E's June block..

Oh so freeing..it has been quite a while since I have had the luxury to chop at will...Smiles.  Everything was for a set purpose, every creation had a deadline...so there was not too much room for error...or mindless creation... So, I thought about what block to create.  I do not have any vintage blocks...so I went to my trusty City store and found some traditional looking fabric and created a rail fence block in 10 inches.

I then went crazy...smiles and sliced and added scraps from a quilt I am finishing for my lil sister that graduates tomorrow and is off to Maryland for Teach for America... and this is what I came up with...See you all next week...and have a lovely holiday weekend...

June Group Quilt

Finished my June blocks for our group quilt.

This was pretty fun! You can see the whole process here.

Can't wait to see what everyone makes!

May Bee Block for E.

I used Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass as the inspiration for my block. This hopefully shows that the elements are truly interconnected.

The Elements

I am sooo thrilled...Upon my return from 12 days of luxury...I see all of these lovely creations.  I must say that so far everyone has out did themselves.  Each of you have managed to do exactly what I wanted....to think of the elements....and interpret them using each of the fabrics I sent, and your personal additions if you chose to....They are indeed splendid...

For those that will be at the June 4 meeting at Bumblebeans, you can give me the blocks there.

I attempted some quilting while on the beach it garned quite a bit of conversation...and i finished 3 star/hexagon things...will post a picture soon...thanks for the reminder jessica...

Deep Sea Bee Block for E.

My block for Encyclopedia was slow getting started, but then I found it hard to stop! My process can be found on my blog HelenNoBlog.blogspot.com Added some silk ribbon and sparkles for fun. The red fish has a snap for an eye, which makes him a red snapper now...(groan)

Garden State Quilt Show today and tomorrow

Sorry for the last-minute post, but I was helping with the show setup!

This weekend, take a quick trip to Morristown, NJ for the Garden State Quilters biennial show, Then and Now.  The show takes place at Mennen Sports Arena, 161 East Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ.  Admission is $8 , and the show has all the features a great show should have:  more than 200 quilts, a quilt  boutique, a Little Wishes raffle, and the beautiful Roman Broad Stripe Raffle Quilt some of you may have seen at Empire Quilters last weekend.

If you are planning to attend, trains from Penn Station, NY to Morris Plains (the closest station) leave 11 minutes after every hour (i.,e., 8:11, 9:11, etc.).  The ride takes about 1 hour 20 minutes; it’s a lovely trip!  Tickets are 
$14 round trip, and $6.25 for seniors.  Be sure to buy your ticket beforehand to avoid a $5 surcharge, unless you are a senior (no ID is required for you to purchase a senior ticket).  There is a wonderful quilt shop, Aardvark, right across the street from the station as well. Morris taxi service 973-539-2500, will pick you up and get you to the arena for $15.
 

hmmmm.....

 OK, I nearly forgot about doing this so I jumped in right after I saw Nicole's! thanks for that!

I found two BORING old blocks... I REALLY LIKE my old blocks, 

and found it VERY difficulttop cut any of them up...

But I did... I cut it into 1 1/4" strips, cut them into 8 diamonds, and yes, with Y seams, 

put it together into a star... ( I love stars) and then pulled my 

ALL TIME FAVORITE FABRIC, Jay McCarrol fabric from Habitat...

Dang that collection is fantastic.. Love every single piece of it...

It may not be SO "out of the Box" for me, but I do think it's pretty darn stinkin' cute...

Can I keep it?

June Challenge Block

The next quilt meeting is coming up in only a few weeks, and I hope folks are working on their June challenge blocks!  You can click on the photo on the right-hand side of the blog for the info and instructions about the June challenge.

For my blocks, I decided to use 1930s prints, for a vintage effect.  I also wanted to keep the block a geometric shape but see if I could rearrange the triangles and diamond patterns into something completely different.  Here is the beginning photo:



And here is the ending photo after a few slice-and-dice sessions!



Enjoy, and I can't wait to see everyone's blocks!
PS:  You can read more about my step-by-step process on my blog.  Thanks!

AUGUST 7th MOD SEWING DAY

Hello Mod quilt guild members!

I have secured us a  

ALL 14 SPOTS ARE FILLED.

Stay tuned, I am finding out if we can have 

over flow spots for hand sewers/ or just to hang out... 

more details to come...

 

MOD GROUP SEWING DAY

at City Quilter!

August 7th from 12-4pm

There are 14 sewing machines, 

So 13 spots to fill. (one for me!)

First to email gets a spot.

Cost for the day of sewing will be $30 person.

It will be a group sewing day, we can work on whatever we like...

** I have asked Terri Lucas to come do a machine quilting demo for us! 

So that will be fun too!

Email me (Victoria)  if you want to attend at:

bumblebeansinc at gmail dot com

 

Payment will need to be made either direct to the paypal account

or bring your $$ to our next meeting, June 4th...

First come, First serve!

- Victoria

V's show!

Hi NYC Metro Mod Quilters,
I was hoping to make it into the city to see V's show, but the only time I might be able to do it is tomorrow afternoon... IF, that is, I get my grading done today... I need a little incentive! Is anyone interested in going to see it around 2:30-3p tomorrow? I would love company... I guess the best way to get in touch with me is to send me a message on the Ning site. :-)
Cheers,
-Christa

May Bee Block - Here Comes the Sun!

For Encyclopedia's month as Queen Bee, she sent us beautiful fabrics and asked us to make a block representing the elements.  I couldn't choose which element to pick, so I made a wonky landscape and incorporated all of them!

Let's hope this brings some much-needed sunshine to the city!
Check out my blog post for more about the block.

Save the date! buy your tickets!

Quilters Take Manhattan:

A Summer Fundraiser for the Alliance for American Quilts

Asheville, N.C., May 16, 201--

The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts will present a special Big Apple fundraiser with three linked events in New York City on August 5 and 6.

           

On Friday night, August 5, attend the event "Modern Stories: Documenting the Modern Quilt Movement" an intimate gathering at a Garment District loft.  The evening includes a panel of in-the-know bloggers, fabric designers and A-list quilters discussing the Modern Quilt movement. Also, witness Victoria Findlay Wolfe (Bumble Beans Inc.), custom quiltmaker and co-founder of the New York City Metro Area Modern Quilt Guild and Bumble Beans Basics charity project getting interviewed for the Alliance's oral history project, Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories (Q.S.O.S.). Refreshments and door prizes.

           

On Saturday, August 6, attend our biggest event "Marianne & Jay on the Runway: A Quilter's Alliance of Fabric & Fashion" at F.I.T., the Fashion Institute of Technology.  Beloved quilt TV host Marianne Fons gives a lecture on "Why We Quilt," followed by her daughter Mary Fons, a slam poet from Chicago who recently launched her own quilt TV show, "Quilty," on the Internet. Then, meet Jay McCarroll, first season Project Runway winner, who is now designing quilt fabric for FreeSpirit. Jay will be interviewed for the Alliance's prestigious Q.S.O.S. oral history project, and take questions from the audience. This afternoon has it all: door prizes, refreshments, goody bags, and an amazing silent auction. (The bad boy of quilting, Mark Lipinski, will be there too: but his role is a surprise for now.)

           

On Saturday evening, walk from F.I.T. to "NY's Ultimate Block Party: Cocktails at The City Quilter" a unique cocktail party in the best and biggest quilt shop in Manhattan- The City Quilter. This just-expanded, eye-popping shop includes a new art gallery for quilts, where you can view an exhibit by Japanese quilter Noriko Endo. Nibble on appetizers and drink wine, while rubbing elbows with Marianne and Mary Fons, Jay McCarroll and lots of surprise quilt celebs. Activities include live bidding in the first-ever show and auction of quilts made by board members of the Alliance for American Quilts.

With this fun trio of quilt-themed events offered a la carte, quiltmakers and quilt-lovers can sample what most appeals to their tastes and budgets. Add in visits to museums, restaurants, a Broadway show and shopping at Garment District landmarks, and you can create your ultimate quilt weekend in the Big Apple! Bring friends and double-up in hotel rooms at the brand new Hilton New York Fashion District, which is giving a special discount for guests attending any of the Quilters Take Manhattan events.

           

All events are designed to give attendees a bang for their buck, as well as a chance to learn about, celebrate and support the dynamic projects of the Alliance for American Quilts.Click here for full information about the Quilters Take Manhattan events with links to online ticket sales.   

           

The AAQ exists to document, preserve and share the stories of quilts and their makers, of every era. Its renowned projects include the Quilt Index, run in partnership with Michigan State University Museum and MSU's MATRIX, which boasts an online archive of more than 50,000 quilts, and Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories, an oral history project that already exceeds 1,000 posted interviews with today's quilters. The Alliance is different from many quilt organizations because it brings together all types of quilters, as well as quilt historians, curators, collectors, entrepreneurs and educators: these events are proof of the incredible energy produced from merging all these ways to use,make, study and love quilts.

           

A range of affordable ticket options are available, starting as low as $10 for members to attend the Friday night event to $150 for nonmember tickets to the Saturday evening cocktail party, but space is limited at all three venues, so order tickets right away to reserve your place and take advantage of early bird pricing!

           

Also, the Alliance wishes to thank its incredibly generous and creative four Gold Sponsors: New Track Media/ Creative Crafts Group/ Keepsake Quilting, AccuQuilt, AURIfil and Benartex; and our venue sponsors, The City Quilter and Bumble Beans Inc.:

       

  

   

   

New Track Media, Creative Crafts Group, and Keepsake Quilting,"The most trusted names in quilting."

AccuQuilt, "Better Cuts Make Better Quilts."

AURIfil "Perfectly Suited for Every Quilt Project."

Benartex Fabric, "Fabric for Quilters. By Quilters."

The City Quilter, "A Quilting Haven in NYC and Home of the Only Art Quilt Gallery in NY."

Bumble Beans Inc., "Original and Custom Quilts."

Those who attend any of the three events will have a chance to win awesome prizes from all of these incredible sponsors, and other fine items donated by our business members.

           

For a full list of prices and activities for the Quilters Take Manhattan benefit weekend, go to the website of the AAQ, www.AllianceForAmericanQuilts.org.  You'll also find ideasfor filling in a great quilt-themed weekend in New York.

           

Block for E

So, the colors didn't come off great in the picture. Much richer in person. But lately I've been traveling to the South for work. I've spent time in Memphis, Atlanta and Orlando and was there close to the time of the tornado's in Alabama and the flooding in Memphis. (Gosh, maybe I'm just bad luck!) But it struck me that both of those events are times when earth, sky, water, air all collide or are thrown together and there ceases to be distinctions. Kind of violent, kind of beautiful. That was the inspiration for my block. Can't wait to see all the others. The ones already posted are amazing! D

E's Bee Block

The first thing I thought when I saw the theme for Earamichia's month of our quilting bee was that of all the elements, wind might be the most difficult to interpret. My second thought was PINWHEEL! So here's this fiery pinwheel, blowin' in the wind (and earth and water).

Sewing Article in Wall Street Journal

Hi all,

I just wanted to post a link to a Wall Street Journal article that was published this morning.  It is called "A Stitch in Time...at the Speed of Smartphones."  It talks about sewing machine innovations (adding USB ports to sewing machines) and the rise of the modern sewer.  It's an interesting read and is pretty positive about the sewing industry.

It is available to read for seven days (for free).  Enjoy!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703730804576315540350755026.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5

Let's Get Talking.....

....about Moms. My son Andy sent me this sweet bouquet of roses for Mother's Day. Got me thinking about perfect gifts. I have received the greatest gift of all from my mom.....unconditional love. She also gives me unsolicited advice....and a lot of grief at times....but I know that I am loved no matter what. She is now 93 and she still tells me that the happiest day of her life was when she held me for the first time. Moms are truly special!

posting for Carole

After much teeth-gnashing and liberal use of my seam ripper, here is my final result.  I'm pretty happy with it although I had no idea where I was going when I started.  It represents Earth, Sky, and fire.  It certainly took me out of my comfort zone -- which is what I was hoping for when I signed up to join the Bee.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's blocks.

This is also my first time posting so that, also, has taken some time to figure out.  I hope it works. 

Carole

Mother's day late

It's funny how life goes through it's changes... From my sitting watching  my mother sew,
to me sewing all day long....  Mother doesn't get to sew much anymore,
accept when I put a project on her plate...

We've had a roller coaster of a life, but I've come to learn, well,
or at least be better at, patience.  She's  a hard worker, my mum. 
And she gets a real kick out of seeing me create quilts these days...
She is as surprised as I am that this is what I am doing!

She has definitely enjoyed being on the receiving end of many of my sewing adventures...

 Last year's mother's day gift to my mother, was this little collage
with Paula Prass fabrics...

