Beginnings...

Spring keeps me busy and not necessarily in terms of stitching.  First, there is strawberry season which has been particularly good this year.  The flavor of the berries is exceptional this year and I've made repeat trips to the fruit truck for boxes of berries.  Then I make jam. Here's a batch just out of the water bath.

A more artistic view of my handiwork:

The garden also keeps me quite busy.  Here it is just after I finished planting a couple of weeks ago.  At this moment, it is perfect: no weeds, no bugs, no fungus.

I also spend quite a bit of time in the Spring cleaning out flower beds, but it pays off with lots of inspiration.

Now it's time for me to focus on stitching!!  I'm planning to begin a block for my Baltimore Album quilt shortly.  The design is ready to go and I'm looking forward to getting started.  The first step in the process is to prepare a background square and this is how I do it.  My blocks will finish 17 - 18 inches, so I use a large 20 1/2" square ruler to cut a perfect square.  Move the ruler to the center line of your block and place a strip of painter's tape along the edge of the ruler.

Move the ruler out of your way and stitch along the edge of the tape in a nice straight line.

Do the same thing on the opposite half of the block.  When finished, you will have perfectly straight registration lines to guide the placement of your appliqué pieces when using an overlay.

This is one of those things in appliqué that may take you a few more minutes but save you time and headaches later on in the process.

While I'm working on my next Baltimore block, I've decided I need something easy to do when I need a break or when I'm watching Wimbledon or the NBA playoffs (GO HEAT!!!).  Here's is "Ring of Roses" in Quiltmania Magazine, issue no. 101.  

I just love it and I'm collecting pink, red, and beige fabrics to get this going ASAP!  I'm going to use some red Daiwabos too.  It should keep me out of trouble.

Don't forget that registration is open for The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué where I will be teaching, along with many other wonderful teachers, in February 2015.

Hopefully, my next post will be full of photos of work in progress!  Stella is quite tired from all that jam making.

A New Journey Begins!

From "Love's Horizon."
Pattern by Elly Sienkiewicz

Change is inevitable and often the start of a new and exciting adventure. I’m thrilled to let you know that my quilting journey has taken a positive turn. I've been invited to teach at the new Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué. 

The teacher lineup follows:

Main Conference teachers:

Kathy Dunigan

Cynthia Collier

Evelyn Crovo-Hall

Faye Labanaris

Brenda Papadakis

Mercy Savage

Sharon Schamber

Michelle Watts

Alice Wilhoit

Cynthia Williford

One Day/Two Day teachers

Elly Sienkiewicz - who will also do a lecture/trunk show

Richard Larson

Janet Lindsay

Melissa Simross

Melissa Sobotka

Bonnie Turner

The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué was born recently when Elly Sienkiewicz and Bette Augustine made the difficult decision to close The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy after nineteen successful and happy years this past February. TESAA was a source of inspiration and lifetime memories for many people for many years, myself and Kathy Dunigan included.  Fortunately, Kathy and her mother, Jo Ann Hugdins, were further inspired to create their own Texas style Academy of Appliqué.  For any of you who don't know Kathy, she is one very fun gal !!  She always wears a smile and is welcoming and positive. She is quite a needle artist, too!  The new Academy is sure to be a nurturing and pleasant environment.  In a short time, Kathy has attracted some fine appliqué teachers and I'm honored to be part of the group.

I will be teaching a main conference class and a one day class.  Here's a little peak at the beehive block that will be my main conference class.

With three full days, we should have time to really make some serious progress on this block.

So Ladies, mark your calendars right this very minute and stay tuned for more information as it unfolds.  

The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué

When: February 3rd through February 7th, 2015

Where:  The Hilton / Rockwall Lakefront; 

use code TKDAA for reservations

Website to launch: Early June 2014

Until the website is operational, you may get updates on the facebook page link above or visit my blog.

Now, I'm off to shop for some cowboy boots, preferably in red, and an appropriate hat!

Home, sweet home!

I have just returned from a wonderful week at The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy which was held at the lovely Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Without a doubt, I had the most wonderful students ever in a full and then some class.  These women were attentive, focused, funny, and kind. We had a blast!  Here they are with their blocks in progress.

We used a number of techniques to address the challenges of this block.  The complex stem was done using the needle turn method with a little back basting twist.  The grape leaves were completed by lightly fusing them to the background and blanket stitching the edge in silk floss.  The strawberry leaves, strawberries and multi-petaled rose were all done using the prepared edge method.  The strawberries and rose were padded in the process.  The rose was completely prepped using unit, or off block, construction. Then we practiced stitching the hummingbird wings.  Phew!  That was a bunch of stuff to absorb!  Now, they're ready to complete their blocks at home.

My students were exposed to many methods for appliqué and, hopefully, learned that certain methods work for certain situations.  For example, using prepared edge for that long skinny stem would be like wrestling an octopus.  But preparing the edge for the strawberries, which are made of silk and padded, helps control the fabric.  Some think of this as torturing the fabric -- I think of it as not torturing myself when I'm sewing.  

As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. My preferred method for the last couple of years has been prepared edge appliqué, which I learned from Jeanne Sullivan. Yes, there is quite a bit of prep involved with cutting templates and pressing the edges that some consider kindergarten craft activities.  And others do not like using starch or glue.  My blocks get washed once the appliqué is complete and, even living in bug filled Florida, I've never had a problem.  The extra prep time pays off in the results and the relaxing nature of stitching the appliqué.

Needle turn is not foreign to me.  My quilt, "Love's Horizon," was completed using needle turn and won a major ribbon in the National Quilter's Association show in 2013.  But I have come to prefer prepared edge appliqué for several reasons:  I can place a number of pieces on the background at once and see how things are looking, particularly my color choices.  I can check the level of contrast in the block and make sure that the design can be seen.  My block becomes very portable and my thread is not constantly catching on pins.  My sewing time is much more relaxed because the stitching is all that's left to do.  My points are already pointed, the curves are turned, and it's no stress stitching.  My students love it!  As Elly often says, "Your way is the right way." 

Appliqué for everyone is my motto!  We all have our favorite methods just as we prefer a certain needle or thread.  Is one method superior to another?  I don't think so.  The superior method is the one that works for you and brings joy to the process.  Find that method and run with it! This isn't rocket science and it's supposed to be FUN! 

Thanks again to my students for being such an inspiration. And hugs to my assistant extraordinaire, Barbara Carper.  Your friendship means so much to me!

My sweet Stella is happy I'm home, but she needs to pout a little about me being away.

Busy as a bee!

Blogging took a back seat to stitching for most of the summer.  It was slow going at times, and there were a few distractions along the way, but I'm happy to show you my beehive block, completed just this morning.

There were a few anxious moments wondering if it would all come together.  Sometimes one's vision just doesn't become a reality.  In the case of this block, I was pleasantly surprised. 

I meant to take photos at each step of this block's construction but, once in stitching mode, the best laid plans...

Here is a first photo, taken on July 19 when I was at the very beginning with stems and leaves.

Then came some flowers about a week or so later.

This is the block with the appliqué complete on August 21st.  I worked on some small projects during that month but the beehive was mostly front and center.  It's interesting to compare a block before and after embellishments are added so here they are next to each other.

I have to say the tendrils and sprigs were starting to make me a little crazy, but I persevered.  

When I finish a block, I'm always thankful for the generous encouragement of fellow appliqué devotees:  Elly Sienkiewicz who introduced me to this Baltimore journey;  Cynthia Williford who instilled a love of embellishment;  Jeanne Sullivan who taught me prepared edge appliqué;  and Patsy Lastra, my sister friend, who gives me her honest opinion always and helps me get unstuck.  These are just a few of the women I've been so fortunate to meet because of appliqué.

Well, back to the sewing room!  I need to figure out what's next!  Happy stitching to you!  

From my garden, a David Austin rose called Carding Mill

Appliqué Academy 2014

I am so pleased to be teaching at The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy in February 2014.  This will be my third year as a main conference teacher and it is an honor to be included.  The Academy is in its 19th year and is an annual celebration of all things appliqué, drawing students from many areas of the U.S. and abroad.   Some women have asked me about the application process for Academy.  It's simple:  write a check!  TESAA is not just for experienced appliquérs.  All levels, from beginner to advanced, are encouraged to attend.  You will find the instructors very willing to help you experience success, no matter where you are in your appliqué journey.   

The very exciting news is that TESAA will be held in a new venue:  The Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The resort boasts multiple restaurants, a spa, and many recreational possibilities.  Just think:  you could take a break from stitching and go have a massage!

My main conference class is entitled "Love is a Rose."  This will be a techniques filled class where you will get your block well underway.  We will use cutaway needleturn for the complex stem, blanket stitch appliqué for the grape leaves, and prepared edge appliqué for the other elements of the block.  We'll complete a section of the wreath so that everyone knows how to handle the key elements.  We will then focus on the center making the padded, multi-petal rose from wire edged ribbon and preparing the hummingbirds.  It's the perfect class for students who want to try a variety of techniques.  And we will make it fun!

I will also be teaching a one-day class on Monday called "Little Red Baskets."  We will focus on one basket and should be able to complete it by the end of class.  You may choose to do all nine baskets for a small quilt top or just one framed and embellished basket like the blue version below.

Please see the Academy web site for detailed information on supply lists and kit options for these classes.  And do consider attending Appliqué Academy.  You're sure to love it!

Summertime means the junco couple that lives in our yard is having babies.  They always build their nest in the hanging basket outside our kitchen door.  This year's basket is filled with what was a lovely black-eyed Susan vine.  Since I can't water it right now, it's not looking so good.  Not sure it will make a comeback once the babies have fledged in about three more days.  I don't mind at all and enjoy seeing the parents raise their brood.  Four baby birds are growing their wings in a nest smaller than a teacup, so it's getting a little crowded. Anyway, here they are. You can only see one little beak and two little eyes but this one's siblings are in there somewhere.  A highlight of summer!