Hey ya'll. I'm off from work today, and I got up this morning set up to sew. I've not had much time to sew this week.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
New Year, Exciting Changes
Hey ya'll. It's been quite a while since I've written on the blog. I do apologize for the delay, but life sure gets in our way doesn't it. Well a lot has happened since my last post, so I'll try to sum it up for you.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
AQS Chattanooga
Hey ya'll. It's been a couple weeks since my trip to the AQS Quiltweek in Chattanooga, TN but I thought I'd share with you some of what went on. My friend Lou Anne and I left bright and early that Saturday morning headed to Tennessee. We decided to take the scenic route through Andrews and Murphy in NC and on to Parksville and Cleveland, Tennessee before hitting Chattanooga. It is a gorgeous view through the mountains, except we hit fog for more than two-thirds of our trip down. Hey, the view was a bonus, we were headed for quilts!
We made it to the Convention Center and met up with our friends, Linda and her daughter Amy. Linda and Amy had taken a Paper Piecing class at Quiltweek on Friday so they were there earlier than us. Amy also had a quilt in the show called "Spring Glory", an original Bargello design.
The Chattanooga Convention Center is huge! There are classrooms and ballrooms, exhibit halls and bathrooms everywhere, but wouldn't you know that I would be in the minority. The first 3 sets of bathrooms I came to had a sign over the men's restroom designating it a "Women's" restroom. There are men here to ya know! But that's okay, I made it work.
We decided to visit the vendors first. There were rows and rows of vendors from all over the states and Canada. I saw several vendors from local areas that I knew and of course I had to speak. We got some good ideas, and bought a few things. I did manage to only buy just a few random things. I bought a couple of sayings panels and a Christmas Countdown panel along with my commemorative ceramic thimble. I've began to collect the ceramic thimbles from the shows, so I had to add to the collection. Otherwise, I bought very little. I did add something to my wish list. I plan to invest in the Stripology ruler from Gudrun Erla and Creative Grids. I have the Shape Cut ruler, but Stripology is BIGGER and had the Creative Grids non-slip feature on each slot. It is also a bit thicker. It does come in at a slightly higher price but I will be getting that soon. I keep telling myself that I am not buying any more rulers unless I just have to have it, so I've justified it by saying I can't live without it. I think that will work...maybe. While visiting the vendors we heard the call several times from AQS that they were doing their "random giveaways" so Amy and I booked it each time to the lady doing the giveaways wherever she was. First time around, Amy won a Batik Jelly Roll from Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough. I then proceeded to win 2 passes with a guided tour to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. Anyone up for a road trip! I'll definitely be using those at Quiltweek in 2016. I also won some reverse applique patterns.
After we finished the vendors and had lunch we went onto the quilts. There were a lot of gorgeous quilts at Quiltweek Chattanooga. We were also able to meet Connie Griner from Burlington, NC who had two amazing quilts in the show and Sandi Suggs a national quilt instructor who had a special exhibit in the show that spanned most of her quilting career. Both ladies were extremely sweet and great to talk to. Overall the show was great. I'll definitely be making the trip to Chattanooga next year. Click the link below to view a slideshow of the quilts I was able to snap pics of.
Well it's work tomorrow and Friday, then Asheville Quilt Show on Saturday. We leave for Myrtle Beach, SC on Sunday. Yes, I know there's a "hurricane a-coming" but we're praying for decent weather. I need a vacation. We'll be back from the beach on Wednesday and it's the Maggie Valley Quilt Show next weekend.
Until next time, quilt on!
 |
| Quiltweek here we come! |
We made it to the Convention Center and met up with our friends, Linda and her daughter Amy. Linda and Amy had taken a Paper Piecing class at Quiltweek on Friday so they were there earlier than us. Amy also had a quilt in the show called "Spring Glory", an original Bargello design.
 |
| Here we are at the entrance to the Exhibit Hall. |
The Chattanooga Convention Center is huge! There are classrooms and ballrooms, exhibit halls and bathrooms everywhere, but wouldn't you know that I would be in the minority. The first 3 sets of bathrooms I came to had a sign over the men's restroom designating it a "Women's" restroom. There are men here to ya know! But that's okay, I made it work.
