.Quiltscapes.

More than just a quilt.

2012-01-26T00:22:00.024-07:00

I ♥ this quilt:

Denim Tsunami (Giant "Storm at Sea"), Picnic Quilt 80" x 80"

Mostly though, I love the boy it was made for.

Made with repurposed denims, khakis and corduroys (original post HERE)

And when the boy went off to war with his combat engineer unit, sweeping for mines, making roads safe, and performing other route clearance missions in Afghanistan...

...The quilt, too warm and heavy for desert climates, stayed at home as a comfort to this Momma during that long year of his deployment. Folded over the couch, the quilt was a reminder and a hope for his safe return home when we could wrap our arms around him once again.

Then the boy returned, a man. (Oh, my boy!)

Sometimes, a quilt is more than just a quilt.

Pin It

New Sewing Kit

2012-01-23T21:18:00.003-07:00

Had a blast trying Riley Blake Designs' laminate fabrics! Sews like a dream, and you can even pin it and press it.

"Sugar & Spice" laminate fabric by The Quilted Fish (Amanda Herring) for Riley Blake Designs

This little 9"x 6" x 2" bag is just the right size - even holds a small mat I use for paper-piecing.

Perfect for sewing on the go! (Oh, look, the bag even matches my chicken pincushion!)

Click here ↓ for instructions

Jina's Laminate Bag ↑ Video Tutorial

Pin It

Quilted "Fat Quarter" Pillows

2012-01-10T09:26:00.009-07:00

My friend Barb's husband always accompanies her to the fabric store. NO, he doesn't go to look over her shoulder and curb her spending, he's very encouraging and supportive of her quilting creativity. He even knows what a fat quarter is. A big guy with a cheerful nature, he always greets the ladies in quilt shops with:

You just have to laugh.... Mine are fine, by the way. ☺

In fact, I got to play with some fabulous new fat quarters that weren't even on the shelves yet... (I ♥ the gals at Riley Blake Designs!) YES, I'm a FAN! Bright, fresh fabrics; fun embellishments... Don't you love these "Dainty Blossoms?" They make me smile! Adorable! The perfect addition to my newly cleaned up and organized Sewing Room!

Join me on Cutting Corners College for a tutorial to make these quick little quilted pillows. With two fine finishes, as a BONUS we'll also review Machine Binding (mitered corners, plus that mysterious final joined seam for a continuous binding) and adding Embellishments.

UPDATE: Machine Binding tutorial! ☺

Have you made something lately that puts a smile on your face? Tell me about it!

Now, come on, let's get to class! ↓

Giveaway Winner

2012-01-07T11:32:00.003-07:00

UPDATE:

A big THANKS to everyone for your kind comments,

and we loved reading about your quilting buddies!

Now for the drawing...

Gail,

(gpc, grammagogreen), you've won:

A Bloomin' Blossoms precut KIT & Pattern

(p.s. - loved your "61 Things" list on your blog!)

This is a really fun pattern to make, just ask these happy quilters!

Bloomin' Blossoms (Violets and Poinsettias) Table Runners

→ PATTERNS ←

So now, it's time to clean up the root beer cans, pizza boxes, cake crumbs,

put away the Scrabble and Apples to Apples game pieces, DVDs and Wii stuff.

The girls are going to learn to drive a stick shift today.

In the snow. With their Dad.

You can find me in the sewing room. :)

Celebrating with a Giveaway!

2012-01-04T09:07:00.008-07:00

GOOD THINGS come in THREEs...

to my darling girls!

Wow, what a ride it has been these 22 years!
Triple the fun, triple the blessings.

Not only that, but it has been such fun in the Sewing Room
with built-in quilting buddies (their brother, too)!
(SLIDESHOW)

Three 20-year-olds; each made her own "Turning Twenty" quilt

By the way, it's also "Happy 3rd Anniversary" to this Blog!

Now with my little darlings growing up and starting to leave the nest,
I realize that I'll never lack for sewing buddies~
It's a wonderful world-wide web of quilting friends out there,
you mean so much to me!
Thanks for joining me in my quilting journey!

In the party mood - I'm giving away a Bloomin' Blossoms
Pattern and PRECUT KIT to make this adorable table runner:

Three little flowers... aahhh.

To enter the giveaway,
1) Leave a comment ~ tell me about your quilting friends/buddies
2) Be a Quiltscapes follower/subscriber →
This party will last for three days (as it usually does every January ☺),

With the help of random.org,
I'll announce a winner on Saturday, Jan 7th.

Here's a "Happy Birthday" to her sisters from Sister Stott

on the other side of the world!

2012, New Beginnings

2012-01-01T19:03:00.007-07:00

It's time to organize. To simplify. To prioritize.
My sewing studio sometimes resembles being struck by some natural disaster (hurricane, tornado...). Especially this past year during/after quilting frenzies with deadlines; no time to pick up! One could hardly find a path to walk through.

That, plus the fact that I have Quilter's A.D.D. (adding another project before the previous one is finished, haha!) amounts to a happy, comfortable mess of a sewing room. I can't help it, I want to make everything!

Recently, in exchange for machine-quilting, my friend Carol offered to help organize (disaster clean-up) my studio. She worked for four days, sorting and organizing my projects, fabrics and workspaces. She bagged and boxed, threw away teeny scraps I'd been hanging on to (just don't look!), even cleaned out that TOP DRAWER, you know the one! She stowed all my UFOs into bags in the window seat. She separated the mending pile, organized a few current projects into a stacking bin, and sorted fabric scraps into their little plastic shoeboxes in their respective colors. Then it was up to me to clean up my gizmos, gadgets, supplies, thread and workspaces. Voila! A clear path to the sewing machine! Yeah! I know, better take some pictures, quick!

Jars:

Tins:

Racks:

Pins:

Threads and Notions:

Books and Bins:

Baskets to keep other little things in:

UFOs in the Window Seat:

Drawers organized to keep things neat:

Sewing with an old friend:

Sewing with a new:

Come and stop by anytime,

I'd love to sew with you!

What's next? How about a daily dose during the month of January of how to deal with all those scraps? I'm off to go check it out at Pleasant Home.

Happy Quilting!

The Reason for the Season

2011-12-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

I love this little reminder. The greatest gift.

Comfort & Joy Winner!

2011-12-22T09:21:00.001-07:00

UPDATE:

Karen received her prize, made her scones for breakfast, and sent me a picture!

She's serving them with her homemade blackberry jam....mmmmmm...

Winner of the cookbook and scone mix, chosen by Random.org:

Congratulations, Karen M!!

karenssewingroom.blogspot.com

Awesome!! Your 24-hour omelette sounds delicious, by the way!

I took a minute to cyber-stalk Karen's blog and found, of all things...

a HEN PARTY CHICK pincushion!

Made from my very own TUTORIAL!

(You made it, you really made it!)

OK, so that was a thrill.

(My dear husband came in to see what the ruckus was all about)

So nice to meet you and your chick, Karen!

Comfort & Joy!

2011-12-19T23:22:00.007-07:00

Looking for a last-minute gift or decoration?

A little fabric, a few minutes, a couple of seams... Voila!

It's always SEW fun with Madame Samm over at SewWeQuilt, where you can see my Tutorial for this Terrific Ten-minute Table runner, a part of her "Comfort & Joy" December Tutorials!

Learned to make this quick cutie runner from my local 4-H Extension Agent, Debbie. You can find this and more FREE sewing and quilting projects and resources here: sewing.usu.edu

I have a soft spot for the 4-H program. As a kid, with my Mom as my 4-H leader, I learned to sew, cook, take pictures, memorize the names of trees and rocks, learned to draw, to eat with chopsticks, gave demonstrations, showed my horse, taught other little kids to cook and sew, and always won ribbons at the county and state fair.

