Jill Inspired

Even When I Can't Sew

2011-07-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, I drew a lot. I would draw on anything. I doodled and the world just went away. When I am creating, I almost go into a trance. It is like I am not thinking at all. That probably sounds a bit weird to those of you who THINK you can't draw. I suspect you just try to control your drawing too much. So, there's an assignment for you....quit thinking and see if you can draw.

At any rate, the past few weeks have been very full of summer fun with our family. Lots of cooking, swimming in the pond, touring the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. There is always so many amazing things to do...visit wineries, stop by the Amana Colonies for food and touring, go kayaking, attend the Farmer's Markets and just enjoy the parks and bike trails and walking trails. Even got a chance to go to a Kernels' game. They didn't win but we had fun cheering them on and enjoyed the fireworks.

All of the busy-ness doesn't really get in the way of my creative energies. I can't quite help myself, even if I don't have a pen, pencil or sewing machine, I am doodling. I found myself doodling with glass beads. The magic baubles had been on the table as an embellishment. Each morning I would take my breakfast to the table and work it like a crossword puzzle, I rotated around our dining room table placing the glass pieces taking my bowl of oatmeal with me. After a few days, I had a whole canvas designed. The family was afraid to disrupt my finished project and eat there. Conversely, I view it as finished and am ready to disrupt it all because it is the process that is so important to me.

Now, I wonder what I could do with tiles on a floor....

All the Best to You, jill

Have You Had Your Mammogram?

2011-06-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

One of the fabrics in the collection, Fight Like a Girl 2, is a series of squares that I used for blocks in the quilt pieces I designed. While not the most poignant of phrases, I did include "Have You Had Your Mammogram?" I had an uncle who regularly asked this question. True. I was tempted to tell him, "NONE OF YOUR (insert explicative here) BUSINESS." However, after the first few times laughing him off, I realized that what he was asking was important! Early screening is our BEST tool for detection. Early detection is our best chance for fighting the disease.

While not having faced the disease (of breast cancer), I (like many of you) have heard about every excuse for not participating in early screenings. I (also like you) have lost friends and watched others fight their way through the disease. I get regular mammograms because their examples of courage and facing their fears have inspired me. Sometimes I need to be reminded. If you love them, ask, "Have you had YOUR mammogram?"

It is so important that we encourage one another to not only talk about breast cancer (and other cancers) but that we be mindful of how grateful we should be for the chance for everyone to get good health screenings. Breast cancer treatment has come a long ways towards early detection practices and treatments. Long before a cure is found, I hope that we can help one another to face the fear...the fear of "what if" and all the other profanities of our ignorance. While no one wants to hear they have a mass or a lump or a "suspicious spot", we need to be mindful that early detection is our best defense against the disease.

When my family was young, I went through a period of time where I had to keep repeating a form of cancer detection tests. When I got my first "suspicious" test, I started planning my funeral (hey, I didn't say this was going to be reasonable). Even though my doctor assured me that they weren't sure and I would just have to be "watched," the angst on my doorstep was very heavy. After having to go through the procedures repeatedly for more than a year, I had to get past my own "far out there" fears and face some realities. The first truth I discovered was that while I had a "suspicious" testing pattern, the tests being administered these days are much more refined than those of five years ago and are light years ahead of ten years ago. Consequently, with all cancer screening procedures, we are bound to have more false positives. I learned in this time of waiting not to dread the day that "suspicious" turned to cancer but rather to consider that it is a miracle that we have testing that can break down the elements of cancer and pre-cancerous and suspicious.

More than that, during challenging times, we are all called to re-evaluate our priorities. I always think it is a matter of finding a better balance in our lives. Creating through sewing, drawing, crafting and much more isn't an addiction but rather it is my way of keeping a healthy balance in my life. Feeding the inspirations in my soul keeps me grounded and yet affords me the chance to soar.

My "suspicious" was resolved over time. However, the lessons I took with me from the experience that lingered with me for more than a year was that there was nothing to fear with the screening. The advancements in medicine and our overall health care have brought us to a point where it is so important that we talk about how to keep ourselves healthy. Early detection screenings are just another tool in our health toolbox.

Fight Like a Girl in fabric is important to me for all of the men and women who are afraid of cancer screenings. It is important for me because I want everyone to know that there are places you can go to get screenings for little or no cost. And, yes, we all pay a price of some discomfort and some anxiety. BUT, the professionals and those who are supporting the charitable organizations that offer free or low-cost screenings are so incredibly caring and want us to participate.

All the Best to You, jill

Sew Away Your Anxiety

2011-05-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

As we have met many fighting cancer (and especially a large number wrangling with breast cancer), I am always in awe at how they pull together their emotional resources to find a way to bring healing in some part of their life. So many have told me that they sew to reduce their anxiety and that when they are not well enough, the inability to sew brings great sadness to them.

Using the same pink and black tones from the first collection of Fight Like a Girl, I built upon the core reason why any of us really talk about breast cancer. It is very important not only that we support those fighting for their lives but also to bring awareness and shake off the fear. Talking about breast cancer is challenging partially because of our modesty but also because of our fear. I have heard women say they have avoided screenings because they hurt, because they are afraid of "IF I have cancer" and (of course) because it isn't a great amount of fun to wait for that discovery. I have had friends who put it off for years to find out they did or didn't have breast cancer and then play Russian roulette with their health again by waiting.

It is my sincere hope that Fight Like a Girl 2 will be a fabric collection that people love because it is pretty but mostly that it will serve as a reminder that self-examinations and cancer screenings for breast health is the best chance we have for early discovery and the best chance to give women a chance to "Fight Like a Girl!"

My favorite piece from this collection are the two fabrics that name the people we love and the people whose lives are touched by breast cancer. "Mother...Sister...Lover...Friend...Co-Worker...Sorority Sister...." etc I wanted this fabric to serve as a reminder of how many lives cancer touches.
As I was machine quilting the pieces to be taken to International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, I lingered on each of these titles and thought about the people in my life who have been touched by all kinds of cancers. The journey was significant, cathartic and a bittersweet time for me.

This fabric is for you....Betty Jo, Correy, Jane, Kay, Lori, Loretta and many more....you are so loved.

Fight Like a Girl fabrics will be in the stores in June. I am honored to have assisted Windham Fabrics with this collection. A portion of the proceeds from the fabric benefit the Maurer Foundation.

All the Best to You...jill

Yes, I Designed This

2011-05-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

I recently put the last stitches into my first venture into fabric designing. Working with friends at Windham Fabrics, I was honored to pull together the fabrics for their second collection for Fight Like a Girl. The fabric line was immensely popular in its first run in our store. I had some ideas for things I'd like to see in the subsequent collection and was asked to work with them on the designs.

I felt compelled to work on these fabrics because of the friends and family who have fought breast cancer. Yes. I do draw. In fact, I draw a lot. I have drawn all kinds of things all of my life but have only recently increased my collection of pens, markers, colored pencils and more. I've not given up my sewing or other crafting, just dug back into my psyche and welcomed that little girl who ALWAYS loved to capture things on paper. What a privilege it has been to be able to create the elements that are now being printed on fabric. More than that, I felt called to do this to heighten awareness in women about our breast health. If Fight Like a Girl 2 causes women to be reminded to tend to their health, the fabric has done what it was intended to do.

You can order the fabric from this collection. It won't be ready to ship for a few more weeks. You can place your order for Fight Like a Girl 2 on our web site (click HERE) and your order will be filled when the fabric arrives at our store.

23 Years...

2011-05-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

Today Henry and I wrap up 23 years of pre-collegiate education with our children. Not counting, pre-school, we have had a rotation of our five kids in school. Our youngest, Johanna, is graduating from high school today. It is sweet to see her launch on her promising future.

What an irony, though, as we have been getting house ready for the celebration of this milestone for our family, I have been contemplating how our thinking has morphed. I remember the days when we first became parents that every trip "to town" meant hauling all the necessities to the house....diapers, toys, clothes, groceries (oh, the GROCERIES!) Now I think about how to best get the kids to take their stuff with them, how to de-clutter a lifetime of collecting and make it meaningful to collect enough that the kids can enjoy the memories of their childhood and yet not so much stuff that it overwhelms them.

Over the years, my own life has morphed as well. With each transition, the next carried some of the previous responsibilities and much of the wisdom gained. As I went from a new bride to a mother and an elementary school teacher to my current line of work as a retailer, the titles melded into a great journey. It has been a path of GREAT INSPIRATION and I sit on the edge of my seat, anxious for what more will unfold before me.

I am honored to get to work in an industry that is creative not only on the facet of the artistic nature but more on the side of how to be an independent retailer in a time in history that it can be a real challenge. It is even more an honor that I get to live this life alongside those amazing people in my family. When our youngest, Johanna, was born we often had to endure people's all too-nosy questions about why we would embark on a journey with a "large family". I am grateful that I have no need or plan to offer any sort of "explanation." To attempt to do so would be to try to explain why one would (given the opportunity) NOT choose joy.

Our lives as parents to these five children has opened spiritual, emotional and intellectual horizons that we would never have imagined. Johanna has had to endure being labeled "the baby".... "the spoiled one", etc. Henry and I love it because neither she nor we even bother to defend or deny the labels. Johanna was born at a time when my work as a teacher, mentor and business person was morphing from being a home based business to being the retail entity that our store is today. The child grew up often sitting nearby and playing aside my sewing areas. Johanna has always amazed me. A quiet, gentle and wise young woman...I am honored to call her my daughter. I love you darling....with all my heart....mama (ok....so, NOW this post must end. I am speechless and prone to weep with how full my heart is for her.) I am so grateful to be part of this great and INSPIRING journey.
All the Best to You....jill

Remembering Cindy...Part #4: Her Tradition of Passing on Love

2011-05-19T03:35:00.000-07:00

As the second day sped past, the work on the three quilts got very focused and was down to tasks that could only be handled in smaller groups. Therese had made teddy bears from some polo shirts before the event and got the cousins going on a teddy bear project. Like everything else during the weekend, no one really knew these to be tough projects because we just presented them as something fun to do. And in a matter of a few hours, teddy bears started emerging from shirts. More teddy bears were cut to go home and grow into fully cuddle-able bears for other cousins.

We even saw a bit of my family members becoming certified quilters (they started getting picky). By the second day,most of the sewers had enough skill to navigate the blocks (which were cut bythose of us more experienced) in piecing. With the blocks then beingseamed, each set of seams came to the top of the quilt and then needed to betop-stitched back. At this point in the process, my sisters-in-lawrevealed one of their most endearing and unnerving traits. There wasintense focus on making sure that duplicate blocks never landed next to eachother. Interesting they go from being non-experienced in quilting toperfectionists. (Therese and I are fairly sure given time we could workthem out of that nasty habit.)

Introducing the auxiliary projects thatnieces and nephews could enjoy something hand made for themselves as a memoirof Aunt Cindy brought a second wind to the efforts. Much beloved by family and friends, remembrances stirredhappy stories. At this point, everyone was freed up to dig into the clothing, knowing that re-purposing it gave it new life. While Cindy has been gone four years, her passion lived on as she passed on the love through inspiring her family to find new inspirations.

My daughter Johanna coached cousins incutting up sweatshirts to serge into five throws for Cindy’sgod-children.    There were almost as many fleece sweatshirts as denim. While comfy, sweatshirts are too heavy for most t-shirt quilts and teddy bears. Therefore, we chose to cut them apart and serged them into throws.   Therese flew through miles of fleece with her serger patching the bigger squares to little four patch squares. Shirt fronts, backs and sleeves were all entered into the throws.

Some shirts even were made into pillowcases. Teaching people the "burrito method" of making a pillowcase, some sleepy heads will be resting and smiling.

The denim pieces too small for the quilt were cut into 5”squares for future handbag projects. With many charm bags that I favor, this will be an easy venture to take people into for the denim squares. Keeping the hardware and pockets will add character to the bags.

The harmony of this sewingproject was so akin to the spirit of our sister Cindy. She was theyoungest girl in the family. Growing up, she was a quiet and studiouschild. She was one of the hardest working people I have ever met. She regularly took on tasks that others might have avoided and didso without complaint. But there was nothing weak and submissive aboutCindy. Her strength was in her service, her generosity and her can-doattitude. The weekend of sewing was so much like her spirit. AsCindy matured, the reserve (what one might have mistaken as shyness) seemed to dissipate and revealed a sparkling persona, full of vitality andenthusiasm. People were drawn to Cindy. Energetic and a greatamount of fun, Cindy was surrounded by many people who loved herdeeply.   Reliable and constant, Cindy was appreciated bymany--friends, family and co-workers. I know she'd be very pleased withthe teamwork of her family.

Were there tears? Onewould think the weekend would have been fraught with much distress. However, I believe that Cindy's family discovered what many of us sewers andquilters know. It is just cloth--fibers and threads woven together forwarmth. However, as we unwind the purpose of clothing to make itcoverings, we are simply re-purposing that which kept one warm to warmmany. While there have been many tears shed over the loss of this preciousand beautiful woman, this weekend was a time to celebrate and spread pieces ofher life to various family members and to send an especially big hug to herhusband and children. Cindy's love lives on, with many thanks to a familythat worked hard to put their pain and their healing by their hands intoremembrances.

If you have ever worked on re-purposing clothing, you likely know there comes a point in a project when you know you are done. When we came to the stack of sweaters, we pondered at great length until the teens reminded us that everyone needed a sweater for "Ugly Sweater Day". Whether this is a real commemoration or not, the style show that ensued was entertaining. As we sorted through the remaining pieces, we thought of things we could do. However, the tired of our minds and bodies were very telling in that we had worked through many things together in the way that people do who are seeking healing. It was a good feeling as we looked through the mountains of things completed. More than that, seeing the faces of all who took home something finished and something planned was encouraging.

Going to our homes on that Sunday night, the exhaustion wore through everymuscle.   However, the joy of the weekend was easy to spark perusinghundreds of photographs taken during the weekend. The pictures of Cindy’sfamily lovingly laboring over each project was humbling and pure grace. (There were more than 550 pictures that we compiled!) The pictures of the Cindy’s children and husband cuddled in quilts made fromher clothing was enjoying watching them be embraced in Cindy’s love spreadthrough all of us to each other and to them. When I'd put the last stitches on the binding of the quilt, I have never had such an audience of people watching me sew. Working furiously to get around this very large quilt was made a bit more nerve-wracking with people watching me until one of them told me they just had never seen someone sew that fast. My poor sewing machine must have run non-stop for that full day. The last of the quilts was laid, spread out onto a large table. The room filled with a hush and without any coaching, the two kids fell face first onto the table into an embrace with the quilt. We all felt that same deep satisfaction.

Keith shared the following with me about the quilts,

Both of the kids absolutely love their quilts!! I think the first few nights of having it on her bed were kind of hard on our daughter. After she told me that, I told her to think of it as Mommy giving her a hug all night long! So now each night when I tuck her into bed she asked me to tuck the quilt in tight so as to feel Mommy's hug.

Humbly and gratefully submitted, jill

Remembering Cindy...Part #3: Free to Be Cindy

2011-05-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

In the quilt for Cindy's son, we all experienced what it was to be free to be Cindy. A hard working and studious student, farm girl and employee, Cindy's diligence was admirable. She was dependable and quiet about her diligence. However, it was clearly obvious in all that she did. People tend to worry about hard-workers, thinking their diligence could be their undoing. Yet, just as she was diligent, this woman knew how to be free to be Cindy! She embraced choices and lived abundantly. Work was work and fun was fun. And even for Cindy work could be fun.

Her son's quilt and his choices show that living on in his life.

Thet-shirts and knit polo shirts and other knits became the base goods for thequilts for the kids. Her son's quilt was primarily made of the graphicsof the t-shirts. He'd chosen his particular favorites. Then Keith,his father, added ones that would depict Cindy's life that her son could knowmore about her work, her interests and the things she really loved. Ofcourse, those well-loved t-shirts were faded, making them all that much morefavored and serving as powerful reminders.

Stories passed about the timesshe wore those shirts in her work on the farm as a teen and young adult on intothe shirts she wore for activities like a softball team gathered from herco-workers. The t-shirts with graphics were built into quilted segmentsby family members. I'd gathered a backing and backing fabric from herson's favorite fabric color choice. #1 on his list was orange. I'dalso asked him to tell me what color he absolutely did not want. That waspink....easy to avoid.

Watching the sisters build these segmentswas magical. It was fascinating to me that they very much wanted to dothis. Giving them a rectangle approximately 20" x 30", theywould sift through the t-shirts and figure out a way of putting severaltogether to fill the space. Then Therese and I would coach them on how toorder the piecing to make all the elements fit. Sometimes it was aprocess like building a log cabin block, other times it was row work andsometimes it looked akin to paper piecing a BIG block. Whatever the process,they didn't really know they were doing something incrediblycomplex....designing a quilt on the fly is tough work, especially when oneneeds to meld it together with elements being built by others.

Tobring together the units, I used a process of flat locking seams togetherwith a dense zig zag stitch and then sealing them on the back with a bias strip(made from orange fabric, of course). Stitching on the left and rightside, the stitching was revealed on the top of the quilt. Then working onthe top of the quilt, I made another bias strip 1/2' wider than the back andtop stitched that to conceal the top seaming. This process consumed threeyards of fabric for all the bias strips and more than 1000 yards of YLI variationsthread (in orange--of course) for the stitch together process. The binding was the samebias-cut as the joining strips and sewn on with machine.

One sister who resides in Kentucky was unable to make the weekend event. She had asked that we send something to her to sew together. It quickly became obvious what that project would be when both kids clung to t-shirts that made them chuckle.

Her son's favorite showed Mt Rushmore on the front and the bared behinds of the statues on the back of the t-shirt. The t-shirts were even hard to pry out of the kids' hands when we told them we were going to prepare them for making into pillows. We sent the shirts and elements to Ruth. There was some concern that she might use editorial privilege on t-shirts.

While she DID do some editing, it was done as a temporary edit by adding briefs to the presidential bare behinds and in good humor. Nice touch! Everybody should be able to get mooned by a president!

This project was originally slated for two weekends. But as, one could imagine, it is tough to get all these people for two weekends. That we were able to finish these projects in one weekend was really because WORK CAN BE FUN!

And what of the remainder of the clothes? Surely there were leftovers. Indeed there were, and Therese and I had a plan for them that is still going on.

The last of Remembering Cindy through our inspiration and creations will be in my next post, the last of this series.

All the Best to You,

jill

Remembering Cindy...Part #2: A Life of Practical and Pretty

2011-05-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

First off, I need to point out that while our extended family appreciates the enjoyment we have with quilting and sewing, for themselves, sewing tends to mean mending.  All members of the family own sewing machines. This event was for many of them theirfirst quilting venture and their sewing machines (and them) would never be the same. Armed with an earnestness to honor their sister’smemory and create a loving quilt-hug for Keith and their children, mysisters-in-law, mother-in-law and several nieces and nephews joined in this twoday adventure.

Therese and I focused on having the family sewing be as much oftheir hands as possible. To this end, we planned the projects so thatthey were (for the most part) quilt-as-you-go techniques. With around 17people sewing for two days straight, we had various stations of activitiesgoing on throughout the two-day stretch. Cutting denim, fusing stabilizerto t-shirts, planning, were all rotated tasks. We’d encouraged people toparticipate in several different steps to combat boredom with some tasks.

The first quilt we tackled wasn't necessarily the most difficult nor the easiest but it was a chance for us to get everyone involved in serious cutting and sewing. Cindy's life was about her family, her friends and her labors. Denim is an appropriate fabric for who this woman was....practical and pretty. The desire to have a denim quilt seemed easy because Cindy wore a LOT of denim. Like many of us, she had many pairs with a variety of wear. The challenge with denim quilts is keeping them light enough to be comfortable for whatever use. We blended the denim with brushed cotton fabrics, in colors Keith liked, and no batting to keep the project light.

You just can't believe how much denim you can pull from a mountain of jeans. We spared the pockets and metal buttons. Cutting the denim into rectangles for the quilt, we then spared the remnants into 5" squares, all pockets and hardware.   We have a future plan of making handbags from these elements for family members.

Partway into this section of the project, we started people on the next projects (t-shirt quilts). Knowing that people would need a break from the tedium of cutting, sewing and clipping the denim, we had some move on and others stayed with the denim project. The denim quilt became almost king-sized which was much to Keith's liking. A segment of denim for a smaller throw was spared from the king-sized piece. The remnants await some eager sewers later and they filled the size of two small milk crates. Of course, one of our favorites was the cousin's sporting of the remaining pieces of the denim jeans. Such fashion divas....Aunt Cindy would be proud that her humor and functionality lives on. (Um...yes, that head-band is a tube top....we just couldn't find a good re-purpose for it....yet. But this smart niece was using her head!)

For everyone in attendance, the facts that making this many quilts in amatter of two days is daunting for even experienced sewers and we didn't revealthat to them until we knew what they COULD do.     We figuredthe less they knew about "normal", the better. Their enthusiasmwas motivating. Plus, I know these women fairly well. When I joinedthe family more than 30 years ago, days of work on the farm were long and theirwork ethic is still daunting. A day of baling hay or picking up rockswasn't complete without adding in gardening, cooking, milking cows, feedingpigs and tending to the many household tasks of tending to the needs of alarge, busy family.

Like their sister Cindy, these dedicated women tackled their tasks with an earnestness that wasamazing to even to die-hard sewers like Therese and myself. They workedtirelessly for hours on end pouring their hearts into this project.  At the end of the first day, we estimated that we had accomplished nearly 2/3of the first three quilts, the quilts for Cindy’s husband and children were thefirst priority.
Therese and I kept encouragingthe group that we were so impressed with their amazing progress. Frequently, though, we were accused of our being false optimists. Mysisters-in-law were sure that other (more experienced) sewers could havefinished much more. Therefore, I am leaving this blog as testimonial tomany of you (my quilting friends) to give comment to the family at the volumeof accomplishment in this weekend.

Let me say that only two of uswere able to rotary cut. We taught a couple of others to rotarycut. However, none of them ever mastered Therese’s and my cardinal ruleto rotary cutting: ALWAYS closing the cutter after each cut. Manyof them never moved past calling the thread in the bottom of the sewing machinea “bobber”. Most “BOBBER winding” had to be done by those of us who knowmachines.   For whatever they lacked in sewing techniques and terminology,they surely made up for it in tenacity and determination.

Another beautiful set of gifts flowed all around this event. Mysisters-in-law are some of the best cooks and bakers around. They fed usall weekend. The array of foods and their nourishment was a vital part and as pretty as the array of color in fabric and texture for the weekend. Their chipping in on so many levels just added to the spiritof the weekend.

There was TRULY a spirit of love and passion flowing among these amazingpeople. Therese and I felt privileged to be part of this amazing outpouringof love and its manifestation of charity and generosity.

More Remembering Cindy...in my next post...
All the Best to You, jill

Remembering Cindy...Part #1: A Life Sparkled with Color

2011-05-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

One king-sized denim quilt, one king sized t-shirt quilt,one queen sized pieced shirt quilt, five fleece throws, several teddy bears,pillowcases and a weekend of exhausting joy….

Four years ago, my husband's sister, Cindy was killed in anautomobile accident. Survived byher husband and two young children, Cindy left a legacy of love and kindness for all who knew her. After her death, Cindy’s sisters helped to move and store her clothing with plans to makequilts for her family when they were able. Being from a very resourceful family, my sisters-in-law wanted to make something for Cindy's children from her clothing.

While most quilters recognize this practice as the origins of our craft, few of us are really willing to embark on such an adventure. With all the fabric choices available, we more prefer to take new fabric and carefully select our colors and designs and patterns. Those who don't quilt but reminisce about how quilting "ought to be" don't always understand this journey. However, I often find these are the same people who think that it isn't really a quilt unless hand-quilted. When I go back to beating clothes against a rock rather than using my laundry to get the real experience of washing clothes, I will agree with the nay sayers. Nonetheless, even those of us who ascribe to modern quilting techniques are pulled strongly to the love of texture and color in clothing. The clothing people choose is artful and enticing. The art of pulling together an array of fabrics from worn clothing is quite a feat. I cannot deny that their enthusiasm and passion for this project propelled Therese and myself to find a way to make sure that they each had as much of a hand in the project as was possible.

The other enchanting component to this project was the process of sorting through Cindy's clothing showed her love for color families. Cutting through many pairs of denim we were reminded of Cindy's comfortable demeanor, always putting people at ease. Her love and care for people was so genuine. She often dressed her denims with vibrant colored tops that made her blue eyes sparkle even more. She likely never realized all these things about herself, but we knew. Aquas, pinks, lavendars, blues and occasional greens made the quilts easy to pull together.

Cindy's daughter's quilt was made with a process of quilt-as-you-go that is a blend of three different techniques. Her daughter worked with family members to put together shirts in groups of three colors. She helped to draw a block that was then repeated with the three fabrics in each block. I'd asked about her favorite colors and what color(s) she absolutely did not want. Green was the color of choice and pink was NOT to be in the quilt. Oddly enough, we pulled together seven fabrics from a Moda collection that were primarily green with some hints of other colors, including pink. The great thing about green in a quilt like this is that it is a good blender with the other fabrics. Green, the color of nature, goes with nearly everything. Like the t-shirt quilt made for her son, all of the fabrics required adhering a fusible woven stabilizer to the back to secure them for piecing. Then the green fabrics selected served as the sashing and the backing of the quilt.

While all of us extended family sewed diligently on the quilts and projects, it was especially inspiring to experience sewing alongside Cindy's children. Both pitched in on the project with enthusiasm. Surrounded by many of their "fun cousins", the kids usually absorb all of their energies in playing with cousins at family events. I don't think any of us expected to see Cindy's son and daughter sewing for hours on end. I would venture that they sewed at one point for 4-5 hours straight on Saturday on the denim quilts. There were other stretches when they helped with building teddy bears and the quilts that were remarkable as well, but their fascination with the process and their diligence was both inspiring and humbling.

More Remembering Cindy....in my next post......All the Best to You, jill
P.S. for those of you who knew Cindy or were inspired by this message, feel free to share your sentiments. I will pass them on to the family.

My Mother's Day Card to Our Children

2011-05-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day brings its share of hype and attention as per the greeting card makers, florists and about every other marketing entity that can attach to it.   For some this is a day of true recognition. Some stand in front of the cards trying to find the card that says not too much, not too little and even the attempts to say it all over the top can cause even such a minor gesture to be emotionally revealing.

A good friend of mine has always been challenged by her relationship with her mother. She often will say, "THIS is just one day. THIS is just one day.....just one day."

Then there are the mothers that I consider who have suffered loss and how this one day can bring such pain. The children who have lost mothers endure the physical loss of a mother, the emotional loss and sometimes the absence of a mother who was there, but wasn't there also hold a place close to my heart. For all of these too, we remember, "THIS is just one day."

Yet, I am aware that my own children are wondering how to best say what they might feel a need to say, what they want to say and what they are afraid to say to their own mother.    Regardless of what kind of mother they think I am, I am humbled and honored by THEM. Of course, it is obvious without them, I wouldn't be even thought of on Mother's Day.

Growing up, I never really thought about being a mother. I don't remember holding baby dolls or dreaming of names for someday-children. It wasn't really a matter of not wanting it, I just never really thought being called mother would be a part of my life. I think I knew what an awesome responsibility it would be that it truly intimidated me.

Now as I consider these people who call me "Mom" or "Mama" or "Meme" or even "Mommy", I can be brought to tears with just the sound of their voices. These amazing people in my life have freed me up in ways that I never could have visioned.   Monica, Therese, Victor, Teddy and Johanna showed me that I can be their mother and be a professional business woman, a creative energy, a friend, a mentor and a person of community while still being my unique self and their mother. As my son Victor has said, "I am terminally unique." (Yet, another of the many lessons I have learned from my children.)

They freed me to face humility with grace and the knowledge that there is little any of us can do to throw ourselves out of the love of those most dear to us. I am not talking about labor and delivery type of humbling but rather the experience of living your own life and being part of theirs while letting them discover their own personhood. For me it was always an envigorating challenge to find ways to help the kids discover their own unique skills and to make choices that helped them to discover their own voice. It doesn't always happen in a neat progression, but I am glad Henry and I got to witness and live it with them. Starting with the little stuff like smiling when one of them decided that cowboy boots could go with your dress for the Christmas concert might have horrified other mothers, but I loved that the child felt free enough to be that person. Becoming a parent means forfeiting our own visions and sitting on the edge of seats with great anticipation to see what they will discover. Wow....what a privilege this has been!

I haven't always been the kind of mother I'd probably hoped to be. I suppose I thought I could learn to be the quiet, demure type of mother--somewhat like the image that I conjure up when I think of the Madonna. (I am sure my kids are likely rolling on the floor with that image.) Nonetheless, those five would smile and tell me they would never have wanted me to be that kind of mother. While I respect that woman, I am a little less graceful and likely less grace-filled.   Maybe this happened because of our children but more likely, I am a painter. If I paint the world with joy and freedom, I am likely to get a lot on myself too.

I want to be my children when I grow up. Each of these wonderful people exemplify passion and diligence and great care in all they do. They don't always do it perfectly or easily, but they live life with little or no regret. When I tend to hold back in my own life, they are first to remind me that I expected no less of them and that at this particular time I ought do no less than give my best and most earnest efforts with my whole heart and being.

As a human being, I would love to be a person of wisdom and grace and great faith. I aspire to these traits and values. I have a hard time seeing these in myself. Yet, the glimpses I enjoy in our children afford me the chance to take this moment in time to deliver my own Mother's Day Recognition to our children. If my role as their mother means I get to see the sparkle of great faith or wisdom or grace in them, then I am honored to enjoy being witness to that in their lives and that is enough for me...enough in that I can witness it even when I can't achieve it.

The word "Inspire" means "to breathe life into..." my role as mother is in large part breathed by the Spirit through them. Everything that flows from my pen, from my sewing machine, my hand, my heart is freed up in a mighty manner by being privileged to be mother to them.

This Mother's Day I am honoring these stubborn, resilient, creative and spirited beings I enjoy calling my daughters and sons. It is my sincere hope that whether you birthed your own or you are privileged to be able to mother others that you enjoy not so much what you have given them but rather you are able to celebrate all that they have inspired in you!         All the Best to You...jill

More Flip Flap...!

2011-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

These were actually the first Flip Flap bags that I made. I al
ways believe that when you make one purse, you ought to make at least a second one.
All that you learned making the first one, will make the second sew in much less than half the time of the first. I certainly found that to be true of these Flip Flap bags.

Using four fat quarters for each bag, I was able to get the bag, the handles, the lining and the extra flaps and secret pockets entirely out of the fat quarters. Clean and clear instructions made this so simple and fun to make.

We all have some fat quarters sitting around that we can't find the matching fabrics and don't know what to do with them. Too many to just give away and too few to make a quilt....

When I finished these bags, I knew I wanted to embellish them with buttons. Much to my surprise, we have hair ties in the store that are made from stacked buttons. I found the PERFECT button set in the hair ties, re-fashioned it to be a decorative button for one of the bags. The other bag is sporting a set of doubled up Dill buttons.

Now that outer flap is just screamin for some machine embroidery....more later. All the Best to You, jill

Afternoon Sewing with Therese

2011-05-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Every now and again, Therese and I will escape for a bit ofsewing. Usually we work in parallelworlds but are pretty quiet. Thisparticular afternoon, we retreated to my sewing room where we explored theFight Like a Girl fabric in the Flip Flap bags.

A great feature on the Flip Flap bag are two secretpockets which are a perfect fit for a cell phone, notepad, etc. With many bags I own, they have great pocketsbut many are so big that when I slip my cell phone in, I have to go digging. The pocket on these bags are a perfect sizethat don’t require me reaching in up to my elbow to find the little ringingdevil.

I’d made several of the Flip Flap Bags while on our recent retreat and got a kickout of putting them together. Smartinstructions and a good use of fabric made this a particularly fascinatinglittle bag to make. Normally, when I seesomething that advertises “fat quarter friendly”, I find that they don’tnecessarily use a good amount of the fat quarter. The other problem I often see in such patternsis that they deliver a very convoluted and home-made looking finish. The Flip Flap bag delivers a really sharpfinished bag.

The Flip Flap bags I made on retreat were from someremaining Mary Engelbreit fat quarters that I had in my stash. Lately, I have been working on those“I-love-it-too-much-to-use-it fabrics”. Sometimes I have found that I have so few in a collection that theydon’t work well with a quilt. However, asmart little handbag like Flip Flap are perfect for a smaller number of fat quarters. This one happens to use four fat quarterstotal. Without any hardware (zippers orsnaps), it is one that I didn’t have to shop for extra stuff. I used my favorite stabilizer (for bags) init and found these to be like a bag of my favorite snacks.

I picked up five half-yard cuts of the Wyndham Fight Like a Girl fabrics for Therese and myself. Wewere able to make up three bags. Thethird bag wasn’t exactly all of my choices for location of the fabrics, but itworked out fine for my taste.

I love the Fight Like a Girl fabrics for this handbagbecause I think it is quite appropriate to be reminding women to participate inregular mammograms and participate in good practices for early detection ofbreast cancer. What better way to do this than with a handbag?! I love this fabric collection for the handbags becauseit just simply looks classy with the pink with black. The lettering pieces are some of my favoritesbut they just bring out the best in all the collection.

When I am making the handle for a bag like this, I typicallywill adhere the fusible stabilizer to the back of the handle. Fold the handle in half lengthwise once. Then I will fold each the left and right rawedge to the middle fold. Now, I fold thewhole strip with the two outer edges snug the middle and then folding it inhalf. At this point, I will be stitchingthrough four layers of fabric and four more layers of the stabilizer. I really appreciate the power of my Berninamachine and my #10 edge-stitching foot. With the edge-stitching foot, I can runthe center blade along the edge and my line of top-stitching will land in agood and straight line. I am able tomove my needle position to the left or the right as best fits my top-stitchchoice. Handles made in this manner arevery sturdy and don’t tend to break down as fast as those filled withbatting.

I do tend to use a denim needle as it gives me great stitchperformance on my top stitching.

A feature that Therese and I added was fun embellishing withpink buttons in a variety of sizes. Using my new #18 foot with rubberized feet for holding the buttons,attaching them was a cinch. I practicedan old technique of taping down the buttons with standard tape. Then I just lifted and moved from one buttonto the other. Were you aware that mostbuttons in the world have the same distance between the holes. 4mm is a standard regardless of the size ofthe button. Using the button sew-onfeature of your machine, you will find a great knotting system on your newerBernina machines that will lock it off midway through the stitch out. I think this is important because just tyingoff at the beginning and end of the button adhesion isn’t always enough. Occasionally when I am sewing the buttons on,I will use an “x” on a four-hole button, just for kicks.

My collection of bags are on display in the store, andtopics like this are regular features that we share at our monthly VIP sessionsat the store. I like to remind people ofVIP because it is a good time to learn the tricks and secrets and ways to makelife easier if you are a sewer. Missedour recent events? No worries. I am on a roll with handbags and quiltingthese days. I suspect you will continueto see some version of this for the next few months. Plus, my blog seems to bea good re-cap for those who attended VIP and Embroidery Secrets.

As I don’t get much chance to teach these days, I enjoysharing fun things I am sewing on in this forum. Therese and I sewed together the three pursesin about three hours. We actuallyintended to sew only two, but someone mis-sewed a piece. Rather than take it out, we decided to set itaside. Once set aside, it was easy totake all the leftovers (we had one full half yard we’d not used) and make thethird purse. So, if you look at it thatway, we sewed the equivalent of one purse every hour. That is how easy this bag is to sew. Watch our June calendar for chance to learnthe Flip Flap Bag. If we could get threedone in three hours, I’d like to think I could teach you to get one done inthree hours.

All the Best to You...Hope you find a little pink in your sewing collection....jill

When it Rained Buttons

2011-05-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was able to help our daughter Monica dress her craft room. Her huge collection of buttons of all sizes and shapes took up a very large glass vase. In fact it was so heavy, I never imagined it could ever move off that shelf.

Monica went to tightly close the door to the room. The door, on the same wall as the shelf, sent a vibration through the wall and shook that shelf enough to pitch the vase of buttons off the shelf. The vase went tumbling off and fell atop Monica's Bernina 830. Buttons splayed EVERYWHERE.

Ironically, the vase did NOT break. Hitting the handle atop the machine, it left a small dent in the handle. However, the vase was so heavy it didn't even crack the vase.

Once she discovered that nothing was broken, she simply shut the door on the mess to deal with it later. (I am pretty proud of her that she didn't get stirred up over it.) Easily, it was hundreds and hundreds of buttons. I suspect they will be finding buttons in every nook and cranny in the room.

Every child's dream...buttons, buttons everywhere...
All the Best to You...jill

Why Be So Tough on Yourself?

2011-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Recently, when sewing with friends, I got a little lax on basting a quilt. I skipped a whole section because I didn't want to walk across the room and get more pins. I went and started quilting this section first. Of course, it bunched up on me and the back was all twisted up. It looked something like sewing your homework into the back of a quilt (for those of you non-sewers). Traditionally, sewers will seam rip. That would have taken me about three hours for the 20 minutes of wreckage I'd created. So, I just went for option B....just cut a row off the quilt. And none too neatly, I might add. My sewing friends were shocked. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THAT QUILT? I am just making it a row smaller. Me thinks it was too big anyway!
And my mama called me lazy....I am just resourceful.
All the Best to You...jill

Too Grown Up for Easter Baskets

2011-04-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. I love all of Easter but mostly because it is incredibly simple. When our kids were younger, I would usually start making Easter dresses on Good Friday. Now, I know that doesn't sound simple, but doing this at the last minute oft forced me to do things simply and efficiently. Unless you are a sewer, you might not understand this. But, for me sewing is a way of collecting my thoughts and sharing my love. So, pulling together outfits in a matter of a few days is a very loving act for me. Imagine how much energy some people put into preparing a meal for a family get-together, that is akin to what I do as a sewer. While I always had good intentions of finishing up sewing well before, it never seemed to happen as smoothly as pulling together dresses for the girls and matching ties for the boys. The boys will likely never forgive me for some of the things they wore but usually by the time they were ready "to go", they'd had an Easter egg fight and had eaten an ample helping of jelly beans and chocolate and were in different clothes for family visits.

Last year, I made Easter packages and shipped them off to the kids. I had a great time thinking about them opening the pastel wrapped packages. As I was pondering my "shopping", I was inspired to make something (at least for the girls). Easter baskets for grown up girls were a great time to build.
Using the Crossover Carry-all, a favorite of mine from Indygo Junction, I adapted some great details such as piping and some additional pockets inside for the girls.    I also added a key holder inside the bags for their snap key rings. I chose my favorite decorator-weight fabrics from Pine Needles. Actually one bag, I chose the fabric because I had an old package of gray piping that I wanted to use up and the yellow and gray has really caught my eye for some time. It was REALLY time to use up that old piping. There are so few things that will work with gray and this bag was perfect.
I also experimented with different stabilizer techniques in the body of the bags. While many patterns recommend a batting in the bag, I prefer to NOT use batting. Batting is designed to soften as it is laundered. When I am making a bag, I want the bag to look crisp, not broken down. Using a decorator weight fabric in the Crossover Carry-all was a huge advantage because stabilizing was not necessary throughout the bag. In fact on one bag, I stabilized the body of the bag and not the handles. On the other I stabilized the handles and not the bag. Both came out looking very classy and crisp. Further, using a decorator weight fabric will give them a sharp look for great usage. Besides, knowing my daughters, these bags will stuffed to overflowing and they need to be strong and stable. Then stuffed with Easter treats, the girls got their own Easter "baskets".   I think this is a new tradition and likely one that I can actually get done in a timely manner.
Now I am on a roll of making bags and having a great time of it.   At our recent VIP, Therese shared my bag creating as well as a sewing adventure I dragged her onto making Flip-Flap bags. What a great time that was. Making handbags yields such great results and quickly.

All the Best to You, jill

Monica's Craft Room

2011-04-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Our oldest daughter Monica lives in Detroit. Like her siblings, she has sewn most of her life. Her first sewing project was a mitten for her thumb. She was trying to quit sucking her thumb. She did great during the days but struggled with the habit in the nighttime. Her idea to make a mitten to cover her thumb was augmented with having to pin the mitten to her pajama sleeve. After a while the hand-sewn thumb mitten truly disintegrated into shreds. Of course, over time, Monica battled the habit away.
However, she and I have often lamented that the thumb mitten dissolved. From that hand sewing project to the ever-favorite, button chains, Monica picked up to sewing easily and has always had a project of some sort going.
Through college, she picked up other hobbies, card making and jewelry making. Along with sewing, she has many busy collections of toys and trinkets. Her collection has grown as she has moved from city to city through her college career and now in her work and married life, she has an art collection that would rival my own. We have cheered her on as we know that her hobby has given her respite from the challenges of her career (as it has for many of us).
Playing in her craft area has been a challenge because she didn't really have an area. Each trip to her home, she talked about carving out a space in their basement. Recently, I convinced her to move the office out of the spare bedroom in their house and set up her own area. She calls it her Craft Room. Before our arrival to their home for a recent weekend, Monica had painted the room a soft beautiful shade and had moved all of her supplies into the room.
With the supplies roughly in their place, Monica was just about ready to start playing. Over the weekend, we helped to sort things out. It was a blast going through someone else's toys. Baskets and jars and bags of yarns and buttons, trinkets, old jewelry and much more were sorted and stored. I appreciate being able to see my toys. Not only pretty and inspiring, having notions and trims within view reminds me and often inspires me to sew. Over the weekend the room evolved. While a fairly small space (about 100 square feet), we made the most of the space and the light. With big windows, the room is a perfect space for creating.
I think I had as much fun arranging the room as I suspect Monica will have in creating in the room.
When we left to return to Iowa, Monica had cheerily told us she was looking forward to an afternoon in her room. She spent a good amount of time just enjoying the room and the space. Sometimes, even for me...that is the best part. I really hope each of you has a space that you can call your own, even if it is just a corner of a room. Most of us didn't play enough as children. I would say that we ought to declare our own playrooms with ample play time. Hope you find your own play time!! jill

Doodlin' the Borders

2011-02-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Recently, I shared with many of my sewing friends how I worked on a border. I filled in a border by only quilting in half of the triangles. Creating a continuous line design that accentuated the border, I was able to bring out the best in a border without doing a lot of drawing.

Normally, I don't draw out borders. Rather, I sew out the elements. I don't spend a lot of time planning these things out. I find that it works better to sew out these elements in silk thread (100 weight). Perhaps the first six I sew are not "perfect." Although, this border is 360" (er, that is about 10 yards or 30 feet!) which gives me miles of sewing the borders to practice the fill stitches.

Hopefully, you can follow my drawings to create your own border fill stitch. Don't spend a lot of time drawing 10 yards of triangles. That would be like drawing triangles from one end of your house to the other. Silk thread and using your stitch regulator is going to make you look like a pro!

The more drawing you can do without lifting your pen, pencil or marker off the paper, the better you will get on creating long continuous lines to create fill stitches. This is like sewing with a pen. When I am drawing a lot of shapes, I prefer a find tipped marker like a micron pigma pen and smooth paper.

For those of you who won't get to some sewing for a few days (work gets in your way), why not give doodling a try! Doodle on the borders of your notebook while you are in a meeting. Many of us (today) are watching tons of snow falling. Perhaps you could go out and do some drawing in a snow bank!

All the Best to You, jill

OMG....Just One Hour

2011-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight I peeled out one hour and did something really fun. I have two alphabet quilts that I pulled out of my "to be fi
nished" stack. I loved applique-ing the quilts. I knew that quilting
these would mean lots of fill
stitches around all those letters. Then an AHA moment happened.

At home, we had an ugly throw. Two very large pieces of Minkee, a rabbit embroidered on one side of the pink Minkee. Then the piece got backed with a white bubble Minkee and then serged the edges of the piece with a variagated pink thread. While very large and very cuddly, it was kinda ugly.

I carefully clipped off the serged edge. I was careful because I have an idea for this piece. I just want to leave my options open.

When I dismantled the two pieces of Minkee, I pulled the pink piece first. Laying out my quilt top, I first pin basted it. But then I discovered a secret. Minkee has a back to it that has a bit of nap to it. Installing my dual feed on my Bernina 830, I was able to sew the front to the back WITHOUT pinning the whole thing. If you do this and your work shifts, I would probably tell you that you should pin baste the whole thing. I was anxious to try it without and have to say I love the results. Although, I think a couple of things lent well to my success. That the Minkee had been washed and didn't have any finish on the back gave it a bit more "grab." I also think the fact that my quilt top is very square and has pretty straight forward seaming with the large rectangles and no angle piecing helped to keep the lines straight. Most of all was that I was utilizing the dual feed feature on my machine was likely the greatest factor for my success. If you don't have dual feed, you must use a good walking foot. Having personally owned a lot of different brands of machines in my sewing life, I assure you the walking foot that you paid less than $20 for on your machine may be labeled a walking foot but it is nothing to the metal geared walking foot that is designed for some finer machines. It is a totally different cat. You will still be able to achieve good results, but the more fine your tools, the more time you will save. If you have doubts, pin baste a LOT. Plucking stitching out of Minkee with errored stitching would not be high on my list of "fun things to do."

I selected the #4 stitch on my machine (the serpentine stitch), elongated and widened it. I like this stitch because it leaves a great etching on the Minkee and it has stretch to it. I also like the way it walks and eases the fullness of the Minkee with the cotton fabric.

When I added my binding to this piece, I stitched it to the back and brought the binding around to the front and top stitched it in place, using my #20 foot to be able to guide the stitching along the edge. While there is a temptation to use an edge stitching foot, I find the polyester in the backing can make this a lively fabric that needs a bit more coaching with the access I get with an open toe foot.

At our next VIP (Feb 24-25-26) we are going to be showing our visitors how to cut these letters out with the cutwork tool. I will be showing all of the pieces that I have sewn with the one hour Minkee technique. And, we will be featuring both standard machine applique with satin stitch as well as how to make these pieces super speedy with machine embroidery. Hope to see you there.
All the Best to You, jill

P.S. I just showed my daughter Johanna the new quilt, told her where it had started. Johanna looked startled. "That's Therese's blanket. Dad hid it on her because she left it sitting out." Well. I guess I will be buying Therese some new Minkee!

Re-Energize & Be Inspired

2011-01-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

The full moon coming languishing in the sky over the ocean at sunrise was my beckoning to explore the beach this morning at Fort Myers, FL. While I am an early riser, I am not often inspired to go outside and push my muscles. However, that nagging moon called me to the seaside faster than I often venture out of my warm, cozy bed.

Therese and I finished up our annual Kaye's College with our friend Kaye England. Days of filling our minds and visions with quilting are a beautiful way to then be buffered with ample sunshine, warm breezes and enjoying our meals under the canopy of the glorious skies....some sunny, some moon-soaked and (for our friends "back home") some miserable rains. (Am hoping the description of the misery of rain takes away the sting of our families who do NOT want to hear the weather reports as they shield from the arctic cold and snow when we call home.)

Therese and I were out studying the sand for shells. An elderly gentleman stopped to talk with us about the shells we had found. He named all those we had and told us of how common most of them were. One particularly battered one he called a "very poor specimen". Neither of us were deterred by his description of what it a good specimen is to be. As he walked away, neither of us were tempted to pitch it back into the surf. I don't think there are bad and good shells. I even enjoy broken shells. I am sure literature over the ages has compared humankind to every form of nature. So, please forgive this tale if it is tires you on literary form.

I enjoy believing that sand is innumerable shells that have had their lives worn to bits. I hope to be sand when my life is gone. Of course, shells were part of a vital ocean life form. Their remains that we gather and marvel at are carried about by the tides. Some grand and glorious have graced our dinner tables as decor. Even soap dishes are the shells. Others have enjoyed tours of duty in children's hands as shovels on the beach. We humans enjoy similar duties--glorious, utilitarian and joyous. Some of us have chips and cracks. Yet all have the most beautiful and gentle glory of being shaped by a great artisan.

As I was picking out a set of graduated sized shells as I walked, I agonized over a particularily large piece that was covered with barnacles. While mature and glorious, it was not as pristine as a shell that has been polished and without defect. Then I considered my own life. Indeed, there are times that as I age, I am very aware that I am not considered by my own shell but also by those people and events that embellish my life. While not always attractive, it is who I am and how I am designed. I am very grateful to be useful, to be glorious and to be joy-filled.

Time away is energizing, inspiring and gives me the chance to realize my calling. I hope this for all of you....jill

Holiday Sewing

2010-12-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

When the family is home for the holidays, after many of the traditional holiday rituals, we tend to fall into a ritual of finding our way to the sewing room. This year the sewing room is sporting a new feature--a television. It has taken me a long time to make this decision. However, as our family has matured, I can see that favorite movies, football and laughing at some shows is a together time. While some of the family who enjoy the action, adventure fair for movies are in the family room, others have picked on favorites and now are loving having music from the 70s. Nice addition.

I mostly added the tv so that Henry would be comfortable sitting in the sewing room with me and having something to do while I sew in the evenings. Some people find this funny, but we just added cable tv last week. We have never had any more than what an antennae could bring in. Until a few years ago, our family rarely had the tv on for much more than three hours a week. It started as a discipline of not wanting our family to be congregated around tv. Then it became a practice and everyone found it easy to adopt other hobbies, reading, sewing, game playing, homework. Our friends used to tease us that we were the last people on the planet to get a VCR. When we did get one, the kids got in the habit of treating it like going to the theatre. It was something you invited the rest of the family to watch a movie with you. Adding more media to the house isn't so tough on me now as I see it as an adjunct rather than a replacement for our hobbies.

Morning time, is still my favorite time to sew. As the kids have dogs that come home with them, getting up early also means I have the breakfast and morning run for the critters. Grab a cup of coffee and quietly slip away to the sewing room for some quiet time. But, alas, Therese finds me. "Perfect. This is the BEST time of day to sew." It is nice sewing with her because we don't always have a need to talk about everything. We get lost in our own sewing and enjoy the view out of the sewing room as the dogs wrestle with each other.

It is funny though to have her commenting on the musicians of the 70s. She does know who most of them are and is very familiar with their music; but then when I was in high school, I also knew a lot of the music from the 50s. It is an experience though listening to music that was such a part of my teen culture and hearing it now through my kids' ears. Every once in a while, she will say, "ooo....that is creepy." And I would have to agree with her.

But what a treat to share this time with them and to enjoy the holiday season at a very different pace. I am playing with machine applique and machine quilting. I am loving the monster speed that my 830 gives me with these techniques. We also share a few projects. Therese has had fun cutting out a new quilt pattern that she has loved for a long time and I am going to tackle the applique for her because I love the applique part of that project.

The sewing room is alive with all kinds of projects, some quilting, some stuffed animals, sudoko, a bit of card making, scrap booking and even some video gaming. I hope your holiday is lively with the inspiration all around you.
All the Best to You, jill

Welcome to Iowa, Mr. H.P. Ueltschi

2010-11-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

H.P. Ueltschi is the fourth generation owner of Bernina International. We were privileged that he selected our store to visit on his recent trip from Switzerland to the USA. More than 120 guests attended our Open House welcoming Mr. Ueltschi to our store.

We are proud to be a dealer for Bernina of America. Having the owner of the company travel to our store is the icing on the cake for us. We are proud to sell Bernina products and honored that the company recognized us by Mr. Ueltschi's visit.

Overwhelming! Mr. Ueltschi got a chance to hear what our customers had to say about his company's product and the service and education we give at our store in Cedar Rapids. It was great to have the owner of the company visit our store. However, more than that, it was a very emotional time for us as a team as our customers shared how important our store is to them and to their journey into sewing. Not only were customers in tears sharing how they can call us anytime and be treated graciously and patiently, but when I looked up at my staff, I saw THEY were crying too. Working with these women and men, I know how much of themselves they pour into their work at the store. I am so very proud of my staff. I am very proud of our customers. Were it not for customer support, we couldn't offer the services and education and products. We are so proud of all of you. Having Mr. Ueltschi with us at the store was a great time to define our mission through our customers and our staff.... "Let Us Inspire You..."

Thank you for your support and your encouragement and how much YOU inspire US! Our jobs are so wonderful because of the people we get to work with and because of the people we get to serve. Each day is unique to us and a chance to share our love of creating through sewing and sharing that love with so many people. I hope you can enjoy sharing your love of creating beauty all around you as well.

All the Best to You, jill

Best Thing About Retreat

2010-11-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

The best thing about retreat is the people. Our daughters have been attending retreats with us as they were able ever since the beginning. The girls are ages 18 to 28 and they still love to come to retreat at any given chance. Our oldest daughter Monica lives in Detroit and while she doesn't get back often, retreat is a special time for her to re-connect with women who have impacted her life and whom Monica loves to share her love of sewing.

We have been sponsoring and attending retreat for eleven years. Twice a year we get to escape the "real world" and live according to our own time clocks. The only schedule that we adhere to is three meals a day that are graciously served to us and that are DELICIOUS. It is amazing how NOT tiring retreat is. I have no desire to take a nap on retreat because it is energizing to just play the days away. In the morning when I get up, I can't wait to see everyone and get back to the project that is calling my name.

On this fall's retreat, I took along four projects. When I first started attending retreat, I would take more than two dozen projects and take home most of those projects. Too funny. Over the years, I have learned to better gauge my projects. I usually only take a few projects along, not necessarily that I believe I will finish all the projects. More than that, I take a mixture of projects in case I get tired of working on one particular project. Many people tell me that some projects are designed for them to bring back to many retreats. As long as the projects keep making me happy, I keep bringing them along.

I worked on one project the whole time I was at retreat. I had a great time working on machine quilting. People don't believe me when I tell them how easy machine quilting can be on my home sewing machine. I love being able to use a very fine thread and be able to use a small needle and be close to my work. On this particular quilt, I used 50-weight Aurifil thread. Typically, I use 100-weight silk thread. However, once I started this project, I gave the Aurifil a try. It was great. The quilt was hand-appliqued with silk thread with great intricate detailing. I tightly filled in the center medallion with a mixture of fill stitches. In addition to surrounding the florals and basket, I created detailing within the leaves and added elements for texturing the baskets and more.

Listening to other retreat attendees, I am always inspired by their motivation to accomplish great things. Typically, I don't sew with an agenda. I sew just for fun. If I happen to get something done for a gift, that is great. If I don't finish the project, I never get wired about it is "supposed to get done." This is an acquired skill. When I was younger, I took on impossible tasks and went crazy trying to finish things in a very tight schedule. While I got a lot done, I didn't always enjoy peace or a real satisfaction. I have always loved giving the things I made. The giving often made the exhaustion worth it. Now as I have matured, the contentment of sewing because it makes me happy and because I am motivated has taken over. I think the giving has become so much happier for me. As I work on a project as I think about the people I am sewing with and the people I am sewing for and I think about how much fun I am having drawing with my sewing machine.

All the Best to You, jill

Birth of the Aliens

2010-11-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is my last overnight at our weekend retreat, and I thought it important to announce that three aliens were birthed at this retreat. The proud makers believed they were a bit weary looking and not photograph ready to be presented with their new-creations, Alien #1 and #2 and #3. The Alien babies are awaiting appropriate names but it remains to be determined that the gender of the three before naming progresses. Bill, Will and Tillie were vetoed.

     My own time at retreat has been joyfully been given to quilting a fabulous piece that is pieced and hand-appliqued. We also were privileged to share the retreat center with a group of women working on bobbin-work lace. How interesting to enjoy the core of others respite from the world in creation.

     As I listen to people discuss what they hope to do and what they have accomplished, I was struck with the determination to accomplish MUCH. As I watched people sew (and now do bobbin work), it was a good reminder again that it isn't what we accomplish that is significant but rather what the effort does to us as a person. In the big scheme of things, that which we create will not (for most of us) be the true mark of the person we are to those we love and care about or those who respect us. Rather, our time spent in our work and our play forms us as a caretaker, as a friend and as a steward of our time and talent.

     When I was fresh out of college, I can't say exactly what I thought my life would be in thirty years. I do, however, know that I was keenly aware of my goal for a contented and happy home. Everything else seemed to be secondary to that focus. Going to work day in and out and serving the people I was called to serve was what filled my day and my energies. While not always focused on "who I was going to be when I grow up", the energies I expended developed skills in myself that definitely formed the person I am today.    I wanted for very little and kept focused on my vocation as it was without a lot of forced focus on what I "could be."

The process of "growing up" is best formed by tending well to our basic needs and feeding the curiosity within each of us. I am glad for the detours on my life that probably took me different directions than a straight shot to where I was headed (or where I THOUGHT) I was headed. Along the way, I have come to realize it has nothing to do with what I FINISH in my creation process but rather in the lives that I have touched, including my own.

     Along this journey through the weekend retreat, I got to share the weekend with friends and particularly precious was the time I got to spend with our three daughters. Our youngest, Johanna, celebrated her 18th birthday with us on retreat. It says a good deal about the caliber of this young woman who was so willing to share her milestone birthday with a group of creative energy and do so cheerfully. I feel privileged that Johanna is my daughter. She is what I want to be when I grow up.

All the Best to You, jill

Didn't Know You Could Draw

2010-10-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

One day my daughter was helping me clean out a closet. When she came across a couple of my drawings from high school, she exclaimed, "I didn't know you could draw!" Funny things we don't much reveal about ourselves. It is also very telling to me that drawing and creating is hard for me to find time for.

Is it hard for me to find the time or rather that I need to practice giving myself permission. Goodness sakes...THAT is why we so longed as children to become adults. We wanted to control our own destiny.

Recently, I realized why it is hard to make my drawing a priority. Creating of any kind must come of true freedom lest it become manufacturing. This is the very reason I have resisted the temptation to make my art my livelihood. I reserve my creations for myself. But, I run a business that serves to inspire others. Isn't that "using" my art to create my work? No. My day-to-day is managing a business. If I do a good job, my staff and I enjoy enough freedom that we are able to afford the opportunity to work in a business where we can inspire others to give themselves the time to create.

When you paint a room, if you don't get paint on yourself, that would be fairly unusual. My work is like painting a room. I expect at the end of the day I will likely be covered with as much paint as the drop cloths in the room. Creating is like that. Work to inspire others and you too will be inspired.

I like to create all kinds of things but lately have been called back to my favorites...india ink and simple line drawings. I am seeing my designs getting carried to my machine quilting. Then I was SO excited to see a new embroidery design collection that embodies my drawings. I made placemats for my daughters with the Zenspirations embroidery collection. This was too much fun to watch my sewing machine go off in her own drawing frenzy!

Wishing You All the Best, jill

Life Happens...Just My Turn

2010-10-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have had a couple friends complain that I am not keeping up on my blog. First off, I want to thank the two of you who have prodded me <grin>. And of course, you know who you are! But, more important, it is always a good reminder that life happens and it is my turn. This is not to say that I am not inspired ("Jill Inspired"). But rather I have been so inspired and have had a chance to see so many insights that I am nearly breathless with all the inspiration around me and haven't been able to juggle the priorities around to documenting this journey. While I could express regret that I've not done more, I try hard to never live in regret. So, let's just take the newest happenings....

I have been zentangling up a storm, having filled up my second notebook, I can see it oozing out into my handwriting and into my quilting. Zentangling is an art form. Well, indeed, your teachers likely told you to quit doodling but you should have responded, "I am just getting in my Zen." Read more about zentangling in one of my more recent blog posts.

Most recently, I worked on the Attitude Girls by Mary Engelbreit. In true ME (Mary Engelbreit) fashion, she speaks the truth with charming antecdotes and her classic style. This is a charming little kit I picked out in the store and danced around a little diddy bit of my zentangling....done with a needle and my Bernina 830 and her Bernina Stitch Regulator.   When I pulled the panels for these kits, I had no idea what the pieces would work out to be. Like many of you, I need time for fabric to speak to me. Then when I sit and study it, I can see it with clarity. If I don't see it clearly, I wait for it.   As I looked at these sayings, I realized, they really shouldn't be (for me) all in one project. But rather these are truths that I want spoken to several friends and loved ones. We weren't talking about big pieces but rather something that could be hung like a poster or on a bulletin board.

The kits included three other fabrics (three 3/4 yard cuts) from ME's collection from Moda. I was able to border the pieces with 3" strips and put 3" cornerstones. I had enough fabric to border them and bind all of them.   As a bonus, there was enough fabric to use backings for two of them. After I got them started, I realized that they were just screaming for rick rack. Like all of you, I have some stuff in my stash of sewing stuff. Then I went to the store and bought some of my favorite cherry colored rick rack. You will see the darker rick rack that I had at home and then the more perfect cherry-colored rick rack that I got at the store. (Please note that some of us might be tempted to think a mistake was made by using two sets of rick rack. However, these pieces are going to different individuals, not hung as a collection. Plus as ME says, "A Mistake is Simply Another Way of Doing Things."

I just needed a little bit of quilting on these pieces because they are designed to be wall hangings for friends. (Don't we all have friends that need these tidbits of wisdom?) I also used a new product that we have been featuring called Battilizer™. I love this for smaller pieces like this because it is batting melded with stabilizer. It isn't as expensive as melding these two products together. It gives me a crisp set of corners.   Many of us struggle with wall quilts and our traditional batting choices.   Our favorite batting choices are designed to make quilts soft with some nice drape to them. However, Battilizer™ is designed to give me my choice cotton batting with a base that will create a wall quilt that will hang with more crispness.    I won't get corners that tip in and out. I am less likely to get a bunch of waves in my quilted piece.

When I quilt the elements, I didn't do a bunch of tracing of the designs. I simply stitched nearby the girls. Didn't go around each letter but rather hit corners.   However, on the "Snap Out of It" piece, I made sure to stitch in the curve of her underarms. I wanted to accentuate that detail.

Likely my favorite one is "Well, Ain't You Something!" I think we should each have this one posted next to the mirror we look at in the mornings. While you might not exactly feel that way, I DO believe that the process of regularly reminding yourself that you are SOMETHING important is a very healthy perspective.

All the Best to You....
You ARE Something....SPECIAL
   jill

Combining Art Forms

2010-04-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Having been a doodler and one enchanted by drawing, I have found myself playing more with drawing to translate to my sewing. The brain can see what the hand imitates regardless if it is a pen, a crayon, a free-motion dance of the sewing machine or even drawing in the sand!

When people ask how I know what to quilt, I have often found myself searching for the words that will help someone understand that it is a voice inside of each of us. Having always been akin to that voice inside of myself, I don't know how to separate myself from it enough to really describe the freedom that I enjoy when I let my mind wander.

As a child, I was often found "guilty" of being a day dreamer. Easily distracted, I gave up on some studies. As I matured, I was relieved to find that the studies were still going on inside of me, I just found a different route than the standard path.

I am able to quilt and see stitches going in every direction because I let my mind wander. I love that there are more conversations about finding the best in ourselves by allowing ourselves to be and allowing ourselves spend time visioning.

I free motion quilt like I doodle. I draw a lot. I mean a LOT! Anytime I am on the phone I am drawing around on every paper in my reach. It isn't enough to look at a quilt and then think you will just start quilting. The other thing that is really important to any creating--drawing, quilting, painting is that there really isn't a good or a bad. I use tools that help me continue without beating myself to a pulp. When I quilt, I use very fine thread when I am unsure of my motions. When I draw, I commit to my design work and turn the page when I get tired of a design.

I don't like to create for a finished project. I rarely take on deadlines with my creative journeys. You won't hear me say, "I gotta get that done by Christmas." I just don't do that anymore. It doesn't work for me. It didn't work well for me when I DID it. I showed up with great Christmas gifts but was too exhausted and spent to enjoy the holiday! Now I create for fun and for love.

Lately, my journey of drawing and drawing and drawing has jump started me for a new series of classes that I am releasing this summer. I can't wait. Combining drawing and quilting. Just wait until you see the calendar. It will be quite a surprise as you discover all that is inside of you!

All the Best to You, jill

Retreat Memories

2010-04-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

Has it REALLY been a week since I was on retreat?! I think the euphoria of sewing for four days has left me a bit dazed.   I am amazed at how much everyone else gets done. They are all a bit modest when we take pictures (as you will soon see). But, what they accomplished is no small feat! I loved every show and tell that we got to see. We had brand new sewers on this retreat and experienced. We all had a great time...got some rest, got in lots of sewing and even enjoyed a massage.

It was fun to see people sparking off other peoples' ideas. Judy came not sure what to do with a panel she wanted to work on and then was inspired by Lisa's work on a panel she was making for a toddler's quilt. And they BOTH got their projects done within hours of each other.

Some people were drinking coffee to wake up in the morning. Others would drink caffeine to stay awake into the night. It was a very eclectic time frame. I love most that everyone is quite comfortable doing their own schedule. Therese told me recently when she was a little girl, she would long to be a grown up so she could do what she wanted to, when she wanted to. I laughed and asked her how it was working for her now. But, I think her description of "being grown up" is what retreat is...doing what you want to, when you want....

When I got to the last day of retreat, I was scrambling around because I realized I hadn't cut out all of my applique pieces. Visioning what it was going to take, I was sure that I would start losing applique cut-outs on my way home. Memories of "...where did that go..." and "...how could I have lost a snowman applique..." haunted me. On the last day, I ironed together (onto my Applique Pressing Sheet) all the lonely pieces so that they were matched up and ready once I had more time to finish my applique.

I even shocked myself that when I got home on Sunday night, I went immediately to my sewing room, unpacked everything and finished cutting and ironing my last row. The memories of things I have lost and misplaced must have really spooked me. Or, I was wholly inspired by those project-finishing retreaters I'd spent the weekend with!

Wonder if that is wisdom kicking in or is it fear that I will forget where I left off? Whatever it is, I don't really mind because as I age and lose more bits of my memory I realize there are some things I should have lost...like regret and self-recrimination.

I certainly came home rested and kicked back a bit and soaked up the last of my retreat experience (oh, and that might be WHY the April calendar didn't get posted until April 2). None of this seems like a good reason to be tardy or fall behind on deadlines....but I know my family was sure happy to see a rested Jill return home.   For my part, I was excited at how much inspiration got sparking around my brain.   So refreshing!

Our fall retreat is November 4-5-6-7. Mark your calendar. Shalom Retreat Center is one of the best getaways I have ever been to. Private and semi-private rooms, beautiful surroundings, ample sewing space, fabulous food...the best!
I am also so excited because this week, Therese and I pulled together many of the events we are working on for the next eight months. With a family wedding, summer vacations and plans for more fun at the store, we had to get the things we really wanted on our calendar.    It was like a festival just planning all the guest speakers, making phone calls and making arrangements. A visit from Kaye England in September, along with a presentation of Project Sewing Workshop with Linda Lee this summer...then a couple of days with Vicki Tracy at the store...this is sounding like a great party already. Made a phone call to Ricky Tims to get some dates for a bus trip to Colorado. We are getting ready to start our next BE THERE, GET YOUR SQUARE early this summer with batiks and the most amazing blocks you will ever see. Want to keep up to date on all of these happenings, go to our web site www.pineneedles.net and register for the email that will keep you updated on the events at the store.

So many times when we are exercising our creative muscles, we think it is about what it is doing for us. Yet, I think it is so much more about sharing and spreading happiness through encouraging creativity in others.

All the Best to You, jill

Sew...Eat...Sleep...Sew...

2010-03-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Another (of the millions) of good things about retreat is that I realize that I probably am not as productive sewing around my world because what I sew really does take a lot of time.

I have been working on applique with "You Can Build a Snowman." I have loved every part of this work and am now down to doing the blanket stitch. I discovered a cool tip quite by coincidence. Each row of this piece is very wide and not very tall. Applique on this long segments means I would be handling a lot of raw edges as I am doing all the turning. I backed my row with the Aqua Clean & Tear (which will be perfect for this project as I don't want to stress my stitching by all the pulling). As I cut off a loooong strip of stabilizer to back the row, it curled up and rolled the fabric into the roll. When I "let" the fabric roll inside the stabilizer, I realized that the long ends were now protected as I worked on the inside of my now-scrolled row of fabric. This is an amazing revelation and is doing a great job of protecting not only the raw edges of my applique but also the outer edge of my strip.

Another thing I tried out was that each row I cut was a different width. I hate standing at the cutting table and having to try to read and sort out all those different measurements. I usually then mis-cut one of them as I forget the number as my eyes go from the pattern to my fabric and ruler. So....I took my pigma pen and WROTE the size of the piece I was to cut on the selvage of each of the strips. Writing them on the selvage is just fine because when I finish the height and go to cut the width, I will be cutting the selvage off. WOW. How much easier that was!

Hope you are retreating and sewing at least an hour today! All the Best to You, jill

Did I Really Pack All THAT?

2010-03-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Hi ho...hi ho...it's off to retreat I go!! Four days of sewing fun with my daughters and friends. It does not get better than that.

I am not well-known for a lot of advance planning when I travel. Being pretty low fuss, I am not terribly bothered by throwing everything in the suitcase the night before. It seems if I start much earlier, I over-pack and over-fret.

However, when I considered this sewing retreat, I followed the advice of some very wise retreaters and did my cutting ahead and started the stacks of projects to pack. I set them on a bench and just put them in a suitcase. I was SURE that I had not over-packed and that I am absolutely going to get everything done this time. Imagine my shock when I realized that AGAIN, I have filled an over-sized suitcase with projects. I can ease my angst that some of this over-packing has batting in it.

We'll see how this trip goes. I will post pictures of what I actually work on. I consider a retreat successful not when I finish everything but that I TOUCH everything. Some projects just need to be caressed and appreciated....and that might be enough for some of these beloved friends.

