Friday, November 30, 2012

WOW! That about sums it up!

Michaela Little's rendition of Crown of Throwns pattern (Judy Niemeyer) is rockin' the house at Quilting On The Square.

Michaela is 15....this is the 4 quilt she has made.  Yep you read that right... 4th!  

This quilt has won Reserve Champion at Jackson KS County Fair and at the Kansas State Fair a purple ribbon in 2012.

I am honored that she is in the midst of sewing her own Moxie Girl!

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

And Away I Go!

Sitting at Midway Airport waiting to board for my final "quilt trip" of 2012. It's back to Kansas City then a quick car ride to Holton, KS to Quilting on the Square. Can't wait to see Mark, Mary, Connie and the rest of the gang. Watch for a post later today/tomorrow to see what we are up too!

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Monday, November 26, 2012

This is what makes me smile!

Vicky in Texas sent me this picture of her Pieced Hexies table runner.  I asked permission and she said I could share.

 

Pieced Hexie table topper (18 Nov 2012)

 

As a designer, author, teacher and quilter it is when I receive pics of projects from my patterns/instructions completed or not that I just smile.

My whole idea around the format of the first (yes a second is already in the works) Pieced Hexie book is to give the “know how” and let each person apply it to their own creative vision.

imagebooksSome of my favorite books in my own personal quilting library are the “Around the Block” books by Judy Hopkins (long our of print).   These books provide the pattern for a block in several different sizes.  No patterns.  Just information.  You can still find them on eBay and several sellers on Amazon.  The prices reflect the treasures that they are. 

I often tell my students “I will provide you with enough information to be dangerous”.   Smile

Thanks Vicky for making my day!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Molly Paws Quilt Block!

 

George&MollyPawsFinally I am behind George and quilting away.  There is a stack of 6 (maybe 8) tops on the studio counter and I hope to have them all done by Dec 17th when the kiddos are home for what will be their last Christmas Break ever.

Oh my…I can’t believe they are seniors in college and this is it.  Most likely one if not both may not even be in the country at this time next year.  But that is for another blog.

So first out of the chute for quilting is an antique quilt top that I acquired this summer. 

When I buy a quilt top (or blocks) they have to be special to me.  And this one caught my eye first because I had never seen the pattern before and second because of the truly scrappiness of it in all it’s 30s glory.

DSC06379I searched and searched, even threw images up on facebook and it seems no one has a name or source for this block.

So I decided to call it “Molly Paws” after you know who.  My antique quilt tops are usually labeled with the name “ANTIQUE – (block name)” once I quilt them so it needed a name for reference.

 

 

 

Then I decided this block needed to live on.  In studying the quilt I determined that English Paper Piecing would be the best way to replicate this block with all it’s curves and funky spikes.

Here is my replication done in fun bright fabrics!

And if you wish to purchase the pattern you can do so here on the Craftsy page.  I will be putting all my PDF patterns here as I love Craftsy and their format.   Plus I will be shooting a Craftsy workshop of my own in late January so nice to have everything in one place.

Molly Paws will also be a new 6 hour workshop that I will be adding to my offerings in my usual first week of January update.  But if your guild wishes to book me now know that all workshop selections can be changed up to 6 months prior to my arrival. 

Now I am back to the studio.  Paul helped me last night with putting the next top together with  batting and backing so away I go.

Sneak peak….

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Turning Autumn with the Quilter’s Block Party!

 

It’s time for some quilting fun this Fall. Over 15 weeks, 45 designers will create 12″ blocks for the Glorious Autumn Quilter’s Block Party. These blocks will be featured, three per week, on the Quilting Gallery site starting September 4th.

If you haven’t notice the Glorious Autumn Block Party info on the side bar well today is the day for my block!

Here it is!

 

Turning Autumn

 

Turning Autumn

 

The Quilting Gallery website is the host of this fun event.  The link will take you to their website and all the other Autumn Designer Blocks!  There are

You can find my designer profile, a Quilters Super Deal, and the tutorial to make this block here!

Two other wonderful designers were featured this week. 

Melissa – Sew BitterSweet Designs

and

Soma – Whims and Fancies

 

And finally if you wish to share or take a peak at some of the renditions of the blocks please do so on the Flickr Group!

