Oh, Shoot!

Last Sunday afternoon, I jumped in the car and headed southeast, toward Newtown, Connecticut, headquarters of The Taunton Press. I loaded about a kajillion finished quilts for the next ScrapTherapy book, a bunch of samples for the procedural shots, and my iPad, loaded with two audio books to pass the time on the five-hour drive. 
 

By the time I arrived in Newtown, a lovely, picturesque New England town, I was worn out. Last week, my time was dedicated to finishing up text and illustrations for the third round of book content submissions. So, imagine my delight to see my accommodations at the Dana Holcombe House in Newtown, right in the center of town next to a white spired church.

The Dana Holcombe House, Newtown, CT

The inn is surrounded by a beautiful garden, carefully tended by the inn's proprietors John and Jane Vouros. The lilacs, my all-time favorite flower were just starting to bloom.

The blue room, furnished tastefully with antiques, a fluffy bed, and lots of sunny windows was a welcome sight. I could have stayed all week! Don't you think a handmade blue and white quilt would make a lovely addition?












The next morning. I was off to Taunton headquarters. And found this bookshelf in the lobby - Cut the Scraps is on the bottom shelf all the way on the left!

Taunton offerings cover a lot of non-quilty territory - wood working, gardening, knitting, sewing.

My husband is the gardener guy at our house. So, after a strong recommendation from Jane at the Dana Holcombe House, I signed Dave up for a Fine Gardening subscription. Based on her garden, Judy seemed a good authority on gardening publications!







Renee Neiger and Shawna Mullen, my editors, gathered me up after a quick camera snap, to head to a studio building in an outer area of the spacious Taunton campus.





Burcu Avsar, or Buj for short, our fabulous photographer, met us at the studio. She immediately and expertly began creating an elaborate set-up of lights, tripods, cameras, and computer equipment so we could review each picture as it was taken.


















In the meantime, Alison Wilkes, art director, and I sorted through scrap fabrics to pick some favorites to go into instructional photos.









The day flew by. I lost count of how many pictures we took. But we were on schedule and wrapped up right around 4 or 5 pm. The art staff used the rest of the day to sort through the quilts for potential book cover candidates for the next day's photo shoot, which I did not attend. So many choices!

This picture reminds me of my sewing studio when a quilt is in progress. Kinda messy, don't you think?

Seems such a long way off before the next ScrapTherapy book will be in hand! It's targeted for March 2013! I can't wait, how 'bout you?'

Joan

What's in a Name?

When I finished my first quilt, someone said to me, "Your quilt needs a label."

A label?

See, I have a knitting background. You make a sweater; you put a little tag in the collar when it's done. That's about it. Nothing special. Or, at least, I never did anything special.

Knitted socks, same thing. No label. The whole thing is either stuffed in your shoe, or hidden under your pant legs, invisible.

So I said, "What for?"

"Well, the quilt needs a name, for starters."

Me: "A name?"

In my mind, I'm going back to the sock thing. I mean, for real, do you name your socks? This one's 'Joe,' and that one is 'Sally?'

So, what on earth would you name a quilt?

Then they said "and you should record the important stuff about the quilt, like who made it, the pattern, the date, etc."

Really? (My mind can't let go of the sock concept.)

But, of course, nearly ten years later, I see the wisdom of that advice. How many times have you heard the story of a quilt found at a garage sale or in an old trunk. No idea who made it, for what event, the inspiration.

And naming a quilt, it's almost as much fun as making the project. If you listen to the quilt, it'll tell you its name (no, I haven't gone off my rocker - at least I don't think I have . . . yet!)

A quilt label can be a valuable record. Marked in your handwriting with a permanent pigma marker or with printable fabric and computer software: the name of the quilt, the person who made it, the quilter, the pattern that inspired the design, the occasion it commemorates, where the quilt was made, special washing instructions. A bounty of information for the quilt's journey. It's more important than you might think!

Add some decorative stitching to embellish the label. Make it from scrap fabrics. It can be more than just a record, it's part of the creative expression. Simple or complex.

For this reason, I created a label pattern, called You Name It! that you can use for your finished quilt projects. Secure it to the back of your quilt, placed on point or straight up. The pattern is free, but there's a catch (a little one!)

You have to click over to my newly redesigned website (isn't it pretty?), and fill in your email address in the space on sidebar. That enrolls you in the soon-to-be-launched weekly eNews from Hummingbird Highway. The eNews has a name, too; it'll be called "Good Migrations."

From there you'll receive two emails in response, one to confirm your email is added to the email list and a second one from me with a link to a special page where you can down load your own pattern.

So, what's in a name? Well, You Name It!

Happy stitching,
Joan

The Week in Review

It's Friday.

For those who work a standard 5-day work week, it's time to celebrate.

And reflect.

When I look back at my week, I like to review what I wanted to get done and what I accomplished, and maybe celebrate with a nice dinner along with a tasty glass of wine.

So, this week was no different than any other.

I'm sure it's no surprise to most, I've been working on some new quilt patterns. Scrappy ones. Could there be another book in the works? Hmm. Patience.

Lots of times, a new quilt starts with some scratchy notes in a notebook. Messy stacks of paper on the corner of the desk. And a few sewn samples. Just to see. No commitments yet.

Then it's decision time. A fabric or color theme. Additional fabrics, then the sewing begins. Somewhere in the middle, there always seems to be that twist in the stomach - at least for me. "Who would want this?". . . "Am I crazy?". . . "Does this look good?" And the point in the creative process where I just want to stop. Turn back! Abandon ship! Sometimes I do.

Most of the time, I keep going. "Let's see what this wants to be."

Was this really a good idea?

So, here I am. It's Friday and I'm somewhere in the middle of piecing a new quilt.  This week, I made some 900 (!) small half-square triangle units. Then trimmed them. Yikes!

Trimmed and trimmings

The weekend ahead may hold some interesting developments in the sewing studio . . . Or not. Shall I 'abandon ship?' Or forge ahead?

What did you accomplish this week, and more importantly, will it be red or white with dinner?

Enjoy the weekend!
Joan

Get Away!

This past weekend, I headed out of town for a change in the usual routine, to Minnowbrook Conference Center, Blue Mountain Lake in New York's beautiful Adirondack Mountains, to be specific! Here's a quick review in photos.

It doesn't take long for quilters to create a home away from home. Sewing machines, patterns, notions, fabrics and way too many projects come out of boxes and bags to create a happy chaos at each table.

A quiet moment; creativity awaits.

Pam looks up from her purple and taupe piecing.

And the sewing begins.















Looky-looky! "Feedsack Peaks" from Cut the Scraps! Quilter-Janet is a little camera-shy.

Sharon at the design wall. Blocks get set in the perfect arrangement, carefully planned.

Kathy made this two-color block from a paper-pieced pattern by Carol Doak.

Laura is making this Irish Chain quilt for her mom. A touch of Piping Hot Binding was just the ticket to frame the center medallion.

Lynn and her sister Tammy enjoyed some family time. This is Tammy's very first quilt. Lynn is an accomplished teacher - didn't they both do a great job, teacher and student?

 Pat made a Snap Sack Quilt, "Harvest Tradition."

My table mate, Gail completed a small quilt top with these colorful squares. Pretty!

 

Inspired by my surroundings, I brought a woodsy toss print fabric and my scraps, of course! What's this going to be? You'll have to wait to find out!

Sunset over Blue Mountain Lake

Magically, at the end of the weekend, all the colorful fabrics and creative energy are stored away for another sewing session on a new day. All is secured safely for the drive home.

All cleared away.

 
Just for a short while, it's nice to get away and just sew.

Until next time . . .
Joan

There's still time!

Each year, when the December calendar hits double digits, I start to get a little bit nervous. I count the days left to Christmas and then count the number of gifts I still have to make. I normally have plenty of fingers to count the days left, but I run out of fingers when tallying up how many gifts I have left to make. H-m-m. Have you noticed that, too?

Here's a quick little idea for a fun-to-make sewing gift. These cute little flower pot pin cushions are so easy - I bet you have time to make a couple! Be sure to make one for yourself, too!

Run out to the craft store and pick up some supplies. You'll need a 1-1/2" diameter clay pot, a glue gun, an Olfa circle cutter or make a 2-1/2" diameter circle template - you can also raid your stemware cabinet - I bet you have a wine or juice glass that is just about the right size. You'll also need a miniature button, needle and thread (regular thread and pearl cotton), and some leftover batting or fiber fill. To make mini flowers, add pearlized pins to your shopping list. And dig out your felted wool scraps.

Then go into your ScrapTherapy scrap fabric bins (naturally) and choose four 2" scrap squares and one 3-1/2" scrap square. The 2" scraps should coordinate, but the 3-1/2" square doesn't have to be matchy-matchy; it will not be visible in the end product. Make a four-patch from the four 2" scraps.

Two four-patches, one sewn, and one pre-sewn.

Cut a circle from the four-patch, centering the seam intersection. If you are not using the circle cutter, trace the circle onto the four-patch and cut out with scissors.

Place the four-patch circle right sides together on the 3-1/2" scrap square. Sew a scant 1/4" seam around the edge of the circle, leaving about an inch or so unsewn for turning.

Trim extra fabric from the larger square, and turn inside out. Stuff with leftover batting or fiber fill. Don't be shy with the stuffing! Sew opening closed by hand with a whip stitch. Neatness isn't terribly critical to close the opening, but try to maintain the circle shape.

Thread your needle with pearl cotton and knot the end. Starting from the bottom, pull the thread up from the back and through the center of the four-patch. Then pull the thread around the side of the cushion and back up from the the bottom in the middle. Pull thread tight. Turn the cushion, one quarter turn, then repeat pulling the thread up from the back three more times, pulling tightly each time. The cushion should be nice and "poofy." Secure the button over the center of the four-patch. End with the thread in back, and knot.

Next put some batting scraps in the bottom of the clay pot.

Add a bead of hot glue along the inside rim of the clay pot, then position the four-patch cushion in place. It will be a little larger than the mouth of the pot, so squish it into place gently hiding the side seams. Work quickly while the glue is still warm.

To make flower pins, cut small flower and leaf shapes from felted wool and stick them onto a pearlized pin, layering one or two flower petals, then a leaf. Place a small bead of hot glue between the bottom flower petal layer and the leaf layer, then press toward pin head

And that's it. Ready for gift giving!

Now, how many more do I have left to make. . .

Happy holiday crafting!
Joan

It's Casserole Season!

First off, a big thank you to my hostesses last weekend when I visited Gananaque, Ontario, Canada for a quilt technique workshop. We had a great day filled with scrappy quilt techniques. The day before the workshop, I arrived in Canada and couldn't wait to go visit the two host shops!

First, a quick stop at Wilton Creek Fabrics in Harrowsmith, Ontario revealed a wonderful array of fabrics and notions to delight any quilter. Shelly Lasalle and I selected some holiday prints featuring red cardinals so I could make a Hopper Topper later that evening.

The top was finished in an hour or so, and I'm sure, by now, she's done some beautiful quilting to finish it up. Dress up your holiday table or give a handmade gift - you must go buy a kit! The project looks something like this one, but her kits are even prettier and much more Christmas-y!

If you don't live near Shelly, ask your local quilt shop if they have any Hopper Topper kits. The patterns are available now!

Then I scurried off to Picket Fence Fabrics in beautiful Brockville, Ontario, right on the St. Lawrence River! No time for sight seeing, besides it was already too dark to take photos, you'll just have to take my word for it - or better still, go see for yourself! What a great shop full of fabric treats!

While at Picket Fence Fabrics, owner Jennifer Hodge showed me her demo for a Furoshiki Wrap. One and one-quarter yards of fabric, that's all you need to make a great hostess gift, perfect for holiday parties!

Carry holiday purchases, wrap a gift, or tote a pot luck casserole. A few folds, add some twists and knots, and your fabric becomes a fabulous wrap, then open it up to create a festive table topper for the hostess' table!

Here's what you do.

Cut a 40" square from your fabric. Then fold the edges under about 1/4" a couple of times and topstitch to make a hem. You're done with the sewing part!

I like to fold each corner in about an inch, then fold the edges over the corner fold to make a mini miter.

Fold the fabric in half along the diagonal, right sides together.

Then knot the folded corners.

Turn the fabric right side out, and place knots 'inside' the bag.

Then place your casserole on the bottom of the bag. If your casserole is hot from the oven, place a couple of batting scraps underneath the casserole for insulation to protect the table or counter top.

Pull the un-knotted corners up and make a generous square knot, creating two 'tails.'

Twist each tail tightly and make a square knot at the very end to make a handle, and away you go!

To make a hobo bag, Follow the same process to make the triangle, knot the corners, and turn right side out. Pull remaining corners up and make a square knot to create a slouchy shoulder bag.

With small variations in the placement of the knots and folds, the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy holiday fun!
Joan

Got an hour or two?

By now, maybe you've discovered that there's a free pattern available for download on the Hummingbird Highway website. If not, by all means, go download it!

For reasons way too complicated to describe here, I decided to handle the bag corners a little differently from most patterns you've probably seen. To make a long story short, I wanted to make a quick  & easy tote bag, use scraps, hide all raw edges, box the corners without creating extra bulk inside the bag.

Here's a walk through, step-by-step.

First, make the parts. I know it's hard to see from this picture, but the bubbly-looking purple stuff is my lining and handles. The pieced elements are folded up a bit to avoid having a gianormous picture.

Sew each lining to each scrap panel, pillowcase style. Turn, then close the opening. Place a ruler on the scrappy side of the panel with the 1" mark on the ruler aligned with the first scrap row. Fold the the top edge to meet the ruler to make a cuff. Press with a steam iron.

Open the cuff, and place the raw end of the handle right up against the cuff fold, so the inside of the handle is lined up with the scrap seam. Once both handle ends are in place, fold the cuff back into place, and fold handle over top of the cuff, then pin.

Topstitch across each cuff edge. 

Place the bag sides right sides together. Pin and sew 1/4" seam across bottom of bag, starting and stopping 1/4" from each end. 

To make the folded corner. With the bag upside down fold front side of bag so edge aligns with bottom, forming a 45˚ angle.

Fold back side to the bottom, creating a point.

Place a pin 2" from the point (blue pin).

Then fold fabric back on itself, right sides together and pin along side of bag (yellow pins).

Sew along side from the bottom fold (red arrow) to top edge of bag.

Repeat for folding and sewing for remaining side and turn bag inside out.

There you have it! Ready to fill with goodies!

Here's a fun idea: Use Halloween scraps and a ghoulish lining for a fun Treat Bag for Trick-or-Treating. You may wish to shorten the handle for younger tricksters.

Enjoy!
Joan