That's a Wrap - 6 years long-arming for you!

Finished my 72nd customer quilt this, my 6th, year quilting for others (through Nov. 11, 2015). That is a total of 409 so far.

This year ....several customer quilts won awards, if yours won something and I didn't hear about it--please let me know!

Pieced by Carol Wean --Kachemak Bay, Alaska


From the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce - Harvest Festival Quilt Show:

Pieced by Nancy Goddard - 1st place large quilts (although not given a ribbon for it, it was Best of Show)



















2nd place Small Quilts - Pieced by Linda Roberts - her version of my 1892 Rondure design


2nd place - large quilts - Pieced by Nancy Cargo - Strips Ahoy with extra borders - adapted from Tricia Cribbs/Turning Twenty design



























one was an antique just waiting to be completed,

another was my shop's Row by Row Winner pieced by Nancy Cargo,

and this one for a special anniversary of a dear friend of my client's.

Totals by style of quilting, note all are hand guided.

Pantographs - 29
Custom - 43  (ranges from 'lite' to moderately high level of custom)

(includes four done gratis for charity and one sample pieced by my mom--note quilting services are not eligible as charitable deductions --this is truly a labor of love.)

Every quilt is special to the recipient and I especially enjoy being a part of that process. You can see all the photos I've posted in this year's album.

Probably more so than in prior years, I've made an intentional effort to be a part of our industry in other ways. Now with fabric available in the studio, I spend more time working with individuals seeking to create their next treasure. Participating in Row by Row and our local North Central Washington Shop Hop took time away from quilting too, but I got to meet many new people and enjoyed sharing about our tranquil area with them. Thanks to all who ventured here....we look forward to seeing you again. And if you missed out on our 2015 Row by Row -- kits are still available.

Woven Braid - Full size

I also released new pattern designs with Island Batik at both Spring and Fall Quilt Markets. They are available to other shops through IB or directly from me. The Spring Release  - Woven Braid has done well locally. Fabrics became available about a month ago and many kits were spoken for before they arrived. We have just finished our class for it and there are a few kits customized to your preferred size still available for purchase and can be shipped. The pattern is included in each kit and has all sizes and 3 alternate layouts.

Size   - Dimensions - Price (Shipping and Tax Add'l)
Baby -  45" x 55" - $57
Lap - 55" x 65"  - $75
Full (shown)- 65" x 85" - $95
Queen - 75" x 95" - $110
King - 105" x 105" - $150

Pattern only $10



These patterns were released at Fall Market and are now available. Island Batik fabrics that they were made with will be available from your local quilt shop in 2016. Jewels is available now in a kit using Jinny Beyer Malim batiks (see lower image for sample that uses a non-batik for the border).


Dangling Diamonds

Fire Island Jewels

Jewels -- using Jinny Beyer Malim Batiks and Milan in the outer border
Pieced by Nancy Cargo -- This photo was taken at the
Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce - Harvest Festival Quilt Show where I was the featured quilter. I was honored to be asked and loved how many entries were from classes I had taught, some being my own original designs. There were over 75 quilts on display (about half were mine).

I've just learned that both Dangling Diamonds and Fire Island Jewels have been juried into AQS Phoenix Quiltweek - February 2016.

Our book "You Can Quilt! Building Skills for Beginners" was released by the American Quilter's Society in May 2015. I'll be doing author demos related to our book  at the Phoenix AQS Quilt Week on Thurs. at 11am and Friday at noon. Hope to see some of you there!

 

 

I continued to teach locally this year, but took a break over the summer. This fall we've started in with two new groups going through our book. This time we're doing it 3 nights a week for 1 hour --covering a chapter per week (3 weeks per month) and a group on Friday for 3 hours (great for those people working 4 10s). Four months is a commitment, but I'm excited with the student results already! There is also typically one or two project classes that happen each month. We've completed Woven Braid and will do a French Seam Pillowcase before Thanksgiving. In December we'll do 'Metro Rings' from Sew Kind of Wonderful using the Quick Curve Ruler. Looking forward to the quilting adventure of these results! If you're interested in taking one of the classes or would like to be kept informed of future releases, classes, new products, etc., be sure to join the email list. Sign up at www.kissedquilts.com

 

I'll do a review of my personal WIPs, other finishes and accomplishments at the end of the calendar year....until then...happy sewing!