Fire Stacks

My Fire Stacks quilt arrived home on Saturday. I made this quilt to showcase Birch Fabrics Camp Sur (and some Camp Modern) fabrics and it's in the new issue of Quilt Trends magazine. When I saw the fabric I couldn't help but think of camping and building campfires. My brothers were boy scouts and my parents were leaders and I remember learning how to correctly build different styles of campfires. To this day, I'm a really good fire builder. Maybe I would be a good candidate for Survivor!

I love how they photographed the quilt.  Makes you want to curl up in it!

I don't use novelty fabrics that often, but surprisingly this one fits in my house just fine, though I think it's going to be a donation quilt for Hurricane Sandy.

It's nice and big so some little girl or boy can grow up with it.

I'll be sad to see it go.

Something to Share

When I returned home from my trip to North Carolina (which was FANtastic!), my quilt and the new issue of Interweave's International Quilt Festival special issue, Quilt Scene, were waiting for me.  I'm pretty proud to have a quilt in this publication.

I'm so happy to have the quilt home again. Deconstructed Nine-Patch is a graphic, minimalist design done in black and white.  I can definitely see this quilt hanging in my new condo when we finally get to move in.  Yes, we're still in limbo here, but I am hopeful that the move is going to happen.

There's also a wonderful article detailing the quilt-themed dinner that was held back in August in Colorado.  You get to read all about Tara and Angela's planning of the event and see some of the great photographs that were taken to document the evening.

Interweave was kind enough to send a couple of extra copies of the magazine for me to share.  If you'd like one, please leave a comment.  I'm going to try and do some sewing this week before I head to Houston for Quilt Market and Festival next week.  I saved a few small projects that have been languishing in the closet for a long time.  Hopefully I didn't pack everything I need to sew.

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The Granddaughter Star

Over the last couple of months I've been trying to get all my class samples done, handouts ready and class plans written. I'm excited for my new class, Machine Piecing Hexagons. I think I have some good info about cutting and piecing hexes as well as lots of tips to make this technique work smoothly for quilters. I'm rolling out this class in Minneapolis at Sewtropolis on September 15th and I'll also be teaching the 1/2 day version at Quilt Con.

In addition to all the technique info, I want to give folks a bunch of modern hexagon inspiration, so I've been working hard on some modern hexagon designs. I can't wait to show you all of them, but for now, here's one of my favs. I'm calling it "The Granddaughter Star."

I really like this design...lots of graphic punch!

I only have the last 4 columns left to piece, but I don't know when I'll get back to it.  I sure hope to have it finished for the Minneapolis folks!

Good news!  Alissa let me know that the Action Kivu fundraiser has been extended one more day. We've done really well, but haven't reached our goal.  Every dollar counts for this organization, so now is the time to give if you haven't, give a little bit more, or if you happen to know Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, (or anyone else you think might want to support this cause), ask them to click that donate button.

Double Swirling Medallion

The Double Swirling Medallion (a bigger version of the Swirling Medallion quilt in the book) is finally done. Had some quiet time late last night to finish sewing on the binding.

I especially like the overlapping spiraled quilting.

It needs a quick wash and then it's ready to cuddle with on the sofa.  It's not huge, but the perfect cuddle size for a short person like me.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated to Action Kivu so far.  We're doing great, but not near our goal.  Check out the previous post for more info and please give if you can!

Stitching and Flipping!

My goals before I left on my travels were to get a few things done that have been languishing in the closet and to get all my class samples finished. Didn't quite achieve both, but I've made progress.  I did finish all my step outs and samples for my Quilt Show Taping in Colorado next week.

I focused next on getting on my class samples done for my Stitch and Flip class.  The Stitch and Flip class is turning into one of my favorites. It always amazes me how creative folks can get with this technique. People keep coming up with new designs and that keeps the class fresh and exciting.

I'm just about finished with this double version of the Swirling Medallion quilt from the book.  I quilted spiraling circles because every time I look at this design I see a rock dropped into a pond and the ripples that extend into the water.

Binding left to go on this one.

I always knew that stitch and flip triangles could form a spiral and before I taught the class in Kansas City, I figured out how to make that happen.  This spiraling version is Fireball.

This spiraling version is Let's Go Fly a Kite.  I love how one is so strong and dramatic and the other is so light and whispy.  I have a couple more class samples for this technique that I need to get finished as well.  At least they are all basted and ready to quilt.

My next Stitch and Flip class is in Chicago with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday, August 11th.  If you're in the area, check it out.  There may be a space or two left.

PS...Margaret is the winner of the pattern.  Congratulations!!

Time to Make the Bed

After traveling, the house, the studio and I was (were) a mess.  (too tired to think about grammar!)I had time to put the quilts away, clean and make the bed before packing and heading out again. As you know, making the bed means changing the quilt. This time I chose "Outside In". I designed this quilt as part of an experiment with putting the majority of the design of the quilt on the outer edge...or in the border as some might say. I have another quilt designed like this (hopefully Interweave will release that one some day). It was cut from the book and I'm kinda bummed that I can't show it.

I like the back of this quilt as much as the front.  This is one of the patterns that will be released this fall along with "Broken Cogs."  It's been a long time coming, but it is finally going to happen!

Wish I was sewing...are you?