Quilting and Patchwork

May 8th, 2008

Gadget Wish List for Quilters

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

New gadgets, or those you haven’t tried, aid in making quilting easier.  I’ve been amazed at all the items now available that weren’t when I began quilting as a business during the Bicentennial years of 1975-76.  A friend remarked today that she almost had to begin learning anew when she came back to quilting after being away from it for several years.

 As I browsed through a quilting notions and fabric catalog the other day, I came across these gadgets that could go on a “wish list” for me.

Mini Iron
Rotary blade sharpener
Needle sharpener
Neo color wax pastels
Scissors light
John Quinn’s improved Multi-frame system
Ruler and mat organizer
Rag quilting snips
More storage units
Needle felting machine - the ultimate on the dream list

What’s on your DREAM LIST?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 6th, 2008

Quilters Beware - Sunburn Time is Here!

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

 With the warmer weather leading us into summer (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), quilters and their families likely will be outside more.  That generally means more exposure to the sun and the need for sunblock.

Scott Warthon, at b5’s Health and Men, has some great information about Understanding Sun Protection Factor or SPF .  This helps us understand why and how the different levels of SPF work as they do.  He also has posted a chart giving us information regarding which SPF to use with which skin type.

(Scott learned the hard way…he got a sunburn!  See This is Why You Should Wear Sunblock)

(c) 2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 5th, 2008

The Winner is….of The Magic of Patchwork Book

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The Magic of Patchwork, my book about quilting, is the prize for the drawing mentioned in the Bloggy Giveways. Readers at Quilting and Patchwork were to:

Leave a comment about your quilting experiences by April 24 (deadline), and I’ll put it in a random drawing for a copy of my book, The Magic of Patchwork.

There were so many interesting comments.  I thank you for sharing your quilting experiences and aspirations.  Even though only one could win, I’d like to include some of the comments in future posts at Quilting and Patchwork.

 I utilized a random drawing system. The handy, dandy Random.org drew the name of……Sarah A.  I’ve notified Sarah and am waiting for her to send me her mailing address.  I hope you enjoy The Magic of Patchwork, Sarah.

(If I don’t receive Sarah’s address by Sunday, May 11, 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, I shall announce the second name on the random draw list as the winner.) 

I’m planning future drawings….so keep tuned. 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 4th, 2008

Quilting & Patchwork Mentioned on Tales of the Trails End Quilters

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Tales of the Trails End Quilters blog consists of stories about my quilting heritage. 

My quilting heritage began at Trails End Farm in Milan, New York. There I often sat beside my grandmother cutting squares and sewing them by hand. Eventually I realized that my mother and her sister, their grandmother, and others made quilts here, too. Now my daughter, granddaughter, and I carry on this Trails End quilting tradition from our New Hampshire home.

 I delve into the genrations of quiltmakers in my family, going back to my great grandmother.  I know she quilted and attended quilting bees at neighbors’ homes because my grandfather, her son, comments on this in his writing.  (He kept journals as well as writing for the local newspaper in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.)

Stories of one’s quilting heritage and memories of quilts and “blankies” made by ancestors and living relatives have great meaning to many quilters and non-quilters, as recognized by guest posters and visitors to my blog.  (You’ll also find reference to these and other stories at the Trails End Quilters blog.)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 3rd, 2008

Quilting & Patchwork Wants to Know…Do You Carry Quilting Supplies in Your Purse?

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 Deborah Ng at The List Mavin, had a fun idea the other day, What’s in Our Purses?  She asked various bloggers to send her photos of what they carried in their purses.  Others left comments.

I began wondering…do quilters carry quilting supplies in their purses…or tote bags?

Since I carry a black leather fanny pack all the time…not stylish, but very useful since I do a lot of flying (not flapping wings, but on planes), I don’t have much space for quilting supplies.  It’s a waste of time to change everything over to a traditional purse between trips, and I can sling this over my shoulder when it’s not around my waist.

However, my hubby says I carry more in those three zipper compartments than anyone he knows…date book, lip balm, lipstick, loose change, business cards…mine and those I collect, checkbook, credit card/license/medical card holder, grandchildren’s photos (of course!), cell phone, notepad for jotting down writing and quilting ideas and “to do” memos, 2 pens (one might not work), paper clips, vitamins, and receipts.

Also, I might squeeze in a sample of fabric I want to match…or a couple of those pieces from my mom’s Wedding Quilt I’m trying to find fabric for.  Of course, some of the business cards I collect are from quilters/fabric artists/quilt shops.

