Rock and Checkers Quilts

Today is a rest day after the photo workshop on Friday and some "cleaning" in the sewing room Saturday.  Another UFO, checkers Quilt, is up on the design wall and will be my April finish.

I also got all the parts cut out for my guild's Mystery Quilt at the Masters Workshop later this month.

I bought the fabric at our LQS which was having a sale on Saturday that forced even my sore body out into public!

When I got home I was surprised to see the fabrics I chose were so close the photos I had taken at Heggies Rock!  Shows how much our environment influences our color choices!  Think I may call this my Heggies Rock Quilt!

Most amazing of all...the pieces are all cut, labeled, and neatly stowed away...I'm never this far ahead!

Back to my UFO...this is at least 5 years old!  Today I decided to do a variation on the setting triangles...I think I like it.  Brightens up the repros a bit.

I do love how some of these little 25 patch blocks look like tiny quilts (1-inch blocks)...great inspiration for future color combinations.

Pat Wys Workshop

Last week my guild had a workshop and trunk show with Pat Wys, Silver Thimble Quilt Company.

She wrote two book on using Neutrals.  Now I'm usually a brights or reproduction fabric fan (I know two polar opposites) but I really liked Pat's quilts.  Definitely something I'll try - most likely when I have to make a "guy" quilt!

Pat demonstrated several different techniques during the day while folks sewed on the quilt pattern they selected.  So we had lots of different colorways (ya, purple can be a neutral to some folks!)

It was fun to see the different quilts coming together.

The trunk show was wonderful...she and her husband brought lots of quilts!

I loved her Christmas book...ya, she brought lots of patterns and books!  And it is never to early to start stitching for the holidays...my Grandmother started on New Years Day!

So I bought some neutrals at the Hancock's going out of business sale and added a couple from the stash that I will use on a quilt soon....

Bernina Workshop day 3!

Day three of the Bernina workshops was with Sarah Vedeler.  She is a really good instructor and has beautiful patterns.

I love how the little purse came out...just not sure this is the process for me.

On this day we used the 800 series for both the quilting and the applique.  It is all done in a hoop and is automated.  So basically you set the machine up press a button and watch.

If you like embroidery and you like items you make to look perfect then this is for you.  I just feel like I need a bit more involvement.

That said...it really is pretty!

Also, on day three the Owner of Bernina, H.P. Ueltschi,  visited from Switzerland.  It was interesting to hear the story of how the company was started.

Gail your blog commenter is set to "no reply" so I hope you get this!  The carrot cake I showed a few posts ago came from this site....http://www.shugarysweets.com/.../carrot-cake-cheesecake-cake

Workshop day two

Once again I tried my hand at free motion quilts...this time it may just work.

So why now?  Well, Amanda Murphy who taught the workshop did a great job.  She has a book out called Free-motion Quilting Idea Book published by Stash books.  I liked her process and she is a high energy instructor.  Amanda designed the fabric panel for Bernina that helps folks learn different fm designs.  Would definitely recommend her as an instructor!

Second is the stitch regular which is a bit like training wheels for free motion quilting!  Makes it just a bit easier for me to focus on the pattern and get usable results.  We used the 700 series machine in this class.

I have not bought a machine with stitch regulator yet...I'm going to give my current machine another go.  But now I know what the S.R. does and how the dual feed can make it easier for me to move the quilt through.  Anything that makes it easier on my arms is a bonus!

Have to admit I was exhausted at the end of the day...constant information and practice.  But tired in a good way...thankfully lots of coffee was available!

Also got to try out the Bernina sit down machine.  Really liked this.  I am definitely a move the quilt sort of quilter.

The long arms is impressive but it just isn't how I "think."  Also standing for long periods of times isn't in the cards for me.

Now I will continue to hand quilt...just need an option for quilts that need to be finished quicker beside "quilting by check!"  I did a recent inventory of quilt tops that I have waiting to be quilted...74!

More on Day three tomorrow!

On a side note...made and awesome birthday cake for a quilting friend!

This cake has two layers of carrot cake with the middle being cheese cake...then frosted with praline cream cheese frosting!  It takes decadent to a whole new level!  I found the recipe on the internet!

Bernina Quilt Seminar

I'm at the point of needing a new sewing machine soon...my Viking is doing a slow death.  I can't complain since I've used it so much I wore the feed-dog out!  Something my repair guy had never seen happen before!

The three day workshop gave me a chance to work with several different models...Day one was piecing and machine applique with Nancy Mahoney.  She is a very good instructor.

She has a nice book on paper-piecing coming out.  One of the samples is on the wall over my right shoulder!  I've come to like workshops where the kit is supplied.  It makes the instruction easier (everyone pick up the dark pink...) and it is much faster since I don't spend workshop time debating fabric choices.  It allows me to focus on the technique.  In general I am not a kit person so this is a big "turn-around" for me!

Also loved that I had a finished top by the end of the day.  Not a lot of workshops that happens in!  I'm going to quilt it up and give it to the little girl next door who is in her "pink" phase!

I'll post days 2 and 3 in my next blog posts.

I am trying to keep my garden under control this spring...the primrose has taken over a large part of the flower garden.  Adding them to the list of the plants for lazy gardeners!

Health wise it has been a tough spring...MS is cyclical for me.   I'm hoping to be on the up side right now but have to take it easy.  

Sue Haidle Applique Workshop

This weekend my guild had an applique workshop with Sue Haidle of Apple Blossom Quilts.

I think we all had fun and certainly learned a lot!

Sue has her own approach to back basted applique and some other unique techniques.  I think no matter how long you have appliqued there is always something to learn or a slightly different way of doing things.

Even learning about a new needle is worth admission!

Our group was mostly intermediate and we were certainly challenged!  (She does do basic or beginner classes too!)

Pizza Box Ladies Workshops and Lecture

This past week I attended a workshop and a trunkshow with Cindy from Pizza Box Ladies out of North Carolina.

This was the project from the workshop.  Fun, no?!  She is a great instructor.  Very organized.  The kit included all the fabric and the ruler needed to make two blocks.  Generally I'm not a kit person but it did make things go much smoother and allowed the entire group to focus on techniques instead of fabrics.  Most if not all of the quilters in the room finished both blocks...that in itself is remarkable!

On Saturday Cindy presented a trunk show of quilts made from a variety of specialty templates.

There were several takeaways...(my observations...)

First, each template can make several designs...don't put the template you bought in a drawer after only one quilt!

Second, she had some interesting techniques on bringing the blocks to the border.

And third, time to break out all those border stripe fabrics that I keep buying but don't use.  She had lots of inspirational examples. She brought lots and lots of quilts...four suitcases full..and many were tops so you know there were a lot. Also they have a wide variety of styles...batiks, country, traditional...so there was something for everyone.   If you are looking for a workshop or guild presentation I would recommend them!

oh yes...and there was shopping...guild members did a lot of shopping!

Pat Sloan visit

me, Pat Sloan, and my friend Paula

This past weekend my Guild sponsored two workshops and a lecture with Pat Sloan. Pat is a quilt designer, teacher, lecturer, fabric designer, author, travel guide, and radio host...yikes!

 Unfortunately I had a fever midweek which kicked my MS into high gear so I was only able to attend the lecture on Sunday.

She is really a wonderful presenter.  Really engages the audience.  Her style is a bit folksy but is inclusive (she also has lines of batiks!)  I've only heard good things from the quilters who took her workshops.

I really enjoyed her explanation of how she uses antique or vintage quilts as inspiration.  Since that is where I get most of my inspirations it is fun to listen to someone on that same path!  I really admire her focus...you all know that is a weakness of mine!

She also mentioned "quilting before the Internet."  Do you remember those days!  How much easier and faster information flies these days...not always sure that is a good thing.  (but that is fodder for a future post...need to think on it awhile longer.)

And of course since there were quilters there were cookies...