Vegas Again – Barb and her Quilt

OK…….so this may be the last post regarding my trip to Las Vegas but no guarantees. 

A little history is in order.  Back in 1999 I saw Mary Ellen Hopkins on Simply Quilts and knew that I “had” to take a class or workshop from her.  After convincing my sister, Melinda, that she wanted to take a class with me and searching the internet we found out that Mary Ellen had a couple of hands-on workshops.  At that time Melinda lived in the Chicago area so we decided to attend a 5 day workshop in Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, or fortunately as it turns out, it was full but we were told of a small ME workshop in Las Vegas.  The contact for the Las Vegas workshop was none other than Barb Tryon.  That first year we were a very small group but it has continued to grow and grow.  Last year was the last time Mary Ellen attended but the group has become so close that we continue on without her.  We are all very thankful to her for bringing us all together.  I have made wonderful lifelong friends from around the country and as far away as Australia.

As I mentioned before, many of us contributed quilt blocks for a quilt for Barb Tryon who spends a great deal of time planning and organizing our annual Las Vegas week.  She is dedicated to the group and works tirelessly though out the year. 

The blocks were brought to Vegas by each of us and assembled there.  Originally, Jan Krueger volunteered to add the sashing and sew it all together.  Jan is a fast sewer but it was a big job.  Melinda and I decided to stay behind one evening and help Jan with the assembly.  We made quite a team, sewing as fast as we could and we managed to get it finished before everyone’s return.  In fact the quilt top was presented to Barb that evening.

So here’s a picture of Barb and her quilt.  I’m pretty sure she was very surprised.

The quilt went home with Melinda (she is a fabulous long arm quilter) to be quilted and then returned to Barb. 

Thank you Barb for all your hard work.  I can hardly wait for next year.

The Whole Gang

There were 34 of us at the Las Vegas retreat which is held each year at Palace Station.  This is the first year that we actually took a photograph of all of us together.

The quilt that is being held was made for Barb Tryon in appreciation for all she does every year to bring us all together.  We were each asked to make a 12” star block using batiks.  Barb is the one holding the quilt up on the left.  She was very surprised and “almost” speechless.  Thank you Barb, you are loved.

IQF – Long Beach 2009

I’m slowly recovering from the International Quilt Festival that was held last weekend.  It was fun, exciting and exhausting all in one. 

I love seeing all the friends I’ve made over the years and am delighted to be able make so many new ones.  Over the years, I’ve come to realize that vending at these shows is not just about selling, it’s about the wonderful relationships that are formed.  Quilters are the very best, and I am blessed to have so many as friends.  

As promised last week, here’s a picture of the Two Wacky Women booth this year.

Back to Vegas

While at a retreat in Las Vegas two weeks ago, I taught a one day class “Wacky Devine Nine”.  This is a really fun pattern that utilizes a stack and slash method.  I was hoping to get pictures of all of the quilt tops made that day but unfortunately I only got some of them.  Some of the quilters actually made more than one. 

Here is a sampling……

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Quite a variety don’t you think? 

If you’ve made a ‘Wacky Devine Nine” please send me a picture so that I can share it with others.

Tote Along

The IQF show in Long Beach is over.  We had a great time and got to see many old and new friends.  I think that’s probably the best part of vending at a show like this. 

Now it’s time to get back to sharing my retreat week in Las Vegas.  On Tuesday I taught my pattern “Wacky Devine Nine” (more about that later) but I also shared my pattern for a “Tote Along”.  My sister Melinda, talked everyone through the process while I sewed. 

This is a tote bag that folds up into itself and then can get tucked away in your purse so that it’s always there when you need it.  It takes 1/2 yard of fabric and 1/2 hour to sew.  The pattern is available at www.twowackywomen.com

Just about everyone made at least one and several people made more than one.  Here’s a picture of a bunch of them all stacked up.

As you can see, everyone had a different fabric in mind from Oreo Cookie fabric to flip flop fabric to 30’s, it all works and was a lot of fun.

More on Vegas and the show to come.  Stay tuned!

IQF – Long Beach, CA

 

Starting Thursday night and continuing on through the weekend is the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA.  Two Wacky Women will be vending at the show again this year.  Marilyn and I will be in booth 1333 and 1335.  If you’re attending the show, please stop by and say hello.  We’d love to see you. 

Here’s a picture of our booth from last year. 

 

This year we have many new quilts, patterns and kits to showcase. 

More Patchwork Borders

Last Monday, while in Vegas, Jan Krueger taught a new border class.  This is the third in a series of border workshops she teaches.  This one is called “More Patchwork Borders for the young at heart”. Here are the samples I made.

This first one is One Fish Two Fish – or Ducks.  I think I like the ducks the best.

Second is The stay on your grid checker board with the good corner.  Simple, but effective.

Third is Blossoms in Tasmania.  These are kind of hard to see because I have three of them stacked on top of each other so use your imagination.

Forth is a variation of the blossoms called Half Blossoms Make Hearts. 

