Charlie Peters and Kate's Gift

 

Happy Mother's Day everyone!!

 

Tis the season for planting flowers and special gifts for special people.  This week I was overjoyed to find Charlie Peters at my local Garden Center. 

The original Charlie Peters, aka Purple Passion Plant, was one of my first house plants. Charlie watched over me during high school and respiratory school. He went off to my first apartment in Columbus and surprised me with blossoms one day. They were bright orange and stunk like a skunk!  I had to pluck them off and discard them outside my apartment. It took over a week to air out my one bedroom apartment from their brief fragrance. He lived a long life until unknown bugs invaded. I have looked for the past 20 years and this week, to my heartfelt joy, his offspring was waiting for me at Knollwood Gardens!! He's a little guy, but he will grow big and bushy like his predecessor.

Kate's gift is a little Origami bag.  I'm meeting her for dinner on Wednesday evening.  She's a special friend and I'm looking forward to dinner with her.  I wanted a little something for her to show my appreciation for her friendship.

Today is not only Mother's Day in our home, but it's also my Anniversary.  Steve and I have been married 34 years today.  We waited 10 years for our girls, so most folks don't realize we have been together this long.  It's a beautiful, breezy, sunny day here in Beavercreek, just like our wedding day.  The lilacs are in bloom, I've done Kate's gift today and I'll spend the rest of the day digging in the dirt.  It's too cool to plant all my treasures  Steve and I bought at the Garden Center.  I'll have fun pulling the weeds and preparing the soil!

This week I'm working on Almeda's quilts.  She asked me to make two lap size quilts for her two sisters.  The fabric is beautiful and I'm looking forward to both projects!

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Springtime at Cox's

 

My good friend Linda and I met at Cox's Arboretum this week to enjoy the gardens.  We saw these turtle's sunning themselves in one of the ponds.

 



This looked like a family reunion.  The older patriarchs and then the youngsters.  One little guy slipped into the pond right before I snapped this.

Lilacs are my favorites!  Leah, my youngest daughter, will be bringing in bunches and placing vases all over our home.  My husband I were married in May, so the reception hall could be decorated with lilacs.  We will celebrate 34 years next week.

There were two families of ducks we could sit and watch.  This Mamma Duck was more receptive to our gazing than the other Mamma.

 

In my class with Alex Anderson, she talked about using pictures to guide you into color palettes for your quilt.  I have always wanted to do a green and purple quilt, but never quite sure about mixing the fabric colors.  This picture would be a wonderful guide!!  Thanks Alex for sharing wisdom and inspiring confidence!

 

Every Quilter needs a Drying Bush.  My Gramma Hill had a small clothes line, but she had several drying bushes.  I remember when she washed quilts from the upstairs bedrooms and tossed them over a drying bush to let them air dry.  I had a Viburnum Bush like this one at our home in Pennsylvania that I used as my Drying Bush.  At the end of the afternoon my quilts smelled good and our bedrooms smelled good for days!



 



Do you have a drying bush for your quilts?  I enjoy the old traditions.  If you have some family traditions to share, I would love to hear about them!

 

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

New Class Sample: Hope Chest Treasures

I've been pumping out the work over the last few evenings.  I was captivated by Tricia Cribbs, Turning Twenty #9, Hope Chest Treasures, a few months ago and had to make the pattern on-point.  Jenn, Little Shop of Stitches, shop owner, requested it in bright colors and I was happy to step out of my color pallette.  These blocks are BIG...a whopping 16" block!  Here is the finished quilt top!

 

I'm glad I made a mid-size version rather than the full size.  When I was visiting the shop this week, Jenn was lamenting she needs some big walls to showcase larger samples.  Her classroom is a cheery room with most of her larger quilts.  I appreciate having so many inspiring samples when I'm teaching.  They are great conversation starters and motivational for beginning quilt students.

 

 

Hopefully, I'll be teaching this class in August.  I'll be delivering it to the shop this week.  The new class schedule comes out next week.

 

 

I'll be looking forward to your newest creations!

 

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Happy Memories of Paducah

 

My trip to Paducah was more than I ever could have imagined!  The Awards Presentation was filled with shrieks of joy and "Wow" after "Wow" as each quilt was lowered from the ceiling to an anxious audience.  I didn't place in the finals, but I was overjoyed to be a part of AQS Paducah's 29th Quilt Week.

