Faithful Circle & Elizabeth's Prairie Garden ~ Journey Three

It bears repeating that I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments!!  Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment these past few weeks.  In my last post, I asked about what skill level you look for in a quilting pattern, and found your answers delightful and familiar. 

Like so many of you, I love a challenge, and try to expand my quilting horizons each year to learn or make something totally out of my comfort zone.  Generally, I look for a more complicated block, but love the easy classics, like a Nine Patch and Churn Dash, just the same.  I'm totally a traditional quilter at heart, and enjoy the entire process of piecing, no matter what the block may be. 

Getting to the important part of today's post....I give you the winner of the Frontier Foundations pattern!  Being that today is 11-11-11....I just had to choose comment number 11...... Lesley!! 

Lesley wrote....

Pam, Frontier Foundations is gorgeous. You are so talented! I have been quilting for over 30 years, and would consider myself intermediate skill level...I'm not too willing to create anything new, but I can follow most patterns. I hand quilt, but not very fast so I try to keep a few projects on the go...one to piece, one to quilt, one to embroider, and projects to cut...of course, that just delays me from finishing one, but it keeps life interesting! I would love to win this kit!   Congratulations, Lesley!  Please email your address to me and I'll get your kit out to you.   On a side note, I have major computer problems here.  Yesterday, I opened my laptop to find that Microsoft Windows 7 did an automatic update to my computer (even though it was completely shut-down!), and in so doing, wiped all of my documents, pictures, EQ drawings, and iTunes completely clean!  My computer sits here as if it were brand new and never used with absolutely nothing on it.  Needless to say, I'm devastated.  (Sob, sob, sob)  I know what you're asking....did I have a back-up?  Yes, but it's from September (which is waaaayyy better than nothing!)  I've been working very hard writing the patterns and shop guide for Journey Three, feeling the pressure to get it done, totally forgetting to back-up all of that work!!  A mistake I promise I will never make again.  Thankfully, all of the Journey Three patterns were saved to a flash drive!!  I took the patterns the printer that way, so those I can install again (Sigh!).  Not so lucky for the shop guide, although I did make hard copies of part of it so I could proofread them.  That's a little something, too!   The reason I share this with you is two fold....to emplore you to do whatever is necessary to save your work!  Don't be so busy that your back-ups are not a priority!  (I say this more to me than you, while I shake an index finger at myself!)   The other reason is that all of my professional Journey Three quilt photos are gone, too (temporarily - I can get those again!) ....so I quickly took a few pictures with my camera to show you the last two quilts from Journey Three.   Quilt Six ~ Faithful Circle     Faithful Circle is another quilt that features the Churn Dash block.  This classic block can really change its look depending on where you place your fabrics, which is so fun!  Simple, scrappy, and easy is what I had in mind for this quilt.  Like Frontier Foundations, I chose the border fabric first, and then pulled the block fabrics from that palette.  You can go crazy with scrapping this quilt up, add lots of Make-do's, or choose to make it from just two colors.  Lots of possibilities and a quick quilt to make!!    Elizabeth's Prairie Garden     Elizabeth's Prairie Garden is the bonus project for Journey Three.  When last you saw pictures of this quilt, it was waiting for the applique design.  After playing with several ideas, I decided on this little flower motif.  It doesn't overwhelm the light blooms, and adds "just a little something different" to the quilt, which is exactly what I was looking for!  I chose to make the applique flowers with wool for the added texture that wool gives, which I love, and because it's so easy to work with!  I chose wool that was not overdyed, and found just the right colors that work beautifully with Civil War reproduction fabrics.  You can order a charm pack of these luscious wool colors from my website by clicking here.  I'm very happy with how the whole quilt turned out, and smitten for life with hexagons!!    I am very happy with how Journey Three turned out, and thoroughly enjoyed writing six new stories about life for Prairie Women in the 1800's.  As soon as I'm able to get the last of my work finished for Journey Three, I'll begin work on Journey Four.  I want to thank all of you for your continued support of the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club!  Without you, I'd just be stuck in the 21st century dealing with computer problems!!    In my next post, I'll show you the photos of my recent trip to Wisconsin, and a brand new, absolutely wonderful retreat home.  (Thankfully, those photos were still in my camera!)  Until then, enjoy your weekend, and send me good computer thoughts!    Pam

A Light in the Window ~ Quilt Four of Journey Three

What fun it has been to read all of your comments about your favorite color combos!  So many of you love red...all girls after my own heart!!  While I do so love red, it's not the only color I love, and like you blue, green, and black are among my other favs.  Many of you are very fond of cheddar, and I'm really trying to get there!  Thanks again for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts.

