Guys

Guys are well represented at the New Jersey Quilt Fest.  I salivated when I saw the Kaffe Fassett  Shots and Stripes special exhibit.  This stunner is lightly quilted and it radiates.

A smaller and more subdued piece is densely hand quilted and raw edged.  Could hardly keep my hands off it.

Another hand pieced and hand quilted wonder is Robert Barnett's Lots of Blocks.  I asked a white glover to turn this one over so I could see his stitches on both sides.  Yup, they were perfect.

AND 

 I was thrilled to catch Metro Mod's own celebrity John Kubiniec with his beautiful creations for McCall's.  I expect to see many versions of these quilts in the future.  My friend Barb is dying to make the red & white one.  It's a Drunkard's Path with chips added.  Oops, it's almost Happy Hour here.  Time to kick back and fondle all the fabrics I bought today.   More pics tomorrow...

All Fours

Judy Doenias shared her 4-patch stack technique with our Needle Arts library group this week.  What a concept!  If you have ever made a Stack & Whack, you will want to know this variation.  Easier piecing, less waste, and not so much yardage needed.   But the real fun starts when you play with the cut squares....

 

Even the die-hard knitters couldn't resist...

Here's an example of what you can do with just ONE print fabric.  The trick is getting the right fabric to do the work...then it's all play.  

Some of us are off to the Quilt Fest in Jersey tomorrow to see some great quilts and possibly find that just right fabric for our Foursies.

Sew Many Stamps

I've hardly made a dent in my postage stamp pile, but I am not complaining.  I always have such a sweet time arranging these little gems from Kathie.  Whenever I get back to this project, I wonder why I don't sew a page a day....but life gets in the way, as you well know.

Cupcakes

Naomi and I made HST's for the April Metro Mod block challenge today.  It is freezing weather here, so I was thinking "Spring" flowers, but Naomi had a better idea!  Off to Crumbs now...

Thirties Somethings

I have avoided 30's fabrics for too long.  Was gifted a whole bagful several years ago and promptly  stuck them in the attic.  I have decided to confront my aversion to this decade at last....the Great Depression.  These cheery colors and prints are actually fun to work with...surprise!  Don't know where these blocks will go, but they are good therapy.

What's New at the Library

I visited the quilters at Franklin Square Library last week.  Seems to be a growing trend here on LI...quilting at the library.  This group has been sequestered in the Children's Room.   I suspect it was getting a little too rowdy for the more serious patrons!   The quilt above is machine quilted with digitized embroidery.  Hope I got that right, because this was new to me.

Applique is new to this quilter.  What a great beginning!

Another original design, I'll bet.  

And I learned how to crochet this sweet little preemie hat while I was there. 

 And that's all the news for now.   

Top Teacher

Where would we be without teachers!  I have been lucky to learn from the best.  Top teacher Judy Doenias paid us a visit at Needle Arts in the library on Monday.  She is sharing her EPP charm quilt here.  I hear a whole new crop of these has been started in her classes.

She promised to demo her 4-patch stack sometime soon. This is made from a single animal print.  What fun to play with these variations!  The zebras are easy, but can you find the lion eyes?  This quilt will be called Lion Eyes...or was it Lyin' Eyes...or maybe Lionize.  Great name,  great quilt!


Judy as been a major influence in my quilt life.   From her I have learned techniques in hand piecing, hand quilting, machine piecing, machine paper piecing, quilt-as-you-go, dimensional bow ties...the list is long.   And to top it all...she and her friend Diane Rode Schneck helped me make my beloved Dear Jane quilt!!

All Heart

Love is handmade...

...and the sweetest gift of all...

...no matter how you look at it!



This lovely Valentine's gift was made by Eri Sakakibara, a very talented member of the Needle Arts group at my library.  I hope she will share her Origami skills with our group soon.

Jack's Quilt

Quilts are for sleeping on....according to 2-week-old Jack.  Today Jessica and I had a fun afternoon of hand sewing while he grabbed some zzzzzz's.   What a great little guy,  and a great little quilt, too!  Big brother George picked out the fabrics, but mom was the production person...in every way.  

Post Game Blocks

Picked some livelier ties and am giving them a try.  Will make more blocks before I sew them together...

Tie Game

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and I want to play with my blocks today.  Am EPPing my solid silk collection with my friend Jim's ties.  Starting with the most conservative designs and working up to a wilder finish...love a close game!!!