AQS Quilt Week Grand Rapids

Today begins Quilt Week in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

I am attending today and look forward to seeing the display of quilts, 

seeing the winners and perhaps coming away with some new ideas for my quilts. 

But my excitement is about something I have kept under wraps for a few months now. 

Our Tall Pine Quilters Guild entered the Guild Quilt Challenge catagory 

and our 8 quilts were accepted! And mine is one of them! 

AQS allows 8 quilts to be entered by each guild that is accepted. 

Without the work of the other members of the guild, 

I would not have a quilt in the show. 

Our challenge theme was landmarks. 

The size had to be 32" x 48" with no front bindings. 

Each quilt had to have the words: "Greetings from" on the front. 

I had a photo from 2015 when I took a qult trip to New Orleans with a group of quilters.

I was standing on the corner of Canal Street, waiting for the traffic light to change 

so I could cross and go to North Broad Street. 

I enlarged the photo to the size requirement. 

Each piece of the brickwork was an applique. 

I had to sponge the darker black and brown onto the brick fabric since 

I found no fabric that looked like the brickwork in the photo. 

The words Canal Street were made using Deco Foil gold. 

My shoes were printed on fabric. 

I used trapunto and quilting techniques on them before appliquing 

them to the quilt to give them a 3D effect. 

I adjusted the photo a bit to show more detail. 

I hope I get some good photos at the show since the lighting wasn't 

good at home when I took it.

I am taking classes and will post about them. 

Debbie Grifka Workshop

This afternoon, our quilt guild had Debbie Grifka teach a workshop. We used her pattern Turnstile to make small quilt tops using 5" pre-cut squares and background fabrics. It was a great class with 16 ladies in attendance. In the evening, Debbie presented a trunk show and lecture titled "What Do They Mean By Modern Quilting?"

Here are some photos from our workshop:

Debbie was always moving around, checking on us as we worked. 

Our cameras worked wonders as we tried various arrangements of our blocks. 

Everyone made progress to varying degees. Some got the 9 blocks sewn together. 

I was happy with my progress.

I thought her lecture in the evening was very interesting and informative. 

I was surprised that I would hear the names and see the quilts of 

some of the quilters I have participated with in bees 

and various groups. 

I enjoyed the day, but am so tired! 

I am looking forward to posting this and going off to sleep under a cozy quilt. 

Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop

Welcome to my post for the

QUILT QWAZY QUEENS 

blog hop.

In honor of World Wide Quilting Day,

this blog hop is being hosted by Marian at Seams To Be Sew.

She came up with this idea (which I think is great) so quilters can 

share something about their quilting passion that they might 

think is Qwazy!

Marian has procured a nice little discount for all our visitors until March 25, 2016. 

Everyone wins with this!

When you place an order at 

Fat Quarter Shop,

enter the code: seamstobe316

for 10% off your order.

I have two giveaways listed at the end of my blog. 

The giveaway is for today only.

It ends at 11:59PM EST March 23, 2016.

The requirements to join this blog hop were very simple:

"Tell us your quilting adventures, your proudest moments, how you got started quilting, show us your past projects, or make something fun and new that might be a little qwazy."

Will do. I have 40+ years of quilting tales that I could write about to fill those requirements. But that would fill a very large book or a very long post. So I will tell you a bit about my quilting journey over the years. 

I learned to sew, mostly on my own, about the age of 8. I sewed clothes for myself through college and a bit beyond. Not knowing the ins and outs of quilt making, I made a twin size quilt for myself in my last year of college. It is hillarious when I think of it now. I cut 4 inch squares from a variety of polyester/cotton fabrics in red, yellow, black and blue. I sewed them together in, what I found out later is, the Trip Around the World design. I put the quilt top over the polyester batting and used my decorative stitches on my Kenmore 1974 model sewing machine to sew the layers together down the seam lines. I sewed the yellow sheet backing, pillowcase style, to the other sewn layers. I didn't quilt or tie the backing to the top! 

I was very proud of it and used it for many years, even in my daughter's bedroom. I am not sure what ever happened to it. I could only find one photo with the quilt in it. 

I didn't have a clue what was in store for me in the coming years. 

My first teaching job took me to a small town in Michigan. I found a quilt shop 15 miles away where I took a class. We learned to quilt by hand! We made templates from cardboard, learned the 9-patch block, half square triangle blocks, and applique which we designed ourselves. We hand quilted the layers and the binding was wrapped around. I am still proud of this wall hanging. I thank Milly Splitstone for the skills she taught us in that class. 

