Postcard Play by Susan Dague

Postcard play by susandaguequilts I don't think it's procrastination, but I got stuck in the vortex of a postcard binge this week.   I couldn't get out until I finished these, and I had fun all the while. Leftovers from my current project: ________________ The fruits of my most recent vintage fabric / embroidery marathon: _________ And my current favorite: (If you haven't silently said, "Awwwww . . . "  yet, you're having a really tough day.) ___________ I also include one experimental card, using a technique that I want to try a bit more: For first-time viewers, these postcards are being made for the Voices in Cloth 2014quilt show that our East Bay Heritage Quilters guild hosts. For instructions on making your own cards, click here for a tutorial, and to see a gallery of more postcards samples, click the tab marked "EBHQ Postcards" on my home page.

Children's Quilts Project - 8/11/13

Here is some eye candy for you!

Tangled up in Blue - Mabry Benson

Take a peek at what is on Mabry Benson's Design Wall -

In my never quest to use up the mass of fabric in the sewing room (a

quest that never seems to get closer to realization), am working on

the batik collection. This is a pile of triangles from a mostly
turquoise color range.

The Pile

Working Outward

Almost Done

Filled In

I will now let this simmer while I do some machine quilting.  There are still plenty of triangles for more - quilts for my sisters, nieces & nephews. - Mabry Benson

Children's Quilts Update - 8/4/13

Such a happy quilt!

Children's Quilts Update - 7/28/13

Sure to put a smile on someone's face, don't you think?

Japanese Puzzle Quilt by Mabry Benson

I made my first Japanese Puzzle quilt in 1993, after my friend Ann spotted it in a Quilters' Newsletter Magazine, and I figured out how it was made.

I later realized that it would be possible to make this with no two pieces the same shape. I collected 2 cubes of red & black fabrics, which got buried in the back of the closet. Last year during 'deep search' those cubes surfaced, and I decided to do the quilt. I got it half done in August:

I almost finished the top this February. I intended to whack off the irregular edge and sew on the border, but found that the edge wasn't in a straight line. It would have been difficult to sew on by machine, so I decided to hand sew it - this from 'the not-a-hand-stitch-in-it' queen.
As you can see I have a ways to go:

VIC 2014 Quilt Challenge!

After months of hard work and planning, VIC 2014 Quilt Challenge has been launched! 

Spend some time visiting the website to appreciate all the effort that has gone into this project.

WWII Home Front Quilts

More Postcards from Susan Dague

Postcards

Just so there are some fun pix on this site this week, here are a few of the latest postcards made by EBHQ members.  I'll put them in the EBHQ Postcards Gallery, too.

I hope this postcard project is fun for all who try it.  I'm loving the results, and I know the Guild is appreciating the efforts.

Oklahoma Quilts

EBHQ quickly sent 16 quilts to Mission of Love to be delivered to tornado survivors in Oklahoma. Luana Rubins of eQuilter Fabrics helped deliver the quilts and just posted the following on her newsletter:

"Today was one of those days that I will remember for the rest of my life. Today Sam (my daughter)  and I flew to Oklahoma City, went to the Town Hall, starting spreading out some of the 400 donated quilts, and then met the people of Moore, Oklahoma who lost their homes and loved ones. Then we went on a tour of the tornado's devastation in the town, including the Plaza Towers Elementary School where 7 children died. I met 2 mothers who had lost a child, and lost their home. Then we went to a nearby hotel where so many homeless families are waiting endlessly for a place to call home. Everywhere we went, we personally gave your handmade donated quilts to those who had suffered a grave loss. We also gave a quilt to a young woman who was a first responder, who is still recovering from what she experienced. We gave a quilt to the first grade teacher who had her kids put all the desks in the corner, and then they played a game crouching under the desks, singing as loud as they could as the tornado screamed towards their school. When I hugged the 2 mothers who had lost a child, and let them pick out a quilt, I told them that with these quilts comes the love and comfort of 400 quilters who sent us these quilts as soon as they heard we were doing a quilt relief project for Oklahoma. One woman repeated over and over again - "You have to tell all these quilters thank you for being so generous - for thinking of us and sending these beautiful quilts!" There were many tears to go along with the hugs. ...and this was only for a few hours this afternoon. Tomorrow we'll be at the Moore City Hall from 9 am to 5 pm, meeting families and hugging every person who receives a quilt made by all of you wonderful quilters. The outpouring of love from so many of you, is palpable as we spread out all the colorful quilts. I will do my best to transfer this love and caring to every person I meet tomorrow, who has suffered a great loss. Many thanks to Kathy Price and her co-pilot Karen who drove the truck full of quilts down from Ohio. My thanks also to EE Schenck and Patty Reed Designs, for the 400 sturdy pink "Hope" tote bags that are being matched up with each donated quilt. Most of all, my humble thanks to all of you who rushed to send your comfort quilts for the people of Moore, Oklahoma. Your love and caring is an amazing gift of selfless generosity for these families who have lost so much. Best wishes and Happy sewing," Paul and Luana Rubin

Bead Seminar on Sunday July 14 in Emeryville

I know a lot of us have bead stashes, for embellishing quilts and wearables and, oh yes, for making jewelry.  So I'm planning to attend this talk:

beadsocietyofnorcal.org/events.html

"Cord & Thread + a Tour of Bead & Fiber Jewelry
Presented by Marion Hunziker-Larsen

As a studio artist, Marion Hunziker-Larsen has worked with thread all of her life, producing a large collection of limited edition and one of a kind jewelry pieces since the late 70’s. She uses various fiber techniques including, but not limited to micro macrame, Cavandoli knotting, Kumihimo braiding, Chinese knotting and cordmaking with gemstones beads and cabochons." The talk is free to Bead Society members -- so for only $20, I'm going to sign up tomorrow. -- Rachel Holmen

"

QUILT CAMP is coming up July 10

Quilt Camp at Asilomar (just south of Monterey, CA) is a great way to spend time with your fellow quilters, get a project completed or start a new one.

Details:  https://sites.google.com/site/ebhqbanner3/activities

(The quilt above was one Gwyn McMillan worked on during last year's camp.)



-- Rachel Holmen

Children's Quilts Update - 7/7/13

This week in Children's Quilts

This big quilt was designed using a collection of fabrics from a quilter's personal stash.  The amusing contemporary design and bright colors will make a cozy spot in the first apartment of an older teen who has just timed out of foster care.

4th of July

Happy Birthday America!

Mary Rockhold Teter's Stars and Stripes quilt

In the Smithsonian Institution

This Stars and Stripes quilt was made in 1861 by Mrs. Mary Rockhold Teter of Noblesville, Indiana for her son George, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. In the center is a thirty-two-inch blue square set diagonally on a field of fifteen red and fourteen white 2-1/2 inch stripes with a 6-3/4 inch blue border. Thirty-four white stars are appliqued on a blue center, and the same number on the border, representing the number of states in the Union from July 4, 1861 to July 4, 1863. The date 1861 is quilted on one of the center stars. Some of the stars in the lower left corner of the border are quilted 'Ab Lyncoln', 'Abe', 'Scott', 'Butler' and 'Genral Lyon'. The pattern for this quilt was published in Peterson's Magazine in July 1861. Details from Smithsonian website Mary’s quilt was donated to the Smithsonian by George’s grandson, Eugene, in 1940. This quilt survived the Civil War. And we are so glad it did!

Children's Quilt Update - 6/30/13

This week in Children's Quilts

Stitched up from the directions supplied in a disappearing nine-patch quilt kit, this modern palette of colors will appeal to Baby and her Mom.

Arleen Kukua's current quilts-in-progress

 Arleen writes to us:

This is what I am working on.   These are all silk fabric scraps.  I have been cutting silks for about a week now. Luckily, I have about another hundred fabrics to cut into triangles.  From each fabric, I cut three pieces and try to short them in to categories. So far the categories are white, dark, red, yellows, etc.

At first I tried putting them on my design wall, a tablecloth pinned on the wall.  The silks would not adhere to the wall.  Then I placed a sheet on the bed and used that as my design wall.  Taking a picture of it really allows you to see the separations of the light and dark.

There are problems with silk that I have been pondering, but haven't made a decision yet.  Should I put on an interface backing.  Some of the silks are very flimsy and sheer.  Should I hand piece them?  

I still have a long way to go.  But it is taking shape.  Now back to cutting more triangles.

 

 

 

Posted by Rachel Holmen

Children's Quilts Update - 6/18/13

This week in Children's Quilts

EBHQ's Children's Quilts come into being many different ways. Because we now collect and give away almost 1200 quilts a year we can no longer remember the stories of each one.  The blocks in the quilt below may have been cut from a salesman's donated samples and the sashes and binding cut from the personal stash of the volunteer making up the kit. Another volunteer would have taken the kit home and stitched it up before returning it. Then another volunteer would have quilted it. Finally, another volunteer stitched on the binding before giving it to another volunteer to hand sew down the binding.

Or, one happy volunteer may have done all those jobs.  Love those bright colors!

Children's Quilts

Deanna Davis, EBHQ President and our Children's Quilts Coordinator has been busy putting together sets of donated tops, batting, backing and binding and will bringing them to all June gatherings. Please "Adopt-A-Top" and take home a set or two to finish into a quilt over the summer. The children will be so grateful for the warmth and love of your quilt and Deanna's husband Bob will be so grateful to get his car back into their garage again!

Carolyn Weil's Voices in Cloth - a work in progress

Carolyn  has been a busy quilter! Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!

John Marshall Workshop

Here are a few photos of the John Marhshall workshop in May. Lots of yummy indigos!

Past Event: Opportunity Quilts on view at Live Oak Fair

The EBHQ opportunity quilts will be on display Sunday at the Live Oak Craft Fair in Berkeley -- take Shattuck north of Cedar and go past the CVS pharmacy when Shattuck "forks".  (The left fork changes its name and actually becomes Henry Street.  To reach the park and the fair, take the RIGHT fork.)

You might buy the winning ticket at the drawing held next spring at our quilt show.

Here are photos of the two quilts: http://www.ebhq.org/quilt-shows/vic2014 and the dates for next year's show as well.

-- Rachel Holmen