Small Town Quilt Show In A Big Town Way!!

This weekend was the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way.  Barbara and I had such a wonderful time.  We got to catch up with so many wonderful friends in the industry and make a whole bunch of new friends ;)

We arrived Thursday evening and enjoyed a lovely opening social where we chatted, and chatted, and then chatted some more.  Good times!!  On Friday morning we both took the Quick Curve Ruler class put on by the wonderful ladies of Sew Kind of Wonderful.   This class was so much fun!!!!  I was nervous before class started  about sewing the curves but there was no reason to be.  These patterns are written to be squared up after the curves so you don't have to be perfect, yippee!!!  I finished my first block in class and I love, love, love it!!!!  I can't wait to get the entire quilt finished up ;)

It will look something like this when it is all done.  (hopefully ;)   You can find out more about all of the Quick Curve Ruler and the patterns at Sew Kind of Wonderful's shop :)

Right after the curves class it was time to teach my In Your Neighborhood class.   The gals in my class were fantastic.  We had so much fun and everyone did such a great job.  Look at all of their awesome Block Finishes ;)

And Laura even finished her entire quilt top before the weekend was done.  Isn't it so adorable.  It is a gift for a sweet baby girl.  So cute!!

Friday night, Barbara and I headed over to open sew and I cranked out some major chain stitching on my Metro Hoops blocks.  We sewed until 11:00 pm and then figured we should probably get a little sleep as I had to teach in the morning ;)  But it was so much fun to just sit and sew with all of the gals there.  We had a blast.

Saturday morning was my Starburst class.  And once again, these gals were just so incredible!!  We had such a great time.  The ladies all worked so hard and cranked out their first block and then a lot got some chain stitching done after that for future blocks ;)  I love seeing all of the fabrics everyone chooses.   Don't their blocks just look incredible!!

I really do love teaching, it is one of my all time favorite parts of this industry.  I just love to be able to share the passion I have for this part of my life.  I love seeing people learn new techniques and watch the joy as it clicks.   It is just wonderful!!  Thanks again to the folks at Small Town Quilt Show for having me.  It was such a fantastic weekend!!!

And one last shot, before I sign off today.   Barbara took a few sneaky shots that I didn't know about.  No, I am not doing some kind of great 80's dance here, I am showing how angled seams will match up ;)  Good Times ;)

That's it for today ;)  Be sure to check in tomorrow because it is my 4 Year Blogiversary!!!!  Goodie Goodie Gumdrops ;)  I have some fun stuff planned to celebrate :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

To Pack or not to Pack

Well, I would love to say that I am all packed up and ready to go to the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way ;)   Sadly, I am not.  This is what my floor looks like ;)  Each time I walk in my sewing room, I throw a few more things onto that quilt so I don't forget to take them.  I still need to pack it all, including my machine ;)   Oh, and packing some clothing would probably be helpful as well ;)    I have 2 hours until my son's first band concert  (so excited for him) and then we leave right after.  I can pack all of that in 2 hours, right ;)

I did manage to get all of my homework done last night  (when I should have been packing ;)  All of my strips have been pieced and pressed.  I can't wait to see how this turns out :)

I am so excited for this weekend!!!  It is going to be such a blast.  Not only to teach but to get to hang out with so many wonderful quilty friends.  This is such an amazing industry to be a part of!!

Alright, To Pack I go ;)  I don't know if I will have a chance to post again until I get back, but be sure to pop back in Monday for a weekend review and then Tuesday I have something special planned because it is my 4 year Blogiversary!!!!!  Oh my goodness, so exciting!!!




Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

My new Beatle Bag

A little while back, Barbara (my amazing MIL) made a Beatle Bag sample for Julie to have at her store, The Intrepid Thread.  And because she is the most amazing MIL ever, she made made me one too!!! Have you heard of the Beatle Bag, the pattern is by Abbey Lane Quilts and they are so awesome!!!   They are just perfect for all of your quilting needs.

You open up to find an adorable pin cushion and pocket for scissors or rotary cutter.  Perfect!!!  And don't you just love the quilting she did on it.  So cute!!!

