Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Jelly Rolls & Pillow Cases



Last year my neighbor and I
decided to do an interesting project with "Jelly Rolls".

We each had the same Moda Jelly Roll
&
without sharing ideas 
or seeing how one another would use theirs,
 until the finished quilts were completed.

Here are our finished quilts.


Shirley made this lovely baby quilt.
It is resting and waiting for a 
great-granddaughter. 

This was my quilt.
Same Jelly Roll.

I love how Shirley made a boarder 
with small square blocks.
That had to be time consuming,
but turned out so sweet :)

I used machine embroidery
to enhance my quilt. 

I am sure that if you gave 50 quilters
all the same Jelly Roll,
they would come up with 50 different
designs. 
This was a fun project:)
I am blessed with a lovely neighbor
who has so many common interests with me.

She is a blessing in my life:)

I have been enjoying doing hand embroidery
this week. 

And made some pillow cases.  


I have a sister-in-law
that loves yellow roses . . . 

So I made these for her. 
I just need to get into town to the post office 
and get them on their way:) 

I do hope that you are all having a 
lovely week.

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :) 



56 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness...both of your quilts are just beautiful! I love that you did not share until you were finished. That is so fun! Your sister-in-law is going to be thrilled to open her mail box to find those gorgeous pillow cases. So much love poured into them. You are such a precious lady Connie...so thoughtful and kind and a blessing to everyone. I hope you have a lovely Thursday!

    Hugs,
    Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, I'll tell you what I tell my husband when he says such sweet things about me, "Just remember all that sweetest when I'm having one of my grumpy days, when I'm an old bear." It was fun seeing Shirley's quilt. I'm going to have to try doing a boarder like hers, I love it :) Thanks so much for being so encouraging and such a sweetheart.

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  2. Oh, it is all so lovely! I have never bought or used a jelly roll. It is interesting how they both are different but both so pretty! Lucky you to have a neighbor with like interests. Love the embroidered pillow cases. Did you make the pillow cases to do the embroidery with? I have made pillow cases but what a neat idea to add the embroidered part! Beautiful. I am sure your sister-in-law will love them! You are always cranking up some pretty thing! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, you know, I didn't make the pillow cases, I just bought them ready made and then embroidered and added the fabric boarders. I've really been enjoying embroidery :)

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  3. What lovely projects you've made once again. The quilts are quite different which surprises me given that you had the same material to work with.

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    1. Different ideas from different women. It would be fun to see the same thing done with fifty women, wouldn't it?

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  4. It is fun to see how everyone's creativity flows in different directions. Your embroidery is lovely.

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  5. That is amazing, Connie, how two people can have the same material to work with and yet come out with such different results! I love them both!

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    1. It was a fun thing to do together. I know that her quilt opened my mind to new ideas, I really like her blocks and boarder.

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  6. I really like the jelly roll. I prefer a more organized look to my quilts so therefore I prefer your quilt. Both are quite lovely though. I like the embroidery in hers and I going to try a quilt with some embroidery myself.
    hugs and blessings

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    1. Hers is the more organized and mine is the one with embroidery. I really like hers too and want to try her ideas. I am one of those people that design as I go . . . so mine are always a bit unorganized, but then so am I, LOL.

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  7. How fun to see such two different quilts from the same material. I love them both. Your embroidery is exquisite. I used to do a lot of it but have gotten away from it. You inspire me to do more. Beautiful!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy and thank you so much :) I hadn't done hand embroidery in over 50 years, it's like riding a bicycle . . . when I got started it all came back to me. The quilt project was fun and seeing the different ways we both put our together was exciting. I am truly blessed with a sweet neighbor :)

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  8. I enjoyed seeing the different quilts! Your hand embroidery on the pillowcases is amazing and oh-so-beautiful. Love the butterflies! :-)

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    1. Hi Melanie, thank you. If you want to take a break from reading, embroidery would be a great pastime for the times that you need to rest your knee. I've never had knee surgery but I imagine it's a schedule of exerciser and rest for recovery. Here's wishing you a great and pain free day :)

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  9. Both quilts are just beautiful. Love the colors.

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    1. Thank you so much. I don't remember the name of the jelly roll, but it has those vintage flour sack prints that I love :)

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  10. Both quilts turned out very pretty. I've never heard of a fabric jelly roll before. I love your embroidered pillow cases. My Mother used to love to embroider and I have two sets of pillowcases she did.

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    1. Hand embroidery was very popular when I was small . . . I love doing my part to keep some of the past alive and well :) The fact is my friend Shirley (the neighbor that made the baby quilt above) made me a set of hand embroidered dishtowels that are incredible. I think that this gift is what got me thinking about hand embroidery again.

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  11. Okay Connie you were talking to a Jelly Roll Quilting Dummy....I had to look up what a jelly roll was. Now I know!!! Love the quilts and I love the embroidery also. Nice work.

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    1. Good Morning Pam, thanks for popping in to say Hi. If you would have ask me what a jelly roll was two years ago, all that I would have thought of was a thin sponge cake rolled up with a jelly filling. I haven't seen them forever, yum, I'm making myself hungry, LOL. Have a great weekend:)

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  12. How fun Connie and love your jelly roll quilts. I have one I've been hoarding for a good 10 years! It's all pastels and I can't bear to use it... I should though.. and make something pretty. Sigh. Also, those yellow rose pillow cases are just beautiful. You do such wonderful work and I love all of your projects. I'll have to live vicariously through you until I get my sewing mojo back! Enjoy the weekend. Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn, well . . . I'm here to inspire. It sounds like you have a lot of fabric and projects ready to go, all that you need is a little encouragement. So, Go Marilyn . . . make that sewing machine hum!

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  13. Nice embroidery work, Connie. It's great that you have a neighbor that's also a good friend and has the same interests as you. Your quits are very pretty. Happy St Patrick's Day! xo

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    1. Hi Nancy, I have been wanting to ask you about your embroidery hoop. I'm sure that you have had time to use it a few times by now. Are you still in love with it? Do you think that is is worth the extra price? I am having trouble with mine getting loose while I work. I tried a plastic one and it was a pretty color and looked real nice, but not worth the $3 I paid for it. Now, I'm using a wooden one and it's better but still loosens up while I work.

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    2. Oh, Connie, I'm embarrassed to say I've only used it one time, and that was for a very short time. They're pretty pricey, so at this point I don't feel comfortable saying it's worth the cost. I just don't know yet! After the bazaar I hope to have more time to devote to hand embroidery with the hoop. Then I can give you a better assessment. Sorry, my friend. :( xo

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  14. Isn't that amazing how those quilts can turn out so different? They are both lovely and I adore vintage prints. I too want to get back to hand embroidery and I have some towels and I want to make some pillowcases. I need to get the transfers now. Your stitches are really beautiful in those designs! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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    1. Thank you for all your sweet words of encouragement. I'm going to town today to get those pillow cases in the mail . . . I hope that she likes them. There is something about crawling into a bed with sun dried white sheets and embroidery pillow cases that takes me back to a slower paced more gentle time :)

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  15. Oh Connie, how wonderful to have a friend so close that enjoys the same hobby as yourself, and to have a challenge like this, both your quilts are just so sweet, I like how they look so different using the same fabrics, such terrific designs!!
    Your embroidery is perfectly done, so pretty, I am sure your sister in law is going to just love these!!

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    1. Hi Connie, I got the pillow cases in the mail Friday morning so i should hear from her the middle of next week. I think it is always a pleasure when an unexpected package arrives in the mail. Doing this little quilt thing with Shirley was fun, she is the best neighbor any one could hope for. She and her husband have been blessing added to our lives, we love them :)

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  16. I had never heard of Jelly rolls until today, both the quilts are beautiful. Can I be your sister in law please? The hand embroidered pillowcases are stunning, she is one lucky lady xxxx

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    1. I will make you my honorary sister-in-law, how does that sound? Before I started quilting the only jelly roll that I knew about was a thin sponge cake rolled up with a jelly filling :)

