Vintage Butterflies and Flowers Handmade Quilt

Doesn't this look like butterflies have taken over? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Doesn't this look like butterflies have taken over? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Vintage Butterflies and Flowers Handmade Quilt

I caught the end of the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild "Bed Turning" session in time to see this lovely vintage Butterflies and Flowers handmade quilt. It was love at first sight, and you can see why, there are a variety of different-sized butterflies all over the applique flowers!

June is usually the month for National Pollinators Week and this year, it will be celebrated June 18-24. Butterflies are among the many pollinators who keep our landscapes full of a variety of flowers not to mention the largest family of pollinators, bees.

This vintage quilt has its own celebration, starting with the variety applique butterflies all over. There are two sizes of butterflies, the larger dominant applique ones and the smaller ones forming a border.

Love how the butterflies are paying close attention to flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Love how the butterflies are paying close attention to flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

And in one of the quilt corners, a delightful surprise, the name of the quilter and the year she made it hand-embroidered: Dot French, 1984.

See the surprise in this corner? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

See the surprise in this corner? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I had a butterfly quilt in my teenage years, a patchwork butterfly quilt pattern with more details than this one. Taking a closer look, it would not be hard to make a similar butterfly quilt, the applique butterfly shape is pretty simple as are the flowers. Looks like the longest time would be in embroidering the flower centers and leaves.

The larger applique butterflies have a basic, easy shape. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The larger applique butterflies have a basic, easy shape. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I have been contemplating making a new butterfly throw design and this vintage butterflies and flowers handmade quilt will definitely be my inspiration!

Charlotte

Ladybug in the Maze Handmade Quilt

This is a small quilt but mighty because of the center subject, a lovely red ladybug.

This is a small quilt but mighty because of the center subject, a lovely red ladybug.

Ladybug in Maze Handmade Quilt

It's hard to believe but it's almost mid April and there still is snow in the upcoming forecast. What happened to spring??

Over the years, one of the ways I have easily change the decor of my guest room and bedroom was by changing out the quilts. My winter quilts are much heavier than my spring and summer ones and, once I find wall space, I may even hang a couple of the smaller quilt blocks I first made years ago.

This Ladybug in the Maze handmade quilt was one of my favorites at the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild and you will quickly see why - the subject in the center is one of my favorite garden bugs, the ladybug. This little red bug eats aphids and is one of the beneficial insects we should encourage to have in our gardens instead of using pesticides.

Here is a closer look at the ladybug and the detailed quilting that went into this charming small handmade quilt, the perfect size for a wall hanging:

Here is a closer look at the center red ladybug and the surrounding quilting.

Here is a closer look at the center red ladybug and the surrounding quilting.

One little ladybug looks so elegant, reminds me of the ladybug applique throw we offer based on a vintage pattern with a lot more red ladybugs in different red patterned fabrics.

Another surprise, this was made by a former co-worker of mine when we worked together at the local daily newspaper. 

Every handmade quilt has a story so if you find one at an auction or estate sale, make sure to ask who made it and when, the back story adds value to a quilt if you can find it.

Each handmade quilt has a story and this is the story behind this gem of a handmade quilt.

Each handmade quilt has a story and this is the story behind this gem of a handmade quilt.

Nicely done, Loretta!

Charlotte

Basket Handmade Quilt

Can you spot all of the baskets in this handmade quilt by a master gardener friend?

Can you spot all of the baskets in this handmade quilt by a master gardener friend?

Basket Handmade Quilt

As I was dusting off some of my favorite baskets earlier today thinking of spring, I remembered this handmade basket quilt from the fall 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild quilt show in Rolla, Missouri. The handmade quilt had been made by a master gardener colleague of mine but what I recalled was that I had intended to count how many actual baskets were featured in the quilt.

Baskets are an important element in my life. Besides cat napping spots and storage areas for books, I keep baskets to carry plants around in my garden so I keep many baskets in various shapes and sizes around my house.

This lovely, award-winning quilt also seems to suggest baskets are good for a variety of chores, starting with collecting strawberries.

This strawberry seems to be growing in it's own basket!

This strawberry seems to be growing in it's own basket!

Each one of these quilt blocks feature lovely baskets such as the strawberry sitting in its very own colorful container. An applique red bird appears to be getting ready to fly off ned to a basket holding a pretty flower.

Look at how the machine quilting adds nice texture to the quilt background.

This red bird is keeping a lovely flower in a basket company.

This red bird is keeping a lovely flower in a basket company.

This side of the handmade basket quilt, with the award ribbons, feature smaller baskets.

Basket handmade quilt won a second place award at the quilt guild show last fall.

Basket handmade quilt won a second place award at the quilt guild show last fall.

Each handmade quilt has it's own story, one of my favorite parts of any quilt show. This quilt took a little extra time from start to finish, according to Marilyn's accounting but it sure was worth the effort!

One of the wonder features of any handmade quilt is the story behind its making.

One of the wonder features of any handmade quilt is the story behind its making.

In addition to the variety of baskets, I liked the fabric color combinations, the bright colors will help this quilt have a long life.

Charlotte

Hawaiian Floral Handmade Quilt

This version of a Hawaiian Floral quilt features different flowers in each of the handmade quilt blocks.

This version of a Hawaiian Floral quilt features different flowers in each of the handmade quilt blocks.

Hawaiian Floral Handmade Quilt

It's a grey, snowy day in Missouri, a good time to think about and appreciate what greenery brings into our lives. This Hawaiian Floral quilt was one of the entries in the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild October 2017 and one of my personal favorites.

Hawaiian Quilts have a wonderful rich history, it's very infrequent that one even leaves a family's lineage so they are infrequently found for sale on the open market. When I was working in Hawaii several decades ago, one of the local museums had a small display of some of the locally-made heirlooms and they were stunning, mostly red and white with lovely applique embellishments. Just as this quilt has done, the feature that makes the design almost three-dimensional is the hand quilting.

This Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt block reminds me of tropical hibiscus flowers.

This Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt block reminds me of tropical hibiscus flowers.

There is hand quilting inside the white applique, then around the green fabric and again in the white borders.

Look at how the hand quilting adds texture to this floral block in the Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt.

Look at how the hand quilting adds texture to this floral block in the Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt.

Interestingly enough, this Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt features quilting in the green fabric space in green thread. That way the quilting adds dimension without drawing attention away from the white in the quilt blocks.

Here's a closer look at the detailed quilting inside the white parts of the quilt.

Here's a closer look at the detailed quilting inside the white parts of the quilt.

The shadow quilting gives even intricate applique patterns a shadow of sorts, look at what happens with this lovely floral block:

This quilt block is a favorite, look at how detailed the floral block is and how the quilting finishes the green.

This quilt block is a favorite, look at how detailed the floral block is and how the quilting finishes the green.

This handmade quilt includes floral patterns of native Hawaiian plants, a nice way to pay tribute to the traditional design. Made me think if I were to make a similar quilt about Missouri, what wildflowers would I include in something similar.

Every quilt has a story and this is the story behind the Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt

Every quilt has a story and this is the story behind the Hawaiian Floral handmade quilt

So pretty, and a nice tribute to the warm Hawaiian Islands.

Charlotte

Blocks and Beads Handmade Quilt

From a distance, Blocks and Beads Handmade Quilt reminds me of books on a shelf.

From a distance, Blocks and Beads Handmade Quilt reminds me of books on a shelf.

Blocks and Beads Handmade Quilt

It's interesting to me that when some people talk about handmade quilts, they only think of them as traditional bedding, or bed covers. Today handmade quilts are more than just updated takes on favorite patterns like harvest crazy quilt, they are understandably also recognized as art, and here is a wonderful example.

Blocks and Beads Handmade Quilt was one of the entries in Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's fall 2017 show in Rolla, Missouri. It caught my eye because, from a distance, the blocks look like books on a shelf.

As I got closer, the quilting had my attention. Usually modern quilts tend to be quilted with a lot of detail but this one obviously had been deliberately kept simple, a good decision when one looks at the overall impression.

This handmade quilt was also a good choice for a design for a quilted wall hanging.

The story behind this "mystery" quilt by Cynthia Felts gives a hint at how fabric art gets created.

The story behind this "mystery" quilt by Cynthia Felts gives a hint at how fabric art gets created.

The color choices were also wonderful, I don't know how many times I have seen beautiful work but the fabric choices were dismal.

Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's bi-annual show is judged and this one was in a category for judging. And the end result?

And this lovely modern quilt won first place at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's fall 2017 show.

And this lovely modern quilt won first place at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's fall 2017 show.

A winner in all categories!

