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Elena's Heart Quilt
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Next Door Neighbors
In 4 hours I'll be getting a "wake-up" call from the front desk to start my journey home. I have enjoyed my stay in Nantes tremendously but am excited about going home. I thought I'd give you a short run through of my neighboring "houses" at the exposition.
First is Petra Prins. I posted the link to her book Treasures from Holland the other day. I don't have her picture with her quilt here because she had a booth too. Her quilts and Petra who I've known for years from Market, are indeed a Treasure.
And don't we all know who this is. Becky wasn't in her house and the picture of Linda didn't turn out well - camera problems - but I did get a couple of pictures of their awesome quilts.
And everyone in Europe is looking for a couch like the one Carol found to go with this quilt.
Bonnie Sullivans "house" and book are awesome as usual.
First is Petra Prins. I posted the link to her book Treasures from Holland the other day. I don't have her picture with her quilt here because she had a booth too. Her quilts and Petra who I've known for years from Market, are indeed a Treasure.
And don't we all know who this is. Becky wasn't in her house and the picture of Linda didn't turn out well - camera problems - but I did get a couple of pictures of their awesome quilts.
And everyone in Europe is looking for a couch like the one Carol found to go with this quilt.
Bonnie Sullivans "house" and book are awesome as usual.
And this is Shuziko Kohuro - I hope I spelled that right - and some of her awesome indigo quilts.
Across from my house was the house of Yoko Saito. The detail in her quilts just blew me away.
Yoko Saito.
The title of her book is My Quilting Life, Past and Present. This is one of the cover quilts. I'm honored to have been apart of that, however small.
And this is Caroline Courtier. I worked closely with Caroline in the publication of my book. I showed a picture of Carol Veillon - the editor of Quiltmania the other night with Petra. It has been a joy both working with and visiting Quiltmania and the people of France. Thanks to you all.
Across from my house was the house of Yoko Saito. The detail in her quilts just blew me away.
Yoko Saito.
The title of her book is My Quilting Life, Past and Present. This is one of the cover quilts. I'm honored to have been apart of that, however small.
And this is Caroline Courtier. I worked closely with Caroline in the publication of my book. I showed a picture of Carol Veillon - the editor of Quiltmania the other night with Petra. It has been a joy both working with and visiting Quiltmania and the people of France. Thanks to you all.
The Best of Humorous Quilts
~The May giveaway starts tomorrow... Monday!~
Here's a wrapup of the humorous quilts we've shown over the last week. Enjoy!
Row 1, L-R: Woof meets Warhol, by Kelly Gallagher-Abbott, at Jukebox Quilts; Mad as a March Hare: I Put My 'Hare' Up to Show Off My 5 'Carrot' Necklace, by Laurie Ceesay, at Artsy Chick Quilts; Quilt in the Headlights, by Boo Davis, at Quiltsrÿche.
Row 2: Three women at the Hilton, by Pamela Allen, at Pamelart; Sunbonnet Sue sends text messages on her cell phone, by Bonnie MacGregor, for the Alliance for American Quilts; Don't Piss Off the Fairies, by Ruth Powers, at Ruth Powers Art Quilts.
Row 3: Mermaids like Margaritas with Salt, by Ellen Edith, at Ellen Edith; March Madness, by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson, from A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue
by Martingale & Company; Sunbonnet Sue meets her modern counterpart, by Dorothy Day, at the Alliance for American Quilts.
Row 4: Sue kicks the snowman, at Bad Sue Quilts; Chain Gang, by Rosalie Gray, at Quilts Kingston.
Row 5: Traffic Jam, and Paris- Wish you were Hair, by Pam RuBert, at pamrubert.com.
Here's a wrapup of the humorous quilts we've shown over the last week. Enjoy!
Row 1, L-R: Woof meets Warhol, by Kelly Gallagher-Abbott, at Jukebox Quilts; Mad as a March Hare: I Put My 'Hare' Up to Show Off My 5 'Carrot' Necklace, by Laurie Ceesay, at Artsy Chick Quilts; Quilt in the Headlights, by Boo Davis, at Quiltsrÿche.
Row 2: Three women at the Hilton, by Pamela Allen, at Pamelart; Sunbonnet Sue sends text messages on her cell phone, by Bonnie MacGregor, for the Alliance for American Quilts; Don't Piss Off the Fairies, by Ruth Powers, at Ruth Powers Art Quilts.
Row 3: Mermaids like Margaritas with Salt, by Ellen Edith, at Ellen Edith; March Madness, by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson, from A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue
by Martingale & Company; Sunbonnet Sue meets her modern counterpart, by Dorothy Day, at the Alliance for American Quilts.Row 4: Sue kicks the snowman, at Bad Sue Quilts; Chain Gang, by Rosalie Gray, at Quilts Kingston.
Row 5: Traffic Jam, and Paris- Wish you were Hair, by Pam RuBert, at pamrubert.com.
Branching Out: Quilting By Hand, Large!
For me to make something that looks even the tiniest bit traditional is a huge detour from my usual art quilt creations. I wasn't even sure I still knew how and was amazed as I stood ripping fabric into strips how the knowledge of my earliest quilt making started filtering through my brain saying do this now, now do that as it all came together. It was like being in that first beginners quilting class I took in 2007 all over again. And then once I got it all pieced together, sandwiched and sewn I decided to do something really different for me. I have never hand quilted anything this size before. Because this is to be a baby gift for our new grand daughter coming in August I wanted the back to look neat and free of free motion sewing mess. So I decided to go out and buy a big quilters hoop and some invisible thread and to hand sew the whole thing so the back would be 'clean'. 
Today my back and fingers and arms ache, but I have four months to finish it and I accept this challenge to myself. I CAN do this! Thanks for asking me to challenge myself to something new!
The fabrics used are a gift from a friend of all kitty prints, the borders and sashing cat paw prints; also something I rarely use. The back is in the blue and the red cat paw prints and one strip of cats climbing a lattice print pieced together!
Today my back and fingers and arms ache, but I have four months to finish it and I accept this challenge to myself. I CAN do this! Thanks for asking me to challenge myself to something new!
The fabrics used are a gift from a friend of all kitty prints, the borders and sashing cat paw prints; also something I rarely use. The back is in the blue and the red cat paw prints and one strip of cats climbing a lattice print pieced together!Rather than a traditional bound edge I made a pillow case and flipped it.
As I worked fast in its construction stage I was glad to see it still has some Lynn Style wonky shapes and imperfections!
click to enlarge the photos if you want to see the cute kitties running about.
click to enlarge the photos if you want to see the cute kitties running about.
Friday, April 29, 2011
May for Me Celebration Starts Sunday May 1st !
It is for you!
Take time for you this month!
Take a break...
Enjoy quiet moments...
Smell the roses...
Sew stuff you want to sew...
Craft new stuff...
Cook new recipes...
Do stuff you want to do...
Take time for yourself....(I call that Minutes for Me!)
Join us... by following... by linking ... by tweeting... by sharing... and just getting tons of ideas.... sewing, quilting, cooking, crafting, organizing...etc... See the May for Me Page for linking and sharing.
Bloggers are joining us everyday sharing their posts. Some bloggers are doing sew-a-longs, tutorials and how to's and prize giveaways. Follow along and you will be filled with ideas on how to take time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.
You are important.
You need to take time for you.
When I take time for me, I am happier person.
It is time to celebrate you! May for Me!
A quick Giveaway! Share this somewhere - post a blog about it and link it, tweet it, share it on facebook... Just simply share it somewhere. Make a comment and tell me where you shared it. Help us spread the word about May for Me! - for You!
Win May for Me Note Cards!
Sorry - Only US and Canada Free shipping.
International winners shipping charges apply.
Drawing May 2, 2011 6pm CST
Celebrate You! May for Me!
Marcia
FQG Quilt Show Part 1 of 2
I went to a quilt show today -Yay! It was certainly a rare treat for me to do something fun like this on a week day. I went to the Fredericton Quilters' Guild show. Wanna see some pics?
This was a super cute little wallhanging near the entry to the main room of the show. I actually took the picture to show my kids. They love cats! I like the rotary cutter the cat has. This piece is by Sandi MacMillan.
This was a great miniature display. I am fascinated by the skill and patience it takes to create something this intricate and small. See the hexie one? That was my people's choice for favourite miniature. Any guesses on how many hexies are in it ?????
1801 hexies !!! This was made by Barb Perry. I spoke with her at the show. She said she cuts all her own templates and all her own hexies (not just rough squares from what I understood, but actual fabric hexagon shapes before sewing). I think they are 1/4 inch hexagons (as in each side is about 1/4 inch). For an idea of size, see the thumbtacks just below the quilt. You can see that the hexies aren't too much bigger than the head of the thumbtack. To sum it all up : WOW !!!
I loved the energy in this quilt by Barb Cross.
Now, this quilt is by Trudy Corey. It's very nice, traditional, dare I say unassuming? BUT, it has a little surprise in store for you ...
Check out the quilting! Skull and crossbones. What a surprising whimsical touch.
And this was a cool one by Jean Ketch. The arches actually have piping.More quilt show quilts to come in my next post. Happy Weekend!
Wedding Day
It was pretty quiet today at our exhibit. The main exhibit over here was in England and everywhere else people were glued to their TVs. We few however were in class learning the basics of Needleturn Applique. And they don't have freezer paper over here. I'm not sure how quilters survive.
The lady in the pink shirt is my interpreter, Valerie. She is a jewel. She's French but lived in the United States for awhile and working with her has been really great. Thanks Valerie.
And the man taking the picture with his big camera is Guy - the Quiltmania photographer. And he is pretty awesome too. I know from past experience how difficult it is to photograph my quilts with the brown and grey tones. The pictures of my quilts in the book are right on - just plain excellent. Thank you, Guy.
This is what happened when he stopped by class for a picture. All of us handed him our cameras. If you've got an expert in the area, utilize him.
Here are the last 2 of my quilts that are hanging on the outside by Yoko's house. This is Coming Home Again.
And beside it is Flower Patch. Tomorrow I'll try to go across the hall to Yoko's house and up to the other houses. I may have to wait until I get home to post them all. It gets tired out here :)
The lady in the pink shirt is my interpreter, Valerie. She is a jewel. She's French but lived in the United States for awhile and working with her has been really great. Thanks Valerie.
And the man taking the picture with his big camera is Guy - the Quiltmania photographer. And he is pretty awesome too. I know from past experience how difficult it is to photograph my quilts with the brown and grey tones. The pictures of my quilts in the book are right on - just plain excellent. Thank you, Guy.
This is what happened when he stopped by class for a picture. All of us handed him our cameras. If you've got an expert in the area, utilize him.
Here are the last 2 of my quilts that are hanging on the outside by Yoko's house. This is Coming Home Again.
And beside it is Flower Patch. Tomorrow I'll try to go across the hall to Yoko's house and up to the other houses. I may have to wait until I get home to post them all. It gets tired out here :)
Baby Girl Quilts
I recently machine quilted these two darling baby girl quilts.
I think the pinwheels on both of the are adorable!
Are you on Facebook?
I've been having fun recently posting pictures of what's on my cutting table over on Facebook, yesterday Patty shared hers too! I'd love to see what's on your cutting table right now. That's right, don't stop and clean it up, just snap a quick picture and share it on our Facebook page! I can't wait to see!
Have you checked out our patterns recently?
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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
{Connect with us}
Funny Sunbonnet Sue !
~ The May Giveaway starts Monday, including Hoffman fabrics ! ~
It's our ultimate Humorous Quilts post and we think you'll love these Sunbonnet Sues. Of course, Sue dates from the 1800's, and she is a highly respected icon in the traditional quilting world. But some creative quilters have given thought to what Sue might be doing if she were here today....Sunbonnet Sue meets her modern counterpart, 16 x 16, by Dorothy Day, for the Alliance for American Quilts
Dorothy Day says: "I can just see stocky Sunbonnet Sue when she sees a super thin model in this day and age". Dorothy used calicos for Sue’s clothing, and batik for the modern girl and the background. The quilt was made for a "New from Old" contest (see Quilt Index Record 1-6-FC).
