2nd Avenue Studio

Hello Goodbye and No Apologies

2012-02-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Look at my new Machine/Eye Candy/ Decor - Im gonna clean it and put it on a shelf. I took this photo as an idea for a new header. Its a cutie, it works and it was 12.99... Thank You Bargainia - She is the Goddess of the good deal and I will be burning incense lit with the flame from expired coupons to her later.

An Era is over, we are now no longer sewing at the Mandatory Hotel. Our leader ( the headless lady in the center) gave our last 20+ quilts to Sunrise Church and their warming station.

Inspiration!

Inspiration: where does it come from? Well here are 2 photos of mine. A Ben Sherman Shirt I have in my stash ( I got it from the bins) and this screen capture from SNL. I'll be working on a simple Sketch of an idea for later - Im gonna practice quilt it.

Here's another quilt top I made with parts from this quilt. Sorry the pic is lousy..

the centers are all hand appliqued - I just love how a bit of quality handwork makes a project so much better...
Quilters Rock!

OK there has been more of the same old drama going on... the Queen Bees and WannaBees are hard at work trying to give the gift of Self Doubt, and exploit your sense of social shame. Don't let them do it..
Stay strong! Reach out to folks to have your back and want to celebrate your creativity and uniqueness.
below is my remarks, about my experience, yes they are harsh but so was the experience .. it sucked to have my feelings hurt and be treated as though I needed to explain myself and my artistic process.

Normally I don't respond to this crap but the professional consensus is that this is the correct approach.
So read no further unless your interested:

This is what I posted to someone who had experienced this persons cruelty. I stand by my remarks and I wrote that this was my experience. If its not yours, great. Women get bullied in a different style than men, much more passive aggressive. I wanted the woman who was now a target of this kind of Social, Relational Aggression (as I had been) to know she wasn't alone.
You're not to blame, time to move on. Support Sister; Ignore the Bitch!
******
"Hi- I know the person who did this to you in real life. I sure wish you wouldn't blame The *** and direct your anger at the person.
My experience with the person is that she is cruel, unkind and goes out of her way to put people down. She made my friend cry. SHe has pulled me aside at nearly every event and said some unkind thing like
"dont you EVER finish anything?" "well, your not really Modern at all" {edit: I now avoid her: problem solved}
She actually snapped her fingers in my face,screamed "Give it to me, give it to me, right now!" and snatched an object out of my hands. ( I was with another lady we were tutoring someone on the Ipad, this was not done to me alone)
I volunteered at a quilt show, she walked right up to me in public and in a loud rude voice " What do you think you are doing?"

I have had to stop talking to her, stop following at any level. She can be very nice and friendly to people she perceives as her equals/betters(altho she talks behind their backs with the same cruelty/pettiness she says to our faces). But its been my experience that she goes out of her way to be mean to SOME people.
I looked at your blog a bit and like me, your an Artist who quilts. like the lady who cried: also an Artist. Hmm I see a pattern here..
Im following you now.. and I'll check out your facebook page...
Anybody she has been cruel to must be a creative genius with a heart of gold ... :) just like me:)"
*

Am I Done Yet?

2012-01-31T02:53:00.001-08:00

photo.JPG, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

I've been working on a project for forever and it finally feels like I am getting close to finished...
but I ran out of cute disks...
So, I made a few more...
Eye Candy.
Next will come the quilting and the binding. Its a keeper for sure. I'm really excited.
So many things happening. Quilts in the works, getting ready to teach Quilting, and I had a sweet email conversation with a woman (a famous woman) who I credit with teaching me to quilt.
When I was young, people would come over to my grandmothers house, look at her Art and Accomplishments, get a look on their face and sort of whisper "What an Artist".
Today I watched a woman who I had never met, reach her hand out, stroke my quilt, run her hand across a texture I had created, Joy scampered across her face and she whispered "Oh My ".
Of course, I have low self esteem. I felt so embarrassed and maybe even ashamed. It wasn't until hours later that I realized what happened. Sure, I feel some Pride, but I also feel Connection. Not only, to the woman who can see the piece of me I put in that quilt, but to my Grandmother.
I'm really grateful.
Quilters Rock!

Another First

2012-01-24T00:01:00.001-08:00

Its Chinese New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976) these are usually great years for me ( I'm a Wood Snake ) and I tend to get along with Dragons and Monkeys really well. So I am super excited for the new year and the new babies coming - because they're my peeps!

I've been spending some time with the new quilting frame at Modern Domestic. They have a Bernina 820 on the carriage and a 10 foot wide frame for Long Arm style quilting.

I finished a small quilt made from Vintage Bed Linens. It was great to make friends with the machine, try a bunch of different threads, do some practice and then load and finish a project. I've been quilting on Long Arms and my own HQ16 mid arm for 6+ years. For the last 5 years I have had my own HQ16 in my home studio.

Cherri and I will be teaching classes and clearing folks who wish to rent the machine to finish their projects. I'm thrilled to be working with Cherri again and thrilled to be sharing my knowledge and love of Frame Quilting. So watch for announcements from Modern Domestic - classes will be on their calendar soon.

In more personal news: this is what I'm working on at home on my HandiQuilter. More Awesome Blossoms with wonky stars.
I start back at the Jail now that the holidays are over. With out my pal Sue. I'm not sure how much longer I will continue without her, but I know I'll be part time because of the requirements of Mother and et all... I've really missed the ladies that make up the team who volunteer and teach. I've been so lucky to have worked with such expert master quilters.

Its Review season at the old work place. My husband provides 360 feedback on others and writes the majority of his own Review... I earn my keep by riding him mercilessly till its done... nag nag nag, that's me. Cooking, begging, time keeping, and demanding updates... Part of me really hates me this time of year, part of me kinda likes having "meetings" about how the "work" is going. its fun. Right now he is running a few days behind schedule... Looks like I'm gonna have to lay down the law :)

Quilters Rock!

Rachel

How I manage my Blond Fundus- an update

2012-01-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

5 years ago when we moved into our house I started getting headaches. I'd be in bed 2-3 days at a time. Oh the agony! It was horrible.

We had moved to the far west of county and I was frequently driving home in the afternoons. Along Sunset Highway US26. I just knew it was cancer. Or blindness. So off to the Doctor I go. My old Eye Doctor had sold her practice and I had new Eye Doctor. I explained my headaches and fears and told him that I had been told I was sensitive to light ( I didn't know why) by another Doctor.
He took one look and said "wow, thats neat. That is the Blondest Fundus I have ever seen." He went on to explain all about the fundus and pigment.

He talked me into ordering sunglasses and I thought "What an ass! Doesn't he know I have cancer?"
2 weeks after getting the sunglasses my mood starting improving. 2 months after getting my sunglasses, I left them at home and drove home in the afternoon straight at the sun and knew I was headed for a headache. I took IB before it really blew up, put my sunnies on indoors and waited to see if I nipped it in the bud. I greatly reduced the headache. Next day I was fine. Hallelujah!
I thought I was fixed, perfecto. Im cured! This Doctor is a miracle worker! When I took my mother in for her annual check up, I shook his hand and thanked him for changing my life.
I was still getting lots of light leakage from the sides, our light bulbs had all been switched out and I still checked out the lights when I entered a room.
Then I went for my annual check up. Eye Fashion had changed and big glasses are in. And Transitions Xtra has been released. Lets call it "TX". TX gets a little dark in the car so I don't have to switch to sunnies, gets darker outside and cuts the glare of indoor light. I ordered a pair of big Roy Orbison RayBans with TX. I also ordered a pair of Marma Photochromic sunnies with TX in Pink. Pink lenses are soothing to the eyes and feel like a walk in the shadey woods. I often wear them at night while driving to cut the glare of headlights.
I wear sunglasses at night. Indoors. I carry extra glasses. Coming out of a building into the light, I now pull to the side, let my glasses/eyes adjust before I proceed. All of our rooms have a low light option that I can use at night.
When in restaurants I sit with my back to cars in the lot as the light bouncing off chrome and windows tends to make me believe the people I'm with are idiots. I never knew the incredible amount of stress lights were putting me under. Never knowing I had this problem or what it meant to my stress levels, I can look back at my life and see situation after situation where it played a negative role in my interactions with people.
Im not sure I'd call it fixed but its totally managable.

First Finish

2012-01-10T14:44:00.001-08:00

first finish, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.
A few months ago a "friend" commented that I don't finish much. When I went to make my "2011 Mosiac" on flickr I realized that I don't photo all my quilt or document them. I'll be doing much better this year.
This is a tester/maquette quilt (it will be going to charity) A study for the quilt I'd like to make based on this one. This is a Equilateral Triangle and I love it. Here's a hint though... Don't use directional fabric.
Oh the agony! For every triangle there was another triangle with the words point side down - lesson learned. But oh, I love that "Annie's Seed Catalogue' fabric!
Glad I learned this on a small baby sized rather than figuring it out half way thru a Queen. Can I get an "Amen" on that sister?
The nice thing about a small maquette is that I can practice a skill(bias seams), test color ideas (red/blue) fabric seletion ( I love KJR but "wow!" it reads green)
I'll let her borrow it for the upcoming template... She's going to use my quilt as a shop sample. oooh the flattery.
My PMQG gal pal Jill over at tabslot made me a great template to use. She has made me all kinds of custom stuff (paper circles, hexes, and circle templates) and she does templates for really famous quilters ... I'm thrilled that she is local. When I buy a pattern and I can figure out a way to use a template instead of paper I ask for the template I need.
I kinda don't have the heart to tell her I need one that's thinner.. a 45 instead of a 60.. oh well, seriously, I'm an idiot!
I'll be using it for another Hex quilt so the template is still a keeper... :)

Here is what I'm doing with the leftovers:

Making baskets .. ..
well, there you have it! My first finish and a finish to come.
Quilters Rock!

Reflections and Predictions- my 2 cents

2011-12-29T03:33:00.000-08:00

I'll be answering the questions from my perspective as a quilter rather than a garmet sewer.

Looking back at the 2011 sewing scene, what trends stand out in your mind?

Gray every where and I was thrilled about it. I really hated that harsh hard white.

Hand applique - or is that just me?

lots of Mid Mod design everywhere.

in the last couple months Im obsessed with single block quilts - or non pieced blocks ie. triangles, tumblers, etc.

What were some of your favorite things related to sewing this past year?
For me it was Friends Fabric and Fun :)
Other than Kona solids ... I love RJR brand, Northcott , some of the Bellas ..Im happy to see them in stores and being used...

What did you make that you’re most proud of?

This project and learning this blossom pattern and learning it well enough to quilt it out. I can feel my confidence building as a quilter. I'm becoming more comfortable with my skills and exploring ways to use it to express my creativity. I feel like I have a more of voice.

What sewn projects have you seen this year that you absolutely love?
That School house Tunic! Made me want to sew a garment... :D not very likely but made me want to.

Do you have a favorite sewing book or pattern from the past year to recommend?
Susan Beal's Modern Log Cabin. I just loved that book! I generally don't buy books or use patterns but it was a great book and got me making a log cabin.. or two. I love that she included History and paid respect to the ladies before us.

Are there any trends you’re over and done with?

Aqua... I have so much of it in my stash its unlikely I'll ever be with out in my quilts though. I really need to make my Red/Aqua quilt before that goes out completly ..

the zigzag quilt or 2 rail fence- yawn

coin quilt- double yawn

Kona kona kona... there are other brands of solids and some of them ROCK!

What are your thoughts about social media? How is it going for you? What do you love or hate?

I love that its social and fun.. I love all the great charity hookups and ways to help folks who need it.

I love Flickr still... wonderful! twitter..rocks! facebook..Hi Friends!

im not on pintrest... seems like one more thing... Im full.

I love store blogs.. tell me what you have, when it comes in, if I can preorder..very helpful...

I hate that monetized blogs who get stuff for free and then push it, get this iron, get this fabric ... but don't say that it was a free item and that they are being paid to review... my hackles are kinda up on that... If I read too often " go this store" 'buy this product" "I only use this brand" I am actively unfollowing...

Did you have a favorite fabric collection or print in 2011?

Paris Apartment gray stripe..

A lot of Betty Dear by Robert Kaufman made me swoon...

Echo- I want to lick Jansdotter!

What do you predict for 2012 in the sewing industry?

Now that I have a great stash I'll be buying less fabric

With 1 in 4 children food insecure I think there will be more charity quilting...

Im going crazy for neutrals, moda wovens and shirtings...

I higher focus on quality..

Can you tell us what to expect from you in 2012? Any big projects or life-changing goals?

Im taking a more active role in caring for an elder but I expect to be doing lots more charity quilting and quilting for my friends...

I've kinda cleared my schedule so Im gonna be having some fun...im excited...

I have some great quilt projects in the works.. I cant wait.

I'll changing the focus of my blog to more local charity work/quilting. With 50% of this country lowincome/poverty I feel very called to this mission. My life is so blessed I feel obligated to help.

Quilters Rock!

Xmas at the Guild

2011-12-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

I picked the largest bag of fabric I saw out of the gift exchange bag. Then I checked the name to make sure it wasn't one of the Queen Bees or Wannabees (every group has a couple) in our Guild. It contained a MoMo HoneyBun solids and a great piece of a Feed Sack reprint. I loved the idea of using an old print with moderns.
Turns out it was my pal Kim, I wouldn't say that we are super close but I know her and she always so nice to everybody. I tried to hide her bag from her so she wouldn't know I had it. I didn't think I had time to do what I did last year and I didn't want her to have expectations.

I looked on Flickr and saw that she had favorited a technique called Strip Race (see more about it here and here)
What ever I did, I wanted it to be fast, easy and simple. We had 2 months to make our gift but with the Habitat Quilts and family obligations I hadn't started till about a week before it was due.
While my husband was gone to the gym I produced the top... Yes it was that fast! no joke! petal to the metal! balls out sewing! bam! I read that it only takes 90 minutes and its true.. it does.
This border treatment is one that I have used on my Jackson School quilt and I've been drawing it for years and years... so it was super simple and fast as well ..
Next came the quilting:
I'd been doing this on a previous quilt Here so I had lots of practice and it goes so fast. Its basically "S" quilting. The quilt is pretty small at 50 x 60, a size that is very similar to Passage Quilts and I've had lots of practice.
Took a couple hours total over a couple of days.

I call this Awesome Blossoms- Mostly, because when I first started making them I would stop and marvel at my genius and whisper "oh wow, that is so awesome". I freehand quilt and wanted flowers that spoke to the old quilting patterns but were more free and organic. I view my quilting as sculpture, something that changes with use, and also as an expression of my femininity and of the connection I feel to women past and present.
A lot of my work shares its vocabulary with nature, being non symmetrical, using natural images rather than a grid based motif system.

See the whole set over at flickr ... and the Habitat quilts too

Next came the Label. As Treasurer/Membership of the Guild this/last year my duties included sending out the new cards and I asked for a stamp for the envelopes. I inked it with Fabric Ink and used it with my usual stamps... I think it turned out great.

All in all, it took only about 6 -8 hours which I'm sure was pretty average.
Late in the evening before we all went home I finally managed a snap.

Heres Kim with her Xmas Swap Gift. I hope she will enjoy it as much I did making it..
Quilters Rock!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

2011-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

The way I read it I'm supposed to have 8 winners.... I picked 11 so I have a few in the wings, in case I need them...
Okay so its been a process... I had to re reread my instructions, make sure at least one was international.

In my case, I used the randomizer to get a list of numbers and then I hand counted..
I reread my instructions and I decided to have 1US and 1International winner and then a runner up because I thought it read like international couldn't win only be runner up.

The 2nd number I got was international so she will get the same 1st prize as our First prize winner and they are:
Amber Noel & NotYetTheDodo is my international winner.

The Non barbell winner is:
amelieandatticus

The 2 Munki Charm/F8th winners are :
Caitlin From LethargicLass
Jenny fromKrousegirl

The 3 Fat Eighth winners are:
Sharon from a prairie sunrise
Sarah from coincidentallyiamquilting
Kate S. from Needle and Spatula

whew! Im tired! Ill be mailing the winners later late late tonight... right now Im going to Chicken Dinner! :)
Quilters Rock!
Rachel

GIVE AWAY! day is Here!

2011-12-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Give away day is here .. I'm giving Flea Market Fancy Barbells. FQs of yellow, red, brown, pink BUT a F8th of blue.
This fabric line is being reprinted, I'm celebrating! I don't have a shop but I'm sure you'll find some later this spring, the barbells won't be being reprinted. Im sure Sew mama sew will carry it and somebody is taking 10$ preorders. ( Ill put the link in after I track it down)

How do you win?
Leave a comment before Dec 16 5pm PST (make sure I have your email addy)
Tell me which Denyse Schmidt Fabric, or any OOP fabric for that matter, you're looking for. If I have it, and you win, maybe I'll slip some in.. Or just enter...

*EDIT* I have no Outfoxed or FFA - if you know the print or would like scraps (larger than 5" but smaller than 10") tell me. We'll have one winner and at least two non barbell winners, one international and one US. I'll keep adding prizes if we go over 100 entries..

*EDIT #2 * whoo hoo! 100 entries... okay lets add another prize.. hmmm Heather Ross sound good?
How about at least one crochet lobster (I got some in the sample sale) and You pick a F8th from these fabrics or a 6x6 charm of each... (all poplin except the cord art supplies and twill apples)

so that's 4 winners so far.. a 1 in 50 chance... I guess Ill add another prize like this at #150
and at #200 I'll do another edit and and add another prize.

*EDIT #3*
Whew! can you believe it?? Almost 300 comments and lots of new followers. So time to add new prizes right?? okay keep those comments coming but be aware I have no/zip/nada Lizzy House/AnnaMarieHorner/HeatherBailey to share.( Im hoarding it like a Squirrel with its nuts so theres that there). I do have some of the blue Pearl Bracelet from Red Letter Day and have added that in...

Keep telling me what you're looking for in your comments ... even if you don't see it, if I have enough to share, I will.
there will be 3 more F8th winners added.. whoo hoo... this was fun...

Would love it if you chose to follow me... but its not required. Nothing is required but a way to contact you..:)

Im shipping international

All fabric from a smoke free and pet free home.

click the button to link back to sew mama sew.

or go straight to my pal Jill at tabslot. She is having a give away too

Quilters Rock!
Rachel

Its Official!

2011-12-12T02:47:00.001-08:00

Its Official!, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

im done quilting.... Im on to binding.
and binding and binding... I have 3 days left till our Big Xmas Potluck Portland Modern Quilt Guild Meeting. My last as a Board Member. I want to thank everybody for letting me be of service to the group. Welcome to the new Board.! Hooray!

A week or so ago we all met up for the Last/First Board Meeting. The Second Annual. We meet up, sip and sup, and laugh a whole lot.

Good luck to Our New Board! I know you will Rock It!
Nancy, if you need me, I'll lend a hand.

In other news, watch this space, I'll be changing things up and refocusing this blog next year.
I'll be back tomorrow for a sew mama sew Give Away Day!

Quilters Rock!

Gobble Gobble!

2011-11-24T03:52:00.000-08:00

Being childless means I miss out on all those fun school functions, where the kids act so cute.

Long ago I reminded a girlfriend that I didn't work and could go see all the daytime events and pagents her kids sang and danced at.. She often invites me to attend these fun "paper hat parades" this year she forgot and when her daughter asked "is Miss Rachel coming?" she did a fast text and I ,of course, came running.
A Northwest American Indian Potlatch sponsored by the 4th class of FOE.

Complete with drumming circle, songs, unintelligible memorized monologues, and a marvelous sub group of kids with crepe paper streamer wings who did a very fancy "eagle dance" which included 3 kids in paper mountain hats ( hats painted like mountain peaks) who sat on the floor so that we got the idea that the eagles were flying. very effective.
Afterwards the adults were invited up to the class room for pumpkin cake,

Each child also also showed off their paper hat, paper bead necklace, hand colored Totem and inside that Totem....

each child wrote a myth .... (how the chipmonk got stripes)

We saw all that each class had collected for the food drive

......and a tour of the diaramas .

I liked this one especially. There are fish on those spears and the deer is dead and ready for butchering.

Another winner with paper sack mountain, electric flickering light, split log shelter and the weebles all had real hair.

Detail:

I like the canoe that appears to be made of the skin of the white man.

I love the toilet paper roll Totem Pole and the exquisite popcicle Long House, but the waterfall was amazing!

I love other peoples kids... most of the time.. and I am super thankful that my friends share the fun and laughter of their children with me.

Schools out for the holiday
Hope you get your fill of food and family..
Quilters Rock!

A Trip to My Longarmer

2011-11-19T00:17:00.000-08:00

Today I wen to pick up my quilt. I asked "My Friend and Colleague" Nancy Stoval over at

Just Quilting to quilt a top for me. I wanted this top quilted by "another" and I wanted somethig I couldn't do. A grid of circles, which is perfect for her statler stitchers.

Her studio is super cool and in an old Portland Eastside Industrial building down in Produce Row.

She Has Two machines which were going full blast when we got there.

Look at that Wall of Thread! Nice Porn Shot of Gammill right... thats the new camera at work.. notice the plate of bobbins in the lower right corner.

Nancy is so clever she puts the finished quilt in a nice sturdy sack (somebody needs a stamp, because Im going to be reusing that bag..hint hint)

The quilt is going to do bed duty and when its bound I'll tell you its story and show it to you.

Thanks Nancy!

Quilters Rock!

New Camera

2011-11-18T23:30:00.000-08:00

I finally, after years of hemming and hawing, purchased a real camera. I'm feeling very Patti Smith and don't trust myself to write much.

This is my first photo... it was taken outside of Target, I had to stop by and pick up a new SD card.

Quilters Rock!

snowflake

2011-11-10T17:24:00.001-08:00

snowflake, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

I've doing hand work. lots and lots of hand work.
The round balls are yo yos, my friend Jill over at tabslot cut the cardstock templates for me. If you have a shape you want, she can custom design either an acrylic or laser cut fabric/cardstock. She can make almost anything almost anysize... genius!
Ive been working on a border project for this log cabin project and needed a little break, and I have all these balls and sticks that I'm using on that project. ( show it to you later when I get the corners finished)
This is a study for a new project... a maquette, if you will. I was so excited when I got it finished I just needed to share.
the plan is a modern hand applique sampler.
I know I haven't posted in a while, so I wanted to drop in and say Hi!..

Clover 12 and I had a Play Date

2011-10-05T19:18:00.001-07:00

Clover 12 and I had a play date, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

I know Its been awhile since I posted.
I've been busy living life and a couple days of life living me.
Feeling good and able to get back in the studio, I've just been playing and experimenting.
I'm still working on this quilt. I finally made a choice about the borders. .. er, a final choice. A choice I'm acting on, a choice that's gonna take forever since it involves hand work.

Lately, I've thinking a lot about craftsmanship and design but I'm not going to go into it here. Ive seen the blowback on that subject thank you. But as a result, I've been kinda focusing on "the making" more then ever before.

Jackson School Quilt at Evergreen and Jackson School

2011-08-18T03:59:00.001-07:00

Jackson School Quilt at Evergreen and Jackson School, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

This quilt is about this space, this intersection. I have to pass it to go just about anywhere.. and its the urban growth boundary line. Suburbs on one side; working farms on the other. Its part of what makes Oregon a great place to live, this spot is less than 2 miles from the city center of Hillsboro Oregon, the county seat of Washington County. (and the spot where I was married) I love living here.
When the breeze played across the wheat I decided to make a quilt about it.
This puppy is a large queen and we use it on our bed.
Those three circles in the border ( see them upper left) are an homage to the light and are tula pink lady bugs.
The binding is a lovely italian shirting that is silky, strong and much like Liberty.
I quilted in the year and included little details just for my Dear Husband. This is our Fifth Year in our home and I wanted to make him a present that reflected our happy home. Our happy life. I'm so grateful. I hadn't made him a quit since Xmas 2007 (when I was a beginner) and really he deserves much better.
Duh sorry .. Did I mention this has always been, from the very beginning, a gift for my husband?
Quilters Rock!
and so do their SOs.

School is in Session.

2011-07-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Sisters and Boy! did I get sunburned. its Friday and Im still red. On a whim I decided to take Susan Beals Log Cabin class at PNCA. Truth: I had money left over from my "super well planned" weekend.
Cherri and Kaci had planned that Sisters weekend so well, and it went so smoothly, and so cheaply without feeling frugal, I think Kaci should be my tour guide for life. I could learn from her. They invited me along and hopped on the chance to hang with them.
On my Summer of making docket this month is Susan Beal's Modern Log Cabin Class
and later this month the Denyse Schmidt quilting class. July is busy.

This is Fabric Pull for the Log Cabin class. An " its a HOOT" Jelly roll and fabrics to go with...including a The Sometimes Crafter owl print... hooray...

Susan is such a thoughtful teacher she contacted each of us and encouraged us to put together fabrics that we wanted to use and I decided to bring stuff that can could go both modern and "new school traditional". Im gonna skip the "serious traditional".

Im keeping my eye on the prize of trying to make a twin top before this is over. fingers crossed.

How Long is This Week?

2011-07-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Seems like its been going on forever. They are still 7 days right? Seems like the 4th was so long ago.

I finished a quilt, quited for a client and then added binding to the finished quilt. I still have binding to sew before I show it off. Went to lunch with my pal Faith and goofed off on a gal pals couch while I ate her homemade cookies! yummy. and its only Thursday... feels like Monday was so long ago.

This is early on the fourth at my "neighbors" house (they live around the corner, but we share an HOA) Its our 5th year of the block party (which is in its 6th year). The boys are getting big and will be driving soon. I can tell this because all they did all night was throw firecrackers and follow the girls around. Im not looking forward to cars going round and round and round...

We walked over to get pics early while kids were still napping.

Heres my latest finish. made from a Jelly roll and Layer cake. It will be going into my stack 100 quilts for kids. see the button on the side there?? I am hoping it will go to the community warehouse.

Apparently, I feel a lot better as I just signed up to take Susan Beals Log Cabin Class. I scored a discount code on Facebook. :) yea me! thanks PNCA! thanks Susan!

I leave tomorrow for Sisters and hopefully it wont be ~~like landing directly on the surface of the sun~~

too hot.

I'm not taking a machine or have any great plans, Im taking some binding(so behind and its a long drive) but Im hoping for unstructured time.

Visiting and Goofing Off: that's my plan!

I may blog directly here, tweet(im a twatter), flickr and I probably wont be on facebook... so look everywhere else...;)

Quilters Rock!

How You Doing?

2011-07-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took my mom out shopping. If there is one thing my mom loves, its going to the shops. We went on a long drive thru hill and dale searching for fabric. After that, we hit the mall to have chicken salad and figure out why my ipad map stopped working.
I've been getting these weird warnings about "charges" ( fees) .. so I went in to check my account.. Next week I'll be going to Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show ~~in BFE , the hottest brightest spot in oregon~~ near Bend and want to take all my ~~toys, HBOgo, Ecrack~~, devices. Its a big quilting deal here in Oregon and I want to be able to ...~~sit in the shade/in a bar with a huge cocktail and watch movies if I get too hot~~ ... tweet, text and flickr.
On the fabric front I got a bunch of lights to replace all the ones I've used lately and strengthen my light stash as I have plans. I'll be continuing my "low volume" series later this summer( which is my quilting-est time) and using some of the pale greys in my next quilt. That 2 yards of black for a class later this fall.

Do you see the word Kaleidoscope? and the text.. Im loving the pale greys..

and this cute fabric with the little poodle color spots .. too cute.

In the mail came a vintage sheet bundle that Im happy about:

Its from Jeni over at Incolororder, I'm hoping to do a churn dash, star or something for my mom( im still trying to get something made for that room.. ... I just needed a variety of good colors. It will be a quick made color blast with pale solids... fast easy big bang for the effort.. just color..

When I'm not shopping... Im still binding, binding binding! which I'm getting well sick of, let me tell you! but I have 2 left to bind so I fit it in as I can... I start quilting a job tomorrow and Im excited to be earning a bit. hooray for that.

So..how are you? what are you doing, sewing??

Quilters Rock!

More About my Labels

2011-06-24T03:05:00.000-07:00

These are the original label inspirations for my quilt label.

The center "washable" I got at the goodwill bins- that's right - "the what did I just touch in order to stand next to convicts and jockey for smelly old sheets" bins! The place to go and pay by the pound for used items! we have one close and I sometimes like to go and see what I find. I found that "washable" label attached to a bedspread and promptly ripped off and stuck it in my keeper pile.

Then maybe a year went by and my stepson was throwing out a pair of pants and I saw this label sitting in the trash attached to a pocket. When I saw that W 30 L 30 I knew what I was going to do.

I also have a friend who has a small collection of old school stamps in her studio. like what you'd see in a mail room or shipping department from way back in the "old days". Im sure this was also a part of the process.

I had stamps made up in as close to the same font as possible.

If you are thinking of making quilt labels with stamps...

Get the right ink: I like Versa Craft - heat set with an iron

I like the look of stamping on linen best but ... Im just saying, no pressure.

Its messy and time consuming so .. no drinking and stamping.
and
Spoonflower would probably be cheaper.

I like the "doing" and the "making" - if you do too, stamps may be for you.

There is a great pool on flickr devoted just to labels but Ive found only a few folks who are making their own using stamps.

LULUBLOOM has a nice label she developed as does leslie.keating. I also use the number/date system leslie uses and may end up using the "no." instead of "#" when I do a "stamp 2.0" since none can tell what that ~~smear~~ # is next the numerals. Im thinking a bit more carefully about my 2.0 stamp ideas and waiting till I have a clearer vision of what I want.

Also I have been a little more "artistic" with my numbering and dating.

Confession: I have geeked out with the dates/numbers! 2011 is a prime number as are most of the odd numbered months. Each quilt finished in this year will get an all prime numbered label. Next year they all will be even. Im super excited about next year, I've already made notes.. I'm mulling only finishing in January, Feb and Oct. but I may have to scratch that as the summer is my busiest "season".

This year I will be making an anniversary quilt for my husband and it will get our date which is Oct.20 but thats special and if I make any Xmas quilts they will get the rare true date. ... but in 20 years will it really make any difference if it was finished in June or July?

Quilters Rock!

Rachel

Today is Wednesday not Yesterday

2011-06-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today is Wednesday! I know that now.. :) Thursday we get more instructions on the old Quilt along, Im working on handwork, but hmm what to do while I wait.. Work on WIP tops that I have been saving for inspiration to hit.

This modified Bento Box (which is really a simple quarter log cabin!) has been sitting around forever for a bunch of reasons:

Its square - not really bed sized or donate sized

I had no idea how to quilt it, I think I have notes about scalloping the edges... :) HA! not likely!

Its an eye sore - that white goes poke poke poke at my eyes.

But now I look at it and I think " mom will love it!" "who can see the quilting on color? in the white I'll do circles"

SO its on the quilter and should be in the binding que by the weekend....

Off Topic: Not quilt related...

For the past 15 years I've pretty much had chronic pain in my joints and ,if truth be told, the sweet bloom of youth masked a fair bit of pain when I was young and I think Ive had this since Ive been about 18. Thats about 30 years!!!

This last week I went to the Doctor and he did some blood tests and I bet there will be more as the weeks and months go by. But he prescribed a 3 pill cocktail taken _Just Once_ and I feel about 10 years younger!

My dad probably had this and Im feeling very connected to my genes.

As I start *violins* "a journey of recovery and discovery of healing" (maybe I'll get a lifetime movie!) I hope you'll bear with me. Processing all this new data is kinda daunting.

Im feeling pretty tall. :D

Quilters Rock!

Rachel

PS here's a Rant:.... you've been warned...

I have one more comment to make because its been just eating away at me since I heard it yesterday. I mean honestly how did I miss this?

In December Obama made this comment regarding the lack of marriage equality in this country:

"[M]y feelings about this are constantly evolving. I struggle with this. I have friends, I have people who work for me, who are in powerful, strong, long-lasting gay or lesbian unions. And they are extraordinary people, and this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about,"

This is the part of that just sent me out into outer space "And they are extraordinary people, and this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about,"

Ok its bad enough that the first part sounded like a white country clubber talking about civil rights in the 60s " gosh, Ive known lots of the gays" ... but he then says "they""them" "they" !!!

Mr President, separate isn't equal, them is us,

"We are bound by an inescapable garment of mutuality, whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." -Dr. Martin L. King, jr.- 1962

WIP Wednesday

2011-06-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

Well, its almost sewn up and the borders are pieced. Its going to come off the design board and go into hand sew mode - the plan is to hand sew 130- 150 1.25 inch dia. circles onto the border ..

I timed it out it and it takes appox 12 minutes to sew one on - so that's about 30 hours of work.. so look for it in October to resurface ready for quilting... or October 2012 maybe... :)

what are you up to? whacha doing?

Quilters Rock!

Rachel

The Kaleidoscope Quilt Along with Don't Call Me Betsy

2011-06-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I joined The Kaleidoscope Quilt Along with Don't Call Me Betsy. Im excited! I call them Kite Quilts, but the meaning is the same:
I'm in it to win it! :) Im very keen! i've made a few of these and like them almost as much as curved piecing... so easy and fun and a really big bang for the buck. Very high Return On Investent of time! If your looking for a new project consider the KQADCMB check out the group over at flickr!

I picked some fabric:

I'm using my collection of red and aqua blue. I traded in this color way with Cherri over at SEW ON.

We traded 7 inch strips and parts of strips to increase the amount of different fabrics in the 2 color ways. fun.

I really wanted to do a project with this color way before it gets too dated and because it will be dated. Did that make sense? If my quilts survive into the future, looking at my Red/Aqua quilt someone could say "wow! hello 2010!" just like the blue and whites of the last century.

SO its kinda a "2 fer" for me. grin.

I made a test block:

I ordered some fabric over at PINK CASTLE FABRICS which I made me really happy.

I still need a background fabric and I haven't quite decided yet but I'm tempted to to do like I did on my log cabin. Using lots of whites, off whites and greys.. Im really loving how it looks and its easier on my super blonde fundus (making me light sensitive and not liking the glare of the solid white).

So now that I'm done with The Jackson School Quilt ( that's for another post I think, so just ignore I said that) I'm free to start another project.

Im also going to load another quilting project. Im trying to get some quilts made for my moms house and its kinda a great place for wips I kinda lost steam for or in this case, "a too contrasty eye sore". as her eyes process less light ( which is common with elderly) she can take my "eyesores".

SO - thats me full up for a while:

Handwork: binding my latest finish and log cabin applique

Piecing: Kaleidoscope Quilt Along with Don't Call Me Betsy

Quilting: 30s Bento Box for Mothers second bedroom

Quilters Rock!!

Rachel

Time to Study

2011-06-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday WIP

2011-06-01T04:24:00.001-07:00

log cabin in progress.., a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

well, I finally got the blocks finished.... so that milestone is finished! Repeat after me: "whew!" seriously if you haven't heard "hide nor hare" from me it's because I have been cutting out these little logs and sewing and sewing... and sewing..
but the blocks are done and now Ill be taking lousy pics looking at "design" options..
truthfully, so far this is my favorite....but we'll see because this is this years "traditional" quilt ... Im going back to easy and fun... because this hasn't been as easy as I hoped.
Quilters Rock!

Spring

2011-05-20T13:44:00.001-07:00

Spring, a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

This is a queen sized quilt I made using some of my favorite blue/green fabrics. I needed a simple top to try straight line quilting on, a simple top to use my linen batting with, a simple to top to compliment my mostly yellow/orange/pink vintage sheet quilt. being truly bed sized requires so much work and wrangling ... I just wanted simple fun and really, I didn't want to use linen batting and on a more complex quilt and regret it. first time.
I thought it looked flat so i thought what it needs is applique spring flowers... Im gonna learn the piece o' way.. so I order a book, started a little single block and decide "Im not needle turning nothing! lets try raw edge...
I used the left over blocks to test out my raw edge ideas... I think it turned ut great but still alot of work and not gonna happen queen sized... borders maybe?
last night Nancy Stoval and I did a program on long arming. Nancy has a shop here in town Just Quilting and she is a professional quilter. Im just a hobby quilter really, I only have a few clients and they let me do whatever I want.

Quilters Rock!
Rachel

Quilts For Quake Survivors

2011-05-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Look at all these great Quilts!

the QfQ Fundraiser for Mercy Corps is officially launched! Thanks to our generous hosts, Modern Domestic, we have a web shop with six quilts and many surprise bags listed for sale, plus a superstar raffle quilt you can win through $5 donations to Mercy Corps!

Our Mercy Corps donation page is right here, where each sale’s full price will be added to the total for Peace Winds Japan.

Looking at this mosiac I realize that I quilted 3 of the quilts chosen for the store. Im so happy that all of our efforts are going to give a little comfort and help Mercy Corp do their work. Susan has such a knack for bringing folks together and getting things done! She's one of those gals that makes me feel like my efforts are not wasted or too minor to count.

Building Community and Making a Difference!

The Bees we had at SEW ON were so much fun and I met so many great ladies!

QfQ is teaming up with I Heart Art PDX, Etsy and the Museum of Contemporary Craft for an awesome fundraiser/quilting bee/craft party right here in Portland! Its June 10 and sounds like lots o' Fun!

Quilters Rock!

You've been WHAM'd!

2011-04-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Show is a Go!

2011-04-03T15:21:00.001-07:00

Okay I'll admit it! I love, love, LOVE my new labels. I love making them. showing them off. sewing them on... everything! I manage it one handed. The other hand being so busy patting me on the back.:) I don't often hand sew the binding down( I BELIEVE in machine binding!) but when I do I have to admit... I do a pretty good job. I just love this project. Its friendly, it's pretty, its very sweet, and like the label says: Made in Oregon

Portland Modern Quilt Guild has been generously been given space at PNCA to show some quilts at First Thursday this month. I submitted a quilt that didn't have a label, it got accepted and need to be at the school for hanging. I just recently purchased ink in blue and orange, and I used it for the label for this quilt.

I made this last year and using my favorite vintage sheet as inspiration and background. For the quilting, I was inspired by this. The extra blocks from this project are going to the Quilts for Quake Survivors quilt project to raise money for Japan.

-Quilters Rock

Quilt for Quake Survivors

2011-03-31T13:03:00.001-07:00

Monday and Wednesday I went to Sew On and sewed. Cherri

has lovely studio in St.John's, which had the best bridge in Portland.

I have a "parts department" which is left over blocks from projects I couldn't bear to throw away, little experiments and random bits. I took my pile over to Cherri's and we got our Sew On! In 2 sewing session, we cranked out 4 tops, made backing decisions and had a fantastic lunch at the local taco counter at the nearby grocery.

We tried to keep to the Log Cabin theme of the project using liberated log cabin blocks, except for one of tops(more on that later). Now they just need quilting and binding, then we will give them to Quilts for Quake Survivors.

-Quilters Rock!

New Tools

2011-03-25T16:32:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm trying my new iPad2 and trying to get blogpress to work. Linked my Flickr? Check.

Here's a pic from my Xmas project for guild that I'm using as wallpaper on my iPad.
*edit* Caroline shared a great app in comments and I thought "wow! Thanks"
Please please if you have an iPad share with me your favorite apps- I'm dying to know!

I'm finally back sewing a bit, so stay tuned!
Quilters Rock!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ( the only time you'll see this as a tag on my blog - for celebration purposes only)

Happy Day

2011-03-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

Attached a photo by 2ndAveStudio on Flickr.

I've really been struggling with how to make labels for myself that I liked...
I got the idea from a a label I picked up at the goodwill bins and from the label I took out of my step sons pants. ( Rocco Jeans from Express)
I asked a friend Jill to help me make something up for Spoonflower But it was too smooth and didn't have the right industrial feel but Jill of Tabslot and Made on Main Street was really helpful in helping me clarify my ideas. Then I picked Cherri's head for a while. Then finally I went over to Atlas Stamps on 28th and Broadway and picked his brain and played with his samples.

This label is for a quilt I made last year that started my quest for how to name and label my quilts. Seemed fitting that it should be the first to be labeled. The quilt will be named "#017"

Stamped onto Linen with a white kona second layer so the backing doesn't show.

I realized the quilt didn't have a lady bug on it anywhere.. so I just added a band around the binding.

Thanks!

2010-11-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

Well, It is a quilting blog so here is my latest finish... a simple free pieced lap with my freestyle quilting all over... I started it in July.... Sometimes my head fills with what I like to call " the static of being overwhelmed" ... I use the noise of the machine to quiet my inner "static" and try and recenter... Took me 4 months to do 6-10 hours of quilting... wtf? Somehow I am not able to get to my quilting as often as I would like..
I lately have been feeling like my life and its circumstances are slightly out of my control. Thats a bummer, but its not permanent and things change. Seriously, I have a feeling that I'm not alone. Times are tough all over. Lots of folks are a little extra stressed for lots of reasons.
I handle it as well as I can, I quilt when I can and let it out. Someone over on Flickr posted a comment and called it "insane" ... Doh! I guess the secret is out... :)

The one great Relief I get is hanging out with fellow quilters talking shop, sewing, goofing around. Light, meaningful interaction - full of support, great advice and a liberal dose of silliness.... Thanks Ladies!

So this Thanksgiving goes out to you! Thanks! Your Awesome and I hope your MIL gets drunk early and falls asleep! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
A special shout out to my Westie-Besties Faith and Kim:
You guys Rock! I'm super grateful! I'll be dipping my breast meat in gravy and thinking of you! :D
Happy Thankgiving!
Quilters Rock!

How you doing?

2010-11-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

So my stepson is staying with us for a little while. He arrived here last Monday and is staying in the guest room. He looks totally just like his dad. He just graduated from art school and I’m giving him a bit of access to my fabric stash. He loves all the wall paper looking designs. He posted some of the Neptune and urban chicks for sale on Ebay… my heart hurt a little letting them go, but it’s unlikely at this point I will use them for a project… we all know his cell phone bill isn’t paying for itself – so I said "my destash is your pocket money" I know I have mentioned before how much I hate doing etsy/ebay.
And oh yeah… I had to have a tooth taken out on Saturday and now my shoulder hurts for some reason along with my jaw… go figure… I totally thought I just needed a filling...WHA??
So I’ve been working with my charity group making Christmas quilts for the kids living at a group home. Approx 16 boy quilts and 8 girl quilts, each is between lap and twin . Some kids are going to be all warm and toasty with their brand new quilts for the coming winter.

Quilter Rock!

Art supplies on poplin

2010-10-26T21:13:00.001-07:00

Art supplies on poplin
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

I finally got my box- I know that I didn't have to wait that long but for a second there, I felt like I was the last woman on earth to get her package...
It finally arrived.. for me this is the best bit...
Art Supplies in Poplin...
Quilters Rock!

a modern quilt.

2010-10-22T15:35:00.001-07:00

a modern quilt.
Originally uploaded by CB Handmade

This one is made by Erica.
I have seen them made here, there, everywhere...
somehow this one by Erica cut thru the fog and made me say to myself
" your making a cross quilt. " it may be a while but I can totally see mine.
I can see how I'd quilt it, the colors ... I am so ON this...
Part of me thinks:
"dont be a sheeple! resist the urge!"
Lets face it- I''m joining the herd... Im on it- its awesome and for some reason - I super love this one!
I think its the couple of blocks that are "windowpaned" -but who really cares- its awesome - super awesome....
thanks for sharing this Erica.. simply lovely...

pin cushion

2010-10-21T02:03:00.001-07:00

pin cushion
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Well, Portland Modern Quilt guild meets tomorrow and is having a pin cushion swap. Since I hurt my thumb I have been unable to do handwork.
I have been thinking hard how to make a pincushion for the swap with a minimum of handwork.
I also didn't have any stuffing or poly fill so I used a couple of pieces of felt.
I don't generally do crafty type stuff, Im feeling pretty proud right now.
ta-da!

Pins and Needles

2010-10-20T22:56:00.001-07:00

Heather Ross had a Studio Sale...
I posted my request at 10:02 ( I started at 9:58) I very carefully prewrote my request, asked my husband to edit it, and pasted in the notes section.
Received an email I got in...
Received an email that Heather was working
Received an email that my box was shipping
and now I'm watching all the flickr photos and watching all the boxes roll in and reading all the about all the phone calls folks are getting ....
Seriously, its killing me!! I am so wishing to get my package... I'm so excited... I just am so EXCITED!!!
Send Mine Next!!! me me me!
Its so exciting to see what all the folks are getting.. oh boy.... stay tuned...
Quilters Rock!

All better... ;)

2010-10-13T22:56:00.001-07:00

All better... ;)
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

I'm sure this would be my Wordless Wednesday but I guess I should share.... Mom and I went to Knittin Kitten again. we came back and I was rushing to get a casserole in the oven so we could go out front and decorate for Halloween.
We recently hit Target hard for some full size candy bars, a skull, 3 different sizes of spiders and some web. Mom is kinda digging Halloween this year and wants to decorate and "do" the holiday.
Anywhoo, I was using a chefs knife and sliced the tip of my thumb nearly off.
Seriously, I think that damn thing attacked me!
Mom was otherwise engaged so she didn't really know about it - I smoothed out the skin flap, (that sucker bled like crazy! As in I could see my pulse!) and pressed down(hard). I rinsed the blood off and patted dry. I called the DH to come home, take mom home, and take me to the Doctor.
They fixed me up.
DH took me for Indian food because:
A. I'm not cooking tonight
B. Chicken tikka makes me happy
C. Garlic nan- nuff said

When we got home DH gave me Ice Cream, a kiss on my forehead and asked "all better?"
yep, all better.... :) thanks honey!
Friday Im going sewing(read: drinking) with my gal pals- so I may not get a lot sewn this week..
Worst part is: Im really trying to get a quilt off the quilter- as in done quilting - this is another depressing delay... boo hiss!
Quilters Rock!