Now I am back to quilting…halfway done with my first quilt!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Quilt Babe Retreat

I intended to blog on Monday and then life got in the way.  Life is certainly busy and a bit chaotic if feel lately.  But that is another story.
CathyBoo




We (my good friend Cathy and I) left on Thursday and shopped our way up to The Springs in Gladwin Michigan.



TheSprings




Here is part of the sewing room at 7am on Saturday.  I was the first one down to sew…go figure. Smile 

At home I kitted and packed my projects.  I just wanted to sew sew sew.  I know my schedule is going to be crazy full with obligations and necessary projects for the next few months so I just wanted to spend a few days working on stuff for myself.
It was wonderful.
CokeQuiltCutting
First off I kitted my Coca Cola Quilt.  The Coke fabric has been living in the studio for many years and I have always wanted to make myself a Coca Cola Quilt.  



TrudieatRetreat


I tossed in some of Paul’s blue hand dyed fabric and started to sew. 



CokeQuilt
It is a super simple pattern I found in the Sept/Oct issue of McCall’s Quilting called “Grubstake”.
The magazine rendition is made using Windham’s Prairie Crossing collection…lots of reds and browns. 
I saw a great way to spotlight a conversation print.  Not overdone with Coke fabric everywhere.  Just enough to enjoy.

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I got the top 90% done at retreat and finished up the borders yesterday at home.   Now it will go on the quilting pile with the plan to have it done by month’s end.




InsaneQuiltRETREAT

The next project in queue was my “Blue Cherries” Quilt (tentative name) of the Insane Retreat Quilt.  You pick which name you like.
Here is my EQ pattern.
It was kitted up and I got the 16 yellow/pink blocks done. 
I will save this project for a blog post later this weekend or next week.


Because starting today I am going to be quilting..quilting…quilting.  Then binding…binding…binding.  I have at least 8 quilt tops stacked up.  Some Old Some New.   But ALL will get done.
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First in queue is this antique beauty that I have named Antique Molly Paws (a new version of this unique block is being designed). 

‘til tomorrow…and the release of my Block Party Block!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Sewing Away at The Springd

The wifi connection is weak...made even weaker by the dozens of tech savvy quilters at retreat....soooo....I will save all my project pics for a blog post on Monday. See ya then!

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Quilt Babes Retreat Here I Come!

RoadtripTomorrow I am on my way to Gladwin Michigan to attend the Quilt Babes Retreat with my good friend Cathy. 

Yep ATTEND…no teach!

My very first retreat as a “retreater”.  

I am like a kid waiting for Santa. 

Well I am always like a kid waiting for Santa around this time of year but that is another story.

I have several projects kitted up and ready to sew.

IMAG0072The first being my “Coca Cola Quilt”.   This pile of fabrics has sat long enough on my counter in my studio just waiting to become the snuggle-under-with- a-book quilt I have always wanted.   While I don’t really drink Coke anymore…except with pizza.  I still love it.

This quilt is my No-Brainer project and I bet it will be done in a jiffy.

So then I decided it was time to tackle another palette/pile of fabrics in my studio.  They too have been waiting for quite awhile to become a large bed quilt.  

InsaneQuiltRETREAT

 

Here is my “Insane Retreat Quilt” (temp name for now).

The quilt will finish roughly 95x95. (I am guessing ‘cos the pattern is now in my suitcase in the studio and I am two floors above in the office and don’t feel like walking all the flights…sorry)

 

 

IMAG0084

 

 

 

I always kit up my quilt projects pretty much once I dive in.  It is amazing how much smaller the project space footprint becomes when you do this.

This is  46 blocks.  See how small. 

 

1351967592065Made a few test blocks.  The second block does not have it’s final border on it.  Need some more blue-gray fabric fabric…this will be fixed on the ride up.

So we shove off in the morning.  With many planned Shop Stops along the way.  I will hopefully post some blogs (if WiFi is found) and/or to Facebook. 

My bags are packed and I am ready to go!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Puttering and Pineapples

Puttering around the studio today and decided to pull out my Pineapple Quilt UFO. My goal...sew a few more blocks and see where it goes from there.

