Why does life keep me from quilting?  We all have crazy lives but sometimes I feel like mine is out of control.  I took on a new adventure.  I'm teaching in my home.  It's the only thing that made sense financially for me.  I turned my dining room into a class room.  This way no one has to go up stairs. I've had a beginning quilting class and one of my patterns so far.  It's been fun and I like being my own boss.  

I've been working on some of my patterns also.

I reformatted my Log Cabin Paseos pattern.  I'll be teaching this up north, outside of Redding, in Palo Cedro at Blue Iris Quit shop in July.

I also just finish my Asian Lights pattern thanks to the great proofreading of Linda Matthews.  What would I do without you!  The class for this is May 21.  I have only one more opening.

I was also able to teach some of the Material Girls how to Stack and Whack.  This maybe a new pattern in the future!

I'm also trying to teach some scrap classes.  The coasters and pincushions class wasn't very successful.  Looking forward to the postcard class.  I have also developed a new pattern for five inch squares. (Coming soon!)

In my spare time I covered a cushion for my friend Jeannie.  Loved the fabric she picked.  I wasn't sure I could do it but was very happy how it came out.

It has been nice being in a hotel with decent Internet, thus the post.  Hope to keep you posted on classes.  If you are interested in getting my newsletter or any of my patterns, email me at artistwithin@sbcglobal.net.

Live From Quilt Con 2016

Excited to be at Quilt Con!  Here's my entry in the Michael Miller Glitz Challenge.

Here I am with Libs Elliot getting "Tattooed"!

I haven't taken any classes yet.  I've volunteered, looked at the quilts, shopped, and have some lectures to go to tomorrow.  Sunday I'm taking a class with Luke Haynes.  It's been so much fun connecting with friends from the valley!

Now for some more info on my quilting life.  I'm no longer teaching at Bolts in the Bathtub.  I'm on my own.  I'm looking forward to designing and teaching out of my Studio.  My first newsletter will be going out soon.  I'll keep you all posted.

Just finished my latest two patterns.  I taught Sonora last weekend at the Antelope Valley guild.  We had a great time.  Looking forward to some pictures of their quilts soon.

My next pattern to come out will be Asian Lights.  Look for it toward the end of March.

And of course I'm always doing scrap quilts.

More later!

Thanks for following me on this amazing adventure.

Some organizing tips and some finished projects

I thought I'd share a wall in my quilt studio for some organizing tips

This pile of 2 inch blocks turned into this new pattern (hopefully out soon).

This was one of the methods we learned in our Art Challenge last week.  Then I turned the into greeting cards.

Two new bags I made.

More later.  Have to run off to teach.

I'm Back!

Let's see if I can get my act together and join the blogging world again.  I thought I would start by posting some work from the last year or so.  I've been doing a lot more scrap quilting, innovative piecing, some teaching and finally trying to work on my developing my own patterns.

Hopefully this will get me motivated to quilt more and post more!  Now if I can figure out how to update the look of my blog!

Common Threads quilt guild challenge

Farm Girls Vintage

One of my favorite art quilts

Rosette 1 of Millefiore quilt-along (decided to change the fabrics so I won't be using this one)

Scrap - Disappearing Nine Patch

Scrap Therapy class for December

Art Challenge Sample

Amelia Pattern and Templates Now Available

Amelia is now available.  I finally have the quilt quilted and the pattern is going to the printer tomorrow.  The templates are here also.  If you are interested in this pattern please email me at annak@hughes.net.  I'm teaching this quilt in October at Bolts in the Bathtub and would love to teach it other places as well.

Recovery in more ways than one!

Did you think I fell off the face of the earth?  This has been a difficult year.  

Did you think I fell off the face of the earth?  This has been a difficult year.  

This quilt is a Judy Neimeyer quilt pattern that I have been teaching and mine is finally finished.  I've been working on it since December and as it turns out I probably have been sick almost that whole time.  This quilt is now called Recovery.  As it turns out I spent five days in the hospital the last week of August and had 20 gall stones removed and my gall bladder.  The doctors said this has been going on for sometime.  I'm a lot better now and happy to be done with this quilt and the physical pain also.  The quilt going to Vicki Wall to be quilted.  I would not be able to do it justice.

This is my last art quilt for Loose Threads.  I cannot continue going back and forth to Hanford and for other reasons it was time to say good bye.  The quilt was inspired by Lesley's inspiration picture below.  I made the fabric beads for Bolts in the Bathtub's art quilt challenge group.

Here is the previous art quilt for Loose Threads.  I actually painted this with inks.

 Here is Donna with her piece for our Art Challenge.  We made fabric beads and have been experimenting with mixed media (paper) on fabric.  The following are the beginning of some of Donna's mixed media pieces.

Then there is my Scrap Therapy Classes.  Here's one of the bags and the fish were from my students August class.

One of the Farmer's wife blocks I am working on. 

My latest patten.  The borders aren't on yet but the quilt is now at the quilters.  Patterns to follow soon. 

I'm teaching this table runner at Bolts.

I didn't make this but quilted it for my friend Tiffany Hayes www.needleinahayesstack.biz. She designed this for Andover Fabrics. I't going to Houston for Market in October.

I'm also teaching these composition book covers.

I have some more quilts at Bolts but forgot to take pictures.  Hope to have them up soon.  

Thanks for sticking by me.  

A Little Bit of Everything

Whether it shows or not I have been very busy working in my studio.  Somethings are not finished yet and somethings I forgot to take a picture of.  Well, more for next time.  Anyways, here is the strip club quilt for July.  I choose Halloween fabrics just for something different.

I also discovered using a Dremel tool in my studio for art quilts.  Not sure what I will do with them but they are ready to go.

In my down time I am working on beading this panel type quilt.

I also incorporated some Pinterest ideas in my studio.

Spending time with family has been important.  Here is my Dad and Serena.  As I post I am in Stockton waiting for my sisters to arrive for a day celebrating my dad's 81st birthday.  We will go on to Redding on Monday to see the kids and bring them back to Acton for a visit.

Cody is growing and Katrina and the family will also join us in Acton.

Here is some student action.  Just thought you would like to see I do have students and they do work hard.  Here are the ladies working on their Scrap Therapy Bags.

 My art students have been busy too.  These are samples from our free formed curves demonstration.  Looking forward to the end products.

One of the students brought in a quilt that she had made demonstrating the use of mixed media.  Love it!

The next few weeks will be consumed with family and some more traveling.  I did get to go to a quilt store in Las Vegas, Stockton and next week will be Redding stores.  Look forward to pictures of fabric and projects from those excursions.  Keep quilting and try to stay cool!