Stardance Update

 Hello Everyone,

I have so many fun things planned for the day that it's hard to decide what to do next.  I've been playing around with Stardance in EQ8.  This is what I decided on yesterday.....that could change today.....but I'm really liking this look of the well-defined star blocks dancing around the quilt.

This is what the design looked like before I started to play.  The blocks were cut off and I think they looked incomplete.  To remedy that, I made half-blocks to put in the border.

I keep adding to my little pile of blocks.  I try to quilt every day even it's for only a half hour.  All of that time adds up to a finished quilt.

In addition to quilting, Mr. Joe and I have been stuffing patterns for Gentry's Mill.  The orders are rolling in and the patterns will be rolling out.  The first order is shipping to Australia tomorrow.  Maybe I can pack myself up and deliver them in person.  Now that would be fun!

Every time I do a BOM, the dining room is turned into a shipping dock.  I find myself apologizing for the mess, but it's a wonderful mess and one I can live with. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week and have a lot of fun projects to keep you busy, energized and engaged.

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance

 Hello Everyone,

I've been working on a new design, and I have a nice little assortment of blocks for Stardance. This is a snapshot of what I'm working on in EQ software.

This is what the actual block looks like.  I love that what I see in EQ software is very similar to the real block.

This is a snapshot of another block in the quilt in EQ.  The block placement in the quilt determines the framing around the block.

This is the actual block.

I'm combining my Gentry's Mill fabric line with my Hearthstone fabric line. I'm so happy with what I'm seeing so far.  When the graphic artist at Marcus Fabrics sends me the files, they are ready to import directly into EQ software.  I get a wonderful rendition of the quilt right from the get-go. 

I go between EQ software, to the pattern directions, and then to the sewing machine.  I'm also using my little organization progress sheet to keep track of what I've accomplished.  These sheets will definitely be included in the pattern.  I feel as though this is the most organized I've been while creating a new pattern.

On a personal note, it's coyote mating season here in the Sierra Nevada mountains and the coyotes are 'talking' every night.  When our dog Mazey hears them, she chimes right in and howls unlike any howl she's vocalized before.  It's a primal howl coming from deep within her chest which sends chills up my spine.  It feels like I'm in a horror movie and I never watch horror movies!  I'm blaming these dark circles under my eyes on the coyotes.....and Mazey.

Soon,

Lynn

A Day in the Classroom

 Hello Everyone,

My sister Gail and I spent a day in the classroom with the Independence Hall quilters teaching Finessing the Figures a.k.a. Patchwork Math.  Here is Sue's beautiful block showing the different components she made during class from my Patchwork Math book.

Isn't this a great organizational idea!  I'm going to get out my label maker and do this on my clips.  I teach how to line up stripes or checks on a square in a square.  Becky got extra credit for doing a fabulous job with those pesky checks!  They line up beautifully.  It's all those little details which add to the charm of a quilt.

Here's another tip.  You can use a BlocLoc Flying Geese ruler to trim your square in a square.

To center the flower in the middle of a square in a square, you can make a template out of cardboard or template plastic to audition the floral bouquet.

Once the class finished making a few of the components, they started working with them on the design wall and arranged and rearranged their components.

Here are pictures of more of their progress.  The girls learned my techniques and the math so they can make those components any size they want to design blocks, sashings and borders.

By the end of the day, Deanna had a lot of components made.  She is going to put them all together in a Christmas project.

What a wonderful group of quilters!  Gail and I had a special day getting to know you better.  It is a great deal of fun to spend time with those sharing our same passion for quilting.

Soon,

Lynn