A Fun Quilt Sample For An Upcoming Class

Yesterday in class, two of my students requested that I teach the "Arcadia" quilt pattern. I came home and started looking in my stash to start the quilt sample. I came across this adorable turtle fabric that I bought a few months ago to make my youngest daughter something...a quilt or a skirt. For those of you who know my daughter, know that she loves turtles.

I am making a twin size quilt for her bed. Here is a sneak-peak of the quilt... the first completed block



















I will post photos of the entire quilt when it is finished.
thanks for stopping by,
karen

How Does A Working Mom Get It All Done?

This is a question that I have found myself saying often. It has been since August that I have blogged. It certainly isn't because I have worked on any projects but because since school started the beginning of September for my daughters, I haven't found or made the time to sit and write. I have had the priveledge of teaching a few quilting classes this past month. We are trying to get classes going at the Bunney-Hutch. I had two students in a Sit and Sew class yesterday. One of which has been in 2 of my other classes. She was struggling with getting her blocks to match up in her snowball and nine-patch quilt. After checking out her blocks, we realized that if she sewed with a 3/8" seam allowance instead of a 1/4" seam allowance all of her points of her snowball blocks would be perfect and she would have the stars that she was aiming for. I know what some of you are thinking. You are appauled that I would have her sew with anything other than a 1/4" or a scant 1/4". My theory when quilting and teaching is that you have to do what works for you. She was absolutely excited that she could finally get her blocks to work. I also had a new student who wanted to learn how to free-motion quilt. She had never tried it yet had read extensively about it. She was afraid she was going to break her machine. It didn't take long to convince her that she wouldn't break her machine. She did a fantastic job and loved the start of a free-motion journey. One of the privledges of my job is that I get to meet many wonderful ladies. I have two ladies who have told me that they will take whatever class I teach. As a teacher, that is a hugh compliment. What a great job!

Bead Show Experience

With four young ladies (my daughters and the girls that I am a nanny for)we ventered to the bead and gem show in Costa Mesa. Other than the extreme heat and humidity we had a fun and entertaining time. I'm not sure how many vendors were there but they filled two huge buildings and poured outside.The beautiful strands of beads and stone lined the tables. There were siver and gold beads and charms and findings and more. It was a beaders paradise. I purchased some stones and beads and findings. Now to get home and create and let the creativity flow. On Monday, my girlies will make a necklace; two of which will be their first time.
happy crafting,
karen

Where does your inspiration come from?

Where does your inspiration come from? I can be inspired at any moment any where I am. Being a city girl I absolutely love getting out into nature. I always have. Part of my heart longs to move away from the crazy city life but part of my heart (a little bigger part) likes being just where I am; with family. Being out in nature today gives me the time to relax, play and absorb inspiration. So, I shall see what new creations will be inspired by my adventure.


happy crafting,

karen

I've Created Another Quilting Addict

I taught another class at the Bunney-Hutch yesterday. I had one student in the class. Hopefully they will start picking up and having more. I did enjoy my day yesterday. The lady that came to the class had never quilted or sewn anything by machine. She had done a little hand-sewing though. So, she decided that she wanted to learn how to quilt. She went out and bought a new machine and many of the supplies needed for quilting. She came to the class without any fabric or pattern. So with this in mind, I helped her pick out a pattern and fabric and started teaching her about quilting. From 10:00 until 5:15 she worked hard and finished an entire quilt top including the borders! I am one proud teacher. I scheduled an extra class this coming Friday so that she can learn how to sandwhich her quilt and quilt it. I successfully created another "quilting addict". lol

happy quilting,
karen

Another Quilt I'm Teaching

I finished my Nine-Patch and Snowball Quilt today. I had fun with this quilt. I will be teaching this quilt at The Bunney-Hutch this month. Megan is holding my quilt over a balcony for me. I had to keep her little face in the photo because she's so cute. (proud Mommy)

thanks for viewing. I hope that you enjoyed -karen

Kid's Class I Taught Today

I taught a fun class today at the Bunney Hutch Quilt and Sew. It was a class for kids where they learned how to make a pillowcase. I had three kids in the class, two of which were mine. The other girl was a 13 year old who is learning how to sew. She really enjoyed it and was very proud of her pillow! (As she should be)  The pillow on the left is Lucy's, the center one is the young lady in my class, and the one on the right is Megan's. The four of us really enjoyed the class.

Three Amy Bradley Pillows Completed

So, here are the finished pillows! If you didn't see the fabric, you can check out my last post for the fabrics and pattern. These pillows were fun to make. They are for Crafter's Vision. I am fortunate to be able to make samples for them. I am getting paid to sew....sweet!
So, I have a question for you all. Which is your favorite pillow and why?

thanks for reading and voting,
karen




P.S. To comment, just click on the word comments below or in the comment box, depending on which one is showing

What Was On My Door Step?

Yesterday I told you that I came home to something exciting on my door step. It was my first package from Crafter's Vision. I felt like a little girl getting a present in the mail. I was excited to see what my first group of samples were going to be. I am going to make three pillows from amy butler's "must have pillows" pattern.

There are three groups of fabric and the pattern below. Which is your favorite group of fabric?

I'll post a photo when I finish the fun pillows.

thanks for reading and voting,

karen waterbury

Preparing For Teaching Another Class

I have been working on making samples for quilt classes to teach. I finished another quilt top. Now I need to quilt it so I can hang it up in the shop and advertise the class. This pattern is called "Yellow Brick Road" and is a great beginning quilting class. It looks harder than it really is. I picked out all of these fabrics, which are Batiks, and kits are available at The Bunney-Hutch.

Check back tomorrow for an exciting post! I'll show you what I found on the stoop by my front door today.

thanks for reading,

karen

Another Job Opportunity...

For those of you who have been reading my blog, you know that I love beading and designing jewlery. I know I come by this love naturally being that my Dad loved to make cast jewelry. Two of the amazing pieces that he made for my awesome hubby and me are our beautiful wedding bands. I miss him so much and wish that he could see what I've been making.

Well, I also love quilting! I love to make quilts and design patterns! I was contacted by the owner of craftersvision.com and asked if she could hire me to make samples for her and her website. I am so excited about this adventure! I will post photos as I start to make products for her. She had asked me to send some photos of quilts that I've done. I will post one of my favorite quilts here. I designed this I Love Lucy quilt for a quilt contest. (I received 2nd place in the professional category. I was very pleased!)"With The Invention of Black &White Came Lucy"

thanks for reading,

karen waterbury

I've Created A New Scrabble Tile Bracelet Design

For those of you who wonder what a scrabble tile has to do with jewelry making, you've come to the right place. One of the new things in jewelry making is using recycled scrabble tiles. Anything recycled is "in" now... join the "Green Movement".Ok, so I have been working on ideas to take the scrabble tile pendant to the next level. I think I've done it with my new bracelet designs.

How is a scrabble tile turned into a pendant, you ask? I decoupage the tile with fun designs and then mix an epoxy resin and pour it onto the image. Once it's dried, I drill tiny holes on the side and insert fancy jewelry screw eyes. They are not ordinary screw eyes. This bracelet has Czech glass beads and silver beads. I am making more that I will put on my etsy site to sell. I "test-drive" all of my jewelry designs to make sure the jewelry will stand up to daily use. This is my bracelet that I've worn for a week. I'll let you know when they are up on my etsy site.

thanks for reading,
karen

Check out what I found in San Diego?

It's a jewelry makers paradise! What is that you may ask? Well, I found a bead shop in San Diego called South Sun Beads. So, I walk in and stand in amazement. Why? It is hugh! There are many sizes and shapes of every color bead and type of bead that you could imagine. I had so much fun looking at it all. My husband is a great sport who took me and wandered all though the store with me. I bought some great beads that I have already started my jewelry with.

Thanks for reading!!

love, karen

My First Sale On ETSY

I am so excited! I made my first sale on etsy this week. I sold a bracelet. Thanks Barbara!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kwdesigns2

Back Teaching at "The Hutch"

Today was my first class at The Bunney-Hutch Quilt and Sew. (I actually taught a few classes there a couple years ago) I am their new teacher. They had to let their other teacher go and I was called and asked if I would be interested in being their teacher.
It is really good being back teaching quilting. I am in the process of making new classes and scheduling them. It's great being paid to do something that you love to do. The Lord is good!

A New Job for me!

Last week I received a call from the owner of The Bunney-Hutch Quilt and Sew and was offered a job. I taught some classes there a couple years ago and the owners really liked me and my work. They were in need of a teacher because thier previous one no longer is teaching there. I am their new Quilting Instructor! I am really excited to be back in the quilting world.

Welcome to the blog of karen waterbury designs!

I have been designing and creating jewelry for many years but recently decided to start a small business selling my jewelry creations. I created traditional beaded and metal jewlery and unique, one-of-a-king photo pendants. With a photo of your children, grandchildren, pets or anything I can create a personalized piece of jewelry. This is a fun and unique way of being able to show off your children or your favorite vacation spot. You may be saying "I want one of these". Well, you're in luck. All you need to do in contact me and then send me a photo.
Thanks for checking out my new blog.
karen