March 9, 2009
Star Puzzle
I just finished up this class sample that uses one of my patterns, Star Puzzle, but I have reversed the contrast. Sometimes its good to see what a pattern will look like using different fabrics.
A 3D square, like the 3D bowtie block is the basis for this design and the first step to a Cathedral Window using my method.
Below is a closeup of what the blocks look like at the quilting stage, after the grid is stitched but before any of the folds have been rolled. The finished version is next to it. Intrigued?
March 2, 2009
My Technique, Your Work
I love, love, love it when I get pictures in the mail
or email from quilters who have used one of my patterns or books to make a quilt. It’s very gratifying. So, I am going to make an effort to track some of them down. I have two today that I would like to show. Denise from Santa Clara, California made a quilt from my pattern Romantic Reflections. What a lovely quilt!! Her Cat enjoyed it as well.
Elizabeth from Portland, Oregon made this quilt from my second book, “Machine Stitched Cathedral Stars”. The quilt design is called “A Window Full of Stars”. She made it larger and added a very cool border. Wow!
If you’ve made one of my designs, I would love to show it off. If you want me to use your full name, just let me know and I will. A great big Thank You to Denise and Elizabeth!!
March 1, 2009
Twitter Quilts ….. Twilts
The Reason
When I get home from a trip, am between projects or in any kind of transition I often have creative down time. I realize that I don’t give myself a lot of permission to play. This idea really got me excited because it gives me the opportunity and rewards of creative play in small bursts.
The Concept
I have been exploring the social networking phenomenon partly at my daughter Becky’s encouragement and partly because I believe it’s the direction of the future. Still, it makes my head spin, Blogs, Widgets, Tags, Links, Flickr and Twitter. Where does an aging hippie start? Twitter in particular got my attention. Quick bursts of concise chatter called Tweets exchanged between users. Read about it in Wikipedia. It’s a fascinating concept. I don’t feel ready to jump in just yet but I thought what about using the same concept to do little quilts. Twitter Quilts or Tweet Quilts…….Twilts.
The Rules
The size of the piece can’t be larger than 144 square inches, which is 12” x 12”.
The title should be a quick pithy idea like a Tweet, which is limited to 140 characters.
That’s right, just two rules. I have added two additional rules just for myself. I will try not to take more than a day to do each Twilt and the materials should come from my stash.
I will try to post my Twilts as I create them and welcome everyone to join me. I would love to see what other quilters come up with. I am excited to have the opportunity to play; some of my best ideas, like my method for Cathedral Windows, came from a moment of play.
What do you think of this idea? Want to join me? Here’s my first one. I will be posting a new Twilt every tuesday so check back to see what’s new on Twilt Tuesdays.
Thinking of Cherry Blossoms
January 9, 2009
San Diego or Bust
I am off to San Diego to do a Lecture and Workshop. Before I leave I thought I would give everyone a preview of the quilt that will hang at Road to California in the Teachers exhibit. 
It’s called Hawaiian Nine Patch. All the fabrics used are tropical prints. A nine patch outline is created with the foundation squares (the ones that form the chains).
Check it out at the show.
Hope you enjoy it.
January 7, 2009
See You at the Show
On January 15th the Road to California Quilt Show opens and I will be there doing demos for my sixth year in a row, my second year on the faculty. Although my classes are full I hope you will come by and see me at “The Quilt Attic” booth on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Road is always such a fun show and I hope to see lots of you, old friends and new.
This blog is something new for me. I hope everyone will feel free to let me know what they are doing with my techniques. If you have any questions or suggestions drop me an email or comment here.
I hope to see you at Road!!
Snips and Bits from Shelley's Studio 