The winner of the Lockridge Mill quilt kit is.........(drum roll please!)

Sally from Ca....who said....Since it is fall, I enjoy working with a brown and gold combination of colors. I'm making a scrappy one right now, with cheddar thrown in. It kind of depends on what season it is as far as what colors I like to combine. For year round, though, I love red and white. I absolutely love your colors in Lockridge Mill and would love to win the kit!

Congratulations, Sally...please email your address, and I'll get your kit in the mail next week.

A Light in the Window ~ Quilt Four

A Light in the Window combines two more of my favorites......a quilt made of blue and green fabrics, and a Churn Dash block.  Playing with the values of the fabrics and putting the blocks on point made this simple quilt a bit more interesting.  The blocks are itty bitty, finishing at 3 inches, and cuter than heck.  Did you crinkle your nose when you read 3 inches?  Not to worry...remember....the pattern now has cutting instructions for a larger size block & quilt!

I so love the combo of blue and green that I decorated my living room with it and I love it very much.  For me, it's very restful and soothing. 

Our "conversations" about what blocks you like, and what color combos are your favorites, has me thinking about other things I want to ask you.  What size quilts do you make most often?  Do you like runners, wall hangings, table toppers?  Do you make quilts for your bed, or a lap/throw size for your favorite comfy chair?  Do you have a preference regarding rectangular quilts, or are square quilts OK, too? 

If you're interested in winning a kit for A Light in the Window, comment about all the quilt sizes you prefer.  Post your comment by midnight, Sunday, November 6th.  I'll announce the winner on Monday.

Tomorrow morning I'm taking off on a road trip, headed for what I call the 'holy land of quilting" (tongue in cheek, of course!)  I'll be visiting my favorite away-from-home shops in Illinois & Wisconsin - The Quilter's General Store, J.J. Stitches, and The Country Sampler - and retreating with girlfriends at a brand new retreat destination that looks to be just over-the-moon wonderful!  I'm gonna try to post lots of pics on Facebook, so you can follow along with me on my adventures.  That is IF Facebook and Wi-Fi Hot Spots cooperate!!  Don't worry if you're not on Facebook as I plan to post photos on the blog in the next week or so. 

Until then.....enjoy the extra hour of sleep, or use it as a bonus hour of sewing!!  And, as always, thanks so much for taking a few moments to visit with me!!  Pam

Continuing with Journey Three

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment!  I loved reading about all of your favorite blocks.  It turns out they're mine too, as they were all the traditional blocks with the good 'ol Nine Patch taking the lead as most popular.  There's just something about this classic, simplistic block that we all love. 

Running very close seconds were any type of star block (who doesn't love stars??!), Four Patch, Churn Dash, Log Cabin, and Basket blocks.  I adore basket blocks, too, and have been very enamored with the Odds & Ends block of late (which I used in the 5th quilt for Journey 3).  I have to admit that, lately, I'm very drawn to anything that presents a piecing challenge.  Some of my friends and I signed up to take a Dear Jane class, and I love that because it combines two of my favorite things....a sampler quilt, and small blocks (finishing to 4.5 inches!).  Dear Jane allows me to use a bevy of quilting skills, and the opportunity to learn new ones.  For instance, I stitched my first hand pieced Dear Jane block this month.  Here's a photo of how it turned out.

 

Hand piecing is wonderful...not nearly as hard as I had imagined.  Not surprising, it's all about the hints and tips that make the job easier, and you get those hints and tips from attending classes!!  Never stop taking classes!!  (Are you surprised I chose to make a red and light print Dear Jane??)

On to the important news.....the winner of the Windy Hill Farm quilt kit is.........Karen W. who says...

My favorite blocks are the Ohio Star, Churn Dash and 9 Patch. Love, Love, Love Journey 3. Thank you so much for all your hard work and creativity! I look forward to reading your blog every day. Karen W.

Congratulations, Karen W!!  I'll send you an email and get your kit out to you right away!!

Quilt 3 ~ Lockridge Mill

I love the simple design of the Lockridge Mill quilt with it's bands of Flying Geese.  Like the Nine Patch blocks we love so well, there's something wonderful about how graphic and stunning those triangles are, all "flying in a row".  I think this quilt, made large or small, is a "must have" in the collection of a traditional quilter.  I really love the border fabric (Cocheco Mills collection by Judie Rothermel for Marcus Bros.) as it looks so very vintage to me, and am very happy with the way it turned out.  While I was making this quilt (which took only 3 hours), I thought it would look great made with a variety of scraps too, so I'm sure I'll be making another one.  When?  Hhmmmm.

Hoping you like the Lockridge Mill quilt with its Flying Geese and red ~ green fabric combination, and if you do, please comment for a chance to win a kit of the exact fabrics I used.  Tell me what fabric color combinations you love the most, and post your comment by midnight, Tuesday, November 1st.  I'll post the winner on Wednesday and show you quilt number four. 

Until then......Pam

P.S.  Cathy left a good comment asking for clarification about what the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle is all about.  I apologize, Cathy!  I get to thinking that everyone already knows!  My bad :-(

The PWSC is a monthly club, best experienced at a quilt shop.  Each Journey lasts for 6 months and Journey Three is about to be released.  While attending the club, you do a little hand sewing of either Yo-yos or hexagons, depending on what Journey the shop is running, receive anecdotal stories about what life was like for American "Prairie Women" in the 1800's, and receive monthly patterns for do-able, affordable quilts that also teach you about Making-Do.  Many shops offer the club through the mail.  If you would like more information about the club, visit my website, and/or email me for a list of participating shops in your state.  Better yet, tell your favorite shop owner about the club.  A lot of them don't know anything about it!! 

 

Take a look at Journey Three!!

At long last!!!!!  I am ready to show you the quilts for Journey Three!!  It feels soooo good!!  (Pardon my over use of exclamation points, but I really needed to do it.  Teehee!!) 

There are two big changes to Journey Three and I hope you like them. 

First, we are changing our hand sewing project from Yo-yos, which I still adore, to hexagons, which I absolutely love!!  I wanted to keep things fresh and fun, and boy are those hexagons fun!!  To buy a Hexagon Starter kit, including a finished sample hexagon, click here.

Secondly, I am adding alternate sizes for all of the quilts.  In my own Prairie Women's group, we talk about how some of us (me included) love small blocks....but not everyone does!  I don't want anyone to feel left out, so I decided to offer alternate sizes, giving options.  In this way, I hope there's something for everyone.

Quilt One ~ Contrary Wife

We start our Journey with this quilt called Contrary Wife.  This is a replica of an antique quilt that I own.  I've always loved the reel block and thoroughly enjoyed every moment making this quilt.  There are three alternate patterns for the Contrary Wife (two with no applique)!  This is the only lap/throw size quilt in the series.   The quilting on this quilt is stunning.  I can say that 'cause I didn't quilt it!

Quilt Two ~ Windy Hill Farm

I never get tired of the classic double pink and indigo blue fabrics!  This is an easy quilt to make featuring our most traditional blocks - the Nine Patch and Pinwheel. I love the motion the

Pinwheels give the quilt without over taking it.  I had a great time choosing the fabrics for it, too.

And when I did....I cut a kit one for one lucky quilter to win!!

As promised, it's time for our Journey Three kit contests to begin!!!  Yay!!

To enter, leave me a comment about your favorite blocks, and/or your least favorite block, and why.  It is very helpful if you include your email address in your comment.  Be sure to comment by midnight, Saturday, Oct 29th.  I'll choose a winner for the Windy Hill Farm kit (which includes the Windy Hill Farm pattern) on Sunday.

There will be three more kits coming, so visit often!

Good Luck!!  Pam

P.S.  Lynne Hagmeier and I have received news that our quilting cruise to Alaska is beginning to fill nicely!  We'd love for you to join us on The Great Girlfriend Get-Away!!  Don't forget to check out our cruise brochure.....click here!