I have a family in Australia, they live on a huge farm/ranch in Queensland. They raise cattle, ride horses, and have six children. Actually–they are not family, but I have been following their blog and instagram account for years. I watched the first child go off to boarding school and graduate, saw photos of Christmas celebrated around the pool, and marveled at the exotic animals that visit their garden and paddocks. If I was given plane ticket to anywhere in the world, I would be off to Australia.

Often these Aussie parents mention dropping by the children’s boarding school to deliver “bits and bobs” requested by a child or left at home after school holidays. Over time, I learned that quaint phrase means “this and that”–small items that won’t be named. Doesn’t “bits and bobs” sound more interesting than “this and that”?

The Quilts Etc. Sale will have “bits and bobs” for sale- small items that might be called “stocking stuffers” or “hostess gifts” or “nice to own”.

Fabric trimmed tea towels in school or team licensed fabric with a crocheted dish cloth solves the problem of what to give your neighbors as a thank you gift for collecting the mail while you were on vacation. Each set is $15.

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These potholders have Insul-Bright Insulated Lining—–which keeps the heat away from your hand or the table top. Each has a middy braid loop so they can be hung on an easy to reach hook. We will have more at the sale. $5 each

These microwave spatter guards have a vinyl like back side that keeps the food in the container and doesn’t melt. Great to put over the butter stick you are melting in the measuring cup. $5 each

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Warm your bowl of soup without burning your fingers as you transfer the bowl from the micro wave to the table. Fill it with individually wrapped candy for a hostess or office mate’s gift. This size is $8. 10 inch ones are $10. There will be Christmas fabric and other school prints offered at the Sale.

Mama wolf and her cubs is a great gift for the outdoorsman in your family. Measuring 34″ x 43″, it could be hung on the wall or thrown over a couch.

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Zipper lined bags —carry your make up in your luggage? keep sewing notions together when taking handwork out of your home? They are quilted and no two are alike. $10 each.

Hope you can join us for the Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction. You just never know what “bit or bob” you may find!

Every time I show a new quilt top to my husband, his standard reply – “Is that a little busy”. Huh? I have threaten to name several quilts “a little busy”. In his function vs. form engineer world “busy” means more than two colors! There is something special about a quilt using one color family and a neutral. Though out quilt history many lovely tops have been made using this formula.

Two color–or one color with a neutral quilts are classic, they are never out of style even if the color is typical of a certain decade. Their color scheme goes well in an established home decor. The Quilt Etc. Sale and Auction has two quilts that would fit into your home style perfectly.

This soft blue and white quilt is spectacular.

Peaceful, calm not busy! The pinwheel blocks and border add motion but the color scheme suggests serenity. It is 88″ x 108″–would fit you queen or king size bed.

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The back of the quilt compliments the color scheme. I am fascinated by the border–sort of flying geese but not–more difficult to do and you won’t see this pattern very often. A simple floral pattern was used for the machine quilting. The quilting isn’t dense which makes it softer. This quilt is $600

You have seen the next quilt –before it was machine quilted. Machine quilting gives the quilt a new personality.

This is the Cherries and Cream quilt back from the long arm quilted and with the binding.

NOTE TO ALL: I will ship your purchases anywhere in the US. The cost of postage will be based on the fixed flat rate of the standard US postage boxes. The postage will be added to your purchase price. For international purchases, contact me.

I am having to write this post under the cover of darkness so I won’t be detected, because the other half of this household is a proud alumni of the “the other university and he bleeds purple”. But I did not graduate from either school, and my taxes help to pay for both of these great universities, so… I did some research and learned—

#1. “Rock Chalk” originally referred to a type of chalk found in KS that is similar to the Cliffs of Dover, England.

#2. “Jayhawk” originally was a term used in the Civil War to refer to guerrilla fighters in Kansas and later was used to refer to all citizens of Kansas.

#3. A student at KU may chose from 325+ degree programs!

#4. Jayhawks love basketball for good reason with an unparalleled history of championships.

#5. Many famous and successful folk have graduated from KU including 3 astronauts.

AND there are 60 Alumni Chapters worldwide! I know there are many, many proud Jayhawks out there and do I have a prize for you!

Current and vintage t-shirts were used to create this history book quilt of school pride. The quilt measures 81″ x 97″ (king size) and is machine quilted. It is totally machine washable, so don’t be afraid to use it on the couch, enjoying your favorite snack while watching your team win the championship!

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Close ups of the t-shirt blocks, the quilting and the licensed fabric used in the border.

