Spotlight ~ Shine the light on Heather Jones

Today, it's all about Heather Jones.....Heather Jones/Studio.   From Heather's "About"  page:  She is an author, designer and a self-taught quilter who loves to bring a modern twist to traditional patterns. 

While her blog hasn't been blogged on in quite a few months, what is there is worthy of taking note.
What is there and in her quilt gallery are perfect examples of taking traditional and adding that twist. 

My personal favorite is her Half Way Home quilt - a modern spin on the traditional log cabin quilt.  And wouldn't you know there's a free pattern  at Robert Kaufman  Fabrics, featuring the "House of Denim" fabric line.  Go get your PDF pattern and use fabric from your stash, or order up whatever makes your heart go pitter-pat.

Half Way Home by Heather Jones 60" x 72"
featuring Robert Kaufman "House of Denim"

Here's my take on Heather's pattern:  using linen from those thrift store finds:  shirts and blouses in pink and green.  It's a few months old, but this one continues to put a smile on my face.

 

 

Perhaps this one should  be named "Going Home Through the Orchard" 

 

And the Inspiration Continues ~

All People Quilt - a one stop shop for quilting inspiration.  Once you get there, you can spend quite awhile skirting in and out of sites for quilt inspiration and patterns.  Don't worry about hitting the "See More" buttons....it'll only bring up good things to clamor over and download. 

How simply great is Dianne D. Knott's Table Manners.  Who wouldn't love sitting down for a cuppa every morning with this splash of something special added. 

Simply large and diamonds, Oh, Boy:  Quilt maker Kathleen Williams ~  Prairie Diamonds

Inspired by Vanessa Christenson ~ V and Co ~ "Diamonds In The Ruff" .   Loving the way Kathleen took Vanessa's diamonds and made them her own. 

Continuing to be inspired.  Don't you just love it? 



 

Souls Grown Deep ~

Was it less than two years ago that we, Quilters' Guild Acadienne, took to the bus to experience the women of Gee's' Bend?   Thinking the Souls Grown Deep site summarized our experience in pictures and stories:

Gee's Bend quiltmakers - photo from Souls Grown Deep

 

 

My picture memories of the road trip.....the quilting shed doesn't look too impressive, does it?  Oh, but the happiest of surprises when we walked through the door and was greeted by

 The Women of Gee's Bend

These ladies have hearts the size of the moon and even on this cold, rain-filled day, they shared their spirituals and a most delicious pound cake.

The rooms were filled with quilts....on every wall, table, chair and shelf.  If these quilts and pillows couldn't make one happy, then nothing ever will. 

 

 

Souls Grown Deep tells the beautiful story of the Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend and has pictures of each quilt maker.  My stumbling around this morning on the web was rewarding and not the least bit a waste of time. 

 

From the biography of Geraldine Westbrook (1919-2016)

 

Geraldine Westbrook (1919-2016) photo from Souls Grown Deep

 

 

 

"I been making quilts for a long time, and I got more mess I done pieced up. When you get old, you get to the place where you get out of one situation and just be sitting around to keep your mind together, you do things."

 

Are you a Massdrop?

Thanks, Torch, for the information that the Oliso Pro Smart Iron price has dropped even lower.....another milestone at $129.99 at Massdrop.  Only six days left at this dropped price.

If you want it, don't wait, go get it.  At this price, you can even allow it to be your first Christmas gift to self. 




 

Batting: How boring~

Quilt batting:  how boring, but oh, so important to each and every one of us. 

Photo credit given to Lee Heinrich since this darling picture is seen on her July, 2017 blog post. 

All about batting, found on Bernina's "We All Sew" page.    Great information for the novice quilter and beyond from the delightful Lee Heinrich, a modern quilt maker,  who owns and operates and blogs as Freshly Pieced.  Here is Lee's  quilt gallery to drool over.









 

Machine Quilting in Sections: Strategies for Any Quilt

Way fun.....watch  this video all the way to the end.  Marti Mitchell is the best at showing us how to add on to older quilts even years later.  Ever changed mattresses or beds and your quilt didn't fit?  Here's the easy answer to 'grow' your favorite quilt to fit the need.  

If I can dance, then you can too ~

I was dancing a jig with myself this morning when I found  Cut Loose Quilt....a Denyse Schmidt design showcasing her new fabric collection - Washington Post.    It's a Free Spirit!  While there, check out the inspiration gallery for more wonders and of course, the fabric. 

 

 

Here's the Cut Loose Quilt PDF Link. I've already printed my copy.   Go there and get it and get cutting.  How liberating to just cut loose and quilt.  Thank you Free Spirit Fabric and thank you Denyse Schmidt for the pleasure of your company this morning. 




 

Something Fishy

Kids and grandkids are back in school so it's time to dust the dust off that sewing machine and get sewing again. 
While  searching for patterns to use some Tim Holtz fabric that's been collecting dust,  I discovered  something fishy going on.  How cute is this:  From Blue Nickel Studios....designs by Scott Hansen.

I so enjoyed browsing through this site....the blog, the patterns both free and for purchase.  Oh, and The Gallery:  both published and unpublished.   It was those quilt pictures in  unpublished that truly intrigued me.  Go see for yourself and spend some time with Blue Nickel. 

In the meantime, I'm still looking for a way to use my Tim Holtz fabric....but perhaps that's for another day. 

I'll leave you with this quote that flashed the Blue Nickel Studios home page: 

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

                  Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

All About The "No Guts Boxie Pouch"

Don't you just love to hate someone who teases with a free bag pattern, then doesn't show up with the real deal.  Well, blog followers, that's just not going to happen here. 

I found this freebee last year and have made almost a gazillion for my friends and relatives and quilt guild fundraisers and I'm here to tell you that this pattern is a winner.   And, it's free to you to download from the Craftsy store.  I've heard that they are going to change the way they promote and sell their classes and patterns, so you may want to go ahead and download now. Whether you use it this afternoon or not....it's yours. 

"No Guts Boxie Pouch" 

 

You can't tell the difference in shapes from these pictures, but the size you box the 8 corners (the last step in construction) determines whether the pouch is skinny and taller or flat and wider.    I've started using 1 3/4"  box and like that a lot.   A two inch box changes the shape of the pouch dramatically.

 

 

 

At retreat last weekend, Linda pieced together some 5" precuts for her pouch exterior,   then cut at     9 1/2" x 13" and that also very pleasantly altered the size.  The pattern says cut at 10" x 12". 

I usually put a tab at each end of my bag, but Ginger decided to add only one and made it 3" long instead of the 1 1/2" per pattern instructions.  So many ways to vary this little ditty.

So,

Go play.....go box that bag. 

Bet you can't make just one! 

 

I do enjoy editing a post several days after the fact....it's kinda like Paul Harvey's "now you know the rest of the story."  I found  Elm  Street Quilts Blog about boxie bags and love the way the handles are attached. 

Possibilities are endless.

 

 

 

How To Make and Attach Wide, Chunky Bindings ~

Excellent video - too good not to share: