Short and Sweet...Small and Crazy!

I’ll make this post short and sweet.  I wanted to post some close-up pictures for my Jo’s Little Women students of our latest project called “Yankee Doodle”.  The quilt is designed by Jo Morton.  This was a challenging quilt.  Not only are there 56 or 57 – 3/8” diameter hand appliquéd circles in the center (small and crazy – right?), but there are a whole lot of stars to appliqué too!  This quilt took approx. 50-60 hours to complete.  I have no idea if that is really slow or very fast; I’m just glad it is done. 

The selection process.  Auditioning 90 fabrics for the stars.  Close-up of star applique.

Star center and close-up.

Me and my Yankee Doodle at Glad Creations, Quilt Block - Minneapolis, MN

Finally,  this cabinet has been passed down in my family.  It is over 100 yrs old and a cherished part of our family.  In the storage below you can see approximately 70 or so small quilts from the Little Women Club.  

Enjoy and happy quilting,

Annemarie
www.QuiltsRemembered.com

So Many Quilts

Last Tuesday was Jo's "Little Women" club at Glad Creations Quilt Block.  We had lots of show and tell and lots of fun.  Here are some of the quilts and highlights of the evening...

Debbie, a past employee of Glad Creations and a prolific quilter she says she gets so much done because she eats lots of fruits and veggies.  She's a crazy hard worker and does perfect work.  Below is some of her handiwork. By the way...she likes to make two of all her small quilts!!!

Jane also brought  several wonderful quilts.  She likes taking Jo's patterns and re-arranging them to make bigger quilts or sometimes table runners.

Back side of one of Jane's quilts.  See the star fabric, it really cuts up well on the diagonal.  (So sorry the picture of the front side didn't turn out well)

Jane's "Raspberry Swirl" rendition

There were several examples of "Pottery Shards".  I gave each of my students a square of the 'ladies' fabric to include as an alternate square.  It's the gold one that looks like ladies faces in a row like a film strip.

Also, a few "Raspberry Swirls" showed up.

It was a really nice night!  Thanks to a great group of quilters!

Happy quilting!
Annemarie
www.QuiltsRemembered.com

Another Jo's Club Night

Another Jo’s Club Night

It has been so hot in Minnesota with more 90 degree (and a couple of 100s) days than I can remember; not unlike most of the country.  Luckily, last Tuesday night the heat broke and in the upstairs classroom of Glad Creation, Quilt Block the wonderful ladies of Jo’s Club got together to share their quilt work of the last month. 

We always start with cookies and coffee but lemonade or ice tea would be a better choice for our hot summer meetings.  Then the laughter begins.  Someone always gets us going and we have a really fun time.  I’m sure anyone downstairs shopping or working is jealous of our good time. 

There’s loads of creativity and talent in the class. 

Here are a few pictures from the night’s show and tell.  Take a peek at what they’ve done!

The new quilt for July 2012 - "Raspberry Swirl"

Mickey's "Pottery Shards"

Sharlene's 2-color version of "Pottery Shards"

Jane added sashing to "Pottery Shards"

Jane's "Pottery Shard" table runner 

Debbie's version was a copy of an antique doll quilt I brought in paired with the "Pottery Shard" quilt block.  Below a close-up.

Shirley's "Transferware" top

Lynnette was in process of quilting her "Glimmers" quilt

A slightly larger version of "Framed" by Lynnette used 3/4" size squares instead of 1/2" size.  Quite a difference in person.

Mickey with her beautiful Jo's quilt.  Absolutely lovely!!

Julie brought in a quilt just back from the quilter.  The quilting was to represent a river and  it was EXPERTLY done.  I hope you can see the pebbles in the background. 

Some very nice small quilts from Lynette.

More of Lynnette's quilts she bought at a Minnesota Quilter's small quilt auction. 

Happy quilting,

Annemarie

Wonderful Show & Tell

Wonderful Show & Tell!

