Dear Jane...am I close to done....

NOT. Ha Judy asked me if all I had was the blocks you will see below. Only 201 to go. lmao

You see, Monday was my second class of the second session (yes beginning of my second round of Dear Jane) and this is what I have.

It is important to note that 6 were completed last week and another three in class on Monday. I would say perhaps in a year. Depends on how many holiday gifts I make. Lol

But I am truly enjoying myself.

Love love eBay

Hello blog land.
I enjoy trolling ebay for old finds. During this jaunt I found some cool star blocks. I enjoy old Fabrics and am on a quest to learn how to date fabrics and quilts. Armed with some informational books and reference materials from the textile industry, I am enjoying my self created lessons.

So, this is how I have decided to go about the educational process. I read up on different fabric types and styles. I then search around eBay, periodically, to see if anything fits my current search criteria. I have a preset price that I am willing to pay base on a variety of factors. Of course there is always the possibility that it is not what it is purported to be which is why I have a set cost in mind. I.e. never more than $2-$3 per block in large groups. I figured that it would be a reasonable cost No matter what age the block is. I also look to ensure that there is not an abundance of the fabric represented in the lot an also that there aren't multiple listings of similar things.

I have also learned that estate sale does not guarantee age... See maximum for block price above. Smiles. And the older re blocks are purported to be, the more scrappy they should be if they are large amounts. They should evidence the scarcity of fabric, because everyone did not have the means to buy bolts of fabric. So I look for a variety of fabrics used, like shirting, feed sack etc in a series.

I have also taken to looking for kitchen sink type quilt tops because they show a wide range of fabrics. You can also see how they age.

So here are some recent finds.

Manhattan was Over Run by Quilters

Hellooo blog land,

It is definitely back to school season. The crisp September air, the bright blue sky and puffy white clouds. Where or where did summer 2012 go. I am sooo happy I was able to attend the daytime eveny of Quilters Take Manhattan. Of course, yours truly "CocktailsandThread" was ticketed and ready for the After Dark event, Quiltini's anyone.  The Quiltini's were yummy, although I did not have as much as I would have liked since I was driving. How did I make that mistake. Lol

Back to the afternoon at FIT. It was great. Beginning with a lovely message from Mark Lipinski, to introductions by Quilt Alliance's Executive Director Amy Milne (she's awesome)... To a lovely SOS with Denise Schmydt, interviewed by the wonderful Meg Cox. Followed by a great intro by Marie Bostwick (love her books) and a talk by Jennifer Chiaverini , gonna have to pick up one of her novels as well. And then all the wonderful door prizes, although I did not win this year.

I was able to contribute and benefit from the silent auction and walked away with two awesome books that I never knew existed. 

Textural Rhythms: Quilting the Jazz Tradition

and Threads of Faith by Carolyn L. Mazloomi

Don't you just love that.

So here is a weekend pictorial of the events. (in no particular order since its from my phone lol)

Karla Overland fromCherrywood Fabrics.  I loooovee t his tunic...

 

 

Meg Cox inteviewing Denise Schmydt at FIT Quilters Take Manhattan

 

 

Stories by Syliva Weire Beaumont, TX Quilt Alliance House Quilts

 

 

Paula Nadelstern designed umbrella and its lucky winner Emily Klainberg

 

Quilters Take Manhattan AFTER DARK - the Quiltini

 

 

QTM After Dark with the wonderul Author Marie Bostwick

 

Love Love Love Luke Haynes...Fiber Artist Extraordinaire.

 

QTM After Dark with a bit of Improv in the Bumblebean studio.

 

Anotehr of my fave people...Leslie Tucker Jennison...Her stuff is AWESOMMMMEEE

 

Simplicity at its finest..

 

The Woman with the best job ever...Amy Milne, Executive Director of the Quilt Alliance

 

QTM After Dark and the energy is still flowing

 

More Quilt Alliance Houses

 

 

 

Isnt this fabulous, I may learn to like yo yos after all...