But I am lucky to have two MOM's
wink.  ;-)

Happy Mother's Day to all the MOM's out there...

I hope you all enjoyed your day!

Patti

Me with Mom & Dad, December 1980.

My mom is awesome.   She came from a very creative family where her mom and grandma used to make matching dresses for her and her sisters.  Being the youngest of 8, she said she got really tired of wearing the same damn dress all those years..
My mom started her family young (she had 3 kids by the time she was 23) and I remember her working two jobs most of my childhood, so she never really had time for long-term crafts like quilting.  I do remember that she used to make frilly barrettes for me and my sisters when we were little, and there were always crafts in the house.  She taught me how to make doll faces out of panty hoes, and she once decorated teddy bears to be the centerpiece at a friend's wedding.  She encouraged all of my creative endeavours, and still does.  She always seemed to be happy when I was happy, and never pushed me to do anything that I didn't want to.  She's pretty laid back like that, even now.  I know too many pushy moms, with unreachable expectations and drama at every dissapointment.  My mom was never like that, she always let me be who I was, and I think that gave me a lot of confidence.

I made her one lap quilt-- Bento Boxes in pinks and oranges, and a small Christmas wall hanging.  I started working on another project that I'd like to have done to give her next winter.. it's a bear though, so I might need the guild's encouragement to get it done on time.

Muriel (Betty Crocker)

My mother never owned a sewing machine.... she did have plenty of needles for mending... shirts, socks (darning ball and all), turned my father's collars, etc. She never thought of herself as creative... even though we kids knew differently. Her sister (13 years older) was the one who taught me to crewel, needle point, embroider... I almost said no one had quilted in the family before me, but then i remembered two twin size quilts that my mother hand appliqued tulips on and hand quilted little curves over the rest of the top. She said she'd admired someone's quilt and wanted to try it herself.... no lessons, no patterns... but the result is lovely and they're on my sister's beds. I never did make her a quilt (sadly) but did knit her many sweaters, shawls, scarves and i painted a few pictures which she hung on her living room walls!

I have Betty Crocker as part title since she was the official Betty from the 50's through the 60's so when I was homesick in college I just needed to go to the baking aisle.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you.

Dawn aka Mum

My mum sew, knit, quilt, ha...not at all. But she loooves the fact that I do. My Mother has fostered my creative outlet from the time I was a baby, via art, music, and food.  She writes, is a videographer and an incredible cook. So yes artistic/creative... But sewer/quilter she is not.

I have not made her a quilt as yet. I have knit her any number of items, clothing, quilted bags, and a childhood worth of handmade cards and gifts. She even has and still hangs the Christmas ornaments I made while growing up....this is her rocking her Afro (that always fell at the top because her hair was too soft), Me on the knee with a baby fro.., with her brother/my uncle. Circa August 1972...

I love you Mum...

and God bless all of you mothers, sisters, givers of love and life....may you all continue to be blessed.
Happy Mother's day from E to all of you in the blog world. Hugs and smooches.

Let's Get Talking: Week 11

Yes, I know, I've been letting my responsibilities slide the past couple weeks.. leaving you with nothing to talk about and the blog suddenly went quiet..

I had a whole other topic planned for this week, but then I remembered it's Mother's Day, so let's make this one easy.  This week, please write a post about your Mom.

"My mom?" you say, "but what does that have to do with quilting?"
That's just it, you tell us.  Does your mom quilt? Does she sew?  What is her creative outlet? 

and the official questions:

1. What does your mom think about your quilting?
2. Have you ever made a quilt for her?

Tell us as much or as little as you want about your mom, but please, put her first name as the title of your post.  Pictures encouraged (especially if they show younger versions of you!)

May Bee Block for Earamichia!!

So I took the jump, with both feet!

I must admit I was a little nervous . . .

I haven't been in a bee before . . .

What if I messed up the fabric E. sent me????

And what was I going to do to show

Earth, Wind, Fire and Water???

This is what I came up with and I have to say

it was the most fun I've had in a long time.

I was nervous about the curvy water section,

I have never done that improv curved piecing before.

So I practiced a bit to figure out how to do it.

Good thing I did because my first try was

a train wreck!!!

I added an earthy fabric to the mix that E. sent to me,

I hope you like it E.!!

Thanks for the challenge, can't wait to see what everyone

else does and how you put it together.