New York Quilter - Mary Anne Ciccotelli

Update address and Give-a-ways!!!!!

2009-12-13T15:31:00.002-05:00

Birthday Give-a-ways have just started at New York Quilter. Remember to update your reader because this blog is not being used anymore. The new blog address:

http://newyorkquilter.com/weblog /

New Website is Up and Going!!!!

2009-10-21T11:36:00.002-04:00

Yah!!!! My new webiste went live just before I left for Houston. Please come over and visit.

www.newyorkquilter.com

Remeember to update your reader with my new blog address:

www.newyorkquilter.com/weblog

New Address for this Blog

2009-10-21T09:05:00.004-04:00

I have permanently moved this blog to my new webste. The address is:

http://newyorkquilter.com/weblog/

Mary Anne

Can you believe it?????

2009-10-09T08:02:00.002-04:00

I have actually done something creative in the kitchen.

The Pelham Quilters monthly meeting was Monday evening. A couple of hours prior to the meeting I remembered that I was suppose to bring refreshments. Since I had classes to teach, I was really glad that I had purchased a couple of brownie mixes last trip to the grocery store. I had also purchased this magazine with all these fun Halloween food ideas. I am not sure why I buy this type of magazines, except I like to LOOK at the pictures. Well, I pulled out my magazine and found this fun idea.I think this was alot more exciting than just plain brownies.

The magazine said to make the spiders out of gum drops. Needles to say, I don't keep gum drops around just waiting for the perfect project. So, the pom pom and chenille stems came to the rescure.

As for Houston - I am frantically trying to get pack and everything done.

The QUEEN of PROJECTS is in top frorm today.

Hexapin HEXAMANIA!!!!!!!

2009-10-01T08:04:00.005-04:00

I have folded 120 hexagons this past week

and worked on putting some of the hexapins together.

It's like a one person factory line. I go from station to station.

The Folding Station (aka dining room table)

Button selecting station

Buttons wating to be sewed on holding box

Sewing button on station.

Adding the embellishment station

Waiting for back work (pin and label) and to be...........

packaged station.

Lots more still to do - better get back to work!!!!!!!

Jittery Turkey gets the most votes!!!!

2009-09-29T09:39:00.006-04:00

First off - I apologize to those that may of had a hard time in finding me or couldn't find me for a few days. I am in the process of having my website professionally designed and I switched newyorkquitler.com to anothe hosting company so I could use it for my new webiste/blog combo.........but in the mean time newyorkquilter.com takes you no where!!!! UGH!!!!! Anyway, the direct address to my blog (for the next few days) is: http://maryanneciccotelli.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion on naming my Turkey Quilt.

Ann-Christin suggested Jittery Turkey (which received 9 of the 12 votes).

Rose-Marie in Sweden is the winner from those that voted.

Please send me your snail mail address and I will mail you the pattern in November when it is finalized. If you didn't win, the pattern will be available on my website to purchase.

What should my name be????

2009-09-22T09:53:00.010-04:00

Thanks to everyone that took the time to share an idea for a name and also embellishing ideas. (Winner info at the end of this post.) Now I need to make a bunch more turkeys to use all the fun ideas. (This is a sample that I made last week. The turkey is just laying on the feathers. I am going to make a different turkey because the body is to close in color to the brown feathers.)

Here are the names that were suggested for the Turkey Quilt:

1. Gobble, Gobble
2. Turkey Trot
3. Too Cute to Eat Turkey Quilt
4. Hot & Spicy Tom
5. Jittery Turkey!
6. Pardon Me
7. Mr. Snoodle

Still want a chance to win a copy of this pattern?
Leave a comment of which name you like the best! I will choose a winner from the comments left and also the person who suggested the name who gets the most votes will win a free pattern for the turkey also. This contest will run until Monday, Sept. 28 at 6:00 am.

As I was marking the applique pieces I wasn't sure what the red thing hanging off the beak was (even though I was a daughter of a turkey farmer) so I did alittle reasearch. So, here is a little turkey trivia:
The snood hangs off the turkey's beak and the wattle hangs off the neck / throat area. Both are usually red.

And wanting to give credit for my trivia - here is where I found the answer:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/On_a_turkey_what_is_the_name_of_the_red_thing_that_hangs_down_over_the_beak
The workshop was GREAT on Saturday with the ladies from Rebecca Reel's Quilters. I am so sad that my camera'a battery died (shame on me for leaving home without the back-up battery, but sometimes I am lucky to leave home with my head on straight). This group were very creative and I have a whole years worth of 3-D projects to work on. FYI - I also have designed a much easier way to sew the large feathers together.

Now for what you all have been waiting for:

The winner of last week's contest is: Natierae.

Please send me your address and I will launch this turkey pattern on its flight to you. Estimated deparature date will be at the beginning of November.

Thanks again for all the fun ideas shared last week.

Mary Anne

The Creative Juices and Give-a-way!

2009-09-15T10:10:00.015-04:00

(The Give-a-way details are at the end of this post. )

This Saturday I am teaching a workshop on making this Turkey quilt. So, I have been spending some time getting ready. Below is one of the samples I experimented with last week. I was alittle off in my drafting and I had to add an additional section to make the circle meet.

(The turkey is actually just a copy of the original quilt.)

The extra sections worked for me but I don't think that it is a good idea to make a workshop based on a pattern that is incorrect. Over the weekend I had a BRAINSTORM on how to draft the pattern pieces - I am using Word and just rotate one of the lines the amount that I want. This technique is right. Pretty exciting, especially because the pattern is already in my computer and ready to be mass produced.

Now for the turkey - there is one problem, he is bigger than a legal sized piece of paper - how do I handle this?

Well, I scanned my rough drawing in sections

and then used Word to convert it to a line drawing. Sounds pretty simple, but it took most of yesterday to do all of this.

I decided to go the extra mile and also offer a pre-printed kit for the fusible pieces.
(I just need to label the pices t0 make it easier to layout the turkey.)

I am wondering if this would be simple to do in EQ - do you know?

This is great for me since I need to make up a few turkeys in different stages. It is great not to have to trace the pieces each time.

Now for the samples that I have been working on.

I am thinking about some different kinds of embellishments. Any suggestions on what you might use?

There are three rows of Fun Fur (I am telling you because two the of rows hardly show up. This is a great lesson is what the lack of contrast does (or does not do)).

Now for the Give-a-way. I am looking for a name for this pattern. I have been referring to it as Turkey Quilt or Tom the Turkey, but I am sure that someone out there has a much better name for this fun project. Help me with my quest to name my cute turkey pattern and you will be entered into the contest for a free pattern of this turkey. The pattern should be out at the beginning of November.

What more chances to win, here are the ways to increase your odds:

1. Leave a comment for one chance to win .

2. Suggesting a name for the pattern will get you another chance to win.

3. Offer a suggestion(s) on an embellishment will give you another chance.

4. Posting about this Give-a-way on your blog and including a link to your post here in the comment section will give you an additional chance.

The contest will end at midnight Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.

Due to a requests I am extending the deadline to enter this Give-a-way until Monday morning (9-28-09) 6:00 am (no I am not going to be up at that time to read the last few entries) my time in New York.

Let your creative juices flow and share your ideas here. Thanks in advance!

Next week will be the contest to vote for your favorite name. The person that suggested the name that gets the most votes will also receive a free turkey pattern.

Gobble! Gobble!

9-11 Remembered

2009-09-11T10:13:00.004-04:00

Today is cloudy and rainy, not at all like the beautiful clear blue sky that we were experiencing here in New York eight years ago today. As I reflect on the events of that day I am reminded of my love for my family and the great pride I feel to be a part of such a great country. I wonder what has happened to those families that lost someone because of that day. I hope and pray that time has healed them in some way and they have been able to find happiness. I especially wonder about those 10 families in Pelham that inspired me to spear head an effort to make a quilt for each of them and many others in the Westchester New York area.

If you are new to my blog you can read about this project on my post from last year.

I just watch a video - Finding Hope - that Mormon church posted it on You Tube. I just finished watching it and was very touched. Enjoy.

Past Projects

2009-09-10T08:16:00.009-04:00

I have been spending ALOT of time gathering, cropping and adjusting photos to prepare them for the galleries on my new website. When I did my website in 2006 my daughters were looking forward to me having a very inclusive gallery. Well - that never happened. It was something that I was always going to do, but it never got done. So, now I am getting the photos ready so it will get done. Needless to say, I don't have anyting new to show you so I thought I would go back and share a couple of projects that I have not shared before.

This first quilt was made for Pres. & Sis. Jackson after their move to Utah. He purchased the border fabric when he was a 19 year old missionary serving in a foreign country. While Pres. Jackson and his wife were packing to move he decided that he had been hauling around this fabric for too many years and it was time to give it to someone that would actually use the fabric. Thus - the fabric came to my home. I decided to use it to make a quilt for he and his wife as a thank you from our stake for all they had done for the church in the Westchester/Bronx New York area.

Here we are all set-up ready for Stake members to sign the quilt.
(Of course, the Queen of PROJECTS (this is the title my daughters gave me at the QQQ Birthday party) is still working on the binding.)

Stake members signing the quilt down at the Kingsbridge building.

Thank heavens for labels because now I can remember which year I made this quilt.

Pres. & Sis. Jackson in front of their quilt.

I had a bunch of pieces leftover and I didn't want them left hanging around (which I still have a few pieces doing that in my studio) so here is the FUN BACK that used alot of those scraps.

The next quilt is "We Love Kristin"

Kristin was a member of our Relief Society at church and she was going through a very difficult time so we (the Relief Society) decided to make her a wallhanging.

I had just discoverd folded hexagons so I used them for the flowers on this wallhanging.
Above is the front of the quilt.

Many of the sister signed squares that I incorporated on the back of the wallhaning. I did a hidden rod pocket so that the wallhaning could be hung on either side.

Again, another very fun back.

(Can you see a lecture developing here? Fun Backs - Going the Extra Mile.)

I used one of the squares for the label.

Hope your enjoyed a little stroll with me down memory lane.

This post is for my Grandkids!!!!!!

2009-09-07T13:05:00.015-04:00

Tom and I had a GREAT time at Disney World. We went for a long weekend (not nearly enough time). This was MY FIRST visit there. I hope that none of my grandchildren (or kids) have to wait until they are over 50 years old for their 1st visit. Since this post is mainly for my Grandkids and none of them know how to read - we will go with "A picture is worth a 1,000 words". Enjoy!!!!

Since we were there for such a short time we only went to the Magic Kingdom, which means that there are alot more adventures awaiting me on my next visit!

I can't WAIT to go to Disney World with my grandkids! I think that will make it even FUNNER! (I don't think this is a word, but I that's okay - you know what I mean.)

More vacation pictures

2009-09-07T13:00:00.002-04:00

Tom took a ride in this helium balloon.

Here is Tom at 400' looking around Disney World.

There was a really cool Lego store and lots of different things made from Legos (someone is as (or maybe even more) obsessed with Legos as I am with folded Hexagons).

Why Flordia????

2009-09-07T12:02:00.005-04:00

A couple of years ago we purchased these vacations from this marketing group (who were selling vacations to timeshare locations) - and time was running out before we lost one of the vacations. Since I had never been to Disney World we decided that this would be a great place to go (and it WAS). We had upgraded our package so we actually stayed at the resort (and take the 1 1/2 hour tour).
There were some amazing birds around. Fun to see.

This shot is from our bedroom window.

Also from our bedroom window - we had a great location.

The one of the best things about the location was - that the Space Shuttle was launched while we were in Florida.

That trail of light was created by the space shuttle (and Tom's photography).

(This was also taken from our bedroom window - prime viewing location.)

And the Winner is.........

2009-09-05T19:44:00.002-04:00

Debbie said...
It's so nice that you had so much fun with your students this summer, Mary Ann. I love statistics, LOL! Those critters are so cute. Please count me in. Thanks.

Please send me your address and your Critters will be on their way.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to stop by and visit. Keep watching my blog for more give-a-ways. There will be a very special one in a month or so when I introduce my newly designed website. Take care and I hope to get back to quilting soon. I have been doing alot of behind the screen work for my newly designed site.

Summer Camp Wrap Up and FREE Giveaway

2009-08-27T17:41:00.011-04:00

Bean Bag Critters

I thought it would be interesting to put some statistics together of what my students have accomplished this summer during the sewing camps.

9 weeks of camp = 36 days of camp
750 Total hours of sewing

Approx. 300 ice pops consumed during popcicle break

243 Total projects completed!!!!!

Summary of project:

Clothing items:
2 Belts
5 Blouses
2 Fleece Ponchos
2 Headbands
1 Peasant Nightgown
7 PJ Pants
11 Skirts
1 Pair of Slippers
1 T-shirt
1 Vest

Quilts:
19 Chenille Quilts
3 Oversized quilts
2 Pieced blankets

Pillows & decorator items:
10 Appliqued pillows
9 Balls
5 Big Foot Pillows
1 Hexapillow
11 My First Quilts
6 Oversized pillows
12 Pillowcases
29 Pillows

Purses/Bags:
17 Drawstring Bag
3 Notions bag
1 Designer purse
1 Oversized Hexabag
2 Purses
9 Wheelchair Bags

Craft projects:
6 American Girl Doll Outfits
4Bean Bag Critter - Bug
3 Bean Bag Critter - Crab
2 Bean Bag Critter - Fish
5 Bean Bag Critter - Octopuses

5 Bean Bag Critter - Turtle
6 Build a Bear Outfits
2 Butterfly or Bee
2 Cats
4 Doll Bankets
5 Fleece Bears
1 Frog
3 Misc. projects
2 Oversized postcards
5 Penguins
4 Postcard
3 Rabbit
3 Scrunchies
3 Snakes
1 Stuffed animal
1 Wallet

WOW - no wonder I am ready for a break. Tom and I are off to Disney World for a long week-end.

This contest is over - visit often for more contest in the near future.

Thanks to all those that participated!!!!!!

Now for the Free Give-a-way

Remember the Bean Bag Critters pictured at the beginning of this post?

By leaving a comment your name will be entered into the drawing for a set of the Bean Bag Critter kits. You have until Midnight on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. The winner will be choosen on Saturday, September 5.

Good luck and thanks for playing along!

Week 9 - Aug. 24-27

2009-08-27T16:02:00.012-04:00

Here are the pictures from the last week of Summer Camp. My Lazy Days of Summer are at the end...........hardly lazy days when I am working to keep up to all these prolific sewers! What a great way to spend my Summer. Thanks to all my students for sharing their Summer with me!!

This morning the student that is modeling the turquoise skirt brought in a pair of paints that her grandmother had given her. She didn't like the pants and wanted to make something out of them. This is what she did - she made the pants into a skirt. She was thrilled to have something that she wanted to wear and being able to make her grandmother happy by wearing the article of clothing that she was given.

What has this Hexamanic been up to?????

2009-08-25T17:47:00.004-04:00

Working on Hexapins!!!!!!! I purchased a bunch of buttons on E-bay.

Now I am matching which buttons look on a which folded hexagons.

Some of the buttons are pretty fun.

Here is a close of a Hexapin in its package already
to help fight when the Hexamania Bug starts infecting quilters.
Here is a group shot.

Week 8 - Aug. 17 - 20

2009-08-25T17:18:00.008-04:00

Here are the projects from Week 8 of the Children's Sewing Camps. I think the blue pillow with the frog and lilly pad is pretty creative.

I almost get tired thinking of all the sewing that has been completed this Summer in my studio.

This Summer not very many students have made "Big Foot" pillows, but there have been a few made at the end of the season.

This student completed this quilt. She purchased the fabric at a vendor while attending the Village Squares Quilters show last November. She pieced the top and back and did alot of the quilting - pretty amazing work. When she made her label I was reminded that she is only 7 years old. I had her stand on the chair so she could hold her quilt up higher so we could see more in the pictures.

It all amazes me to see how creative and how well my students can sew.

The Graduation Quilt Update

2009-08-19T08:04:00.004-04:00

Last week I almost finished piecing the top - I just need to add the BYU and a little surprise.And of course...................
this quilt HAD to have a "FUN BACK".

I used all the pieces leftover - even all the diamonds!
It was great cleaning up after this project because I didn't have a bunch of smaller pieces of fabric ................. yah for FUN BACKS!!!!!!

Happy 80th Birthday Nana!!!!!

2009-08-17T11:50:00.006-04:00

Sunday was Nana's (Tom's mother) 80th Birthday. She didn't want anything big, so we decided that we would all have a picnic/barbecue at an area along the Jersey side of the Hudson River.

Nana and Peter (Peter's birthday was also yesterday)

Lots of the family - lots to show for Nana's 80 years.

Here are a couple of water views from the park we were at.

This is the George Washington Bridge.

Nana opening her Easy Does It "Hexabag".

Tom and I had the assignment for something to put the candles on. I thought it would be fun to have 80 cupcakes. Since I didn't think there was anyway we would eat that many large cupcakes, we made mini cupcakes. I had the letter candles left over from my b-day party so I found the NANA and put them into the cupcakes.

I also found these fun curly candles - but we only put a few - one for each decade +1.

Here is Nana blowing out her candles with a little help from Eric.
Thank you Nana for the wonderful life you have lived and the influence it has had on m life!

Week 7 - Aug. 10-13

2009-08-13T16:17:00.003-04:00

I just completed my 7th week of Summer Camps. Each Summer I am amazed at the amount of sewing that these kids can accomplish and how their skills are improving. This oversized postcard is a perfect example of this. It was made by a 10 year old student. She started sewing with me the Summer of 2007. This Summer it has all come together for her and she is doing wonderful work. This is very rewarding for me.

Here are the collages of the students with their projects from this week. Enjoy!!!!!

What were you doing six years agao?

2009-08-12T12:00:00.003-04:00

Six years ago Tom was at Scout Camp and I was working on finishing the Cougar Quilt for Jennie to take to college.

What am I doing this week - the same thing. Tom is at Scout Camp and I am working on the Cougar Quilt #2 - except Jennie has graduated and it is a really belated graduation present. If you are wondering why I am making the exact same quilt again......read all about it here (Scroll down to read the part about the Cougar quilt). . The flowers are all appliqued and just wanting to be pieced into the top. What to see the flowers - check here.
Last night I put the cougar together. I had started another cougar but the fabric was not quite right, so I finally decided to just bit the bullet and redo the cougar. I am so much happier with it now. In fact, I think that incorrect fabric choice is what has been holding me back. By finally deciding to just start over I am much happier with the cougar and excited to work on this project.

Here is a close-up of the cougar. Now to do the thread work on him and then applique to the mountain background. That is tonight's project.

Why so many Flip Flops?

2009-08-10T21:59:00.004-04:00

My brother asked why all the flip flops in the pictures. Well..............I made the quilt to hang in my studio during Summer Camps. It hangs on the "Wall of Fame" (where the students stand to have their picture take of the projects they have made). (To the Beach and Beyond)

This quilt will hang on the "Wall of Fame" starting in September for the Back to School season.

Week 6 - Aug. 3-6

2009-08-09T23:50:00.002-04:00

This week I only had camps in the afternoon. So, not quite so many pictures to share.

Week 5 - July 27-20

2009-08-09T23:17:00.002-04:00

Do you like the size of her Hexabag?

I love it when one of my student's designs and make a postcard.
Keep up the GREAT work!!!!

Week 4 - July 20-23

2009-08-09T23:04:00.004-04:00

Now I know why I have not been getting my own sewing done. It is pretty cool to see all my students projects pictured in one place. It amazes me how much they accomplish during the camps!

Week 3 - July 13-16

2009-08-09T20:36:00.003-04:00

The fun continues:

I love the sun - she designed it herslef.
The projects with the chenille have been a real big hit.

Is there a cure for a "Hexamanic"?

2009-08-05T08:02:00.009-04:00

The Hexamania continues. I have been folding 4 1/2" hexagons out of all different colored batiks and they will be used for.....
"Hexapins".

And you may be wondering what I am going to do with all these "Hexapins".

A Hexamanic can never have to many "Hexapins".

But really..............

I am going to take them with to Houston to sale to unsuspecting quilters that are just waiting to be bitten by the "Hexabug".

On Saturday Anne and I traveled to Hershey, PA for Quilt Odyssey for an outstanding show. Pictures from the show in a couple of days. While in Pennsylvania I purchased some wonderful batiks that were just asking to be made in to "Easy Does It Hexabags".

One of the vendors was The Crazy Quilter owned by Alicia Whitehouse. What a delightful stop. She was selling these wonderful buttons. As soon as I saw them I knew that they would be the perfect embellishments for my new "Hexabags". The buttons are so new that they are not on her website yet so you can just email (thecrazyquilter@charter.net) her to purchase them.

Well - back to the Hexastone (aka grind stone).

A perfect example of why..........

2009-07-29T08:16:00.009-04:00

Last night we had five missionaries from the church over for dinner. Little did they know what was in store for them (and neither did Tom or I).

After camp was over yesterday afternoon I went to Costco to get a few things that we needed and then I came home and put the water on to boil for the ziti. When Tom arrived home from work he took over in the kitchen (so you would think all would be well).

We started dinner off with the salad (complete with many cucumbers from our garden). Tom had placed the array of salad dressing on the table. Three of the five missionaries choose the Italian dressing. We all began to eat and the missionary sitting next to me started to make some funny noises and moving around like he was uncomfortable.............then he was able to say that the dressing was not dressing but SOAP!!!!!!!!

All at once I realized what had happened - I had been let loose to deal with some things in the kitchen.

In June Emily went to the grocery store (Tom and I had taken the little girls to the Aquarium) to purchase some odds and ends for the special anniversary dinner and she also purchased a small bottle dish soap since she didn't know if we had any in our storage. A couple of days later she mentioned that she wished she had a small bottle like that one at home because she buys dish soap in bulk and the BIG bottle gets kind of annoying at the side of the sink. Well, Mom to the rescue. We had just emptied and Italian dressing bottle. I cleaned out the bottle and poured the dish soap in the Italian dressing bottle. Proceeded to clean out the dish soap bottle and gave it to Emily to take home with her. Pretty innocent behavior, don't you think. I am sure that our dinner appointment with be one that will be share by the missionaries when they are talking about the worst stuff they were served on their mission.

I have now marked the bottle so if you happen to come to dinner at our home, the Italian dressing should be safe. But you never know.................what will happen when I get in the kitchen.

Week 2 - July 6-9

2009-07-16T12:00:00.012-04:00

Here are the projects from week two of the summer camps

Houston - here we come!!!!!!

2009-07-07T07:41:00.007-04:00

I just received notification that both Grandma's Hexagarden and The Generations Unite have been selected as finalists to be exhibited at the 2009 International Quilt Festival/Houston in the annual IQA fall Judged Show, Quilts: A World of Beauty. The quilts need to be in Hoston by Aug. 5 (I guess they will get to enjoy the REALLY HOT months in Texas). Tom and I are planning on flying to Houston on Oct. 12. This way we will have a some time to play around before the show starts. We have booked rooms at the Hotel that is connected to the convention center. Needless to say I am pretty excited!!!!!!

Here are the pictures that I sent to IQA for the jury process:

Grandma's Hexagarden

(Detail)

The Generation's Unite

(White side - aka The Front)

(Detail: White side - aka The Front)

(Green side - aka The Back)
Emily and I were talking and she suggested (to which I had already thought of, but didn't know if I was up to making more of the folded hexagons) that I should add a group of the three folded hexagons on each side of the quilt.

What do you think?

(Detail: Green side - aka The Back)

When I sent my submission to IQA I did book some rooms at a Hotel that is about 1 mile away from the convetnion center. After receiving notice that my quilts were going to Houton Tom suggested that I should do this right and get rooms at the Hotel connected to the convention center. Tom is very supportive of me and my quilting adventures. Once again, little did he know how much that FREE Quilt was actually going to cost.

If anyone wants to join the fun I have a couple of extra rooms.

Week 1 - June 29 - July 2 (Children's Sewing Camp)

2009-07-05T21:38:00.008-04:00

The first week of summer camp is history and I am getting geared up for the 2nd week.

Student Project

2009-06-26T08:42:00.004-04:00

Anita came over for a private class yesterday. She has been working on these wonderful building blocks. I LOVE them. The detail is wonderful. As the blocks were on the design wall I enjoyed more and more of the details as I noticed them. GREAT JOB. Yesterday we added the frames around each block. Next week we will work on the sashings.It also amazed me how the different color of frame just seemed to set each block off and make them look even better.
This block was one of the hardest to find the correct color. Nothing seemed to look good with the sky fabric. Then we tried this purple color and it was just right.

Anita did all the work on these blocks by hand!
The frames were added with the sewing machine.

One of the great things about teaching is being able to see the student's project up close and personal. Thank you Anita for sharing your project with me.

Yah for Grandkids!!!!!!

2009-06-25T19:52:00.008-04:00

I think that Zephyr was the one that changed the most since I last saw the Grandkids.

It was great having our kids from Utah for the 50 1/2 Birthday Party. Jason, Christy and Ty came the week before the party and the Weinheimer's & Yri's came a couple of days before and they stayed for a few days after.
We had a FULL house - Zephyr had to sleep in the laundry basket.
Here are the three older one Grandkids.

It's great being a Grandma - easy to laugh at all the cute things the kids do.

Ty and his daddy playing air hockey.

I think we have an alien visiting.

or could it be one of our own.

Surprise! Surprise - it's Autumn!

Saturday Grandpa and Grandma took the girls to the Aquarium.

Lunch at Burger King.

The last night the Weinheimer's were here Emily and I were working on finishing up a sewing project. We went pretty late into the night. Zephry was with us in the basement. He is sleeping on the chair in my studio. Looks like a bandit to me.

Happy Anniversary

2009-06-25T19:29:00.003-04:00

Tom and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary on Saturday.We dined at an exclusive restaurant in Pelham, New York.
We had the best server ever!

The server had a small helper that added interest.

Have you ever had cute servers like these two?

Asking for input.......

Off to the kitchen.

No photos please.......way to much work to be done.

Some of the kitchen help.Thanks Autumn and Prairie (and there boss - Emily) for making our anniversay so special!!!

Made by Jennie

2009-06-18T15:01:00.006-04:00

Jennie (my daughter) made this wallhanging as a gift for the
QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Party. Thanks Jennie - I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Here is the picture she used as her guide.

THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!

2009-06-16T08:32:00.009-04:00

(Thank you to Susan my sister for these pictures.)

Thanks to my wonderful husband I have these shots of the exhibit while is was very quite with no visitors.
And thanks to all those that attend to help make this such a WONDERFUL afternoon!!!!!!

This quilt was designed by my daughter - Emily

This quilt was designed by my daughter - Jennie.

UFO Walls

All the blocks pictures above were given to me on June 9 from the wonderful members of the Village Squares Quilters. Thanks for letting me be your president for the past two years.

The 6th Generation

2009-06-16T08:22:00.003-04:00

Here is my granddaughter at the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday party with the quilt she made me. She is already planning other quilts she wants to make.

Five Decades of Quilting

2009-06-16T07:23:00.016-04:00

In preparing for the QQQ Birthday Party I realized that I had made at least one quilt in each of the decades of my life. Here they are:

1960's

My First Quilt: With the help of my mother, I embroidered the bear blocks and completed this quilt to display at a church young girls' activity.

