Quilt Exhibition--mine!

1/3 of summer gone? How can that be?  As I write this, temps are rapidly climbing to hit 100 degrees! I hope most of you are in the pool or the cool A/C sewing! That's where I'm headed!  

For those that miss the monthly 

Open Sew

Saturday, July 14 from 9 AM to 4 PM. 

 It will be a salad potluck for those that like to participate.   Just let me know if you can make it.

BIG NEWS! I was asked a year ago if I would like to be the featured artist in the Kuhn Fine Art Gallery at Ohio State University, Marion campus.  Well, who wouldn't?  :)   My Quilt Exhibition started Monday, June 24 and will be there until Aug. 2.  It's open every weekday from 8-5, closed weekends.  There will be an

Open Reception on July 17 from 4-6 PM

 and EVERYONE is invited!  I feel so honored to have been chosen when I know there are several wonderful quilters locally.  It will be held at the Art Gallery at OSUM on St. Rt. 95 (It's in Morrill Hall)

Here are some of the photos of us hanging the show...

and my newest 'baby'.  who is really 3 years old! Yes! I looked it up and I started it 3 years ago! Shame on me.  It was aging on my design wall for over a year and thought it was time to get it done. Nothing like a little incentive of a quilt show to light a fire under my rear end! 

Hope to see you on the 14th--(remember? Open Sew) or the 17th!

Swoon-ing over these blocks!

I thought I was just making these blocks for me...but several people have seen them in my workroom and are hoping that they will be a class this fall.  So...I guess it will become a class sample!

Just a word of warning:  these blocks use FQ's and she has specific directions to cut them from a FQ.  SO...if you get your fabric from a chain store (i.e.. JoAnn's--who cuts to the VERY thread of what you want), get 19" and make your own large FQ's.  These blocks were made with Denyse Schmidt's line of fabric, I think it was Auntie Em or something like that.  But if you look real close at the block below, I had to piece scraps together to get my block because I had to trim it more than 1/8".  GRRR.. But I acted in the true spirit of quilting, and pieced my scraps and made due with what I had.  (honestly? I had to...they had no more of that plaid!)

I love the bigness of the blocks without looking Kindergarten, do you know what I mean? And they really are quite easy to do. And the best part? You only need 9---yes NINE--blocks to make a 80x80 quilt! Woo hoo!  Now we're talking!

 And do you want to see what else is on my design wall (aka ironing board right now)?  I'm not sure what this block is named, although it is 1/7 of a Seven Sisters block.  I am going on extended business trip with my hubby and there is going to be LOTS of down time, in airports, on planes, on trains and I wanted to take something to work on while waiting.  I am doing this by English Paper Piecing and am cutting up lots of my scraps to make it.

I figure for a twin/double size quilt, I will need 68 of these blocks!  I'm not sure I can get them all done on this trip, but I'm going to make as many as I can. 

I was inspired by this quilt...

here (I LOVE this website, by the way..you could lost for hours here!)

I'm not fussy cutting many of my scraps, because I just don't have enough of the scraps to do that, but when I do, I will fussy cut them. 

Wish me luck! I'm sure my fingers will be calloused by the time I get back. 

Open Sew Dates!

Are you a spur of the moment type of gal?  Well, if you are....come on over to the Open Sew on Tuesday, May 15 from 9 AM to 4 PM.  Yeah, like in 2 days!

Here's what I hope to be working on: it's done being pieced, now needs quilted and bound.  What are YOU working on?

The next Open Sew date after that is Saturday, June 23 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

News Flash!

Where do I begin?  I'm NOT pregnant! LOL  Just wanted to get that out of the way!  but here it is...

NO OPEN HOUSE 

After many hours of prayers/contemplating/pondering, I have decided to scale back my schedule for this session.  My family needs me. I need to take care of me so I can take care of them.

source

I came across this recently and it really never left me.  My rewards are huge when I'm able to help and share my knowledge with other quilters.  The tedious behind the scenes stuff are not always as rewarding. 

So that leaves me with..

the GOOD NEWS!  I will continue doing the Open Sews on one Saturday per month and one on Tuesdays.  Open Sews will now be from 9 AM to 4 PM, $15 and you can pay me that day.  No need to sign up ahead of time.  We'll put you wherever there is room!  I'm opening a few spots upstairs to accommodate a few more people.   As always, Saturday Open Sews are potluck. Bring some food to share and your own drink (I do have bottled water).

It's time to SIMPLIFY a bit.  Our lives get so packed and full, and that's not all bad.  But sometimes it gets overwhelming and we need to scale back and re-focus.  I'm hoping that by simplifying my life a little bit, helps you simplify yours as well!  No new patterns to buy, books to invest in, no new fabric to buy (good?--your call! LOL) and homework to do!  Instead, lets focus this time on getting some older things done and feel good about a clean slate.   I can't totally abandon all my quilt friends!  I'll still be here to cheer you on, give a bit of advice where needed and be your moral support.  I just won't lead you down the path of MORE projects to do. We'll wait until fall to do that! :)

In the meantime, gather up your projects, make a list (I know how hard that is to do--it's all in writing now!) and make a plan.  A plan of what you would like to get done and let's work on this together.

Thanks for your understanding.  

Samples are coming along....

Woo hoo!  After a brief hiatus to make a flying trip back home to Ohio, and then hubby came back with me to only make me work! We took down wallpaper in our TV room and then repainted.  Geez, not too fun of a vacation! LOL  It does look nice now though.  Now onto more fun stuff....

 Slide Show

 Taxi

My Favorite Bag

Want to see more?  Click on the Classes tab to see what I have down so far!

I'm working on samples

Well, to be more accurate, I'm working on cutting out fabric....to make kits for myself....to MAKE the samples!  I plan on taking these with me on my little winter getaway and plan to sew...sew...sew! 

The stack! with more to go!

Kits for the Calendar Quilt--all sold!

more for the Calendar Quilt

Anybody need a Taxi? 

 A Slide Show in the making..

Is that enough hints for you?  I'll be posting periodic photos of SAMPLES for  Spring classes as they are worked on. Just a friendly little teasing!  

January 2012 Classes

Okay, so did you notice that I did not have an Open House in December? Or have one posted for early January?  It's a really tough time of year to get that done and since I am going to be a snowflake bird (cannot consider myself a snowbird if I only go south for one month) in late Jan and early Feb.  So,

Hold the Date! 

Open House

February 18, 2012

9 AM to 12 Noon

I will have all the class samples and schedule up then.  I will be working on those while I head south. I can sew better where it's warmer, how about you?  :)  Anyone want to join me?  

In the meantime, here is what I have scheduled for January...

Sat. Jan. 7  from 9 AM to 12 noon  $24

Calendar Quilt--February (this is going to be a monthly feature, we'll work a month ahead of time so you have it done in time to use...what a novel idea, huh?)

This is the February one, I made mine from a FQ bundle and had enough left to make 5 kits! So, if anyone wants a kit (it will include the binding as well) let me know. First come, first serve!

this is the Pattern Packet...look for it at JoAnn's and use your coupon! Otherwise, let me know and I can get one for you. 

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Monday, Jan. 9  from 9 AM to 3 PM   Open Sew  $15

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Sat. Jan. 14  Open Sew from 9 AM to 3 PM  $15

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Sat. Jan. 21  from 9 AM to 12 Noon  $24

Hanging Snowman

I used an OSU T-shirt to make this. You can use whatever fabric you like.  If you would like me to embroider a hat, get me the fabric and thread a week BEFORE  the class.

(oops..took picture before I added his eyes!) Just imagine them, okay? 

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Sat. Jan. 21 from 1 to 4 PM  Open Sew  $7.50

Please NOTICE: This is a HALF DAY Open Sew, a great time to stay after class and get your project done! 

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Okay, is that enough to get you started?  I hope so! If you are interested in any of these classes/Open Sews, please email.  I'll take them on a first come, first serve basis.  Payment will secure your place in class.  I will email you the Supply List when you enroll. 

 I'm looking forward to a fun Spring of quilts, trying to use charm packs, jellly rolls AND the new Accuquilt! I recently purchased one for the Studio and will allow any student to come and use it. Now we are trying to come up with quilts to take advantage of it. 

Happy New Year everyone and hope to see you in the New Year.