Computer Skills, lol …..

Wow, I am so seriously in need of some computer skills!  Now that I have finished my new Modern Simplicity book, I have been trying to figure out how on earth you add a paypal button so people can order online.  After looking at numerous youtube videos, and doing searches in the help section, I finally, after 3 hours (yes, I said 3), figured out how to add a paypal button to purchase the book.  I mean really, everyone I talked to told me how easy it was, NOT!!!  I just absolutely suck at computer stuff.  So anyway, at least it is finally done, so if you are interested in purchasing the new book, you can now do that on the “New Modern Simplicity Book” page up there under the blog header.

I have been keeping extremely busy trying to get caught up on customer quilts after being away teaching at the Machine Quilters Showcase.  MQS was really nice this year, except for the fact that my boxes of class supplies didn’t show up until the last day I was there, lol.  I was so happy that the two Modern Simplicity classes based on my new book went really well, and I received great comments from the students.

Because I have been so busy trying to get caught up on quilts, I forgot to take pics of most of them. Below are a couple of the quilts I’ve done over the past few weeks (that I remembered to get pics of, lol).

This is Marian’s wallhanging, I did some Less Stress Feathers on it:

This is Barb’s Quilt — I love the fabrics and colors she used! I used some designs from my new book on this one.

I also wanted to share a couple of photos sent to me by people who have used some of the new modern designs on their quilts.

First up is Vicki’s table runner ….. I soooo love this!  You can read more about it on Vicki’s blog

This one is from Janice, she used one of the Modern Simplicity designs in a quilt border ………….. COOL!

I have a couple of projects I’ve been working on for myself, that I will share with you in coming posts.  One of which is a quilt I’m making for myself (well, actually for my DS), and I thought it might be fun to share pics of the process of making it from start to finish.  So watch for that in the coming week.

Now, it’s back to the machine for me!

 

My Newest book is FINALLY done!

I mentioned in my last post, that the pillow I made

Was planned for another use as well ……….

I wanted something to use for my newest book cover!

I have been working on some new books for what seems like FOREVER!  And I finally have “Modern Simplicity” – Machine Quilting Designs for Modern Quilts actually in my hands, lol.  I am so excited about this book …. it is my favorite that I’ve done.  You can click on the “New Modern Simplicity Book” link (below my blog header pic) for the particulars on the content, and ordering info.  At this time, I can only take orders by mail, but as soon as I return from teaching at the Machine Quilters Showcase, I will get everything in place to take credit card orders online.  And of course, if you will be at the MQS show, I will have them there.

I am actually a little disappointed, because I had 2 books done, and submitted to the printer, but ….. only one made it out as a book, LOL.  I haven’t done a book in quite some time, and thought that this time around I would get some desktop publishing software and try to make things easier (I mean, the description for the software made it sound like a piece of cake) ……… well, it really just made it much more difficult, especially with my computer skills being so terrible.  So, it turns out I need to totally reformat how I put the other book together in order for them to print it, so I am hoping to get that done, and back to the printer by the end of May.

My Pantos in use!

I have the most amazing friends (who also happen to be longarm quilters)!  They were nice enough to share photos with me of quilts that they have used some of my pantos on.  My pantograph patterns are available at : Digitech Patterns

The first one is Dancing Wedges:

This first quilt was done by Janice, she finishes more quilts than anyone I know, lol.  You can visit her blog at:  http://janicelovestoquilt.blogspot.com

Nancy made this green and white quilt for one of her grandchildren (I love the color combo!)

The next quilts are done with my Modern Ripple Pantograph:

First up was another quilt done by Janice, I love the texture of this one!

And another quilt made by Nancy for one of her grandchildren.  I love how it looks with the pattern oriented across the stripes vertically, rather that having it oriented horizontally with the stripes.

I also want to mention, that both of Nancy’s quilts (the purple/white and green/white ones) were made using an AWESOME tutorial for the Firefly Quilt found at Canoe Ridge Creations.  Here is a link right to the tutorial .  I sooo love this quilt pattern!  So much so, that I made one too.  My son wanted a smallish quilt for on his couch, but wanted it to coordinate with a room divider curtain he has, so I replaced one of the solid stripes on the bottom of mine, with the same fabric that is in his curtain.

And of course he needed a coordinating pillow too!

This pillow was also made for another purpose —- and I’ll share that with you tomorrow 😉   Now …. back to work getting ready for my classes at the Machine Quilters Showcase .

Another one done!

I finished binding this next table runner a while ago, but haven’t had the chance to post it here.  I made some cool candle holders for Christmas gifts this year, and wanted something to put them on, to make them stand out.  (I saw the idea for the candle holders on Pinterest, though they used frosted spraypaint, and I actually sandblasted them to get the frosted effect).

Full Shot:

 

Heres a closer shot of one of the ends & quilting

 

And last, a shot with the candleholders on it 🙂

 

I spent last weekend at a monthly retreat, which I truly enjoy, since it is pretty much the ONLY time I get to spend working on things for myself (well, not necessarily things for myself, but things I WANT to work on, lol).  I was able to get two small quilts pieced there this month, but when I got home, and added it to the pile of things that need quilted ….

 

 

I was reminded what being a longarm quilter is all about, LOL!  I seriously need to come up with some kind of schedule to start getting some of my stuff quilted between customer quilts.  Ugh, if only I could take the quilting machine to retreat every month, lol, then maybe I’d get something done …. rather than just adding to the stack.

Better get outside and clear the snow off my car (again), I am SOOOO sick of doing this, it really needs to quit snowing EVERY day!!!

 

 

 

One binding down

Here is the first of the tablerunners, finally bound.  Yeah, I know, it is small, but I despise the binding process, lol.  And of course I had to start back to work on customer quilts this week, which slows down any work on my own stuff.  I have been quilting a bunch of small stuff to make packing class samples easier.  Please excuse the quality of the pics …. my son is studying abroad in Rome this semester, so obviously he got to take the good camera (which leaves me stuck with the REALLY old one)  Anyway ….. here’s a full shot

 

A shot with some side lighting to see the quilting a little better

 

And one a little closer of the quilting

 

 

I still have to wash it to remove the stiffness from the applique.  Should be able to finish binding another tonight.

 

Holiday break Sewing

As my holiday break from quilting for “everyone else” comes to a close, I have very little to show for what I accomplished for myself, lol.  I had grand plans of getting soooo many of MY things done, or at least started.  Unfortunately, like most every year, this just didn’t happen.  But, I am glad to say that I did at least finish up (for the most part anyway) this quilt.

These are the appliqued blocks

 

And here they are pieced together

 

I am considering adding some gray around the outside, but will need to pick up some more this weekend, before I can try it out to see if I like it.

I did actually sew some pillows that were given as xmas gifts, but of course, I finished them just in the nick of time, so …… no pics of those.   I also had a chance to piece a few table runners, and I even got to quilt them.  I’ll share pics of those as soon as I finish up the binding.

I’m hoping to get a couple more things of my own started this weekend, since the first customer quilt of the new year goes on the machine Mon. morning!

It’s been a while …..

Geeze, it has been quite some time since I posted last …. the last part of summer and fall are always so busy for me, with just regular summer stuff, and getting ready for Quilting with machines.  I am happy to say that the Hands on Modern Simplicity class that I taught there was awesome.  I was very pleased with how the class went.  Here are just a few of the quilts I showed in class:

This little quilts was also our challenge for the Akron MQG

 

 

 

 

I will post photos of some of the other class samples as soon as I can figure out what is up with my camera —– the battery goes dead after only a few pics.

I am now in the final stretch of getting all of my customer Christmas quilts completed.  I have three quarters of one on the machine to finish, and one more after that —- then I can start MY Holiday stuff, lol.  I am so NOT ready for the Holiday.  I don’t have the tree or decorations up, and have yet to purchase any gifts.

Oh, and I wanted to follow up on my previous post about my son’s architecture competition —– he won the Northeast Division, AND and honorable mention for use of materials!  He was absolutely thrilled by the Jury comments.   http://acsa-arch.org/programs-events/competitions/competition-archives/2011-12-competitions/the-sustainable-home/competition-winners 

 

So to celebrate (and because it was his birthday) we took him to Fallingwater before he headed back to PSU for the fall.  Why is it that you have stuff like this close to home, and for years, intend to go ….. but don’t????    I’m so glad we finally went …. it is cool in books, but to see it in person is absolutely amazing!

 

OK —- better get back to quilting !

New Modern Quilting Classes added at QwM!

Quilting with Machines Sept. 19 – 22, 2012

I am so excited to say that we have just recently added 5 new Modern Quilting classes to the 2012 Quilting with machines class lineup! The talented Heather Jones will be joining us this year to teach (3) Modern Quilting Lectures, and (1) hands on piecing class: 

• What is Modern Quilting Q & A (lecture)
• Integrating Tradition with Modern Design (lecture)
• Everyday Inspiration in Modern Quilts (lecture)
• Basic Improvisational Quilting (Piecing)

And I have added one Hands-On Longarm Quilting class:

• Modern Simplicity

Be sure to check out Heather’s Website to see her awesome work : http://www.oliveandollie.com

For information on the classes, visit the QwM website:  http://www.quiltingwithmachines.com   and click on the classes tab for full class descriptions, times, dates, etc.

We have also added to the show a Modern Quilt Display – by the Cincinnati MQG, and a Special Challenge Exhibit from Machine Quilting Unlimited called – Seasons

Hope to see you there in Sept.!!!

 

 

Modern Pantos

A few weeks ago, when I talked to my MIL Bona, she mentioned that she was starting to get some Modern Quilts in to quilt (she also has a longarm quilting business), and didn’t have any patterns that seemed to work for the quilts.  She has a Statler Stitcher, which is a computerized quilting machine, and she prefers to do edge to edge quilting with it.  So, I grabbed my “idea basket”, sorted through it, and drew up some pantograph patterns that I think will work wonderfully on Modern Quilts, for those who prefer edge to edge quilting.  I sent them off to Jessica at Digitech Patterns, who is awesome to work with (and quick <G>), she digitized them and made them into pantograph patterns.  The first group of patterns is now available on their website  http://www.digitechpatterns.com , they are available in both digital and paper form.  I think they look great!

A Brag on my Talented Son

Our son Josh is an Architecture major at Penn State.  We are so proud of him —- he is SO incredibly talented!!!!  He is doing a summer session right now, and just emailed me these photos of his submission for a recent design competition.  Just had to show off his amazing work <VBG>!  He is known school wide for his hand rendering skills.  I can’t wait to see where his talent takes him!