A Change in Plans

Life brings many changes.
It's been...ages since I posted here. Life happened. Quilting came to a halt. Currently my sewing machine sits in a dark corner, staring at me. The last time I used it was to teach the girls how to make PJ bottoms. My oldest now has custody of the quilt room, it's her bedroom. Sewing has been put aside for now.
BUT...I still have a creative outlet. Writing.

My newest release Missing Children.

I'm sharing it with you, because it surrounds a quilting group. Here's the blurb:

What do you do with fabric scraps? You make a quilt. Memories are the scraps of life. Louise's memories are missing because of Alzheimer's. After being moved to a nursing home, her family donates Louise's fabric to her old quilting bee.

Hannah and the ladies of the quilting bee are happy to have the fabric but have mixed feelings over the nursing home. Before they can make quilts in honor of Louise they must sort through the tension and mixed emotions. Hannah must also deal with past regrets and memories of her grandmother who died with Alzheimer's.

Can Hannah forgive herself for past mistakes? Can the close knit group put feelings aside long enough to make a memory quilt for Louise?
Experience the laughter and tears as Hannah and her friends deal with the tragedy of Alzheimer's and the healing art of quilting.


Missing Children is available from Amazon for $0.99. 
I hope to get a little sewing accomplished this summer, even if it is just teaching the young ones how to make sleepwear.  If you enjoy reading and like the book or if you are just curious, my writer's blog is located here.  
Happy Quilting,
Caren 

Too Hot....

The heat here has made it too difficult to quilt.  I have been spending too much time on pinterest, but that has allowed me to find great patterns I want to try.  My latest obsessions are mermaids and super hero's.  Actually, they are not that different!

Pinterest led me to Quiet Play's shop at Craftsy.  She has great paper pieced patterns, many of which are free.

Today, I braved the heat and made this:

 

I hope all of you know who this is with out me telling you...

 

Wonder Woman!

 

I have plans to use her other patterns and add a few of my own.  Now that I said that It

will never happen!

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Caren

Modern Sampler Block 1

I've been gone way too long.  Working full time has really put a cramp in my quilting.  I have lots to tell but first I want to show what I made today.

A few weeks ago I was rearranging the clump of blankets on my bed ( I won't lie and say I was making the bed) and realized that my main quilt doesn't cover the entire king size bed.  I made it when Sweetie Pie and I married and it's a tad short on the sides.  So I decide I want a new bed quilt, last one made 8 years ago or more :) 

I sat down and decided to make a Modernish sampler quilt with blocks of different sizes.  I sat down drew up a few details and tried to make size requirements for blocks.  Then decided that was too much work and I would just wing it!  Well, I guess we know how this may end.

I had 2 charm packs of 5 in. squares of Quilt Blocks,  3 yards of white, and assorted yards of solids and prints.

Today I made my first block:  Box  it's a traditional block.  Don't know how it got it's name.

BOX, finishes 12 inches

4 -5 inch grey print charm squares
4- 5 inch yellow solid squares
1- 4 inch yellow solid square

Take 1 grey squarer RS up and 1 yellow square RS down.  Draw a line from point to point and sew 1/4 inch from both sides of the line.  Make 4 of these.  Cut on the line to make 8 half square triangle patches.

Now, Line the squares up and trim them down to 4 inches square.

I match the center seam with the diagonal line running across the cutting mat.
This, is how the patches should look:

Sew patches and rows together using a 1/4 inch seam.  Hopefully, your corners will match better than mine!  I have one little corner that's a little off.  But I'm happy.  Now I have to iron the seams into submission!

Happy Quilting
Caren

AAQI Update

Most of you may know I make quilts for AAQI.  I started about 2 years ago and have enjoyed every minute of it. It's a great organization that is helping find a cure for Alzheimer's.  But all things eventually end.  The following is an email from Ami Simms the founder of AAQI.

I hope all quilters who have not made a quilt for AAQI, to make one now.  Help us reach $1 million.

Caren

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative will most likely reach the $1,000,000 mark in money raised for Alzheimer’s research some time in 2013! The work of your hands and the compassion in your hearts has brought us to this milestone. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you for your support and dedication.

Ami and her mother, Beebe, in 2006 shortly after the AAQI began.

What began as one person’s response to sorrow and frustration has grown into a national charity embraced by a large portion of the quilting community. More than 13,000 quilts have been donated, turning sweat equity into over $883,000 for research so far. For many donors these quilts were healing works of art which helped them grieve as they stitched for the greater good. Hundreds of thousands of people have seen the AAQI’s two traveling quilt exhibits about Alzheimer’s. Through this artistry came the realization for many that they were not alone on this journey of heartbreak; others understood, perhaps for the first time, what a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s really means. Together quilters have funded 11 research studies at six universities and a medical school. Three more studies will be funded this month and hopefully more throughout 2013. Because of the AAQI, scientists know a little bit more about Alzheimer’s than they did before. Hopefully this understanding will bring us all closer to a cure.
When I created the AAQI back in 2006, I never expected it to become so successful! I also never imaged how much work it would take to keep it going. As the AAQI blossomed, board members and core volunteers have had to increase our hours and pace to keep up. While I find enormous satisfaction in nurturing the AAQI, I much prefer sewing to administrating. I miss just being a full-time quilter.
For this reason, 2013 will be the last year of fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. I hope you will help the AAQI reach our goal of One Million Dollars for research and then at the end of 2013 celebrate with everyone who made this tremendous achievement possible. Please review the important dates below:

February 15, 2013: All bookings for the traveling exhibit “Alzheimer’s Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope” must be finalized.

March 1, 2013: First online auction of quilts from “Alzheimer’s Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope” traveling exhibit. Twenty-six Name Quilts will be auctioned during the first 10 days of March, April, May, June, July, August, and September. Payment will be required at the conclusion of each auction with shipping in October 2013 after the exhibit retires. The 54 Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts from the traveling exhibit will be auctioned during the first 10 days of October and December.

July 2013: Last month to participate in the Quilt-A-Month Club.

August 1, 2013: Last day to register Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts. Quilts delivered to scanners after August 20 will be refused.

October 29 – November 3, 2013: International Quilt Festival. We hope to be invited back one last time to sell quilts in Houston, TX.

November 1-10, 2013: Celebrity Invitational Quilt Online Auction

December 30, 2013: Last day Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts can be purchased online.

December 31, 2013: Quilts For Sale and Donation pages will be removed from the AAQI website and all solicitations will cease.

2014-2015: The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative will monitor research grants awarded in 2013. The AQQI web page will be left intact for at least six months. Any funds not needed to sustain the AAQI’s final expenses will be donated to research. Remaining assets will be disposed of according to IRS regulations after which time the corporation will be dissolved.

There is still much work to this year as we sprint to the finish line. I hope everyone who reads this will join in, either as a seasoned veteran or a first time quilt donor or quilt buyer. We will continue to make a difference until the very last quilt is sold. Let’s make 2013 the best year ever!
Thank you for your support,
Ami Simms
Founder & Executive Director
Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative

DISCLOSURES

Surprise....

Great news  The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature has printed my short story, The Fruitcake.  I'm so excited this is the first time one of my stories has been printed.  So run on over to the Dead Mule and read my story. 

Merry Christmas
Caren

Mug Rug 2

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

I had an idea for another mug rug, using one of my favorite fabrics- outgrown jeans.  Not my jeans, my girls little bitty jeans.  The jeans originally had a red plaid cuff, so I used that an inspiration.

It has a Christmas feel to it, without being overtly Christmas.  I wanted one that could be used all winter.  The two large pieces are 5 x6 inches.  Then I just added a border, rickrack and binding.  I love the fact that the pocket can hold a treat.

It went together fast and was lots of fun.  I see a version of this going to AAQI in the future.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Quickie...

Working full time is really putting a squeeze on my sewing time. I seriously need someone to pay me to stay home and sew!  I usually make a number of handmade gifts for Christmas.  Not this year.  I did manage one quick mug rug as a go along with a bought gift.  Originally, I was going to make a cute applique with the words HOT  HOT HOT and a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows.  (Still might...later)  It ended up a quick scrap job with charm squares!

(When I started I swear I ironed everything flat.  It looked straight!)

Here's a brief walk through:
1.  Take 6 charm squares and sew together.

2.  Trim about 2 3/4 inches off of the top and bottom, and sew onto the sides.

3.  Quilt as desired and trim to about 11 1/2 x 7 1/2.  Use this as a way to cut edges you don't like and square it up.  Then add a cut little button or other embellishment.


Happy Quilting
Caren

Show me your hands....

If you are like me, your children have brought home a multitude of hand print crafts from school.  I was working on a reindeer pattern and it wasn't working.  Then I came across a paper hand print reindeer that one of my kids made, and I thought....hmmmmm.

I pinned the girls down long enough to get a fresh hand outline and went to work.  It's not finished yet.  I think I want a half-square triangle border around it.

It needs a border and embellishment, but it is so cute.  The square finished up at 8 ins. and the hand is made of a suede-like fabric.  It's nice and soft....like a deer ;)

I hope to have it finished next week.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Another winner chosen...

I never heard from our first winner, so I picked another...

C-girl helped me out by choosing
Jeanne Gwin!

Please contact me so I can mail off your awesome new seam ripper.

Happy Quilting
Caren

And the Winner is....

And the winner is.....


Sorry to be so late with the winner.  I spent the day running errands and taking Little Britches to the doctor and for x-rays.  Looks like she might have a broken finger.  Ouch!

One fabric bowl of names (old school!)

One little person drawing a name.....

Edna Kidd  you are the proud owner of a hand turned seam ripper.
I do not have an email for you, so please contact me by Friday November 2nd or I will pick another winner.

Thanks to all my followers for playing along and sending great comments.

Happy Quilting,
Caren

BOO.....

Spooky House....
I have a new quilt pattern, my first wall hanging in my Craftsy shop.

It measures 25 3/4 square.  It is an easy applique pattern with a simple pieced border.  This spider is a larger version of the spider from Yikes!  Click here to go straight to the pattern photo and info.  My shop is called Tea House Quilts.  This is my first venture into creating patterns for others.  If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I don't usually follow patterns anyway.  If you want to know more about me check out the funny bio on Quilting Gallery (here).

I quilt for AAQI an amazing organization that sews to find a cure for Alzheimer's.  They are awesome and will have a booth at the Houston show, selling some of the Priority Quilts.  If you are going to Houston, stop by their booth and buy a quilt and help find a cure.


I have extended the giveaway until October 30. That gives everyone another week (almost) to enter. I am having a problem sorting out a few of my followers. Most are showing up as a follower on my dashboard, 3 or 4 are not. If you don't show up as a follower, you can not be entered into the giveaway. There's 2 whose name on the comment doesn't match the name of the "stock" icon. I want all of my readers to have an opportunity to win my hubbies lovely seam ripper.

Se sure to stop by the Quilting Gallery and check out this weeks designers.  There some great new blocks.

New readers please go to this link to see the block, leave a comment, and be a follower.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Giveaway...extended

Thank you for all of the generous, and funny, comments left for "Yikes!"

I have extended the giveaway until October 30.  That gives everyone another week (almost) to enter.  I am having a problem sorting out a few of my followers.  Most are showing up as a follower on my dashboard, 3 or 4 are not.  If you don't show up as a follower, you can not be entered into the giveaway. There's 2 whose name on the comment doesn't match the name of the "stock" icon.  I want all of my readers to have an opportunity to win my hubbies lovely seam ripper.

New readers please go to this link to see the block, leave a comment, and be a follower. 

Sneak Peek.....

Look what's coming soon:

 

 

Happy Quilting,

Caren

Glorious Autumn Block Party..

Hello and welcome to my turn at the Glorious Autumn Block Party.  Thank you Michele at Quilter's Gallery for putting on such a fun event.  Be sure to run over to Quilting Gallery and check out my profile.  This is my first jump into the blog party lake and I am excited.  This is my block:  Yikes!

Download the pattern for free from my Craftsy store.
This was a fun block to design.  It's an easy applique pattern.  The spider legs can be a little tricky, especially if you are a perfectionist.  I'm not !  I hand dyed the background a nice indigo.  The block can be constructed using any applique technique.  I used needle turn, except for the eyes (fused).

Spider Tutorial
  He is placed in the top left hand quadrant of the block.  The key to the spider is to mark the background.  Trace the body of the spider and it's head.
I'm using paper and colored markers to make it easier to see.

How to make a spider:
Use the corner of a sheet of paper (cut it to about 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches) to mark the spider legs. Mark 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch on one side of the paper.  Each leg is bent to form an L.  The front legs bend toward the head and the back legs bend toward the flat ribbon.  Don't over think this part.  It does not have to be perfect!  Basically, the small front legs are 1/2 inch, bend, 3/4 of an inch.  Each leg is a hair longer than the one before it.  You will not use the whole 3 inches of rickrack given per leg.  Larger pieces are easier to use.  Have each piece of rickrack go inside the circle 1/4 of an inch.  That way one edge is covered by the spider body.

Step 1: trace the spider body and head onto the fabric.

Step 2: draw the line for the ribbon.  Place the corner of the paper on the spider body so that the 1/2 mark and the corner is outside the circle.

Step 3: Trace that edge.

Step 4: Reverse the paper square to draw the legs on the left side of the spider.

Step 5: The same technique is used for the back legs.  Remember to change the direction of these legs and make them longer.  They should point toward the ribbon (pink line).

Step 6: After the legs are drawn onto the fabric, sew the ribbon down and sew down the rickrack.  Remember to have the rickrack inside the body (piece H).

Reminders for rickrack.  I love rickrack, lately I am using it a lot.  It can be problematic.  It tends to fray, so using an anti-fray product may be useful. When folding under, match the humps of the rickrack.  Pin one end of the leg and bend as you go.  Try to stay on the line or use a washable marking tool!

I hope you have as much fun as I did making this block. 

Now for the giveaway.  Only residents in the continental US can win.  I can't afford to ship oversees.  All you have to do is become a follower and leave a note in the comment box.  If you are already a follower leave a note to tell me so.  Giveaway is open until October 22 at midnight central time.  I will notify the winner on my blog on October 23.  What can you win, you ask.  This beautiful turned seam ripper made by my Sweetie Pie.

You must leave a comment AND be a follower to win.

Please be sure to visit the rest of the blogs on tour this week:
Oct 16- Cynthia at Quilt Doodle Doodles
Oct 17- ME
Oct 18- Melissa at Happy Quilting

 

Happy Quilting

Caren

AAQI goes to Houston...

Wish I were going...

 

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is offering more than 2,100 Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts for sale at International Quilt Festival in Houston. Please head over to the front of the Exhibit Hall, Row S and buy a few quilts (Oct 31-Nov 4). All profits fund Alzheimer's research.

See the quilts: http://www.alzquilts.org/houston2012.html

 

If you would like to help sell quilts, rope people into the booth (it is Texas after all) or generally lend a hand, they need you. Sign up for a 2-3 hour time slots (and get free admission on the days you volunteer) or join their Text Brigade and help "as needed." Learn more and sign up here:

http://aaqiupdate.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/houston-helpers-the-aaqi-text-brigade/

 

It's so exciting to have a quilt for sell at Houston, it's even more exciting when it sells!

 

You could win this (or something like it)...

 

 

Win this quilt! The AAQI is launching a newsletter to keep supporters informed. One lucky subscriber will win a beautiful little quilt made by Martha Wolfersberger. Sign up here for a chance to win and keep tabs of what the AAQI is up to. The newsletter is free.

http://www.alzquilts.org/newsletter.html

 

In other news:

My day is this week: October 17th!  Be here or be square!  I have a fun fall block with a Halloween theme plus a giveaway!  There were 3 awesome blocks last week, make sure you catch these this week:

October 16- Cynthia at Quilt Doodle Doodles

October 17- Me

October 18- Melissa at Happy Quilting

 

See ya soon

Caren

 

 

 

 

Gift for Sweetie Pie...

OK, I didn't make this today, but I did make it a few months ago.  It was a gift for my Sweetie Pie.  I searched the stores for a good anniversary card, with no luck.  So I thought...I'll just make him one.  This was the result.

The colors of our wedding were yellow and blue, hence the color choices.  There are two pieces of my dress also on the front of the card.  I hand embroidered a heart ,too pale to see ;(  and our initials.  Yes, that is us.  Aren't we a cute couple!

And this is us now!  WOW, we have changed!  Sweetie Pie loved the card, and it only took 4 hours to make!  Part of that time was spent locating and printing photos.  The inside of the card is made with super stiff stuff called inner fuse.  Next time I think I will use a heavy weight interfacing.  I want it to stand up on it's own, but not be as expensive to make. 

They are fun and addictive!

In other news.....

My day for the Glorious Autumn Block Party is just around the corner.

I have a really cool block in store for you.  The color's are not traditional fall colors but the subject screams fall.
This week at the block party:
Oct. 9th- Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works
Oct- 10th - Vicki at Quilting Lodge Blog
Oct-11th- Jovita's Patchwork Atelier

Happy Quilting,
Caren

International Quilt Festival

Going to Houston?

Every year Houston, Texas hosts the International Quilt Festival.  I've never been, it's on my bucket list.  Three of my quilts will be there.  AAQI will have a booth and sell priority quilts.  My quilts are numbered 10235, 10236, and 10237. 


If mine aren't quite what you are after, there will be hundreds more to chose from.  Help find a cure for Alzheimer's buy a quilt.

Happy Quilting
Caren

I'm alive...

I am still here.  I am working so I can start a pattern business.  It's my first time working retail.  It's a lot of fun, but I am exhausted by the time I get home.  I am working on some really cute patterns in my small amount of free time.  Don't forget to check back on Oct 16 for the Glorious Autumn Block Party.

This week's blocks can be found:

9/25  Sew Joy
9/26  Harding Hill Designs
9/27  Butterfly Angels Quilts


Happy Quilting
Caren

AAQI

I mailed 3 new AAQI quilts off this morning.  Can't wait for them to show up on-line.

While your here ... let me tell you about a cool Auction coming in November at AAQI.

Celebrity Invitational Quilt Auction
Twelve world class quilters have each made a quilt for AAQI's Celebrity Invitational Quilt Auction, to be held during the first 10 days of November, 2012.

This is an online auction. Everyone is invited to bid.


Row 1: Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Caryl Bryer Fallert, John Flynn.
Row 2: Diane Gaudynski, Becky Goldsmith, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman.
Row 3: Marsha McCloskey, Sue Nickels, Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

Some of the quilts are already pictured online.  They are great.  Check the AAQI website the first 10 days of November and remember to bid.  It's a great cause.  Help find a cure for Alzheimer's.

Happy Quilting
Caren

 

Congrats....

I don't normally do this but....

Over at Family Patchworks  Jan has made 100 quilts for AAQI.  That is an amazing accomplishment.  So go over to her blog and congratulate her on this feat.

And if you have not made a quilt for AAQI now is the time to do it.  They are small Priority quilts.  The are only 9 x 12.  That's a little bigger than a sheet of paper.  Most important- it is for a great cause.  Sew make a quilt and help find a cure for Alzheimer's.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Musings from a wannabe designer....

I just finished piecing the top of my first quilt that will be (hopefully) for sale....soon!  Sewing for  possible profit is different than sewing for enjoyment. Here are a few things I learned:
    1)  I draw out a yard of fabric and mark off how much I use.  (I need software:)
    2)  Measure twice and cut once is actually a good thing!
    3)  I  marked my background for the applique instead of  'winging it'.
    4)  I pinned, trimmed, and ironed like crazy.
    5) the end results, my corners actually meet.  Shocking I know.

Now I have the fun part: quilting.  This is the point where I think, "My quilting will either add to the quilt or totally screw it up!"  I'm hoping for the first.
 
I've been keeping track of materials and instructions, I just need to put them in the computer and have a buddy check them.  I hope to have the pattern ready in the next few weeks.

In other news...

I started a small wall hanging, for me, yesterday.  I have about half of the top finished.  It was pieced very wonky and has some fused applique.  I think it's really cute.

 

Happy Quilting

Caren