The Modern Quilt Guild Family

I've written before about how the MQG has changed my life.  With the move to Chicago, again the guild has played a role both in my leaving Kansas City and in arriving at my new home. The Modern Quilt Guild has definitely become the Modern Quilt Guild family. Check this out.

I finally unpacked this quilt and right now it has a home on my couch.  I'd love it to hang in the studio, but wall space is too tight.  The blocks are made by members of the KCMQG.  Each block reflects the personality of the individual who made it.  

All are signed and some have personal messages.

This quilt is a daily reminder of the friends and fun I had as a member of the KC group.
Check out Jaime's block.  She's my Bernina gal....sold me and lots of other members our machines.

Paula used a fabric that has special memories for both of us.

Andrea made this amazing block...

She's loved too and with her fetal demise project has spread that love to so many families.
I could go on and on and on.  Thanks to Shea and her mom Mary for getting it put together and Angela for doing the quilting. I'll treasure it always. I'm hoping I'll always be a member of that guild.

So, then I arrive here and join the Chicago guild and right away there are welcoming emails from Chicago members.  I hadn't been here three days and Beth, the Chicago president invited me to lunch.  She and Jen picked me up, took me out and welcomed me to the city and the group.  It was the first time I got out of the apartment and they gave me a welcome break along with some great advice and info on the city.  I can't wait for the first meeting!

My friend Kate, who I met through my blog, is also a CMQG member.  She has been my Chicago guide....from parking to a vet for Bruno and where to take my recycles.  I'm settling in so much faster because of her.  She's coming over today for a sewing day.   A sewing day...I'm so excited!

So, are you a MQG member? Do you have a guild near you? I'm so thrilled at the growth and development of the guild. It's hard work, but hard work definitely pays off. Did you know there's a new chapter in India? Amazing. The MQG is simply amazing! (and for my KC peeps...FABULOUS!)

Oh Happy Day!

It's official! It's real! I pinched myself and I'm wide awake. It's not a dream! The book is finally on Amazon for pre-order. I have one of those permanent smiles on my face today!

I'm so proud of it.  I'm hoping you all will love it as much as we do. The next milestone will be actually holding the real thing in my hands.

Starting Slowly

I didn't have a bunch of time to sew this weekend.  I spent most of the time working on organizing the apartment. I even hung some pictures.  I'm getting to the fun part...decorating!!!

I took a couple of hours off and did some practical sewing. I think I left my grocery bags in my car that I sold back in Kansas, so I needed to make more. I whipped up these three to keep my shopping green. I used Irene's tutorial on Sew Mama Sew. Her tut is wonderful, quick and easy...no lining, but french seams to keep everything neat and a flat bottom for easy grocery packing.

I have to say I felt a bit unsteady at the machine.  I haven't sewed for so long, I was a tish nervous.  I know that sounds weird, so it was good to sew something easy and fast to get my sewing legs under me.

I also packed up a few quilts.  I have too many and now I have no place to put them, so I figured that they should go to a great cause.  Many of you know Victoria of Bumble Beans and her BASICS project to provide quilts for homeless families in New York City.  Victoria is doing a push to get another 400 quilts to the project by Thanksgiving.  That's a lot of quilts, so she can't do it alone.  Do you have an extra quilt or two?  Please send it on.  All the info you need to participate can be found on the BASICS site.

I have a few more quilt tops (from the infamous closet of creativity) that also don't have a home here.  As soon as I figure out how I'm going to baste quilts, I'm going to get those done and send them on their way.

I've always wanted to be a part of the distribution of those quilts. Wouldn't it be great to put a quilt in the hands of a family who needs one? How many quilts do you think we could contribute together?  50?  100?  If you send a quilt...let me know.  I'd love to keep a count.  There are so many families who have so little. Let's try to start them out with something both practical and beautiful.

A New Look...A New Life

New digs means a new look...no I didn't color my hair...I've got a new studio and in honor of Chicago, my new home...a new look for the blog. I'll always be Tallgrass Prairie Studio, but I wanted a sophisticated, modern, city look and my friend Sarah took on the challenge. (and I mean challenge...I struggled making choices on this one!) I love what Sarah did. It's so me and it's so inspirational. Perfect, simply perfect! I hope you all like it too.

The studio is about ready!  It's a tiny bedroom, so I pulled out every organizational trick I had to fit everything and still make it work as a place to sew.  The ceilings are very high so whenever I could I went vertical.  For a short gal, that's a challenge, but with stepstool at the ready, I can do anything!

My sewing table fit perfectly (with mm to spare) into this alcove.  Yoda is there as always to watch over me.

I covered two 4 x 8 sheets of foam insulation board for a design wall.  Gotta have it!

The closet is for fabric and project storage.  Again, I went vertical.

The 5 shelf industrial shelving units aren't really pretty, but they were only 39 bucks and they are tall and give me lots of extra storage.  Where did I get all this stuff?

I repurposed things from the old house for new jobs.  This magazine rack is now holding my rulers.

It's nice to have familiar things like my dad's thread cabinet and things from the old studio to make me feel at home.

Kajsa's tomtar are there to remind me of my blog friends and how blessed I am to be a part of the quilting community!

I will miss my big orange cutting table, but you make do with what you've got, so it's time to fire up the machine and get sewing!
Have a great weekend and I hope you get some sewing done too!
I'm a happy city girl!

A Different Kind of Life

Hi all!

I'm in Chicago and surrounded by boxes and it's a bit chaotic, but I'm here and ready to get settled.  Moving from acreage in the country to downtown Chicago is going to be quite a change for me, but I'm embracing it with open arms.


This is the view from my balcony. You should see it at night...simply breathtaking!

So after 24 hours I've learned:
People (especially the ones with dogs) are friendly and helpful!
Take extra poop disposal bags when walking your dog. You never know when you might need an extra. (Bruno is a two bag dog!)
It's great to be able to walk to a grocery store, pharmacy, coffee shop, restaurant, etc. etc.
I didn't purge enough from the old house.  I'm not sure I can make everything fit in the apartment.
It was nice to see my hubby fall asleep during the football game.  (Simply nice to have him underfoot!)
I miss my friends in Kansas.

That's about it for now.  I can't tell you how much I have missed sewing this last month or so.  I'm chomping at the bit to be back to it.  It won't be long now.  Thanks for sticking with me!

The winner of Nancy's book is Flying Blind!  As soon as I get your contact info I'll send it on to Nancy's team and they will send you your book.  Thanks for participating!