When my own kids were old enough, we formed our own 4-H club. Even my son is not afraid of a needle and thread, or knitting needles, for that matter! At any rate, my kids are all comfortable with a sewing machine and in the kitchen.

The "3rDegree Bakery" girls were just 12 when they started selling breadsticks to the neighbors, "delivered hot to your table."

Good things come in threes, right?

(♥ this picture)

I'm having a giveaway today, the 3rDegree Bakery's fabulous Home Cookin' recipe book and a scone mix, perfect for that quiet morning at home! To play along, just leave a little note about your favorite home-cooked holiday dish. Do you prepare a special meal? I'll announce a winner at 8pm MST, Wednesday evening!

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas!!

A Quilt Rescue & Riley Blake Tutorial

2011-12-13T13:37:00.007-07:00

This is an antique quilt, made entirely from "Feed Sacks"

(Cotton covers for flour and sugar sacks from 1890 through 1950)

Some of the red check squares still had

a bit of glue and paper from labels.

Are those Gerber Babies?

~~ A Quilt Story ~~

Quilted with an overall stipple pattern to make the quilt lie flat,

bound in peach shot cotton. Beautiful.

Here's another QUILT RESCUE story! Don't you love antique quilts??

What's your opinion of "rescuing" treasures like this,

hidden in cabinets, shelves, old chests, attics everywhere?

It has me thinking about why we make quilts.

Little bits of cloth; stories of our lives...

This quilt inspired my post today

on Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners College.

The topic? Finishing School ~ Quilt it! (Hints and tips for "Quilting the Quilt")
Now, I need to go and take my own advice!

Come on over ↓↓ and have a look!

Catching Threads... (Giveaway!)

2011-12-09T22:00:00.003-07:00

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Another UPDATE:
Deb's prize made it to the other side of the world from here: Australia!! Happy Quilting, Deb!

UPDATE: I Have a WINNER!!!

It's YOU, DEB!!

Thanks to all of you for playing along with the Quilter's Gallery Blog Hop Party!

Deb at Frog Cottage said...

"I took over the study...plenty of shelves to store the endless supply of fabric that keeps turning up in my doorstep!!!! Not sure where it comes from hehehehe"

Hope you enjoy your new Thread-Catcher, Merry Christmas!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment! I so loved reading about all your sewing and quilting spaces and places! (Very inspiring... and entertaining!) What we quilters go through for our craft!

Hoping you get all of your quilty projects done in time for Christmas!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PATTERNS & KITS available → HERE ←

Quilted up the last of my adorable "Nice Threads" Alexander Henry fabric to make more KITS for this handy Thread-Catcher/Pincushion. It's so cute in my sewing room (ah, I mean "studio" - that sounds so much more professional, haha!)

← And I just happen to have one extra kit to giveaway... ☺ 'Tis the Season, after all!

I'm joining over 200 quilters, giving away goodies on Quilter's Gallery Blog Hop Party, December 10th through the 17th. Be sure to hop on over!

To win:

1) Become a follower/subscriber of my blog/leave a note to let me know you're already following along.

2) Leave a comment and tell me something about your sewing space.
Random.org will choose my winner on Dec. 18th. Be sure I have a way of contacting you!

Happy Quilting!

A Christmas Quilt Story...

2011-12-02T12:01:00.002-07:00

~ Once upon a time... ~

There was a quilter whose dear husband WENT WITH HER to one of her favorite quilt shops. He looked around the shop, spied an adorable quilt on the wall and said,

"I know you have a couple of quilts in the works, but we don't have a Christmas Quilt. Why don't you make that one, it's great."

So she smiled sweetly (thinking, "Oh, a couple.......dozen"), but she was thrilled and bought the book, "Friends for Christmas" by Australian designer, Lynette Anderson. Then she purchased a kit for each block, plus the finishing kit - borders, binding, buttons. (As they say in those parts, "SPENDY!") She brought the quilt home, adapted it to her taste (no penguins), and made the quilt top. Her husband was so pleased.

The quilter planned to quilt it with her new longarm quilting machine, but wanted to wait until her quilting was "good enough". Then she became busy quilting for clients. She thought that she would have a little time to quilt it after the holidays, but that was 6-1/2 years ago. The work never really slowed down, so that adorable quilt top is STILL waiting its turn, along with a dozen or so more of "The Unquilted". But year after year, the quilter and her husband hang that great little Christmas quilt anyway, sometimes even using a glue stick to attach the tiny bells and buttons.

Maybe this year, things will slow down after the holidays.

"Friends for Christmas"

Now, let's head on over to SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show and check out all the other fabulous Winter and Christmas quilts! Let the Merryment begin!

Merry Christmas!!

It's never too late to start quilting...

2011-11-24T06:08:00.003-07:00

My little friend, Kaye, is in her 70's. This is her first quilt. It's 108" x 108"

We called it her "Church Ladies" quilt, as it was a group of friends from church that did it as a block of the month. They used a free online pattern from http://www.blockcentral.com/ (Patchwork Panache). She also told me that she has never really sewn much. (?!?) What a great way to learn to quilt ~ with sampler blocks and friends!

I freehand quilted some feathered vines and wreaths, roses, grids and curlicues. My girls added the binding for her, then little Mrs. Kaye took it home last night to sleep under her beautiful creation!

Border detail

Back of quilt

Here's the same quilt made by my friend Rachel that I quilted a couple of years ago. She won a Sweepstakes prize at the county fair!

Aren't these beautiful?

Stack ,Slash, Switch & Stitch~Crazy TOO!

2011-11-21T00:02:00.019-07:00

Chapter II ~ Carpetbags

Has this ever happened to you? Someone learns that you are a quilter/seamstress etc. and BRINGS you fabric from a relative, or something? A friend of a friend learned that I had a sewing room, and began bringing me upholstery samples that the interior design store where she worked had held on to for 20 years or so, and they were cleaning them out. Would I like them?? (Oh, sure, I can figure out something to do...)

Well, she brought me about 40 giant black garbage bags full of these little bits and pieces of fancy fabrics (filled my garage), most of which are NOT cotton, and NOT much bigger than 10" to 15", and not really usable in quilts because of odd fabric content. What do you do with them? Can't throw away free fabric, no matter the content!! (There were several samples of leather also, which I had my local fabric store cut into adorable flower embellishments with their AccuQuilt fabric die-cut machine.)

So I came up with the idea to make Crazy 4-Patch blocks (← see "Part I" for the TUTORIAL) and use those to create large panels that could be used to make "Carpetbags" ~the perfect, glamourous, chic, upcycled bag~ great for toting any sewing or quilting project (I've been known to tote a queen size quilt in my carpetbag so that I can bind on the go).

And now, after hours and hours (and days and weeks and about 5 years) of petting, sorting,

cutting,

more sorting,

packaging,

sharing, teaching, selling kits.....

...now I am down to one bin of samples, a handful of ~~ugly~~ ~~bland~~ kits, all the colorful stuff is gone, and I'm left with only 8 bags of BEIGE.

So I've sorted through those neutrals, and I have thought of a couple more projects I want to make:
1) I'll put together enough crazy 4-patch blocks to create a large piece of fabric for a jacket, and
2) A crazy 4-patch Throw using as many 100% cotton samples as I can find, then I'll add some pretty embroidery stitches along the seams. Those have gone from a WHIMM (Work Hidden In My Mind) to a PIG (Project In a Garbage bag). Haven't started them yet, so they're not UFOs (UnFinished Objects, or UnFulfilled Opportunities). Then I'll probably throw the rest away to make room so I can finally park my car in the garage, haha!

Now, for your entertainment, here's a little "carpetbag" slideshow, just for you! Just look at those happy quilters!

(SLIDE not working? See → FLIKR Slideshow ←)

As usual, you're always welcome to stop by for a visit, online or otherwise, at Quiltscapes.

Happy Sewing!

Stack, Slash, Switch & Stitch~Crazy!

2011-11-21T00:01:00.005-07:00

Orginally posted at SewWeQuilt (← see the full story)

I ♥ Crazy Quilts!

During the Victorian era, Crazy Quilts were traditionally made with bits and pieces of fancy fabrics; velvet, satin, silk, lace, with lots of intricate embroidery along the seamlines of each section. You can read more about Crazy Quilt history by Betty Pillsbury HERE and HERE.

And... what does a Crazy Quilt have to do with this tutorial?

Have you ever tried to make a block but didn't have quite enough fabric in your stash?
Do you like the look of a pieced background for applique'?

Here's my favorite simplified crazy quilt technique to "MAKE" some background fabric in preparation for applique'.

Start with this little math formula:

FS + 1-1/2" = SIZE

Size of blocks to cut is equal to the desired finished size (FS),

plus one and a half inches.

I want to make a 12" block, but the pieces in my stash range from 7-1/2" to 9" pieces. OK, this works. Using the formula, I'll need four squares with a finished size (FS) of 6", plus 1-1/2 inches for a few cuts and seams, so the minimum size squares to cut is 7-1/2".

And here's our next little formula:

C4pQB = 4(S)2

Crazy Four-Patch Quilt Block is equal to four

Stacked, Sliced, Switched & Stitched blocks, squared.

(I am making this up as I go... heehee)

OK, let's get sewing! I tend to give a somewhat rudimentary instructions (I teach a lot of 4-H kids and beginning quilters, and post a monthly quilting basics column at Riley Blake Designs ), so if you're an experienced quilter, just scan through the pictures!

1) STACK

Layer all four of your blocks together in a stack.

Try for a little contrast in value, tone, texture or pattern.
I'm going for all neutrals for my background.

2) SLASH

CUT your stack of squares into fourths
using a rotary cutter and ruler.

Cuts should be a bit off-set.
Modern translation: "Cut in a wonky X"

3) SWITCH

Rotate fabrics in each pile/section
so that no two fabrics will be in the same block.

4) STITCH

PIN in place, right side over left, one block at a time.

Note: try to match center seams, but don't worry
about the outer edges yet--they'll get trimmed later.

Make a STACK from the bottom up so you can...

CHAIN PIECE (Saves time, thread, and sanity...
stitch one block, take a few stitches [chain],

slide the next unit under the foot and continue.)
Use a 1/4" seam allowance.

PRESS seams open; remember, we're piecing a background block.

CLIP between pairs to keep blocks together.

STITCH last seam together.

This time, DO NOT match center seam!!
The more off-set, the better it looks! CRAZY, huh?

CHAIN PIECE

p.s. Isn't that ↑ a pretty new "Baby"?!? I ♥ her!

PRESS seams open to reduce bulk. It's also helpful
if you were to add EMBROIDERY to the seamlines :)
(My new "Baby" has 189 built-in stitch patterns...)

TRIM each completed block to 6-1/2" square.

YIELD: 4 units

PIECE together, MATCH the center intersection (I know, crazy!)

PRESS seams open.

All ready to add some wonderful applique:

This method works great for any size squares, layer cakes, even charm squares! OR you could make a bunch of these blocks for a small quilt: (though, I think I made crazy 6-patches instead) 12 @ 12" blocks, 10" finished size, using 2 stacks of 6 each ~ just cut it in a wonky H. Lay out, alternating the blocks from each stack.

(Or maybe it was a crazy 9-patch - cut in a wonky #)

Add a border or two and look at the smiles!

Have fun with this tutorial! If you'd like to see what I've done with this crazy-patch method, please visit Part II for the rest of the story! Until then, thanks for visiting, and you're always welcome to stop by, online or otherwise, here at Quiltscapes!

Happy Quilting!

Going Crazy in the Sewing Room!

2011-11-20T10:05:00.012-07:00

DAILY QUILT BLOCK TUTORIALS

at Sew We Quilt!

See my Crazy 4-Patch Tutorial:
"Stack, Slash, Switch & Stitch"
(with applique')

FREE Holiday Ornament applique' pattern → HERE ←

Seasons

2011-11-13T10:29:00.010-07:00

OK, so Hallowe'en is over, it must be time for Christmas, right?

Simple joys and blessings ~ sharing some ♥ with my quilting sisters!

Press > for a look ↓

Recent Tree Skirt classes taught (Patterns → HERE)

I like to think of the next several weeks as a Season of Thanks~

A time to count blessings, a time to feel gratitude for the goodness in my life. I won't make a list here, but let's just say I feel extra-blessed these days, and I am grateful, which always fills my heart with joy!

May this season be filled with simple pleasures,

joys and blessings for you!

My new arrival!

2011-11-11T12:48:00.007-07:00

You're invited to a "Baby" shower!

Drop by and welcome the new baby!

Heartfelt THANKS to Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt,

Ray Queen of BABY LOCK USA,

and Terry Daines, of Daines' Cotton Shops, local Baby Lock retailer!

This little baby will be well-appreciated, well-used, and well-loved!

I'm Cutting Corners...

2011-11-08T01:30:00.003-07:00

Hey, guess what? It's time for another "Quilting Basics" Tutorial over at Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners College ! Today's topic? (This is great, I am literally "cutting corners" today!) Mitered Borders!

I sure love the look of multiple mitered borders, especially with a wonderful stripe in the mix... so easy to do, and with my pre-cut method, goes together in a snap, lies flat, looks beautiful!

Hope you can join me! ↓↓

Winning Ghastlies!!

2011-11-05T10:41:00.003-06:00

Hope you enjoyed our Ghastlie Blog Hop! Thanks to the illustrious Madame Samm for gathering us all together! It has been such Ghastlie fun for so many, with wonderful sponsors and giveaways, and such fabulous ideas, quilts and projects by everyone! You can view the entire collection by all 52+ Ghastlie Gals HERE and HERE.

or click HERE ↓↓

Now for my giveaway:

CoNgrAtULaTioNs...

Lavendar Dreamer!

You've won the Dishtowel Apron kit with a bonus Owlie kit!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...
"You look so cute! The owls are very sweet...even when they pose as your nose! heehee! You have all the things I need to join in the fun...fabric and patterns! I would love the apron kit and really want to make some of the cute owls! They are mischievous and FUN! I'm a new follower! Thanks! ♥"

(By the way, I do have a few KITS for the apron available HERE ←)

AND... KIM!

You've won the Thread Catcher kit with a bonus Owlie kit!

Kim said...
"Amazing projects! I am crossing my fingers hoping to win a kit for the thread catcher (boy do I need one of those) and the little owls. Thanks for the inspiration!"

Thanks to everyone who played along, and thank you for your kind comments! Let's visit again soon!

oh. my. heart.

2011-10-28T08:16:00.004-06:00

Happy tears. See why HERE ←

A Carpenter's Star

2011-10-28T00:03:00.000-06:00

It's Blogger's Quilt Festival this week!

Wanted to share one of my favorite quilts: A Carpenter's Star for Evan

This quilt was made for my dear husband by our triplet daughters and myself a couple of years ago. A traditional quilt block, made with giant half-square triangles (no Y-seams!), we made the quilt in two days! Each of us put together a quarter of the quilt, and I pinned and pressed as the girls helped to stitch the borders. We finished the top in time to wrap it and give it to him for his birthday, unquilted; but he understood, since there were other 20 unfinished quilt tops in the queue waiting for the machine quilter (me).

→ PATTERN ←

Evan was thrilled (I think he even teared up)! He loved the design, the clean lines, the colors, the fabrics, the fact that it is called a "Carpenter's" Star (since he is a carpenter himself!), but he especially loved that all four of his girls made it just for him! He folded it up, held it on his chest, then fell asleep with it on the couch. Oooohhh! A tender moment. It was a PERFECT gift for him. Within a couple of days, I quilted it just like he wanted, then the girls and I grabbed our needles and thread and went to town on the binding.

He loved it, and we loved making it for him! That's what quilting is all about. Making a quilt is an emotional process; personal and precious. Thinking about my husband, planning the quilt, then making it for him was like infusing the quilt with love. It made the final product a creation from the heart, not just something thrown together, though it did go quickly. The finished quilt is a conduit of our love for him, and that is something worth far more than anything money can buy.

A Virtual Quilt Show!!

Enjoy the Festival! ↑↑ Over 400 quilts so far!

(Mine is #417) Still time to enter yours!

I'm a Ghastlie Girl (Ghoul)!!

2011-10-28T00:02:00.002-06:00

What IS it about "GHASTLIES"??

These Ghouls give me the giggles...

Three Sistahs, all knit together...

Reminds me of something...

Around here, GOOD THINGS come in threes!

circa 1995 - my Baby Ghouls...

(my little angels...)

Had to use those Ghouls on a few of my projects:

DISHTOWEL APRON ← pattern

Love the sprinklings of little pink roses everywhere!

Rose Corsage TUTORIAL ←

THREAD-CATCHER PINCUSHION ← pattern

Made a hot pot holder from some of the leftovers.

I also ♥ this Ghastlie Ghoul!

Meet Ms. Mathilda Ghastlie:

...and her little OWL, too!

OK, could not resist the Ghastlie "Clover" for their tummies!

Look what happens when you move the buttons out... hee hee!

Moonstitches' OWL TUTOWLRIAL ←

Such Ghastlie cuteness...

And finally.. "It was a Ghastlie, stormy night... "

where's my broom??

Doesn't that quilting make it look a bit windy?

This Ghastlie fabric is just too CUTE to CUT!!

SIMPLE SADIE meets MODERN MILLIE ← pattern

Cuddlesoft Plush Fur for the backing....Yummy!

Trying out my Ghastlie face....
Surrounded by Ghastlie Goodies!

NOTE:
Ghastlie Giveaway is now closed.
But from now until I run out, you can get a
Free OWL pincushion kit
with pattern purchase (hard copy)
from my website → PATTERNS ←
Type "OWL" into "Add special instructions to the seller"

Be sure to visit all my Ghastlie Sistahs!

Click to See ↑↑ Hop Schedule

Channeling Ms. Mathilda...

Haha, the wind kept blowing my little owl off...
(This picture snapped at the perfect moment...)

"Gasp!" A Ghastlie Blog Hop!

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

It's a GHASTLIE BLOG HOP!

It's "The GHASTLIES" Blog Hop
(Goes through Nov 4th!)
Spine-Tingling Inspiration and Goose-Bumply Prizes!!
Each Ghastlie Sistah submits one person's name
from her comments that day;
Madame Ghastlie chooses the Grand Prize winner
from those 5 or 6 names!

(sound ↓ effects)

~~UPDATED SCHEDULE~~
TWO Grand Prizes on the Hop today!
(see pictures below)
Friday, November 4th LAST DAY!!
Mrs Nan Ghastlie
Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie
Mrs Joan Ghastlie
Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie
Ms Susan Ghastlie
Our Fearless Leader: Madame Ghastlie

AND... Still time to win a GHASTLIE PRIZE
from me! click → HERE
November 3rd, Day 9
Mrs Corrie Ghastlie
Mrs Cheryl Ghastlie
Mrs. Linda Ghastlie
Mrs. Pickles Ghastlie
November 2nd, Day 8
Mrs. Jane Ghastlie
Mrs. Mary Ghastlie
Mrs. Michelle Ghastlie
Mrs. Dawn Ghastlie
Mrs Mary Ghastlie
(Duff won Kona pink fat quarters
and Presencia thread from Mrs Jane Ghastlie)

November 1st, Day 7
Miss Daisy Ghastlie
Mrs. Dana Ghastlie
Mrs. Elaine Ghastlie
Mrs. Gramma Sheri Ghastlie
Ms. Suz Ghastlie
(Mrs Pickles won Halloween Lights
from Mrs Paulines Ghastlie..)

October 31st Day 6
Mrs. Toyna Ghastlie
Mrs Tiramisue Ghastlie
Mrs. Angela Ghastlie
Mrs Pauline Ghastlie
Mrs. Karin Ghastlie
Mrs Barb Ghastlie
(Jacqueline won Aurifil Thread from Grammasheri's)

October 28th
Ms. Deonn Ghastlie
Miss Trudi Ghastlie
Mrs. Marlene Ghastlie
Mrs Kim Ghastlie
Mrs Tammy Ghastlie
(4 yds each of Ghastlies goes out to...
Manda from Miss Trudi's and
Dannelle from Mrs Tammy)

October 27th
Mrs. Katherine Ghastlie
Ms Sharon Ghastlie
Mrs. Gooden Ghastlie
Ms. Selina Ghastlie
Mrs. Melinda Ghastlie
( All 3 Creative Grid Rulers go out to
Evelyn from Mrs Sharon Ghastlies Gathering...)

October 26th
Mrs. Barb Ghastlie
Miss Karen Ghastlie
Ms. Loralynn Ghastlie
Ms. Jen Ghastlie
Ms Penny Ghastlie
Mrs Rhonda Ghastlie
(Ghastlie fabric goes to Sheri and Jackie)
from Mrs Penny and Mrs Karen Ghaslties)

October 25th
Mrs. Annie Ghastlie
Mrs. Doris Ghastlie
Mrs. Brandie Ghastlie
Ms. Alidiza Ghastlie
Mrs. Judy C Ghastlie
(Wheeled PINK Sewing BAG goes
to Cherise from Annies Ghastlie Fans...)

October 24th
Mrs. Kirie Ghastlie
Ms Carol Ghastlie
Ms. Wendy Ghastlie
Ms. Carrie Ghastlie
Mrs. Holly Ghastlie
(Alexander Henry Ghastlie Fabric Giveaway....
Grand Prize Winner.... the "Lady of the Cloth"
from Ms. Kirie Ghastlie)

Got Ghastlie Fever?!?

If you have this thing for "Ghastlies"

And they've tied you in a knot;
Now you're looking for a cure,
Then come join us for this "Hop"!

We heard her plea for a cure

Madame Samm was positively sure

That we could stitch the nights away

In hopes that we MAY----???

BUT....

The side effects are Ghastlie,

There is no mistaking too!

If you don't run this very minute

You too will catch the FLU...

(We suspected all along

That this was her master plan.

She did not want to be alone,

with all you Ghastlie Fans...)

So sit tight, relax, enjoy

your daily hop from Blog to Blog,

Or the Marvelous Madame Samm

May turn YOU into a frog!

A gallery of Ghastlie projects

Will all be on display

From 54 Ghastlie Gals

(5 or 6 a day for 10 days)!

A daily GRAND PRIZE winner,

And perhaps MORE prizes too,

Just visit every blog--who knows,

The winner could be YOU!

(click button to see schedule ↓ of all 54 Ghastlie Ghouls)

(What's a Ghastlie? ↑↑ Mdm Samm explains)

Be sure to join me here on Friday, October 28th!!

Win a SEWING MACHINE!!

2011-10-26T16:48:00.001-06:00

What?? AGAIN!?! Coming to the last few days of her "Wantobe a Quilter" campaign, Madame Samm is giving away another sewing machine at SewWeQuilt. But, hasn't she already given away a sewing machine? YES!! Several sponsors provided sewing machines for this campaign! Have a look at this little beauty from Baby Lock today!!

Go visit SewWeQuilt's blog today,
Follow the instructions,

Enter to win...

I'll be there right along with you!

Everything's Coming Up Roses...

2011-10-25T22:41:00.002-06:00

Make a Fabric Corsage...

~ Rose ~

1) CUT a 2-1/2" x 24" strip of fabric.

2) FOLD in half, right sides together; TRIM a curve.

3) STITCH raw edges together.

Begin at foldline, then take a running stitch

to the opposite end of the strip

using a double-threaded needle.

4) GATHER your fabric rose by pulling

the stitches as you go, (not too tight).
Leave needle threaded for next step.

5) Start at one end and ROLL the gathers together;

STITCH with same needle/thread.

6) Continue rolling to form flower, stitching as you go.

7) STITCH through all raw edges to secure, tie off.
Set aside.

~ Rosebud ~

1) TRACE and CUT OUT 3" to 3-1/2" circle.

2) PRESS in half

2) PRESS folded edge down about 1/8"

3) FOLD into thirds.

4) GATHER raw edges. Set aside.

~ Leaves ~

1) CUT two 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles for each leaf

2) DRAW or TRACE a leaf shape on wrong side of fabric.

3) With right sides together,
STITCH all around the leaf shape, pivoting at
corners and overlapping beginning stitches.

4) TRIM curves with pinking shears.

5) CUT a slit on one side, TURN leaf right side out

(use a chopstick to shape corners).

6) PRESS

~~~

ASSEMBLE your Corsage,

adding a rosebud, a couple of leaves, etc.
then STITCH directly to garment/quilt/project.

OR, make it portable!
Cover raw edges with a wool felt circle,
then add a clip or pin.

Beautiful!

Be sure and check out the
GHASTLIES BLOG HOP going on now! (↑ sneak peek!)
Then come back and visit Quiltscapes on FRIDAY, October 28th to see
what brought about this lovely little corsage.

Hallelujah!

2011-10-22T23:37:00.000-06:00

looks like I may be adding a little more music to the mix... ☺

A Soldier's Star - winner!

2011-10-22T08:09:00.005-06:00

*****************************

CONGRATULATIONS, GrammaSheri!!

You've won a kit and pattern to make

A Soldier's Star!

*********************

A limited number of kits and patterns available HERE,
perfect for your next patriotic celebration!
Veteran's Day 11/11/11
(Patterns for lap- and bed-size quilts available soon!)

Winning 2nd place in AccuQuilt's 2011 Barn Quilt Design Contest,
this quilt was designed in honor of my son's
military service in Afghanistan.
If you would like to make a lap-size quilt,
I will be teaching this class*, sponsored by AccuQuilt,
at HMQS in May, 2012. Online registration opens Nov 1st!
*see page 31 of the catalogue

HOME MACHINE QUILTING SHOW, SLC

Want to Win a Sewing Machine?

2011-10-21T11:15:00.004-06:00

The amazing Madame Samm over at Sew We Quilt

has done it again!

All part of her "Wantobe a Quilter"

campaign to spread the Joy of Quilting...

Check out today's free tutorial to make an adorable,

fresh, modern table runner by

Pfaff's own Kim Novak (see, everyone wins!)

To enter: *Sign up for Pfaff's Newsletter

*Sign up to "follow" SewWeQuilt

Good luck!

Celebrate! (and a giveaway!)

2011-10-18T10:38:00.014-06:00

CELEBRATE good times, come on!

So grateful for our son's service and safe return!

It's been a big party around here...

My honey came armed...↑

We've had a lot to celebrate!

FULL STORY HERE

I love living in a small community!
The Firetruck met us at the edge of town, picked up our soldier

and paraded him down Main Street with lights flashing
and sirens blaring and all the way home.

A Hero's Welcome!

And, since this is a quilting blog,

in honor of my son,

(and the fact that we have passed 10,000 views of this blog--

how did I miss that? Oh, yeah, we were celebrating!)

I am giving away a KIT and first draft PATTERN
to make this Table Topper

Here are 3 chances to enter the drawing:

1) Post a comment/greeting for our soldier

2) Follow this Blog

3) Follow our new Facebook page

Winner will be selected on Friday - 10/21/11at 7pm, MST!

A Soldier's Star pattern available soon!
Right now, it's time to CELEBRATE!!

***UPDATE!!!***
Random.org just picked my winner - it's GrammaSheri!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
*********************

It's a Hen Party!

2011-10-13T00:00:00.025-06:00

WOW! Look what happened over at

click here → Sew We Quilt !! ← click here

It was a HEN PARTY!!
And this chick (hey, that's me!!) was her guest for the day.

Sew, we got together to cackle for a bit!

All part of her "Wantobe a Quilter" campaign,

the Marvelous Madame Samm* gathered some FABULOUS prizes
for my peeps, quilters and wantobes!!

An orange Reliable V-50 iron, and notions from Jillily

And the winner is ... awyoung!! Congratulations!

Only TWO more weeks of the campaign,
Keep checking in with Sew We Quilt

for more great guests, tutorials,
and the *Latest*Greatest*Best prizes!

*Isn't that the cutest blog banner? Mme. Samm made it for me ~ ADORABLE!!

Cutting Corners Today!

2011-10-11T09:39:00.003-06:00

Hey, guess what? It's another TERRIFIC TUESDAY TUTORIAL

over at Riley Blake Designs!

Today's lesson? FINISHING SCHOOL II ~ Make Your Quilt!

You've made your blocks, planned your fabulous design,

now let's put it together, STEP by STEP!

As always, get some great tips and cool tricks here at

CUTTING CORNERS COLLEGE with Deonn

↓↓

Do you have a favorite tip, trick or tool?
Tell us all about it!

QUILT FEVER!

2011-10-10T16:14:00.006-06:00

RECAP:

(working backwards--skip to the end if you want to take a peek at what's next!!)

Spent a superfun day (and half that night) at the Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City last Saturday with Dana, Vanessa, Jeni, and Gertie; learned some life-changing tips and tricks for blogging, photographing projects, choosing fabrics, and even altering retro patterns for modern bodies. That cyber-train is rolling, and these gals are helping me catch a ride!

Met up with a gang of SL Modern Quilt Guild gals: Katie, Wendy, Colleen and a BUNCH of blogging Amys (AmyLouWho), (Amy, Amy, Amy) then met NEW blogging/sewing/knitting friends from all around the world! (Nice to meet you, Wendy, Claudia, Candice, Susan and Terry to name a few. After dinner, many of us hung out to chat, sew, learn and laugh in a room filled with 50 sewing machines whirring until 1:00 a.m. Bliss.

Attended/taught at the Midway Heritage Quilters retreat in Altamont, (middle of where?) Utah last week. A beautiful lodge all to ourselves/sleeps 100. There were 19 of us, again staying up late just to sew some stuff. I taught a couple of workshops -- OWL pincushions and my Star Medallion Tree Skirt, then put together a quilt top, sewing until the wee hours of morning. Delightful!

Packing up the next day, a phone call came in from New Jersey. From my SOLDIER! Back on US soil, at Fort Dix for the de-mobilization process. I could hardly speak! Oh, my boy, oh my heart! Safe at last, and home in just a couple of weeks. Can't be soon enough for this Momma to wrap my arms around him. As it was, I had a group of dear friends there to wrap their arms around me as I shed such tears of relief. Grateful.

We didn't know when he would be coming home, all they could tell us was "soon", or "before Christmas". Now I must get sewing on that quilt for his return, A Soldier's Star. Plus I'll need an example of it for teaching the class at HMQS next May!
My friend Rachel is WAYYYY in to Civil War reinactment a week ago, and she stopped by to raid my closet for some quilts to hang in her Civil War quilt show. It was worth it, because all three quilts came home with a lovely ribbon attached to it! The "Stonewall Jackson" award went to the Carpenter's Star quilt for its precision and steadiness, Chelsea's little patriotic quilt won the "Battle Cry of Freedom" award, and my Civil War memories quilt came home with a Judges' Choice ribbon. Nice!
Had a wonderful time at last month's Quilt Festival with the Utah Quilt Guild judging the quilt show, taking classes, teaching my Bloomin' Blossoms class, and attending luncheons and lectures from Jill Finley and our National teachers, David Taylor, Sally Collins, and George and Virginia Siciliano. It's enough quiltiness to send a person spinning!