We decided to visit the vendors first. There were rows and rows of vendors from all over the states and Canada. I saw several vendors from local areas that I knew and of course I had to speak. We got some good ideas, and bought a few things. I did manage to only buy just a few random things. I bought a couple of sayings panels and a Christmas Countdown panel along with my commemorative ceramic thimble. I've began to collect the ceramic thimbles from the shows, so I had to add to the collection. Otherwise, I bought very little. I did add something to my wish list. I plan to invest in the Stripology ruler from Gudrun Erla and Creative Grids. I have the Shape Cut ruler, but Stripology is BIGGER and had the Creative Grids non-slip feature on each slot. It is also a bit thicker. It does come in at a slightly higher price but I will be getting that soon. I keep telling myself that I am not buying any more rulers unless I just have to have it, so I've justified it by saying I can't live without it. I think that will work...maybe. While visiting the vendors we heard the call several times from AQS that they were doing their "random giveaways" so Amy and I booked it each time to the lady doing the giveaways wherever she was. First time around, Amy won a Batik Jelly Roll from Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough. I then proceeded to win 2 passes with a guided tour to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. Anyone up for a road trip! I'll definitely be using those at Quiltweek in 2016. I also won some reverse applique patterns.
After we finished the vendors and had lunch we went onto the quilts. There were a lot of gorgeous quilts at Quiltweek Chattanooga. We were also able to meet Connie Griner from Burlington, NC who had two amazing quilts in the show and Sandi Suggs a national quilt instructor who had a special exhibit in the show that spanned most of her quilting career. Both ladies were extremely sweet and great to talk to. Overall the show was great. I'll definitely be making the trip to Chattanooga next year. Click the link below to view a slideshow of the quilts I was able to snap pics of.
Until next time, quilt on!
Bound and Ready! Quilting 101 in Review
Hey ya'll. Three months ago, we began the journey into quilting in my first-ever Quilting 101. Last night, 7 students presented their quilts as we finished the inaugural 101 class. We've had our ups and downs. Some are still working on their quilts, some have had to step back for a while, but what a blast it has been.
As we worked and worked, we learned the basics of quilting from our machines to some of the fundamental blocks in patchwork. We've also learned a lot more about each other. We've joined in each others triumphs and prayed and stayed through each others sorrows, but we made it! (Okay, I sound like I'm making a graduation speech here.) Hey, we've had fun, and that's what counts!
As we put the bindings on our quilts last night (well some of us did, others were finished, yay), we sat down to enjoy some food and each other's company again as we said our farewells, for this class at least.
After we had some food, we shared our quilts with each other.
This journey of Quilting 101 has been a blast and I can't wait for the next time. I hope you plan to join me for the next round of Quilting 101. The current plan has the next Quilting 101 to begin in May 2016 with my Advanced Quilting Technique Series kicking off in mid-Summer. Stay tuned to the blog and my website for the latest on my classes and lectures.
We all said the same thing as we departed last night, "I don't know what I'm going to do in two weeks when I don't get to come back." It was bittersweet being finished, but it's exciting to see what we all quilt on next. Until next time, quilt on!
As we worked and worked, we learned the basics of quilting from our machines to some of the fundamental blocks in patchwork. We've also learned a lot more about each other. We've joined in each others triumphs and prayed and stayed through each others sorrows, but we made it! (Okay, I sound like I'm making a graduation speech here.) Hey, we've had fun, and that's what counts!As we put the bindings on our quilts last night (well some of us did, others were finished, yay), we sat down to enjoy some food and each other's company again as we said our farewells, for this class at least.
After we had some food, we shared our quilts with each other.
This journey of Quilting 101 has been a blast and I can't wait for the next time. I hope you plan to join me for the next round of Quilting 101. The current plan has the next Quilting 101 to begin in May 2016 with my Advanced Quilting Technique Series kicking off in mid-Summer. Stay tuned to the blog and my website for the latest on my classes and lectures.
We all said the same thing as we departed last night, "I don't know what I'm going to do in two weeks when I don't get to come back." It was bittersweet being finished, but it's exciting to see what we all quilt on next. Until next time, quilt on!
Friday, September 4, 2015
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
Hey ya'll. Summer is coming to an end here in the mountains. It's been almost four months since I last posted to you. It's been one crazy summer. Let me just tell ya. It's hard to believe that so much has happened in the last few months.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
By the Fireside
Hey ya'll. Wow, what a time since I last wrote. I left you after Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN. I've worked and worked since then and my quilting time has suffered, but I've still made progress. My "Linked Up" pattern is still on the table, not quite finished. Let's just chalk that up to the pile of UFO's I've got. We've all got those UFO's, but I like to think that when I start working on all those UFO's I'll look even more productive, because I'll be able to crank out lots of finished projects in a hurry!
I've worked a good bit on my Pigeon Forge projects. I've assembled most of my remaining blocks of my Double Wedding Ring which I plan to turn into a bed runner. With the 16 blocks I will have when I finish, It will be 2x8, the perfect size for the foot of a bed. I've also finished the top of "Pipe Dreams" by Donna Lynn Thomas. I thoroughly enjoyed this pattern and look forward to working on more of her projects in the future. The colors work beautifully and look so good.
