My First Quilt

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My First Quilt and My Latest Quilt

I have been coursed by Camille, Carrie and Brenda to post about my first quilt and my latest quilt. (read about it more on Camille’s blog) I am so super bummed that I threw away my first quilt. Yes, Yikes, Gads, I did. I have been made about it ever since. My first quilt was made using a sampler pack from Keepsake Quilting in Centre Harbour, ME. I ordered through a catalog and mailed them a check for a pack of 1000-1″ squares. Of course this was in 1980 and 1000 seemed like a really big number back then. I knew nothing about quilting much less sewing but that didn’t matter. My sister sewed her entire wardrobe all thorough high school and went to college to be a Home Ec teacher. If she could sew then certainly I could quilt. Can you spell COMPETITION? I began sewing these squares together and I am sure I thought that I was going to be able to make a full size quilt. I sewed and sewed and sewed 29 rows x 34 rows using 986 of the 1000 squares. Whew! My first quilt was a whopping 15″ x 17″ before I put a 3″ binding on it. Camille thanks for the encouragement because I thought this quilt was just a memory but I did come across a picture of my “pride and joy”. Yes the rust velvet couch the quilt is laying on proves that the pictures is from the 1980’s (inherited the couch with the husband)Okay I guess I would say that the quilting bug did bite and many, many quilts later I am proud to show my latest finished quilt. It is an oceans waves variation made using Rounneries by French General. I love how it turned out and I am thrilled that McCalls has picked it to be in one of their future magazine issues.

Looking through these OLD pictures I did find a few more of my treasured old quilts that may have to turn into some future blogs!Tag you’re it. Show us your first quilt and your current quilt.

Chicago and more…

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I am not a photographer but I certainly pretended to be one this past weekend in Chicago. Camille from Thimbleblossoms and Joanna from Fig Tree and myself all attended the Country Living A Celebration of Creativity Women’s Entrepreneur’s Weekend. Basically a good reason to go to Chicago and hang out! These 2 gals certainly knew how to “work it” for the press on the Country Living catwalk.

Joanna and I took pictures of each other taking pictures! Camille has a great post about the weekend in Chicago. Walking the streets of the Lincoln Park area was a wonderful area to stop and try out the new things Camille had taught me about my camera. I must admit I take pictures of things that are a bit odd. Signs that make me smile, couples making out on Navy Pier, dogs out for a walk are just a few of the shots on my camera. I learned also that you have to take hundreds of shots to get the really good ones. I learned of a new lens that I need to order. (done!)

What mom wouldn’t smile at a stinky pants sign?

We took the train out to an antique mall in Edgewater. Joanna met a delightful man! Don’t be jealous Eric. (Eric, did you like your gift Joanna picked up for you?)

A picture perfect day in Chicago which helps during the photography class!

Spending an entire weekend with these 2 talented ladies you certainly learn alot. Yes, I swore that what happens in Chicago stays in Chicago. I won’t spill the beans about feet, snorting, flying bat costumes. I will share how thoughtful these 2 gals are. There was a huge statue of the American Gothic painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. Everyone knows this painting! As a kid we had this painting in our home. ..(remember I am a natural blonde and come by quirky things naturally)… I did not know this was a famous piece of art, I always thought it was my grandparents. Don’t laugh! It looks just like granny and grandad Collins. I was amazed when I went to a neighbors home and asked, “Why do you have a picture of my grandparents in your home?” Well, Joanna and Camille must have had some time to spare at the airport because they were so KIND to send me this picture. What photoshop skills! I will return the kind dead with my own photographs and photoshop skills when you least expect it.
One note of business! Sweetwater introduced their first line of fabric at Quilt Market. Now they have a blog! Add it to your list to follow!