I ♥ the ←"quilt" I made that week! Now I just can't wait to "Catch the Quilting Bug" for next year's Quilt Fest in St. George. Yeah, I think I already have "Quilt Fever"!!

Sew, What's NEXT??
Well, this week,

Riley Blake Designs'
Cutting Corners College
2nd Tuesday Tutorials with Deonn
TUESDAY!!
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Phase III - Live Audition
WEDNESDAY!!
Sew We Quilt
Wantobe a Quilter Campaign
Guest Post
THURSDAY!!
Midway Community Chorus
Directoral debut
SUNDAY!!

I may need chocolate... about a pound of it...
not sure which one makes me most nervous... wish me luck!

Is this a QUILT?

2011-10-04T12:22:00.000-06:00

What is the definition of a quilt?

Wikipedia:
Noun: A warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching.

FreeDictionary.com:
quilt (kwilt) n.
1. A coverlet or blanket made of two layers of fabric with a layer of cotton, wool, feathers, or down in between, all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative crisscross design.
2. A thick protective cover similar to or suggestive of a quilt.

Miriam-Webster:
quilt noun \ˈkwilt\
1: a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs.
2: something that is quilted or resembles a quilt.

And we won't even get in to "quilt" as a verb...

“The definition of a quilt is constantly expanding. The only real requirement is that it must have three layers of material.” ~Sandra Henrich, former executive director, Museum of the American Quilter’s Society (MAQS) in Paducah, KY 3/16/2003

But quilts are not just bed coverings anymore! What about Art quilts? Painted quilts? Are they still quilts? Seems to me, as long as it is fabric-based and has those three layers joined together with stitching of some kind, then it is a quilt.

So here's my latest "quilt" ... has three layers (backing/flannel filler/patchwork top) which I quilted together when I pulled the backing around to the front and stitched it down to bind the edges. It's a 1-1/4" x 38" quilt. And I worked just as hard at the piecing as I do on any of my quilts. I guess I could stitch around each tiny 1/8" block... oh, never mind, guess not!

My true definition of a quilt should also include something about "stitched with love" or "A quilt is a warm hug from Grandma..." and there has to be some definition of a quilt that includes blood, sweat and tears, don't you think?

OK, what started this conversation is something that was said at a recent quilt show:

A Cathedral Window quilt is NOT a quilt.

(hunh??)

It's a coverlet.

(whaa??)

It has no batting.

(are you kidding??)

It may have taken her TEN YEARS to make, HAND-STITCHING each little section one little window at a time, but according someone who heard that someone said that The American Quilter's Society had established this fact, a Cathedral Window quilt is NOT a quilt, it's a coverlet.

(b-b-but!!)

So, what about all those inner layers created by some tricky origami folding then re-folding then stitching back the curve... that's got to be at least four layers, right there... and what happened to all those 47 YARDS of fabric used to create this masterpiece of a....thing?? I don't know about this. I'll have to research a bit. A Cathedral Window (quilt) is one of the things on my WHIMM (works hidden in my mind) list that I plan to make, someday. And even if someone who knows someone who said such-and-such said it isn't a quilt.

Is it, or isn't it? You tell me. I'm anxious to know!

A fun surprise - I'm in a magazine! A quilt for my soldier

2011-09-18T10:57:00.005-06:00

The other day at guild meeting, one of the gals stood up for "Sew & Tell", held up her new Oct/Nov issue of Quilter's Newsletter and said, "We have a celebrity in our midst!" Then she opened the page to an article about the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Unveiling party last June, and there's my little picture on page 14, telling the crowd about my 2nd place design-- inspired by my son currently serving in Afghanistan with his combat engineer unit, and that I called it A Soldier's Star.

With AccuQuilt CEO Steve Nabity
and National Sales Mgr. Linda Pumphrey

It's not the greatest picture, I was kind-of emotional as the audience cheered for my son, what a moment, what a day!

I plan to make the design into a full-size quilt for my soldier, and had actually submitted a proposal to teach it as a class at next year's Home Machine Quilting Show in Salt Lake. Well, I just received word that they accepted the class! Their theme for the Show is "Star-Spangled", and this is the perfect hands-on class for the event. AccuQuilt has offered to provide several Go! Cutters and dies for the class too! Oh, I can't wait! HMQS also accepted my Carpenter's Star and Tree Skirt classes as well!

I can hardly believe the journey that his military service has taken in both my son's life and mine too. I can't do much more than pray for our boys, but I can quilt. Now I need to get busy and get his quilt finished in time for his return home. It can't be soon enough.

And if you happen to drive past the AccuQuilt headquarters in Fremont, Nebraska, you'll see a 6-ft billboard of A Soldier's Star mounted on the side of their building.

See what Quilters around the world have to say about it HERE.

Cutting Corners & A Giveaway!

2011-09-13T22:20:00.004-06:00

Today's gonna be a good day!

It's Tuesday, Tuesday - Tutorial Tuesday
at Riley Blake Designs Cutting Corners College!! Today's Topic: Finishing School ~ Setting * Sashing * Binding,

and we're growing quilts today!

Take 9 quilt blocks, add a bit of sashing, setting, stitching;

maybe more blocks, borders and binding;

add a bit of little time, a little quilting music, invite a few friends to help, and voila!!
You've created a snuggly treasure you'll adore!

AND... (insert drumroll here) ....... a GIVEAWAY!

Find out how you can enter to win a selection of Riley Blake Designs

fabric precuts of your very own!

You're gonna ♥ it!

Check it out HERE ↓

Good luck, and Happy Quilting!

P.S. so many of you have already commented on the previous post;
just letting you know I gotcha counted in the Giveaway!

UPDATE!!!
We have a winner: MoeWest!!! Congratulations - look for your package of goodies in the mail! A precut stack of goodies in the mail from Riley Blake Designs!

Countdowns...

2011-09-12T10:11:00.003-06:00

If life is all about the "journey" and not the destination, then why is it that everything seems to be counting up or down to something? Here are a few MISSION: POSSIBLE Countdowns I've got going right now...

Countdown for Holiday Sewing:

Personal Mission: Be ready for Christmas.
Countdown: How many days until Christmas 2011?
See PATTERNS ←

A countdown for my daughter, Lauren:

Sister Stott and Sister Mano learn Japanese in prep for their church missions to Japan
Counting the days until she leaves: 16. Months until her return: 15 or so.

A countdown for my son, Jordan:

Corporal Stott in Afghanistan on Route Clearance missions
Countdown until his return home: I don't really know!

Countdown for Singing:

Personal mission: Keep singing so I don't get old. Or fat.
T-Choir auditions ~ Passed phase I, Countdown to Phase II: 12 days,
Phase III: 30 days, Phase IV: 112 days,
Phase V: (lifelong dream) ...we'll see if I pass Phase II.

Countdown for Quilting:

Riley Blake Designs "Cutting Corners College"
"Grow Your Quilt" Tutorial: TOMORROW!!!

Countdown to a Season of Teaching Quilt Classes:
Beginning in 2 Days!
See SCHEDULE ←

Countdown to a Ghastlie Hallowe'en with Madame Samm: 42 Days

You can probably tell that it's going to be busy around here, but funny enough, it's the quilting that keeps me sane... 10...9...8...7...6...5...4......

Have you got a countdown going?

A Corny Barn Quilt Adventure...

2011-08-30T02:31:00.003-06:00

Gelato break at the Street Fair!

The Army sent us to Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend for training to help integrate our soldier back into society when he returns from Afghanistan. Got trained, hung out with other Army wives and parents... went dancing at a street fair, fun times! (♥ you gals!)

But what else can you do in Iowa? Look for Barn Quilts, of course!

A Soldier's Star - Barn Quilt Design

Whatsa "barn quilt"?? A large quilt block painted on the side of a barn, shed, or corn crib. (See my barn quilt adventures HERE.) I may have won a prize in a barn quilt design contest, but I have never actually seen a Barn Quilt in person! According to one source, there are over 580 Barn Quilts in Iowa. Barn Quilt Mecca...

And where are these barn quilts? Further away than the measly couple of hours that we had to go looking for them. Not only that, but it was a Sunday morning, in church-going Iowa (no quilt shops open). So my honey and I rented a car, and headed out on our quest to see a Barn Quilt. Here's what we found!

Corn Fields

Corn in Fields

Fields of Corn

More fields with corn in them...

Barns

Barns in corn fields

Farms with corn fields

More Barns...
...Are we ever going to find a Barn Quilt???

This barn needed one...

This one, too!
And then.....

Getting closer ...painted doors and shutters...

Finally!! A real, live Barn Quilt!! Aaaaaaahhhh!

Lone Star Barn Quilt, En Pointe

Finally found A Barn Quilt near Pella, Iowa; a beautiful little Dutch Town surrounded by, you guessed it, corn fields!

(Bought some fresh-picked corn from a roadside stand, smuggled it home in my suitcase, then fixed it for supper! Oh, my tastebuds! That was some of the best, sweetest, freshest, corn ever to cross my lips!!)

So... one down, 579 more barn quilts to see...

I have GOT to find my way back to beautiful Iowa!

Winners Announced

2011-08-29T22:59:00.001-06:00

Congratulations, KAZUKO!!

You are the WINNER of this adorable stack of fabrics!!

And, just for the heck of it, Here's another WINNER:

MISS P!!!

(Don't you just ♥ getting squishy packages in the mail?)

Can't wait to see what you make!

"STASH"

2011-08-20T09:53:00.008-06:00

I won, you win!!

Playing along with Madame Samm's "Wantobe Quilter" campaign!

(Mme. Samm = Genius CEO at Stash Manicure

or "Creative-Energized-Obsessed" Blogger" as she calls herself)

She's gathered the GREATEST, LATEST & BEST products and gadgets
from 52 sponsors to give away 5 days a week for 12 weeks!

That's alotta stuff!

Hey... that's ME!!!

A package in the mail....

What can it be???

Oh, look! Goodies!!!

What a wonderful surprise!! Sew, sew exciting!!

Now, what to do with all these luscious lovelies??

Twice as many fat quarters than her picture showed,

tons more than I'll need for this adorable "Now We're Goin' Places" quilt by the fabric designer herself, Monica Lee

Hmmm. It's all about sharing the love....

Think I'll have a little giveaway myself!

giveaway!!!

Giving these away!

Here are three ways to enter for the giveaway:

1) Become a Follower of my blog, (yep, right up there where it says: Join the Fun) or comment to tell me you already follow

2) While you're at it, go follow Madame Samm at Stash Manicure, http://www.sewwequilt.blogspot.com/ or tell me you already follow her (which also will qualify you for her Wantobe campaign)
3) Make a comment here - what would you do with these lovelies?
I'll pick a winner next Monday!

(No-reply bloggers, be sure I have a way to reach you!)

I won, you win.
Happy Stash-Building!

"Fair Days"

2011-08-16T02:08:00.009-06:00

I ♥ the County Fair!

My little girls were nine years old

when they learned how to sew.

4-H Summer Sewing Camp

Is where they all could go

To learn to make some lovely things

and put them in the Fair;

Earn a little extra cash for

Prize-winning wares.

Now with confidence in their skills,

I love when I hear them say,

"Hmmmm, I think I'd like

to make something today."

Prize-winning projects!

Things to use...

Nicole's projects

...to decorate...

Chelsea's projects

...or to wear!

Lauren's quilted vest
(3rd place: Quilted Garments at the Home Machine Quilt Show 2011)

My cooking, sewing and quilting stuff

When did you learn to sew/quilt, and who taught you?
Would you like to learn??
Check my free online tutorials HERE and HERE to get started,
Or drop by the studio for "Quilt School" on Tuesday afternoons!

Happy Quilting!

More COMMENTS

Fast, Fabulous Flying Geese!

2011-08-09T09:29:00.006-06:00

Another Terrific Tuesday Tutorial today...

A "Gaggle" of Geese... Let's get flying!

Join me over at Cutting Corners College as we explore several fun ways to sew Flying Geese units: one at a time from squares and rectangles; four at a time with no waste; leftover blocks; even a dimensional goose! I love to make Flying Geese without having to cut little triangles...

Click the button above ↑ for a high-flying adventure!
SLIDESHOW

If you already ♥ making flying geese and need a little challenge, try my free tutorial "FOOTSTEPS to Successful Paper-Piecing" Tutorial to stitch a Circle of Geese...
Now we're really flying!

Piece by Number's CIRCLE of GEESE

Put a bird on it?

2011-08-03T16:08:00.005-06:00

It usually takes me twenty minutes to get the joke.

No, I'm not blonde.

Some of my best friends are blondes. I think being blonde is a state of mind, no matter your hair color. But there's blonde, and then there's BLONDE.

"Deonn & the Blondes" circa 1996
Mary, Deonn, Carolyn, Gail

Back during my "Deonn & the Blondes" days, I loved it when people would come up after a show and ask, "Which one of you is Deonn?" I'd say, with a straight face, "Um, that would be me." (Hilarious! Could you be more blonde?)

Part of our routine would be to tell a bunch of blonde jokes. Here's my fave:

Gail (a natural blonde): I'm so tired of people picking on me. I'm just as smart as anyone, and I'll prove it! I can name the capital of any state in the USA. Try me.
Me: OK, Gail, but we don't want you to hurt yourself! How about... Wyoming?
Gail: Hmmm, ...uhm..., Oh, I know! "W"!
Then we'd all *palm/forehead* during the laughter. Then she'd say,
Gail: I'll bet you thought I was going to say "Y"! And she'd burst out laughing.
Get it? Y-oming?

OK, I'm wiping my tears from laughter.

Now to the point. My "blondeness" is such that it takes me a while to catch on. But I still get it, maybe five minutes later, maybe the next day, maybe the next decade.

One thing I am catching on to is the use of BIRDS in quilts. A hundred years ago, birds were popular in quilts. Just ask Sandra Starley, quilt appraisor extraordinaire!

from an 1850 "Rose of Sharon" quilt

Ten years ago, chickens were everywhere. I love chickens. Every year, my seven sisters and I have a Hen Party. Here are some of my chicken quilts:

Hen Party Chicks in the Coop

Hen Party Chicks in the Barnyard

Hen Party Chick

Hen Party Chicklets... For patterns click → HERE ←

A few years back, owls started to make an appearance. So, true to form, I may be a few years late, but I'm working on my appreciation for owls right now.

Hoo-Ville Chick

"Hooterville" quilted for a client. More pics HERE

Such a cute pincushion, hate to stick him with a pin!

Owlet coin purse, 3" x 3-1/2"

Won some Yummy fabric from Shari at Doohikey Designs!!

Look,"Hoos" in the Forest!!

Lately, "PUT A BIRD ON IT" is a catch phrase.

So maybe next year, after the trend is over, I'll figure out what "PUT A BIRD ON IT" actually means, then I'll start working on more quilts with birds on them...

Isn't that "tweet"?

What is your favorite feathered fowl - and where do you put them??
Hahaha, I just clicked → HERE ← entered my blog url and got an orange bird on it!!!

"Wantobe" a Quilter!?!

2011-08-01T23:58:00.003-06:00

Hello, friends and followers, I would love to welcome you the "Wantobe Quilter Campaign!! Beginning TODAY, (Aug 1st, 2011) Madame Samm of "Sew We Quilt" at Stash Manicure will be giving away some marvelous quilting supplies FIVE x A WEEK for 12 WEEKS!

This campaign is not limited to NEW quilters only; everyone is eligible!

1) New Quilter - Someone who wants to be a quilter but doesn't have much in the way of equipment or supplies. You can win prizes that will have you quilting before you know it... everything you could imagine to assist you in becoming a NEW Quilter! Drawings will be held M/W/F for the Newbies each week through October 29th!!

2) "Old" Quilters - (haha, that's me, all right!) - Someone who has been quilting for awhile, but would love to win some great prizes to add to their stash. Even if you are part of the quilting community already, you can win too! Drawings for us quilting geezers will be T/TH (for TWELVE WEEKS!! - that's a lotta prizes, honey!)

This is a HUGE campaign, with 52 sponsors supplying the LATEST, GREATEST, & BEST things like notions, thread, rotary cutting equipment (mats, rulers, blades), sewing baskets, books, magazines, patterns, irons, fabric, sewing machines (!) and MORE!!! Things only a quilter will love and appreciate and will assist you in becoming a quilter. I know you WANTOBE.

Read Madame Samm's Story HERE. She's spreading her Joy of Quilting!

Here's what TO DO:

1) Both groups of quilters register in the same way - Send your name, e-mail address and telephone number to a quilting blogger (pick me! deonn@quiltscapesquilting.com) who has the Wanttobe Quilter Campaign button on their blog, like the one here:

2) Become a follower of that blog (right there, upper right-hand corner below the orange button... click on it, yes, that's right!)

3)  Follow Stash Manicure here: http://www.stashmanicure.blogspot.com/

4) Tune in and read the daily guest post** on Stash Manicure;
   a) Write a comment M-W-F for Newbies, T-Th for Oldies
   b) Mention my name in your comment to be eligible to win, and I'll also be eligible to win if you win!!
   c) If you don't comment, you don't get entered for that day's drawing.

**NOTE FROM MADAME SAMM
(mmmmmmm, I hear Nancy Zieman will be popping over for a guest post, ohhhh and Eleanor Burns, too I hear....and just the other day I heard from Alex Anderson, she too will be joining us and I think some guy name Ty, .......oh, I think that is enough excitement for today....Ü)

Shipping will be the responsibility of the winners.

So, let's have some fun, share the ♥ of quilting, and maybe win a couple of prizes along the way!! :)

Orphan Blocks

2011-07-28T06:17:00.001-06:00

Cute little "orphan" blocks get a new home...

A couple of these,

a couple of those,

some extra bits of fabric, some ribbon, a hair elastic...

a couple spools of thread, little leather thimble dots,

wool felt, pins, needles, scissors...(oh, cute!)

and a cute little button.

A cute little sewing kit for my cute-as-a-button daughter, off on her mission to Japan, the land of cuteness.

Christmas in July?

2011-07-24T06:03:00.000-06:00

Somewhat surprised to see new lines of Christmas fabric lines in quilt shops, I am even more surprised to learn that they began arriving at stores in April!?! That may be why my Tree Skirt pattern sales are going nuts these past few days. Getting a jump-start on the Holidays, I guess!

Star Medallion Tree Skirt. See pattern HERE

So, let the holiday season begin! Happy Christmas quilting/sewing/crafting, everyone!

Can you ever have too many pincushions??

2011-07-20T00:20:00.007-06:00

"WOWL"

Recently, two of the guilds I attend had pincushion exchanges. Everyone should have a basketful of cuteness in their sewing room! There are such adorable pincushion patterns out there! Love the little Owl I made yesterday from an online "Tutowlrial" ←(click for link)from Moonstitches.

SLC Modern Quilt Guild Pincushion Exchange - critters and bright graphic shapes.

Heber Valley Quilters Pin Cushion Exchange - delicious!

My Collection - how many chickens?

And now my personal stash of pincushions has grown since I took the photo...they keep multiplying somehow!

the little Owl (with a repaired beak)
hangs out under Lila Tueller's Shroom←(click for free pattern);
Tooth Fairy Monster Pillow ←(click for link to tutorial) doubles as a pincushion.

I especially ♥ chickens (tutorial HERE), they're my peeps.

Another cutie - this one's for Fran. Happy B-Day!

Quilters around the world are talking about their pincushions: QUILTER'S BOARD

Cutting Corners Today!

2011-07-12T16:58:00.003-06:00

Building Blocks II - TRIANGLES!!

Blocks "star"-ring Half- and Quarter-Square Triangles

Join me at Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners College for some fun tips, tricks, fabric requirements, my fave ruler, and MATH (who knew?) for these terrific TRIANGLE units!

Click HERE ↑

Next month we'll take to the skies with a number of fun ways to make "Flying Geese"

Where's Rolly?

2011-07-11T14:39:00.008-06:00

With Steve Nabity, CEO (Chief Energizing Officer) of AccuQuilt
and "Rolly" - the Rolling Pin that started it all!
See the full story HERE

Had a visit from my friend Rolly today, as he continues his tour rolling around the country, trying to visit the friends he made at AccuQuilt's Go! Retreat last month.

Had so much fun... oh wait, I mean, uh,
AccuQuilt had better pay the ransom
or they'll never see their precious rolling pin again...

Here are my demands:

*Host the 2nd annual AccuQuilt "Let's Go!" Retreat again next year

*Make a new TRAIN die for the Go! and Go! Baby Fabric cutters

Thanks! Uh, I mean... this is serious! ☺☺☺

Hooterville!

2011-07-04T12:01:00.002-06:00

Finished quilting this adorable "Hooterville" quilt for a client. Makes me giggle.

"HOOTERVILLE" pattern can be found HERE.

I wanted to keep the quilt, but Kazuko told me no. She's giving it to a new grandbaby instead. Guess I'll have to make my own. :)

With "Dreamy" plush fur for the backing, that baby will love this cuddly cuteness!
Have you sewn with Minkee/Cuddle-Soft/Dreamy? I can't seem to keep my hands off it!

The Big Board!

2011-06-29T11:14:00.007-06:00

I ♥ my Big Board!

Made from plywood, these 22" x 60" boards are made to sit on top of a regular ironing board making it easy to press a full width of fabric or backing for a quilt.

After a few years of giving "hints", I finally printed off some instructions (← click here for link) and left them around the house in strategic places... kitchen table, bathroom mirror, inside the refrigerator... until one day my dear husband made me one of my very own! Gotta love a man with skills. And tools.

I cut up an old ironing board cover and pieced it with some of the heat-resistant fabric I purchased for the cover. I layered some batting, including a couple layers of flat cotton batt, and one layer of Insul-bright insulating material (with reflective metalized poly film). Then I trimmed, tugged and stapled the fabric to the board with my upholstery stapler. It's a thing of beauty!

All ready to press on!! A wonderful addition to my happy haven of a sewing studio. Stop by for a visit anytime!

Throw Me A Curve!

2011-06-27T08:25:00.002-06:00

"Throw Me a Curve!" Pillow

3-Seam Blocks. 3-D Curves. Simple Effort, Stunning Results!

I love making quilts with big blocks! This is my motto: "If there is an easier way..."

I've been experimenting with giant dimensional bowtie blocks, and found that it's a great way to make a quick, interesting quilt! I call it Throw Me a Curve!

Throw Me a "Spicy" Curve! 68" x 68" Lap Quilt

I finished one of these yummy quilts last week using "Sugar & Spice" fabric designed by my friend Amanda Herring (The Quilted Fish) and it showcases her prints beautifully! (Love these colors together!) A stack of fat quarters was all I needed to get started.

Center Detail

Mitered borders

I used her luscious fabrics for a step-by-step tutorial on mitered borders I'll be posting soon. Meanwhile, this little quilt has gone to live for awhile at Quilter's Haven in Bountiful, Utah, if you want to go take a peek.