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Friday, March 30, 2012

Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part One



Welcome to the first ever Pocket Patchwork sew-a-long project!  I've named our little quilt Busy Work, because the Prairie Women tucked their bits and pieces of fabric into the pockets they wore under their skirts, where they'd have some stitchin'...busy work... handy while they sat and chatted with their friends.

Here's some stuff you need to know.  We'll work on our quilt over six weeks and I'll post instructions once a week.  Hopefully, that will be do-able for you.  I'm making my quilt from three colors ~ black, brown and neutral, and it's scrappy.   The blocks finish to 6".  I'll give cutting instructions with a photo of the block assembly and of the finished block. 

Here we go........

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (4) 2 1/2 inch black squares for corners.
*Cut (2) 3 1/4 inch light squares - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch black square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch brown square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch black print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch light print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.

Piecing Instructions

1). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both 1 7/8 inch light print squares.  Match with black squares.  Sew 1/4 on each side of drawn line; cut apart and press to dark.  HST should measure 1 1/2 inches.  Sew into a pinwheel to measure 2 1/2 inches.

2). Sew Quarter Square Triangles together as shown to measure 2 1/2 inches.

3).  Arrange the pieces as shown and sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together; press.
Block should measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.


Block one is done.  It's always so much more fun to sew with a friend!  Thanks for sewing-a-long with me.  Let's do it again next week! 

Pam
P.S  It not too late to join our Pocket Patchwork sew-a-long!  The best way to receive the block photos and instructions is to sign up to receive emails of my blog postings.  It's easy!  Type in your email address where it says "Follow by Email", on the right hand column of this blog page.  While you're at it, I invite you to become a Follower, too!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lynne Pays a Visit


Sunday afternoon, Lynne (as in Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles Quilters) arrived at my doorstep for a visit and some much needed girlfriend time.  I coerced her to stay a few days on her way home from Osh Kosh, WI, where she taught and lectured at a wonderful quilting event there.  Honestly, (and happily) it didn't take much to talk her into it! 

Her visit gave me the perfect reason to take a break from my quilt market preparations at the keyboard and spend time just talking about family, friends, and work related stuff.  This also gave us another opportunity to do more planning for our first quilting cruise ~ The Great Girlfriend Get-Away.  We're going to Alaska in August, and, of course, we'd love for you to join us.  We have two cruises in the works for next year....one to the Caribbean, and one to Canada & New England, just in time for the fall colors.  We'll be posting more about that once all of the details are worked out, so please stay tuned.

Lynne and I were able to do some sewing, and I worked on American Gothic, which is pictured in the background of the photo above.  I still have a few more rows to go and then it will go out for quilting.    It'll be featured in an upcoming post once the photos are done.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to WI to meet my girlfriends for a quilting getaway at The Mill Creek Settlement Retreat.  More sewing, sewing, sewing on new patterns for market....YAY! 

Don't forget that my Pocket Patchwork sew-along begins on Friday.  See the posts below for more info on that. 

I'll have oodles of stuff to blog about next week.  Until then...Happy Stitching!

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Join Lynne Hagmeier and me as we cruise to Alaska on The Great Girlfriend Get-AwayClick here to find all of the details!




 

Friday, March 23, 2012

Pocket Patchwork & Another Journey 4 Quilt

The sewing machines have been humming, and the keyboard has been getting a good workout as well as we plow through the patterns and quilt projects for spring market.  I'm just beginning to see a dot that is the light at the end of the tunnel!!


This little gem will be in Journey Four.  I don't have a name for it yet because I haven't decided what historical story will go with it.  Knowing the subject matter and writing the story always plays a huge part in naming the quilt.  I have all the subjects chosen and research complete, I just haven't had the time to write them yet.  I love the soft tones of the background fabrics (Mrs. March by Lecien) and paired it with a bunch of dark browns.  My make-do block is in black and I love how it all turned out.  What do you think? 

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Pocket Patchwork News


My first Pocket Patchwork project is ready to go and will begin in earnest next week Friday, March 30th.  We will sew-along once a week.  I thought since we're all pretty busy, that would be do-able.  I'm hoping that if I can find a few minutes once a week, that you can, too!

The photo above shows you the fabric selections I made for this little quilt.  This is a sampling of what you'll need.  Choose three colors, a light, medium, and dark.  I choose to work with Little Gatherings by Lisa Bongean for Moda.  I used 3 charm packs and a Fat Quarter of the brown to start with.  I may add one more Fat Quarter, but haven't gotten that far yet. 

If you want to sew-a-long with me, the best way will be to sign up to receive my posts via email.  You can easily do this by entering your email address in the "Follow by Email" icon on the right side bar of my blog.  That way, you can print the email which will have the photos of what you're making, and the cutting instructions.  While you're at it, sign up to be a follower of my blog, too!

Pass the word to your quilting friends, and ask them to follow my blog, and sign up to sew-along with us.  The more the merrier!!

Sunday, I'm expecting an out-of-town guest for a good long visit.  We'll be here at the house sewing away, and then we'll head up to the Mill Creek Settlement Retreat for a long weekend of shopping, antiquing, eating and laughter.  Sounds like just what a stressed out quilter needs!  Stay tuned for lots of news and photos to come.

And, as always, I thank you for taking a few moments to visit with me! 

Pam

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Lucy's Prairie Pockets & Pocket Patchwork!!!

Happy National Quilting Day!!

Today, we celebrate our passion with the rest of the nation.  Like so many of you, I can't begin to find proper words to express how much quilting enhances and fulfills my life.  It allows me to touch and connect with our quilting ancestors, express my creativity, spend time with kindred spirits, brings peace to my heart just from putting two pieces of fabric together and guiding them thru the machine, and fills my very soul.  I know it's the same for most of you, so I honor all of you today as well.  Celebrate!  Spend some time with your fabric, sewing machine, and needlework.  I know I will!!




Lucy's Prairie Pockets & Pocket Patchwork!

I've been promising for several weeks now to tell you about Pocket Patchwork, and I think that today is the day!  The Prairie Pocket in the photo is one of three pockets featured in my new pattern, Lucy's Prairie Pockets.  Let me tell you a bit about what a Prairie Pocket is.....

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,
Kitty Fisher found it;
Not a penny was there in it,
Only ribbon round it.

This nursery rhyme, published in England in 1842, tells of poor Lucy losing her pocket, which was very likely a  fabric pocket worn separately, on top of her petticoats, and worn under her skirt or dress.  17th, 18th and 19th century American women made and used these pockets as well, as their clothes contained no sewn-in pockets as we know them today.  The pockets were flat, and somewhat U-shaped, that tied around her waist.  A slit in the side of her outer skirt allowed the women discreet access to the pocket and its belongings, which lay underneath.  Women wore these pockets singly, and in pairs, which helped to accentuate her hips, being the style at the time. 

Pockets were made from every fabric imaginable.  Some were embellished with beautiful crewel and embroidery work, some with patchwork and scraps, and others of plain cloth.  Women kept all kind of needful things in their pockets such as letters, books, glasses, etc., and of course, thimbles, needles, thread, and patchwork.  At night, they often hung from the bedpost to hold a watch, handkerchief or glasses.  Pockets were very much a part of housewifery in early America, and today, we can enjoy making a pocket for our own needful things, or just to decorate our homes.

I can't tell you how much fun I've had creating a bunch of pockets.  They were so much a part of women's lives in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, and I just had to make them!  The pattern will be available, hopefully, in April, and I will let you know when it's ready.

Now....about the Pocket Patchwork part.....as you read, the women kept fabric patchwork, needles, thread, and scissors in their pockets.  As I did my research, I found it was common for the ladies who met at a church or social function, to pull the patchwork from their pocket, and sit and sew while they visited together.  So....In that spirit, I thought we should sew together, too!  Pocket Patchwork will be a sew-a-long with me!  We'll be making small doll quilts together, and you can be sure I'll throw in make-do's as well.  I had hoped to have our first project ready to go by now, but other work has kept me from doing so....but it won't be too much longer, I promise!  I'd love to hear what you think, and I can't wait to get started sewing with you!


Wishing you peace while piecing!

Pam
 

Friday, March 16, 2012

Still Humming Along

The last few days have flown by in a blur, but what else is new?  I'll have several new things to share with you next week, so for now, let's continue with some awesome Prairie Women's Sewing Circle show-n-tell.


