Best In Show...

Look at those sweet, bossy faces!

 It's called "Time and Seasons" and it was created by Jane Becker.

All the elements were hand appliqued' and then surface stitched

using ribbon embroidery and other fibers (floss, etc.)

"Time and Seasons" by Jan Becker

 I think I'll keep my commentary to a minimum.

I know you'll be as speechless as I was.

 A sweet-faced dog in the front yard and icicles on the edge of the roof!

 There are tiny, lazy daisy stitches combined to form them.

 Every block has this much detail!

 A round, stone barn with swans swimming in the pond.

 Oh, dear. I love these grazing holsteins! (The grass is always greener...)

 Jane stitched her flying Canada geese formation 

completely in silk ribbon and floss. Detail upon detail.

 Flowers in the farmyard and a little kitten in the foreground

create yet another beautiful block. I'm sure I'll see more things

each time I look at my photographs. My own version of "I Spy"!

Day Two of the Quilt Show today.

 We'll be drawing the winning ticket for the 

"American Treasures" quilt

this afternoon. I admit, I'm going to miss having it around. 

If you purchased a ticket or more, I would like to thank you

 personally, and wish you Good Luck!

One Week Until The Drawing...

 One week from today, our guild will draw the name of one lucky winner. 

Someone will win the "American Treasures" queen-size, album quilt.

It has been appraised at $3500 and won a Second Place ribbon

at the National Quilt Association quilt show last summer in Ohio.
The winner of the quilt will also receive the prize ribbon.

This link will take you to the Flickr album I created 

with photos of each of the blocks and more quilt details.

If you're interested in purchasing raffle tickets, you may transmit

payment to me via PayPal. Just email me for more information.
(My email link in is my right side bar.)

Tickets are $1 each of 6 for $5.

Just think...$1 for the opportunity to win a $3500 heirloom!

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of tickets will benefit Charlotte County

  C.A.R.E. organization, which assists rape and domestic abuse victims.

There's still time to purchase your tickets.

It's Back...

 Our "American Treasures" album quilt is back from the NQA Quilt Show.

(NQA=National Quilt Association). It was pretty exciting for our guild, too.

 Our quilt won SECOND PLACE in Chapter Row (where the guilds compete)!!

 I'm so happy that the hard work of our talented quilters was recognized

with a gorgeous Second Place ribbon. Did I tell you that this ribbon and

book will go with the quilt when one lucky person wins it in our raffle?

 

I have another label to sew to the quilt now. It came from NQA and it acknowledges 

our participation in their 44th Annual Show. I'm tellin' ya, my buttons are just bustin'! 

Raffle tickets are available from me if you're interested in purchasing a chance to win.

($1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5) Just send me an email for more information.

Raffle Tickets Available Now...

 Our guild "American Treasures" Album Quilt is in Ohio for the

National Quilt Association Quilt Show!!! It's going to appear on 

Guild Row! We're really excited, and everyone is hoping it wins a ribbon!

(Any ribbons earned go to the winner of the quilt, too!)

 Our advertising flyers are ready and all the raffle tickets are in

member's hands...including MINE! I took possession of 220 

of them, and told the Ticketmaster that this was just my first batch. 

 Each package of raffle tickets includes this card showing the quilt.

It's a large queen size, so it will fit perfectly on a queen size bed or as a

coverlet on a king size bed. It would also make a fabulous headboard

if you choose instead to hang it on the wall in your bedroom.

 I can tell you that everyone who has seen it wants it! 

The raffle tickets cost $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.

Imagine that you might win this fabulous quilt for ONE DOLLAR!

So...

$1 for 1 ticket

$5 for 6 tickets

$10 for 12 tickets

$20 for 24 tickets

etc., etc., etc.

If you're interested in purchasing tickets, here's how I figured 

out how to make them available to all my blog friends...

Please send me a check stating the number of tickets you want and the 

correct amount of money to cover their cost. I will fill out your tickets and 

keep track of your numbers in a ledger - making sure that your tickets are 

turned in to be included in the drawing. Email me for my address at:

dliljegren (at) brynwoodneedleworks (dot) com

*Of course, you change the words in parenthesis into standard format.

You can also email me if you have any questions, or leave a 

comment here. I'll be happy to answer any and all questions.

If you want the stubs sent back to you, please include a self-addressed,

 stamped envelope to cover returning them to you. I will still keep track

of your numbers in a ledger for when it's time for the actual drawing.

I'm looking forward to helping promote our raffle over the next eight

months, and I really hope that one of my friends wins our quilt.

Remember, all it takes is one ticket for a chance!

May I Have Your Attention, Please...

