First Place Finish

My "Painting the Roses Red" quilt won 1st place, Art Innovative at the Utah Quilt Fest Show last week. The Utah Quilt Guild covers all of Utah, parts of Nevada, and parts of Idaho. Plus, many quilters from other states come with family who are part of this state guild. 

First Place Ribbon, Art Innovative, Utah Quilt Festival Quilt Show

I was so surprised when my name was announced as a winner, but so so happy.

My quilt came back from the AQS Show just in time for me to send it off to this show.  At the AQS Show, my quilt was part of a group showing. We made it to the semifinals, but didn't place. That is okay--I'm was just so excited my quilt was going to a national show.

Disclaimer: My quilt was competing in the beginner category as I had never won a blue ribbon before. From now on, I'll have to compete at the champion level. So, this might be my first and last blue ribbon. Gotta enjoy it while I can.

Off to Quilt Fest 2015

It's that time of year again--I'm off to QuiltFest 2015.

My machine and bags are packed. I've got my name badge. I've kissed my husband and kids and promised I would indeed return on Saturday.

I've got my name badge--I'm off to Quilt Fest 2015

I tired to pair down my class schedule this year. In years past I cram every hour with classes and wear myself out. Then I don't have time or energy to do any shopping, or volunteering at the hand quilting booth, or socialize.

This year I'm taking the following classes:

• Colorado National Monument--a class on landscape quilts using freezer paper patterns
• Pieced Borders
• Designing & Organizing Your Quilting Space
• Quilted Journal or Sketchbook

I'm looking forward to time with my mom, my aunt, and my quilting friends I've made, and to creative time. 

Dresden Plate & Trapunto

I have always loved the Dresden Plate. It is classic and timeless. It's been on my radar since the beginning of my Quilting Life (QL)--That's a term, right?

At Quilt Fest, I took an amazing class on the Dresden Plate pattern.  I loved this class for so many reasons. First, the teacher was kind, patient, encouraging, and so helpful. Second, our teacher took us through the entire process of making a Dresden Plate quilt. We learned how to assemble the "plate," how to appliqué it on a block, how to quilt it, how to do trapunto in the negative space, how to piece the border, how to finish it with a piping border. I now have all the pieces I need to create my own Dresden Plate Quilt.

I cut 2-1/2" strips from my 30's reproduction fabrics for the fans and purchased some Kona Cotton for the green blades in the design. Overall, I was really happy with how it turned out. 

Dresden Plate Sampler

It was fun to see everyone's individual choices. We put up everyone's blocks on the wall to take a picture. My favorite is the red and blue in the bottom right-hand corner. So adorable, fresh and modern.

Have you ever tried Trupunto? I've heard about it, and many people would say "Oh, it's so easy! You just yada yada yada and you're done!" I'd get lost in the "yada yada yada" part of their breezy explanation. In this class, we went through all the steps to create trupunto quilting, and it actually really is so easy. However, I had to do it for myself to really understand it. 

For those wondering, Trapunto is a method of quilting where you have a stuffed, puffy, decorative feature producing a raised surface on the quilt.

Here is my practice piece.

Can you tell that the feather is stuffed and raised?

Trapunto

Now I'm in contemplation mode. Do I continue with these color choices?  Do I change the color of the blade from green to a 30's black print? Or do I do something more modern?

I do like the idea of having some hand work to take with me or to work on while watching TV with the family. This will be a long-term project for sure.


Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.
Linked up with WIP Wednesday here.
Linked up with Needle and Thread Thursday here.

Cathedral Window

I still remember the first time I saw a Cathedral Window Quilt. An antique Cathedral Window Quilt was displayed at the Peteetneet Quilt Show, and I was awed. It looked so intricate, delicate, and beautiful. However, I also thought I would never make one myself.

Soon, I was seeing modern versions of the Cathedral Window and modern ways of piecing it popping up on pinterest and quilt blogs. It quickly found a place on my Quilty Bucket List. But, no matter how many online tutorials and videos I watched, I couldn't quite grasp how it was made.

The mystery surrounding this design was recently dispelled for me. At Quilt Fest, I took a class on making Cathedral Window quilt by machine. I didn't make a whole quilt, but I learned the basics and made a small sample. 

All the stitching is done by machine.

Some parts are obviously better than others. But, this was my first attempt.

I do like how quickly this comes together by piecing it by machine. However, I'm not too keen about all the stitching in the center point. I think I will need to make some adjustments to the instructions so that I'm not stitching over that point so many times. It just looks messy to me. I don't like messy. 

I love that I now have the know-how on how to make this elusive design. Now to decide on what I want to make with this. Do I make an actual quilt? What size? Or do I make a cute pillow? 

Choices Choices!

Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.
Linked up with WIP Wednesday here.
Linked up with Show Off Saturday here.

Pigs in a Blanket

Look at these cozy slippers!

My feet wrapped in snugly softness whilst relaxin' on my bed.

Just another day around the house in my comfy slippers

I made these cute slippers while at Quilt Fest. They were so incredibly easy to make, and I finished them in class! So nice when that happens.  I didn't have time to do any embellishments, but that's ok. I might add some later, but I still like them like this.

It was so fun to see everyone's fabric choices and how different they all looked. I just pulled fabric out of my stash, including the navy blue minky on the inside, and really love the finish look.

The pattern can be found here and is by The Quilted Fish. The pattern is easy to read, with clear instructions and lots of helps. The slippers can be made in any size from toddler to adult woman and any size in between--she even tells you exactly how to do each whole size.

When I showed these to my family, MK looked at them in awe and asked if she could have a pair too.  In pink.

Liked up with Show Off Saturday here.
Linked up with Anything Goes Monday here.

Quilt Fest Projects

Me and Mom at Quilt Fest 2014

Me and Mom, Quilt Fest 2014

I had such a great time at Quilt Fest. I learned a lot, made new friends, saw old friends, and laughed a lot. Already looking forward to next year's event. It's on my calendar. 

Quilt Fest is the only time I take quilting and sewing classes, so I fill up my schedule with as much as I can. Classes are held for 4 days and I signed up for the following classes:

Dresden Plate

Invisible Appliqué

Hand Quilting

Slippers

Cathedral Windows by Machine (it's on my Quilty Bucket List)

All Machine Binding

Sorry to report, I did miss one class--the Invisible Appliqué. I got sick and couldn't attend the class. I think all the stress I've been dealing with finally caught up with me the first moment I've slowed down in months.

I started a post where I reported on EVERYTHING I did...but it got so long. I've decided I'll do a separate post on each class.

Stay posted...

Pink Block Challenge Items

I'm still unpacking from my week at the Utah Quilt Fest, so I'll have pictures of my creations later.

Last year, I took part of the "Save the Boo-bies" block challenge and made these two different blocks for the Utah Quilt Fest:

I even won 3rd place Viewer's Choice for the flower block on the left last year. Ya-hoo!

The Fundraiser works by selling a challenge fabric. Each person then makes a 12" finished block of their choice using that fabric. The blocks are then made into items to sell. They make money from selling the fabric and from selling the finished products. Funds raised go to support a women's hospital in Southern Utah.

This year, I was too busy to make a new block for this year's challenge. BUT, I did get to see what they made with my blocks from last year. It was so fun to know I made part of it. 

My flower block was incorporated into a quilt with several other blocks.

My starburst block was made into a messenger bag. I LOVED this. I was so tempted to bid on it.

It was so fun to see what was made with last year's blocks and to feel like I really contributed. It made me smile to see my blocks made into a quilt and bag and feel like I am helping raise money for a worthy cause. 

It has motivated me to make sure I participate again next year. 

Linked up with Anything Goes Monday here.

Getting Ready for Quilt Fest

I'm making up for months of no sewing by going away for 4 days to the Utah Quilt Fest. I don't feel ready at all, and still have a few things I need to pick up before I leave on Tuesday. However, I did spend a few hours on Saturday trying to get everything I needed for my classes packed. 

Packing for Quilt Fest

I'm excited for the classes I've signed up for.

• Dresden Plate
• Invisible Appliqué
• Hand Quilting
• Slippers
• Cathedral Windows by Machine (it's on my Quilty Bucket List)
• All Machine Binding

I'll have lots of pictures next week.

WIP Wednesday #22 - Updating MY WIP Pile

I need to update my WIP page because I've now got 3 new projects started. Two of these projects I started at the Utah Quilt Festival last week. (SO MUCH FUN!)

• OLD ITALIAN by Anita Grossman Soloman

Old Italian Quilt Block

I took this class from National Teacher Anita Grossman Soloman. She has several books out about simplifying quilting. I bought two of her books Rotary Cutting Revolution (This quilt is on the cover) and Make It Simpler Paper Piecing which she used as basis for the class. Excellent books and AMAZING technique to simplify paper piecing. I didn't quite get it when reading it on my own, so I was glad to have her there demonstrating it. She also has great links on her website for video clips demonstrating her technique. 

One thing I LOVE about this pattern is that it keeps the directional fabric whole. Check out the stripes in these blocks. They continue as if the dark fabric was appliquéd onto it. 

Old Italian Quilt Blocks

I plan to make this into a queen size quilt for my bed. 

• POCKET FULL OF PINWHEELS by Bonnie Miles

Pinwheel Quilt Blocks

This is from a class I took from a local teacher. I won't be surprised if she soon becomes a National Teacher. This class was to learn the techniques of several types of pinwheels. We were supposed to do six, but only had time to do four. (We started late due to a RUDE quilter. She was on the waiting list, but showed up and set up. It took us a while to figure out who was supposed to be there and who wasn't taking up precious class time. Grrr!) I have the pattern for the other two and plan to make them. I figure I can make a sampler quilt of pinwheels. My favorite so far is the bottom right corner one.

• HONEY HONEY by Esther at ipatchandquilt.wordress.com

I've chatted with Eshter through linky parties. One day, she showed off this amazing pattern she created. I loved it. I commented I would love to be a tester when she was ready, and she remembered me. She's sent me the pattern and her deadline. I've picked out fabric.

Due to being gone last week at Utah Quilt Fest, I haven't gotten very far. I did spend one evening reading through the pattern, printing out the pattern, and cutting up all the parts.

The pattern is amazing. She has LOTS of colored pictures of options, clear instructions, and more. I'm really excited to try this pattern out. 

Now I need to get sewing! LOTS to sew.

Linked up at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced here.

3rd Place Viewers Choice

I made this block for the Utah Quilt Festival's Save the Boobies Fundraiser.

Flower Quilt Block

The Fundraiser works by selling a Fat Eighth of fabric. Each person then makes a 12" finished block of their choice using that fabric. This year's theme was flowers. I found this pattern on craftsy.com.  You can find it here. At Quilt Festival, everyone then votes on their favorite block. There were 70+ blocks.  The blocks are then made into items to sell. They make money from selling the fabric and from selling the finished products. Funds raised go to support a women's hospital in Southern Utah.

I won 3rd place! 

 

Isn't this a cute prize?

Linked up at Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch.

Linked up at Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

Linked up at Paper Piecing Party at Quite Play .

Laughing at Your Own Joke

A Text Message conversation between my mom and me the day we were setting up for the Utah Quilt Festival.

Me to Mom: At Walmart. Do you need anything?
Mom to me: New brain? Nothing other than that.
Me to Mom: Abby Normal? I'll get right on that ;)
Mom to me: Ok.

She didn't get it. I had to explain it was a Young Frankenstein reference. Somehow, it isn't as funny anymore when you have to explain it. I thought I was hilarious. Apparently, I was the only one.

It's Bleeding!

Call a Doctor! My quilt is bleeding!

Little Pink Dress Quilt

With my quilt all finished and the Utah Quilt Fest Quilt Show just weeks away, it was time to block it. I sprayed down the quilt with water...and you can see what happened.

You would think I had learned this lesson before as this happened to my first quilt. With my first quilt, I was very careful to pre-treat all my fabric before piecing. But then I took it to a longarmer, and together we chose a beautiful blue batik for the backing...which WASN'T pre-washed. The blue bled into all my white pieces. I was in tears! My mom (who is my quilt mentor) was at Paducah at the time, so I couldn't get a hold of her for a while. Mom talked me off the ledge and made me see all was not lost. She taught me about what to do when your quilt bleeds. Don't you love moms? 

When the pink in my mini quilt bled, I didn't panic. (Ok, who am I kidding--I may have panicked slightly, but I didn't cry.) I grabbed my synthrapol and color catchers. I felt a little like a mad scientist as I stirred my quilt over the stove in hot soapy water.  My kids asked what I was making, hoping I was making a treat. Nope, just cooking fabric over here.

Cooking my Quilt

I used four color catchers. FOUR! 

Color Catches

After stirring and rinsing, the color seemed to have disappeared from the grey. 

I pulled it out and set it out on a towel and blocked it. My friend who is charge of the Quilt Show suggested putting a fan on the quilt to dry it as soon as possible. This reduces the chances of curling and crinkling, etc. 

Little Pink Dress Quilt

Then I waited. Only 24 hours later, my quilt is dry. Best yet--my grey is looking grey and my pink is looking pink. No bleeding!

Little Pink Dress Quilt

So, BIG sigh of relief. Crisis averted. Everyone can go about their lives--it's okay.

What crisis has had you in tears? Who saved you?

A Quiet Festival

A business contact of my husband's came over this evening to meet with us. While he and my husband were waiting in the dinning area for me, he noticed a Utah Quilt Festival poster I had left out from our committee meeting today. He looked at that and said: "A Quiet Festival? No, wait! That say's Quilt. Wow. I was wondering what type of festival that would be where everyone played the quite game or something."