Custom Alphabet Handmade Quilt

Custom alphabet quilt made by Laurie Miller and displayed at a local quilt show. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Custom Alphabet Handmade Quilt

There is no doubt I like alphabet quilts for baby gifts. Not only can they be used in a crib but they can be wonderful wall hangings, easily changing a room into a nursery. The alphabet is also one of the first things kids learn and here it is, easy to refer to and a special part of a child’s early days.

There’s quite a story behind this handmade quilt, starting with what the original intent was with ceramic buttons. You don’t see many on this custom alphabet handmade quilt, which is a story of flexibility and still completing one’s custom quilt design idea.

I was just thinking where would someone even find ceramic buttons these days. I can remember picking some up years ago when my mother would make some of our clothes. The ceramic buttons then where the only “cute” buttons then on the market.

Today there are a variety of plastic buttons with cute themes, much lighter to sew onto clothes.

The story behind this custom alphabet handmade quilt. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Each custom alphabet handmade quilt block had cute pre-made appliques, at first it was hard to decide which one to feature. Then I settled on some of my personal favorites - butterflies, bees and bluebirds.

The charming “bs” in the B block of this custom alphabet handmade quilt. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you can’t make a custom alphabet handmade quilt, you can do something similar with an already-made alphabet quilt like Alphabet in Clouds Baby Quilt. The baby quilt is finished, all you have to do is go shopping for the pre-made appliques. Have fun!

Charlotte

Cat Mischief Handmade Quilt

Any of these scenes look familiar? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Cat Mischief Handmade Quilt

Whenever someone is not sure of what handmade quilt to give as a gift, I recommend they consider a pet-themed quilt like Cat Mischief Lap Quilt Quilted Wall Hanging.

Most pet lovers I know would get a kick out of this brand new, handmade quilt with a cat theme. Each of the quilt blocks has a familiar scene, something I can say since I live with a couple of curious cats.

What is also nice about this handmade quilt is that it can also be used as a wall hanging since it has little tabs on the back to easily convert it from a lap quilt to home decor. What cat lover wouldn’t enjoy having this on a wall!

This scene reminds me of one of my cats with tuna. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now if you live with cats you know they like routine; they have their own way of doing things and, at times I think we are sheer entertainment for them.

My cats also let me know they love me by the looks they give me.

Doesn’t this cat look angelic? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Mousing can be an issue, nicely celebrated in this cat-themed handmade quilt. In the following quilt block, the cats look like they are having a conversation with the mouse, something that periodically happens at my house.

My vet said mama cat has to teach her babies how to hunt. Apparently my cats missed that lesson since they will come tell me there is a mouse in the house before they would ever consider catching it.

I often am the one catching the mice in my house. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you live with cats you also live with boxes. Not that they are really boxes to a cat, we have one box that has become a toy depository. Not that they don’t have basket sand other places to put them, it’s just that now one of my cats likes to keep them in this particular box. It’s cat logic.

There’s mischief in them there eyes! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Another advantage to giving this cat-themed quilt as a gift is that there are nice-sized places where custom embroidery can be added with a favorite saying, cat names or whatever you would like to add to personalize the quilt.

Dare I say it, this is the cat’s meow?

Charlotte

Cat Mischief Lap Quilt Wall Hanging

Cat Mischief Lap Quilt Wall Hanging

Have a cat lover on your gift list? Then Cat Mischief Lap Quilt Wall Hanging may be just the ticket.

This brand new, imported lap quilt is the standard 50x60 inches made out of quality cotton fabrics. Several feline scenes are depicted on the front, from cats getting into trouble to cat naps. A charming border of red mice taunt the cats in the center.

One of the reasons lap quilt throws make excellent gifts is that you can also hang Cat Mischief as a quilted wall hanging.

Take a look at a close up of some of the cat lap quilt wall hanging scenes:

This smug calico cat is giving you a welcome!

Put two cats together and you are bound to find something’s amiss. There’s a nod to that in this charming lap quilt wall hanging:

Two cats play with a grey mouse in Cat Mischief Lap Quilt Wall Hanging.

Not all cats are getting into trouble, this little grey is taking a nap.

Grey cat takes a nap on top of a small patchwork quilt.

The standard lap quilt throw has a border that surrounds it with red mice.

Red mice form the border and surround the cat scenes.

To make this a personalized gift, add cat names to each scene and the person who lives with cats at the bottom with custom embroidery.

Nice way to celebrate that cat lover on your gift list!

Charlotte

Handmade Quilt Gift Idea for Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Close up of the 4-inch fabric blocks in Blue Yellow Ninepatch lap quilt and wall hanging.

Handmade Quilt Gift Idea for Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Sometimes it’s hard to find a gift for someone in a hospital and nursing home. You don’t want to give something that may be damaged or misplaced and this little gem is a wonderful option.

Blue Yellow Ninepatch Lap Quilt Wall Hanging is a brand new imported lightweight lap quilt in bright yellow and blue multi-patterned cottons. The backing is also a bright and cheerful fabric with printed yellow and blue flowers. The lap quilt also comes with a built-in sleeve so this tiny reminder of sunshine can be hung on a wall.

Close up of the backing and sleeve on Blue Yellow Ninepatch Lap Quilt and Wall Hanging.

One of our customers recently purchased a Blue Yellow Lap Quilt Wall Hanging and had friends write good wishes in the blocks with an indelible pen.

Another option is to have custom embroidery added with a special dedication in the bottom blue border.

Blue Yellow Ninepatch Lap Quilt Wall Hanging on a bed to show all of the included fabric colors.

I have a personal connection to these colors and design. Years ago, I gave something similar to my grandmother as a housewarming gift when she moved into a nursing home. Only instead of calling it a ninepatch pattern, we decided this was an irish chain.

My most recent customer insisted this was more of a ninepatch so we’re leaving it named as she requested. Whatever you call it, Blue Yellow Ninepatch Lap Quilt Wall Hanging will brighten anyone’s day!

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!

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.

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.

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

Charlotte

Ichabod Hollow Handmade Quilt Wall Hanging

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.

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.

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.

And one more surprise...

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

Holiday Traditions Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

Holiday Traditions Quilt Throw Wall Hanging celebrated the best of the Christmas holiday.

Holiday Traditions Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

What are some of your holiday traditions?

We didn't have too many set in stone but we did keep to a few of the basics: hanging stockings on a mantle, baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, decorating a tree. This brand new, all cotton quilt throw includes some of those traditions, and more.

A snowman keeps a red cardinal company in this traditional Christmas snow scene.

Although we grew up in South America, and a new bathing suit was part of our Christmas gift traditions, we heard about snow. It was the promise of seeing snow that got us excited about our move up north. I still get excited at the prospect of seeing the first snow, don't you?

Hanging stockings from a mantle is another Christmas tradition.

This brand new, imported from India quilt also has a sweet scene of stockings getting hung on a fireplace mantle. To personalize, you could add names, or initials, those are teeny, tiny stockings, almost the size of stockings for mice. And yes, I have a little stocking on my fireplace for the cats, and the Christmas mouse.

In our home, baking cookies was a favorite pastime even when I had stepchildren.

And what is Christmas without gingerbread - houses, cookies, ornaments. Love the smell of gingerbread anything cooking in the oven so was enchanted to find these little gingerbread cookies having fun in another Holiday Traditions quilt block.

What holiday traditions do you have in your family?

Charlotte

Santa's Workshop Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

Santa's Workshop Quilt throw wall hanging quickly turns any room into a very busy place!

Santa Workshop Quilt Throw Wall Hanging

I really should have a Santa's Workshop Quilt Throw Wall Hanging in my business office, sometimes it feels like I am another one of those little pointed-ear workers madly trying to get projects done - hopefully, in time!

This charming, all cotton imported from India lap quilt throw features very detailed applique and embroidered elves, some working on favorite holiday traditions. One of the reasons I love lap quilt throws is that they can so quickly change the decor of a room, either by hanging them or tossing one over the back of an easy chair or sofa.

This one would definitely be fun as a holiday quilt wall hanging in a den, entryway or sewing room. 

