QUILTERS ON THE ROCK.....ROCK!

Hi all....well, another fabulous group of gals at the Quilters on the Rock guild  with a trunk show and class made for a fabulous two days on Whidbey Island.
I stayed with a great gal, Dorothy, who was just about the best handquilter I have ever seen.  It makes we wish I could hand quilt, but it just makes me so frustrated.  All I see is a big blank quilt in front of me, with miles of handquilting to go.  They have a great guild, and it was nice to see a few gals I already knew from here and there!
While at Dorothy's I met her cute and cuddly Corgi dog, Maggie.  She was smart as a whip, and minded so well....Maggie, go to your room!   And off she went.  Her husband, Bill, makes great airplanes out of pop cans, and they are so realistic.  Hobbies are so wonderful, and I often wonder how people live without at least one hobby!  
Tuesday we had class where we did three different projects:  fabric weaving, machine quilting, and the lone star.   We got so busy I even forgot to take pictures...but I am hoping they will send me pictures that I can post.  Near the end, one very funky Halloween quilt began to emerge into a great lone star.  There were some great samples of machine quilting  and  woven quilts that will be fabulous when finished.  I am so looking forward to seeing pictures of the finished projects.  It was just too much fun.  I love to teach and teaching 3 at a time is all the more fun.
The La Conner Quiltfest is drawing close in just a couple weeks, and I also have to get my quilts shipped to MQX for their show coming up in early October. Lots to do with quilting my customer quilts, too.  I have some really fun ones lately, but I think all the quilts I get are quite spectacular. and I enjoy quilting on every one of them. 
This Saturday we have our class for Gathering Fabric at the Woodinville Grange.  It will be fun as we have had a few gals gone for vacation and such, so it will be like a reunion again!
My last class at Pacific Fabrics, Northgate, was great too.  Nine gals including one junior high gal who did magnificent machine quilting.  I got a nice note from my young gal's mom...it seems like she was really taken by machine quilting.  We really have to get those young gals into the quilting world.
We had two smashing thunder storms recently, and they were LOUD and magnificent....a great sound and light show.  I miss thunder storms so much.
Well, kitty girl....Sparkie is so much fun.  I had forgotten how cute kittens can be.  I think I should have named her funny girl.
Well, my lunch break  has been long enough, I better close for now and get back to the machine....have a great day.  Judy

 Freddy's newest project...a table runner....so cheery.  We love Freddy's happy quilts.

 Sparkie sitting on the arm of my chair.  She gets her kitten shots this Wednesday.

 Opal took this great picture with her fancy camera.   Sparkie is playing with my toes right now!

Another lone star I am working on.  My ode to the more modern quilt look!

Quilt Camp at Barb's...my sis-in-law's.  We sewed in her dining room....what fun!

Back From Arkansas

Dear Bloggers!
We are back from Arkansas and visiting the family.  We had a great time, and my sweet sister-in-law even set up a sewing room in her dining room for us...2 machines, ironing board, and cutting table.  We had a blast sewing, and  planning some new quilts. Of course the main reason  for going was to see Ken's 91 year old mom, who just moved to AR from Grand Rapids.   What a pioneer spirit she has.  She is doing just great, and we had to celebrate with daily visits to the best ice cream store ever.  They even have their own cows!
Check out Braums if you are ever in the area where they have ice cream parlors.   It is  sooooo yummy.
Barb set up a great 2 days of sewing classes at her local shop,   Village Quilting.  One of the best parts of that was that I got to meet Sherry, one of my quilting clients.  Gosh, the wonders of the quilting world.  To think she drove all the way from Lincoln, Nebraska to take my class.  She has a childhood friend in the area, so we had a great time in class and dinner afterword.
Everyone in class made spectacular lone stars.  In the second class we even had a guy!  Raymond sent  a picture of his finished lone star, which I will post as soon as I get all my pictures figured out.  What a brave guy to put up with all us gals!  Not to mention what a great sport he was.  Thanks for taking the class, Ray, we all had a blast.
Bentonville also has the most amazing new art museum,  about the only one built anywhere in the US in many years.  It was spectacular and had a permanent exhibit of quite amazing pieces.  Thanks to WalMart for building it, and the permanent collection is free to the public. 
I was sad that we did not have one thunderstorm the whole week we were there.  But we did make up for that with 2 of the biggest thunder and lightning displays  ever.....Washington does not have these storms, at least in our area.  They were terrific.   Thunder storms are my favorite weather unless it is  sunny and 70!
The only thing about vacations, is that they end way too soon.
We got home in time to see a sign,  "Kittens" down the  road   from our house.   It was meant to be....check out our first picture of Sparkie...she is so cute, and funny.  I will post pictures as she goes along. 
Hope you are all looking forward to a fabulous fall.  I will miss those spectacular colors in CT, but hope to have a great spring show when I  go in May.
Happy quilting to all,   judy

 One night when we had  a full moon rising...

 This year's piccasso petunias...they were unbelievable.  The plants grew to be about 3 feet or more across.  Try them...they are Fabulous!

 A view of the Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville, AR

 Ice dyeing is way too fun!

My new Sparkie!   I LOVE her.  I hope her eyes will stay blue.

Missing Catfish Re-surfaces after Four Years!

Hi all,
Well, after 4 years I am happy to report that my missing  catfish has re-appeared. 
When we moved the koi and 2 bitty 3 inch long catfish into our new pond, everything went swimmingly!
After a bit one of the catfish came up to eat with the koi.....but only one ever showed up for lunch. He slowly has grown to about 16 inches long.  (Hard to be sure, he swims pretty fast!)

Keep that net on the pond, or the fish disappear with the herons.

 See, no catfish here!

 I call this one the KOI CHOIR!

 This beautiful quilt was made by Julie Stockler from one of Kaffe's patterns.  I have only just begun mine!  I love this particular quilt made with the luscious strips from Kaffe Fassett.

One of my class-members, Marilyn,  made this beautiful hand dyed piece in class a few weeks ago
I kept scanning the water to see if number 2 catfish would ever show up.  He continued to be missing and we just assumed he had  gone to his great reward, altho he never floated to the top, as usually happens in such cases!   We never found him in the filters....he was so tiny I thought he may have gotten sucked through the system.
Well, imagine my surprise when he appeared Wednesday morning for breakfast!  He is about a foot long, not as big as his brother...but, then, he has not been eating fish food like a pig for the last 4 years.
It so exciting to see him there eating with all  gang.  I am glad there is a happy ending to that fish tale!

Fall is in the air...the evenings and mornings are cooler, and though we have had little rain, it does seem like we are  changing seasons.  Even some of my lobelia flowers are starting to die out.  I did find  the orange and yellow crocosmias I had wanted and plan to put them in the ground soon.  I can grow them really well!
Our millions of blackberries are ripening.  (I don't even like them, but guess one batch of jam won't hurt!)  Our weeds are ever present, and  the grass still needs mowing on  a regular basis. 
Coming up next weekend is the big APQW show in Tacoma.  It is a huge quilt show, and I have a little piece in the fabric  challenge.  It is always a great place for inspiration and shopping, of course.

The La Conner Quilt show comes the first weekend of October, so busy getting ready for that one, too.  I am in charge of the vendors.  It will have some spectacular quilts, too. 
In the meantime, I am busy with customer quilts, and  working on a few of my own.....hope you are all enjoying the season and finding time to see the beauty all around you.  Till later, Judy

Arkansas Here I Come!!

 Freddy's giant star quilt that I quilted for her some time back!

 This is my first lone star that I learned in Freddy's class several years ago.

 a smaller one with Laurel Burch fabric.

 One of my student's pieces in process!

 In process my scrappy Kaffe....Below is the back of the quilt!

 One of my Christmas lone stars!

 I just had a small piece of the tiger lily fabric and had to make the star to fit the background.

 One of my quilts in progress.  I started the star with bright prints, but it was too much for my fabulous French girly fabric...so I scrapped that and did the star with all blacks and whites.

 Another couple views of one of Freddy's quilts.

 My chicken lone star....so fun to make.  I made it rectangular by adding extra borders.
The orange one I think is one of my favorites....I call it Orange-a-licious....thanks to Stephie for the name.

Some exciting news for me...I have a wonderful sister-in-law....also a fabulous quilter, who has me all set to teach when I visit her in Bentonville, AR in September.  What fun that will be.
I will be teaching at the Village Quilting in Bentonville where we will be creating beautiful lone star quilts my fast and easy method.
I have taught lone stars many times, and even total beginners make beautiful lone stars!  One of the gals in my guild just brought the one she made in my class a few months ago.  It was a beauty.  Sadly, I did not have my camera for a picture.  I will post some lonestars of mine, and a few of Freddy Moran's  that I quilted for her.  I am totally addicted to lone star quilts, but mine are usually not very traditional in fabric selection and colors.  I hope many of you will join me and Barb Hamernik for the Lone Star class.  The shop has the details and supply list.  Just bring some great fabric, and don't forget the chocolate!  We will have a great time making lone star quilts.  They really are easy to make.  Most classes several gals will get the star done and often the entire background.
Don't let this quilt scare you off.
I am also working on  a couple lone stars in the modern quilt style.  Will post the parts as I progress.  I think I will save them for class as sample to show you how they go together.
See you in early September.   Judy Irish

By the way, I started with one, got going on some  more, and thought 6 is a good number, then a dozen, and why not a baker's dozen...now I am nearing 20....maybe I should go for 50....that is a good number!

Fancy Feet

Well, here I am....still missing???  Gosh, where does the time go?   I guess I have been quilting up a storm, and especially trying to finish my daddy on the motorcycle quilt.  It has been much  more challenging than I thought.  I am not sure I am totally happy with the results so far, but since it is my daddy, I have had a good time thinking about him, while collaging and quilting the piece.  I think I have finally decided to just put a very thin black binding around it.
I had thought about photo corners, in black fabric, but nixed that one...then, just facing it, but with a dry run of black binding, decided that might be the best solution.  Thankfully the museum  extended the deadline by a couple weeks, so guess I will get it done...aiming for this weekend.
Well,  a few of the Goof Balls went on  a great field trip by ferry over to Kingson, Port Gamble and Poulsbo....great quilt shops and way tooooo much fabric to tempt the eyes and wallet.
Saw lots of great Kaffe fabric, and bought a few pieces, too.
I am still teaching at the shop in Freeland, WA on Whidbey Island.  You all should make a trek there if you get the chance...also a great Chinese restaurant just as you get to the turn-off.
This week is our Shop Hop...like 60+ shops....I don't plan to go....I  like a road trip to fewer shops!  Anyway, got too many quilts to catch up on.
So, I had to post pix of my new tennies...guess I better not try to rob a bank  with those shoes on....it is a dead give-away......
Well, guess I better get back to the long-arm....working a  gorgeous modern look quilt, by my friend Dorothy.   She does beautiful quiltz.
In the mean-time, happy quilting.   jude

 Check out my fancy feet!  I love these shoes!

 One of Freddy's new quilts....reminds me of my shoes...ha...

 One of my Goofballs, Shirley made this quilt.   Borders are still in process....so beautiful.

More of Freddy's flowers.  She makes such happy quilts.

Missing Person??

Hi all...gosh, I guess I must be missing, as I have not written on my blog in forever!
I did have a great time teaching the West Sound Quilters in Port Orchard, and also brought some of my quilts for a trunk show....got to visit the fabulous shop in Port Gamble, Quilted Strait.....some really fun and funky fabrics and loads of Kaffe and Brandon fabric!
For class we did the machine quilting, weaving/collage, and the Lone Star quilt.
Then I taught at my own Guild, Camano Island Quilters right close to home.  We did the lone star quilt and many of the gals pretty nearly finished their tops. 
We  cherry on top was our BIG, over 500 quilts at the Monroe Fairgrounds....that was our guild, Quilters' Anonymous.   What a great show, and featured my dear friend Klota Underwood as the featured artist.  She is the applique queen.  I will try to get some of her quilts on my blog so you can enjoy them, too.
Now, I am getting ready for my guild in Mukilteo, the Lighthouse Quilters...In April I will teach a class and present a trunk show as well.  That will be fun...that guild is a bit on the small side, but many great and talented quilters are members.
Of course, the Kaffe Fassett, Liza Lucy, and Brandon Mably exhibit is teatured at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum.   I quilted most of the quilts displayed, so that makes the show extra special.  I hope many of you can stop by and see the quilts before the coming weekend, as the show will  be ending.  You don't want to miss this one!
Well, guess I will stop for now, and get some more work done...working on a beautiful floral collage made in one of Freddy's classes. 

 One of Freddy's recent star quilts!  It had a huge star in the  center with 4 stars in each corner...to big to photograph in my studio!

 

Sherry Fandrich in Nebraska makes fabulously, colorful quilts1

Me, with my dear friend Klota.

Klota made this and I qulted koi over the whole top!  See all her ribbons?

One of Klota's prize-winners...love, the black and lime green!

This one is made by Audrey in my Woodinville, WA group...she loves to do Kaffe qiults, too.  This one is Imari Plate from quilts in Sweden.  A great way to use up some scraps!

Tonite is Mukilteo Guild.....hope you are all enjoying your local guilds and quilt shows....love, jude

Travelling to Port Orchard

Hi all....just a quick note before I leave for Port Orchard to do a trunk show and teach  at the West  Sound  Quilters' Guild.  It should be great fun to meet all the members and show them how to make Lone Stars and machine quilt.  This will be a new experience, taking the ferry to Kingston and driving south to Port Orchard.  I think I can find a new quilt shop to  visit, too.
I have been finishing up some quilts this week, just today a HUGE blue diamonds of all kaffe fabric.  It goes back to Pennsylvania.  The girls at Glorious Color have been very prolific of late!
I am working on my motorcycle quilt yet, and figure it will take all of my spare time till the end of May...gotta meet the mid June deadline for entry at the La Conner Museum Quiltfestival.   It is a juried show, so may not get in anyway, but I am having fun making the quilt all the same!!

The weather has warmed up a bit, but not too many sunny days around here yet.  The fish thought it was warm enough to say hi last week, but since I can't feed them for a couple month, I had to ignore them.  I think they look even bigger! 

Working on daddy's motorcycle quilt....got a long way to go...it is just in the embryonic stage at the moment.  Trying to figure things out!  The red plaid shirt was actually my dad's real shirt!

My friend Denise took my class last week and finished this  great quilt top.  She loves aliens and space fabric!

Hope you are all having fun with your creative endeavors....will let you know all about Port Orchard when I return.   Judy