On the other side is another pocket, since we all have more than one rotary cutter and pair or scissors ;)  And then the middle is filled with a ton of zip shut bags.  You can order  the actual bag inserts with the pattern, but Barbara opted for Zip-loc baggies, which will work just fine as well ;)

I just love the way it closes up so cute and adorable.   Barbara had me pick my fabrics so for the body of the bag I choose a favorite Kate Spain print from Terrain and the of course a fabulous wood grain in purple by Joel Dewberry for the lining.   (Joel really knows how I love purple ;)  For the lining in the inside, I choose a soft grey Pearl Bracelet print by Lizzy House.

Now I can't wait to fill this all up for the classes I will be teaching and taking this Friday and Saturday at the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way!!   It is going to be so much fun!!!  And oh how nice it will be to have everything in one place.   And I think  a few chocolates might slip into those bags as well ;)

Thank You Barbara!!!  I love, love, love it!!!!!!  Am I not the luckiest gal :)  So can you do me a favor and help me tell her what an amazing job she did.  She thinks this is "no big deal" but I just think it is amazing.  So help me show her some quilty love :)

I am off to fill this up and get packed up for the weekend (and maybe squeeze in a bit of quilting ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day

Linking Barbara's Spectacular finish to Quilt Story :)

Weekend Quilting Ups and Downs (and now Up again ;)

So Friday afternoon I finished  all of the background quilting for my Christmas Trees quilt and I was so excited to move onto the trees.  I decided on some Rancher Red and some Lawn Green Magnifico by Superior Threads.  Magnifico has a sheen to it that I just love because it adds a perfect pop!!  And of course, you wan't your Christmas Trees to be "Merry and Bright" :)

Sadly, 5 stitches in, my needle broke  (I still don't know why) and after an hour and a half of fiddling with it, I still couldn't fix it. I tried again on Saturday and just came away frustrated.   The timing is off, so the needle goes down and hits the bobbin casing.  Grrr.   Barbara and I are going to try and fix it again today (any of your longarmers out there have any suggestions??)   but I have a feeling we will be calling the handi dandy Maintenance Man.

EDIT - She Fixed It!!!!  Have I ever told you how absolutely AMAzing my Mother in Law is!!!!  Time to get back to some quilting :)

But, at least I have something else to work on while the long arm is down.   Thanks for all of your help in picking a set of fabrics for my Metro Rings quilt.  I went with Option 1 :)  I already have the strips and setting triangles cut out.  Time to start strip piecing ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Fabric Pull

So as I mentioned yesterday, I am so super excited to take the Quick Curve Ruler class at the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way next week!!!   I can't wait!!  I have wanted to make a curve quilt like this for so, so long.  It has been on the list for a while.  But now with all of the pressure building of my first real curve quilt, I can't choose what fabrics to do it in.  A little help please . . .

Option 1 - I have been saving this stunning Aviary bundle for something super sophisticated and chic.  I think this pattern could look so very classy.  The black grunge would be the setting triangles and the white grunge would be the background.  (Again, I love grunge!!)

Option 2 - This beautiful new Anna Griffin bundle I picked up at market.  It is called Pippa by Ana Davis and I so love the colors!!  Wouldn't this just be so soft and sweet.   The background would be the perfect Bonnie and Camille Dots and the setting triangles would be the Architectures print by Carolyn Friedlander.

And Option 3 - Just to shake it up, would be the fantastic low volume prints from Road 15 by Sweetwater and then using a grey solid background with red setting triangles.  I think this could really pop and be oh so much fun with the great low volume mix-up.

So what do you think, do I go for chic, sweet, or fun???

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend

The Bouncing Ball

So the last few days, I feel like I have been bouncing from one project to another.  I am loving how many fabrics I get to play with in a day, but it is starting to make my head spin just a bit. So I am thinking if I write it all down, maybe I can keep track of it ;)  Here is what I have been bouncing back and forth to.

