Catching Up...

Hello Friends,

I have been away a bit and for that I apologize.  Life is a bit crazy right now, new class to take, 4 kids to raise, and the list goes on.

But I won't bore you with that, I will just leave you with a bit of sewing humor...Enjoy!

February Focus Quilt

I have decided to focus on one quilt (mostly) during each month.

                   This month will be Golden Granduer.

This is a quilt that I am making as a commission.  The lovely lady for whom I am working, picked the pattern, the fabrics and gave me the completed dimensions - then I got to start having fun!

1st Layout Choice - like the red,
but the blocks don't stand out very much. 

2nd Layout Choice - makes the blocks stand out
and really can see the fabrics now.
This layout was chosen.

Layout Chosen & all Blocks made (only some shown)
Notice the little posts, they are selected circles from the black fabric.
Lots of work, but looks great!

One other point, look at the black "striped" fabric.  It is always going up and down.  This makes it more fun when having to put together the blocks, have to keep it all the lines pointing in the same direction - up!!

Currently, I have 2 large rows  (with the black sashing) sewn together and 2 other large rows ready to go, just need to make some more sashing.  This is going to be a large quilt - King Size - so I need to get busy.

This will be my Focus Quilt for February.

I'd like to hear what your Focus Quilt is for the month.

Happy Piecing,

Shelly

AQS Quilt Week - Albuquerque

I was able to attend the AQS Quilt Week in Albuquerque, New Mexico last week and had a great time.  I want to share a small sampling of pictures that I took of the amazing quilts that were displayed.

Christ in Gold by Laurie Tinger.
Beautiful.  Just Beautiful

Curves of Color by Charlotte Noll.
This is asymmetrical, intersecting, inprovisational quilt features curves
with gray as the neutral.
Isn't this just FUN?

Point Me In the Right Direction by Diane Heimel.
Fun colors and magnificent quilting!

Byrne's Spiral by Beth Nufer & Clem Buzick.
The central design was first done on graph paper, then paper,
and finally paper pieced. 

Modern Medallion by Rebecca Smith.
I just love the graduated colors of this quilt.  Beautiful!

Fire And Ice by Kimberly Einmo & Judi Madsen.
This is a beautiful quilt and the picture does not do it justice.
It is quite large, 79" X 84" and a wonder of a site to behold

My Favorite: Waterfall by Wilma Grubbs, Quilted by Linda Esenbock.
Waterfall pattern by Erin Underwood.
I love the simplicity in the colors and the amazing quilting.
Overall, a gorgeous quilt!!

AQS hosts several Quilt Weeks throughout the year, hope you get to attend one!

Have a great week and don't forget to make some time for quilting,
Shelly

Block of the Months, a discussion

Let’s start with the basics:

What is a Block of the Month (BOM) anyway?

A BOM is a collection of blocks (presented monthly) in one of two major formats:

1. A sampler quilt where every block is different and put together using sashing               

                        (photo on the top-left from 2012 Craftsy BOM)

2. A collection of blocks that come together to make one overall picture 

                        (photo on the bottom-right, TAOS BOM Quilt pattern)

Why should I participate in a BOM?

There are many reasons but, I will only mention my 2 main reasons:

1. to learn a new technique (or maybe how to use a new tool)

2. to spend time with other quilters

Now is a great time to explore quilting BOMs.  Many websites offer a free BOM program.  Download 1 block each month (during that month) and if you do’t have time this month, or next month, maybe the third month will be time for playing catch-up.  Just remember to save all files and they will be ready when you are.

Where can you find these BOMs?

1. Google Search - “Quilt Block of the Month 2015”

2. Go to a compiled list

http://blog.ajpadilla.com/free-boms-2015/ 

http://www.patchworkposse.com/2015/01/quilt-alongs-for-2015/ 

3. Online Quilting Magazines

Quiltmaker is working on Bitty Blocks (3” Blocks) 

4. Your LQS (local quilt shop) - check around your area and see if you LQS has a 
          skill-building BOM or maybe a short 3-6 month BOM program

Have fun with your new BOM and drop me a line which BOM program you choose.

Till next time,

Shelly

2015 – My Quilting Resolutions

Here we go.....

This is my first Blog post and I hope you will come along with me on my many quilting adventures.  To start out (only a few days late), I am posting my list of Quilting Resolutions.

Please leave a short comment as to the Quilting Resolution you are going to work on the hardest and maybe the one that sounds the most daunting (that would be number 8 and 9 for me!)

1. Make Quilting my Business – Start a Blog (can I Blog at least once a week?), make business cards, figure out my logo and colors (purple), let more individuals know I will make a quilt for commission.
2. Design more quilt patterns – maybe print and publish 1 or 2 this year.  Think publishing them on Craftsy.  Great Place!
3. Give Back – Donate at least 2 quilts during 2015.
4. Teach a class – either at my LQS or to a small group in my home, what about one of my daughters and some of her friends?
5. Enter a Quilt Competition – sounds scary, this may have to wait a year but I wanted it on the list so I don’t forget.
6. All Christmas gifts completed by Thanksgiving – no more waiting until the day before we leave on Christmas vacation, plan and execute early.
7. Make a quilt using all solids (again!) – Always fun.
8. De-Stash – Use my “Stash” more for new projects and go through my “Stash” and give away or sell what I will not use in this lifetime.  Remember to organize as I go.  Don’t forget to throw away what is really trash.
9. Rearrange and decorate my Quilt Studio – including painting (but only after the de-stashing and organizing).
10. Complete some “overdue” projects – Finish up Modern Log Cabin (in the quilting phase), Complete top for Commission (Black & Gold Hourglass – hopefully by end of February 2015)
11. Take a quilt on a “Real” Photo Shoot.
12. Make 2-3 Mini Quilts – have some patterns, have the fabric, now just start.  Complete Mini-Spools for the curtain trim in the Sewing Studio.
13. Keep my Quilt Log up-to-date – add to Quilting Scrapbook all Sewing and Quilting Projects.  Make Sections (Mini Quilts, Small Quilts, Lap Quilts, Large/Bed Quilts & Other Sewing) & have this as my Portfolio.
14. Teach my children the love of quilting – Finish up Miss M’s purple Railfence and work with Miss K on her new quilt.
15. Find time – Three or more days a week need to have something quilt-related in them, maybe even just petting some fabric and taking time to dream.  Does waking up in the middle of the night dreaming about a quilt pattern count?
16. Improve my FMQ – that means more than swirls and straight-line quilting.  Practice, Practice, Practice.
17. Learn a new (or forgotten) technique – Paper Piecing is always fun, but it has been several years since I have tried this.  Will have to try this again.
18. Value my time – Remember that my time and ideas are valuable.  Charge for my time and effort appropriately. 
19. Remember the Basics – and practice them.  Log Cabin, Dresden Plate – just do them in modern fabrics.
20. Enjoy the process that is quilting...

Enjoy the adventure with me,

Shelly