 

 

Did I not say her stuff is awesome, Leslie Tucker Jennison

 

NYC Metro Mods very own Andrea Murray "Om is where the quilt is"

 

 

FIT swag + City Quilter stop = a stop how before the AFTER DARK

 

QTM After Dark

 

 

Susan Cane, CT "Home Sweet Home"

 

 

Studio Improve at Quilters Take Manhattan After Dark with Quiltini's -
 Love it, For what is better than Cocktails and Thread...smiles

 

 

Caffeine boost at Quilters Take Manhattan - FIT

 

 

Another introduction to an author - Jennifer Chaiverini, gotta check her out...smiles

 

 

Barely liberated for Benita

Before flying out, I got about 45 min of stitching done.

Hope you like it. Will drop in the mail on Tuesday.

Solid as a Rock...

Hello quilt world. This past weekend was a whirlwind, quilt making weekend. I finished 2 quilts In about 12 hours total. They are each about 45 x 45 inches. So I guess you can say it was one 90 x 90 quilt.

They are both for people in my life that are in need of "Quilty Love". I delivered the one entitled "Solid" and still have to deliver the one entitled "Powerfully Pink".
The solid quilt was a great way for me to work through some feelings, and at the end of the quilting and gifting. I must say that love truly is, solid as a rock. No matter how angry, disappointed, frustrated you may be at someone... I you love them solidly, nothing can change that.

Here they are...

"Solid" August 12, 2012 for LWS

"Solid" Close up

The back of Solid

"Powerfully Pink" August 12, 2012 for LP

215 to go, oh my baby Jane

Okay so I have 10 completed. I guess I haven't really worked on that many since i began. I just did five over the past two days. I figure if I can manage 2-3 a day minimum, and then perhaps with more than an hour and a half... I can complete more. I have been machine stitching. I thought It would be faster. It still takes prep work.

First you have to trace the block then cut it out of freezer paper. Then iron it onto fabric. Then outline the shapes. Then cut the shapes, pin and finally sew the various parts. I suppose as I progress I will learn to appreciate it even more.

I can say it is teaching me patience, and the importance of straight stitches and lining up my seams. It is even teaching me the need for precision. So it is definitely a fruitful endeavor that will prove to sharpen my skills.. I mean make me take the time to cut and piece properly. lol

Let's see when I have 100 done. I publicly promise to complete all 225 blocks. And so the journey continues.

A much needed RETREAT...quilty style

Well, it was an amazing 9 days. Funny how things work, I decided to change my vacation plans to help out a dear friend by dog sitting for them. As a result I ended up with a retreat that rivaled no other. While away i am usually scheduled with events and activities, just like at home. But funny how God works.

God wanted me to be in my own space, in my mind and in my creative zone. So although I made it out a bit and some some friends, I spent the majority of the time by myself, stitching, swimming, and relaxing away.

Thanks Queen Bumblebeans and family.

Here is a pictorial montage of my retreat.

Red Headed Mermaid July Queen Bee Block

Yummy Vittles

Another One Completed  "Back to Basics" July 2012

"I Do" is I done...took a class a couple of years ago and finished quilting July 2012

Fabric and the Beasts..I guess this is their usual bed...smiles

Making use of a design WALL.

Urban girl Does a bit of weeding in the garden

Ahhh a doggies Life...

Deciding how much quilty stuff to bring

Quinoa Pizza..the crust is from soaked quinoa, blended with water seasonings and olive and poured into the cast iron pan and baked.

"Winter" quilt complete.  Began August 2011, finished July 2012

Out and about

Contemplating, what shall we do now..

The beginnings of another quilt

Still thinking about what to do with this.

Yes, I occasionally eat fried food.

working it out in the studio..

Completed top for a gift

Yes, this is how cucumbers are born...smiles

My days harvest from the Garden

Local Black Sea Bass, stuffed with garlic and onions pan seared and baked...yummy.  

An excuse to stay in and keep sewing..

A swimming kind of day

Quilt top complete...on to the backing and basting.

Took a trip for some backing

Fast asleep

My Vintage Ebay find, finally completed

At the end of the retreat...time to read a quilty novel..