more quilt market

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Taking inspiration from the fresh smell of clothes hung on the line the entire moda booth was designed as an outdoor clothesline. Every detail from the market invitation to the clothespin bag signs shined in the brightly lite Pittsburgh convention center. The natural light was a little overwhelming in the morning, but I guess you could say the future is bright with moda. If your salesperson comes home with a tan you can certainly see why by this picture. (quilts shown- Close to my heart tablerunner & quilt by Laundry Basket, Aster Manor by 3 sisters, Blessings by Brannock & Patek)Sandy Gervais from Pieces from my Heart always has an adorable booth. Her entire booth was recreated as a Thanksgiving dinner. The quilt shown here is a turnover quilt featuring her Gobble, Gobble line of fabric due in stores in August. Great, quick easy project because using the turnovers all the triangles are already cut for you. Sew them together and applique the turkey!Sandy covered her pans with a piece of her fabric. She said she couldn’t cook anything since she packed her pans to use in the booth.

It was hard to walk past her booth without getting hungry. What a great idea for a store display! Moda Jelly Rolls for the big feast!
A quilt that was in the United Notions booth that I loved is this quilt from Lori at Bee in my Bonnet.

This picture does not due the quilt justice. There is so much detail that every where you look there is something else that makes you smile. More pictures coming soon…….

show and tell

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Just a few pics today. busy working. So I will post post a few pics. I guess the title should really be show and no tell. I will get more pictures tomorrow and post more details.
Sherri Howard, Angela Yosten, Camille Roskelley, Bonnie Olvasen. New Thimbleblossoms fabric in background
new American Jane pattern that I am dying to make
Sandy Gervais’s booth is an adorable Thanksgiving dinner set-up. Yummy!
me, Sara Fielke, Holly Hickman chilling on a boat.

set-up day one complete

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Due to the limited flights and travel time from Dallas we actually came in a day earlier than normal. This gave us a day to relax and get situated in Pittsburgh. We met some local musicans. We went into a local dining spot and there she was…the queen of market, Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill. We knew we had to be in the right place.

Of course we had to get our Market energy.Here is a before picture. Looks simple, right? We have put down almost 4o00 sq ft of flooring. We got alot more down today but I did not get many pictures. Afterall I had to stay focused on my actual job. I promise I will take more pictures tomorrow.If you have never seen what set-up is all about. It is ALOT of work. If you don’t believe me just look how hard Joanna from Fig Tree is working. You thought she just did pretty fabrics and patterns! Her booth is going to be beautiful, I think. ( her new fabric is laying on the table)Wish you were here,

and the winner is…

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Hello to all,
I learned something about blogger. If you make a post and save it to be posted at another time, it doesn’t work like that. It was a tie between Alesiha and Another Amy with both guessing 987. The number is 985. I guess officially Another Amy is the winner because her guess came in first. (Aleshia I will send you something for second place)
Working hard on fantastic new stuff for Quilt Market. The new things will be avavilable in Stores beginning September. Check some of the things out by going to the moda designers blogs listed in my side bar.
I thought I could at least show you a sneek peek of 2 of the projects i am working on. When it is quilt market time we tag team on alot of projects. I think one of the quilts has about 6 different people working on it. I wish i could tell you more but the shops get to see it first in Pittsburgh. Check out the moda designers blogs!I maybe posting a few twitters bits of info as the countdown to market continues.

Gotta go sew, sew, sew,
toodles,
Lissa

My Quilt Updates

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The quilt for my new little niece is finished and in the mail. I changed some of my plans on the border. I was inspired by Camille’s quilts with ric rac. I called my friend Gina Halladay and frantically ordered enough ric rac to sew around the border. Love it! I was going to sew it down but someone suggested that a baby would love touching the loose edges. Good idea, stiffy! I chickened out of appliqueing Savannah Lynne Tardy along the border so I had her name quilted along the border.(thanks, Maggi Honeyman) Also there are 2 Aunt Lisa’s in this family, so I am Aunt Izzy. Maggie also quilted “made by Aunt Izzy” in the corner. I can’t let the other aunt Lisa get credit for the quilt. Can I? Emily quilt is in the mail, give Savannah a big hug for me. Bear with me while I talk about myself a little more!

Yes, I was a cover girl on the April issue of McCalls Quilting. (no honey, not the cover of the sports illustrated swimsuit issue!) I just found out that this quilt will also be hanging in Paducah, KY. Wowser! Well, it will be hanging in Hancock’s of Paducah’s store, not in the actual show. I think I could still be able to say I had a quilt at Paducah, right?!

One thing you will not see in the magazine is the back of any of my quilts. Each year I choose a theme for my quilt backs. 2 years ago everything I made had plaids or wovens on the back. Last year was the year of the dots, the bigger the better for my quilt backs. This year is pieced backs. This is my attempt to use my stash, you know make room for new stash while helping the environment and the pocketbook. (or at least that what I tell my husband)

I took a quick picture of the back before I had to SHIP MY QUILT TO PADUCAH.

How time flies? My first post as modalissa was right before I headed of to Quilt Market. At the time, I gave you a preview on my Honeybun TM log cabin quilt. At least twice a year I make a quilt using as many different moda fabric collections as I can. I know this is psycho, but it makes me happy sewing and thinking about each of the designers.

This week I received my copy of McCalls Quilting- June 2009. There on page 40 (same as my age 🙂 is my log cabin quilt. I forgot how much I love this quilt. It is so easy but the way the blocks are sewn makes it look as if there are staggered seams. Basically half the blocks start with a dark center and half start with a light center. Maggi quilted it and really made the quilt sing! This quilt is scrappy and so to get your started on your very own, I am going to give away my extra strips from this project. There I go again, helping the environment and your pocketbook. All you have to do is guess how many pieces are in the quilt.

A couple of clues:

Not how many different fabrics, how many pieces. Simple multiplication- pieces in a block X how many blocks plus corner strips.

Tricky part- I have pieced the back, so this is where you just have to blindly guess. Sorry had to make it interesting.

Okay I admit it, they use a picture of me from when I was 40. Thank you, Beth!

I will draw a winner on April 19th. That way if you go to the show you can see the quilt in person. The AQS show in Paducah is April 21- 26.

I thought I would add a picture of the Prize. I will even throw in the blocks in all stages and the wonderful storage box holding the strips.

Support your favorite quilt magazines, quilt shows and independent quilt stores!

What Happens at Retreat Stays at Retreat-NOT

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The retreat was not in Vegas but in Bennigton, KS at Lynne Hagmeier’s. No pictures can do the place justice. It should be on the National Museum register. It should also be featured in all decorating and collecting magazines. INCREDIBLE! (we all said, “How does she dust?”)

Some information does stay at the retreat…………..

How much food we ate….Any of our new boyfriends…………………………Any discussions of politics or religion…………..
So some of the stuff I can talk about.
Why does it take 14 hours for an 8 hour road trip?
Well, first stop and first credit card swipe was Oklahoma City Quiltworks. Love this shop! I can always find something different here. (thank goodness the many antique shops did not open until 10:30 or else we would have turned it into an 18 hour road trip.)Another “A-word” Antiquing. In Wichita, KS at Paramount Antique Antique Mall, there were only 3 of us, but it is still a race to get inside to the treasures. We pushed on to arrive in Bennington in the dark. I live in Dallas so driving dark country roads with no signs was an adventure also. The retreat officially began. Lots of laughing and visiting by all.
Day 1: Imagine shopping with Sandy Gervais of Pieces from my Heart, Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs, Amy Bradley of Amy Bradley Designs, Sandy Klop of American Jane, Barb and Mary of Me & My Sister, Terry Thompson of Peace Creek, Laurie Simpson of Minick & Simpson, Jan Patek of Jan Patek Quilts, Barbara Brackman (check out her new blog-post a comment and tell her I sent you) and of course our hostess, Lynne Hagmeier. Yes it was heaven. Sandy Klop was shopping for props for her booth at market with scads of suggestions by all of us. (secret!?) By the last day we were all shopping for each other. Through the power of technology, we actually did some shopping for some of the designers that were not there. Take a picture, send it to them…you want it or not? This group is just that kind of crew, always looking out for each other and willing to help spend each others $$.DAY 2: More shopping. Oh, did you think retreat meant we would be sewing?

We also hit any quilt shop in our tracks. The Quilting Bee in Salina, KS had a display of Lynne’s fabrics so I couldn’t resist making Lynne strike a pose. (you know they all hate me taking pictures-Thank you, Lynne) We played games. Read all about it on Laurie’s blog. We ate lunch in Abilene, KS at Mr. K’s Farmhouse Restaurant. Ed and June Kuntz
welcomed us. (June is a quilter and Ed could talk quilt.) Ed took our picture and asked us to say “muslin” instead of cheese. He won us over! Alma is holding a jar of their homemade salad dressing. All the pie boxes are hidden. Go to their site to read the history, salivate over the menu and learn more about President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Abilene. Material Girls Quilt Shop was closed by the time we got there, boo hiss. Maybe next time. I even found an outfit to wear to Market. What do you think? Flats or heels?
I am so energized by all the talent, creativity and knowledge that was shared. I could go on and on about my 3 days in Kansas but that is it for now. Oh ya, road trip home, 9 hours, only 1 detour and 1 speeding ticket scare. Whew! He got someone else. We were already trying to figure if we could talk him out of a ticket with moda fabrics.

DALLAS QUILT SHOW

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The Dallas quilt show started out Friday with a day of downpours and floods in the area. I am sure this brought back nightmares to the previous year when rain poured into the building on the last day. The vendors were knee deep in the muck and slush. This was not the case this year. The rain went away and the quilters came out in droves. I apologize for the lack of pictures but I ran into so many old friends and of course I am easily distracted. Nostalgia by Linda Wiley of Mathis, Texas was one of my favorites in the 2 person category.

This wonderful Dear Jane quilt reminded me that this quilt is on my “to do in this lifetime” list. (I apologize I didn’t get the maker’s name-was distracted)I do not do the “A- word” but I always seem to take pictures of applique quilts. I guess that is Susan Stiff’s influence on me. I love using a ticking as a background. (remember this for an after market posting)This quilt is incredible. Carol Morrissey made it. She has a pattern company, O Carol Designs. I would like to think that I taught her how to quilt many years ago when I worked at the Olde Craft Store, but that is not the case. I am amazed at how people can get this kind of art out of their head and onto cloth.Another incredible artist that I am mesmerized by is Karen K. Stone. Her use of color is incredible. I can only imagine her fabric stash. There are a couple of her patterns that are also on my “to do in this lifetime” list.One of the things that Karen does is the tiniest piping that is added along with the binding. I tried to get a close-up of the small gold piping. I admire that she takes the time to do the piping. By the time I get to the binding I am ready to be done. I believe Piece O’ Cake also does this small piping. So with local teachers like Becky & Lynda from Piece O’ Cake and Karen Stone, I began to notice the small piping on several quilts.

Then I came to this quilt. Yes …..applique. It was vibrant and cheery and brightened the entire area. Just the perfect quilt to brighten up the day. The most incredible part of the quilt is the binding. It is covered cording (several colors and sizes) made into little semi circles sections. WOWSER!

Running in to some of my old friends.. Jackie you looked fabulous! Olde Green Cupboard was here from Florida. I love watching Katie’s locker hook rug demo. (yes on my to do list)
Quilt Country had some fabric I “needed” for my I SPY baby quilt. Another old friend had a cute booth full of retro items, Ruby Jane. I guess the only bad thing is I did not win the beautiful Amish raffle quilt.
One side note: I need all of you to remind me to enter some of my quilts next year. (Got to get over the intimidation factor)

Happy Quilting,