What A Beauty!

WIP Quilting Accomplish!

Diane is a accomplished quilter, quilting teacher as well as long arm quilter.

This is a quilt she made for a classs as a sample last year.

Her plan was to give it as a gift for a family member getting married.

Health has become a major obstacle for her which left her unable to quilt this piece.

Knowing how much she enjoys the quilting process,

for her to ask for my help--I knew it was serious.

Diane likes allot of thread on a quilt.

So that is what she got!

Diane, I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed quilting it!

Till We Quilt Again,

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We Are Off!

Right about now we are traveling or pulling into MQX in Manchester New Hampshire.

After reading about this show for years, I always wondered if I my quilts could make it in!

Well they did.....and not only one-- but two did!

You can see them here and here.

Follow on Instagram to see our adventures at MQX!

Till We Quilt Again,

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What I Have Learned!

"Ronald's Flight"

If you persist-- your vision will materialize.

If you Love who it is for--you will enjoy every step of the way. 

I can see that I have come along way since starting this journey.

"Swedish Double Chain"

Given a challenge--I am discovering that is my favorite way to quilt.

I can take a traditional design and put a spin on it.

Using what you have is so rewarding.

Friends are such wonderful encouragement. 

 "Swirly Whirly Milky Way" 

My first chance at rejection--but I came out a winner.

I can play with the big girls.

I am not that bad.

 What I have learned from not being accepted at Quilt Con.

After seeing so many wonderful submissions that where not accepted-

I know I am not alone. #quiltconreject #rejectedfromquiltcon 

I know my quilts are good-so I won't stop here.

The people that really count-are always there.

By putting yourself out there-so many new wonderful things have happened.

And as I tell my kids! You have WON if you tired!

Here is a wonderful article that is floating around by Latifah Saafir 

"Former Quilt Con Juror Tells All"

Till We Quilt or Submit Again,

Ronald's Flight--Completed!

Four days before Thanksgiving, our son completed his test for becoming a

 Commercial Pilot.

During the winter months he gets to train in southern Florida!
And while at home he trains up and down the east coast.

I wanted to make him a quilt that represents where he is, in his life now.
Over the past 2 years he has spent many, many hours over the ocean.

To show the detail of the quilting I added a up-light.
It is amazing to see the difference of the quilt in person verses in print.
I might need to attend a photography class or hire a professional! 

The fabric is from Cherry Wood Hand Dyed Fabrics (except the backing).

There is a mix of thread of Superior Silk, Bottom Line, Omni & Sulky.

The quilting is done freehand and with rules.

I do not have a computer.

 It started with squares but felt it was lacking movement.

 I choose diamonds over squares giving it a better flow.

 I did not want the focus on the blades however on the movement they 
create without looking too juvenile.

Here he is flying over a event we had going on
 and he photographed from above!

This is a few weeks ago while on a flight over a boat tournament in Miami.

So just gotta say...
I could not be any Prouder than I am.
And also how much I Love him and this Quilt!
I will have a hard time departing with it when he settles down in one spot.
But he deserves it!


Till We Quilt Or Fly Again,

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Swedish Double Chain!

On our recent retreat our project was the Double Irish Chain (DIC).

The organizer of the retreat, in bypassing asked a question wondering if 
the traditional DIC could be done in a Modern version.

HUM?

This was my version of a DIC which I am calling the 

Swedish Double Chain!

The top is pieced exactly like a DIC except I used a jelly roll of off whites.
The photos show a heavy yellow tint which is not that prominent in person. 

After the top was pieced I quilted the quilt before adding the hexagons. 

On a previous retreat, I purchased these squares.

And recently was wondering what to do with them.

So I basted 135 hexagons.

I thought it was more eye appealing to have a single line of hexi's verses two,  
however the off white background is still a double chain.

With input from fellow retreat goers, the borders were decided on 

however I wanted them to be unusual as well, by having two sides

 different from the other two sides.

I am very happy with the outcome!

Pattern-Swedish Double Chain

Size-54 x 61 1/2

Batting-Quilters Dream

Quilting-Freehand, applique, ruler

Till We Quilt Again,

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Creative Goodness

Guest Hosting-Anything Goes Monday Link Up Party!

I am excited to have made my way here to be guest hosting the 
Anything Goes Monday Link Up Party
for Marelize from Stitch By Stitch.

So here is my story!
There are allot of photos- so hang in there!


My Fibertastic Journey!

If you a new here, I am Helen Ernst

If not-Welcome Back!

I began this wonderful journey 24 years ago.

As you, I am obsessed with all things fiber!

Years ago, I loved gathering knowledge and learning as a hobby quilter while raising a family.

As time passed I somehow went from hobby quilter 

to commissioned quilter.

 Making quilts from start to finish.

However as a commissioned quilter I felt like I was lacking 

something personal to me. So my path turned

towards Technique Investigator (is there such a title?).

Which included dying, painting, manipulating fabric 
and hopefully someday weaving.

Which has brought me to my Happy Place.

LongArm Quilting!

I still am addicted as a "Technique Explorer" but

I just melt when it comes to the quilting!

It amazes me how a wonderful quilt can become a 
amazing quilt with quilting.

I still love to create quilt tops but relish the idea of quilting it!

Allot of what I make is traditional-but-not.
(now does that make any sense?)

Quilting is a passion for many and I am sure can be described in many ways.  For me, this has created a incredible bond with my mother, old friends and many new ones.
It is the special connection of togetherness I think!

There is something undescribable when women of 
all ages come together and share their
life stories, adventures and knowledge.

I have memories of sitting under weaving looms in Sweden as a child with my grandmother when she was getting together with her girlfriends that left a impression on me forever!

Many years ago--I was the young one--then the one with children at home--and now I am the one that has the last one leaving home!

Life is changing--AGAIN!

I can only imagine what the next few years will bring.

But happy to know it will be Quiltastic!

My Family!

This is our youngest who is a helicopter pilot and is
 continuing his flying education in Florida.

Our oldest works for a hospital system in Monmouth NJ.
And is also working hard to become self-employed.

Hubby! 
When he is not helping me with tech support or everyone else 
he can be found fishing!

And Buddy!

I may have never found quilting if it weren't for my mom!

 Thank You for being you and introducing me to this completely sane and insane world.
I Love You! 

And this is my dad!
He was a painter, artist and musician.
I wish we were able to have done this journey together!
But Thankful for the time we did have.
There is around 10,000 one inch squares in this piece.

Other Things!

I am 52!
Have been married for 31 years to a great guy!
 Live in the U.S. in a seaside resort town at the most southern part of New Jersey.
You can say we are at the end of nowhere but near everything
--a short drive we are in Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York City.
My back door is on the Delaware Bay and 4 miles east is the Atlantic Ocean.
A short drive and we can be skiing in the mountains of  PA, NY and Vermont.
And unlike many of you--I do not have a green thumb! Yep a little jealous!

Join me on Instagram at--Till We Quilt Again
Also join me through GF or via email on the top left for posts.


Thank You Marelize for having me as a guest host and including me to test your pattern.
It was a Fun quilt to make!
I highly recommend it!

Till We Quilt Again,

So now it is time to link-up!

An InLinkz Link-up