Welcome to my patchwork journal. I enjoy expressing myself through fiber. Tiny pieces of vintage quilt blocks and fabric combined with hand stitches create my art. When not quilting I'm living a patchwork life. Always changing and helping to keep me young and on my toes. Join me in my experiences and thoughts.
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Happy Holidays
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monterrey Medallion Results
Monday, December 13, 2010
Little Quilts Pay Off
AAQI Update Blog
Quilters Finance Alzheimer’s Discovery!
Posted: 12 Dec 2010 12:18 PM PST
We have just learned that the research financed by the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) and carried out by Dr. Mi Hee Lim and her colleagues at the University of Michigan has yielded positive results! Their research has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and if you google “Unraveling Alzheimer’s: Simple small molecules could untangle complex disease” you’ll see that thousands of web pages are carrying the story.
In March the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative awarded a $30,000 grant to the University of Michigan. This was the third of six research grants awarded by the AAQI so far. We hand-delivered the check to Dr. Lim and brought quilts to show too.
We explained that the money we were giving came from quilters across the country, most of whom stitch for us in memory of someone they have lost to Alzheimer’s. Each stitch is a prayer for a cure. We talked about the personal toll this takes on both the person with Alzheimer’s and their family, and how art has a way of touching hearts. For many people who are hurting, quilting is a way of coping and grieving.It was an amazing visit. I am so glad that we got that opportunity.
We now have proof that what we do with a needle and thread can truly make a difference.
Because of our funding, Dr Lim and her team were able to create new molecular tools that show promise for cleansing the brain of amyloid plaques. These plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, are clumps of misfolded proteins thought to cause cell death leading to devastating memory loss and cognitive decline.
Please see our press release for more details on this research. To see the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative listed right next to the National Institutes of Health on one of the thousands of web sites carrying this story, click here. (Last line.)
To everyone who has supported the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative — whether you threaded your needle, opened your wallet, or helped spread the word — EVERYONE can take pride in knowing that what they did has moved us just a little bit closer to a cure! The road ahead is still very long, but…
NEVER underestimate the power of quilters! Celebratory donations in any amount are also welcome! There is much more research to fund!
Thank you for your continued support,Ami SimmsFounder & Executive DirectorAlzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiativehttp://www.alzquilts.org/810 637-5586
Join the cause and make an AAQI Quilt and as always Happy Quilting!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
From This to This
And turned it into a 22" x 13" quilt. We will be with this couple on Saturday for a family/friends Christmas dinner, so I have been very busy the past week completing the little wall hanging.
I took my photo and used an overhead projector to increase the size, cut fabric that corresponded with the house parts and added buttons for flowers. I used embroidery floss for most of the quilting. I hope she likes it. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Priority Quilt Contest
Alzheimer's Art Quilt InitiativeQuilters Newsletter and Electric Quilt ask you to vote on your favorite Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt. Please "share" this with your FB friends.
AAQI – EQ Contest Inside Quilters Newsletter http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/
Back in October we announced a contest where we teamed up with Ami Simms of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and Electric Quilt. Contestants had to design an AAQI quilt measuring no more than 9 x 12 inches.
I have three quilts in this contest #6030, #6031 and #6032. Stop by the site and cast a vote, you can vote for three quilts and I would love to get your votes. Happy Quilting!!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Liberated and Lovin It
Saturday was a quiet day at the house, so I quilted from 10:00am to about 6:00pm. I made this little liberated star quilt top.
The top is 9 x 9 inches square (little to big for AAQI). I used some of Gwen's techniques and I don't think I will make a traditional star again--I enjoyed making the new free pieced stars. On a piece of scrap paper I created the placement and idea for the quilt top. Using very thin thread and needle put things together. I will say even thought I measures at almost every stitch, I still had many seams to rip and resew.
The thread size I used was #50 by DMC and the needles 60/8 by Schmetz. I did have to adjust the bobbin tension for this weight thread. Super Fine silk pins were a great help and pinning from the fabric to the edge is a great way to keep small fabric pieces together without puckers. I'm letting the quilt top rest for a few days, before I start quilting. I'm thinking about using metallic thread and machine quilting---I think I have a few to many seams to hand quilt. I'm also trying to decide if I want a border??? Have a great Monday and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
What a Surprise
Monday, November 15, 2010
Lost for Words
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Angels Among Us
Friday, November 12, 2010
Critter Quilt Blocks
I've started working on my blocks for the Critter Quilt. My master plan is sketched and measured---I'm sure there will be adjustments. But, as of now, the quilt will have a variety of blocks---applique, painted, patchwork. They will be pieced together in a liberated patchwork style, no set pattern. The Keesha block was sketched using a light box and fabric pens.
Bodhi, husky mix who passed away this year--we still are adjusting to his absence.
