My Quilt Block For Olfa Creates 40th Anniversary Quilt

Last summer, Olfa put out a call, asking for blocks to be designed for their 40th anniversary quilt. I thought it would be fun, so I submitted my idea, and my design was accepted! 

Here's the finished quilt. My block is in the middle row, on the far right side.

Here's a close up of my block. 

Along the edge, I did 4 hourglasses that represent time as well as the 4 decades that Olfa is celebrating. Repeating the theme, there are 4 rows with 4 blocks, and then, the number 40 in the center. The colors that were chosen represent the fun, vibrant colors that Olfa chose for their Splash line of cutters and sewing mats. 

Each week, a different block is featured. My block represents week 23. You can read all about the project HERE. 

You can find the instructions for my block, along with a template HERE. 

Although I am not a huge quilter, but I do make a quilt from time to time. This was such a fun project. A big thanks to Olfa for giving me the opportunity!

I'm an Ambassador for Olfa!

Now this is not something you've seen from me in a while...2 blog posts in a row, WOOHOO!!!!

I had the most amazing day yesterday. It began with a note to a former exchange student who wanted my advice on some life issues. Then, I received a text message from a favorite little gal who shared with me that she had been accepted in the master's degree program that she had applied for. I decided that a return message would not do, so I gave her a call. She told me that I was one of the very first to know the news. Finally, another young woman did a lovely post on Instagram in honor of International Women's Day, talking about the amazing women who have made a difference in her life, and low and behold, my picture was in the mix. Such an honor.

It goes without saying, but I have had some very low moments over the past few months. A few weeks ago, I happened upon this scripture verse,

He gives a home to the woman who could not give birth, and makes her the mother of children. 

Psalms 113:9

The verse felt like a promise, a gift, at least to me. I wrote it down in my book of quotes, and I was reminded of it yesterday. Isn't it interesting how something rather insignificant to one can mean so much to another? :)

So....my big news!!!!

I was chosen to be an ambassador for Olfa products. Amazing!!! 

I was sent a gift of their brand new products, turquoise and pink cutting mats, along with a fun pink rotary cutter. The new line is called Splash. Hey, we can all use a little color and fun in our days. I'm a little partial to the turquoise mat as it is my favorite color!!!

The new rotary cutters come in 3 fun colors, pink as you see below, purple and turquoise. You can see them all HERE. 

One of my favorite Olfa products is my great big 24"x36" cutting mat. I'm hoping to add the 35"x70" mat to my collection. Both mats are fabulous for cutting out larger projects.

I am not becoming a quilter, but from time to time I will do a quilting project. Although, for all of you amazing quilters out there, I can hardly call this project a quilting project. 

A number of years ago, I came across this great panel piece, but it was in a light mint green. I made it up and gave it to a couple of friends who were having babies. They LOVED them and used them as a way to teach the alphabet. Three friends are having babies, and I wanted to do something special. As luck would have it, I came across the same panel print, but in red. If by chance you are interested, I found it HERE on Fabric.com.

I was in Colorado and had the chance to pop into one of my favorite little stores, The Fabric Nook. You may remember the interview I did with Tina, the owner. Such a delightful lady :) Anyway, she helped me with the backing and the binding for my project. This will be my first project using my new Olfa mat and cutter. 

Olfa has a wonderful new blog. You can find it HERE. Each month they will be featuring a different designer as well as a special project. If you would like to check out the list of designers and ambassadors, you can find that post HERE. I have some fun things planned, one will incorporate the airplane. Should be fun!

Happy Friday!
 Rhonda 

On The Road, Row By Row

I am not much of a quilter. All my life, I have been surrounded, and warmed by beautiful quilts that my great-grandmother and my grandmother made. I have a wonderful quilt that my great-grandmother made, a whole cloth quilt. A while back, I washed it and when I hung it to dry, I could see that the batting was not batting, but another quilt, quite possibly, one that my great-great-grandmother made. I would love to see it, and have thought about taking out the stitches in a corner to reveal the quilt inside. We'll see :)

There's a quilt that hangs in a guest room that my grandmother made when she was 14 years old, a lovely take on a wedding ring quilt. It warms my soul whenever I enter the room. I also have 2 precious little doll quilts that my grandmother made for my mother when she was a child, and I then played with. What's amazing to me is that she actually hand-pieced these little treasures. And to think that I had those little quilts outside, and even wrapped my cat up in them :/ 

Every once in a while, I will put a quilt together, but my grandmother would probably roll her eyes at the fact that all the piecing is done on the machine, as well as the quilting. At the moment, I have one of those "for the rest of my life projects" in the works, a yo-yo quilt. I work on it for a while, grow tired of it, put it away, and then break it out again maybe a year later. One day ;) 

If you listened to the interview I did with Tina of The Fabric Nook in Granby, Colorado, you heard her talk about participating in the Row by Row Experience. It all began in New York state in 2011 when 20 shops came together to create a traveling experience for those who came by their shops. It has now grown world wide with stores across the United States, Canada, and Europe participating. It's just such a fun way to create a lasting memory of your travels!

This week, I have a wonderful little friend visiting with me. She came last year and as I was taking her back to the airport, I asked what she enjoyed most about her time in Chicago. She replied, "our sew day." So, she's back, a year older, 17 and still wants to sew! In fact, I had planned for us to go downtown last night for a concert and she opted to stay home and sew. Amazing!!!

Before she arrived, I popped into a little quilt shop that is in my neighborhood to pick up their Row by Row kit as I thought it would be a nice memento for her to take home. She was so excited when she saw it. I told her that we could make a pillow if she liked, rather than a quilt panel. She told me that she would have a sofa in her dorm room this year and she would love to have a fun pillow.  

Here's the front of the pillow. Thankfully, the cityscape came pre-cut with the fusible backing already applied. Score!!!

The pinwheels were supposed to be on either side of the cityscape, but since we wanted a pillow, we opted to use them as the back of the pillow.

If you are visiting Chicago this summer and would like a fun little remembrance of your visit, you can find all the information on Second City Quilts HERE.

I was in Colorado the first of July and I made a point of visiting the 2 quilt shops that are in the area.  "On The Go To Baldy" is from Cabin Quilts and Stitches, a fun store in Grand Lake which is just on the border of the Rocky Mountain National Forest. 

The row beautifully depicts all that the area has to offer.

Then I stopped in to see Tina and pick up her design. It really warms my cowgirl heart :) You may remember that we talked in the interview about how the cattle were actually driven through the town of Granby at one time. 

Tina's Row by Row kit comes in this fun heavy paper envelope. It was tied with a cute string, but not unlike a child at Christmas, I couldn't wait to take a look inside!

Of the 3 kits that I've purchased, Tina's is by far the most detailed. Fabulous instructions, a template so you don't get lost in where what goes. And even better, the cowgirl as well as the cows have been laser cut, so they are all ready to go, WOO, HOO!!!

You can find Tina HERE at The Fabric Nook. If by chance you do stop by, be sure to ask for Tina as I know she would love to meet you :)

I'm going back to Second City Quilts to get another kit for myself. It's just so much fun to put these together!! For the first time in quite a while, I REALLY want to put a quilt together. 

Publishing

Happy Friday!
I am so very happy to finally be back with an all new episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness!!!

There may be a few of you who have thought, "I have a great idea that I think should be published," and yet, you aren't sure just how to take the first step. And then there may be others that would just like to know what goes into the process.

I recently had the opportunity to meet published author Laura Farson. She is the author of 5 books, 3 on quilting, 

And 2 fabulous knitting books.

I had a wonderful time talking with Laura. She's very inspirational, and I think that if you've thought that this is something you can't do, Laura will prove otherwise!



Although Laura's quilting books are out of print, you can find them all HERE at AbeBooks. It's a wonderful website that I found where the prices are great, and the shipping is free!!! You can also find her knitting books there, but keep in mind that they are used. Of course you can purchase a brand new book HERE at Amazon. 

The book that Laura mentions reading before she began her publishing journey is How To Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal. I suggest looking into your public library for this book. 

Laura talks about writing articles for magazines as a way to get your feet wet before jumping in to an entire book. You may remember that Ellen March, editor of Sew News invited anyone who would like to submit articles. You can find that video HERE.  
One thing that Laura wanted me to pass along to you is that if you do have an idea for a book, the entire book does not need to have been written when you submit your proposal, so keep that in mind :) 

I hope this has been helpful to some and enjoyable to others. I know I had a great time!

Be sure to stop back by next week as I have a fabulous surprise for our next episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness!!! 

Sewbussted's Material Witness Episode 2/The Fabric Nook

I just could not be more excited!!! The second episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness is up and it was so much fun to do. I think...I hope...you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

In the preliminary video, I shared that I wanted to combine flying and interviews. I did not fly to this location. Granby, Colorado is nestled in the Rocky Mountains. I have had a little mountain flying instruction, but only a little. Flying in the mountains, especially the Rocky Mountains, is quite different from flying at lower altitudes in a small airplane. 

The Fabric Nook is owned by a lovely lady, Tina Holley. In my opinion, her store is truly the gem of not only the town, but the entire county.   

The store has a very interesting history, which you'll hear in the video, and I think you'll enjoy meeting a sewist with a rich history all her own. 



What I love most about Tina's story is that she stepped out, and took a chance at her dream. Once she made that step, she has not looked back, and her excitement is contagious!  

We mentioned the original wood floors. As you walk through the store, you can't help but feel the history.

The Fabric Nook is the ONLY place where you can find a zipper in the entire county.

We also mentioned that Tina participated in the Row By Row Quilting Experience. Below is a picture of "Through The Aspen." A few kits are still available and if by chance you would like to order one, you can find the Fabric Nook HERE. Just scroll down and you'll find the kit! 

Thanks so much for stopping by. With each video, I've learned a little more. I'm excited for the next!!!

If you ever find yourself in Colorado, by all means, stop by and see Tina. She'll be so happy to meet you, and she'll make you feel right at home :) 

Monday Morning Inspiration/Quilted Inspiration Recap

Happy Day After Easter to you all!!!
My weekend started off with a horrible headache. I did everything, soaked in a hot bath, applied therapeutic oils, did my best to rest, all with no luck. I had a list a mile long of all I wanted to accomplish, but I gave in, rested and read a book that was quite inspirational. More on that at a later date. 
Although the headache was still with me yesterday, it was not as painful, so I was able to enjoy the afternoon with my niece, her fiance, and her parents. What an incredible lunch they made! Great food, and great conversation, just the perfect Easter Sunday :)

So many of you were very generous with your suggestions last week when I put out a plea for help. Wow!!!, did you ever come through with some great ideas. Rather than allow them all to be buried in the comment section of last week's post, I thought I would share some of the ideas with all of you.
First, I found this,

Pretty amazing. It's from the same Schiaparelli collection that the coat below which I shared last week is from. I too thought that the coat below might be matelasse, but now I'm wondering if it really was quilted.

Charade sent in this idea, a vintage Lilli Ann coat from the 1950's. The quilting is trapunto and the collar can be worn up or down. Beautiful piece.

I am a huge fan of President Abraham Lincoln. If you have never read, Lincoln The Unknown, by all means, please do. It is probably the most inspirational book I have ever read. Craft Alchemy sent a link to the picture below. It's the coat that he was wearing the night he was killed. Yes, the coat represents a very sad period in the history of America, but the surprise of the incredible quilting is quite inspiring. 

Carol In Denver suggested incorporating a little fabric manipulating into the quilting of a garment. There are a number of books, all of which I'm sure are available at your local library. Here's a list of some at Amazon. I own the book below, so I'm off to a great start :)

 

The Sewing Loft suggested some work with dragonflies. Just for the fun of it, I googled "dragonfly quilting," and found this picture of a piece in progress. Just the intricacy of the design is great inspiration.

Sue from A Colorful Canvas shared her amazing coat that she recently finished. Be sure to pop over to her blog and see the rest of the coat.  

Ruth commented on the subtle but beautiful hem of the Ralph Rucci dress that I shared a few weeks ago. I really like the idea of quilting not only being an accent, or design aspect of a garment, but also serving a purpose as it does with this hem.

A number of you suggested using Alabama Chanin as a source of inspiration. Cynthiacc also suggested Alabama Chanin, but using different fabrics, possibly boiled wool. Using the concept, but making it your own.     

Elizabeth K suggested getting some books that show fabrics and designs through the different decades. I do have a couple of books in my collection. A great idea.

E McAfee talked about the picture below on the left being a fencing costume. I was making a joke about feeling tied in knots, but she really came up with a great idea. The piece on the right is really amazing. 

Martha said, 
"You have great instincts, you know."
And Mary said, 
"You have all the skills and savvy that you need." 
A few others also offered some words of encouragement as well. Sometimes the best source of inspiration is being told that someone else believes in you. 
Thank you :)
With new found inspiration, I wish you a wonderful week!
Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Quilted Inspiration

Well, I'm stumped! The 2016 Thread's Challenge in conjunction with the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals is "The Quilted Garment." For some reason, the competition interested me, so I decided to enter the challenge. I have yet to be inspired :(
Here's the criteria of the competition,

“Quilting” is defined here as two or more textile layers joined by hand- or machine-stitching, and you must do the quilting yourself. Choose any fabrics that inspire you. Quilting cotton is not required, nor is traditional quilt batting. The garments don’t have to be pieced. The quilting itself should be the star. The stitching must meaningfully contribute to the structure, silhouette, and/or embellishment of the garment. 

Here's a little of what I've found in my searching for inspiration. The above coat is from the 2015 couture collection by Schiaparelli. I have no idea is the fabric is hand quilted, but I know I will not be doing anything similar to this.
I do like the use of textiles in the coat below. 

This is simple and yet a lot of work. I think it may be a Kantha quilt.

This coat is from Fendi and except for the pocket, I think it's lovely, but not very inspiring.

This coat is from Valentino and I think it is absolutely amazing. 

This piece I did find interesting. I love the mix of textiles.

In this close up picture, you can see how the red fabric is stitched so that it is actually raised off the bed of the jacket. 

Another piece from Valentino. Not so sure about the one shoulder aspect,but I do love the piecing. Dramatic and yet subtle.

This is not a quilted piece, but I do like the stitching idea. Quilting a piece with beads on a solid ground.

Here's a piece that is quilted and then the faces are stitched over the quilting.

I included this coat as I think it is a great use of color. It's from Bjork. Not quite sure why the yo-yos weren't taken into the armpit.

So here's how I'm feeling. The picture below makes me think of being tied into a straight jacket! I'm simply stuck.

But then, I could just grab an old quilt and make a dress!!!! This won't happen :)

So today, I'm asking for some help, maybe a little direction. The competition is based more on the actual quilting of the fabric rather than the piecing. Is there anything that inspires you? I'm up for any inspiration that will come my way.

Thanks so much :)

Rhonda