I'm still here!

I've been absent from blog-land for a long time now -- still quilting, still taking photos, just not at the computer. You know how life sometimes gets in the way!

But I'm still at it!

It has been over a year. Yikes! About the time I was posting the last quilts I was also getting two quilts of my own completed and ready for entry at MQS 2013 (Machine Quilter's Showcase). I pieced and quilted both of them and shipped those babies off to Wichita (at the last possible minute, of course.) I know many of you know the outcome of that show, but the photos never made it here, so that is where I am going to pick up.

The first quilt, Let Your Light Shine, was one of those designs that danced in my head for a while before I cut into the first piece of fabric. I wanted to play with the water color effect of lights and darks and chose to build that around a cross. I really had the quilting in mind before this was even pieced. I wanted rays coming out from the center and a quote quilted into the border.

Once the main body was pieced (quick squares and strip piecing) I made the asymmetrical border. I actually traced the lettering on before it was attached. I printed my quote, "Within each heart is a spark of the Divine" on my computer the exact size I wanted it and taped the multiple pages together. I then used a blue water-erase marker to trace that onto my white fabric. This may not have worked with any other fabric, but the white was translucent enough to see through. It was then attached to the main body of the quilt and ready for quilting.

I started in the cross and drew rays towards the outside of the quilt. I then alternated different fills between the rays. The cross itself was quilted like wood grain.

I used four different shades of blue thread and worked lightest to darkest from the center outward. (This is more evident on the back of the quilt.)

The color gradation spilled onto the white border where I outlined the lettering and then pebbled around that. Just F.Y.I. Pebbling. Takes. Forever. It is also much prettier (in my opinion) if the thread color matches the fabric. Mine did not.

This photo was taken after returning from the show. Originally, the lettering did not show up near enough in the quilting so I painted it a pale yellow. That is how it went to MQS. Several months after that I went back and made the yellow darker and added the navy shadow effect. It is still a little subtle and the font I chose made the quote difficult to read. I'll know better next time.

To finish the quilt I added a gold flange at the edges to complement the gold in the lettering and gold rays (very subtle) in the quilting. It seems to get lost in the busy fabrics, but I made the binding gradated as well. It is lightest at the top left and changes to dark in the lower right. That was one of my favorite features but is hardly noticeable unless it is pointed out. Again, I'll know better next time.

I'm glad I completed this quilt and that it hung in a major show. It definitely forced me out of my comfort zone. I knew going in it was nowhere near the amazing quilts that hung around it. The whole process taught me a great deal. And isn't learning and growing what it is all about?

Sorry this got so long. In the next post I'll share quilt number two that went to MQS!

A glimpse of home

Several weeks ago I ended up with a free Saturday afternoon and somehow convinced the men in my life that we should spend it at the Kansas City Quilting and Sewing Expo. We won't mention that I bartered with promises of a visit to the video game store for the two short ones and a stop at Abuelo's (Mexican yumminess) for sour cream chicken enchiladas for the big one. A win, win, win! 

We made our way through the vendors and began looking at the quilts on display. One of the main exhibits was a tribute to old Route 66. It was a 40-50 foot quilt (actually multiple quilts) depicting a map of the route stretching from California to Chicago and the sites along the way. Quilters from around the country then submitted individual miniature quilts to travel with the display. The only requirement being that it represent actual attractions along the route.

I moved along the display to the Texas Panhandle where I began to see some familiar sites. This just happens to be where I grew up. 

Then I saw one submission that was very close to home AND family.

My Dad's Aunt Ruth and Uncle Delbert left their own mark on Route 66. They were an integral part of bringing the Devil's Rope and Route 66 Museum in McLean, Texas to life. Along with Route 66 memorabilia, it houses one of the largest barbed wire collections. Historians state that, "Barbed wire gave us control of the land, and windmills made the land habitable." Barbed wire was chosen as one of the most significant patents to come out of the Industrial Revolution. 

   
If you are ever passing through the Texas Panhandle along old Route 66, this is definitely an interesting stop! And ask if Uncle Delbert is around. He is one of the those true Texas characters everyone should meet.

It really was a neat exhibit and had some amazing miniature quilts.

And of course, here are some of my favorite quilts from the show:

This quilt was made up tiny scraps of all colors of fabric that were raw-edge appliqued. It really was an amazing piece.

And the winner is... CHOCOLATE!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work at the Twilight Stitchers' Quilt Show in Blue Springs, Missouri. I even had time to make a few laps and check out all of the quilt yumminess. Here are a few of my favorites:

Called "A Walk in the Jungle" -- loved the giraffe in the blue pumps!

After I got home, I got a call saying I had won a door prize! Thank you, Twilight Stitchers, for this amazing basket of goodies!

Inside I found two ruler racks (one large and one small), a cute little square ruler, a table runner pattern, a box of chocolates (the good kind), and CHOCOLATE fabric! Who knew?! There was two yards of the cutest chocolate fabric with two coordinating fat quarters. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the fabric yet, but it will be something yummy!
 

After I had carefully removed the three pieces containing caramel and nuts from the box of chocolates (I had to protect my assets), I told my boys I had won some chocolate! 

I handed them the chocolate fabric and told them they could have as much as they wanted! (I'm generous that way.)

They didn't quite see the humor in it that I did. So eventually I got the box out. They were pretty excited about this development. Nick was sure these were meant to be shared by the whole family!

Now keep in mind, these two are not usually willing participants when it comes to quilt shows or fabric shopping expeditions. So when I announced that the chocolates were only for quilt lovers, they seemed very disappointed and downright put out at the injustices of the quilt world.

But Mom has a heart and an answer for everything. Anyone who could proclaim their love of quilts would be rewarded with chocolate! And let me tell you, there was a lot of quilt lovin' for the next few hours. My chocolate loving husband even arrived home from work proclaiming his love of quilts before he even made it through the door!

What could be better than quilt love and chocolate?!

Quilt show detour in Wichita

We just happened to pass through Wichita this weekend on our way to Grandma and Grandpa's house. And somehow my car made a little detour to the Convention Center. How convenient there was a quilt show! All it took was blue snowcones and kettle corn, and my kids and Aunt Nikki were willing attendees. While they lounged at the snack bar, I made the rounds through the vendors. I spent a little time driving longarms and picked up a few new projects. I think the vendors know that if they put a cool sample quilt up and the kit right and front of it that I can't resist. I wish they would not do that!

Common Threads Quilt Show featured over 500 quilts from Wichita's Prairie Quilt Guild. I did the equivalent of a power walk through all of the quilts. After all, we still had another four hours left of our eight-hour drive. 

This pretty little quilt caught my eye. I have plans for a quilt with text, and I wanted to check out their technique. The wide areas of the letters were appliqued, and the narrow areas were embroidered.

And against all logic, I love quilts with millions of tiny one-inch pieces. I even want to make them. Most think I have lost my mind. At least when I see quilts like this, I know there are other nut jobs like me out there. I wonder if they allow rotary cutters and needles in the looney bin?

I've always liked this fabric line. Good thing they didn't have the fabric for sale near this one. Each fabric has polka dots except one that is newsprint. It's a cheery little quilt.

I was in awe of the micro-quilting on this one. The vertical lines at the top were about one-quarter of an inch apart!

This one really did deserve Best of Show. It was perfectly pieced and perfectly square. And the quilting was perfect as well. Not the type of quilt a recovering perfectionist needs to see!

This was a fun little pit-stop on our way through Kansas. And I didn't hear one grumble from my kids, which was really a miracle. The only complaint was from me because it was about 1000 degrees that afternoon. Good thing the air conditioner in the car was running cold. A couple of cherry limeades and we were on our way.

Next stop, Grandma's house for Aunt Nikki Camp!