Ten years ago today, the decision to step on a plane to Germany completely changed the rest of my life... in every way that could be imagined. It was on my granmother's 80th birthday that I was flying halfway across the globe to be with the man who had captured my heart.
Almost a year later, I started blogging about my life in Germany, and the feelings and emotions about living in a country that was not my own. Talk about not being in Kansas anymore?!? Those first years were very much processing what it means to experience daily life in another language, another way of doing things, and another culture... all different from mine.
At the time, there is no way that I could have possibly understood the depth of what I was about to do. And I really don't know if I will ever be able to comprehend the full depth of it. There is so much to process on so many different levels, although I am grateful that the struggles are not what they once were.
The processing has been daily, it's been gradual, even seasonal, and it's given me a deeper understanding of who I once was. There are things that I've only realized about myself since I've made that leap.
In our afternoon tea time with my husband today, he posed the hypothetical question "if you knew what you know now, would you have done it again"? Perhaps some things are actually better if you leap before you think about the landing. Would it have helped to know ahead of time what challenges I would go through, and am still going through? I doubt it. Would I have done it all over again for the same man? No questions about it.
... supposedly the number 10 represents perfection or completion, which I dare say, does not apply in this case, but it sure does help to give guidance to know where to go from here.
Pattern: My Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern, mini block made into a pin cushion
Fabrics: Cotton & Steel, Carolyn Friedlander, and various low volumen Art Gallery fabrics.
Thread: Auriful
A weekend away from the daily rush, snuggled up in a cozy cabin in Denmark with your sewing girls, and nothing on your hands but time to sew sounds pretty much like a dream, doesn't it? Well, that's exactly what my past weekend looked like!
Usually when we get together for our monthly HH Modern Patchwork Treffen, it always feels like we don't get very much accomplished. Usually chatter and the exchange about fabrics, patterns, techniques, quilting ideas, etc. distract from the actual time at the sewing machine. But, I think that everyone left this time quite pleased with the amount of things that we got accomplished. Perhaps it might have helped that the WiFi wasn't working in our cabin. On one hand it was really frustrating because it makes you feel so disconnected to the outside world, but on the other hand, it's not necessarily a bad thing to cut the cord either.
I was able to get my bee quilt top put together, and almost finished a second quilt top. It's always fun when you run out of fabric in the middle of a project, huh? You can see the second top on the quilt wall in the background. This is actually my oldest WIP to date, and essentially my first quilt blocks. Oh, I don't
want to talk about all the cut off points, but I'll share it's long
story when I get the top finished.
On my part, there was a good bit of secret sewing done, and tons of chain piecing, which should make things whiz by once I pick it back up again. We did a little photo shoot for a project before gifting it to another member who lives in Denmark just an hour from where we stayed. Hope to share that one soon too!
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social.
I've been working really hard on my second quilt pattern, and am now almost finished with the quilt top! I just have to add a border and some additional applique circles to finish it off. Generally when I work on a pattern, I make it first to see if my idea will even translate into a usable pattern, and then I backtrack to write the instructions.
Perhaps it might be a little backwards in my thinking, but it's somehow the way I work best. I suppose it could also be because I procrastinate on the computer work, much preferring to sew than to calculate math... you too?
Of course there is still the quilting ahead, and as usual, this will be no small quilt. It would appear that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and as my dad would say, if you're going to do it at all, then do it big!
This pattern will be a little of everything with curved piecing, traditional piecing, and applique. I had originally thought that I would include paper piecing in this pattern, but realized that I could accomplish the same result with traditional piecing. I have to admit that I love paper piecing so much, that sometimes I much prefer the method to traditional simply based on those perfectly matched points!
No release date planned yet, but I am planning to share more this time before an official release because I would like to allow my pattern testers a little more time to work on this one.
Linking up to Let's Bee Social
The last couple weeks have been an absolute whirlwind with my new pattern release, two giveaways, and preparing for my upcoming sewing retreat... and I realized that I had not officially shared what my pattern testers came up with. They not only came up with some really fantastic projects, but gave me the feedback that I needed to make improvments on my pattern that hopefully translated into a very clear, understandable, and usable pattern. It's always nice when credit is given where credit is due, don't you think?
1. I love Elina's idea to put my pattern on point, and her well thought out details and accents complete this beautiful cushion.