Fifth….Baby Food Jars.  What can I say, little and cute.

Sixth is a Delectable Fence Posts, unfortunately mine have a minor oops.  It suppose to look like this.

Oh well, it’s just a sample.

Seventh…..Stay on your grid – Rectangle Windows

Looks like a film strip, doesn’t it?

Eighth…..Giant Rick Rack – or Prairie Point’s

This is clearly my favorite.  The real trick is using a wonderful stripe to begin with.  If you click on the picture it should get much larger so that you can see the great prairie points.  The stripes alternate directions.  I can hardly wait to use this technique in a future border.

Ninth and final Border – Baby Bows

Simple four patches turned on point but what a great looking border.

Hope you enjoyed this little show and tell.  I’ll be posting more of my week in Vegas later in the week. 

Right now I have to continue to get ready for the big IQF in Long Beach.  No rest for the weary.

What’s on My Design Wall - Monday

Last week I made this top but it’s now on my design wall waiting for it’s borders.  The pattern is “Yotsu Maru” designed by Jerry Fujimoto.  I have know Jerry for quite a few years but this is the first time I have made one of his quilts.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  Jerry has a website www.pocketquilting.com but I don’t believe he has his patterns listed as yet.  He can be contacted at jerry@pocketquilting.com.  Thanks Jerry for great pattern.

Hugs,

Back to the Real World

I’m back from Las Vegas after spending 5 days sewing and teaching at an annual quilting retreat that I’ve been going to since 1999.  Most of the time my sister and I go together and this year was no different.

Before we left Southern California for the drive to Vegas we spend a day visiting some local quilt shops and having lunch at Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Garden Grove.  I know I’ve posted a link before but here it is again Azteca is also know as the “Elvis Bar”.  While there I took a picture of my sister, Melinda with Elvis. 

 

Don’t they make a handsome couple?

So after all the Elvis excitement, we head to Vegas.  We always stop in Baker, CA at “The Mad Greek”.  Baker is a very small town in the middle of the desert and they are known for their giant thermometer. 

It’s hard to read but it says 108 degrees, however………

the car said the outside temperature was 113 degrees.  Anyway you look at it, it was darn hot!

I have lot’s more picture to share from our Vegas trip but not today, I’ll most more throughout the week.

Have a good one, Stay Cool!

Las Vegas Here I Come

I’m getting ready to head to Las Vegas for my annual retreat with 34 friends from around the country.  My sister Melinda is here from Marietta, GA and will be going with me.  We leave bright and early tomorrow morning driving from Seal Beach, CA to Palace Station in Las Vegas.  The local quilt shop hop is going on, so we may make a stop or two along the way.

This year as a thank you to the organizer Barb, we are each making a 12” batik star block for her.  I think she’ll not only be surprised be very excited to receive a quilt from all of us.

Here’s mine……

I’ve been wanting to make this block for a long time so this was the perfect opportunity.  I found the instructions at Quilterscache.  If you haven’t visited the website, you’re really missing something, what a blessing it is.  This block is called Double Aster.  The cutting is a little tedious but the result is worth it. 

Stay tuned!

Watermelon Anyone?

Several people in my friendship group made a watermelon table topper a few years ago.  The pattern came from a magazine and unfortunately I don’t remember which one right now.  I’ll see if I can figure it out and post the info later.  But in the mean time it seems like just the right time of year to share it with you.

It’s not very big but as cute as can be.  We shared red fabrics so that we’d have a large variety.  The “seeds” are actually heart shaped buttons that I painted shiny black.

Happy 4th of July

Today is a day to celebrate the birth of our country.

 Happy Birthday America 

For many of us this is one of our favorite holidays.  Lot’s of picnics, barbeques and of course wonderful fireworks.  I have wonderful childhood memories of going to the beach during the day and coming home to food, friends and of course sparklers. 

This year will be a little quieter for me.  I am very excited to have family starting to arrive tomorrow so today is a day to finish getting ready for them.  My husband John and I will no doubt have a quiet dinner at home and walk over to the park to see the fireworks. 

Here’s a picture of a table runner I made several years ago.  It is made using a stack and slash method, very easy but fun.  (Notice my big toe at the bottom of the picture, nice pedicure don’t you think?)

Have a wonderful day.

Yea!!!! Four Quilts Quilted

I finished quilting all four quilts that need to be quilted right away (believe me, they’re are lots more).  Now it’s on to the binding.  Thankfully the binding is all cut, sewn, pressed and ready to go. 

Here are the “almost” completed quilts.

I always have to remind myself that when I’m making samples, it’s not about the quilting it’s about the pattern and fabric.  I certainly didn’t do any fancy quilting on these, just a big meander and a loopty-loop on one of them. 

If you look at the picture below, you’ll understand that if I want fancy quilting I either send it out or do it on my new Bernina in the house.  I swear this is one of the very first Handi-quilters but it does the job.

  

I’m now off to the gym and then back home to start on the binding.

Have a great day!