Quilts of Valor Promo Video

INSPIRATION

Sometimes all you need to fuel your creative abilities is look around you.  I took this picture a few days ago.  I was headed to Lake Geneva from my house and when I got to the end of my drive and looked across the highway, this is what I saw.  It made me want to transfer some of this to cloth.  Whether it be just the colors or the actual trees, I  haven't decided  yet but I am going to print this picture and use it's inspiration in a future quilt.  Just look around you.  You may be missing something wonderful.

 

2014 RETREAT

This year, our annual retreat was held at Center Valley Center near West Bend, WI.  If you have a group that likes to get together this is a lovely place about six miles from West Bend.  They have beautiful sleeping rooms and the grounds are well maintained.  They have hiking trails and a small beach where you can paddle boat or swim.  The meals were delicious to say the least.

As usual, we enjoyed each other's company and encouragement as we worked on our individual projects.  I am posting some pictures of the grounds and of some of the beautiful show and tell items that the participants brought or were working on during the retreat.

FOR ALL YOU COWPOKES OUT THERE

We moved to Wisconsin 30 years ago but even before we moved here we were trail riding  with our kids at Wildcat Mountain State Park.  

We were there last October and had a conversation with the camp hosts, who are people we have come to know reasonably well, about improvements to the horse camp.  They knew I quilted and asked me if I ever did quilts for fundraisers and if so, would I consider doing one to raise money for materials to be used for improvements. They told me they had people who had volunteered their labor but had no money for materials.

 I told them I had a pattern at home that might work well and I would send them a picture of the pattern insert to see if they were interested.  It was a Pam Bono pattern called "Saddles".    I had bought this pattern and 95% of the fabric for it about 10 years ago at Quintessential Quilts in Reedsburg, WI.  

I should have hesitated when I pulled out the two very large doubled-sided pages of instructions but I wasn't smart enough to do that.  I began cutting out this pattern on January 4th and it was a bear.  The pattern had all the sections lettered and numbered to match the illustration of the quilt on the instructions.  If they hadn't done this, I would not have had a clue how to get the whole thing together.  I cut up approximately 10 yards of fabric for the top.

This is what it looked like when I got it all cut up.  You can see the little tags on each pile to designate where it should go on the pattern.

The saddles were put together first.  Their were 21 applique pieces that had to be fused and satin stitched.  The horse shoe blocks had to be appliqued and the border strips added.

Next came the broken star patterns that were combined with some other blocks to make the outer border of the quilt.

Then the 78 spurs had to be appliqued and satin stitched for the inner and outer borders.

And on it went until I finished it on the 22nd of May.  I do not usually keep track of the hours that I spend on a project but I knew as soon as we started selling tickets that was going to be the first thing that would be asked, "Boy, how long did that take you?" It took me 150 hours to construct the top and 77 hours to quilt it on my domestic machine.  Tickets will be on sale soon.

It has been the most challenging project I have ever worked on and the largest. It measures 100" x 103".

HURRY THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT

Hand Stitching at Woodland Ridge Retreat

In mid July, for the first time in Wisconsin, I'll be offering a multi-day workshop that is open to the public. Woodland Ridge Retreat (www.woodlandridgeretreat.com) is an amazing retreat center that is set up specifically (and ideally) for quilters and fiber artists. Lodging, meals, and workshops are all right on site in a beautiful wooded setting between Madison and the Twin Cities. From July 16-18 I'll be teaching a three-day workshop "Dots & Dashes: The Language of the Hand-Made Stitch." It is a sampler-based workshop in which we explore bead embroidery, thread embroidery, and a variety of design principles while each student develops her/his own visual "hand-writing"/style. I've taught this as a two-day class in the Chicago area and Florida and as a five-day class at QSDS. I'm really excited about the opportunity to offer it for three days and in such an amazing setting. The class will be fairly small, so I encourage you to sign up soon if you'd like to participate. Chris Daly, the owner of Woodland Ridge Retreat, can be contacted at dyecandy@gmail.com to register or answer logistical questions. Feel free to contact me with workshop-related questions.  

Registration for this class ends this week.

ANOTHER GREAT QUILT SHOW COMING SOON

On March 14th and 15th, the West Suburban Quilt Guild will host it's biennial quilt show entitled PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER.  It will be held at Mt. Mary  College, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI  53222.  There will be a showing of over 230 quilted items from full size bed quilts to small wall hangings, quilted clothing and accessories.  Vendors will be selling quilting related items.  You may shop a gift boutique with a large variety of handmade items.  You may attend quilting and craft demonstrations, have your quilt appraised and watch an antique bed turning.  Tickets for a raffle quilt made by guild members will be sold as well as for a Bernina sewing machine.

Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase.  Admission is $5.
 

TEACHER WANTED

If you are interested in teaching quilting, this might be an opportunity for you.  The Joann Fabric & Craft store in Brookfield is looking for a quilt teacher.  If interested, you should contact:

 

KATHY NADON

 

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

 

262-786-6430 EXT 104

THINK ABOUT SPRING

Looking at this quilt makes you think about spring.  AND, if you live in Wisconsin, that's all you are thinking about these days as it has been a harsh winter so far with more or come.

The name of this quilt is "IT'S FOR THE BIRDS".  It's the 2014 raffle quilt for the Mukwonago, Wisconsin Crazy Quilters 2014 Quilt Show.  This is their 27th annual show and they are inviting you to join them.  It will be held at the Parkview Middle School in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on April 26th and 27th.  the show is open from 9-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.  Admission is $5.  Children under 10 are free.  Lunch is available both days.  The theme of this year's show is "Red and White".  In addition to almost 300 quilts, the above quilt will be raffled, a sewing machine raffle will be held, 20 vendor booths on site, a bed turning featuring 15 "never before seen" quilts from the Red Brick Museum in Mukwonago, a quilters boutique, quilt appraisals, on-going demonstrations, and bargain bins filled with quilting treasures.  For more information and entry forms, please visit their website www.mukwonagocrazyquilters.com.  Put this event on your spring calendar.  It will give you something to look forward to as this show always has some show stopping quilts.


 

FINISHED PROJECT

I spent four days retreating with five good quilting friends at Woodland Ridge Retreat facility in Downsville, Wisconsin in mid-November.  This is the new facility that opened last October and is owned and managed by Chris and Mark Daly.  All six of us were VERY impressed with the accommodations and the work rooms...adjustable tables, adjustable chairs and wonderful lighting.

Back in 1993, I had made my daughter a patchwork jacket.  She had asked me about three months ago if I would make her another one as she had lost weight and the old jacket was pretty well worn and too big.  I started this jacket that weekend.

AND, I FINISHED it a week ago.  The picture below is of our daughter in this new jacket. She will not really be able to wear it until the weather warms in the spring but I wanted to complete it and give it to her before I started my next big project.

EXCITING NEW RETREAT FACILITY

 

Chris Daly of Dye Candy Fabrics is opening the Woodland Ridge Retreat Center in Downsville, Wisconsin, effective October 15, 2013

 

She has some exciting plans for this gorgeous facility. I am posting some pictures so you can see what it looks like.

 

You may also visit their temporary website at www.woodlandridgeretreat.blogspot.com to find out about prices and registration.  Please tell all your quilting friends about this great new opportunity.

 



SOMETHING SIMPLER AND SMALLER

After working on the quilt for the Walworth County Childrens' Alliance, I thought it was time to do something a little more simple and smaller.  

We are bringing a new generation into the world.  My great-nephew and his wife are expecting a baby in early September so I just finished this baby quilt a few days ago.

What you see in the background is a whole cloth quilt that hasn't quite been finished yet.  I stopped working on it so I could complete the quilt for the WCACC.

I am going to visit a former co-worker whom I have not seen in years.  She is now 88 years old and lives in Dothan, Alabama. I decided to make this dresser runner from Joanie Zeier Poole's book "Elegant Machine Quilting" and will take it to her as a token of  our friendship.

T

The image is difficult as it is made with white fabric and stitched with gold thread.  I took a close up image of a portion so you could see the detail of the trapunto.

It was a refreshing to do some simpler smaller things before I complete the next large project.

THE WALWORTH COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN

There has been a very dedicated group of citizens in Walworth County who have been working since 2008 to fulfill a dream of opening a building where sexually and physically abused and neglected children and their families could come to be counseled, receive medical exams, tell their stories without fear, and helped to heal from their tragic experiences.

That dream became a reality in April of this year when the building was completed and opened to those in the community needing these services.  They named the building the Treehouse.

A friend of mine, Evelyn Schulz, is on the board of this alliance.  I had asked what artwork they would be using in the building and if she would like me to do a quilt.  She said she would ask the board.  The board asked her to approach me about doing a tree because of the building's name.  For those of you who know me, you know that this is not the kind of quilting I normally do.  But, I told them I would try to see what I could come up with.

It has been a challenging but rewarding project.  You know the saying, "You can always get by with a little help from your friends".  Chris Daly of Dye Candy Fabrics (www.dyecandy.blogspot.com), painted the background fabric with dyes.  I have had numerous comments on how beautiful the background is.  Nora Rader graciously invited me to her studio to help me fuse the rather large trunk and also supplied the fabric with the butterflies so that I could just cut those, fuse them and then reinforce them with stitching. There are 135 leaves which were turned and invisibly appliqued.  The squirrel, flowers, petals, cardinal and bugs were thread painted and then satin stitched onto the top. 

The quilt was just finished this last weekend and hung on Monday.  There are a couple of areas that could be a little better but overall I am pretty happy with the result.  The public open house is tonight and I am hoping to see some of my local friends there.

THE TREE HOUSE QUILT
JULY 29, 2013

2014 RETREAT/REUNION

2014 RETREAT

MAY 30 - JUNE 1ST, 2014

Please note that the above dates have been set for the 2014 retreat/reunion.  Also note that the location has changed to Cedar Valley Retreat Center at West Bend, WI.

As you can see, this is a lovely place in a very rural setting.  The guests rooms are well appointed and can accommodate single or double occupancy.  This retreat will be the same as the last in that there will be no teachers.  You may bring your own projects to work on.  

There are already 24 quilters signed up for this retreat and we have room for 10 more.  Arriving on Thursday, May 29th for afternoon stitching, dinner at the facility and overnight stay is optional.  The additional cost for Thursday is minimal as you will receive a weeknight rate.

The registration form is attached. It lists the prices and other information.  Please contact Mimi Oxman with questions.  Her information is on the registration form.  Here's the link https://docs.google.com/document/d/105XjW7CK1gIfgd6giJ1GJ_R9HHf11GbN9kjrkVkofF4/edit?usp=sharing

Please join us.  If you have not attended this retreat, you will not be disappointed.  This is a great group of quilters. For a better look at the facility, please see www.cedar-valley.org.

I'll be looking forward to seeing you there.

UPDATE TO IQA BUS TRIP

For those of you who still might be interested in the day bus trip to the IQA show in Rosemont, here's the update.  I have been informed that the second bus has been filled and they are keeping a list for a third bus.  June 21st is just around the corner.  So,don't hesitate.  The third bus will only travel if it is filled.  See the previous post for cost, times, etc.

DAY BUS TRIP TO IQA SHOW IN ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS

SEW N SAVE IN RACINE IS HOSTING A BUS TRIP TO THE IQA SHOW AT ROSEMONT, IL

ON

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

THE BUS WILL LEAVE SEW N SAVE

AT

8:45 A.M.

RETURN AT APPROXIMATELY

7:00 P.M

.

COST IS

$45.00

(COST INCLUDES ADMISSION)

CHECKS OR CASH ONLY

ONE BUS HAS ALREADY BEEN FILLED

THOSE WHO SIGN UP NOW WILL BE

PUT ON A LIST FOR A SECOND BUS

SEW N SAVE IS LOCATED AT

3701 DURAND, RACINE, WI 53405

262-554-8708

2013 RETREAT/REUNION

 

The 2013 Retreat/Reunion was held again at Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva.  I tried to shoot some video but I guess I need some additional lessons.  For those of you who couldn't attend you can see what you missed and for those of you who were there you can smile remembering what a good time you had.

 

 

The following images are courtesy of Sue Buckingham and Mary Zinsmeister.  If you have some you would like to share, please e-mail them to me at quiltinglady@tds.net.

 

Information regarding next year's retreat should be coming soon.

 

Don't you just love this image of the Singer featherweight sewing up these Kaffe Fassett fabrics!