Shout-Outs and More

Lots going on in blog-land! I was thrilled as can be to see walking foot wednesdays mentioned on Jacquie  Gering's blog this week. Nothing like learning from a master! SO looking forward to this weekly feature - "tips, tricks and creative quilting designs with a walking foot"!

Meanwhile, there's a "Quilting Modern" blog blast weekend going on now! I've shared about my meet-up with Jacquie {here} and more recently with Katie Peterson {here}, so you can imaging my interest in their little celebration. Get started by visiting both Sew Katie Did and Tallgrass Prairie Studio as they share about their sewing spaces. Lots of familiar faces are joining in with their take on projects from the book.

I also got wind of an EZ Dresden Challenge sponsored by the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild. I'm not sure I'll be joining in the challenge, but I do have an EZ dresden ruler I got in my Christmas stocking (thanks mom!), that I haven't tried yet, so I'll at least be following along as bloggers share tips and projects etc., and hope to try my ruler out one of these days soon. (Kick off was yesterday/Blog Hop June 2-15/Link Up September 1-6.)

So now this is totally random . . .
Is anyone familiar with flickeflu?? In searching for a post about a Zakka project, this came up, where I saw pics of several of my Zakka projects along with many others. I have no idea . . .

And what do you know about Quilting Board - The Quilter's Messenger Board? In another search I found a link to my tutorials listed there.

Just curious - always interesting to see your work flung about . . .

Quilting Modern

Several of you asked me to report back after I went to the book signing this morning. Well, in three little words, "It Was Awesome!" Daughter dear and I had a great time and are now happy owners of Quilting modern: techniques and projects for improvisational quilts. Well let me back up a bit . . .

The signing was at The Quilting Loft, a lovely little quilt shop about half an hour from our homes, where we had shopped before and even taken a few classes. It moved into a new space earlier in the year, so we were anxious to check it out. (Very nice!)

Katie Pedersen, co-author of the book, is a regular teacher there, and whenever we've visited, we've seen some of her quilts hanging around the shop as samples for her classes. What meticulous work she does. Anyway, when we were ready to have her sign our books, we walked toward her and were thrilled that she lit up, happy to see us and recognizing us from the class we'd taken last year. She was gracious enough to let us take her picture in front of one of the quilts from the book. Personally, I really like this one! (It looked like the background was linen, but Katie said is was chambray.)

And of course, she signed our books.

Found out she's a hugger, which is fine by me. We just had a wonderful time hearing about the book and the quilts and catching her excitement. I've barely had a chance to crack my copy, but from my quick thumb-through, it looks like a book I will definitely learn from and enjoy using.

Confession time. Driving down to the shop, I had the bright idea to buy an extra book and give it away! And yup, Katie signed it too! The Quilting Loft was giving a little stack of charm packs to everyone who bought the book at their shop, so I have one of those too - for one of you!

So giveaway time! Leave a comment on this post between now and Monday night, when I'll come back and choose a random winner. International entries welcome, of course. I'd love to hear what new quilty thing you'd like to tackle - whether it's a technique, a new block to piece, or a new style of improv. You name it!

The giveaway is now closed.

52 lists in 52 weeks//week 47 and Other Stuff

List 47: Things I've learned from my job:

• knowing others believe in you is a huge motivator
• working as a team is as frustrating as it is satisfying
• everyone deserves respect
• kindness is key
• all means all
• with the right encouragement, you're usually capable of more than you think

Guess I don't really feel like elaborating on work much, but it's been a good place to stretch myself, and I've grown alot there.

Meanwhile on to a fun, unexpected swap . . . Amy of Amy Made That! commented on my stamped fabric on my zakka pincushion post the other day, and before we knew it, we'd agreed on a swap ~ my leftover stamped linen strips for a couple of her fabric key fobs. How fun is that? We both received our goods today and agree it was a good trade! Thanks, Amy!

When I ordered the charcoal and tangerine for my 4x5 block quilt this week, I also stocked up on thread, and splurged on a "Bits & Pieces Scrap Bag PRINTS". It was quite a value for over 3 yards of "the good stuff", and though it appears they sold out quickly, I thought I'd show you anyway, as I think Pink Chalk Fabrics makes these up fairly regularly. I don't know what alot of them are, but they're still a pretty fun mix.

Last, I'm pretty excited to be dropping in on a book signing and trunk show tomorrow. The guest of honor will be Katie Pederson of Sew Katie Did, co-author of Quilting Modern along with Jacquie of Tall Grass Prairie Studio. Katie will also be demonstrating the ‘stitch and flip triangle’ technique featured in the book. Fun stuff.

The real reason I'm anxious to get my hands on the book is because it was from Jacquie that I was first exposed to "modern" quilting. And it was in a class with Katie where my limited world of hst was expanded. So they are both definitely part of my quilting journey, and I'm excited to share in their joint venture.