All of the pictures in this post have been made by the very talented group of ladies in my own Prairie Women's Sewing Circle clubs.  This is Sue's quilt, called Elizabeth's Prairie Garden, and is the hexagon bonus project in Journey Three.  She fussy cut quite a few little surprises into her quilt and is in the proecess of hand quilting it, too!



Here's another version of The Contrary Wife, also from Journey Three. 


This quilt is called A Light in the Window, Journey Three.  I just love the border fabric!!



 


How I love seeing the same quilts done in different fabrics, and both of these quilts, called Olde Settler's Way, from Journey Two, are more stunning in person than the photo shows.  Isn't that always the case?!



The Quilting Gathering, Journey Two, seems to be a popular quilt to make.  Those little blocks would be difficult, to say the least, except they are paper pieced.  Many of my club members either had never paper pieced or were not fans, but with a demo and some helpful hints, they gave it a try - and loved it.  You just can't argue with the precision paper piecing gives.  Love those make-do blocks, too!


This quilt, showcasing the Yo-yos featured in Journey One, is called Scraps from Home.  I'm thinking the word "fantastic" would aptly describe this quilt.  I love the coloring, adore the border fabric (it's one of my favs!) and it's hand quilted.  Fantastic, don't you agree?


We'll draw our show-n-tell to a close with a beauty.  This quilt is Gentlemen Caller, from Journey One.  Again, the photo just doesn't do the quilt justice!!  Loads of fun make-do's in there, too!

I know I'm biased, but I have to say.....Great Job....to all my club members!  I hope you enjoyed the quilts of their labors!!


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Busy Hands & Needles

I'm actually sick of hearing myself say that I'm still working on all my goodies for quilt market, but when it's the truth, what else can you say?  Every day we are making good progress, but when it comes to having something new to show you, I feel like I haven't done much because we're still in the middle of things.  I sure hope you won't give up on me because there is so much I want to tell you about, but I just can't yet!!!  AAAHHH!!!!

So, how about we take a look at what the Prairie Women have been doing out there with their busy hands and needles humming.  Time for Show-N-Tell.


This quilt from Journey Three is called The Contrary Wife, and was made by the Bittersweet Quilt Shop in Pinconning, MI. 



These ladies are standing inside of Bittersweets Quilt shop, and each one of those quilts are versions of The Contrary Wife as well.  The pattern comes with 4 different options for this particular quilt.  I love them all....great job Prairie Women!!  Don't you think the shop looks wonderful??  I wanna go there!!




The Prairie Women at The Back Door Quilt Shop in Greenwood, IN, have busy hands and needles as well, working on their versions of The Contrary Wife.  Visiting this quilt shop has been on my to-do list for too long.  I have to get there this summer!




Yet another quilt from a Prairie Woman at The Back Door is from Journey One, called Seneca Falls.  Love the fabric choices!!

Well....Blogger is running so incredibly slow, that I must get to work, so how about more Show-N-Tell in my next post.  I'm just bursting at the seams to have my own Show-N-Tell about all that is new from Heartspun Quilts.  Soon....very soon.

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And....we'll soon be starting our Journey together in blog-land called

Pocket Patchwork

Pam

Monday, March 5, 2012

Paper Piecing the Cross X Block

Just as I promised, here a pictorial on just how easy it is to paper piece the Cross X block.  Here we go....


We start with our paper piecing pattern, one square that will be become the four triangles, one center square, and four rectangles.  It is ssooooo fun picking out the fabrics for each block!



Start by cutting the large square twice diagonally to yield four triangles.  Notice how all of the shapes are the same as the paper piecing pattern!  Difficulty, confusion, and frustraion can happen when your paper piecing pattern is made of many oddly shaped pieces....like many diagonals, although they often make the most amazing blocks!!



For the Cross X block, there aren't any diagonals, and straight forward shapes like this make for easy piecing!!


Here are the components after piecing and before trimming.  There's plenty of extra fabric to work with. 



The next step is to trim the blocks with a seam allowance.  It's already looking so cute!




Once the segments have been trimmed, we can remove the paper.  I highly recommend using Carol Doak's Foundation paper, available at your local quilt shop.


Voila!  The three sections of the block are sewn together to utter perfection!  No need to worry about the bias.  I'm thinking it turned out great, (if I do say so myself!) and think I'll make another.  That wasn't so hard, was it?  Do you think you'll give it a try?  Stay tuned for news about when my American Gothic pattern (which features this block) is released.


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I'm still in the depths of the pre-quilt market frenzy, with what feels like a thousand things to do everyday.
Slowly, but surely, Deb and I are making progress.  Although most of my thoughts are consumed with projects I already have in the works, that doesn't stop me from dreaming up new things, which is exactly what happened over the weekend.  Sunday afternoon I began scribbling and doodling, getting excited about something new we can do together!  I'm calling it....

Pocket Patchwork

I hate to be a tease, but I'm still working on all of the particulars.  Any guesses what Pocket Patchwork is going to be??  Be sure to stay tuned.  I'm anxious to get started, so I don't think you'll have to wait for long!!

Pam

Thursday, March 1, 2012

In Love With Cross X





I need to know....am I the only one who falls in love with quilt blocks?  Do you see a block, and feel something stir, that then compels you to make dozens of that block you love?  That happens to me more than you would think!  I don't really question it, I just go with it.  I'm just wondering if I'm the only one?

For today, my attention is on the Cross X block.  It's a traditional, old block, which makes it all the better for me!  I think it does great things in a quilt....creates a lot of movement and interest without being overwhelming.  The construction of this block is quite simple.  The math for this block can be a nightmare... but there's a simple fix for that!  Paper piecing.  Now, I now that paper piecing can be nasty words in some of your vocabularies, but trust me, this block is made for paper piecing!!  Knowing that many of you make the sign of the cross at the mere mention of paper piecing, I have included rotary cutting and piecing directions for the mighty Cross X, with.....normal, everyday fraction sizes.  The problem with this cutie is that, depending on the size of the block you want, those normal fractions become nightmare fractions.  Those scary fractions disappear if you're willing to paper piece the block!!

I have two new quilt projects using Cross X.   Wanna see what they are?


We've produced a large pile of Cross X blocks and I just love them!!  These blocks are for a new, large quilt called American Gothic which will be released at quilt market in May.  The pattern requires 90 blocks and we're almost there!  I can't assemble it just yet as I've chosen to use a new fabric for the setting that won't be coming out until April, but at least the blocks will be ready and waiting.  What do you think?  Are you loving Cross X yet?



This little cutie is a new quilt for Journey Four of the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club!  I just adore this quilt!!  Didn't I tell you the Cross X block mades for a graphic presentation?  I hope you like it, too!

For those of you who aren't fond of paper piecing, I'll show you just how easy this block is to paper piece in my next post...so hang in there with me, won't you?  I'd also love to hear if you're madly in love with a block you want to make.  Perhaps I'll get hooked on it too!!

Pam

Monday, February 27, 2012

Paperwork Purgatory

It seems like I've been lost in paperwork purgatory for the last week or so.  It's tax time, don't ya know, and it seems like I have a lot more tax prep work to do this year.  BORING!  I only have one more calculation to do and I'll be ready to see the accountant.  Gosh, I'm always so happy when my part is over.  I just hope I'll be happy when his part is over!  Enough whining about that!

I'm also deep into writing new patterns this past week.  Some are my patterns, and one that I'm working on is a pattern for a ginormous project for Spring Quilt Market ~ a brand new sampler quilt pattern that 15 designer friends and I have worked on creating together!!!  It's been a wonderful experience.  All of us are well-known Civil War designers who started collaborating on this project before we even left the convention hall at last Spring's market in Salt Lake City!  I can't say anything more right now, but don't worry.....I'll be posting a lot about this project in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned.


Thankfully, paperwork isn't the only thing happening around here!  I recently asked a friend of mine, Debbie, to come and work with me since I have big plans for many new patterns, am also working on Journey Four of the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle, and have a few other surprises brewing for market, and just can't do it all myself.  Ya think??  Thank goodness for girlfriends!!  So...Deb and I dove into the pile of fabric above, which became this.....


While I'm finishing my paperwork, Deb has been working on piecing 90 Cross X blocks for a new quilt.  I adore the Cross X block so much that I've designed two new quilts with it.  I'll show you our progress in my next post.  In the meantime, I'll get back to my paperwork and hope that soon I'll be able to spend some time with my other good friend, Bernina!! 

So nice to spend a few minutes with you today!

Pam

Monday, February 20, 2012

Just For Us Prairie Girls



 I thought we'd talk books today.  I found a copy of this sweet little book while on my last visit to
Mill Creek Settlement Retreat, and, as a bonafide Prairie Girl, just had to own a copy.  It's quite delightful.  It's a fun little read about how you  "may not have to truss a turkey or embroider a pillowcase on a daily basis, however, it pays for a modern girl to posses the skills of a pioneer woman, especially in a challenging urban landscape"!  The book contains all kinds of advice and how-tos on a variety of subjects relating to life.  Some of my favorite parts of the book are how to speak the "old-time slang", such as using the saying "huckleberry above a persimmon", which means 'a cut above', used as follows: "Sam thought Minnie's pie was a huckleberry above a persimmon, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her so."   Would you like to know how to spin yarn?  Make a rhubarb pie from scratch?   Lace a corset?  Do you need to know how to braid you hair to fit in any bonnet?  Well...this book is for you!  {Grin}  It will bring a smile to your face.  I bought my copy thru Amazon.

Ok....before you head over to Amazon, I wanted to share more historical fiction book recommendations with you:

Here's a trilogy by author Nancy E. Turner -

These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
Sarah's Quilt: A Novel of S.A.Prine and AZ Territories, 1906
The Star Garden: A Novel of S.A. Prine

Come Spring by Ames Williams

The Independence of Miss Jane Bennet by Colleen McCullough
(a fictitional follow-up to Pride & Prejudice)

Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

Pilate's Wife by Anbinette May

The Old House at Railes by Mary Pearce

And a series by Vilheim Moberg
The Emigrants
Unto a Good Land
The Settlers
Last Letter Home

One of my favorite historical fiction books is The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks

And, I don't think we can ever go wrong reading the
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder!

My thanks to all of my readers whom shared their book recommendations with me.  My blog readers are a huckleberry above a persimmon, to say the least!

I'm knee deep into the construction of another quilt for my Vintage Stitches series.  This quilt features the Cross X block, and I'm madly in love with that block.  I've loved it for a long time and have designed two new quilts using it.  I'll have pictures in my next post - so please stay tune - and I hope you have a most enjoyable day!

Pam





Thursday, February 16, 2012

Tussy Mussy


Meet Tussy Mussy.  The name comes from the 17th and 18th century and is another name for a
Nosegay bouquet.  Women often received a Tussy Mussy from their gentlemen callers.  Each flower in the bouquet had meaning and the women referred to a book called The Tussy Dictionary to decipher the floral message her suitor was conveying!  I just love that!

Since I chose the traditional Nosegay block for this quilt, Tussy Mussy seemed a natural choice for the name!

This is a terrible photo of the quilt.  I almost didn't show it to you, but I promised that I would....and I keep my promises.  The color is all washed out for some reason.  Very frustrating!!  I'm not a great photographer, as you can see, but trying to get better....so please forgive the atrocious photo.

The quilt measures approximately 33 x 40.  It was great fun piecing it.  I hope you like it.  It's off to the quilter now!  That's such a good feeling, isn't it?  The pattern should be available sometime in March.
 
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I've had several emails in the last few weeks asking if I am willing to visit quilt guilds to give a lecture or workshop, and I most definitely do!!  If you'd like me to visit your local guild, please pass my website along to the program's chairperson.  You can see the full list of my lecture and workshop offerings and contact information by clicking here.

Another terrific source for speakers is The Quilt Trade Association.  They have a wonderful list of teachers and you can peruse the list by state to see who may be close to you.  Check out the Speakers Forum - new speakers are added often!

Next week I'll be starting a new quilt and will have more photos to show you.  (Hopefully, they'll turn out better!!)  As always, thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!!

Pam
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Join Lynne Hagmeier and me as we cruise to Alaska on The Great Girlfriend Get-AwayClick here to find all of the details!






Monday, February 13, 2012

Nosegays


I've always adored the Nosegay block and finally got around to designing a quilt featuring this traditional and stunning block.  It looks alot harder than it is.....really!  I've included two piecing methods for the cone unit.  One is Connector Corner style and the other paper pieced for sure-fire perfection.  The rest of the block is made using modern piecing techniques we all know.  Hopefully, in a day or so, I'll have a photo of the completed quilt.  Gotta run....I can't wait to sew it all together!!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Making Progress

I'm still in pre-quilt market crush, but am making progress.  That's a good feeling!  I'm excited about the quilts I've designed and am creating, but hate the pressure of the deadline.  Does anyone like deadlines?  I hear some people say they like them because they're forced to complete the work, and therefore, feel more productive.  I don't need the deadlines to make me finish.....I finish most everything I start.  For work, that is.  Now, I don't want anyone out there to be thinking that I don't have any UFO's sitting around here!  No, no, no!  Oh, I've got UFO's but they're my personal "wanna-do's", and it's because I finish my work that I don't finish my other stuff.  Sigh.....ya know what I mean?? 


Well, enough of that....on to more interesting stuff!



Last week, I spent four days with all of the fabric in my stash pulled out of the closet and spread all over the place.  It was a lovely mess and so nice to get reacquainted with them all.    I was choosing fabrics for four upcoming quilts.  Here are the fabs I chose for the quilt currently in production.  It's funny how often you just don't have enough of a certain green or pink or.....  Feed your stash!!  There's always a need for more fabric!!!  (Despite what non-quilters may think.)




I chose to use one of my newest favorite neutral fabrics.  I'm crazy in love with this fabric.  It was designed by my pal, Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles for Moda) and I can't tell you how much I love it!!  Well....so much I had to have a whole bolt!!  The photo about shows how great the print looks, but isn't a good representation of how lovely the color really is.  You see the color better in the first photo.
Anyway, it's from Lynne's Cattails and Clover collection in stores now.  The things I love about this fabric are the picotage leaves, the black on the warm beige, and the multi-colored dots.  Picotage (which is the effect of creating a motif from a bunch of tiny dots) softens the look of the leaves, and I think that  coloring them black makes this fabric the perfect mate for country folk art and Civil War quilts alike.  

All of the blocks have been sewn and it's up on my design wall.  I just love it when you can put the blocks on the design wall and you get your first real look at how the quilt is coming along.  So far, so good.  I'll give you a look at the blocks in my next post, and hopefully, the finished quilt soon thereafter!

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Oh....also....a whole lot of you have been emailing me with more historic fiction novel recommendations  to add to my reading list, and I will be sharing them with all of you as well.  So, stay tuned, and as always, thanks for taking a moment to stop by here today! 

Pam

PS.  Lynne just launched a brand new website!  It's wonderful!!  Click here to check it out!






Monday, February 6, 2012

Quilty License Plate



About a month ago, I asked for photos of quilty license plates.  I see them around town and they bring a smile to my face, knowing that a kindred spirit rides in that car.  Is she on her way to her favorite quilt shop?  Is she on a fabric mission?  I smile and nod...been there....done that.... many times!  Here are photos from my sisters-in-quilting, showing off their passion in license plate form!



This plate belongs to Carol M.  The QLT obviously represents her love of quilting, and the MEMA is the name her grandchildren call her.  How cute is that? 


Linda from California sent me a photo of her plate - which says it all, doesn't it?

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Maureen wanted to send me a photo of her plate, QLTR99, but she can't because she's in AL and the car is in IL!  She says she added the 99 because she can easily remember what year her car is for all of those pesty forms that ask for that info.  Great idea, Maureen!

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Kathy L's license plate covers a bevy of needle-love!  She knits, works counted thread embroidery, and quilts.  For the last 24 years, she's been living in Texas, but part of her heart is still in Illinois, hence the Bears plate frame.  Love it!



Fellow quilter, Jean T. sums it up nicely, don't you think?



As does the plate on my good friend Tara Darr's (of Sew Unique Creations) SUV. 


The next time you pull into the parking lot of your local quilt shop and see a line-up like this, I know you'll smile and nod...knowing kindred spirits are inside, and you're exactly where you belong!

Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for taking a moment to stop by. 

I have many new projects in the works and will post my progress, so stay tuned!

Pam

P.S.  If you're in the Chicagoland area, I will be teaching my most popular workshop class, "Practice What I Preach", in Steger, IL on Saturday, February 11th.  If you're interested in attending, please email me and I will put you in touch with the folks at the Pieces 'N Patches Quilt Guild who can get you signed up.