Sunday, October 16, 2011

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!

Friday, August 26, 2011

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

Monday, August 15, 2011

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

Sunday, August 7, 2011

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

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

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

Monday, August 1, 2011

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.