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October 19, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen again. Got this video in my e-mail this morning. When I find videos from a good source, I usually subscribe to the video channel at YouTube. That way each time a new video is posted, it comes right to me. I’ve been a subscriber to the Missouri Star Quilt Company videos for a long while now. Love Jenny Doan, the mom in the operation of the shop, and her videos. Jenny’s instructions are nice and clear, she has a nice way about her, they usually feature pre-cuts, and usually are very easy. This video link is for a star quilt with a twist, which uses pre-cut layer cakes. It will work for any size square though, so it’s a perfect one for scraps or yardage as well. Jenny shows a technique for half-square triangle units that I seldom use, to be honest. You get four from […]
October 17, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Does that ever happen to you too? Life getting in the way of all the things you’d rather be doing? My yard needs lots of work right now; Mother Nature hasn’t yet killed all the foliage so I think I’ll have to start cutting down perennials if I don’t want to leave all the garden clean up until the snow begins. Have a big batch of tulip bulbs to plant as well, and removing the hosta leaves would make that an easier job. Are you good about digging down nice and deep, adding the bone meal, positioning the bulbs in a nice arrangement, putting chicken wire around the squirrel snacks bulbs, and then tamping nice and firmly? Me either. I just dig out a clump, throw in the bulbs, right the ones that are completely upside down, and then return the clump. If it’s not […]
October 14, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. What would your perfect sewing room look like? I do several other crafts which have some cross over with quilting/sewing so I would want a combination sewing and crafting room. It would be huge with lots of table space so I could dedicate a table to cutting, another table to piecing, another to other crafting messy tasks. It would have a mini kitchen with a sink, microwave and mini frig. Lots of windows. Of course drawers and closet space galore. I don’t care for lots of clutter as decorations so other than the clutter of whatever the ongoing project might be, the room would be “clean and simple”. And my sewing room would have a sewing elf who would clean up the floor each evening, throwing out the threads and bits, and putting the pins back in the pincushions, etc. Of course in this fairy […]
October 9, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I borrowed the title from the blog entry I’m linking up here. This quilt is absolutely amazing. Wait til you listen to all the quilter did to bring it together, and you will also be saying … You’ve got to be kidding!
October 3, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. What a busy time it has been! It seems I haven’t been able to sit down for more than a few minutes until after dinner and a dog walk, and when I do I promptly doze off! I think it’s a sign of something-and don’t you dare say old age! I can’t believe we’re in the last month of our Quilt-a-long! I am working on directions for our last block, an easy variation on the timeless Friendship Star. I am planning to give your directions for a 4 inch, 6 inch and 12 inch finished block and a few possible layouts. I know that not everyone was in love with the first block-that paper-pieced star-and I hear tell that the block # 5 gave a few quilters fits as well. So sorry but perhaps you’ve exercised those quilting muscles a bit. Remember there were […]
October 3, 2012
Hello everyone, did I scare you yet? Ha, ha! I simply couldn’t think of a better title for this post…maybe because it is a bit all over the place? 🙂 Oh well, that would be just like me…I am somehow trying to catch up with my life, again. How does this happen? Oh I know – I simply want too much!! To teach, to design, to sew, to cook and bake, to play with my dogs…oh yeah, all that in my spare time. Sound familiar? 🙂 I keep thinking longingly about retirement, but then I remember that all you, my retired quilting friends are also busier than ever, so I might as well not dream about it but get my you-know-what in gear and JUST DO IT. (is that a Nike commercial?) So what are we all doing while the glorious autumn rolls into our neighborhoods? Are you feverishly working […]
September 26, 2012
Good morning all, Mary Ellen here. Have you been working on your seminar projects? If so, you’re putting me to shame. My 2 blocks which I finished during Anita’s pineapple class are pinned to the wall in the sewing room for inspiration, and the rest of the fabric, freezer paper, the book, etc. are in a pile nearby. I am determined to add more for a red and white Christmas wall hanging-don’t think I’ll be making enough for a full-fledged quilt. But… you never know, I love how crisp and precise the red and white look together, and Anita’s technique makes it so easy to get that precision. I do know I will not be just packing it away for later! I’ve decided to follow some of Beth’s advice that she gave in the lecture about getting rid of some of those old kits and UFO’s that I have hanging […]
September 18, 2012
Hello everyone, hope you are having a good Tuesday – as rainy as it is. You know, ever since I became a quilter I learned to love rainy day – it really is my favorite time to sew! Something in the sound of raindrops on the small roof right bellow my sewing room window…the rhythm? Not sure, but I just love it! And right now – there is about half a dozen projects on the pile by my sewing machine – so bring on the rain! 🙂 I wish I could be in my sewing room right now (yes, this in yet another lunch-time break post from work), for nothing like sewing puts my mind to ease…and today I am holding my breath until our daughter lands safely in Kathmandu, Nepal. She travels the world for her work and you would think I am used to it by now – […]
September 16, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. We made it through seminar successfully. No major crises to deal with. Generally happy attendees. I am in the process of catching up on sleep and will soon be tackling the tasks that need to be done to close out this year’s event. I have glanced through the evaluations (thank you to those who took the time to give us feedback) and will be sharing a summary of them with the board and the membership. Most were positive (thank you to all), and we will deal with the others as well, so we make necessary improvements. Just one note to those of you concerned about the irons and ironing boards (the most common “negative” comment submitted). Our guild owns 4-6 boards and irons as far as I know. Ours are in pretty good shape. The rest are borrowed from the museum’s costume area. Those are […]
September 11, 2012
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Finally Quilt Seminar week has arrived. Spent yesterday afternoon at the museum with Kim G. and Jan R. setting up folders etc. I know more ladies are there today working on door prizes and favors. Jan and I will be picking up the two national teachers, Anita Grossman Solomon who is visiting her brother in Williamsville after teaching in Rochester last week, and Beth Ferrier who is flying in from Michigan. Planning to take them up to Niagara Falls and then out for a nice dinner. By Anita’s request they will be back at the hotel early so they can be well rested for tomorrow and the remainder of the week. Hoping you will be joining us for a class–either from one of those two ladies or from one of our talented local teachers. You still can sign up for some of the classes-check […]