My Beginning Rotary Star Sampler students basted quilts in their final class last Monday. They did a super job and I hope everyone will send me pictures of their quilted and finished project. Hope to see you in future classes!!!

Last night I taught the 4^th installment of Jo’s ‘Little Women’ Club at Glad Creations, Quilt Block in Minneapolis, MN. We had great show n’ tell, laughed at the jokes of my son and husband and bought more fabric…Yay! Here’s a picture of the projects using Jo’s fabric.

Happy quilting,

Annemarie

Jo's 'Little Women Club' and Lost Purse Found!

Tuesday night was the 2^nd installment of Jo’s ‘Little Women’ Club #10 at Glad Creations. It really was supposed to be the 3^rd class but in February we had a snow storm and the shop had to be closed. So the weather has been pretty nice since (if the 40s are considered nice) and we thought spring was finally on its way! But Mother Nature had a different idea. She decided it would be funny to have an ice and snow storm - again. Got to love Spring – right? Anyway, we did have class and there were some wonderful quilts brought for show and tell.

This month the quilt project is Courthouse Steps. Quilted with a Baptist Fan…great new tool to create the fan design and circles.

It was a dark sleeting night after class. I carry a very large tote bag stuffed with all my class/teaching info. As I was loading it into my car my purse fell out of the tote. Yes, that’s right. It was left on one of the busiest streets in South Minneapolis. I realized it was missing when I got home and quickly called the shop. The shop was CLOSED! I panicked and called the shop owner who lives nearby. Luckily she and her husband graciously volunteered to go look for it.

Yes, it was found on the road and all is well. The purse isn't even a little worse for the wear. I am very happy to have it back in my hot little spending hands!

Thanks again Nancy and Jay for saving me and my purse!!!

Happy quilting,

Annemarie

The Countdown!

13 Days until Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis, MN. I am very excited to be vending for the first time. I have my check list posted on my desk. Many of the tasks have been crossed off but there are still a lot left to do. I still have to package about 2,000 patterns. I have some great helpers to assist with this project. Chair covers, a table cloth and pole covers still need to be make. So why am I sitting down? I should be sewing.

Here's a peak at one of my patterns. It's called Olive's Tablerunner (named after my grandmother). This particular sample is going to be given away. If you come to Schoolhouse at market attend the "Passport Minnesota" class. There you will learn all about how to win this quilt or one of the others made and donated by Minnesota designers. To learn more about "Passport Minnesota" log on to http://passportmn.wordpress.com. You can click on prizes and see all the fantastic creations you could win. Hopefully, I will see you there. My booth is #2340 - Quilts Remembered.



One more quilt for today's blog post...it's the latest Jo Morton design from "Jo's Little Women" club. The quilt is titled Bittersweet Stars. Enjoy!!!

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

Jo's Little Women Club #9

We are now half-way through Club #9 for Jo's Little Women at Glad Creations, Quilt Block in Minneapolis, MN. I am thrilled to be teaching this class. We have load of laughs...some of them are directed at me but that's OK. Last week, at class, they found humor in the fact that I would be sewing with out really looking. I realized I was sewing one seam while picking up the next set of pieces that needed to go under the needle. I guess I do get ahead of myself some times! :-)

The picture is of the Keystone Medallion quilt. This 2-part quilt is one of Jo Morton designs from club #9. Much of the fabric is from her Indigo Berries lines produced by Andover Fabrics.

Spring Quilt Market is right around the corner and I have loads to do. I am so looking forward to representing my pattern line, Quilts Remembered, at my 1st market. The quilts are ready, photographed and the covers are being worked on. The old adage "you need to spend money to make money" is right on the mark. Boy, I guess so. It is an exciting time and a little scary too. I promise to let you know how it went and also I will post some pictures of my booth. Much more to come on this subject!!! FYI... My booth is #2340

Happy quilting,
Annemarie