Walk With Me

I started my week with a walk. It was brisk and I wasn't feeling so great, but I bundled up and did it anyway. I'm glad I did. When I headed out, the sun was barely up.I crunched through the leaves, so sneaking up on my wild friends wasn't in the cards, but I could hear them crunching too.
This snarly old tree always reminds me of the thumping trees in the Wizard of Oz, especially when its branches sway and creak on windy days.
There's so much beauty...
...and gracefulness.
I walked on the rock ledge.
Of course, Bruno was with me. He adores a walk in the woods.
Looks like a cozy place to curl up...Bruno investigated it thoroughly!
The woods are full of amazing texture...this is a shag bark hickory. Love it.
Such character in this bark.
I love walking under nature's gate. It signals that I'm close to home.
I remember, it was a walk like this that inspired this quilt. It may be the first one I finish when the quilts for the book are done.
Off to work. Hope your week had a great start too!

The winner of Malka's new book, Fresh Quilting, is Erin M who said," Like many I make things for many reasons, to see if I can do it, to save money, to give my hands something to do and on and on. Thanks for the giveaway. Sure would be fun to look through this book." Congratulations Erin! Drop me an email with your contact information. Be sure to continue the tour today with more chances to win this great book.

May I Offer You....

....some cheese with my whine?
I'm not going to hide it. I'm feeling a little whiney about this weekend as my friends whisk off to Houston for quilt market. It's not the right time for me, I'm resigned to that fact and determined to work my butt off and accomplish lots this weekend.

Speaking of my butt, there's another thing I've got to whine about. I've fallen off the exercise routine. In fact, I've totally sucked. I've fallen so behind I haven't even gotten some of you on the sidebar. So, I'm recommitting. I guess that happens. I'm getting on the treadmill right after this post is done, then I'm going to get caught up with all of the participants.

Next Friday, a giveaway for all of you "Improv(e) Your Butt" participants. A big one...lots of nice goodies coming right from my stash. (That's a good penance for my exercise sins.) All you have to do is recommit yourself to your exercise routine, or if your one of those who have kept it up, you don't have to do a thing. Leave a comment and let me know which category you fit in. Let's keep going!

Have a happy Friday and be sure to come back tomorrow. I'm the Saturday stop in Elizabeth's (Oh Fransson) book tour. Stop by to win a copy of her book and some fabric she picked especially for you!

With a "Cherri" on Top

Between the Walker Art Center this weekend and Cherri House speaking at the KCMQG last Thursday, I'm on inspiration overload. Cherri and I are very much alike, we see quilts everywhere. I liked that about her!
Cherri, was both fun and inspirational. Seeing her quilts up close and personal was the best part for me.
Her use of color is spectacular.
Her story is very personal and emotional. I won't tell it here, but I will say if you get a chance to meet her or hear her, jump on it. Thanks Cherri, for making the effort to come to Kansas City! I'm sure it won't be a one time thing.
I had a bunch of airport time this weekend and of course had my sketchbook with me. Cherri inspired me to design a couple of my own city quilts...city tech and city split. I can't wait until I have time to translate those drawings into fabric!

Speaking of inspiration....are you working on your Modern Quilt Guild 'Inspiration Challenge' quilt? Haven't heard of it? Head on over and check it out. Get inspired and get sewing!

Stupid Is as Stupid Does....Part Deux

I was hoping there wouldn't be a part deux of this post, but sometimes these things happen. Need a laugh to start your Friday? Read on.

I was quilting today. I finally decided how I wanted to quilt this piece. Brilliant idea I told myself. So I threaded the machine, and off I went quilting merrily....quilting, quilting quilting. All the time saying how fab it was looking. I wanted to show someone. So I took it out of the machine, pinned it to the design wall...no one around but me, so I showed myself. I admired my work and patted myself on the back. I'm sooo good.

I took the piece back to the machine, more quilting...I was smiling inside. You know that feeling when all wheels are clicking and you know you're making something great. I finished the quilting and as I pulled it out from under the presser foot, I noticed something. Something wasn't right.

Lesson One: How to Make a Quilt Sandwich....hmmm I must have missed this lesson.

This is my quilt sandwich: top, back and then the batting. Mixed that up a bit, wouldn't you say? Stupid is as stupid does.

Have a great weekend. I started mine with a good laugh at myself.

B is for...

BIRTHDAY: Yesterday was my birthday. Another year older, wiser, and definitely more hip.
BUDDIES: I spoke at my guild last night, the fabulous Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild and they celebrated with me, cupcakes, singing and quilty friends. It doesn't get much better than that. I got handmade gifts...it's funny how much I love the handmade and I never get anything like that. It's great to have friends who sew!

BLOG: I was thinking last night how this blog has been such a wonderful addition to my life. I appreciate all of you who come to visit and are a part of it with me.

BOYS: The three guys in my life, my two sons and my wonderful hubby. Life is rich because of all of you.

BLESSINGS: These are too many to list or to count. Each day is a blessing.

and finally B is for BINDINGS: of which I still need to do.

Mother's Day Glow

I'm living in a Mothers' Day glow. My boys convinced my hubby that my dinosaur of a cell phone had to go and they replaced it with this. Could I possibly be iphone cool? I'm going to do my best at it, boys! I also received this wonderful book, Style by Kate Spade, from my hubby. I adore Kate Spade's designs, simple, graphic, and classy. The book is a wonderful insight into color, design, and Kate's philosophy.
This was the card I received from my youngest son. It's true. I'm more interesting on my blog. Today, my life is kleenex, throat lozenges, and too many trips to the bathroom. I was sick all weekend and I can't seem to shake it. It's cold, rainy and miserable. The weather and I will be in the same boat today.

Today is the the midway point in our Spring to Finish Challenge. I have 6 finishes off my list. I'm not satisfied...the list is still VERY long, but I'm committed to plugging away at it. I do want to take time to enjoy the process though.

So if you've made progress, let me know in the comments. When I have some energy I'll put together a few fabric packs for a couple of people from today's comments. You have until the end of the day...midnight central time to leave a comment. Keep up the good work!

Before Reality Sets In

Before 'real life' overwhelms me again in I wanted to live a bit in my Seattle experience. On Thursday we had time to visit Kathy Mack's (of Pink Chalk Studio) new warehouse. Since her fabric business had taken over EVERY room in her house, she decided it was time for a space dedicated to her business. It's a dream come true. Look at the high ceilings, the natural light, the lovely color blue on the walls and the fabric...bolts and bolts of Kathy's exquisite taste in fabric. I've shopped with Kathy since the beginning, first because she makes great choices, second because her service is the best, but most of all because she's a wonderful person. She's giving and open and her blog is a place where I always learn something new.
She let us dig through her scrap boxes. How nice is that! We pretty much covered her pristine floor with little stacks of fabric. Totally fun! Of course I came home with fabric. (Actually I had to borrow an extra suitcase to tote all my treasures back home.)

I had another pretty cool experience when I was in Seattle. After my trunk show on Tuesday I got to meet on of my project improv participants in person. Gabriella contributed a block and at the time she was just 11 with a brand new sewing machine. Gabriella came to the trunk show with a gift for me. Isn't it fabulous! Such great color choices and perfect construction. Practical too. I'm going to use it everyday in my studio.
She signed it for me too. (as all artists should!) Thanks Gabriella. Keep up the great work!

P.S.
Welcome to all of my Canadian friends. I was on 'Canadian Living' today. All my Canadian relatives are going to be sooo proud!

A Day Without Bacon Is...

...like a day without sunshine. Bacon, chocolate croissants, bran muffins, black tea and some quality time with a quilty friend. I'm not sure what's better than that. Working isn't interfering with having a great time!
Last night was the trunk show at Fabric Crush. It was an enthusiastic, supportive crowd. They came, I talked, we talked, and many of us indulged in our favorite activity, fabric shopping.
It was so great to connect with old friends, meet virtual friends and make new friends as well. Thanks for coming and making me feel so welcome! Thanks to Sarah of Fabric Crush and my friend Katie for inviting me. It was almost better than bacon.

check this out!

For those of you who were a part of Project Improv with me last year, guess what? We're famous! Project Improv and Tallgrass Prairie Studio are a part of the Spring Issue of Stitch Magazine. There are two great pictures, one of several of our quilt tops and a close up of one of the blue/green tops. I wish I could tell you if your block is in the picture...I guess you'll have to check it out and see for yourself. It should be on newsstands soon. You'll want to get it anyway. There's lots of great stuff in this issue in addition to us. I love Stitch.

Gosh, I can hardly believe it. I keep looking at it wondering if it's real.

Seattle Here I Come...Won't You Come Too?

I'm going to be on the road a bunch during the month of April...business and pleasure... so posts from here will be a little sparse for the next couple of weeks. During my travels I'm going to be in Seattle and I get to meet my friend Katie, of Sew Katie Did. Katie works at this amazing shop, Fabric Crush. Don't you LOVE that name!

Katie had a great idea that maybe I could stuff a few of my quilts into the extra space in my suitcase and do a mini trunk show at the shop. Who needs clothes when you can pack quilts? I thought it was a fine idea. So, if you're in the Seattle area, come to Fabric Crush on Tuesday, April 6th from 6:30 to 8:00. We'll talk quilts and do a little shopping together!
I have a few more binding stitches on a king sized quilt...I so want to show you...It's a LOT of stitching to get around that whole quilt. I'm so close, but I want to show it finished. Off to sew!

Church Ladies

The ladies of my mom's church have asked me to make the quilt for their church raffle again this year. This time they wanted to participate. They liked my 'monet's flower garden' quilt and they thought they could collect sheets for me so I could make another quilt like that for them. These are the first two panels. It's going to be a double so it takes a LOT of sheets. It was a challenge to go through what they collected and choose what might work for a quilt like this. I hope it's going to be pretty. I need to get this done for them. I have it about half done.

It's been an exciting day for me. Sew Mama Sew asked me to serve on their board and help plan this year's Quilting Month on Sew Mama Sew. I love quilting month so I was thrilled with the invitation. I'm working with some fabulous quilters, Kajsa of Syko, Rita of Red Pepper Quilts and Kellie of Don't Look Now. Now those are some amazing women. My interview is on Sew Mama Sew today and you can check out the posts for those other three ladies too. April 1 is the start of Quilting Month. Don't miss it!

Thanks Jane...for the little push. You're the best!

Tidbits and the KC Modern Quilt Guild

This weekend I made another set of these placemats for a friend's birthday. I neglected to get a photo of hers before I packed them up and sent them. Hers are in orange/brown and gold and the pieced strip is a little wider (her request). These are a great way to use up scraps and fabulous to practice free motion quilting.

Last week was crazy busy. I did a guild presentation/trunk show on Tuesday night to the Kansas Capital Quilters Guild in Topeka. I had a ball and I think they did too. It was so much fun showing and talking about quilts. They're a big guild and pretty traditional, but they welcomed me with open arms. Thanks ladies!

Thursday night was the third meeting of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. 70...count em...70 folks packed into Harper's Fabrics and Quilts. It was such a great meeting! That's me leading the group. We're making lots of progress getting organized. We had a fantastic book share where we broke into 4 groups, shared out fav books and even some projects made or inspired by those books. Show and tell with this group is always inspiring. The picture was taken by Shea, our VP.

My studio is in chaos...packing up 30 or so quilts for a trunk show takes a lot of time and energy..i need to get it all put away and things cleaned and organized. I have lots of sewing to do!

MQG, Apartment Therapy and ME!!

Ever have one of those days when you're questioning everything you make, nothing is good enough, maybe not good at all? And then, something comes along that makes you legitimate, at least in someone else's mind. Check out this link. The Modern Quilt Guild gets recognized and someone at Apartment Therapy, yes, I said APARTMENT THERAPY, thinks my quilt is modern and cool. My quilt and my name are on Apartment Therapy. I can't believe I just wrote that. (Insert happy dance, giddy squeals, and self pinching to test if it's really true.) Check out the other quilts too...I know there are some other folks doing the happy dance!

I made some quilt backs...

...and then just to make sure my head didn't get too big...don't ask...I'm simply a klutz and it's too embarrassing to tell you.

Just a reminder...the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild meets tomorrow (Wednesday) at Harper's Fabrics in old Overland Park. Come at 6:30, meeting starts at 7:00. You don't want to miss it!

FAQ

Well, here it is. Grab some coffee, tea or maybe a nice glass of wine. You may need it to make it through this! I hope I didn't miss anyone's question. If I did, just drop me an email. I finished the back for this quilt. I think I like it all on its own!

In the beginning...
I really haven't been quilting very long. I made two quilts back in the early 90's (one of those is still a ufo). I started quilting again for real in December of 2007 when I started this blog, so it's been a year and a half. However, I've been sewing all my life. All the women in my life sew and do handwork. My grandmother was an crochet expert. My mom taught me to sew. She was my 4-H leader and I took the usual home ec classes in school. My mom made all my clothes as a kid and sewed just about everything in our home, pillows, curtains, placemats etc. She can upholster couches and chairs. She can sew anything. When I need to know something I can ask her.

As for how I learned to quilt...I used what I knew about sewing and applied it to quilting. I read books and taught myself. The internet has been an amazing learning tool. I've never had a quilting class. Someday I'm going to remedy that!

One of you asked what level of quilter I would consider myself. I don't think I'm a beginner, but I'm not an expert either...so I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle. There are some things I do really well, other things I can't do at all. I consider myself a learner...there is so much in quilting I don't know.

Inspiration...
So, what happened in December 2007 that I became a quilter for real? I spent the last 10 years of my career as an educator traveling and working with troubled schools across the country. With a demanding job, lots of time on the road and a family to raise there really wasn't time in the day to feed my creative soul. In December I quit my job and decided to find work locally and focus on myself and my family. (There are lots of circumstances surrounding the job change, but mostly I felt I had lost myself and I found I was working in an organization which didn't have the same philosophy or ethical beliefs as I did.)

Then I happened upon an exhibit of the Quilts of Gees Bend. The quilts and the ladies of Gees Bend inspired me to pull out and dust off my sewing machine. I bought all the books and read about those quilters. Their attitude and philosophy about quilting touched something in me. The freedom, the whimsy, the confidence to do their own thing inspired me.

I stumbled onto Denyse Schmidt. A light bulb went off in my head when I discovered her...quilts can be modern. That opened a door for me. I bought her book and was ready to learn about improvisation. I was disappointed to find little in the book about process. I researched improvisational quilting and found little. Through my blog friends I learned more about Gwen Marston and some other quilters who had been working improvisationally. I looked at their work and told myself I could do that. So I gave it a try. I simply struck out on my own.
Someone asked how long it took me to do my own thing....I didn't wait until I learned the basics...I just went for it and learned as I went along. I used patterns and tutorials to practice the skills and then I did my own thing, a little at a time. It was all about one step at a time for me. There were/are lots of missteps along the way, but that's just part of the process. Mistakes are learning opportunities.
When I need an infusion of inspiration I always go back to Gee's Bend.

Tools, Tips and Quilting...
I have access to two sewing machines. My machine is a mechanical Singer. It sews a nice straight stitch and it's fine for piecing. That's about it. I bought it back in the 90's when I made my first quilt. I think it cost me less than 100 dollars. My mom has a Bernina artista 165. I sew with that as much as I can. I do as much quilting as I can on my mom's machine, but I do it on my own machine too even though it doesn't have any of the features that you need to quilt.  I just make it work.  I like to do my own quilting...there's something so satisfying about making a quilt from beginning to end.

I do wear gloves when I quilt. I find that they help me move the quilt smoothly.

I'd love to get access to a longarm and give it a try. I have some blog friends that rent time on longarms to quilt their quilts.

The wavy quilting on this quilt is done using a stitch on my mom's Bernina. Victoria shared how she does that quilting. I learned from her. Check out her blog...she does amazing work!

How do I get those nice mitered corners? The best binding tutorial on the web is from Heather Bailey...you can find it here. I do it that way.

Kigwit asked about wrangling large quilts. I wish I had an answer for this. I baste my quilts on the floor on hands and knees. Then it's quilt wrestling with my machine. I do roll my quilts to help handle the bulk. Sometimes I just move and squish and move and scrunch.

Rachel asked about how I might put these little city cabins together into a quilt. Here's a link to how to "quilt as you go." I've never done it, but I've talked to a few folks who have used this technique and they tell me it works. This is the best explanation I've found.

Fabric....
It's an obsession, an addiction....I love fabric. It inspires me. I find fabric everywhere. I love to shop at thrift stores, antique stores, vintage stores to look for interesting fabrics. I do a lot of online shopping as well. Some of my favs are:
Pink Chalk Studio
Sew Mama Sew
Cia's Palette
Contemporary Cloth
Fabric Shack
Fabricworm
J Caroline Creative
There are many more. My blog friends Anina, Jane, Kathy and Kerri have fabric shops. I try to support my blog friends businesses. There are a few etsy sellers that I like as well.

I subscribe to many fabric designer blogs as well as to fabric company blogs. I love to read about fabric and see what's new. True Up and the Fabric Shopper are two great blogs to read if you want to keep up with fabric trends.

Virtual Quilting Bees...
I belong to three virtual quilting bees: Common Threads, Block Party and Sew Connected. Common Threads was my first bee experience. What I love most about virtual bees is that they have given me the opportunity to push myself creatively. It's been a wonderful learning experience to work within another quilter's parameters: a limited amount of fabric, a time limit, and a design idea. The more open ended the idea, the more opportunity for me to stretch and develop my design skills. You can see the quilt that I did with my common threads buddies here. I highly recommend joining or starting a bee. Find a group of like minded quilters, establish a set of rules and go for it! A bee takes work...it's important to be on time, do your best work and the organizer(s) has to be vigilant and nurture the group to keep people motivated. It is a commitment. I'm am fortunate to be involved in great groups with great organizers!

A Business....
Until the show this summer, I have only sold quilts that I've done on commission. I have considered an online store many times. I still wonder if there is a market for speculation quilts. Quilts seem to me to be so personal, your colors, your style. I enjoy working directly with clients to design and make a quilt that is perfect just for them.
Tallgrass Prairie Studio is now an officially registered business. I'm doing talks to guilds, selling quilts, and yes, paying taxes. I don't know the direction of my business as of yet. I can tell you, I'm sure working on it. Could there be an online store in my future?

Time...
Finding time in the studio is always a challenge. For the first time in a very long time I don't have any children in the house. It's only been a month, but an empty nest helps! I work in the studio every morning and every evening if I can.

We're early risers here...the coffee is brewed by 5:00 a.m. at the latest. My hubby is out of town, sometimes a week at a time. That's a lot of time to fill in the evenings when he's not here. Quilting doesn't take the place of my hubby, but it helps me not miss him quite so much.
I don't sew much on weekends because hubby is at home and we like to do things together. Weekends are also the time to get all those things done that get ignored during the week. Though if he heads to his home office to work, I head to the studio.

My Process...
This was probably the hardest question to answer, but I wanted to give it a shot. Inspiration for me comes from so many places. Sometimes it's a fabric, or a set of fabrics and they just seem to tell me what should be done...at least where to start. Sometimes it's a thought, a conversation, an idea that sparks a quilt.

The other day I knocked a stack of flying geese from Anina's Geese in the Forest quilt off the table onto the floor. The way the blocks landed on the floor got me thinking. The word 'contrary' got stuck in my mind. I picked up a few of the blocks (left the rest on the floor) and made two quilts...this little one...'common ground?'

and this one 'a new direction'.

I was thinking about President Obama and the polarization of issues in our country. All from a few little flying geese blocks.

I have little moleskin sketchbooks everywhere...by my bed, in my purse, on my desk and in my car. When an idea comes to mind I jot it down...could be a couple of words, or a quick sketch or even a question..."what might happen if." I love museums...art inspires me....music too.

I'm a work as you go, quilter. I start with an idea, but it almost always changes significantly along the way. I use my design wall all the time. I audition fabrics, arrangements etc. I have lots of starts that go nowhere...maybe for months at a time, maybe never. I rarely go from a full drawing/plan to a finished quilt. I have many days where I have no ideas at all and wonder if I'll ever make another quilt.

Things in my house...
The comforter in this post came from Target. It was on the clearance rack when I bought it last fall. I don't know if it's still available.