(I am going to say right now that I am SO HAPPY the rotary cutter came along!)

In 1979, I joined a local quilt guild (Tall Pine Quilters Guild) that was starting up. It was fun getting together with people who shared the quilting interest. We shared ideas, had a really fun newsletter with tips and patterns. I went to a quilt retreat one weekend which was really fun.

Home, family, and job kept me busy, so I dropped out of the guild....but after 20 years, rejoined. The guild has brought many opportunities. We have had nationally known speakers come to our guild for trunk shows and classes. We have had quilt shows. We have joined together for charity sewing as well as to have fun sewing our own projects. 

While teaching, I introduced my 1st grade and kindergarten students to quilting. I used it as math lessons. The quilts they made were given to local charities for toddlers. 

Over the past 16 years, I have tried to take quilting classes in just about every technique devised at many different venues. I have made many new friends and travel with them to new quilting destinations. I have joined online groups and swaps, which have challenged me beyond what I felt comfortable doing. I've made quilts for more people than I can remember. 

I have a fondness for many of the styles and methods of quilting. I have learned that making quilt tops is easy if one breaks the design into small steps. And I revert back to my early hand quilting lessons....fabric can be manipulated, there are ways to accomplish what is desired in quilting if we know what is out there. 

I enjoy blogging (started in 2011) and sharing what I am doing with others. I began designing patterns in house at a quilt shop in 2004. I have since designed for Cut Loose Press and other shops and individuals. 

I have a book idea I am working on now and then as time permits. And am now an Island Batik Ambassador. 

Quilting has been quite a crazy journey, but one I am happy to be on. I am glad you took the time to stop and read about my quilting. I plan to continue my journey for many more years. 

I hope your journey leads you to new opportunities and you experience wonderful quilts. 

See what Quilt Qwazy thing the others are doing via this blog hop. 

March 23

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Ridge Top Quilts

Quilt Art

Patchwork Breeze (you are here)

After you leave your comments at the above blogs

Stop In To Enter Only at Seams to Be Sew

March 24

Kwilt Krazy
Marjorie's Busy Corner

Just Because Quilts

Moose Stash

Batts In The Attic

All Things Sewn

After you leave your comments at the above blogs

Stop In To Enter Only at Seams to Be Sew

March 25

Just Let Me Quilt

Sew Many Yarns

Quilting Queen Online

Jane's Quilting

After you leave your comments at the above blogs

Stop In To Enter Only at Seams to Be Sew

Giveaway information!

You could win 

one $25 gift certificate from 

Fat Quarter Shop

or

Beauty Blocks 

from Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery 

Leave a comment telling me what class was your favorite 

or what class you would like to take.
I have to have a way to contact you, so don't forget an email.

Then click enter on the Rafflecopter here on my  blog.

Seams To Be Sew has a giveaway, too, so make sure you visit there.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Trunk Show, A Hint of a Pattern and a Giveaway

The Tall Pine Quilters Guild had a trunk show at the February meeting. Robyn House-Guettler brought so many of her quilts. I have known Robyn for many years, having met her at a family reunion when she was young. Her mother is a quilter, as were her grandmother and great-grandmother. We attended many Mystic Lake quilting retreats together. She is a wealth of quilting knowledge and skills.

Robyn's quilts were stunning. She is now publishing patterns. I bought 2 patterns and have them in my TO-DO basket. I will share a few photos with you, with her permission. She has information on her Facebook page named Between Patches. Unfortunately, the only photo I got of Robyn was not flattering, and if I posted it she would probably cut me off as a shirt-tale relative.

And My Projects: 

What in the world could I be doing sewing all these strips together?  Yes, I asked myself the same question when I got half way through! I signed up at the LQS to participate in a "sewn strip exchange" related to Edyta Sitar's book, Friendship Strips and Scraps. Well, I signed up to sew 5 sets of strips which had to be the 18" x Width of Fabric. Of course I waited until the last possible day and spent well after midnight last night sewing. I got them done and will take them to the store today. I am not sure what I am going to make with the 5 strips sets I get in return, but I am sure it will be a fairly large project. Any suggestions?

 

I made 2 paper-pieced log cabin blocks for the annual guild quilt project.

New Pattern in the Works

I can't give details right now, but I am working on my next pattern for Cut Loose Press. I have a deadline in order to have it ready for Spring Market. I will give you just a little photo hint. 

      

Scraps put to use. 

I can't throw away most scraps. So from the projects I have been doing, I am using Angie Padilla's suggestion of turning  them into fabric collages. (She has lots of other ideas for scraps at her website.) So I lay them on a batting scrap near the cutting table to be sewn and then cut into inchies, made into a cosmetic case, etc. Presently, I am making a tiny landscape in the style (and I use that word loosely) of Ann Loveless, from whom I took a class a few years ago.

Spur of the Moment Giveaway! 

Microwave Bowl Cozies are my latest project. I am making them to sell at the Gala Gourmet, a local kitchen shoppe. I will be able to use some of my large cotton fabric stash for these. The photo shows just 2 of the many that I have made. They are reversible. They are made of totally 100% cotton materials and come with instructions for use. They are like a potholder that can be used as a pretty server under your bowl of oatmeal, soup or whatever from the microwave. Just hold opposing corners as you take it from the microwave and you are all set. 

In fact, I have just decided to have a SPUR OF THE MOMENT GIVEAWAY. Well, heck if you have read this far, you should have a chance to get a free cozy. So leave a message, giving me a suggestion of what to do with those strips I am going to be receiving. I can't tell you what fabric colors your cozy maybe, but we can probably work out some pleasing colors.

However, I will only be able to send to a winner within the United States. One winner will be chosen on Wednesday, March 5 at 9 PM EST. In fact, you can earn a second chance by signing up to follow my blog, leave me a second comment telling me you are a follower. And what the hay, share this Spur of the Moment Giveaway on your website or blog and leave me the link for a THIRD chance! But remember to leave me a method of contacting you. Anonymous comments go to my spam folder.

Happy Quilting!

Progress on Projects

POP: That could be the acronym for this post.
I have a few photos of projects I have worked on in between all my other tasks. 
I finished four mug rugs for a craft show. I have quite a few other things to make before November 16. It is at the church and it is the first time I have considered having a table. I will see how it goes. While it is not a juried craft show, I would like to have a variety of well-made items.

I used some scraps for these, with the backs being pieces cut from yardage. These were the simpler ones. The slightly more elaborate mug rugs are in the next few weeks. And I hope to have our oldest daughter who is at home with us help out.

Quilt Guild Show is over

The Tall Pine Quilters Guild had a wonderful quilt show on Friday and Saturday. This was the first big show we have had in 11 years. We had 463 people come to the show. There are about 70 members in the guild and we had over 225 beautiful quilts on display, a quilt appraiser (one of our long-time members),12 vendors and raffle prizes every 2 hours. I was able to spend a few hours viewing all the quilts on Friday and worked at various jobs today. The committee that worked on this event did a fantastic job of organizing the displays, advertising, and laying out the timeline and schedules. 


The importance of a blog schedule:
While searching for information on how to add a comment counter to my blog (which I still have not really been able to find or understand), I found a blog telling of the importance of a consistent posting schedule. It gave me something to consider. I know my schedules change from day to day and week to week depending upon the needs of others. But I now understand how those of you who follow my blog (or any blog), and those who I hope will begin following it, come to depend upon consistency in posting. So....

This coming week, the establishment of a regular schedule will begin with (Drum roll....):

the Autumn Animal Applique Blog Hop. I participated in one of one of  Bea's other blog hops, and this one I know will be enjoyable. There is a grand giveway from EQ--an EQ7 program for the one lucky winner who visits us during the week. 
But I want give all of you a chance to win a giveaway that I have. I will announce it on Monday, with a photo, and all the details on how to enter for a chance to win the Patchwork Breeze giveaway. So stop back at Midnight (EST), October 21!

New Fabric Aquisition: 
The quilt show clean-up was complete. I left and took a side trip to The New Ewe (one of the show vendors and the store where I teach) to see what might be new. Well, I spotted a bolt of fabric I had not seen. But the date shows it has been there for months. Where it was hiding I do not know. I have a hankering to work on another Stack-N-Whack quilt. So I bought enough to do an 8-layer Stack N Whack. Of course, I had to find something to go with it because, like many of you, I just do not have the right colors in my stash to work with. Here is a photo of what I bought. Blue is my favorite color. I realized that years ago, when I sorted my fabrics by colors and my stack of blues was 3 times more than any other color?!

Do you have a favorite color, or a favorite technique or block? Leave a comment and let me know. Do you EQ? Send a pic of a block you designed with your favorite color(s) or pattern. I would be happy to see it.