Did you grow up with trains under the Christmas tree? So did I and this elf is putting the finishing touches on a train for a good little boy, or girl.

This applique elf in santa's workshop quilt throw wall hanging looks like he's almost finished.

Now most of our Christmases growing up where on the Equator so for Christmas we usually got a new swimsuit. That didn't prevent us, however, from wondering about the kids who were given ice skates for Christmas.

This elf is lacing a set of skates in santa's workshop quilt throw all hanging. Love his smile!

This next elf made me chuckle. Having grown up with slide rulers and telescopes, I am sure this is one of Santa's engineering elfs!

This elf is wood-working in santa's workshop quilt throw all hanging, love the ruler in his pocket.

And finally last, but not least, what does this elf look like to you?

Putting the finishing touches on a doll house, this little elf looks like a girl elf to me.

Look at that pretty top, I am sure this is a girl elf finishing the doll house by carefully adding tacks to the roof.

And the biggest jolly elf of them all, of course, in the center, Santa himself! Ho Ho Ho!

Charlotte

Corona Lanterns Lap Quilt Throw

Corona Lanterns is a lovely lap quilt and throw with beautiful ocean green and blue fabrics.

Corona Lanterns Lap Quilt and Throw

This is a charming throw made by one of my neighbors. Diana has a great eye for color, and it's apparent in this beautiful Corona Lanterns Lap Quilt and Throw.

The fabrics remind me of ocean colors, the aqua blues and greens merging into each other like ocean tides.

I told Diana this lap quilt and throw reminds me of Christmas ornaments and she laughed. She sees trees, which made me think this would also make a very interesting quilt wall hanging at an entrance where everyone can see what they want to see.

A detailed embroidered label on the back gives you full details of quilt materials.

To easily make this made in USA lap quilt and throw into a quilted wall hanging, we can add tabs on the back to thread a curtain rod. Or pick up wooden quilt hangars that you install like a picture frame.

Center bottom is a good place to add custom embroidery in a dark blue thread.

This brand new lap quilt and throw is also easy to customize by adding custom embroidery at the bottom. I would recommend a dark navy blue thread color so the embroidery could be seen through the darker fabrics.

Lovely corporate gift to that special client, or family member.

So pretty, regardless of what you see in it!

Charlotte

Lovely Hibiscus Quilt

"Hello Hawaii" Hibiscus Quilt

It's summer in Missouri, a time when my potted tropical hibiscus keep me company on my outside deck. These are more than just potted plants. Tropical hibiscus also keep me company inside over winter, chasing away the winter blues with their lovely flowers and a promise of warmer weather to come.

So it was great delight that I spotted this lovely hand-pieced and hand quilted Hibiscus quilt at the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild bi-yearly show in Rolla in 2015. I enjoy their quilt shows for the variety of entries, many by people I personally know.

This lovely floral quilt was easy to spot, as was this vintage floral quilt. The bright reds and yellows easily stood out against the darker, blue and green-toned fabrics. 

Here's the quilt maker's further explanation:

And is it any surprise that this lovely flower quilt won first prize? Look at the blue ribbon, don't you love the flower for the award rosette?

Congratulations, Ruth, beautiful quilt and quilted wall hanging, hope you are using this as a wall hanging so you can enjoy seeing it every day of the year, regardless of the weather! 

Charlotte

Christmas Tree Quilt Wall Hanging

With this Christmas tree, you can wait until the last minute to put it up! Not only were presents already under the quilted wall hanging but the quilt maker Portia Ellis had literally added small white lights to her embellished fabric tree.

Usually Christmas-themed quilt wall hangings are made just out of patchwork or applique designs in red and green holiday colors.

Gone to Pieces Quilt Guild, St. Robert, Missouri used Portia's lighted Christmas Tree Quilt Hanging to mark the Christmas Tree Lights Patchwork quilts section of their November 15, 2014 quilt show.

Humm, I've seen farmer bear before and love the gift-wrapped presents. Fun details, these gifts are ready to be unwrapped:

Now this is the way to quickly decorate a tree, hang it up and plug it in!

Charlotte