Big (Final) Reveal...

It's hard to believe that a room can make such a difference to a creative vibe.

I never realized how I could be affected by light and space...or even the illusion

of space. I thought I needed a hard floor. Nope. I require light and a great view.

The big cabinets are gone, giving me about a foot more floor space, and I've

become very selective about what comes back in here. I have lots of elbow room.

My cutting table is in front of the largest window, and my sewing cabinet 

is turned to face the doorway. My chair will easily slide from the sewing table 

over to the computer, so I don't need to put two chairs in the room. Less is more.

I've got enough room to open up the extra table surface on my cabinet without

having to move it an inch! It's great to hold a quilt in progress or supplies for a

current project. When I'm finished, I just drop the leaf for more floor space.

The guest room is back to "normal" now, too. I repaired all the holes from the

wall anchors to secure the shelves, and gave the room a new coat of paint.

Handsome and I chose a nice, soft rug to coordinate with the Princeton Plates

quilt I made for the bed and we reset the room yesterday. We still have a few

 pieces to hang, but it's now essentially done, leaving a comfortable guest room.

  I have things to put away, a few things to donate and a few things to sell. I'll get  to all that as soon as I my muscles stop aching and I finish my "happy dance". Oh, and if you're looking for me after (or during) all that, I'll be in the studio!

They Liked Me...

A

 Before I start a new week, I want to show you the ribbons I earned

at our 2014 Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild Show. I was truly grateful

for the recognition for quilts I created over the past two years. Only one

was actually created to be a competition piece, and I was thrilled to have

it awarded for my efforts. So without further ado, let's get to it, shall we?

 "Over The River - My Way" earned a First Place ribbon in the

Collaborative - Bed Quilt - Small - Mixed Technique category.

You'll notice two blue ribbons. One is for me and the other will

go to Pat Alderman for her stellar longarm work. She made my

handwork and piecing look even better! (Thanks, Pat!) 

The third ribbon (in the first photograph), was awarded to the quilt

for "Viewers Choice".  After people viewed the show, they chose 

their favorite quilt and left their vote in a ballot box on their way

out. They liked me! I'm honored and humbled to have received this

ribbon, because it was given by a vote of my peers. (squeeeeeee!)

"Princeton Plates" received a Second Place ribbon in the Collaborative - 

Bed Quilt - Large - Mixed Technique category.  Pat Alderman

also did the longarm work on this quilt, so the second red ribbon is hers,

too. The large ribbon on this quilt is for "Best Track-Mounted Machine

Quilting". That ribbon will also make its way to Pat, as it was specifically

awarded for the work she did to enhance this quilt. She really deserved it!

 You can just imagine how pleased Handsome was to hear that "his"

quilt received this recognition. The quilt now resides on the guest room

bed, and it's perfect and soft for afternoon naps. He's got braggin' rights!

 "Martinique Plates" competed against "Princeton Plates" in the same category. 

It earned a Third Place ribbon. The judge later told me the difference between 

Second and Third was her assesment of the quality of fabrics used in one over 

the other. ("Moda™ Martinique vs Northcott™ Princeton.) Northcott™ won.

Susan Slaton did the machine quilting on this quilt and we stood next to 

each other during the judging. She was disappointed that her work didn't win 

the category, but I assured her that I adore this quilt and will cherish it always. 

 "Princeton Plates" earned a Third Place ribbon so Susan and I will each have a

ribbon to place on our wall for this quilt. (Thanks, Susan for your fine work!)

 I'm so glad that I was able to take photos of these quilts as they hung in the 

Exhibition Hall. The lighting really helped to show off all the beautiful 

longarm work, and we can see the entire quilt to its best advantage. It's back

 home in our master bedroom now, and I'm glad it's where it belongs again.

 You may remember that I made this small quilt as a model for a 

hand-applique' class  at Crazy Quilters last fall. When I finished

the quilt top, I asked Pam Wyka (who works there) to do the longarm

work. She did such a nice job. This quilt also earned a Second Place

ribbon for me, but this time in the Collaborative - Wall Quilt category.

One ribbon is mine and the other will go to Pam. (Thanks, Pammy!)

 This quilt now sits on our dining room table and looks right at

home against the same soft, muted colors in our area rug in the room.

 Last, but not least, is an Honorable Mention ribbon for The Pink Panther.

It competed in the Wall Quilt - Small - Applique' category.

 This quilt was a fun exercise in generating a realistic reproduction of 

an image - a well-known image at that! - in fabric and fiber. I had a 

great time creating it, and appreciate the recognition for my effort.

