sewtakeahike

QuiltCon diaries Part 1

 

Hello everyone!  I've missed you!  And I have so much to tell you since I was here last.  Fair warning, this will probably be a long one!

 

 

I'm going to break my QuiltCon posts into a two because there was just so much to take in.  Honestly.

What to say, what to say.  It was inspiring.  Joyful.  Exciting.  Fun.  Heartfilling.  Nervewracking.  And I had several proud momma moments with my students. 

I taught threee classes.  Foundation piecing.  Freezer paper piecing by template.  And Designing foundation blocks.

I was so impressed by each and every student in all three classes!

 

Vicky and her cupcake from the foundation piecing class

 

Claudia and her microwave design/block from the design class

 

Elaine and her flappy finned fish design/block from the design class

 

Monica says hi from the foundation piecing class!

 

Gillian's elephant (applique, applique that ear!! lol) and Anne's St. Bernard patterns from design class

 

Joanne's key pattern/block from design class

 

Audrey's headless "Marigold"

 

Eileen's ladybug pattern/block from design class

 

Whaaaaat?  They're all so fabulous!  And there are so many I missed. 

 

So yeah.  I had some serioulsy goofy students too. 

Or maybe it was me (no, not me!) and I forgot to tell them it was OK to take their blocks home with them after the photoshoot?  Ooopsie! 

 

If you were in the class and you see one or more of your blocks here, shoot me an email to sewtakeahike at gmail with your addy and I'll pop them in the mail to you! 

 

 

And you should probably hurry before Fozzy tears across them.  He's a total spaz. 

Also, I have your original bridge design one of you left in the design class that I'd love to get back to you!!

 

And lastly for today, a photo of some of the concentrating design class students

 

 

And a couple of gratuitous class sample seam block photos

 

 

See you in a few days for QuiltCon diaries part 2.

 

xo,

Penny

 

Ringing it in with a grateful heart

Happy Happy New Year!

 

 

I always thought my parents were so fuddy duddy when they would say this, but where has the time gone?  It really does seem to move quicker now than when I was 10. 

 

 

2012 was full of many things; joy, sadness, inspiration, brokenheartedness, and elation.  Just when I was feeling drab, something or someone would inspire me.  When I was feeling down in the dumps, someone would encourage me.  And when I was heartbroken, friends came along side me and cried with me and hugged me. 

Through it all, I am so thankful for 2012.  After all, it brought

• the most wonderful dream of a partnership with Kerry in Sew-Ichigo.
• a renewed sense of where I fit in the quilting world when I was asked to teach at QuiltCon (which is coming up in a few short weeks!)
• reminders of what's really important in life
• time with L-man doing the things we love
• closer bonds of friendship
• Instagram! :)
• a deepening desire to improve and make a difference

 

 

And then, just a few days ago, I received a note from Lisa at the Moda Bakeshop telling me that my Isosceles Picnic quilt was one of the top 10 viewed projects at the Moda Bakeshop in 2012!  Get.out!!!

 

So to each and every one of you that take your precious time to visit sewtakeahike, leave comments and touch my heart, thank you.  Thank you for a wonderful 2012!

And to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ben at Saral Paper and Kimberly and the gang at the Fat Quarter Shop for being long time sponsors. 

Here's to a super 2013!

 

xo,

Penny

Instagram on my not so instablog

Good morning to you!  How's your weekend looking?  Anything exciting going on?  I have a few projects I'd like to finish up and maybe go to a movie with L-man, but other than that, nothing major happening here. 

I have a confession to make.  I guess I've known for some time, but it wasn't until I looked to see how many posts I've done on sewtakeahike in the last month until it really hit me.  I'm addicted to instagram.  If you're on, look me up.  I'm listed as, you guessed it, sewtakeahike.  I post there quite frequently because it's quick and easy and no fuss. 

So today, I'm going to share a few pics that I posted to IG recently.

Like this:

 

A "latte to go" mug rug with a gift card sleeve on the back.  I'll be teaching this class at Mama Said Sew on Nov 17th.  If you're going to be in Fort Collins on the 17th, you should sign up!   It'll be super fun!

 

And then this:

 

The first issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited is out and I have project in it, an iPad cover.  And by the way, I've been bugging L-man for over a year for one and just this week, he started asking me questions about which one I might like!  I think the iPad cover I made might have something to do with it?  Anyway, I used some of my very favorite fabrics on this cover, including a piece of Mr. Donut fabric Ayumi sent to me. 

 

And then, there's this guy:

 

A little project I'm making for the Liberty Scrap Challenge for November.

 

And then there's this:

 

Did you know these two books are one in the same?  The top one in Japanese and the bottom in English.  I recently did a search on Amazon for the bottom book, and I found several for a steal.  It's an awesome book by Suzuko Koseki.

 

And last but not least, a gratuitous shot of Fozzy (L-man thinks he's hilarious with the remote thing)

xo,

Penny

 

 

quilty love from quilty friends

I don't even know where to begin.  I'm still in a sort of shock about it all and words are not coming easily for me.  So I'll just start with this:  I have the sneekiest, most wonderful, thoughtful quilty friends. 

To say this last year has been trying is an understatement.  But as trying as it has been, it has also been just as much of a blessing.  (That is really hard to say when I focus on all of the heartwrenching events that have happened in the last year, but it's true.)  And when Amy contacted Kerry about doing something for me, Kerry set into motion "Quilty Love".

 

 

Quilty Love is a quilt as you go quilt consisting of 36 blocks and is approx. 84" square.  It was made using Monica's tutorial.

 

 

 

I have literally spent hours pouring over the blocks in this quilt.  There is personal meaning in the fabrics (and selvedges!) each person used that went right to the heart of me. 

And Fozzy must feel the love, because he wants to be in it every chance he gets!

 

 

Sonja, Nova, Ayumi, Kerry, Laurraine, Krista, Marit, Lynne, Angela, Charise, Anna, Dan, Tamiko, Amy, Laurie, Faith, Amanda, Melinda, Amber, Monica, Leila, and Jody:  I heart each and every one of you!! and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And last but certainly not least, I must say a special thank you to Tara, Michelle (sewdemented, isn't that the best name??), and Carmen.  Tara collected all the blocks and while Tara sewed them together, Michelle and Carmen made binding and supplied moral support.  You girls are the best and I still can't believe you had sewing days without me! :)

 

xo,

Penny

while life happens...

 

Life has been full these last several weeks!  I'm missing you though and will be back soon!

xo,

Penny