Sunbonnet Sue sends text messages on her cell phone, 16 x 16, by Bonnie MacGregor, for the Alliance for American Quilts
We love the combination of traditional redwork and the modern theme. Hand embroidered redwork, fabric pen, machine pieced and machine quilted. (see Quilt Index Record 1-6-14C).
A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue, by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson, published by That Patchwork Place/Martingale Publishing
Sunbonnet Sue can schuss! This quilt was made as a sample for the 2011 book, A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue: 12 small quilts. At Amazon you can see a preview of each quilt-of-the-month. Our favorites are March Madness (Sunbonnet Sue shoots hoops) and July (Sunbonnet Sue at the barbecue!)
Sue kicks the Snowman, by Natalie S. from South Dakota, at Bad Sue Quilts*
Once in a while, Sue does something bad. In fact, there is an entire website devoted to Sue's bad behavior, based on contests held from 1997-2005. Let's just say that kicking the snowman is the least of Sue's infractions. You can also see Sue drags her quilt through the mud; Sue colors on walls; Sue shaves her cat; and many, many more. Of course we know that Sue is not a bad person; she just makes bad choices. :-)
Chain Gang, by Rosalie Gray, at Quilts Kingston 2008
Does this remind you of the opening scene in O Brother, Where Art Thou? We're always afraid that this will happen at the quilt show. Not that we would touch any quilts, oh no, not us. "Chain Gang" won a blue ribbon for most humorous quilt at the Quilts Kingston show.
Also, don't miss the hilarious articles by Barbara Brackman: Sunbonnet Sue's Dark Side and Sunbonnet Sue Wrecks.
Sunbonnet Sue variations
These books have some really cute Sues. L-R: A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue,
by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson (mentioned above); International Sunbonnet Sue
, by Debra Kimball; Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie at Play
, by Suzanne Zaruba Cirillo.*The Sunbonnet Sue blog, the Sunbonnet Sue website, and the Home of Bad Sunbonnet Sue are the websites of Kim Bunchuck.
Joke of the day. What do you get when a quilting icon takes legal action against a famous doctor? Answer: Sunbonnet Sue sues Who ?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Day 2
My - what an awesome experience this is. I just came back to my room after the party for exhibitors given by Quiltmania. Lots of good food and drink. After a day of sitting and stitching and talking with quilters from all over Europe (with the able help of Marion - my sweet interpreter. She's just finishing her studies and eager to improve her English).
Here's the inside of my house - or at least the quilt part. All of the quilts except the one on the bed are in my new book "Country Quilts for your Soul" by Quiltmania.
Brian's Quilt on the left and Noah on the right.
Miami Valley, Christmas 101, Sophie and the Rose Trees, Lilly's Stars, Moon Garden Snow and Winter Star.
Ring Around the Posie, Monkey Wrench, Homespun Stars and Sunny Days
The quilt on the bed is Jubilee. Its not in the book but was featured on a Quiltmania cover.
Blessings Baskets, House on a Hill and Cockscombs and Stars.
And here are Marie Claude (left) of Quiltmania, Petra Prins (middle) author of Treasures from Holland a new Quiltmania book and Carol Veillon (right) editor of Quiltmania. Petra had just won best booth in the show (she also has a shop in Holland and had a booth at the Festival. She won a weekend vacation as the prize for best booth. Wow!
Here's the inside of my house - or at least the quilt part. All of the quilts except the one on the bed are in my new book "Country Quilts for your Soul" by Quiltmania.
Brian's Quilt on the left and Noah on the right.
Miami Valley, Christmas 101, Sophie and the Rose Trees, Lilly's Stars, Moon Garden Snow and Winter Star.
Ring Around the Posie, Monkey Wrench, Homespun Stars and Sunny Days
The quilt on the bed is Jubilee. Its not in the book but was featured on a Quiltmania cover.
Blessings Baskets, House on a Hill and Cockscombs and Stars.
And here are Marie Claude (left) of Quiltmania, Petra Prins (middle) author of Treasures from Holland a new Quiltmania book and Carol Veillon (right) editor of Quiltmania. Petra had just won best booth in the show (she also has a shop in Holland and had a booth at the Festival. She won a weekend vacation as the prize for best booth. Wow!
