Tag: Various & Sundry

Housekeeping
31 email subscribers! Isn’t that exciting? You may not care, but I am thrilled. Thanks for subscribing!

The above photo has been making its way around social media. For good reason, I think. it is a great way to think about a lot of things in life. In quiltmaking, we could yell DESIGN TWIST and move on.

Fabric
This blog post explains another way of thinking about fabric for projects: no stash. Huh?

Adrianne at Little Bluebell has made a version of Sparkle Punch, an Oh Fransson design.

Books
As you know, I often listen to audiobooks while I sew. As an aside, I have, lately been devouring print and eBooks as well as audiobooks. Thus I pay attention when I hear about deals that involve downloading a free audiobook from Audible. You often have to use a certain URL. You may have heard about such offers on podcasts such as The History Chicks. Openculture has a list of free audiobooks including those from Audible.

Quilt in Print: I went to visit TFQ last week and borrowed one of her books, Henry’s Sisters by Cathy Lamb. Isabelle mentions quilters in passing on page 85, “The card playing ladies came in on Tuesday night and the quilters came in on Thursday.” I started a page (find it under About, in the navigation bar above) with quotes and references to quilts and quiltmaking in fiction.

I also read, in eBook form, Whispers Under Ground, the newest book by Ben Aronovitch. I checked this book out from the Library and was able to easily download it. I was actually amazed at how easy it was to download it. I am in the process of reading The School of Essential Ingredients.

Quiltmakers in the News
Mary Ellen Hopkins died recently. She was the author of It’s Okay If You Sit on My Quilt.  and many other titles. Most of her books were slim volumes. I loved her personal style and always wanted to take a class from her, but never did. I attended at least two of her lectures and they were a hoot! There is a tribute on the AQS site.

A memorial service is being planned for later this summer with the time and place to be announced. Thoughts and sympathy cards for Mary Ellen Hopkins can be sent to her son at this address:

David Hopkins
946 Woodgrove Drive
Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007

Jeffrey Gutcheon died as well. He was big news when I started quilting, because he and his wife owned a fabric company, designed fabric and wrote books. I believe they were some of the first fabric designers to put their name on the selvedge. They had a very public divorce that involved important, at the time, quilt properties/brands. I remember hearing others talking about “the scandal” in my first quilt class.

You can see both of their obituaries on the QN blog.

Libby Update: From the TQS Blog “Libby is progressing slowly. She still sleeps most of the time. Recently they played a TQS DVD of a show with her good friend Katie Pasquini. Libby watch carefully and even laughed at the right time when Alex and Katie messed up.”

Ways to help:

• Caring Bridge – Follow Libby’s progress and donate at www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbylehman
• Send a check: Please make checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks in US Dollars payable to “Libby Lehman Medical Fund” and send them directly to Libby’s sister: Cathy Arnold, 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019
• Bank Account: A bank account has been set up at JPMorgan Chase Bank. The name of the account is the “Libby Lehman Medical Fund.” Checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks (U.S. dollars only) should be made out to “Libby Lehman Medical Fund” and mailed to her sister, Cathy Arnold, 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019.  Please include your name and address if it is not on the check. If you wish to use an online secure transfer method from any bank (called Chase Quick Pay), please email Cathy’s husband, Bill Arnold, at bill.arnold@rice.edu, and he will provide you with proper instructions.
• PayPal-Libby’s family has set up a PayPal account for Libby’s Medical Fund. If you would like to contribute directly via PayPal, click on the HELP LIBBY tab below and follow the steps outlined there. One hundred percent of your contribution goes to the Libby Lehman Medical Fund.
  1. Visit www.paypal.com
  2. Login or set up a new account.
  3. Select the “Send Money” tab.
  4. In the “send to” field, put: Libby.medfund@gmail.com
  5. Select the total you wish to contribute, it will be billed to your credit card and foreign currency is converted to US dollars on the receiving end.
• Donate for chances to win a quilt – There is a Help Libby tab on the TQS website. go there to enter the quilt giveaway
• Send cards and letters to: Libby Lehman c/o Cathy Arnold, 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019 – If you cannot afford a donation, a card or letter to Libby is very welcome. They cannot respond to all letters.

Remember that even $5 helps.

Nota bene: AQ.com has no direct affiliation with Libby Lehman. I am just a satisfied student.

Sarah Ann Smith, thread queen, came to town and Julie and I got to have dinner with her and her family.

Road Show
Marie Bostwick will be on the road this summer! If you are near, you can see her at the following locations:

July 12
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Festival
4pm (Reading & Signing) Paulina Spring Bookstore
Sisters, OR

July 13
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Festival
Various hours (Signing only)
Paulina Springs Bookstore
Sisters, OR

July 17
RWA “Literacy for Life” Autographing
5:30pm
Marriot Marquis, Atrium Ballroom
Atlanta, GA

July 27
12pm “A Literary Luncheon” Seward Civic Center
$10 ticket includes lunch, purchase in advance at the Seward Library
Seward, NE

July 27
Quilt Nebraska 2013
6pm Banquet Speaker Concordia University
Seward, NE

August 4
Denver Library Quilt Show Opening Reception
2pm Speech and signing Central Library
Denver, CO

August 28
Milford Valley Quilters
7pm Speech and signing Delaware Valley Middle School
Milford, PA

You can find more calendar dates on the Appearances page of the MarieBostwick.com website. If you are able to attend, tell Marie hi for me and send me a nice long email recounting the adventure.

