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Trading Angels

6/18/2014

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Trading Angels

She waited for the right moment, not too soon—not before the work was done,

 The commitments completed, when no one would be inconvenienced.  

Did she know that I would sleep unaware?

 Undisturbed by the voiceless ping of our common tether? 

Her distant eyes that night had still spoken, albeit in weathered code,

 Of love, and gratitude, and a tired longing to fulfil the journey.

 Unknowing—our long journey together complete, I left her that night

Under the loving gaze of a compassionate stranger.  To sleep . . . and begin anew.

 This is in memory of my wonderful Mother, Marian Oehlman, who quietly left this earth on April 29th, 2014 just two days after the end of my April Fiber Qwest Retreat.  She wouldn’t have wanted to take me away from my ladies.  She always fulfilled her commitments and expected the same from me.

 I am grateful for the support of so many of my lovely ladies who have kept me positive as I faced the reality of a new life without my “best bud”.  I am comforted to remember that a few years ago my first grandchild was born the same week that I lost a dearly beloved Aunt.  I thought then, as I do now, that surely God is simply trading his angels.



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No “winter blahs” here!

3/16/2014

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Whoever referred to the “winter blahs” simply didn't see the “flurry”--sorry, I couldn't resist—of finishing activity at both the January and February Sew-ins!  With the holidays in the rear-view mirror, these ladies put pedal to the metal to finish and share some beautiful work.  In January we were treated to Rene’s Show and Tell with more amazing quilts made by the children in the Young Piecemakers Guild--please look at the slide show!  Emboldened by success, Norma--a fairly new quilter, shared a slew of finished pieces.  We enjoyed the look of joy as Caryn did her very first machine quilting, and then did it again on a second matching quilt.  Karen pulled out her heirloom-quilt in-the-making –bent on getting closer to the finish line.  We did hand work, and childrens’ garmets, learned a new binding technique, and continued work on an historical-based art quilt, and so much more.  We shared homemade chili and bread and tried to guess the “secret” ingredient.  We enjoyed each other and the time to just play.  With spring peaking it head just around the next corner, it’s time for something new—a new skill, meeting some new friends, a new direction???  Join us for some fun in April, July, or October and banish the “blahs”!


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I have seen the future of quilt making—and it is awesome!

12/7/2013

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Our surprise visitor, 14 year old Andrew, and yes, he made this Lone Star quilt! Click on the pictures to enlarge.
Renee’ joined us for the first time at the November Sew-in. Little did I know that her lanky 14 year old son who helped carry in her machine and considerable stash was not only a wrestler and baseball player, but also AN ACCOMPLISHED QUILTER!  At the ripe old age of 13, he completed his fourth quilt--a full-sized Lone Star—a pattern which is a pretty good challenge to even an experienced adult quilter.

Andrew is a member of the Young Piecemakers Quilt Guild in Corona, a non-profit group for children ages 5 to 18, which not only promotes the art of quiltmaking, but fosters charitable giving as well.  At our Show and Tell and sharing time, Renee’ wowed us with several beautiful quilts, all made by the kids in the guild.  The guild membership is free, and all the materials, as well as the long-arm quilting, are donated.  You can visit their web site at www.ypqg.org to see more, or contact the Young Piecemakers Quilt Guild at P.O. Box 77113, Corona, CA 92877, (951) 277-4577 or [email protected] if you have materials to donate to this great group—this is our future, and it is in good hands!

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Renee' shows off some of the Young Piecemakers work.
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Click on the picture to see the detail.
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WOW!
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great gift idea—a Sweatshirt Jacket!

11/15/2013

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PictureKaren's nearly finished jacket using sections from a pre-printed panel. Note the snowman heads that will peak out from the sleeve binding when the cuff is completed.

Fall is the time to think gifts, and simple sweatshirt can easily become a beautiful jacket in a weekend.  First be sure to wash the sweatshirt and tumble dry to shrink it to the final size.  An old sweatshirt works just great too!  By removing the ribbing at the cuffs and bottom, the now flattened shape can be slit up the front.  The ribbing at the neck is cut away only to the stitching, but not completely removed, to stabilize the neckline.   The top front can now be cut into a slight curve to create a cardigan jacket shape.  After the center front is stay-stitched, the fun begins!  Your stash is your “paintbrush”, and the flat shape is your “canvas”. 

One option is to slit open both underarm seams completely and then cover the entire sweatshirt with randomly placed fabrics scraps.  These are machine appliquéd (zig-zag stitched) over the raw edges.  The underarm seams are then re-sewn and all edges are finished with binding, just as you would bind a quilt. 

A second option is the cover only part of the sweatshirt with your own design of fabric strips, or parts of blocks, or fabric appliqués or even pockets made from “cheater” panels.  Creatively bound edges can incorporate lined prairie points, lace, ribbons or buttons—whatever you can imagine! 

These one-of-a-kind jackets are easy, and warm, cozy, and fun to wear!  Let me help you recycle an old friend into a new treasure!


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Monica plans out her overall design to cover the sweatshirt with coordinated fabrics, and then zig zag the raw edges.
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Balancing lights and darks and random sizes, shapes, and textures makes for a pleasing design
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Karen plays with ideas for the back. She will incorporate embroidery floss and small sleigh bells on the back panels.
PictureAlmost done! Karen stitches the final parts of the binding along the edges.

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Full or empty? 

9/22/2013

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PictureSharon shows off her empty project box!
Full or Empty? 


Sometimes Empty is good!  

Do you make time for empty—some “down time” or “just for me” time—waiting to be filled with the joy of new experiences and new friends!  Leaving some empty time in your routine is just an opportunity to put something good into your life!

Sharon is feeling good because her project box is empty!  She and her sister Mary always come to our retreats with multiple boxes of projects and manage to go home with stacks of finished tote bags, cloth books, and small quilts to share with friends and family.  Their friends must each have a custom tote bag for every outfit--I want to be on their friend list!  Busy lady Valerie made time in her schedule for her first retreat and brought several projects—she happily contemplates their completion.  Mom and daughter, Anne and Theresa, share some bonding time--creating together and celebrating with us a major health milestone.

Emptying out some of the UFO’s in our closets is a good thing—and no, you don’t even have to finish them!  Laura brought a project that had stopped her and is now confidently on her way to the finish line, but not all projects have to be completed!  Consider what you have learned from the experience.   If you have lost interest, feel free to donate an unfinished project to your local quilt guild for completion.  Guilds are eager to have quilts to complete for their charity projects, and there is always a need at the women’s shelters for these loving gifts.  Emptying your closet is a great way to fill another person’s life!

Let’s hear it for EMPTY!


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Celebrations with Friends

8/10/2013

2 Comments

 
PictureMom Melinda with birthday girl Amanda
Celebrations with Friends

Beginnings and endings, stepping stones toward something—a birthday, anniversary, an achievement—progress in the right direction—all these things we celebrate with others.  Usually with family members we expect these events, but when you are included as friends, you just have to feel special.  So it was with much delight that I responded enthusiastically, “Yes!” when Melinda asked ahead of the July retreat if she could bring a decorated cake and plan a surprise birthday celebration for her daughter Amanda on the Saturday of the event.  She even verified the number of people coming to the retreat so everyone would receive a cute little favor.  She made us all part of her family—a special bond to friends who share a love of the acts of creativity and kindness that quilting engenders.

As quilters we celebrate our friends when they offer their visual gifts as Show and Tell, and we give back our gleeful approval and encouragement.  Sometimes the gift is like Devora’s elegant purse from a designer sweater-- the culmination of a long project shared step by step.   Sometimes we applaud the overcoming of an obstacle like Bonnie’s three-dimensional block or Norma’s re-worked ruffled blocks, now ready for an uncomplicated completion. (Scroll down to see the pictures)   

Our friends celebrate the little steps that have meaning to us, as well as the big ones.  So I will count myself, and you as well, blessed indeed when asked to be included in these special times.  For our own souls, we must take the time to smell the roses, but also we must realize the important part we play in the lives of our friends in the affirming act of celebration.  


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The end of the story!

Scroll down to see the beginning of Devora's creative journey--from designer sweater to structured, handled bag to honor the memory of the mother of a friend. 
Beautiful work! 

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The Ten year quilt

6/12/2013

1 Comment

 
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It only took about ten years!  In about 2003 as a beginner, Bonnie took my Harvest Song Class, a ten month heirloom quilt class, and she completed the center of the quilt with first 4 months.  Then she got to this 3 dimensional block with all set-in corners---and put the quilt away.  There it sat until 2013.  With a little encouragement she brought the dreaded block to to the Sew-in and in just a short while had completed  two perfect 6 1/2" blocks!!  Only 10 more to go, and then on to the easier blocks to complete this magnificent over-sized queen quilt. Bonnie has now signed up for more Sew-ins to complete her masterpiece with a little encouragement from her friends!

I'll bet you also have some ten year quilts--the ones that left you stumped with one wicked block, or a wrong turn that left you with a bunch of ripping out to be done.  I don't mind ripping!  Drag them out let us cheer you on to the finish line.

This lovely stack of uneven sized blocks were causing headaches for one newer quilter until I showed her several squaring tricks, and she got them all to the same size.  She is now happily on her way to The Finish Line!  Treat yourself to some Finishing Time!
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A “SOW’S EAR” IT NEVER WAS, BUT LOOK AT THAT “SILK” PURSE!!

3/28/2013

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Give a challenge to a creative lady and stand back!  Meet Devora—the one in the September 2012 Retreat photos who made the impossible tailored wool jacket from the large uneven plaid—well she has done it again.  Her friend’s mother had passed away leaving a beautiful black knitted and sequined sweater with lemon and lime motifs which she wanted to re-purpose into a usable memory of her mom.  At our February retreat Devora imagined a structured shoulder bag by first spray basting the front and back pieces of the sweater onto Timtex to stabilize them.  


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WW

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After drawing a trial pattern on paper, she cut the front and back pieces, allowing the single lime motif on black background to create the focus on a flap over the front piece.  She made sure that all the lemons and limes on the front would be “right-side up”.    Side seams were sewn and the bottom was boxed.  The strap was created from the leftover pieces of sweater which were stabilized just with ribbon to keep the strap soft.  A beautiful lime green lining with pocket was then put in place.  She used the original beaded neckline edging from the sweater to finish the detail of the rounded front flap on the purse.  She left that weekend with the purse 95% complete so I expect to see the finished masterpiece at the July Sew-in when she and friend Stephanie join us again.  Do YOU want to be inspired to create “on the fly”?  Bring on a challenge and let’s design together.  Devora showed us that “when life gives you lemons” and limes—you make a PURSE!

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THE FASTER I GO—THE “BEHINDER” I GET! 

10/5/2012

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Devora's placemat totebag using men's ties for the pocket and handle. She even used the labels to attach the handles and cover the back of the magnetic snap! Very cute!
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The faster I go—the “behinder” I get!

 Do you ever feel that way?  I didn’t even have a chance to savor and share the fun from the August Sew-in before the Fall Retreat in September was here.   Our new venue for August at the Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton was a nice cool respite and a chance to try some new tricks.  Georgia tried her hand at designing a purse to meet her Mom’s exact specifications, and Karen altered a paper pattern to make some custom-fitted kitchen accessories. 

AAHHH, the joy of finishing!  The pool table made a perfect staging place for the finished blocks Nilda had already completed from my 2010 Challenge Quilt class.  After lots of stitching, she proudly displays the completed top!  Who knew she was also a talented painter as she shared her vision of Machu Picchu in Peru.  Nancy, Sharon, and Mary were happily intent on cranking out lots of tote bags as gifts for friends.  See all the pictures in the Photo Gallery.  These Sew-in weekends are a great time for concentrated work time and a chance to try new things too!  Two more Sew-ins are currently open--November and February—with more dates coming!

Fall Fiber Arts Retreat brought some NEW Fiber Arts!  While Stephanie happily explored her passion for cord-making and jewelry using the Diva Cord Maker, her friend Devora played with felting using some color coordinated roving.  Up for an “impossible” challenge, Devora also mastered a two-way uneven plaid to construct a tailored wool jacket--TAKE THAT you, “it can’t be done” sayers!  I must also show you her clever use of men’s’ ties for the handle and front pocket of her placemat purse.  She used the “Backwards Tote” pattern from my Dual Pursenalities book and made it unique—great idea for you to try!

Joyce, Gina, and Diane worked on UFOs from last year’s retreat, and we lost track of all the quilts, wall hangings, fabric books, pillows, and bags completed by Lori, Jackie, Sharron, Lynette, Janeen , Dani, Marcia, Sharon, and Mary.  It looked like a sweatshop as these determined gals raced from one project to another!  You can see all the pictures in the Photo Gallery.

I am working on finalizing the new dates and locations for the Spring and Fall retreats for 2013.  Things are still fluid so your input is valuable!

 


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SEPTEMBER IN LAGUNA WOODS-- AND SPRING AT THE BEACH!

8/9/2012

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100 + degree weather is a great motivator to go to the coast and check out a very promising site for our Spring 2013 destination retreat.  Cool 80's and sunshine on the waves, plus a charming little beach town I think you will love, and really authentic Mexican food for one of our dinners.  No more hints than that until I get it all figured out.    I might be looking at May rather than June???  

The September Retreat at the Ayres Hotel in Laguna Woods is only a few weeks away and I am already dreaming of those fabulous beds.  Cindy and Dawn will be back with their magic fingers to massage out any knots you may have.  Stop counting those UFO's and pack up a pile of them to finish--oh-- is that word even in your quilter's vocabulary?   Give yourself permission to just play at what you love!
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    Ricki Bremer's love affair with teaching starting while teaching high school and junior high.  Next came 29 years as a craft and quilt shop owner, and the publication of her first book, Simple and Sensational Purses from Placemats, now in its third printing. The second book, ​Dual Pursenalities ​followed.  Later additions were the Private Eyes Nursing Apron, and her latest--a microwave hot bag pattern, The AAAhhsum Bag--which has been used exclusively at the massage booth at the Road to California Show. Ricki has continued to use her easy methods to bring the joy of sewing and quilting to beginners and others.  She also loves to simplify things for those ready for more challenging techniques. The Fiber Arts Retreats, which she started in 2007 formerly through the Tall Mouse, are growing and expanding to new venues, and a new name--Fiber Qwest Retreats.  Ricki aims to broaden the interest and opportunities to learn and play in all areas of fiber and the creative arts.  

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