Nothing up my sleeve

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve just been heads-down, in my own world just puttering along with my own projects. And suddenly, life steps in and all the plans and projects mean something different. My sister, who lives 700 miles from me, will be having major surgery soon, and will need someone with her for a while. Of course, I want to be that person! Whatever plans I have at the moment, automatically become second priority. Just put a few things on hold, change some appointments and do what needs to be done. Family first.

News From the Studio

Mystery Quilts

That Mystery Quilt from the May workshop is finally done!Can hardly wait for our first guild meeting next month to see all of the quilts the other participants made. Sue Jones, the workshop leader selected these fabrics for me.

Here’s my customer’s version on the frame. Workshop leader, Sue Jones selected these fabrics for her. Gorgeous.

Quilt Sleeve

Most of the time I make a sleeve for my quilts out of left-over backing fabric. Here’s one I made recently for my Mystery Quilt, What Knots. Go to How to Make a Quilt Sleeve for instructions.

Torrent

New Panto in the Studio

Another new panto is in the studio. My customer made a Wizard of Oz themed quilt, and the panto is call Torrent! It just gives you the ominous feeling of that approaching tornado, doesn’t it?

Learning for the Week

A few days ago, I had occasion to drop in on a quilting friend, and we spent a good bit of time just enjoying each other’s company. It dawned on both of us, how easy it is to get so busy that we forget to nurture our friendships. So, this week, I had lunch with a new friend, and we sewed together and talked all afternoon. The next day, I had lunch with another friend. It’s been too long since we’ve spent time together. 

Who is it in your own life that you need to just spend time with? Which friend do you wish would ask you to lunch? Have you ever heard of a phone? Do you have her number? Just ask her to lunch. A long lunch. Nurture at least one friend this week. She needs you.

Now, go call your friend, then let’s go quilting!

 

Hippity Hop!

The NE TN Shop Hop wrapped up last Saturday. What a whirlwind! 12 shops participated, 2 local shops, and 10 road-trip shops. The road-trip shops ranged from Cosby TN very near the NC border, to Crossville TN, about half way between Knoxville and Nashville. Wow. A friend and I hit the road on Thursday last week, and spent 10 hours in the car. We managed to get to 8 of the 10 shops. I wanted to go again another day to the 2 that were west of Knoxville, but just didn't have the gumption!

News From the Studio

Amish Pinwheel

Amish Pinwheel

Got 'er quilted! The quilt was made from fabric exchanged at the Old Town Guild Christmas Party - 2014. Friend Sandy took it with her to guild meeting last week for show and tell (while I was recovering from the shop hop trip). Thanks, Sandy.

What Knots?

The Mystery Quilt Workshop quilt, What Knots is on the frame - swirls this time. I long for good light in my quilting area. It's in the plan for next year - maybe.

New Pantos

Three new pantographs are in the studio. I love them! Let me know which one you like best for your next quilt.
 

Burlesque

Smitten

Nouveau Feathers

Now, let's go quilting!

Embrace the Mystery

18 guild members participated. We used a large classroom in the church

It’s been a great week! Last Saturday, Sue Jones held a Mystery Quilt Workshop for my guild, Appalachian Heritage Quilters in Gray, TN! What a hoot. Look, if you are going to do a mystery quilt, for Pete’s sake, embrace the mystery. Sue gave us the option of selecting our own fabrics or letting her shop for them and do all of the cutting, too!! So, 12 out of the 19 who had signed up selected that option, and I was one of them. 

 

Sue always has a smile on!

  She gave us 9 clues – each one was a separate step in the process. It all came in a gift bag, with all of the pre-cut pieces wrapped in tissue paper, not to be opened until we were ready for the related clue. The day progressed with easy blocks. By mid-afternoon, rows were coming together and by the end of the day, a couple of people had their tops finished! The quilt is called What Knots. This is what mine looked like. Sue is a super-fun teacher, and everyone had a blast. If your guild wants to schedule her, Sue can be reached at 865-981-4547, email: srj23@charter.net.

Sue chose these fabrics for me.

News from the Studio

Do you subscribe to the Missouri Star Quilt Co. daily deal email? How about the MSQC youtube channel? You need to do both! Just go to www.missouriquiltco.com and sign up. Today’s tutorial was a quilt Jenny Doan calls Pinwheels on Point. So easy.

My friend from Colorado and I vacation together every year, and this quilt will be my project while we are on our little retreat later in the year. Just yesterday, I secured a wonderful little "cabin" near Pigeon Forge, TN, one of our favorite places to go. Oh, if you love cats, you must visit the Smoky Mountain Cat House there.

Enjoy your week! Now let's go quilting!

A Quilter's Heart

A friend and I went to the Smoky Mountain Quilters Quilt Show on Friday, in Maryville, TN. What a wonderful show. Lots of quilts, great vendors, and a lovely bed turning of antique log cabin quilts. The area Quilts of Valor group, did 3 presentations of Quilts of Valor to 3 service members. Although, I was not able to attend the presentation, I have attended several. What a wonderful way to present a service member with tangible evidence of our deep appreciation of their service and sacrifice. Get more information at www.qovf.org.

Best in Show

 


The Quilt of Valor group also had a gallery of quilts. I love this one.

This one is my show favorite. Sorry, I didn't get a close up of the quilting. The whole quilt was just so sweet, and the quilting was absolutely perfect for the quilt. And it came with a nice story. It was made by a bee to remember 3 of their members who had passed away. 

 

 

 

News from the Studio

The Amish Pinwheel quilt (from the Craftsy Precision Piecing class) is ready for quilting. But first – gotta practice a bit. Every machine quilter, whether domestic or longarm, needs a practice sandwich to play with. When I was quilting on the domestic, I kept a stack of fat-quarter sandwiches to warm-up the coordination and practice new designs. As a longarmer I do the same thing. I’ve got a growing stack of  well-used practice “quilts” for reference, and one all ready to zip onto the longarm leaders at a moment’s notice. Today, I practiced the border designs for the Amish pinwheel, and now feel ready to get started.  Since the quilt is all batiks, it was important to practice on batik with the same thread I will use on the quilt.  

Key Learning for the Week

Do you ever feel a little inferior or inadequate when you see all of the amazing talent at a quilt show? I do. But I fight the feeling. No quilter is inferior or inadequate – every quilter has a style, things they are good at, things they don’t need or want to be good at, and skills they want to develop. Embrace your style, your joy of fabric and thread, and the fellowship of your sisters of the craft.

Now, let's go quilt something!

From Spring Euphoria to Victory!

Spring has sprung with a vengeance around here. The Iris are in full bloom, shortly to be followed by the glads.
















My DS sent me a couple of pictures of Spring at the orchard. The pears were in bloom, and by now, I expect that the whole orchard is full of blossoms and bees.

 

News from the Studio

Last week, I finally finished the quilt top for the Precision Piecing class. So glad to have it done! Now to decide how to quilt it. It seems to want a cross between tradition and modern designs - so if you have a suggestion - please feel free!






And, how cute are these! I found these at the Patchwork Co - a quilt store in Windham, NY which I mentioned last week. She had a whole rafter lined on both sides with these cute wall hangings. I just HAD to get a bunch of them. Whether I ever make them or not, they are fun to look at! They are designed to be the kitty version of veggies - the first one is Le Artichat, and the other is Mushkit.

My Ah-ha! Moment of the Week

My "duh!" moment for the week, came with 2 days of paperwork! OMG, how did I let data entry and account reconciling go for SO Long? If I were to make a mid-year resolution, it would be to stay on top of financial stuff as it happens.

Procrastination has it's repercussions! Things that have been put off and put off generate a sense of being overwhelmed and discouraged. It is paralyzing and a big waste of time. So, if you have been putting off something because it is overwhelming, be encouraged. Just think about the first 2 things that you would have to do in order to move forward - just 2. Then take 1 step toward the first one - spend 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Then start on the 2nd thing. One step at a time. You will be surprised at your progress. You don't have to get it all done at once. You  just have to keep moving.

Now let's get moving and go quilt something!