Tucson in the Sun

I an heading south for the sunshine! And am fortunate to be the November presenter for the Tuscon Quilters Guild!   
November 8 & 9 the lectures: "Fun and Fancy Embellishments"
 
November 10, Thursday Workshop: Thursday "Fast Finishes" 

• First we learn to join pre-quilted blocks using several innovative techniques. Go home ready to make larger machine quilted quilts without all the work of trying to get it into your machine. The Quilt-As-You-Go method allows for more detailed quilting using a standard sewing machine since you're only quilting a small section at a time. Fast finishing concludes with super-fast binding. Is binding the quilt your least favorite part?  Bindings and piping are a snap with this no-fail completely machine-stitched method.  In this class you will be making a sample to take home to keep as a ‘how to’ example for your own quilts. Binding will never be the same again!

 

Nov 11, Friday Workshop "The Decorative Thread Experience"

• 
  Thread may have once been considered just a basic necessity of sewing, but happily it’s now available in so many luscious colors and types that it has become sheer pleasure to use. Steering your way through the sea of threads available can be a time consuming and somewhat daunting task. Melody will guide you through the learning process so your sewing will become fun and fancy.

Exploring - Purple

Jacks

Purple is a color intermediate between red and blue. According to surveys In Europe and the U.S., purple is the color most often associated with royalty, magic, mystery and piety. When combined with pink, it is associated with eroticism, femininity and seduction.
Purple was the color worn by Roman magistrates; it became the imperial color worn by the rulers of the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, and later by Roman Catholic bishops. Similarly in Japan, the color is traditionally associated with the Emperor and aristocracy.

I wish I had more time to sew!

I hear that all the time—from my friends and other quilters. Although I'm sure we'd all like endless hours or even days to spend in the studio creating, few people have the lifestyle that affords them that

kind of time. From my own experience and that of other quilters I know, I've discovered the following tips for fitting more sewing into a busy lifestyle.

1. Take a good look at the things you do on a daily basis. What can you change or how can you be more productive with your time? My favorite; I make fewer trips to the store if I have a list. Saves time to sew. (And then make sure you do!)

2. Rethink you UFO's. I don't have any. I give them to community service, cut them up for the back of something else, and I've even been known to throw something out. I would rather sew on something I like than a project I have lost interest in!

3. Set yourself up for success. Keep your most-used tools and supplies set up in such a way that they are ready to create when you are.

4. Schedule sewing time. If you don't make your sewing a priority, no one else will. So time on your calendar, even if it's just an hour.

Looking Back at a Summer Highlight

Northwest Quilting Expo | The Pacific Northwest's annual quilting and creative festival at the Expo Center, Portland Oregon


A fabulous quilting and fiber event at the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Oregon! They assemble an outstanding group of talented instructors, gorgeous quilts and exhibits, great vendors and more for the show.

I love to look at the special exhibits. 2016 featured Laurie Shifrin, Helen Remick, Joyce Becker, Colleen Wise, Leotie Richard, The Portland Modern Quilt Guild, The Corvallis Modern Quilt Guild, WestSide Modern Quilt Club and a Men's Quilt Exhibit.


 
A fascinating addition this year was the Oregon Historical

Society's traveling exhibit, entitled Oregon Is Indian Country, provides text with historical and contemporary photographs about the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon. Themes include: The Land, Federal Indian Policies, and Traditions that Bind.

My favorite was the exhibit from the Latimer Quilt and Textile Center. Featuring vintage quilts ranging from the 1800's to the 1940's. It will be a wonderful display of the incredible skills our quilting ancestors developed.
The old quilts with their beautiful quilting!

I can't wait to see what they have next year!

Things you should know about thread

1. Cotton is the only 100% natural fiber thread made especially for sewing machines. It can be a bit linty, so clean your machine frequently when using it.
What to look for: extra long staple thread that is very smooth with-out bumps on the spool.

 2. Rayon thread has a high sheen, and is both

soft and heat resistant. Unfortunately, it’s not colorfast and neither as strong nor as durable as polyester.
What it does: 30 wt. is intended to show and 40wt. has a subtle sheen.
  
3. Metallic: There is a huge range of quality of metallic threads.
Best when: used with a polyester bobbin thread, a Metallic needle and a lower than normal top tension.








  4. Polyester: is strong, durable and is available in a broad range of colors. Sizes range from very thin
Advantages: strong, durable and color fast, with either a matte or a sheen finish. Most are virtually lint free.
5. Silk: Great thread!
What to look for: 100% pure filament silk.

6. Monofilament: Use only polyester monofilament. It will not yellow over time or melt easily.
What to look for: comes in clear and smoke colored.
to very thick.

Introducing Artsy Bear

This year RARE Science is partnering with The Quilt Show (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases.

Artsy Bear by Melody Crust

 

Remembering - Infinite Variety -- Three Centuries of Red & White Quilts

These quilts, collected by Joanna S. Rose, are spectacular! While the idea of hundreds of quilts is impressive, the actuality is overwhelming. This presentation of quilts is magical!

