Thursday, January 2, 2014

Bring on the New Year

With the birth of my second child on January 30, 2013 and my post as President of the New Mexico Quilters' Association for 2013, the past year was a whirlwind of activity. I haven't felt too productive with regard to quilting, as I have been otherwise occupied. Creating a mosiac of 2013 accomplishments has left me pleasantly surprised, bringing forth the realization that the past year has resulted in more than an obstacle course of children's toys that stretches throughout the entire house and a mountain of laundry that can readily function as a climbing structure for toddlers.


Some pleasant accomplishments this year include:

  • Designing the 2014 Saturday Sampler for Quilts Ole.
  • Winning Viewers Choice in the Quilters Newsletter Traditional to Modern Challenge.
  • Having my Quilts Featured in the 2013 October/November and 2014 February/March issues of Quilters Newsletter.
  • Paying for my hobby by working for Gail Garber, creating shop samples at Quilts Ole, and teaching quilting classes for the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Department.
  • Serving as President of NMQA.
  • Taking a few website classes (Dreamweaver & HTML Basics).
  • Raising two children who I consider to be both delightful and adorable.

 I look forward to a year that promises increased stitching time. Some goals I hope to accomplish include:

  • Wrapping up some UFOs.
  • Bringing my quilting profits closer to my expenses, though I'm not opposed to being a rich and famous quilter.
  • Entering at least one quilt show, though I'm not opposed to winning ribbons either.
  • Continuing to teach quilting.
  • To blog more often.
  • Getting published in magazines.
  • Keeping up with the two online bees I've joined.
  • Remembering how to cook and clean, once in a while.
  • Not neglecting my family while I accomplish all this.

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Recipe for a Modern Sampler Quilt

Gradually combine the ingredients for one chain link block.



Add a healthy dose of equilateral triangles.

 Chop twelve 3" curve blocks. Sew one. Set the remain ingredients aside. Permanantly. Seriously, these are just too small! 

Preheat (press) a double layer of freezer paper to preshrink. Cut random shapes and press to the wrong side of fabric. Cut 1/4" seam allowance.

Baste with a brush on exposed fabric. Fold over the freezer paper and heat set with an iron.



Remove the freezer paper.

Add a handful of rectangles with stitch and flip triangles.

Trim the fat.

Repeat.


Generously apply some strip piecing.

Combine with half square triangles.

Separate the dog ears.

Organize your ingredients.

It's alright to improvise.

Cut some freezer paper templates.


Apply the melon to your pickle dish.

Allow the components to stew.

Apply decorative flourishes.

Enjoy.

I'm linking up with:




































Creations by Nina-Marie








Sunday, December 1, 2013

Fabric Finds

Just For Fun is a whimsical line designed by Marisa and Creative Thursday for Andover Fabrics. It's filled with a delightful combination of rabbits, pinwheels, scooters and balloons. Isn't it adorable?



You can find it at Fabric.com for $9.20 per yard. I love not having to pay shipping when I order $35 worth, which is all too easy!


I Dream of Paris Eiffel Tower by Wild Apple for Windham Fabrics might need to join my low-volume collection. At $7.35 per yard, who could resist?