First off, I got the Christmas Tree Quilt on the long arm frame and managed one row of quilting  (I know, a whole row :)  Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions on quilting.  There were lots of snowflakes and swirls so I tried to combine the two to make it look like swirling snow.   It isn't perfect, but not bad for a new design try ;)

 
I am using So Fine by Superior Threads in my new favorite color.  402 Pearl!!!   Kind of funny story here.   I had never thought to use this color on a white background because when I look at the spool it looks tan to me.   But the other day when I loaded the Starburst quilt, it was already on the machine so I decided to baste the top with it thinking I would change the tread after I had it all basted and good to go.   However, I quickly came to find that I loved it and there was for sure going to be no switching!!!!  It blends perfect, I can actually see what I am quilting, and it shows just enough on the white to make the quilting really feature the background.  Yippee!!  I think it will be my go to color for white backgrounds for some time ;)

I decided to change it up a bit in quilting when I got to between the trees.  I opted for pebbling to look like snow resting on the trees ;)  At least, that is what I am hoping it will give the effect of ;)  I know pebbling takes a while, but I got to tell you, it is so very relaxing for me.  I don't have to think at all, just pebble away :)

And after I got this first row done, it was time for a little cutting.  I am teaching my Wonky Irish Chain pattern next year and so I wanted to make another sample quilt of it but in the queen size.  I am using Persimmon by BasicGrey and I am so loving it!!  I got all of the prints cut out and now it is time to move to the background which will be grunge ;)  I so love grunge!!!

And, lest you think I have forgotten, I have been squeezing in a bit of work here and there on my Micheal Miller Modern Quilt Guild Challenge quilt.   I pressed these guys last night.   Some cute little pixelated daisies.  I have a plan, and hopefully the quilt will come out like I see it in my head ;)

And last, but not least, I added a new project to the pile yesterday.  Next week is the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way and I was fortunate enough to have a break in my teaching time to squeeze in a class as well.  I am taking the Quick Curve Ruler class by Jenny and Helen and I can no wait!!!  I have wanted to make one of these for so long!!  I am going to go with Metro Hoops and now I just need to decide on some fabric.  The only problem is, I just can't decide on an option ;)  Maybe I will snap some pictures today of some fabric pulls and see if you can help me out with deciding tomorrow ;)

And that's the ball coming to a rest ;)  So, I best be off, lots of quilting, cutting, and piecing ahead of me today :) So how about you, are you bouncing around projects this summer??

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Working It :)

I always get emails that no one ever gets to see me on the blog.  So today, I am putting myself out there.   (insert nervous giggling here).  And I am so working it in my new Fat Quarter Shop t-shirt!!    The lovely ladies at Fat Quarter Shop sent me this as a thank you for doing a sample for them.  Wasn't that so sweet!!  And I have to say, I am loving the pink!!!!

And speaking of my friends at the Fat Quarter Shop, they are celebrating the 11 Year Anniversary!!!  Isn't that just incredible!!!  Congratulations, that is awesome!!!  Check out their awesome Shipping Sale to celebrate :)

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, that sample I made uses 25th and Pine. (I would hate to have a post without fabric in it ;)   I Love this line by BasicGrey and even more, I  love getting to sew with Christmas Fabric!!!  Yippee, only half a year away ;)   

And now I am off to load my Christmas Tree quilt I posted about yesterday (wonto the long arm ;)  Yippee, Christmas all around ;)  

Forgotten Trees

So do you remember these Improv Paper Pieced Tree Blocks??  I asked the wonderful ladies of Bees Knees to make me these blocks for my month clear back in September.  Ya, as in like almost a year ago.    They all made it back home and then somehow got set on the bottom of the pile.   Le sigh.   But, my goal  this summer to catch up on some old WIP's that have been neglected.  I am finding that it is the perfect fit for summer as  I don't have near the "start from scratch" sew time that I have when some of the kids are in school :)

So, with that in mind, out came the blocks and before long . . . they were a quilt top!!!  Yippee!!!   Aren't they just so fun ;)   I so love how this turned out!!  I can never get enough Christmas quilts, I just love them!!!    Now it is time to start thinking how I want to quilt it.  And at the moment, I am drawing a total blank.   But I am sure it will come to me, maybe in time to finish it this week.  Suggestions on quilting are totally welcome :)  

Have a Happy and Merry Quilting Day!!!

Linking this Merry Quilt Top up to Quilt Story :)

Quilt Walk Classes

I had so much fun teaching last Thursday.  It really is one of my all time favorite parts of this whole quilting gig.  My students were amazing!!  They all worked so hard and had some beautiful finishes to show for it.  What an awesome group of ladies!!

From my Starburst class we had 5 gals finish 1 of their 4 blocks in class, and the other ladies were oh so close.  If Jenny Doan wasn't doing the trunk show, I am sure many would have stuck around a little longer and finished up.  But no way were any of us going to miss Jenny :)  Don't their blocks just look awesome!!! And I even had a Mother-Daughter set finish their blocks.  That just got me all excited for some three generation sewing retreats!!!

And all of the ladies did so great in the In Your Neighborhood class.   Everyone finished their first blocks (a few camera shy gals aren't included) and several made some serious progress on their second set as well.  Way to go ladies!!  It is always so fun to see what fabrics people choose and to see the pattern take on a new life with each new personal touch.  What fun!!

These ladies really were such a joy to quilt with!!  I can't wait to see pictures of all their quilts coming together.  What a great group of ladies!!  Thank you for making it such a great Quilt Walk for me!!  HOpe to see ya next year ;)

And in a side note, we had a wonderful camping trip, and now I am off to tackle the laundry from it ;)  The house smells like camp fire, and although I love that smell, I just don't particularly love it in my bedroom ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Quilt Walk

Yesterday I spent the day in Panguitch teaching at Quilt Walk.   You can check out the original story of where Quilt Walk came from here ;)   Seriously, makes me cry every time.

My classes were fantastic!!  All of the ladies did such an amazing job!!!  

I love, love, love teaching.   Especially when it affords me opportunities to meet the fabulous Jenny Doan!!!  She was absolutely amazing!!!  I loved, loved, loved her trunk show!!  I almost starting yelling "Amen Sister" from the back of the auditorium.  Absolutely a fantastic quilter and an incredibly kind person!!!

 I promise to share more soon of the entire day but I have to pack and get up the mountain for a weekend camping trip.  Should be fun :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!

On My Way to Quilt Walk

This is what the front entryway looks like right now ;)  All my stuff is ready to go and we will be out the door in the next few minutes on our way to the Panguitch Quilt Walk.   I just love teaching!!!  It really is one of  my favorite parts of  this wonderful quilting world ;)

I will share more tomorrow ;)   Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

P.S.  I don't think I need to take that spiderman figure that seems to have been left with my stuff.  Gotta love little ones helping with the packing ;)

Cover Girl!!!!

So yesterday I found out that the summer issue of Quilt Trends magazine was slated to hit newsstands today and guess who made the cover??   Eeekkk, I am so totally excited!!!!  I still think I might be on Cloud 9 :)     Let me introduce you to Drifting.

Drifting is a lap size quilt made using Angela Walter's new  Drift line for Art Gallery Fabrics.  These fabrics are so beautiful.  They are so serene and calm.  They really made the design flow.    And if you are wondering if you have seen something similar around here, well you have ;)  Art Gallery loved this little tutorial so much, they asked if I would work it up on a slightly larger scale and vary the block a bit for this issue.  Isn't it fun how one concept can be altered to create a whole new feel.

I love this quilt. It just makes me want to take it to a beach with a good book for hours ;)  And if you just happen to love it as much as I do, I  found out another little bonus yesterday for you.   Drifting is also Quilt Trends web exclusive, as in you can download the pattern for free right here!!!   Yippee!!!  I totally want to make another one.  The design is just so fun and the quilt goes together so fast.   It is the perfect go-to when you are in a pinch for a quilt gifting need :)

And of course,  a bit of quilting detail ;)  I really wanted to keep with the beach feel of these fabrics so I did swirls in the lights, a la the ocean waves, and wavy lines in the darks, a la the beach.  Or at  least my interpretation of those things :)  I really love the way it added so much movement to the quilt and really aided the overall flow of the quilt.  And ya, I love quilting swirls ;)

So there she is.  I hope you love it just as much as I do ;)  And, I found out one last little bonus yesterday, Fat Quarter Shop is even kitting it!!!   So exciting.  So if you want to make a Drifting quilt just like mine, you can download the pattern here, and pick up your quilt kit here ;)  Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy ;)  

So ya, yesterday was a pretty great day and I was perma-grin for most of it ;)   

Here is to today ;)   Have a Happy Quilting One !!!