I do have a denim patchwork tote my daughter made me.  So when I want to take some quilting work with me, a quilting magazine or Elm Creek Quilters novel, that seems the appropriate one sling over my shoulder along.  I also can squeeze in a water bottle, food bar, pens and note pad.

Do you carry quilting supplies in your purse?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 2nd, 2008

Call for Artists, including Quilters, to Contribute their Art for Alzheimer’s Research

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

Quilters and fabric artists may like to join Katelyn at Stamping Mad by contributing their Alzheimer’s related art for a zine to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.  She’s initiating this project, Giving Back - A Call for Alzheimer’s Related Art, at her blog.

I was thinking to do something a bit different [from last year]. I want to create a zine (a type of magazine) called “A Portrait of Alzheimer’s” and am looking for people to make art that fits this theme to include in the zine. Since you can just take a good, high resolution photo for me instead of sending in original art, it should be less costly for everyone to do. Of course, all net proceeds from zine sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at Alz.org.

Check out the link above and read all the details at Stamping Mad.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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May 1st, 2008

Lifestyles Bloggers (including Quilting & Patchwork) Share Blogging Experiences

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Where do you blog?  Why do you blog?

Lifestyles bloggers, including Quilting and Patchwork, share their experiences and give you insignt into their lives and blogging habits during Theme Day on the Channel.  Some blog in unusual places, others show us photos of their offices or blogging areas, and some tackle it in a very organized way.

I blog wherever and whenever I can…as long as I can set up my laptop or get the desktop from my hubby.  I also share some office space with my husband.  You also may find me blogging at the dining table.  Perhaps I’ll blog in the bedroom or on the deck if it’s a pleasant day.

When we travel, I take my laptop along and blog in airports and motel rooms.  I also can plug my laptop into a converter as we drive.

This also is the way I write my weekly newspaper columns and whittle away at my books.

Where do you blog?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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April 30th, 2008

Another “Yum Yum” Recipe for Quilters to Try

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I’ve discovered Cyndi’s Busy Family Meals blog (another b5media blog) and enjoy her quick recipes.  I’ve written a “Country Kitchen” cooking column for years and have explored various types of foods and cooking.  I find now I search for recipes and meal ideas that are quick to prepare and lend themselves to a very busy lifestyle.

Since blueberries also are very good for us, according to recent research, in addition to being tasty, my attention was caught by “Jean’s Blueberry Quickbread” recipe at Busy Family Meals [for busy quilters].

What quick meal preparation tips have you found in your busy quilting and fabric art world?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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April 30th, 2008

The Delights of Blogging about Quilting

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 ”Blogging! What’s that?” friends ask. They appear to think it’s some fantasy world and wonder if perhaps I’ve grown two heads.

Then they peer closely and think, “It’s still Mary Emma, but she’s off on some new adventure and so happy about it! Not climbing mountains or exploring geocaches. But definitely doing something different.”

I try to explain that blogging about quilting has opened up an exciting new world for me with friends around the globe. The confines of self, community and country expand to reveal a fascinating existence.

Quilting and Patchwork was my first blog and one I continue to enjoy and have fun doing although I write a number of others.  This blog enabled me get back to writing about quilting and fabric arts again.  I used to write magazine columns and articles on this topic, then got sidetracked with other types of writing. 

Here  I can combine a love of writing with quilting and fabric art, share insights from my own experiences, offer information and encouragment to others, and meet quilters with diverse interests and talents.

When we can write about quilters’ adventures and successes, share their tears and triumphs, even get to meet some in person and then have them comment or e-mail me, “You inspired me SO much,” I know I’m in the right place…blogging at Quilting and Patchwork.

Where do you blog and what do you blog about?  Share in the comments and perhaps some of Quilting and Patchwork readers will visit your blog!

My Other Blogs:

Alzheimer’s Notes (www.alzheimersnotes.com )

Home Biz Notes (www.homebiznotes.com )

Mary Emma’s Potpourri of Writing (http://maryemmallen.blogspot.com )

Tales of the Trails End Quilters (http://trailsendquilters.blogspot.com )

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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April 29th, 2008

Photo of Kristen’s Teddy Bear Quilt

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

I’m still learning about importing photos into my posts, so couldn’t get this one posted to accompany the story about Kristen King’s Teddy Bear Quilt that Granny made.

So…now (with Kristen’s help)…here it is for you to see.  Then click on the link above to relate it to the story.  I can see why Kristen treasures it.  Granny certainly put a lot of work into it.

What quilts do you treasure as a family legacy?  From the comments I’ve been receiving lately, I find that a quilting heritage is prominent in many families.  Record those memories and share them with your family and others they may inspire.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Photo Copyright(c)2008 by Kristen King. All Rights Reserved.  Used with permission.

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