I did my stenciled floor a long time ago. The floor boards were cleaned and run through a planer, installed and then I stenciled them. I used a purchased stencil and a stiff stencil brush. The trick to crisp lines is using a dry brush (dip in the paint and then blot till almost dry on a paper towel.) Use only an up and down stenciling motion. Make sure your stencil is flate and taped down securely. There is no stain on the floor. I used minwax polyurethane over the wood. I think I put on three coats.

How did you get so gosh darned awesome?...
I think this is a trick question. I don't know about awesome, but I can tell you that I work hard and I love what I do. I did a trunk show a month ago and a friend came up to me afterward and asked, " do you think you were always meant to do this?" I think she heard in my talk, my passion for quilting. Each quilt is an opportunity to succeed, to fail, to learn. 'Think you can, work hard, get smarter' is a phrase I used with my students when I was teaching. Success isn't a matter of luck, it's a matter of hard work. Those are words I live by.

I said earlier that with my busy life I didn't have time to feed my creative soul. Quilting does that for me. I am a better, happier person because I quilt.

Henny said in a comment the other day that Tallgrass Prairie Studio has a mission. I thought about it after her comment. My mission is to create beautiful work and to do a little good in the process.

Fashionista

I purchased this Alexander Henry fabric last January when I was in the initial stages of stash building. I loved it for lots of reasons. It has a bit of diversity, the women exude strength and confidence and the colors are fab. It took me a long 6 months to figure out how to use this in a quilt. I saw the Michael Miller "button up" fabric and knew they belonged together. I fussy cut the "fashionista" to highlight the women and some of the clothes and accessories and framed them with kona snow and the buttons. I love how the top came together. This is for a very "fashionable" friend of mine for Christmas. I can't wait to quilt it.

Since it's Friday I'm due for a fitness report. Pretty good this week. I made it to the gym 4 out of 5 days and had some pretty good runs. I did 1.75 miles for the first time this week. The receptionist at my gym also said how good I was looking. I almost fell over. She said she really sees a difference. Now that made my day!

It's raining and cloudy again...dang it affects my mood. Could really use a bit of sunshine. Looking forward to my hubby coming home and a good weekend. Have a good one!

Oh Happy Day!

I was finally able to put these fractured pinwheel blocks into a quilt top. I abandoned my obsession with pink and used a blue pindot as setting blocks and a green dotted fabric as the border. I think with quilting it will look fine. Hope to get the back done tonight. Since so many of you asked I'll be putting together a quick tutorial on the fractured pinwheels too.

I'm trying so hard not to start new projects. I am working my way down the WIP list to see if I can get everything to the quilting stage. (I'm psyching up for a marathon quilting when I can get access to my mom's machine again.) I made 16 blocks for the Fashionista quilt. Pictures of that soon. Maybe it will be a top tonight!

Lastly, it's my birthday today. Ran 1.66 miles this morning in 20 minutes. Two days running so far this week. Only did 2 days total last week, arrrg! That's in the past so I'm moving on. I'm off to clean the house. My birthday present to myself. Hope you are having a happy day too!

Fit and Fabulous Friday....late

Fitness report: I told myself I'm going to make this public, so better late than never. Made it to the gym 3 out of the 5 days this week. A bit disappointing so I ran this morning and I'm going to try to run tomorrow too to make up for those missed days. I'm still at 20 minutes and about 1.5 miles each day, but I am running a bit faster. I would really love to be up to 2 miles daily by the end of next week. 1.75 might be a more realistic goal. Feeling good, though.

I loved how this quilt turned out, so from some scraps that I picked up at an estate sale I made these. I liked them when I made them, but then they sat on my shelf for a long time...I decided they were pretty boring. Last week I turned them into these and this quilt top. So monochromatic, but I think they are pretty striking. The background fabric is this subtle gray with white pindots. I called them storm windows when I first made them and this quilt has that kind of calm before the storm feeling. The windows are all different sizes and are placed randomly. This quilt is much larger than the first. I'm pretty pleased with it. I'm thinking I'll quilt it with black thread...could be pretty cool!






























































Speaking of storms...I have to share this with you. Victoria of The Silly Boo Dilly made this fabulous quilt inspired by her feelings during hurricane Katrina. The quilt is stunning, and her story is worth reading. She's an amazing artist. If you have a minute, check her out.