'red hearts'

Sometimes I wonder why I let quilt tops hang in the closet for so long. I start to feel like I don't like them any longer, and then I finish them and they come to life.

I ripped out the quilting that I started with...it was a bad choice. I love how the scalloped quilting echoes the shape of the top of the hearts. It gives the quilt a vintage feel. It's not really modern, not really my aesthetic and I don't really like hearts, but for some reason I love this quilt. Go figure.

You can see the full quilt better here and its companion. Oh, and by the way, you can see how Em used my tutorial to make some more cute hearty things.

Have a Seat

Two years ago my mom gave me money for Christmas to get chairs for my dining room table. I've been looking ever since. The table is my great grandmother's, a family heirloom. It needed just the right chairs. I wanted them unique and me, but I wanted them to fit the 'feeling' of the table too. When I saw these I knew they were perfect.
They're galvanized metal with wonderful details. The metal gives them a modern feel, but they also look like they've always been with the table.

Comfy too.

Still quilting on the 'red hearts' quilt...I think I'm on the right track now.

Inspector #5

Do you make things for other people? Do you worry about them being perfect? I do. Though I love working freely without the encumbrances of other people's rules, I'm pretty strict with myself. If I didn't work on it every day I'd be paralyzed by perfection.

As I was packaging my neighborhood quilts to send to their new owners I noticed a flaw in one of the quilts. It was a roofing problem, shoddy construction, and definitely a lax general contractor. I would have been mortified if that quilt had arrived at its destination with a leaky roof. The future owner was gracious as could be, but I was still beside myself. My brain jumped to dark places about other quilts.

I think I've said this before that there is a fine line between wonky and wacked out. I want my quilts, if they are wonky to be that way purposefully. Does that make any sense at all? Cutting with scissors or without a ruler creates wavier seams, but they shouldn't fall apart.

I also know that part of the beauty of the handmade is its imperfection, the touch of the hand.

Where am I going with this?

I don't want to subject myself to the quilt police, maybe a kindly, inspector #5 is what i need?


On a happier note. The first meeting of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild took place on Saturday morning. These are my MQG peeps. 34 of us and growing. It's a good thing! If you'd like to see if there is a group in your city, go here. If not, why not start one.

One more thing for your Monday. Beth, my friend at Modern Jax is auctioning some gorgeous quilts and tree skirts to benefit Haiti. The need in Haiti will be long term. My hope is that this disaster may be the catalyst to development and stability for the people of Haiti. With the help of my blog friends, I donated $1,100 to the American Red Cross today. I know it's just a drop in the bucket, but a bunch of drops adds up to a flood of help.

I forgot to say, thanks for all the kind words about 'feeling blue' and my sew connected quilt. I appreciate each and every comment.

Inspiration to Exhilaration

The inspiration...a drawing done by my youngest son when he was in 6th grade. (it hangs in my living room)

The process...the inspiration was given to my sew connected buddies and they made the blocks for me. Aren't they fabulous!! The process was excruciating, crazy, frustrating and believe it or not, fun. I've never made a quilt this difficult...many, many set in seams. All of the blocks were different sizes (which is what I asked for!) I pressed/starched these blocks within an inch of their lives. It was more like sewing with blocks of wood than fabric, but they stayed straight. Thank goodness, because the seam ripper got LOTS of use in this one. You'll notice that the layout is different in the final top. My design wall was my saving grace for this quilt. I can't even tell you how many layouts I went through to achieve this. This is what a virtual quilting bee is all about for me...pushing me farther than I would go on my own. I can't thank my bee peeps enough. I learned so much.

Exhilaration...I'm so proud of this, I can't even tell you. It almost makes me cry and I only made one of the blocks. I LOVE the negative space that is created by the blocks. The chocolate brown and aqua is my favorite color combination (I've been using so much brown lately). I love that Jon's drawing was the inspiration.

I have one more block that will be the centerpiece of the back...the back is going to be soo cool...if I can pull it off. (Audrey, that's your block).
I will tell you that I almost wimped out, sashed all the blocks the same size so I could easily put them together. I'm so glad, I struggled with this to make it like I had envisioned it. I'm wondering now how quilting will transform it.

Remember, the neighborhood quilt auction for Haiti ends at 8 am tomorrow. Last chance to get your bid in...

With a Little Help from My Friends and Family

I had a little extra help this weekend and so I was able to hunker down in the studio and get some sewing done.

The 'Feeling Blue' blocks are now a queen sized quilt top. You can see I ran out of space on my design wall. I'd love to know your thoughts on this one. My hand is itching to grab my snarky seam ripper and start again. That block in the center is bothering me.

