SUSAN BRUBAKER KNAPP AT WMQG

Susan Brubaker Knapp was the guest artist at a recent meeting of the West Michigan Quilt Guild.    What a delightful person.  Her bright smile makes you want to get to know her better right away.  Above she holds a copy of her latest book Point, Click, Quilt.  You can find out more about her and her books and designs here. 

Susan said she had such a passion for her hobby that she turned it into a business.  She teaches classes and has published patterns and books of her original designs. 

Susan brought a number of samples to show us.

Susan said that she does all the thread work on the fabric and interfacing.  Only after that is complete does she add the batting and backing and do the quilting.  These ears of corn are unbelievable.  Each kernel is given dimension with the thread work.

  She said that she works from photos that she takes herself.

She said that she did this from a picture of a barn at Dollywood.

Susan also held two workshops while she was in Grand Rapids.  Above is a sample of  the threadpainting class.  These snowflakes are stunning.

This was a wonderful and inspiring lecture.  Be sure and take a look at the Guild’s revamped website for more information on upcoming programs.

Don’t forget: The West Michigan Quilters’ Guild, “Quilts on the Grand” show is October 5-7 at the DeltaPlex Arena.  Mark your calendar now!

On another note: You Had Me at Bonjour has a tutorial for a modern chevron baby quilt.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH STUDENTS LIKE THIS?

Today was another fun day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  We had a Feeling Groovy class.  I think Miss A (above) is getting in the groovy mood.  I blogged about the bed runner class earlier and you can see a picture here  .

Rosa looks like she’s enjoying the class too.  She was a dedicated student still working on her project into the wee hours of the night (well maybe not that long).

However, there were some shenanigans going on.  When I asked Miss A what she was doing she said she was moving out of her box. 

Now, I, as class teacher, tried to remain patient but firm when I said, “THAT is NOT part of the pattern.”

Apparently my firmness didn’t work, as Miss A made two of these blocks.  (I do like them, don’t you?  She’s an art teacher and really has talent!)

I swear I don’t know what all that giggling was about, but when I told Miss A to quit that playing around and get back to work, she did make some progress on her Bed Runner. 

Let me tell you these two put all my teaching skills to the test today.  I can only imagine what they are cooking up here.  ;o)

Seriously, Rosa and Aura (Miss A) were great students and we had a super fun day.  I’m looking forward to our next classes together.  They want to make the Forever Fresh pattern from the Applique With Attitude book from Piece O’ Cake Designs.  Watch for a class in November.  Maybe you’d like to join us in a fun filled day of sewing.

On another note:  Quilt Story has a tutorial for Hope wall hangings.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

QUILTING FRIENDS ARE THE BEST

Sometimes we just don't realize how we touch another life.  In my last post I told you about our Tea Leaves Class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I thought my special gift deserved a post all its own.  Above is the mini pouch that Stephanie made for me.  Stephanie has her own blog, Peas in A Pod, and came up from Kalamazoo to spend the day with us.  She told me that as she was leaving to come to class she grabbed this darling (my word) pouch with the thought that it would cheer me up.

She was so right!  I have been a little down lately (just having a little stress) and this lovely gift was what I needed.  It not only boosted my spirits, but made me realize how nice it is to know someone cares.

It looks so professionally done with its zipper and little tabs at each end, and this cute little zipper pull!  Stephanie is not only a talented quilter, but she knits (see her most recent post about her knitting here),  and makes beautiful decorative stitching, and is now learning to spin wool!  And on top of that she’s smart!  We should all call her Doc Steph because she has a PhD and is a university professor.  I am in awe that she does.

This is the inside of the bag.  I love that lining.  And...besides all the things I pointed out above, Stephanie is a wife and a doting mother to a seven year old (She may be eight now.  I can’t keep up!)  I posted about Little Pea as the Attic Window's youngest quilter here.

The bag is just the right size for storing all my Tea Leaves!  Not only will they not get lost or get in a folding mishap, this makes it easy to carry them from place-to-place when I want to hand stitch them to the backgrounds. 