Shows and other News

SAQA has a calendar of events that you can find at their site under Art News. The Kaleidoscope of Quilts XVI Show and Competition will take place July 19-20 in Sylvania, Ohio.  This well-respected regional quilt show will feature bed quilts, wall hangings, art quilts, and quilted garments.  A variety of classes and lectures will be offered over a five day period, by local and nationally recognized instructors, beginning on Tuesday, July 16th.  Enjoy special displays, quilting challenges, and vendors with the latest in quilting supplies and machines.  For more information go to www.gcqc.org.

Fabric and Tools

Did you see the mini-tutorial that Carole wrote about building an extension table? The super clever part is that she put it up on Flickr!

The Intrepid Thread has dangerous new fabric club options for you. You can grow your stash by leaps and bounds.

Deanna is shedding for different reasons, but I am feeling this urge to lighten the load as well. Piles are making me crazy and I am sewing quick things move fabric along the pipeline to make space for newer fabric so I can see it. I am thinking about it and trying anyway.

A recent Timeless Treasures blog post starts off with the line, “Basics are the backbone of the quilting world.” The post goes on to highlight the different types of ‘solids’ TT makes. It is an interesting post on a lot of levels. First, it is visually appealing and encourages the reader to look at the typical view  of a solid fabric and expand on it. It also makes me think back to the Dark Ages when I started making quilts. The Cotton Patch had a whole room full of solids. I think they were there because the bold graphic quality of Amish quilts was so popular. In the mid-late 1990s, solids virtually disappeared from LQS shelves. Now they are back and ‘modern.’ Everything old is new again?

Have you been hearing about ice dyeing on Sandy’s podcast? Here are some great photos of Friend Julie’s fabulous ice dyeing experiments.

There is an interesting discussion going on the Sew Sweetness site about using patterns/books you actually buy to make a project. Sara gifts her patterns and books after she makes the item once (probably not for books) and says she is a process person. I use my books for inspiration for the most part, though I usually do intend to get inspired to make something from each book I buy even if it is not that exact project. For example I have a number of books about antique quilts. They are not project books, but I get inspired by them and may make a block or use a setting from them in a new and different way.

Patterns are a completely different story. If I buy a pattern, and I really try not to except for bags, I intend to make it. I have a number of bag patterns that are lined up waiting to be made, because I am still so enamoured with quiltmaking and there just aren’t enough hours in the day. What do you think? This topic might require more thought and a longer post.

Creativity and Inspiration

Lil Sissy pointed me to an article about creative people. Perhaps this will help you understand me better?

Danny Gregory talks about those evil voices in your mind telling you you are not smart enough, pretty enough etc in a recent blog post. He calls them the monkeys who are holding you back. It is a really good blog post and funny, too. He writes “… holding us back. Your shrink will tell you that we just have to realize that those monkey ghosts are only alive become [sic] we resuscitate them. You can defeat the specters by making stuff, by asserting your talent, by ignoring the grey-bearded monkey ghosts rehashing childhood bullshit. Want to relive an ancient drama? Read Hamlet.” He brings in a lot of interesting things to illustrate his point including The Exorcist, cells not to mention Hamlet. Get rid of those ancient wounds! Worth a read.

By the way, you are smart enough AND pretty enough! 😉

Need to exercise? Can’t get out of your chair because you are too busy sewing? Try the Quiltmaker’s Shuffle! Now there’s even a video to help you learn the steps.

Some thoughts on a well done quilt.

I really like the predominantly pink and yellow color combinations in this post about antique quilts.

If you are in need of some inspiration, take a look a Friend Julie’s photos of Death Valley. And this is not a place with the tarot death of transformation meaning. In Death Valley, follow the rules or be dead. Just saying. The pictures are amazing, though.

Have you seen the Packwood House quilts? The pink, olive and black one towards the bottom of the post is really intriguing! Interesting color combination.

Projects

See the San Mateo County Fair photos, including the ones you have already seen. 😉

Sara at Sew Sweetness has a new bag out, the Lapin Noir bag. Take a look. It is available for download. The first example on her site is just in my colors! I also like the one in Joel Dewberry fabrics.

Visiting

If you are heading to NYC,or live there, here is a list places that sound fabulous to visit. You can relax at several after visiting City Quilter and Purl Patchwork.

Did I point you to this quilt? TFQ wrote it when I was ruminating about how old some of my projects were as I, once again, reviewed the 26 Projects list. I remember reading it and thinking I needed to tell you about it, but I can’t find it on the blog. She wins on the geezer quilt front every time with no quibble from me. She has been quiltmaking longer and sewing even longer.

