Please check the Classes tab above to see the new Open Sew dates AND see more retreats!
Next Open Sew: Tues. May 14
Happy Quilting!
Monday, May 13, 2013
More Open Sew dates announced for the summer
Please check the Classes tab above to see the new Open Sew dates AND see more retreats!
May 14 Open Sew Cancelled
I'm so sorry, but I need to cancel the Open Sew that is scheduled for Tues, May 14. Kirt had a Dr. appointment for his knee and obviously I am still his chauffeur. I might be relieved of my duties after that! Woo hoo! He is doing great, once he really started following Dr's orders!
I am still plugging away on quilts, here is the first one done in May.
Sorry it is such a small blurry image! I sent it to my hubby's computer and it showed up really small! You can see more pix at my other blog, Passionate Quilter.
I am still plugging away on quilts, here is the first one done in May.
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| 4 Patch Posy |
Sorry it is such a small blurry image! I sent it to my hubby's computer and it showed up really small! You can see more pix at my other blog, Passionate Quilter.
Happy Quilting!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Slide Show done
Remember this class? It was hanging on the wall for the longest time, but it's name came up next in line to be quilted and so down it came and onto Khloe (my long arm!)
and the back, using the very last bit of what I had left of the border and binding.
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| Slide Show |
and the back, using the very last bit of what I had left of the border and binding.
And that's it for this week, and now on to the next one!
How are YOU doing on your UFO list?
Happy Quilting!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Quilting more UFO's! And more OPEN SEWS!
Yep, I'm on a roll, still! It's going to get harder as my UFO's are getting where they need more work to finish. But that's okay.
Here is my latest one...
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| Pink Pinwheels |
I know, several of you got yours done a few years ago. But I really wanted to do a special border on it! You can read more at my other blog, Passionate Quilter.
Kirt had his surgery yesterday and came through fine. Now for the recovery and rehab!
I added a few more OPEN SEW dates!!
and don't forget---
Keep on quilting and getting those UFO's done. It is such a good feeling to be getting projects finished. The reward will be that we get to start new ones in the fall!!
Happy Quilting!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Quilt Show year--are YOU ready?
Boy, I'm sure not! I have made a dedicated effort to pick up the pace with getting UFO's finished. Having the Quilt Show is a good incentive!
I've been working hard here at the Studio, getting LOTS done! Which is one reason why you are seeing so many Open Sews and not so many classes at the moment. We all need time to pause, take a breath and catch up with what we started. I hope that I can encourage you all to get those old projects done so you can be excited about NEW ones in the future! I've already started thinking about some fall classes to reward ourselves for getting projects done. Right? Right!
Here is my Retreat quilt from last year...all done!
Not any fancy quilting, but it is done. And what a good feeling it is to get the older projects done. Admittedly, this was not a very old project...now the one I JUST finished...that is waiting for binding to be done? 4 years old, at least. The one that is 10+ years old is now getting the blocks done. 10 years! That is insane!
What are some of the reasons that quilt tops become UFO's?
1. Taking too many classes to get any one done
2. I didn't like the technique
3. I didn't like the fabric.
4. I got bored with it,
5. Not enough time to sew
6. I made mistakes and got frustrated.
7. I lost the pattern.
8. I really don't like the quilt at all.
9. I ran out of fabric.
and #10. It wasn't for anything or anyone special, so why the hurry?
So, how do we fix our procrastination?
1. Attend LOTS of Open Sews to work on older projects
2. If you really didn't like the technique, stop where you are, make a mug rug, a pillow or tablerunner with what you do have finished and release that fabric into something you DO like.
3. Maybe stop and evaluate the rest of your fabric. Is there something else you can add to make it more palatable? If not, see #2.
4. Come to Open Sew, chat with other while you do the boring sewing. It does get tedious to work on the same blocks over and over and sewing with friends will make that time go a LOT faster!
5. Hmmm. Maybe forgo that one TV show....put a timer on your FB and Pinterest time. Just 1/2 hour a day will give you progress on your projects. And if you are like me, once you get started again, it's not as hard to stick with it. But you have to START!