Stephanie I can’t thank you enough.  You made my day!

On another note, Crafty Cupboard has a tutorial for a baby quilt.  It will be a great way to use that charm pack, or use up those scraps. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

TEA (LEAVES) ANYONE?

This past Saturday was an awesome day.  I attended Buffie’s Tea Leaves class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Buffie heads up the Happy Scrappers Bee and has a great eye for color and design.   Above she demonstrates as she talks about color and contrast and value and gradation.

Here,  Buffie shows us her quilt that drew all of us to the class.  Isn’t it beautiful!  I’m used to bright fabrics, but I love the subtle shades in this quilt and am anxious to understand her technique and thought process.

Buffie shows the group how to make the tea leaves using the starch and freezer paper method.  By the way, there is also a tutorial on my sidebar for the freezer paper method.  Just click on the witch’s feet and it will take you to all the steps involved.

Rosa shows us her first tea leaf.  Looks perfect to me!

These are Stephanie’s leaves.  She has a good start on the 260 leaves that she needs to make the quilt.

These are my leaves.  I’m not using all yellow in the quilt.  I started out using only 30s fabrics and Buffie suggested that I add other lines of fabric.  So I started with my pile of yellow fabrics.  It’s a wonder Stephanie and I got this much done as we spent a good part of the day laughing and socializing!  It was so good to see her again.

Adrienne is using these beautiful oriental fabrics that she got when she was in Japan.  She said it will be a small wallhanging with a single color background.  I can’t wait to see how this turns out.  It was so great to finally meet Adrienne.  We had been corresponding via email for some time, but had never actually met face to face.  What a joy she is.  I love her sense of humor.

 Above, Peggy, Buffie, and Adrienne enjoy a little chat.    

 Rosa looks serious!  Wonder what she's up to?

Stephanie (in pink), Lee Ann and Brenda (far right) get ready to make leaves.

This was such a fun day.  It was therapy for me.  It was so much fun talking and laughing with everyone. I was thrilled that Stephanie came up from Kalamazoo to spend the day with us.  She is such a dear and it had been a while since we actually got to sit down and talk.  She is a joy to be around.  Just talking to her and Adrienne and Rosa and all the others helped me get rid of my stress.  And that Buffie…well what can I say.  She made me a paper piecing addict and now she's making me a Tea Leaf addict!   I didn’t want to go home, but it was time for the shop to close so I got booted out!  It was a fun class and many thanks to Buffie for being such a great teacher!

Stephanie took more pictures than I did.  Hop over to her blog, Peas In A Pod,  and see what she has to say about our “therapy” day and about the Modern Quilt Guild we hope to get started on this side of the state.  I agree with Stephanie, the day filled my soul! 

On another note:

I think most quilters love cats!  I know I do, and was excited when I visited the Crazy Creek Quilts site and saw all the free cat quilt patterns. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

MODERN MONDAY QUILT ALONG

 It’s Modern Monday Quilt Along and today I have my block finished and it actually looks like it is supposed to.  This is block 50 and is the Orange Peel block.  We have 14 more to go, and then the fun starts as we put it all together.  Jennifer says that a “significant portion” of the remaining blocks will feature appliqué!  Yeah!  I love appliqué.

Check out Alamosa Quilter and see what Lynn’s block looks like this week.  (You might also look at her previous post and see the mug rug I sent her. It was so fun to make).  Then head over to 42 Quilts and see what pattern is up for us this week.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The West Michigan Quilters’ Guild, “Quilts on the Grand” show is October 5-7 at the DeltaPlex Arena.  Mark your calendar now!

Need Gifts?  I’ve been looking around for gifts to make for the holidays.  I thought this Mug Bag original.  Take a look at it on Red Brolly.  It’s a long post, but you can find the link to the pattern at the bottom of the post.  Check it out!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

DO YOU HAVE APPLIQUE ATTITUDE?

I'm sorry I’ve been out of commission most of the week.  I feel bad about not posting because I have several shut-in quilters who tell me they look forward to my posts.  But I’ve been a bit under the weather myself and just haven’t felt like doing much of anything.  I’m feeling much better today and finished up this project that I had started last week.  The pattern is from the book Applique With Attitude from Piece O’ Cake Designs.  This is just one of four wallhangings in the book.  I hope to make them all, they are so darn cute.

In the book, I noticed how one of the blocks was quilted and decided to try it.  I think I like it, how about you?  It certainly was easy.  You can get the book at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

So many people have iPpads today (I want one but can’t justify the purchase) and I thought this would make such a nice gift.  Check out Teresa Down Under for an iPad holder for the car.

I linked up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  Check out who else is sharing. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

THIS IS THE SITUATIION

I know - this block looks absolutely nothing like the block that Jennifer had for us last week.  I swear I was not drinking when I made it.   This is the situation. 

Since last Wednesday I have been helping my daughter take care of a three-year-old. (Her grandson, my great grandson.)  It takes two of us, trust me!  I know I should have made my Modern Monday block earlier in the week, but when I saw all that piecing involved in making that block, I kept putting it off. 

Then I got the call for help from my daughter.  So, after four days of “business” and utter exhaustion, I schlepped down to my sewing room and nearly cried when I again looked at the block I was supposed to make.  Bone tired and dog weary I thought, I just can’t do this.  I wondered why this week’s block couldn’t have been something easier like the wonky block I saw last week on Greenleaf Goods.  Then it hit me.  Why not?  I could have that block knocked out before my daughter came back from the store with the-little-one-who-has-all-that-energy, so I tackled it right then and there.  No one will know when I put the quilt together that this is not the required block (only you and you won’t tell will you?)  So, I hurried up and got it finished just in time.  I think it will work, don’t you.  Now go to Alamosa Quilter and see what the real block should look like.  Then head over to 42 Quilts and see what the pattern is this week.

Fine Craft Guild has a circle quilt tutorial.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

KNOTTY GIRLS ARE AT IT AGAIN!

 The Knotty Girls Stitching Bee met Wednesday evening at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I’m always so glad to attend that meeting because I know they will have lots of show-n-tell for me to share with you.  Above is Fran’s beautiful wall hanging. 

This is a close-up of Fran’s intricate stitching.  I so admire her work.

This cute little block is what Sherry was working on.  She said it is Evelyn’s Album BOW from Primitive Gardens.

Are you ready for winter?  Barb David was working on this delightful quilt.

This is a close-up of those cute little snowmen.  The pattern is Cool Guys by Jana Davidson and you can get it at the shop.

This is Maggie’s Butter Mold quilt.  The pattern is by Woolen Needle.  It is hand quilted and is stunning.

Barb David also made this tabletopper.  She said she saw the pattern in the fall issue of Quilts & More magazine.

I save every plastic grocery bag that I get as they come in so handy when you  have pets in the house.  Usually I save the bags by stuffing them into empty tissue containers.  However, when I had an empty Clorox/Lysol Wipes container I remembered seeing this on Love Pomegranate House’s blog and gave it a try.  What a clever idea.  Check it out!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

YOU CAN MAKE THIS BRIGHT BLOCK

I love this block.  It is called the Lone Starburst and is paper pieced.  You can find the free pattern on the Six White Horses blog.  It took a while to make, but it was worth the time involved.  Just go slow, position your pieces carefully, and you’ll be as pleased as I am.  I thought it would look nice with the last paper pieced block I made and blogged about here.   Buffie was right.  She has made a paper piecer out of me.  I love bright colors and am not very good at traditional piecing.  Paper piecing makes me look like I’m really good at it.  The lines are straight and so far things have matched and the blocks are square!  Whoopie!

ANNOUNCEMENT:
1.    The Shop Swap has been cancelled.
2.    Buffie has added a Tea Leaf class to the calendar – Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.  Call the shop to register.
3.    The West Michigan Quilters’ Guild, “Quilts on the Grand” show is October 5-7 at the DeltaPlex Arena.  Mark your calendar now!
4.    Month of August and September - Sign up for a class and receive a coupon for 1/2 off your second class, good until December 31, 2012. (excludes BOMs, and special events)

 Peck’s Pieces has a number of free patterns.  Scroll down and check out the Halloween patterns.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

There is a lot going on at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and today I’d like to tell you about some of them.  I got so excited when I saw the above wallhanging that I forgot to find out the name of the pattern and who makes it.  There is a note on the wallhanging that kits and the pattern are available at the shop.  Give them a call for information.  Following are close-up of some of the blocks!

Aren’t they wonderful! If you start now, you can use it when you decorate for Halloween.

I love the fabrics in this tablerunner.  Carolyn E. made it and is holding a class on how to make this and three other table runners.  Kits for this tablerunner are also available.  Just call the shop for details.

Isn’t this bag wonderful?  I think it’s called the Weekender Bag.  I love the size and all the pockets on the inside.  Lee Ann made it and several of her bag/purse classes are coming up. Lee Ann said that no matter the name of the class she is teaching, if you have a particular bag/purse you’d like to make, and she’s taught the class before, just let her know and you can come to any of her classes and make the bag of your choice.  What a deal!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. The Shop Swap has been cancelled.
2. Buffie has added a Tea Leaf class to the calendar – Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.  Call the shop to register.
3. The West Michigan Quilters’ Guild, “Quilts on the Grand” show is October 5-7 at the DeltaPlex Arena.  Mark your calendar now!
4. Month of August and September - Sign up for a class and receive a coupon for 1/2 off your second class, good until December 31, 2012. (excludes BOMs, and special events)

A Spoonfull of Sugar has a great gift idea.  She talks about making it as a Father’s Day gift, but I think this would make great Christmas gifts for man or woman (or teen).  Check it out!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAPPY SCRAPPERS QUILTING BEE

The Happy Scrappers Quilting Bee met last Saturday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and I have lots to show you.  Above is the first of three quilts that Peggy brought to show us what she has done with her scraps.  Isn’t this beautiful!  I love how she has used all those scraps and brought the entire quilt together with the beautiful yellow background.

Peggy was working on this beautiful small quilt.  I’d love something like this for a table topper.

The photograph does not do justice to this awesome quilt that Peggy made from Kaffe Fassett fabrics! It is stunning.

Most of us start out quilting large squares when we make our first quilt.  Judy made this darling little quilt  - it was her first attempt at machine sewing patches together – and she made it with one inch squares!  Yikes!  I think it is wonderful and looks perfect to me.  She is embroidering the two center rows and around the borders and is going to add tiny buttons too!  I can’t wait to see the finish!

I had to share this with you.  Judy said she didn’t make it, but this is a cover for her tabletop magnifying glass.  She said you have to be so careful with a glass like this because if the sun hits it just right, it could start a fire.  She knows from experience!  I love this little bag that she slips over the glass.  The ribbon embroidery is exquisite.

Brenda shared her thread catcher made of selvage.  I love the cute little bobbins on the front.

Yvonne made this darling wallhanging. I think this was a class at the shop.  There were four different wallhangings, one for each season.  This is “Summer” and is so cute.

We should never let these two get together.  You can tell from the look on Yvonne’s face (left) that she and Rosa (right) are planning something.

 I think it was just after I took the previous picture that Rosa yelled out, “I hear a man’s voice.”  About a minute later a woman, trailed by this handsome man, came wondering through our section of the shop.  Of course, this was followed by lot of whooping and hollering and cat calls (from all of us) that made the poor man blush, but he did wave and let us take his picture.  (I was laughing so hard the picture is a little blurry). What a good sport he is.  What an outstanding husband! I saw a note on the chalk board the other day!   I bet he’s the one who calls the shop and tells his wife she can buy anything she wants.  LOL

Buffie has added a class to the calendar.  Tea Leaves (the above quilt) is an economy cruncher, stash buster kind of project.  The class will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.  This class is about color, contrast, and using your scraps.  Call the shop to register and get your supply list.

Patchwork Possee has a cute pattern for an owl wallhanging.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll