Festival Day 2

Paint Stick Magic

Quilt Festival Day 1

Monday night we made Super-Fast Binding and Pipings.


One student made her first successful binding!
Our Bernina educator Edna was great!

PS This class will be back next year

More - Quilt Market - Houston 2010

Time to visit old friends, and see the new interesting stuff.

I start teaching tonight - Super-fast Binding and Piping!

Bernina of America - Always a favorite, with fun quilts.


SEWN - new this year, easy patterns for youthful clothing.

Quilt Market - Houston 2010

Well after an uneventful flight I'm here at Market! (Where the quilt shops shop). Having a great time checking out all the new stuff.

Krenik - great threads.

Freckleberry Farm - applique designs.

Judging Guidelines

The purpose of judging a quilt show is twofold: one is to award excellence, and the other is to give critique. Do no confuse ‘critique’ with criticism. A critique is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as ‘a critical analysis or review’. When a critique is written, it should point out the areas in which the quilter has demonstrated success, as well as suggest areas which need improvement.

There are two general methods of judging. The point system and the elimination system.

The point system: points are given on a prepared score sheet something like this:
(The points and categories may be anything you want!)
Visual Impact (40 points) _____ Design (20 points) _____
Workmanship (20 points) _____ Color (20 points) _____
This system may reward more than one blue ribbon!

The elimination system. Each quilt is judged on its own merit, and held or released. The held quilts are then reviewed and the awards given.

What's Involved When Entering a Show

I'm crazy busy getting ready for the International Quilt Show in Houston TX. I can't believe I leave on Saturday, so this post seems appropriate.

People often ask me about what is involved in the jurying process, and I’ll certainly be the first to say that it is a difficult task to narrow the field down to the number of quilts any show can accommodate! Quilters are as diverse as they are talented, so jurors look at a very broad range of styles, both traditional and non-traditional. A few factors considered in making decisions are:

• General appearance: Does the quilt make a neat, clean and tidy first impression?
• Workmanship: Does the piece reflect excellent sewing and quilting skills? Is it flat, square and free of distortion, with all signs of construction invisible?
• Unity: Is there a condition of harmony in which all the parts – the design, colors, fabrics and the quilting – work together, each contributing to the overall effect?
• Wow factor: Does the quilt have that magical, indefinable ‘pop’ that makes viewers gasp in appreciation? Does it have the kind of impact that stays in their minds after they have walked away? This includes, but is in no way limited to, visual impact and whether the quilt successfully delivers the quiltmaker’s message.

Anyone viewing the amazing collection of quilts displayed in any show will certainly appreciate the wealth of talent, artistry and commitment of everyone involved!

Trains, Fabrics, etc.

So I'm home and what am I doing? Visiting a great shop not very far down the road!
Trains, Fabric, Etc., is an excellent source for fabric at very reasonable prices. Donna is very knowledgeable and gives great advice and help. There are many fabrics and samples in the shop, well worth the trip from anywhere. I always enjoy my visit.
Trains, Fabrics, etc. (253) 779-0219
1315 S 23rd St Tacoma, WA , 98405-3425

Capitol Reef National Park

This is my favorite National Park! It comprises 378 square miles of colorful canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths. About 75 miles of the long up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold, extending like a rugged spine from Thousand Lake Plateau southward to Lake Powell, is preserved within the park boundary. Capitol Reef is the name of an especially rugged and spectacular part of the Waterpocket Fold near the Fremont River.

The one-room schoolhouse, constructed by residents in 1896, also served as a community center. The desks were movable and the community enjoyed dances and box socials in the little building. Residents also held church activities there, as well as in private homes. Women often quilted together and men and boys were especially fond of baseball. "Putting up" foods was not a hobby in Fruita; it was essential for survival through the winter.

Hell's Backbone

Hell's Backbone is not for the faint of heart! ... but it is one of the most dramatic roads anywhere. The road makes a loop connecting Escalante with Scenic Byway 12, near Boulder Utah.

A Balloon Ride

Early morning quiet was the perfect time to take a balloon ride floating high above the desert labyrinths and monoliths in Moab Utah. An adventure story to tell years to come.

In the Desert

Hired a guide with this great Jeep to take us out into the desert. Yes, we followed this ATV up the side of that hill! Woohoo.

Up and down over the hills we go.

It's Sew Moab

What a delight! A quilt shop in this great desert town. Enjoyed a few minutes browsing among the familiar and new things.

Vacation Time

Moab, a city in eastern Utah is known for National Parks, slick rock, uranium mines, movies and tourists. I love it for the sunshine and blue sky! Beautiful vista above Moab Utah.

Southwest Washington Shop Hop

October 22-31

Southwest Washington is having a 20 shop hop. If you are like me, shop hops can be overwhelming. West from Ocean Shores and Aberdeen east to Morton and north from Tacoma and Orting to south to Vancouver, 20 shops in 10 days is doable.

Cray Quilting Today

Did you know that Crazy Quilts and heavily embellished garments were once a mark of affluence? Women used them to declare – ever so subtly – that they had time for elaborate hand sewing while their domestic staff toiled over the household chores. Few of us live the lifestyle of the ‘landed gentry’ these days, but what we do have is a wealth of time-saving products and techniques available to us. There are many clever ways to accomplish wonderful embellishments with the investment of very small amounts of time!Embellishment includes everything from complex beading to sewing with basic thread. In Crazy Quilting, the philosophy is this: if it shows, highlight it! In today’s busy world, we have to grab sewing time whenever it presents itself, so be prepared at a moment’s notice to have something to sew. Red work is usually my favorite, but I don’t limit myself to basic red work. I’ll embroider tea towels, pillow cases and make quilt blocks, stitching with floss, pearl cotton, and, my favorite, thick thread made for the sewing machine. Any time you manage to have fabric in your hand, relish the moment and let your creativity flow!

When embellishing with thread, which includes everything from embroidering to quilting, use pretty much anything that appeals to you. Crazy Quilting is definitely the time to show off your thread collection! You can really add your own special touch to any project by putting a decorative stitch over the seams, couching over one or more cords or ribbons and adding beads or buttons for texture. Or make duplicate rows of stitching, highlight them with an entirely different stitch or use thread to work a specific design onto your fabric.

Tri-County Quilt Merchant Association invites you to their...

91 Mile Yard Sale
Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd
9:30 am - 6 pm

They’re selling yards and yards of fabric at “yard sale” prices. Grab your friends, make the 91 mile road trip from Bothell to Lynden WA, and take advantage of these fantastic bargains on quality quilting fabric. Don’t miss out on this fun event!

COLOR YOUR WORLD

For insight on your color preferences think about the color you associate with the following:

1. Your favorite fabric
2. Geometric fabric
3. Focus fabric
4. Going to bed
5. Polishing your nails
6. Novelty fabric
7. Picking field flowers
8. A bouquet of your flowers
9. Your favorite quilt, one you made
10. Coloring your hair
11. Setting the table
12. Putting up the patio umbrella
13. Floral fabric
14. Placing a wreath on your door
15. Daydreaming
16. Ethnic fabric
17. Arranging a bowl of fruit
18. The color of the cover of your favorite quilt book
19. Abstract fabric
20. Solid fabric

Scoring
Designate each of your color choices according to three basic categories of association—warm, cool and neutral. First, find your colors in the following category list:
Warm Colors: red, orange, pink, yellow
Cool Colors: blue, green, purple
Neutral Colors: black, brown, white, gray, beige, taupe

Next assign an “A” whenever you have listed a warm color, a “B” for all you cool color choices, and a “C” for neutral colors. Count how many you listed in each category.

Use the information below to see what your choices may say about you and your quiltmaking.

Your tally: warm ____________ cool ____________ neutral ____________
How do you compare?
Mostly “A”s? You come alive with energizing colors.
Mostly “B”s? You respond to soothing colors.
Mostly “C”s? You like to play it safe.
Tie with two or all categories? Evenly distribute color ‘temperatures’ throughout your stash.

Color My World

I'm sitting in my studio thinking about color for my next project. The ideas are in there somewhere. Color inspired by the outdoors is fresh, easy to wear and flattering to everyone. Fresh greens that have favored yellow have matured into the deeper blue greens in shades of emerald. Purple’s royal tones are flushed with pink to form rich shades of maroon that lighten to soft lavender. Passionate reds and pretty pinks are seasoned with warmer golden undertones to form the delicious colors of pomegranate, salmon and peach. Modern pastels reflect the delicate colors of sunrise. Clear sky blues and deeper ocean blues offer tranquility and promote peaceful meditation. Healing turquoise tones are modern accents that continue to be a favorite eye catching color. Warm brown colors and soft dove grays are used to balance and ground more brilliant color choices. Graphic black and white add a playful mod note to a generally neutral palette. Crystal clear pieces reflect light beautifully and give a modern look of beauty showing purity, innocence and refinement.

So much to think about!

Pam Clarke presents...

The best reason to join a guild? The programs at Evergreen Piecemakers, in Kent WA of course! Last night Pam Clarke presented a great program. Designs With Lines is a machine quilting technique developed by Pam to speed up marking quilt tops, using simple lines as a guide to create individual designs.

Quilt Show

Two of my favorite quilts ever...

Prayer Beads
59”w X 50” h

An attempt to express the essence I experience. The flexibility and softness of fabric allow my hands to create what my spirit feels. This piece is hand appliqued, machine pieced and quilted. The fabrics were selected from my collection of store bought materials.

Mah Jongg

62”w X 69” h

Mah Jongg. An ancient Chinese diversion concealed by the royalty for centuries. A game. Color and texture in dots and tiles interweaved. A puzzle. Intricate geometric designs in endless combinations. An attempt to express the essence I experience. The flexibility and softness of fabric allow my hands to create what my spirit feels. Was I Chinese royalty in another life? Many commercial cotton fabrics create the design. This quilt is hand appliqued, machine pieced and quilted.

Drive-by Quiltings

Hey all,

Join in the fun as Ricky Tims travels across country seeing quilt everywhere!

Nancy's Sewing Basket

If you are ever in need of a New York fabric inspiration take a trip to Nancy's. Their stock of world wide fabrics is the best in town! Also check out the millinery, tailoring, dressmaking, heirloom supplies.



But I must say for an embellisher the 'Ribbon Room' is the best!













Nancy's is celebrating their 32nd anniversary!
All, in stock, fabric and patterns are discounted!
25% Sept 7, 2010 - Sept 12
28% Sept 13 - 17
32% Sept 18 & 19
Great Daily Discounts too.

Around Town, Way Around

I live in Washington state, and with 23 million riders and 10 million cars per year, we have the largest ferry system in the U.S. and third largest in the world. A ride on the ferry offers an interesting way to get away for the day. So yesterday we took a trip to see the Lopez Island Studio Tour.

Visited the spaces of some great fiber artists.

Mary Bywater Cross - woolen quilts

Barbara Nepom - contemporary Wall Quilts
Jan Scilipoti - Textiles & felting

Bernina USA

Check out the Bernina Blog to see the notice about my new book Eye Candy Quilts!