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  17. Hi Connie, your embroidery looks absolutely fabulous! We love the pillow cases and the quilt you made from the Jelly Roll strips ! They are really charming. Connie, you are very talented, and we always enjoy reading about your projects and seeing the lovely photos. Thanks so much, from Marina and Daryl Lynn

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    1. Thank you so much . . . isn't blog-land a special place for sharing ideas. My creative juices have been enriched by so many lovely bloggers :) I'm happy that you stopped by to visit . . . I just wish there was a way of having cookies and tea or coffee for all my lovely company :)

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  18. Hi COnnie! I've been catching up with ya...your fireplace remodel and kitchen in previous posts are just wonderful!! So warm and transformed so beautifully. I love these quilts made from 30's. (I just LOVE 30's) Your stitching is wonderful and made a note to highlight it the next time Embroidery comes around for a Tuesday ARchives theme. wink! wink! Happy weekend bloggy friend.

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    1. Hi Valerie, thank you for the invite, I would love to do that. I have tried linking up to parties before and it's a fifty-fifty thing with me, sometimes it works and sometimes not. I have no idea what I do wrong when it doesn't. I'm just an old dog trying to learn a new trick. I feel very honored that you would ask me to share. Thank you for your sweet words on all of my projects. Our cold long winter gave us more time for working indoors, but hopefully that will chance and I can start getting my hands dirty in the garden :)
      Have a lovely weekend.

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  19. Hello Connie, I love seeing how just a few color changes give each quilt a completely different look and feel. Your quilt feels sunny, warm and cozy, while the lavender strips on your friend's quilt gives a cool and crisp feel and of course, both are quite lovely. I had never heard of a "jelly roll" before, but then, I'm not a quilter either. I remember watching my mother embroider pillow cases when I was a little girl. I think she may even still have a couple of them. Blessing to you my friend.

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    1. Embroidered pillow cases and dresser scarves when very popular during the 30's, 40's and 50's. They bring back memories of white sheets drying in the sunshine and a slower paced life. Don't get me wrong, I love all of my modern conveniences, but my heart longs for a simpler life :)

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  20. Ooh, I adore those pillowcases with BEAUTIFULLY done hand embroidery, and that pop of a yellow border !

    You are indeed blessed to have a neighbor that shares your interest. How fun to do that jelly-roll challenge together !

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    1. We are truly blessed with great neighbors, and having ones with common interests are a bonus to the blessing. I mailed those yellow boarder pillowcases Friday, so she should get them early this week. It's always fun to get something in the mail that is not an advertisement or a bill :)

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  21. Connie, you are so lucky to have such a great neighbor and friend who shares your interests. Both those quilts are treasures. I always enjoy seeing such beautiful needlework. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Hello Sugar, it is nice to see you and thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet words of encouragement. I am truly blessed with great neighbors. It's something to be truly grateful for :)

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  22. How creative Connie! The two quilts are gorgeous and so are the embroidered pillow cases. It sounds like you have a very special neighbor. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Hi Kelly, thank you and yes I have a lovely neighbor. When we bought our home three years ago we were blessed in many ways:)

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  23. Enjoyed reading your blog today ! :)

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    1. Thank you, it is always fun seeing a new face in my comments. Welcome!

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  24. Both of y'alls quilts look good! I don't know how to quilt so I'm always impressed with the work and time that goes into those. I like your embroidery too. Things like that will always be cherished since they were made with love.

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    1. Thank you so much! I got a sweet phone call from our granddaughter last night telling me how much she loved her new quilt :) It's a great way to give her a big hug from miles away.

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  25. Those quilts are beautiful! If my neighbors and I decided to do that my jelly roll would still be sitting in a pile in the basement! (So would theirs!)

    Cindy

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    1. Maybe your jelly roll would be, but if it were yarn you would be working on it non stop :)

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  26. Very cute quilts and I love the pillowcases! I like to do hand embroidery too. I'm lucky like you to have a neighbor who loves to quilt and we have other interests in common as well. We walk together 5 mornings a week too. I haven't been able to keep up with the blogs that I try to follow lately.

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  27. Love both quilts. Thanks for sharing.

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