AQS Daytona and QuiltCon

   This is our first Maine winter-- some of my new readers may be surprised San Francisco Stitch Co. is currently based in the mountains about 40 miles from Canada-- let’s just say we are from SFO and it’s really hard to change a company name!

    To this point, it has been an easy winter, but we are now completely buried. It’s hard to think of all this whiteness melting before August. When I married a mountain man, I knew we’d end up at elevation, so all I asked for was a week in Florida every winter!

     And what a week! I rented a condo near Daytona Beach with two of my friends. Knowing I probably needed the sun and waves more than they did, they let me have the Oceanside bedroom and this is what I woke up to every morning!

     The temperatures were in the 80s all week. Even the locals were talking about it. We had three days of total relaxation before the AQS Daytona show started. What a beautiful routine. Got up in the morning, walked the beach, went out for breakfast, a little hand stitching on the balcony, pool time, out for dinner, another walk on the beach, British mysteries at night, bed and repeat. Oh, and key lime pie all day.

     On the fourth day, the AQS Daytona show started. The first day we did vendors and show. I’m going to keep my opinions to myself, except to say that the winners circle is the same one we’ve seen for the past few years. The show seemed overall very quiet, but there were more vendors than last year. And there was a lack of machine embroidery which is a crying shame. Here are a few non winners I enjoyed-- you can just Google the winners online. I left the cards with the quilt name and artist is the photos-- just click on the photo to enlarge and read them.

This is my friend Tere standing next to her piece in the show! She did an amazing portrait of a man who is know at a local Renaissance Faire in Massachusetts for dressing up as a druid. The Celtic knot border is incredible... one of many quilts that deserved to ribbon.

     Not quite enough pictures of all the beauty that was on display! But pictures don't do them justice anyway. So I will say, if you have never been to one of these AQS shows, you need to go at least once in person.

    The second day was a class with Cynthia England, three time winner of Best in Show at Houston,  making this heron. I give her a lot of credit for writing a pattern for this, and so well. 

    My friends were with me, and we just had a blast-- Cynthia has quite the sense of humor and really broke this process down to make it as easy as possible. I ended up buying a rooster kit as well. I hope I finish them! LOL.

    And the last day was a longarm class with Bethanne Nemesh, one of my favorite longarm artists and a great teacher as well. The class gave me confidence I can "do it" if I can just get on top of some of the technical problems I have such as a completely disassembled longarm lying against a wall in my studio-to-be.

     So that was it for Daytona. Now comes a bit of serendipity. To fly to Orlando during what it turns out is school vacation week for most of the northeast is a pricey proposition. We decided to fly to Atlanta, and then drive down about six hours for 1/3 of the price. One of my extremely intelligent and watchful friends discovered QuiltCon was in Atlanta the day we had to drive back. (Always travel with people smarter than you.) I’ve always wanted to go, but never made a point of it-- how perfect-- we had four hours there.

    Again, I’m not going to share my opinion of the show, but compared with the AQS show which was quiet, you could feel the electricity in the air. Bu let’s keep in mind this show is once a year and AQS has five shows. Here again are a few of my favorite non-winners. (You can see the winners on line.)

I had a wrong idea of the show which I thought was going to be a bunch of young women trying to re-create the Abstract Expressionism paintings of the 1950s in fabric. It was actually people of all ages making fiber art for every reason under the sun. 

QuiltCon had posted on the cards the artist's inspiration-- I believe AQS used to do this, but it was missing in Daytona. I really like to read about each piece.

Some were tributes to family, others were about color play, some had a sense of humor, others were serious. This one was an enlargement of a kid's drawing! You know, Picasso said he learned to paint like a master in four years, but it took a lifetime to learn how to draw like a child.

Timna Tarr is one my favorite quilters-- she is most famous for making realistic images from fabric squares, and just has a fabulous sense of humor in her work. I love this self-portrait called "I Woke Up Like This." On the surface it is funny, but also has some deeper meanings about life in 2023 for all of us!

This is also her piece-- I'm giving it my Best in Show. It is landscape "snapshots" of the Mount Holyoke range where she lives in Western Massachusetts. So expressive and beautiful, in every way!

    So there's a side by side of the two shows-- I am probably still an AQS girl, just for the sheer beauty of it. But if any of these shows is close to you, I wouldn't miss going. QuiltCon will surprise and inspire you.

     Then we hopped back on our flight-- my friends got off in Boston. I had to take a puddle jumper to Maine, and my connection was late, so I got bumped and had to stay overnight in a hotel. By this time, I was completely exhausted! This is the bush plane I have to rely on to get me anywhere these days.

    After the last-minute hassle, my wanderlust has been satiated for quite some time! I am back at my desk, fully inspired, looking out at my beautiful Sugar Meadow and creating tiny machine embroidered winter animals like I was born to do.

xox

Carol

Sew Sampler Box February 2023

     We are back after an epic road trip to both AQS Daytona AND Quiltcon-- 1100 miles! I'll be sharing some highlights of the week in the next post... but guess what was waiting for me when I returned!

     Truth is, I was pretty excited after my January tablerunner for the February's challenge-- I am creating a project out of just the Sew Sampler box fabric each month this year, as well as using everything in the box. January's box was fabulous. While I was away, I watched a *SPOILER*  YouTube unboxing one night while on a fourth floor oceanfront balcony. Yep, that's a geeky quilter. Then I had fun on my iPad doing color studies of the fabric while the waves lapped the shore. It sounds a bit obsessed, but that's how I enjoy myself!

    IMHO, this is a second month that Fat Quarter Shop has hit it out of the park. I already had my eye on the Corey Yoder "Sunwashed" fabric and the pattern this month is a really good one to go with it. That is one of the best parts of these boxes-- you're bound to get treated to something you might be on the fence about adding to your stash.

     There's also a box of pins-- I am always bending mine for machine embroidery purposes-- much appreciated. And there's a needle case-- that would have been helpful on my trip-- hee-hee. 

     There's a pair of thin and super grabby tweezers that will be totally useful when turning projects right side out, or trying to fix a paper jam in my printer! And some bags for quilty scraps-- I took a class at AQS that involved a lot of tiny pieces so these will help me stay organized-- I really want to finish the class project-- I'll tell more about that in the next post.

    The Sunwashed Jolly Bar also came with it's own pattern-- it's a super modern and easy one. 

     The Bliss Quilt along is in Block 11-- I'm just collecting them for resale. After one more box, a new yearly project will start. Maybe this will be the year I jump in for that, too. All in all, a very generous box-- thank you Fat Quarter Shop!

    So back to my project sketches. One of the things I love about buying collection pre-cuts is that you get a little piece of every fabric. I love sorting them into colors and considering the possibilities. "Sunwashed" has a little bit of everything-- yellow, peach, red, light blue, darker blue, and green. So I kind of analyzed the pattern block to get ideas. I do love the pattern and would have totally considered making the full kit, but I'm trying to stay true to my original idea of just using the fabric in the box. I may add fabric later on, but for now I really want to use the basic rule of sticking to the box for new design possibilities. Sometimes just setting up some arbitrary rules helps the creative process along.

     I did a super rough sketch of the block, (does it appear I had too many Pina Coladas?) studied how many pieces of each color were included, and colored the blocks accordingly. It seems like I have enough for three blocks-- PLUS, I think the border idea on the pattern provided using wide stripes is super good-looking, so I hope I have enough leftovers to work it in. There's also a ton of white in this collection I'm saving for the borders. Some of them are a bit busy.

     Here some of my favorites-- I'd love your input on which you like best-- I named them for reference and so you can understand the differences:

     As you see, I'm just blocking with the colors-- I'm not showing any of the fabric patterns. The collection includes some large ginghams-- I love them, but I know they are going to be problematic. So I will just use my sketch as a color guide and see what happens! 

     This is a really enjoyable process for me. If you start a quilt with a very comfortable feeling, knowing exactly how it will turn out, and that it will be beautiful like all your others--  maybe it's time to take a leap into the unknown. That uncomfortable, unsure position is the place you want to be creatively-- grow! One disappointment I had with the AQS show is that you have the same selection of alphabets and sheep, kids and dogs, and large photographic flowers from the same artists-- you could easily swap out the winners with any other show of the past few years. I'd be amazed to see more of a progression in design-- some truly new work. In art school, I had a design professor say-- "once an artist has achieved commercial success, it becomes impossible for them to create anything of value." I'm not saying I totally agree, but it makes for a great discussion.

    So that's my start on February Sew Sampler Challenge! I can't wait to get started, but of course there's a ton of unpacking and a March Bowl Filler set that is very, very late!

    Be sure to weigh in with your ideas on the box-- so far, I think I'm one of three who are taking the challenge to sew the samplers this year-- sew along with us! What better way to experiment and expand your color sense than with a little monthly box of fabric.

xoxo

Carol

After the thrill is gone...

      I lost a couple of sewing days last week on a family visit, so my usual Sunday post was delayed while I tried to squeeze out a little more progress. I’m also heading out for a week of Florida vacation shortly. While I’ve just about survived our first Maine winter, I can’t deny that the cold is getting very old. I really can’t wait to get out into my new garden and to see what pops up in that meadow this spring!

     I was supposed to prep two of my Lori Holt appliqué blocks to take with me to Florida. I’m so looking forward to sitting by the pool on balcony (looking over the ocean) with my hand stitching. But the Prairie Meadow project is starting to get old with the winter-- the thrill is definitely gone! Prepping the pieces has gotten fussy and fiddly. I’m reaching for my iPad at night, not my needle. 

     Working on a quilt is like the five stages of a relationship-- euphoria, bonding, disillusionment, crisis, stagnation. I’m in the crisis phase. I feel like kicking it to the curb, with eight blocks to go. Trying to save this project by remembering what I loved about it in the first place!

     OK, I admit there’s a new flame! It’s the Barn Star sampler. I did a fun color sketch in Procreate (everyone should have this program on their iPad) and I finally started assembling it. Sew fun to sort through my Cider and Nutmeg fabrics-- they are just beautiful! So my sketch looks like it is all solids, but I do want to use some of the softer prints. I think it is coming out remarkably like what I envisioned so far! This is a huge block-- 24”-- you can tell by the letter size piece of paper in the corner.

     I had a little chuckle to myself on Instagram. People had posted a picture of their first “block” saying what a doozy it was and how glad they were the “block” was done. LOL. You need two of them! I for sure was not going to be the one to enlighten them on this fact. Nope, not me. I am sure they will figure it out! 

     Fat Quarter Shop came up with a schedule to make the Barn Star Sampler this year. I think both blocks were supposed to be done by the end of the month, but I’ll be lucky to finish one. The later blocks are easier, so I can catch up. Yes! It’s the euphoria stage of this project!

     I made my first project bag with a zipper! I went from first not thinking project bags were really necessary, to buying one, to buying more, and finally now to making my own. I used to sew my clothing in high school and well remember the dreaded zipper. You had to close it, baste it, open it, sew down one side, zip it, sew the other side, unpick basting, open and add a hook at the top. So I was terrified. I finally watched a YouTube video on it, and it is really a cinch. I love keeping my projects organized, especially my cross stitch. They sell printed panels to make these-- but machine embroidering one is a complete home run! Such a great way to personalize a very usable gift, too.

     It’s time for your weekly ARRTI update! I got one more border seam sewn! This is just ridiculous. It’s like the fear of success. What held me up was having a large space to lay it out and measure it... I finally figured out I could kind of fold it up to do two edges. Thank goodness I have a nice flat, hard, cold concrete floor to get down and scramble around on my knees! 

     I also washed the fabric for the border this past week. I’ve become a fan of pre-washing so you minimize the crinkly look when your quilt is washed,. This one will probably only get soaked in the tub when needed-- I can’t imagine throwing it in the washer-- it’s too big anyway! I am going to take the bull by the horns and just spend a day on it when I get back. I refuse to tolerate this project creeping in to March.

     I finished my Sew Sampler project-- You probably saw it already online. It really came out very nice-- so much better than having another teal box stacked in a corner. Now that I have a nice finish, I’m more excited than ever to see what next month’s box is. I hope it’s waiting for me when I get back. 

     I do have the Cupid box to work on, and I already have a project in mind with smaller hearts. The fabric is kind of a strange mix-- there are three dark red patterns, a couple of soft teals, and then a ton of mostly whites that are busy enough you wouldn’t really use them for a background. I guess the designer loves pickup trucks-- they’re in there, too. It should be interesting. I had fun sketching a little heart throw in Procreate-- Procreate is the amusement that has taken the place of handstitching for now. It is really fun to sketch with it. So far my quilt looks like a massive Y-seam practice piece.

     So that’s about my last ten sewing days. Light progress for me-- shortly I’m off. Yes, sewing is my business, my hobby, and now my vacation, too! I’m heading for the AQS Daytona show and even squeezing QuiltCon on the way back. I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures and I’m so hoping someone's machine embroidery makes it to the Winner’s Circle.

    Will she be bringing two Prairie Meadow blocks to Florida? Will ARRTI end up in a drawer? Will she fit in her bathing suit? Keep on sewing and come back in a couple of weeks to find out! 

xoxo

Carol

January 2023 Sew Sampler Wrap Up

      Ta-da!

     I did it-- I completely used up my box! This box would have been a win for me even if I hadn’t already made up my mind to make it. I love Lori Holt and got a sample of her new Calico fabric line. I used every scrap of the two charm packs with the Vintage Kite foundation paper. I also used up about a yard of stash fabric for a thin border, backing fabric, and binding. 

     Using only the fabric provided in the box forced me out of my usual color picks. I have a beautifully finished table runner ready for gifting in a colorway I would never have tried if left to my own devices!

    I loved the pattern this month. "Wheelbarrow." I was somewhat puzzled by the name, but if you look closely, the kites form a wheel between them. The plusses looked a bit involved for me, so I neatly stowed the pattern with the leftover foundation papers-- there are plenty left, and I am eyeing other charm packs I own for the "Wheelbarrow" project. Charm packs are my favorite precut, so I already have plenty of options to use up even more stash fabric.

     The pincushion was my next favorite item. I have been enamored of magnetic pin dishes for a couple of years. Then, my pin dish leaped out of my hands and crashed to the garage floor one day-- I’m not sure why I was carrying it out there, but oh, well! The pins went everywhere-- into all the filthy corners, and I didn’t even pick most of them up. So I’m switching back to the old fashioned pin cushion-- this item comes at just the right time. It does have a strap to attach it to your wrist. As addicted as I am to this sport, I draw the line at attaching quilting tools to my body, so I’m going to just cut the piece of elastic off and use it normally.

     I’m not sure I need a letter opener, but I’m keeping it by my desk. Heck, it’s shaped like a sewing machine.

    The readers-- this item caused the most agita to box subscribers this month. A personal item in a mass produced mystery box that not everyone loves and can use-- HOW DARE YOU??? Maybe if some of these people just tried them on-- they'd realize they needed them. I already have my +250.00 pair, so I'll just donate these.

    The Bliss Quilt Along-- I usually don’t partake of these-- a block pattern for a yearly quilt each month. I’m saving up all of mine to sell. The “Sew Sampler Swap” Facebook page is a great place to sell unwanted items, or pick up a box you liked if you're not subscribed.

     I did use my coupon-- it was $5 off yet another charm pack.

    Is it saving $5 if you spend $7? Rhetorical questions like this don't interest me, people!

   I tried to think up a fun way to show the empty boxes each month-- throw them in the fireplace, crush them up, stomp on them-- but the boxes are very sturdy-- you can even turn them inside out to get a cuter box. I’m going to keep mine and use it to store the extra fabrics and half square triangles from my Barn Star Sampler quilt. There’s a lot of wasted fabric in this stitch along-- I have a feeling I could end up with a nice throw at the end of the year.

   February’s box has not yet arrived, but my attitude has totally changed. I usually watch a YouTube Spoiler video to see what’s coming. When the box comes, I open it, do a quick look through for a couple of minutes and stack it with the others. This time, I can’t WAIT to get my box and think up a new project for it!

    One final tip for those of you who stick around till the end of my blog posts <3. If you are a Sew Sampler member, just post a picture of something from the box on Instagram or Facebook. 

"Share with the hashtag #JanuarySewSampler and tag @SewSamplerBox for a chance to win."

    You will be entered into a drawing for $50 gift certificate. I’m following this hashtag, and it seems like no one is entering. I’d say we all have a good chance of winning!

One down, eleven to go! Thanks for joining me.

xox

Carol