I just completed another Project Quilting entry that I’m quite proud of. The theme is “Stars over America” and that was really the only guideline. The only other rule was that you could use red, white and blue, but you had to use at least one other color (and that you didn’t have to use red, white and blue).

My interpretation the fireworks that were blazing over America everywhere on July 4th (or 5th in Urbandale due to rain!) My boys had the best time with the fireworks this year and I am giving this to my three year old, Brennan, who saw fireworks for this first time this year. The background is a deep blueish, rainbow batik that looked just like the night sky to me, and has big flowerbursts that look like fireworks. Then I used metallic silver and pink paintsticks to do some of the fireworks and threadplay to do the rest. I used shiny rayon threads, that really sparkle and added a little more sparkle with beads and sequins. The silhouette on the bottom symbolizes with America with its trees and houses.

Close-ups to show the paintstik portions, I did with hand-cut freezer paper stencils and quilted fireworks of just thread. I added sequins and beads to a few of the starbursts, and a couple of silver star charms to go with the theme.

That’s the happy boy who gets this “beeeeauooootiful” quilt!

If you’d like to see any of the other beautiful entries, go to the flickr pool.

And pretty soon you will be able to vote at Kim’s Crafty Apple, but I don’t think it’s up yet tonight.

My garden grew the best batch of bachelor’s buttons this year! They grew from seeds, that I neglected to thin as seedlings. But the sight was gorgeous. I had to thin them as tall plants that were taking over. Here’s a little art quilt I made while the trimmings were in a vase on my table inspriring me.

I finished a UFO from a couple years ago today. It was packed away, and when I rediscovered it, it made sense what I needed to do next!! It was a light bulb moment…and right during Brennan’s naptime. So I worked as fast and furious as I could to finish it!

This was made with free motion embroidery on my sewing machine. There are only three thread colors and one background fabric. It is a subtle geometric design, with some botanical elements. I had a lot of fun playing with filling patterns in the border. I do enjoy the traditional stipple, but this was a way to break out of that (on a small scale). Hmmm. Maybe I should try those stitches on a larger scale!

I finished this Grandma’s Flower Garden quilt. It turned out a perfect size for a 12″ x 12″ shadow-box style frame. I’m very pleased with the results. Usually I display quilts, even small ones, by just hanging them on the wall…but this is a lesson in the difference a frame can make!

Click the thumbnail for a photo where you can see the stitches better.