Sunny Saturday

What a wonderful sunny Saturday in Big D. Perfect for the Funkyfinds show (this was in Ft. Worth- sunny there also) No pictures, you will just have to trust me. This show is such a refreshing eclectic mix of artisans featuring jewelry, art and textiles. This show is also pet friendly with many of the vendors having a water bowl and some doggie treats in their booth. I have such a soft spot for this show because it reminds me of me 25 years ago put trying to peddle my wares to put groceries on the table.

Then I zipped over to the Dallas Quilt Show and lucked into a parking space within sight of the building. This parking issue means it was going to be a good show. I could see the lineup of tour buses.

After any quilt show I go home and look at the pictures I took. Why? Who? What? Some of the quilts are so amazing for the graphic repeat. The entire background was pieced in diamonds. I am attracted to the Co-ordinated scrappy quilts. The more fabrics the better.!

This quilt was made and quilter by Angela  Blahak of Abilene, Texas
My Dad is from Clyde Texas- Abilene was considered the big city from there.

Name of the quilt is Memories of Orlena. It was inspired by the cover of  American Quilt calender 2008.
Again tons of fabrics! Simple repetitive shapes.
Again, this one has a ton of fabrics- probably vintage fabrics.
Then the most unexpected large stars appliqued.
Fun, quirky!

More vintage fabrics!  Old stars newly completed! The sashing and border was actually brown but the pictures look as if it is Grey. (The New Black)
Classic, scrappy, repetitive shapes. This one is actually a quilt guild raffle quilt. I also take pictures of quilts that I “could” make. Not that I ever will.

Millefiori Revival
by Rebecca Yarbrough of Nacogdoches, Texas
(millefion means a thousand flowers)
Truly classic vintage inspired quilt with 1,965 pieces. Some of the stars precisely cut to form a whirling star shape. Some large hexagons throughout for your eye to rest and move on to the next star.

Sometimes- most of the time- I take pictures of quilts that I know I could never make. I tried to get close to this one but there was always a crowd. I do know the same person pieced and quilted it. The background was cross hatched ever 1/2 inch. Well deserved blue ribbon!
Cinamonde Twist by Lamora Lucia Haidar of Rockwall, Texas
Quilter by Richard Larson
(Richard is a popular quilter here- he quilted many of the quilts in the show)
This one is placed in my “artsy” quilt collection. Classic pattern but the fabrics used were more contemporary and the quilting was over the top.

see why so many people choose Richard as their quilter.

I also love 2 color quilts. Something about my middle child traits certainly is too explain the range from scrappy to two color quilts. At least my preferences for 2 color quilts still features tons of fabrics.
This quilt was made by David Mowery and quilted by Susan Corbett.
Patience is a virtue!
Some quilts and colors just make me Happy!
What an incredible t-shirt quilt. Oh the memories!
Strip Study # 2
Heather Pregger of Ft. Worth, Texas
True Art.
Then I take pictures of quilts that I know friends of mine would love.
Carolyn, these two are for you.
Thank you to all the quilters for sharing their work.
Back to work on Sunday- getting ready for the next quilt show called Market!!

woad is a word

Woad is the legendary plant dye from England and was prized by Napoleon to dye his army uniforms. You do not have to have a uniform to get a chance to dye some treasures of your own. Join Kari Meng of French General and Denise Lambet from the south of France for a Woad Workshop in sunny California on April 9th.

If you can’t make the April 9th event you could always sign up for Susan Fuquay’s Chateau Getaway in 2012, but you would have to travel to France. ( I am not sure she has one scheduled for 2012 but there is always hope.) The 2011 trip is already sold out.

Our very own, Cheryl creating her woad creation.
Laundry never looked so good.
Did Napoleon do Tie Dye?

You may recognize some of the people (Hi Sandy Gervais!) in these pictures from a past Chateau Getaway. Pictures courtesy of French General.

HOWEVER, if you are interested in turning your whites pink instead of blue, my husband will be having a laundry exhibition next time I am out of town.

Primitve Quilts and Projects

Did you see this new magazine?
Don’t you just love it when there is a new magazine to feed our
a d d i c t i o n s?

Primitive Quilts and Projects is the first EVER publication dedicated to the primitive quilter, rug hooker, stitcher and more!  It ships quarterly, beginning April 1.  All of the industry’s biggest designers are on board (3+ of MODA’s included), and it’s going to be beautiful!  Go check out my friends at http://www.primitivequiltsandprojects.com/!!   You can also visit their booth at Quilt Festivals in Cincinnatti, Long Beach and Houston this year!  Sign up for subscriptions now.

Look at this line up of Contributing Designers
Janet Nesbitt, Buggy Barn
Jeni Gaston, Woolen Willow
Lisa Bongean, Primitive Gatherings
Lori Brechlin, Not Forgotten Farm
Maggie Bonanomi
(not sure about a link for Maggie-Google her
name and all kinds of cool stuff comes up)
Renee Plains, Liberty Star
Tonya Robey, Mad Hen Primitives
Cherie Ralston, Kansas City Star Quilts
Gloria Parsons, Olde Green Cupboard

Help spread the word!
 
-modalissa

Just One Star

Moda fabrics is proud to be participating in a Quilts of Valor program co-ordinated by Marianne Fons. Moda’s very own Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson have created a line of fabrics and kits benefiting this program available in stores April 2011. Invite someone you know that may not quilt to get involved.

Note from QOVF website: Just how much of an impact has the Quilts of Valor Foundation made? As of February, 2011 there have been over 37,000 quilts awarded to service members/veterans.
“It’s not about politics, it’s about people.”

So this project inspired us to take it a step further.
We invite you to join the Moda staff and designers in our  Challenge…

The challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the
Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson.
The deadline for star blocks
is May 1, 2011 so that we can meet our quilt deadline
by Flag Day, June 14, 2011.
As the saying goes – “many hands make light work”.

We need 1800 star blocks to reach our goal.
Please take a few minutes to piece Just One Star block (click here for block pattern) using a medium red or blue and a cream background. Better yet, invite your small group or even your entire guild to make Just One Star block. Sign each block with your name and state.
Then we can truly say….the hands of a grateful nation comfort our soldiers!
We will coordinate the donation of the 100 quilts thru the Semper Fi Fund, a cause
that is near and dear to designers, Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson.
Thank you for your help!
Send untrimmed blocks to:
Attn: Just One Star Project
13800 Hutton
Dallas, TX 75234

Mark Dunn, Laurie Simpson, Polly Minick and Colonel James J. Minick USMC will be involved with the Semper Fi organization to donate the completed 100 quilts.

2 ways to be involved:
Make a quilt block (blocks) to support moda and Semper Fi’s efforts.
 and/or
Complete quilt kits (shown below) are available from your favorite
quilt store to benefit Quits of Valor .
“I am so excited about this project and think quilters everywhere are
going to jump into this.” – POLLY MINICK

Moda Bakeshop Monthly contest

Did you know?
Moda Bake shop is having a monthly contest. The following is the guidelines from the Moda Bake Shop. Click here for a printable version of this.

Monthly Contest Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the Moda Bake Shop Monthly Contest!
You may enter any or all of the monthly contests.

How to Enter:

1. Select any Moda Bake Shop recipe {modabakeshop.com} that coincides with the monthly contest theme:

March: Charm Pack

April: Accessories

May: Home Decor

2. Use Moda fabric to duplicate the Bake Shop recipe you selected. Feel free to

embellish or make alterations to the original recipe. You do not have to make

any design changes, however.

3. Upload a maximum of 4 photos to the appropriate Moda Bake Shop Flickr group:

March: {www.flickr.com/groups/MarchContestMBS}

April: {www.flickr.com/groups/AprilContestMBS}

May: {www.flickr.com/groups/MayContestMBS}

4. Use your name and the original Moda Bake Shop recipe title to name each

Flickr photo.

{Example: “Oda May, Journal Covers”}

5. In the Flickr photo description, provide the following information:

• A brief explanation about your submission (why you chose this recipe,

fabric, etc).

• A link back to the original tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop.

• Optional: a link to your blog or website.

Important:

• All Flickr submissions must be received by 11pm CST on the last day of each

month. For example, a March contest submission must be received on Flickr

by Thursday, March 31st at 11pm CST.

• The Moda Bake Shop team will select 5 semi-finalists from the Flickr

submissions for each monthly contest.

• Moda Bake Shop readers will vote for their favorite semi-finalist during the

first week of the following month (i.e. March contest entries will be voted

on the first week in April).

• The semi-finalist with the most votes will win pre-cuts from Moda and a

Moda Bake Shop blog feature.

Happy baking!

20 questions winner

AND THE WINNER IS:
EMMA FROM AUSTIN
(send me your shipping information)
A box of treasures, including a large assortment of charms from my collection, auriful threads, spinning star papers, omnigrid ruler, notepad, chocolates and candy.
BUT …..I know the questions were hard and you told me so.
SO… I have drawn a total of 20 names. Send me your info by March 6th.
Stacey- for being the first to comment I have a goody for you. Send me your info.
and Nicole from Fulton, MS
and Stitched with Prayer
and Judith Hogan
and Wanda Fish
and Deb from Mountain Musings
and Sharrieboberry (you should get a prize for a name that is fun to say)
and Cyn from Central Maryland
and Becky from Lilburn Georgia
and Wendy from Florence Montana
and Miss Jean from Central California
and Laura T from Redmond, Wa.
and Punkie Pie from Scotland CT
and Dorian from Far North California
and Kris gray
and slfranks4
and james and bess from Kentucky
Debra from MD
jen from Roseville CA
Don’t forget March 6th, I am shipping on March 7th
and thank you again to everyone for choosing moda.

Cara’s Challenge

Cara has extended a challenge to all of us. I am passing it along as a challenge to you as well. She is giving some prizes away on her blog to bait the hook.

Quilters are the most generous, thoughtful group of people. Tuesday night I was invited Sheryl to attended the bear creek quilt guild.  Show and tell is always great fun as talented Quilters show off their latest pride and joy. Time after time they held up a quilt made for great niece, sister or friend. Then it happened, one of the guild members handed everyone in the front row a quilt, asking everyone to stand up and show the “charity quilts”. There I sat on the front row, corner chair off the main aisle. So I joined in the line up holding a sweet baby quilt displaying it proudly. The room was filled with such pride, generosity, and compassion. This was my first time visit to this guild but I have a feeling this is a monthly display of charity.
When I saw on Cara’s blog that something as simple as paper towels has struck a chord with her, I immediately thought of these guild members and their giving spirit.  What strikes a cord with you? Something as simple as a fresh pair of socks, a new toothbrush or a fresh pillowcase?

I also met a new friend who is a part of Mary Kay’s Global Month of Giving.  Mary Kay’s independent sales force and employees are  challenged to volunteer 1 million hours of community service world wide. This is something we can all do. It is about giving of time, not an item or money. For more details, click here.

Did you know that March 8th is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day? How are you going to celebrate?
ADDITION TO ORIGINAL POST
When Twitter first came out, I signed up. Not sure why but I was intrigued. Do you Jumo? When Jumo first appeared I signed up for it also.  Jumo was created by Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook. Enough said, right?

Info right from the Jumo BETA site.
Jumo is a social network connecting individuals and organizations who want to change the world.

Leveraging connection technologies, Jumo enables people to find, follow and support those working toward solutions on the ground in their community and in regions across the globe.

Jumo is founded and directed by Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and director of online organizing for Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign.

Why Jumo? Founded in February 2010, Jumo set out to address three key challenges:

1.There are millions of people working to improve the lives of others, many of whom lack the resources to have greatest impact.

2.There are millions more who want to help, but don’t know how.

3.Despite huge advancements in connection technologies, it’s hard to find meaningful opportunities to get involved.

We believe we can do better.

You can upload your “cause”  or join in on one that already exists. I forgot all about this site until I received an e-newsletter tonight. So I thought it was worth adding to this post.

Check back on March 1st for an announcement.

20 questions

Here is a list of 20 questions from the moda designers pillow talk blog hop. Just in case you did not read all the posts, here is a link to each of them in no particular order. Cotton Way, Thimbleblossoms, Fig Tree Quilts, Laundry Basket Quilts, Deb Strain, Sandy Gervais, Barbara Brackman, Jan Patek, Kate Spain, Kathy Schmitz, Bunny Hill Designs, Aneela Hoey, Blackbird Designs, Me and My Sister,
I believe the  comments are closed on many of the posts but still stop by and follow them, add them to your blog roll, add them to twitter or whatever makes you remember to check out this talented group of ladies on a regular basis.
Yes I am going to give a prize to the winner, BUT I am not going to tell you what it is. You will have to trust me and want it really bad. 
 

1.How many years has Bonnie from Cotton Way been in business?
2. What designers binds quilts to relax and unwind?
3. What button covering tool did Joanna use to make her pillow?
4. Who is the newest designer to the moda family?

5. Who would like to have a pillow fight with Heath Ledger?
6. What designer has started attending ZUMBA classes?

 7. Who is this designer with the stuffed animal she slept with as a child?
8. Who has a masters in Theology?
9. Name 2 designers that did not “sew” a pillow? They used other mediums to make it happen.
10. Name 2 designers that hand paint all of their fabrics, including all the coordinates? (this is a trick question because their are more than 2 correct answers)
11. Who gave away a quilt on their pillow talk post? Did you miss a chance at this one?
12. What designer folded patterns for her mom and is now helping her mom create the patterns?
13. Name a mother daughter teams? EASY, there are several to choose from.
14. Who has the newest blog? There can be 2 answers here also.
15. Who has painted a picture a day for all 22 days?
16. Who gave away an Oliso iron as a prize?
17. How many “new friends(blogs)” did you make on the blog hop?
18. Tell us one little known fact about yourself.
19. Whose pillow post spanned 2 days? She stated, “I’m never able to follow the rules correctly. I accept my personality disorder and hope you will too.”
20.Thank you to all the designers for letting us get to know them a little bit better.
The final question……..Who’s the greatest? (answer- the moda designers)
drawing for final prize will be Feb 28th
Not all designers were able to participate in this blog hop. To see the entire list of moda designers, visit moda’s website.
GUESS WHAT? Debbie answered all the questions so everyone else save your brain power and leave a comment. you will still be eligible for a prize.
AND THE WINNER IS:
EMMA FROM AUSTIN
(send me your shipping information)
A box of treasures, including a large assortment of charms from my collection, auriful threads, spinning star papers, omnigrid ruler, notepad, chocoalets and candy.
BUT …..I know the questions were hard and you told me so.
SO… I have drawn a total of 20 names. Send me your info by March 6th.
Stacey- for being the first to comment I have a goody for you. Send me your info.
and Nicole from Fulton, MS
and Stitched with Prayer
and Judith Hogan
and Wanda Fish
and Deb from Mountain Musings
and Sharrieboberry (love that name)
and Cyn from Central Maryland
and Becky from Lilburn Georgia
and Wendy from Florence Montana
and Miss Jean from Central California
and Laura T from Redmond, Wa.
and Punkie Pie from Scotland CT
and Dorian from Far North California
and Kris gray
and slfranks4
and james and bess from Kentucky
Debra from MD
jen from Roseville CA
Don’t forget March 6th, I am shipping on March 7th
and thank you again to everyone for choosing moda.

WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

The 2011 Best In Show Trophy was awarded to “GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind”
 a.k.a. “Hickory,” a Scottish Deerhound.

What is a Scottish Deerhound?
Characterized as “the most perfect creature” by Sir Walter Scott, where do we find the essence of this graceful and stately sighthound? Great stature with greyhound-like curves and a natural, wiry coat with shaggy beard and brows give him a wise appearance and reinforce his natural dignity. Keenness, great speed, and endurance make him formidable in the field. A Deerhound breeder once said that Deerhounds steadfastly believe the best of their humans. Their quiet dignity, readiness to forgive injury and remember kindness, sudden fits of irresponsible gaiety, wistful expression, and unfaltering friendship are their hallmarks.
SOURCE

In honor of  the Best of show- Hickory I thought I would post something from my newest Kevin Leman book I am reading. You may know what a fan of Kevin and his birth order books. His latest one is,
Have a New You by Friday. Today is Friday and I have read the book…..

Great book and it does cover birth order and personailites but from a completely different perspective.

Which of the following breeds best describes your strengths?

Yorkie
popular
social
want to be noticed, appreciated
humorous
tell good stories
animated, bubbly personality
act spontaneous
naive optimism

Great Dane
Take charge
make snappy (usually correct) judgements
high self confidence
daring, adventurous
Competitive
persuasive, strong willed

independent
Standard Poodle
do things the “right way”
highly analytical
live by high standards and ideals
skilled at setting long term goals
very organized, orderly
respectful of others
faithful, loyal
love deep discussions
Irish Setter
keep the peace ( a calming influence)
can solve problems objectively
have a balanced, pleasing personality
patient,obliging, friendly
loyal, good at listening
content, adaptable
tolerant and diplomatic
don’t make impulsive decisions
stick to the end of a project
(even if it takes a while to complete it)
I won’t tell you which dog I am most like but my husband is a YORKIE, through and through
However I am the most like David Letterman as described in the book.
DISCLAMIER:  This has nothing to do with which breed you look like. that is an entirely different post.
Dr. Leman also has a couple other books, Have a New Kid by Friday and Have a New Husband by Friday.