February's blocks were Star of Virginia and Greek Cross. After the first swap, and seeing all the wonderful blocks that people made, I went home THAT NIGHT and worked on March's blocks, Mosaic and Garden Path. I am loving this swap!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
AMQG: Block Swap
The Austin Modern Quilt Guild is hosting a 6 month quilt block swap! We are following the Summer Sampler Series for the swap. Each month each person brings at least two blocks. One block is to swap. The other will be used in charity quilts, to be completed by guild members at the end of the swap.
February's blocks were Star of Virginia and Greek Cross. After the first swap, and seeing all the wonderful blocks that people made, I went home THAT NIGHT and worked on March's blocks, Mosaic and Garden Path. I am loving this swap!
February's blocks were Star of Virginia and Greek Cross. After the first swap, and seeing all the wonderful blocks that people made, I went home THAT NIGHT and worked on March's blocks, Mosaic and Garden Path. I am loving this swap!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
My fifth charity quilt
This quilt is on its way to the Bronx.
I had some fabric leftover from the Texas Wildfires Quilt Drive, so in late 2011/early 2012, I finished this Batman quilt. I read about the Bumble Beans Basic Quilt Gather last summer or fall. After looking at photos and videos of people receiving their own quilts, how could I NOT send something?
What is the Bumble Beans BASICS Quilt Gather? Basically, BASICS is a community based organization in the South Bronx that provides housing services (along with a lot of other social services) to individuals getting back on their feet. They are supplying quilts to homeless families, y'all.
Quilt stats:
Quilters from all over the country are sending in quilts. Bumble Beans BASICS is 100 quilts shy of the 700 quilts challenge. Don't you think you could help out too?
I had some fabric leftover from the Texas Wildfires Quilt Drive, so in late 2011/early 2012, I finished this Batman quilt. I read about the Bumble Beans Basic Quilt Gather last summer or fall. After looking at photos and videos of people receiving their own quilts, how could I NOT send something?
What is the Bumble Beans BASICS Quilt Gather? Basically, BASICS is a community based organization in the South Bronx that provides housing services (along with a lot of other social services) to individuals getting back on their feet. They are supplying quilts to homeless families, y'all.
Quilt stats:
- A large twin quilt - 70x90 inches.
- Each inner fabric is twelve inches squared. The outer borders of each square make each block twenty inches squared.
- The quilt back is a vintage green thrift store sheet. Leftover fabric from the front was used on the scrappy band on the back.
- Binding was pieced with leftover fabric scraps.
- 100% cotton fabric used on the front, back, batting, and binding.
Quilters from all over the country are sending in quilts. Bumble Beans BASICS is 100 quilts shy of the 700 quilts challenge. Don't you think you could help out too?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Austin Modern Quilt Guild - Member Spotlight
This year, each month, the Austin Modern Quilt Guild is spot-lighting a member of the guild. And I'm the first one they are featuring! WOO-HOO!!! Love it.
You can read all about me here.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Upgrade
Did you know my sewing machine broke last summer? It started dropping stitches randomly. I fiddled around with something, but again, dropped stitches. Now, my sewing machine was 35 years old. Its a Viking Huqsvarna from 1975. It was the machine my mom got when she got married. And her mom convinced her to get the best. Because it would be the sewing machine she'd have for the rest of her life.
Except my mom didn't want a sewing machine! She hates to hem pants for my dad. She hates to sew on buttons. So when I asked to borrow it in college to sewing a quilt, she said to keep it.
I moved the machine to Texas and have gotten lots of use out of it. More than mom ever did. I even paid $300 in 2005 or 2006 to get the cams deep-cleaned. It was running in tip-top shape back then. But now? Dropping stitches? Ugh. I don't want to invest more money in something so old. And I couldn't even do a zig-zag stitch on this machine. Time to get over the sentimental value and upgrade!
With the advice of my comrades at the Austin Modern Quilt Guild, I invested in a Bernina Activa 220! Its their bottom of the line model, but its a major upgrade for me.
Can I just say... WOW.
Its so quiet. I'm in love.
Except my mom didn't want a sewing machine! She hates to hem pants for my dad. She hates to sew on buttons. So when I asked to borrow it in college to sewing a quilt, she said to keep it.
I moved the machine to Texas and have gotten lots of use out of it. More than mom ever did. I even paid $300 in 2005 or 2006 to get the cams deep-cleaned. It was running in tip-top shape back then. But now? Dropping stitches? Ugh. I don't want to invest more money in something so old. And I couldn't even do a zig-zag stitch on this machine. Time to get over the sentimental value and upgrade!
With the advice of my comrades at the Austin Modern Quilt Guild, I invested in a Bernina Activa 220! Its their bottom of the line model, but its a major upgrade for me.
Can I just say... WOW.
Its so quiet. I'm in love.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2011 Recap
What a fun year! So many quilt projects. I attribute my involvement with the Austin Modern Quilt Guild as to why I got so much done. I can't tell you how inspiring meetings are! Plus, I attended THREE quilt retreats this year. Lots of quilt tops made... and even a few quilts finished. Oh, and I made a cake from scratch. Happy new year!
1. Postage Stamp Quilt Top 2. Fave Fabrics Quilt Top 3. Scruffily Quilt 4. Charity Quilt 3 5. Baby Boy Quilt 6. Martha Stewart Cake 7. Baby Girl Quilt 8. Charity Quilt 2 9. Charity Quilt 4 10. Charity Quilt 5 11. Charity Quilt 1 12. Block of the Month Quilt Top
1. Postage Stamp Quilt Top 2. Fave Fabrics Quilt Top 3. Scruffily Quilt 4. Charity Quilt 3 5. Baby Boy Quilt 6. Martha Stewart Cake 7. Baby Girl Quilt 8. Charity Quilt 2 9. Charity Quilt 4 10. Charity Quilt 5 11. Charity Quilt 1 12. Block of the Month Quilt Top
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Solidarity
Members of the Austin Modern Quilt Guild have collaborated on a solid block quilt to donate to Artists Against Cancer. We call it Solidarity.
Artists Against Cancer is a non-profit organization to help those who work in the arts in their battles against cancer. One of AMQG's most awesome-ist members is currently kicking cancer's ass and we want to help!
This Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thunderbird Coffee on Manor Road there will be a silent auction of incredible art, including this quilt. All proceeds raised will be given to help our quilting friend Cindy C in her battle with cancer.
This is going to be a great event! If you are in the area on Sunday, please stop by. For a preview of all the wonderful art being donated, click here!
Quilt stats:
A big shout out to all the AMQG members who donated one or more wonderful blocks! Cindy B, Heather G (aka Modern Day Quilts), Denise, Diana, Meghan (aka Scrambled Megs), Mitzi, Alison (aka Sew and Tell Quilts), Jessica (aka this is a splendid calm), Robin, Claire, Khanh, and Adrienne -- I couldn't have done this without you! Everyone made beautiful blocks. Not to mention that Jessica and Robin donated their time and expertise to long arm this quilt. Thanks again!
Artists Against Cancer is a non-profit organization to help those who work in the arts in their battles against cancer. One of AMQG's most awesome-ist members is currently kicking cancer's ass and we want to help!
This Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thunderbird Coffee on Manor Road there will be a silent auction of incredible art, including this quilt. All proceeds raised will be given to help our quilting friend Cindy C in her battle with cancer.
This is going to be a great event! If you are in the area on Sunday, please stop by. For a preview of all the wonderful art being donated, click here!
Quilt stats:
- A large twin quilt - 66x88 inches
- Constructed in solid fabrics only
- 100% cotton fabric used on the front, back, batting, and binding
- Inspiration: 'a quilt to be' from the LA Modern Quilt Guild flickr page
A big shout out to all the AMQG members who donated one or more wonderful blocks! Cindy B, Heather G (aka Modern Day Quilts), Denise, Diana, Meghan (aka Scrambled Megs), Mitzi, Alison (aka Sew and Tell Quilts), Jessica (aka this is a splendid calm), Robin, Claire, Khanh, and Adrienne -- I couldn't have done this without you! Everyone made beautiful blocks. Not to mention that Jessica and Robin donated their time and expertise to long arm this quilt. Thanks again!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Blogger's Quilt Festival: My fourth charity quilt
Welcome to my entry to The Blogger's Quilt Festival! I'm super excited to participate this year.
This a twin sized quilt (about 70x90 inches) which I made for Modern Day Quilts' Central Texas Wildfire quilt drive. This is my fourth charity quilt I've made... and third for the Central Texas Wildfire quilt drive. I have fallen in love with making charity quilts! I love the idea that something I make helps somebody, in some way. Plus, a charity quilt doesn't have to be perfect. I am allowed to work with fun fabrics and try new methods. No one is going to criticize the imperfections. Not even my own inner perfectionist.
I'm also excited to say I made this quilt on a budget! Most of the fabrics were donated by The Quilt Haus, who collects fabrics for Project Linus and donated them to the Austin Modern Quilt Guild. I only had to add a few fabrics from my stash, some which I had bought on Black Friday at the Crate and Barrel outlet. Yes, Crate and Barrel! Did you know they were selling fabric for a dollar a pound that day? I scored big time. I added a vintage pink sheet, purchased at Savers, and batting purchased on clearance. Besides thread and wear & tear on my machine, I have at most $20 invested in this quilt.
I took all the photos for this quilt at the top of Mount Bonnell on a gorgeous fall day. My dog Chauncey and I had just gone hiking at Turkey Creek and stopped at Mount Bonnell afterwards. This is a must-stop for any visit to Austin. There are great views of downtown and Lake Austin.
Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to visit all the other quilts at the Fall 2011 Blogger's Quilt Festival.
This a twin sized quilt (about 70x90 inches) which I made for Modern Day Quilts' Central Texas Wildfire quilt drive. This is my fourth charity quilt I've made... and third for the Central Texas Wildfire quilt drive. I have fallen in love with making charity quilts! I love the idea that something I make helps somebody, in some way. Plus, a charity quilt doesn't have to be perfect. I am allowed to work with fun fabrics and try new methods. No one is going to criticize the imperfections. Not even my own inner perfectionist.
I'm also excited to say I made this quilt on a budget! Most of the fabrics were donated by The Quilt Haus, who collects fabrics for Project Linus and donated them to the Austin Modern Quilt Guild. I only had to add a few fabrics from my stash, some which I had bought on Black Friday at the Crate and Barrel outlet. Yes, Crate and Barrel! Did you know they were selling fabric for a dollar a pound that day? I scored big time. I added a vintage pink sheet, purchased at Savers, and batting purchased on clearance. Besides thread and wear & tear on my machine, I have at most $20 invested in this quilt.
I took all the photos for this quilt at the top of Mount Bonnell on a gorgeous fall day. My dog Chauncey and I had just gone hiking at Turkey Creek and stopped at Mount Bonnell afterwards. This is a must-stop for any visit to Austin. There are great views of downtown and Lake Austin.
Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to visit all the other quilts at the Fall 2011 Blogger's Quilt Festival.
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