This show proved to be so much more than I ever dreamed or expected. 

By the time we got to returning quilts to our members, I was so tired.

Susan Slaton's "Dots & Jots" received a First Place ribbon.

 I had just received the Viewers' Choice Award and Susan and I were

folding and stacking our own quilts to take home with us. She said 

that she could have sold this quilt about 18 times over the weekend,

and I told her, "19. I love that quilt! It's so darn happy looking!"

l-r: me, Susan Slaton

As we continued to talk, Susan folded, placed it on my pile and gave it to

me as a gift. I asked her if she was serious and she assured me that she was.

I started to cry as I thanked her. She hugged me, told me to stop bawling 

and I whispered in her ear, "I think I need a nap."

It's Show Time...

"Over The River - My Way"

It's finally time...This week is Quilt Show Week for our guild.

I've entered five quilts for competition and display.

"Flutterby"

All of my quilts involve applique'.

If you've been reading my blog since I first learned this technique, you

may even chuckle a bit. You'll know that "I've come a long way, baby!".

"Martinique Plates"

I know that my friend, Flo would be proud of me if she were still here.

"Princeton Plates"

The week begins today with quilt judging for ribbons. Our guild has

about one hundred forty quilts, and most were submitted to be judged.

"The Pink Panther"

These are all my entries. I'm also having "Over The River" and

"Martinique Plates" appraised. Once "Martinique" is valued, I'll

know that "Princeton Plates" will be approximately the same value.

I'll be scribing (taking judge's notes) and helping turn quilts for

evaluation all day today. I'll be back on Wednesday to let you 

know the results. (Especially if there's anything "crow worthy"!)

 This is the week we've been working toward for the past two years.

We'll be crazy busy, but I want to savor it all.

I have to run. Judging starts at 8 o'clock this morning.

Wish me luck!

(There's still time to order raffle tickets, too! Just send me an email for details.)

A Quilt For Handsome...

Stunning long-arm work by Pat Alderman

After my hair appointment yesterday (I have to look good for the holidays,
right?), Handsome took me to Parrish to pick up his finished quilt from 
Pat Alderman. (I'm not cleared to drive myself yet.) He hasn't see it, as it's
his Christmas gift this year, but I just know he's going to be completely
thrilled when he unwraps it on Christmas Day. I know I'm over the moon!

Perfect quilting for a masculine design

Pat accented the Princeton plates without making them too girly. I love how

 every decision she made creates movement without being over the top. She

used a washable wool batting, so the quilt has the most wonderful drape, too!

I'm loving the final result!

I'll be binding the quilt in just a few days and then it will be ready to

place beneath our Christmas tree. Thank you, Pat, for another splendid

quilting finish. I'll be entering this one in our quilt show in February, too.

I think it's nearly time to sit back and relax! Just a few more packages

to ship and then I can enjoy the entire holiday with loved ones.

There really isn't anything better, is there?

Meet Pat Alderman...

All my photos today were taken on my iPhone.

 Yesterday was a beautiful day, filled with beautiful quilts.

I drove to Parrish, FL to take two of my quilts to a long-arm quilter that

I've been hearing quite a bit about. My friend, Loreen was the first to sing

her praises, and then I heard more about her from friends, Lunetta and Andy.

I really couldn't wait to meet her, and I was so glad I made the drive!

She lives in a lovely community within Parrish and I was taken with her

home as soon as I saw it. Inside was a real treat for the senses. Not only

were her quilts stunning, but her home is as warm and inviting as she is.

 We started our visit when she invited me into her studio. Look at her

New York Beauty quilt!!! (Remember one of my goals for 2014 is to

create a quilt with circles, and a New York Beauty is #1 on the list.)

Now I have a color and design in my mind to aim for.

 Pat took me into her long-arm room to show me her award-winning

quilt. This stunning quilt was created by her and her daughter. It uses

multiple techniques and is a sampler of her many quilting techniques. My

jaw actually dropped when I first saw it. It's large and truly impressive.

 When I turned around in her long-arm room, Pat pointed out her Dresden 

plate quilt. Rather than stitch down all the points, Pat machine quilted about 

1/2" away from the points, leaving them free at the edge. It gave the plates

more dimension. It's such a pretty quilt - sweet color choices and layout.

 Pat has a large basket in the living room, filled with the most scrumptious 

quilts. This one is machine appliqued' and then machine quilted. It's Pat's 

own design! She used whole-cloth Minke fabric on the back for the softest 

girly quilt imaginable. I'd make this quilt in a heartbeat, but I'll have to wait

because Pat hasn't done a pattern yet. (She said she's thinking about it.)

 This was a kit from Keepsake Quilting. (I want one!)

Pat backed it with flannel, creating another cuddly masterpiece.

 This is the last quilt I photographed and it hangs in Pat's dining room. 

She said that it was designed for wools, but she appliqued' the design 

in cotton fabrics with embroidery. I don't know the name of the quilt,

but it could be "Smitten", because I surely was when I looked at it. 

I loved everything about it.

I am so excited to have Pat quilting my latest completed pieces.

"Over The River" and "Princeton Plates" are in good hands.

I know that she will leave her special artistry on them and they'll

be better than they were. I'm so glad that she could take them in.

Thank you for making time for me, Pat.

I already feel like we're friends because of our mutual acquaintances.

I'm looking forward to forging our own friendship, and sharing more

of our love of fabrics, fibers, patterns and all things quilting.

It was a beautiful day, indeed.

Weekend Playtime...

 On Thursday, one of my students said that she'd been exploring my blog and had seen 

photos of my studio. She spoke of it in glowing terms, and I admit that I was a bit 

embarrassed. I quickly told her that I all bloggers usually only share studio photographs

after a recent cleaning. Don't we all like to put our best foot (feet?) forward?

 So, to prove that my creative space is usually like the everyone else, I'm posting 

pics of my room right after completing Handsome's Princeton Plates quilt top.

There are scraps of fabrics on tables, threads on the floor (Did I tell you I 

really hate that carpet? The only reason it's still in there is because I'd have to 

empty the studio to put in a new floor!), and many notions out of place. I'll have

to put away my rulers and cutters, store the iron and ironing board until the next 

time I need them, clean off all my horizontal surfaces and vacuum. I really must 

vacuum. (Please don't tell my doctor, as I'm not technically allowed yet.)

 

 I haven't put away the rest of the Princeton fabrics yet because I'm still going

to make two panels that will become trim for the guest room headboard.

I'll also make coordinating pillowcases, so I'll precut the fabric for those, too.

 The quilt top will be hanging in the studio hallway until I can take it to the 

long-arm quilter. The studio will have to wait for its much-needed cleaning. 

I'm taking the weekend off!

I'm going to Coffee Club this morning.

This evening, Handsome and I are going to our friend's 80th Birthday party.

Tomorrow, I'm going to spend the day playing with Tag - and 

Handsome and I plan to relax through the middle part of the day, 

We'll be joining friends for dinner out in the evening. 

Notice that "cleaning the studio" isn't on that list at all.

I hope you, too, are able to enjoy a restful weekend with someone you love.

It's really all we really need.

Rainy Days and Thursdays...

 What to do on a cloudy Thursday that quickly turned to rain?

Well, for starters, teach the final class for the Over The River quilt.

That was really fun. I saw one finished quilt and helped with pointers

on another. My third student had a funeral to attend and couldn't come.

I headed home and went to the studio to work on the Princeton Plates.

 

 I asked Handsome for his input and together we chose the sashing, 

cornerstone and border fabrics. The blocks are all assembled now, 

so today, I'll square up the quilt and add the first and second borders.

 Then, I'll be ready to send it off to the long-arm. While it's away, I'll make

 coordinating pillowcases, shams and prepare the binding for its return.

There's still a bunch to do, but I couldn't wait to share my progress.

 If you need me, I'll be in the studio.

Catch ya later!

Circular Thinking...

 What a great weekend! I found time to work on the Princeton Plates quilt.

 I enjoyed resting with my feet up, stitching the plates to the background 

fabric. I kept my supplies close at hand - Kimono silk thread, Thread Heaven™,

silver bee thimble, scissors and needle. Everything I needed when my attention

turned to the quilt - available when the urge to work on it struck my fancy.

 By the end of the day Monday all of my plates were sewn down!

Time to change my focus to creating the circles for the center of the blocks.

I gave Handsome fabric samples and asked him choose his favorite for the center 

circles. The winner was the blue paisley fabric. I think the blue  will be just the 

right choice for these plates. After all, the Moda "Princeton" line looks just like 

men's ties when used this way, and the blue center moves it even more in a 

masculine direction. Even so, I like the choice as much as Handsome does.

I made a template for the center and then began the applique' process of

forming the fabric into circles.  I need eighteen circles for eighteen plates.

 Today will be a total play day. I'll make the rest of the circle centers and

sew them to the plates. I bet I'll be pretty close to adding sashing by Friday.

There will be a lot of "circular thinking" before this step is finished. (snort)

What will you be working on today?