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

Here They Come!!!

Grandbabies!!!!!

But They Are Not Mine!!!!

YET

Friends are starting to have Grandbabies. I am so happy for them!

While in Utah, this past November, I got to revisit some quilt stores and find some new ones. I picked up a Moda Layer Cake. At our guild's retreat this past October I demonstrated a simple way to make a pinwheel. I have searched high and low for the link and I can not find it. So today I made a simple photo tutorial on making the block. Please excuse my photos--this was my first attempt at doing this.

This quilt is made with Moda Layer Cake cottons, soft baby blue Minkee (?) for borders, backing and binding. And a over sized Rick-Rack . The batting is 50%Bamboo and 50% organic cotton.

I loved quilting with this batting!

The quilting.

Detail of quilting.

Cut any size squares (2) that you choose. Mine are 10 inch. It can be any size but be

consistent through out the quilt you are working on.

Right sides together. Sew 1/4 inch all the way around the block.

Take ruler and cut corner to corner this way.






And corner to corner this way

Should look like this after it has been cut

Open each piece and it should look like this.

Either finger press or iron.

Rotate blocks to form a Pinwheel

And sew to form the block!!!

And it is that easy!!!!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

How To Help Sadness

MAKE A QUILT!!!!!

There is something therapeutic about looking over pictures (while remembering), selecting fabrics and spending hours coming to terms with your lose, while creating from the lose. That is, at least how it was for my son & I when we lost someone that we were very close to.

This photo is my Dad-Ron!

I did not make this quilt until several years after he died. For me, making this quilt was intense but also calming. Through the process I would float off remembering how wonderful he was and all the great memories that we shared. This quilt has allot of Love Tear Drops on it!!!

He died at the age of 59.

The quilt has over 4900-1 inch squares.

Dad & I had a few silent arguments while constructing this quilt!

This is Lady!!!!!

Our sons grew up with Lady. She was their protector and friend. When she died, my youngest son took it hard. At first he did not want to make a quilt but then changed his mind. So he & I made up the pattern. He selected ALL the fabrics. And he got started.
Everyday after school he would drop his book bag and run to start putting fabrics down. During the process of making it he would talk and talk (and cry) about his dog "Lady". On the back there is a envelope that has his letter to Lady. Someday he will take that quilt with him and read his letter.


Not only does quilts keep us warm, bring us joy but also helps to overcome sadness!!
What A Great Hobby We Have!!!


Till We Quilt Again,
Helen