Just a Little Applique…

3 blocks finished! The blocks are from Sharon Pederson’s new book, The Rose of Sharon Block Book, winning designs from the EQ6 challenge. I have really enjoyed making them using the invisible machine appliqué method. This method of applique is accurate and much faster than needle turn appliqué. The fabrics are from Island Batik and are beautiful to work with. Glad Creations, Quilt Block in Minneapolis, MN is offering the blocks as a block of the month. There is a book (of course), a video, template/stencils in all the necessary shapes and 12 beautiful spools of matching Aurifil thread.

Just a little more appliqué…I made this sweatshirt jacket from my mother as a Christmas present. The one she was wearing was complete in shreds. It was time for a new one. So I compiled a few appliqué patterns from my collection, added some of my own ideas and here you have it. It just needs a button. What is it ‘they’ say about quilters and buttons?

Hoping for spring to arrive!

Happy quilting,

Annemarie

3 Quilts in a Month!

3 Quilts in a Month!

3 quilts in the last month have been finished. They are very different. Mostly started and completed for reasons other than ‘just because.’ I love to start a quilt ‘just because’ I want to. I wish that would happen more often. I have a load of ideas twirling around in my head for new quilts. Sometimes it is just too hard deciding which one to start first.

Quilt #1...The Lone Star was started 5 years ago for my son. It will be a present when he graduates from college. He loves to fish - hence the lure fabric. The center lone star is made using a Quiltsmart foundation product. Great technique…I’d use the Quiltsmart foundation product again in a flash!

Quilt #2…Foursquare Farmhouse – designed by Terry Atkinson. I made this one for the Groovy Girls Club I teach at Glad Creations, Quilt Block in Minneapolis, MN. It was a dream to make. Easy as pie!!!

Quilt #3...Today I finished the first in Jo Morton’s club #10. It is called HST Challenge. 120 small triangles make up this sweet little quilt. It is very small, just 13”x15”. Perfect for a special child’s doll; easy, fast, and darling!

Happy Quilting,

Annemarie

www.QuiltsRemembered.com

Houston Quilt Market...2010

What a great time. I had such a wonderful experience. The drive from Minnesota to Texas was a long one but having my husband along for the ride made the trip a breeze. The books on tape helped too! Once we had arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, TX, it was hard to get my head around the next few days in such a gigantic place. It looked like 7 football fields fused together.

Set-up went well. No problems. I had wonderful booth neighbors and fantastic quilts to

look at. What an experience.

The time flew by with excellent possibilities coming my way every day. The quilt I designed for Windham Fabrics, Calico Garden Medallion, will be in May's edition of Quiltmania Magazine.

My newest patterns are the last 2 pictures...Laura's 1870 Cradle Quilt and Cottage Fair. They were very popular at market. Quilts Remembered patterns are now available in the USA, Norway, Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands.

Some new friends were made and hopefully some new business connections too. It was truly exciting - I can't wait until next year!!!

Working Vacation…

Up North, near Alexandria, MN I found peace from the phone but not from the hummmm of the sewing machine(s). The ‘retreat’ cabin I visited with 5 of my quilting buddies buzzed from the constant whirl of our sewing machines…mostly Berninas. Everyone was working on their own project(s). No one came with less than 3 projects to work on. Quilted bags, pillowcases, baby quilts and large quilts, we did it all. Of course there was way too much food…cookies, candy and crackers…dips and daiquiris…burritos and beer. Ok, we didn’t have any beer but it sounded good. Pictured are the quilts I worked on for 2 days…all 3 quilts are from Quilts Remembered patterns. I started quilting the new samples of Divided Stars and Olive’s Table Runner. I began piecing the Soldier Album Quilt from fabric I received as a gift. The fabric called ‘Miniatures’ is a new by Julie Hendricksen and printed by Baum/Windham textiles. There’s still a lot to do on them so I better get busy!!! So until later my friends…

Happy Living!

Annemarie

Gardens in Bloom

Yesterday, I went out into my gardens and took a few pictures. So many plants are in bloom right now. Some are just finishing up, some are at their peak and others are just beginning to flower. I enjoy all of the flowers; they really turn my yard into a special place for me. My hydrangeas are coming along nicely this year but unfortunately some of the plants don't have as many flowering heads on them this year. I wonder why??? The ferns and impatients are growing like they are living in Jersasic Park. All of the rain we have had has kept them very happy. The bees and the butterflies are very busy in the Russian Sage and Hostas. All these pictures need are a few quilts hanging among the flowers.

Enjoy,

Annemarie

Antique Quilts..just a few

I thought I'd share a few of my antique quilts with you. So first I have a Carolina Lily. It is small, maybe for a twin size bed. I rescued this quilt from a lawn sale. I don't think the owner's cared much for it but I did. Now it has a comfortable life. Second is a red and white Hearts and Gizzards quilt (what a terrible name) from the late 1800s. A wonderful buy from my favorite antique resource...Ebay! Last but not least is a President Wreath. This quilt has fabulous tiny quilting in a half inch grid. It was found in a very old house (mansion) in Stillwater, MN. I hope you enjoyed my little antique quilt show.

Best and happy quilting,

Annemarie

Thoughts for Today!

What's a mom to do? My son says my husband and I work too hard. That's probably true but how else do you get everything done. Should somethings just wait and never get done? Shouldn't you just do something when you know it's time? For instance...when the grass is mid-calf - you mow it...if the pet hair tumbleweeds are blowing across the floor - you sweep...if you're out of underwear...you do the wash. All of these things take priority to having fun sometimes. I know he is young and hopefully will 'get it someday'. The old adage, "fun is wasted on the young" or something like that is oh, so, true!

Tonight is the last in the Jo's 'Little Women' Club series. The sample is quite patriotic. A good sample for the summer -Memorial day, Flag day, Independence day and Labor day. You just can't beat Red, White and Blue!!! Here is a picture of my last quilt in club #9, Daffodil Hill. Enjoy!

Happy quilting,
Annemarie