Getting Ready

Summer is in full swing around here.  I am back and forth and then back again between summer band, swim lessons, and summer track ;)  And in between the hear and there and everywhere, I am trying to get ready for my classes this Thursday.

It's the Quilt Walk Festival in Panguitch Utah this weekend and I can't wait!!!  This is my second year teaching at this fun event and I am so excited because Jenny Doan is coming!!!  Yippee :)  I am teaching my In Your Neighborhood Pattern and my Starburst Pattern ;)

  

So this weekend has been filled with pattern printing, sample making, and general class preparation.  And, I added one other little "Class Project" to finish before Thursday.   You remember this top from the Starburst Quilt-A-Long.  (Yes, as in 2 quilt-a-longs ago)    Well I am sad to say it never got quilted . . . until now ;)  

And since it has waited so very long to be quilted, I decided it was going to get some super special custom quilting.   And I started with something new . . . a feathered swirl :)   Yippee!!!!   Here is the top corner.

First off, I have to say that learning feather knowledge from Angela Walter's Craftsy class was so very helpful.  But I will admit, I was still scared to death to try this.   It was tricky at first, but I am so excited to say that I am now done with the background and by the end of it . . . not scary any more ;)  In fact, by the end, I was having fun and loving it.  This might just be a new favorite and I am sure it will show up again!!!  Yippee!!!    I am hoping to share the finished quilt soon, I mean, It has to be done by Thursday, right ;)  

Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

P.S.  If you have noticed my posts are going up a little later than usual, it is because I am running with the high school cross country team in the morning to try and whip me into shape for our Relay in September.  I ran 4 miles this morning, longest I have run since I can remember, maybe even ever :)  Yippee!!! 

Holy Bee Blocks Batman

The last 2 days were a bit of a Bee Block Marathon for me.  I spent Wednesday digging through the scrap bins and cutting out pieces for the blocks.  The yesterday, It was some sew, sew, sew time :)  I love getting into a good ol chain stitching groove, especially when you are working with so many different and fun fabrics :)

So first up, Lets share this months blocks.  Because you know, it is only the 6th, and so these bad boys are almost early (Unlike some of the other blocks to come ;)  The first two blocks are for Lindsay in the Beejeebers Group :)  They are called Scrap Jar Stars and we used this tutorial from A Little Bit Biased to make them ;)   I love the colors Lindsay picked and I loved this block.  I totally want to make more ;)

Next up, for the Bees Knees group, Callie asked us to make some Sunbeam blocks using these adorable 30's prints she sen't us.  These were super quick and fun although I was sad to put the circle in the center because man oh man, my center points were pretty close to perfect :)  

And then, my slightly behind blocks :)  For the month of May in Beejeebers, Susan asked us to make some quartered square blocks using the fabulous tutorial from Film in the Fridge ;)   Susan requested bright colors and I had so much fun picking the scraps for these blocks.  One is cool bright and one is warm bright ;)  So fun!!

 And last, but not least, we had a few members that couldn't do Beejeebers anymore.  And sadly, they were a bit behind when they left.  So to now overwhelm our new members completely, I decided to help with a few of the make-up blocks.   So I whipped up a few more Scrappy Sprouts blocks from Traceyjay's fabulous tutorial for Jodi so she can finish up her February quilt ;)  This is the fourth time I have made this block and I never tire of it.  So cute!!!  I think I need to add a quilt of these to my list ;)

And that wraps it up.  All caught up and ready to move forward :)  Yippee!!!

Now, it's off to the long arm for some quilting fun this weekend ;)

Be sure to have a Happy Quilting Weekend as well ;)