Quilts are ‘just’ small pieces of fabric sewn together – or are they?
Every Quilt has a story behind it, and they all have love stitched into them.
Here is a short animated story that shares a bit about why a quilt is special.
Every Quilt I make, whether it is for family, friends or charity, has a bit of me sewn into it.
Do you have a favorite quilt? What (or who) does it make you think about when you cuddle up with it or see it on a bed?
Today is an exciting day! At 10 AM this morning the doors open for the PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL QUILT EXTRAVAGANZA XX. It will be exciting to see all the quilts, wall-hangings and wear-able & textile arts.
It is overwhelming to see the detail & work that has gone into all these items, many of which took months to make.
Also, at the Quilt Show there is a Vendor’s Mall. There is a wide variety of items to check out and buy! Fabric, Notions, Sewing & Long-Arm (Quilting) Machines, Cabinets, Finished Items, and more! There are vendors from all over the country and you get a chance to see more than just your local shops. Sometimes, I get to visit with some shops that are near where I live, but don’t always get to see.
I have the privilege to visit with some friends – Donna & Robert from Fabric Café in Tyler, Texas. They have some exciting news – the release of their new book – “Quick ‘n Easy 3-Yard Quilts” with 8 new patterns! I’ve been helping by pattern testing, making models, and proofing the book as it came together.
It has been both exciting and frustrating – You know how hard it is to keep a secret! I got to make some tops and wasn’t able to show ‘n tell them! Now I get to show them! Show here they are!
Picture Perfect:
Pinwheel Plus One
Puzzle Me This
Rail Fence
Byzantine Door
Friendship Star
So, there they are! If you are in the Philadelphia/Oaks area, pop into the Quilt Show and see all the beautiful items on exhibit and check out the Vendor Mall – Especially, Fabric Café – #708 – and see the exciting new patterns using only 3 – one yard cuts of fabric to make the top!
If I had to write an essay about “What I Did On My Summer Vacation,” it would have to include my Adventure at Quilt Odyssey, a Quilt Show in Hershey, PA.
One of my many quilt-y activities include making show samples and testing patterns for Fabric Café, in Tyler, Texas. I found the shop a number of years ago on the Internet, and subsequently met Donna & Bob at several Quilt Shows. In time, we have developed both a friendship and working relationship which I greatly cherish.
A couple of weeks ago, I got a call and the Caller-ID said “Fabric Café.” This is unusual as Donna & I spend time sharing on Facebook and e-Mail. Donna had received a call from Quilt Odyssey that there was a last minute vacancy and was Fabric Café available to fill a booth in the Merchant’s Mall? She was already committed to teach in Huntsville, Alabama, the week of the Quilt Show. She told me that Bob would be able to attend the show in Hershey, PA, but would I be available to help?
So began my Great Quilt Show Adventure. With one week’s notice, we made plans. I was to meet Bob in Hershey at the Hershey Lodge, on Wednesday, July 24th to set up the booth.
The Show opened on Thursday, July 25th and went through Sunday, July 28th, and the Merchant’s Mall was open from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday-Saturday, and 10 AM – 4 PM on Sunday.
It was a busy event, saw lots of people, worked long, hard days and had tons of fun! Looking at the pictures, I made the tops for a lot of the quilts that are hanging up.
I have now seen Quilt Shows from a different perspective. I have a great respect for the vendors at Quilt Shows, it is a lot of work in a short time. Next time you go to a Quilt Show, thank a Vendor for coming!
It has been 3 months “Post Surgery,” and I guess it’s time to get back to work. Actually, I guess you can say I have been working, just not Blogging about my work.
First of all, I’ve been busy with Physical Therapy – Twice-a-week with the Physical Therapist, and then ‘homework’ on my own. It began slow and painful. I can honestly say I’m about 50% back – more movement without Pain or Hurt, but still a lot of muscle weakness. I saw the doctor this week and he was pleased and he may release me in another month. But I will still have a lot of work on my own after that.
Also, I have some wonderful friends – quilty friends who know how much quilting means to me and have assisted in my “Quilt-therapy.” Early in my recovery I was permitted to Computer, and after a while I discovered that working on the sewing machine isn’t much different. Ironing wasn’t much of a problem either, as I am right-handed. But Rotary Cutting wasn’t successful. So a couple of friends assisted me with cutting up fabric into ‘kits’ so I could begin stitching.
So, my “Quilt-Therapy” began. Unfortunately many of my projects are in my No-Show List.
Pictures will come once these Top Secret Projects are completed.
It has now been 5 weeks since my shoulder surgery. I’m still not moving my arm very much and am in discomfort/pain most of the time. The doctor says this is normal after a major surgery and once physical therapy starts next week, I can expect more pain. 
Typing on the computer is allowed, but is very tiring.
Most of my ‘quilting’ has been looking at magazines & surfing the Internet. We’ve moved my sewing machine to a folding table which places it lower than normal. With it in this position I can sew for short periods of time. Ironing small pieces of fabrics or blocks isn’t much of a problem. The biggest stumbling block to me resuming quilting is using the rotary cutter/rulers to cut fabric. This requires pressure and forward movement of my left arm, which is not possible at this time.
I do have some wonderful quilty friends who have offered their services as my cutting surrogates. With the help of these friends, I have been able to complete two more of the blocks I’m testing for the Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol. 8 which will be released in the fall. I’ve got another one that I will be working on this weekend.
QuiltMouse 