In our home, we hang our “fan/pride/school” quilts in the stair well, visible from main level and the basement. If you purchase this quilt, a hanging sleeve can be added to the back so it can be hung in your home or office for all to see. This unique KU quilt is $600.

Did you grow up in a home where putting out the family’s nativity scene was as important as putting up the Christmas tree? Some nativity scenes are put out with a great deal of ceremony and often are used as a teaching tool about the true meaning of Christmas.

Nativity scenes were originally designed to teach the illiterate about Christ’s birthday. And although they may not be absolutely accurate–the wise men were not at the birth- they have played an important role in telling the Christmas story. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with the first “living nativity scene”. What a tradition he started all those centuries ago!

Some folk collect nativity scenes from travels–each set reflecting the culture of the country they visited. Some of us have family heirloom sets. Some people just started with one set and friends and family added to the collection. Nativity sets are in every imaginable medium– simple clay, fragile porcelain, woven wheat straw, pewter, craved wood and fabric.

We have two very different nativity sets this year in the Quilts Etc. Sale.

This eight piece nativity set is perfect for a young family. You can’t break or chip these! The red work was embroidered by Vicki. Each piece is weighted so they will stand with out help. This unique set would be a great addition to a collection. It is for sale for $85.

This nativity set could be a piece of stain glass art. The tri- fold nativity scene was appliqued by Janis. The wire frame allows it to stand alone but fold when in storage. It is $125 . A very different addition to one’s collection of nativity sets that would become a family heirloom.

NOTE TO ALL: I will ship your purchases anywhere in the US. The cost of postage will be based on the fixed flat rate of the standard US postage boxes. The postage will be added to your purchase price. For international purchases, contact me.

Spoiler–I don’t have one! I use a lot of red—but I wouldn’t say it is my favorite. To me, colors are like children–who can chose their favorite child? Each child does well in a certain field, has particular charms and even goes through a period when you are not sure you even like them! But I am super happy to have each member of my family and I am super happy to have all the hundreds of shades and tints of color.

But some people do have strong feelings about their color! My 16 year old grandson always picks green–the green tiles when playing Blokus, the green toothbrush, the green backpack… So when grandma volunteered to make a new quilt for him–he still sleeps with the one I made 15 years ago and he is now 6’3″ tall–I was pretty sure it would be green. But just not any old green. We spent “quality” time together choosing just the right greens.

When I was enthusiastically discussing different aspects of quilting–quality of fabric, matching points, machine vs. hand quilting with a non-quilting friend, I was stopped by this comment. “Color is how I choose my quilts–the quilt must go with the color scheme in my home.” I get it. I drink a particular wine because I like it–I don’t give a fig about the finer points a sommelier would notice. I like what I like.

The quilters have enjoyed playing with color when creating for the Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction. We have bright colors and muted colors. There are soft tints and bold primary colors. Some the colors remind us of color combinations in other part of our life

This color pairing of pink and brown reminds me the old fashion candy–Cherry Mash! The pinwheel design is created from the rail fence block. It is 66″ x 68″ and is $100 (calorie free)

A pre-printed panel in the vibrant colors and design of a church’s stained glass window was used for this medallion quilt. The colors surrounding the center are suggested by the panel. The machine quilting pattern is “Cathedral Rose” to compliment the panel. It is $150 to purchase.

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This table topper is 42″ x 44″ and it took 4 hours to custom quilt this small quilt. But what are you noticing–the color not the quilting! This muted blue won’t call a lot of attention to itself, but will enhance the over all setting. It is $75.

Here is a hint for choosing colors–add some black-even a tiny bit, in the mix of fabrics. Black makes the other colors shine. This red, white and gray quilt needed the black sashing to make its dramatic appearance! The quilt is 54″ x 60″ and is machine quilted. It can be yours for $175

This baby quilt is an example of low volume colors, giving a restful feel with the spinning pinwheels giving a bit of motion. It is 38″ x 38″ and is for sale for $40.SOLD

Just the opposite of the previous quilt, this 59″ x 59″ quilt used highly saturated colors. It reminds me of the color schemes seen in the Amish quilt collections. $50.

This quilt sparkles with stars –some are high volume, some are medium volume and some are low volume. There are no “rules” in piecing/quilting, but—there are some “guidelines”! And this quilt is a perfect example of an inclusion and balance of high, medium and low volume colors. The quilt would be perfect on a child’s first big person bed, folded over the end of your bed or even a table topper that reaches the ground. It is priced at $275.

Life is too short to live it in black and white—add color! Quilts are great source of color!!!

Hmmm…how can I tie this post to the Olympics finishing up in Tokyo? Fifteen different running events are listed for men and women in the official Olympic program –sprints, middle distance and long distance. That is not counting the hurdles, relays and steeplechases! And at the October Quilt Etc.Sale, we will have that many or more table “runners“– there that is my connection ;).

Table runners originally “run” the length of the table and had a very practical purpose. In the Middle Ages, the royal folks were super messy eaters. Table runners were developed to protect the other table linens and to save on laundry. Table runners still serve a practical purpose–protecting the table’s finish from water rings, candle wax or scratches. But most table runners are used to add color or create a theme or to unify a table setting. Formal or informal –table runners fit the bill.

I have used table runners on the coffee table, on the top of book cases, as wall hangings, under essentials on my bedroom dresser, over the back of a chair, on top of table cloths and as placemats.

Table runners are “usually” rectangular in shape–but check out what we have to offer!

Put this in the center of your table and add a couple of bunnies and you are ready for Easter. It is 14″ x 32″ and is for sale for $20. SOLD

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Two-for-one! This chevron placemat has a Christmas them on one side and an autumn theme on the other. It is 12″ x 30″. This “deal” is $35. SOLD

Summer time with shades green and purple– This 19″ x 34″ runner has a flange to accent the deeper greens. It is also $25. SOLD

Cardinals have significance to many people. These bright red birds and golden holly leaves will brighten up the grayest winter day. It is 14″ x 50″ and available for $25.

“But folks here it is…… “the grand champion”, “the best in show”, “the purple ribbon winner”!!! This is an JR appliquéd piece called HALLOWEEN PATCH.

Size: 21” x 50”. Pattern: Shabby Fabrics. Fabric: 100% cotton, wool felt. Method: machine appliqué, custom quilting. Price: $175.

In this close up you can see the care and patience that went into this project. I am most impressed with her choice of fabrics. Perfect shoes for a witch!

We looove making table runners, so there will be others plus table toppers in future posts and at the sale. Contact me if you are interested in one of these. Thanks for reading.

“Scrappy” may sound like a small but fierce puppy’s name. Or it could describe a child who doesn’t let a few bullies stop them. But in quilt circles it refers to a quilt top made from many fabrics or scraps leftover from other sewing projects. At the County Fair judges have a category for “quilts with more than 15 fabrics”. More PC?

Scrappy quilts are not boring! Lots of colors and designs to admire. “I Spy Quilts” use fussy cut prints of trains, kittens, butterflies, baseballs, etc. to entertain children. Fabric from sewing garments for one person, a family or a groups of friends can preserve memories.

Many vintage quilts were made from scraps because the housewives who were making a utilitarian quilt could not afford to buy fabric. The Quilters at First have been the lucky recipients of gifted fabric. We shop our stash for many of our projects. New fabric ranges between $10 and $13 a yard. A lap size quilt would use three to four yards and a quilt back uses between three and five yards.

Setting and patterns can pull a scrappy quilt together also. This simple rail fence block is organized by the sashing between the sets of blocks. The quilt is 45″ x 51″ and long arm quilted. It is for sale for $100.

Fabric with the same theme such as Christmas or Halloween creates a unified look even though dozens of different fabrics are used.

This Halloween quilt is 60″ x 60″. The squares are “set on point” with diagonal corners. It is for sale for $125.

You can’t count all the different Christmas prints available!

Zillons of different Christmas prints but they have one theme. The holiday quilt pictured above is 53″ x 72″. The back is one print of tiny Christmas stockings. It is $150.

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Lots of white fabric ties this scrappy design together. It is 60″ x 70″ and long armed quilted with a Christmas tree design. It is for sale $125.

The scrappy look is tied together by using the same group of fabrics. This quilt used flannel plaid and chambray to pull together a wrap up perfect for winter nights.

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The back and binding are flannel scraps also. It is 52″ x 70″ and is offered for $75.

Quilt tops using fabric from the same color values give a coherent feel. “Magnolia Cottage” in the next photo does this with pastel and floral prints.

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Magnolia Cabin is made up of many hour glass blocks. It is 61″ x 63″ and long-arm quilted with a feather motif.

I am intrigued by this border. The binding is scrappy also. It can be yours for $250.

This true vintage scrappy quilt is a traditional four patch with setting triangles. The strip of blocks echos the stripe sashing used. The quilt is 82″x 89″ and is hand quilted.

This treasure is being offered for $400. Where do you see this quilt being used? Guest room, antique bed set, granddaughter’s room?

Remember, scrappy quilts are “green”–fabric is re-used–not thrown into the land fill. Win-Win!!!