One Piece at a Time

"Quilting for the Birds" gathering supplies

 

Before I launch into the preparations for “Quilting for the Birds” I want to introduce you to my friend Sue from EFTA and let her describe this organization to you.

Sue and I met and bonded back in 2008 when we took our kids and their high school orchestra to Europe. Luckily for the adults on this trip, all the kids were lovely so we (the adults) could wander around beautiful European cities, drink coffee and basically have a blast. We even had a tour bus to drive us from venue to venue, sort of like the Rolling Stones only nerdier (is that a word?). Since returning Sue and I and the other parents have all kept up with each other and it has been a huge blessing to me these past two years.

I had Sue write up a little description of EFTA for you because she is much better at those kinds of things. So here’s Sue:

“Environment for the Americas (EFTA) is a non-profit organization that works to increase awareness of birds and their conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere.  Through our programs, we provide the framework educators need to provide public programs, from presentations and bird walks to full-blown, multi-day festivals.  Our keystone project is International Migratory Bird Day, a celebration of bird migrations that takes place from Canada to South America.  If you haven't taken part in an IMBD event, there are a number of opportunities in Colorado in May 2010, including the Boulder Wild Bird store's bird walks at Walden Ponds, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory's event at Chautauqua, and the Front Range Birding Company's event in Denver.  Our annual art is one of the focal points of the event each year, and each piece represents a specific theme.  The birds are carefully chosen to represent this theme.  In 2010, we are celebrating The Power of Partnerships in Bird Conservation.  Each bird species in the 2010 art (by Robert Petty of Missoula, Montana) represents a species that has benefited from the efforts of creative partnerships formed for its protection.  Visit our website at www.birdday.org to learn more, and thanks for following Erin's bird quilt tutorials!”

So today I went in search of fabrics and supplies to begin “Quilting for the Birds”. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this but I’m not a big batik collector. I love them but I find them hard to appliqué by hand. I do really like them for projects like this however. Anyway here’s what I’m starting with.

Here is a book  by Ann Fahl I’ve found helpful as well.

My first bird will be the Burrowing Owl. I’m going to teach Sue to do this as well and she’s going to do the Wood Thrush. I just love that owl. It must be something about the full on stare. It kind of reminds me of the portraits I like to take when working with my camera.

I’ve even turned a few of my portraits into quilts. My kids hated them. Around here they are affectionately referred to as the “Creepy Face Quilts”

 

I'm glad I’ve moved on to birds. They don’t roll their eyes and talk back.

Come to think of it, those quilts are a little creepy…I like my flowers better…off to get Florabunda Block 3 ready.

And the winner is

Digna who wrote:

"During our holidays in England, I usually spend a few days sitting stitching in the backseat of our car in the carpark, while my DH enjoys himself for hours at modeltrainshows. Is that weird enough for you? On the other hand: my DH follows me to the quiltshows (and spends his day sitting in a corner reading his magazines and taking care of my purchases...). So we are both happy!

I love your block carrier, by the way .(I ususally put my blocks in an empty (yes, of course, clean) pizzabox)."

Hi Digna, CONGRATULATIONS, your e-mail is on the way.

OK…All I can say is…WOW

About five years ago I was lucky enough to go to Houston for the International Quilt Festival because one of my quilts (Sri Yantra) was in the contest. What an experience. It’s sort of like Woodstock for quilters. I was in heaven. I could talk about quilting all day, look at quilts and shop for quilt stuff and not one person rolled their eyes at me because the only people I was talking to were quilters. While I was there I took a class from Karen Kay Buckley on, you guessed it, appliqué. If you ever have a chance to do this all I can say is GO FOR IT.

However, I realize that in today’s current economic climate this is not possible so here is an EXCELLENT alternative. Karen has produced this really wonderful DVD where she goes into great detail about her appliqué process, both hand and machine. It’s sort like my mini tutorials only better and in video. And she does each chapter with one of her lovely quilts hanging behind her so you will be completely inspired. I can’t recommend this enough. There is a reason why she’s been named Teacher of the Year. If you’re interested you can order the DVD here. I also have a link to her website in my sidebar. She is a great source for all appliqué supplies.

For Us “Sew-On-The-Go” Ladies

I was getting tired of putting my Florabunda blocks in baggies whenever I needed to take them somewhere so I designed this handy Block Carrier for them. They are so much happier now.

It’s perfect for blocks up to 14 inches. There are some handy pockets for storing supplies and it fits nicely into my sewing tote.

To celebrate the “launch” of this new pattern I’m giving away a free copy to one lucky blog reader. Just leave a comment telling us the weirdest place you have ever been caught sewing. I will pick a winner at random on Tuesday.

List of Blogging Blog Readers

Hello Blogging Blog Readers

I added all y'all (that's plural for y'all) to my list of Blogs I Read. If I left anyone out or anyone wants to be in let me know.

AND I must say...you are a talented and inspiring group.

I Guess I'm Into Funky Dance Videos

Taking a break from photoshop and pattern writting to give you this. I don't think I could have ever got my husband to do this but it makes me smile to watch it.

 

 

Quilting for the Birds

Back in my student days (which went on forever it seemed) I saw this PBS special about an artist who painted birds. He had this gorgeous studio surrounded by woods with beautiful natural light coming from multiple windows. I was enchanted. At the time I was spending 12 hours a day in a windowless basement lab where everything went wrong more often than not. I remember thinking to myself, that’s what I want to do, be an artist who painted birds. The only problem was, I couldn’t paint. I also knew nothing about birds. Luckily the University I was at had an ornithology lab so I did learn a few things about birds while I was there. I’m still working on the artist part…minus the painting …which I still can’t do.

So the other day I was having breakfast with my friend Sue (more about her later) who runs EFTA (more about this later) when she told me that her current poster for her organization was designed to look like a quilt. I don’t know how exactly it came up but the idea is; why not make it into a quilt that can be raffled to raise money. Well, let me tell you, my little brain started working over time. Maybe I can’t paint with paint but I CAN paint with thread and fabric. And I know other people who can too.

To make a long story short; some other quilters and I are working on turning this gorgeous poster into a quilt that can be raffled to raise money for EFTA. So, in addition to tutorials for Florabunda I’m going to do a few on this process as well. If you know anyone who is interested in thread painting and nature quilts send them my way.

Other News: I’m going to work on getting the blogroll up over the weekend. Thanks for sending my your blogs. I’m so impressed.

It Makes Me Happy

I posted this video back in the day when nobody but my family read this blog. It still makes me happy and I thought I would share it with you again. Watch for a charitable quilt project announcement tomorrow. Now, back to orchestra carpooling. Thank God the concert is on Friday and our lives can return to crazy normal instead of CRAZY.

Telling Your Stories

One of the things that my kids and family really love in life is hearing their stories and family stories from when my husband and I were kids. There is just something so universal about stories. It makes us feel part of a larger picture and gives us a connection. I have been trying over the years to write some of these down. My favorite stories often have to do with the funny things kids say. I like these because they are easy to document and usually funny. Here is an example of two I’ve recorded this last week.

The journaling reads

“Last Christmas I was talking with my niece Nora. I made a comment about how we have a girl with every flavor hair. One chocolate, one vanilla and one strawberry. She thought about it and then informed me that I had Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough colored hair. Sure beats grey!”

The journaling reads

“When Max was in afternoon Kindergarten once a week he had a friend over to play. I would feed them lunch and take them to school. I overheard this conversation once after I had served lunch and my son started eating.

Friend: Max, aren’t you going to wait for your mom to sit down.

Max: Oh no, my mom doesn’t eat at the table. She eats standing in the kitchen.”

The great part about doing this was that I did it all with my computer and it took 10 minutes. If you want to learn how to do this check out Jessica Sprague’s website. She has some amazing online classes. Truly, everything I have learned about Photoshop I have learned here.

Now back to work on my latest pattern. Here’s a preview.

This pattern will be up in the shop sometime in the next week. It’s a block carrier. Perfect for carting your Florabunda blocks to all your daily activities…like orchestra rehearsals…which I have several of this week. Go Hannah.

By the way, the digital papers are by Heather Roselli and the template is by Janet Phillips. All available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Handy Dandy Sewing Light

Here is my find of the year for failing eyes. I ordered this sewing light from Karen Kay Buckley last week and it is GREAT. It’s very comfortable to wear for long stretches and gives great light. Go get yourself one right away. Your eyes will thank you.

Now for a funny absurdity to do with the packaging: I was looking at the side of the box when I noticed this.

Don’t see it? Well look here.

Yep, that’s right, one of the uses listed is PARENTING.

Now I don’t know about you guys but if any of my kids ever saw me looking like this

They might need to be hospitalized.