 

.The next morning my husband, daughter, and dear friend, Jenn headed to the Convention Center to find my quilt.  Needless to say, everyone found it before I did. 

My quilt was the 3rd grouping on the right hand side, just inside the main door.  I walked by each day just to peek at it.  I loved hearing kind remarks and congrats.

 

Contestants had a yellow ribbon with their name tags.  Winners had yellow and white ribbons.

 

 

The people at AQS are the friendliest people in the world!!  The vendors were eager to share their knowledge and let you try just about anything you desired.  Jenn and I were looking at fabric when Edyta Sitir asked if we needed help in her booth.  We were ecstatic to have her help!!  She loves to pick out fabric!!  Then we went to Hancock's and were dazzled with their sprawling selection.  It has the Wow-Factor!!  Right before we left the first time, we were told about the "Back Room".  I took a peek while Jenn stood in line.  We had to return a second time so we could shop in the "Back Room".  We were on sensory overload everyday and came home with too many projects!  Where do I start?? 

 

Isn't that what Quilt Week is all about...being encouraged, inspired, spending a little too much $$, chatting with authors, designers, quilters and staying up late to savor the day's purchases!

 

What were your happy memories about Paducah?  I would love to hear about your Quilt trips!

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker



 



Sewing on a Sunny Day

 

I'm working on some beautiful brightly colored blocks from the Turning Twenty pattern, "Hope Chest Treasure".  These are so bright they make me blink!



 

Oh the joy's of being streeeetched beyond my comfort zone!!  I have the sweetest friend, Linda, who is a "brights" quilter.  I look at her creations and they always makes me smile!!  A good friend helped me pick out these prints and I have enjoyed working with them.  Cutting has been tedious, but the piecing keeps me smiling!

 

 

I made 5 big blocks and one small block today and laid them out on our guest bed this evening.  I wanted to see the colors all smooshed together!  I'm making a small wallhanging, well, sorta small, when you consider 3 rows of 16 inch blocks on point...maybe medium size would be a better description.  These brights are growing on me.  Who know's...by the time I finish this little wallhanging, I may be converted to a new color pallette! 

 

Paducah is a little over 2 weeks away!  I'm still so excited!  Mom's Quilt arrived in Paducah last Wednesday.  How astonishing, it left Beavercreek Tues at 5:20pm and arrived in Paducah at 2:48pm the next day.  In less than 24 hours FedEx moved it right along to the capable hands of American Quilter's Society!  I have talked with several people at AQS and they are the nicest people on the planet...friendly, efficient, helpful, encouraging! 

I also excited my husband, Steve and darling daughter, Leah are coming for the Awards Presentation and Merchant Mall the next day.  I was surprised they can take the time and share the joy of Paducah with Jenn and I.  I can't begin to imagine what it's going to be like to see Mom's Quilt hanging in the Gallery.  I'll be taking pictures to share with everyone.

 

Blessings to you,

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker



 



The Joy's of Project's

I've been working on another interesting group of blocks for the past month, while I was waiting to hear from Paducah :)  I have an unstoppable yearn to learn new skills and these blocks have fit the task!  Even after piecing all the Patriot stars, I enjoy being challenged by a few more stars.  

 

These gems are part of Pieceful Nights by Lori Smith.  I have a fondness for quilt's made on-point and this beautiful pattern is "all on-point"! These 12 blocks will turn on-point and surround a center medallion which is also on-point.  The borders are patiently waiting to join these blocks.  Lori's directions are outstanding!  Like Patriot's, there are several inside and outside borders.  The side triangles are three different fabrics that bring the quilt back to a perfect square.  The center medallion is on the left hand side of my banner.

 

The last part I love, love, love about this pattern is all the borders are mitered!!  To me, a mitered corner frames a quilt beautifully.  Since moving to Ohio, I've heard most ladies are squeamish to miter their borders, but I thought, "that's how it was done"!  At least that's how I was taught in Pennsylvania :) I'll have plenty of opportunities to continue the tradition, since there are 4 set's of borders.

