About every other day the UPS guy brings a wonderful surprise - a quilt coming back from the quilters. Even though I designed and even pieced some of the quilts, it's always such a fun surprise to open the box and discover how good quilting magically brings a quilt to life. A couple of comments on the Summer's End quilt made me realize that I'm seeing the small pieced blocks as flowers because I know we'll be adding raw-edge stems after it's quilted. Much like sending the Square Pegs quilt to the quilter and she questioned the name because all she saw was circles - we didn't add the "pegs" until we received it back from her. Goes to show that as a designer, I see the finished quilt in my head and assume everyone else sees my vision as well. Hopefully, by the time it's bound, everyone will see what I see. One of the cool things about this quilt is that it started with a Layer Cake and all I added was a fat quarter and about 1 1/2 yards of fabric for the outer border/binding. That's it for a 60" x 67" lap quilt. Pretty efficient use of precuts and a great outdoor quilt for summer. Imagine it in adorable kid prints or all plaids - how fun!
Check in tomorrow for the winner of the new KC Star book, Piecing the Past. In the morning, I'll call one of the grandkids and ask for a number between 1 and however many comments there have been. That's our official, technical way of determining the winners. Keep in mind, the sooner you comment each month the better because several of the grandkids only know their numbers up to about 20!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sneak Peak
Wahoo! It's a Mud Day! Yes, in the country, in addition to Snow Days, we also have Mud Days - when you can't get to town because of the muddy roads or high water. Robert went to town early 'cause he's on call for the ambulance, so he'll probably stay in town until the rain is over. For me, it means NOT HAVING to go to town, all alone cozy in the cabin, baking cookies during breaks and watching the ducks on the pond thoroughly enjoy the weather. It doesn't mean I get a day off, though, because I have my sewing machine and computer at the cabin as well as in town. Crazy as it seems, once in a while, I love it!
The Fat Quarter Shop asked for a couple pics of what I'm working on for market, so thought I'd share a peek here, too. The Summer's End fabric has been really fun to work with and I'm pleased with the results of the quilt (above). Here it is before it was sent to Lori Kukuk, quilter extraordinaire. More market peeks as we get closer.
Still time to enter for the Piecing the Past book giveaway on April 30th - is that next week already??? It was very well received in the NE panhandle last weekend where I hung out with a wonderful bunch of quilters. Thanks ladies, for a great time. Vonda Walter was a very organized, delightful hostess and had assembled an experienced, creative group of quilters to entertain Robert and I. Nicely done.
Til next time, stay dry.
Lynne
The Fat Quarter Shop asked for a couple pics of what I'm working on for market, so thought I'd share a peek here, too. The Summer's End fabric has been really fun to work with and I'm pleased with the results of the quilt (above). Here it is before it was sent to Lori Kukuk, quilter extraordinaire. More market peeks as we get closer.
Still time to enter for the Piecing the Past book giveaway on April 30th - is that next week already??? It was very well received in the NE panhandle last weekend where I hung out with a wonderful bunch of quilters. Thanks ladies, for a great time. Vonda Walter was a very organized, delightful hostess and had assembled an experienced, creative group of quilters to entertain Robert and I. Nicely done.
Til next time, stay dry.
Lynne
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April Giveaway
Figured I'd better check in before leaving town for the weekend. Robert and I are headed to Scott's Bluff, NE for a couple of workshops and a program. Both workshops are full and the ladies there are very organized. Should prove to be a good weekend all around.
I've been steadily stitching on the new Summer's End quilt this week, changing virtually every step along the way. Slows things down a bit, but uses a Honey Bun a little more efficiently and I'm always happier with the results. Sneak peak soon.
Now for the good stuff. The April Giveaway is for one of the new KC Star books, Piecing the Past. I'm pretty excited about my first venture with The Star and would love to share a book with one of you out there. I'll post some pics of the projects in the book later this month. Check out Deb Rowden's blog for some interesting commentary. She was tickled by several of the stories that didn't make the book. I thought we should be fairly PC the first time around so I skipped over the parts about my Gramma and her 4/10 shotgun. Not everyone appreciates a woman who shoots critters before asking questions.
Anyway, comment for a chance at the book. There are a dozen projects and lots of fun facts about my family history, Bennington and our historical building.
Hope spring has come your way,
Lynne
I've been steadily stitching on the new Summer's End quilt this week, changing virtually every step along the way. Slows things down a bit, but uses a Honey Bun a little more efficiently and I'm always happier with the results. Sneak peak soon.
Now for the good stuff. The April Giveaway is for one of the new KC Star books, Piecing the Past. I'm pretty excited about my first venture with The Star and would love to share a book with one of you out there. I'll post some pics of the projects in the book later this month. Check out Deb Rowden's blog for some interesting commentary. She was tickled by several of the stories that didn't make the book. I thought we should be fairly PC the first time around so I skipped over the parts about my Gramma and her 4/10 shotgun. Not everyone appreciates a woman who shoots critters before asking questions.
Anyway, comment for a chance at the book. There are a dozen projects and lots of fun facts about my family history, Bennington and our historical building.
Hope spring has come your way,
Lynne
Monday, April 5, 2010
Welcome to Fabric Fondlers Anonymous
Ladies, I need to set the record straight and admit that Aleece is my granddaughter, not my daughter. Actually, I would rather stick a hot poker in my eye than have a 5-year-old full time at this point in my life (52-years-old). Don't get me wrong, I dearly love all my grandkids, but there's no way I could keep up with this job and chase little kids, too. I remember all too well how hectic is was 25 years ago when my own were that age. Now, my oldest, Neil, is 32; Brent & Brian (twins) are 30, and my daughter, Nicole, is 28. Glad I had them when I was young and stupid :).
Anyway, here's a shot of 4 of my 5 grandkids after the Easter Egg hunt last Sat. From right to left, Cooper, 9; Aleece, 5; Delainey, 3 (Cooper's little sister); and Bronson, 4, in front. Rowan, 7, lives in WA and couldn't be here this time. He'll be back for 6 weeks this summer between our house and his other grandparents. We'll try to squeeze all the fun we can out of time we have with him.
Watch in the next few days for the April Giveaway.
Later,
Lynne
Anyway, here's a shot of 4 of my 5 grandkids after the Easter Egg hunt last Sat. From right to left, Cooper, 9; Aleece, 5; Delainey, 3 (Cooper's little sister); and Bronson, 4, in front. Rowan, 7, lives in WA and couldn't be here this time. He'll be back for 6 weeks this summer between our house and his other grandparents. We'll try to squeeze all the fun we can out of time we have with him.
Watch in the next few days for the April Giveaway.
Later,
Lynne
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Lauren will be Wrapped in Paisley!
Congratulations to Lauren (uswheelers@blogspot.com), our March Giveaway Winner! We'll be sending her a Wrapped in Paisley booklet plus a bag of fabric scraps leftover from our quilts. With 3 little ones at home, you need to start your Christmas projects now. Enjoy!
The new fabric for market, Summer's End, arrived yesterday. It's always so much fun when the UPS guy brings boxes from Moda. Lois and I will be sewing like crazy beginning next week. For now, I've got grankids here for the weekend (short spring break at Aleece's school). She'll help do some stitching on charm squares, but I'll wait to do the big projects after she's back at home. Aleece, 5 1/2-years-old, loves fabric. I've purchased a couple of charm packs for her - the latest was Sandy Gervais' "Needful Things" with the adorable shoe prints - and she'll lay out the squares in various configurations, pet the fabric and talk about which print she wants for borders, etc. She's my best hope for the next generation of quilters, so far. We'll work on her quilt this weekend when we can, but the weather is so beautiful we'd both rather be outside. I have flower beds that need a good spring clean-up and pansies to plant and she has a dog to chase and a cat to cuddle. It'll be a busy weekend all the way around!
Have a happy and blessed Easter at your house,
Lynne
The new fabric for market, Summer's End, arrived yesterday. It's always so much fun when the UPS guy brings boxes from Moda. Lois and I will be sewing like crazy beginning next week. For now, I've got grankids here for the weekend (short spring break at Aleece's school). She'll help do some stitching on charm squares, but I'll wait to do the big projects after she's back at home. Aleece, 5 1/2-years-old, loves fabric. I've purchased a couple of charm packs for her - the latest was Sandy Gervais' "Needful Things" with the adorable shoe prints - and she'll lay out the squares in various configurations, pet the fabric and talk about which print she wants for borders, etc. She's my best hope for the next generation of quilters, so far. We'll work on her quilt this weekend when we can, but the weather is so beautiful we'd both rather be outside. I have flower beds that need a good spring clean-up and pansies to plant and she has a dog to chase and a cat to cuddle. It'll be a busy weekend all the way around!
Have a happy and blessed Easter at your house,
Lynne
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
There's still time!
You still have 24 hours to get in on our March giveaway of a Wrapped in Paisley booklet and a bag of scraps to start one of the projects.
I've been editing patterns on the front porch this afternoon, taking advantage of the beautiful spring weather. There's plenty of entertainment out the window - birds of all sorts at the bird feeders from blue jays, red-winged blackbirds and starlings to pheasant and geese and, Gus (Robert's Cairn Terrior) and Hook (the cat) teaming up to chase squirrels. Hook was named because her tail is short with a barbed end - much like a fish hook. We were told by the farmer who gave her to us that she'd had her tail broken as a kitten and it fell off. There was no reason not to believe it until she had a litter of kittens last spring and 2 of the 4 had the same hooked tail. Now we believe somewhere in her family tree is a bobcat. Anyway, she and Gus are good buddies, chasing each other around the yard and napping together in the sun. Their antics always make me smile.
More tomorrow,
Lynne
I've been editing patterns on the front porch this afternoon, taking advantage of the beautiful spring weather. There's plenty of entertainment out the window - birds of all sorts at the bird feeders from blue jays, red-winged blackbirds and starlings to pheasant and geese and, Gus (Robert's Cairn Terrior) and Hook (the cat) teaming up to chase squirrels. Hook was named because her tail is short with a barbed end - much like a fish hook. We were told by the farmer who gave her to us that she'd had her tail broken as a kitten and it fell off. There was no reason not to believe it until she had a litter of kittens last spring and 2 of the 4 had the same hooked tail. Now we believe somewhere in her family tree is a bobcat. Anyway, she and Gus are good buddies, chasing each other around the yard and napping together in the sun. Their antics always make me smile.
More tomorrow,
Lynne
Monday, March 22, 2010
Oh, what a wonderful weekend!
I'm just back from a lovely weekend retreat in Urbandale, Iowa hosted by Heidi Kaisand (former editor of APQ magazine, now working with APQS long arm quilting machines). About 17 of us enjoyed a relaxing few days of stitching, eating, sharing and more eating. Heidi spoiled us with homemade goodies each day and a wealth of handmade treasures to remember our outing. Even though I've been anxiously anticipating spring, I was perfectly happy watching it snow and blow outside as we sat cozily inside sewing to our hearts content. Fellow designer friend, Pam Buda (check out her new BOM Hearth & Home at Fat Quarter Shop) and I had made plans to meet at the retreat to catch up and hang out together. Pam describes herself as a KT stalker, but I found if I just become good friends with stalkers it takes all the negative connotation out of it! I was also enjoyed the company of Pam's friend, Deb (owner of Quilter's General Store in Rockford, IL). It filled my soul to spend time with these ladies and babble about everything and nothing. I work alone so often it's a blessing to have good friends in the business who "get it". My roommate and dear friend, Connie Huddleson (Starry Pines Designs and The Little Wool Shoppe), was unable to attend due to her husband's ill-timed triple bypass surgery. But, we're already planning a summer get-together as soon as Chuck's on the mend. My best to the patient and care-giver.
Heidi provided us with a unique opportunity at this retreat by having an APQS machine AND expert instuctor, Dawn, available to quilt our own projects. I took a pic of Deb as she proudly displayed a table topper sample for her shop. It certainly did not look like a first time long arm project. Great job! I finished a lap quilt for market but was afraid to totally ruin it by quilting it myself. Wish I'd taken a generic UFO to play with - it really looked like fun.
Off to KC Tuesday thru Thursday to visit a couple more guilds and Prairie Point Quilt Shop. Finally home for a few days in April before heading to Scott's Bluff, NE the middle of the month.
Still time to enter for the March Giveaway next week (where did this month go???).
Lynne
Heidi provided us with a unique opportunity at this retreat by having an APQS machine AND expert instuctor, Dawn, available to quilt our own projects. I took a pic of Deb as she proudly displayed a table topper sample for her shop. It certainly did not look like a first time long arm project. Great job! I finished a lap quilt for market but was afraid to totally ruin it by quilting it myself. Wish I'd taken a generic UFO to play with - it really looked like fun.
Off to KC Tuesday thru Thursday to visit a couple more guilds and Prairie Point Quilt Shop. Finally home for a few days in April before heading to Scott's Bluff, NE the middle of the month.
Still time to enter for the March Giveaway next week (where did this month go???).
Lynne
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