Excitement!

There is a lot of excitement at Karen Gray's shop where I teach classes. Her shop is featured in the new Quilt Sampler magazine. I got my copy when I went to teach this morning. I had her autograph the page with her photo. If you would like a chance to win an autographed issue you can go the Free Spirit blog to enter. They are giving 5 copies away. When you go to the blog take a close look at the photos. The last photo shows my towels and the quilt on the back of the left chair. Pretty neat!
Here are some towels that Paula has finished. The photo with the sewing machine has some stripe trim on the outer edges but it got cut off. The other ladies are still working on theirs and have promised to show them as soon as they are done.
With Passion,

Carrie P.

Wash Day!

Yep! wash day for my newest Hop To It block. This one was symetrical so I used some Roxanne glue to hold into place while I appliqued it which I want to wash out before I put the blocks together.
My facilitator, Kathleen, showed the group how to get a nice symmetrical shape. Take a piece of foam board and lay the pattern on top of it. I prepared my pieces using freezer paper underneath. I pinned all the pieces down onto the pattern with the foam board underneath except for the stem and the top part of the flower. Then I used Roxanne glue baste it and put little dots where the stem would lay. Then I added the stem and the flower top and let it dry real well before I unpinned it. Next, I glued all the pieces down to the background fabric and appliquéd away. Repeat 3 more times.

If you are new to applique or not, you should check out Teresa's tutorials for some applique techniques she uses. I learned something new and enjoyed seeing the process she uses. There are 3 posts so be sure to read from the beginning.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Class Photos

I taught a hand applique class this past Saturday at the Dragonfly Quilt Shop. The class is working on a quilt from Piece O' Cake Designs. The book is called The New Applique Sampler. The blocks shown here are what they worked on during the past month.

Here are blocks made by Debra...

and Flo...
and Patty, who is not quite finished.
I have another student but she was not able to make it to class. Well done ladies.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Easter Tidings!

Happy Easter to you all. I finished the top of Easter Tidings wall hanging. Remember seeing the bow here? Here is the whole thing. I am planning to hand quilt it. So maybe next Easter it will be ready to hang. The flowers are wool applique and the rest is cotton fabric. I am not sure if you can get this pattern anymore but it is by Verna Mosque for The Vintage Spool.

Rejoice for the Lord Jesus lives! Blessings to you this Easter!

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Kitchen Towels

Remember the kitchen tea towels I made a while back? You can see them here. I have been teaching classes on Wednesdays and one of the students finished two of her towels and brought them back to show the group.
I really like how Paula added the trim all the way around her towels.
Paula said the buttons were from her mom's sewing box. Don't they make a great addition to the towel? Great job Paula. Thanks for bringing them back so we could see your work.

With Passion,

Carrie P.