I made a simple pieced back for the back of this pinwheel quilt. It's on the floor ready to baste.

'Red Hearts' is basted and ready to quilt. I'm having a little trouble deciding how to quilt it, but then I always struggle with the 'how to quilt' decision. Again, the snarky seam ripper is at hand in case I make the wrong decision.
The Neighborhood to Help a Neighborhood auction for Haiti is going great. Thanks to each of you who have put in a bid or helped publicize the auction! You're the best! At post time the bids were:

Pink - $200

Blue - $200

Green - $150

That's $1100 for the American Red Cross and the auction doesn't end until Friday. You can check it out here.

The Craft Hope etsy shop is exceeding all expectations. So many of my crafty friends have donated or bought items. My 'Hot Spots' quilt found a new home too. Doesn't it warm your heart to see how folks rally in a time of need?

A Neighborhood to Help a Neighborhood

It's difficult to watch television these days. The devastation and suffering in Haiti is hard to imagine and the amount of help and support that is needed to make a difference is staggering.

I read on the Craft Hope site about their etsy store to help earthquake victims in Haiti by raising money for Doctors Without Borders. I planned to donate items for the store. My husband suggested instead that I could raise more money by auctioning the quilts on my blog. However you choose to help, please help in your own small way.

Here's what I would like to do. I'm auctioning my neighborhood quilts and the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. I WILL MATCH WHATEVER IS EARNED FROM THE AUCTION. The auction will begin with this post and end on Friday at 8 a.m. central time.

So here's how it works. Leave a comment with
1. the color of the quilt your bidding on (blue, pink, green)
2. the amount of your bid
3. your email address


If you have the top bid, I will send you a paypal invoice for your quilt. When all the payments are received I will send out the quilts, and make a donation to the American Red Cross for double the amount raised.

blue neighborhood 27.5" x 40.5"

pink neighborhood 29" x 29"

green neighborhood 27.5" x 40.5"
Thanks for helping. If you'd like to post about it on your blog to spread the word, that would be great. Let's see what kind of a difference we can make together.

I decided to donate a quilt to the Craft Hope Etsy store as well. Remember the Hot Spots quilt I didn't know what to do with? Now it has a purpose...hopefully it will find a home. (Sold 15 minutes after the listing went up. Yippee!!)

Chipping Away

I didn't do very well in my own challenge. I wanted to start the new year with a clean slate, but since that didn't happen I made a list. Well, a couple of lists. Tops that need to be quilted (they also need backs made), and projects that are in the construction phase. I'm hanging all the tops in my studio so they're right there in front of my face reminding me to finish them.

I wonder if I could have all those tops finished in 6 weeks, by the end of February? That's what I'm aiming for. I've gotta have a goal, or I simply spin my wheels and start new projects. I have a sketchbook brimming with ideas....

Proposal Moon has been added to the list of tops. I'm so happy with it! The moons seem to glow in the night sky.

A Little Night Sewing

Life has gotten in the way of time in the studio, but I have managed a little late night sewing and organizing.

These double pinwheel blocks have been hanging in my closet for maybe a year. I didn't like my original idea for them, but the other night I laid them out on the design wall, added some squares of the prints and had a top.
It's pretty ordinary the way it is, so I decided to make prairie points for the edges. I think the addition of these little beauties may turn it into something special.
The snow has changed our routine significantly. Trudging through the woods in the deep snow is tough on both of us. Bruno is wishing for spring. How about you?

Proposal Moon

One clear, chilly night in late November he called to her. "Come outside and see the moon with me." She replied unenthusiastically, "But it's so cold outside." He persisted. She acquiesced. They stood together looking at the moon. He wrapped his arms around her. "Isn't it beautiful," he said. "Can we go in now?" she pleaded. He held her closer, and they stood in the moonlight. He whispered, "Will you marry me?" She said, a little shocked and bewildered, "You're kidding?" Before he could say anything else she said yes.

For the last 26 plus years, every time I look at the moon I think of that night. I think of my hubby who has taught me to see the beauty around me and appreciate the little blessings of life. When I made the circle block for the tutorial in the last post it reminded me of the moon and that night. I couldn't help myself, I kept making more and more moons. This quilt is going to be 'Proposal Moon.' I'm not sure where I'm going with it from here, but I know I'm loving it.

On a sad note, the husband of one of my blog friends died suddenly this week. Some of you may know her, Joni of Yummers. Joni and I have never met, but I feel like we're friends. She was the first person to ever purchase one of my pieces. She inspired such confidence in me with that small gesture. Her blog is a joyful and inspirational place. I want to wrap my virtual arms around her and help her through a time of unimaginable pain and grief.

I can only imagine the wonderful life that Joni and Boyd have had together. So, Boyd, "Proposal Moon" is for you.

Calling All Kansas City Area Quilters (other cities too)

The Modern Quilt Guild is expanding again, this time to Kansas City. You can take a look here and see what Alissa and her peeps in LA have going. We'd love to have a group like this in Kansas City where we can connect and create together.

If you're in the area we'd love to have you as part of the group. We're having an organizational meeting Saturday, January 23rd from 10 to noon at Urban Arts and Crafts in Briarcliff Village. If you're interested, please leave a comment or drop me an email and I'll send you more information. (Saturday won't be our regular meeting date, we'd like to decide that together!)

So if you like to quilt, (beginner or experienced, young or old (or should i say wise)) you have a modern tinge, you love fabric, and you like to share and learn together, this is the group for you. Bring yourself, maybe your favorite quilt and ideas for getting the group moving. (and maybe a little extra cash...Urban has some cute fabric!)

If you know anyone in the KC area, please give them a shout. If you want to announce our organizational meeting on your blog and help us spread the word, that would be soo great.
Thanks!

Pop on over to Alissa's blog and you can see all the other cities who are looking for folks to form chapters too....Chicago, Austin, Seattle, Philly, etc. Head on over to get contact info and see if there is one near you. If not, how about starting one yourself?

P.S. The fabrics are Monaluna's Mingle...You can pick them up from Pink Chalk Fabrics.

Conquer Your Fear

Why do we seem to shy away from circles? Are sewing curves really that difficult or is it all in our heads? I admit, I've avoided circles. I think it reminded me of those days as a kid trying to learn to put in a sleeve, until one day I put my mind to making pieced circles and low and behold, I found it wasn't impossible, in fact, it wasn't that hard at all.

I've tried all kinds of methods to make circles and they all seem so complicated. And then there is the glue, starch, freezer paper or fusible web. None of those methods have worked for me. I don't enjoy hand sewing so applique really isn't my thing and I don't really like the look of machine appliqued circles. So what's a girl who loves circles to do? Piece circles the old fashioned way. All it takes is a couple of pieces of fabric, a few pins, a little patience, some practice and a big dose of determination. I'll bet you can do it too.

Here's how it works for me. For the quilt I'm working on now I'm using half circles to make a circle in a square block. If you're doing circles for the first time, I'd recommend you work big. Start with a large template and when you get some practice move to making smaller circles. The template I'm using makes a 14" block. I made my own templates.

Getting Started:

*Find a template for a circle block. Lots of books have quilts that require pieced circles.

*Get some delicate pins, small and short. I have special small pins that I use for piecing circles. The long pins I use for quilting don't work well when piecing circles.

*Choose your fabric and use your templates to cut your pieces.

Repeat this to yourself:

I'm working with a curve, don't try to make it straight!

This should be your mantra for working with curves. Folks have trouble with curves when they try to treat them like they do straight lines. Let your fabric curve.

Here are my pieces cut and ready to go.

To help me pin my pieces accurately I fold my pieces into fourths and press in those lines to use as registration marks.
The folds on each piece will be matched up to help you pin the two pieces together.
Start by placing the half circle right side down lining up the center fold and the edge. Put in a pin at the center fold. After you have all your other pins in, make sure to change this pin to the other side when you're ready to sew.
Pin the edge of the half circle to the edge of the square as shown below. Place your pins on the solid fabric side. You're going to be working from that side from now on.
Now pin at the other folds matching up the folds and the edges. One hint about pinning. Pin close to the edge of the fabric. This will allow the fabric to give.
Now it's time to pin the areas between the folds. Allow the fabric to form a curve as you pin. The two pieces will nest together, sort of like the curve of an amphitheater. I pin about every inch or so.
Don't worry if you have a little extra fabric. You can ease it in as you sew. Don't panic now! Here it is all pinned and ready to sew.
I use a 1/4" foot and the dual feed on my machine. It helps move the fabric evenly as I sew. Sort of a walking foot, light. My walking foot is too bulky for this, but you might want to give yours a try. Drop your presser foot, take a couple of stitches, backstitch and take out your first pin. Sew slowly from pin to pin. Stop with your needle down in front of each pin. Don't sew over your pins. It's bad for you and for your machine. Notice how I'm not trying to make the fabric go straight. The only part of the fabric that needs to be straight is what's under the presser foot and about a 1/4 inch in front of the presser foot.
How you use your hands will help you sew this curve effectively. Use your right hand to keep some tension on the fabric. Don't pull or jerk, just gentle tension will help keep the fabric flat in front of the presser foot and will help you ease in extra fabric if you need to. Use your left hand to adjust the fabric. When you've stopped with your needle down, use your left hand to pull the top fabric back and to the left. You'll find the rhythm of sew, stop, remove pin, adjust...sew, stop, remove pin, adjust.
Notice in the picture below how I'm allowing the fabric to curve. I'm stopped ready to take out my pin. Then I'll use my left hand to pull the top fabric back and to the left. That will make those folds you see almost disappear. Remember, the only area that needs to be flat, without puckers is right under the needle. If there's a pucker above the quarter inch mark it won't matter a bit. It won't be a pucker in your seam. Continue sewing from pin to pin until you reach the end. Slow and steady wins this race!
When you're done, press. Make sure you press your seam toward the square. If you have any little puckers, use that steam and maybe some Best Press to make them disappear.

