sample spree

Anyone who has ever been to a Quilt Market -- hosted by the well-known enterprise of Quilts, Inc. -- knows exactly what those two words mean: Fun!

You're asking...what exactly is a Sample Spree? Well...in a nutshell and in my own opinion...Sample Spree is the marathon of shopping for the quilting industry. Perhaps, sometimes even the roller derby of shopping for the quilting industry!

Picture this: One gigantic convention room. Tables upon tables upon tables. Displays galore of the newest of the new products - from fabric to patterns to tools and gadgets to finished quilts to heaven knows what -- not yet seen by the general public.

And quiet, little you. And about 500 (I'm guessing here) of your quilt industry colleagues...all vying for a chance to be one of the first to purchase what's hot and new and exciting. All in two hours time. A spree, indeed!

Exclusive. Exhilerating. Exhausting. Exciting. And oh-so crazyfun!

Sounds chaotic to you? No way! We are professionals, after all. But that does not mean we're not enthusiastic about our sport.

I mean, profession.



Ah. Pictured here though is a much calmer...relaxing...tranquil sort of sample spree. But that certainly does not mean that it's boring!

This quilt -- created by Julie of Floribunda Quilts fame -- is a true definition of a Sampler Quilt. Just look at all of these fabulous fabric combinations! Blues and golds and blacks and pinks and greens and....

Pieced blocks. Pieced sashing. Pieced borders. Superb workmanship.

Julie was planning to give this quilt to a special young lady, just beginning her journey of college and career. Both Julie and I wanted a quilting treatment that would be youthful enough for her now...yet be able to grow as this young lady matured.

Freehand Pine Sprigs and Loops in a golden colored thread, it was! Although the Sprigs and Loops are lively -- even sometimes looking like fireworks in the sky -- I don't feel they take anything away from the Sampler that Julie worked so many hours to complete.



That's always a goal of mine: For my machine quilting to speak ever-so softly upon a quilt. No chaos allowed.

dancing under the stars

I don't think that I've ever met a star-filled quilt that I haven't had total appreciation for. There's just something about stars in quilts, isn't there!



And this quilt -- created by my client, Bonnie N -- ranks right up near the top of the list of beauties for me! Not just because of the pieced stars...but in my opinion, Bonnie did a superb job with her fabric choices. Do you agree?

Bonnie gave me freedom to quilt whatever I thought would be best for her quilt. Upon first glance, I knew exactly what I'd like to see if it were my own quilt. My Freehand Fancy Feathers. They would have the look of being fancy...without a lot of fuss.

So...I turned up the music and away I stitched!



Do you listetn to music while you sew or quilt? Care to share?

falling

Just in case you hadn't guessed it yet by reading many of my previous blog posts...I'm totally in love with Autumn. It inspires me in many ways.

I love its rich, warm colors...its moderate weather patterns...its calm and restful personality. I love everything about it.



This quilt -- created by the Common Threads Quilters Guild...originating from the western area of North Dakota -- evokes a true feeling of Autumn for me. You?

Clare K, a representative from the Common Threads Quilters Guild, contacted me and we visited back and forth via e-mail about this quilt. (The guild is selling raffle tickets to raise funds for the group's activities.) Clare and I both agreed that my Freehand Fancy Feathers would work very well for this quilt.



It's a beauty, isn't it! As always...you can click on any of the photos here on my blog to be taken to a larger version...to see for yourself the detail.

And I would bet that the Common Threads Quilt Guild would love for you to click on the link above...and view some of their Guild slideshows.

Inspiration abounds!

path of the storm

In North Dakota, we talk a lot about "being in the path of the storm." In the summertime, we have thunder storms...rain storms...lightening storms...hail storms...tornado storms. Sometimes these can all occur on one given day!

Oh, who am I kidding? This summer out in the western portion of North Dakota...IN JUNE...there was even a snow storm!



This beautiful quilt -- created by my client, Mary H -- doesn't have a single thread of storm activity though. You do see paths though, don't you? What a mesmerizing piece!

As for the machine quilting? I chose to freehand different textures, using the fabrics as my guides. If you'd like to click on a photo, you'll see a close-up of the quilt's detail...and you'll recognize what I mean.

For instance...in the light green batik fabric, I've stitched Paisley Echos. In the ferny, multi-colored batik, I've stitched Fancy Blossoms. The purple-indigo colored fabric? I simply stitched Freehand Swirls. And all of the paths...sans stitching.



This quilt is "Celtic Paths" by Karen Combs. Please...go here to check it out for yourself if you'd like. If you're a quilter, I would bet that you might just see at least one quilt pattern that may strike you like lightening! (I was totally going for a pun here...not being literal whatsoever!)

fanatic

A finish!



I know. I think that I have shown you this little quilt already. But I don't think it was totally finished then, was it? I mean...like totally! Finished.

Oh...but I guess not totally. I haven't done a label yet. Hmm. I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I.

And can you see the measurements? Oh...go ahead. Click on the following picture and enlarge for detail. I'll wait.



Small, eh?!

The hand dyed fabrics? They're mine...October's Child. The black? It's purchased. I think it might be Moda's black. The pattern? From "Little Bits"...my most favorite paper piecing patterns to-date.

Oooh. Can you picture this with me? These same colors for the fans...and then a whitish or cream-colored fabric to set them off, instead of the black? It would give this little quilt a whole different feel. A different personality.

I cannot be the only one that does that, am I? Seeing or dreaming of quilts in different colorways? Another weakness of mine, no doubt. Care to share yours?

a wall

Not "ah wall." But "a wall."

You know. A.W.O.L. Absent Without Leave.



That's me. And I mean no disrespect to any armed service person...or their verbage or acronyms, for that matter. But I've really been absent, haven't I. With no good, solid excuses really either. Just life.

And this thing that we're so in the midst of: Summer. Hot. Summer.

But me? Right now? I'm dreaming of what I saw out my window when this photo was snapped. Ah...yes.

See? Back just a few short months ago...I told you that I'd soon be cursing the heat and day dreaming about the cold chill of winter.

But...for now...I'll just keep working away in the comfort of my home. And...I'll talk to you soon. Much sooner than the arrival of another season. You have my word. Scout's honor.