This block was sketched using a light box and fabric pens.
Bear, our yellow lab. Very polite dog and a real joy even in his old age.
Mr. C, a white rabbit my Dad brought home when I was in about the 7th grade. Mr. C, was a--service rabbit. We would take him to the St. Louis Head Start programs in the 1960's. It was great to see the kids with a big white rabbit. Many of the city kids had never seen a rabbit before. He wore a red dog harness and weighted about 20 pounds.
Both Bear and Mr. C were needle turn applique. The butterfly was fabric that I also needle turned applique. Both blocks have embroidery to highlight ears and legs.
I can already see that my Critter Quilt is going to be fun. Just the remembering of my many pets and their personalities has been a treat and I've only just begun. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Houston AAQI Sales
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Ready for Auction
Monday, November 1, 2010
First Saturday in November
The first Saturday in November is always the Church Bazaar. It's a great time of good food and wonderful handmade and holiday items for your buying pleasure. This year I've donated a box load of items. Message Mats
This one was made by splattering bleach on a black and green fabric and placing it in the sun for a few hours, then adding to gold print patches. The background behind the Comfort of Psalms fabric is a used dryer sheet, hand quilted with metallic thread and finished with raw edging.
The little Dream Message Mat is made from a vintage quilt block, with embroidery message and hand quilting.
I've added tiny Quilts in a Jar. The jars are jelly jars about 3" tall and the quilts inside consist of wordings from Christmas cards and of course quilted fabric. Cute to add to a gift or sit on a shelf.
Cookie Jars full of Christmas Sweets
And Art Jars full of craft items to spark the imagination of any child.
Wishing you a great Monday and Happy Quilting!
Friday, October 29, 2010
I Found Dots
Back to quilting, I'm presently working on paper to lay out a quilt for me! I've made everyone in the family a quilt and now it is time for a quilt for myself. This is going to be a memory quilt of all the wonderful pets I've had during my life. I can never remember my life without a pet. I guess since I was an only child I gravitated to animals and always had one by my side (usually a dog), but others like parakeets, hamsters, a couple of cats hold special places in my heart. I'm not exactly sure where this quilt will be going---photos will follow. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Cotton and Silk Completed
The little quilt measures 7 1/4 x 9 inches. After hand quilting I then added an elephant, and leaf shaped beads. A little fabric paint created some shadowy leaves and now the mini will be ready for an AAQI mailing. Happy Quilting!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Cecelia's Quilt Before & After
I enlarged the cat silhouettes from clip art, so they are in keeping with the size of the quilt. Each cat is between 8 and 10 inches tall. I hand appliqued the silhouettes of the cats meandering around the quilt, then using a very small blind stitch outlined the cats again. I did this because I know the quilt will be well used and go through many washings. Cecelia did get better from her illness and is now on vacation with her grandchildren, when she returns her quilt will be wrapped with a bow ready for use this winter. Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Houston Here We Come
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rooster in Contol
Along the quilting lines, I'm completing Cecelia's Quilt. I will be pushing the Rooster to the side so the table will have room for the completion of the quilt. Hope to post photos of the completed quilt next week. Wishing you a wonderful October weekend and Happy Quilting!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Real Friend
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
It Must Be Fall
Monday, October 4, 2010
First Flight
I clipped the butterfly from the middle of the silk, hand stitched it to the quilt top and then carefully (if not done carefully the butterfly will disappear) pulled threads to get the raw edge effect. The one thing I have noticed about these butterflies---they look real.
The backing is a soft cotton with the batting only under the darker center silk blend. On top I used a weave with hand quilting, beads and of course the butterfly. The prairie points are also raw edge and stitched between the backing and quilt top. This little AAQI quilt is completely hand stitched and measures 7 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches. Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Log Cabin Butterfly
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Cotton and Silk
I made my quilt sandwich of cotton batting and a silk backing. It thought of cotton as a backing, but I want the piece to be extremely soft---so silk became my experiment.
I noticed the silk both on the back and front shows fabric movement. Working with silk is always a challenge as the fabric is in constant motion. I think this will make the finished product quite interesting.
