Pinch Me, I'm Published!!

I've been working on a few secret sewing projects and I can finally reveal the first one.  I've been busting at the seams to talk about this and I can finally share it with you.  OK  on with my news.
American Patchwork and Quilting has picked up my first magazine submission! 

“Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.”

 

My first publication and I'm SO excited.  This might sound like an Oscar speech, but thanks have to be given out first and foremost to Carol, the owner of my LQS, Fabric Etc.  This has happened because of her.  She encouraged me to submit this piece and with her nudging, I did and here it is.  Second thanks have to go to my guy TL.  Without his support and love, I doubt this would have happened. I'm so blessed to have so many fabulous, amazing, supportive and loving people in my life.  I truly am blessed. 

So go check out the magazine, the cover looks like this.  It should be in your mailbox very soon, if not already.  It will be on the newsstands April 7th.

“Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.”

 

I know I've been quiet lately, and for those who know me in person know this is out of character. I've just flat out been busy.  My longarm customer list has grown and the repeat business has been so amazing, so THANK YOU for that.
Then stay tuned for a fun give away.

A Little more Gwen

Day 2 with Gwen was her Small Studies.  Here are a few of her samples.  They are simply amazing, and although they are in her book, it is go great to see them again in person. 

Of course you can click on the photos to get a better look.  Most of these pieces are about 10" x 12" by my guesstimation.  Is that even a word?  Well, it works for me.  Love the triangles, bottom right piece in picture below.

There was a few members from the Vancouver, BC MQG who came for the three days and a few made the trek up from the Seattle area on day one. It's so great to get into a workshop with people that work in ways that I don't. I did not partake in much of the "small" part of this workshop, but many of the students carried on to Monday, which was an open sew day with Gwen. Most continued their small studies and I really saw some amazing work.  Here is one student with Gwen and her work in the background.  Loved the 2 color piece.  Those who worked on their small studies for 2 days really had amazing work on the second day.  I think that is the value in having a workshop that lasts more than one day.

My 'small' studies ended up in my liberated log cabins.  Those little squares are 1/4" finished.  Fun, but fiddly for me.

More work from the other students, simply FABULOUS. 

Love the two pieces on the right. 

The soft colors in this piece were really special.  I could see this piece being blown up into something 60 x 60.  Who knows, maybe Krista will make a series of these small studies.

Here is Krista with her new book.  What a lot of work it was to put this together.  She told us a bit of her journey to publication and it's not for the faint of heart.  Oh, and by the way, Krista won 1st place in her category at QuiltCon.  Click on the link to see her piece, Blackbird Fly.   Congratulations go out to her.  She's having a great year so far!

As for me, I got energized and have moved a lot closer to finished on a piece I started in Gwen's workshop in 2011.  I'm still working away on a few other things, and have a big announcement on Monday morning. 

Have a great weekend, and I hope you get some stitching time!
Sharon

Peek at Customer Quilts

I've been busy with taking 3 days with Gwen, pure bliss for me!  But in the meantime, I've got a few quilts finished and shipped back to their rightful owners for binding and labels.

I could quilt feathers all day long......

Love all the fabrics in this piece, this quilter has an amazing sense of color and value.  Fabulous quilts to work on from MH.

This was a kit from days gone by, and has been finished by a friend of the appliquer.  She is going to be very excited to see this finished and on her bed.

Keeping it simple on the borders, piano key stitch lines, allows the sashing and appliqued blocks to be the star of the show.

She wanted the applique outlined and a little stitching on the leaves and the lighter pink petals.  Feathers in the border are going in all directions so no matter which way the quilt goes on the bed, it will all be ok.  Quilt is square.

I thought I'd end this post with a photo of great seams in a quilt back. As a longarm quilter, I see all kinds of backs. I hope that you make your seams at least 1/2" and press them open. This distributes the seam allowance and keeps you from having a ridge on the back of your quilt. A little Best Press goes a long ways on a back seam. My PSA for today!

 

 

Hope you got to stitch a little over the weekend!  Check back for some exciting news next week.

 

Sharon

 



Day One - Strings - Gwen Marston

Lucky me, and 19 other quilter's who spent a day with Gwen Marston last weekend. Liberated Strings, bringing the past into the present with fabulous samples to study and emulate.

Her work is so recognizable. I love the red, such a great contrast for her string blocks.

 

 

A great use of the lighter backgrounds, everything from cream to grey to tan.

I couldn't get this next one to turn, but it still looks fantastic.  I love the shirtings, and the varying amount of strings inset into each block.  A subtle Americana piece (to me).

As usual, Gwen has super samples to hang in the front of the class.  I have her String book and love the antique quilts that she profiles.  A great way to get the creative juices flowing.

Samples of student work, none of it is mine.  I have no idea why I don't have any photos, but I will show them at a later date. Think cheddar and contrasting CW prints.

I loved the background used on the sample below left. 

At first I thought this was mine, but quickly realized I didn't make nearly this many blocks.

Day 2 & 3 to follow......

Note to Gwen - Thanks for taking a few hours to talk with me Sat evening, you have no idea what that meant to me.  Thanks you from the bottom of my heart.

Hope you have found time to stitch this week!
Sharon