Sometimes the bottom of my circle gets a little wonky. Line up the bottom of your circle and trim. I make the square part of my template just a tish bigger than I need it to be so I can trim worry free.
Here are two half circles joined together, ready to be part of my quilt.

Do you make pieced circles? What works for you?

Joy in the New Year Winners

An amazing number of finishes folks...there are some totally empty closets and lots of us made a good dent in our projects. That's a nice way to start a new year.

In case you're interested, here's how I did this. I went through the comments and recorded your entries. If you finished all you declared you received double entries. If you had 5 finishes, you were assigned 5 numbers. For example, you might have been 300-304. I assigned the prizes in the order they were listed on yesterday's post.

Here are the winners and their comments. If you're a winner drop me an email. I'll try to get everyone contacted by the end of the day, but that would sure save me some time. Then I'll get you matched up with your prize!

Thanks for be a part of the challenge!

160 wins the quilt - Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales

'Happy New Year!! Well, I said that I had 10 UFO's to complete and ended up only finishing 2. I was sewing until 10:30 p.m. last night, but the vest for the doll just needed too much alteration to fit. (It's a patchwork one too!) It wasn't a failure though because this really inspired me to make a list and work hard on those UFO's. I wouldn't be this close to completing my Miss Molly cloth doll if it weren't for your challenge. Thanks!

261 wins a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics - amylouwho

'I noted 14 and finished 5. Not as many as I'd hoped, but something is better than nothing! I'm keeping my list up to work on...'

276 wins a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics - meg

'Morning Jacquie, and Happy New Year! I set my bar low and said I'd finish 4. I managed to finish all 4 staying up late on the last night of the year to finish the binding on #4! Thanks!

236 wins a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics - quiltaholic

'I had 8 UFO's and was able to finish all 8 of them!!! Man that feels good!

257 wins a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics - rachel

'Hello Jacquie. Happy New Year! I said I had 3 quilting UFO's and 3 knitting UFO's to finish. Well, I finished only one of the quilts, but all three of the knitting projects. Unfortunately, I kept starting new projects (and finishing them) and my poor quilts languished in the to do pile.'

373 wins a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics - rachel

'Well, I am quite happy with myself, and grateful to you for this challenge! I had 12 on my list. I had completed 10 by the deadline. I am happy to report that my actual list of completed items/projects for the time period of the challenge is 18, which means (to me) that while the list was not complete, I was highly motivated and able to produce without an real major changes...Therefore, I am thinking of adding to the challenge (for myself) and keeping the list on a personal level for every month this year. Just a thought so far...

At any rate, thank you SO much for hosting this event. I enjoyed it, and I enjoy reading your blog on a regular basis!

311 wins a $25 gift certificate from Sew Fresh Fabrics - sarah

'I listed 5 dresses and yesterday I finished the fifth dress. I still have a number of UFO's, but I am pleased with the dent I made.'

647 wins the silk fabric bundle and thread from Valerie - sequana

'Wow, I almost missed this! I didn't see your blog in my reader today...I said I'd finish up 5 UFO's and I finished those five. Then I ran out of batting.'

206 wins the ring from Dominic and Adrienne - bearcreekquilter

'I said I was in for finishing or getting rid of 15 flimsies. I am happy to report that I sold 12 tops and managed to finish 5 more...'

3 wins the pincushion/threadcatcher from Krista - flossybossy

'had 12 to finish and I finished 4. i think 12 was a little unrealistic as i started late, so i am thrilled to have 4 quilts finished - yay!!'

54 wins the Summer in the City tin and fat quarters from Penny - colleen

'I committed to 9 UFO's and I finished 9 and even squeezed in two charity quilts - thanks for pushing me on to 2010 with much less guilt. I can't believe I did this in the busiest time of the year.'

272 wins the fabric packs and templates from Jodi - Stephanie

'I declared 8 and finished 5! That's so exciting to me. This was a wonderful challenge!!'

325 wins the journal cover from Em - whatcomesnext

'said 7 and finished 3. Feels good!'

381 wins the fat quarter set from Anina - lisa

'I said I would finish 4 (1 Christmas quilt, 1 flannel squirrel quilt, 1 crazy placemat, 1 star quilt). I finished the Christmas quilt and the thing that was originally going to be a placemat, but became a cover for a rice-stuffed warmer thing. I also finished several projects that were NOT on that list...

110 wins the pillow cover from Michele - crystal

'I started with 8 UFO's and I was able to finish them all! :D Thanks so much for helping me along the wa!'

300 wins Vicki's friendship bag - leah

'I said I would do 4 and I finished 4. Yay! That feels good!'

Project Neighborhood

These are my last 4 finishes of 2009, my color coordinated neighborhoods. Can quilts make a social or political statement? For me they can and sometimes they do. These little quilts represent the concept of neighborhood. You know, houses near each other, with people and families that we get to know. Neighbors we reach out to in good times and depend on in times of need.

I had my first experience with a gated community on a recent trip to visit family in California. Gates around the community, gates to each house, and to top it off walls around each home. Not welcoming gates, gates with spikes. Ominous, forboding gates. I know that there are evil people in the world, but I didn't feel comfortable surrounded by walls and 'protected' by gates.

These little houses are each on their own piece of land connected to the house next door. No barriers, no gates, just an opportunity to say hello and be a neighbor. That's how I choose to live.

The winner of the Joy in the New Year Challenge will get to pick their choice of these four quilts. I know which one I'd pick.




Some of my blog friends have donated some fabulous prizes for the challenge winners. Tomorrow I'll compile all the entries and post the winners as soon as I get it all done. Be sure to get your entry in by 8 a.m. Central Standard time.

I thought you might like to know what you could win.

1. I'm donating one of the Neighborhood quilts.

2. Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio is donating 5 $20 gift certificates to her fabric shop, Pink Chalk Fabrics.

3. Becca and Peg are donating a $25 gift certificate to their etsy fabric shop, Sew Fresh Fabrics.

4. Valerie is donating a set of silk fat quarters and matching thread from her shop. (a $40 value!)

5. Adrienne and Dominic are donating a gorgeous ring from Dominic's etsy shop. You need to go see these rings. Simply fabulous!

6. Krista of Poppyprints will make you a custom pin cushion/threadcatcher. Who doesn't need another pin cushion, especially cute ones!

7. Penny, of Sewtakeahike is donating a Summer in the City Tin Box Sampler and 3 fat quarters of coordinating prints.

8. Jodi, of Pleasant Home is donating a goodie box of fabric packs and templates.

9. Em, of Em's Scrapbag made this amazing journal cover. It's me and her, and you!
10. Anina, of Twiddletails is donating this set of Sent With Love fat quarters from her store, just in time of Valentine's Day projects.
11. Michele, of Calicodaisy machine embroidered and made this 14" pillow cover. (Do you recognize this...it's on the Joy in the New Year Challenge button.) I made a set of pillows from Michele's embroidery too.
12. Vicki, from Sew Inspired made this friendship bag for one of you. Cute, isn't it!
Tune in tomorrow for the winners!

Joy in the New Year...How Did You Do?

Happy New Year everyone! It's hard to believe that the time for the challenge is done. I don't have an empty ufo closet, but there are less quilts hanging in there than at the start of the challenge, so that is a victory for me. I had 4 more finishes...I sewed up till the very last minute. No reveals today, though, because the winner gets to choose from those 4 quilts. I'll show those on Monday when the winners are announced.

So, let's get to the business of the challenge. PLE ASE READ CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. I'd hate for you to miss out on the prizes because you didn't follow directions. Here's what you need to do:

Leave a comment on this post...the comment MUST include:

How many UFO's you declared on November 1. (check this post if you can't remember)

How many UFO's you finished by midnight, December 31. (your time)

A way for me to contact you. If you are a no reply blogger leave your email address.

You must leave a comment by 8 a.m. Central Standard Time on Monday

Your comment might look something like this:

I said I would finish 12 and I finished 10! Thanks! coolsewer@yahoo.com

If you finish all that you declared, you will receive double the entries. For example, declare 5, finish 5 = 10 entries.

We have lots of prizes, so there will be lots of winners. Each person is eligible to win only one prize. On Monday morning I'll use the random number generator to choose the winners.

I hope you finished at least one. I can't wait to see how many items we've finished. Start counting! Have a wonderful first weekend of the new year!