You may notice a patch above the needle, I plan to add a few of those thought out the project. I will hand quilt the piece and presently thinking a black animal applique would add interest. I'll keep you posted. Happy Quilting!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Rust, Plastic Bags and Sunshine
To do this treatment take fabric, your choice, I used whites, but next time I plan to try colors and prints. Soak the fabric in vinegar. Wrap rusty things (anything) in your fabric and then wrap the fabric bundle in a plastic bag. Let it sit in the sun for 2 to 5 days. My items were very rusty, so it took only 1 day. Rinse the fabric in clear water and wash with soap and water. Dry, iron and your ready to start designing. Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Log Cabin Christmas
Friday, September 10, 2010
New Thoughts
Anyway, I was in bed trying to get comfortable when I started thinking about my AAQI quilts. I feel like it is time to try my hand at more expressive quilt with new, to me, techniques. I consider myself a self-taught quilter. No lessons---oh, I would watch my grandmother and her church quilting group quilt in the church basement. I would watch my mother do beautiful applique blocks, but I did not quilt until the 1980's. I tried my hand at making a few baby blankets, they were bad, but my friends accepted them graciously. Basically I see an idea or technique, I get books on said technique, read them and then give it a try. I taught myself to bind quilts, I've had some disasters there too, but now I bind the quilts for my church quilting group, and no one would guess I figured it out myself. I don't work from a pattern, patterns make me nervous,---I like to create my own patterns and ideas, some are better than others, as I'm sure you can tell on my blog.
But, back to my desire to create something more than patchwork---maybe art. This year I wanted to send 52 quilts to Ami Simms and AAQI, but as of this week I'm at 42. I will continue to try to complete my goal, but I want to slow down and create---have a message. Maybe I need to listen to an inter-voice, improve on my skills and step out of the box of traditional quilting blocks.
The AAQI quilt I'm featuring today is called Maze of Memories. I wanted to try painting on fabric, so I found a stamp at the tag sale, brushed paint on it, stamped corresponding fabric color, machine quilted, added some buttons and then just looked at it. Usually I have the name of the quilt before I start quilting, but this time I didn't. As I looked at the the quilt it appeared to be to be a maze within a maze, going no where. As the blue stands out from the muslin fabric, it appeared to me to be standing out against reality. Then it hit me, Alzheimer's victims are thinking in a maze of thoughts and non-
thoughts. Not knowing reality as it slips by their world.
I will continue to quilt for others, in hopes of making a small difference. But I hope to listen to my inter-voice and create miniature quilts that make a statement and satisfy my creative desires. Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Island Patchwork
Monday, September 6, 2010
I Did It
This little mini was made from a vintage quilt block of red, white and blue. I call it Good Morning USA. I'm keeping the back plain---I think this would make a perfect "Mug Mat" for that morning hot drink. The mini is only 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 inches. It's hand pieced and machine quilted. Red, White and Blue, perfect for Labor Day, too! Happy Labor Day and Happy Quilting!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Victorian Patchwork
Here's #1. I call it Victorian Patchwork. I stumbled across a novelty print of woman in Victorian times sewing and immediately thought what a cute mini. I added some lace, yo-yos and buttons. The little quilt measures 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches. If you have some free time this holiday weekend, make a mini and send it to AAQI, we can use your help. Just click on the Alzheimer sidebar on my blog and get all the information you need. Have a Fun and Safe Holiday and Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Festival of Sharing
The quilters in the state spend the year making quilts to contribute to the live quilt auction that will take place on October 16 during the Festival. The quilts travel the state in one day quilt shows so that people from different areas can see the quilts and hopefully bid on the one they want during the auction. This year our church and a neighboring church will be hosting a quilt show and luncheon on September 18. All the proceeds will also be donated to the Festival. I was asked to make a miniature quilt for one of the door prizes for this year's show. I decided on a little wall hanging. Using the Comfort of Psalms fabric I made Psalm 119 Patchwork. The homespun patchwork, vintage tatting and buttons on a woven silk measures 10 x 13 inches. I let raw edges show for a casual look. My thought for today---Make a quilt and give it away---Happy Quilting!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Psalm 37
Friday, August 27, 2010
Summer Harvest
Corn Patchwork is a mini made for an vintage yellow patchwork block and the country novelty print I've used in the past for a few of my little quilts. This one was quick and easy as everything is machine stitched and the edging is raw edge zig zag stitch. Corn Patchwork measures 8 x 10 inches.
Radishes is another patchwork variation with a little check binding. It measures 7 1/2 x 11 inches. These little quilts were fun to make. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mother Nature and Cabbage
It was great dinner conversation and three of our guests had never experienced a thunderstorm like a Missouri thunderstorm, so they had their phones and cameras out taking pictures to show their friends on the east coast.
The tree is quickly dying and will be removed this fall. The lights went out is one section of the house, but hubby quickly corrected that with the circuit breaker, but is wasn't until later that we realized that our computer was not able to receive the Internet. Thirteen days later and a few calls to our telephone company---we are now on line. I stayed busy doing some much needed chores around the house, I'd rather be blogging and completed a AAQI quilt.
I named this one Cabbage. It's a combination of novelty prints, machine pieced and machine quilted. I have three more planned from the same print. The quilt measures 8 1/2 by 10 inches and will be mailed to AAQI the first of September.
As an update, the August AAQI Auction is over and my quilt Single Thought sold for $100.00. My thanks to the winning bidder for helping find a cure. Happy Quilting!