happy new year...

Current resolutions are to use up my stash and to use a quilter's analogy enjoy all the "pieces" of my life. Happy New Year To All!!! Here's to 2013...

christmas tree...

Have always preferred a traditional tree but I found this one from an Australian company and love the modern design. It is made from reusable eco-friendly plywood branches that rotate around a center pole. The green factor would be erased shipping this tree to my part of the world but it is tempting. I also love the clever company name which is "onetwotree".

Happy Holidays To All!!!

pillowcase drive...

After the horrors of last week and like everyone else on the planet, we are heartbroken. Jackie from Canton Village Quiltworks has posted information about a pillowcase drive to send love and support to the surviving students at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The goal is 600+ by the end of next week. There are plenty of patterns here.


Finished ones should be sent to:
Quilters Corner
312 Danbury Road
New Milford, CT
06776

nqr monkey at ikea...

My husband is a good sort and generally very helpful. However, he lives by one unbreakable rule. Under no circumstances will he ever step foot in IKEA on the weekend. Yesterday, I  tried to get him to go with me so that I could purchase a couple of window tracks that are too long for my car. If we'd known this little guy would be shopping, I'm sure M. would have changed his mind. Yes, there was an unescorted monkey walking around IKEA wearing a rather fetching suede coat. As is the way of the modern world, it already has a Twitter account...

die cutting love...

I've posted before about my affection for fabric die cutters. Cutting is tedious, slow and often painful. Since I'm more interested in choosing colors, love classic geometric shapes, "made" fabric, strips and scrap quilts, these are just the most amazing tools. They are fantastic for making applique shapes as well. Once you practice, there is little waste. The speed and ease of the process gets you sewing.

I wanted to write about Ebony Love's new book "The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips". It is just superb. In it, she discusses how to choose a cutter and the pros and cons of each model for every budget. Also included are info-packed chapters on cutting mats, dies, fabric prep (paper and leather too) and even sewing tips. There is literally no other written resource on this subject. An engineer by profession, Ebony writes clearly and conscisely and in a very engaging style. She has also pioneered something called the EDeN System (Equivalent Die Notation) which translates conventionally written patterns into instructions for the die cutter no matter which brand you own. For each rotary cut shape, the EDeN System tells you which die number from each company to use. This is often more confusing to figure out than it sounds. If you are thinking of buying a fabric cutter, are hoping for one as a gift or already own one, this book is truly invaluable.

On a related note, I've been obsessed with the Rose Dream block ever since I saw "Mrs. Schmenkman's" glorious version here :

Since I didn't really quilt at the time, I enlisted a more experienced friend to help make a few of these blocks. Homemade templates and even some poorly cut laser ones purchased online were a disaster to work with. The process was so inaccurate and time consuming that we shelved the project before it really started. Was thrilled to discover that Sizzix recently produced a die for this block! As an added bonus it also makes a Drunkard's Path one too...

With this die and the cutter, it will take longer to choose fabrics than to cut out all these complicated pieces. At 8-10 layers of fabric with each pass, the whole quilt will be cut perfectly and ready to sew in a couple of hours. Right now, Denyse Schmidt's "Chicopee" is the front runner but am open to suggestions. Now if UPS would only deliver a Christmas gift order soon, I can go beyond front door hearing range and into my studio to get started...

black and white...

I think I'm hitting the sweet spot in my post-surgery recovery. Am finally feeling well enough to sew and yet not well enough to work. I love color obsessively but after seeing the delightful Andie's new book I'm feeling the urge to make something in neutrals. This classic New York Beauty quilt from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum or IQSCM was made in the late 1800's.

In "Modern Designs Classic Quilts" Andie created her own most lovely version of this design in black and white fabrics. It is simply stunning. Scroll down and you can see some drool worthy shots of it here. While I'm generally drawn to the "puking rainbow" school of color choice, the coolness and sophistication of a black and white palette is really exciting. Finally, thank you all for your good wishes. Everyone in both my real and virtual lives has been wonderful. I appreciate you all so much!

regular programming will be briefly interrupted...

Due to unexpected medical issues, I am taking a break from the blog for the next few weeks. While I won't be making or posting anything, I do hope to continue to visit all my favorite sites. Am looking forward to reading about and being inspired by the wonderful things you all are creating. See you soon!

bloggers bom #12...

Amidst reno chaos this week, I needed to carve out a small space to sew in a vain attempt to save my sanity. Here is block #12 from the Bloggers BOM. It was designed by prolific, modern quilt author Amy Ellis from Amy's Creative Side. Her site is filled with lots of interesting things to look at and many free tutorials. Here are all my blocks together so far...

quiltish... all the love in the world...

Since all my furniture is pushed into the middle of every room as we are having our windows replaced, making things is not on the agenda this week. I thought I would share the work of an inspiring artist from Australia. The quilt-like photo above is a collage of colorful images taken by Jesse Hunter. He is a Melbourne photographer who travelled the world and noticed a recurring theme of love hearts appearing in many of his shots. He is self-publishing a book of all these beautiful photos taken over a period of almost 2 years and in over 40 countries on all the continents. It is called "All The Love in the World". You can learn more about his wonderful work here...

new book...

I'm really excited to write about this upcoming book "Modern Designs for Classic Quilts" by authors Kelly Biscopink and the delightful Andie Johnson. Andie and I became friendly after participating in an online quilt contest. We both liked each other's entry and as it turns out each other quite a bit too. She is a super talented quilter with a huge heart and a quick wit to match. Her book is available for pre-order and promises to put a new spin on time-honored favorites. She has a fantastic eye so you know this book is going to be really good. Can't wait to see it!

Not sure if this quilt of A's is in the book. It is the best Spider Web quilt... You can see more of her work here.

bloggers bom #11

Here is block #11 from the Bloggers' BOM organized by Jackie. This beautiful split Ohio Star comes from Ms. Bumblebeans herself Victoria. I love this block and can see many possibilities for exploration with it... Like my others it is made from lots o' dots and KF scraps. May have to make this one over as my points are going to get chopped off slightly when the quilt is assembled. Have no idea where I went wrong but it was one of those sewing days when I couldn't do a thing right. It actually took me three tries to cut a simple 4" square out of one of the fabrics. I knocked the iron off the table and tripped over the dog. Anyone who lives near me will be pleased to know that I don't need to drive today. If this morning is any indication, operating a car does not seem like a good idea... All one can do is laugh!

color challenge #16 kelly green... and long lost #6 orange...

Well here is my final color challenge block #16 kelly green as well as my long lost #6 orange block. I love both these colors. Like in my other blocks, the starter fabric from my "to donate" bag is on the lower left with my added fabrics. Can't believe this is the last of the series! The way these blocks will be joined is kind of complicated and involves much more sewing so it will be some time before this quilt is finished and a photo posted... 

and here is orange...

These challenges were so much fun to participate in. They made me think about colors that I'm naturally drawn to, those I'm decidedly not and how important it is to stretch one's own perceptions and break out of routines. There are no bad colors- who knew? Thanks so much to Victoria and everyone involved!

kathy doughty...

When you start out doing something it is often hard to find "your people". Generally I like a mix of clean graphic blocks made up in strong and often bright or modern fabrics. The quilts I love and want to make are not quite traditional and wouldn't be characterized as art ones. I love the rather busy play of color and pattern on color and pattern. Through the internet, I found my quilt "home" in Australia at Material Obsession a place that is geographically thousands of miles away. At the helm of this wonderful store and group of inspiring quilters is Kathy Doughty. I loved her previous books and was thrilled to receive her new solo effort "Making Quilts... The Promise of Joy" published by Quiltmania. It is filled with beautiful patchwork, gorgeously photographed in rural settings and shot in that very unique "Down Under" light. Most interesting is that Kathy gives lots of space in her new book to explaining her influences, goals and creative thought processes behind every design. The book is divided into three sections: Optical Illusion, Tradition With a Twist and Folk Art Inspiration. There are many beautiful quilts and it is impossible to choose a favorite. As well, it is hard to write about this book without spoiling the surprise of discovery. Will say, it is worth getting "Making Quilts" just to see the creative ways she uses one of the best Kaffe fabrics "Marquee Stripe"...

For example "Marquee Diamonds"...

Other great quilts include "Fractured"...

"Uzbek Patches" detail...

and "Pheasantville"...

If the book isn't enough, Quilter's Companion has just published a special issue called "Old Quilts Made New". The magazine is filled with lovely designs but the real draw is a DVD with Kathy called "Recreating Old Quilt Treasures". This dvd is a further explication of her creative process. On the disc is a series of talks in which she shows us how she: finds inspiration, works with fabric including choosing color, pattern and building palettes, uses her favorite specialty tools and shares a myriad of other unique ideas. As you would expect from her blog she is intensely creative and creatively intense. I really enjoyed the dvd in conjunction with reading her new book as watching it is as close to taking a workshop with her as I am likely to come at any time soon. It is tempting to emigrate to Australia just for the quilting. Perhaps, Cathy can explain why her nation produces so much talent. You may purchase both Kathy Doughty's new book and the magazine with dvd at her online store. 

The "Dreamcatcher" pattern is in the magazine and here is the quilt... Just stunning!

a thousand "thank you"s...

A thousand "thank you"s to the divine Sujata for posting about this book "Bold Improvisation"!  Years ago, I was lucky enough to befriend an elderly textile collector who turned me on to African American quilts and I've been collecting books about them ever since. Funnily, it never occurred to me until relatively recently that I could become a quilter myself. Don't know how this book was missed. It is wonderful and teeming with beautiful quilts like this one...

and this one...

If you want to see two gorgeous interpretations of a Lighting Streak quilt, you must check out Sujata's blog and also an extraordinary version (widely coveted by all who see it) made by LeeAnn. This lovely book will make you want to create your own patchwork example of each and every quilt...

color challenges #14 maroon and #15 lime green...

maroon...

Here are color challenges #14 maroon and #15 lime green. The first block was trickier as I thought I disliked this color and wouldn't have enough to make it. The block ended up being like Victoria's, one of my favorites. Inspired by wine colored Zinnias, I added hints of orange, pink, green and turquoise and a fair bit of black. The starter fabric is on the lower left with the added fabrics.

lime green...

This block was lots of fun to make because I love lime green in every form. This color is cool and juicy just like its namesake. To my starter fabric on the lower left I added some yellow, teal, leaf green and some salmon as an accent. This series of color challenges has been so much fun. I can't believe I'll be posting my last one next week and hopefully the long lost orange block too...