Weeks Ringle goes to the Shipshewana Quilt Festival in Indiana and writes a heartfelt blog post about it. she includes some commentary on a service project some young Amish people were doing and the converse in her neighborhood. I really like it, especially this quote “I admitted to myself that the pressures of my life have shifted my focus and that I need to shift it back. Like those disciplined horses unbothered by 18-wheelers, I need to not succumb to the pressures of modern life that I don’t or shouldn’t truly care about.” I love her writing, so, perhaps, I am biased?

On the Web

Here are some more reflections of Quilt Market 2013 by Diana at Pink Chalk. You need some fabric, too, right?

Jane Davila is getting a new studio. She has some photos up on her blog showing the beautiful light and windows. The fabulous part is that she will be starting a mentor program for artists. She writes great articles for various magazines about the business of art and I see this as a great extension. I wish I lived close enough to sign up. I hope those of you in the area will take advantage.

Reading

I know I haven’t been good about telling you what I am reading. I have just finished Midnight Riot by Ben Aronovitch. Carolyn of BBQ suggested the series. I am listening to the second in the series, Moon Over Soho, on audio. I am also reading A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick. I read Marie’s new book and wanted to revisit the characters.

Projects

As I work on finishing the Star Sampler, I am beginning to think of my next project. I have a zillion projects on my list, a number of UFOs begging for my attention and The Young Man reminding me that his t-shirt quilt has an open spot on his bed. What I really want to make is another Petrillo bag. Reading glowing missives about Sara‘s fabulous-ness is not dissuading me even with the screams of those UFOs echoing in my ears.

I cut some 2.5″ background squares to make another donation quilt, but haven’t done anything about the foreground yet.

I also sewed on one of the Young Man’s newest merit badges, Camping. It is Eagle required.

Other Artists

If you haven’t seen Julie’s relatively new quilt, take a look at Contained Observation. There is a lot to look at and fun surprises. She also did some fabulous ATCs, which I missed out on for some reason. 🙁

Mom hasn’t been writing much, but take a look at her blog. She has written some good, heartfelt posts recently.

I was wandering around Blogland a few few Fridays ago when i was just too exhausted to even move to the couch. I stopped by the Fresh Lemons blog only to see this great mini-hex project. I know they are half hexies, but I am ignoring that. The layout reminds me of my Eye Spy quilt, but I love the idea of doing a scrappy version in the diamond layout. HOWEVER! I am not allowed to do any hexie projects until I finish, or make serious progress on the Flower Sugar Hexagon quilt. I really should work on it. It would be so great in my country manor…

Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr will be doing a West Coast Road Trip. Check out the locations and dates on their blog. I will be in the San Mateo class (I have already signed up!). They are really good lecturers, so the experience is worth the price of admission.

Media

Sandi at Piecemeal Quilts wrote a great post recently about blogging platforms. If you don’t know the difference between WordPress and Blogger or aren’t sure what a No Reply Blogger is, go over and check out her post. And remember: she does the great Skillbuilder Series.

Gretchen did a short review of Judy Martin’s The Creative Pattern Book.

The image that Danny Gregory posted on his blog is partial, but what is there is fabulous. It reminds me so much of how I want to take to take notes and illustrate my life. It reminds me to stop and look. If you don’t read Danny Gregory’s blog, it is full of inspiration. Yes, he draws. That is his thing, but he is a creative person and we can gain inspiration and tips from other creatives.

Check out this colorful article on Kaffe Fassett. It is so beautifully illustrated.

Techniques and Tutorials

Here is a tutorial for the Ribbon Star. I wish I had seen this before I made mine!

Here is another quilt block library. Some of the blocks in the library are ones that I have been seeing around the web lately. The Ribbon Star is in this group as well. Odd since it seems like it is an old block. It is, at least, similar to an old block. I looked it up in Jinny Beyer’s The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns and found three blocks (pg.139) that are similar, Capital T (Louisville Farm Journal, 1883), Tea for Four (Nancy Page, 1937), and Rippling Star (new design, which first appeared in Jinny Beyer’s previous book, The Quilter’s Album of Blocks and Borders book in 1980).

Gen X Quilters has a tutorial on Contrary Wife.  It is part of the Sisters’ Ten Modern BOM. I have no idea what that means. I just like these types of blocks – the ones with that strong diagonal line.

Robin has a tip on seam ripping.

New Pieces has some info about thread.

Below is my Quilt Bear June Thread offerings.

Doing Good

As most of you have probably heard by now, Kathreen Ricketsen, founder of WhipUp.net died in an accident in May. There has been a fund set up for her two children, Otillija and Orlando Shugg. You can find the details on WhipUp.Net. You can find more about the circumstances in Australian news sources and also on WhipUp.Net. CraftSanity has nice tribute up as well. Jennifer links to one of her podcast episodes in which she interviews Kathreen. It is an interview that is definitely worth a listen. You can also find a tribute on While She Naps. There is an interesting link to some controversial posts on WhipUp.

An update on Libby Lehman can be found on the Quilt Navigator site.

Many of you have mentioned wanting to help the victims of the tornados that recently hit parts of Oklahoma. Here is a point of contact to whom we can send anything we make, create, sew for survivors in Moore, Oklahoma. The quilt shop is Stitching Post in Moore. The owners are Robert & Robin Hall. I spoke with Robert, and thank God he and his family are well. Robert has worked with Project Linus and advised he would be very happy to distribute anything we send in support of those impacted by the tornado of Sunday, May 19. Stitching Post has a Facebook page (I couldn’t find it, but you might have better luck), and additional contact information is as follows: 316 N. Broadway Street, Moore, OK 73160 (405-241-7896). E-mail: sewbargain@coxinet.net. Carole or Gretchen, one of the Twilters mentioned sending sewing supplies. I am sure you can buy them from the Stitching Post and save on shipping. The quiltmakers in Moore and other parts of OK will want to get back to their machines as soon as possible.

Marianne Jackson created a FB page that will serve as a general clearing house for disasters. She writes “… I created a FB page, Sewing for Moore, Etc. that I hope will allow quilting and sewing folks can communicate in order to provide support to survivors of disasters. I have included previous posts, including information pertaining to a local contact to whom we can send sewing donations. Please let me know if you would like to be part of this group.”

The Oklahoma Modern Quilt Guild is also collecting quilts, etc. See more information on their page.

Ellen Medlock has set up project for quilts for families who have suffered from the tornados. She writes on FB: “QUILT DRIVE for OKLAHOMA Tornado Families. If you wish to donate a quilt, please send to our shop- and we will make sure it is placed in the right hands! Ship to: OK Quilt Drive, c/o Ellen Medlock Studio Store, 10032 S. Sheridan Rd, Suite H-1, Tulsa, OK 74133. (We will be happy to place any kind of blanket, for that matter!)”

Over 1500 flags were collected to show love for Boston and “to honor the victims of the Marathon bombings and bring messages of hope to a city trying to heal.”

Thank you for all the love you are sending via fabric.

Keep Anna Maria Horner and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Her mom died on May 17. I can’t imagine how that must feel, but she wrote a beautiful post about it. Go tell your mom (or she who acts like a mom to you) that you love her.

Products and Tools

I broke a needle recently and part of it went down into the bobbin case. I couldn’t get it out without removing the sole plate. The sole plate was on so tight that DH had to help me get it off. Lintpocalypse indeed! We could barely see the parts for the lint. We kept pulling lint out from around, in and under the bobbin case. We ended up pulling out a fluffy tennis ball sized amount of lint in the end. The machine does sound happier. I don’t have any pictures, but you can look at Pam’s as my situation looked the same, if not worse.

Barbara Brackman has introduced the latest in quilt hilarity, the Quilt Book of Saints. Didn’t know St. Ann was the patron saint of seamstresses? Or that St. John the Baptist was that patron saint of cutters? Check out the hilarity and support Barbara.

Media

I am very sad that Rice Freeman-Zachary is taking a break from podcasting. I know that podcasting doesn’t pay much, if anything and is relatively thankless. I love her podcasts, because she talks about the spark of creativity and this topic is great with interspersed with Pam and Sandy and Sandi and Frances et al. 🙁 Perhaps I’ll have to go back and listen to the ones to which I have already listened.

Jennifer, over at CraftSanity, has some photos of a quilt show up on her blog. One of the photos shows a man with his quilt related wood projects. One of the items he sells is quilt ladders, like Tanesha, of CraftyGardenMom fame, mentioned on a recent episode.

This app, Quiltography looks cool. The blog post is a review not from the developer and the photos are great. I haven’t tried it, but will look it up. Have YOU tried it?

Quilt National 2013 opened last week and my friend, Pamela Allen, has a quilt in the show. She was also on a panel discussion about her process. I wish I could have been there. It would be great if Craftsy taped/recorded the panels. Deirdre Adams has a wonderful Gallery of photos on her blog. Anyone who wants to send me to the Dairy Barn to report on QN13 in person, get in touch.

CraftyGardenMom (Tanesha) periodically comes out with a long essay post. Don’t miss her most recent missive on 10 quilt peeps you should know. I am sure there is some tongue-in-cheek, but also some pearls of wisdom.

Quilt Market

Yes, Quilt Market was in Portland last week. I wish I could have gone. Someday, I hope. In the meantime, I collected some images from those who were there that I enjoyed. I really liked the lushness of Amanda Herring’s booth.

I also really liked the gradation of the black and white quilt in the Dear Stella booth. Gradation! In a black and white quilt! I know! Amazing.

Sara of Sew Sweetness has a great post about all that she saw at Quilt Market. It is very Tula Pink heavy and I loved seeing the way the TP fabric was used on the Petrillo Bag. I also like the row quilt in the post where the maker used TP’s animal fabrics. I enjoy looking at it because it is very different. Tula Pink has a new line for Aurifil and there are photos of some of the colors as well.

Camille Roskelley shows pictures of her booth (love those colors!) as well as the quilts from the new patterns and Simply Retro book. She also has a video of a Schoolhouse and mentions Sample Spree. As a bonus, she has links to other blogs talking about Market, so you can truly indulge! I love that cupcake table mat and the stack of FQs at the end of her post. Anyone looking to buy me a gift? 😉

Kelli also has a post up about people she met at Quilt Market as well as showing lots of photos.

The vendors were well represented as well. You’ll love the first photo on the Timeless Treasures post. I like the sample quilts in their post. They weren’t quick or easy. somebody took some time with the piecing, which was well worth the effort. They have a lot of impact.

We can leave Oliver+S out either. In her post, Liesl links to a video about the fabric design process.

Creativity

Linda and Laura Kemshall, UK artists, quiltmakers and mother/daughter team, have a Creative Sketchbooks online course now OPEN! You can find all the information on the website including the enrollment form. If you’re interested please read through it all carefully and hopefully the answers to any questions will be there, but if there’s anything you’re unsure of please email. Here is the link to the section of the site that you need: http://www.lindakemshall.com/DesignMattersOnlineCourses.html. Look for their Creative Quiltmaking course next.

The Kemshalls also offer a Bespoke service, which means that you can create your own unique fabrics, just send us the images, choose your fabric and size and they’ll send back your own custom cloth. I don’t know if their service is different than Spoonflower, but my Europe and UK readers may want to give them a try. They have a very interesting newsletter, which is not just a sales pitch. Every issue has a tip or trick.  Join their Mailing List!

Carole, one of the Twilters, posted a picture of her round robin after I talked about picking out fabrics for my Modern Round Robin project. I love her colors. That red is fabulous!

Sunday, June 23 from 2-4pm: Fiber Talks! Find It! Buy It! Use It! at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles: Armchair travel with Roberta Horton and Mary Mashuta as they tour the world in search of fabrics for their quilts. Once these treasures are in hand, they then answer that great quilting question: “What do I do with it?” The sisters each have found their own solutions and will show you some of their quilts made with fabric from the same country but executed in a different fashion.  Each talk is $20 for Museum members and a great opportunity to hear each these fqs (famous quilters).  Reservations are encouraged http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/fibertalks.html

Technique

I send my Young Man off to school every day by saying “do your best.” I think that have a good day means that if he hasn’t had a good day, he will feel bad. I know that regardless of the kind of day he has, he can do is best. If his best is terrible today, it will not be terrible tomorrow. Here is another discussion of the dumbing down of quiltmaking, which is actually more about bad technique selling.

I really like this line “I’m not talking about perfection; I’m talking about attention, respect, commitment.  Attention to detail, respect for your own work, and a commitment to putting out the best work that your talent & skill allows.” because it is inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you only put squares together or are working on your first quilt. The part “…the best work that your talent & skill allows” includes YOU! This is a well written piece, because she is right. Teachers and designers should be better than us. They should be able to teach us something to make us better. Teachers and designers don’t have to be a lot better, but better. When I teach I may only be one or two steps ahead of my students, but I know the path. If don’t know the path, I don’t teach.

I agree that technique is important. I think that we can all get better at quiltmaking (points matching, straight topstitching, etc) if we practice (YAY! more sewing time!).  I want my work to look good even if I can sell crap (and you know I don’t sell my stuff). Good technique matters. Ebony is a good writer and she puts herself out there offering tips and tricks in future blog posts. Go to her blog and take a look. And do your best work.

Scrapbooking

Yes, occasionally I put photos in albums. I recently received this information from a consultant via my Lis Sissy: CM has filed bankruptcy (2^nd time) and plans to lay off 160+ workers (out of 230) by this summer, meaning they will be operating with a 30% workforce. They recently cancelled Showcase, the annual conference, due to lack of time and resources. You can find more details on the bankruptcy at tcbmag.com. Business has slowed over the past few years for many consultants. She has no idea what the future is for Creative Memories as a company, so she wrote the email to encourage you to consider stocking up on your essentials, or purchasing tools you can’t live without – even if you are stalled in your album-making! There are rumors that CM is moving from a product line of 350 down to 50, but there is no confirmation at this time. If it is, it would seem that product line would be albums, refills, protectors and a few basics. You might want to order what you may need now, or maybe shop a bit each month just in case. You can order at Ellen’s site. She is a great person.

Updates

I made some updates to the Week Away with Some Quilting post.

Can you believe I am back already with another episode of Various & Sundry? I can’t, truly, but I had so much stuff, I couldn’t not post it. Besides the lack of sewing is catching up with me. Get ready for some book reviews, chicklets*!

Products and Services

The Quilt Bear came through again. My monthly does of Aurifil came through again today with a little bit of fabric as well.

This month I received a spool of the 50 wt. Plum Purple and a second spool of Aqua Blue. The Aqua Blue looks similar to colors I have, but I don’t know if it is the same. I can always use more aqua and turquoise of everything!

Again, these colors are a bit duller than what I would call bright , but I think I will be able to use them.

The Quilt Bear included a fat quarter of fabric, as I mentioned. I think I will give it away when I send off the Art Quilt Portfolio books.

There are a lot of fun palettes on Pinterest and I always wondered where they came from – not enough to actually look it up, of course! The answer (or one answer) fell into my lap the other day when I read the Intrepid Threads blog about the Play Crafts Palette Builder. There are a couple of palettes I have been wanting to make and this might just be the impetus I need!

And of course, buy fabric while you are at the Intrepid Thread. Have you seen Hipster Pop yet?

I was amazed, thrilled and a little frightened to see a pop-up from The Electric Quilt saying that there was a new downloadable update. I went to open and a window opened saying there was an update. The box had a button to click that immediately started the download. If you haven’t updated your copy of EQ7, try it out.

Creative Prompts

The Creative Prompts came to the rescue a few weeks ago at an event AJ Dub attended. It went on for longer than anticipated and she whipped out her phone to amuse some children. She writes “By they way, the creative prompts saved our sanity in church today. We had an unusual 2 hour meeting and the kids were pretty bored and restless towards the end. I got on my phone and looked up your creative prompts posts (thanks for tagging them! NICE!) and set them to drawing. They kept at it for about half an hour and between the 3 of them we went through about 20 words.” I am so thrilled that Amy used the creative prompts in such a creative way and that I was able to assist! Thanks for sharing, Amy.

Here are some thoughts and questions for you to ponder on living a creative life.

In my mind, the CPP is about inspiration. Look at the prompt and get inspired. Even if the prompt makes you think about something else and that something else forces you to go make something, I have succeeded (are you in with my plan for creative world domination?). Sometimes, though, we are unbelievably successful and people hate us and call us names. Delilah Dawson, a writer, writes about this on her blog. The post is about writing, sort of, but mostly about behavior. She encourages us to WRITE HARDER. I say SEW HARDER!

Follow-up

After my post about Roxanne’s, there was some discussion about the mosaic on their cutting table.

The first time I saw this type of mosaic, that I remember was in California Adventure in 2005. I wanted this type of backsplash when we remodeled our kitchen, but the timeframe was too tight and the amount of work involved makes these things very expensive.

There will be a sequel/follow-up to the Primal Green exhibit of which I was a part. Stay tuned for more details.

Technique

I get my quilts photographed professionally. Not all of them, but the ones I consider important. The Modern Quilt Blog has a post from last year about photographing your quilts. There is a lot of information about photographing quilts out on the web. Read it and figure out what works for you. As long as you get a decent photo of your quilt, you don’t need to do it the way others do it.

If you are still thinking about Bonnie Hunter’s Easy Street, take a look at the post that Kati did for Part 3, shaded 4 Patch blocks. there was a reason she couldn’t make the blocks the way Bonnie Hunter did it, so she went out and searched YouTube, then did a tutorial for you. Take a look.

BTW, you have only about a month left to download all the parts of Easy Street, if you want to do it. She will take it down soon.

On the Web

Have you heard of the 31 quilts in 31 Days project? No? Me either. I found it through Adrianne and I have to say that the contributions of the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild are really GREAT. These are simple quilts that don’t look simple. They are simple quilts that are interesting. Great job SBMQG! Here are some Flickr photos of their quilts.

I like this blog, I Want to Cut You, though i am not sure how I feel about the name. I like her post on QuiltCon. Sadly I found it as she is packing to move somewhere overseas and will not be back to blogland for 2 months. Oh well, perhaps in two months I will remember to go back.

NQR

My dad is now on FB. It is a good and bad thing. I can’t say that I have a terrible dad (I didn’t and wouldn’t say that; this is an example), but I get to post things to his wall to get his attention. He found this post about Dads and Daughters somewhere and posted it asking us how he did. This is a great post about dads and daughters. It really evoked imagery of my childhood when I read it.

I really liked the interview with Sally Melville on Creative Mojo on the week of April 3, 2013. She talks about knitting, but some of her comments relate to quiltmaking. One of the comments [paraphrasing] was that we have gotten away from knitting for our wardrobe and we just like to knit for the meditative qualities, etc, but as soon as you learn how to fit in knitting you can knit for your wardrobe successfully. I thought that this was true for me with quiltmaking. Of course, I like the quilts I make, but I don’t need 12 new quilts every year for my bed. I make quilts to keep myself sane and because of the crazy compulsion I have to create. Can I get back, without losing my stress reliever, to making quilts that are useful? Do I want to?

*I promise not to call you chicklets anymore, but I need something to call you all. Deanna Raybourn calls her readers ‘chickens’. I don’t want to copy her despite the fact that she is totally awesome and I want to be her when I grow up. ‘Dear readers,’ which you totally are, is just a bit too formal sometimes. What could I call you?

Patterns, Fabrics and Techniques

The Food Quilt is made from the Disappearing 9 Patch pattern. I saw a variation of that pattern called Double Disappearing 9 Patch. Why didn’t I think of that?

Threadbias launched their quilt design tool at QuiltCon last week.

Around and About the Web

Katie, of Katie’s Quilting Corner podcast fame, has finally posted about the resolution to her Viking Topaz drama. This makes me wonder if machine dealers get audited by the companies for which they sell? Do mystery people come in with broken machines for repair and then grade the dealer on:

1. Selection
2. Friendliness
3. Communication
4. Customer Service, e.g. length of time to fix machine, communication during repair process, etc.

Seems like it would be good business for a machine company. If you have a business remember: Customer Service is Everything.

Quiltin’ Jenny reviews the Joann Fabric app for iPhone and Android.

GenQ magazine started following me on Twitter. I don’t know what it means, but I was kind of excited. Perhaps they will pay me to post my tutorials in their magazine? Doubtful, but a girl can dream.

Joyce Gross, one of the most influential quilt historians died on Christmas Eve (2012). Her collection of materials now resides in Texas.

GOLDEN QUILTER AWARDS
Voting has begun for the 2013 Golden Quilter Awards. Judy Martin is honored to be nominated in 3 categories: Best Quilt Designer, Best Quilt Book Author, and Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, her Star Power CD is nominated for Best New Product Introduced in 2012 (Software).

There are a total of 11 awards to be handed out on March 1. The nominations are teeming with worthy recipients. Vote for Judy. If you don’t know who she is, she is up there with Ruth McDowell in my book. Voting is open until February 28, 2013. When you go to vote, click on the star immediately UNDER the name of the person, store, or item you are voting for.

Weeks Ringle has posted some homework from her lecture at QuiltCon, which includes a chart that seems like it will improve your life as a quiltmaker. I am going to print this out in color, paste it in my journal and work on the questions. Perhaps I will post them here. Take a look at the homework and tell me what you think.

Buying and Selling

I have mentioned before that I have an Artquiltmaker shop on CafePress (I wonder why they call it CafePress? I am sure I could look it up). Not only do I sell, but I also buy there. I love their cards, especially the ones with my images on them. This time, I bought the jacket I feature in my shop. It tunred out to fit great until the hem got to the hips. Ergh. I sent a return/refund request and they:

1.  got back to me right away
2. refunded my money
3. didn’t make me return the jacket

I was perfectly happy to return the jacket, really. I also didn’t wear the jacket and it still has the tags on it. I wouldn’t expect this all the time, of course, but I was very pleased not to have to return the jacket just because of the hassle of packaging it up. I’ll see about giving it as a gift. I was very pleased with their service.

Other

I might buy one of these clip on lights. I don’t want one of the ones that sticks on to my sewing machine, because then the case doesn’t fit. I also need a light over my ironing board, because where it sits in the room means that the light is blocked when I press. I saw this at Ocean Waves Quilt Shop, but resisted the temptation. It’s a thought.

I put up a few more projects on Threadbias and earned my 10th Project Badge. Yay, I guess. It was all I could manage on Saturday in the sewing department.

Around the Web

Sigh. Camille Roskelley was featured on House of Turquoise. I love her house. I love her house, because it is beautifully decorated, but also because there are no giant stacks of paper or baskets of laundry. I am tossing things into the Goodwill bin right and left, but it doesn’t help me get to a look like Camille’s house. Sigh.

Short introduction to the Fat Quarter Shop’s new You Tube Channel. The quilt behind Kimberly in the intro is cheerful. Kimberly tweeted tons during Market earlier in the week. Go look at her Twitter feed (@fatquartershop) and click on the links to see new fabrics, etc)

I saw a video on the Quilt Bear Website for a new trimming ruler by Karen Montgomery. It looks like a great idea for snowball blocks and I am thinking of making one in orange since I saw Michelle’s at a recent BAMQG Meeting.

The Library of Congress has a new website with a lot of old newspapers called Chronicling America. Of course, I did a search for quilt in California in the late 1800s/early 1900s. I found a picture of a quiltmaker stitching away on a sampler quilt in the SF Call. The article is about quiltmaking and mentions various patterns. You can read it by zooming in. More coolness from the Library of Congress.

Need some special templates? Read about Brye Lynn’s find, Customplastic on her blog. Hhmm, what do I need to make?

I don’t really want to get into it with you, but this annoys me. Not the blog post, but the selvedge statement.

I found a Flowering Snowball pillow on the Cut to Pieces blog. Her pillow is really nice looking. I was so surprised to see that someone else found this pattern and actually made it. Love it!

I found the above on the Blogger’s Quilt Festival post. I am slowly making my way through the other entries. Yes, I signed up to win at the Blogger’s Quilt Festival. WIN! Nominate and vote for my quilt: https://artquiltmaker.com/blog/?p=15487  at the Blogger’s Quilt Festival here: http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/10/26/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2012/ …please. I also would like to expose my blog to new readers. All of you are fab! I’d like a few more comments on my posts and some more links from other blogs.

I had to write a new post and the Renewed Jelly Roll Race has an interesting story. I know a lot of you have heard it all before, but I hope I changed it up a bit so you wouldn’t be bored. I also didn’t make that the only post of the day. See? I am always thinking of you, my dear readers. 😉 I thought about the Flowering Snowball, but it isn’t done yet, I don’t have a photo. Blah. Blah. Blah. If you feel like it, there are a lot of gorgeous quilts on the site that you could look at after you nominate and vote for my quilt. ;-). Here is the schedule:

• October 26 – 31 Linky open
• November 1 – 4 Nominations are made (this is where you nominate me)
• November 5 -8 Vote for your favorites
• November 9 Winners announced

I also saw this palette quilt-let via a link from the Blogger’s Quilt Festival. I have been wanting to make a palette block for my mom as part of larger quilt, which isn’t designed yet. Food for thought for sure.

I also this interlocking wheels pillow. I don’t know if that is the real name, but that immediately leaped into my mind when I saw it. Shape Moth has an interesting way of combining colors.

I also saw a CakeWalk quilt from Mountain Musings. The fabrics are very cheerful and remind me of the fabrics I am using for Flower Sugar Hexagon quilt. The maker links back to the designer’s blog and the story of what a CakeWalk is is very interesting. I have never heard of it before. I really liked this blog, in general. It wasn’t all quilts-all-the-time, but it had a nice feel to it.

One thing that surprised was how many quilts were from patterns. At least the makers acknowledged and/or linked back to the pattern makers. If you have never designed your own quilts, tell me what is stopping you. Perhaps that is a tutorial I can work up.

So far I have gotten some wonderful comments from people on the Renewed Jelly Roll Race. I am not the only one who is confused by the popularity of the technique! One person asked me to write a pattern!

Fabric, Supplies and Tools

I was asked recently to write some tutorials on EQ7. I haven’t done it, but the topic is on my radar. I saw an EQ7 tutorial for printing foundations from an Alabama artist. He doesn’t seem to tag his posts, so I would have troll through it to see what other EQ7 info he has posted. Too bad. Tagging is useful. I haven’t had a chance to explore yet, but it might be a source of additional information for you. Let me know what you find.

Other

Ellen Rushman wrote her Master’s thesis, called Modern Quilting: A DIY Discourse, for her degree from the College of Education and Human Sciences, major in Textiles and Clothing Design and has posted it on the UNL website for your perusal. The thesis explores the Modern Quilt movement from the perspective of quiltmakers who self identify as modern quilters or were at a meeting where interviews were taking place. Ms. Rushman concludes that the Modern Quilt movement is both an aesthetic and attitude.

Did you see the tutorials I posted this week? Part 1, part 2 and part 3 of fusible machine applique’. These will soon be posted on the Tutorials page as well. I really had to break it up into three parts. No sane person could write a post that long and no sane person could read a post that long. Hope you were able to follow along. Let me know if anything is unclear. I know the parts about how you turn your fabric to get a smooth zig zag are tricky. I know my brilliant readers will rise to the occasion.

Quilting
Ruth over at Pippin Sequim posted a great tutorial on Orange Peel quilting. She demonstrated how to do it at our last BAMQG meeting.

Quilt World News

The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky will host an exhibit called Themes and Variations in Judy Martin’s Quilts, featuring 25 of Judy’s quilts. It will run from December 12, 2012 to March 11, 2013. I love her quilts and most of her books (recent ones have been too project based for me) because the designs are unique and interesting and her directions are impeccable. Go see the show and report back if you are in the neighborhood.

Remember a while ago I went on a bit about the Modern Quilt Movement and what it meant? One of the students wrote her thesis on this issue for the University of Nebraska (presumably at Lincoln?). Read it and let me know what you think.

The San Jose Museum exceeded their fundraising goal by raising over $46,000 at their most recent event. Due to a small deficit at the end of their fiscal year, the Board of Directors of the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles has unanimously voted to close the Museum on Tuesdays beginning October 1st . This closure is in addition to the long standing Monday closure. They said that it was not an easy decision and they will  be cutting some overhead costs, and allowing existing staff to focus on programs and services to enhance our outstanding exhibition schedule and other Museum activities. The board charged the new Executive Director to analyze our resources and it was decided that the Museum was over-extended by being in operation for six days a week. The Board has made no decision as to how long this Tuesday closing will be in effect. The Board hopes that their supporters and community members will continue to visit Wednesday through Sunday, from 10am to 5pm beginning October 1. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Christine Jeffers, who can be reached through the website.

Around and About the Web
Carrefour du Patchwork was held recently and I was pleased to find that there’s now a slideshow of quilts on their website. If you’re interested, you can find it here: http://www.patchwork-europe.com/

Inspiration

My friend, Kathy, over at Bliss Habits is hosting a book group using The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron as part of her Bliss Habits Book Club. Chel Micheline, of Ginger Blue Studio and Tuesday with Chel on Bliss Habits will be the hostess. She writes about the concept of the book group for this book in a blog post from a week or so ago.