Connecting Threads!

redblack pincushion

Conecting Threads is a fun quilter’s resource! They have an on-line catalog as well as a hand held catalog that comes in the mail.  It’s chock-full of fabric, notions, kits, books and inspiration.  And guess what?? They have started carrying my “Color Wheel Pincushion Kit”! It’s such a cute little pincushion!  I hope you’ll check out the site, I know you’ll find something to love!

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Missing in Action!!

There has been a LOT of action taking place at my studio lately, enough to keep me from posting much lately.  Thanks to all of you who didn’t loose hope that I would return eventually!

This photo is of a quilt I finished recently, a fun project, just for NO REASON!  Those are the most relaxing quilts to finish!  Since then I’ve finished up 12 quilts for a SPECIAL PROJECT! (More about that later).  Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I’m getting my home ready for a big day of cooking, eating, laughter, maybe a few games.  It’s always the best when the family gathers up. quilting buddy

It feels good to be able to get back to my routine of posting regularly.  I have a lot to share about the last couple of months!  Thanks to my quilting buddy Lisa at Towerhouse Quilts for letting me use her beautiful studio for some photos I needed.  This is one she took over my shoulder!

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Best of Show & and Best Machine Quilting!

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The Blackberry Jam is a fun festival in Lowell, Oregon.  It’s a fun couple of days, and they put on the sweetest quilt show EVER at the grange hall!  My friends at the Pine Needlers Guild organize and run the show.  I ‘happened’ to enter a quilt I had done as a collaborative work with my friend Pam.  Now, here’s the deal:  I don’t really enter shows much, and especially not because I think I should win.  I just enter because I know I make interesting quilts, and people like to see them!  So, as I arrived to see the show, Lisa grabbed me and we went running into the next room to see that I had won these fantastic ribbons!  What made it so special is that the ribbons are hand made and absolutily beautiful!  I wanted to give the Best of Show ribbon to Pam and keep the Best Machine Quilting ribbon, but she wants me to have BOTH!  Very generous!  Hmmm, wonder what we should enter next year…..!

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New Poll, Just Curious!

Here’s a pic of me signing my first book in 2005!  That was SO exciting!  I really am curious (as I’m finishing up the copy for my third book) about your responses to this poll.  In order to get the best information, only vote for your favorite, but feel free to add a comment too!

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Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

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Ahhhhh!  The quilt show was outstanding as usual, I LOVED the staff quilts, all hung on the side of the Stitchin Post, my favorite was by June Jaeger; a view of her drive home at dusk with lighted houses.  It was a bright sunny day—-right up until it wasn’t!  But I was gone by then, so my images here–a few eye-catching quilts of the day–are all from the morning and mid-day sunshine.  I met up with some friends from Eugene at the Modern Quilt Guild meet-up, as well as some from Portland and Central Oregon.  While I was there, it was what we call a “blue bird day”, no clouds, beautiful mountains in the background, main street blocked off to traffic and  quilt after quilt of eye candy!  I”ve been going for about 25 years so far and have no intentions or reasons to stop!

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A Quilter’s Affair!

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I was delighted to be traveling to Sisters at the end of last week to take a class at A Quilter’s Affair.  There are such outstanding local, national and international teachers offering a huge variety of classes.  This year I took just one class from Portland designer Elizabeth Hartman called Tokyo Subway Map Quilt.  I chose to make the large 90×90 version scrappy with a melon colored background rather than white which Elizabeth used.  I’m so happy with the beginning of this quilt!  Not sure when I will EVER get back to in, but the first three blocks look dynamite and I do have a niece getting married in October (and a few deadlines between now and then)!  It was a fun day, Elizabeth is a great teacher, very knowledgeable and organized, and I was so happy to be sewing and having what I call a ”free day”.  The picnic in the park that night was a hoot with Tonye Phillips, Sue Spargo and funny lady Gwen Marston doing show and tell.  Loved the comparison of how they all use freezer paper in their work and of course Gwen uses it to wrap her pork chops! Hahaha!

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Modern Heirloom Quilting!

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Follow Me on PinterestI’ve been working for several days on a modern heirloom for my friend Pam.  She has a wonderful story to tell about this quilt that includes a day of laughter and fun with her college-age daughter, picking up leaves that were blowing in the wind and taking them home to press.  From that day came this original quilt design with the color gradation, tossed leaves and twining ribbon applique, made completely from her stash!  So cleverly designed, and well made!  We first talked about simple flowing quilting, but the longer I had it in my studio, the more I realized it could really handle some serious quilting.  Here are the results!  Only seeing it in person would be better!

Here’s to you, Pam

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“Mini-Me”! Color Wheel Pincushion!

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SWEEEEET!  You’re gonna love this pincushion!  It’s been so fun to design and make, I’ve made a few already with a variety of fabric collections.  It hardly takes any fabric at all, and goes together so fast.  Make it today, use it tonight!  You’ve seen my big footstool, and this is the “mini-me” version in a 4″ diameter!  Perfect for treating yourself, or for gifts.  I’ve been able to pull together a kit which includes the foam, crushed walnut shells, tufting cord, felt, instructions and the plywood base with hardware to install your purchased feet.  All you add is the fabric and feet!  What could be easier!  I think I’ll make a truck-load of these, just for the fun of it!  When you orderyours, I’ll send it out the next day!

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Quilting weekend: On a roll!

I’ve set aside a few days to get caught up with some customer quilts, and finished two yesterday!  The third one is loaded and ready to go.  I love the process of deciding what to quilt!  I’ll have a little distraction today with a couple of graduation parties to attend, and then will be back at it!  I think Wendy, Jeanne and Pam will be very happy!  My goal?  To finish a couple more customer pieces this week as well as one of my own!  Pics to follow soon :)

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Quilt-Lovers’ Favorites, American Patchwork & Quilting

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I was reminded recently of an honor I recieved last year!  It’s so special to be included in a magazine, or in print at any time.  My quilt “Walled Garden” had been published in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine a few years ago, and was chosen to be included in the “Quilt-Lovers’ Favorites” too.  The book is a collection of 15 of their most popular patterns, but they’ve done something special and included other projects that can be made from the ideas in the patterns, like pincushions, pillows, tablerunners, aprons and wall hangings.  What fun to see this pattern in print again, and with two other versions than the one I had made originally! There is SO MUCH information on the AP&Q web site!  Take a few minutes to check it out! www.allpeoplequilt.com

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