The precious applique piece you see in my suitcase is one of my favorite little patterns from The Country Quilter. I have pulled together bundles of fabric for this adorable little quilt that I have loved for more than ten years. I have saved this fun pattern that long for JUST THE RIGHT FABRIC. Now to let the little planes SOAR!

All the Best to You, jill

My Favorite Thing...

2010-03-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

I have been sewing since the dawn of time...seriously.   My first machine was my mom's straight stitch Singer. It had the curved wood carrying case, the first "portable machine" and was powered by a knee control. It had no speed control, only did a straight stitch and didn't have a button holer or reverse stitching. I made bound buttonholes for everything before I knew there were other options. I sewed garments on that machine into my first year of college when I invested in a $200 machine that had my first zig-zag and buttonholer. Since that time, I have owned most every sewing machine made. It didn't take me long to realize that not all machines are created equally.

When I found my way to Bernina machines, I found a whole new world of performance. While I will admit there were features on my other machines I thought I would miss, I realized that many of those "features" were actually compensations for performance shortcomings.

Perhaps the first two biggest amaze-ments to me were the stitch motor performance and the true quarter inch.   When I sew decorative stitches with my Bernina, I don't need to shove or "help" my fabric through to make accurate stitches.   While some of this is needle performance and thread, more of it has to do with having a motor on the Bernina machines that can accurately truck the fabric through the feed-dogs evenly for the stitches to place as accurately as possible. The other features on the Bernina that allow it to do this well are having presser foot pressure adjustment. I can adjust the presser foot to be tighter or lighter against my fabric into the feed dogs.   But perhaps better than decorative stitching was how the motor would let me plow through bulky layers of fabric without binding up the machine or shoving the needle out of place. WOW.

As for a quarter-inch, quilters have been sadly deluded with the concept of a "scant quarter inch". Such a creature should not exist. 2.5" strip sewn to a 2.5" strip with a quarter inch measure, should be a 4.5" finished unit. If you are still using a scant quarter inch, you are either using thread that is too thick causing the fabric to buckle over the threaded seam or you are using your iron as a "fix-it tool" shoving a pleat into your work. Perhaps it is because we believe we are bad at math that we accept the "scant quarter inch", but it just is NOT necessary. When I moved over from all my other machines that gave me a metric measured quarter inch with all kinds of adjustments to my Bernina, I realized something about the Bernina 1/4" measurements....they are accurate because they are NOT metric. A "metric quarter inch" is an adjusted measurement. There is not a metric measure that perfectly matches the English quarter inch. (Don't you remember conversion charts for changing from English to metric....always leaving a hanging decimal point?!) So, they tell you to move your needle out of center position to "adjust it more".    For all of you Singer Featherweight lovers, this is what will drive you crazy. As soon as you move your needle out of center position, you are putting a zig in the back of your fabric because your needle is now having to reach over to pick up the bobbin thread. Throwing more thread into your seam causes as much mess as heavy thread.

At any rate, when I first started piecing, I had moved from my college machine to my first "big kid machine". Having been a pretty good garment sewer, I figured how tough could a quarter inch be. It WAS tough. As much tape as I adhered to my machine and contortions as I tried, I couldn't get an accurate quarter inch.   I bought every foot I could find from thick plastic boys to every metal foot I could rig onto my machines. Then I went the route of talking to machine dealers who each convinced me my issue was my machine and I kept moving machines. At one point, I even owned a couple of Featherweights. While cute and charming and good stitchers, I was too accustom to computerized features such as needle up and down and more to stay friends with an FW for long. Of course, I loved the journey as I learned so much about not just quilting but much more.

Then I met Bernina machines for piecing and the magic began. I didn't have to stick my tongue out and hold it with my teeth to get an accurate stitch. My Bernina machines have the 1/4" tooled to fit the ENGLISH quarter inch....just as I am cutting....with an English system.   Yes, I thought the whole world would be metric by now....but it isn't and I am glad because I have too much invested in yards of fabric to switch metric and now that my quarter inch is happy, I am happy.

What is your FAVORITE FEATURE of Bernina machines? Tell Bernina via their blog. They will be selecting winners from those who COMMENT on their blog.    Feel free to comment on my blog too. I like to hear from you and hear about your sewing journey.

All the Best to You, jill

p.s......how to find the Bernina blog? CLICK HERE (You will need to go to the blog for March 10, 2010 and post by the date to be eligible to win.)

The Secret to Finishing Your Studio

2010-03-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

There are THREE SECRETS to finishing your studio.
1. Have company come....soon.
My son called four days ago to tell me he was coming Friday night and was bringing friends and they were staying overnight as they are enroute to southern Iowa. Oh yeah...."could you make food, Mom? I think about 12 of us will be staying. We can sleep anywhere--don't worry." (We had 14 of the most gracious, appreciative house guests I have ever enjoyed.)

Then Darling Husband asks if I could clear the pool table because he will surely want to take some of these people on in a game of pool. The pool table infringes on my studio taking up the better portion of the center of the room.   However, this has always been the case and generally the vantage point has educated me greatly with the continuing education I get as I am privileged with a silent spot in the room as I listen to the goings on that are typical of a pool hall. Besides, in its off-season, a pool table serves as a very fine horizontal design wall for laying out a quilt top or studying a large array of fabrics. Very easy clean up with an upholstery vacuum tool.   Tragically my own billard skills don't advance past those I acquired as a five-year-old rolling the balls to the pockets without a pool cue (we weren't allowed to play with them!)

With the mountain of fabric and notions under, on top of and in every walkable space of the room, I was doomed. My last cabinets had arrived but I wasn't planning to open them until Henry returned from a trip to Minnesota on Friday (at the earliest).

While panic should set in, a familiar calm engulfed me. Once again, a deadline would serve as my motivator. If you are not familiar with this emotional status because you are an orderly person who always holds a tightly planned schedule, you might be missing the grand rush of adrenaline against the impossible. Mountains aren't so challenging to climb once you realize there is much to be seen from the vantage point of the top. However, pushing oneself out of the recliner and into hiking boots is often the most difficult step to climbing any mountain. The wisdom of aging has brought less anxiety to these challenges because there are secrets I have learned along the way. The first secret is ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OF "COMPANY IS COMING."

I have even had houseguests visit when I was in the middle of painting a whole level of the house. You know you have real friends when you can push aside paint cans and drop cloths and serve a meal. Either that, or those people you had over for dinner while painting the house will have a doozy of a story to tell THEIR other friends.

When the deadline of guests coming or an event happening is upon us, we tend to get realistic about what we can accomplish and what might need to put aside for another time. In this scenario, at the very least, I had to get the pool table cleared off.   Worst case scenario, I would clear a path around the pool table, vacuum it and shove everything else against the walls of the perimeter. Had I had only a few hours, THAT is the exact path I'd have taken.

I had all the tools to get this job done, I had just been procrastinating and needed a good reason to get moving. Didn't really want to dig through all that stuff. But once I got rolling, it got easier and easier to decide what to keep, what to toss and what to shelf. I also am not real torn up that it isn't all sorted. I am not a real alphabetizing sorta girl when it comes to my toys. Actually, I think I just try to keep organized enough to find things and not seem totally out of sorts in my days.

2. Once your attitude is adjusted on the reality of the challenge ahead, recruit some help or relinquish some of the tasks. Living with a man who believes that saving everything for someday is sacred, I have learned that Henry is not the person to recruit on my sorting forays. He is not interested in tossing or giving away stuff. Generally, I take these journeys on my own and then wave my hands at the miracle while he looks around for what treasures I might have taken to the curb.

When our kids were younger, I would pick up and box all the things to donated. Then I would tape the boxes shut for about six weeks. If anyone in the house could tell me something that was in the box that they are sure they couldn't live without, I would retrieve it and they could keep it forever. Years of doing this and no one knew what was in those boxes. I sorted through all the kids' toys and books when Katrina hit New Orleans, taping up six boxes of treasure and setting them in the family room through the holidays. The kids relinquished quickly after making sure I'd saved favorite books, Legos and precious toys and the secured boxes happily went to an elementary school that lost everything in the hurricane.

Our daughters pitched in and helped me with generous abandon. They've helped me before and quickly realized that taking Mom's stuff home to add to their own stacks is fraught with disaster as they have enough sewing stuff as well to manage. Consequently, they are eager and able recruits for such a journey. They managed to help me vision the rest of the studio, setting up the last of the shelves and sorting through mounds of inspiration.
Secret #3....is so important....

Then there comes that moment in time when you just have to pick up the last of the stuff and stuff it away for later decision making. It seems this is the "stuff" that defies definition or structure.   At this point, you realize, you are looking at hours of painful decisions... "Why did I keep this?" "What do I do with it now?" "Oh, I SHOULD start this again..." If you let it, this could be paralyzing and exhausting. So, I suggest you look for the nearest closet or deserted room. Grab laundry baskets or boxes and use your grocery packing skills to put sturdy stuff in the bottom and fragile stuff in the top and stash and stow away all of it. Like a good stew, these things need some simmering time.

When I go to "rescue" these orphans later, I will plan to do it one box at a time. Each time I go into my studio, I will pull one out. If I still feel anxious when I look at it, I will shove it back in the storage for a while. If I have an idea of what to do with it, I will sort it and find it easier to deal with than the panic of "I have no idea."

Perhaps the best part of setting things aside for "decisions later" is that giving yourself some time affords good perspective. You realize that you may never macrame again in your lifetime and readily give those supplies to a school art program. Or you realize that you can re-purpose that macrame cord for use with a double piping foot and make a rug out of it.

I recently found a massive chenille throw that I was going to make and had about 40 rows sewn. I grew tired of it and it travelled from box to box. Recently a new technique piqued my interest and I have figured out a fabulous use for it to sit atop a great throw or a child's garments.....All the Best to You....jill

Should Be Enough!

2010-03-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have been asking me about the progress of my studio, I have exciting news. I think I finally picked up TOO MANY shelves. In my hunt high and low for enough shelves with the right configuration, I decided on a unit with cubbies rather than wide shelves. I am today sorting through the books putting them in some general search-able order. I would never alphabetize them as I would never look for them that way. The older I get I am quite content to be able to remember my own name, I'd hate to think I need to remember book titles besides don't most of us remember them by "the one with the purple cover and the handbag over in the corner"?

My favorite publishers are getting their own spaces. The oldies....classics get their own cubbies. My knitting books get their own space. The magazines I save are finally coming out of their holders and will get their own space. I don't save all magazines but tend to roll back through ones like Cloth, Paper, Scissors and Quilts and More and Quilt Sampler.

Another feature I added was deep drawers on the bottoms of my shelves that I have a place for patterns. Again, those are sorted out by types of patterns.....I have a pretty big miscellaneous stack. That will always be a fun one to dig through.

I selected white shelving as a nice contrast against my wood laminate flooring and my cherry Koala Studios. I am loving this room more and more.

Today I am home with no voice (or rather what I have is an ugly sound)....nasty cold has me drinking tea with lemon and lots of water. Too much talking with my d. friends over the weekend....what a fun party that was (thanks, Les!) My d. friends don't sew. I was quite surprised to hear that a few of you read my blog. The offer still stands, girlfriends, I WILL teach you. My sewing friends are quite happy and this is a great hobby as many of you are enjoying new grandbabies. All the best to you, jill

Shaping of a Studio

2010-02-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

My photographs of my studio-in-process need no explanation, no apology. I have always been an artist and while I have structure, I am also a very patient person and rarely much in a hurry to adopt all structure. I would rather sit with a mess while I sort it out in my head and dream on it than rush the process. I post these pictures because I want YOU to feel better about being a person of process. Once we arrive at the product, we often find it not nearly as enchanting as the process of creating.

Having studied every publication I could find of studios, I am further in how to tackle my own studio. As I looked at pictures, I gauged how important it was to me to have this element or that. The most key features to me are light, aesthetic beauty, organization and the ability to share my space with others.

I can only control my penchant for ample light just so much with having two windows and French doors and that wall being the smallest wall space in the room. I put my cutting station in front of one window with the ironing board nearby. The other window is the location for my main sewing machine. I angled that Koala Studio so that I could advantage both the window and the French doors. I am going to put a desk in the corner behind my main sewing area. Unlike when I started sewing many years ago, a computer nearby is crucial to my sewing experience. Using my computer for research, machine embroidery and communicating to others is all part of my sewing and creating experience.   I need a window nearby as I need variety when I am working on my computer (laptops have changed the world for me).

Beauty of my room is important to me. Feeling a calm in my room brings out the best in me.   I don't need Better Homes & Gardens beauty. I need a room to feel happy and peaceful and inspiring. I am not big into painting and usually accept the wall coloring as it is and texture a room with layout and wall art.   Currently my sewing room has walls that are working as storage units...easier to store the pictures, clocks, etc on the wall lest they be broken sitting on the floor. This will take time as I see where I am sitting in the room.

I think I am wired with an organizing gene.   I suspect we all are a little better functioning when we have some structure around us. Raising five kids didn't make me more organized, it made me prioritize that which was important to them and to good functioning of our family in our daily tasks. Shoes went in the closet not because it was neater but rather because it was easier to remember where shoes were as the bus was sitting outside waiting if they were in the closet rather than kicked off next to the sofa. I am definitely a peace-seeking unit, always have been. I am not so prone to complain as I am like to embrace change. I need to be able to find my many tools and books and fabrics, easily. The Koala studios have ample drawers for my tools. Now, I need to take the time to sort them out as to how I will use them. I start that by just getting working on things a bit at a time. If I don't like where the presser feet are, I can change it as I go along. I cannot wait until I have everything put away until I sew. I need to keep sewing to feel the room and decide if that is actually WHERE I want those tools.

It was working in the room that has made me move the furniture around many times. Every piece of furniture in my room has enjoyed a view of the room from every corner and space of the room. It has taken me weeks to get that feeling.

Realizing that I don't have storage space that will work for my fabrics and books, I will begin putting together shelves in the next few weeks. As I have all this wonderful wood grain in the room, I am adding white shelves to the room for variety. Along with sewing, I am a drawer, colored pencil junkie, decoupage groupie, knitter and computer graphic fan (and I am sorta an author). I have never had room for all of my "other toys" in my studio. I am adding a desk and ample storage for all of my stuff to be in ways that I can see most of it. If I can't see it or easily access it, I won't use it.

Will everything be out? Doubt it. I have no shame to say I am a fabric lover. I buy fabric because I love the texture and vision what it might be later on. I have t-shirt knits from the pajamas I made when my kids were little. I can't get rid of it because every time I see it, I still remember how much joy I had making their favorite jammies for them and how much I enjoyed watching them grow out of the jammies and pass them on to the younger siblings and then on to their cousins.

As our children have grown and moved the fabric into a closet in one of their vacated bedrooms, I still love to go into that room and touch the things that my son left in "his room", open the closet and love the fabric all over again.

If my room were just my own, I might have had this finished much sooner. With each step, I have been careful to respect my husband's pool table. He loves to spend time with the kids playing pool. I have worked hard to keep a cozy sitting place for Henry to sit and enjoy a book or his favorite movie while I am working in my sewing room. I have room in my sewing room for at least five people to sew. I want to make sure there is ample room for when our kids come home to feel welcome to sew with me or feel they can come and just escape the hub-bub of a house full of many people (at holidays).

You still can't really walk around my sewing room but it is getting happier each day I live in it a little more.

The best part is I actually got to sew today...making my next installment in the Party With Patrick...applique project. I am presenting this topic at our next VIP coming up. This is unbelieveable. I am presenting something in six days and have the project done and the slides for my presentation ready to go. While this looks like a simple thing to do, I am going to show you how you can make this in less than two hours. I used satin stitch applique for the shamrocks and did a fun embellished binding on mine. I love this new fabric from Benartex. It is subtle coloring and has one of my favorite pieces in it....paisley.

The brain cells are rockin' and rollin' now!
all the best to you, jill

The Feel of a Room

2010-02-18T06:07:00.000-08:00

I have always had issues with the "feel" of a room. My precious husband has accused me of finding great sport in moving furniture around on a whim. There is no whim to it....I believe it is a science. I lay in bed and vision floor layouts. Then I move the furniture around and walk out of the room and walk back in (several times), testing my theory. Tilt the chair this way and that, move a piece of furniture out.
     When our daughter Johanna was four, we were moving furniture out of the living room where she was watching Sesame Street. Henry and I had had a heated discussion that had to keep going through the furniture move. Our "discussion" wasn't about moving furniture but something more personal. We are moving the sofa "discussing". It isn't anything I am proud of but we had to move that furniture right then because the carpet cleaning people were coming any minute. As we moved furniture out, the "discussion" ensued. Two days later when we went to move the furniture back in the room (we were calmer), Johanna wailed, "NO...NO....DON'T MOVE THE FURNITURE.
     Now I move most of the furniture without help (if I can) and then call on various family members to help me move the impossible pieces. I have become a master at putting my back against furniture and prying it into place using my feet to propel the unwielding pieces. Also, have my own toolbox of moving casters that are sure handy. Before they came out, I often made my own casters of recycled plastic tubs & lids. I don't ask for help not because no one is willing to help. It is more I don't really want much input. Few people understand that a room must feel the right way. The configuration must be happy aesthetically and functionally. If it were up to my husband, every room would have an oversized recliner and a table nearby big enough for snacks, the remote and magazines and newspapers. Each to his/her own domain dreams.
     In re-arranging my sewing room (aka: studio), I have put the furniture in nearly every configuration I can imagine. My main goal is to have a workable area for myself, combining an area for my computer to visit and for my lifelong passion of drawing, doodling and messy types of crafts....paint, decoupage and the like. I am almost there but have realized that my storage concepts are really lacking aesthetically. I have solicited the help of Studio magazines which has been a huge inspiration as well as the advice of friends.Some friends tell me they have taken over their grown children's bedroom closets, bought every tote system on the planet to forfeiting excess only to find themselves with need for tons of storage for other tools and fabric and more.
     Having a plethora of books and patterns, I know I need more shelves. Having more than my share of started projects (I don't call them UFOs because the term "un-finished" is a bit defeating), I need to employ the use of baskets and am working that through. I have always loved the open wire baskets that glide on runners.
     When I was recently in Denver at Lynda and Nancy's studio, they use the wire basket system to an art form with baskets ready for all their forms of machine applique. It was SOOO inspiring. I also have a lot of thread. I am thinking of systems that I have seen and am most inspired by Libby Lehman's collection and storage that I'd seen in Quilter's Home and more recently on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. Nancy Halvorson has sent me photographs of her custom-built system for notions and threads that is stunning and so incredibly functional.
     So, I am still taking the shared genius of these and other helpful friends to my sewing room. The stack of magazines and books next to my bed has made my puppy have to move her bed a little further away lest the stack would threaten to attack her in the night.
     Do you have things you love about your sewing space? Do you have areas of concern that you wish could be improved upon?
     all the best to you....jill

A Day at LaVeta

2010-02-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

If you were to close your eyes and vision a location in your mind where time stood still and you soaked up all the beauty of the land around you….where would it be? Perhaps it is the morning sun coming up on the beach in North Carolina, sounding the alarm to all the night creatures on the beach to retreat. The sun warming the sand and casting shadows on the ridges made by the tide. Perhaps it is the stretch of the prairie across along a roadway that yawns into the distance. While some think there is more beauty elsewhere, there can be a timeless feeling of floating along on the roadway, eyes scanning the horizon for silhouettes of animals and houses as the grasses and grains dance in the sunshine. And time stood still when you watched snowflakes dance in the mountain air. You look up and see the mountains disappear as the dance of slow-floating flakes gathers into a cacophony of snow and mist that shrouds the horizon and majesty of mountains.

Have you never had hours slow down to a timelessness? It might be time to give your mind a chance to dream. Ironically, as children most of us can remember a time when we lay on the lawn and stared at the clouds for even a little bit of time. As we mature, we are chided to be practical, to be systematic, to have good reason for our actions. The child in school who stares off into space is reprimanded. The message is loud and clear that to be mature one must be practical and take sensible measures of discipline to quiet the child within us. We often lose touch with this skill of visioning and yet few of us would be the intelligent beings we are had we not made good use of dreaming and pondering, embracing the timeless.

Of late, our son Teddy has been wrangling through a knee injury. I’ve had the privilege to spend a good amount of time in 2010 in Colorado Springs with Teddy as he prepared for and had surgery. Teddy is a student at the Air Force Academy. His life is one of structure and systems, protocols and strict disciplines. However, as we as a family have come to know and become endeared to the family of instructors, cadets, officers and practices of USAFA, we have watched as disciplines are leveraged on the cadets and yet there is always freedoms that they enjoy. Hiking in the mountains, skiing now and again, the adrenaline of competitiveness in sports and even the pranks of young over-absorbed cadets are all expressions of creative release for these officers-in-training. The practice of stepping back is an integral part of their lives.

Connecting with being a visionary is not just for poets and artists. All of us need times of wakeful rest, dreaming with your eyes open. It is in these moments of timeless wonder that we find new concepts, new routes and a fresh appreciation for all that is parallel and all that is contrasting.

While in Colorado, Teddy and I accepted an invitation from our friends Ricky and Justin to visit them in their hometown of LaVeta, Colorado. Ricky Tims is a quilt artist, musician and a true visionary in so many ways that combine nature and art.

We were graced with Ricky as our guest at our store in the Spring of 2009. An accomplished composer and musician, Ricky Tims honored us with a concert and walk through his journey as a quilter and artist. We also had the chance to soak up valuable information that brought quilting to a new level in Cedar Rapids. Ricky has the gift of taking simple and intricate techniques and make them achievable to the point that even a novice can celebrate being a quilt artist.

Checking the map, we discovered we would trek a journey that take us through desert and mountains. It was in every way a trip of wonderment and beauty. Seeing the land stretch out and ranches surrounded by dots of grasses and grains slowed down our world. Teddy and I watched in amazement as the interstate until the roads split off into narrow roadways in the desert landscape. I could have run the video camera the whole trip.

At first I’d thought there were hills in the distance. Then we watched a stretch of the Rockies rise as giants from the earth slowly as we neared them. The stretch of desert, wide gaping prairies and mountains spoke to me of that which I have heard Ricky and Justin tell of their beloved view of Colorado. The drive neared a sacred journey as we began to feel time stand still before us. Brushes of snow and red earth painted color and inspiration all about us.

The closer we came to LaVeta, the more wildlife we saw with rabbits skittering through the grasses and deer wandering. I also reminded myself that there are probably snakes out there too. Hmm…better to enjoy this from the road.

When we pulled into the small town of LaVeta, the charm of the town unfolded before us. Driving at a leisurely pace, we enjoyed the town as if it was a delicious buffet of variety and charm. We slowed down with great reverence trying to soak up every inch of this town that looks as if it sprouted up out of the desert. Truly, seeing Ricky on the steps of the studio was a chance for me to really see him more at home than I’d ever seen him. His warm "howdy" smile was so fitting for pulling up on LaVeta.

I so admire Ricky Tims' work for his creative expression. Being invited to his studio to spend a day with Ricky and Justin was such a treat and a great day trip. Having had the privilege of hosting Ricky as a guest in Cedar Rapids was transfixing as we watched the magic of his music and the artistry of his sewing unfold in front of all of us.