Charlotte

It's Snowing Handmade Quilt

Love the way the scarf has a little movement in the patchwork quilt design.

Love the way the scarf has a little movement in the patchwork quilt design.

It's Snowing Handmade Quilt

This may sound silly but I got into a lively discussion with a very young man earlier today while waiting at a hardware store. The question was how cold does it have to get before one can make a good snowman.

His contention was that there is no bad time to make a snowman. I didn't disagree with the sentiment but at what temperature, I asked, does snow not pack enough to hold a shape.

This 10-year old had it all figure out, down to bringing a spray water bottle with him to add a little moisture if the snow needed it.  I admired his tenacity but when the temperatures dip below zero, that's too cold to be doing much of anything outside even in a snowy garden, which makes this charming "It's Snowing" handmade quilt a great way to bring a snowman inside. Make that four snowmen!

Here's the handmade quilt with all four blocks making a charming quilted wall hanging.

Here's the handmade quilt with all four blocks making a charming quilted wall hanging.

I know the piecer and quilter of this quilt so this becomes special just for that reason.

In addition, though, I love how the patchwork scarf has movement instead of just sitting on the snowman's neck. Patchwork quilts are based on geometric designs so to see a simple square turn into movement is a nice touch.

The other part of this handmade quilt story? Well, see for yourself in the posted story at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's fall 2017 show in Rolla, Mo.:

See, there's hope for those of us with unfinished projects still around!

See, there's hope for those of us with unfinished projects still around!

For those of you who may not know, UFOs are unfinished projects and I have a few of those myself so this will be further inspiration to get some of mine done.

Nice job, Loretta!

Charlotte

Christmas Sampler Handmade Quilt

Sampler quilts feature a different design in every quilt block.

Sampler quilts feature a different design in every quilt block.

Christmas Sampler Handmade Quilt

Have you started to take down your Christmas decorations? I'm just starting, focusing first on the ones that need a little repair before I put them away until next year.

As I was painting one of the damaged ornaments, I was thinking about this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt featured at the fall Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla, Missouri. This holiday-inspired handmade quilt has a different design in each of the quilt blocks, making this a more challenging quilt to make.

One of the star-shaped quilt blocks in this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt.

One of the star-shaped quilt blocks in this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt.

The other surprise about this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt is that it was hand-pieced, which means Joyce Darr stitched all of the pieces by hand. No sewing machine or mechanical instrument to stitch the pieces together.

The story behind the Christmas Sampler handmade quilt, including how it was pieced.

The story behind the Christmas Sampler handmade quilt, including how it was pieced.

When you put all of the different quilt blocks together, the quilt turns into a lovely work of art.

Each of the blocks in this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt are different.

Each of the blocks in this Christmas Sampler handmade quilt are different.

These are definitely Christmas colors, the tomato reds and the dark greens. It would make a lovely wall hanging and quickly give a room a holiday theme.

One more ornament to glue back together and I can start packing up some of my holiday decor. I keep one of the tiny decorated Christmas trees out all year as a reminder to keep the Christmas spirit alive every day. This holiday quilt would be another sweet way to keep that reminder alive, too, don't you think?

Charlotte

Winter Reds Handmade Quilt

Winter Reds Handmade Quilt was shared at the fall Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla.

Winter Reds Handmade Quilt was shared at the fall Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla.

Winter Reds Handmade Quilt

If there is one bird that should be the Christmas bird I nominate Missouri's red native cardinal. I have a couple of pairs that live in my garden, visiting the bird feeders at dusk to enjoy a dinner of sunflower seeds. In winter, the bright red of the male cardinals stand out against snow, their color even brighter by contrast.

This handmade quilt called "Winter Reds" reminded me of bird-watching from my living room window during winter. The small quilt was among a number of entries in the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's fall 2017 show in Rolla, Missouri.

The quilter, Joyce Darr, has done a nice job of melding several different kinds of printed cotton fabrics with cardinals on them in the overall design. The darker panels contrast against the ones with a snowy white background.

Closer look at the beauty of the printed cotton panels in this charming handmade quilt.

Closer look at the beauty of the printed cotton panels in this charming handmade quilt.

Beautiful machine quilting adds a snowy feeling to the white fabric surrounding the center quilt block. Sometimes the quilting can compete with the quilt design but in this case, it adds to the overall feel of the design, as if snow has fallen around the red birds.

Every quilt has a story and this is the story that was posted with Winter Reds Handmade Quilt.

Every quilt has a story and this is the story that was posted with Winter Reds Handmade Quilt.

There is snow in our weekend forecast, a promise that we may have a white Christmas, or at least Christmas Eve, this year. I will look forward to watching my bird feeders to see if any of these lovely red birds make an appearance.

There is a charming Ozark legend that red birds appearing are visitations from a loved one. Native American Indians attributed many special attributes to Cardinals and a quick search on Red Cardinals shows that these lovely birds have held a colorful history in many cultures.

I just like them simply in this handmade quilt, a reminder of the beauty of red against white.

Merry Christmas!

Charlotte

Trees with Lights Handmade Quilt

Modern patchwork Christmas trees get a little help from a border string of lights.

Modern patchwork Christmas trees get a little help from a border string of lights.

Trees with Lights Handmade Quilt

My gardening colleague Harriet Bain created this fun take on a modern patchwork tree quilt design by adding the border of Christmas tree lights.

The tree design itself is not necessarily one of Christmas trees but Harriet said with the red and green fabric colors, they were Christmas trees to her. I can see her point!

The machine quilting also adds beauty to this combination of trees and lights.

The machine quilting also adds beauty to this combination of trees and lights.

This handmade quilt was one of dozens of entries in the bi-annual Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla October 2017. Several of my master gardener colleagues are also members of the quilt guild so I enjoy going through the show and finding out what they've been making when they weren't spending time in their gardens.

One of the nice things about the quilt show is that every quilt has a written story attached to the side noting the name of the person who created the quilt as well as the quilter. Although this narrative does capture the basics of the story, it's a lot more fun to hear Harriet, how is originally from Burma, tell her version of the story.

Every quilt has a story and here is part of the story of this handmade quilt.

Every quilt has a story and here is part of the story of this handmade quilt.

The only thing missing from this holiday-color inspired scene is the jolly man himself!

Charlotte

Marilyn's Winning Christmas Wreath Wall Hanging Quilt

This isn't the quilted wall hanging's name but I know the maker, Marilyn, so it's what I call it!

This isn't the quilted wall hanging's name but I know the maker, Marilyn, so it's what I call it!

Marilyn's Winning Christmas Wreath Wall Hanging Quilt

Marilyn is a fellow master gardener so it's not surprising that one of her quilting projects would involve flowers. The beads and glitz, however, was not typical of the person I know so when I ran into her at the quilt show, I asked about this turn of events.

Ah, she said, that's because she decided to make this for a friend who does like glitz, and that made more sense.

Quilted wall hangings are wonderful home decor options because they can quickly change the look of a room, in this case both add a holiday spirit and a wreath with a touch of holiday tradition, the beautiful poinsettia.

This won first place in the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Quilt Show in Rolla, Missouri.

This won first place in the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Quilt Show in Rolla, Missouri.

Marilyn's Quilted Wreath story.jpg

I have to admit, I like the addition of the beads inside the poinsettia leaves for the actual flowers, the beads add a lovely three-dimensional look to the handmade quilt.

Love the way Marilyn used beads to make the Poinsettia flowers inside the red and white leaves.

Love the way Marilyn used beads to make the Poinsettia flowers inside the red and white leaves.

And no need to water these poinsettias, they will stay pretty all season!

Charlotte

Perfectly Seasoned Thanksgiving Quilt

I know these squirrels, I've seen them in my garden, in particular in my Bartlett pear tree!

I know these squirrels, I've seen them in my garden, in particular in my Bartlett pear tree!

Perfectly Seasoned Thanksgiving Handmade Quilt

It was hard not to be drawn to this charming handmade quilt displayed at the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Show in Rolla, Missouri in October. The quilt colors are bright and captivating, as are the pilgrim-dressed squirrels at the top of this brand new quilt. The teeny tiny pumpkins the male squirrel is carrying are very impressive, too, imagine how small those fabric pieces were to cut out, the quilter must have been very patient and very careful!

From a distance, the overall quilting in the white space adds a nice dimension to the quilt.

From a distance, the overall quilting in the white space adds a nice dimension to the quilt.

Each of the quilt blocks in the center also have individual characters, from the owl and the pumpkin to more squirrels, acorns and wreaths.

If I were to start a collection of quilted wall hangings, this would be one I would want to make to represent Thanksgiving and have it hanging on a wall somewhere, maybe in an entrance or a den wall, where I could enjoy it every day.

That's one of the advantages of quilted wall hangings, they can quickly change the theme of a room and update home decor to a seasonal mood.

Glad to see the quilter saying this was a "fun" quilt to piece, that's as it should be.

Glad to see the quilter saying this was a "fun" quilt to piece, that's as it should be.

This next quilt block helps to show the detail of the machine quilting, which gives this handmade quilt so much texture.

It still surprises me how much quilting can change the final look of a quilt.

Cute orange pumpkin block sits in the middle of the detailed quilting in the white space.

Cute orange pumpkin block sits in the middle of the detailed quilting in the white space.

Here's wishing your home has a "perfectly seasoned" Thanksgiving, from ours, which is definitely more squirrelly!

Charlotte

Adding Finishing Touch to a Custom Baby Quilt

Big Bird inspects my sewing after I finished adding a label to a custom baby quilt.

Big Bird inspects my sewing after I finished adding a label to a custom baby quilt.

Adding Finishing Touch to a Custom Baby Quilt

Years ago, someone made several suggestions on how we could incorporate this last step into the quilt-making process. Factory-produced quilts do it when they sew up the side seams. I could do it when the edge fabric is added.

After much consideration, I decided to keep the tradition of hand-sewing the label on prior to shipping off the custom-made quilts, in this case a custom baby quilt. There is something special about adding the label when one knows the custom baby quilt is headed to new little hands that will hold it and get comfort from its warmth.

I do think about the child who will receive it, and the person who ordered it. Sometimes if the customer communicates with me, I select a special toy to deliver the quilt care instructions. In this case. Big Bird was already wrapped up in the brand new Sesame Street baby quilt waiting to fly off to his new adventure via US Postal Service.

Once the tag is sewn on, the custom baby quilt feels finished. Or maybe I should say, it feels like it's ready to be off to it's new beginning!

Charlotte

Lots of Cats Quilt and Pillows

These fun hand embroidered pillows add cats to this quilt like - well, real cats!

These fun hand embroidered pillows add cats to this quilt like - well, real cats!

Lots of Cats Quilt and Pillows

I'm doing some Christmas shopping and this is one of those quilts that I would love to give to someone because I like it so much!

Lots of Cats Quilt and Pillows makes me smile every time I see it. Every quilt block has a different, hand embroidered cat in a different pose. Each of the pillows is a different hand embroidered cat, too, which when you toss the pillows on the bed, they look very similar to a bunch of cats piled up on the bed.

This brand new, made in Missouri, USA twin-size quilt has a variety of solid colored fabric strips in between the blocks so this lightweight quilt will fit into any room decor. Backing is also a white cotton.

See how the pillows look against the quilt blocks?

See how the pillows look against the quilt blocks?

The different cat pillows also add cat charm to the quilt itself, see how they look together in a bedroom setting.

Here's the wide view of Lots of Cats Quilt and the pillows, a cat lover's dream of a gift!

Here's the wide view of Lots of Cats Quilt and the pillows, a cat lover's dream of a gift!

This is a one of a kind quilt and set of pillows so you would be giving a very special gift to the cat lover on your gift list!

Charlotte

Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib Quilt

One of our Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib Quilts ready to ship.

One of our Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib Quilts ready to ship.

 

Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib Quilt

We found this fabric for one of our customers last year and had some extra left over so now other Strawberry Shortcake lovers can enjoy this charming vintage doll motif.  Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib Quilt is the baby version of the Strawberry Shortcake doll.

This crib size 36x48-inch baby quilt made in Missouri is reversible so the theme can be appreciated on both sides.

This large strawberry becomes a ballon in this Baby Strawberry Shortcake theme.

This large strawberry becomes a ballon in this Baby Strawberry Shortcake theme.

We used sustainable, renewable bamboo for the quilt fill. Although more expensive than cotton or polyfill, bamboo does not require the chemicals and pesticides cotton requires to grow the plants. 

To make this easy care, it's also machine quilted with a floral design.

Detailed machine quilting makes this baby crib quilt easy to wash and dry.

Detailed machine quilting makes this baby crib quilt easy to wash and dry.

Baby Strawberry Shortcake Baby Crib quilt has a flannel backing with the same design theme, making this warm but lightweight baby quilt easily reversible.

Flannel Baby Strawberry Shortcake fabric is on the back of this charming baby crib quilt.

Flannel Baby Strawberry Shortcake fabric is on the back of this charming baby crib quilt.

So sweet, and quite pink!

Charlotte

Fun with Bears Quilt Wall Hanging Gift Set

Finally found the right bear to go with Beary Fun Throw Quilt Wall Hanging.

Finally found the right bear to go with Beary Fun Throw Quilt Wall Hanging.

Fun with Bears Quilt Wall Hanging

Over the years, customers have shared lovely notes about how much they appreciate the gift sets we offer. Those notes inspire me to make sure the toys we offer nicely match the handmade quilts.

This charming Beary Fun Throw Quilt with applique bears was a bit of a challenge. The bears are made out of fabric, which I wasn't able to find in my stash of toys so I set the throw aside until I could find just the right complimentary toy.

This applique bear was the inspiration for the bear I finally found for the gift set.

This applique bear was the inspiration for the bear I finally found for the gift set.

When the next shipment of toys came in, this little bear appeared, and I kept pulling it out of the box and looking at it.

Why did this bear ring a bell, I kept thinking.

One day I took it into the storage closet and there it was, the perfect throw to go with the bear, and vice versa.

See how much this bear looks like the one in the quilt? Fun!

See how much this bear looks like the one in the quilt? Fun!

Now you don't have to do the shopping, all you have to do is tell us what you embroidered on the bear quilt and want you want written on the gift card.

How easy is that?

Charlotte

Raggedy ABCs Baby Crib Quilt Wall Hanging

The classic Raggedy Ann and Andy colors are incorporated into this alphabet baby quilt.

The classic Raggedy Ann and Andy colors are incorporated into this alphabet baby quilt.

Raggedy ABCs Baby Crib Quilt Wall Hanging

One way to customize a quilt is to add either a handmade doll or a complimentary one made by someone else. A toy will work well, too, that's why we offer a free toy to carry the gift card in our custom baby crib quilt gift sets.

This is a modern take on a favorite vintage design. Raggedy ABCs Baby Crib Quilt features printed blocks of the letters of the alphabet with a Raggedy Ann and Andy theme. The bright solid red fabric compliments the blocks.

A large solid red space in the center is perfect for adding custom personalized embroidery with someone's name, birth date and location.

This warm baby crib quilt with sustainable and renewable bamboo fill is finished with machine quilting for easy care. Wash in cold water; dry on cool setting.

The printed blocks have nice details, such as figures of alphabet letters.

The printed blocks have nice details, such as figures of alphabet letters.

The two handmade dolls can also be secured to the center of the baby crib quilt for a charming wall hanging in a new nursery.

This made in Missouri, USA baby crib quilt's  bamboo filling makes this baby crib quilt lightweight but as warm as traditional cotton. Bamboo is sustainable and renewable without the heavy doses of pesticides needed to raise cotton for the traditional cotton quilt batting.

Two 12-inch handmade rag dolls compliment the handmade baby crib quilt.

Two 12-inch handmade rag dolls compliment the handmade baby crib quilt.

Raggedy ABCs Baby Crib Quilt will also quickly turn into a wall hanging. A sleeve on the back lies flat when not in use as a wall hanging.

A sleeve on the back easily turns this charming baby crib quilt into a quilted wall hanging.

A sleeve on the back easily turns this charming baby crib quilt into a quilted wall hanging.

Fun baby shower gift, all you need to do is tell us what you want on the free gift card!

Charlotte

Noah's Ark Baby Crib Quilt

Primary colors make this charming Noah's Ark Baby Crib Quilt pop!

Primary colors make this charming Noah's Ark Baby Crib Quilt pop!

Noah's Ark Baby Crib Quilt

I know pastel colors are favorite for baby gifts but I recommend bright, primary colors for several reasons:

1. Studies show babies respond more to bright, primary colors.

2. A bright quilt will hold its colors longer through years of washing.

3. Bright quilts are easier to locate when they have been misplaced!

This brand new, charming Noah's Ark baby crib quilt is a printed cotton panel that has been finished with machine quilting for easy care. That means it will survive pulling, wrapping and hugging.

Speaking of hugging, I added a Mama Rabbit holding a baby rabbit as the free toy, seemed only appropriate for a quilt theme of two by twos, don't you think?

A good place to add custom embroidery is under the blue waves and over the XOs.

A good place to add custom embroidery is under the blue waves and over the XOs.

To easily personalize this one of a kind baby crib quilt, there are several spots where you can add custom embroidery. My suggestion would be under the blue waves in the white spot above the XOs.

This would also make a nice wall hanging to quickly turn a guest room or extra room into a nursery!

Charlotte

Crazy Quilt Throw

This Crazy Quilt throw is a modern take on the Victorian-Era quilt design.

This Crazy Quilt throw is a modern take on the Victorian-Era quilt design.

Crazy Quilt Throw

In addition to the Language of Flowers, the secret floral code Victorians used in their gift flower bouquets, these nature lovers also gave us the "crazy quilt." This mish-mash of fabrics and fabric pieces was often embellished with detailed embroidery and lace, a process that could take years to complete.

Every time about this time of year, I contemplate starting one of these wondering if I can get it done over winter. By starting, I mean adding detailed embroidery, something I used to love to do to blouses, napkins and whatever else I had handy that needed a little pop of color, or a stain that needed to be covered.

I was thinking I could also add embroidery to this brand new, all cotton imported crazy quilt throw, even though it is already finished. It would require careful pulling of the embroidery floss so the embroidery doesn't show up on the back but I think it can be done.

If not, the crazy quilt patchwork pattern is still lovely all on its own, this one has a variety of floral fabrics that already provide a floral vibe.

Crazy quilts weave all sorts of mixed fabric pieces and designs to make the overall design.

Crazy quilts weave all sorts of mixed fabric pieces and designs to make the overall design.

I like crazy quilts as wall hangings, too, they easily fit into any decor and add a nice splash of color.

On second thought, this crazy quilt is fine as it is!

Charlotte

All Stars Handmade Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

Each of these stars, and border bars, can be personalized with custom embroidery.

Each of these stars, and border bars, can be personalized with custom embroidery.

All Stars Handmade Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

There are a lot of reasons why I select handmade quilts and throws - flowers and butterflies are a given but there are other compelling reasons we carry a particular quilt line. Our customers look for quality, good price and a good design that gives them options for custom embroidery and All Stars Handmade Quilt Throw Wall Hanging offers several.

The patchwork stars are obvious, each one has enough room in the center where someone's name and special date can be added with custom embroidery.

Each fabric star in All Stars Handmade Quilt throw offers room to highlight someone's name.

Each fabric star in All Stars Handmade Quilt throw offers room to highlight someone's name.

There is also space in between each star to add custom embroidery, and there is space where four stars are grouped together where custom embroidery can easily be included.

Around the border, the colorful patchwork border about 4" long also offers a good place to add custom embroidery.

In between the stars and the colorful border, there is a beige strip on this quilt where custom embroidery can also be added. 

The bottom All Stars Handmade Quilt throw border is also a good place to personalize.

The bottom All Stars Handmade Quilt throw border is also a good place to personalize.

Now imagine this hanging from a wall as a quilted wall hanging, it would be a great way to honor the names on the stars. See why this quilt is also an all star?

Charlotte

Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging

This Halloween scene in a handmade quilt all hangings has such a wonderfully detailed border.

This Halloween scene in a handmade quilt all hangings has such a wonderfully detailed border.

Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging

Wouldn't this make a great wall hanging in a basement or a room without a window??

Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging was one of the many entries in Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's 2017 Show in Rolla, Mo. This charming scene has so many wonderful details, starting with some of the traditional Halloween traditions: pumpkins, bats, black cats, haunted houses.

Look closer, the pumpkins have a little friend close by!

The pumpkins are fun, and look at the little surprise of a quilted cat next to them.

The pumpkins are fun, and look at the little surprise of a quilted cat next to them.

In addition to the Halloween traditions, this quilted wall hanging features very detailed patchwork along the border. More black cats are in each of the corners on a patchwork design that reminds me of an old wooden gray fence.

The detailed machine quilting gives Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging nice texture.

The detailed machine quilting gives Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging nice texture.

Tina Paris, the quilt maker, did a nice job finishing the brand new handmade quilt with detailed machine quilting. So many wonderful details!

Here is the story behind Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging.

Here is the story behind Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging.

And one more surprise...

What a lovely surprise, this won 2nd Place in its category, so well deserved!

What a lovely surprise, this won 2nd Place in its category, so well deserved!

No trick or treating here, this handmade quilt is a treat all around!

Charlotte