Quilts for Pulse

  We flew to Spain Friday/Saturday to spend two weeks with Eric as he finishes his year of teaching in Mora.  Our first morning waking up in Spain was to the news of mass casualties at an Orlando nightclub.  Later we were to learn that 49 people were murdered.  You've probably read all the news reports and know (more than I being out of the country) what I am talking about.

 I don't know whether it's been a good or bad thing that I have not been exposed to constant news developments on the attack.  I DO know how helpless I feel at the moment being so far away.  I ALSO KNOW that quilters are once again coming together to show their love and support of others!

 Our OrlandoMQG President and many, many others have worked tirelessly to formulate a plan to deliver quilts to the survivors, loved ones of the victims, and first responders.  The goal is huge, but so is the love of quilters.  

There isn't anything I can do at the moment (not even sew a block) other than help spread the word, share the links and thank those who are already sewing their hearts (pun intended) out! 

So here are a few links with information on helping the #QuiltsForPulse project:

• The Modern Quilt Guild's #QuiltsforPulse Charity Drive with the OrlandoMQG post is a great place to start, providing overall information on theme, block size, and links to tutorials.
• This blog post on the OrlandoMQG provides details such as where to mail blocks and other FAQ.
• Cluck Cluck Sew's tutorial for 10 inch heart block.
• Paper pieced version of heart by Don't Call Me Betsy.

The blocks should be mailed by August 15 and quilts by September 15.  Please add the #QuiltsforPulse to your photos on Instagram and if you want to smile, browse that hashtag and see how many people are already involved in making blocks and quilts as well as companies donating quilt supplies.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who is helping this project. Love does win!

Happy stitching,

Friday Finish: Swap Pouch

Popping in to share the wide open zip pouch I made for my Glamp Stitchalot partner.  I used Noodlehead's free tutorial and made the medium size pouch.  

Leftover flying geese parts in favorite prints and low volume background paired with essex linen make up the top, and I cut into my Carolyn Friedlander Carkai prints for the bottom and the lining.

I will do just about anything to avoid using interfacing, so I quilted the outside panels of the bag before assembling to give it some substance.  

I also made my partner a thread catcher using Crazy Mom Quilts pattern and opted for the quilted version.  I love the notebook paper fabric that I recently found at my LQS in the bargain bin.

Both items were stuffed with lots of goodies, and my partner seemed happy which makes me happy!  Each time I participate in a swap, I say it will be my last ;-))

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  I'll pop back in later with all the fun details on Glamp.  Until then, have a fantastic weekend!

Crafty Tuesdays

During the school year, my friend Caroline hosts Crafty Tuesdays most weeks at her home.  I am going to miss those Tuesdays now that school is almost out.

Photo credit Kim Niedzwiecki of GoGo Kim

Most times I do more chatting than crafting, because it's nice to have friends to discuss important topics!    It's amazing what problems you can solve when you sew with friends.

While others knit, embroider, bead or hand stitch quilt bindings, I usually will work on my long term EPP project.  I hope to make a quilt out of these one day.

I have picked up knitting, but I am super slow.  I do like its portability and few necessary supplies.  I am still practicing the knit stitch while making a scarf.  It's pretty mindless which is what I like about this project.

Books and magazines also play an important part in our gatherings.

Do you regularly get together and craft with friends?

Happy stitching,

Medallion Making with Gwen

In a moment of weakness when I was feeling sorry for myself missing QuiltCon 2016, I registered for a three day class with Gwen Marston.  Never mind that it was taking place on the other side of the country; that just happens to be where my grandson lives anyway!

When I wasn't learning from Gwen, I was hanging out with Leo!  That's what I call a win win!

 The Liberated Medallion was a three day workshop hosted by The Quilted Strait in Port Gamble, WA.  Such a beautiful location on the water, with lots of natural light in the classroom.  I was familiar with Gwen's liberated quilt making style but had not met Gwen before, and I was super excited about the opportunity.  Gwen did not disappoint.  This workshop was right on the heels of QuiltCon so I got the scoop from Gwen on what I missed ;-)

So, this was how my medallion started.  I brought my low volume fabrics and some bright prints and a vague idea of where I wanted to go with my quilt.  Gwen is all about doing "what makes you happy", so I kept that in mind while I worked.

Gwen was good about having us gather up front periodically so she could teach us new techniques, walk us through her book, and answer questions.  This was my first three day workshop ever, and I can really see the benefit of more than one day of a class.

There was some show and tell by Gwen and even others in the class.  These ladies are all so lucky to live close to The Quilted Strait and quite a few of them had taken classes with Gwen previously.  She is a regular teacher in the area.

