::Wordless Wednesday::

(Quilting by Krista Withers)

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::2012 Quilt Role-Call::

Thanks for all the encouragement this year My Peeps.

Eighteen quilts and a full time job until the end of November!  No wonder my family isn’t feed and the dishes are dirty.

I’ve tried hard to stick with my process of finishing a quilt before starting another.

I think my resolution this year is to use up some of the stash that is taking over my closet.  Mix the old with the new, but I think that resolution might be a repeat from the last 8 years.

Smitten Kitten Quilt

Rock Star Wedding Quilt

Sunspots Quilt

Opposing Triangles Remake (photo by Sue Tamcsin)

Stitched and Flipped Value Quilt

Modern Charm Squared Quilts

Seattle Lone Star Quilt

From Point A to Point B Quilt Top

Double Herringbone Whole Cloth Quilt

Unknown Direction Quilt Take Two

Pantone Pop

Grape Crush

Psychedelic Baby Quilt

Shattered Remake

Anything Goes

Opposing Triangles Quilt

Unknown Direction Quilt

Let 2013 bring more time for creativity to flow and for all of us to try something new!

I’m looking forward to Quiltcon in February, who’s going?

xoxo

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::Double Trouble Quilt Block:: 

$85/Saturday, January 5th from 10am-4pm at Make*Do*Mend Sewing Studio at Drygoods Design in Ballard.

Combine two triangle techniques, one traditional and one improvisational in this block building workshop.  We’ll cover proper technique and the mulitiple designs that this blocks creates.  All level of sewists welcome.  View more designs with this block here.

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::Spread Peace and Joy::

I was in the middle of writing a post about Seattle sunshine, beautiful fabric and how blessed I am to spend time with wonderful people in this community when I heard the tragic news East.

Truthfully, I have no words.  I just know that I cuddled closer on the couch with Roan last night thinking of those that could never do the same with a loved one.  He was covered in kisses and tears by the time we hit the sack.

Seattle school district was swift in responding to the needs of students, parents and staff.   I know there are a lot of moms out there that read this blog and if you find yourself lost for words with your own children (or yourself) you might find this article they passed on useful.

Our superintendent Jose Banda sent out this note with tips which I cut, so it is not the whole letter:

“It is a struggle for adults and children alike to try to comprehend why and how such a senseless and shocking incident could occur.  Excessive and repeated media viewing can create increased anxiety and therefore limiting ongoing exposure is recommended.   We are coordinating with schools and school guidance counselors to provide emotional support for students next week. Additionally, talking about the incident can be a healthy way for families to process their feelings and reactions to an event of this nature.”

His tips.

How to help children cope:

• Listen to and accept children’s feelings.
• Give honest, simple, brief answers to their questions.
• Make sure they understand your answers and the meaning you intend.
• Use words or phrases that won’t confuse a child or make the world more frightening.
• Create opportunities for children to talk with each other about what happened and how they are feeling.
• Give your child an honest explanation. If you are feeling so upset you don’t want to talk about what happened. You may want to take “time out” and ask a trusted family friend to help.
• If children keep asking the same question over and over again it is because they are trying to understand; trying to make sense out of the disruption and confusion in their world. Younger children will not understand that death is permanent, so their repeated inquiries are because they expect everything to return to normal.
• If the child feels guilty, ask him or her to explain what happened. Listen carefully to whether he or she attaches a sense of responsibility to some part of the description. Explain the facts of the situation and emphasize that no one, least of all the child, could have prevented it.
• Let the school help. The child’s teacher can be sensitive to changes in the child’s behavior and will be able to respond in a helpful way.
• Even if you feel the world is an unsafe place, you can reassure your child by saying, “The event is over. Now we’ll do everything possible to stay safe, and together we can help get things back to normal.”
• Notice when children have questions and want to talk.
• Be especially loving and supportive; children need you at this time.”

I, like the rest of the nation am in shock and find my heart and thoughts wondering to the families and responders of this tragedy.  It is easy to let a dark cloud form.

The whole thing had me thinking that I was going to call it quits on the blog until the New Year and just focus entirely on family and nothing else, but today our Guild has their holiday sew-in, there are snuggles to be had and gifts to be sewn, fabric to fondle…and all these things bring me JOY.  The exact thing that this individual wanted to take from us.

This season I’ll be thinking a bit more about PEACE, and how we can all work together with our children to spread it and teach it.

I hope everyone finds time this weekend for their families and spend some time doing what they love.  I’m on my way out of here to go sew all day and to find some of that Joy.

xoxo

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::Done::

It sure is hard to get anything done around here.  Vacuuming has fallin’ way to the bottom of the list, but guess what after a load of discussion and number crunching has finally moved up?

In case you can’t read my writing which I often can’t, it says, “Quit Job.” No, it’s not because money is just rolling in on all fronts, but I can’t get done what needs to get done to make my creative dreams happen, so something had to go for me to stand independent and happy.

I have faith that good things will happen with hard work and blah blah blah, insert any cliche here.

Wish me luck.  I’ve got a self-imposed deadline of a year.

Happy Monday, Tuesday to ya!

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::Happy Halloween::

With Roan being eight, we here at the Pedersen household are in the peak of our trick and treating days and happily riding the wave.  I dig this bag out every year that I made when he was about three.  I love the vintage looking pumpkins.

I’ll be the first to admit how culturally ignorant I am and say that when Roan picked out his Halloween costume this year I thought it was this guy.

But no.

It is this guy. Complete with dripping blood through the mask.

I’ll admit, it does get some attention. No photos yet.

But what happened to this cute little guy?

Or this guy?

We’ve seen a Jawa and a Swampmonster along the way.

They grow up so fast!

Have a Happy and SAFE Halloween!

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::New Pillows::

New samples for my Invisible Zipper Pillow class next Thursday.

Two birds with one stone, as they will become gifts for someone special.

Maybe your bed or couch could use some new bling?

Can’t make it to a class?  Try out my invisible zipper tutorial.

Improvisational elongated triangle class tonight if anyone wants to learn a new skill.

Lots of fun quilting planned this weekend with the opening of Krista’s exhibit, a guild sew-in and Amber coming into town.

Happy weekend~

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::Blog Blast Weekend Kickoff::

Welcome to the “Quilting Modern” weekend book celebration blog BLAST! Eighteen amazing bloggers, sewers, quilters, business owners and all around good eggs will be coming to the party. They have volunteered to co-host this party and help Jacquie and I celebrate the book. There will be things to see at every site and chances to see projects, read their thoughts and maybe even get your hands on a free book. Posts will be appearing throughout the weekend, so make yourself a list and be sure not to miss anyone.

To kick off this Blog Blast Weekend for Quilting Modern,  Jacquie and I thought we would share where we create.

Please enter my Livudio.  ’Livudio’ is my family’s portmanteau for living room/studio. It’s living proof that good things can happen in small spaces.

I create in this ‘U’ shape.  I can easily move from cut, sew, press with the swivel of my chair.  Most of the time I keep my ironing board at the same level as the tables so there is no need to get up, unless you need to go to the design wall.

The project’s fabrics get stored in these two baskets as I’m working on them.  One is for yardage and the for other scraps.

I’m lucky enough that my family puts up with the rotating artwork on my design walls.  The walls are a good distance from where I sew and far enough to see if fabrics are playing well together.

I have two design walls.  I roll the flannel/laminate one up to reveal the one underneath.  Due to the laminate side, everything stays in place.  When I get bored or stumped with one project, I have the space for another.

Out with the table and the kitchen becomes the perfect basting spot.  My poor floor only gets a mop down every quilt.

Once I move onto quilting and binding the ironing board gets put away.

Removing the ironing board keeps me on track to finishing the task at hand.  I move my machine over to my collapsible 6′ table.  This offers a bit more support for the quilt and I can watch some TV while I stitch.

Binding, check!  Down goes the table and I do a clean up.  I enjoy moving through the stages of the quilt and cleaning up as I go.  I have a little needle book and portable set of tools I use when I sit down to bind.

The only drawback to this little set-up?  My fabric stash is off-site, though certainly not far away.  A trip through the bedroom reveals my stash.

(photo by Chara Michele Photography)

There’s more in another dark closet.

It’s floor to ceiling mess, but the good kinda mess.  I keep getting rid of clothing to make room for more fabric.

But on the positive note I think hiding it all away helps me stay focused.  If I could look at fabric all day my home would be consumed with more coordinated piles of fabrics and less finished quilts.

My final finish to any quilt includes a big clean up and sorting of scraps into these bins which I generally take to my classes for students to play with.

So, there’s my kickoff for you.  Hope you enjoy the weekend and can join us for the Quilting Modern blog celebration weekend with:

A Stitch in Dye – Malka Dubrawsky
http://stitchindye.blogspot.com

Film in the Fridge – Ashley Newcomb
http://www.filminthefridge.com

Generation Q – Jake Finch
http://generationqmagazine.com

Handmade by Alissa – Alissa Haight Carlton
http://www.handmadebyalissa.com

Happy Zombie – Monica Solorio-Snow
http://thehappyzombie.com/blog

iheartlinen – Rashida Coleman-Hale
http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com

Oh Fransson – Elizabeth Hartman
http://www.ohfransson.com

One Shabby Chick – Amber Carrillo
http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com

Pink Chalk Studio – Kathy Mack
http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog

Quilting is my Therapy – Angela Waters
http://quiltingismytherapy.com

Red Pepper Quilts – Rita Hodge
http://www.redpepperquilts.com

Sew Mama Sew
http://www.sewmamasew.com

Sew Take a Hike – Penny Layman
http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com

West Coast Crafty – Susan Beal
http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com

Wise Craft  - Blair Stocker
http://blairpeter.typepad.com

For more information about Quilting Modern, visit the book’s page at InterweaveStore.com.

We will wrap up the party with an appearance on Pat Sloan’s American Patchwork and Quilting radio broadcast on Monday. The show airs at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Finally, don’t miss Quilting Modern’s Flickr Group for photos by quilters inspired by Quilting Modern to share images of their creations! There are already a few ambitious (never-get-any-sleep?)  quilters who have finished quilts using the book’s projects. We love their dedication!

Be sure to check back often this weekend…there may be a surprise or two. It’s always good to leave comments. (Hint, Hint!)

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::Save the Date: Quilting Modern Blog Blast Weekend::

Publishing Quilting Modern has been quite an endeavor and it’s time to celebrate!

Jacquie and I weren’t much for the idea of a traditional blog tour that stretches out forever and you hear the same thing over and over, so we opted for something a little different.  Each of you have been a part of our journey and we’d like to celebrate with our blog friends, so we’re having a virtual party and you are invited!

We’re calling it the ‘Quilting Modern Blog Blast!” A team of talented sewers and quilters are attending and we hope you’ll join in. You’ll find out all the details next week, so for now mark your calendars for June 1 – 3 as party time!

The party starts Friday, June 1 with tours of Jacquie’s and my studios and continues all weekend. So for now, save the date, stock up on your favorite beverages and snacks.  Attire is casual…I’ll be wearing what my husband refers to as my ‘uniform’ and I’m thinking balloons and confetti poppers might be required at my house.

With the exhibit up at Island Quilter and a few book signings behind me I’m enjoying a little downtime to party with the techniques from the book and reinvent/remake the quilts.

I remade ‘Shattered‘ using the ‘slice and insert’ technique.

I’ve played with mixing the ‘Fractured’ and ‘Swirling Medallion’ quilts to come up with ‘Psychedelic Baby.’

I inserted blocks that I designed using the crazy piecing technique into the design layout of the ‘Tunnel Vision’ quilt.

I hope you get some time to play with the techniques too and that next weekend you can take some time to sew and join the party!

 

 

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::FYI::

Looking for some thing fun to do with your quilt friends?

If you are in Seattle or the East side, go check out Jeno Moreno’s fun filled documentary Stitched Film.

Saturday, September 24, 2011 Film: Stitched with Q&A by the film’s creator Jena Moreno Bellevue Arts Museum is please to present the first Northwest screening of Stitched, a fun-filled documentary following three quilters racing to complete their entries for the International Quilt Festival, the largest quilt show in the nation. The Houston show draws more than 50,000 quilters annually including three artists who created some controversy with their work. Quilting legend Caryl Bryer Fallert was the first to win a major prize for her quilt made with a sewing machine. She mentored Hollis Chatelain who caused a stir when she won an award for a painted quilt. And Hollis mentored Randall Cook who sparked controversy with his quilt of a male nude. In this 72-minute documentary, these quilters create their pieces to compete in the 2010 quilt show. The film tells the story about the strong bonds of friendship amongst quilters and their passion for their art. It also reveals some of the divide between traditional and art quilters. 3 – 5 pm Bellevue Arts Museum Auditorium Seating is limited, please RSVP   Tickets: $7.50, $5 for museum members http://weblink.donorperfect.com/bellevue_art_event  www.bellevuearts.org

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::Back To Routine::

I’d really like to tell you I was able to finish Scrappy Sunshine over my days off, but I did shopping and cooking.  I don’t have to be in till 2pm today, so my plan is to add some blocks.  King size takes some time!

School starts again on Wednesday which is going to add to the schedule craziness here, so I packed the freezer.

I made our house chili,

and my favorite onion soup.

Some of the chicken went into filling for chicken pot pie.  Those rotisserie chickens are genius!

I’ve been so pleased with Pinterest for storing and trying new recipes.  I sat on the couch last night and reorganized my catagories.

I now have new boards for food:

*Eat (this is my entree board)

*Sweet Tooth

*Gluten-Free

*Soup

*Libations

I’d love to have some new fall recipes.

What are your favorites and does anyone out there have an amazing hot and sour soup recipe?

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