I haven't finished the rest of my projects from Pigeon Forge, but I am sticking to what I said going into Quiltfest this year. All of my class projects will be gifts this year. I'm not keeping ANY of them.
This weekend, I traveled with my parents and a friend to Standing Indian Campground in Franklin, NC. This is a family tradition to go in late April to dig ramps. Many of you are probably thinking "What are ramps, and why are you digging them?" For those of you who don't know, ramps are a wild plant that grow mainly in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have a very unique taste that can be compared to a cross between garlic and onions. Ramps are something that most people either love or hate. I, love them. While we camp each year, my dad goes to the ramp patch on Saturday morning. I let him dig them, because I break far too many to make it worthwhile. I'll clean them if he digs them. While dad's digging, my mom and I go into town. I visit Deb Heatherly at Deb's Cats and Quilts and mom goes next door to the Habitat Home Store. Deb has a great shop and I love her selection of Civil War reproductions. You can spend lots of time in her shop. She has an awesome classroom space in the back of the shop. Her shop was the original Ford dealership of Franklin. Deb's even celebrating 10 years this year! If you're in the Franklin, NC area definitely visit Deb's Cats and Quilts. You can check her out of Facebook as well. While at Deb's, I bought a few random things off the clearance table. I also found some Navy Blue Batik that I plan to use in an upcoming wedding gift!
I'm also working on "Appalachian Memories" by Beth Dix of Primrose Lane. This is a series of 12 original barn designs that each have a different quilt block on the side. This barns are each hand embroidered onto muslin to be later combined into a gorgeous quilt. I'm embroidering all of my barns in a warm brown which will look great with other earth tones in the final quilt. I took my embroidery with me on our camping trip so I could still be productive, since we didn't have electricity. Well, night falls and it gets dark. We had some lanterns, but they still weren't quite bright enough for embroidery, so I pulled out the headlamp and kept on working. My parents thought I looked quite funny with my reading glasses on my nose, my headlamp on, and working on a barn, but I was out for much more than fashion. Function definitely trumped! While at the campground, I finished one barn and got a good bit done on another! Taking a class on Redwork embroidery at Pigeon Forge definitely sparked my love of handwork!
Well, I'm home from a long day at work topped off with a staff meeting, but all is well. I think I'm going to find my bed. Sewing day at the center tomorrow! Until next time, quilt on!
 |
| My version of Donna Thomas's "Pipe Dreams" |
 |
| "Pipe Dreams" blocks waiting to be assembled. |
This weekend, I traveled with my parents and a friend to Standing Indian Campground in Franklin, NC. This is a family tradition to go in late April to dig ramps. Many of you are probably thinking "What are ramps, and why are you digging them?" For those of you who don't know, ramps are a wild plant that grow mainly in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have a very unique taste that can be compared to a cross between garlic and onions. Ramps are something that most people either love or hate. I, love them. While we camp each year, my dad goes to the ramp patch on Saturday morning. I let him dig them, because I break far too many to make it worthwhile. I'll clean them if he digs them. While dad's digging, my mom and I go into town. I visit Deb Heatherly at Deb's Cats and Quilts and mom goes next door to the Habitat Home Store. Deb has a great shop and I love her selection of Civil War reproductions. You can spend lots of time in her shop. She has an awesome classroom space in the back of the shop. Her shop was the original Ford dealership of Franklin. Deb's even celebrating 10 years this year! If you're in the Franklin, NC area definitely visit Deb's Cats and Quilts. You can check her out of Facebook as well. While at Deb's, I bought a few random things off the clearance table. I also found some Navy Blue Batik that I plan to use in an upcoming wedding gift!
I'm also working on "Appalachian Memories" by Beth Dix of Primrose Lane. This is a series of 12 original barn designs that each have a different quilt block on the side. This barns are each hand embroidered onto muslin to be later combined into a gorgeous quilt. I'm embroidering all of my barns in a warm brown which will look great with other earth tones in the final quilt. I took my embroidery with me on our camping trip so I could still be productive, since we didn't have electricity. Well, night falls and it gets dark. We had some lanterns, but they still weren't quite bright enough for embroidery, so I pulled out the headlamp and kept on working. My parents thought I looked quite funny with my reading glasses on my nose, my headlamp on, and working on a barn, but I was out for much more than fashion. Function definitely trumped! While at the campground, I finished one barn and got a good bit done on another! Taking a class on Redwork embroidery at Pigeon Forge definitely sparked my love of handwork!Well, I'm home from a long day at work topped off with a staff meeting, but all is well. I think I'm going to find my bed. Sewing day at the center tomorrow! Until next time, quilt on!
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