1970's Red Tied Quilt: I made this quilt to take to college.

1980's

Seasame Street Quilt (1982): (above) This quilt was made when I was pregnant with my first baby. We Won, We Got the Right Baby!: For Christmas in 1985, I made my 3 year old daughter and her doll each a purple nightgown and tied quilt. Matching infant sized items were made with the left over fabric. After finding out she had a sister, Emily exclaimed - "We won, we got the right baby!"

1990's

Cow Quilt: Emily loved cows and wanted a "Cow" quilt. Only fabric in the sewing room was used. This was the beginning of "FUN BACKS". (Back of the cow quilt)

Jennie's Animal Bedspread with Wooden Animals: Having just learned about machine quilting, I made Jennie this animal bedspread and painted the wooden animals to coordinate with the bedspread.
2000's

Living Room Easy Pieces: (Left) While taking a log cabin quilting class with Nana (my mother-in-law), I also signed up for an Easy Pieces class. It was during this class that I realized that you could do more with your quilts than just blocks and sashings.

She Quilts - I Cook: (Top right) When I saw this panel, I immediately thought of my dear husband and how supportive and patient he is of my quilting obsession…and it's a good thing he cooks!!

Living Room Water Color Basket: (Bottom right) This watercolor basket was created to match my New York living room.

Breaking NEWS!!!!!!

2009-06-14T06:40:00.004-04:00

Visit my sister's blog to get the first news on the Quinquagenarian Quilt Quest. It was a great day. Thanks to everyone that came. More from me later.

P.S. We had an very special unexpected visitor - The Mortensen Owl. Thanks Rodney!

And the Winner is.........

2009-06-11T11:11:00.004-04:00

The preparations continue. This morning I finished the ribbons. At the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday party we will be having Viewers Choice (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Places) along with one special Honorable Mention. Of course the ribbons had to be made with folded hexagons.
And here is the container to hold the ballots.

Pin the Square on the Block

2009-06-10T08:27:00.002-04:00

At the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Pary visit the Quilt Olympics room to play this game .............. Pin the Square on the Block.
Here is the back pocket to keep everything organized.

And of course - a quilt label.

YIKES!!!!!! Only ONE week left!!!!

2009-06-06T09:52:00.004-04:00

This past week I have been busy with LOTS of paperwork and running around trying to get things organized for the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Party. I can't believe that it's a week from today. (Hopefully at this time next week we will be having a nice relaxed breakfast with all our family - do you think I am DREAMING?????) Our house feels like it is being taken over by quilts. My children's sewing classes ended on Wednesday so I took a couple of the sewing machine down and put this table up in my studio to stack some of the quilts on. (We actually have a couch in our living room.)

Here is my quilt rack with a bunch of the smaller quilts draping over it.

I have also been working on the plan of how/where to hang each quilt. I have made a template like this for each panel that we will be setting up. I have taken pictures of most of the quilts and have been moving them around to try and get what seems like a logical and appealing way to group and hang the quilts. As I have been doing this I have also remembered some of my older projects that I have up in my attic. I have matching tied quilts and nightgowns that I made for Emily and her doll for Christmas 1985. Along with that I had made matching a baby quilt and sleeper (I was due in February but didn't know if it was a boy or girl). I have found all these pieces except Emily's nightgown. Fun to see all this stuff together. I think this will make for a fun panel to show what kind of work I was doing back then.

Anyway, I am cleaning house today. The wave of family starts to arrive today. Let the FUN begin!!!!!! Hope to see you next Saturday.

the State of Our Union

2009-05-30T21:38:00.001-04:00

The State of OUR Union
She Quilts – I Cook

When I saw this panel, I immediately thought of my dear husband and how supportive and patient he is of my quilting obsession.

Started: December 2008
Completed: May 2009

2002 VSQ Challenge Quilt

2009-05-30T21:26:00.002-04:00

The Village Squares Quilters Challenge for 2002 was to use the star fabric with a reflections theme. My goal was to incorporate a block pattern in three different sizes, thus making it look like they were reflecting on each other. The value choices were not quite right, so I ended up with just a very bright colored wallhanging and the block pattern was lost. The challenge quilts were due the day after my husband and I were scheduled to arrive home from Iowa. I had planned on finishing the quilting and binding that evening, but we sat on the tarmac in Chicago for five hours. Needless to say, I did not finish the quilt that night or even that year!

Started: Spring 2002
Completed: May 2009

Jungle Pride (completed)

2009-05-30T01:05:00.006-04:00

This quilt was the first in this series. After piecing the strip set for this quilt, I had plenty to make another quilt. At first I just switched the greeen and the florol print. I didn't really like it that way, also I didn't want this quilt to end up like an unwanted step-child. So I decided to remove the border and find another print for it.
Here is the second piece. I think I like it.

I did machine trapunto on most of the animals (except on the border were Ihad to use pretty much every space.

I also like the way that I did the corner on the border.

Detailed shot of the quilting.

Here I am back in 2004 working on the trapunto.

Waste Not - Want Not????

2009-05-28T06:52:00.003-04:00

While we were at This the the Place Heritage Park we went inside the
Deseret Hospital which also included an antique quilt display. The quilt storage system was really cool.
Wonder where I could put one of these in my house? Do we really need our new bed?
This is the ultimate Waste Not - Want Not Quilt.

What better thing to do with squirrel skins than use them in your quilt?

Sorry, count me out. This quilt didn't make it anywhere near my "Some Day" list!

Quick trip to Utah

2009-05-27T09:08:00.018-04:00

On Friday morning Tom and I flew to Utah for Zephyr's blessing. Zephyr is smiling all the time. Babies change so quickly.
Here are the three older grandkids. Friday afternoon we had a barbaque in Emily and Ben's backyard.

Snuggle time with Prairie

On Saturday evening Grandpa and Grandma babysat Autumn and Prairie. Emily and Ben went to a movie and dinner to celebrate their 7th Anniversary.

We took the girls to Jump On It and met Jason, Christy and Ty there.

Here is Christy getting some good air. Autumn really had a good time.

Prairie had fallen asleep on the way there, so it took her alittle while to enjoy herself,

but she did at the end.

Ty was fearless. He just ran from trampoline to trampoline.

The Weinehimer family on our way home after the baby blessing. Ben gave a wonderful blessing. We are thankful to have him in our family.

This was Zephyr's special day, but I don't think he was feeling so special right then.

Emily designed and constructed this outfit. I love the bow tie.

They actually tie is each time!

After the blessing we went back to Emily and Ben's for lunch. Ben's uncle stopped by. He came in his small fire truck. Everyone was pretty interested in it. It also created a great opportunity to get almost everyone together for a group shot.

Tom gave me this sweatshirt for Mother's Day.

On Monday we went to This is the Place Park with Jason and family. It was Baby Animal Day. We had a great time.

Anyone for the Derby?

Tom and I flew home on Monday afternoon. We arrived back in Pelham around midnight. We had a great week-end. We love our family and enjoy seeing them.

Party Preparations Continue

2009-05-20T06:41:00.008-04:00

Preparations for the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Party continues. Here is what our couch looks right now. Many areas of our house are starting to have quilts stacked in them. Kind of fun, until someone stops by and they need somewhere to sit.
This is a close up of the quilt my Grandma made me. It has seen better days. I wanted to wash it before I put the rod pocket on because it will be hanging in the Six Generations of Quilters special exhibit. I was afraid of what might happen to the torn edges during the wash.
Here is the same part of the quilt, but after I did my repair job.
I think it turned out pretty good. This was the best one that I did.

You can see this one alittle more,
but still much better than the frayed edges of the holes showing.

Here is a picture of the rod pocket I put on the quilt my mother made me.

Some of the quilting lines had came out so I even fixed those. This reminded me that I am not a hand-quilter. On the Generations Unite my embrodiery stitches looked pretty nice next to my mother's, but my hand quilting stitches stood out like a sore thumb.

This is the wallhanging that Jennie made me for Mother's Day - 2003.

It now has a rod pocket also.

Falls Surprises (Completed in the Spring)

2009-05-15T11:25:00.008-04:00

I completed Fall Surpries last week. Here the wallhanging is drying after being blocked.

The textile medium really does work - see the spot that I missed and the color penciles washed out when I was washing the quilt?

Here is a picture of the completed quilt.

Little closer view - the leaves really do show up much better the closer you get.

Origianlly the "Surprise" was going to be when you turned the quilt over and saw the leaves on the back - but this quilt had its own surprise in mind.

When I quilted the border I just went around the leaves that were in the batik.

I really like the red leaf especially with the stuff that I couched on the outer edge.

Here is the back of the quilt.

Close-up.

The back leaves didn't turn out quite like I had planned because the contrast between the thread and the backing fabric was not there. I therefore had to color the leaves in with crayons.

Kind of a fun piece though. It will be fun to have hanging in my studio during the Fall.

I had to add more leaves to the label because I had put a completition date of Nov. 2008 - well I didn't quite make it. So, I put some more leaves on to cover up the inaccurate information and added the correct date on one of the new leaves.

The Generations Unite

2009-05-14T08:00:00.003-04:00

I have decided to submit this quilt to Houston. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I have been playing (actually working pretty hard) to get just the right pictures to submit. What do you think?

A Quinquagenarian's Quilt Quest - Five Decades of Quilting

2009-05-11T08:22:00.007-04:00

During December of 2007 I attended two funnerals. At one there were alot of flowers and I as I was thinking about when I died I would rather have people donate to a worthy cause instead of buying flowers that will just die and have to be thrown away. But, then a few days later I went to a funneral and there were NO flowers. Changed my mind - I thought I wanted a few flowers, but then still have money donated to a worthy cause. But, with all those stands that they have to put the flowers on - that would be a great place to drape my quilts on. Having the quilts displayed would really add to the celebration of life atmosphere that I want to have. It would really be like a party and people would enjoy coming to see me dead. Later that month my kids were visiting to participate with me in the Emerald Nut's Midnight Fun Run at Central Park on New Year's Eve. I was telling my girls about the additional plans that I want when I die. (I have already told them I want upbeat music playing at the viewing - I really do want it to be a celebration of my life.)

A few days later my daughter came to me and said that we don't have to wait until I die to do a party like this - I was turning 50 in 2008 - why not celebrate my 50th Birthday by hanging all my quilts and inviting family and friends to enjoy an afternoon together and see my quilts.

My birthday is in December and this really is a very hard time of the year to do something like this. As we started to look at the calendar we realized that my exact 50 1/2 birthday was on a Saturday in June - thus the idea for my 50 1/2 Birthday celebration was born. But, I needed a more catchy name. I asked Janaradan (one of my son-in-law's) to come up it a catchy name. He went to his computer and started doing some searching. He found the word - Quinquagenarian (which means 50 years old). I decided this was perfect. Put it together with Quilt (since that was going to be the focus of the party) Quest (journey). As I was making plans for the party and lisiting the quilts that I had (or had made) I realized that I had at least one quilt from each of the decades of my life.

A couple of months ago I saw a postcard that Jane Davilla had designed for Fiber + Thread = Art exhibit. She had taken slivers of five different quilts and merged them together to make one photo for the front of the postcard. I thought this would wonderful for my postcard invitations. I included a sliver of quilt from a quilt made in each of the decades of my life. The party is a month away.

Date: June 13, 2009

time: 1:00-5:00 pm

(Program at 3:30 pm)

Location: 111 North Ave.

New Rochelle, NY 10801

It is going to be like a quilt show with the exception of a few quilty party games (requested by my sewing students). You can come and look around (there will be over 70 quilts), play some games (if you want), participate in the Viewer's Choice vote, have some refreshments, stay for the program (my daughters are in charge of this) and leave whenever you want. I think it should be alot of fun.

Also, my four cute grandchildren will be there! What more could a quilting Grandma want - oh yah, one more thing. Since family is so important to me and I have made it part of my quilting life and career (The Legacy Lives On - Six Generations of Quilters), we will also be displaying Six Generations of Quilts. Which will include quilts from:

1. My great Grandmother

2. My grandmother

3. My mother

4. me

5. My two daughters

6. My five-year-old granddaughter

There will be a Family History specialists demonstrating what resources are available to help learn how you can do your genelogy.

For those of you who know how I love the kitchen (NOT REALLY) - not to worry, a dear friend who is very gifted with the whole kitchen thing will be in charge of the refreshments.

During the past 1 1/2 years I have been working on some of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). Planning for my 50 1/2 Birthday Celebration has been a great motivator. I still have alot of UFOs though, maybe we will include a display of some of these projects also. I also had a QQQ quilt planned and pieces cut out. But that is as far as it is going to get.

If you would like a postcard - please send me an email with your address and I will be glad to send you one. ( info@sewingandbeyond.com )

Looking forward to seeing many family members, friends and quilt lovers on June 13.

Northern Star Quilters Guild Show

2009-05-09T15:08:00.007-04:00

Last weekend was the quilt show for Northern Star Quilters - A World of Quilts XXX. Here is Autumn's quilt with its beautiful ribbon. I loved being able to show off my quilt that my 5 year old granddaughter had made for me.

I took a picture with my phone and sent it to her in Utah. That night she called and asked if she could keep the ribbon. Of course, but could I keep it long enough to hang it up with her quilt at my QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Party. (Not sure what this is - a post is coming on this next week.)

This quilt was made by Michelle (age 12) - one of my sewing students.

Viewers choice - Daylily - by Inge Stahl

First Fruits - by Carol Auer

Plaid Bow Ties by Susie Andersen & Margie Lambeth

I can't see the name on this quilt - but I like it just the same!

Now for my quilts:

Back to School

Grandma's Hexagarden

The Generations Unite

This quilt got alot of attention - may quilters enjoyed the stories behind this quilt.

Happy Memories - aka Gift Bag Swap

The Great Hexagon Quilt - Along too!!

2009-05-06T21:09:00.002-04:00

I have joined a group blog and just completed my first post on this blog. This blog is dedicated to hexagon lovers. Do you think I qualify? This first post is pictures of various hexagon projects that I have made. Most of these pictures have never made it on my blog. So, if you are intersted, stop by.

Thanks and have a GREAT evening!

The Generations Unite (Completed)

2009-05-04T14:11:00.007-04:00

Here is the white side of the quilt.

Here is the green side before I added the folded hexagons.

Tuesday evening before taking the quilt up to drop it off for the judging - I had Tom hold it up so I could get a picture with the flowers onit also.

I ended up doing alot more quilting. I did an echo quilting line around the small circles. I did a heavy loopy stitch on the outer side of the embroidery blocks.

Here is a close-up of the green side of the quilt.

The title with the folded hexagons. (Those little guys took along time to fold.) Shoot me before I start the next project that I am considering that would be made from this 1" size of folded hexagons. (AM I CRAZY - probably so.)

I had three extra flowers, so I decided to add them below the label of those that had touched and worked on this quilt.

If you want to read all the post about the progress of this project, just click here.

The Generations Unite - The Story of the Quilters

2009-05-04T13:05:00.025-04:00

My Great-Grandma

Every quilt that I have seen that she has made has been either a double wedding ring or gloried nine-patch, so the gloried nine-patch blocks on the white side of the quilt are in her memory.

2nd Generation - My Grandma

This is the quilt that my Grandma made for me.

The green side of "The Generations Unite" has the same layout as this quilt.

3rd Generation - My Mom
When my mom passed away she had a few sets of embroidered blocks in her hope chest that she had completed. When I saw the set used in The Generations Unite I thought that I could make gloried nine-patch blocks and they would coordinate together.

My mom worked on these blocks while she waited for me at the orthodontist.

(I had my braces on for four years - she had plenty of time to complete them.)

My mom made this quilt top for Emily.

Quilting this quilt was one of the wedding preparations that we did before Emily and Ben's wedding.

4th Generation - Me

I am a Hexamanic -
there had to be folded hexagons on this quilt to represent me.

The 5th Generation - my two daughters.

Jennie (left) & Emily (right)

Here is an Easy Pieces block quilt made by Emily in 2008.

Jennie discovered paper-piecing while working with me to make a quilt for her friend for

"Best Friend Day".

Here is a close-up of the peacock that she paper-pieced for this quilt.

The 6th Generation - my granddaughters.

Christmas 2008 -

Prairie (left) and Autumn (right) wearing dresses that I made for

their mother and Aunt many years ago.

Autumn making her hand....

and foot prints.
(She was kind of bored with the whole process by the end - TV was much for interesting.)

Here we are getting Prairie's foot prints (six days old).

When I did the foot prints and hand prints I was not sure of the layout, so I wanted to make sure that I had plenty. Needless to say, I have a few extras, but I have an idea of how to use them! But it will have to wait until after the big QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Party.

Donation Quilt #2 completed

2009-04-30T10:53:00.004-04:00

Yesterday morning I pulled out this donation quilt and quilted it up. I sewed the binding by machine, so everything finsihed up quite quickly. It was fun to do some random quiting.
If you remember, these are all the scraps leftover from my Free Quilt.

This one has a real WACKY back.
(When I was in Idaho I took a picture of the cow blanket- the beginning of all these wacky back! Next week I will have to post and write about it.)

Tommorow I hope to give a detailed entry of finishing and the story of the Generations Unite quilt.

The QUILTING IS DONE!!!!

2009-04-24T11:49:00.003-04:00

Almost - that is. While the quilt was laying on my bed a found three places that I missed a few of the grid lines.

I don't know if the circle is too puffy, or is it okay? If it does need more quilting, I am not exactl sure what I would put.

Two for the price of one (here is the other side of the quilt).

At 3:30 am this morning I decided to email the person that is over quilt registration for the quilt show and see if I could drop the quilt off to her house on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. If not, I would have to withdraw this quilt - there was no way I was going to be able to go get it comleted by Saturday afternoon.

At 6:30 am I had to get up to help Tom take our car that got the doors smashed in the car accident the day I left for Utah. When I got home the lady had not emailed me back so I thought that maybe I should go down and just start working to see if I could by chance still get it completed. But, GOOD NEWS - I can drop off the quilt at her home on Tuesday. I will need to take my other quilts on Saturday. I am off to take a nap before I go to the temple tonight.

A little sewing last week!

2009-04-22T13:25:00.007-04:00

When I was packing for my trip to Utah I did a much better job packing the things I would need for a couple of project that I wanted to work on than I did for clothing. Needless to say, my family out there probably got sick of seeing the same clothes all week long.

I debated about taking my thread box, but I decided to and it was a good thing I did.

I completed the applique on the flower blocks for the Graduation Quilt (AKA Cougar Quilt #2). You can read about why I am remaking this quilt here.

Here are the blocks that I did the thread work on when I was not playing Grandma!

Batik Circle quilt

2009-04-22T13:15:00.002-04:00

After completing the applique blocks I also had time to piece the blocks together for my Batik Circle quilt. I am so exctied to get quilting on this quilt and have it for our bedroom.

But, this week I am finishing the quilting on the Generations Unite. I have the blocks quilted and am now working on the grid (which I LOVE (not really)) lines! The clock is ticking (and loudly) because I have to drop the quilts that I entered into the Northern Star Quilters show off for juding on Saturday and it needs to be washed and blocked before then. Better get back to quilting. George is loving all the attention.

Grandma Wrap-up

2009-04-21T10:01:00.010-04:00

I had a wonderful time in Utah last week! The kids were wonderful. This Grandma thinks it's good that the younger people have the new babies because it is a lot of hard work - but LOTS of FUN!!!!!! Here are a bunch of pictures from the week's activities.

We frosted sugar cookies that Emily had made before my arrival.

The scary pirate.

Take a nap (ha, ha, ha!)

What was I thinking when I bought these HUGH suckers?

Zephyr has two proud big sisters!

Lot's of fun times!!!!!

Mommy and baby time!

One day Jennie and I took the girls to Jump On It!

We had a lot of fun, but my legs are way out of shape.

Relaxing after a workout at Jump on It!

The snowstorm on April 15!

On Saturday we met Jason, Christy and Ty at the park in Salt Lake City. Nice day, but a little windy.

Here are my four Grandchildren!

I'm Leavin' on a Jet Plane

2009-04-12T19:30:00.003-04:00

I am on my way to Utah for one week where I will be on full-time...........

GRANDMA DUTY!!!!!!!!!

Can you see the smile on my face?

Queen of the FROG STITCH!!!!!!

2009-04-09T20:11:00.009-04:00

Last night I started quilting the glorified nine-patch blocks and I was not feeling as "in love" with these blocks as I was with my mother's embroidery blocks. I didn't really like the quilting designs but I didn't have any other ideas so I just kept quilting the next block. Today I didn't get a chance to do much quilting because I was trying to put away and sort through a bunch of the STUFF (and junk) that I took out of our bedroom and the guest bedroom. I was going to list (Craig's List) the bookcase that my father had made for me many years ago, but then I just could not bear to part with it. So, I started to look around our house to see what changes I could make tomake room for the book case. I moved this table (that held the stero) and..............

and put the book case where the table had been next to the fireplace. I think that we are going to take the recliner that we put in the sewing room up here. This one looks really worn and doesn't look that great. Nice to sort through some of the junk, but nicer to be back down in my studio with George.Here is one of the blocks all quilted - not making my heart sing :(

Tonight before dinner Tom needed to make some copies to prepare for a meeting he has tonight. So I went down to say hi to George. I finished one of the embroidery blocks that I had started last night. Then I thought, this quilting is NOT doing it for me - I had better try something else.

This is what I tried, and I think I like it alot better. Definateatly defines the circle space better. and now the blocks stand out instead of being over shadowed by the quilting!

Here comes the FROG STITCHING QUEEN -

(Picture from www.magnetictimes.com)

rip-it, rip-it, rip-it.

Update on the quilting

2009-04-08T08:36:00.003-04:00

I quilted the las embroidery block this morning. The more time I spend with this quilt the more I LOVE IT!!!!! It makes my heart sing!!!!! I was so excited about it that I decided that it needed a test drive on a bed. It is actually going in the guest bedroom). That bed had some stuff on it, so I opted to ues our bed as the model this morning. I think this quilt will look really nice in the guest bedroom with the sponged yellow walls.

I am really pleased with how the quilting is looking (on both sides).

I didn't plan it this way, but all the embroidery blocks ended up on the had prints and blank blocks. The glorified nine-patch blocks are on the foot print blocks. Now that I think about that fact, it makes sense. Back to my love affair with this quilt (please don't tell Tom).

Bedroom remodel update

2009-04-07T14:54:00.004-04:00

I thought that I had a few more weeks before our love seat arrived, but they called and wanted to deliver it on Saturday. After I finish the Generations Unite quilt our quilt for our bedroom will be one of my next projects. So many projects and so little time. We put this recliner/love seat in our bedroom so now we have a comfy place to watch our new TV. Tom and I watched "Happy Feet" on Saturday night to try out our new set-up. It was very nice. Much better than our other set-up. I think we are going to really enjoy this.

Whilte at the QPN conference there is a member's boutique on Saturday evening. Didi Salvatierra was selling her Fiber Arts. She had some bowls and things to hang on the walls. I really liked them, but the colors were not right for our bedroom. She let me special order one in the colors to match our bedroom. She looked at my blog and saw what I was planning on putting in my bedroom and she made this one. It arrived in the mail yesterday. I love it. Thanks Didi!!!!!!

Spring Break

2009-04-07T14:45:00.005-04:00

I do not have any classes this week becuase it it Spring Break. I am enjoying my time. I have a list of odds and ends that I want to accomplish in addition to getting a bunch (if not all (am I dreaming?)) of the quilting completed on the Generations Unite quilt. Yesterday and today I have been working on quilting my mom's blocks. There are 12 blocks and I have completed 7 of them. Only 5 more to go, they each take about 1 hour, so no problem in finishing them today (AM I KIDDING MYSELF?)!!!!!!!

I am off to run some of my errands on my list of things to do and then it will be back to quilting. Tom has to go out tongiht so I won't have to feel guilty about being in my studio all evening.

Pelham Quilters Challenge

2009-04-07T14:29:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I added my border to the Pelham Quilters Round Robin that I have. I was not able to take it to the meeting last night because I was with Tom at a scout meeting where he received his Boy Scouts Woodbadge Award. Way to go TOM!!!! I love you lots!!!!Renee Valdes came up with this challenge for those that would like to participate from the Pelham Quilters. Visit her blog to see progress shots of each of the round robins. Anyway, here is a sneak peak of what I contributed to this round robin.

Here is the top thus far - worked on my Pat, Jean and Teri Lucas.

Here I am trying to decide and get some ideas of what I might want to do. It seems there is alot going on thus far, and so I think that I need to keep my addition fairly simple. Maybe just a plain fabric border. No too exciting, but it will give your eye a place to rest and frame the piece.

I decide on the blue border, but when I got it sewed on it wasn't right, so I came up with another idea to combine the blue and yellow.

Probaby would have liked the yellow border to be alittle wider, but that was all the fabric there was. All in all, I think I like it.

The SQUARE Grandma!

2009-04-03T09:08:00.005-04:00

I now have four adorable Grandchildren - 2 girls and 2 boys. Zephyr was born April 3, 2009 at 12:23 am. He is 21 3/4" long and weighs 9 lbs. 5 oz. Emily upped me on two accounts - 15 days overdue (I was 13) and he weighs 2 ozs. more (Jennie weighted 9 lbs 3 ozs). GREAT JOB!!!! Can't wait to get to Utah. I am really feeling the Grandma pangs this morning. To see the proud big sisters you can visit my daughter's blog.

http://hoodedcow.blogspot.com/

I am thankful for on of the greatest blessing in my life - MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!

Color Wheel Magic variations

2009-04-01T10:49:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of my completed 2009 QPN Challenge given my Mary Kerr. Sunflower Power!

We also have a mini quilt auction at the conference. I made the mini color wheel for the auction.
Mini Magic - I think this might be a good workshop.
I did piping around the edges with the fabrics from the color wheel. The color rotation worked out exact without me having to try.

Here is the back.

Close-up.....

and label.

Mary Kerr purchased this quilt at the auction.

Happy Memories - aka The Gift Bag Swap Quilt

2009-04-01T10:19:00.007-04:00

I was able to complete sewing the rod pocket and binding down on this quilt this week-end while attending the QPN conference. Many of the members of QPN really liked this quilt, but did not care for the name - Gift Bag Swap quilt. I have had Karen Dever appraise a few of my quilts and she strongly encouraged me to give this quilt a name more fitting the feeling is has. So, after giving this some thought, I have add Happy Memories to the quilt's name. Happy Memories for a few reasons:
1. It reminds me of the happy times I had in participating in all the online quilting swaps.
2. It reminds me of going to Idaho to celebrate my mother's life after her death.
3. It reminds me of going to Idaho to celebrate my father's life after his death.
4. It reminds me of preparing for the QQQ 50 1/2 Birthday Celebration.

The back of the quilt....
and a close-up of the modified label.

The Generations Unite

2009-04-01T10:04:00.006-04:00

On Monday I was taking some pictures (no, it is not completed - but it will be in time for the Northern Star Quilters Guild - 2009 Quilt Show A World Of Quilts XXX) to include with the entry forms. I thought you might like to see this quilt straight on. Side 1
Side 2

Everything lined up pretty well except for some issues that I have above the title. I figure that the folded hexagon flowers will cover those up, so I am not stress to much.

I can't wait to get my taxes completed so I can get back to quilting on this quilt. I am also waiting the birth of my new little (or maybe not so little since my daughter is 2 weeks over due) grandson. One week after he is born I will head to Utah for a week. If she waits until the end of this week to have him, then I will have my Springbreak week here in New York and then will head to Utah for a week of full-time Grandma (mother) duty. (I think that I will also take my Batik Circles quilt to see if I can get it pieced and maybe the Courgar Quilt to work on some of the blocks.)

Thanks for the input!!!!!

2009-03-26T09:41:00.003-04:00

Thanks for the input on this project. Here is what I have so far. Medium center, fun fur (which I had to give a hair cut to because is was way to long) around that center, beads partly completed (Michael's did not have any Swarski Crystals when I went there last night), stem and leaves. No ladybugs yet, but not to worry, I am planning on adding them.

One of my sewing students asked why I put fish on the back. I didn't know except I had that small piece of fabric and it sang to my heart.

Now the fun is over for alittle while, I really need to work on my TAXES!!!!! The clock is ticking!!!!

What do you think?

2009-03-25T10:38:00.007-04:00

The QPN Conference is this weekend. For the past two years Mary Kerr has given a challenge to use an old block that she supplies to make a small quilt. As soon as we got our blocks last year I knew exactly what I wanted to do. This is the block (part of it already taken apart because I forgot to take a picture before I started to work in this project). Click here to see the 2008 QPN Challenge Quilts. The quilts this year are to be 12".

The drafting stage.

I have started to sew.

The pieces of fabric were not large enough so I just had to take matters into my own hands.
Now to figure out exactly how I want to finish this quilt.

(I had the exact yellow that I need for the additional petals. YAH!!!!)

I am considering putting some fun fur in the center for texture

Maybe some lady bugs for added color.

By putting red piping I think it would add a little zing on the edge.

Maybe a bigger center with some swarski crystals (I don't have time to sew on beads this time like I did on the growth chart).

But - maybe this one is little to big, would a happy medium be better?

Maybe it needs a stem and a couple of leaves.

Please help me out with your suggestions!

Thanks!!!!

Decisions, Decisions!

2009-03-24T15:32:00.006-04:00

Last night at my mini group get together I asked for input in deciding which quilts I should enter into the Northern Star Quilters show. This year each quilter can enter four quilts. So I am planning on entering The Generations Unite, Grandma's Hexagarden, and that is where the mini group came in. I had three quilts that I was considering, but could only enter two. The one's that I was considering were:
1. Back to School
2. Turkey Quilt
3. Gift Bag Swap.

The group suggested to enter Back to School and Gift Bag Swap. Do you agree with the mini group?

Regardless of their input, I was planning on blocking the Gift Bag Swap quilt today. I want to sew the binding on later this week and take it with me this week-end to the QPN conference so I can hand sew the binding down.
The lighting was great in my living room today and I got some good pictures of the quilting on this quilt.

Empire Quilters Urban Inspirations 2009 Quilt Show

2009-03-22T20:12:00.011-04:00

The Empire Quilters Urban Inspirations 2009 Quilt Show was held this week-end. My Grandma's Hexagarden received the Best Pieced award. (Don't you love the ribbon!!!!) This quilt was entered into the wrong category. One judge stated: "It is a pity, the correct category would have brought this piece higher points". Since it is not quilted no points could be given for Quilting Design (15 points possible) and Quilting (15 points possible). Next show I will make sure this quilt gets into the Other Techniques category.
Here I am standing proudly by my quilt while it was hanging at the show.
I like the way these signs were constructed and hung - food for thought for the QQQ Birthday Party.

While the quilt was hanging at the show I got a few good close-up shots.

I also entered my Splash of Silver. One judge loved it and the other deducted alot of points. Go figure. Kind of funny how things work out. It did look nice hanging in the show. It is always fun to see my work hanging with such wonderful quilts.

It was a great show. I appreciate all those that worked so hard to make it possible. Thanks to the quilt show committee and all the volunteers that made this wonderful show possible!

Am I CRAZY?????

2009-03-19T14:17:00.003-04:00

Well, I have decided that the cross-hatching is what this quilt wants (even though that is not what I want to do). I had originally planned on doing a form of McTavishing on the border, but after doing a section it just didn't feel right. I think this type of quilting enchances all the embroidery work on the borders of this quilt.

Here is the center of the glorified nine-patch block. I SID (stitched in the ditch) on the nine-patch blocks and added the center fill design. Now to figure out the finishing touch around the four nine-patch blocks. (NO - no more double hatching!)

Looking for quilting suggestions?????

2009-03-18T07:53:00.004-04:00

The quilting is going very well, I like how my mom's blocks are going, but I am stumped as how to quilt the borders, the 1" space between the blocks and inside of the glorified nine-patch blocks. On the border I am planning on outlining the vine on both sides like I did on the blocks, but then what? I just don't know.

On the glorified nine-patch blocks I have the same outside design as my mom's embroidery blocks. Again I have outlined the vine on both sides, but have not been able to come up with the perfect design for the center.

Here is a peek at the "Other side" of this quilt.

This one was not lined up exactly, but pretty close.

I found it very hard pin basting this quilt and trying to get everything to line up exactly.

If you would rather not leave your suggestions in the comments, you can email me at:

info@sewingandbeyond.com

Thanks for your help!

Quilting finally!

2009-03-17T14:54:00.006-04:00

Pin basting took FOREVER!!!!! because I had to make sure that everything lined up with the other side of the quilt. It was pretty tedious work.

I am putting a hidden rod pocket on this quilt. On the top 7" of the quilt each side will be quilted separately and sides of these sectons will be bound separately. The tops will be together in the same binding. This way this quilt can be entered into a show (or hung on a wall (if I had one large enough)) and the rod pocket won't take away from the design on the "other side" of the quilt. I originally had batting in both the front section and back section of the rod pocket, but ended up taking the batting out on the back piece and will use flannel.

Here is the quilt on the table being pin basted.

Here are the two sides showed uniting together.

I started quilting today.

I started with one of my mother's blocks.

I am sure she is looking down on this project and smiling!

Close-up

Here is the "other side" of the quilt of the same block.

(See why I had to make (or at least try) sure everything was all lined up.

close-up.

George and the Generations Unite together.

Makes my heart sing!!!!

Almost ready to start pin basting

2009-03-16T09:26:00.018-04:00

Tom's sharp eye for details amazes me when he is clueless to the big picture sometimes. I had the "other side" of this quilt hanging on the wall where the stairs are. Tom had gone up and down the stairs a few times on Saturday and finally I asked him what he thought of the quilt. He asked where it was (he probably had brushed against it each time it went up or down the stairs). When he was looking at the quilt he gets kind of quite and I ask him what is wrong - and he hesitates. He then asks if I really want to know. Well, YES I want to know. The hummingbirds are still giving me problems, the one on bottm left corner is flying in the wrong direction. I have looked and looked at this quilt and did not noticed that.
So, I took the humming bird out and got it flying in the wrong direction.

On Friday I was talking to Emily and said that I was just going to leave alot of the stablier under the machine embroidery work because no one would ever know. She kept saying to me, but I would know. So, she got to me, and I also took the time (about 2 1/2 - 3 hours) to pull off all that blasted stablizer. One mishap while doing so, I made a small hole in the quilt with my blunt end tool (on Emly's block) so now I have to do alittle fixing.

It also took a bunch of time to trim all the threads between the letters.
(This is before I did that.)

Here is a picture of the "Other Side" of this quilt.

The label with who actually worked on it.

Following are the blocks documentating the 6 generations and how they are represented on this quilt.

This morning I put the binding together. (I hate to have to prepare the binding after I finish quilting, so I try and do it before I start quilting.) I wanted white binding on the front of the quilt and green binding on the "other side" of the quilt.

Here I am pressing the binding in half. I had to tweak the instructions that I got on the interent on doing two-fabric binding because the front of the quilt is white and I had to insure that I didn't see the other color shadowing through.

Ironing the binding in half.

It's already, just wanting for George to get done with his part.

The few of the humming birds are a another reminder of my Grandma's quilt. I had made 8 humming bird blocks and then decided that was alot of work to do without being able to see the detail. I need to change the contract on some of the parts of the hummingbird. But, I decided that Grandma probably would had used the blocks anyway, so that is what I did. You can see the two different humming birds in the picture above.

Here is the quilt my Grandma made me with the two different fabrics used.

I thought I was already to start pin basting and then I remembered that I needed to do the french knot on each bird to give them an eye. So, that is what I am working on now. Should be able to start pin basting pretty soon.

Progress continues

2009-03-13T13:03:00.002-04:00

Here is the title banner being embroidered.
Layout of back with the title banner.

Multi taksing

2009-03-12T10:07:00.006-04:00

With a BIG fire I need to get twice am much done today - so

I am multi-tasking. I have the embroidery modual attached to one of my Bernina's and I am piecing on another one. I actually have seven machines set-up in my studio right now. (Now if I could just figure out how to get each one to do a step on its' own.) Anyone want to come and sew with me?
Here are some of the hummingbird blocks attached to the sashings.

Pressing the seams

and all lined up ready for flight.

Test layout of the quilt back with one of the verb age blocks.

I missed figured on the spacing, so back to the drawning board. I have it figured out what I need to do, now to get that sewing machine going again.

I have decided to add small pictures to each of the generation blocks so that anyone will know exactly what element of the quilt that quilter is responsible for.

Well, back to work!!!!!!

Bitter Sweet

2009-03-10T19:31:00.006-04:00

Tonight I completed the last section of the embroidery work on the top of the quilt.This picture shows my last stitch uniting with my mother's stitches.
The completed unit.

I also finished the hummingbird blocks today. Jennie and I have made 52 of these blocks for the "Other Side" of the quilt.

The 112 Easy Piece blocks are also completed. It was a great help to have Emily make 100 of these blocks.

Here is the layout for the back of the quilt.

Now I need to work on the blocks with the verb age on it.

I am going to include some fo the folded hexagon flowers on the Title section. These are turning out pretty small. I think they should be pretty cute.

The next fire to put out!

2009-03-08T15:13:00.006-04:00

I am on to my next deadline. Our Stake Relief Society is having a Stake Enrichment program on March 21. The theme of the activity is "Living Waters". Sisters in our stake have been asked to share artwork and some sisters are going to discuss their artwork. I have been asked to share one of my quilts. I want to share "The Generations Unite", which means I need to finish it by March 21. The clock is ticking. Here are the four hummingbird blocks that Jennie made.
Emily made 50 of the Easy Pieces blocks for my birthday and then she made the remaing 50 before my trip to Utah.

I completed 4 of the hummingbird block last night so I have 32 left to make. These babies take a LONG time! I wouldn't be as worried about finishing this quilt on time, but I also need to spend a decent amount of time on my Tax Time Repentance for 2009. I hope one of these years I learn and keep the paperwork done throughout the year!

Back to humming!

It's Done!!!!!

2009-03-07T07:53:00.005-05:00

Grandma's Hexagarden is completed!!!!!!1 I finished attaching the crystals and...........
sewing on the label last night. Now this quilt is off to see what the judges will have to say about it. I have it hanging in my studio right now and I love seeing the dimension the folded hexagons give and the occasional sparkle from the crystals. I am pretty happy with this wallhanging. To bad it is about 1" to wide hang between the windows above our bed. Oh well, I am sure I can find somewhere to hang it!

It's good I have a deadline

2009-03-06T12:04:00.005-05:00

I have entered Grandma's Hexagarden into the Empire Quilters quilt show which will be held the weekend of Saturday, March 21. I was thinking that is when I needed to have this quilt completed by, but then I realized that the juding is this Saturday, March 7. Wow, I need to get the finishing touches completed THIS WEEK!!!!! Yesterday I played around attaching a few of the Swarovski Crystals (3mm). I like them, but they are kind of time consuming to put on.

Last night I attached the rod pocket.

Today I set-up for real down in my studio to attach the rest of the crystals.

3mm is pretty small, but I want just a hint of the shine and not to be able to see the crystal that much. I bought some variety packs and now I am trying to determine which color to use on which folded hexagon.

I have blacks one on the way to use in the center of each of the back folded hexagons.

Most of today I will spend attaching crystals and listening to "The Surgen" by Tess Gerritsen.

Happy Birthday Jennie!!!!!!!!

2009-03-05T14:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Jennie!!!!!!!!!!

Dejunking the desk!

2009-03-04T21:06:00.002-05:00

I wish that I had a before picture, but I don't. I have been cleaning off my desk and finding things on there that I know have been for over a year. (This is pretty scary!) I did a really good job and didn't just shuffle the papers from one pile to another. But, since I don't have a before picture, maybe the recycle bin next to the desk will give you an idea of some of the stuff that I was able to get rid of.

Keeping George Happy!!!!!

2009-03-02T09:05:00.003-05:00

When the quilting was completed on The Gift Bag Sway quilt George and I were talking and he mentioned that he was feeling kind of restless because of all the tedious work in the Gift Bag Swap quilt. He was wishing we could work on something that he could get a good fast workout on. So, to keep George happy I pin basted one of the Donation quilts and went to work with some FAST freeform feathers.

We did the feathers fairly large and was not very exact.

Sewed the binding down by the machine, so I have one completed project for March.

Quilting completed

2009-03-02T08:43:00.005-05:00

One good thing about this cold that I have, I wake-up really early in the morning with a coughing fit and about the only way to get it to stop is to get up. So, I have had some quite time to quilt the past few mornings. I completed the quilting on The Gift Bag Swap quilt yesterday. Since I did all the circle quilting in the center of the quilt it needs to be blocked. I will do that in the next few days, sew the rod pocket and binding on. I have a QPN conference at the end of this month. Most of my handwork on my other projects is completed, so I am going to try and have a couple of quilts ready to sew binding down on at the conference. (I think I should be able to have this one ready.)

Here are some detail shots of the quilting I did yesterday.

Autumn's last few days in New York

2009-02-27T19:36:00.008-05:00

Autumn playing on the crossover bridge that Grandpa Tom built for the Cub Scouts.

She loves Princesess and pink. This is the girl that her mother didn't want any pink clothes when her baby was born. The mommy is getting her pink fill now.

The next four pictures Autumn took preparing for when she starts her blog. (Good-luck Mommy!)

This is fabric we purchsed after my lecture. Autumn wants a princess dress at grandma's house.

Autumn goes to work with Grandma.

I had the opportunity of sharing The Legacy Lives On - Six Generations of Quilters while Autumn was visiting.

Autumn helping me hold Tricky Squares. The guild was wonderful and helped make Autumn feel very special. Thanks!

On her last night in New York we were all suppose to go and see The Little Mermaid on Broadway. But, I was very sick and not able to make it. Grandpa Tom and Autumn had a fun night out on the town.

Autumn really enjoyed the show.

The quilting continues slowly

2009-02-26T09:30:00.005-05:00

I have been quilting grid lines in the background of the borders and it TAKE FOREVER. This type of quilting was inspiried by the gift bag that this quilt is bases on. After reading a post by Feather on a Wire I realize that it is not just me that takes forever to quilt grid lines. I am looking forward to geting to a quilt that has some more freeform to it.I have figured out a better way to do the grid lines though after reading Vivan's blog. I am using a ruler as my guide - much easier to get straight lines this way. Just have to watch to keep the lines at a 45 degree angle. I ended up having to take out some lines because I didn't do that very well. Seems that's the story of this quilt - frog stitching (ripped).

I have the bottom left corner and side to complete the grid quilting.

Even though it takes forever, I do like the grid quilting.

I think the circle and gird are a fun contrast. After discovering the ruler for the stright lines, I have been trying to figure out where I can get circle templeates for the ciricle quitling. I'll let you know if I find something.

P.S. I LOVE the wool batting!!!!!!!!

Quilt for our bedroom

2009-02-24T09:38:00.002-05:00

I started this quilt back in 2007 as a wedding gift for my nephew. But, I decided that it was way to much work for a wedding gift quilt. As we were painting our bedroom I decided that it would be a great quilt to have on our bed. Here is a sneak peak of some of my plans. It seems good to be working with batiks and black again. Since I have been working on so many UFOs I have not been working with this color combination.

Here is the topper on the night table by my side of the bed. The night tables we already had were to big for the space on my side of the bed. So, we went out looking for something that was about 12" square (not alot of furniture that size). Made me wish my Dad was still alive because I know that he would have built me something. Oh well, we found a kitchen stool and I am going to use it. It will have a black circle table cloth with a colorful topper on it.

I am really excited about how I am thinking of quilting the quilt. I have a fun technique for the back planned, but you will have to wait because it is a surprise.

Here is a picture of the entire topper.

Grandkids are GREAT!!!!!!

2009-02-24T09:30:00.004-05:00

Here are the girls on the tender of the boat.

Autumn thought George was being to noisey, so she is using the earphone to listen to her movie.

When Autmn is on the telephone and nature calls she doesn't want to leave the other party alone, so she lets baby Atticus (Autumn's baby doll) talk on the telephone.

Cool Airport visit

2009-02-23T21:12:00.003-05:00

Autumn came back with me to New York. We had a layover in St. Paul, Minnesota. This display
was in the airport.

Worth the stop to see this.

Projects while in Utah

2009-02-23T20:56:00.004-05:00

I flew to Utah a week ago Sunday and came on on Thursday. I was really busy while there. I helped Jennie get more settled into her apartment (which is in the same house as Emily's apartment). It is a great arrangement for me when I am visiting. They have a covered porch between the two apartments so I don't even have to go out side to go from one place to the other. Emily is in the process of decorating her living room. She had this orange fabric so she had me made the new couch cover. (See the pillow I made from all those little scraps?)

Here is a picture of the love seat (that I recovered over our Christmas visit ) and the small quilt I made for Emily's birthday.

I have made a tied quilt for both Autumn and Prairie and they love these tied quilts. This is the tied quilt I made for Zephyr. I really like the animal print. I think it is really cute for a little boy.

Emily pieced this quilt for Zephyr. She decided to not do the applique blocks. I quilted it while in Utah and now Emily has the fun part of sewing on the binding.

Here is the back of the quilt.

My last night in Utah we tied this quilt for Prairie. Emily is decorating the kids room in fish. Lots of fun.