T-shirt Quilts

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope everyone had as wonderful of a holiday season as I did! A white Christmas, my family all together, a lot of sleeping in. Very relaxing and refreshing. But alas, the wonderful Christmas/New Year's break is over -- Although I have quilted sporadically over the past two weeks, the time has come to really get back to work. Nose to the grindstone, actually work everyday. I am very thankful and feel truly blessed to have a job that I love, love, LOVE! So you will hear no complaining from me.

Now that Christmas is over and I can't ruin any one's surprise, I would like to share some of the t-shirt quilts made by SoSews Quilts that were given as Christmas gifts this year.

All five of these quilts were made for a lady who recently lost her husband. Her husband loved wolves and Mickey Mouse - and his large collection of t-shirts and sweatshirts reflects it.

These quilts are a wonderful way for her daughters, granddaughter, and god-daughters to remember him.

Some of the shirts had very large designs which didn't fit into the normal 15 inch square. We worked around that, no problem.


These quilts are just a little more custom than usual!

Because almost all the t-shirt designs in this quilt were over sized, it is sewn together in a random layout - no sashing, no borders. Very unique.

But honestly, the way I sew the quilt together isn't what makes the quilt special. It is all the wonderful memories these quilts will bring back - now and for many years to come - of the husband, dad, grandpa & god-father that they all loved.

That is why I love my job. God bless you ladies!

Christmas Quilts

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Nothing feels more homey at Christmas than being surrounded by colorful, warm quilts. I just want to share a few of my favorite quilted decorations.

Our Family's Stockings - These stockings are HUGE. Santa always

fills them with fruit and lots & lots of chocolate. My husband's advice to people who are just starting their Christmas traditions --

**Get small stockings**

Cotton Boll

Strippy Baskets

My newest Christmas quilt. Just finished it a few weeks ago.

Jacob's Ladder Variation

Recipes for Scones & Biscotti

Ahhh --- The Christmas quilting rush is through! And with an entire week to spare. That's an all time record for SoSews Quilts! Having employees to share the work load is SO wonderful. Thanks Margi, Tim & Aaron!! You've given me the most priceless gift this year - time. So many things I want to do with it. First on the list is baking.

All weekend, I've been working on holiday treat bags for customers and friends.

Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti & Raisin Scones

Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350*.

2. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flours and salt in a bowl; stir well with a whisk.

3. Beat sugar and eggs with a mixer at high speed until thick and pale (about 4 minutes). Add oil and extracts, beating mixture until well blended. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in dried cherries and chocolate chips.

4. Divide dough in half; turn out onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Shape each portion into a 10-inch-long roll, and flatten to 1-inch thickness. Bake at 350* for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove rolls from pan; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325*.

5. Cut each roll diagonally into 20 (1/2 inch) slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on pan. Bake at 325* for 10 minutes. turn cookies over, and bake an additional 10 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Yield: 40 biscotti (serving size: 1 biscotti).

*Recipe is from Cooking Light - Annual Recipes 2002 cookbook.

Raisin Scones

The recipe for these wonderful scones is available here The recipe makes a very sweet scone, so I cut the sugar in half.

Baby Shower Signature Quilt

Because I've devoted my website to my work with t-shirt quilts, I thought I'd use my first blog to showcase another special kind of quilt I make. This baby quilt was made as an activity at a baby shower. Guests drew a picture and/or wrote a message on a block, then I assembled the blocks and quilted it later. You just can't find a more personal or meaningful gift than this.