March Moda Madness!

During March KoolKat Quilting is offering Moda Jelly Rolls and Sweet Rolls at cost. Steal a march on these and get in quick as stocks are limited. Go to the link below to see what's on offer, and while you're there, why not check out Kathy's range of Bali Pops, Bali and other fabric pieces.

http://www.koolkatquilting.com.au/index.php?page=1&act=viewCat&catId=4

Quilting Feathers

This is one of the quilts  that I machine quilted for one of my customers this week.

When I look at a quilt like this the first thing that comes to mind is feathers. So I quilted feathers. I really enjoy quilting feathers when they are appropriate. I think they turned out really pretty on this one. 

 What do you think?

Do you like feathers?

Check out the feathers on this quilt. I really enjoyed quilting these feathers also.

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~Natalia

And the winner of the Mystery Quilt Is.....

Peony who said "Love the goldfish". Me too Peony. If you'll email Tara at info@janpatekquilts.com and give her your information, she'll mail you the blocks for the first two months and the border and sashing.

I loved reading the comments and wish you all could have won. We do have a few spaces left, I think. If you want one, check with Tara. I'm sure she can fix you up.

Right now I'm going to the loft to make some pillowcases to go with Zoie's Baskets.



We're setting up a bed with the quilt on it at Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton and I think it needs pillowcases. I ordered a sham from Moda to put in the middle. I am soooooo ready for spring.

lineage & the mayflower . . . and a quilt?

Being a member of the (relatively) full-time, out-of-the-home workforce, I don't have a lot of spare time to quilt. Not nearly as much as I'd like to have! Between work and responsibilities at home, and family, and our ministry, I'm already spread about as thin as I care to be (wish that thinness would spill over into...ah, never mind). And as much as I'd like to be able to be a "hands on" quilter more frequently, the fact of the matter is, I am not. But, that doesn't mean I don't *think* about quilting on a daily basis! I do, I do!

You may remember that yesterday, was my mom's birthday. Below is the bouquet she received . . . they did do a great job! Not *exactly* like the picture, but close. And most importantly, my mom loved them! They do look like Spring, don't you think?

So, it being an important family member's birthday and all, I got to thinking about my family and my ancestors and those who made me, well, me. I just happen to have pictures of both sets of my grandparents to share . . .

This is my Grandma Willie and Pop-pop, my dad's parents. Pop drove the back end of a hook and ladder truck for the District of Columbia's fire & rescue before he retired. Then he honed a tin can craft which was wonderful. These two were camping adventurers; they had a travel trailer that they would take out west and stay for months at a time. I loved traveling and camping with them! Our family went with them to Mexico several times, and I traveled with them to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on one trip, and to Ireland on another trip. They were wonderful, loving grandparents.

This is my Grandma and Grandpa Wadleigh, my mom's folks. Aren't they a handsome couple? Dr. Cecil H. Wadleigh worked for the Department of Agriculture and is published. They were both terribly good cooks, although when he retired from the government, he moved into the kitchen (from which she promptly retired)! I get my love of kitchen gadgets from him. They were so sweet with each other. I believe this portrait was taken around their 50th wedding anniversary. Grandma Wadleigh was a member of all kinds of things like the Daughter's of the American Revolution and The Mayflower Society and several other such groups. She was also a quilter!

Interestingly enough, from both my sets of grandparents (and both my parents, accordingly), I inherited a legacy that traces back to the Mayflower. Pop Fowler and Grandma Wadleigh both had ancestors that made that harrowing trip from England and made a life in what would become these United States of America. Pop and my dad trace their lineage back to William White, father of Peregrine White (the only baby born on the Mayflower who survived). My Grandma Wadleigh and my mom have a whole slew of folks--at least eight lines--that they can trace their lineage back through! Most notably, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, and Miles Standish.