2. Melanie used her blocks to make a lovely fall decoration table runner. Bold oranges, reds, and pinks are just one of her signature color palettes.
3. Mareike really pushed the limits on how far this design can go. Her soft color choices are calm and soothing.
4. I love Julie's bright and bold mustard and berry combination, and the grey accents set just the right tone.
5. Wendy's use of the Alison Glass' Art Theory panel for the center circle appliques was simply brilliant!... and a few of my favorite Sun Print fabrics make it even better!
6. Tracy incorporated my favorite, Basic Grey grunges, in her mini that she made for me!?! I love the metallic thread quilting that she used to highlight the design.
7. Friederike managed to make not just one pillow, but two! She used some of my all time must-have Carolyn Friedlander prints in this one, and beautiful Alison batiks in her second one.
8. At first, Saija noticed that she had picked from the same color palette that I used in my quilt, but these more subtle shades give her beautiful cushion a totally different look and feel.
9. Who would have thought that leopard print and stipes would so totally work? Laura's combination with a clear blue make this pillow she made for her son really pop.
10. Bold contrasts of black and white set off Heidi's take on my pattern. She also had the idea to add an extra smaller circle to mini, which gives a very nice extra added touch.
A really, really, big, warm, and heartfelt thank you to all my pattern testers for such lovely and inspring projects!
This week has been more about cutting to prepare for my upcoming Denmark sewing retreat than it has been about sewing. Even though I understand the benefit of time saving when you cut, sew, and iron all at once, etc., the reality of it is that I have never cut all the fabric needed for a quilt all at one time. I'm so tempted to stop in between and stitch up a block before cutting some more, but I suppose that would leave me with having nothing to work on during our trip.
I'm nearing the finish line for completing the quilt top for my second pattern, and I wanted to whip up a smaller project in second colorway. I keep grabbing for this essex linen over and over again, and why not? Another project that will land in my living room once it's finished!
This past week, I joined in on the #missingmarket fun on Instagram sponsored by @gogokim and @thesewingloft. One of the topics of the "party" was to share our #longestWIPever. Wheh... what a scary topic?!?
When I pulled out these Anna Maria Horner blocks that I started aeons ago with no real plan, I was inspired to figure out some kind of layout for them and get them together. Since I'm not as thrilled about this project anymore, and I don't really want to make more blocks, so I thought I would add some simple Basic Grey grunges to pull out the color in the blocks.
I'm really not sure if I am biting off more than I can chew, but I usually like to have at least on "basket project" in the works, and when I got the latest issue of Love Quilting and Patchwork, I knew this project from Minkikim had to make it in my basket. Her sweet applique projects are just adorable, and I love all the attention to detail.
I'm really excited to see how much I can get done on this retreat... everyone always seems to overpack, but if nothing else, then I'll be ready to just sit down and sew once I get back.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social.
My Patchwork Treffen group has a small little trip planned this fall to go to Denmark for a quilting weekend. As far as projects go, it really takes a lot of planning to have enough to do, even though at such get-togethers you never accomplish as much as you think you can. Seeing as how I can't take my sewing room with me, I really want to make sure that I carefully plan all my projects because there's no going to the favorite stack for a forgotten snippit.
As far as my my quarterly goals list goes, my bee quilt has not exactly taken top priority since I am working on my second and third patterns right now. But it is actually the perfect kind of project to put together when we are snuggled up in a cozy cabin, sewing machines humming, and chattering happily away.
I have to admit that at first I really struggled with this layout. With so many shades and tones, when I first laid this out randomly, it really wasn't coming together as I had envisioned. At some point I had the idea to cluster the diamond points according to color. Once I shifted blocks a bit, I knew it was my "that's it" moment.
Sometimes you just need a sew-without-thinking project, and I would say that this will be a perfect snuggle up on the couch, and pull the papers out after a long day of sewing... don't you think? But you'll have to wait until after the trip to see this one put together.
Any sewing retreat/quilting group stories to tell? Any unfortunate forgotten snippit tales?
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social.
My earliest memories of sewing was with my mom. As a trained home economics teacher, her desire to teach was there, but she had a "student" who was not only willing to learn, but quite eager. At the time I did not value her contstant urgings to do things the proper way, and iron each seam... for me that took too long. But the deeper I got in the craft, the more I came to appreciate her good advice.
Walking hand in hand with those memories of learning to sew, are the memories of me digging through her notions boxes. I had favorite buttons, and bobbins, thread, and what-nots... and there was nothing more delightful than to dig and dig, making one new discovery after the next.
I thought it would be fun to use the 6" mini version of my Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern
as a single block for a pin cushion... well, actually the idea came
from one of my pattern testers. I've been itching to cut into these
notion themed fabrics from Cotton & Steel, and I pulled some of my favorite low volume sewing fabrics to go with it.
There
are some projects, usually small ones, that I really enjoy the process
of carefully thought out fabric placement. Fussy cutting is not always
for the thrifty quilter, but I love the challenge of a perfectly placed
snippit.
Cotton & Steel always had such fun selvages, and the Trinket fabrics from Melody Miller, are no exception!
Do such sewing themed fabrics like these evoke any memories of crafting and sewing as a child too?
Linking up with Let's Bee Social.
Don't miss out... I'm celebrating the release of my Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern with a GIVEAWAY on Instagram! (link here) Be sure to hop on over to win these fabrics and my newly released pattern:
- 8 - 1/4 yards/meters of #modernbackgroundfabrics sponsored by
Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic
- a downloadable PDF copy of my Jeweled
Kaleidoscope quilt pattern
- and
40 pre-cut favorite fabric triangles in jewel colors as seen in my quilt.
NOTE: Unfortunately blog comments do not qualify for the giveaway. For details how to win, see my post on Instagram! (this
giveaway is open internationally)
On the surface it looks like I only finished about half of my quarterly goals list for Q3 because I am only checking two things off my list. The behind the scenes reality of it is that I was able to finish THE goal that I didn't think would happen, plus a finish of an old WIP that never got listed, because I wasn't even planning to work on it at all! But all in all, I don't think it's too bad especially when you consider that we moved, our oldest started school, and I released my FIRST quilt pattern! So, for this quarter:
1. My Churnstile quilt makes it back on the list, and it won't take that long to finish, but my first quilt release has kind of taken the front burner. I'm am nearly finished with quilting on this one!
2. Green Smoothie is also being carried over, but beleive it or not, the issue with me not finishing last quarter is because the bed that it is going on it STILL not in place!?! (long story that would take at least 20 posts to explain!)
3. Well, you didn't think that I would leave you with just one pattern release, did you? Since pattern #2 has so many pieces and parts, curves and trimmings, this will, again, be a very ambitious goal... so why not another pattern release on the list for this quarter?!?
4. I have also already started on quilt pattern #3 which should actually come together rather quickly. This is a totally different color palette for me, and I can't wait to share more. A more simple and straightforward pattern, but with partial seams... I am really trying to figure out what all the fuss is about and why the term has gotten such a bad rap? (I totally get it about y-seams)
´5. Unfortunately my bee quilt is a really low priority on my list right now. I've gotten all the blocks from my bee members, but it just turns out that the other projects are higher on my list. When it was my turn to be the queen it wasn't the best schedule fit, and since we finish every two months instead of each month, other projects kept moving up the list.
On another note, if you happened to miss it, or you are just stopping by for the first time, my new quilt pattern is on sale until Wednesday, October 19th in my Payhip shop.
Linking up to 2016 Finish-A-Long
It's hard to believe that I've made it to the finish line. My pattern is now finished, tested, revised, and ready for sale... so, without further ado, may I OFFICIALLY introduce to you my Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern? You can find my pattern on Payhip, and I've actually set up my shop so I can offer the pattern in two different format sizes:
US Letter format downloadable PDF
Non-US DIN-A4 format downloadable PDF
AND to celebrate the pattern release, I am offering a 20% discount code on all sales this week! (through October 19th) Just enter the code: JKLaunch.
I would love to see what you are making... share your Jeweled Kaleidoscope creations under the #jeweledkaleidoscopequilt hashtag on Instagram!
My Jeweled Kaleidoscope pattern, to be released this week, October 12th, comes also with the option to be made without the center circle appliques. I shared my pillow that I had made with a simple graduated color palette, but I wanted to share a few layout variations that could also be used for larger quilts.... and the amazing thing is that the change in design all comes from simple color placements.
