The Learning Curve

Metro Rings pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

My classes have concluded, block #1 is done,

eleven more to go... 

Life is Good!

MQX - Observations From A Newbie

I was gone last week, my husband and I drove up to New Hampshire for a post-Easter visit with my parents; we literally stepped back in time, weather-wise! As we went farther north the temperature got cooler and the snowbanks began to appear along the sides of the road; dirty, black, compacted snowbanks that have been there for awhile. New England was still within winter's tight grip. Thursday morning I was up bright and early for a drive to Manchester and two classes at the MQX (Machine Quilters Expo) Quilt Festival.

My brother-in-law volunteered to drive me down; I was more than happy to take him up on his offer as this was the view through the windshield, four inches of snow had fallen overnight and it was still snowing as we traveled!

My first class began at 8 AM; I was there in plenty time to check in and receive my name badge and "swag bag"... nice! I was informed that as a "newbie" I should wear a pin designating me as such, it was incredible how many people noticed that and warmly welcomed me, they were more than generous with all sorts of valuable information! The venue was smaller than I was accustomed to at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival; there was general atmosphere of congeniality and camraderie, everyone that I met was friendly and more than happy to be there. It reminded me a lot of the Applachian Quilting Parties that I used to attend back in the 1990's in Boone, NC.

The morning class that I took was a hands-on longarm class taught by the uber-talented Judi Madsen. We learned Judi's method for creating fabulous background fill stitches and spent lots of time practicing each one. Judi is a sweetheart; she was gracious about sharing her expertise as well as encouraging and enthusiastic with each student, it was an all-around amazing learning opportunity.

We all left the class happy quilters!

All I can say about this picture is that Judi makes it seem so easy I can do it with my eyes closed! 

This is was my class take-away souvenir, I am eager to put some of these techniques to work!

I can't say enough good things about Judi; if you ever have the chance to study with her, go for it!

After class there was only time for a quick bite of lunch and a run-through of the quilt show and vendors before my afternoon lecture/demo class began. As I expected, the quiting displays on the show-quilts were completely awe-inspiring! I lingered over the "Sew Kind Of Wonderful" row, incredible examples of gorgeous quilts made using the Quick Curve Ruler. I bought one a few months ago and it hasn't been removed yet from the package; okay... now I know, it's time!

Aren't those all drool-worthy? Oh, yes they are! 

I had to skeedaddle to class to get a seat, the room was already packed. My afternoon class choice was... who else... Judi Madsen, again! There were lots of other instructors, just not for me, I chose to have an all Judi day! The afternoon lecture/demo was on ruler work; Judi made it look so effortless!

This quilt of Judi's was on display and representative of what we learned. I can see, now, how using a straight ruler and combining that with the background fills that we learned in the morning can provide some absolutely stunning results. I need to devote myself now to some serious practice time. 

After class I had a little bit of time to run through the vendor's mall and pick up a few items while looking at the remaining quilts on display. I took a photo of this "Be Attitudes" quilt to remind myself to finish the one that I started quite a few years ago! I love the bright colors used in this one. 

The quilting on this wallhanging elevates an already beautiful quilt up to an entirely different level.

And last, but certainly not least... this is the most beautiful Swoon quilt that I've ever laid eyes on. It is made entirely of silk! The quilting is phenomenal and the colors are vibrant against the soft gray background. I'm serious when I tell you that this quilt literally shone from across the display area!

All in all it was a wonderful perfect day; Mr. Goodneedle and my parents picked me up late in the afternoon, we stopped for a delicious dinner on the way back home, meeting my sister and brother-in-law at the restaurant. When I think back on this experience, and I will, nothing but good and happy memories remain; it just doesn't get any better than that... even with the snow.

Life is Good! 

Birds, Butterflies and Flowers... Oh, My!

What a wonderful, whirlwind weekend  I have to report on today. Mr. Goodneedle, Hannes and I left our home before dawn on Friday morning and drove north, to New Hampshire, before the day was done!  Yes, we put another 2000 miles on the car... but you know I like to make the miles count*. My parents,  sister and brother-in-law live in New Hampshire; we were able to squeeze in a quick visit with them as well as a quilt class for Mom and me on Saturday! She and I drove to Quilted Threads in Henniker, NH; about an hour away from my parent's home, to spend the day with Lynne Tyler and learn her free-piecing method for birds, butterflies, asterisk flowers and hearts. I have followed Lynne through her Patchery Menagerie blog for years and always wanted an opportunity to learn how she created some of her masterpieces... she is just as much fun as I had imagined. We had a blast, I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure I was really there!  The class sample is on the right, above. I can't say enough good things about the class experience at Quilted Threads, this is one shop that bends over backwards to accommodate their customers! The classroom is on the second floor and my Mom has some mobility issues... no problem whatsoever, they have an electric chair lift! Have you ever been in a quilt class where poor lighting, low chairs, not enough electrical outlets or small tables were a hindrance to your learning experience? You won't have to worry about that at QT. The lighting is superior, the chairs (for every student) are padded, swiveling, office chairs and there are power strips at every large table! I was in heaven with so much space in which to spread out. Students also had access to a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator and a spotless bathroom too. This is one top-notch shop!

Lynne (standing) and a classmate hard at work!  Lynne did a wonderful job leading us through a technique that really doesn't have a lot of rules... she helped us by guiding our vision and expanding our horizons; not an easy job at all, but she was up to the task! 

Lynne treated us to a inspiring quilt show of her works while we sewed and created.
This is my Mom, busy at work on a wonky, free-pieced heart.

Mom and me with our twin birds, we got a LOT done in class; we each came home with four creations from the class, plus some "wing" fabric to make more birds... as well as happy memories of a great day spent together! We've already asked Lynne what she'll teach us next time; this may just become an annual event for us!

Sunday was spent making up for lost time. A year ago while visiting my parents we went to my favorite little lakeside seafood restaurant specifically for a fried clam roll. Unfortunately we picked the wrong day to do that, his fryolater was out of commission. This year, thankfully, was not a repeat of that calamity; my lunch was well worth the two+ year wait! 

We arrived home very late last night. When I walked back to the bedroom this morning to unpack the laundry this is what I found! Hannes likes his road trips as much as we do... in fact this is his way of saying if we're going on another one he's ready and eager to go!

Life is Good!

* You'll see what I did while riding, and read, in a future post.

Jolly Friends

"Jolly Friends" ~  22.5" X 22.5" ~ hand quilted ~ 1992 

This was an original pattern that I taught at a long-ago quilt shop back in 1992. A freezer paper template star block came to life as Santa Claus with a little applique and embellishment. The class was a popular one and I met many wonderful friends through that opportunity... Quiltkeemosabe was new in town, she took the class at the invitation of another relative newcomer and we hit it off immediately; the grand adventures (and there have been many of them) began from that day on. Twenty-one years later the tables are turned, she's the teacher, I sit in her classes; through it all we've both moved away, lived other places, and found our respective ways back home. Our adventures continue. She inspires me!

 ..."and we'll be jolly friends forever more"...

Life is Good!