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.

The wait is over!

Many of you have been curious about the class offerings for The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué.  Well, you'll be happy to know that the wait is over!  You can now go to the web site and see the lineup of teachers and photos of the class projects by clicking on the link above.  The web site is still under construction and registration hasn't yet begun, but you can take a look and begin to make plans.

I'm very excited to be teaching two classes.  Here are the class descriptions and photos.

"Tulips Galore!"

One-day class on Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

Tulip Mania has struck in this “beyond Baltimore” style wreath of tulips surrounding a rose and thistle bouquet.  In this one-day class, we will just have time to begin the block but you will return home with an understanding of its most difficult elements and an overview for completing the block.  Evelyn will introduce you to no fail techniques for prepared edge appliqué, her method of unit construction, as well as the preparation and embroidery for the thistles.  We will begin our class with the construction of selected tulip leaves and then prepare and construct at least one tulip and the multi-petal silk rose.  In the afternoon session, we will make and embroider one of the thistles.  You’ll go home with a hankering to make tulips galore!

"Bee Happy!"

Main Conference class 

Thursday, February 5th through February 7th, 2015

The bees are happily buzzing in Evelyn’s garden of morning glories and camellias, and you will be too if you join her for this main conference class.  Our goals for the class will be to prepare and stitch one quadrant of the morning glory wreath, prepare and stitch the beehive, and begin the embellishment of the beehive.  Evelyn will introduce you to no fail methods for prepared edge appliqué that will make the multi-petal, layered flowers a joy to stitch.  We will also explore the following: unit construction for the morning glories, camellias, and beehive; adding embroidered details; embellishment techniques; padding appliqué for dimension; using silk for appliqué.  We will cover/review some of the basics: accurate placement, fussy cutting, and color selection.  You will go home with your block well underway and the confidence to complete it at your leisure. 

Both classes are suitable for confident beginners to advanced students.  The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué is sure to be an amazing experience!

From one of my favorite books:

“...The world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.” 
― From The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

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!