Piecing Hexies

2010-10-06T21:00:00.001-07:00

Piecing Hexies
Originally uploaded by RamonaX

Ramona from the Modern Quilt Guild has done a really great hexie tut..

Thanks Ramona! check it out here!

Wip Wednesday

2010-10-06T02:45:00.001-07:00

Wip Wednesday
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Well, I'm _still _ working on this.... Am I now entering my third month??
for Pete's sake....
In 10 days, knock wood, the house will close.
in the last month my BIL has had his heart stopped (under hospital care) and restarted .. twice.
My sweet darling step son still can't find meaningful work and well, my mom is still my mom....
I remember not too long ago, laying out in the sun in our sweet loungers, drowsy from the sun, sipping limeade.
I remember sewing all day and getting projects done....
... suddenly, it seems like my whole life went "WIP" on me....
Lets talk about the quilt:
I had an idea and that purple polka dot (it is purple) was the perfect background ... Construction was pretty simple, quilting is also pretty simple but a bit fiddly..
Hopefully when I get it finished, trimmed and bound ... I'l love it..
Right now when I look at it I'm filled with longing. Longing for time, and energy to finish it. Honestly, Im making memories while this quilt sits, while all my sewing sits, memories that years from now when this quilt is finished and thrown over my lap I'll be able to revisit.
Time spent with my mom, chatting and being supportive to my step son, and finally getting rid of that damn( it wasn't that bad) house. I guess its not so bad after all that its taking so long...
Quilters Rock!
Rachel

Knittin Kitten

2010-10-01T18:02:00.001-07:00

Knittin Kitten
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Okay! Hold on to your hats!
I'm gonna let the cat out of the bag!!
Yesterday i went to Knittin Kitten - a fabric, notion and yarn store....
First off, I took my mom... she took 2 steps in and plopped in a chair. She went no further. Now that she is older she really hates what she calls "junk" stores. This store is mostly a giant de-stash... its awesome..
I mean patterns, yarn, buttons, ribbon, every notion under the sun... all of it out of someones stash being upcycled... Awesome! Its got the "portland weird" factor so its not for you snobby types and if you don't know who you are-- trust us, we do, so just ask! :)
*Rant Alert*
But here's a clue: you come to the meetings 20 minutes late every month, disrupt everything while you migrate to the back where you laugh and whisper thru the ENTIRE meeting but don't contribute or talk to anybody else.... so if you're one of those folks, you will hate this store, because you are way too good for it.

I went there to get some thing for my pin cushion - you know, for the upcoming swap... as if I will actually make one, which we all know is highly unlikely because I hardly manage anything anymore. But still.

I asked about the awesome glass vintage buttons I was casually *OMFG! look at these buttons!* pawing thru and "blammo" she went back and grabbed a giant box.... of even more awesome... vintage... glass ... buttons... did I mention handpainted?
most of them are shanked , which is supposed to be not as good.... but seriously .... I got an instant stash of "grandmas buttons".
I don't have a stash of grandmas buttons or old family sewing supplies. The grandma that I was really close to didn't sew because she was busy doing other things.

okay so RUN -not walk- over to Knittin Kitten - tell them the Fat Red Headed Lady sent you because I don't think she knows my name...
that little blue heart button has a key on it.... get it... key to my heart!
I died! Ba - na- nas!
Quilters Rock!

Rossie is Awesome....but you already know that!

2010-09-15T00:49:00.001-07:00

I just sat and watched this lecture instead of sewing.... I skipped ahead a bit here and there but for the most part it was a worth while lecture... It helped me think about my work and what I want from from my quilting. How to articulate my voice in blanket form...
thanks to Rossie for posting it...

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/14680699

Modern Quilting, Mutant Quilting
http://vimeo.com/14680699

About this video:
"This lecture on modern quilting describes my journey as well as giving the lay of the modern-quilting land. I cover what I see as some key aesthetics of modern quilts, I ponder the appropriateness of the term "modern" as it applies to quilts, and generally get nerdy on a number of topics that relate---in my brain, anyway--to modern quilting.

Among them: wabi sabi, simultaneity, linen clocks, and Bewitched.

Quilters Rock!

Sunday Stash Henna Garden

2010-09-12T16:48:00.001-07:00

Last night at Modern Domestic a lady whose name I don't recall got very excited about a piece of Henna Garden in my scrap basket. We got to talking about it and I told her I had been a bit obsessed myself...
Here is a shot of my collection ... I feel a little embarrassed revealing my obsession, but there it is... is there any I'm missing??
Quilters Rock!

Too early?

2010-07-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Stellas food stand and Mollys ashes... On display. Our little
memorial. My husband I have agreement. We trade "death duty".
Last time he made all the decisions and the other spouse can't
kibbitz. He chose ashes, I chose group cremation and I'm making a
memorial quilt.

O Stella! Star!

2010-07-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

Goodbye little Stella Bean!
Today we put down my sweet little Stella.. When they Xrayed her lungs yesterday she had very little function left. A fast metastasized cancer they think. She hasn't been well, she's old,yesterday she ate and today she refused, it's time.
Stella got her name from a PJ Harvey song "O Stella" which has long, long been a favorite of mine. I saw PJ Harvey at Jabberjaw or at Al's bar and a couple of other times in LA when I lived there 15 years ago, and at the old La Luna when I moved here to Portland. I used to live at the Malvern which was a short walking distance from La Luna ... mmm goodtimes.... Lots of cider.
( in fact - if you knew Carly and Micheal before they were the Weezer Merch Girls - contact me- I still talk to Nicole)

I got a job, I worked like a dog, I bought a house, I fell in love and moved out to the 'burbs.

Stella was my last connection to the younger Portland/LA me, the free, breezy, punk rocker that danced nearly naked at Mudhoney( in LA it gets really hot and in my defense the boys took their shirts off - and I was going thru a seriously radical feminist phase- can you say "riot grrrl"?) . That girl who danced for hours and hours at clubs, and thought nothing of driving home on the freeways late at night shirtless. Come to think of it I spent a great deal of time in my 20's in LA - in various states of night time public undress. To look at me now, a fat old housewife living in a very conservative part of Washington County you'd never think I was as wild as I was.

Stella was bossy and determined and reminded me of myself in my youth. She looked at me at the MultCo Dog Rescue and said "Bitch! you're NOT leaving without ME! Get me out of here!"
I didn't ask anyone if they wanted to live with her.... I just brought her and Molly home.

Please, in memorial, listen to this song?

Thanks for all your nice thoughts and generous support. A lot of you have been really sweet. I'm grateful.
Quilters Rock!

20$ temporary bifocals

2010-07-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm old, I sometimes need a little help doing hexes and hand
sewing bindings... :)
I'm not ready for bifocals yet but these temporary bifocals just stick
on and have a handy storage case.
*edit* its 2 weeks later and I still haven't used them. I was at the Eye Dr. with mom and decided I needed them and I'm sure I will soon- right now I just take off my glasses to see close up- which leaves me vulnerable to anything further away than 3 feet.

Stella Marie your my Star!

2010-07-09T13:50:00.001-07:00

IMG_2199
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Yesterday I spent most of the day at the Vet Office.
Stella is now at home at resting. We had the dreaded discussion about
palliative care and diagnostic excess.
Xrays show she has something on her lungs... crap.
Things were just getting to a new normal...
( I haven't really written about it but I think someone put a diaper on the ceiling fan because poop is flying... we have had some pretty serious bad news regarding the decline of our parents. my FIL and my mother. I haven't gone into it because I don't want to try and put it into words and talk about my feeling- ugh! )

She told me was hungry this morning so she had an egg with rice.. and is resting again. Hooray!

Serging to a Finish

2010-07-06T02:13:00.001-07:00

Friday, I went to Modern Domestic with some of my Modern Quilt Guild pals. Cherri was visiting from Alaska for the Blues Festival and won't be back till September. So a small collection of us ate dinner at the Tin Shed and walked a few doors down to sew.

Modern Domestic has sergers. Those scary multi thread things with a cutter. So I made this quilt a big giant queen sized quilt. Its been a beast to wrangle around. I had just taken it off the machine and it needed a trim and the binding attached.

I asked to try a serger... I took my untrimmed monster and used the serger to Trim and Attach the binding in one fell swoop! Awesome!

In retrospect, I think next time I would square the corners before I serge the binding the on, but otherwise it was a screaming success. Thanks Modern Domestic.

Quilters Rock!

Flea Market Fancy

2010-07-04T13:44:00.001-07:00

IMG_2185
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

I made up some scrap bags of FMF prints. Perfect for hexies and other small projects. 10 different prints per bundle.
I put them over in my shop at $12.50.

Mama needs to buy batting....

Whew... I put 5 up at first and they flew out the door...
listed another 15... Gosh Folks .. Thanks so much!

Rachel

Sunday Stash

2010-05-23T22:09:00.001-07:00

Sunday Stash
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

I recently took my husband to the airport and since I was over on the "eastside" I popped into Fabric Depot. I have been looking at this line online and in my new Hancock's Catalog.
I recently decided this Groove by Robert Kaufman was just the thing my stash needed... .
happy stash!

all better..

2010-05-17T03:19:00.001-07:00

all better..
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

The doctor declared her growth cancer free.... she was kinda surprised the biopsy came back clear.
Today she had a bit of a bounce in her step. .. and she barked at me to do her bidding.... so she must be feeling much better. She can be kinda bossy, honestly, I don't know where she gets it from..:D

Kinda thrilled about this..... squeee! They grow up so fast! even when he is alarming close to 30..

Sew Katie Did and I swapped fabrics way back when and I am finally using the last of the charms and scraps. I used the other parts of these scraps in my spare change quilt ( set on flickr) and Saturday Night at Modern Domestic I cut the last of them up for the rings quilt I am working on.

Today my DH and I went to Farmington Gardens before taking my Mom out to dinner for a belated Mothers Day. We took First Street out of town and right past the Jackson Bottoms Wildlife Center we came across this field of clover. I love living so close to the urban growth boundry. Love it!

Quilters Rock!

All Better!

2010-05-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

Oh no! It isn't enough that my husband got the flu and a head cold. I got the flu and a head cold. Then I got an ear infection...
I was a bit caught up in my own body failing me I didn't notice that my doggy was "not right".
Now that my sinuses are clear can someone please tell me " what the hell is that smell?"
YUCK!
Stella, is that you?
Turns out there is a growth - lets not call it a tumor till its back from biopsy- tangling in her mouth. Catching food, getting chewed, getting infected... grossest ever. The vet originally said she had a broken tooth and lets go do a "dental". Called me on the phone to say " hey, guess what I found?" The growth was attached to the roof of her mouth by a stem so they just burn thru the connection and left part of the growth. Usually they "melon ball" out everything and make sure there are no cells left. Hopefully its not yet in the bone.
Beagles are prone to growths of all kinds so that s a bummer. Now that we are one day post surgery.. Beagles are also super cry babies..... I mean Geez ! What a Whiner! Here she is in her Laundry Basket/ Sleep Basket right after coming home.

poor little baby! She cried all night and was miserable. It was clear her tummy hurt and I could her gurrgle...
Around Noon today she asked to eat.. Stella does this by pawing her bowl or if I walk into the kitchen, she will sit on the rug in front of the stove and kinda cough and sniff the air. I gave her a little something.. Chicken, oatmeal, Raw prepared food (she is on a BARF diet) and she brightened up a bit.

I think she is on the road to recovery... happy smiles all around! Now lets just hope that biopsy isn't malignant.
That Moulin Rouge quit that she is laying on was rejected by a charity for being "ugly"... I am not even kidding. Not for lack of craftsmanship but the leader didn't like the colors (bitch). I used it as practice and it has some of my very first feathers and a pretty good meander if I do say so myself. plus... . Stella loves it, so there!

Quilters Rock but puppies Rule!

close up of Castle Peeps

2010-04-12T20:14:00.001-07:00

close up of Castle Peeps
Originally uploaded by lizzyhouse

Omg! Its coming! Castle Peeps is just around the corner! Thanks for a little look see! That yellow flag with the blue walls is awesome.

Home

2010-04-12T16:48:00.001-07:00

Home
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Thanks to everybody who left comments on my last post. I received quite a few private emails as well. So happy to know I'm not alone.
I'm an avid reader of "Things I want to Punch in the Face" and I think I had just left their site when I wrote my post. I meant it as a funny, not a personal finger point at YOU. I got a couple humdinger private email rants about the constitution and artistic imperative... :grin:

Its a week of anniversaries - 3 years ago we closed on our house, 4 years ago I started on Flickr and 15 years ago I met the man who would nearly a decade later become my husband.

Monday is my day off.. Long ago when we were doing a renovation I would take off Mondays to rest up from whatever hard labor I had done over the weekend. Its a bit of a tradition that stuck in our house. I tend not to sew or do much of anything. Yesterday I went to a Sewing Workshop where I volunteer and assist women with their sewing and quilting so today I am really taking it off. I'm tired.
I've spent the day watching Documentaries... Recently, a new channel started "the doc channel". My tivo is working overtime. Man, I love Docs!! today I saw a great one on circus freaks and sideshow performers.
Quilt wise - Im working on my potholder for the Modern Quilt Guild Exchange.

Cute little blocklet

2010-04-09T15:03:00.001-07:00

Working out of my scrap bin. I have a bunch of partial 3" orange strips. Heres a little blocklet and wishing you a happy weekend!

Here is some weirdy spirit photos ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmediamuseum/sets/72157606849278823/

Quilters Rock!

WIP Wednesday

2010-04-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

This what I'm back working on ... its slow going. I been on a break finishing this top. I thought working on it would help me finish this. Help me focus on color and placement etc etc.
Its a lot of little pieces, a lot of fiddling. I think I have fiddle fatigue...:D
Rant Alert!!!!
I'm gonna blow!
I got sort of caught up on my Bee Blocks.. hooray. Not gonna bore with the details, which is one of my pet peeves on other blogs( check my flickr if you care) that, and the Effing Music...
Do I think you wanna listen to my music?... no I don't. What kind of conceit makes one put a music player on their blog? Its shidious, wailing, of lame, college alt.vag makes me want scream.... seriously, Im already listening to music... my music, music I like. And stop making me search for the off button..Put it up top so I can turn it off!
Rant Over!!!
So I need to figure out the corners... I may use Gwens Solution from her book - or not- we'll see what happens. For now I am just gonna keep making my points..

Im making strips of points about 10-15 long then setting them aside, making more.. till I get really long strips. On and on it goes.

I am really liking it but am thinking of adding some solid blue in spots or white points... experimenting..

I recently saw a documentary. In the documentary was snips of a music video... a video in which my friend Nicole appeared. I grew up in Southern California, trying to get in music videos or go to tapings was a hobby for some. Nicole has had a bumpy go it... But I love her still and it was great see a moment of our past- I can't tell you how often she wore that shirt- in fact, I may have slept in it myself- I got to show my DH and show him the Sea Shrew (not in the photo) when she was young.. He recently saw her at Craftapollooza during the holiday season selling her felt monsters, and helped me take photos of her to send Nicole. They had an acrimonious split, I sided with Team Nicole. I miss Nicole she lives in NC now and I haven't heard from her in months... Im a little worried.

So that's what I've been doing this week .. Bees, Docs, and Points..
Quilters Rock!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T16:33:00.001-07:00

IMG_2126
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Binding by Hand

2010-03-29T18:56:00.001-07:00

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

I'm nearly half way done hand binding my Picnic Quilt. I've taken the day off from life today. Just listening to the rain and handsewing. Normally I machine bind- I believe in it. As a Concept. As in this is meant to be used and washed and I only have so much time to sew so I want to machine bind. I mean, heck, I use a car, a washing machine, a dishwasher. etc etc.. why would I hand sew? Only today I needed a break and I think this quilt turned out way more "worked" then my usual. It seems to need a hand binding. While I have been binding I watched a Francis Bacon Documentary. It was so great! I'm totally inspired by him, his art, his life and his agressiveness. I used to have a postcard of one of his pope studies pinned in my cubicle when I worked.
DH went to Folsom this morning (4:30) and just got back.... so its dinner...
Quilters mostly rock!

Home

2010-03-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

http://www.oregonquiltproject.org/Oregon_Quilt_Project/Home.html

Thanks,
Rachel
Secondavestudio@mac.com

What to do.. What to do....

2010-01-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

•Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross
•Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
•Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada
•Text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele
•Text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10 through the Clinton Foundation
•Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way
•Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation
•Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International

Clean water ...the dead buried... and preventing the spread of shit borne disease... that's whats needed. Food might be nice too.

Welcome Home, a Goodbye, and a New Plan!

2010-01-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

Tuesday before New Years my beloved was scheduled to come home from NY (Long Island- nissaquoge(sp?) St James) It snowed like crazy. I am from Southern California, that means it is unsafe for everyone for me to be driving in the snow. period. unsafe. I called a couple of vans to see if I could get him a ride home and - Hello? they laughed at me!
I called my super snow driving girlfriend from Alaska, she said I could do it but I needed to leave early and drive slow.

Midway thru my drive I decided I needed to apply a little Voo Doo to the situation. So I skipped getting on the 5 and went thru downtown. Pit stop.

They claim magic in the hole ... So I got a lot of holes in the form of a fruit loop covered glazed and a cup of tea! It worked! I sailed down Sandy to the 86 and was at the airport in short order.
My Beloved drove us home and it was completely clear! Voo DOO!

New Years Eve Day we all piled in the car to run errands downtown. We lunched at La Buca on the eastside, Hit the museum, and pitstopped at Papa Haydons on the way home.

Here is a photo from inside the museum ... fresh, modern Amish anyone? I'm thinking on it. Doubting I will go solid though...
So, one of my favorite blogs is Crazy Mom Quilts. On New Years Amanda Jean announced that she was quitting her blog. I totally understand, but she will be missed.

Oh Fransson! also one of my favs has cut way back her blogging. I hope they got book deals and are finally going to make money and be famous! Or had babies and are now busy. Either way I will miss reading their posts and even though I generally lurk and not participate, I feel very friendly towards them, so its a bummer for me and I will miss them. * Tearful Wave from Rail platform with hanky - music swells*
So whats in store over here at Chez 2nd Ave? I too will be cutting back my blogging to once or twice a month, which may turn out to be just once a month. I still will be doing Give a Kid a Quilt, and in general quilting as usual. I also will be sewing more this year in general. Most of it will go to Charity but a bit will be next years Christmas presents and I few in mind as keepers for me. I'd like a new lap. :)
Quilters Rock!

Finally I am Done..

2009-12-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my 2 quilts I am making for Xmas. This is for my step son, and my favorite quilt of the pair. I'm pretty pleased with it and hope he likes it.

This is for my step daughter who lives in AZ and I hope she likes it. I don't know her very well, and my husband picked out some fabrics and I picked out some more and there you go. I made this for the Round about quilt along which I loved participating in and it is open ended, so if you want to make one - check it out. I used the Eliza Back Porch template set which I love! Lots of bang for the buck on this.
My husband quilted on both of these.. and helped with ironing and binding (I mean, if you blinked you missed it- but he helped:})
Now I am making little blocks with scraps and amusing myself. I should be binding for Give a kid a Quilt but I cannot seem to move.. I have worked about 12 hours a day for the last 4 days.
I'm bushed!
I'll be back here in the New Year!
Check out how the Charity work is going over at Give a Kid a Quilt, I'll still be blogging over there.
Check my flickr to see pics of the quilting and details of the work.

I hope everybody has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Quilters Rock!

a quick update

2009-12-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

It hasn't been above freezing for a couple days and I can tell you I'm getting plenty sick of it.

the fountan or water feature is almost completely frozen.

This is my fast baby quilt pattern I am making a bunch of for the Give a Kid a Quilt program.
Its super fast and the perfect size for a baby. I can use up a bunch of FQs and they are super fast.
Im kind of excited.. I've made 3 so far.

I haven't gotten hardly anywhere on my Xmas quilt for my step son... so I am working on that tonight. Hopefully it will come together soon.

Quilters Rock!

Shameless Etsy Plug!

2009-12-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Over in the store Munki munki PJ parts are on sale ... Just in time for Xmas. They are on sale about 30% cheaper than normal.

Where Im At

2009-12-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

Im loving this block today. I'm in the middle of trying to get my top finished for my stepson. He is 29 and is working on his Masters at Chicago Art Institute. This block reminds me of Andy Warhol's Flowers HERE. Get it? My SS is an artist too... since I have no idea if he will even come close to understanding the work and effort of making a quilt, I decided to make it easy and use what I like. His father and I picked the fabrics and tone. In fact, my DH has really been involved giving opinions, and helping me edit fabrics. That part of it has been really fun. I plan to have him help me quilt as well. Really, Im gonna let him quilt only a little bit, but something so he can tell the kids he helped. Maybe I will let him write a message in the quilting. He is so excited and happy.
It still has taken longer than I wanted.
Doesn't it always?
We have had a couple of serious problems one of which is the following:
I originally thought I would use this pale blue as the background, looks grey here and it washed out all the colors except orange and green. I so wanted to use it, I had saved it in a bag just for this project. To be truthful most of the stuff I set aside for this project was abandoned.

Instead of this ugly grey/blue we decided on this pale yellow.
It sets off the blues and greys and I think will work great. I thought about using white but I didn't have enough and we are using what we have, kind of a stash busting exercise.

Right now the plan is to bind with the wood grain but only time will tell.
Quilters Rock!

Happy Thankgiving to You!

2009-11-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

I made this few years ago. Its been in the car, over at my Moms, kinda out of sight but not out of use. It has been used enough now to be "worn in". Its floppy and cuddly and the perfect TV friend. When I first made it ( here ) over 2 years ago I hated it and called it Cat Vomit. Now I love its friendliness and color and of course its softness.

This week I finished this experiment:

Im not sure how well it turned out. It was an idea... and the craftsmanship is there... by that, I mean it is usable. I will returning to this theme over the next year. Bubbles and Lines. . . we'll see what comes of it.. This one is going to Give a Kid a Quilt. If Your interested the button is on my side bar over there.

The most valuable thing I get from my husband is time. When we can spend more than the usual few hours together I am thrilled. I certainly don't want to be stuck in the kitchen, while he wanders off to go piddle around in the garage till dinner is ready. Since The Kids are gone and out of state we can't really justify the "big meal" . For the last several years we have gone Downtown Portland to a nice hotel for a sit down meal on Thanksgiving.
Next month DH will go to his Dads for a week and spend time with his kids. So, this time is mine and I want every second. We won't shop on Friday or go out much... Just piddle around the house the whole weekend doing little projects like rearrange the bedroom and hang some pictures.. May sound less than spectacular to you, but I am really looking forward to it.

I will be happy to revive Thanksgiving when we have grandkids. Sometimes I miss my traditions, mostly though, I miss my grandparents. My grandmother was a working artist, she went to Art School in the 20s and worked as a draftsman (like CAD but with a pencil) during the 40s. She created a Thanksgiving so full of tradition and life it's been really hard for me to continue the holiday without her.
I'm thankful I grew up knowing her.

I hope ya'll have a great Thankgiving!

Banner Quilt

2009-11-19T02:53:00.001-08:00

Banner Quilt
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

This weeks stack of is done. I have 5. These are all going to Give a Kid a Quilt. See the banner over there? Send a small top or finished quilt and help a kid out. The focus on this quilt drive is kids under five living at or below poverty. Have a look see and maybe help a kid out.
Remember a couple years ago when everyone was making those banners? I mean they were everywhere... I designed this quilt then ... it was an experimental top I never finished till recently. I am happy to know its going to a good home. Someone will love it.
I've been kinda working like mad on my stepsons quilt. I am trying to make quilts for my husband and his 2 kids for Xmas. I have 2 tops done and the third has been a super pain. I thought I had an idea... a brilliant plan. I made some Improv blocks and Whoa, Nelly did they suck! They would have been great itty bitty art bits! Mostly, they just plain sucked.
Plan abandoned.
So for weeks I sat looking at my "ideas board", the edge section of my design board where I put up ideas, trying to work out what to make him that fit his personality. I'll show you later as they get closer to finished. Or maybe it will be a surprise after Xmas. .. who knows.

Give a Kid a Quilt is steadily growing and adding followers.

Quilters Rock!

How Long Has it Been??

2009-11-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

HiYa!!
Well, I've been busy and time as usual has gotten away from me.. I reopened the shop. I had to I ran out of money on paypal. Sheesh- how'd that happen?
I added Lush wood grain and multi - paint dot to the store. Stay tuned here on the blog as specials will be listed here first. IM going to have some FMF fat eighth bundles for Xmas and such like that there.
Mostly I have been working on staying healthy. Kinda feel like I lost a few weeks sleeping.. Was it the weather? Did I have the flu?
I've working on launching a quilt drive for the local babies and children living at or below the poverty line.

this is my quilting.. this picture looks terrible but really wait till its done...

who got some mutts on kiwi?? I did! Soon to be quilted . A nice modern quilt for a healthy baby. Lets keep those babies warm thru winter..

Woo hoozle! Someone donated a quilt top to me today! Live and in person. It was so thrilling.
Im doing a quilt and quilt top drive over Here. Each quilt will get finished and numbered, then delivered to a wonderful place called Community Action who will distribute them to agencies that will make sure poor babies and toddlers are warm.

Christina over at The Sometimes Crafter made me great buttons and is joining as she is able to post to the site and maybe quilt something. Thanks Christina! You know, Im sure you have heard but she is doing quilting now. Her rates are very reasonable and I know she does a good job. Check her out!

Seriously this button is awesome and she did the header and blog button too. Find out more about it, participate, and see all the doings over HERE.

Thanks Veterans! I am grateful for your service.
Quilters Rock!

2009-11-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

Well, Im feeling better! last night I went out with girl friends. It was a all yoni evening!
First we went to Lush, then to Lloyd Center so my Popcorn loving friend could get cheddar corn.. She has 3 young kids so any minute she can grab for herself is a godsend. Then dinner..

today I am quilting...

photos to follow..

Man I have been busy!

2009-10-28T15:46:00.001-07:00

WIP
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Busy blowing my nose!
I have been ill with the flu. I stayed out of my studio of about 5 days and focused on not being a H1N1 victim. Then I was so tired, just exhausted.
Couple days ago I got up at 2pm and then took a nap at 7:30pm - seriously sleepy. No, I am not pregnant.. .. :)

Feeling much better now, I am getting back to work. I made these little blocks as a sort of distraction. I can't wait to sew them up into a couple of tops.

Did you miss me?

2009-10-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

This is my backyard. The Tree is a potted tree my husband got me years ago..for a fiver. We love it's color. It's right outside our sliders so we can see it.

Oh Gnome you didn't! and Sunday Stash

2009-10-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Our Neighbors Boo-ed us with Kettle Corn.. Brand new to the neighborhood she is a good mom. Last night she played board games all night with her kids.
I Boo-ed someone else by sending an extra in the swap ... was it you?

Sunday Stash - is my newly acquired Love dots... so cute!

I was out with my Mom running errands on Friday and spotted this Gnome selling coffee.

Sunday Stash

2009-10-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Posted this from my new phone! I dropped my phone and it died. 2 years a go thats what happened to my last phone. I guess I only get so many "whoops" with my cell phones before they die.

I visited Fibers in Motion last week and scored me some owls I love! Those deer are cute too..
that other large print is Mocha it's going for trade or sale in my store at some point..

Quilters Rock!

2009-10-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

Mashed Bananas. yum! Traders Joes Instant Pudding. Yum.
Oatmeal. Yum! Thai food all mashed up ... seriously yummy!
The food is good but I really miss chewing. Feeling the food break up, tasting. .. I miss it.

Thanks everybody for your nice words and well wishes. Things went well and I only barfed once.
I'm only napping twice a day... and I doing pretty good on pain management.
I got a great plastic appliance to wear and help with the healing and prevent my teeth from wandering. I'm almost ready to get back to work again. :)
Still not talking that much but over all I'm doing pretty well...

WIP WEDNESDAY #8

2009-09-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Its really been awhile since I did a WIP WED post. I saw Faiths great Fall quilt top and was so inspired! Really pretty and beautiful. I am going to have some dental work done tomorrow and have been having quite a bit of anxiety brewing up and needed to keep my mind occupied. I am the kind of patient that needs lots of drugs to get and stay in the chair. Seriously bad patient. To distract myself I decided to work on a tut I have been working on in my head. It's up there swimming around and I need to get it out but I also need a sample.
First step:
I started pulling fabric like a crazy woman.

These are my final choices.
Step Two:
I cut 3" strips of the colors or coins and 2.5 inch strips of the background.
when I did the math I figured out I needed twice as much background as colors.
I used 20" of color and 40" background for each block.

I'm going to put a tutorial on Flickr of the steps needed to make the blocks and put together. But it's not finished yet.. so a couple more days...
see you next week!

Fall Top

2009-09-30T15:46:00.001-07:00

Fall Top
Originally uploaded by Fresh Lemons : Faith

So inspiring by a lady named Faith in Chicago!
check out her blog over here.
Im full of nervous energy about tomorrow so this inspired me to work on a quick little something. Stay tuned.

Thanks Polly and Lauri!

2009-09-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I won this sweet Charm pack and some scraps from Minick and Simpson. Now I LOVE these fabrics but kind of feel like I have enough on my plate right now and thought that the truly traditional quilters at my guild would swoon. Every month we have a mini raffle for a couple of 10$ ish items and try and raise some coin for the guild. I gave my charm pack to the guild to raffle and we doubled our normal takings! The ladies actually "ohhh"ed when the raffle leader said "this is not due out till Febuary". I am so thankful to M&S for the charm pack!
Thanks Ladies!

In other news, Im having a dental extraction in a couple of days and expect to be out of commission for a couple of days. I am getting my swap blocks finished and sent. That little martian is supposed to be a trick or treater. Thats my September block which is Halloween themed. I own zero Halloween fabrics so it was a struggle. I hope she likes it.

This is my October block which is already done and ready to be sent. Her theme is "Fall" and I think she is doing a D9P.
Quilters Rock!

Before and After

2009-09-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

While I have been sick my husband has recovered my design wall with plain white. I got diaper flannel at 27" wide which fit perfect over my 2 foot wide panels. I think it makes a huge difference visually. I don't know how folks work without a design wall. If you don't have room for a permanent one, try a temporary one:
sew dowel pockets on both edges of flannel.
Stick dowels thru
tie string to the 2 ends of top dowel and hang.
roll up to store when not in use.

being able to stand back and see your work will change your life! I swear!
Quilters Rock!

Horn Tooting!

2009-09-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Capitol Quilts is teaching a class today based on this design today! So, if your in the DC area ... .

see a similar one here.

the tutorial is here and here.

Maybe Next Week

2009-09-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

Abscessed, in pain, on drugs... out of it... talk to you later next week...

A Day Off

2009-09-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

Some one wrote me that they didn't have hardly any Flea Market Fancy except dotted leaves. I thought what? thats not right! So we're swapping .. here is my swap . great right?
I put it on my new grey. Grey Stone by RJR. Now I love kona like everybody else its awesome. but ash is well, a little ashy. (if you watch Flipping Out you'll think thats funny) I think it has yellow in it, ewww. So I have been on the hunt for a great grey that is light and bright and not Kona Ash. light grey is not easy to find. I am hoping Kona upgrades its selection of greys in the next couple years. Do you use grey? which one do you use? let me know ...

Today I am dilly dallying around and taking some time to play in the studio. Monday is traditionally my day off, and I would love to get back on schedule. I closed the store and am back focused on making something.

The 2 longest blocks are blocks I made in the Summer of Making workshop with Denyse Schmidt. As much as I love the DS style I really don't want to be making/doing copies of her style. I wanted to get from the class a plan for developing my own blocks or working style. The oppurtunity to be around other artists, work, get feedback, and develop a "veiw".
Im using Munki, Liberty, Konas, shot cottons, and of course DS FMF.. Willy- Nilly sent me some charms to go in this quilt top I am developing for my step son. He is working on his masters in fine art (painting) at the Art Institute in Chicago.

Im going to be teaching a new project and need some samples. It takes 2 FQ and two 2.5" strips and either another FQ or batting for the sandwich center. That's what I did in the center there.
Flannel on the back and batting in the center.
Sandwich it together and quilt as desired. In my case I wanted to play and practice with machine quilting on a stationary machine. The ladies I will be teaching will be dropping their feed dogs and free quilting. It takes about 15 minutes to quilt a FQ and 20 minutes to bind. I think they could do something a bit larger maybe with half yards...
I need to crank out a few more samples.
The two on the side are quilts that I was just playing when I made or quilted. That ZigZag was a quilting experiement that for me didn't work but is still a good quilt that could be used. The one on the right was left over blocks...
I think I found them good homes... more on that later.
Quilter Rock!

Blonde Fundus! How would you know?

2009-09-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

I have really blonde fundus... The doctor said it was the lightest he has ever seen.
He was really excited!
Blonde fundus is describing the amount of pigment in the fundus. It is sort of common in caucasions. It is of no real concern.
This means I probably need to take good care of my eyes by wearing sun glasses, since I lack pigmentation in the fundus . The fundus of the eye is the interior surface of the eye, opposite the lens, and includes the retina, optic disc, macula and fovea, and posterior pole.

Babies I think, are born with no pigment and then the fundus fills in. Mine never did. I am extremely sensitive to light and get headaches... the Doctor said it was interesting and healthy. I bought some sunglasses and took some Ib after being blasted with the lights. Im good.
Aren't these pictures neat? That's my eyeball!
Weird right?
QR!

Another One?

2009-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

This time in brights. I made this from the scraps of vintage sheets. I think it is much different in feeling than yesterdays. The pastel version is really pretty in person and I think photos don't capture that delicacy. This one is bright and saucy and one could say it lacks subtlety. Either way I am kinda in love...

Here is the binding which is a Micheal Miller print. On the Pastel Version I used a vintage sheet. It worked fine but for this brights version I didn't want a solid binding and the vintage sheets are far too valuable to use as binding. I think its a good fit.

Look how nicely it plays with the other prints? Funny, how something unimportant makes me so happy.

Here is a shot of the back, I used the same back as the pastel quilt. My girlfriend hated the back and didn't want to use the sheet in our bundles, but I loved it and wanted to use it somehow.
In other news.... My husband passed his Kidney Stone with no more pain. Hooray!
I need new glasses like nobodies business and just endured the worst customer service from Costco in recorded history. Apparently, being a unholy bitch is a prerequisite at the Hillsboro Costco Optical Department. My bad luck that they sell contacts cheaper than everybody else.
Somebody asked me what constituted a "Loser" in my fabric stash. I think this is personal to each stash ... for me it is Marbles instead of Konas... Burgundy anything... thimbleberries ...
traditional small geos overprinted with black and brown ... the list goes on...
Stuff that eyes tell me is "not working".

I love these uneven dots from Paula Prass, the orange stripe, dots and print from Heather Ross.
That strong aqua and pink print from Micheal Miller these work for me in a way that's good graphically in photos and also in person. Close up and far away.. Hopefully my work will start looking like what's in my head. who knows.
Quilters Rock!

Something Bound, Something Bound to be Beautiful, and Something Bound for Someone Else

2009-09-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

I finished my pastel upcycled bed linen quilt. Its quilted, bound and finally finished. Dreamy, modern, pastel and its so soft. Really soft! Like Heather Ross poplin might feel after 20 years!

I quilted a wreathy like flowery thing with a flamey type fill. I wanted to practice my flames. I think it will crinkle up nicely. This is unwashed. All of the linen were washed by me before I (let them in my house) started. It should only soften a bit but not shink too badly.

This huge tulip print from the 80's is the backing. omg, that's totally awesome.

The Etsy store is still open but has moved way off the front burner. I have no intension of being a fabric store. Thanks for shopping with me if you did. I still have quite a selection of Flea Market Fancy and will be having sales to move them out. I will announce here first.
Since I went to the Denyse Schmidt Workshop at PNCA I have had to face the fact that I have purchased some losers in the fabric department. I am moving in a new direction, a new style and need the tools to do that. Buying or refocusing my stash to that end has been helpful. I sent 3 boxes to IBOL on the 16 of August full of stuff I needed to let go. Rather than have a destash sale is was great to be able to give it to some ladies that I'm sure could really use it.
Im going to be starting a new program of recieving blankets soon so stay tuned for that. I've got a plan.
The money I earn helps me to quilt for charity and do vollunteering, so I am really grateful to those who shopped with me. Thank You.

Those Wonky Stars are each actually a stack of wonky stars. August was my month in Stash Busting Bee International, I requested Wonky Stars and when they started to roll in I put some in a pile and the rest I left in each envelope till now. When I get done with my chores and have time to play with these... Im gonna make something great! For me! Thanks ladies!
The other quilt up there is my DQS7 for my partner. Im sending it today. I hope she likes it.
Below that you can my Pressing Station. The Iron is a Shark Pro something.. . if it was a woman it would be a dominatrix. Fabrics just beg to be pressed into submission.
My shapely water bottle filled with distilled. Behind that is my new binding maker. Which I love beyond normal boundaries. Another item you don't see is my bottle of Best Press. They should pay me, I am a convert.
Quilters Rock!

More Munki More

2009-09-06T17:43:00.001-07:00

swap and give away
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Zip on over to Repro Depot and get some Munki Yardage!
Fast before its gone!

He Rocks!

2009-09-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

My DH husband just called to tell me he found this rollerskate in a store and did I want it?
Cheese and Rice! Awesome!
today:
Quilters Husbands Rock!

City Blocks front

2009-09-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

City Blocks front
Originally uploaded by onepotato

okay vision this! ... light gray back ground or white.
pastels as the big squares like she has and then Muni munki as the charms squares..
OnePotato over at flickr made/posted this marvel and I swear I have been drawing something similar for months but thought it too complicated and here this simple version is....

In general this would be an awesome charm pack quilt idea!
Quilters Rock!

I know talented people...really I Do!

2009-08-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

I took the Denyse Schmidt Workshop in July and one of the ladies in the class finished this quilt with the blocks she made in class.. .. Its so awesome! (photo courtesy of Amy)
This is the best pic I have of her blocks .. in progress ... they are in the upper right of the pic ... neither of those ladies is Amy.

My other friend Anne Marie.. from guild is a big winner at the state fair! She won 2nd with this great salvege! She is a genius! very impressive!

photo courtesy of Anne Marie...
Check out their blogs, they are both awesome talented quilters!

In other news, August is ending and we decided to keep some munki munki, other rarities in the shop but we are not planning on being a fabric shop. Watch for wildly lowering prices in the next couple of weeks(it may be a month but the plan will be revealed sooner) as we reduce inventory... Don't expect gold tiles or blue dotted leaves to go on sale but I will be moving out the pink barbells, posies and most others ...
check back here to see the plan here first... I promise it will be here first...
Quilters Rock!

Busy Busy...

2009-08-26T02:11:00.000-07:00

There is a lot going on over here... Guests, family and sharing a computer have all made me a little less inclined to post or flickr. Tonight I answered mail on an account other than my own...
Silly.
Been real busy with the munki munki trading, swapping and selling.
I am starting to think about Xmas and am collecting fabrics for my step sons quilt. He is getting his Masters over at the Art institute In Chicago so it has to be great.
This is the style block I am thinking I will make him. I developed it in the Denyse Schmidt Workshop I took.

I started trying to get some Heather Ross prints to go with my Flea market fancy prints and also looking for the right solids. then I discovered Munki Munki by Heather Ross and well thats it really ... Im hooked!

I have been going thrift store shopping to find fabric too.. pillow cases, shirts, skirts .. whatever is right.

I think both of these are going to look great in his quilt. That green goes with the Tennis Munki Munki. His blocks will be lighter and fresher in tone.
Unrelated to his quilt, I found this awesome Ben Sherman shirt in red aqua and pink in an awesoome mid-century print. Its awesome!

I sent out a swap recently....

Isn't that the cutest?

Quilters Rock

Local artist inspires ME

2009-08-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this great graphic painter. So inspiring for quilts, I think.
GeorgePerrou.com. I love what this guy is doing, how it's modern and retro at the same time.
From one cherrio eating, Jetson watching kid to another; here's to you George. Way to rock my eyeballs!
Portland Oregon is a great place for artists. I love living here.
I moved from Southern California about 15 years ago and although I had a great life in California there is something here, I think it might be the winter, that gives a person a chance to develop. Maybe it's the western hardscrable pioneer spirit, I don't know.

Munki munki field trip

2009-08-18T19:31:00.001-07:00

Munki munki field trip
Originally uploaded by daveandsusi

did you see this over at Flickr?
*adding it to my list...
so cute.

Another give away! this time munkimunki

2009-08-18T18:19:00.001-07:00

leave a comment, make sure I can reach you and you too could be a winner!
What do you win? munki munki Farmers Market PJ top size small. If I get more than 50 comments I will add another winner(they get the pants or vis versa). So your chances are 1: 50 at the most! After the 100 folks enter then I will add a leg, then another and... I can not imagine a universe where thats gonna happen... but if I get over 100 comments I'll add that 3rd prize. (half of the first 2 prizes)

open to all! no strings! I mean a comment isn't a string, is it? Oh wait! I'm supposed to tell you that if you link to me or promote the giveaway you can enter again. so okay strings ... earn another chance if you link, and make another comment telling me how.
Don't forget; if I can't reach you - your out!
While I have you here...please have a look at Iraqi Bundles of Love.... and see if you can lend a hand. you have until the 7th... and if you send something feel free to enter again!

oh yeah, when is it over? ... lets say next Tuesday august 25th Noonish!

More Munki Munki - Farmers Market!

2009-08-17T15:28:00.001-07:00

Swap
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

This time it's Farmers Market.
I cannot stand how cute these are!

Munki Munki Martians

2009-08-16T16:21:00.001-07:00

IMG_1684_2
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

woo hoo!
Some for swap
some for sale

Shut the front door !!
I'm ES-sited!!

Circle of Geese :: July's Block

2009-08-13T17:29:00.001-07:00

Circle of Geese :: July's Block
Originally uploaded by The Sometimes Crafter

Ladies have you been over to the sometimes crafter blog? Run do not walk over there to check out this circle of geese!
How cute would pillows be made in this pattern? With my FIL ties as the geese?
I am this close to shoving that sometimes crafter down the stairs ala Showgirls... Another brilliant block like this and I am seriously scratching her off my Xmas list!
I don't care if she is right across the bridge in Vancouver and almost a neighbor! I am this close to not answering her emails anymore!
What a genius!

vintage quilt top comparison

2009-08-12T18:50:00.001-07:00

vintage quilt top comparison
Originally uploaded by white lotus quilting

I love this quilt and based my spare change on this Pontiac Star Block.
Want to see my take?
look HERE!

Round about quilt pickings

2009-08-11T19:13:00.001-07:00

Round about quilt pickings
Originally uploaded by 2ndAveStudio

Im starting a quilt for my step daughter who I have never lived with and don't know very well. Really it's part of my present for my DH, doing something nice for his daughter. I'm mixing it up. she lives in AZ so I think it should be tropical colors.
Anything that shouldn't be there? Anything I need more of? let me know.

Happy Birthday! It was!

2009-08-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

So last Thursday was my birthday! Hmrph! I have been buzy with the store and all so it was low key. That is a photo of 30th Anniversary Cheesecake from the Cheescake Factory. They sell whole cakes in a variety of sizes. A whole cake bought frozen can be cut up and put in the freezer for about 3$ a slice. Rather than 7.5$ a slice in the resturant. We got 8 monster slices but I think next time we will get 16 small slices.
My birthday present was going to The Denyse Schmidt Workshop so I am thrilled, even though around here it was quiet on the day. DH is working on an interesting (to him) engineering dilemma. To him its always "solve the problem, save the world" . Times like these he is pretty lost to me.
Friday night I went out to eat with my girl friends and laughed. It's always good with them. We got to taking pictures of our arms bent (looks like ass) to send to our husbands. So stupid and fun.

Saurday night we went to the Garlic Festival in North Plains and did door watch at the Beer Garden. My quilt guild earns a million dollars(ok maybe less) a year doing this, so I did my shift.

This was ones families collection of cups. We watched them drink and build this monster over several hours. Thanks for coming to the Garlic Festival have a safe drive home! The police came and checked they had a driver before they left.
Did you see the In Plain Sight season finalle? Mary can't die! She is the show! cheap trick.
Quilters Rock!

Sunday Stash lets call it #4

2009-08-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! Flea Market Fancy. My girlfriend Faith and I are selling this out of my Etsy shop but not before we each took a healthy whack for ourselves!
I started with the green seeds and the green dots, then Faith added some, then we hit a store.
Finally we hit another store and that's it! The prices are pretty steep for the US but are pretty reasonable for Europe.

I'm looking for green gnomes! any swapper s out there?
also green dotted leaves(FQonly)
pool scene maybe ( I just need a bit)
boys bikes which is munki munki I just need a few for my step sons quilt.

Quilters rock!