Quilt Exhibit

For those quilters and quilt lovers in the NC/SC area, or those coming through, there is an awesome exhibit of quilts at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design in Charlotte. "American Quilt Classics, 1800 - 1980: The Bresler Collection" opened July 25th and runs through February 26, 2010. On display is a great selection of quilts ranging from doll-quilt size to large bed size. It is hard to pick a favorite, but I really like the Postage Stamp Quilt shown here:

My 6'4" son is tanding next to it. Isn't he handsome?

Here is a detail shot:

These tiny blocks measure 1/4". Here is a shot of my hand next to the quilt for scale:


I am in awe. This entire quilt was pieced and quilted by hand. What an incredible amount of work.

Great exhibit to inspire you! Museum Hours: Tues-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ; 3rd Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. ; Closed Sunday & Monday

Information: General 704-337-2000.

Check it out!

Next up....

I had to take a small break this week from serious quilt making. The king-sized quilt took it out of me! And I needed to clean up the sweatshop, reorganize my sewing tools and materials and sort the large, usable scraps from the just-too-small scraps. As I have sorted and straightened, I used some scraps to sample a pattern I bought earlier in the year, the Bento Box by Tracey Brookshire. I had been admiring the ones I have seen on the web and in person. These 2 made up really easily! So, next up for me: the Bento Box.


I have been trying to keep to a disciplined approach to my quilting, and that means going through my stash BEFORE going shopping for more fabric! After all the cleaning and sorting, I did just that and pulled some gorgeous batiks I have been collecting. After putting these together, I came up with a crazy orange/purple color combo that starts to look really autumnal! I need a few FQs to complete the pattern and with those added in, here is my palette for this quilt:


I took them outside to see in natural light and I really like the richness of the colors together! So, I am starting TODAY!

Additional info for those of you in North Carolina, Sew Original (Boone, NC and Winston-Salem, NC) along with other local quilt shops (Lee Sewing Center in Hickory NC and Shelby NC) are sponsoring an event featuring Alex Anderson, on Saturday, November 7 in Charlotte. Registration has started so check out the links for how to reserve your spot.

Also, the Quilt Shop in Boone, NC is sponsoring a Kaffe Fassett Workshop on Tuesday, October 20. Kaffe and Brandon Mably will discuss how they create their signature scrappy look. Spaces are limited so call Sherri or Tod at the Quilt Shop (828-263-8691) to reserve your spot!

Both of these events are sure to be fun and educational and feature real superstars of the quilting world. Kudos for our local quilt shop proprietors for putting these events together!

One big quilt

I finished my king sized quilt tonight.

The binding went on without a hitch.

I also made co-ordinating pillow cases.


the quilt is a variation on the rail fence. I have been collection FQs for a while. Mostly batiks, some Amy Butler and Kaffe Fasset, among others.



I really like it. I call it "Dream a Little Dream".
Whew, this one has been quite a large project!

Trying new things

When I turned 40, I decided to challenge myself by learning or doing something each year, that I have never done before. I accomplished 2 of those things in the past 4 days!
I will start with my Dan River adventure on Thursday. My husband and I went Kayaking on the Dan River with the help of the Dan River Company. These guys took us 2 novices on the river for an incredible afternoon. We went 6 miles in about 2.5 hours. It was peaceful, quiet, beautiful and exciting! Our guide, Dale was fantastic! The water was clear, and we saw turtles, birds and fish along with the awesome rock formations. This is a great trip suitable for about ages 10 and up. Most of the trip was very calm, with a few rapids thrown in to keep it exciting!




Then yesterday, I took a class with my mom on hand dying fabrics. I am definitely adding this to my crafting repertoire! We concentrate on dying a six color progression (I did from yellow to magenta) and then used our extra dyes to play and experiment. This was fun and easy, and I intend to do more to work my hand dyed fabrics into my quilts.

Toile quilt update

I finished stippling the toile quilt tonight. All it needs is the binding! I love this pattern and will definitely make it again. I have some FQs picked out to use with solid black sashing.It went together very quickly.


In other news, our newest dog, Sarge, is really starting to relax. He comes in occasionally and he is learning how to be in a family. Here he is on my bed, waiting for me to get out of the shower.


I am kayaking with my husband on Thursday, long-arm quilting my king-sized quilt on Friday and taking a fabric dying class on Saturday. Hope the rest of your week is fun and happy!

My First Quilt

I hope I am not too late to join in this fun little project! I found the links to Carrie's blog from Amanda Jean and decided to leap in!

My first quilt was done well over 26 years ago. I candlewicked(remember tying all those little knots?) small designs on bleached muslin and then put this in the centers of a 9-patch. Years latter, my mom hand quilted it when she caught the quilt bug in a big way (she now has a long arm and teaches quilting!). That quilt is in storage somewhere. I also made several little baby quilts along the way. But what I consider my first quilt (of my modern era!) is this one I made for my son when he left for college:

It is a BQ2 made with fabrics Jacob selected. My mom taught the class for this quilt and I dove in headfirst! I even free-motion quilted it! It is approximately full/queen size and still on his bed.

My most recent quilt is this:

This pattern came from Happy Hour Quilts (one of my favorite pattern books!). I also did the free-motion quilting for this.

I have learned so much along the way. The important thing is to be fearless. Take a class even if you do not know anyone else who will be there! You meet the nicest people in quilting/sewing classes. Try patterns you think might be tough. I just finished a quilt top for the Cake Mix quilt. The first time I read through the pattern, I felt a little intimidated. So I waited until I had undivided attention, plenty of time, and started cutting and piecing! I love this top and as soon as I can get more batting, it will be quilted!

Saturday accomplishmment

I bought this magazine Friday night because I love the red/white quilt on the cover:

Our house is in great shape since we have cleaned and updated for the past 5 months, so I went into my sweat shop and created my version:

Here is a detail showing the 3 fabrics I used:

I love it. I just wish I had more of the toile so I could have made it larger! It is a lap/throw size as it is.
I now am back to have 3 tops ready to quilt. I am going to my mom's this week to quilt my king-sized quilt on Friday. I also have my "Cake Mix" quilt ready to go. I love making quilts!

3's about me

3's of meShare
Yesterday at 9:54pm


Got tagged with this via Facebook:

Three names I go by:
1. Kelly
2. Mom
3. Al's wife

Three Jobs I have had in my life
1. Textile Designer
2. Graphic Designer
3. Typesetter

Three Places I have lived
1. Lenoir, NC
2. Charleston, WV
3. Lewisville, NC

Three Favorite drinks
1. WATER
2. Diet Dr. Pepper
3. Tequila

Three TV Shows that I watch
1. Ghost Hunters
2. House
3. Project Runway

Three places I have been
1. Ningbo, China
2. Brussels, Belgium
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

People that message me regularly
1. Kristen
2. Al
3. Jacob

Three of my favorite foods
1. Homegrown tomatoes
2. Blackberry Cobbler
3. Momma's mustard potato salad (with dill pickles)

Three friends I think will respond
1. Jenny
2. Jacob
3. Al

Three Things I am looking forward to
1. Kayaking next week
2. Quilting with my mom
3. Tomorrow night when my hubby gets home

Road side treat

I have a 1 hour commute through a very rural area. I saw this treat on the side of Red, White and Blue Road (I kid you not) today:



The sight of vivid magenta among all the green was striking.

Actually made me feel better to see such natural beauty and made my commute a little prettier.

Back on the pace

Finished another quilt today!

This is from Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs. I love this book and have made many quilts from it.


Here's a detail shot of my stippling. I am really loving this! I need to order more batting before I can quilt another I have ready. I am going to concentrate on some pillow tops and table runners for a little while.

Tomorrow is back to work. We have had a great long weekend. Wish all of them were like this!

Happy 4th!

Today we celebrate our collective birthday as the United States of America. Free to do, think, say, worship and move as we please. Our founding fathers and mothers fought and died so we might have this tremendous privilege. Brave men and women serve our country to guarantee these rights. Lets not forget what sacrifices have been made for us.

On another note: my blogging has been lax of late. The days are longer so I have been enjoying the time walking my dogs and being outside. I have also been trying to catch up on some quilt projects. Last night I finished this beauty:

Front

Back

Detail of stippling

The center of this quilt consists of 2 charm packs of "Candy Kisses" by Sandy Gervais for Moda.
I really don't know what to call it. Here are the names I am considering:
1. Candy Kisses (lifted directly from the fabric collection)
2. Sweets for the Sweet
3. Valentine Delight

Any thoughts?


My free-motion quilting is definitely improving. I am getting more comfortable while doing it as well. I still wish I could find a local class or workshop on it, but since I have found one yet, I will continue to practice on my own. I have 2 more quilt tops I am planning on quilting on my machine. I am going to quilt my king size top on my mom's long arm.

This is my 6th complete quilt for this year. Sprucing up the house really took away a lot of my quilting time! I really wish I had more time to sew and quilt. Maybe someday!