100 Things A Quilter Must Do

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Quiltmouse

During the past year, I have been Block Testing for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks issues — Volume #7/Spring 2013, Volume #8/Fall 2013 and currently working on testing blocks for Volume #9/Spring 2014.

One of the challenges that I have experienced is trying different techniques — Ones that I had only read about, but never tried.  Also, in the past, I have attended Mystery Quilt weeks/weekends and have ended up making quilts that if I had seen before starting, I may not have done it because I was not familiar with the techniques involved.

I can honestly say that in each of these scenarios I have completed the task and was happy that I did.

In life, not just in quilting, sometimes we hold back and don’t do something, go somewhere or try something because it is out of our ‘normal.’

Quilty Pleasures Blog has invited Quilters to consider a “Bucket List” of quilting experiences.  They have created a list of 100 Things A Quilter Must Do. 

How many of the 100 items can you check off?  Are there other items you would add to your Quilty Bucket List?

I want to do #22 – Visit Houston for International Quilt Festival.

Beginning Friday, November 8th, we will be doing #100 – Go on a Shop Hop. Our ‘local’ quilt shops will be hosting Quilter’s Quest Nov. 8 – 17, 2013.  We have had this on our calendar since last year.  We have done this a number of times, and had gone to all 10 shops the past 2 years.

Watch for my posts about the Quilter’s Quest and Quiltmaker’s 100 Block Blog Tour.

Quilt Mouse

Posted in QM 100 Blocks, Quilting | 3 Comments

The Story of a Quilt

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Quiltmouse

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.

Oma’s Quilt

 

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?

Posted in Quilting, Quilts | Leave a comment

PA Quilt Show & a Book Release

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Quiltmouse

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.Quick'n Easy 3-Yard Quilts

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:

PicturePerfect-2013-07-13

Pinwheel Plus One

Pinwheel Plus One June 2013

Puzzle Me This

Puzzle Me This - June 2013

Rail Fence

Rail Fence - June 2013

Byzantine Door

ByzantineDoor - April 2013

Friendship Star

FriendshipStar - May 2013

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!

Posted in Quilting, Quilts | 2 Comments

The Great Quilt Show Adventure

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Quiltmouse

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. 

Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PAHershey Lodge, Hershey, PA

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!

Posted in Quilting | Tagged | 6 Comments

Let’s Get Back At It!

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Quiltmouse

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.

  • I’m Block Testing again for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume #8 which will come out in the fall.
  • I’m working on some Christmas Quilts.
  • I’m Pattern Testing & Sample Making for a book that, hopefully, will be released this fall.
  • I’m Pattern editing for several wall hanging/quilt patterns.

Pictures will come once these Top Secret Projects are completed.

Posted in Family, QM 100 Blocks, Quilting | 2 Comments