Karen Kay Buckley

Our dear Sasha passed away this week.  She was three weeks shy of her 18th birthday. Almost 18 years ago, when we went to pick a puppy at the breeder, our Vet advised us not to pick the feistiest puppy or the shiest puppy in the group.  But, when we visited and saw the five puppies , one little girl sat shaking in the corner of the sofa. I picked the shiest and we named her Sasha.  Best decision ever!  So glad I did not take the advice of the vet. Below is a photo of  Joe the day we brought her home.  Who could resist that face….Joe’s and Sasha’s.

She was the BEST:  Whether fishing with Joe…

or helping me pick fabric!

Congratulating me on finishing my first marathon….

and putting up with her little sister. What a great puppy.

Sasha had a wonderful life. RIP sweet girl.  You will be missed terribly.

On to good news.  Many of you hear me talk about my friend, Frank Senft.  He turned 98 this week.  Happy Birthday, Frank.

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STUDENT’S WORK

I just got back from teaching at Steve’s Sewing, Quilting and Vacuum in King of Prussia….more on Steve’s later….  Fay Ann Grider brought a project she made in class with me a long time ago.  Fay Ann and I are not talking about how long ago.  Here is a photo of Fay Ann with her finished, “Pineapple Log Cabin”.  Great job, Fay Ann.

And, in my email I received a note from Anne King.  She took my Fiesta Mexico-Block Three class with the York Quilters Guild in the spring.  She finished her border very differently than mine.  I really like your border Anne.  And the addition of the covered cording is very nice.  Thanks so much for sharing your photo.

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BOOK REVIEW

Stephanie Plum and her side kick, Lulu, are at it again: bounty hunting and undercover work. People are being murdered at a local ice cream factory and the girls need to go undercover. And, free ice cream for all. Grandma Mazer is in love again. This time to an octogenarian biker who likes to take her for rides on and off his motorcycle. Could not stop laughing through the entire book. Bravo Janet Evanovich and thanks for the memories.

KNIFE EDGE FINISH

I have been working on some wall quilt projects. I started playing with a knife edge finish and really like the results.  This is great for projects that don’t get a lot of wear.  As I was putting the knife edge finish on this little class sample, “Ornaments”, I decided to take some photos along the way.

(You can also find a printable version of these instructions on the website by clicking on the “Free Tutorials” Tab at the top of the page.)

Start by squaring your project so the backing, batting and top are all trimmed to the same size. I use my Karen Kay Buckley’s Perfect Adjustable Square(TM). I build the acrylic pieces to the finished size plus seam allowance so trimming is accurate and a breeze. And, don’t let the name fool you, it can be built to rectangular sizes, too.

All layers (batting, backing and top) trimmed around the outside.

1.  Cut two strips 2″ wide and a little longer than the top and bottom measurement of your quilt. Press 1/4″ seam allowance along one side of each strip. Press this to the back of the fabric.

TIP: For an accurate 1/4″, mark a line 1/2″ from the raw edge and fold the raw edge to the 1/2″ line and press.

2″ wide strip with 1/4″ seam pressed to the back.

2. Place these strips right sides together along the raw edge, pin and sew a 1/4″ seam allowance. The pressed edge, from the step above, will be in towards the quilt.

3. First, press these strips, using steam. Press them flat and trip any excess along the outside edges.

Excess trimmed after pressing

4.  For the second pressing step, pull the strip towards the back and steam iron so the strip is not visible on the right side of your project. Ideally, I like the seam right on the edge or just slightly towards the back.

Strip Steam pressed over back.

5.   This might sound crazy, but, your next step is to fold those strips back to where you started, on the right side of the quilt. Pin them in place so they are nice and flat. (No pressing at this step.)

Strip pulled onto the front and pinned.

Make sure the ends are pinned flat and even with the top.

View from the front with both strips pinned.

6.  Now, we are ready for the side strips. Cut two strips 2″ wide by about 1″ shorter than the side. (This might sound odd but…keep reading.) Press 1/4″ seam along one side, following the previous directions in step #1 above. Center and pin these strips, even with the raw edge of your project. They will be shorter than your finished project.

Arrows indicate where strips end.