Both my mom & dad are very active in The Mayflower Society, and they gifted each of their four daughters with membership, as well, several years ago. I hope to be able to do the same thing for my children sometime down the road, if they're interested. And now, with a grandson due any time now, I hope to be able to share our Mayflower history with him some day, too!

Hang in there with me; I'm coming back to quilting . . .

All of that to say that someday, I'd like to take this beautiful picture of the Mayflower, from Best Scale Models.com, and do a landscape quilt from it.

Choppy seas, gulls and all . . . except not with that other ship in the background. I've dreamed of trying my hand at a landscape quilt for a while (add that to the list of all the quilts I want to try my hand). Though, this one is certainly not the place to start! I've seen online classes for landscape quilts at quiltuniversity.com. That's probably where I'll start. Anyone else out there have any experience, advice, etc., about doing a landscape quilt? For now I'd best just finish up that baby quilt!

Ships ahoy!

:)

Tumbling blocks divided by 4 or 9

We're continuing our series on tumbling blocks variations, and the artists who have inspired us with their creations based on this versatile pattern. In the versions we're showing today, each side of each block is made up of four or nine different fabrics. The tumbling blocks are oversized, allowing for each side to be divided into fourths or ninths without each "tile" becoming too small. The use of multiple fabrics in a single block adds to the mosaic appearance of the quilt.

Hand Painted Tumbling Blocks Quilt, by C. Jean Horst



Hand-painted batiks were used to create the above quilt, which was pieced and quilted by the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The tumbling blocks are huge. Each side of each cube is made of nine different fabrics, such that each cube is made up of 27 individual pieces (3 x 9 = 27). Notice that the three-dimensional illusion is preserved by careful arrangement of light, medium and dark values. We can't help but notice the perfect piecing. For more information, click here.


The Big Tumble, by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes


In the Big Tumble, Diana and Laura have combined bright solids with dots, stripes and other prints to produce a riot of color and texture. Each cube is made up of twelve different fabrics (3 x 4 = 12) but the textures and colors are carefully repeated throughout the quilt to avoid chaos. For the pattern and workshops, including strip piecing methods, click here.

Images courtesy of John & Arlene Volk at Amish Country Quilts, and Diana McClun & Laura Nownes at Diana and Laura.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

If you're like me you might just need ten months to get ready for Christmas! The new Moda fabrics don't actually come out until May but you can get a few of your favorite pre-cuts right now!

12 Days of Christmas Layer Cakes & Charm Packs.

Adoring Charm Packs.

Fruitcake Jelly Rolls.

Are you wondering where I've been. Well.... I promise next week I'll share some pictures of what I've been up to. I've been super busy machine quilting. As of right now. 10:59pm on Thursday night I've machine quilted 9 quilts since Monday. I have been helping Amy get all of the quilting done for her book. I've also quilted some really beautiful quilts for my customers that I can't wait to share with you!

Hope all is well! Have a happy weekend!

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~Natalia

happy birthday, MOM!

These are the pretty flowers I had sent to my mommy for her birthday! I ordered them from her favorite florist, Benfield Florists. She got them this morning, just as she and my dad were leaving, so the timing was great! My dad was taking her to the Eastern Shore for lunch at one of their favorite restaurants. She's going to take a picture of the arrangement she got--which she loved--and send it to me; I'll post the comparison picture tomorrow (if I get it)! I love to send my mom flowers for her birthday. Always something bright and full of the promise of Spring -- especially after the snowy and grey winter they've had so far!

Happy Birthday, my beautiful mom! I love you!

:)

Something is Wrong Here!

My husband told me last night that something is wrong with me! I was ecstatic when the UPS man came and delivered Christmas! Literally, I've got some of Moda's new Christmas fabric.

 Yes, it's only February, but who cares, there is still lots of snow on the ground here! Tomorrow some of these Christmas precuts will be available for you to purchase too!

The picture above shows two Adoring Charm Packs by Sandy Gervais for Moda fabrics and one Fruitcake Jelly Roll by Basic Grey for Moda fabrics.

Do you think I'm crazy?

