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



 



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

Center Medallion Block for Patriot Quilt - TaDa!

It is really finished - and it is a beauty!  It's hard to notice the beautiful lemony roses in the background fabric in the very outside of this block.  I love yellow roses!  There will be 4 large blocks (in this fabric) surrounding this center medallion block in the quilt.  The green is a directional fabric that took some fuss'in over before I could sew the entire block together.

This block honors Martha Washington, General Washington's wife.  I didn't realize she made several trips a year to see her husband and the troops.  She was a gracious celebrity during wartime.  She never refused to stay a little longer when she was invited to share at Ladies Teas.  She walked with her husband among the troops to offer words of encouragement and hope.  It is only fitting that this block should be named in her honor and stands out among the rest as 24 inches square compared to the others that are 10 inches square.

Well, it is on to the Log Cabin inner border! Last night, when I was studying the directions, I noticed 2 out 3 dark-side fabrics are directional prints.  Another inspiring challenge for these 20 blocks!  This quilt makes me chuckle as I often ask myself, "would I have taken this challenge if I knew there were so many directional fabrics?" - that is yet to be determined.

Let me know what you are working on!

Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Patriot in Petticoats 15 & 16

                    I woke up this morning determined to sew and not buy any more yarn or fabric until I finished some projects.  It was a beautiful day, high 40's and sunny, a good day to shop.  I had a great breakfast and promptly went downstairs to my sewing room.  Today, I completed all the individual blocks for my Patriot quilt and I'm in awe of 16 blocks.  Each one was just a little more challenging and block 16 was no exception.  I really tried to get each detail in line, but two little spots couldn't be helped.  I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have piecing them!

Here is Block 15 and 16...

Block 15 honors Mercy Otis Warren, an American writer and playwright.  She was America's first female playwright and wrote strong anti-British and anti-Loyalist propaganda plays.  I loved this quote taken from a letter to one of her friends, " America stands armed with resolution and virtue; but she still recoils at the idea of drawing the sword against the nation from whence she derived her origin.  Yet Britain, like an unnatural parent, is ready to plunge her dagger into the bosom of her affectionate offspring".  Wow, I love her word pictures!

Block 15 - Mercy Otis Warren

Block 16 honors Hannah Arnett, who is buried in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  In December, 1776, her husband and local friends were gathered in their home deciding between loyalty to Britain or America.  Hannah was so upset she burst into the room and started screaming "traitors and cowards"!  Her husband made her leave, but she would not stop!  She continued to berate them and assured them she would leave Isaac if he deserted the American cause.  Stung by her persistent passion, the men reconsidered and refused the British offer of "protection of life and property".  Now that's what I cause a persuasive woman! 

Block 16

These blocks have been a wonderful learning experience.  I have been challenged to re-think my piecing skills.  After previewing the center medallion block I'm anxious to jump in and start piecing.  It's a large block with an eight-pointed star in the center.  I looked at the log cabin blocks and don't you know,,,two of the fabrics are directional!  It's going to be quite a challenge to match the directional prints with the blocks going completely around the inside of the quilt.  I wish I were not such a perfectionist when it comes to piecing my work.

Late this afternoon, Leah and I went to visit an Alpaca Farm, "Stewart Heritage Farm", a few miles from our home.  The owner was very hospitable and allowed Leah to take pictures of her beautiful Alpaca's.  I couldn't resist buying some yarn to bring home.  When I told Brenda, the owner, I was a Quilter, she showed me "alpaca quilt batting for a full size and crib size quilt".  I was so impressed!!  She is going to send me price information.  Her yarn colors are beautiful and now I wish I had bought a skein of brown and a skein of cinnamon brown.  I have an incredibly hard time resisting local alpaca yarn.  When I was in high-school a German woman taught me how to do hairpin lace.  I made an afghan that I continue to sleep under every night.  Perhaps I should consider making a scarf with hairpin lace - I could do a two-color scarf with hairpin lace.  I wish I could find other interesting patterns in hairpin lace.  

What a blessing to be creative!  What a blessing to love the work of your hands!  What a joy to share it with others and to bless them!

Enjoy the work of your hands!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker