Taking a Break

My hubby and I haven't much time together in so long so we set aside a few days for ourselves...no work, no email, no nothing. That's tough. The computer, the office, the studio seem to call to both of us...work consumes us. Balance can be difficult to achieve. I have to tell myself that time away is a good thing. We're not going anywhere, we're simply going to check out of the rat race and check in to some relaxation. I'll probably still sew, but no work....no stress. I have to do something with those late night hours.

So in the interest of fun I played with a new block. I was trying to achieve some movement and a bit of zing in a string block. I'm not really into block based quilts right now...they seem to be too traditional and restrictive for me, but it was fun to experiment with this and maybe it has potential for something.
For those of you who are asking...the block isn't a pattern...I just made it up. When I have a free minute I might do a quick tutorial...or maybe someone else has a block like this one.
I actually started playing with this block in selvages...just because there was a leftover pile from another project. The block doesn't really work with selvages.
You know, that's OK with me. That's what experimenting is all about.
Dang, I'm on the computer. Busted!

BTW....Cindy was the winner of the Block Party book. Congrats Cindy! Megan will send you your book. Enjoy! (Ok, that was work related...I'm done, I really am.)

Exciting News!

I'm so happy! It's really happening...it's finally confirmed. The forms are filled out, the appraisal done, the quilt is packed and on its way! What's this all about?

Well, last spring a call went out across the country for pieces for an exhibit called SCRAP ART that will be at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California. I saw the call, but ignored it and then I got an email from my KC guild friend Trisch suggesting that I submit the Selvage quilt. I was flattered, but not convinced. Then I got an email from my friend in San Francisco who had read about the call for quilts locally and she made the same suggestion. With a little pushing and shoving from friends I submitted the quilt. To my surprise I got an email from the museum asking to use my quilt. I'm so thrilled and honored that this quilt was selected. Thanks to my quilty friends...you made it happen for me!
The quilt needed a hanging sleeve before it could be sent on its way. I used Libby Lehman's instructions for a "D" shaped sleeve. (Scroll to the bottom of the linked page to get the pdf.) Notice how the sleeve doesn't lay flat on the quilt. The quilt will hang better with this type of sleeve. This is how I make all the sleeves for the quilts I hang.
The exhibit opens in August and runs through November. I'm flying out to attend the opening reception for the exhibit. How could I not?

I have a favor to ask. My friend Mary Lou lost her blog of 6 years to the black hole of Google, who knows why, but those of you who have blogs know how devastating that would be. She lost all her followers and folks can't find her. Well, she's not lost, she's here on her new blog Mary Lou and Whimsy Too. If you don't know Mary Lou, check her out. She's a dynamo and into story quilts and improvising. Say Hi and tell her Jacquie sent you!

Block Party Blog Tour

It's time for the Block Party blog tour! I'm thrilled to be a part of the tour for this special book. I remember when Alissa and Kristen asked me to be a part of the Block Party virtual quilting bee. I'm so proud of how these two woman and Stash Books have translated that original bee into this extraordinary book. The book, in its unique way, captures the power of quilters working together, the internet, and the creative process. The book supports both beginners who would like to learn to quilt and more experienced quilters who want interesting quilt ideas. This is my quilt in the book, Profit Margins!
I think you'll love the quilts in the book. I know there are several that I want to make for myself! You can see a quick glimpse of all the quilts in this great video!

Block Party: The Modern Quilting Bee book promo from Alissa Haight Carlton on Vimeo.

If you'd like to have a copy of the book for yourself, check out Amazon or your local quilt shop. If you're feeling lucky, I'm giving away another copy to one of my readers. Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite quilt in the book or why you'd like a copy for yourself. (Watch the video to see all the quilts!) Comments will close midnight on Sunday. (central time). I'll announce the winner on Monday. Good luck everyone!
Be sure to continue on the tour with all these crafty folks:

June 24 Oh Fransson

June 25 Ali Buttoned Up

June 26 West Coast Crafty

June 27 Connecting Threads

June 28 Crafty Girls Workshop

June 29 Whip Up

June 30 Pink Chalk

July 1 True Up

July 5 Block Party Blog

July 6 Anna Maria Horner

July 7 Craftzine

Traveling, Teaching, Talking

That's what I've been doing lately and having a ball. I love talking about quilts and teaching quilting is about the best thing ever. The only disadvantage is that it takes me away from my sewing machine. I have a stack of quilts that are basted and ready to quilt. I'm hoping to get to them soon!This is the "Leftovers" quilt top. I don't think I shared the finished top. It's made from leftover strip piecing that was laying around taunting me. The background is that fabulous Kona Pomegranate. As much as I love that color, my son said it looks like Barney threw up all over it. I hate to quibble, but Barney was purple, not pink.

Nevertheless, it's in that stack of basted quilts. I had to clean and organize the studio when I got home. How can chaos happen when I'm not here? Well, maybe it was that way before I left. Well, the studio is clean, organized and I'm ready to start quilting.

Yipppeeeee!

Did you know that the Block Party blog tour is up and running? Check out the schedule, visit all the stops and be sure to come back here on Thursday for your chance to win a copy of the book! See you then!!

A Little Shopping

I haven't been doing loads of fabric shopping lately, but Tammy of Marmalade was the sponsor of our guild meeting last week and fabric in person is sooo hard to resist. My favorite finds were these three from Bryant Park and Theory from Anthology fabrics. I've already used the orange geometric for the back for the house quilt.
I went a little orange crazy, but it's my favorite color and I have this quilt that needs LOTS of different orange prints. It was fun to have such a great variety to choose.

These are all available from Tammy at Marmalade fabrics...she's got Jessica Jones Outside Oslo too. (I'm doing all new pillows, cushions etc for my living room in that fabric.) I can't decide on which colorway to use....both would work....I need to decide and get going on it.

Pieced Together

I had just a bit of time to sew this weekend with all the goings on...rehearsal, wedding, anniversary. Thank so much for the anniversary wishes! We are planning for many more!

I put my mid-century house blocks together into this wall quilt. It's a bit bigger than the space I wanted to hang it, but I'll find a place. In between the wind and the rain I tried to take a photo of it for you.I changed my idea for putting these blocks together and decided to go very neutral and architectural with the setting. I wanted the shapes of the houses to be the focus.
I love the interesting house blocks that the bee members made for me. Thanks everyone! This is going to find a special place in my house.
I have 4 quilts basted now and I've run out of basting pins. That must mean it's time to do some quilting. Hopefully this week will go smoothly and it'll be full speed ahead!

My Buzz

Today is my anniversary and as I am every year I'm "BUZZED" about it. Buzz, (or Steve as he is known to some), is my husband of 28 years.
It's difficult to articulate what he means to me as a partner, a lover, a father and a friend. I know the phrase is "a good woman behind every man", but in my case there is a good man behind this woman. I am a better person because I'm Mrs. Buzz. As I tell my boys (every chance I get), the most important decision they will make is their choice of a life partner. I made a good choice and I'm thankful that he chose me.

We're spending the day celebrating with Meredith and Michael as they start their married life. What a wonderful way to reminisce together about the early days in our marriage.

Happy Anniversary, Buzz. I love you.

Tuscan Inspiration

The KC Modern Quilt Guild decided to do a Chef's Swap...no, we didn't swap Paula Dean for Bobby Flay, we packed up a bag of scraps and some info about our kitchens, secretly traded bags and made something for each other's kitchens. I drew Sharon and she gave me scraps in burnt orange, green and gold and the inspiration of Tuscany. I made her this tablerunner.
It was fun to free piece and put this together for her. I so hope that it works in her kitchen.

Can you believe it's Friday already? Enjoy the weekend! Happy sewing!

Strength and Stability of a Square

Sorry to have disappeared for a bit. Pick an excuse...

• My laptop died. It really did.
• My internet provider and I broke up. I'm starting a new relationship and we're in the 30 day trial stage. I'm hoping it will be a long lasting, satisfying relationship.
• I have family to take care of....they come before quilts.
• Bruno ate my fabric...naw...he'd never do that.

On to business. I was finally able to get the comments on the Block Party giveaway to appear and the random number guy gave me lucky 13. Paula, that's you! Congratulations. Block Party is yours!

I've been reading and rereading Yoshiko Jinzenji's book, Quilting Line and Color. She's such a master of simplicity and minimalism. She talks in her book about "the strength and stability of the square." In this top I used very simple piecing and played with composition of large scale print fabrics. I love how in many of her pieces she lets the background integrate with the prints and her work appears complex though simple in construction.

Placement is everything in a top like this. I wish I could show you all of the versions this top went through to come up with this. As I look at it in the picture I wonder if I made the right choices.
The "strength and stability of a square" are inspiring words for me. Strength and stability and two things that I could use right now. Another top is on the design wall that has come from that phrase.

Hopefully, lots of sewing this week. Have a good one!