DPQG 2014 "American Treasures" Album Raffle Quilt

I can finally show you more photographs of the completed applique' quilt for

the 2014 Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild Show. This is a queen size quilt

and it will be raffled at our show in February 2014. Imagine this...one lucky

winner will take this home with them (or have it shipped to them) after the show!

This is the block I designed and stitched myself.

Susan's custom quilting really made this quilt come to life. She does 

truly incredible work, and it's so perfect for all the handwork that went 

into each and every block that was a part of this heirloom-quality piece.

One of my very favorite blocks.

I don't think this album quilt would be complete without the eagle.

(Of course, I love the acorns, too!)

Another favorite...

This block makes me smile. I love how Susan quilted the sky

behind the lighthouse, and the lobsters were expertly created, too.

Of course, I have to show you the alligator block!

Can you almost taste the oranges, feel the sunshine and hear the sea?

It really doesn't take much imagination.

If you'd like to see all of the blocks and special features lovingly and 

expertly stitched into this piece, you can go to the Flickr album I created.

Just click here to see more. 

These are not the "official photographs", which will be taken soon for our

advertising images, but I just couldn't wait any longer to share them with you.

I began this quilt journey in August 2012. I am in awe of the dedication and 

talent of all the women who helped to create this masterpiece - and that we

completed it in a mere eight months! Thank you, everyone!

Our raffle tickets will be printed soon and I'll make them available for 

anyone who is interested in a chance to win the quilt. More details soon.

 For now, I'm just going to crow about my incredible quilting friends.

It's Almost Finished...

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

Susan posted these photos on our guild Facebook page yesterday, so I immediately 

asked her for permission to use them to share with you on my blog. She was kind 

enough to agree. I'm so excited to be able to share these photographs with you!

Susan is also from Wisconsin, so the first picture she posted was of the Wisconsin block.

I'm so pleased with the way this block turned out...and a little proud that it's the one

that I designed and created myself. I know I'll be doing this block again for my own quilt.

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

Susan took this photograph to show how she did the stitching between the blocks.

Isn't it wonderful how it camouflages the seams (sans sashing) between each one?

PERFECT!!!

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

Susan even added a few surprise touches within some of the blocks. Look how she

stitched a flower blossom that matches the bloom in the Iowa basket! She's so creative.

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

This is the custom quilting that Susan created for each of the four "empty" blocks 

in each corner. Don't you agree that they are "stand-alone" gorgeous!

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

Susan took this photograph when she took a break for lunch. 

Of course, I teased her. Lunch? "You stopped quilting for lunch?" I can only imagine

the physical and mental concentration that goes into creating this kind of work.

I'd have to lie down for half the day (at least)! lol

Photo courtesy of Susan Slaton - Wazoo Quilter

This is the final picture from Susan to share with you today. She hasn't done any 

quilting on the piano keys yet in this photo, but she's finished the outer border. Don't 

you want to just FAINT? I'm telling you. I could weep looking at how much Susan's 

work adds to the quilt. It makes me want to start all over and make another one for 

myself...almost. I think I'll wait until next year to do another. But rest assured. 

I am going to make another.

Please be sure to visit Susan's blog, Wazoo! Newsbits. 

She posts all of her projects on her blog each week and I can assure you that she's one 

crazy, busy lady! Just click here to visit, and please let her know I invited you to visit.

Catching My Breath...

 I delivered the quilt top to Susan yesterday afternoon. I guess I hadn't realized 

just how physically and mentally invested I am in the project. All of a sudden,

I was exhausted. It actually took me by surprise. I had to rest. You know. The

"put your feet up and relax" kind of rest. After I got home, I decided to do

 absolutely nothing. It was blissful. Later, I was so refreshed that I tidied up 

the studio a bit! Now, I'll be ready to get right to it when I go back in there.

I'm looking forward to spending the day with dear old friends visiting from 

Wisconsin today. They've been in Florida for a week, but have made time

 to be with us before they head back home. I'm sure there will be pictures.

Wishing all of you a great day today. It's almost the weekend!!

A Handful of Keys...

 I decided that there would be three borders on our guild "American Treasures" 

album quilt. The first would be a narrow black border to visually separate the 

blocks. The second/main border would be "piano keys".  I would use varying 

widths cut from all the fabrics which were used to create the blocks. (These were

 all cut by Nora at the shop yesterday. She was a real life saver! Thanks, Nora!!)

 The third/final border is the same light fabric that was used as the foundation

for each of the appliqued' blocks.  I hope you agree that the effect is stunning.

I spent all of yesterday in the studio sewing the keys together and adding the

borders as shown in the pictures. I took these while the light was good, but

they weren't yet sewn together until later in the day. (They're on now, though!)

 I'm heading to Sarasota for my much-needed haircut this morning, and

then I'll be taking the quilt to Susan's in the afternoon. It will be left in

her artistic and capable hands and when it comes back to me, I'll be sure

to share photographs of the finished quilt with all of you. I'm so excited!!

In the meantime, I'll find out more about the raffle tickets and when 

they'll be available. I'm going to figure out a system so that you'll be able 

to purchase raffle tickets directly from me (and get your ticket stubs back). 

That way, anyone who cares to can have a chance to win it when it's raffled 

at our quilt show in February, 2014. I haven't decided whether or not I'll

use PayPal, or the good ol' US Postal Service, but I'll know soon to tell you.

 The next time I show you the quilt, it will be completely done.

For now, there's a celebration here at the Liljegren house. Woo Hoo!

I think Spring Cleaning is next on the list!

Treasures In Living Color...

 While Tag's been visiting with the neighbors, I've been at the sewing machine 

at Sandy's Quilt Shop. I actually didn't expect to have my picture taken (Thanks, 

Kathy!), so excuse the messy hair (haircut tomorrow) and overall scruffy appearance.

All the applique' blocks are finished, squared up and in this picture, I was 

occupied with sewing the rows together in the first sewing step toward assembly.

 Nora was busy at the cutting table cutting the scrap fabric left over from creating the

 blocks into pieces to be joined for the "piano key" border. It will be one of the borders

 in the finished quilt. Both Nora and Kathy got all the fabrics cut and sorted for me, so

 I'll sew that border together and attach it today.  I can't wait to show you how it looks!!

 This is the final arrangement for all the blocks. I've already sewn them together

in this image. The four blank blocks (one at each corner) will be filled with custom 

quilting for added interest. Sixteen blocks total and borders make a queen size quilt.

If you're wondering what the objects are projecting into the picture on 

the left side of this picture, it's just a stack of threads from the sewing table.

The blocks were actually hung horizontally (it was the only way I could fit

 the assembled blocks onto the design wall).  I then rotated the photo so that you 

don't have to stand on your head to see all the blocks. Aren't they wonderful???

I consider the women who worked together to create these blocks to

be the "Elite of the elite". I'm in awe of their collective talents!

I'm home all day today and if you're looking for me, I'll be in the studio making 

the piano key border and then finishing the quilt top with the final outside border. 

My plan is to deliver the completed quilt top to our talented, award-winning, 

custom long-arm quilter, Susan Slaton of Wazoo Quilter on Thursday.

Wish me luck!

Please send Handsome and Tag in to check on me from time to time. A 

beverage might be nice, but no coffee or anything else that might stain fabric.

Better safe, than sorry.

There Ain't No Bugs On Me...

 I won't use a lot of words today to share my applique' block reveal.

I think the photos can speak for themselves.

 Applique' finished.

Embroidery finished.
(LOTS of teen, tiny French knot grapes!)

 Block finished!!!

It took me approximately seventy hours, start to finish.

The quilt top will be assembled this week and then it will be on its 

way to Susan for her expertise at the long-arm machine. I'm happy.

Really happy.

Poke, Poke, Poke...

I'm looking a little bit like a human pincushion these days. I refer to my index and middle fingers on my left hand as "catching fingers". In order for me to finish a proper applique' stitch, I have to be able to literally feel the needle by catching it with my fingertips. I know many of you more experienced quilters are probably shaking your heads and tittering right now, but this is how I've adjusted to making those teeny, tiny, (hopefully) perfect stitches.

I don't draw blood (thank goodness!), but I do scrape up the skin with the tip of the applique' needle. After a short while, the callous I create kinda numbs the tips of my fingers, too so they don't hurt. I know. It sounds completely pathetic, doesn't it?

I have these sticky thingies that I use as a thimble on my right hand...my needle hand. If you haven't seen them before, they're "dots" that are padded or plastic that stick to the skin. They take up less space on my finger than a regular thimble. (I have some gorgeous and useful thimbles, but the thread catches on them and unthreads the needle). sigh. Don't laugh. I'm trying to keep it real here!

I use straw needles to do my applique', and they're long and extremely fine. It's not that they're difficult to thread, but I'd just as soon not have to do it every few stitches, so these flat protectors save me a little time in that regard. Also, those fine needles can pierce the tip of your finger if you try to push it through the fabric without a little "reinforcement". The dots keep me from mangling up my other hand, then, too.

Don't feel sorry for me. I really love applique' but I'm still relatively new to the tips and tricks of accomplishing the technique without sacrificing my hands. It proves I still have more to learn, right?

I'll finish the applique' on this block today...right on schedule. Then, I'll start salving my fingers until the callouses go away again. I'm sure as soon as they're healed, I will have a NEW applique' project in mind and will start the process all over. Or maybe before I start the next one, I'll find out from Flo and Barb and Betty the best ways to protect my delicate fingers. No need to send "get well" cards. I'll be fine. Really.