Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Savannah and Book Review

Friday, October 23rd, 2015

After spending a few days on Hilton Head, we headed south to Savannah and Richmond Hills. I was the guest of the Savannah Quilt Guild.  What a great group of quilters.

Here are some of the ladies attending the workshop.

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While we were busy working, guess who found The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival about a mile up the road?

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I see steamed oysters, peach cobbler, calamari, fried alligator, crayfish, smoked sausage and a pulled pork sandwich. Where does he put it all?? (He said he also had coconut ship and a dozen fresh oysters, but that was the appetizer. ) Joe’s buddy Harry suggested Joe start his own blog called “Blogs for Hogs”.  I’m still laughing about that idea.

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On Sunday we went to old town Savannah and took the historic trolley ride. The two hours spent riding through the squares, hearing the history and being entertained by historical characters was well worth the price. Afterwards we strolled through the area and here are some of the wonderful door ways we saw.

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and the grand fountain

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In the evening we drove to Tybee Island

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for a magnificent sunset

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I am so lucky to visit such beautiful areas, each special in their own way.

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BOOK REVIEW

18007564“The Martian” by Andy Weir came highly recommended by several students.

Mark Watney was one of the first people to walk on Mars.  While on Mars he and his crew encounter a massive dust storm.  His crew thinks he is dead and have left Mars.  But, he is not dead.  Mark has to figure out how to survive on his own.  During part of his journey he is in contact with Earth.  But, contact is lost and he has to get creative.  Mark keeps a diary of his journey and some of his comments made me laugh out loud.  Good sense of humor considering his predicament.  I know the movie is now out.  Hope it lives up to the book.

 

Houston here I come!!

Hilton Head, Savannah and Book Review

Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Joe and I just returned from a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. First stop was Beaufort and a visit with Marjorie, my guild contact, to pick up my boxes.  Thanks Marjorie for being very well organized.  It makes what I do so much easier.

Love the moss on the trees around Beaufort.

 

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When I think of the low country: southern South Carolina and northern Georgia, I think of ancient trees and Spanish moss, which is neither Spanish nor moss. But everyone there calls it Spanish Moss.  Warning, do not touch it, handle it or God forbid, take it home in your luggage.  Apparently it is filled with bugs.  Funny that one of the papers we read said not to take it home in your luggage.  I guess some people have done that.

 

Next was Hilton Head and its wide beaches

 

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and glorious coast line

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There are hundred of sea birds

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Marsh birds

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and beautiful butterflies

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The back roads are like driving on a movie set “Run, Forest, run!!”

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I was fortunate to return to the Palmetto Quilt Guild. I love these ladies. Warm, friendly, caring, sharing and such fantastic appliquers. To learn more about the guild visit their site at http://www.palmettoquiltguild.org

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On the drive to Crossville, TN we listened to David Baldacci’s new book, Memory Man.  BOOK

David Baldacci has a new character, Amos Decker.  Amos was the only person in his little community to make it to the big time….playing professional football.  He is seriously injured and his life drastically changes.  Amos eventually becomes a police detective.  One night when he comes home from work he finds his wife and child were murdered.  During his depression he loses his house, his job and becomes homeless.  A year later someone comes into the police station and confesses to the murder.  A school shooting takes place during this same time.  I liked some of the twists this book took.  It will keep your attention as you read to find out how it all connects.

Crossville, Tennessee and Book Review

Saturday, October 10th, 2015

On this adventure we traveled to Crossville, Tennessee.  Here is the sign as we entered town.  How nice that they take the time to decorate for the season.

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I visited the Cumberland County Piecemakers Quilt Guild http://ccpiecemakers.com/ccp_web/index.html  Here are some of the ladies from my day two class.  They look happy.  It was a real pleasure to spend two days with them.

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During our journey into Tennessee we visited the birthplace of Davy Crockett, but was saddened to discover he was born not on a mountain top, but in a river valley.

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While I was teaching someone found this donuts truck and Miss Millers’ homemade treats.  Guess who?

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And guess who could not resist?  They do look good don’t they?  There was no sharing, but I was told they were warm and soft, and smelled of vanilla, sugar and butter. The one doughnut (I bet he ate three) was well worth the $2.00 he readily spent.  It makes me hungry just looking at them.

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The stone bridge at the Cumberland Mountain State Park was built by the Conservation Corps in the 1930s and is one of the area’s most photographed sites.

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What an interesting bush set against the rich native stone of the Tennessee mountains.

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A close-up of the rich purple berries of the beautyberry shrub.

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Saw this sweet kitty just sitting on the bank enjoying the sunshine.

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BOOK REVIEW

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I finished the third of what I call the “Outlander” series.  The saga of Jamie and Claire continues.  Clarie finds out that Jamie survived a very bloody battle at Culloden.  Claire makes some very difficult decisions, one being to travel back in time to find Jamie which means leaving her daughter.  I really do enjoy listening to this series while I am sewing.  I have watched season one on television so I have a clear idea of how the characters look.

 

Until next week…..  I am off to Hilton Head and Savannah this coming week.  I have never been in Savannah.  Looking forward to another adventure.

 

 

Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada and Student’s Work

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

The Mayflower Quilters from Halifax, Canada, http://mayflowerquiltersguild.ca/ hold a retreat at the Pictou Lodge http://www.pictoulodge.com/ every other year.  I understand they have been doing this for 30 years.  Bravo ladies.  Lots of hard work and lots of fun.  The location is absolutely beautiful.

Here are some photos I took on my morning and afternoon walks.

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Here is Wanda hard at work on day one of the three day retreat.

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Ruth is stitching away…..

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Val making some progress.

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Patricia has lots to show for the first two days of sewing.

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Here I am with all of my fabulous students.

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In the US, this is a Power Bar.

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In Canada….this is a power bar.    Imagine the look on their faces when I said I ate a Power Bar for breakfast!!

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The group has a show and tell on one of the evenings.  I am telling you that more than half of the quilts were large bed quilts.  It was an impressive show and tell.  Here is my guild contact, Barb Robson, sharing one of her large bed quilts.  Barb was just a pleasure to be around and to work with.

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Meg Latimer sent me this photo of her, on the left, and her quilter, Michelle Wyman.  They recently won an honorable mention at the AQS Quiltweek in Chattanooga, TN.  Meg used my Majestic Mosaic pattern.  How exciting!!!  And, the quilt looks fabulous.

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Until next week…….

Utah and Student’s Work

Thursday, September 24th, 2015

Joe and I visited Utah this past week as the guests of the Utah State Quilt Guild. It was for their 2015 Show and “Quilt Camp”. What a fun, energetic and talented group. For more information on the state guild visit http://www.utahquiltguild.org.

It was our first trip to Utah, but we are definitely returning. What a great area, great weather, great quilters, great people, great food and great sites!

We arrived a few days early to site see. Here are a few photos of what we saw:

On our drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon, a stand of aspens

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From atop the mountain, aspens in glow,

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The falls at the entrance to Ogden Canyon

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then through Ogden Canyon on a road to Paradise …

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On Sunday morning, Joe and I took a walk through downtown Salt Lake City. We walked past the Church of Latter Day Saints’ headquarters, conference center, Temple and gardens. Beautiful! We then walked up the hill to Utah’s Capitol Building. Upon returning to Temple Square, we took this photo.

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A gentleman driving by stopped us and suggested we hurry to the Tabernacle (the round building as he called it) to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were dressed in our gym clothes and said we did not think our attire was appropriate. Most couples we had seen were wearing standard “Sunday best” outfits (suits and dresses). The driver said,”God doesn’t care.” So, we went to the Tabernacle where the brothers and sisters of the LDS invited us in to hear the most moving performance we have ever witnessed.

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The choir’s performance brought me to tears. If you ever visit Salt Lake City make certain on Sunday morning you arrive at the Tabernacle before 9:15 AM so you can get a seat to hear the angels sing.

While in the area, we spent time with my favorite and best quilter of all time: Renae Haddadin. We visited her shop: Quilts on the Corner in Sandy, UT.  To read more about Renae visit  http://www.quiltsonthecorner.com

Then, she and her wonderful husband, Muhannud, were vendors at the show! We saw each other all week. I love Renae and her husband and our short visit will be longer next time.

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Here are a few of the wonderful quilters we met at “Quilt Camp.” Kimberly, the lovely lady in green in the front row attended high school in Fairless Hills, PA with my husband, Joe. Small world. The beautiful lady in blue behind Kimberly and to the left, Nina Cooke, was a member of the Tabernacle Choir for twenty years!! Such wonderful and friendly students.

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The Quilt Show was spectacular!

“Gentlemen’s Fancy”, a quilt adapted from an original pattern of David Taylor’s http://www.davidtaylorquilts.com., was designed, appliqued and exquisitely  quilted by Shirley L. Olsen of Orem Utah. The quilt won first place in the applique category and I also awarded it my teacher’s choice. As it turned out, Shirley had volunteered to be my “angel” during my stay in Utah. Not only was she a great hostess, she is a great quilter.

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“Ronda’s Dragonflies” was designed, appliqued and quilted by Carol K. Armstrong of Logan, Utah. I love Carol’s designs and this piece won second place in hand applique. Carol named the quilt in memory of her dear friend who had recently passed.

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“Rainbow Garden” was a collaboration of piecer Cindy Haag of Orem, UT and quilter LaRessa Baldwin. It was a second place winner and the embroidery on the quilt was fantastic!

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“La Petite Chif O’e Voure”  designed and quilted by Helen Butler of Alpine, UT won first place in the miniature category. Fabulous!

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Ilene H. King of Centerville, Utah had emailed me prior to my trip to Utah. She asked if she could stop by during my lunch break on Saturday to show me the blocks she had completed from my  book “Magical Medallions”. Here is Ilene and the blocks she finished. Great job Ilene!!

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As it turned out, when she arrived at the show on Saturday,  Ilene discovered her quilt “Nature’s Spendor” had won Best of Show! The quilt blocks were taken from Margaret Dougherty’s book “Little Brown Bird” and Ilene designed her own lay-out and her own borders. Wow!!

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MORE STUDENT’S WORK

Diane Kirk emailed me this photo of her finished “Ocean Sunrise” quilt top.  I love the gray shades Diane used and I really like the layout she choose.  Thanks for sharing Diane.

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Until next week………  I’m off to Canada…….

New Additions and Book Review

Friday, September 4th, 2015

We have an old barn behind the property and every now and then we have a stray cat stop by. “Kitty Carlisle” (Joe named her) has been around most of the summer.

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We have been feeding her and plan to capture her for a trip to the vet next week. We tried to get her into a carrying case last week and it did not go well……..at all.  Kitty was not happy.   She disappeared for a few days. But she is back.  Of course she is back….she’s getting fed.  Joe bought her a kitty bed but Kitty Carlisle prefers to lounge in the dirt piles.

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Our vultures brought their new baby into the yard this week. He, she, it is so cute, so fuzzy and so big!!

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Whenever we have a baby vulture, which is at least one each year for the past many years, the parents teach the baby to get into the bird bath.  It’s always entertaining.

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Today, mom and dad left baby at the bird bath by itself for three hours.  He just sat in the shade and took everything in. He even let us walk up to him. Fearless and adorable!!

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Mom did come by later to show him the way home (inside the barn). I just figured it was mom, because it was too early and who else picks up the kids?

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BOOK REVIEW

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I just finished “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I started reading this book several weeks ago and got side-tracked on other things and finally got back to it.  The book is written through the eyes of Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker.  Elizabeth Keckley was born a slave but was able to earn her freedom with her sewing skills.  The book is more about the history of the time and Mrs. Lincoln than about dressmaking.  So, if you like historical novels you’ll like this book.  I found it slow in some places but still enjoyed the book.

Joe’s Wildlife Weekend and Student’s Work

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Joe and his buddy, Harry, have been fishing together for over thirty years. Harry recently bought an 1850’s log home. It sits on top of a mountain in North central Pennsylvania.

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The cabin does have electric, running water and a gas stove but I don’t think I’ll be visiting as the bathroom is thirty feet from the house!

 

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In the mornings, low clouds cover the area. Joe said it was truly magical.

 

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Here are a few of the animals he spotted on his morning walk.

 

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Harry has three pairs of hummingbirds circling the cabin…

 

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And herds of deer.

 

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Later in the morning, the guys drove down the mountain to one of Pennsylvania’s best trout streams. They refereed a race between the local inhabitants, a group of mergansers.

 

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They saw several flocks of turkey.

 

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Joe had just stepped out of his car and asked Harry if there were bears in the area. Harry said several just as this little one year old female walked up. She was shy and didn’t want her picture taken.

 

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A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of Cathy Stemple’s finished block from my two day workshop at Quilt Odyssey.  Below is Cathy’s finished project from my one day class, Circular Garden.  Way to go Cathy.  And, she added a fun border to the design.