A close-up of this step.

7.  Sew these strips all the way to the raw edge. Then, sew across the corner and trim the corner.

8.  Press these strips the same as in steps #3 and #4 above. First, press flat and then fold and steam press over the edge.

View from the back with side strips steamed in place.

View from the side.

Pin the two side strips and applique along your 1/4″ pressed seam.

9.  After the side strips are appliqued, fold the top and bottom strips to the back. I used a tool called a “point turner” to push the corners out. I’m sure you can find something in your sewing box for this purpose.  After the points are pushed out, pin and applique the folded edge. Give it a good steam press around the outside after the applique is finished.

And, here it is pressed and ready to hang.

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I do!

Copyright 2016 Karen Kay Buckley

BOOK REVIEW

I just finished reading Jodi Picoult’s new book called “Small Great Things”.  I loved it.  It held my interest from beginning to end.  I have read every one of Jodi Picoult’s books and I was happy this one did not let me down. (Laura, thanks for reminding me to read this.)

The main character in the book, Ruth Jefferson, is a labor and delivery nurse.  She’s been employed at the same hospital in Connecticut for 20 years.  Ruth loves her job.  During a shift, she’s checking on a newborn while the parents are watching.  Ruth senses something is wrong because of the way the parents are looking at her.  She soon finds out they have requested she not touch their child….they are white supremacists and Ruth is a women of color.  The story takes some interesting turns.  This is a must read.

Until next week……

There were so many incredible quilts in Houston and I took tons of photos.  Here are a few more for you to enjoy.

“A Time for Lime” was made by Karen Grover from Rockford, Ill.  To find out more about Karen visit her website http://www.groverquilts.com

I liked the combination of piecing and applique.

I am a sucker for a quilt using lime green.  I love lime green.

And who doesn’t like a quilt with a lot of perfect circles!

“Lifetime Partners” was made by Barbara McKie from Lyme, Conn.  To see more of Barbara’s work visit her site at http://www.mckieart.com

“’57’ Chevy” was made by Victoria Rondeau from Ormand Beach, Florida

“Spot On” was made by Karen K. Stone from Southlake, Texas.  Another great combination of piecing and applique.

“Splash” was made by Susan Ennis and Ginny Eckley of Humble, Texas.  Oh, this quilt just made me happy.

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STUDENTS WORK

I just received an email from Bonnie Fowler from the guild where I taught this fall in Kerrville, Texas.  Bonnie is sharing her finished project from our “Kansas Rose” workshop.  This is the most prolific guild I have ever worked with.  I have never had this many students send me photos of their finished blocks.  I love this.  Good job, Bonnie.

Until next week.

I hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with friends and ate way too much!

I had a quick trip to Tampa last week and taught for two guilds, Cypress Creek Quilt Guild and Quilter’s  Workshop of Tampa Bay. One of my comments….It’s always good to be  asked back to a guild because I know I did a good job the first time.  In this case I was back to both guilds….Cypress Creek for the third time!  Both guilds had fantastic members but I forgot to take photos. While I was teaching Joe did take a picture of our hotel restaurant. Ahhh! I did not want to leave.  It was my last day to wear sandals for a while….too cold here in Pennsylvania for sandals.

More quilts from the Houston Show:

“After the Storm” by Ruth Powers of Cabondale, Kansas won first place in the Art-Naturescape category. To learn more about Ruth and her work visit her website at http://www.ruthpowersartquilts.com.

a close-up

“Spring of the Watery Palace” was a ribbon winner in the Art-Pictorial Category.  This wonderful piece by Jin Dong of Qingdao, Shandong, China may have been the largest quilts in the judged show.

a close-up

I enjoy every quilt made by husband and wife team, Hiroko Miyama and Masanobu Miyama,  of Chofu City, Tokyo, Japan. “Lazy Afternoon” was no exception. It was also a ribbon winner in the Art-Pictorial category. To see more of their work visit their website http://www.hirokomiyama.com

Look at their masterful use of thread and fabric.

“Mayan Journey” by Judith Roderick from Placitas, New Mexico was another large and beautifully embellished quilt. Read more about Judith and her methods at http://www.judithroderick.com

Look at all the great buttons.

“Esperanza” by Jennifer Day of Santa Fe, New Mexico is magnificent. This digital imagery piece had 86 different colors of thread. Wow.

a close-up

To see more of her work and a list of her classes visit Jennifer’s website http://www.jdaydesigns.com

As many of you know, last year I had an artificial value placed in my heart and a cow gave its life so mine would continue. Thus, I feel a kindred spirit with cows.

“GMO?” by Suzan Engler of Panorama Village, Texas won first place in the Digital Imagery category. This piece was for sale and I so wanted it to be hanging in my home but waited too long. Find out more about Suzan and her work by visiting http://www.suzanengler.com

“Little by Little”  by Ximo Navarro Sierra of Canals, Valencia, Spain was a ribbon winner in the Merit Quilting Machine-Stationary category. This Spanish quilter had two great quilts in the show and both were awarded ribbons. Fantastic! All the light color is not fabric, but the quilting on a dark, solid piece of fabric!

The work of Susan Bleiweiss of Peperell, Massachusetts brings a smile to my face. Here is one of her newest works “Tutti Frutti Whimsy Way.”

To see more great quilts from Susan visit her site at http://www.susanbleiweiss.com

“Jacobean Duet” by Paula Doyle of Staines-upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom was inspired by an 1810 piece exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Houston Show is truly an International Show by quilters from all reaches of the globe. I am so happy to be part of such a great group of ladies and gentlemen.

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BOOK REVIEW

Thank you to the person who highly recommended I read “Little Mercies” by Heather Gudenkauf.  It was a really good read.  Ellen Moore is one of the main characters.  She is a long time social worker with a very active family which includes her husband and three children.    A distraction one day changes everything.  The other main character is Jenny Braird who lives with her irresponsible father.  Very good book.  I would give it five stars*****

I spent last week teaching at the International Quilt Festival in Houston and attending one of the best quilt shows ever! I was so happy that Cynthia England and her quilt “Reflections of Cape Town” won BEST OF SHOW.

This masterpiece had over 8,000 pieces of fabric. You rock Cynthia!!

This is not painted.  A gazillion little pieces of fabric were used to create this masterpiece.  To find out more about Cynthia and her techniques visit her site https://www.englanddesign.com

Kathy McNeil’s quilt is entitled “You and Me”.  Another beautiful quilt from Kathy.

To find out more about Kathy visit her site http://www.kathymcneilquilts.com

Lenore Crawford’s wonderful piece “Spanish Arches” made me think I was traveling in Europe. Her depth perspective and use of fabric painting and applique are spot on.  To find out more about Lenore visit her site http://www.lenorecrawford.com/

Debbie Lohman and Donna Lohman of Mechanicsburg, PA (members of my local quilt guild) had two quilts in the show. Way to represent ladies!!

Here is their work “The Doctor’s Wife”.  It is based on an antique quilt.

A close-up of Debbie’s quilting.

And a close-up of Donna and Debbie.

Donna and Debbie assisted me at Festival and were a tremendous help. Thanks you, thank you!

Hollis Chatelain won second place in the  “Art-Painted Surface” category for ” Compassion.” When it was announced that this piece had won a second place ribbon, Joe said he was calling the Houston Police Department and reporting that Hollis had been robbed.

Wow!  To find out more about Hollis visit her site http://www.hollisart.com

The “King on His Throne” was created by Nancy Sterett Martin.

To find out more about Nancy visit her site http://quilt-patches.com/

The work of Aki Sakai of  Japan always brings a smile to my face and her work is incredible! This miniature piece “Merry Christmas” was in a special exhibit of holiday themed quilts.

The attention to detail is so impressive.

STUDENT’S WORK

During last year’s Houston Quilt Festival, Melissa Labella of the show’s education department was a student in my class “Circular Garden”. Her finished project hung in the education/teacher’s room all week for us to enjoy. Great job!

Two students from my Kansas Rose Workshop sent me photos of their blocks.  Both of these students attended my very recent classes in Kerrville, Texas.   Nice work ladies. And, quick turn around!

Debbie Fetech sent this one.

And, this was sent by Donna Scofield.

Until next week.