This is true.

'Nuff said.




via my friends Paula and Andy

24 hours later

Last night Sew On Studio hosted the Quilts for Quake survivors bee.
So much fun.
So many awesome quilters.
So many completed quilts.
So many treats to eat.
So many new friends.

These quilts are all done!


These just need binding!


This is Irene, who came to the QfQ event with these beautiful blocks.
Irene, who is 85 years young used to live in Japan.


Today, I swept the studio floor, reorganized a bit and and marveled at
all the quilty goodness! Then I sat down and created this block for the
upcoming PMQG swap.


All in 24 hours.

How do you get Denyse Schmidt fabric for 50% off?

By now most of Quiltdom knows that Denyse Schmidt's collection Fabric Traditions can be found at Joanns Fabrics. The fabric retails for about $10 per yard. Also at Joann's, you will find this booklet selling for $2.99.








On the back cover are 8 coupons that can be used on regular priced fabric. Four are for 50% off a cut and the others are for 40% off. My 8 yards of fabric came to $44.00 instead of $80.00. Total score!









In other news my birthday quilt is done.....I did have a challenge with it though....originally I had a wide red voile border on the lap size quilt. Unfortunately, the voile got stretched during the quilting process as I did not stabilize it. After quilting, it was too wavy...what to do, what to do?








I cut off the border and now have a sweet baby quilt! Here's a picture of the back. I am totally loving the voile. (note to self- stabilize the borders)

Dangling Threads

The truth is with most new endeavors, there is a steep learning curve. So much to learn, so little time! To speed up the process, I am attending the week long Machine Quilters Showcase in Overland Park, Kansas this May. I will probably be the least experienced quilter in attendance! This conference will provide me with important information and actual practice on long arm machines with accomplished teachers. Quilting tools and techniques, background fills, feathers, and line designs are all on the agenda. In preparation for this amazing opportunity, I decided to have business cards made. I figure, I am in the "business of learning"...hence the cards. I left a lot of room on the card so I can sew on each and every one! Check it out!







In other Sew On studio news, I pieced and finished 2 quilts.





A sweet baby quilt complete with swirly quilting and a yellow and gray nap size log cabin.





My friend and long arm guru, Rachel says to think about what your personal doodle is and incorporate that design into your free motion quilting. I must doodle a lot of
ocean waves and swirls because that's what comes out onto the quilt top. I have filled many journals and the back of every used envelope in the house with possible quilting designs.





There is not a paper surface insight without pencil quilting on it!





Swirls and ocean wave quilting.












Currently on the long arm, I have a multicolor courthouse steps pattern featuring Lush paint dots....I am determined to try something besides swirls. I hope to share it at the next Portland Modern Quilt Guild meeting.







My friend Kaci, made these three quilts out of solids using the amazing improv skills learned at her annual workshops with Nancy Crow at the big barn. Aren't they simply marvelous? They are hanging above the fabric storage area at the studio.





Upcoming events include:

Pics of Mendocino yardage being cut up into somewhat random strips.....gasp!

Dates of the Quilts for Japan sewing events at Sew On in April.....

Vintage sheet and vintage feed sack love.....

Stay tuned!

Whatcha'makin?

I spent today sewing with some silky, cotton voiles from Anna Marie Horner. I cut the fabrics into 5 inch strips and then recut into charm squares. I also cut charms of Essex linen blend.




The two fabrics were layered and then cut in wonky fashion to make each block. Part voile, part linen.


The resulting blocks were trimmed to 4 1/2 inches.


The blocks created this quilt.....ready for final sewing and borders.


I am calling it "Spiraling Into Control"

Location:Sew On Studio

It's All I have to Bring Today

Happy Valentine's Day from Sew On Studio
and one of my very favorite poets.


It's all I have to bring today --
This, and my heart beside --
This, and my heart, and all the fields --
And all the meadows wide --
Be sure you count -- should I forget
Some one the sum could tell --
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.

Emily Dickinson


I hope you have a LOVELY DAY of fabric, thread, sewing and quilting.

Location:Sew On Studio Portland OR

Warm Cookies and Milk

There are few things better than warm cookies and milk. Very few.

You are invited! Please come!

Sew On Studio Warming and Open House

Saturday, January 29
2 to 4 PM
6635 North Baltimore
Suite 263
Portland, Oregon 97203

Parking is free in the covered garage or in the lot on the street. The 2 story building is a bit of orangey goodness redone in 1960's architecture. It is located under the St. John's Bridge at the edge of Cathedral Park, and right across the street from the Moonstruck Chocolate factory building.

Please come to try out the Handiquilter Fusion long arm machine, visit with your quilter friends, see the transformation of a former ugly office space into a creative studio space. Husbands, partners and kids welcome.

And warm cookies and milk will be served! I hope you will come....it won't be a party without you.


Please call me 503 720 1753 or leave a message at the end of this blog post if you want more information.