Houston - Guest Artists

Houston - Guest Artists

Block Party Quilt Show - This Weekend!

Location: Issaquah Community Center, 301 Rainier Blvd. South, Issaquah, WA 98027

Date: November 11 – 13, 2011 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Hours: Friday and Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 10am-4pm

Cost: $5

Featured Artist: Colleen Wise

Theme: Color Expressions

Show Features: Over 200 quilts, Tea Room, “Own Your Own” Quilt Sales, Boutique, Kids’ Korner, Demos, Door Prizes, Challenge Quilt Exhibit

A Few of My Favorite Things, once more

"Fast Finish" Triangles - This is a great way to quickly and easily provide a fake sleeve to hang a small quilt on a single nail. Before sewing the binding, fold two squares of fabric in half diagonally, press. On the back, place them over the two top corners, all raw edges together. Sew the binding. Simply insert a pencil, small dowel, or chop stick under the triangles and balance the quilt on a nail.





Ever rub crayons on fabric? I can be a time consuming project. Try warming the fabric first with an iron, then applying the crayon. Works like a charm!

Is the eye of the needle getting smaller every year? Try the Clover needle threader. Just like having younger eyes, well almost! (They now come in pretty colors).

A Few of My Favorite Things, continued

Tie a bow that looks good every time by following these simple steps: Take a piece of ribbon and form two loops. Holding a loop in each hand (they look like bunny ears at this point), tie a single knot. Instead of trying to stick out at odd angles, your tails will both be pointed down.




Through trial and error and the occasional ‘beads dumped onto the carpet’ fiasco, I have learned that a neat way to hold your beads is in a six-inch embroidery hoop, lined with fabric and turned upside down. Thus safely corralled, the beads don’t jump around because there is no static charge to get them going. It definitely turns what should be a fun and creative process into an exercise in frustration when you have to chase down each and every bead! Another great advantage to this method is, if you happen to work in an upholstered chair or couch, you can pin the hoop directly to the arm, making it pretty close to impossible to knock over. A win-win situation if ever there was one.

I like to make and label using treated fabric in my ink jet printer. These treated-for-printing fabrics are usually white. Since I prefer colored fabrics, I paint on the white with textile paint mixed with 25 percent water and allow them to dry thoroughly before running them through the printer. Don’t worry if your painted fabric looks a bit messy – just let it dry, iron it flat and you are all set to follow the manufacturer’s directions for printing.

A Few of My Favorite Things

The Bottom Line by Superior Threads - This thread has a shiny appearance and is virtually lint free. It can be thin and lightweight, yet strong. Due to its smooth surface, it works well with metallic threads and heavy cotton threads. The smoothness of the filament poly thread does not snag or grab the top thread. If you've had trouble using metallics or heavy cotton threads, smooth bobbin thread may solve some problems.

Why is starch is my friend? Need to tame bias edges? Looking for the easiest stabilizer for stitching or just because you like to work with washed fabric with some stiffness. I prefer to use concentrated liquid starch, purchased at a big box store. A heavy solution of 50% water to 50% starch. Spraying the starch to warm fabric, makes the fabric firm faster. Need more body? Dip the fabric in straight starch and place in the dryer. Maximum stiffness? Dip fabric in straight starch and hang to dry!

International Quilt Market/Houston

International Quilt Market/Houston - This is the time and place for your shop to buy, buy, buy. So you can buy all the new stuff!One hour after Market closes the picture is very different.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

I have supported Ami Simms and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative from the beginning. This year's quilt for sale at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative booth is Blaze. Stop by and check it and the other 999 plus quilts for sale in the booth. Dig deep it is for a good cause!

Savannah's Architecture and History

Savannah's architecture and history are internationally known, as is its reputation for Southern charm and hospitality; for example, the city's former promotional name was "Hostess City of the South," a phrase still used by the city government. Each year, Savannah attracts millions of visitors from across the country and around the world. Savannah's downtown area is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States.

The city's location offers visitors access to the coastal islands and the Savannah Riverfront, both popular tourist destinations. Tybee Island, formerly known as "Savannah Beach", is the site of the Tybee Island Light Station, the first lighthouse on the southern Atlantic coast.

Loved the details. It was believed that dolphins were good luck and prevented evil spirits from flying up the downspouts.

Savannah Georgia

Lots of beautiful oak trees with Spanish Moss.

Interesting ruins at the Old Sheldon Church

Be sure to check out Fabrika,

Visiting Savannah? Be sure to check out Fabrika, It's a locally owned fabric & sewing supply store located in the heart of downtown savannah. They carry a large variety of cotton prints and solids, in addition to luxurious high end fabrics- wool, cotton, linen, & silk, plus an array of interesting natural blends (bamboo, seaweed, pineapple, etc.).
140 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31401

*that's between Oglethorpe & York

912.236.1122

Savannah

Grits for breakfast, oh my!

Hilton Head Island
Dipped my toes in the Atlantic Ocean

This ones for you, Dear

People, Places & Quilts

People, Places & Quilts. Downtown Charleston: Located in an old, neighborhood grocery store. Cute store. Lots of different fabrics, good variety.
1 Henrietta St
Charleston SC
(843) 937-9333

Savannah Georgia

Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia.

Savannah's downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the Savannah Victorian Historic District and 22 parklike squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia.

Staying at the Planters Inn, gracious, colonial, elegance.

Retreats

I treat myself to a couple of retreats a year. The kind where you just sew!! Fall it is by the sea at Seabeck WA. We sew and make a big mess. Lots of laughter, fun and sewing go on there.