For this first layout, I'm still stuck on these soothing cool colors using Basic Grey grunges mixed with some of my favorite printed fabrics.
... for this next layout, I wanted to have a little more negative space to show off the pinwheels. For the free motion quilter, so much negative space can be a dream.
Here is another graduated layout, but without the center circle appliques it takes on a completely different look. The accent is now on the strong navy contrasting petals.
Even though I don't really work with solids, I appreciate the heavy punch that they pack. And this layout in shades of purples, greys, and navys is no exception
For this quilt, there is a secondary graduation colorway. Firstly the graduation of the purple tones, and secondly with the movement fromgrey to blue tones. The navy accent petals bring even more contrast.
So, there's only one question let, have you decided how you want to make your Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt?
Linking up to Let's Bee Social.
I really love what my pattern testers have come up with so far for my Jeweled Kaleidoscope pattern, and several have not only explored various color palettes, but also design variations. My first pattern tester, Mareike, really pushed the limits in exploring the kaleidoscope possibilies of this pattern. Read her blog post about finding the kaleidoscope structures in a soft color palette. I wanted to explore additional options with the same layout... and of course with lots of color!
Somehow I have really been drawn to the cool color palette, but also wanted to think about how this might translate into a warm color palette.
I've seen so many projects using a simple grey and citron colorway, and this combination shows what a nice compliement the two colors are to each other.
Even though I really had to work hard to build my purple stash, it really is a favorite color of mine. I couldn't resist using these Alison Glass fabrics combined with stash must-haves Zen Chic greys.
Another one of my pattern testers had the idea to put the blocks on point. Elina has a good feel for both color and design, and I love the well thought out little detailed accents that she included in her pillow. Here again, exploring with cool colors using my favorite Basic Grey grunges.
... and the same concept of the design on point, but with a few fabric placement changes. I love this strong, yet soothing blue background.
So, does this bring back memories as a child, looking through a kaleidoscope and being fascinatied about the endless designs that danced before your eyes? Well, it doesn't end here either... more to come next week as well as the official release on October 12th!
Next Wednesday, October 12th, is the official launch of my Jeweled Kaleidoscope pattern and I couldn't be more excited! Over the next weeks I wanted to share with you various projects and color options for using this pattern. Last week I shared the mini version without the center appliques, and it's amazing how a pattern changes with mere color changes. It has been helpful for me to shuffle colors around, and for comparison, first here is original version in cool colors paired with a soothing grey.
Next I changed the outer fabrics to a dark grey, and used the same soft grey for the center circles. I love how this looks with the center circles taking the backstage, and the background becoming more dominant.
I've had my eye on the Handcrafted Patchwork batiks from Alison Glass for a while now, but since you can't buy every fabric that you drool over, it's nice to still play with them in EQ7. Here I changed the center fabrics to the light grey and stayed with a graduated color palette like I did for the optional version. hmmm... perhaps a future fabric splurge IS actually needed.
Again, the same fabrics, but with a darker contrast for the background.
I've only gotten started with color inspiration, so be sure to stop back by this and next week for more color options and layouts. Wanna see what my pattern testers are creating on Instagram? See them under the hashtag #jeweledkaleidoscopequilt.
Linking up to Let's Bee Social.
My Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern is now in the hands of my pattern testers, and I'm really loving seeing so many takes on the same block! Be sure to check out what's happening on Instagram (#jeweledkaleidoscopequilt)... everyone has their own signature style and favorite fabrics. Oh, by the way... did I happen to mention that my pattern comes in two different sizes and an optional version?
The pattern is also available in a 18" mini size, which is perfect for pillows, wall hangings, etc. This pillow is for my living room and I love it! This is not only the mini version, but also the optional version without the circle appliques. (I realize that applique is perhaps not everyone's cup of tea)
I've been working a lot in EQ7 and playing around with different color variations, which is where I originally came up with this warm color version on a dark Essex linen background. I think it really takes on a totally different look, don't you?
So, from there, I thought it would be fun to see what the same mini looks like in cool colors... hmmm, I think I might be onto something here. The advantage of such a program, is that it's so much fun working with your stash fabrics without making a mess!
My Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt is set to release October 12th, so stay tuned for more projects from my first quilt pattern!
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social
