Summer has arrived and I'm finding myself in a "project" desert. The Kapa Moe project is just too heavy for hot weather. I need involvement. I heard that Project Linus is about to have the summer meeting in Illinois next month, maybe I'll attend. They have chapters all over the country, creating thousands upon
thousands of quilts, blankets and afgans to give to children in need. Great way to meet new people.
That got me thinking. I believe that the quiltmakers and
knitters/crocheters get more out of Project Linus than the children do
-- we get to learn new skills in our craft, feel we are contributing
our energy to a good cause, and we get to have fun! In the end, isn't that why we quilt? That's what I need, to shake off the winter doldrums.
Meryl Ann Butler, author of 90-Minute Quilts: 15+ Projects You Can Make in an Afternoon, is all about coming up with projects that are easy, fun and give back. She has been giving back "forever." Her daughter was at Virginia Tech in 2007. Meryl Ann got to work and made "Hugs for Hokies: Hearts and Hands Reach Out to Virginia Tech," She has worked with Girl Scouts to come up with great charity programs revolving around quilts and so many other art and youth groups. Now she is working with Project Linus. The quilts out of Meryl Ann's book are so fun and easy, we can all make a few quilts for charity.
There are so many great causes. Many of you may belong to a guild that has a pet project, or a church group, or you have even formed your own "help out the world quilt group." Whatever it is, get together, make great stuff and have fun!!!
Just for your info -- the Project Linus mission:
First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of
security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill,
traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade
blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service
opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities,
for the benefit of children.
The weather here in Cincinnati is finally mild enough to throw open the windows of my studio. And the moment I did, all the junk I had been piling around went flying. Plus dust blew in from the garden. Time to clean and get a few things organized.
Some friends came through with great tips:
Save old prescription bottles and put a small hole through the center of the plastic lid. Put your hand quilting or appliqué thread inside. Just pull the thread through the hole. The bottle keeps your thread clean, and great if you work while traveling.
Rolling tool boxes (like Craftsman) are great for organization all your tools and notions. The shallow drawers hold all your scissors, rotary cutters, pins, etc., that you use every day. The next sized door is great for templates and rulers. As you progress down, the doors get a little deeper, so they hold more bulky stuff (like cone thread, and irons). They are usually on wheels – handy for any studio. PLUS, they are usually on sale around Father's Day.
Use skirt/pant hangers (I ask for them everything I buy new), to hang fabric, works in progress, and blocks. I can easily find them in the closet by just flicking through. Plus they stay reasonably crease free.
A small, empty tissue box (the little square kind) makes a great tabletop waste basket. I keep one on my cutting table and near my sewing machine. Plus the printed box adds a little spice to the décor.
Place a tape measure on the edge of your cutting table or sewing cupboard with wide transparent tape. You can measure fabric, quilt blocks, etc., without getting out the ruler.
Those 7-day pill organizers you can get from the dollar store, are great bobbin holders – especially if you are headed to a class.
I have an old silverware basket from a long ago, dead dishwasher. I keep it next to my sewing machine to hold all my scissors and pencils, seam ripper, etc. to use while I'm working.
Rubberized shelf protectors are great at preventing your sewing machine foot pedal from slipping all over the place, Just cut a piece larger than your foot pedal and place it underneath. This also works on the bottom of your sewing machine, if it tends to walk across your table.
Those pesky, fly-away cards that come in all magazines make good "emergency" templates. I have a little wooden card file on a bookshelf, where I store them.
Use a small piece of Astro-Turf in front of your door. Walk (or shuffle) on it before leaving the studio. It will catch all those annoying threads; thus not carrying through the rest of the house.
EXTRA HINT: Did you know that if you prick your finger and bleed on to your fabric, your own spit will take out the blood. But it must be yours -- it has something to do with your particular body chemistry.
Hey, if you have great quilting tips, post them on the message board for others.
Well, Portland's Spring Quilt Market has drawn to a close, and a vibrant and exciting show it was too. I saw so much that was really appealing. I know I'm biased, but David & Charles author, Mandy Shaw was a sensation whenever she presented her new book, Quilt Yourself Gorgeous. Her schoolhouse session on Thursday had everyone enthused and giggling at her stories. Lots of quilt shop owners approached her on the days that followed to ask her for workshops as far afield as Alaska. If you are a quilt shop owner reading this in the UK and want Mandy to teach a class, I would book her quickly!
Other simply gorgeous offerings included these fabulous Japanese bags, which were showing off the fabrics from Kokka. (Sorry the photo's sideways - slight but apparently insurmountable (by me) tchnical hitch!)
Also gorgeous was Anna Maria Horner's booth, which won first prize at the show. Here's a snapshot of her schoolhouse presentation, which shows some of the quilts that hung in her booth (which I wish I had taken a photo of, it was so beautiful). I hope the quilts and a visit to her website will give you some idea of the loveliness!
Quit show season is now well underway in the UK and I'll be bringing you reports of the Festival of Quilts in August, but I have plenty to share with you before then,
If you have been hoping for vibrant, cool and quirky collections from the fabric designers this year, it looks like you won't be disappointed judging by what's on offer from Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner and Tina Givens. But my favourite so far is the Urban Farm range from Keri Beyer of In the Beginning. Spot the cows, anyone?
Who would like to see a book full of quilt designs that make the most of this sort of fresh and funky fabric? Just let me know and I'll be on to it like a flash!
Ah! Today is supposed to be a little cooler as we come to the last day of this amazing show. I don't think many of us will be stepping outside until the very end, though. There is still so much to see and do. Nancy Zieman seems to be everywhere at the show. She has recently joined forces with Clover Needlearts to develop a new line of notions. They are introducing these really great Trace-n-Create Bags. From the look of all the quilters around her booth -- Clover has yet another great success on their hands.
Another really popular booth is the Northcott Fabrics. They have just introduced a new line of Veggie prints that are bright, easy to work with, and just scream Summer's bountiful harvest. These are just perfect for borders, and blocks, or maybe an apron for a favorite friend.
Of course, we continue to have lots and lots of demonstrations and visitors at our own F+W Publications booth. With new and old friends stopping by to say hello, look over the new books, and bring ideas for great new offering in the next year. Here is Allyce King, author of My Style, My Place signing at the booth.
Each booth has just been a delight. Every aisle is full of something wonderful and new. More later.
