Thursday, May 31, 2012

KNOTTY GIRLS AND A SALE

I went to the Knotty Girls Stitchery Bee last night at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and have some pictures I want to share with you.  Above, Cindy shows you the Sweet Sixteen quilt she just finished.  It is wool on cotton and is beautiful!

JoAnn showed us her Pathway Stars quilt.  It was made from a kit by Edyta Sitar.  I’m sorry that the picture isn’t better and I couldn't capture the beautiful muted colors in this quilt.
Maggie was working on this block from Penny’s From Heaven.  It is all wool!  By the way, I just heard that Chris has new wools in at the store and that the colors are bright and beautiful!  I can't wait to show them to you.
Barb David finished her Sun Bonnet Sue.  Usually you see this pattern in 30s fabrics.  I love how Barb used a more contemporary fabric for this quilt and did the button hole stitch in browns.

NOTESALE:  During the month of June all sale fabrics have been marked down to $5 a yard (minimum of one yard cut).  Chris always has high quality fabrics and this is a great time to take advantage of her wanting to make room for more fabrics which are coming in every day.  I'm thinking "backings."  Where else can you find such beautiful backing fabric for $5/yard!    Also, all in-store patterns and books are 20% off in June.  

DON'T FORGET:  The new six- month project series starts this Saturday at the shop.  A small project will be featured each month (think Christmas gifts) and also some time savings ideas.  Prior registration required.  

The title of this post caught my eye:  "Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy."  That is so true!  And Enikolori  has a creative way to keep your floss tidy.
  
Crazy Quilting 4 Fun has a BOM stitchery pattern. 

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

ID PURSES ARE FUN TO MAKE

Did you get any sewing done over the holiday weekend?  I am working on three different projects and nothing is completed.  However, I did make these two ID purses over the weekend.  I was thrilled when my granddaughter and DIL asked me to make them one.  I love making things for people but don’t want to force my projects onto others.  Everyone’s taste is different and I respect that.  Being asked to make these made my day.
Here is a close up of one of the purses.
This is a close up of the other purse.  The pattern is I.D. Coin Purse from Granny’s Quilting in Palmetto, Florida.  It is designed and created by Ruth DeVries.  Ruth came to the Attic Window Quilt Shop a few years ago and taught the class.  Take a look on the sidebar for more upcoming fun classes at the shop.

Here are some fun links for you: 
Did you know this about batteries?  Check out Cornerstone Confessions for information on battery storage and organization.

And did you know this about cucumbers?  Check out The Prudent Pantry for information about how to keep those cucumbers fresh.

I’ve saved the best for last because you will spend a lot of time at Bits From The Scrap Basket.  There are a lot of links to her favorite tutorials. 


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Monday, May 28, 2012

WELCOME NEW BLOGGER

NOTE:  There was no block this past week in the Modern Monday Quilt Along.  I did notice that the new block for this week is up.  You can check it out at 42 Quilts

Have you noticed anything different?  Recently some of the blog posts have been done by Sue Christafferson (above).  You may already know her as I posted here about Sue being a new teacher at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.
Sue has a definite style and picks wonderful and unique projects for her students like the owl above.  Sue has a background in graphic design and is the person who designed this blog’s header, the Reindeer button, and is now the editor of the newsletter which you can download from the sidebar (notice the new design).  I love and appreciate that Sue has agreed to help with blog posts.  I asked her to start signing her posts so we can leave comments to the appropriate person.  I hope you will join me in welcoming Sue to this new venture.  I look forward to her posts.  The other day she posted about upcoming events at the shop that I hadn’t heard about.  I’m anxious to take Carolyn’s Blooming Blossoms class and this week I hope to take Maggie’s Make It/Take It class for Kansas Troubles Table mat.  You can read more about that here.

With this beautiful hot weather upon us here in Michigan it is time to give some thought to picnics and how to keep our food safe.  Check out Vicky Ferguson’s column today and read this important information.

Sew We Quilt has a nice tutorial for a table runner.  


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Friday, May 25, 2012

REINDEER GAMES PATTERN # 2

It’s Friday and time for the second posting of Reindeer Games.  Above is my pattern done in redwork.  I hope you like this little guy.  I think he looks like he’s had a little too much Christmas Cheer!  But I liked him and included him in my wallhanging.  Remember the post where I quoted Buffie as saying that each quilt says something about you.  I’m wondering what this character says about me.  LOL  Anyway you can get the pattern here.  Also, check out what pattern Barb of Bejeweled Quilts is posting today (I think it is different).  While there, check out her post for yesterday as she is having a nice fabric give-away! Then get your creative juices flowing by checking out the Flicker Group to see what others have done.
I hope you are enjoying our “game” and will join us again in two weeks for our next reindeer pattern.  You can still get the first pattern by going to this post.  Above is my appliqué version of that pattern. 

Until then, you might want to check out The Crafty Quilter for a May Day Basket wallhanging tutorial.


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, May 24, 2012

RING AROUND THE ROSE PILLOW

I finally made this fun rose pillow from the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens Quilts and More magazine. I just loved the Moda Etching by 3 Sisters fabric and this seemed like a perfect project to use it.

The petals are 3-dimensional and made by fusing two pieces of fabric together, then cutting them into circles. Sewing the 90 plus fabric circles onto the background fabric is a little tricky but they don’t have to be perfect and in the end it looks like a rose bloom! I plan to put my pillow on the front porch chair. It will make a perfect accent!

The sample’s in the shop, so check it out next time you’re there.

If you like the look of 3-dimensional flowers, check out Quilting Daily for a tutorial.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

NEW AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP


Chris, owner of the Attic Window Quilt Shop is just sitting around hand quilting this beautiful wallhanging while she waits for you to stop by and pick up some of the beautiful fabrics that are arriving daily.
 
There are plenty of Turnovers and Charm packs available.  Above, is Moda’s Sassy and Stitched In Color.  These bright colors look good enough to eat!
Also by Moda are Papillon and Sassy charm packs.  (No wasted time cutting when you use the Sassy Turnover and Sassy Charm pack to make a quilt.)
For those with more traditional or patriotic tastes, check out Sandhill Plum, 1862 Battle Hymn, and Prairie Paisley, all by Moda.
And look at the beautiful colors in these Stone Chips charm squares by Northcott.  Wouldn’t they make a stunning quilt!
These beautiful fabrics are by Hoffman.
 Above are more of these beautiful Hoffman batiks! Stop by soon and take a look at all the new fabrics, books, and supplies that are in the shop. (And tell Chris to get to work!) (Just kidding!)

Narcoleptic in A Cupboard (what a cute name) has a darling tutorial that would make a perfect gift for a child.  Check it out!

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Show & Tell and Coming Events

Several weeks ago I stopped by the Attic Window at the end of the Tuesday Bee and got to see Kathy Bauman’s wool sampler quilt. The Summer Gathering BOM patterns were designed by Primitive Gatherings and use hand dyed wools for the appliqué. Kathy does such beautiful work!

COMING EVENTS AT THE SHOP

MAKE-IT-TAKE-IT Pinwheel Mini Table Mat
Wednesday, May 30, 2-4 pm
Come and make a small appliqué Kansas Troubles Table mat with Maggie. You’ll learn a raw-edge appliqué method so you can make them quicker than you think! $5.00 + kit fee 

QUILT-AS-YOU-GO Blooming Blossoms
Wednesdays, May 23 & June 13, 12:45-3:15 pm
Tuesdays, May 29 & June 19, 12:45-3:15 pm

Carolyn will show you a piecing method allows you to complete the quilting as you assemble each block. Sew the blocks together and you’re done. 2 Sessions 

NEW! 6-Month Small Project Series 
Instead of sampler, Chris is offering a small project series for six months starting in June.
Pick-up times are the same as sampler:
1st Saturday of the month - 9:30 am
2nd Monday of the month - 6:00 pm
2nd Tuesday of the month - 9:30 am
FEE: $3.00 to $5.00 per month (pick-up only) 


Have a UFO you really want to finish?
Come to the shop Friday, June 8, 5-10 p.m. (You may join us as early as 3:00 pm that day if you like.) or Monday, June 25,10 am-5 pm
Cost: $5.00


Download the Attic Window Newsletter, there are several classes and make-it-take projects coming up in June.

Monday, May 21, 2012

MODERN MONDAY QUILT ALONG #34

It’s Modern Monday Block time!  Above is my wonky block.  Please note the gray fabric.  Vickie, my friend and fellow teacher saw it and phoned me right away, saying it would be perfect for my blocks.  She is so right!  I love it.  Thanks Vickie.  As you can probably tell, this was an easy block, for which I’m thankful.  We had a perfectly beautiful weekend here in West Michigan.  I did some yard work and those rarely used muscles are still aching.  This kind of weather makes it difficult to go downstairs to my sewing room, so I didn’t get much (read anything) done of my story quilt and had to force myself to get the above block done.  I thought it better to rest those muscles and sit on the deck. ;o)   Now take a look at what Lynn at Alamosa Quilter has done for this week, and then go see what block Jennifer has in store for us this week.

Have you heard about The Happy People Project?  Take a look and get inspired.  There are lots of things to think about and reasons to be happy.

Grace Quilts has a nice tutorial for a tessellating tiles quilt.  Check it out.

Don't forget the second block for Reindeer Games will be posted Friday.  Have you uploaded your finished block to the Flicker Group that Barb of Bejeweled Quilts set up?  We'd love to see it.  Or just click on the link to see what others are doing. 


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Friday, May 18, 2012

HAPPY SCRAPPERS MEET

The Happy Scrappers Bee met last Saturday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Looks like Tari came ready to sew.  Remember her pile of scraps at the end of this post?  Tari took Buffie’s words to heart and got organized!  We now call her Miss Organization.
During Show N Tell Judi showed us her toy soldiers.  She is participating in Barb’s Christmas Toy Soldiers Redwork Club.  Isn’t this darling.
Here is a closer look at Judi’s block.  Notice how she is growing eggs instead of flowers!   I love it.

Peggy shows us how she is using her scraps.  She says these are not her colors but she decided to use those scraps and make a quilt.
 Buffie generously shared her thoughts on scrap quilting.  She said the quilts reflect your soul.  Buffie says everyone sews quilts for a different reason.  She said that she sews for color.  Buffie believes that every quilt has a story.  She said that every quilt is beautiful because it says who you are.
 Buffie shares one of her scrap quilts.  I fell in love with it and got her to promise she would show us how to do a scrap quilt like this.
Rosa has been busy making pillow cases for the One Million Pillow Case Challenge.  I love the bright colors.
Colleen shared her large scrap quilt with us.  She said that she just pulled reds, greens, whites and blacks from her stash and created this quilt.  It is amazing to see what one can do with scraps.  This quilt is stunning!
Brenda showed us this bucket that she made and explained that as she was sewing on the binding she sewed all the pockets closed.  We got a big giggle out of that because we all could relate.  Who hasn’t done something like that!
I’m going to end with Judi who is looking a little perplexed at her pile of scraps.  Her goal is to get them organized like Tari and Buffie do.  We expect to see Miss Organization II at the next meeting Judi!

Squares And Triangles has a nice tutorial for a scrappy staircase quilt.

Remember, a while back I told you how you could convert these tutorials easily into a pdf file to be printed off or filed on your computer.  Well, some people have said they have trouble with that link so I have another link for you.  Maybe this one will work better.  Try Web2PDF here.


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, May 17, 2012

WEST VIRGINIA WORKSHOP WRAP UP

I had to show you this!  How do you like a purple sewing machine!  I have never seen one before and had to take a picture.  Rosemary brought it with her to the Mary Lou Weidman classes in West Virginia.
 Above, during Show N Tell, Rosemary showed us a quilt that she had made.  Isn’t it beautiful!
 This gives you an idea of how Mary Lou creates her quilts.  This is the start of Rosemary’s story quilt.  Her story is about her husband.  I’m sure it will be a beautiful quilt because…
 Rosemary has experience making a story quilt.  Above she shows us the story quilt she made last year.  It is about where she lives, West Virginia.  Across the top (which you can’t see) it says “Almost Heaven.”  And of course, on the bottom is written West Virginia.  So clever.  I can almost hear John Denver singing.
 Carolyn is another creative student.  Above she shows us her quilt.  She explained that some time ago she was ill and friends sent her a heart block to let her know they cared.  She wanted to use the hearts in a quilt and she came up with the above design.
 This is the back of her Cross Your Heart quilt.  How lovely and what a wonderful tribute to all her friends who wished her well with a heart block.
Just so you don’t think all I did all week was take pictures and talk to people, I want to show you my first Hoochy block.

 Here are all my blocks ready to be sewn around the quilt center which will then be ready for my story.  
And here it is on the design wall in my sewing room, waiting for me to choose the fabrics to appliqué in the center.  I almost didn't show this as that corner is a little dark and cluttered.  But here it is. Hope to show you progress on this project soon.

Well, that’s all folks. There were 21 of us and I’m sorry I didn’t get pictures of everybody.  It was such a fun group and so wonderful to be surrounded by such talented and positive people.  And have I said this before?.... Mary Lou is a fantastic teacher and knows how to get your creative juices flowing so you feel free to step out of your box.   I hope to attend next year and see everyone’s finished story quilt.

Recently on Sew We Quilt,  Amanda Murphy had a tutorial on an interesting block.  Check it out.

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

MORE FROM CLASSES IN W VA

I’d like you to meet Sharon who attended Mary Lou Weidman’s Story Quilts Classes with us in West Virginia.  Sharon has admitted that it was difficult for her to step out of her box.  She was used to more traditional quilting with everything symmetrical.  However, Sharon really worked on her idea, creating, rearranging, and getting to feel comfortable with what she was learning and doing.  I’m anxious to see her finished quilt.
Sue W. came to the classes with her daughter Donna (I posted her picture yesterday).  I’m thinking that it was Sue who got Donna to come as Sue is an avid quilter.  She showed us a lovely Calendar Quilt that she had made.
This is another Sue; Sue B. who raises Standard Poodles.  Notice her necklace.  She explained that is made of pipe cleaners wrapped in fabric, and then twisted into this beautiful necklace. 
Sue B. had some wonderful blocks posted by her work station.  Here she is showing us the house she just made.
These are some cute blocks that Sue B. had posted on her wall.  Love that bird’s knees!
We not only learned about quilting, but we took a brief respite while Carol H. (above) shows us how to use greeting cards to make an album for scrapbooking.  I think I’ll have to print off all my pictures and put them into my handy dandy little album.
Mary, my roommate, shows us the bird that she made.  Don’t you love that bird’s feet!
 Check out Mary's tiara.  Mary Lou gave each of us a tiara to wear because we are all princesses!

That’s all for today folks!  More pictures tomorrow.

Molly Flanders has a tutorial for a spike border. 


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

MORE ABOUT THE STORY QUILTS CLASSES


I wanted to show you more pictures from Mary Lou Weidman’s classes in West Virginia.  As you may know, Mary Lou has a distinctive style and unique way of making a quilt.  I learned so much from her during that week and I will share our experiences and projects with you over the next three days. Above are sample blocks that Mary Lou posted on the wall for us to see when we first walked into the room.  You will notice in some of the following pictures that we made our Hoochy blocks and taped them to the wall by our work areas too.  It was fun to watch the blocks multiply.  (You can learn to make Hoochy blocks by getting one of Mary Lou’s books.  Check out her blog here)
Kim holds up a piece of light giving fabric.  Mary Lou said that after you take her class you will never look at fabric in the same way again.  That is so true.  Notice the light flowing from the fabric that Kim is holding.  I came home and looked over my stash and thought….some of this has to go!  It just will not do.  It has no light!
Mary Beth was creative in making this lovely flower.
This is a close up of Mary Beth's flower.  Isn't it stunning!  I love it.
Betty was perhaps the most productive of us.  Look at the blocks on her wall.
Now look at how many blocks Betty has made.  And it's not the end of the week yet.  Wow!
Donna was new to quilting.  She dyes her own fabrics and made her first quilt block with us.  Notice the blocks behind her.  These were made with some of her hand dyed fabrics!  She is an artist and I hope to see the end product of her story quilt.
Terry had attended Mary Lou’s classes before.  She really knows how to step out of her box when creating blocks.
Terry had decided that she was going to use Christmas colors to make her quilt.  These are some of the blocks that she created.  I love the “snowmen” (yet to have eyes) and the snow on the wonky geese’s wings.  We thought they could be used as roof tops too.
Since this is a Story Quilts class, Terry shows us the story quilt she made a while ago.  It is about how she and her friend walked together every day during all kinds of weather.  The writing across the top says “Friendship is Always In Season.”  What a beautiful tribute to her friend and their time together.

That’s all for today folks.  More pictures and stories tomorrow.

Serendipity and Spice has a nice tip for keeping your shower door clean. 


Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
lkjlkj

Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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