Anna: The Artist Within

Barbara's Birthday present

2011-12-02T10:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the quilt I made for Barbara. It if for National Zipper Day in April. She wanted a holiday quilt. We had a fun time coming up with different "holidays". This is made from zippers, of course, and some of my hand dyed fabrics. I really want to do some more hand dyeing but this apartment is not conducive to that. Maybe some day!

The End of Vintage Moments

2011-12-02T10:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my student's work from the last Vintage Moments class I taught two weeks ago.

This is Barbara and Janice's pieces.

By the end of the class Barbara had most of her top done.

Here's Linda B.'s center. Don't you just love the soft colors.

Here is Sara's center.

I was not able to get pictures of every one's but hopefully they will send me pictures. This was a great class and I have the greatest students. I hope they learned at least one thing from the class. It concerns me when a student says they haven't learned anything new. I always learn something especially when I am teaching. I hope my students learned something and had a great time while doing it.

Opportunity of a life time

2011-11-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

First, remember the blocks from the last post. Well, I finally got it all together. The only reason I stuck with it was the extreme stress in our lives right now, I could focus on anything else. Here it is with more than 600 pieces. I had a hard time matching seams but it is done, except for the quilting. I don't mind the quilting. I'm actually looking forward to it but the pinning and then the binding on this is not going to be easy. It doesn't really lay flat. I am going to have to quilt it on my Sew Ezi table since everything else is still in storage.

While strolling through the Valencia mall with the family Friday night, we came across a taping of NCIS. For those of you who know me well, know I am obsessed with the show. I have all the DVD's and watch them all the time while I'm quilting. We had finished dinner at BJ's and walked down to the mall. When we had gone for dinner we noticed big lights shinning on one of the store fronts that had the windows blocked. We joked that maybe it was NCIS. Their studios are only a few miles from our apartment. When we were heading back to our car, my son-in-law went over and started talking to the someone. It turned out to be the assistant director. We started talking to her and out came Mark Harmon. It was so surreal. He was very gracious to take a picture with me. This is going in my quilting studio! And yes ladies, he is just as good looking in person!

Rambling on and on and on...

2011-10-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest project. It may not look like it but there are over 320 different sections here. I have been sick for over a week and I started to put these on my makeshift design wall in the apartment but got frustrated. I don't have the room to lay this out. I feel for those of you with limited space. It really is a struggle. So I gave up and went back to watching TV. So today I am feeling a little better and my goal is to put this together is sections if I can. I won't be able to quilt this till we move, which I hope will be during Thanksgiving week. Still waiting for our down payment money to come through. Patience is not my virtue!

I did take a class at Bolts in the Bathtub in Lancaster, Ca last Thursday. I thought I would take anything just to meet some people. I was feeling pretty miserable but decided to go anyways. I made this pin cushion (it is suppose to be a birthday cake) and had a great time but I only met one person - the teacher. I was the only student. She was a great teacher and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I hope to sign up for something else but they only post their classes one month at a time and they still don't have the ones for November out yet.

Don't I have the greatest secret pal (Kings River Quilt Guild). This is what I got. Love everything and can't wait to use it. Hoping to go to the Christmas party in December to meet her but I don't know what to do for her for Christmas. It has to be something special. Got any ideas?

Here are some pictures of Becky and Daniel when we had lunch two weeks ago.

This is from the church picnic Saturday. We just went up for the day. This is Daniel and Aggie.

Here is Becky (she won't let anyone take her picture anymore) and Ben. They thought it was fun grabbing the tree and jumping off the rock they are standing on. Sorry Genelle! It was a great time but a long day.

This week will be one of waiting to hear about the farm escrow. It better close soon or we are in big trouble with our escrow. Hoping to look for a couch again this week. Found one I really like but it is too much money. I don't know what to do. I can't find anything else I even remotely like. I just need to settle on something cheaper and hope I don't regret it. It really shouldn't be such a big deal but when all you do all day is sit here thinking about what you want to do with a house you don't have yet, you get a little crazy!

Enough of that. I hope you all have a great day! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (I think we will go out and drink tonight!)

Update

2011-10-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have been busy in the quilt room (apartment extra bedroom) quilting some little quilts and also busy outside the apartment. Here is a piece I just finished. A few weeks ago Sara, Barbara, and I got together and played with decolorant. This is a piece I did on black rayon. Then I quilted it with metallic thread and beaded the edge. I'm not sure if I like it. It looks childish or maybe it's because it is more "artsy".

This is a piece I made from scraps of some hand dyes I did sometime ago. The more I work with my own fabrics, which I do not have many of, the more I like it. I think once we move, I want to do some dyeing. This is called Cattywampus. It is for a friend who was criticized for using that word. I like the word and since I could not get the squares and rectangles to look straight, hence the title.

Last week I went to the Pacific International Quilt Festival. There were some amazing quilts but there didn't seem to be as many as last year. There were too many vendors. I really didn't seem to come home with that much stuff for all the money I spent. Some patterns, thread, projects for Christmas presents and more decolorant. I did get an embellishment book that I have almost read from cover to cover. When I make some of the embellishments next week I will post them and the book title. On the way back we stopped at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. I just had to take this picture for all my friends who are coffee lovers. Besides her clothes being made out of everything coffee, her boots had coffee beans allover them.

On Saturday I taught the fifth in a series of six classes on the Vintage Moments book by Marsha McCloskey. Here are some of the centers of the class. Three of our students were missing but I am hopeful that they will be there next month for our last class. We came up with another class to be done in a series for next spring but I have to make the quilt first.

Well we are in escrow on a house in Acton. We are still waiting for the farm to close but are hopeful that all will be in order and we can move in on Thanksgiving. Believe me, it cannot happen soon enough!

The lastest

2011-10-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

Remember my "I Spotted a Frog" quilt? It was selected for the Kings Art Center's postcard for our quilt exhibit. Barbara emailed me a picture of the postcard but I haven't seen one in person yet. I think the show starts this week. I wonder if I'll get to see it.

I have been working on my fans for the vintage moments class. Here are the 48 fans finished. Finally, I thought it would never end. Now all the parts are done, including the middle, and I can start putting it together. I'm working on a birthday quilt for Janice right now so when that is done I can get to it.

I made these place mats to add some color to this boring apartment. Here are the six I made for us and I have four more for someone else. Can't say in case she reads this far down the blog.

Here I am holding the baby quilt from the Hanford church for Tami's new baby Anna. Genelle and Peggy came down to help me put it together. We whipped it out in one day. I wish I would have had more time to do some quilting on it besides stitch in the ditch but it had to be done. The shower is this Saturday. I hope she likes it. I found the fabric at Bolts in the Bathtub in Lancaster, Ca. It is a great shop and no, Jeremy, it's still not better than Thimble Town! Thimble Town is still the best quilt store for my money!

It is suppose to rain tomorrow so I hope to get a lot of quilting done. I love the rain and am always more productive when it rains. Spent today running around town after getting a flu shot and having lunch with Jeff at the Saugus Cafe. Great food, been there since forever, diner where the movie stars have gone in the past. Don't know why the movie stars go there. It is kind of a hole in the wall from the outside. Come to visit and I'll take you there!

Off to see "Money Ball" with Brad Pitt. My son-in-law Stephen's brother, Bryan, is in the movie as one of the Pitchers. It's suppose to be a great movie.

How about some more!

2011-09-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Remember my "99 Half Log Cabin Blocks On the Wall"? Well, Saturday was our class. I had only 5 students but we all had a great time. Never teach in September. It's a very busy month so there were some people that wanted to take it but could not. I hope I will get to teach it again sometime.

Here are my students and some of their blocks.

Linda B. and her block

Karyn and her block. Love the Halloween theme.

Becky and her blocks.

Linda M. and her blocks. She's going to hate me for this picture.

And here is our third Linda in the class. We didn't get a picture of her block but she promised to send one soon.

What a fun day! Although I did not get to go to Pismo with friends to quilt I had a very busy week and weekend visiting my grand kids, drinking beer at Brewbakers with Martina and Stephen, shopping in Fresno with Debbi, going to guild, painting fabric with Sara and Barbara, teaching, going to the anniversary party, visiting my Sunday school class and friends at church and finishing the week with an awesome steak lunch at Katrina and Eric's house. It was a long trip home (I guess I have to call this apartment home now) but it is good to be back on a schedule even if it is cleaning and laundry. Three friends from church are coming Thursday and Friday to make a baby quilt for the lastest baby in the church. (By the way, her name is Anna!) Friday we are going to Irvine to see comedian John Pinette (look for him on UTube, he's very funny) then Saturday we get to look for a house again. So a very busy week! Last I will leave you with a picture of Ephram and Keira I took Wednesday on their way to Awana's.

Second posting of the morning

2011-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

While I was in Hanford this past weekend, I attended the 50th wedding anniversary of our friends Bob and Barbara. At the last minute, because I kept forgetting to get the picture from their daughter, I made this little quilt. The picture is very light because for one thing, it is old, and the other it was over the Internet. You can't see it very well but the ribbon says Moments to Remember and I also beaded the ribbon. It's just something little but they seemed to enjoy it.

Orange Blossom Quilters Challenge

2011-09-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday night I was able to attend our monthly meeting of the Orange Blossom guild in Visalia. Our challenge this year was "Victorian Garden". We were given a picture of a seed packet and a poem as part of our challenge. We were also to have a three dimensional item on our quilt.

Here are the entries. The two on the left won, the first for overall favorite and the second (Sara's for best quilting). The large flower won also but I cant remember for what (Sorry Becky, I cant remember!) and then mine on the far right won for Best use of Theme. It was a fun night and I enjoyed seeing everyone again.

Here is mine and of course, I had to add beads. I hand beaded the trim, lace and tassels. I searched the Internet for the rest of the seed packets and printed them on fabric I also made three dimensional flowers. I hope you like it. I do!

Birthday Presents

2011-09-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Our Loose Threads Art group met last night and I had to stay in Valencia so I could not be there when Karen received this piece I made for her. She wanted something to do with fairies. I have been going over ideas for months, went to Beverly's and found this fairy. It was a Christmas ornament. I added extra ribbons and beads (of course) and found this fabric in my stash. I quilted the flowers in gold metallic thread. It took me two days to quilt it. I like it a lot and had a hard time giving it up. I know it is a little different but I hope Karen liked it anyways.

This was the quilt that I gave to Barbara last week when we had lunch. I don't remember all she wanted but I had this fabric and I wanted to practice thread painting on it. It was fun to quilt and then I beaded the centers. I didn't want to give up this one either.

This is the one I made for Sara. Her theme was "Cracked". Well, the strip is cracked alright. It actually is split down the middle. I trimmed it with different braided yarns then beaded the yarn strip. I added beads along the bottom.

I hope they all had a great time last night and hope they set a time next month that works for both Janice and I to attend.

Well, back to beading my Orange Blossom Challenge. I hope to have it done today and go on to something else. The reveal is next week so you will have to wait patiently to see it.

Have a great day and go quilt something!

Back from Retreat

2011-09-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

I had a great time at the Kings River Quilters retreat in Wonder Valley. It was so good to talk to people after being down here in Valencia with the Starbucks guy the only one to talk to during the day. Kings River has the nicest ladies in their guild. We had fun talking till two in the morning, eating too much food, receiving all sorts of goodies from Julie and making her cry with the blocks we gave her. The weather was beautiful and it even rained on Saturday for about five minutes. I think I spent more time talking than sewing but these are the things I got done.

I worked on my center of the Vintage Moments class I am taking. I had to catch up with my students.

I made four pillow cases to cheer up our bedroom.

I made six place mats for a friend of mine. I still have to make the napkins.

And of course, I went shopping. This is for some aprons for my granddaughters.

I best get to setting my sewing stuff back up. It's fun to go on retreat but now back to the real world with more laundry to do!

Bowl Class and other ramblings

2011-09-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

I took a class a little over a week ago from Linda Matthews thru the Orange Blossom guild and made these bowls. I was going to be her helper but thought it would be more fun to make a bowl. I made two! She didn't need my help anyways. It was a fun class although there weren't many in the class. They are going to be jealous when they see all the beautiful bowls everyone made. As you can see I am already using mine.

I have been working hard trying to get things done but they are things I can't show yet. One was my Whisper Challenge and it is already off to the next person. Next are birthday presents. I am behind or I was. They are done and ready to go. They are for members of my Loose Threads group. I took pictures before I wrapped them up but can't show you till next week. I am going to Hanford tomorrow to have lunch with my friends so I don't want them to see them till tomorrow.

Life here has been tough the last few days. We went to look at houses but can't make any offers yet till escrow on the farm closes. There are more delays. The buyer is just sitting there waiting to hand over his money. Stupid bureaucracy! I just want to start escrow on a house so I feel like I have something to look forward too. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully there will be something out there when we can buy.

I miss my life so much!

Now off to work on my Orange Blossom challenge.

Vintage Moments class pictures

2011-08-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is the third class in the six class series I'm teaching. We are using "Vintage Moments" by Marsh McClosky. This is Barbara's center isn't it beautiful. I just love this class. We have the best students. The quilt is a challenge but when you come out of this class you will now be intermediate quilters at the least.

Here's Rita working hard at designing her center.

Becky is piecing her center Lemone star.

Lynette really is working hard.

Here is the center of Linda's center. Love the colors!

I had a fun weekend. It was nice to get out of the apartment and be around friends. We also celebrated Katrina's birthday but I forgot to take pictures. Martina, Stephen and the kids came back with us last night and spent the night. They are on their way to Disneyland. Remember we are a great stopping point on the way down to Southern California. Hint, Hint!

I had to add this picture in of Ephram (5) taking apart the junk computer that Papa gave him. Jeff (Papa) is so excited by Ephram being interested in everything Science. Yesterday at Katrina and Eric's, while playing with Papa outside, Ephram kept saying that he wanted to see a black widow. So Jeff showed him a spider web and said that if it is sticky it was a black widow web. Well, sure enough, it was and out came a black widow. Ephram was so excited. The kids had a science lesson right there in the backyard. These are the moments you treasure!

The Top is Finished!!!

2011-08-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the top of the quilt I am going to teach at the Orange Blossom Guild. I haven't made a quilt this big in awhile (70 x 84). It is an original design so now I have to spend time making up the pattern. I call it "99 bottles of beer". It is made with 99 - 6 inch blocks. I actually would have made it a little bigger but I ran out of the light blue star fabric. I have seven blocks left. If I only had 4 - 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch pieces I could have made it one more row bigger. I did not have even a 1 inch square left. Besides I didn't really have any time left. I even mitered the borders. I hope it lays flat for Linda when she quilts it. I am not always good with borders.

I found two bead stores today. I forced myself out of the apartment and went shopping. The first bead store called "Beads & Other Stuff" was a friendly little store that I know I will spend more time at. The other store, though closer, was a little cold and not as friendly although it was a bigger store. It is nice to have a choice. Now if I can only find a quilt store!

Still a WIP

2011-08-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am still working on this quilt but now all the blocks are done and on the wall. Next putting them all together.

Yesterday I found the Joanna's. I was on my way to Target (don't go to Target the day before school starts! What a zoo!) and it was right next door. So I began collecting for my next challenge. Fifty dollars later this is what I ended up with.

Show and Tell

2011-08-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

I can finally show you what I have been working on. This is my quilt for the Kings River Quilter's Guild challenge. We were all given a picture from a magazine of a room and we were to interpret it anyway we wanted to but must use five colors from the photo and one applique or embroidered piece. I don't have the picture but it was of a living room with traditional chairs, windows, tables, a mirror and a large plant. Here is my interpretation. I didn't win anything but it could be because it was in a dark corner when displayed, most everyone there is into very traditional quilts, or because it wasn't good enough. There was one quilt that was spectacular that I liked as viewers choice. It won for best quilting and she didn't even quilt it herself. It was a beautiful quilt though.

But this is what I got for participating which was totally worth it. I thought that was a great idea. It is really a nice bag. I like having a bag from the different guilds so I can keep things together for each one in a seperate bag. Of course, now that we have moved I won't be able to go to the guild! But I love it just the same.

I did email the president of the guild here in Santa Clarita but have not heard anything yet. I thought I would wait till we got into a house but that may be sometime yet and my husband is worried about me being lonely (bless his heart).

Here is what my secret pal gave me from Kings River (for two months). I forgot to take a picture of the wind chime that is hanging on my extra room in our apartment that I use for a quilting room. The flowers bring some brightness and happiness to our little apartment. There are strings of beads tucked into the flowers. What a cute idea. Don't I have a great secret pal!

Spent the day with the girls and the grandkids shopping in Valencia. There came down for the day to shop for Katrina's birthday. We had a great time. The kids played in the kids play area as the girls went shopping for a dress for Katrina. It is hard watching four kids run back and forth through lots of other kids. In fact at one point I lost Daniel (18 months) because he climbed over the banquet seat style walls. I don't know how he did it but there he was wandering on the other side toward the escalators. I about had a heart attack when Ephram and I could not find him. I don't think I ever want to do that again. I still don't know how he did it without falling over and hurting himself. Just makes me upset all over again just writing about it.

We had to say goodbye to our house this weekend. We found out last week that we had renters that wanted to get in by today. We thought we had two more weeks but guess again. We had so much to do! Painting, repairs, yard work, still had stuff to put in storage, and cleaning. We could not have done it without our friends. Thank you Linda M.(who is the neatest painter I have ever seen), Peggy (who painted and thankfully took all the extra yard pots), Martina, Katrina and Eric (who worked so hard doing whatever we asked), Mark (who hates putting up window covering and plumbing but did it anyways), Debbi and Rick (who worked hard Saturday and then fed us that night - great Margaritas by the way), Michael and David (who did all the dirty work), Bob (who is storing some of our junk), and Jim (who worked even though he had thrown out his back). By Saturday night we were exhausted. We spent the night in the Hanford Comfort Inn. First time Jeff ever spent the night in a Hanford hotel, having been born here. It is bitter sweet saying good bye to such a wonderful house and town. We have lots of memories and even more special friends. Onward to a new journey.

Work In Progress Wednesday

2011-08-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

Here I am in our new apartment and things are better this week. Last week was pretty emotional but I am doing better. And I finally have Internet here. We are off to Hanford again this weekend. We found out our house needs to be ready to rent by Monday. We are now in Panic Mode. We maybe working all night to get it ready. Not looking forward to that.

This is the latest project that needs to get done. I am teaching this quilt at the Orange Blossom Guild next month but need to have this top done in the next two weeks. It is my own design and I decided I wanted it bigger. So I continue to work on it. I spent the last two days getting entry forms and quilts (sleeves and labels) ready for two quilt shows that are coming up. I needed it all done by this week.

Here are the ribbons I won at the Kings County Fair in July. This was the first time I entered. I entered ten quilts and received nine ribbons including two best of shows and a $44 check. Not much for best of show but I guess it will buy four yards of fabric. There isn't a quilt store here but I found the Beverly's Fabric Store today. They had some really nice fabric but not the thread collection I am use to. Nobody has thread like Thimble Towne!

It was Ephram's first day of school Monday. I spent the night Sunday so I was there for his first day.

He is so excited to learn to read. He just keeps saying he wants to read and do science.

Here is Ephram with sister Keira and teacher Mom.

Work In Progress Wednesday

2011-07-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share what I am working on here in Virginia. I don't really do wool hand work but I don't have anything else so I found this at the local quilt store. It really is not my thing but I can use it for one of the guild Christmas auctions.

These are the magazines I got to help me through the almost 9 hours on the plane on Saturday. If you haven't ever seen Art Quilting Studio magazine and you are an art quilter or a want-to-be art quilter like me you will just love this magazine. I first found this magazine in Tahoe last November and haven't been able to find it since. But I found it at Barnes and Noble. On line you have to pay so much for shipping. Just didn't seem worth it. But I think I will go on line and order the back issues. I am just in love with Art Quilt Studio!

A Day In The Sun

2011-07-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg on Tuesday. It was so hot that Serena, also sick, almost fainted while waiting in line to take Lexi on a ride. She felt so bad that she had to get out of line and made Lexi cry but we had to get fluids into her. Here we are at the water play section which we should have stayed in all day. It was way to hot to be out in the sun.

Lexi and Nana trying to keep cool!

Lexi on the Carousel.

I almost passed out also. But after lots of water and soaking my head in water I was able to enjoy my beer in German town (I thought of you Grace! I think it was the best beer I ever had.) It never felt so good to get into the air conditioned car. Lexi was out in 3 minutes and slept all the way home.

I think today we will spend the afternoon at the air conditioned Mall. I need some shopping therapy!

Here's some sunshine for your day!

2011-07-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Did you think I disapeared off the face of the earth?

2011-07-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I feel like I did. We have had a major upheaval in our lives over the last two months. We are moving. We actually have already moved. We have an apartment in Valencia, Ca. which we have only slept in for one night. We have our house in Hanford that we still stay at so we can get it ready to rent. We are in an extended stay hotel in Virginia right now visiting my daughter and most of our stuff is in three, count them three!!!, storage units in Hanford. So to tell you the truth I don't really know where I am suppose to be.

It has been really hard just doing the regular daily things, like blogging. But I am determined to write today.

I haven't done much quilting the last few weeks but I did get three baby quilts and one church baby quilt done before I left. I have some challenge quilts to do but don't know when I will get back to Valencia where most of my quilting supplies are to work on these. We are suppose to fly back to Sacramento on Saturday, July 30th, and drive to Hanford. Jeff starts his new job on August 1st and I stay in Hanford for a few days to teach. It will be back and forth till we get the house rented. I am not looking forward to that. I want to feel settled but that is not going to happen till we find a house.

I think I have probably looked at 1000 houses on the Internet. The prices are so much higher than we are use to but I am determined to get the most for our money. We were really spoiled in Hanford. Some days I get discouraged and want to give it all up and some days I am excited by what I see. We have to wait till after Sept. 1st to seriously look but I will be going strong to find something after that.

I take classes too!

2011-05-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took an embellishing class from Priscilla Gerard on couching threads, etc. I wasn't prepared because I had only received the supply list the morning before amd did not get home till 10:30 that evening. No time to prepare but had a great time and learned so much. Charlotte was gracious and let me use her pattern. She also promised to help me with the fit. I'm going to make a vest and am taking Priscilla's bead embellishing class (you know me and beads!) at the end of June, so it won't be done for awhile.

Here are the students in the Calligraphy on fabric class I took with the Orange Blossom guild today. There were about 15 of us and I had a great time. The teacher, Stacy Hurt, showed us some amazing art quilts Thursday night. She was so fun to listen to. She always had a story to tell.

Here are Pat and Adena working hard. It is so good to have Adena back. You better stay here for awhile, Adena. We missed you!

Looking so serious.

I just love Ali's smile. So glad she could come even though she had surgery on her foot and had to keep it up the whole time. That's dedication!

Here is Stacy and her beautiful daughter, Ellen.

And here is Linda. It was her birthday today and Elaine told her she had to bring her own cake. It was delicious, Linda!

I really enjoyed the class and had the most fun when we got to the fabric. For some reason calligraphy on paper was boring. I went to Borders on the way home and got so books. Now to practice!

Classes

2011-05-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

I finally get to post this quilt. This is the Circle of Hope quilt that I will be teaching and I could not post it till Jeremy quilted it. It is now up in the store so now it can go on my blog. There are still three other quilts that I want to post but till they are up in the store, it's not going to happen.

I'm also teaching some other classes.

You saw Hochie Mama already.

But here are two versions of the Vintage Moments quilt I am also teaching. I just love this quilt and have started another one that I would like to finish with my students. This is an intense class but not hard. Just labor intensive and you learn so much. I hope students are signing up. I know one student wanted me to pick out fabric for her quilt, which I did yesterday but I hope Hiley doesn't go into sticker shock when she sees how much it is going to cost. Just the background and the border is about 8 yards! Figure that out in today's quilt store prices!

I'm also teaching two machine quilting classes and a travel bag class.

Check out Thimble Towne's Website.

I would love to see you as my student. I promise we will have a good time!

Happy Birthday Linda and Grace!

2011-05-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our Needle Divas group met and we had such a fun time. I don't know what I would do without these ladies! We celebrated Grace and Linda M.'s birthdays. They actually have the same birthday (Saturday next). Here are a few pictures.

Here is a picture of the beautiful flowers Linda B. gave Linda M. and Grace.

I also finished two little quilts for guild give aways.

Today we are working on Charity Quilts at Quilters Quarters. I need to leave soon so will keep this short.

New projects!

2011-05-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

The order from Fire Mountain Gems came yesterday. This is what $90 in beads looks like. Some of these will be for my "Tsunami Ripples" quilt. I'm looking forward to the end result but not the hours and hours of beading.

I couldn't seem to get out of the gloom of the last few days, brought on by myself, so I spent time going through my fabric stash and really weeding out what I didn't think I would every use. I cut anything less than a fat quarter into 5 inch and 3 1/2 inch squares but then decided that I probably won't do anything with them so I packed them up to give to two of my guilds for door prizes. Somebody else might as well use them. I also have a huge bag of fabric I am bring to my sweet Needle Divas tomorrow. I hope some of them will want some of it. I'll just keep bringing it around till it is all gone. Who doesn't like free fabric?

Speaking of fabric here are the fabrics that I hope to use in a challenge I am participating in. Some of it I got on the shop hop and some I had. I have an idea in my head now if I can just get it out of there and into a quilt. Only time will tell. I have to have it done in August but I am going to be gone for most of July so I need to have it done before then and I am such a last minute person. Things are piling up but I told myself I wasn't going to let that stop me from just doing what I want, like cutting up scraps. This week is really busy so I don't know if I will have much time in the studio. I'm taking two classes at the end of the week. That should provided inspiration and motivation!

Shop Hopping!

2011-05-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here I am shop hopping with my dear friend Thimblelina. Actually she is a permanent fixture at Thimble Town in Visalia, CA. The second annual Central Valley Shop Hop started today so I visited my favorite quilt store to visit friends and, of course, to buy some fabric.

Here is Jeremy, the owner, out front greeting visitors. The theme for the store today was Carnival. For our enjoyment there were frito boats, popcorn and snow cones. We got a great goodie bag also. Thank you, Jeremy! He's the greates!. There is so much new fabric it is overwhelming. More was coming in while I was there. Their selection of batiks is the best I have ever seen. I think Thimble Towne has to have the biggest selection of fabric in the Valley. If you haven't been there you need to go! The shop hop goes thru Sunday, but you can go by anytime. Warning, you will not come out of there empty handed!

At each store you can pick up a pattern for each of the blocks in this quilt. I like the way Jeremy put this quilt together. I won't be making the quilt since I only went to Thimble Towne and then Quilters Quarters in Hanford.

Now for some finished work. This is the table runner I made for Katrina to take to Iowa when they go to stay with Eric's family this June. I hope they like it. I do. I used just what I had and that is why I have a stash. But after making this I decided to clean out my stash so I am cutting 5, 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch square from anything that is smaller than a fat quarter and giving away stuff I don't think I will ever use. I don't know if I will use these squares but I can always give them away.

Family

2011-05-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Keira (3), Daniel (1), Ephram (5), and Becky (3)

Lexi (2) with her Grandpa Jo (Robinson in Penn.)

We celebrated Ephram's 5th birthday and Becky's 3rd birthday Sunday at our house.

Here they are with their ice cream cakes. Just because we celebrated together doesn't mean they don't get their own cakes. (I made them take the rest home! Too tempting!)

We bought Ephram his first big boy bike. He was a little afraid to ride it but I hear by the time he got home he thought it was the best present he received. You better take care of it, Ephram, and wear your helmet.

Today I'm feeling a little at odds with myself. Maybe it's because I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night but maybe it's because I am not sure where my focus in my quilting life and quilting friendships are right now. Things have been changing and I feel as though I am drifting away and sometimes I feel like I am the odd man out. Talk of retreats, get togethers, sewing day, Party Party, Shop hops, Quilt shows and road trips circle around me and I seem not to have a connection with any of it anymore. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself and a little overwhelmed but no one really reads these things anyways so I will just write to feel better. I have just quit working at my secretary job and have gotten my schedule for teaching and realized I won't have much money. I didn't get all the classes I wanted but then again I wanted more time at home to work on developing into an artist (that's suppose to be my goal) so why am I complaining. It must be a hormone thing. I did have a nice lunch with my three sister-in-laws yesterday. Thanks a lot for noticing I lost 60 lbs. (That's sarcasm for not noticing but I guess it's not apparent yet since I have so much further to go!)

I guess I should get back to the studio. I'm going to make a table runner for Katrina to take back to Iowa this June for the family they are staying with. Maybe some mindless quilting and a Jesse Stone movie will help my spirits.

But I have to leave you with this picture of Stephen helping his son ride his bike. Is there anything more precious than this. So stop complaining, Anna, and get to work!

Loose Threads Current Project

2011-05-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

I missed last months meeting due to a board meeting but Janice taught Thread Painting on water soluble stabilizer and gave us the word "Rejoice" to put into a quilt. Well, I don't see the point in doing it on stabilizer when you can do it directly on the fabric. But I did it anyways. After seeing Janice's and Karen's I can now see when this technique can come in handy. I forgot to take a picture of Grace's butterflies she made but when she gets it into a quilt, I hope to take a picture of it. I'm trying to remember to take my camera and use it so I will have pictures for my blog. Maybe it will be more interesting to more people.

Barbara Sawyer did hers directly on the fabric.

Barbara Sindlinger made a little one (about 6" x 6")

Janice Minyard suspended hers in the center (open all the way through)

Karen Taber layered hers with chiffon and inserted free floating stars.

This is Sara Kelly's which she did not put into a quilt.

But Sara decided to cut up some blocks she had and make a new quilt out of them.

And here is mine.
This wasn't the original orientation and I planned on having more beads on it but I guess this is the way it is going to stay. Have to change the sleeve on the back!

Loose Threads Waves and Tucks

2011-05-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Barbara Sindlinger

Grace Hoya

Karen Taber

Sara Kelly

Mine which you have already seen.
Next time you see this it will be different. It was decided at group last night that the "tassels" don't work. All those hours and hours of beading. Out of some brain storming, a differnt option was agreed upon which means more beading and a lot more beads. Jeff's not going to like that because I need to order yet more beads. I sure hope this is worth it.

Grace's Birthday Strips from Loose Threads

2011-05-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

From Janice Minyard

From Karen Tabor

From Me

From Barbara Sindlinger

From Barbara Sawyer

From Sara Kelly and this is the only one I can remember the title to: "Wine in the Garden"

Happy Birthday, Grace!

Something to Show!

2011-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

I finished my wave quilt. It's called "Tsunami Ripples". Hours and hours of beading.

I also finished this travel bag I am going to teach.

The classes are finally on Thimble Towns Website. It's a great website!

Remember all the fabric coasters I was making last fall for my daughters' Mop Group. Well, hear are the rest of them. I hope the ladies like these. They receive a set of four and some other things for their birthdays. I wish I could remember how many I made in all. It should be around 100 sets. There are 24 sets here.

Now I have to get started on our next Loose Threads project but today is "run around town and get everything done at once so you don't have to spend more money on gas" day.

Radomness

2011-05-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is part of the entry to the Museum of Art in Bakersfield, CA. It is absolutely gorgeous! This is only part of it. We went to see the California Fiber Artists exhibit that my friend Sara's work is in. It was an amazing exhibit and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Here is Sara with one of two pieces she had in the show. I believe this is the one which sold. The artist side of me wants to be Sara when I grow up. (The wild side of me wants to be "Abbey" from NCIS when I grow up.)

You all know what a Jelly Roll is? Well, my granddaughter got a hold of this one and when I asked her what she did she said it was a present! So, she opened it!

Well, the huge quilt for Jeremy is done and I can't show you it yet. When he gets it quilted and hanging in the store I will post a picture. Meanwhile, here is what I am working on now. Can any of you from Loose Threads venture a guess?

Organizing Tips

2011-04-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

I was roaming through Target the other day (always a dangerous thing) and found this in the Bath section. I am always looking for ideas to make my life easier in my quilt studio. I don't have a lot of room on the right hand side of my machine and I have things that I like to get at easily. They had black (shows too much dust), white (boring!), and this green (it's alright, I guess). I would have liked to have pink or red. I thought this would be a great idea. What do you think?

Then in the same section I purchased a shower rod and hooks to hang things on the outside of my closet, since I have so much in the closet that there isn't any room to hang anything. It's great for hanging those quilt tops I need to quilt. I also am not sure how I will eventually use the hooks. The bag on the right holds the bindings needed to finish some of those quilts.

I do not have any finished projects are even anything in progress to show because I am working diligently on a quilt for Jeremy for the store. It will be a block of the month and I am not suppose to show you any of it till it is hanging in the store but it is absolutely beautiful. These are the fabrics. If it wasn't such a rush job it would be more fun to piece together. There are 50 billion pieces and literally over 20 pages of instructions. I'm on the last page, putting on the four, count them four!!!, borders, three of which are pieced. I can hardly wait till it is done. I was suppose to get it done YESTERDAY two weeks ago when I received it. I hope to work on it today but I also have two of our grandchildren for three days. Hopefully next week I can work on something completely different.

Cindy Cooksey came to our guild last night and her quilts were inspiring. I just want to get into the studio and create!

Enjoy the simple thing in life...

2011-04-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Like the first strawberries of the season!

I hope you take the time to read this and at the end I will explain.

A mom's Ode to coffee

Opening my eyes, I realize my alarm is going off. What, is it morning already? Just a few hours ago I was feeding the baby now the morning is calling me. The bills need to be paid. The laundry hamper is bursting and the kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes. The day's work is calling me. I push myself out of bed and head toward the kitchen. Before I can begin to tackle the days work, I must first get my start up fuel, coffee. Yes I need that wonderful dark elixir of life sustaining fluid. That delightful wake inducing alert medicine I can't do without. God so wonderfully gave us the beans to roast and to brew into a drink to assist us in a productive day. I must have coffee! I enter into the kitchen to see the coffee maker sitting on the counter ready for me to add the required ingredients to produce the delicious dark liquid. Before My hand could make it to the coffee pot my young daughter walked in. "I'm hungry mama." The baby soon followed with cries from his bed. Ok, I will get kids breakfast, then I make my coffee and relax and enjoy it. I get the baby and put him into the highchair as my daughter climbs into her chair at the table. Drinks first for the kids, milk for the baby and chocolate milk for the older one. Next bananas and toast. That is quick and easy breakfast to put together so I can get back to the coffee pot. Once the kids are settle I grab the coffee pot and fill the desired amount of water. I think I'll put in a little extra water in case I want an extra cup later. I pour the water into the maker and pull out my canister holding the coffee grounds. Opening the lid my nostrils are filled with the bold aroma of the coffee grounds. The neurons in my brain start to fire. Almost there. Ok, water in? Check. Grounds in filter? Check. Alright hit the on button and wait for the magic to begin. By now my daughter wants more and the baby has turned what was left of his banana to mush in his hands. I cleaned the baby up and gave him the crusts from his sister toast then I made another piece of toast for my daughter and some for me. I set the plates down and remembered I don't like eating without my cup of coffee. I grab a mug from the cupboard and add sugar and milk to it and head over to the coffee maker. Is it ready yet? No! I have to wait some more? I should not have added the extra water. It causes the process to take longer. I wait impatiently with my mug in my hand. Soon my head is starting to hurt demanding coffee. Yuck, a lack of caffeine headache. I waited too long for my coffee and now my body is demanding it. I can hear the sucking noise of the coffee maker pulling the last bit of water from the reservoir into the filter with the grounds. Almost there. I can see the coffee going from a steady stream into the coffee pot to just a dribble. Ugh, I can't wait any longer. I grab the pot carefully to make sure no extra drips fall out and pour the steaming liquid into mug. Finally! I replace the pot to finish the process and grab hold of my mug. I bring the mug to my lips and savor the aroma before I take my first sip. The neurons start to fire some more and I take that glorious first sip. A tingling sensation runs down me after I taste the bold flavor of the coffee. Yes! I have my coffee. I quickly take more sips. Ah, I fell better already. I turn back with my coffee to my breakfast which is now cold. My daughter and the baby are done with their breakfast and are ready to be let loose. Breakfast will have to wait until the children are settled down with some toys to distract them. Oh well, that's ok. At least I now have my cup of coffee.

Remeber a few posts ago the picture of my two grandkids in the middle of the hallway with the cereal surrounding them? Well, this was written by my daughter, Katrina, their mother. For those of you who were mothers of little children, you remember those days and the struggle just to get the day started. This just touches my heart. I remember when I was a young mom, there was a little poem about forgetting all around you, just spend time with your children. We sometimes forget the little things in life, like how important our first cup of coffee is as we settle into our day with our children. Take joy in the simple things!

Happy 3rd Birthday Keira!

2011-04-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Keira's birthday yesterday (a few days early) and here she is with the quilt I made her. She loves quilts and always wants to take them home with her. This one is for her bed.

Here is Jillian with the bag I made her. She was so excited that it was finally finished. I'm anxious to hear how her friends liked it. She wanted one to take to school for her books. I hope it works out for her.

I spent all day quilting this table runner for my Machine Quilting Class 2. Jeremy wants the students to come with a specific project to quilt. So each student comes with the top of this table runner sewn and then we quilt it in class. These are not my colors at all and it was difficult to get excited about it but we wanted something that would show the quilting. I did enjoy the quilting but it is amazing how long it takes to quilt even just a small table runner.

Tomorrow is our Loose Threads group but I have to miss it due to an Orange Blossom Board meeting. I really need to be at the Board meeting. Besides I don't even have my project for Loose Threads started. I think I now know what to do but I need to find the time. Why does that always seem to be an issue?

Two finishes in Ontario, CA

2011-04-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I'm down in Southern Ca (Ontario) with my husband as he attends a CWEA (California Water Environment Association) convention. The weather is beautiful, in the high 80's and I am sitting in a hotel room sewing. I do leave to walk down the street to Starbucks. Priorities you know! I have been frustrated though, because I didn't think through what I was cutting before I left and am not happy with the bags I need to make. The one at the left is for a class sample and I think it is boring. If I would have thought out the project better I could have made it a little more interesting. Sometimes patterns are not clear where the fabric placement is. I feel like I now have a handle of the pattern and would do this differently. So I may make another one.

This is for a young girl in our church. It still needs some funky buttons which I need to search for. She picked the fabric. She didn't want anything flashing. I hope she likes it. It is definitely not flashy enough for me.

The other projects I have to sew are not working out either. Fabric placement again. I'm finding I am trying to rush things. I have a project due for our Loose Threads group that I can't seem to get my head around. I know what I want to do but can't find the fabric to make it work. I have decided not to rush it and it will have to wait till next month. I hate going to group when I haven't done anything but I really want this piece to work and I am excited with the idea. So, I am going to take my time and enjoy what I do. No more rushing. If it is not done, oh well, that's life!

French Braid Class Quilts

2011-04-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

These are just some of the quilts from my French Braid Class. They still have a little work to do but they promised to send pictures. Didn't they do a great job!

Finished!

2011-04-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

This "Wacky" class quilt is done! I finished the quilting this weekend and the binding. I even have a sleeve on it and will put the label on it tonight. I hope I have students for my class. Just waiting for the class schedule to come out.

Look what came in the mail today! I am working on collecting fabric for a joint effort and ordered this "Stonehenge" by Northcott. I also received two backgrounds but they were too boring to show. Go to Fabric Depot and look at all the beautiful colors. My pictures today are not very good. I really need some training (Barbara!) in this area.

I have to work on my Loose Threads project this evening. Since Jeff has a meeting tonight I should have some time, if I don't run out of energy. Jeff has a convention down south at the end of the week, and I am going along for the ride so I can sew without any distractions. I'm bringing lots of projects!

Best of the Valley Quilt Show

2011-04-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's that time again for the Best of the Valley Quilt show. I went Friday and was a docent and sold tickets and spent money. The best things I bought were from Kristin Eilers who now is selling her hand dyes and had her own booth for the first time. You go girl! I wish I would have bought more but I know where to find her!

Janice Minyard was the guest artist. I love her work because she is a well rounded quilter. You can see her traditional roots but she is entering the art quilting world. Her machine quilting is just amazing. I am really going to miss her when she moves to the coast this summer. I hope we can visit her! (Diane took the picture. The one I took didn't show her work. Thanks Diane!)

The quilts at the show were amazing. The talent out there is inspiring but I felt really depressed and overwhelmed with the direction of my own work. I feel like I haven't had the time this year to develop into the artist I someday want to be. Time restraints have been a huge issue and I have noticed that more and more I don't have time to get into the studio. With kids out of the house, it should be my time now. So I have decided (with the help of my friend Grace!) to re-evaluate my priorities and quit some things. I want to work on some ideas I have for original work and spend more time improving in the areas that I lack in.

This is Becky and Daniel getting into the cereal and I can only imagine what Katrina felt when she saw this. Overwhelmed I'm sure! Well, this is how I see my life right now. Overwhelmed and not knowing what to do next. I guess you start by disciplining the kids and them pick up the mess. Discipline my life, pick up the pieces and start all over!

And the winner is...

2011-04-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Wacky Woman and Julie Shepherd. Actually it is two winners. This are the only two responses that I received on naming my 9 patch pizazz. I combined the suggestions from both and came up with "Mai Tai Tango". I love it! Ladies, send me your addresses so I can send you your fat quarters. Thank you for responding.

Now one to some new stuff!

This is one of my next classes. Hochy Mama blocks by Mary Lou Wideman. Pretty wild! I just love it.

I hope to get it quilted this week between all the busyness.

I wanted to show you pictures from my French Braid class but I can seem to download the night class. The day class is Monday, so after that class I'll post all of them.

Here's Daniel. We are celebrating his first birthday tomorrow, even though his birthday was on March 17th. Between all the illness with the kids and work and just everyday craziness, we could not get it all together. It should be fun and crazy with all the kids.

Passion - Days Gone By

2011-03-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here is my quilt I made using a folded tuck technique we learned from our Loose Threads group. Our word was passion. The picture is of my husband's parents. To me they demonstrated a form of passion that showed love and respect. When my mother-in-law died you could see the huge loss my father-in-law experienced. Their dedication is still an example to us all.

I used laces, trims, little plastic flowers and two pins I found in my mother-in-laws things to make this as memorable as I could. I hope to make three more some day for my daughters.

Trunk Show!

2011-03-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Here I am giving a trunk show to the Nipomo Guild. The ladies (and one lovely gentleman) were so wonderful. They made me feel right at home. I had a fantastic time showing one large suitcase of somewhat traditional quilts and one of art quilts. They all seemed to like them. The test is how many questions they ask after the trunk show. They asked quite a few. I was so blessed to be able to spend the night with my friend Sue and her wonderfully sweet husband Dennis. I look forward to doing this again (both spending time with Sue and doing another trunk show on the coast), I hope!

Here is the finished quilt. I spent quite a bit of time quilting it. I am trying to challenge myself not to cop out and just do an overall design when the quilt is busy. This is good practice and I love the end results.

Any suggestions for the name of this quilt? The winner will receive a fat quarter from three of the fabrics in this quilt.

I taught this handbag class and had one student so I was able to make this one during the class. Of course, I had a great time because Sarah was the student.

This week should fly past in a flash. I am teaching three classes this week, working two mornings, our Loose Threads group is meeting (my quilt is finished and I will show you that soon), other appointments and a dinner to go to Friday night. I look forward to Saturday just to quilt!

The weather should be beautiful this week so if you are in California get outside and enjoy it. Off I go to teach class. Taking my camera so I can show you my students beautiful work!

A Little Bit Of Green

2011-03-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

"Top of the morning to you!", happy St. Patrick's Day, and to my precious grandson, Daniel, Happy 1st Birthday!

I just thought I would share a little of what I have been doing this past week and all the green that was involved. First, this is the theme quilt for Orange Blossom Quilters. It is a new little quilt each month. This is March. It's not quilted yet but I finished appliqueing the leaves this morning (green thread!)

I just got this quilt back for the quilter (Jeremy), and have yet to put a binding on it. I ran out of material and thought I had something but it looks like I have to go shopping. Do you think they will have green material for sale today? This quilt is called "Lydia's Irish Dream" for a friend who is going to graduate this year from high school, she loves Ireland and the color green.

Remember this quilt from the last post? Well, I took it to Thimble Town to get something for the border and with some help realized I didn't like the green I had used for the settling triangles. I brought some mottled pink and orange home (which I used only a small portion of the three yards I bought!) and I also brought home another fabric which I did not use. I finally went with my instincts and used a batik green I had and made the border with triangles (which had been brewing in my mind for sometime). I am a lot happier with the quilt.

The color green has taught me so much this week. Go with your instincts. Trust your self. If it doesn't work you have only your self to deal with. If you take someone else's suggestions over your own instincts, and you are not happy with it, you still are going to be upset with yourself, and now someone else. Don't under estimate yourself! This is a lesson we can all learn.

I will end with some pictures of the Common Threads Block of the Month and my gifts from my secret pal at the Kings River Quilt Guild. HAVE A GREAT (GREEN) DAY!

Joy, Soul, and I need help!

2011-03-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Here's Keira shouting with joy! This started as an assignment for our Loose Threads art group. Take a photo, manipulate it in photo shop and then make a quilt depicting "Joy". Not really knowing what to do, I cut it up, fussed it on, quilted it and added beads (which I am not quite done with). When I showed it to her, she knew who it was. She is 2 1/2.

Our next project was adding three dimensional flowers and using the word "Soul". Here is my 12 x 12 inch "Heart and Soul" quilt that I am going to send off to the SAQA online auction.

I took a class Saturday from Judy Sisneros through the Common Threads quilt guild. She was a fine teacher but I hate my quilt. I wish I had just used my own fabric ideas. I can't decide on a border either. I took the class because I had the book but I think I would have liked it better if I had done it on my own. Help! What do I do with this? I am stuck on what direction to take for the border.

Break Time!

2011-02-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

I've been working on store samples for Thimble Town and finally finished this top. The other one is on the design wall only partially put together. But I hope to have it done Monday. This quilt contains 156 blocks! I thought I was never going to get it pieced. It is from the book "City Quilts" by Cheri House. I am teaching one of her patterns tomorrow but I don't have a picture of the quilt. I'll take one tomorrow and post it. I love the simplicity of the quilts when they are done but I find myself struggling to put them together because they are so mindless. The one on the design wall is also from this book.

These are blocks of the months for two of my guilds. They gave me a break from the store samples.

Hope to have some more pictures Monday!

Aren't birthdays great...

2011-02-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

...when you finally get to celebrate with friends! Yesterday, I finally got to spend the day with two of my friendship groups and they celebrated my birthday. First, Needle Divas met at Grace's and she put on a great lunch for us. It was a little sad because there were only four of us. Five were missing including our special friend Kathy who just moved to Colorado. We all miss her very much! But I did receive a card and fat quarter from her. Thank you Kathy!

Notice the dish towel from my Needle Diva friend Carol!

Then our "Loose Threads" art group met during the evening. Here are my birthday banners. Each one made one to reflect their own personalities. I just love them! I have a special place all set to go but I need to work on the tabs to hang them. Stupid me forgot to tell them how deep to make the tabs for my hanger. When I get them hung I will post a picture.

I just want to thank all of you who have stuck by me even though I have been very lax in posting. I hope to change that. Stay tune for more productivity from me!

Post Cards and Lexi's Sketch

2011-01-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

I am the chairperson for the Sunshine committee (well, really I am the only one on the committee) for Orange Blossom Quilters in Visalia, CA and I am sending out four cards of encouragement this week. It is hard to know what kind of card to make for someone who has lost a loved one, but I think the first ones will work. The second set are for those who have had surgery the past month. I hope they bring a smile to the recipient's faces.

Here is the sketch I promised you of Lexi for my story quilt. I wonder when I will get to it. We stopped at Thimble Town on our way to guild last night and Jeremy wants to know when the store samples will be done and he has another one for me when the pattern comes in next week. I have to learn to hide from him when I go in there. Guess what I will be working on tomorrow!

Road 2 CA goodies!

2011-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

I picked up a few stencils I thought I might use.

And some books (three came from Joanne's on the way to Road - on sale!)

Some "cheddar" fabric, ric rac, a pattern and fabric for a birthday present for one of my granddaughters.

I didn't buy any thread which is totally unusual for me. I always buy thread but we are on a very strict budget right now.

And here is my birthday card from Debbie. This really brightens my day!

Finished!

2011-01-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

Here is the quilting I did on Karen's quilt. I especially like the borders. This is all free motion because I hate marking. I sure hope she likes it. I also did another one for her that was 30's fabrics. It is cute and sweet. She was coming down this weekend but has injured her shoulder. I hope she gets better soon and comes down to pick up her quilts and visit.

Orange Blossom quilters is this evening and here are the blocks of the month. They have decided to do a pieced block and an applique block. Of course, I had to machine applique! I hope the fog isn't bad this evening because I am going to do all I can to get there tonight.

I did discover that I have almost no dark blues in my stash. Time to collect more fabric.

Hoochy Mama!

2011-01-26T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here are my blocks from the class I took at Road 2 CA. They are pretty busy! I am going to use them as my border for my story quilt about Lexi. Tomorrow I hope to show you my sketch for my quilt. This is as far as I will get for awhile, till I have another block of time.

Here is some of the quilting I am doing on Karen's quilt. This is all I have done so far (besides all the ditch work). I am off to work on it some more. I hope to work the rest of the day on it while watching (really listening to) NCIS. That's my favorite show to put on since I know most of the episodes. It's relaxing. Notice I didn't go with feathers. Just couldn't make it happen. Maybe in the border. I'm just not that traditional.

Mary Lou and Cherries Too!

2011-01-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

Here I am with Mary Lou Weidman (check out her blog - on the right side of this blog you will find sites of interest - click on Mary Lou Weidman) in her Hoochy Mama class. These blocks were so liberating! What fun we all had. You can tell by the next picture that we got a lot done in one day. There were 24 students in our class and they were all fun to be with and productive too.

It was hard to get them all in one picture.

Here is one of my blocks. When I get the rest unpacked I will post another picture. I am hoping to teach this technique, from her book and with her permission (which I already have), sometime next quarter. I am not sure I like my backgrounds. They are a little busy but these blocks will go on my story quilt that I am doing of my granddaughter Lexi. I am going to make more for my class quilt in a different background. I will probably use the color "cheddar" that Mary Lou has used in a lot of her quilts. I just have to start collecting more fabric!

I hope to start quilting a second quilt for my friend Karen this afternoon. I'll take some pictures of the quilting and post them because I am going to try feathers again. It's all about the practice!

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to go

2011-01-24T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday and I was already to go to our Loose Threads Art group but the foggy was so bad we had to cancel. So here I sit, now in sweats, watching boring TV and drinking diet hot chocolate. What a drag!
Had a good time at Road 2 Ca last week. Hope to have some pictures to show you tomorrow. Took classes from Mary Lou Wiedman. Fantastic teacher but the story quilt I am making is going to take months. Her quilts were amazing and so much work involved. I hope to begin working on mine this week. I'm excited about it and am already planning another one in my head.
I have also been thinking about developing some patterns to teach so that I am teaching my own stuff. It is always hard coming up with that new idea. I'll keep you posted.

A Great Surprise!

2010-12-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

Remember my "The 60s - A Decade of Change"? Well, it and "Reality" were accepted into an exhibit to be held at Arts Visalia in March for Woman's History Month. The exhibit is called "WomanFully". I was not expecting to get accepted and was surprised when I received the email. In fact, I almost deleted it. I'm sure glad I opened it! What is even funnier is that "Reality" was donated to the Common Threads Little Quilt Sale and no one wanted it and it was returned. How humiliating! But now I know why. It was meant for this show.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We will be celebrating thru New Year's since Serena and Lexi arrive tomorrow. It looks like the airport is now open in Norfolk so we are praying that all goes well. Serena has never seen so much snow in Virgina Beach. It just doesn't snow that much there.

I have been busy making things for Christmas, which I can't show you since we haven't celebrated our Christmas yet, but I can show you the baskets I have made. They are made out of fabric wrapped cotton clothes line. They really are addicting.

I haven't done much quilting. Finished all my class samples and waiting to see when the classes will be. I will keep you posted. Thimble Towne's new website should be up soon. Check back.

Getting ready for classes

2010-12-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

I worked on this quilt for 12 hours straight yesterday to finish the top so I could take it to Jeremy to quilt on Monday. I am so excited about it. This will be for my One Block Wonder class I am teaching sometime in the next few months. I don't know what the schedule is yet but I will let you all know. I go in to Thimble Town tomorrow to go over the class descriptions, class supply lists, two more projects that need to be made for classes and some skirts for store samples. I am excited about all these new projects but as I sit here amongst the many boxes filled with Christmas decorations that need to be put up, I wonder where all the time will come from to finish everything.

The Common Threads Christmas party is now behind me and I have to say it was a great success. I had a fantastic time and I think so did may others. The Orange Blossom Christmas party is in less than two weeks and I just hope it goes as well. I don't have many gift items for the silent auction yet but I have some people to call.

This Saturday is our Material Girls Christmas Party at Barbara Brown's house. We always have a great time. We were to how our friendship blocks put together and quilted. Mine is together but not quilted. I thought I had a picture but can't find it. I'll take one this week and put it on the blog.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-11-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

Time seems to go by so fast these days. I can't even keep up with what day it is anymore. I just recently tripled my work load by agreeing to teach at Thimble Town next quarter which means class samples are due and this is the busiest time of year. The new owner, Jeremy, is a sweetheart but he can talk you into almost anything. Actually, I'm loving it! He has so many great ideas and I look forward to working with him.

Here is my latest art quilt. This is entitled "Moonlight Sonata". I made it while in Tahoe. We had a great time. It snowed! So much fun for this Central Valley California girl!

The building to the left is where we were staying. My sister took the picture from their building.

I have been very busy working on class samples, class descriptions, supply lists and just getting my head around the fact that I will be teaching again. I will be teaching 5 different classes. One of the classes is the Amy Butler Sweet Harmony handbag & tote. Her patterns are not the easiest to follow. I wish I had taken a class. But I love the results. I hope to show you more progress on other class quilts and I hope to keep up on the blog now that I am home for awhile. Well, I'm off to do laundry and work on my Material Girls quilt blocks that I have not looked at since June and the quilt needs to be done next week.

Getting Ready for Christmas!

2010-11-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner and all the plans I had to have things done are going down the drain. Where does the time go? I have been working on some Christmas presents and donations for the guilds I am involved with.

The Christmas Tree is for a guild Christmas party raffle. I made two but have to sew on the bells on the other one. I think I am going to keep one for myself. This will be great on a door. It is 36 inches long. It was fun to make but it took me almost two hours to sew on all the bells.

The snowman started out for myself but as I was making it I keep thinking how my sister would just love it. We are leaving for Tahoe to spend a few days with her so I will give it to her then.

Off to the guild meeting. I am teaching a class for the guild on Saturday. We will be making cubes like the ones in the One Block Wonder quilts.

Foiled Pears

2010-10-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was able to upload the photo that I mentioned in the previous post. I really do need to get better at taking photos! At least take them straight.

The results of the flour paste resist!

2010-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the final result from the fabrics from the previous post. I like it but had hoped it would be bigger. I don't plan my quilts. They just happen so the squares are 2 1/2" finished. I have some plans to make this a series. I think I am motivated again. If I could just stay home. Off this weekend to Shaver Lake for a retreat and then the next week we are going to Tahoe with my fantastic sister and brother-in-law for a week. There is a great store there that has a good size quilting section and the greatest selection of paints and buttons, other decorator fabrics, silks, a art quilters dream. I'm saving my money from the class I am teaching next week just to spend here! I love shopping here with my sister. There is also a bead store there that we go to. My sister makes the most fantastic jewelery. I can hardly wait. I wait all year for this!

I had another photo to share but I can't seem to get the program to work. Maybe later. I am demonstrating foiling on fabric this evening at the guild and I have a quilt I made as an example. It is amazing how whenever I am going to prepare for something like this I always find the ways not to do something! It's like when I make a quilt from a pattern or book, I always find the mistakes. Go figure!

I know I have not blogged much but to tell you the truth I just haven't been home. This has been a year of traveling. This year I went to Road 2 Ca (Ontario), Wonder Valley (twice), Virginia, Pacific Grove, Cambria, Pismo, Sacramento, Hollywood, Utah, Las Vegas, Best of the Valley took four days, Ripon, next Shaver lake and Tahoe. I'm not complaining but it has been a busy year. And we mustn't forget a new grandchild, Daniel, was born this year. What a year! Do you think next year will be less busy. I doubt it. I already have two classes I am teaching for guilds and a trunk show at another guild lined up next year. I am just thankful that I am able to do all this.

Off to get my stuff ready for tonight. I hope you are still out there even though I haven't been very good at posting.

The saga of the flour resist project!

2010-10-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of the story. Our art group project for this month is to make a flour and water paste, apply it to fabric, let it dry, crunch it up and paint it. Then clean it all off and make an art quilt using the theme "graffiti".
Three of use got together to start the process. We stabilized our fabric to form core board and off we went. We took our projects home to dry and I put mine in the backyard. Little did I know it was going to rain. It never rains here! Of course it was under the patio that is not a solid cover and water, dirt and sap from the unsealed (new) cover got all over my projects (I had 3 started.) Oh well, let them dry again and just think of it as developing art.
So some days later time to paint over the flour resist. Then after it dries, wash it all off. These are my results.

The third one was done with potato flakes that Sara's dog kept licking while it was drying.

It really is not as yellow as it looks (photography). I decided to use this one for my project since I was going to cover it with paint. And in my usual style I went overboard with the paint.

Now this project has to be done by Wednesday and today is Monday and it has to dry. I only came up with an idea yesterday. I finished painting it and left it outside and guess what. It started to rain yet again! This project is just domed. It has to dry so I can cut it up and sew it back together.

I hope to have the final results soon.

I'm Back!!!

2010-09-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Remember the pile of leaves? This is the result. I think I got carried away with the embellishing.

This quilt was done for the Orange Blossom Quilt guild challenge. We were given five 5" squares and a word plus a design concept. My word was "spotted". There are some spotted frogs but I just wanted to incorporate frogs because my grandson loves frogs. That was my starting point. It is entitled "I spotted frogs in the forest". 18" x 30"

This piece was done for our art group. We were to do this fabric faced windows. I choose to do circles and then use plastic from a bag which I had gotten curtains in, and made them into bubbles with fish from the jewelery making section of Joanne's. We were given the word "tranquil" and I quilted the meanings of the word in the background. It was originally square but it didn't work for me so I trimmed it to a circle, trimming a lot of the quilted words out. You really can't see them anyways.

We had a great vacation and I hope to have a few pictures once I settle back in. I hope you missed me because I missed all of you.

A Pile Of Leaves and Postcards

2010-09-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here are the leaves that I am working on for the next challenge I have to finish. I am still in the planning stage but am happy with these three dimensional leaves.

I took a post card class from Judy Stevens at the Orange Blossom guild last Saturday and here are my postcards. I really learned a lot and am excited to make some more.

Here are my pre-printed butterflies with a fabric frame background.

Here is my attempt at an ocean scene. Notice the little crab charm.

This was just pre-printed fabric that I quilted. Maybe it needs embellishments. Any suggestions?

Here are the skulls I cut out of the material that Serena left from making purses when she was here in July. I love the stick on spider.

We are going away for a few days to Las Vegas and Utah for our 30th anniversary, which was Monday. I am really looking forward to the time away but not sure if I can be away from my sewing machine for that long. Ten days is a long time. I went to Michael's and stocked up yarn so at least I can knit and crochet in the car and in the hotel room at night. Can't be idle!

Here are the gorgeous flowers my husband sent me for our anniversary. They are starting to wilt but notice the beautiful vase. Red, my favorite color. That will always bring back memories! Thank you, sweetheart, for the thoughtfulness and looking forward to our anniversary dinner at Bobby Flay's in Las Vegas!

It's Done!

2010-08-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here is my paint chip challenge. It is done and I am so glad. I really like it and am surprised because of the colors. That was the challenge! When I went shopping with my daughter last week, I kept seeing these colors in clothing. I guess they are beautiful after all.

Spent the last five hours on this computer getting the paper work and picture CD ready for a "call to entry". Sometimes I wonder if it is worth all the work, especially if you don't get in. Well, I now have a artist resume and artist statement and have orgainized the pictures on my computer. I really must take the time to take better pictures.

I have been working and finished by Loose Threads project but that is a surprise for another time. I have to begin and finish by challenge for Orange Blossom. I wish I had more to show you.

Remember to comment on the previous blog to enter to win a postcard. Linda - who are you? (see comment on previous blog).

2010-08-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

The beading on the challenge quilt is done. I have the binding, sleeve and label left and then I will show you all but I needed a break. So I began working on the postcards for the guild. We are not doing ATC's (artist trading cards) anymore but we are making postcards. We are not trading these, just showing them which makes me sad. I loved having a little bit of art from each person.

These are mine. The theme for the month was black and white and I choose to take an existing project that was a disaster and never finished, and cut it up into 4 x 6 inch cards. I put some hardware on top and now they are ready to go. If you would like to have one of these cards, comment (making sure your email is in your profile) and you will be put in the drawing for one of 8 postcards. I hope you find them interesting.

Next will be my assignment for Loose Threads. Hope to get that started this week. Keep on quilting and let your inner artist loose!

Will It Ever End?

2010-08-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

Still beading this challenge quilt. I have 7 more shells to go and I figure it takes about 1.5 hours per shell!!! What ever was I thinking. I have not had much time to get in the studio because of work with the charity quilt committee, watching Becky for three days and nights, shopping with Martina and two 2 year olds and a 4 year old (which consisted of going to the mall, with a big double stroller, two kids who didn't want to be in the stroller, thinking I lost my best earrings, finding it in my shirt, trying to feed little kids on expressive mall food, taking them to the bathroom, taking one again to the bathroom, one screaming bloody murder while his finger was being smashed in the stroller and just trying to get them back through the mall, across the parking lot and into the car all in 100 degree heat.) Had a great time and found some fun jewelry and boots of fall. (Won't do that for awhile!)

Hope to get to something else next week. I have enjoyed spending a little time looking at what everyone else has been up to. There are some amazing talent out there. Love to see some of your work, those of you who read this and have a blog, leave me a comment so I can look at what you are up to.

Back to beading, but I need to find a thimble first. My finger is raw and full of holes!

Birthday cards and life's discoveries!

2010-08-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

These are the latest birthday cards I made this weekend. I have been helping with the guild's charity quilt program the past few days and haven't had time for my own projects. This was my way to spend a little time in the studio.

When picking up the fabrics for the charity quilts, I was introduced to a fabulous mixed media artist and her work. I was blown away by her talent! I felt like a dry sponge just soaking up all the beautiful art and dying to get my hands on anything just to create. I can see myself going in a different direction with my art quilts. I have been concerned for too long about what the quilting world thinks about my quilts and not what I really want to do. So the next few weeks I am going to spend sometime exploring this new avenue for my work. I'll be sure to let you know what I discover.

Reflective

2010-08-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

"Reflective"

27" x 18 1/2"

Reflective was the word of the month for our Loose Threads project and fabric weaving was the technique. Here is my quilt with little Becky reflecting on life. I used a glue transfer method because I wanted the effect of the picture being "reflective" also. Never tried it before but will use it again on smaller pictures. Couched some Razzle Dazzle thread and also used some crystals to add some more reflectiveness (is that a word?) to the piece. I'm still trying to decided if I like it.

I haven't been blogging due to the amount of time I have been spending on my challenge quilt. I spent hours Tuesday fighting my machine. It hates sewing through thickness with metallic thread. Yesterday it went in for it's first yearly cleaning (I can't believe it has been a year since I got this machine and I'm still fighting with it.) and today it was quilting beautifully. I was just doing the background and borders but it wasn't as stressful as Tuesday. Yes!!!

Talk about stressful. Tonight is the guild board meeting. Dreading it! Someone is bound to get their feelings hurt. I'd rather work with men. My husband gave me a compliment the other day after he had a stressful meeting with some women. He said not to be offended but that I think like a man. I was flattered, but I think it is that I think logically. There are both men and women who think logically but it is those who don't that drive you crazy!

2010-08-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of my paint chip challenge for Kings River guild. I learned a new technique from my friend Debbie for the applique. This is just the beginning. Off to the machine to stitch it all down.

My friend Carol won these blocks at our guild and decided they were not her. Now what do I do with them. I NEED IDEAS!!!!!

This months block for Common Threads which is tonight. We were given the black and white fabric and were asked to add a red. I didn't want to use too much pattern in the red. Your eye needs somewhere to rest. It will be interesting to see this quilt down.

These are two sections for two different birthday ribbon quilts for my Loose Thread group. We meet Monday night and I have just started working on my piece but have to wait 24 hours for the beginning to dry. I hope this works out or I am back at square one.

This is my day. What have you been doing today?

Check out this Blog!

2010-08-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

This may not be a quilting blog but there is some great stuff if you are into making your home a more comfortable place. I love all the ideas. These are things I can do! Check it out!

Hope to be working in the studio tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

Birthday Card!

2010-08-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Happy 27th Birthday, Stephen!

This is my son-in-laws belated birthday card. He has requested ( a number of times) a binary quilt. He is a computer information specialist so to start the process I made him this birthday card with "27" in binary computer language. I hope he likes it. Next will be a quilt in binary. I'm still trying to figure out what I want it to "say". I think I now have a design. Keep tuned in!

Coasters 101

2010-07-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

This all started with this pile of 50 coasters that I are made for my daughter's MOP's group. We will be making 400, 4 for each of the 100 ladies expected this year. I thought you might like a lesson on making coasters and you can give me a lesson in how to keep my mouth shut!

1st, select 5 - 5" squares, fold and press 4 in half

2nd, lay the flat 5" square RIGHT side up, then lay a folded square on top with the fold TOWARDS the center of the square.

3rd, going clockwise add another folded square on top with the fold always going toward the center.

4th, add the next folded square on top.

5th, weave last piece under first

6th, pin.

7th, sew 1/4 inch all the way around

8th, clip corners.

9th, turn right side out through center.

10th, poke out points

11th, press, you can top stitch all around the edge but I choose to skip that step, due to the amount I have to make and it really is not necessary.

Now enjoy. These are a lot easier than posting this tutorial!!!!

Welcome to my Studio!

2010-07-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Studio! Well, it's really just a bedroom in my house that is filled with all my quilting junk. But to me it is my sanctuary. After coming back from retreat and feeling guilty to get the rest of the house picked up, these are the before shots.

A mess, right? Like no one else gets this messy!

After working in the morning, shopping at Target and the grocery store and eating a late lunch, I knew I had about an hour to start in before I watched Becky. Well, I finished later last night. I'm exhausted but now it is done.

I'm off to Fresno with my friend Debbi, who doesn't quilt but likes quilt stores.

If only I could get rid of this migraine.

A Salute to the 24/7 American Women

2010-07-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is something that has been on my mind for sometime and recent circumstances have pushed me to send this out into cyberspace, if for nothing more than to just get it off my chest.

There is so much expected of women today. They are to have careers, husbands, children, homes, pets, hobbies, and all that goes with these responsibilities. It is not enough to work, take care of those around you, take care of the home (shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, all the responsibilities of that home, etc.), there is also the work we do in the community. My hat goes off to the 24/7 American woman!

Our work does not stop when the sun goes down. Our work does not stop when the kids leave the home. We still have relationships with our children and grandchildren and that takes work, as fulfilling as it is, it is still work. We want to spend time with them in between everything else that fills our day.

On top of it, if we have a husband who is considerate and helps with some of these responsibilities, they are considered over worked and we are thought of as lazy and disrespectful to our husbands. Yes, I know we should just ignore these people and their whacked out ideas, but as women we were made to nurture and if that is being questioned, we rethink how much more we should be doing. To tell you the truth, I have met very few truly lazy women, but I have met my share of men who think their wives should be the “50’s” women and cater to their every need. Women of the 50’s, bless their souls, weren’t given the chance to voice their wishes. It reminds me of the movie “Pleasantville”. They weren’t really “happy” until they had some color in their lives. Just look to the 60’s to see how the 50’s women rebelled.

Now about me, because that is what this blog is all about, isn’t it! Just because I only work part time out of the home and consider my art (quilting) as something that needs to be developed with time spent in the studio, I am expected to put more time than is in a 24 hour day into my husband, children, grandchildren, home, and community. If I was a man in this field, it would be different. Quilting would be my career and I would be expected to concentrate on that career. How can I make a career out of my gift of quilting if I do not have the time to develop as an artist?

So, thank you for listening to the rantings of a frustrated quilt artist who just wants to spend time developing into the women God wants her to be. And when you see one of your fellow women today, salute her for all the hard work she does just to keep her head above water!

Back from Cambria

2010-07-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it's back to the Valley heat. We had such beautiful weather in Cambria, it was hard to leave it. Here are some pictures of the time we spent there.

Here is Keira's big girl quilt for her bed. These soft colors will go into her room perfectly. Now all I have to do is quilt it!

Our Loose Threads group made Deolinda this Ribbon Quilt for her birthday. We weren't able to give it to her till Cambria. She really enjoyed it, Ladies. Wish you were all there to see her open it.

We did get to the beach!

Barbara's scrap strip quilt.
Check out her blog for more pictures.
She is pointless quilter under Sites of Interest.

Deo and her Bento Box quilt.

Janice with her beautiful whole cloth.

Debbie caught by surprise!

Kathy with her beautiful smile working
very hard!

Well, off to work on my newsletter. Need to schedule more classes. If you are interested in any classes or want to learn a new technique, let me know and I will email you my newsletter. I can't figure out how to make it accessible on the blog. Till next time.

quiltingkoelewyn@gmail.com

Why Is It....

2010-07-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

...that borders seem to take so long. Sometimes longer than the quilt itself. Well, I finished the top to my Flower Pots quilt (Kings River Theme Quilt). The picture doesn't show the quilt very well. But believe me it does lay flat. I am anxious to quilt it but that has to wait since I am leaving for Cambria tomorrow. Some of us from our Material Girls friendship group are going for a few days to quilt. It will be so great to get to cooler weather and just quilt till our hearts content. Well, I better go and pack. Hope to have something to show you when I get back.

Something to get me through the day!

2010-07-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our Loose Threads art group is starting a new book Monday evening and I am demonstrating the first in a series of techniques that we all hope to put into small art quilts. The book is called Fabric Embellishing: The basics and beyond. It has over 50 techniques. We are starting with fabric weaving. This is the second one I did and the one I like the best.

This is the first one with 3/4 inch strips and satin stitch as recommended in the book. The satin stitch seemed to pull the fabric but that could be the tension on my machine wasn't set right.

I hope to show you next month how we incorporate this technique into a quilt.

I had to spend sometime blogging today just to put yesterday behind me. I am also having a hard time concentrating. Two of our grandchildren (Ephram - 4 years old and Keira - 2 ) were in a car accident yesterday. They were hit by a guy in a pick up running a red light. They are fine. Still shaken up and a few bruises. Stephen's mom was driving and is pretty banged up but thankfully no broken bones. It is a miracle since the vehicle they were in rolled two times and ended up on it's side. Thank you Lord for car seats that were installed properly. Remember to secure your children properly in car seats that are appropiate for their age and weight. We thank God for His protection over them.

Here is another great blog!

2010-07-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

I happened upon this blog this morning and thought I would share it with you. http://ayumills.blogspot.com/ She is just so cute and she has great tutorials. Hope you enjoy!
I also thought I would share our last picture of Lexi with Jeff at the airport last Saturday. We sure miss her (and you too Serena!)

Needles, needles, needles, what to do?

2010-07-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Are you like me and you have a collection of needles that just confuses you? Or does one type of needle meet all of your needs. The more different threads I collect the more needles I seem to collect. This company says to use this needle for their thread and this other company says to use their needles for their threads. And then there are the sewing machine companies. To top things off, even though all these different people tell you to use such and such a needle, it doesn't always work. Either the hole is too big, the thread breaks, or in my case this week, the machine skips stitches. Of course, they all tell you to change the needle.

I would love to hear your needle stories. Here is mine.

The block of the month was so fun this month I decided to make a quilt for myself. You may remember.

At the meeting when I showed it as they were picking the winner for the blocks, they asked if I would donate it to our 4th of July Great Little Quilt Sale (which was in three days). Thinking it would never happen, I said I would if they picked my number. Well, you guessed it! They picked my number and I donated my quilt.
So I made the blocks into this wall quilt or table runner for my daughter. I hope you like it Katrina!

Now, for the rest of the story. As I am beginning to quilt this thing, I think easy. I'll just use this red, white, and blue variegated that I have from YLI and quilt stars. This should be fast. Right? Wrong! I struggled with the quilting because my machine (my treasured and sometimes frustrating new Bernina 820) kept skipping stitches. I change needles a few times and just struggled through. Then I ran out of thread. How ridiculous! The quilt is small and I thought I had plenty of thread. I called two quilt stores and finally found a King Tut thread that I thought would work. Yesterday I decided to try the one in town and check for myself to see if they indeed did not have the thread. There it was! Maybe she didn't know what red, white, and blue variegated was. So I go to the other store and tell them thank you but I found the thread and then spend almost $30 on fabric! They made out better than if I had just bought the thread.

I finished the quilt this morning (I tried to finish the binding last night but the movie I thought I would watch, was in French!). I decided to try yet another needle (Bernina 90/14). Perfect quilting. Not one stitch skipped. Now I need more Bernina needles. I now wonder if anyone has read this long story all the way to the end!

The point to the story is to spend your money on more needles. do not give up and when you are done, give it away so you don't have to remember the struggles you went through!

On The Wall - Again

2010-07-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

It's again because I just wrote this post and lost it all. So here I go again.
Do any of you remember the post from April that I wrote about the Kings River Guild's theme quilt. I was using fabrics that weren't ones I normally use and I was struggling. I felt the background was too busy and the fabrics were very large prints which didn't seem to work.

Well, I went in a new direction. I went to my stash and found a black background with a subtle print. I like movement in my fabrics which tend to make my quilts busy but you can never say they are boring! The bright fabrics followed. I know I am going in the right direction because I have done all this in a month plus everything else I have done. I am thinking about a piano key border. What do you think?

I just finished quilting a baby quilt for a friend of mine. She likes to piece and I like to quilt. Works well and now I have some spending money for fabric. Next week I am off to Cambria for a little time with my friends so I think I'll shop on the way up. I so need this time to quilt and some time in some cooler weather. Thanks Barbara for this time. You Rock!

I Finished Two Purses!

2010-07-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

I finished the bags I have been wanting to make for my friends. I have been trying to use the material in my stash or as I heard the other day, My Fabric Library! I am finding that I am becoming very limited by my ever decreasing fabric supply. I guess it's time to buy more fabric! Maybe Jeff won't read this!

Here's Lexi and "Papa" (Jeff) with her minkie tag blankie that I made for her. I made her one when she was little but between the babysitter and her dad's house and her mom's house she really needed another one. She sleeps with it and you know how kids are when they do not have their blankies. Lexi and Serena leave tomorrow for Virginia. We will miss them so much!

I guess I will have to drowned my sorrows in quilting.

Just A Liitle Bit of That

2010-07-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have the day to myself and boy, do I need it! Watching "While You Were Sleeping" and "Sleepless in Seattle" (is there a theme here!) I finished the baby quilt I was making. Once it was pieced I didn't feel like quilting it but now it is done. I love the pattern but am not so happy with the quilting. I should remember not to work on something when I am not in the mood. My work suffers because of my attitude.Now I am trying to decided what to work on the rest of the afternoon. There is so much to do but I think I learned a lesson. Work on what you enjoy. The rest will come.

I wanted to show you what Serena has been doing while she was here. We were going to quilt together but one of the quilts she was going to work on, the pattern didn't make it here. The other on I am still trying to draft the block. So she made purses instead.I think she did a great job especially taking the pattern and reducing it so she could have a smaller one for her.

I have two cut out, I think I will work on those this afternoon. No better place then in my air conditioned studio on a hot day like this. Although it is not as hot here as the east coast but then again it is always hot here during the summer. Why would we expect anything different. Happy quilting everyone!

Check This Out!

2010-07-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

You have to check out this blog http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/! There are so many great organizing ideas, I just couldn't take it all in in one sitting. Fantastic stuff! I am off to Fresno for a shopping trip with the girls. More later.

A Little Bit of Something

2010-07-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

With all the craziness at our house I can't seem to find time to get to my machine (which of course is even harder to get to because of all the things piled on top of it). But I did manage to make these birthday cards. I took part of a border print sample from a fabric distributor, and sliced it up inserting bias strips of orange and yellow, and then quilted them. I had so much fun just fooling around.

The grandchildren needed some fun pillow cases so I made these at my friendship group. I think they are fun and cheerful and I hope they like them. Of course, Daniel didn't get one since he is only 3 months old.

A few more days and Serena and Lexi will be back in Virginia. We will miss them but we know they will be glad to get home, back to a normal life.

A Teaching Moment

2010-06-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

16 1/2" x 16 1/2"

"Anyway You Look At It"

I was working on the BOM for Common Threads and decided to make a little quilt for me. I took four of the blocks, changed the fabric layout and quilted my little quilt with some metallic thread.

I thought I would share a tip for sewing half square triangles together to get that perfect match in the center. Some of you may already do this but the BOM directions did not use the pressing techniques that I used.

Notice that I pressed the half square triangles in opposite directions so they would nestle as I sewed them together, then I pressed the seam open. It gives you precision piecing.

Note that these half square triangles are 1" finished. I hope this is helpful.

Back in Town

2010-06-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Ripon where Elaine and I spent most of the week quilting with Barbara. We had a fantastic time. The only thing I finished was this diaper bag for Katrina. I used a Simplicity pattern (they should change there name because it was anything but simple) and fabric that Katrina picked from my stash. I had to bring it by her house first thing this morning so she could use it. Katrina and baby Daniel are going to her sorority reunion today. Next time I will spend more time looking for a pattern geared toward a quilter. Katrina loves it and that is all that matters.

Here's Barbara and Elaine working hard during our "mini retreat". I spent some time on the theme quilt for Kings River guild and also a quilt for a friend but didn't get either finished.

Spent alittle time this morning checking the blogs I follow. You should check out vivianhelena-creates.blogspot.com she does some amazing quilt kites and small landscapes. She has motivated me to work on my art quilts, so I may do just that this morning. We are going to San Jose to pick up Lexi and Serena from the airport this afternoon, so I am a little anxious and need to quilt to calm down.

Finally, the 60's are over!

2010-06-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

I have been living in the 60's for the better part of a year. The challenge for our Common Threads Quilt Guild was "The 60's:A Decade Of Change". Well, a week ago Thursday was the unveiling of the challenge. Here is mine! It didn't turn out how I expected, but I think I like it. There is a lot of history on that quilt. I tried to get all my images from Public Domain sites so I at least made an effort to respect copyright laws. It really isn't going anywhere but you can never be too careful. I hope you like it.

Spent time this week selling tickets for our Opportunity Quilt in Clovis. Had a great time with Barbara and Sara. Tried to sell some of my little art quilts there but there wasn't any real interest. I hope to find a way to sell some of them sometime in the future.

I also finished the quilt from the church ladies for our latest grandchild. I included his picture so you can see how he is growing. I can't believe he will be three months old this week. It just seems like yesterday when two of our girls got married and the other one entered the Navy. It has been five years and now five grandchildren. Serena is about to get out of the Navy also. Some days it seems so fast and other days time drags. Looking forward to Serena and Lexi coming Saturday. I will definitely have pictures on here with all five grandchildren. I'll have to make sure there is a quilt in the picture if you would rather see that.

Forgot to show you Grace's interactive quilt art our Loose Threads group made for her for her birthday a few weeks ago. I call it interactive because she can move the quilts around if she wants. I had a hard time trying to find some kind of clips to use with the chains. Why don't they just sell clips! I ended up taking the clips off of curtain rings. Whatever works! You might recognize mine on the top right.

Going to Barbara's this week to quilt. I hope I come back with something finished. Once Serena and Lexi are here I won't be doing as much quilting.

Sickness promotes Organization!

2010-05-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here are the trim samples (hundreds of them) my Sister-in-law gave me. Are you jealous?

Now, what to do with them?

I can't believe it has been so long since I have written anything. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed with life and the commitments I had made that it was hard to get motivated to do anything. So many of you were so helpful with your suggestions. Thank you! You were all very encouraging and I think I am back on track. My challenge is almost complete (I ended up shopping for more material and that did the trick), the mystery quilt top is done (ready to be pinned and quilted), the baby shower (church block quilt is ready to be quilted), the baptism (all at my house) are over and the church memorial day picnic (recovered 8 outside chair cushions) at our house will be over tomorrow. All this and then sickness hit our home. It has taken a week to feel better. I can't remember being that sick! It spread though the family but everyone is on the mend now. Since I had no energy to do anything, I reorganized my fabric drawers and am donating some to the guilds. It does feel good to get it done. Every now and again I have to go in and straighten up the draws because I tend to dig around in them and not put things back the way I should. This is why I can't have my fabric stacked on shelves. Now wouldn't that be a mess!
Looking forward to this week because my friend Barbara is coming for a few days. Quilting and watching movies together for three days. Can't wait!

Motivation - Please anyone!!!!

2010-05-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Not motivated at all. Spent sometime in my Studio cleaning it up hoping I would be motivated by space. We'll see. There are too many things looming over my head that need to get done. I really need to be working on my 60's challenge that is due in a few weeks, which I haven't started. Also need to finish the mystery quilt, work on theme quilts for two different guilds. Today I will vow to at least get something cut out for my 60's challenge. My sister-in-law has a bag of trims for me to pick up and we keep missing each other. She has a drapery business and has saved me samples. Maybe those will motive me. I'll also make an effort to pick those up today. Sometimes we have to find new ways to motivate ourselves. Any suggestions of things that motivate you?

Motivation needed here!

2010-05-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Waves of Purple III - 12" x 12"

Not feeling very motivated today. In fact, I have been feeling that way all week. What's the matter with me. I'm more motivated to do laundry than quilt today. If you know me you know that's serious!

Anyways, I took one of my Purple Waves quilts and beaded the center. I'm thinking of sending this one to SAQA for their auction. I know the beading is hard to see on the computer, but I think it adds to it. I'm off to visit with the grand kids then Common Threads quilt guild tonight. Our program tonight is different stations with different techniques being demonstrated. I'm showing how to do curves. Maybe a project with come out of my samples. We'll see!

Becky's Quilt

2010-05-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

Feeling overwhelmed with life yesterday, I couldn't get interested in all the work waiting me in my studio. The only thing I could manage to do was stitch in the ditch (which I normally hate). So out came Becky's quilt I started when she was born. Her birthday is this month. She will be 2 this month. It's about time I finished it. Just in time for a big girl bed, but the quilt is only 60" x 60". It is backed with apple green flannel; very cozy!

Please Help

2010-05-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

I have been exploring a new (to me) piecing and design technique and would encourage you to critic my work. I started with the series "Waves of Purple" (see April 30 post) and have continued with the following. Please do not hesitate to be constructive in your comments and do not hesitate to be truthful.

Backed Into A Corner 1A - 15" x 15"

Backed Into A Corner 1B - 15" x 15"

What's The Point? - 18 1/2" x 18 1/2"

Here's your chance! What do you think?

A day of Dyeing

2010-05-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here are my fat quarters that I dyed yesterday. Next time I will use a different dye to get more true red verses fuchsia. I really need more yellow in my stash so I am going to dye some more this week.

I am hoping to have the small quilts I am working on done tomorrow. They are abstract and I am not sure what others will think so I will ask for your comments. Keep an eye out for your chance to critic!

Traveling quilt - better it than me!

2010-04-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to share this with you. This is a triptyc done with my friends Grace and Sara for the Orange Blossom Challenge last year. The challenge was to pick a holiday and make a quilt. For our group quilt we chose National Bubble Wrap Day (it really is a day in January). Sara entered our quilt in "West Coast Wonders" and it was accepted! It is traveling first to Long Beach this July. I hope you will make an effort to look for it when you go to the Long Beach show. (mine is first, than Grace's, then Sara's).

The latest from the Anna's Studio!

2010-04-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have been coveting my time in my Studio and have enjoyed just quilting. I haven’t kept up with the laundry or housework or anything else. I have so enjoyed being home. I don’t want to get dressed in the morning because then I am afraid I will have to go somewhere. I just want to quilt.

I finished a “Scrap Therapy” quilt to give as a wedding present this July. We have two weddings, two weeks apart, this July. I want to use the Common Threads mystery quilt for the other wedding present. I am waiting for the last installment so I can finish putting it together and quilt it before July.

Our Loose Threads group is finishing up “Fearless Design”. I am working on a series of quilts. These are just some of the ones I have worked on. I have taken this a little further and will post them when I am done.

I’m babysitting Becky for awhile today so I thought I would take her to the grocery store. Keeps her busy and then I get one of those hanging over my head chores done. Tomorrow is a dyeing class with Kristin Eilers. Looking forward to a day of dyeing and a day with friends!

Finishes!

2010-04-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

While visiting the quilt show with baby Daniel, Katrina was asked how many quilts Daniel had. I was ashamed to admit that he didn't have any yet. Now he will. I just finished his first quilt, one of many I hope. It is backed with red minkee ( I forgot what a pain this is to work with!).

Just for fun I used the pattern we received for the Orange Blossom Quilt guild's block of the month to make this small quilt for Jeff. The ties are from Jeff's dad (who passed away two years ago). Just a fun reminder. I made three for the quilt guild and guess what? I won! Now I have to make another quilt. This really is a fun pattern. I have to make one more to have 12 then let's see what I can come up with.

Finished Trees!

2010-04-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

"Burn Out" 18" x 18" - 2010

I finally finished my quilt from Pamela Allen's class which I took this past January at Road to California. It was all about designing from the background to the foreground. The sky fabric was leftover from another class.

"Roaring Rapids" 10" x 14 1/2 - 2010

This is the result from a class I took a few weeks ago with Linda Schmidt through the Common Threads Quilt Guild. Linda taught us many, many techniques to use in our art quilts. These techniques are going to help me finish my diamond landscape quilt which has been sitting around for a few years. Sometimes it takes me awhile to finish a quilt because I haven't learned the technique to use to put the finishing touches on the quilt. I have a few tops like that!

Loose Threads meeting was tonight!

2010-04-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, our Loose Threads Art group met this evening at Deo' house. We are working out of the book Fearless Design, in fact, we are almost done. One more lesson that no one seems to have time to do. We never did decide what we are doing next month. I hope to do the last lesson. It is working in a series and that is something I have always wanted to do. I'll let you know how it goes.

I forgot my camera, so I only have my quilts to show you. The first one is done from a panel (shown) that I took and made it my own. I'm really happy with it. The next one is done with fabric I painted and stamped. It is just a nice calm scene. They both need names. Any ideas?

I'm thinking of having a All Day Quilt on Saturday, June 5 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Breakfast will be provided but bring your own lunch. It will cost $15 and I can have 8 people. I will be your on site teacher, so if you want some help on anything, I'm here for you. Who would like to come?

I'm off to Thimble Town tomorrow to pin some quilts. I need to finish Daniel's quilt. It shouldn't take long to quilt. And then I have two weddings this July to go to so I will be pinning one of those. I don't know how soon I will have those for you to see but I will post them when they are done.

Project of the Day

2010-04-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

     I made this cute little bag for Denise today. Denise has never owned/carried a purse in her life and she will be 40 next week. She needed some guildance on a feather star table runner so I had her pick out fabric from my stash for her purse. I sewed, she spent most of the time cutting. I hope she will enjoy this purse and not forget it somewhere!
     Also worked on my panel project for Fearless Design. I hope to have it done for our Loose Threads art group Monday night. I also hope to have pictures of our group for you on Tuesday.
      Well, my friends are quilting at Party, Party. I miss going so much. I'm thinking of starting one at my house once a month. Anyone interested in coming? How about a Saturday sew-in for 8:00 am to 5:00 pm? Anyone up for that?

I finally got to quilt again!

2010-04-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

It felt so go to be in the studio, doing something I wanted. This was a piece of fabric I painted with dyes and have been wanting to quilt. All done and it was so much fun.

The Best Of The Valley is over! How very, very sad!

2010-04-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

The show is over! It was so much fun and now it feels like a let down. I have been preparing this for almost a year and now all the stress and preparation is done. I had a great time talking to so many wonderful people and seeing such fantastic quilts. Quilt shows do motivate you and I am looking forward to getting back to work. It’s time to refocus.

Here are some pictures of my quilts at the show. Some of my quilts did win ribbons. They weren’t all up on Thursday when I left so it was a surprise when Martina had gone through the show and said I had won some ribbons. I won three 2nd place ribbons and one Hon. Mention. I am very excited and the comments were very helpful.

Here is a picture of Linda (my quilt show mom) and Suzi (my quilt show step-mom) with the quilts I made for them (out of two of my projects from my Loose Threads Art Group - from Fearless Design). Needle Divas met today at my house where Linda and I worked on Loretta’s Presidents quilt. The top is done and Linda will quilt it sometime in the next week. We hope to show it at the Orange Blossom guild meeting and then hand it over to her family. The tribute to Loretta at the quilt show was very touching and I think her family was appreciative of all the quilters that supported Loretta.

Kay - It was so great meeting you at the show. I hope to see you with a blog soon. Everyone loved your quilt. We had donuts this morning because your quilt inspired us!

I have so many projects to work on, I wonder what I will feel like doing tomorrow!

You Should Be Here!

2010-04-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

We are having so much fun at the quilt show. It has been great talking to so many quilters. Some have been quilting a long time, some are beginners, and some are there just to see what we are all about. I have met such fantastic people these last two days. It amazes me have you can feel like you have an instant bond with someone you have never even met just because they are also interested in quilts and quilting. I look forward to tomorrow but then I feel sad that it will be all over. I know the many hard workers will be glad it will be over. They are starting to look tired. It has been a long week for them. They have done such a wonderful job with the show and I am so thankful for the way they have taken care of me. Linda has been so wonderful as my “mom”! I will have a surprise for her tomorrow, as thanks for putting up with me for three days. I’ll take pictures.

Here are some pictures we took today and yesterday. I had to put in the ones with the grandkids. Here I am with my “mom”, Linda, who takes good care of me everyday. More pictures tomorrow.