Visiting the town of LaVeta was a chance to see the heart of his inspiration. Having heard his presentation, one becomes very aware that his passion for people. Although, you don’t have to see his presentation to know he is a passionate and creative being. Just his easy smile, the embrace of his music and his outreach with his publications and audio and video work. Seeing their view of LaVeta and the landscape of mountains and desert, I could absolutely see why Ricky and Justin so love their LaVeta. Being a midwest girl, I am always stunned by the mountain vistas and the stark contrast of the desert landscape.

Then there was the charm of LaVeta as a small town. We ate lunch at the local dinner. Patty melts, french fries a special steak salad for Ricky and banter with the locals was a fabulous reminder at how much the ordinary is a special gift that Ricky and Justin share with their LaVeta. A village unfettered by covenants that restrict the color of your house (we saw several in lovely shades of fluorescent purple and orange) or restrict the local wildlife from making a lunch of the few plants on your lawn, LaVeta looks to be home for some who have been there for generations and for many others looking to escape the urban sprawl. It was very clear that the “small town” of LaVeta attracted artists and visionaries. Each home and yard seemed to be voice for the character of the dwellers as the homes were embellished with art of all natures and the yards as well were unique expressions. Then there were homes that looked as if they might have come right from any of our neighborhoods in all manners of grooming.

We got a chance to chat about what happens in LaVeta when visitors come for The Quilt Show or retreats. The town's population must be doubled for those days as visitors and screening crew comes in for the visits of your favorite quilters and Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. The LaVeta Inn must be a hoppin' as it is next door to the Studio. I recall a designer once questioning why she would go to LaVeta. Being so far from airports and city living, it surely could be a long journey to find LaVeta. I would have to say if I heard that again from anyone, I would debate the topic. I would visit LaVeta just to thumb my nose at city lights. Don’t get me wrong, I love being in the city as well; but often small towns are shamed by their lack of offerings. If one doesn’t find a cappuccino in LaVeta, you probably didn’t need it anyway.

When I had the quilt shop in Cresco, Iowa, I once recall a visiting teacher telling other national teachers that she was appalled that the salad bar had cottage cheese and chocolate pudding…after where were the bean sprouts. As farm community, the locals might well have questioned why one would eat the sprouts that yield better in their fields than atop their cottage cheese.

And so it was with lunch in LaVeta. We complimented the cook as we leaned into the kitchen as we left.

In the Studio, we got a chance to enjoy the fabric dying rooms. The room is designed with two dying stations with facing sinks. Talk about being in the candy room. How yummy it was to see those fabulous cuts stacked up. The line of fabric dyes and finished product was so inspiring, I wanted to just start cutting and sewing. It was like being in front of a new box of colored pencils, I just wanted to play with the colors. On the wall was a new fabric dye artist’s recent masterpiece. While I am sure it was just a toss together, it reminded me again of how the desert and mountains and snow were a toss together of artistry.

I was taking pictures of the most ordinary things. Ready to be scolded by Teddy, I apologized for being camera happy. Ricky smiled and assured me he does the same thing all the time.

One of my favorite pieces in the studio was a simple Convergence Quilt done with the hand-dyed fabrics. Sitting as sentinel at the door, it is a greeting and a reminder of Ricky’s journey. I love that Ricky has done Convergence Quilts in so many different manners that he often doesn't understand peoples' continued fascination with convergence. I think that speaks to the artistry of Ricky Tims' work and how generous he is with sharing his talent and his teaching. Convergence quilting has brought so many people to their first touch with art quilting. I know for all of us at the store, the unfolding of Convergence was one of the most fulfilling quilting experiences we have had.

I started this post with a challenge to dream. I also started with visions of what your dreams might look like. My dreams have always been in color and texture. When I saw Ricky's simple Convergence piece, I was struck with the simplicity and complexity of it. While I was reminded that many of my customers would (if this were their own piece) look at it and say, "I need to get it quilted." Need is for food and water. This Convergence had a need to be inspiring and thus it is framed and it is doing its job....inspiring. I am also reminded of a comment I gathered from Judy Martin nearly 20 years ago in a class I took with her. Judy was telling of her quilts and the color choices and using scraps. Someone asked how she quilts her quilts. She looked puzzled and simply said, "When they are pieced. I am done." I loved how matter-of-fact she was about it. The expression was her piecing (if you've seen Judy's quilts you know the art of her work).

Paintings on the wall of one of the offices, looked incredibly familiar. Like seeing an old friend, I was drawn to the native-like painting. Sure enough....the wall painting was part of the cover of the audio CD, Sacred Age. Even the walls are art. The ordinary of his home and office blooms into his music. Now as I listen to Sacred Age, I can close my eyes and see the mountains around LaVeta and can feel the brush of the texture of the images of a time long gone.

We got to take a road trip “up the mountain”. LaVeta is nestled between the Rockies and a smaller mountain range, the Spanish Peaks. Having Ricky as a tour guide, we enjoyed the telling of the formation of the mountain range and his pointing out geographic highlights. Winding the steep turns up what would likely be considered a small mountain, we perused the closed ski resort. Ricky and Justin shared the stories of how there is hope that the resort will once again be opened, bringing tourists to the area. While not like the busy resorts of the Rockies, it is surely a respectable local site. A small collection of businesses nearby seems to challenge the area to live up to its beautiful and tour-worthy stature. In fact, as we wound up the road, we enjoyed the hearing Ricky and Justin describe not only unfamiliar parts of the landscape but also describing what it looks like in summer and spring and fall.

After a full day of fun touring and seeing, we said our good-byes to the girls (Ricky and Justin have adopted four beautiful ladies…who are ever so happy with rollicking around their LaVeta homestead). It was sure hard to leave, and Teddy and I did one more drive around the town before we made our way back to the main roads. As we drove off and saw the Spanish Peaks disappear in our rear view mirror, we could feel the tug of LaVeta.

Ricky and Justin have invited us to bring guests for a taping of The Quilt Show. Who wants to go?

Possibilites...An Amazing Experience

2010-01-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

Having been a sewer for as long as I can imagine (I swear I came out of the womb with thread in my grasp), I have had the privilege of being a sewing gadget and publication junkie. And, while I was a garment sewer for a long time and quilting grew on me when my kids were toddlers, my first publications were very few but I have noticed that I have nearly every publication from Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan of Possibilites and The Great American Quilt Factory. I have made their teddy bears, dolls (yes, dolls) and early quilt patterns (paper dolls). Of all the things I have kept, every one of theirs have remainded part of my collection. I guess I was a "groupie" long before I even knew who Nancy and Lynda were.

In the last few years, I have had the honor and privilege to get to know them and Ashley Smith (daughter of Nancy) better. Knowing them in this business has even more enamored me to their work, their passion and their spirit.

While travelling with my son Teddy, I was able to carve out some time to trek to Denver to visit their store and to spend time with them. I am even more amazed at their energy and their creativity and their store. Along with getting to see their staff helping out on a very busy day, we made time for some lunch and fun conversation. It was a great time and gave me a fabulous perspective. As business owners, many believe we control our schedules and can come and go as we please. Not so. Taking time off in a busy day often means we will be taking lots of work home. Yet, they took the time to spend away from the store a bit to enjoy lunch and for a chance to share with me a very fabulous view of Denver that I never would have seen had it not been for Ashley's adventuresome spirit and our willingness to try something different!

When we made our way back to the store, I was busy chatting and getting ready to take some pictures of their amazing, amazing store before I left. When I looked around and didn't find Nancy and Lynda, I was a bit embarassed that I had likely taken them from their office duties. It was so refreshing to see them moving into action FAST. Like myself, they enjoy getting out and being with customers and sharing their love first hand. So, I snapped pictures of them cutting fabric for customers. This is humbling and rewarding when one considers how incredibly talented these women are and how far their reach has been in our industry. Yet, they reach into what got them into the business in the first place....just like so many of us....a passion to share with others their love for creating and sharing.

I had hoped for pictures with them before I left but am carrying long with me the memory of their cheerful service and their genuine (and warm) welcome to me as I interrupted their day. I will never forget their generous service and welcome to their customers and to me as a visitor. Not only is their work inspiring, but THEY are personally and professionally inspiring!

They remain some of my favorite designers and people I respect.

One other touching thing I found in their store were the quilts of other designers in their offices. When asked about the quilts, there was such reverence for the designers in their voices of their willingness to share with them. Perhaps my favorite was from one of my all time favorite designers and people, Libby Lehman. An early rendition of her ribbon work but done in applique.

Amazing people.....all of them. I am truly blessed to enjoy their company. Such an inspiring day!

All the Best to You, jill

The Holidays Behind Us and Balance Ahead

2010-01-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

Our daughter Monica was given a new puppy for Christmas...when lively, little Layla was out of control in the sewing room, we tried to corral her in my Bernina suitcase. While she was cute, she didn't stay there long. I think my daughter was hoping the case would be a good puppy tote to go home...but since it is my favorite and Layla didn't find it a good home, it is still mine.

It was a wild time at our house with a new puppy and two grown Schnauzers (mine and Therese's). Olive, Macy and Layla got along just fine. The sewing room was their favorite haunt since there are so many tables to chase each other around or maybe it is just the good company and good karma of the room!

Two of our daughters got Aurifil thread cases full of a huge array of 40-weight threads. Monica exclaimed, "How will I use all this thread?" She must not have been thinking! We amended her thinking in moments, deciding she might need a visit to the sewing room to get her sewing heart jump started and get some sense back into her.

It is always humorous to see what brings delight in the givers and the receivers of gifts. Often the oddest things will bring such attention. Teddy was given a package of pickle band-aids. Yes, shaped like pickles and colored like them too. You would have thought he got a new car. He promptly pulled up his pant leg and planted a band-aid on his recently injured knee. When I was taking him back to school, he commented twice on how much he likes those pickle band-aids. Who would have thought?

And then there are those gifts that fit the non-sewers in our lives just about as well as a sewing machine and more fabric. Our son-in-love, Joel, loves to hunt and Monica is making sure that he is plenty warm. I am not sure Therese is so wild about Joel's new warm-wear. I will get a kick out of the day he wears it to work. Monica's boyfriend Carel was given a Sawz-All. Well, his expression says it all. I believe he just got the sewing machine of his choice. Being a new home owner, he already has plans for his remodeling projects.

At any rate, whatever one got for Christmas, I am hoping that everyone found some time for some balance...some rest, some laughter, some sharing, some quiet time. I really do think it is a good lesson for us to take into 2010. For me, a good amount of time spending with the family and relaxing was the perfect lesson for the start of my new year. While I can't always control how much my obligations press upon me or the level of stress that surrounds me, I know that I can control the amount of time and attention I afford those things with the good things of family, of friends, of quiet and of rest.

Recently Jim West asked his Facebook friends to describe the New Year in one word. Mine is BALANCE. It is very clear to me every day that I can't be everything to everyone. Since Happiness is a Choice, I need to be very careful to create my own definitions for what happiness will be for me lest someone else would try to decide it for me.

More time to sew, to write, to enjoy my family and friends, to look after the most simple of solutions and always....always seek balance.

I clearly remember the day I mastered bike riding. Being the oldest of three children close in age, I was very frustrated that mastering the bicycle didn't come as easy to me as my siblings. Yet, I clearly remember being told that you shouldn't think about falling down. Staying up on a bike means you need to think about riding a bike rather than not. I actually quit working at it and will never forget the morning I woke very early so as to meet up with (and show) my dad before he left for his day painting houses. What a thrill it was for me to glide BALANCED down the street, ease around and scoop back to see his smile for me. That is my hope for 2010... All the Best to You, jill

Bring On the Party

2009-12-31T12:12:00.000-08:00

It just feels like a holiday when people start cooking favorites and the big puzzle comes out on the card table.

Our family is all getting together over New Year's Day. Our fairly quiet house turns into a buzz of food preparations and rituals of competitive board games. Some people relish an afternoon nap and a good book. It is vacation time for everyone and rules are usually kept at bay. With everyone living busy lives, family time at home is a good time to just BE.

Before everyone comes home, we rush around to try to be certain there are enough towels, clean sheets on beds and plenty of food in the frig. Making sure that while things may not be perfect, there is some order to the house. Then they descend on the house and it is like a truck dumps off mounds of their lives on the house. A funny ritual but one that no one seems to mind. Laundry baskets of gifts and extra clothes for sledding line the foyer. Extra dishes in the sinks and on the counters are reminders of many extra snackings. Tape and wrapping paper line up for the last-minute-wrappings. The piano and guitar will be pressed into regular service throughout the next few days as Christmas carols share the stage with renditions of all levels of classical and rock and contemporary music. The drum set will even brought in to bellow and drive the dogs crazy.

Then there is the newest family pet as our daughter received a miniature schnauzer as a Christmas present. Three dogs in the house is making for full entertainment.

Hoping your New Year's Eve and Day are times of rest and opportunities for finding much to celebrate...whether it is a quiet evening alone or time for a loud party, I hope it is a time to find moments of gratitude for 2009 and heady anticipation for 2010.

All the Best to You, jill

Dance of the Contemplative Snowflake

2009-12-26T05:42:00.000-08:00

Snowflakes are falling with a lazy pace on the Iowa landscape. I doubt it gets much more idyllic than this. As I watch their peaceful decent to earth, I am reminded of the calm that I can keep this day if I am mindful of the pace I select.

Typically the day after Christmas is bedlam for Americans flocking to scoop up bargains on holiday decorations, wrapping paper and make their returns. This has never been my scene of choice. I usually have been at the retail store as the clerk and have never seen (first hand) the mayhem. In fact, December 26 (or through the end of the year) is usually marked with a season of joy for us as our customers come in laden with gift certificates that filled their stockings. Anticipating a new start to sewing, they enjoy the chance to think of their loved ones and select tools and treasures as expressions of their love and the anticipation of creating.

The days that follow Christmas for us are also a time for our friends to reclaim their freedom. The weeks coming up on Christmas usually start with casual choices of gifting. Few choose the bedlam that obligation presses on everyone as they rush through the list of things to be done and gifts to be wrapped. The arrival of the actual holiday is usually a huge relief as there is no more that can (or should) be done in that moment.

For today, while a good many of our staff continue to enjoy their time at home, I will join the staff at Pine Needles to meet up with our customers...get a chance to meet their visiting family members and relive their gifting experiences. And for today, I am going to take a lesson from the snowflake dancers...taking my time to enjoy the ride.

All the Best to You...jill

Stockings by the Chimney...

2009-12-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

This was the year for new Christmas stockings and of course (today) was my day to sew them. Nine new stockings ready in a few hours. They are my fat quarter stockings. A fun place to use my decorative stitches, each stocking takes four fat quarters, then one fat quarter will make two cuffs.

Our family isn't all getting together until New Year's Day. But, I am sure Santa will be doing some stocking stuffing tonight.

The boys were disappointed that the stockings didn't have names on them. I told them that they can go stocking diving and decide which ones they want tomorrow. Gee, I hope Santa has a sense of humor and brings the girls' stocking stuff and forgets the boys' stuff until our family get-together. I have it on good word that Santa didn't need coal this year at our house.

Wishing you a joyous and peaceful Christmas.
All the Best to You, jill

Wants and Needs

2009-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

13. Listen to Christmas music if you want or listen to the Stillness if you need.

BTW--There is still time to order Christmas in A Small Town. Hands down. This is the best, best, best Christmas music I have heard in a long time. For my friends who aren't sewers, you don't have this music yet at your house and you deserve it. I plan on listening to this into January.

Early in their lives, we started a practice with our kids of talking about wants and needs. It was never an attempt to deny but rather to help them to see that in their lives, their needs are often met and they get to enjoy some (or many) of their wants.

None is more stingy than he who is stingy with himself; he punishes his own miserliness. If ever he is generous, it is by mistake; and in the end he displays his greed. In the miser's opinion his share is too small; he refuses his neighbor and brings ruin on himself. Sirach

When the boundaries of wants and needs are identified, contentment and ambition seem to take their appropriate positions in our lives. While I grew up in the peace and love generation, I am not necessarily of the mind that pursuing our wants is evil. I think there is plenty of room for healthy ambition. In my own life, my ambitions have afforded me experiences and chances to be with people I would have never met had I not pursued some of the desires of my heart.

The key to a good balance between wants and needs seems to be ample gratitude. Regardless of your history, all of us can get a dose of setting aside grousing and practicing gratitude. Simple things like refusing to pass on gossip and refusing to tolerate or pass on whining and complaining can change a good deal of our own practices. See the BEST in other people. This is not to say we ought ignore shortcomings or character flaws, rather we should expect the best and let people know we see the best in them. While it may not always change them, it will change your own heart. When your practices change, your heart changes and your attitude follows.

This started off with choosing something simple as how you spend an hour or two today. Do you need stillness? Do you want peace? Both can serve you well in so many ways. If we are stressed in these days before Christmas, we ought remember that we are the ones who choose to embrace that stress. See the best in yourself and realize that giving a happy person to the people you love is likely better than all the details you think you forgot to finish up at this moment.

All the Best to You, jill

Don't Hinge Your Happiness On...

2009-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

12. Don't hinge your happiness on finishing EVERYTHING.

We are about as happy as we choose to be. Perhaps the greatest reason for most distress at Christmas time is that we often have leveraged too much perfection on December 25. The ads, the greetings, the media, our neighborhoods all shout out that this must be a perfect time of year which renders us to consider that we must be broken because we don't feel quite so jolly.

For those of us who sew or create gifts and decorations, we put a little more pressure on ourselves because we are fairly sure we can create more happiness for ourselves and others because we possess these specialized skills. We need be aware that the pressure towards perfection is the same core of much unhappiness. Consider how many times we have heard (and try to believe) that money can't bring us happiness. Yet, many still try that route. The same is true of our creativity and yet we try to create happiness with our hands and our skills. While noble and honorable and inspiring, creating and crafting can only bring happiness if they are equally distributed.

Creativity is like painting a room. You might get the room painted and find great satisfaction in that but the process of painting spills on us too. There is great satisfaction in looking around a freshly painted room. That satisfaction is compounded when we are scrubbing the paint off our own hands and pulling speckles out of our hair. Each time we look around the room, we critique our work and either give ourselves some praise or chide ourselves in the details we missed. Yet, had someone else painted the room, we would not feel the same sense of satisfaction or the comfort of knowing we saved some money or shared our skills. In fact, many of us are far less critical of someone else doing the same taste than we are of ourselves.

As the holidays loom close, keep perspective. Do not hinge your happiness on finishing everything. A friend told me that her kids all were traveling to other places after spending Christmas Eve together. Her plan for Christmas Day is to take out her sewing machine and work on some embroidery. While that doesn't sound like everyone's liking, she is looking forward to a quiet afternoon with her sewing machine humming along. For my part, I have held contingency plans for gifts for months. I would like to think I could get these things done but am perfectly content with being a good shopper. Besides, since half the people in my family are sewers, I have perfect gifts wrapped up for them. They don't really know that I listen all year long to their wishes. If you don't have sewers for relatives, trust me....they do still like to have a nice pair of scissors, a gift certificate from Pine Needles that they can pick out the fabric for new pillows for their home and a date for lunch when you go on your shopping trip.

As for me....my family isn't getting everyone together until New Year's Eve and Day. We will just pretend that is Christmas Day for us. So....the new stockings that everyone is asking for are still in fat quarters. If they don't make it to the mantle by New Year's Day, I am sure no one will pitch a fit!

All the Best to You, jill
P.S. I dedicate this post to my son who is celebrating (really celebrating) his 23rd birthday. I am so proud of you that you have figured out what to the core of real happiness is. love, mom

A Tip from Olive

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

11. The moment you get anxious about getting it all done, set it aside. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and look at Christmas lights.

We all know too well what holiday anxiety feels like. It is that panic as we count the days off. The sound of Christmas music that brought joy now is like a ticking clock. We count our hours in quantities of things to be done. We try to find relief reading email or keeping lists. None of it seems to help much as the feeling of dread is now compounded by feelings of guilt for wasting time.

Before you go running off in panic, take a lesson from Therese's dog, Olive. When Olive comes visiting at my house, she makes NO apologies. She grabs the best chair in the house and perches there for the day. She watches the fireplace and enjoys the sunshine in the windowed room of her favorite chair. Her sister (my dog Macy) is all in a quandry as Macy tries to pry Olive out of her chair. Trying to hoist Olive into a game of "dog tag", Macy will taunt and nip and pull at Olive. But, Olive refuses to be swayed by the stress of Macy's prodding. Olive has calmly embraced the comfort and ease of her favorite chair. This is not say that Olive Schnauzer won't eventually be convinced that a rousing game of tag with Macy is great entertainment, but that wise little pup will embrace the best of the day from the best chair even amid the yipping of her playmate.

Grab a cup of cocoa of tea or even water and watch the day for a bit. Start recounting reasons to be happy and what brings contentment and joy. Such "exercise" is usually all we need to be motivated to get back on track or to stand back from some things unnecessary. How much anxiety each of us embrace or set aside is entirely a choice.

All the Best to You, jill

Practicing Kindness...

2009-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Treking along on the path towards Christmas, I have more to share with you....

9. Plan to not finish things you aren't inspired to finish.

10. Be kind to yourself.

While I wrote those two suggestions in this order, I think if you read them as "Be Kind to Yourself and Plan to not finish...", giving you the WHY before the action. Forcing sincerity is rarely effective. Life is just too short to waste time and energy being bored. It is true there are things in life we must do regardless of how inspiring they are. And at times, the discipline of some practices afford us the chance to do more with our lives. I may not like to exercise but staying physically fit affords me better health and more contentment and happiness with myself and my ability to function. Being disciplined in finishing my assignments at work gives me peace and some sense of semblance and structure that I have more freedom in my life.

Forced responses in our creative and personal spheres are not respecting our personal inclination and our goals.

Projects of obligation are a real creativity killer. I am not the same person I was ten years ago. When I pull out a project that is ten years old that is neither finished nor motivating, I need take a clue and move on with that project.

There likely is someone else out there who will find it much more motivating than I was able to maintain in my travels with that project. It may be that the project was just doomed to failure from the start. While I could detail projects that could fill a U-haul trailer (take your pick the size of the trailer) that I have passed on or recycled or just freed into the universe, I am taking this time to simply say, BE KIND TO YOURSELF. You need not justify these choices. You need to have enough respect to yourself to really appreciate your journey and to appreciate that you have the right to embrace pure joy in your creative travels.

Being kind to ourselves not only involves keeping down the clutter of an overly sensitive sense of obligation to our begun-projects but also to accept that we deserve the big crayon box. When I was a 1st grader, I realized that some of my peers had the BIG BOX of crayons. You know the ones with the sharpener embedded in the side of the box. The scent of the box fills my memory as much as the magic of the colors. Of course, I had to settle for my box of 24 because that is what the list said and since I was one of three children within four years in my family, it was good to get the 24 crayon box. I was as grateful as could be but was always tickled to sit near someone willing to share a fuschia crayon with me now and again. I read the names with as much joy as I envied the colors.

So this year for Christmas, I got myself the BIG BOX of Aurifil. I love to machine applique and am very prone to run low on the exact shade I need. I am a thread conniseur about shades of threads (when it comes to my own work). I can visually spot the difference in color to the point where I can scarcely substitute a color. When at Fall Quilt Market, I nearly fainted when shown the Aurifil box of 216 threads. I got my own box and have spent a good amount of time savoring my big box of crayons. I actually am planning applique projects just so I can use all the colors!!