We each had our own design wall, and my table mates were encouraging each step of the way.  It was great to bounce ideas of each other.  There was such variety in the projects going on, and it was nice to take a break, walk around the room and admire what others were creating.

 At the end of a long day at class, I would drive "home" and have dinner with Leo.  We each talked about what we did at "school".  I sure miss being so far away from him.

The last couple of times I have visited Leo, I rented a cute little bungalow on a farm which has plenty of room for Leo to run around outside.  The horse wasn't around this time, but their rooster was a nice alarm clock in the morning!

After making a few rounds of my medallion, I realized there wasn't much "liberated" going on.  Notice I changed that around border number 3.

 This is as far as I progressed on my quilt top at the retreat.  I have a lot of "parts" made for the next round; it's just a matter of getting back to it.  The medallion and the extra bits on are on my design wall at home now, and I add to it here and there in between other projects.

Some of the ladies left before I thought to take a picture of their progress, but below are some who graciously allowed me to photograph their creations.  I also apologize if I have any names and pictures mixed up.  This was in February after all!

My "next door neighbor" Catherine

My "across the table" neighbor Eddie Jo

Carrie

Dana

Sue

Leanne

Lucy

and last but not least, Sharon who I "knew" from Tonya's Liberated Amish challenge.  It's so nice to meet quilty friends in person...even if it takes a few years!  Sharon's blog post about Gwen's workshop can be found here.

 Leo's expression sums up how I feel when I am not with him.  Fortunately, I will be back for a visit next month...with Leo...not Gwen ;-))

 Thanks for stopping by my not so consistent blog!

Happy stitching,

Where Ya Been?!

Interesting that my last post was a travel pillow finish as I have made five more trips since then!  Throw in a couple of bouts with the common cold and I wonder why I am so tired ;-))

There is so much to get caught up on here on the blog.  I have been making bee blocks, finished a small project or two, took a knitting class, made an "appearance" on a podcast, started our guild's newsletter, received some quilty gifts, bought cool fabric, and oh took a class with Gwen Marston!

Today I'll share the Mid Century Modern bee blocks made through April.  January's block was for Elizabeth, and I showed a sneak peek here.  The quilt top is still a secret.

Cindy asked for Books for Baby blocks from Ayumi's Patchwork Please! book for her sweet granddaughter.  One block made for MCM and one block for the Sew Sisters Bee.

Linda requested tiny churn dash blocks with a few Gwen Marston influences.  Perfect to make right after my class with Gwen.  Love these!

Stephanie is making a quilt to raise money for the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock and sent a palette of Paintbrush Studios solids to create a 12.5 x 18.5 HST block.  Gorgeous colors.

That's it for now.  I hope everyone has been doing well.  I have missed you.
Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Travel Pillow

Yay for finding time to sew a small finish while on vacation!

I bought a yard of these three fabrics at the LQS and used some of it to make a small travel pillowcase.

I used this tutorial once before leaving off the prairie points.  Since I had three different fabrics, I decided to give prairie points a try.  Not hard at all!

It's the perfect size to take on the plane...not too little....not too big.

For some reason my family gets embarrassed if I take my king size feather pillow ;-))

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!

What's Up Wednesday: Fabric, Books and Hearts

Last Wednesday was our guild's February monthly meeting.  The Sewing Studio provides us meeting space and 15% off purchases.  I try and be good but I also think it's nice to support our LQS.

I wanted to buy at least a yard of every Blueberry Park print they carried (which is all of them!), but I "settled" for these seven and several yards of this gorgeous Alexander Henry black and white.

Our guild has a new library thanks to Lucky Spool Media.  I checked out Bedroom Style by April Rosenthal and plan to spend some time browsing while I am on vacation this week.  I enjoy listening to her on The QuiltCast podcast so I am really glad to have the opportunity to read her book.

I love mysteries and have discovered the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny.  I am on the third book at the moment and can't seem to put these books down.  The fictional town of Three Pines sounds lovely and I can imagine myself having coffee or wine at the bistro with a group of friends.  If you love murder mysteries, I highly recommend these.

My friend Caroline made this lovely heart mini for me!  Isn't it wonderful?!  I just love the varied sizes of the hearts overlapping, and her quilting is fantastic!

On the off chance that I get to do some sewing while in Montana, I brought along these fabrics to make a bee block for Cindy.  She is making a quilt for her sweet granddaughter and is requesting #booksforbabyquilt  blocks from Patchwork, Please!.  Several blocks have already been made, and it's easy to see this will be a special quilt!

Thanks for stopping by,