6. Depending on how severe the mistakes were, can you live with them? Or as I recently found out when I spent only 25 minutes taking out several blocks that were wrong...and put it on hold for 4 years! Over 25 minutes of ripping.
7. See me...I might have an extra. :) I try to keep the pattern with the project box, it sure makes it a lot easier when you did it out a few years later! LOL
8. Go ahead and finish it. Someone will love it and feel blessed to have it. It's all in the eyes of the beholder.
9. Well, be a true quilter and find the closest thing you can and carry on. It's not an heirloom....it's not THAT critical to stop you in your place. Actually, it times like these that force me to be my most creative! Remember, quilters of the past had to work with fabric from other sources. They certainly didn't buy coordinated fabric to make quilts. So we can veer off the path ourselves as well. You never know, you might like the end result even better!
10. The hurry? WE HAVE A QUILT SHOW LADIES!!! What better excuse to push yourselves?
that's all for now..I did post more quilts on my Passionate Quilter blog...feel free to visit me there as well!
See you at Open Sew!
Happy Quilting, Karen
I've been working hard here at the Studio, getting LOTS done! Which is one reason why you are seeing so many Open Sews and not so many classes at the moment. We all need time to pause, take a breath and catch up with what we started. I hope that I can encourage you all to get those old projects done so you can be excited about NEW ones in the future! I've already started thinking about some fall classes to reward ourselves for getting projects done. Right? Right!
Here is my Retreat quilt from last year...all done!
 |
| Keep Calm and Quilt On |
 |
| Keep Calm center |
What are some of the reasons that quilt tops become UFO's?
1. Taking too many classes to get any one done
2. I didn't like the technique
3. I didn't like the fabric.
4. I got bored with it,
5. Not enough time to sew
6. I made mistakes and got frustrated.
7. I lost the pattern.
8. I really don't like the quilt at all.
9. I ran out of fabric.
and #10. It wasn't for anything or anyone special, so why the hurry?
So, how do we fix our procrastination?
1. Attend LOTS of Open Sews to work on older projects
2. If you really didn't like the technique, stop where you are, make a mug rug, a pillow or tablerunner with what you do have finished and release that fabric into something you DO like.
3. Maybe stop and evaluate the rest of your fabric. Is there something else you can add to make it more palatable? If not, see #2.
4. Come to Open Sew, chat with other while you do the boring sewing. It does get tedious to work on the same blocks over and over and sewing with friends will make that time go a LOT faster!
5. Hmmm. Maybe forgo that one TV show....put a timer on your FB and Pinterest time. Just 1/2 hour a day will give you progress on your projects. And if you are like me, once you get started again, it's not as hard to stick with it. But you have to START!
6. Depending on how severe the mistakes were, can you live with them? Or as I recently found out when I spent only 25 minutes taking out several blocks that were wrong...and put it on hold for 4 years! Over 25 minutes of ripping.
7. See me...I might have an extra. :) I try to keep the pattern with the project box, it sure makes it a lot easier when you did it out a few years later! LOL
8. Go ahead and finish it. Someone will love it and feel blessed to have it. It's all in the eyes of the beholder.
9. Well, be a true quilter and find the closest thing you can and carry on. It's not an heirloom....it's not THAT critical to stop you in your place. Actually, it times like these that force me to be my most creative! Remember, quilters of the past had to work with fabric from other sources. They certainly didn't buy coordinated fabric to make quilts. So we can veer off the path ourselves as well. You never know, you might like the end result even better!
10. The hurry? WE HAVE A QUILT SHOW LADIES!!! What better excuse to push yourselves?
that's all for now..I did post more quilts on my Passionate Quilter blog...feel free to visit me there as well!
See you at Open Sew!
Happy Quilting, Karen
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
New Open Sew Dates
Yep, I'm doing it again. Changing dates around. But I'm also adding a few more, so that's a good thing, right?
In case you haven't noticed, there are no classes listed other than a Khloe class, which is Monday, Feb. 11. This is the year for my biannual quilt show and I would really love to encourage people to get their UFO's done in time for the show. Bonus: YOU get your projects done! A win-win situation. So for the rest of the spring, I will be only offering Open Sews. I might offer a Beginning to Quilt class in later March, stay tuned for that.
Rules for Open Sew: Ha! there are no rules! Seriously, if you have a project, even if it is not a class project, you are welcome to bring it to work on. I will be available for advice. Please note though that this is not class time, so no new projects that need instruction. Just a day of sewing without interruptions and having a great time with other quilters.
Tuesday Open Sews are bring your own lunch. Saturday Open Sews are generally potluck, although sometimes we place a carry out order somewhere and send someone after it. I will let you know the week of the Open Sew what the plan is. All Open Sews are from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Tuesday Open Sews: Feb. 19, March 12, March 26
Saturday Open Sews: March 2, April 6
I may add more in between those dates, so stay tuned. Make sure to sign up for emails from this website so you will always have the latest information!
By the way---we had an AWESOME RETREAT! And there was lots of sewing, laughing and eating and GETTING THINGS DONE! Woo hoo! Pictures to come later.
Happy Quilting!
Karen
In case you haven't noticed, there are no classes listed other than a Khloe class, which is Monday, Feb. 11. This is the year for my biannual quilt show and I would really love to encourage people to get their UFO's done in time for the show. Bonus: YOU get your projects done! A win-win situation. So for the rest of the spring, I will be only offering Open Sews. I might offer a Beginning to Quilt class in later March, stay tuned for that.
Rules for Open Sew: Ha! there are no rules! Seriously, if you have a project, even if it is not a class project, you are welcome to bring it to work on. I will be available for advice. Please note though that this is not class time, so no new projects that need instruction. Just a day of sewing without interruptions and having a great time with other quilters.
Tuesday Open Sews are bring your own lunch. Saturday Open Sews are generally potluck, although sometimes we place a carry out order somewhere and send someone after it. I will let you know the week of the Open Sew what the plan is. All Open Sews are from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Tuesday Open Sews: Feb. 19, March 12, March 26
Saturday Open Sews: March 2, April 6
I may add more in between those dates, so stay tuned. Make sure to sign up for emails from this website so you will always have the latest information!
By the way---we had an AWESOME RETREAT! And there was lots of sewing, laughing and eating and GETTING THINGS DONE! Woo hoo! Pictures to come later.
Happy Quilting!
Karen
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
First finish of the year
THIS is the year I will get a handle on my UFO's! A battle cry from many bloggers at this time of year. After the holidays, it's a great time to reorganize and get back on track with life again and so many of us are finding ourselves overloaded with too many quilt projects started and not enough finished. And I certainly fit in that category.
I need a quilt to give to a friend later this spring and was looking through my flimsies to see what I might have and found a quilt top that I made at LEAST 10 years ago, maybe even longer! I remember making it for the express purpose of practicing my machine quilting. Well, now I can practice doing my machine quilting on the long arm! And so I did, I loaded it up and practiced. Always striving to get just a little better each time.
And so I practiced doing free form feathers in the border, figure 8's in the narrow border and a semi loose style of McTavishing and swirly things in the center.
I finished quilting it last night and got the binding on this afternoon. I am posting this at 11 PM on the last day of January....just in time for Sew Its Finished! :)
Now on to February and trying to decide what on earth to do next! All the projects are calling my name. How to choose?
Stay warm and happy quilting!
Karen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I need a quilt to give to a friend later this spring and was looking through my flimsies to see what I might have and found a quilt top that I made at LEAST 10 years ago, maybe even longer! I remember making it for the express purpose of practicing my machine quilting. Well, now I can practice doing my machine quilting on the long arm! And so I did, I loaded it up and practiced. Always striving to get just a little better each time.
And so I practiced doing free form feathers in the border, figure 8's in the narrow border and a semi loose style of McTavishing and swirly things in the center.
I finished quilting it last night and got the binding on this afternoon. I am posting this at 11 PM on the last day of January....just in time for Sew Its Finished! :)
Now on to February and trying to decide what on earth to do next! All the projects are calling my name. How to choose?
Stay warm and happy quilting!
Karen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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