Sneak Peek #2 - Gone Apple Pickin'

It's fall ---
apple pickin' time -- time to wander taking in the beautiful colors -- time to go for a hike and soak up the warmth of the sun a cool crisp day...

time to quilt?
It's always time to quilt, but fall inspires some amazing ideas.

This week I am sharing a quilt that was inspired by many, many a fall day spent wandering through the mountains, seeking that u-pick orchard. Picking a couple of bushels of apples, then heading back into town for a slice or two or three of absolutely scrumptious mile high apple pie! YUM...

There's no pie here now... but here's the quilt and some photos that remind me of those special fall moments.

 

 

There's no pie now....but maybe soon.
Do you have a favorite apple pie recipe?

Sneaking a Peak #1

I pulled out the calendar the other day and realized that OMG my latest book is moving FAST towards its release date.

Producing this book has come with a big mix of emotions, but I love the quilts, and I love the opportunity this book gave me to work with some amazing long arm quilters. I am planning to share a bit more about each of these quilters over the next couple of months, so stay tuned for the fun!

But, the book really is about the quilts...
the things that inspired them...
and how I tried to simplify these inspirations to their graphic best.

In this space -- on Tuesday's over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some of these quilts along with their inspirations.

This week I'm sharing my favorite....

I know I they're my kids and I shouldn't have a favorite, (but I do-shhhh, don't tell the others).

meet Aspen Dawning

this photo of the aspens taken in
Lassen Volcanic National Park was the inspiration

and the incredible Cory Allender of St. George, UT
was the long-arm quilter.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek --

If you want to get a signed copy and a special e-Pattern created specially for this release just click over & pre-order now!

Spinning the Wheel - Picking a Winner

Happy Monday! It was time...
This morning the wheel was spun,
and the lucky winner of Sam Hunter's new book Quilt Talk is:
Jacklynn

I had a lot of fun last week...
reading the words that you all want to stitch
into your quilts definitely got me thinking....

Thank you all for sharing your words, and I hope you pick up a copy of Sam's book to get those words stitched into your own project.

If you'd like another chance to win a copy you may want to visit Sam's blog today for the final stop on the blog tour!

Whisle Stop on the Creatives Worldwide Blog Hop

What a concept! Get Creative bloggers from around the world to share their blogs and get the skinny on what goes on in their studios and their minds, too!

This is what ran through my mind when friend and fellow art quilter Deborah Weir from Southern California invited me to join in.

I encourage you to check out Deborah's blog and visit the many others linked in for the fun.
I accepted the invite and am please to share a bit about myself here, and then pass along the torch to bloggers who will be carrying the Creatives Worldwide Blog Hop forward:
Chris Janne - Crafting from the Underground
Mandy Leins - Work from the hands of Mandy Leins
Stephanie Young - WoollyThyme

Meantime....The 4 questions being asked?
#1 - What am I working on?
I have just enjoyed a top to bottom clean up in my studio after a long stretch on work on my latest book. It is my 4th, and I think the hardest for me so far. There are special ideas I wanted to share in this book. Some of these include techniques on how to simplify design, and how this process actually helps the 'uniqueness of ourselves' shine through. There are also ideas on formatting, construction and presentation of our simplified and fabric-ated quilt works that will appear in these pages.
The release date for -- Fast-Piece Applique is January-2015.
and, with the clearing off the desk my mind is swimming with possibilities.

#2 - How does my work differ from others in the genre?
While I fell in love with quilting -- building in blocks, and the wonderful stitches that tell a whole story on their own... I have a need for curves, sinuous lines and color!  Curves not just within the quilting stitches but curves in the fabric that combined my love of landscapes with my love of fabric -- And, color -- well, the color that the heart feels when standing amongst great natural beauty. I accomplish this and continue to build upon this with my Fast-Piece Applique construction methods.

#3 - Why do I create what I do?
I love the process -- the problem solving -- the heart wants what the heart wants.

#4 - How does my creative process work?
I believe my process is one of unfolding.... there is the seeing, the capturing of and idea that spins in the heart picking up speed as the how to is identified. The creating ensues --- on whatever track is needed to meet with the inspirations needs --- and once the piece is completed - enjoyed, delivered.... a new idea begins to spin and pick up speed.

The path is now clear and ideas are spinning.
And, the quilts I am sharing here are all project pictures from
Fast-Piece Applique! (first time yet)

Hexie This!

The little hexagon of quilts passed has transformed itself over the last several years. Taken on by a whole new group of quilters beginning their fabric journeys.

They have become bigger, smaller, brighter and darn right cute at times, but the most historical fact about hexies has not changed. They are addictive! I personally have warded off the small -- grandmother's flower garden sized hexies by sharing that free package of hexie papers from the quilt show with my good friend (and beginning quilter) Angelique.

See what happens?!?

My own hexie trail lead off in an entirely different direction.
I took pics & postcards from a summertime trip and mixed paper and fabric hexies for this wall hanging.

I used sheets of self-seal laminating pouches for the paper hexies, and there is batting used for the fabric hexies.

It was a bit of a trial run to see how everything stitched together, but I am pleased and can see lots of possibilities.

Are you intrigued?

I will share the pattern and how to's if you'd like...
just let me know.