Santa has been good to me. My favorite thing to remind my friends of is to think the best of everyone around you. I know my sweetheart would want to think of such a perfect gift. Santa will be wrapping up my BIG BOX OF AURIFIL and putting a card on it that says, "Love, Henry." He will be so proud of himself for thinking of this one. (We make this all too hard. How would he ever know I would want a big box of thread?!) Perhaps, you need to go online and get yourself a box. You have been a very good sewer and deserve your own big coloring box.

All the Best to You, jill

Realistic plans

2009-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Time is getting close and you have a stack of unfinished projects yet to be done. Suggestion #8. Plan to wrap up some of the patterns and fabrics without finishing them.

When you do this, I like to wrap them all up and then keep track of what is in all the packages. That way if I have a bit of time before the gift giving time, I can come back, unwrap one and sew it up and re-wrap it. Sometimes just being able to set aside some of the wrapping of gifts reduces just enough stress for me be inspired to get sewing again.

For today, set aside some time to wrap up as much as you can. Do NOT struggle with guilt about this. Going out and making decisions and finalizes what you wanted to sew for your sister was a big enough consideration that you shouldn't be bothered with guilt. If your sister is lovely enough for you to have wanted to sew something for her, she WILL understand that you thought of her lovingly. If she is the type to chide you about your unfinishedness...well, you got the wrong gift for her and you ought to just click on this link....and get her a gift card at Pine Needles that she can sew for herself. Nothing sarcastic about that. Just teaching you to be more kind to yourself and to inspire others to share your joy!

All the Best to You, jill

My Present to ME!

2009-12-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Oh my, Santa has come and brought me a little face lift.....to my sewing room. After wrangling for far too long, I asked Santa to put new flooring in my sewing room. With the generous help of some darling elves, we muscled all of my sewing stuff and other stuff out of the family room to make way for the installers.

The best way to lessen your stuff is to sort it out. I cut up fabrics into bits and pieces...charm packs, jelly rolls and even recycled a wanna-be chenille blanket into some fabulous ribbons for Christmas presents. Found all the "lost" books I had and re-organized my patterns in such a way that I can actually see them.

When I get my Koala Studios set up with their under-shelving units, my collections of publications and what-nots will live there. I loved working on the Koalas while I waited for the flooring and am so anxious to install the shelving kits to make the MOST of them.

I have shared the room with the pool table, an air hockey table and TV. My sewing area sits between the TV viewers and their chairs. That WILL be changing. I can't hear myself think when they are trying to hear the TV over my sewing! I am thinking speakers behind their chairs. And, after wiggling audition settings around and around the room, I have convinced them that the air hockey table is just one surface too many and should go into a another room of the basement. Yippee. I think I am as happy for that as I am the new flooring.

Of course, sneak peeks around the corners where I shoved stuff indicates that much will need to be put away before my room is ready for guests. My sewing companions will be home in the next ten days. But, that is also why I stuffed most of it into closets and boxes. Labels would have been a good idea, but since I didn't do that, I just reach what I can and quietly accept that I will find the rest sometime...and it will be like finding a lost diamond!
All the Best to You, jill

The 15 Minutes Table Runner

2009-12-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

To help you with your holiday preparations, I am offering you PERMISSION.
7. Change up your routine of when you "allow" yourself to sew. Let yourself sew at unconventional times to reduce stress.

How do I find time when I so many things to get done??

Give "The 15 Minutes Table Runner" a chance. Truly, these will go together so fast even you will be amazed.

Step #1:
Start with 3/4 yard cuts of two fabrics. This will make TWO table runners. Cut 10" wide and then a 17" wide piece will remain. Make sure cuts are perpendicular (straight with the selvage). This might mean that you will have trimmed down each piece a bit in the width.
Step #2: Sew the 10" wide strip and the 17" wide strip together with the right sides together along the right side length of the fabrics.

Step #3:
Pulling the left sides together with the right sides together. This will be reaching the 10" piece to the other side of the 17" piece. Sew together, creating a tube. This may look unbalanced, but it is correct.

Step #4:
Turn the tube right side out.

Step #5
Spread the tube out on an ironing board, distributing the border evenly on both sides of the tube.

Step #6:
Press the "borders" measuring to maintain an even width on each side of the center piece (striped fabric in the photo). The "borders" will be approximately 1-3/4" on each the left and right side of the center.

Step #7:
Trim selvages off both ends of the tube. Be sure the cut is perpendicular to the sides.

Step #8:
Fold the tube in half lengthwise, matching the border pieces.

Step #9:
Sew the ends of the folded segment, back-stitch at the beginning and end. (Option: this could be sewn as a french seam: sewing the wrong side first with a 1/8" seam and then turning to encase the seam by sewing right sides together with a 1/4" seam.)

Step #10:
Turn points on each end of the table runner right side out and press out the points. You may have to do some trimming at the point to get crisp points.

Step #11
Back of the runners will have a band of the border. Press well.

Finishing:
At the points of the table runner, you can add buttonholes and attach tassles. Consider monogramming the ends of the runner.
Options: Cutting the strip in half after Step #7 and finishing each end, you can make two placemats of the strip width. You can use a cutaway stabilizer, Decor-bond™ or batting to add more body to the table runner. Try decorator fabrics for more stability. I prefer a cutaway stabilizer such as OESD Fusible Polymesh.

Download a copy of the pattern by clicking HERE.

A Twinkling Spirit

2009-12-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

At Christmas time, we often get so caught up in the shoulds of the world. We think we should make sure that everything is done and we should make sure that every detail is "perfect." The holiday isn't about perfect. It is about joy and celebration. Taking time to rest, to think, to watch and to just "BE" are the best ways to reduce stress.

It is so important that you make your gift-creating time work for the person you love and for you. Celebrating that person while you are creating is healthy and doubles the joy of giving. I stress making things very simple when we are in these last days before gift-giving time not because it is easy or because I am lazy but rather because it is a time to give ourselves tender care as well as to share the gift of sincere and generous giving, not a spirit of bitterness.

5. As you sew, think about the person you are sewing for. This is the gift to YOU.
6. Savor every moment of sewing.

Nice picture of most of our staff from our Christmas Party. Along with being a sharp-looking bunch, these are some of the best people I have ever had the privilege of working with. They give so much of themselves to help our customers be inspired and they inspire each other. What a great gift to enjoy in one's workplace.

On Sunday, we had a great time celebrating with our customers at our annual holiday party. If you missed it, you will want to make sure you mark your calendar for next year. Not only did we have a great time but each person got a gift of a FREE premier embroidery design collection or a $50 gift certificate to use on any kit in the store. So, if you were at the party, be sure to bring in your ticket and get your gift. As for the 2010 party, watch for it to be held in mid November. We are going to move it up to better fit your calendars. It will be a Sunday afternoon again from 3-6:00. We had great food and a lot of fun. Everyone got to participate in fabulous specials. All attendees can still use their specials on the kits through December 31. If you want to see some of the projects we shared, stop in and check them out in our downstairs classroom. They are amazing!

Go to our web site to collect a FREE copy of the pattern of an easy and quick table runner. You can truly make this one in less and 30 minutes. We have 3/4 yard cut kits for this one in the store. You will find that you can get THREE table runners out of one kit. WOW! The kits we have made up are from Figgy Pudding, Winterscapes, City Girl Holiday, Snow Show and more. These work out to about $6 a runner. You can't beat that one.
(FREE PATTERN....Just Click on these highlighted words and you will go to our web site where you can download the pattern as a pdf)

All the Best to You, jill

Then I Will Be Happy

2009-12-09T09:06:00.001-08:00

As we trek forward towards Christmas, I am continuing doing my best to help you to keep the holidays less stressful.

4. Prioritize what would most make YOU HAPPY to get done.

I think in respect to my shortcomings, the one thing I do very well is choose happiness and know that it is MY responsibility to maintain my happiness. Regardless of your history, your life story, your pain, you alone are responsible for your own happiness. In fact, I believe that anyone who has grown up with a less than perfect family, hit all the walls, suffered all the agonies of the world are BETTER EQUIPPED to be happy than most people.

It pains me listen to a litany of all the things some believe they must do for the holidays. If you put the phrase "...then I would be happy," after each of the things you think you MUST get done in time for the holidays, you will hear how absurd it might be. Let's give it a try.

•Send out Christmas cards to 250 people...then I will be happy.
•Bake cookies for all the people who don't really like me but is my chance to suck up to them and hope they will like me....then I will be happy.
•Stay up all night making a dress for my co-worker's grand-daughter's boyfriend's niece that she can wear it to a Christmas program that I won't attend....then I will be happy.
•Over-extend my credit cards to impress my family and friends with my generosity and stress myself out for three months while I try to figure out how to pay the bills...then I will be happy.

Sounds pretty absurd.

I am not thumbing my nose at anyone's traditions, but it is important to note that none of us can or should try to do it all.

Sewing little things for my family and friends with no pressure...DOES make me happy. I think about the people receiving the gift and the joy they will have using it, wearing it or just seeing it. The most simple gifts make them happy because I put a lot of thought into what would bring them joy and I gave it because I loved making it for them.

I have been visioning a Christmas stitchery made of one of my favorite machine embroidery collections. As the snowstorm built up yesterday, I took out one of my very favorite fabric collections and picked threads to go with this collection. While I am writing this, my embroidery machine is diligently (and happily) stitching out the designs. I am stitching these out for my family. They love decorating at Christmas and the thought of the joy it brings them makes me very happy.

My husband loves getting Christmas cards. Sending a Christmas letter is important to him and working through that process makes him happy. I help him because seeing him delight over Christmas cards makes me happy.

My SIL, Sally shared with me her memories of baking cookies for Christmas with her sisters. Her eyes twinkled as she told me the story. Imagining the joy of her re-telling and how she has brought this tradition to her six sons. I am sure Sally had times she had to drag the boys through it; but watching how kind and loving her boys are, I am confident that Sally's happiness was transmitted to them in the joy of giving at Christmas. Each time I share cookies that Sally and her sisters have lovingly and lavishly brought together at the holidays, I think of Sally's happiness and my heart is warmed.

As you consider what traditions you carry with you at this holiday season, only choose that which makes you happy. Your love and passion will be evident in these things. Before you delve deep into any "hafta do" or "oughta do" or "should do" projects today, sit back with a warm cup of cocoa or tea and think about what brings you happiness and watch the ought and shoulds take their proper place...NOT in your life.

Happiness is a choice!

All the Best to You, jill

Be Fair To Yourself...

2009-12-07T17:47:00.001-08:00

Among my list of things to keep in mind with holiday sewing, I have listed one of my toughest lessons learned...."3. Be fair to yourself in time evaluation for sewing." Not respecting ourselves enough to say "no" to some projects, even if the "no" is to ourselves is neither noble nor healthy. Many of us possess a very unattractive martyrdom over what we will sew for others.

Much as I would love to sew pajamas for some children for Christmas, I don't think I can absolutely get it done. I have bought the fabric for the flannel pajamas to fit the children I am thinking about for NEXT Christmas.

I confess, I have been very guilty of buying into the notion that unless I make it at the last minutes of December that it isn't quite like "giving" a project. However, over the last couple of years, I have made projects that I know are things that our kids have admired. As I made them or as they discovered them, I have kept note of the ones they love. I don't do things even and "fair" at every holiday. They have never complained that one year is their clothes year and someone else's toy year. It just depends on their personality, where they are in their lives and what we truly feel called to give them. So, I am very excited to have some special projects set aside for the kids this year. (I can't tell you what they are because sometimes my kids read my blog!)

My family will appreciate a well-rested and composed mother and wife more than a bunch of handmade gifts that I tried to squeeze into the holiday plans. When I suggest a handmade gift at this late date, I am not talking about a bed-sized quilt. Placemats, handbags, aprons, pillows, flannel lounge pants, pajamas and pillowcases are the perfect fare for the season.

I am presently working in 3/4 yard cuts and having a blast with them. I will be showing these things at our coming Holiday Party on Sunday, December 13. It is amazing what one can do with a well-coordinated set of fabrics. This kind of sewing will be fun to create and fun to give. I hope you can come and party with us!

When I look at the projects to be done, I make an estimate of time as uninterrupted time and then I add a couple hours. If I get more done faster....bonus. If not, I don't stress about it. Be sure to leave time to do your wrapping. I also wrap things up as I finish them and am so excited because this year, Moda has made up wrapping papers to match a couple of fabric lines, including Figgy Pudding. Stunning stuff!

When I suggest being fair to yourself, it is not only a time constraint but also a creativity constraint. Last year, Therese spent a couple days making cake balls for Christmas. I think I enjoyed watching her pour her heart into this project as much as she enjoyed creating these beautiful and delicious gifts. Joel helped her out and it was such a treat to watch them have fun making the treats. Their efforts were giving themselves the gift of making that which they truly wanted to do. While the cakes were beautiful and delicious, I would hope they can only do them in the future if they enjoyed doing them. This is the definition for being fair to yourself. Christmas is a time for gifting. Gift yourself with the care you well-deserve.

I Give You Permission

2009-12-06T06:21:00.001-08:00

Rather than grab onto a sullen pout that the calendar is running faster towards Christmas, I take some serious steps that have served me well. Keep in mind that I wasn't born with these techniques but rather I have had to cultivate them, born of frustration and exhaustion.

Are you a kindred spirit? I believe so.

Before we get started, let me give you permission. You are the person who is usually sewing out of love for the recipients of your gifts. Some people buy out of love for their recipients. One is NOT more noble than the other. Each should be an expression of our heart lest it be falsehood to gift in any other manner. Give yourself permission to not sew for anyone you don't love...truly!

1. Before starting any creative projects, put away all the distractions from your creating space.

For some of us this will entail whole cleaning. I recommend that you figure out what you can do in less than half a day. Your inspiration area may never be ready to be featured in "Where Women Create" or "Studio". The goal here is to make it so that you can function.

I recently purchased new Koala studio pieces (which I love, love, love). I am having my flooring worked on in a few weeks. It would be a ridiculous choice for me to work on re-decorating and putting my stash of stuff "away". So, I have stored it in a couple closets. To get through Thanksgiving, I first dumped it in the areas. All the while, I sort out things for donation or for dumping if it isn't inspiring me any longer. Out of sight. Out of mind. (Take that how you wish.) Last week, I started digging through the stuff to find the things I WANT to work on. I set aside anything that is beyond my ability to finish in this short time.

And repeat: I sort out things for donation or for dumping if it isn't inspiring me any longer.

2. Set out all the things you would LIKE to get done for the holidays.

I stacked the things up that I WANT to sew. I went to the store and bought the colors of fabrics that I really want to sew for my loved ones. I have been petting the Figgy Pudding fabric at the store. I know I have some very special people in my life who are going to love these fresh new things. It is time we all quit thinking it noble to refrain from sewing with what inspires us in the hopes that it will inspire us to want to sew the ugly stuff we are hanging onto in our stash.

And repeat: I sort out things for donation or for dumping if it isn't inspiring me any longer.

I made sure to add some new patterns that inspire me. When I brought it home, I made a list of what I want to get done. Went to bed. Wake up and remove the unreasonable things.

As I sort through the projects, I remember the stuff that I have in my stash that will help this project. I find piping and plan to use it all up (because I know I will lose it and forget it later).

As I dig through that older stuff, I sort out things for donation or for dumping if it isn't inspiring me any longer.

Depending on my mood, I will decide my course of action. Respecting your patterns of behavior, you need to decide how you best function. For me, when I am tired, I can't sit a long time lest I get sleepy. So, I like to stand and cut. I put in a good movie and start cutting out everything. I lay out two or three projects that when I am more up to sewing, I can just sew.

If I am ready to sit and sew, I will pull up Pandora on my computer and listen to music and sew and sew and sew.

Start asking yourself about when you are most productive. I find that late at night and early in the morning are my best times. I also respect that sometimes I need a 20 minute rest in the afternoon. This may not be a nap but rather a time to just enjoy quiet and not doing. When you start practicing these disciplines that respect your own style of creating, you will find that you not only are more productive but also are much less frustrated. Giving your creativity as a gift should benefit the recipient but also the giver. Give yourself the gift of PEACE.

All the Best to You, jill

How Creative People Survive the Holidays

2009-11-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

While Christmas is looming around the corner, I would urge you to do one thing that will make your holiday season better all the way around. Don't sew anything for anyone that you don't truly in your heart want to do. We are all pretty guilty of this and are oft well known for burning the midnight oil to finish up those projects in time for gifts. I look back on family photos from Christmases past and see the kids in nice hand sewn clothes, and I have bags under my eyes from trying to get them sewn in time to get the cards out in the mail before Christmas. Crazy. For sure! However, over the weekend, Therese was going through the trunk of little dresses and suits that I'd made over the years for our children. Listening to her delight over her favorites and tell me how much she loved this one and that and how she remembered family events and how special she felt wearing her new clothes...well, I think it probably wasn't so crazy after all. That the kids loved the feel of new clothes that were handmade gave me a lot of joy. I clearly remember being happy the whole time I was sewing for them. They would check on the progress of their things.

I now think it wasn't the sewing for the kids that sent me over the edge but rather all the things I tried to sew for everyone else. A family friend often had me making curtains for her home. After the third bedroom, I tried to let her know that it was really hard for me to do this with my young children and asked if she could just order the curtains from the Penney's catalog that she had me working from to redesign her curtains. She was indignant and told me that she would think I would have wanted to earn the money being I have a big family. Little did she know, I charged just a pittance because I was doing more of a favor for her since she wanted to save money from buying them in the catalog. I was charging her less than she could order them. Boy, that was a lesson quickly learned. (On top of that, I never remember telling her I needed the money because I had a big family, her assumption was in error.) What I "lost" in earnings was gained in wisdom that has served me well for a long time.

I clearly remember when I stopped trying to sew for everyone and do everything at Christmas time. It really hasn't anything to do with age or ability but is the stuff that I pass on to our children and anyone who will hear. The holidays are no longer stressful to me because I reduced my stress level by making a conscious choice to better care for myself. I love the holidays because I do what I want, create what I want and ignore the rest.

Following are the key elements to surviving the holidays with less stress:
1. Before starting any creative projects, put away all the distractions from your creating space.
2. Set out all the things you would LIKE to get done for the holidays.
3. Be fair to yourself in time evaluation for sewing.
4. Prioritize what would most make YOU HAPPY to get done.
5. As you sew, think about the person you are sewing for. This is the gift to YOU.
6. Savor every moment of sewing.
7. Change up your routine of when you "allow" yourself to sew. Let yourself sew at unconventional times to reduce stress.
8. Plan to wrap up some of the patterns and fabrics without finishing them
9. Plan to not finish things you aren't inspired to finish.
10. Be kind to yourself.
11. The moment you get anxious about getting it all done, set it aside. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and look at Christmas lights.
12. Don't hinge your happiness on finishing EVERYTHING.
13. Listen to Christmas music if you want or listen to the Stillness if you need.

If you forget these lessons, keep coming back the next couple of weeks. I will be your sewing cheerleader and remind you of what you are trying to accomplish.
jill

Ain't No Mountain High Enough...

2009-11-18T18:24:00.001-08:00

...No Valley Low Enough.....to keep me from sewing!

A few weeks ago, Henry and Joel brought in my new Koala sewing studio to my current sewing space. Since I was gone when they did this, they "stacked" all the notions and fabrics and stuff on the pool table and any horizontal surface to move the old stuff out and make room for my new and fabulously beautiful studio. I have done my best to not wait until it is all in place before I started sewing. If I wait that long, I'll be a wreck.

Plus, you know how it goes when you get new furniture. You measure and vision and are sure it will work this way and then it arrives and it has the wrong "feel" in that configuration. So for the past two weeks, I have moved these four fabulous pieces around my sewing space. I have tried nearly every configuration, drawn it out and dreamed about it. I go to sleep thinking, "if this piece is here and I move that there...." A couple of times I got up and went to my sewing room in my pajamas and started re-arranging furniture.

Most of the time I kept shoving stuff around and moving stacks of books, patterns and notions around. Knowing that if I start putting it in the drawers, I won't have a good feel of where everything goes until everything is sitting where I want it. And, even with that I can't set it all up because in early December I am having the carpets cleaned. It will all be upended again!

So why the hurry to do anything? It is my dream space. It is my getaway and all it does right now is scream "Get Away!" With Thanksgiving coming, I don't want our guests to enjoy every notion, thread, fabric and publication I have ever purchased being spread out all over the pool table and the air hockey table. (Those are my room companions.) Feeling the crunch of time, I decided to implement plan B. That would entail shoving stuff into storage. Since the closest storage is the room for the house electrical, that seems obvious to me. I am sure my husband Henry will veto it when (and if) he sees it. Nonetheless, in the relief of having some of the mountains of stuff out of the way, I visioned a new way for the sewing room to sit. Poor Johanna (my 17 year young daughter) got recruited for yet another move around the sewing room. She has her own studio piece in the room; so, she is a bit motivated to assist me. And magic happened! I had been trying to take up as little space in the room to save space for a TV for Henry and ample space for the kids to play pool and air hocket. Then it dawned on me...this is really my room and I am just letting them share it with me. So, I spread out a bit more and found a lovely configuration to the room. I selected the studio pieces that my family can all sew together when they come home at holiday times. With the newest piece from Koala, I have a cutting station that can also be fitted into TWO sewing spaces. I absolutely love these pieces. They are heavy critters but they are so manageable and functional. I selected the tallest pieces of them that I could have ample shelving for my publications, fabrics, notions and even my knitting stuff. I also like the higher height with the adjustable foot rests. On top of that, they are so pretty. Mine are the cherry finish. When I get the room all "set" and decorated, I will certainly share those pictures. However, I always think it is great to share with my friends the process pictures. The pictures in progress should make you feel a little better about your creating space.

The process is what is the most fun and the most invigorating. The product brings closure and sets balance for me. However, it is the process that gives me the energy and the inspiration to go. That I get so excited about configuring my sewing room gives one a glimpse of how I think. Imagine what happens when I vision sewing and creating?!

A couple of my favorite magazines Where Women Create and Studios by Cloth, Paper, Scissors really speak to the creative in each of us. I study the way the rooms are set up and love to see personalities blooming from those spaces. Not usually highly stylized spaces many are so functional and normal....perhaps tubs for fabric, recycled dressers, shelving units borrowed from other places. Each of them speak of functionality and comfort for the designer. Then today a home design magazine came in the mail. While beautiful spaces with large open areas, I kept wondering where their "stuff" was. Where do they keep the magazines they are studying? Where are the notes, the artwork and the creations of clay from kids and grandkids? I wonder if they keep boxes of special things to sort and study. While I need enough order to find my things, my spaces are combination of who I am, who I was and who I love.

Occasionally my daughters will tease me about things mauve and blue or the many hand-woven basket, but I just cannot part with things that still have function and still bring me great joy as I remember their childhoods of growing up in a house of country blue and mauve and a lifetime of collecting their things and my things in baskets handmade by friends. With age, I just get more and more sentimental. However, just as it was when I considered the space I should take up for my creating time, I am old enough now to relinquish any sort of modesty about being inordinately tidy or organized. I doubt I will be much remembered for someone else's vision and will be more likely remembered for the passion for life that I have.

Affording ourselves a space and time and freedom from serious restrictions on our creative expression is the best form of self-care we can enjoy. Cultivating a healthy amount of self-expression and an avenue for us to keep touch with who we are is the most life-giving thing we can do to afford us each the chance to better serve others and to become who we are called to be in our daily walk.

I need a sewing day...scratch....MONTH...scratch....LIFE

2009-11-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Having been on the road the past six weeks for work and family, I have been too long away from home and my own sewing room. The nice thing is I have had a couple of chances to quilt and got a bit of escape. Problems and worry just melt away when I machine quilt. I know this isn't so for everyone but for me, it is like a child with chalk and a blank sidewalk. What makes it easy for me isn't that I have a natural bend to it but rather complete abandon. I don't get all hung up about if there is a "right way" to quilt. In fact, if there is a "right way" I am sure to find a new path.

I have great appreciation for quilt masters. I am transfixed watching Karen McTavish dance the needle across her quilts. I am in awe to watch the details of Diane Gaudynski's work and am always thrilled to see my own replicas when I use an embroidery machine with her designs. While at the AQS show in Des Moines, I got to spend some time watching Marilyn Badger and the easy conversation of how she enjoys her APQS and the new cruise feature.

While on retreat, I got back to my Red Silk quilt. My rendition is from Terry Atkinson's Happy Hour book, called Snap Shots. I love this quilt and loved it more as I quilted it with one of my new favorite products....silk that is variagated. I love silk thread anyway and variagated is beyond my wildest dreams. I FINISHED my quilt in a day and quilted it such that the rectangles "popped." Let me know what you think. I love it!!

When I was a younger soul, I longed to be an artist. I have no regret even though I am not living in Paris as a starving artist. My life, my creative journey, my passion, my family and friends are so much more than I envisioned. Life is always a surprise and an absolute joy to me. My Red Silk lovely is my expression and MY dance. Give it a try. Red Silk kit is a collection of fat quarters that will take you to a new place with your imagination!

I have been asked what am I going to do with my Red Silk Dance. I am not really sure what that means. Red Silk Dance has done so much for me. I smile everytime I see it. I loved every minute of sewing it. I even love the pictures of it. Do you think anyone asked Vincent Van Gogh what he was going to do with his painting Starry Night?

There need not be a practical side of my sewing. But, if one needs to justify it, I would suggest that Red Silk Dance makes me happy, brings me joy. So, it is better than medication!

All the Best to You, jill

QuiltPosium Shipping September 1!

2009-08-02T16:23:00.001-07:00

Did you get your copy of the NEW Sew Inspired News from Pine Needles? This is the first of a new copy for just tips, techniques and inspirations and online stuff . Then we have a separate mailing just for in-store events.

A few months ago my friend Jim West of Sew Many Places asked me to write an article for an online magazine he was going to offer people about quilting with articles about sewing, gardening, travelling and life in general. Wow....and in my true style, I took my time and was very late with getting my article in to Jim. But he was a good sport about it. I shipped it off and forgot about it.

Last night a couple of friends came over to our house and told me they had seen my picture in a magazine and that it was with others like Kaye England and Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. I was VERY confused. We were celebrating my arriving at the 25th anniversary of my 25th birthday and I did as all of us in that age bracket due when faced with confusion...ignored it. (Confusion becomes a friend after a while....easily forgiven.)

Then this morning, I log into Facebook (FB for those of you new to this lingo) and learned that I AM in an article and it is featuring the release date of a new publication that you can get for FREE. On September 1, you can get your own online subscription to QuiltPosium. Just go to the web site and register yourself. You can be in the ground floor of this new publication. And. Indeed, I do have an article in the magazine. (hmmm....wonder what I wrote about.)

At any rate, QuiltPosium is featured as "Living and traveling with a Quilter's Eye". Dubbed at the most exciting, ground-breaking, online magazine quilters will ever see! It's informative, entertaining and it's FREE! You'll enjoy articles by some of today's biggest names in the quilting industry* Jinny Beyer, Kaye England, Eleanor Burns, Ricky Tims, Meg Cox, Alex Anderson, HD Wilbanks, Luana Rubin, Matt Sparrow, Jill Reicks, Rita Fishel, Pat Sloan, Tim Holtz, Charlotte Angotti, Alex Veronelli, Kathy Blank, Pam Holland, Doug Eagleson, Andrea Bishop, Vicky Tracy, Debbie Homer and many more!

You'll also read about gardening, cooking, crafts and take a journey on our Sew Many Places cruises and tours as you learn more about the fun places quilters are going around the world.

And you'll be in stitches as you view the very first centerfold to ever appear in a quilting magazine-legendary educator, designer and author Kaye England! You won't believe what she is up to in that centerfold!

Don't delay, register today! Pre-register for the Premier issue NOW!

While I realize that emails and blogs and web sites aren't as interesting as sewing and creating, I am fascinated by the way we can connect to incredible talents all over the world and have a network of friends.

If you aren't on our email list, you can go to our web site and join one or both email lists. Just REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE for our newsletters.

And if you want to catch a peek at our newest email I just sent out today...there's an article about sewing with silk, the clip about QuiltPosium, a peek at My Quilt Village and a great Block of the Month. Didn't catch the email....
Click HERE to see the today's version of our Sew Inspired email news!

All the Best to You, jill
P.S. As to the "biggest names in the quilting industry..." (EDITORIAL NOTE FROM JILL: "this is their writing not mine, but thanks for putting me among some great talents. It's nice to sit at their table a bit.")

Tree of Life

2009-08-01T13:40:00.001-07:00

Therese recently finished her Tree of Life quilt. This one has been a quilt she has been longing to do for quite some time. Designed by Ricky Tims, the kit is made up of hand-dyed fabrics that Ricky's team creates in their hometown of LaVeta, Colorado (Home of The Quilt Show...which he hosts with Alex Anderson). The quilt is phenomenal because it combines Ricky's techniques from Convergence Quilts combined with raw-edge applique. This was an incredibly inspiring project for her to work on and especially inviting with Ricky's hand-dyed fabrics. Therese is now going to have her grandparents sign her quilt as part of her family tree, Tree of Life.
It was so much fun to see these quilts again that we made sure we put several options for a class on Convergence Quilting for the Fall run of classes.

I celebrated what one might deem as a "big birthday" this last week. Jackie Onassis, Stevie Wonder, Rita Scott, Olivia Maharry and I all share the same birthday. While a lot of people enjoy taking shots at us old people about our age, I have never found it amusing. Don't get me wrong, I am not vain about my age. I have always thought it rather pointless....it isn't a choice after all! I do enjoy being older for a lot of reasons. I would never want to be 20 again. It was a fun age to be, but the wisdom and knowledge I have now are so much better than I thought I had then. I also love being more comfortable in my own skin. I look around my sewing room and am less annoyed with tidiness than celebrating the freedom I enjoy in creating. I have always loved being with little kids. They so get the world and how to think about it. But, I enjoy them more now as I am aging because I am past fretting about my own kids being a reflection of my parenting (another benefit of aging...my kids aren't aren't truly a reflection of us if we raised them to think for themselves).

So, after ten years of saying "I'm almost 50" (Yes, I have been saying that for ten years. Then people would go "whoa, you DON'T look 50"....even though I might have been only 41.) So now my friend Kay Shindelar is telling me that she says "I am in my fifties." I like that!

In closing, my sage advice for the day is this....eat dessert first...you might not be hungry enough to have it at the end of the meal. And, dream big and live abundantly.

All the Best to You, JILL

Love Those Details

2009-07-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

When my kids were younger and loved fussy kid clothes, I loved the detailing. I learned to applique for the first time on a homemade onesie (that is BEFORE onesie was a word or a thing). It was awful applique as I didn't understand stabilizer and my $99 sewing machine didn't allow me to reduce stitch length to a satin stitch. I bought that little machine when I started college and made all of my clothes except my jeans. Of course, everyone on my floor thought that since I had a sewing machine I would want to mend their jeans. (It didn't take me long to discover that I didn't need to reveal that I knew how to sew.)

In teaching myself to applique at that time, I didn't have access to fusible products as we have now. So, I improvised with stitch witchery which I used now and again for hems. Expensive for this process but I was thrilled with the results. My resource for learning these techniques was an ancient sewing book that I had pretty well memorized. Before my $99 machine, I could only do bound buttonholes--not even knowing that was an advanced technique. My sewing machine from high school was my mom's old machine, a Singer with a wooden case that I ran with a knee control and it only had a straight stitch. So being self-taught, I learned from a 30 year old sewing book (which now would be almost 60 years old) and now realize that the techniques I learned are fine techniques with great details and great finishes and are actually considered fairly high functioning detail work in sewing.

When I moved on to advance my applique skills, I add heirloom sewing skills and loved the concepts of pin tucks, winged needles and lace insertions. I became a Martha Pullen groupie, nearly looking holes in every publication I bought. I never learned smocking as it wasn't one of my favorite techniques but I was enchanted by cutwork. I have always studied fabrics and textures to try to figure out how they use them and what could be done to add more in detail. I really love gadgets like rolled hem feet, rufflers and bias binders. They are such smart tools. After having sewn on a lot of machines in my lifetime, I have a real appreciation for the fine tooling of these accessories on my Bernina machines. Not because I am a dealer but rather because I have had my share of the generic ones for the other machines and love my Bernina accessories which are tooled for performance and durability.

With machine embroidery...well that is the ULTIMATE sewing tool for me. Being able to do cutwork, applique, digitizing and so much more, my head spins with ideas!

This last week, I got to sit in a bit on our Master-Your-Machine classes on heirloom sewing. It was like looking in on Santa's workshop as I watched them do a lace insertion technique and fall in love with winged needle work. I wondered what happen to all the blouses I made over the years with those techniques. However, as I think about it...most of that stuff was my maternity clothes. (Oh yeah, passed them on to friends. I am sure they have had a good life.) What a delightful treat to remember these techniques. It is like finding a good novel and reading the good parts again. (Or am I the only one that does stuff like that?)

It also reminded me of Monica's apron she made while we were on vacation. Our kids grew up with mom sewing and always had ample access to sewing and crafting. However, I never pushed it. They all sewed at some level out of a desire to learn. To this day, I can't say that I have done a lot (except stay out of the way and smile and encourage) to teach them. I am available when they have questions, but like myself, they learn a lot by observing, questioning and researching. So, I was thrilled to see Monica take on an apron of this proportion. Details like a reversible apron, gathered bodice, draw string neck and classy pockets made this a challenge for her. But she is very proud of this as am I for her !

I have had lots of mothers tell me they have to work so hard to resist the urge to pull out stitches their kids sew or to not start working for the kids to rush things along. I have never really had that urge. I think it is because I know how much I grew in my own sewing skills by not having someone hover over me. I took on projects that good sense should have made me never consider. However, I also know I am not alone. Many sewers my age keenly remember winging it and learning on our own. I give a lot of credit to programs such as 4-H. If parents and leaders can just cheerlead and stay out of the way, kids can do great things. Next week, our kids camp starts at the store. I love it because I get to see the kids soar. We give direction but we always leave room for the kids to express themselves. I think I have as much fun as the kids do!

My kids didn't always wear or use everything they sewed, but they each have memories of the process. Keeping in mind that Monica's first sewing project was sewing a thumb mitten that she could put on her thumb at nights to help her quit sucking her thumb, I would say her apron is a long and positive way. But, I still wish thumb mitten would have survived the wash and wear (and probably eventual flushing) as it still makes me smile to think of it.

Sometimes I like to just practice a few techniques and envision what they will be on a valance or a table cloth. I like to just play on samples and write notes on them. (But then I am probably the person who while I am reading a book, will skip ahead and randomly read a future segment, then watch the plot unfold trying to figure out how the author will get the story line to my random reading.)

So now that you got a glimpse at the weird way my brain works, I hope I have encouraged you to go and pull out the decorative stitches on your machine, thread it up with a winged needle (or better yet a twin-winged needle) and see what comes of it. Be sure to use a natural fiber (cotton or linen or flax) as it will only keep the holes with natural fibers.

All the Best to You, jill

p.s. If you want to learn more about the book Monica used, just click on the photograph and it will take you the link about it.

My Summer Vacation...

2009-07-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Having been an elementary school teacher, I am all too familiar with the routine of class starting with "What I did on my summer vacation..." I consider myself blessed (thank you University of Northern Iowa) that I was encouraged to think outside the box....way outside the box. I have always looked for the challenges and what is beyond ordinary.

It has been a few weeks since we went on vacation to a cabin with the fam. However, I JUST got around to unpacking some of my projects as the trip was followed with a trip to San Francisco with Bernina. Then when one is away from the store for such a long period of time, the mail and the responsibilities just don't go away. As I unpacked projects, I celebrated my learning on our trip.

I ventured out with a small suitcase of clothes and my largest suitcase with sewing projects. As I packed I dreaded the thought that some of this stuff would go untouched and return home and be put back in the cubbies to wait for another sewing venture. The thought of carrying that heavy suitcase upstairs and facing the guys (especially Henry) saying, "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TAKING IN THIS CASE?!"....well, it was overwhelming and I considered shipping it Fed Ex as my private stash of fabric.

When I gave up and lugged my suitcase upstairs to be loaded in the van, I was shocked to see that my girls each had two or three times as much stuff as I had packed. I felt much better as I watched them trying to stuff everything in the vehicles. A week of fishing and sewing and enjoying the beautiful weather and lots of rest and I am happy to report that I sewed on every parcel except for one in my bag and even that I made sure I did some studying and cutting before I packed it up to return home.

What I liked the best about this journey was I took mostly bundles of fat quarters. I studied them and selected a project, sew it, then I would study what was left and sew another. I worked every stack down into a little mound of scraps that I saved until the end of the week. Very little went to waste and I even had a hard time not scooping it up and layering it into Aquamesh and creating a free motion design scarf for myself. (Guess that venture will be another day!)

Now this week as I prepare for VIP....we are featuring Christmas in July....I can't wait to show what I did with this great new collection from Benartex, Winter Parade. This quilt took me only a matter of a few hours. It will be a great little throw for my godson, Kai. I used up the rest of the fabric in two other projects. I will be showing those this week as well. Hopefully some of you can join us. It is free to attend. However, we are asking that you give us a call (319-373-0334)or an email (sew@pineneedles.net) and let us know when you want to come. It is always a fun time as we get to show you what is going on in our sewing rooms and give you our tips and tricks and share the learning we are doing all the time. If you want to know more about the times, you can go to our VIP (VERY INSPIRED PEOPLE) section of our web site.

I am glad that I rarely have ordinary times...even on summer vacation!
All the Best to You, jill

Our Hearts in San Francisco

2009-07-08T20:37:00.001-07:00

My daughters always give me a bad time because I like hearts. I like charms of hearts and the image of hearts. Of course, I love Brighton...while I don't have but three pieces of Brighton, I love the silver hearts on all of them. My girls think I like them because they don't like them. Well, if that were true, it would be about time I worked at getting under their skin! However, that isn't true. I love the image of hearts and love the symbolism and am probably just a romantic. So, forgive me if I break out in song....left my heart in San Francisco. Truly, this was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. I could easily go back there for more of a visit.

We were there for close to a week at Bernina University...soaking up new tips, new techniques and being inspired to come back and share so much with you, our friends. We got a chance to see the new Designer v 6.0 software. The sketching options will amaze and thrill everyone. So intuitive, we are anxious to get our hands on it for our training in August and will be sharing more with our customers. We also got a chance to see a new tool for cutting designs out using your embroidery machine. Talk about making that a multi-faceted machine....who would have ever thought of it. Being a big fan of cutwork, traditional and contemporary, I have some great designs roaming around my idea bank and this cutwork tool is going to be just what I need to let that inspiration soar!!

And for you garment sewers (or wanna-bes) we put our heads together with Linda Lee and are going to be launching Project Sewing Workshop at the store. This is going to give you a chance to work with Linda's designs and to have fabric choices for fabulous garments right at Pine Needles. You will want to be sure to make it to VIP in July and August as we release information about how you can get a chance to win some great prizes just for expanding your wardrobe with the Sewing Workshop. A couple of us from the store will be attending Linda's workshop this summer and will be working on planning Linda's fall visit to the store. You will want to watch the fall newsletter for those details.

Perhaps our favorite part of BU is the fun we get to have with other sewing machine dealers and fabric store teams from across the country and around the world. Our enthusiasm for the Bernina products and the fabrics and notions and publications is almost a genetic bond with us. We not only get to see these people at our trainings and market and convention, but we have developed some great lasting friendships. I always come home energized by all the great ideas I gather from across the country. So, indeed, forgive me for being away from my blog activity, but I was doing what I tell all of you to do...live a widely interesting life and report back when you get a chance to inspire others.

We got to share this Bernina University with Therese and Joel, our daughter and son-in-law. It is great to hear their perspective and watch them grow in knowledge and insight about how to bring more sewing excitement back to Cedar Rapids.

Hope to see you soon in the store. Be sure you get signed up for some of the coming events and see what San Francisco and Bernina University inspired in our sewing world!
All the Best to You, jill

ATTN: RICKY TIMS: Stuff Held For Ransom

2009-05-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Ricky Tims,

This is a note of property being held captive in Iowa. No items will be injured if you cooperate with us.

On May 9, you departed Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In your departure, you left some precious belongings at Pine Needles Sewing Center in an effort to lighten up luggage for return-travel to Colorado. (Please inventory items in photograph. Garments not photographed out of respect for privacy. Ummm....errr....I mean we are taking turns determining if there is a staff member who will fit the silver belt buckle.)

DESCRIPTION:
•Two quilts...Kool Kaleidoscope #8 and Rhapsody
•One pair of stylish boots of a cowboy-artist
•Various articles of clothing
Items will be returned upon a return visit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Means of conveyance: Harley motorcycle (odometer read is currently less than 300 miles....time to put miles on that baby). Your cooperation with this endeavor to reunite you with your precious belongings is appreciated.

(If you want to see close up images to replicate Ricky Tims' work, be sure you click on any of the images in this email to see Ricky's work and his music on our web site.)

However, after further investigation of the condition of the quilts, it is noted that the sleeves on said quilts are in need of repair (note photograph). Should Mr. Tims not be willing to exhibit better care (than safety pins) for quilt sleeves, we (the holders of the quilts) reserve the right to not return the quilts lest they fall into such a state of "sleeved-by-safety-pin." Upon receipt of ransom coverage, Mr. Tims would have to issue and affidavit of promise to maintain better care of quilt sleeves. Although, it IS noteworthy that such care is given the sleeves as to make the sleeves of hand-dyed fabrics (nice touch!).

Upon return visit to Iowa, along with reuniting you with your belongings, we will be sharing with you the fruits of our incredible creative journey with you at the concert and classes held on May 8-9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the guest of the Sew Inspired Team at Pine Needles Sewing Center.

Most Respectfully, Your Friends at Pine Needles Sewing Center

P.S. To further assist Ricky on this venture to have his quilt returned, submit your response with information for Ricky to read about his publications or his visit to Iowa in the COMMENT section at the end of the email. This may assist Ricky in determining if he will return to Iowa.
P.S.S. Okay...so this is a hoax. (The request for comments for Ricky to this email is NOT a hoax.) While it is true Ricky Tims left belongings with us at the store, we have respectfuly returned them to him as he requested our assistance in lightening his travel load. Imagine our surprise (and delight) that he left us to study and enjoy his quilts for a bit longer after his departure.
P.S.S. Thanks every so much Mr. Ricky Tims for gracing us in Iowa with your visit. We truly do hope that you consider coming back and teaching us more at some time. See you in Colorado soon to enjoy the lovely landscape you have shared with us in photography, song and stitch!

Know the Symptoms

2009-05-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

Cheryl wisely pointed out in a response to my last blog post that we should know the symptoms of heart disease. Paula's death is so fresh for all of us that I had wanted to wait a bit to speak about the need for all of us to be mindful of our health and how heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. When Cheryl pointed this out to me, I really think it underlined the need for me to speak this now.

Take the time to do some reading. I found the following articles to be most noteworthy:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB00040
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

Being with Paula's family, enjoying the pictures of her with nieces and nephews and her own children and all of the sewing in the pictures she did for the people she loved, I was keenly aware of how sad it is that she died so young. Like many of us, Paula was so good at caring for others. Let's all take her message to heart and take care of ourselves that we can continue to do that which we love for whom we love.

all the best to you, jill

Remembering Paula

2009-05-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

On Friday night, May 7, we had a grand evening with Ricky Tims for his concert and dinner. Our friend ad co-worker, Paula Anderson, stayed with us until all the guests had left. She then shared her version of Convergence with Ricky.

Paula went home, had her husband rub her aching shoulder, let her dog out and then back in for the night. Her husband went to bed as she was unwinding from an exciting evening. In the night some time, Paula passed away. Paula Anderson was 54 years old. She leaves behind her husband Charles and daughters, Gina and Becky.

For those who knew Paula Anderson, we knew that she was modest about her work and that her work was incredibly detailed and meticulous. She was her own harshest critic. Yet, she had a kind heart for everyone else.

It was not easy to snap photographs of Paula as she was shy about cameras. However, when she was engrossed in her sewing at a recent event with our staff, I was able to capture her in a place where she found great respite...by a sewing machine and with friends who cared about her.

Paula has been a sewing friend of ours since we opened the store. She was one of the first who enthusiastically found us and came to learn. She came to working with us in January of this year in our office. We have been so privileged to enjoy her cheerful demeanor and diligence to help our customers and be a fabulous team member at our store.

Paula regularly told us and customers that she was working her dream job at Pine Needles. And in so many ways we were privileged to see it and share the joy with her. We were all treated to the blooming of her sewing when she would bring in new things she was sewing and share her learning with incredible joy.

On her day off last week, she took the time to learn Ricky's Convergence Quilting. Wow....we got to see her fabulous creation from Ricky's hand-dyed fat quarters. I was so privileged to be with Paula as she waited until the end of the evening to show her creation to Ricky. He was so inspired by her work that he signed her quilt with the affirmation, "Way to go, Paula!" Her smile gives us great comfort, knowing that she sewed her way to joy.

It is with great sadness that her passing has come. Our family and our Pine Needles family will miss her tremendously. We are so privileged to have had her as part of our team.

I personally know that the message of Paula and others like her is that we continue to share the inspiration and love through our sewing and our compassionate caring for one another. The whole of our creative experience gives voice to the beauty in each of us.

We will miss you our dear friend, Paula....jill

Qubed with Our Friend Kaye England

2009-04-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Last night, several of us at Pine Needles got together and did our own test drive of Kaye England's technique for sewing together a quilt top. This process has always fascinated me because it is a chance to sew the quilt top together in one sitting...that is, one doesn't have to keep running to the design wall to pick up separate units. You pick up all the pieces at one time and then through a system of stacking the blocks and positioning yourself in your sewing space, you then pick up and sew the sets together into units of two. Then you sew into units of four and next into groups of eight. The goal is to cross-lock seams so that all of the seams are not all dragging in the same line. Sewing units in cross-locks will help our quilts hang more squarely as well as give a balance to the design of the quilt.

Each staff member selected a group of fabrics and cut them into 64 squares so that the layout would work as 8 squares across and 8 squares down. The quilts will be available for Kaye England's class on Saturday. We will also be using the kits for future classes on teaching this technique. It was great fun to see the fabrics that "spoke" to each staff member. We also challenged everyone to finish quilt their quilts using different techniques. We anticipate people will be using embroidery machines, BSR, applique embellishment and even fancy threadwork. This is going to be a lot of fun to see what blooms up in VIP, Very Inspired People. Free for anyone to attend with five different time options, you will want to look into joining us for this great time to learn. I ALWAYS learn lots in VIP from my Sew Inspired Pals.

We each used the floor as a design wall. Certainly if one had a design wall that is how we would normally put it together picking up each row. We watched Kaye's DVD, Qubed, for our coaching. It was fun to watch Vicki Tracy having a race with Kaye England on piecing on a serger vs. a sewing machine. What rollicking fun this was to watch. The whole DVD is an inspiration for one of my favorite quilt block techniques....squares and quadrangles. Simple? Indeed. But Stunning!

We eached finished our quilt tops and then went out for dinner and a good chance to laugh and talk through what we learned. This is not a technique that most will master the first time around. However, we all could see the great value in refining our sewing skills by working through Qubed Techniques. I posted a slide show of our progress on our web site. Check it out.

Last night when I came home and went to bed, I couldn't get to sleep thinking about the technique we had just experimented with, I drew out the blocks and played with the configurations. It came to me that this technique will work fabulously for blocks as well as whole quilts. I am also planning to work this through with charm packs for fun and simple quilts.

Most people don't really understand how we sewers can be so interested in putting a quilt together and not always so anxious to finish our quilts. It is about the process and not always the product. However, in this project (Qubed), I can really see that this is like creating a puzzle and getting good results regardless of how exactly the puzzle goes together. I don't do Soduko, but I do like to work my brain on puzzles like this!

If you can't make the Saturday event with Kaye England, look for the coming classes with our staff. Make sure you check into attending our Friday party with Kaye England. She is hosting our kick-off party for Be There, Get Your Square. Along with getting 28 fat quarters in Kaye's fabric collection, Back Home Again, those participating in the party and the Be There event will get the patterns for making Kaye's 12-blocks for Back Home Again and specials and fun.

Another great and fun event I have been participating in is a web site with a group of other shop owners, My Quilt Village. Presently, we have been working on a blog about our first quilts. I just finished reading all the posts to date. Treat yourself to a walk through the blog and be eligible to win a prize. Go to www.myquiltvillage.com

All the Best to You, jill
P.S. Do you wanna join my sewing puzzle?!

Denim Collars

2009-04-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with sewing on a denim collar of a ready-made jacket. This was an incredibly rewarding experience in the learning phase. Even once I got it sewn out, I can say I learned a lot. I had a lot to show my friends about what to do and what not to do. Isn't this the heart of an artist...enjoying the process without having to count the final project!?

My first steps were to put the denim collar in a scanner. I scanned one half of the collar. I never knew that denim jacket collars are not straight across. This one has a wave in it. I imagine this is to accomodate for the bulk that happens when the collar turns in the back...whoa....what a great engineering detail by garment designers. One of my favorite alteration people taught me years ago how a hem may not be straight across on a hanger. That may seem incredibly obvious to those of you who are couture sewers, but it is real revelation to those of us who are novices. For me, this is a "WAY AWESOME" concept. How brilliant that a maternity dress would need a hem longer in the front than in the back. Okay...so I am way past maternity-wear....but didn't think you wanted to hear me say, "my dress to cover my beer belly would need to be longer in the front."

Scan the collar, upload it to my Bernina Designer Plus software. I then drew a line that would be sewn FIRST onto Stabil-stick. The line would give me the placement for my denim collar. Next, when my sewing machine prodded me with "Color Finished. Attach New Thread," I took that nudge to tell me to add new medium...sticky glue to hold the collar in place. I love playing tricks like this on my sewing machine. She doesn't know I am now inserting a totally challenging project. Then I dampened the stabilizer to stick the collar down. The important part here is...LET IT DRY COMPLETELY. While I was working on this project, a friend showed me a project she had stitched on Stabil-stick. The thread gummed up on the back. She was confused until I asked her if she had let it dry completely. This stuff is like glue and if you won't let it dry completely, that glue is going to force through and catch thread or bobbin thread or (perish the thought) get into the mechanisms of the sewing machine. I am sure the technicians wouldn't be wild about that.

At this point (dry stabilizer and solidly placed collar), my sewing machine doesn't know it is stitching through a 3-D piece. And my Bernina doesn't care that she is stitching through several layers of denim. I used a denim needle on my project which may seem obvious but I was concerned about the density. Had I had thread breaking, I might has switched to a top-stitch needle as it has a larger eye on the needle. I didn't have that issue.

I did find that I would have had a better result if I'd have used a cut-away in the Stabil-stick rather than a tear-away. I always seem to forget that denim has a fair amount of stretch to it and would get better results on more dense stitch-outs if I used the cut-away rather than tear-away. Also, after watching Ashley's presentation at Embroidery Secrets, I would like to try changing the stitch density on designs that I stitch out on denim or other heavier fabrics.

When our friends come to Embroidery Secrets, it is always GREAT learning for everyone. I am so incredibly amazed at how much improvement I have seen in peoples' stitch outs. If you come to (or want to come to) Embroidery Secrets, it is always free to attend and is held monthly on the first Tuesday of the month and the same session is repeated on Wednesday morning. While we use Bernina machines, the designs and the teaching we provide are good for all machine embroidery.

This next month we are starting our Embroidery Challenge of the month. Just stitch out something with the circles that Roxanne has digitized for everyone. While she introduced hers for quilting, there are so very many things you can do with circles...embellish denim, sew with bobbin work, create trapunto, twin-needle, shadow applique, texture layers... Then everyone who brings their design work to May's Embroidery Secrets will be eligible for a drawing for a $50 gift card. This isn't a contest. You just have to stitch them out and bring them to E-Secrets. If you want to participate, email Roxanne at roxanne@pineneedles.net. Be sure to tell her what format you need for your sewing machine and she will email it back to you.

Have a Happy Easter....Hope you get lots of happy eggs in your basket...jill

My Real Office

2009-04-07T11:25:00.001-07:00

For all of my work career, I have never had a real office of my own. I usually shared a closet we called an office with a couple of people or whatever space I could carve out for a card table and a file cabinet. When we planned our new space in the new store, I really dragged my feet on a place of my own. Fear that I wouldn't use it. Anxiety that it would become the great dumping grounds all stopped me. Finally, it was clear that the builders and my husband didn't understand the sense of my reluctance and they carved out a space for my office. I tried several times to give it away but now after a year of being in it, I am finally accustom to my own office. I am even slowly letting it become my place. Getting furniture took a long time. Putting files in the cabinets is definitely a work in progress. I get lonely sometimes and have to wander out. I am likely a more social creature than I think I am....as I would much prefer to be in the main office where I could be in the "happening place."

However, from my office, I get to talk to all of you. Keep up on the details in the world and work on plans for your sewing, for my vision for the store and meet with the Amazing Team Pine Needles as they push on to be inspired and to be inspiring.

Occasionally, I share the office with my pet and Therese's, Macy and Olive. They seem to think they own the world....even my desk!! They took to trying to send emails out via my computer. Dogs with attitude!

My office has grown on me and it looks more like me everyday....scary in a way. However, as with all of our pet spaces....they need to be a sanctuary for us to collect our thoughts and find our creative best. To that end, I am very grateful to my husband for keeping on me to embrace this office! He still thinks there needs to be a place for a recliner (augh) that he can take an afternoon nap. Recliner and my space just don't go together. So sometime I would imagine I will find him curled up on the floor with a quilt or two.

jill

Art Quilting

2009-04-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that my dream as a child was to move to Paris, live in a flat and create art...paint, draw...roam the streets. While other girls were writing out their name as "Mrs. Jane Smith", I was trying to figure out how I was going to muster up the resources to fly myself to Paris. Doesn't sound like most visions of a young girl, but I can tell you it was heady stuff for me. I am sure I emerged into this world dazed and amazed by the visions of the world around me. Yes, I can even find splendor in the texture of places that most people find distracting. Urban images are very powerful to me.

Recently, our family went to see RENT. I loved it. I squirm in my seat at the thought of the visual and auditory and emotional splash of it all. I am not a linear thinker. My life rarely has gone in a straight direction...more an emergence in multiple directions. So, I think something like RENT fits my brain well. I don't need to know the whole story when the show is done. Don't have a need to have everything resolved, neat or tidy. While I look like I am pretty predictable, those who know me well, know that I am definitely a Bohemian artist in my soul. Not that that should cause anyone to worry. I just want to make sure you understand my next rambling about a new explosion of vision at the store. I loved the texture and color that emerged on the stage, especially of the costuming. I was born to express myself in fabric and thread. It just took me a little longer to embrace that as my medium of choice.

Ashley and I are likely kindred spirits and we have long been talking about venturing more into art quilting. This isn't a linear path and we wanted to make sure we weren't leading people into thinking there were right and wrong answers. After a lot of dreaming and talking, we developed a series of classes that Ashley started presenting recently called Art Quilting 101, 201 and 301. These are classes that are journeys.

Of course, in my job, I must practice some semblance of order which means I get to pay the bills, order the products, keep staff on task and keep our communication with our visitors consistent and fairly reliable. Other than making sure that my shoes are in the right place in my closet, this is about the limit of the organization I can stand.

Then when I am tempted by a class such as I witnessed recently at the store, I just want to escape my little office and go play with the other people who are busy reaching inside their minds for inspiration and expression. We had some very brave and inspired people emerge from the store after our first segment of Art Quilting classes.

Trudy recently returned from a Carribean vacation. She selected fabrics for her vision that represented the sunset and the flora from photographs she brought back with her. This just made me happy to see the fabrics sprayed out on the ironing board. Actually, I think Trudy was so inspired that just selecting and playing with the fabrics was a delight to her. I think Trudy is moving along the ironing board with a hot set of dance steps as she is remembering the waves beating on the beachfront. Take us back with you, Trudy!

Kay was busy interpretting fields from an overhead view of the world. A true gardener and artist of floral and greenery, Kay leans towards landscapes of fields and their subtle but distinct shading. The look on her face speaks volumes.

Valerie joined our Art Quilting class recently and did her own version of an undulating horizon of taupes and grays. Valerie often refers to herself as a novice of sewing. Yet, she constantly dazzles us with her adventuresome spirit. Recently, she purchased camisoles from the intimate apparel department and made them into Cami-totes for her family members. Complete with lace and embellishments, these were stunning versions of art that combined her garment skills with quilted pieces she has been exploring in War of the Scraps. Truly and artist with a new kind of paintbrush.

Mary is always open for a new adventure. While she typically works in structured piecing and is incredibly skilled at taking the tiniest bits and pieces and meshing them together into powerful graphic interpretations, Mary embraced this exercise wholeheartedly and explored the variety of stitch options her machine offers. A close-up of Mary's work introduced this blog.

Thanks ever so much for sharing a bit of your journey with our readers. I hope this is just the beginning of your new journey and anticipate that each of you will have more to share with us as you continue your trek into your own imagination.

All the Best to You,
jill

Design Wall...AKA: Pool Table

2009-03-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

When we moved to our current home, there was a large room in the basement that screamed "Sewing Room" to me. Of course, it also was large enough to accomodate Henry's pool table and the air hockey table. After some wrangling where I tried to figure out what other rooms the pool table could go and live, I forfeited "some" space. Of course, the space I had calculated was a corner. However, the only real place for it to go was centered under the lamp/fan in the room. So the pool table moves over to encroach upon "my space." Henry feels a little bad about that and we agree to disagree on the space.

I have to give him a LOT of credit because he has been a great sport about this. Both the pool table and the air hockey table are more often covered with our sewing stuff. Even when we move the stuff off the table, no one growls that the table is sporting errant threads and remnants of our projects. They brush it off and play pool happily.

Now, the TV is on my side of the room and Henry's chairs are on the other side of the room. After years of farming, his hearing has changed a bit. So, I get to be in between him and the TV when we are in the basement together. I am thinking speakers behind HIS chair might be the solution here.

I think it is great that as we age, we decide which battles are worth a battle and which just have a different solution. My goal is that when we get to the nursing home we can still share a room...wonder if the pool table will be coming with us. I know the sewing machine will be there!

All the Best to you.....jill
p.s. I think a pool table makes a great backdrop for spools of thread. YLI Vineyard in the left pocket!

A Bad Day Sewing is Better Than...

2009-03-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Therese and I spent the day sewing, actually machine embroidering. We think we can document every mistake in the book from our work yesterday. What I loved about it was that neither of us got discouraged. We just kept saying, "Our customers are going to love knowing we did THAT." "...and THAT" "...and THAT".

The more notable lessons we learned are as follows:

1. When using an embroidery machine, be sure to tighten the embroidery hoop before running the machine. My Bernina 830 is reliable enough to have stitched out most of the design before it finally decided stitching a design that wasn't tightened was quite enough. Funny thing about this error is that I did this twice!! (See how I salvage this one at Embroidery Secrets.)

2. When one leaves the sewing room to go to lunch, consider that your machine might run out of bobbin thread. (Note this design has stopped...all that empty space to the left was supposed to be filled with stitching.) While this seems obvious to most sewers, many of us enjoy the privilege of having a bobbin sensor that stops the machine when the bobbin runs out of thread. However the key to that is to engage the sensor. That would mean that the sensor is located in the DOOR of the bobbin case. To properly engage a bobbin sensor, CLOSE the bobbin case door. Good thing I can walk my stitches backwards to catch up with my brilliance!

3. I have always taken great pride in my grammar and spelling abilities. Having had a grandmother who drilled me on spelling and some of the most rigorous English teachers, poor spelling is a bother to me. After a full stitch out, I proceeded to letter this flap of a handbag without a spell checker! My students in embroidery classes are going to feel so much better about their own sewing experience. Perhaps we should just say we are sewing these mistakes so that our customers can see how to NOT embroider.
4. When operating an embroidery machine, it is very easy to get engrossed in the stitching process. After having gotten our hair caught in a needle bar from getting too close or (my personal favorite) trying to clip jump stitches WHILE the machine is running (good thing we are married to sewing machine technicians), we know how far away to stay away from a performing embroidery machine. Plus, our new Bernina 830 rocks and rolls along so fast and beautifully that we have real respect for her. However, that is not to say that we remember to wind up all our threads properly and keep them away from bobbin winders and fly wheels. Yummy...thread wads! I think we will quit calling it "wasting thread" and start calling it "collecting textures for our art quilting endeavors." To that end, I
think we will start calling fabric cutting "errors" and sewing "boo-boos" by different names..."creative launches"..."opportunities for expression." Rather than see these as shortcomings, we can look at our sewing fiascos as windows of opportunity. Whatever the direction of our sewing journey, Therese and I know we can always count on our faithful pets, Macy and Olive to monitor every step along the way. While the "girls" don't yet sew, we trust they have enough respect to not drag off important parts of our newest ventures into textile collection. And if one of them chews up a sewing project, we could just needle felt it into wool, knowing that the chewing made it a more pliable fiber to be used in a new developing art form.
For those of you who want to know the rest of the story of these poor-fated embroidery experiences, know that Therese and I rescued every one of these sewing experiences and in many cases took our learning and will help our students avoid these mistakes. If we can't get you to avoid our pitfalls, we will surely teach you how to laugh at them and to take yourself a little less seriously. Make sure you check out the calendar at our store and register for the free events such as VIP and Embroidery Secrets.
We are presently getting ready for VIP over the next three days. At lunch Therese admitted that she had little to share that was "finished" and she felt bad about that. However, I reminded her that "finished" is a relative term when it comes to artists. Further, finishing something doesn't mean as much to an artist as "being in process." We are CERTAINLY in process and having a grand time on this journey.
Stay tuned for more antics from my sewing room!
All the Best to You, jill

Grow Some Inspiration!

2009-03-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

Whoa....thanks for commenting on my last blog! I didn't realize that I had readers. I thought this was my DEAR DIARY segment. But I also remembered that the real reason I write is because I love to write. I wanted to be a writer from when I was a little kid. I love the innovations in technology that have happened. I can be a writer without having to find a publisher.

This last week I got to experience what I tell my customer friends to experience. I bought myself a Bernina 830 machine. This was like the birthday present that I always wanted...and she is a dream. She makes me happy everytime I see her. I invited my daughter Therese over to play in my sewing room with me. I don't think most of us played enough as children. So, we all need more play days. I love getting older because I live with less obligation and more freedom and give myself permission to play.

My play-date comes over and she takes over my new toy, the Bernina 830. I think I pouted a bit. But, I tried to play nice by finding other things to sew on. I took out my embroidery software and lined up things to sew out...that would be playing with other toys while letting one's playmate play with the prize toy. I even went to my other sewing machine and sewed up some things that I keep nearby. That would be playing nice.

We used the redwork florals and used the Endless Embroidery feature to place several florals. Then we worked with random designs and stitched out the designs onto sateen fabrics for projects that Therese is working on for Embroidery Secrets. That machine stitched fast and clean and beautifully. The Jumbo Hoop is secure and easy to maneuver.

At any rate, I enjoyed the experience of watching Therese play with the 830 and learned so very much. We had a blast. Our puppies (Schnauzers, Macy and Olive) romped around the sewing room with joy. Chewing on scraps of fabric and chasing each other around is their sport. The best part was that we learned all over again how much we love this machine. Not only is embroidery phenomenal but this is a very sleek operating machine. The bobbin system is amazingly clean and strong. I sewed for many years on a Bernina 950, a home industrial and find the new Bernina 830 has a hook system much like my home industrial. Fabulous stitch performance and reliability. Plus, this one carries 40% more thread than standard bobbins.

Over the weekend I had a chance to sew on my new machine. I digitized the Two Hour Tulip Tote in software. I then enlarged the design to fit into the Jumbo Hoop. Talk about amazing. I imported stippling in the bag. I also filled it with lacework stitching. In the next couple days I am going to create some other bases with fill stitches from the Designer Plus software. I am excited to be presenting these topics at our coming Embroidery Secrets and VIP. We love presenting at these sessions because they give us a chance to share our inspiration.

Sewing can be viral because inspiration is so contagious. This is my medium....and writing is my voice. Thanks for joining me on the journey. Hope to see you in coming VIP and Embroidery Secrets.

Be Sew Inspired....jill

p.s. Always seek new ideas and inspiration....keep looking for the sparklers in your day. Be a visionary. There is so much to celebrate!

Techno-Anxiety

2009-02-15T07:01:00.001-08:00

Okay...I am just gonna say it. Either my posts are incredibly boring or my readers are terribly afraid to comment. Or perhaps...you don't really know how to post a comment to my blog. I suppose that might really make sense since the three of you who tell me you read my blog actually also tell me that you are terrified of your computer.

So, this one is for you...

There is no need to fear your computer because...it is likely under warranty. It also will not stalk you. Fear is incredibly paralyzing in this arena.

My precious husband HATES technology. He has figured out the DVD player and a master at VCR (even though that language is headed to extinction). But, he truly believes the computer is out to get him. I do understand his fear because I have had to listen to it the whole time I have been immersed in computer technology.

Was I born with this gene? Absolutely NOT. I am mathematically challenged...incredibly challenged. Since most computer core is mathematical, I knew early on that I was in disability zone for myself. The reason I am not afraid of computers is because I am incredibly humble about my ignorance. I will admit to anyone what I do not know.

I also am not terribly afraid of breaking the computer because I have always owned them myself and knew that if I broke it, I would pay to fix it. This sounds terribly simple but it is a learned behavior.

I do not give a persona to my computers. They are not out to get me. My computer does not send me a Viagra ad because it thinks I need spark in my love life. (My husband takes this very personally...howling at the computer "Who is sending that to me?!")

Fear stops us from thinking. My first computer that dumped my life out in no-man's land did it because I didn't appreciate the process of backing up my files. The anxiety of losing my files was so painful for me. However, I did not yell at the computer that it had intentionally gobbled up my files. Because by nature, I accept that I make a lot of mistakes, I tend to accept changes fairly well and am usually seeking out ways of upending protocols to improve. Next time you feel your blood pressure rise over your computer, stop and remind yourself that there is not a person inside that computer. The computer has no way of reading your emotions and deciding to irritate you. More important than that, READ THE MESSAGE on the screen of the computer and try your best to interpret it. Also, remember that if you push the wrong button, the computer will not explode...you will not suddenly turn to dust.

For sewers, I can explain this to you best in these terms. If you are sewing along and you see that your top thread is not connecting and making stitches, you check your bobbin. If you are sewing along and the machines makes a loud crack and no stitches are going in, you look at the needle, see that it is broken and you replace it. If you are having trouble figuring out why a loop forms on the back or front of the fabric and you have tried tension adjusting, you would then bring your machine in to our store to have the technician help you sort out the problem. These are all the same processes as one would use with a computer. Each of them have to do with NOT giving a persona to the sewing machine and deciding that it has taken on the personality traits of your former junior high enemy who is embodying your technology and coming back to haunt you. (Notice how you knew just what I was saying in that statement and felt the same anxiety!)

To be inspired to create, we each need to be free of self-doubt, anger and fear. I give you permission to face your computer or sewing machine or big project at work or worst problem at home and realize that it can only control you if you personify it and let it take you by the ear.

So, there's my pop-psychology on technology and creative inhibition. If you post a comment to this blog, you will not suddenly receive dozens of emails. You will just add your voice to the collective wisdom of blog-dom.

All the BEST to you, jill

p.s. The fabric show I am sharing with you is from the collection FLOWER SHOW from Benartex. The top one is my John Deere tractor combination. The next is my personal favorite that I like to call Vibrant and Vital. The last is my Sunrise collection.

The Bolt is Over

2009-02-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

Super Bolt Sale at the store is over...in essence. The soldiers of empty bolt boards haunted our office when we got in to work today. It was a good reminder of a lot of fun we had. There are some fabrics left in the back room. The staff and I went and perused the remainders. We were shocked at the very useable fabrics that are still waiting to go home with people. In fact, a couple of them started buying again for themselves. It is so interesting what discount fabric can inspire in people. However, when I say discount fabric, I really mean good fabric that is on sale.

When I first started quilting, I didn't have choices for fabric. I bought the fabric for my first quilt at a chain store and made a monster queen sized bed spread from a double Irish chain pattern called Quilt in a Day. (What a sense of humor!!). Nine years later, my daughter's friend had spilled nail polish on it before I even had finished hand quilting it. Yes, I was taught to hand quilt it in a frame. My kids would lay down for their naps and I would go in and sing songs to them while they dozed off and work on the borders of the quilt. Being a garment sewer, I used my new (then) favorite gadget....Threadfuse and attached the binding. I didn't have anyone to show me and thought that made sense.

I had actually started in the business of making quilted items for sale before I ever finished that quilt. As a garment sewer, I created this same way. Usually I started Easter dresses on Good Friday....often night. I am not condoning this. I used to make all the Christmas presents. Now...I have rules. I only make things I want to make and when I want to make them. I create because it makes me happy not because my sister wants a quilt for Christmas. In fact, if someone asks me for a quilt (which rarely anyone does---I have understanding and appreciative family and friends), I suggest that they cook for my family for at least a month and consider cleaning my house at least four times in a month as that would be about equal share for the energy I would put into a project-on-demand. As I have aged, I have now added a one hour massage once a week...by a professional. Suffice it to say most think I am kidding. I am not.

Create because you want to create....not because you have to! If you have to sew of obligation, set a timer, call it your job and be sure you reserve space for your better creative energies.

All the Best to you, jill

ps.....How does this inspire you? I love morning glories and this piece is really speaking to me. So, try a blog and give me your opinion. This is Benartex's new fabric line called Flower Show. The staff is teasing me about it, but it is metaphorically growing on all of us.