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New Project, Fiesta Mexico and Sneakers

Friday, August 21st, 2015

OK, that is a interesting title.  Keep reading.

I just finished a new project for my one day machine applique workshop options.  (It still needs quilted)  I’ll be teaching it at the Mancuso Mid-Atlantic Quilt show in Hampton, Virginia in February.   You can find out more about the show at http://www.quiltfest.com/activities.asp?id=8    I don’t think the class offerings will be listed on the site until the fall.

I named this little piece “Circles Squared”.  In this workshop I’ll teach my machine applique techniques to include making Perfect Circles, sharp points, really nice even stems and some reverse applique.  I had fun making this little quilt.  It makes me happy.

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I got this wonderful email from Carolyn H. Stine.  She finished “Fiesta Mexico” and send me photos to share.  I am impressed.

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This is her label on the back of the quilt.  Carolyn plans to enter the quilt in some shows.  I hope she wins lots of ribbons.  Good luck Carolyn.

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Shortly after the email from Carolyn I got an email from Fairy Earnest who recently finished her rendition of “Fiesta Mexico”.  It makes me so happy to know that some people who purchased the pattern are finishing (smile)

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Thanks ladies for sharing.  You made my day.

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Now for the “sneakers” part of the title.

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I loved these sneakers so I purchased a pair.  My friend Lenore Crawford is selling these through her Etsy site.  To find out about Lenore’s art for sale including the sneakers visit her Etsy page https://www.etsy.com/shop/LenoreCrawford?page=1

 

Until next week……

More From Quilt Odyssey

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Nancy Simmons from Pennsylvania made “Iced Ginger Snap Latte” and won first place in the Large Pieced Quilt category.

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Karla Dahms from Minnesota made “Bubble-licious” and won Best Innovative Quilt

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Oh, what a fun quilt.  And, it was VERY innovative.

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Octopus leg wrapped around border…what fun.

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Four County Quilter Guild from Maryland made “Kaleidoscope”. They won 1st place in the Group Quilt category.

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Grit Kovosa and Brigit Schueller from Germany won 1st place in the Two Person Category.  The name of the quilt is “La Passion”.

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It was made of a gazillion little hexagons.  Impressive.

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My photo of the makers name was not clear and I could not read it.  If you know the makers of this quilt, please share it with me.  Great quilt.  It won 2nd place in the Two Person Category.

Bobbie Korengold emailed me with information on this quilt.  Polly Mello from Maryland made her version of the American Folk Art Museum’s Bird of Paradise quilt top.  It was quilted by one of Bellweather’s quilters.  Thanks for the info Bobbie.

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“My Brunette Whit” was made by Gail Stepanek and Jan Hutchinson.   It won “Best Artistry” using a longarm.

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Until next week…..

 

 

 

 

New Products and Student’s Work

Friday, August 7th, 2015

Lots of exciting things this week.

After developing the Perfect Adjustable Square™ and getting lots of great feedback Joe and I  started talking about the idea of adjustable rulers.  It took a year and now we have two new products: a 6″ wide and a 3″ wide Perfect Adjustable Ruler™.

This ingenious ruler is four rulers in one package.  The five piece ruler easily snaps together to form a 6 inch, 12 inch, 18 inch or 24 inch length depending on your needs.  It has clear and accurate grid markings along with 30, 45 and 60 degree markings.  This ruler will become your perfect travel companion as it stores easily in a handy felt bag.  It is great when you are at home or on the go.

6″ Perfect Adjustable Ruler shown below.

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3″ Perfect Adjustable Ruler shown below.

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You can watch a short video on the rulers by clicking on the arrow below.

See the “Ruler” section in the “Store” drop down for more information.

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I’ve been busy.  I also have 4 new patterns.  Photo below shows all four patterns combined but they are each sold separately.  See the “Pattern, DVD, Book” section in the “Store” drop down for more information.

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Student’s Work

Cathy Stemple took my Majestic Mosaic machine applique workshop just two weeks ago.  She actually sent me the picture within one week of finishing the class.  And I love that her dog got into the act.  Great job Cathy.  And thanks for sharing.

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Cathy sent me this photo of her finished Fiesta Mexico Block Three project.  She took the class with me when I taught in Florida in the Spring.  This is her first ever hand applique project.  I think she deserves a round of applause.  Seriously, I’ve said this before, I wish my hand applique had started out so good.

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Until next week…….