 

I'll keep you posted on the progress.  It may be a little bit.  I have a shop sample and 2 Christmas quilts to make for a friend at work on my table.  I'll post pictures of them in coming posts :)

 

Thank's for stopping by!

 

Let me know what you are working on too :)

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

 



Paducah:  Honored, Blessed, Humbled and Overwhelmed by Kindness

     I came home from work later than usual last Thursday.  My daughter told me the envelop I had been waiting for was on the kitchen table, but I had to finish a complex problem at work first.  When I walked in the door, there is was...bigger than I anticipated. 
     I was told by two women, it will be the most beautiful rejection letter you ever receive...it's so good, you still want to make another quilt and try again.  They also said, "or it will be the biggest surprise you could never imagine".  I braced myself and carefully open the envelope and tipped it so it could carefully slide out.  However, the first thing that slid out was Contestant Guide and I went into shock.  The next thing I read was "CONGRATULATIONS!"  I looked up at my daughter, "I got in...I got in, Mom's Quilt is going to Paducah..."  I started crying and I read it again.

      Well, one person knew how to be excited, Leah, my daughter was jumping up and down, "she did it...Hallelujah...Dad called it...she's going to Paducah!!"  Leah stops spinning long enough to give me a hug, followed by my sweet hubby.  It truly was the biggest surprise I could never have imagined.
     My first phone call went to Jenn to tell her and she was over-the-top, ecstatic!!  She quickly reminded me how proud my Mom must be and how big her smile must be shining down from heaven.  I'm blessed beyond measure.  She promised she would be there with me every second in Paducah.
     I called several other friends and we have been having the "happy-quilty-dance"!  Friday morning, I caught Rebecca at home. I think she started dancing around her kitchen when I gave her the news!  I never would have entered the contest if she had not insisted.  I'm so excited for Mike and honored to have him recognized. He is an exceptionally talented quilter and breathes life into every quilt he touches! 

     Everytime I look at this picture, I am so humbled by God's kindness.  I still look at the picture and marvel.  The Awards  Presentation is held 7 weeks from tonight!  What a privilege to be in the company of men and women I have been inspired by for these 28 years.  I am deeply humbled "Patriots in Petticoats", affectionately also known as "Mom's Quilt" will hang in Paducah.  This is the greatest honor I could ever imagine!

     Jenn and I will be taking pictures at Paducah in 7 weeks! 

 

Stay tuned!

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

A little knitting... a little sewing...

It seems my hands must keep busy and the soreness in my hands has eased up some.  I started making 4 different patterns for Hannah, but I finally settled on a simple feather and fan pattern.  The yarn is from the alpaca's where my husband works part-time. 

 

For those curious about the background, yes it is sitting on the cover of my Domestic treadle sewing machine.

I finished my ruffled scarf last week. My favorite yarn shop offered, Molly's Scarf, as an opportunity to teach short rows.  I re-started 3 times before I found the ease of short-row stitching.  This 100% wool yarn, by Classic Elite Yarns, was delightfully soft to knit.

 I'm ready to tackle the Bermuda Shawl next. It looks like ocean waves of short rows criss-crossing across the shawl.

Leah is sleeping under her duvet cover finally.  She's patiently been waiting for her Mom to figure out how to take 2 very different panels and make them into 2 different quilts.  The design and creation of these quilts have stretched me beyond measure, but she's thrilled and I'm so happy with the way they finished.  My sweet friend Linda quilted the duvet.

 

 



 The top photo is Leah's favorite side.  We found this panel of 18 coffee squares three years ago at a little quilt show.  I wanted the two sides to be different so I put them on point, thinking it would be so simple.  She wanted to add some color to the blocks, so I let her pick out a pile of bright, colorful fat quarters.  They made the blocks "dazzeling", don't you think?  It became an adventure that came out better than I anticipated.  To my surprise, the on-point squares came out to the exact dimensions I needed.  I don't consider myself a designer, but I did enjoy creating both of them.  She not only loves them, but her beloved kitty, Sammy loves to curl up at the bottom of her duvet and sleep.  I hope you enjoy them too :)

I've been so inspired by your sharing!
Hopefully my next post will be in the near future...

Blessings to you,
Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker