from being buried in the pile of the towel.

They turned out great!

I dug around for a wedding gift bag in a back closet somewhere and ta-da!  Instant wedding gift.  Keri was so appreciative and thanked me profusely.  You know I loved every minute of doing this.  🙂

On the day of the wedding, Keith took Lyric fishing on our ranch all day.  He said that girl is a fishing machine and she wore him out!    I think Harley is hoping she drops it.

They brought home four fish and Keith fried them up for lunch on Sunday.  They were delicious!

Also on Sunday, Lyric spent 5 hours in the sweat shop with me to help me work on the Ocean Friends quilt that I’m making for the son of our neighbor at the coast.  She was so good listening to me and asking questions about what and why.  She learned to use a rotary cutter, how to hold a ruler while cutting, how to thread the machine, she helped to pick out fabrics and she sewed 9 of the Wonky Nine Patch Blocks that go into the quilt.  I was so proud of her.  You should have seen her critiquing her 1/4″ seams!

Look how the seams match on those blocks.  She was so careful to nest them the way I showed her.  She’s a natural!

I was sorry to see them go home.  I did however, send a special birthday present for Lyric home with her mom but I can’t tell you what it is because her birthday isn’t until June.  After her experience this weekend, I think she’ll like it!  😉

Monday I went to my local quilt shop and picked up  17 yards of black grunge fabric for a 6″ outer border and backing for my BIL’s t-shirt quilt.  I also got a yard of teal grunge for a 2″ inner border.

Here the quilt top so far.  I should be able to finish the top this weekend.  The lizard on the ceiling caused quite a stir in my FB group for Beginner Longarm Quilters.  He’s always hanging around keeping an eye on me.  ha ha

I also saw this quilt made from a panel hanging in the window of the quilt shop.  Of course, I had to add it into the queue…as if it’s not full enough!  I’ve never made a spool quilt and I think it will look great in my new sewing room at the coast.

Happy quilting!