Needles-N-Quilts Blog

It's Been Awhile

2026-09-21T14:30:08.017-06:00

Aurora Borealis in Upper Michigan.

Going to the Beach

Have been busy working on quilts, painting projects, putting up new fences, planting new perennials, getting the vegetable garden planted, building a new potting bench. Just been busy busy busy. I will try to get some quilt pictures posted once I figure out how to get the pictures off my phone and onto the computer. So more stuff to come.

Quilts Are Lining Up!

2022-02-15T12:39:00.001-07:00

The Quilts are lining up. I have 2 that are ready to be quilted and have the binding done. 1 top coming together. 2 that need me to pick out the design and fabric and 3 Quilts that are from family reunions in need of the tops being put together. Shoowsh.

That is a lot of quilts and it doesn't even count the ones that I started on but haven't put them together as a sandwich. Argggg.

Need to put priorities in place so I can accomplish all of my quilting projects. Do you have any suggestions?????

Snow is falling all around...

2019-11-21T15:28:00.003-07:00

I heard a song that goes... Snow is falling all around, on my head and on the ground.... there is more but I forget the rest.

And Yes we do have snow falling. It started about a week before Halloween. I was hoping that it wouldn't, since I still had work to do in the garden. Didn't get my tulips planted yet. Thinking about planting them in containers. hmmmm...

New Quilt Project

2019-06-27T10:09:00.001-06:00

Here is a new quilt that I am currently working on.

I'm planning on putting a 3 borders on. The middle border will be the remnants of the the colorful fabric.

For this quilt I used one jelly roll, one mini cake and one layer cake of Moda's Sweet Harmony. I still have left over fabric, so I will find another project for that. The squares are 10 inch squares finished. The plan is to make the quilt 88 inches x 88 inches or close to it.

I think setting the squares in a rainbow effect makes it look cheery and bright. This will be going to my Granddaughter who just graduated from High School and will be heading to college.

I will post another photo once I have added the borders.

Spring is here!

2019-03-23T11:24:00.000-06:00

Well at least the calendar says Spring is here. We still have snow. It is slowly melting.

I am still working on the two block quilt. Need to do the quilting on it before May. My son's birthday is then and this is his present from me to him this year.

RECIPE TIME:

Beef and Bean Taco Burritos

1lb Hamburger meat
1 can Red Beans
1 pkg of Taco seasoning
1 jar Tostitos mild chunky salsa
8 oz of Cheddar Cheese
1 pkg of Flour Tortillas

Brown the hamburger meat and drain. Add can of beans, taco seasoning, salsa and half the cheese. Heat until thoroughly combined. Heat your flour tortillas in the microwave for 1 - 2 min. until steaming hot. Put hamburger mixture and some more cheese into the tortilla. Fold up into a burrito. Enjoy.

You can also use this mixture as a Taco Salad. Instead of Flour Tortillas, use Tortilla chips and add salad, mix together with meat mixture. Yummy

Both Blocks together

2018-08-13T19:53:00.001-06:00

Here are both blocks put together in the layout I want.......

Block #2 for Quilt

2018-07-23T08:23:00.002-06:00

Hi, Here is the 2nd block for the quilt I am working on. This one is easier to put together than the Star block.

Sew, Cut, Press and Square Up

2018-05-30T17:38:00.000-06:00

Have you notice that when you are making a quilt you do the same things over and over again? I have. Sew, Cut, Press and Square up. I am working on a quilt that has 36 squares (12 inch finished each), 18 of those have 5 hour glass blocks in each. So I have been Sewing, Cutting, Pressing and Squaring up a lot of 4 1/2 inch blocks for the 12 inch finished blocks. So below is some pictures of my adventure in this quilt.....also here is a link to how to sew the Ohio Star by Missouri Star Quilt Company...
https://www.missouriquiltco.com/land/tutorials/ohio-star-quilt/index.html?utm_source=msqcblog&utm_medium=lp&utm_campaign=t107

Knit Knit Knit

2018-04-16T11:09:00.001-06:00

Hello Crafters,

I knitted a baby sweater for a friend using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Sweater pattern, and it turned out great. Unfortunately, I mailed it before I took a picture. Hopefully, I will get a picture with the new baby in it. Check out her website with pictures below....

https://www.schoolhousepress.com/patterns/elizabeth-zimmermann-s-surprise-jacket.html

I have also started on a Christmas Ball that will be white with a blue motif on it. I will take a picture of that and post it. I also started on a baby kimono pattern, just to see how it will turn out.

Once I have pictures I will update this post.

Happy Crafting!!!

Another Birthday Mitten

2018-01-07T10:58:00.001-07:00

Here is another Birthday Mitten. I used the reverse colors from the Blue Mittens....

Birthday Mittens

2017-12-14T12:00:00.002-07:00

Yes you saw right. I made Birthday Mittens for two of my grandchildren living in Colorado. I think they turned out really great.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 111 Navy & 098 Natural Heather

Red Heart Super Saver Stripes - Bright Stripe

What do you think? Have you tried making Mittens?

These were suppose to be made using two straight needles, but I made them in the round, since I didn't want to sew up a seam on the side. The instructions for these can be found in Leisure Arts Quick & Easy Mittens - Knit version. They have several examples of designs you can use and mix.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Crafting!!!

Quilting

2017-11-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the quilt I was working on. I completed it and gave it to my son for his birthday. Needless to say he was happy to get it.

These are 18 inch blocks. I made 9 of them with lattice and cornerstones and then did borders. It is big enough for a Queen size bed. He should be warm and toasty for winter.

I quilted it on a normal home sewing machine.

Crafting Away....

2017-10-17T09:52:00.000-06:00

Hello Fellow Crafters,

I am still working on the shawl. But I did get a quilt and mittens completed and given to the happy recipients. I am currently working on a pair of socks with the left over yarn from the mittens. We will see if I have enough for two socks. I might only get one. In that case I might use them as a decoration in the house. LOL.

Recipe time: I like to make fudge, so I tried making Peanut Butter Fudge. Here is the recipe...

https://communitytable.parade.com/237303/lorilange/the-easiest-peanut-butter-fudge-recipe-ever/

It was really good. I think next time I will add chocolate chips to it, since I like chocolate :-) I was also thinking about substituting powdered sugar for the granulated sugar. We will see how that goes.

Have fun crafting!!!

Knitting a Shawl

2017-08-22T11:32:00.002-06:00

Hello Crafters,

I have been working on the Coffee Shop Wrap. I am using the Lion Brand Mandala yarn called Chimere. It is beautiful. I will post a picture once I'm done. Until then here is the photo and location for the directions.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coffee-shop-wrap

This pattern is from the Two of Wands, in case you want to search for it.

If your working on this, let me know and post pictures of your completed wrap.

Lighthouses

2017-07-10T09:43:00.002-06:00

Here are just two Lighthouses in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I keep coming back to these pictures and think I could make a really awesome quilt using these photos. What do you think?

Marquette Lighthouse

Ontonagon Lighthouse

Lake Superior Beaches

2017-06-12T09:08:00.002-06:00

It has been hot and it has been rainy. On the hot days it is off to the beach at Lake Superior. Here are some inspirational photos.....

May Flowers

2017-05-05T08:12:00.000-06:00

April showers bring May Flowers. What a perfect saying, especially for the month that we celebrate our Mom's.

I love taking pictures of flowers so enjoy some from my past adventures.....

More Inspiration!

2017-03-29T10:44:00.000-06:00

When I went to Upper Michigan to look for a house, I was able to get some great pictures. I find them inspiring for future quilts.

Take a look.....

Marquette Light House

Marquette New Light House

Presque Isle - Marquette

Tree Stump

Ontonagon Light House

1st Day of Spring!

2017-03-20T09:30:00.001-06:00

It is the 1st Day of Spring! I just love Springtime.

Here are a few things to get you in the Springtime mood.....

Luck of the Irish

2017-03-15T09:31:00.002-06:00

May the Luck of the Irish be with all of you :-) Yes, St. Patrick's Day is just a few days away. Time to get your Green on and look for the little people.

Want some Quilting inspiration ? Check out the pics below....

Valentine's Day Is Fast Approaching!

2017-02-08T15:43:00.004-07:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Here are some inspirations....

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

2016-12-25T17:39:00.002-07:00

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season. Hope all your wishes come true. Your resolutions be achievable and good fortune comes your way.

November Fun

2016-11-02T12:52:00.001-06:00

Hi All,

Just wanted to update the blog with information on the Craftsy Knitalong, that is FREE.

https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/kits/fall-knit-along-2016-accessories/454254

You get to make a Cowl, Hat and Fingerless Gloves.

So check it out.

Here are some of my previous knitting projects.

Boulder County Fair

2016-08-30T10:49:00.001-06:00

Here are a few of the pictures for the Boulder County Fair.....

August - Means it is Fair time!

2016-08-05T13:57:00.001-06:00

Hi,

Yes, it is August and that means the County Fair is here. Yeah! I can't wait to go and see the quilts, crafts, animals, rides, food and demolition derby. I will be going this Saturday and hope to get lots of pictures to show all of you.

Here are some from last year.....