Goodbye Winter & Hello Spring!

As much as I enjoy the cold gray days, fire lite,

calming music, and the hum of the sewing machine.

I am ready for spring and summer!

So....this is my final reminder of a winter.

While in Vermont, my mother and I took a day class.

This looks like where we have been skiing for the past 35 years.

We learned about free motion, and how to use reversed fabric.

This and the next 2 photos where done at day classes with Donna Clauer.

She is a incredible teacher and artist.

She held her classes at her summer vacation home in Ocean City, NJ.

All the pieces we painted by hand and her techniques of painting is done
in a very freeing and a non structured approach.

Everything was done on a blank piece of

fabric and you apply paint and tread.

It is my understanding that she has moved up around Lancaster, Pa.

and teaches at the quilt stores in that area.

I highly suggest a class!!!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

Channeling Toughts!

Several have emailed asking about the quilt in the frame above.

Even had a phone request to discuss it.

Then comes a phone call asking me to help demo the same technique at our

guild meeting tonight.

This has all been in the past week.

I must be channeling thoughts on

English Paper Piecing!

Here is a full shot of the quilt.

It was a challenge quilt that was entered in a local guild's quilt show.

The guide lines, that I remember (there was more) were it could not be

much bigger than a standard piece of paper. And it had to include words.

My words are attached with bent metal wire and were:

Create, Imagine,Believe, Dream & Inspire.

I had sewn the tumbling blocks together using the English Paper Piecing Technique.

Each diamond was only 1 x 1 1/2 inches.

The quilting was micro meandering.


Here is a larger quilt that is EPP'd also.
Having all the papers ready before we left.
I started the whip stitching on my way to the airport.
And only worked on this while at the airport, during layovers or on the flight (many hours).
Since we were flying form Philadelphia to Hawaii, I was able to COMPLETE piecing this together only while traveling. Who wants to sew while in Hawaii--Not Me!
This is 24 x 18.

You can find so... many tutorials on English Paper Piecing.
By typing it in your search engine.
It is a great take-along project too.

Till We Quilt Again,
Helen

What A Great Time!

Put 6 women together with, a sense of humor, creative ideas,

knowledge in their own areas, individual approaches and a willingness to share and learn.

What Do You Have

A Great Memorable Trip!

Here is a photo of the "Shabby Little Shack" that we were luckly enough to stay in

(Thanks to Sandy). We were knitting and appliqueing on projects.

I was learning to knit (again!).

Margareta (my mom) and Elena.

We imported them!

Mom is from Sweden and Elena is from Spain.

We had the opportunity to take a class with Esterita Austin. All I can say is WOW! She is so... talented in over laying sheers and paint to create illusions. What a magnificent day!

And onto the show. I took so... many photos but here are 3 that stood out to me!


It was amazing how this person used tulle for the reflection of the trees and home. But more amazing was how you did not see the mist/fog until you took a photo.

Just Beautiful! Love the color palate.

On Friday 8 more quilting buddies came down to the show. We were lucky enough to find a great restaurant that would fit all 14 of us. Wish we had more time together!

These girls to the left talked about switching into a new hobby, I overheard something about Burlesque dancing ....

And the group below are now Vegans!!!!

Great Memories!!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

A Little Artsy

Brooke's Eyes

My niece, was redoing her room. The theme she was going for

was a black/gray studio feel. The room was in need of a very dramatic art piece. Brooke has long dark hair with deep blue eyes, plus the longest eyelashes I have seen.

I came across a online class by Ellen Lindner. Even though the class was not on specifically eyes, I knew I could use this technique while making this.
The fabric was applied to a canvas and sealed with a medium fixture. Then it was framed and looks beautiful in her room. I could have done this as a quilt, but the room needed art work in a frame.



For more information on Ellen's class go to
http://www.adventurequilter.com/index.html
The class is "Sticky Fingers"
You will see Brooke's Eyes in the Students Gallery



Till We Quilt Again,
Helen

Ski Utah!!

Our oldest son is a junior in college, here in New Jersey. Last year, after a ski vacation in Utah, we came home and he applied for a internship at Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City.

And he was accepted!

So this past December he moved to Utah!

As much as we miss him, this is a Wonderful Experience for him!

The Canyon's

Deer Valley

Alta

As here is the quilt that he left home with his freshman year.

Not that you can tell from the photo---There is not a flower (the only request) on it anywhere!

It is a dorm bed size.

While in Utah the World FIS Championships were being held in Park City!

There were 33 countries represented.

How Lucky were we!

Half Pipe at Park City

Aerials at Deer Valley

Moguls at Deer Valley

And here is the topper!

I did NOT go to one quilt store this visit. And Utah has many wonderful shops.
Since I was there last winter and this fall helping the economy. This trip was all about the 4 of us being together. It was Great!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen