Valentine Madness

February 14, 2016February 14, 2016 | ColQuilts

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s been a busy week with lots accomplished! I’ve been quilting away and running my heart out! Training for what will be my second half marathon in April, I ran a total of 21 miles this week. Phew! It’s getting much easier and I feel stronger with every run.

In my quilting life, I’ve been dabbling with an app I had heard about called Moka Hanga which takes your photos and creates a wood block image. Somewhere on social media, I heard it was a good app to use to break down a photo to help create piecing when making an art quilt. I tried a few photos I have been thinking about making into a quilt. It is pretty interesting. What do you think? I’ll keep you posted on my progress as this is one of my creative goals for this year.

I also joined (along with so many in the quilt world), The Splendid Sampler. I am using a combination of New York fabrics from the City Quilter and Inked fat quarters by Lynn Krawzyck (which I purchased some time ago from Spool Quilts). I finished the first block they are calling “Hearts Aflutter.” I plan on calling this quilt, “New York Values,” as I am a born and raised New Yorker and took great offense to Ted Cruz when he made that comment. New Yorkers are the most compassionate, caring, creative, resilient, open and diverse group of people I know and am proud to embrace “NY Values.” Keep on stitching and running, my friends!

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Thursday Throwback andWhat’s New!

December 3, 2015 | ColQuilts

Last year I was feverishly working on this quilt to finish it for a Christmas gift. My friend’s Mother in law had cross stitched it and she asked if I would quilt it to surprise her. So thoughtful! It turned out beautiful and her Mother in law loved it!

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Next up is this unusual quilt. It’s made of clothing from my friend’s family and she embroidered names and places that are significant to her. The different textures should be a challenge! But first, I’ve got to get a 3 mile run in! Gotta keep the body in shape as well as the mind!

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Northern Star Inspiration Part 2

May 6, 2015May 6, 2015 | ColQuilts

Here are a few more of my favorite quilts from Saturday’s quilt show by the Northern Star Quilt Guild. I thought Diana’s “selfie” was awesome! I met Diana several years ago when she came to my quilt store. She had brought with her a quilt that was a portrait of a cat. It was fabulous and her work always is impeccable. What I loved about this quilt is the quilting. Her quilter, Wilma from Christian Lane Quilters, added a special touch quilting in Diana’s name into the quilt.

Selfie Stash by Diana Sharkey. It received an Honorable Mention!

Diana's quilter, Wilma from Christian Lane Quilters, quilted her name right into the quilt — Diana’s quilter, Wilma from Christian Lane Quilters, quilted her name right into the quilt

I found myself draan to many of the Modern quilts displayed in the show. The quilt, “Going my way”, struck me. I think it was the a combination of the colors and the quilting designs. I think the curves of the quilting designs are a beautiful juxtaposition to the pieced cubes in the quilt. Don’t you agree?

This inspires me to start working on a Modern Quilt design I have rolling around in my head. What inspires you?

Northern Star Inspiration

May 3, 2015May 3, 2015 | ColQuilts

On Saturday, I attended the Northern Star Quilt show in Somers, New York. Usually, I attend with a few fellow quilters, but this time I decided to go it alone and take my time viewing the quilts in the show. I found it refreshing to wander the floor by myself and study each quilt and was inspired by so many beautiful works of art. I will share with you some of my favorites over the next few days. Hopefully you will find some inspiration too!

I was thrilled to see my quilting BFF, Debby Siccardi, won 1st place in large bed quilts and best machine quilting! It was well deserved and I know how much time and energy she put into sewing and quilting this quilt!

Debbie Siccardi's quilt:: Dreaming of Alaskan Glaciers — Debbie Siccardi’s quilt:: Dreaming of Alaskan Glaciers

Best of show, “Marvelous Martha” was a fabulous piece. Donna Chambers really out did herself using mixed media – cotton and silk fabrics and texture magic and an exquisite hand painted face. Donna also received a 1st place ribbon in the Wall quilts category and a N.Q.A. CJ Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Quiltmaking. The quilting on the piece was just beautiful and I really loved Donna’s use of the striping in the border fabric. My photo does not do it justice.