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Get your Blueberry Spice Here!

BlueberrySpiceFULLshadow600x600
For those who are Facebook Buds remember back in early Sept I posted a bundle of fabric that I was oohing and ahhhing over.
It was the Deco by Jason Yenter for In The Beginning Fabrics line that has just been released and will be finding it’s way to your local quilt shop shelves any day now.
Well I took some of those yummy small prints (which by the way are wonderful for hexies too!) and played with some stash fabric and came up with “Blueberry Spice”.
OK I know I know…48 pieces in each block…yipes!   What can I say I was in a groove.
The pattern can be made for a wall hanging. (Hanging right now over my TV!)
or a table topper (I think these colors are a fresh twist on Thanksgiving!)
and you can make FOUR and put them together for a lap quilt…or 9 and go full size!
The pattern can be found here on the Fairfield site.  It is FREE! 
ENJOY!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Arkansas Meadow Rose

eBay is my friend

Mobile App eBay scares Paul.

I surf for quilt tops and blocks whenever a few moments of time happen in my life. Found these blocks when I was in the airport in Dallas two weeks ago.

The design made me take a second look...the block name sealed the deal.

A set of 32 Arkansas Meadow Rose quilt blocks.

The blocks measure roughly 10"x10"

Arkansas Meadow Rose was a block that Kansas City Star published on October 9, 1935.

I think I will play with these blocks on my upcoming retreat in Nov. Some block sashing to true up their size and a pieced border to set them off is what I envision.

Then I have an idea to modernize the block and it's construction. Another new workshop is in the making.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Introducing Moxie Girl!

Life certainly has been a whirl lately! Due to overwhelming response the sign up for Moxie Girl is now open. Thank you all for all your comments, support and cheers! Now go see the quilt on the website!

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Attention! Attention!

I have been in my studio sewing away.   Tomorrow I will be able to share the unveiling of Moxie Girl.  My Block of the Month Quilt with Quilting on the Square.   I will also share some pics of "Full Circle" a new workshop and pattern (late Nov) available on Craftsy.  And finally I will give you a sneak.peak of Blueberry Spice.  A free quilt pattern I designed for Fairfield that will be available on their website in Nov. ALOT has been going on...and finally I can start sharing. So please hang with me for one more day...lots to come.  See ya tomorrow!

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Paper Pieces Rocks!

PaperPiecesLogo

Yesterday Paul and I took a small road trip to Paper Pieces in Sycamore, IL.  

Yes the company that produces the beloved paper hexies! 

But Paper Pieces is much much more than hexagons, there are octagons, dresdens, pentagons, flags, hearts,  coffins, diamonds, and a new fav…the jewel shape.

There are so many shapes! 

This girl was doing the happy dance inside as each box was pulled out and the treasure inside was revealed in their inventory.

But our trip was not just to touch and see papery goodness.

We were on a mission, there were prototypes of Pieced Hexies Acrylic Alignment Templates to see!!

YES!!  Marking your paper pieces with alignment guides has just gotten so much easier and faster…..and precise.

TA DA!  Here are my newest babies!  A set of septuplets!

note for the picture I slipped a paper hexie beneath each so that you can actually see the laser printing on them.   WHOO HOO!

Some girls like to see their name in lights…..this girl is thrilled with seeing her name etched on acrylic!

                                                  

                                          

 

 

 

 

Here is Wheelie up close and personal.

 

 

   WheelieGuide

          

Here is the graphic for drawing Wheelie Alignment Guidelines from Pieced Hexies.  Instructions take you thru drawing this guide on your paper piece.

 

INSTEAD NOW YOU CAN

 

 

 

Place the template on top of your paper hexie.  Position a sharp pencil (or sharp pointed pen) into the laser cut guides and draw a line. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIOLA!  quick and easy and you are ready to baste your Wheelie Pieced Hexie!

These shorter alignment guides are easier to erase so that your paper can be reused for another design later!

 

 

 

 

The Cogs and Sparkle templates have circles so that you can mark dots.  When lining up your block to the marked hexie push a pin thru the dot(s) to align center intersections.

The templates will come in a resealable vinyl bag for easy storage!  And easy to tote around while you are hexing on the go!

Yes you can preorder the sets on my website shop.   They will begin shipping out on October 31st!    The set of 7 templates and the vinyl bag is $45.95.  Individual templates will be available for purchase in November at a cost of $8.00 each. 

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I <3 Stickers!

 

We all have our vices.

One of mine is essentially clipart with a sticky back.  A sticker.  or stickers. 

Ok.  LOTS and LOTS of stickers!

I went to Hobby Lobby last week.

Dangerous territory.

DSC06338DSC06339

 

 

 

I love to create my own stickers too! 

Vistaprint sends me thank you cards all the time. 

 

 

 

 

DSC06340

 

 

 

 

Chances are if you received any type of written correspondence from me you have gotten a sticker.

 

 

 

 

Look Emie!   DSC06341

Yep…Sock Monkey Stickers! 

 

….so now you all know…

                I am truly a Sticker Junkie.

 

….not gonna mention what the Post it Note aisle does to my heart.    Smile

Sunday, October 14, 2012

do you EQ?

Yes there is an EQ Boutique for Pieced Hexies! You can find it at the My Boutique - Electric Quilt website.

No it will not teach you how to make Pieced Hexies. The program is a design tool to use with EQ7 when designing your own special quilts. Pieced Hexies can now be easily added to your creative visions. To learn the process to make Pieced Hexies you will need the book.

Yes! There is a set of tools that will soon be available that will make the process of marking the Alignment Guides on your hexies faster and accurate. .....and yes there are many more patterns to come.... Thank you for your time, your interest, and for your purchase of Pieced Hexies!
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Friday, October 12, 2012

My Hotel Studio

Yesterday I posted the "traveling studio" pic on my facebook page and received a few inquiries about exactly what is in this box.

So last night with things spread out some more and a medium dresden plate basted I took another pic.

I would be lost without this 6x8 box on the road. At the end of each day when back in the hotel room I can hardly wait to open it and begin to play. I always keep lots of scraps in it as I never know what I might feel like playing with. And as you can see I am playing with dresden plates this trip. The needlethreader is my best friend late at night. And the little pincushion is made with a soda cap as it's base. It was an entry gift over 15 yrs ago at a local quilt show. Blunt nose scissors to make TSA agents happy and a variety of threads. Last night I was dreaming of Christmas.....

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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Flying...it's the thrill of the journey

No matter how many times I board a plane I am like a small child and am thrilled when I scoot into the window seat.  

I absolutely love to fly.  My first flight in life was at the old age of 18. 
I think my gram could count the total number of times she flew on one hand.
 
And then I think of how many times Paul & Emily have flown before 18. 

Wow...times change.

This morning I am off to Texas to spend the next few days with the Quilter's Guild of Plano Texas

....by the time this blog posts I will be at baggage claim....

....so for now I am just going to gaze out the window a bit more....and  daydream.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

it’s a Halloween Pieced Hexies Parade!

 

Join the “Pieced Hexies with Mickey Depre”  Facebook Fan Page.

My vision for this page is a place to share all things Pieced Hexies.

That being said I am announcing a

 

Pieced Hexies Halloween Parade

MCM-Costume-Parade

This is your heads up so you can get your “costume” ready for the parade in that will begin on October 10th.

Yes a parade of Halloween themed Pieced Hexies! 

 

 

You can use Halloween fabrics or

 

 

 

 

Halloween Colors (orange, black, purple, green) …

 

PiecedHexiesCOVERsmall

 

 

just make a Pieced Hexie design from the Pieced Hexies book that

screams HALLOWEEN 

 

Post a pic on the Facebook Fan Page between midnight Oct 10th and midnight Oct 24th CST.

 

….on to the prize!

On Oct 25th in the wee hours of the morning I will use a random number generator to determine the winner of the following:

 

An 8x11 size bag stuffed with hand dyed scraps perfect for making bewitching hexies!

 

So heads up…start creating your “Pieced Hexie Halloween Costume” and join in the fun!

And yes you can post more than one Halloween Pieced Hexie for multiple entries!

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Can’t wait to see the Parade of Halloween Pieced Hexies beginning on Oct 10th!