I love it when you share your finished projects with me - made from one of my patterns. I try to include them in the 'Good Migrations' newsletter when I have them at the very bottom. But that means, sometimes, you have to scroll and scroll to see them! And they don't always make it across to the blog post.
This week, I figured I’d try something a little different. Your projects ARE the post. Please keep sending photographs when you finish something from one of my books or patterns. My virtual assistant Tracy (she lives in Wisconsin, I live in Syracuse) keeps them organized for me. You can send photos here.
For example, Anne sent me a photo of her version of the bonus pattern from The Splendid Sampler block, "The Early Bird." When the block was first released as part of the original sew-along in December, I offered a bonus wall-hanging pattern. And here is Anne’s version of the wall-hanging. I just love it. And with all the robins now bobbing around in my backyard, it’s so timely! Just makes me smile.
Turns out the traditionally-pieced version of "The Early Bird" pattern didn’t quite fit in The Splendid Sampler book, so a paper-pieced version was used instead. If you’re not a paper-piecing fan (like me!) the original traditionally-pieced version of the pattern, as well as the bonus wall-hanging, is available here. I hope you try it out!
Anne, thanks for sharing!
One of the coolest things about scrap quilt projects is that everyone has different scraps so everyone’s project made from the same pattern will be different! And you never know where you might find some inspiration . .
Chopped can be scrappy or can be made from a collection of fat quarters. Either way, it’s such a fun quilt, and much easier to make than you might think! It’s a stunner. Julie Ann’s version has a couple of ribbons! (Wow! Congratulations!!) I just love the way she created a diagonal pattern from each of the Kaffe Fassett prints she used. Love it! Thank so much for sharing!
As for me, I’m still putzing along with this project featuring some wonderful hummingbird prints. Some pretty standard stuff here, with a unique twist. I’m not quite ready to share yet, but maybe in a couple weeks I’ll have a pattern for you. Kits too. Something small and fun for summer. . .
Have any pictures of your Hummingbird Highway or ScrapThearpy projects, send them along. I'd love to see them! And share them, too!
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
A lot can happen in two weeks! Due to a three day software seminar, I wasn’t able to post to this blog last week. Seems like the time just flew by, but looking back, I surprised myself with the things I managed to accomplish in just two short weeks.
For starters . . . It’s done! Finished! Yay! I finished the hand quilting on the quilt I’ve been talking about forever. This one is from a pattern called Square Dance by Mountain Patchwork. I started it about a million years ago, and I took it with me on several road trips to work on in the hotel. It was all done by hand except for the final assembly. Finished the quilting, added the binding . . .
. . . and it even has a label. Sad to say it doesn’t have a home yet. But it will . . .
I made a bunch of little 9-patch pins for BEA (the Book Expo America - a booksellers trade show at the Javitz Center in NYC). I won't be able to attend, but my publisher, The Taunton Press will be there and so will these pins. A little incentive for the industry book buyers never hurts, right?
I’ve been working on a couple of row quilt patterns for this year’s Row by Row Experience®. I’ve only worked with three shops this year - Buttons 'N' Bows in Houston, Quiltique, in Las Vegas, and Calico Gals (the home of Row by Row) here in Syracuse. I typically leave the sample-making to the shop, but it’s kinda tradition for me to make the sample for the Calico Gals row. Without giving too much away, here’s a sneaky peek of Calico Gals’ row - quilting in progress. It’s all done now and it’s off to St. Louis for it’s Quilt Market reveal with that ‘Gals.’
I’ve got a couple of vending events at the Genesee Valley Quilt Fest in Rochester, June 1-4, and the Vermont Quilt Festival in Essex Junction, Vermont, June 22-25. I never like the cardboard signs we’re supposed to use for the booth display, with the booth number on it. Instead, for the last several years, I’ve made booth numbers, (kinda like Mini Mug Mats, but with bigger parts) out of nine-patch blocks. I was missing a few numbers for my upcoming booth, and decided to complete my set. FYI, I'm booth 506 at the Genesee Valley Show, and booth 43 (Just inside the lobby entrance in the north buildling) at Vermont Quilt Festival (come see me!).
And you can’t vend at these shows without having fun stuff to sell. I’ve been preparing fabric and all kinds of goodies for some wildly fun kits to go with The Versatile Nine Patch book! You’ll have to come on out and pick up a few things . . .
And the quilt show certainly wouldn’t be any fun without an appearance from the colorful and ever-popular Grip Grass Ruler Stands! These are all packed up and ready to roll. . . But the box looks pretty full, I think I'll need a few more boxes!
And a little something new is on the sewing table. I spy . . . hummingbird fabric in a fabulous new project . . . coming soon to a Good Migrations Newsletter issue (doncha love a good tease!)
Looking back on the last two weeks, I feel pretty productive. However, I have to say, that it didn't *feel* like I was being very productive when I was in the middle it all. I guess, sometimes it helps to take a step back and assess your progress sometimes. You might surprise yourself!
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
I used to include a calendar listing in my weekly Good Migrations newsletter, but I changed things up a little bit when I switched email providers several months ago. Plus, I’m not traveling nearly as much as I used to, but you wouldn’t guess that looking at my calendar for the next few weeks.
Here is a quick run-through of what's coming up on my calendar . . .
May 7, Sunday. Noon - 2:30 pm. Cafe Sewciety Quilts, Webster, NY. Conversation, quilts, and refreshments. Book signing. Call to make a reservation. 585-374-4852
June 1-4. Genesee Valley Quilt Fest. Gordon Field House, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY. Vending.
June 7. Busy Lady Quilt Shop, Mt. Washington, KY. Noon - 3 pm. Demos and book signing.
June 23-25. Vermont Quilt Festival. Essex Junction, VT. Vending.
August. Details pending. Kenai Peninsula Quilt Guild, Valley Quilters Guild, Log Cabin Quilters, Alaska.
September 13 and 14, Creekside Quilting, Arcade, NY. Lecture and workshop. Call Sandy for the scoop.
Looking ahead to 2018:
March 4-11, 2018 Eastern Caribbean Cruise! Contact Quilt Retreat at Sea to make your reservation. A new quilt project is being developed just for this trip!
April 13-15, 2018. Quilting in Vermont. Spring Mystery Project! Strong House Inn, Vergennes, VT. Three days of sewing a brand-new mystery quilt project with a Spring theme. Mary is ready (waiting by the phone, actually) to take your reservation! 802-877-3337
Make your summer plans and c'mon out and see me!
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