A digital guide to the exhibition, including images of all 650 quilts, is available as a free app for your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Android smart phone. For more information and to download, visit folkartmuseum.org/infinitevariety.
(This link is still good, check it out)

Block Party Quilt Guild ... WOW!

By now you must know how much I support quilt guilds and quilt shops too. I had the opportunity recently to attend a meeting of Block Party Quilters. A fun group! The have great speakers, even though it is a bit of a trek for me to get there, I go often. This time it was Esterita Austin. She presented "Working in a Series" .Portraits have been a source of inspiration to artists for centuries.  Esterita took us on a photographic journey that begins with taking an expressive photograph then discussing: lighting, angles and settings through interpreting the image in fabric.  She will cover her technique step by step and show how, by adding textile paint, one can achieve greater depth.

 
Here are a couple of details of her work.






And did I mention, they do a great show and tell?

Quilted Straight here I come!

I will be teaching a couple of my favorite workshops at Quilted Straight in October! See you there!! 

32280 Puget Way NE

Port Gamble, WA 98364

Toll Free: 1-855-467-8458

Every Day 10 - 5, Tues. to 8: 30 

info@quiltedstrait.com

Fast Finishes

Sunday, October 23, 2016,  10:00 am  to 4:30 pm

First you will learn to join pre-quilted blocks using several innovative techniques. Go home ready to make larger machine quilted quilts without all the work of trying to get it into your machine. The Quilt-As-You-Go method allows for more detailed quilting using a standard sewing machine since you're only quilting a small section at a time. Fast finishing concludes with super-fast binding. Is binding the quilt your least favorite part? Bindings and piping are a snap with this no-fail completely machine-stitched method. In this class you will be making a sample to take home to keep as a ‘how to’ example for your own quilts. Binding will never be the same again!

 Fun and Fancy Purse Class
Monday, October 24, 2016,  10:00 am  to 4:30 pm

Create stunning purses with Melody Crust based on the Two Hour Tulip Purse pattern that can be finished in practically no time. Make your own in class, embellish it with trims, ribbons, buttons, bows, lace, fabric, found objects and then dive into the wonderful world of beads. We will learn what beads to buy, how to sew them and how to make your own lavish beaded dangles and fringes.  Basic sewing skills required.

Bears on the March

This year RARE Science is partnering with The Quilt Show (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

 

 

Meet Celebrity RARE Bear "Blossom" by Alex Anderson!
"Alex wants all her quilting "buds" to blossom with creativity and this adorable little bear is doing just that. A scrappy little hand-worker, Blossom always has a "to-go" project with her to keep those creative juices flowing (and to keep those UFOs away from her door). Tiny embroidered flowers and cute little buttons on her bow, make Blossom a visual treat and colorful companion that you'll want to light up your studio."

Blossom by Alex Anderson 

Here is a sneak peak of my Bear before embellishment! Artsy Bear all dressed up will be revealed Monday October 17!

Artsy Bear by Melody Crust

A New Spin on Drunkards Path - John Kubiniec

John Kubiniec's "A New Spin on Drunkard's Path" is an inspirational delight. The first half is bursting with information providing the reader with everything they need to know in order to create their very own version of a Drunkard's Path quilt design. I was very please to see that John included snippets about his own quilting journey and thoughs on design. As a quilter, I'm always fascinated by other quilter's artistic journeys. His Tool Talk is a helpful way for him to share the professional tips and tricks that he has picked up along the way and I appreciate his willingness to help other quilters gain insight into easier ways to make their beautiful quilts happen as painlessly as possible.

The last half is devoted to easy-to-follow patterns of Drunken Path quilts, along with a wide range of exceptionally interesting borders. Every quilt you make using this terrific book will be a unique creation, all your own!

Here's the schedule of blogs participating in the tour. Head to these sites each day for more info about the book and more giveaways!

September 26, 2016

Jenifer Dick  

C&T Publishing 

September 27, 2016

Sara Lawson

Heather Kojan

September 28, 2016

Bill Volckening 

McCall’s Quilting  

                          

September 29, 2016

Teri Lucas

Bonnie Hunter

September 30, 2016

made by ChrissieD 

LoveBug Studios

October 1, 2016         
Kathy Patterson 

Teresa Coates

October 2, 2016

Carl Hentsch 

October 3, 2016

Generation Q Magazine

Lisa Calle 

October 4, 2016

Linzi Upton 

Nicole Daksiewicz 

October 5, 2016

            Marti Michell 

Debby Brown

October 6, 2016

Melody Crust 

Kim Niedzwiecki 

October 7, 2016

Patrick Lose 

John Kubiniec 

Here John talk on Pat Sloan’s radio program on Monday afternoon (4pm- 5pm EST).

Now for what you are all waiting for - the giveaway! To win a copy of  John's book - leave a comment telling me about your favorite color and why . I'll draw for the winner on Tuesday October 11 . And remember, in order to win, I have to know how to get a hold of you! If you don't have your email address in your profile or comment as anonymous, I won't be able to get the book to you, so please include your email with your comment if you think I won't be able to find it!

This drawing is now closed!

The winner is Carol who likes green - it goes with everything. She always thinks about flowers and green stems as her analogy.