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas?

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~Natalia

Big Thread Love

The number one question I have been asked since first posting about my Work Quilt Series is "What type of thread are you using for the hand quilting?". I get asked this almost daily, and have lost count of the emails received. Suffice to say the thread has made an impression!


I put a lot of thought into what type of thread I wanted to use for these quilts. I knew I wanted certain elements... high quality and durability, 100% cotton, matte finish, beautiful and wide color range, and thick enough that it showed well on the surface of the quilt, but thin enough that it could easily pass through the eye of a hand quilting "between" needle and go through the various layers with ease.


I decided to use Sulky® Premium 100% Egyptian Cotton Threads, as it had all the elements I wanted. I have not been disappointed. In fact I have been so happy with the product and viewer response, that last week I decided to write a Thank You letter to the Sulky folks. I wanted them to know how much I loved their product and also showed them some pictures of my quilts so they could see how I incorporated their lovely threads into my work.

Later that same day, I was delighted to hear back from Patti Lee, Vice President of Consumer Relations for Sulky of America. Her prompt and personal reply to my letter only made my admiration for this company better. (How wonderful to know that the personal touch still exists in at least one large company.)

But here is the best part... Just look at what came in the mail today...


A Sulky Slimline Storage Box...


Chock full of 42 gorgeous Sulky Premium Cotton Threads!


Patti was beyond kind... Generously gifting me these delectable Sulky Cotton Blendables in 12 wt. to try out in my quilts!!! I feel like I won the lottery, and am beyond excited!


Previously I have only tried the solid thread colors, and Patti thought that I might also enjoy trying these beautiful Blendables...

I can barely wait to get started and I know they are going to look fabulous against the shot cotton fabrics in my Work Quilts! I am truly blown away by this gift, and deeply appreciative.


If you would like to try some of these Sulky Premium Cotton Threads in your own work, and are unable to find them where you live, you can purchase them here on-line at Speed Stitch and/or Uncommon Thread

P.S. Thank you for all the well wishes in regards to my daughter. Happy to say that after several rough days, M. is feeling much better and went back to school today. xo

Tumbling blocks... more illusions

We are fascinated by tumbling blocks patterns and other optical illusions. In a series of posts, we want to share with you some of the variations we've found, and analyze how the illusion is created!

The design above is a rug, done in the 1985 Ypsilon design by Vernor Panton. We've also found some wonderful quilts done in the Y-variation of tumbling blocks... like this Y? Why not! quilt by Kathy Klassen (below). This beautiful batik quilt was made from three light, three medium and three dark fat quarters, plus 0.5m background fabric. Kathy sells the pattern here, and teaches a workshop on her piecing methods.



Visualization of Ypsilon illusion: As in all tumbling blocks, the basic blocks (step 1) are made of light, medium and dark values. The shading creates the illusion of a three dimensional cube (we used 25%, 50% and 80% values). We took individual blocks and stacked them, one at a time, to form the Y shape (step 4). If you count the number of light, medium and dark diamonds in step 4 you'll see that there are 3 of each. The pattern is then formed by staggering the Y shapes, as shown (step 5).




Needless to say, this is a visualization aid, but not a piecing diagram! Strip piecing methods such as Kathy's, and other timesavers, are highly recommended. We'll feature some additional tools and techniques in upcoming posts.

ps. Kathy lives in beautiful British Columbia, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. We hope she is partaking of the festivities (go, Canada!)

Hubby got to See Cheri Again !!!!!!!!

My Mom holding Cheri, and she loves her so much!


Denny wanted to take her back home! Lol


Denny still not feeling great yet. He just wanted to get out of the house, so he wanted to go see Cheri and my parents. Parents love Denny!



We just stopped in to see the parents and to see Cheri. Cheri weighs 8 pounds now and her fluffy fur makes her look bigger than what she really is. Parents love her so much.



Denny at my parents seeing Cheri for the first time since Christmas Day! She loved Denny and did remember him!

Discounts @ Piece N Quilt

I love saving! Isn't it the best feeling knowing that you got a deal! So today I'm sharing a couple of secrets. If you want to save a few dollars here at Piece N Quilt you need discount codes. Where do you get those discount codes?

1- Our newsletter. Today's newsletter has a great discount code. Click here to sign up.

2- Twitter. Are you following us on Twitter? We are frequently posting discount codes over on Twitter. Click her to follow us on Twitter.

3- Facebook. If you're not following us on Facebook you're also missing out on great discount codes. Click here to follow us on facebook.

Last but not least. Become a follower here on our blog. Did you know that every time we hit a milestone with our followers we host a give away! You must be a follower to be eligible for those drawings.

Hope everyone is having a happy day. I have to tell you that I machine quilted 3.5 quilts yesterday. It was a long day but they all turned out beautifully. I will share pictures soon!

Don't miss our sale @ Piece N Quilt!
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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia

dinner and dashed hopes . . .

Todd & I enjoyed a lovely evening with Jocelyn & Jason. Joc has done such a marvelous job of making their house a beautiful and comfortable home. Plus Joc sets such a pretty table!! I love the red chargers with her china. Nice! It felt festive and special!

Plus she served yummy food -- Ravioli Soup, garden salad, and wheat rolls. *And* homemade lemonade! Deeee-licious!

Cute domestic moments . . .

This is Joc's baby. Princess Leia is her name. She is beautiful as can be, but mean as spit! Well, to me she is. But she's so darling! I can't resist {trying to} petting her!

But she's even a bit of a pickle with her mom . . . no kisses, mom!

Ah well. The cheesecake I brought was a hit . . . so good it stayed with them! Much to my husband's dismay. It's okay; I promised him I'd make a whole new one just for us! :)

Here's the recipe for it:

Sugar Free Cheesecake

12 oz. Light Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup granular splenda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups skim milk
*2 packages sugar free/fat free instant pudding (any flavor)
*3/4 cup sugar fruit spread (to coordinate with pudding flavor) (I prefer Polander's)
**Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Beat cream cheese, vanilla, and splenda until mix is creamy and smooth. Add milk and continue to beat until well blended. Add both packages of pudding and beat some more until mixture is thickened and smooth.

Spread scant half of mix into graham cracker pie and smooth surface. Spread fruit spread on top. Pour and spread the rest of the cheesecake mix on top to form third layer. Cover and allow to set for at least four hours (over night is better). (NOTE: there is usually TOO much filling for the pie shell. When that happens I pour the mix into 1/2 cup containers and we just eat the filling . . . who really needs the crust anyway?!?)

Cut and serve with sugar free cool whip and a dollop of the fruit spread, if you like!

*Good combinations are chocolate pudding and strawberry or cherry fruit spread; cheesecake pudding and apricot or blackberry or raspberry (or really, any kind of fruit) spread; or vanilla pudding and whatever. I throw in a little almond extract with my vanilla extract, especially with chocolate and vanilla pudding.

**The graham cracker pie crusts are NOT sugar free. The low fat crust has the same amount of sugar (6 grams per serving) as the regular. I used chocolate with my chocolate. :) You can also make your own graham cracker crust; this may cut down on your sugar.

I play around with most recipes I try, just because that's how I roll. This one is no different--or rather, it's quite different from how I originally found it!

A NICE giveaway I found today is over at A Little Bit Biased . . . check it out for yourself!!

Another NICE (and purple-ly) giveaway is happening over at Lila Tueller Designs . . . oh my goodness!!!

Oh yeah, and speaking about giveaways, remember yesterday when I talked about the offer of a sponsor for a giveaway? Total spam/hoax. I had a lovely lady, Kim from Sherrod Studio, who read my blog yesterday on Quilter Blogs.com, and said she'd had a similar experience from the same company that went bad. Ah well.

I'll be my own sponsor. How's that? I'll do a, "I'm a GRANDMA!" giveaway next month.

Yay! I'll be a grandma next month (in TWO weeks)!

Sweet!

:)

I Will Return ...... Soon!

My Hubby still not totally back to normal yet. He has been back to the one doctor, who feels he will have this problem again, as he goes on in his life, as it has to do with his prostrate. They finally got the poison out of his blood stream..., which is good. He does not at this moment have kidney problems as they thought. Yet he has more test next week..... I have missed everyone so much. Yet as you all know, a sick man becomes a man/child. I tried to work on my quilting stuff... and all I hear is, “Are you finished yet.” I just decided to focus on him, and forget my stuff until he is better. He is worried and scared.... so I am praying he feels better soon. He may be able to go to work March 3rd if the other doctor feels he can. So I shall return soon! Miss you all! Hugs Morgan

Flora Preview

Here is a preview of the art quilt I have been working on for the Art Quilts Around the World "Flora Challenge". I love the way this project is turning out and I can't wait to show you more. Reveal date is March 31st.

happy, happy . . . joy, joy!

I had a very interesting e-mail today . . . it was from an advertiser who thought their products might be of interest to my 'readers' and asked me to take a look at their websites to see if I also though their products might make good giveaways on my blog! How funny! What's even more amusing to me is that the three sites they gave me are all three cooking/kitchen product websites! LOL! Well, while I predominantly talk about quilting, I do love to cook (in fact, I'll share my recipe for sugar free easy cheesecake tomorrow), so I'm going to consider their offer! Yay!

Tonight, Todd & I are taking my sf easy cheesecake to Jocelyn and Jason's home for dinner! I haven't seen my baby girl in ages, so I'm very excited. Plus I get to see Princess Leia! She's such a darling looking (if not acting) pussycat. I have to get my cat lovin' in when I can!

Some interesting things going on in blog land . . .

Julie, over at jaybird quilts, has a listing of all the quilt blogs having give aways that she knows about! How awesome is that? You can simply go to her blog and you've got your one-stop resource! Check out the current listing here.

Rachel, at p.s. i quilt, is giving away a free blog makeover! Isn't that fun??? Check it out here.

Brooke, at Everyday Bailey, is celebrating her darling baby's first birthday! Happy birthday sweet girl!!!

And Amy, from Diary of a Quilter, went on her first-ever quilt retreat this past weekend, too! It sounds like she had almost as much fun as I did on mine!

And lastly, for today, Heather at A La Mode fabric, is celebrating her blog turning one year old. And she is doing it in *style*! She's got two awesome giveaways; check it out here.

So . . . just a few fun things happening out there. Stay tuned for more info on the potential giveaway!!! Whooohooo!

:)

Gathering's New Fabric Area in Boscobel, Wisconsin

This is the postcard that Gatherings sent out to announce their New Fabric Area, Quilt Trunk Show with Linda Halpin and Samplings of Free Style Quilting by me -- Marcia Wachuta.

I Love the Olympics!

I have had so much fun watching the Olympics! I hope you, wherever in the world you are have too! My husband and I keep telling each other that it makes us both sick to our stomach to think that 8 years ago the Olympics were right here in our town... and we didn't attend any events. 

(Literally! Both of our parents had families from other countries staying at their homes.) I will rephrase that, we did go to a couple of medals ceremonies in Salt Lake City but we didn't actually go and watch any athletes compete. I am sure this is something I will always regret! I do have a disclaimer. We were young and he was working three jobs and I was working two, one of my jobs was at the hotel where all of the nordic athletes stayed so that was fun.

ANYWAYS! Last week Moda-United Notions put on their facebook status the funnest thing. They asked the question. "Which  Quilting Olympic event would you medal in and why?? Be creative. There were some funny answers.

I have determined that I would win the gold in the category of getting the least amount of sleep at night / being the most creative while I should be sleeping!

If you were in the Quilting Olympics what would you win a medal in?

Be creative!

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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia