Category:

No “winter blahs” here!

3/16/2014

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”!

1 Comment

Full or empty?

9/22/2013

1 Comment

Sharon 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!

1 Comment

Celebrations with Friends

8/10/2013

2 Comments

Mom 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.

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!

2 Comments

The Ten year quilt

6/12/2013

1 Comment

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!

1 Comment

Author

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.

No “winter blahs” here!

Full or empty?

Celebrations with Friends

The Ten year quilt

Author

Archives

Categories