Last week I had the opportunity to attend a retreat at the brand new fabulous retreat center – 12 Pines! Pamela attended lots of retreats and made notes of what she liked at each one and then incorporated as many of those ideas as possible into one package. You can retreat with 12 / 16 or combine both sewing rooms for 28. The sleeping accommodations are on the outside walls so you won’t be kept awake by those giggling late night stitchers. Only 4 to a room and each room / bathroom. Shelves and an area to hang your clothing in each room. Your own shelf and towel rack in the bathroom. Lots of design wall space and each stitcher gets a 6′ table. We had tons of irons going and never had a power blip! Pamela is designing the sound proofing for the doors between the sewing rooms for when 2 independent groups will be attending. 3 styles of chairs – there should be one to fit your needs. I have lots of photos of projects – unfortunately I was too busy sewing to get a proper photographic tour.
SEW – if you want to see it for yourself be sure to stop by during the Huntsville, TX Airing of the Quilts the first Saturday in May. (I will be hosting my Paradise in Blooms retreat during that time). I will post more details when Pamela has them set!
I LOVE this quilt!Roll Roll Cotton Boll – Bonnie Hunter was well represented at this retreat!Winnie was working on a T-shirt Quilt – did you know she teaches on Craftsy?A little string piecing! Happy and Bright!Lovely!Not the same quilt – we had 2 working on their exchange blocks!These chevrons made the cutest quilt!See – I told you it was a cute quilt!Very Patriotic!From a “Pizza Box” Swap!Nope – that is not string piecing – that is the FABRIC!What a fabulous quilt!A tisket a tasket!And there’s appliquéHoley Moley that is GORGEOUS!These become…..…..thisAnother baby quilt in the design process!Every retreat needs a little chocolate!Another Pizza Box Quilt!Scrumptious!I made some progress on Paradise in Blooms!More progress!Melba’s baskets from the Pizza Box swapLove Love Love!
If you have never attended a retreat – put it on your bucket list! What a great way to meet friends and get inspired!
Several years back I was asked to teach my first Judy Niemeyer classes at Pinwheels and Posies. I had 2 friends that wanted to make one of the “star” quilts so I decided to teach a STARS class. They could choose from Amazon Star, Prairie Star or Dragon Star. A friend and neighbor wanted to take the class but already had a pattern that she wanted to work on “Misty Mountain Pond“. I said SURE, it was an easier quilt than the one I was teaching and it would be fun to have her join our group.
For those of you that have attended or will be attending my “Seasonal Table Runner” Class, you can make this quilt! Same units!
Well in this class I had several new quilters. One was so new I got to teach her how to use her rotary cutter. BUT, we had fun and many of the ladies in that group are still friends and most of them have taken several classes from me since that time so I guess I did ok!
Miss Drue worked on her quilt off and on for quite some time, I made a couple of quick trips down the street when she would run into difficulty and last year her quilt was completed and handed over to me for the quilting! It turned out fabulous and I can’t wait for her to see it!
The overall quiltClose up of the center medallionCattails!Close up of the medallionThe back of the quilt!Another view of the backAnd one last view of the back
And already loaded on my frame ready for quilting….. A queen size Mariner’s Compass! Photos later my friends!
Yippee! I am off to a GREAT start for 2015. I have finished 2 quilt tops so far this year and it is only the 7th of January! I had done most of the paper-piecing on this one but needed to do all of the assembly – so I got busy and “got er done!”
I had chosen the fabrics a few months ago – falling in love with Northcott’s Artisan Spirit Shimmer collection. These are the striped ones and they look really awesome in the spikes! I think I actually cut it out shortly after my purchase, then the big MOVE happened and I didn’t get back to it for awhile.
The pattern is by Judy Niemeyer Quilting, Stormy Seas. Well my quilt told me it’s name is Shimmery Seas and it really does shimmer!
Here is a little bit of the process!
December I started piecing. I just kind of worked at it a little bit at a time in between unpacking and getting the new house ready.These are the unit C’s I was playing with the layoutHere I have sewn the Unit A’s to the Unit C’s (The cover quilt from the pattern can be seen here as well)The squaring up B-1 units were then addedAnd now there is a block!An outside cornerAnd a few views of the quilt top…..Where I have the lime green, the pattern called for the same background (in my case it would’ve been black) I wanted to add a little bit of punch – the green did that!And one last view! I think some fun graffiti quilting in the green will be just the thing!
Note: Forgive my pressing – we still need to construct a new pressing surface, so for now I am using my folding TV tray covered with batting and ironing cloth.
I think I may just have to kit this one! I love how it turned out! I would love to read your comments – let me know what you think!
A little late in posting but wanted to share some fun from our Thanksgiving break. My nephew and his family had relocated from San Diego to Dallas and we invited them for Thanksgiving. My brother and his wife were also able to join us as well as several other family members. Our moving truck arrived on 11/14 and we hosted 18 for Thanksgiving dinner and 12 of those family members spent 1 or more nights with us! We had FABULOUS weather and a wonderful opportunity to visit and just enjoy each others company. We all provided goodies for the feast – I learned my nephew, Justin, is a foodie at heart and made the most fabulous onion dip! Jeanine and John provided the “purple salad” and several other side dishes. My daughter-in-law made the pies and they were oh so YUMMY!
The kids were all very well-behaved – when you have fabulous weather and a sand pile as big as the house they have no reason to get on each others nerves!
Here are the photos (lots of them) from our time together!
House prep for guests. I just love my orchard ladder, found in an antique store in Jefferson, TX several years ago.The wine bar and sideboardSome of the copper has been placed on top of the cabinets – this is a work in process…Found this rug at Sam’s, it goes really well with our stone work around the fireplace and my white couch! Who buys a white couch? This furniture is 25 years old and still almost like new because we never use it because – well – it’s white!All the beds have quilts and ready for our overnight guestsNo closets in our guest rooms so I could accommodate overnight guests, found this great armoire at Ikea! Bunk beds fit great in the area that would’ve been closet.Guest bath is ready!The 2nd guest bedroom – still need some bed skirts, but they can be slept in!Former closet of the guest bedroom. That beautiful flannel quilt was made by my friend Trudy as a house-warming (really going to miss you) gift!Had not planned on a new washer/dryer but when the dryer dies 4 weeks before the move you make do until new ones can be delivered to the new house. Never underestimate the value of a dryer! At the old house I had laundry drying all over!Master bedroom – the quilt on the bed was part of an exchange (I did the exchange 3 times, because I gave my first quilt to Alex Anderson)Quilt room closet – this room is a work in process, we are building shelving and pegboard for storage!Another view of the closetThe “quilt” room doubles as the “orphanage” for our younger guests!Another view of the playroom – the longarm is on wheels so I was able to push it up against the wall for maximum kiddo space!Machines were also moved to the edge of the room and faced in to be less attractive to the children!The kids would wake and sit quietly on the couch looking out the window waiting for these to show up.The big girls on baby watch early in the morning after watching the deer!John and Jeanine – what a happy fun couple! So glad we live close enough to do stuff together!My nephew Jason! He has a great smile that always wonder what he is really up to!Pre-nap all he wanted to do was ride the big tractor – post-nap not really into it!Every day if they weren’t outside they were sewing sewing sewing. I can’t remember the last time I threaded so many needles! PS – this was their idea – NOT mine!It really does warm my heart to see them enjoy crafts!Some were with us in spirit! My mom and my oldest brother, David. I had pulled out some photos and genealogy and my brother John snapped a photo of this old photo!Cousins playing on the big sand pile – what do you do with the box from the new fridge? Make a slide!Lots and lots of sand!He is just cute from any side!City girl gets Countryfied! My nephews daughter! She was a HOOT! Can’t wait to spend more time with Ms. M!Uncle Corey is really wondering what he has gotten himself into!These cousins will be life-long buds I am thinking! You should’ve seen the tears and sadness when they said goodbye!My son and his family!Cousins! Little L was the best 2 year old! I was so worried about what a two-year-old might get into – he just played with toys and was not a bit of trouble!Isn’t this a cute pic?And of course we had to have tie-dye!More tie-dye!His tie-dye drips and drips!That is going to be one pretty shirt!Gammy and our youngest family member!We had no TV and this was the only time a kiddo was on an electronic device – he watched a little show and then he was off to bed!This is how I felt all weekend being surrounded by family!
I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours! We have so much to be Thankful for!
Back in September I was contacted by Timeless Treasures Fabrics to join their blog tour for “The Reclaimed West” fabric collection ……
Here is a complete list of all those participating in the blog tour….. as you can see I am in great company. I haven’t had a chance to check yesterday’s blog posts, but am excited to see all the wonderful projects this week.
And Guess WHAT? There are prizes…. click here to enter to win!
My project did not need to be done until November 18th, which is after quilt festival and it would also be after my “Summer Solstice” for Quiltworx would be due; also made from “Reclaimed West”The past few days have been busy here at HollyDee Quilts. (Photos later in the post)
Anyway – I immediately replied that I would love to participate and sent in my fabric order, which was shipped promptly and drooling commenced!
Now some of you are new to the blog so you may not realize we have been building a new home and our “big stuff” i.e. the longarm were scheduled to be moved on Friday, November 14th. I wish that meant that all I had to do was wait for the movers to show up – but if you have ever moved you know – there is lots of purging and packing that has to happen prior to the move! I have been working on and off since June of this year on the purging and packing (what could be packed).
I was also quilting customer quilts up until Tuesday, November 11th!
And yes – I was trying to work on my Timeless Treasures Project for the blog tour – now I shall no longer bore you with words and will give you a photographic tour!
Tuesday, November 11, we prepped the longarm for the big move (3 hours WEST of Houston)
Here is the longarm in the old studio!And here is a quick photo of my new space – the longarm will go along that back wall. Behind that wall is the most exciting room in the house – “The Quilt Studio Closet” It is 6’x20′ with 11′ ceilings!Pieces and parts of the longarm and various machines after the movers left on the 14th!Another view – yes; I have a few machines!
Once the quilt room at the old house was ready for the movers I had some free time to either pack or work on my Reclaimed West project – I found a way to work on my project….
A folding table that was hiding upstairs – I have to be careful not to wiggle it too much because 2 of the legs do not snap in place. We have moved EVERY chair to the new house so I am sitting on a wooden step stool, using an old towel as a cushion!Progress is being made…Love trimming up the blocks!Oh very pretty!This is the photo that inspired the tree fabric in my outer border blocksGetting ready to sew the next section of borderNot sure from this piece – is it a quilt or undergarment?With a little rearranging I start sewing on 11/17 – remember this project is in today’s blog! Luckily most of the paper-piecing is complete and I will just be working on trimming units and block assembly!Assembly is in full swing!Remember the undergarment? Now you see where it goes!Something is missing!Much better with the red center squares! (Oops – got my shoes in that photo!)And it’s done! Well the top is done! Pattern is Witches Brew. This little puzzle quilt was a lot of fun to make! 23″x108″Here is the backing fabric and it will get a red binding – stay tuned – as soon as that longarm is back together I will load this one up and share!My other Reclaimed West Quilt – this one is Summer Solstice!Some of our new neighbors!
Thank you for stopping by the blog! I hope you enjoyed today’s post and don’t forget to go enter to win some of your very own “Reclaimed West” fabric and goodies! Click here to enter….
Be sure to click the “follow” button to keep up with my country life! I have a busy teaching schedule next year and would love to have you join me for a class, retreat or quilters cruise!
A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege and honor to attend my nephews son’s graduation from Airman Basic Training in San Antonio TX. My grand-nephew had graduated from high school in May but had signed up for the Air Guard several months prior. He received his papers and as summer slowly moved to fall he took a big step towards adulthood.
Future airmen arrive at their local airports and are placed in a room to await their flight. The room is plain and there are a few chairs and they wait. Having arrived between flights the wait for our future airman was about 3 hours. I wonder what goes through a young man’s mind when he is left alone with just his thoughts?
While our future airman worked hard and was challenged mentally and physically his parents and I planned the trip to watch the big graduation event.
We awoke at o-dark:30 and headed to the base for the graduation. Luckily we had a back-up plan for me entering the base as there of course was a name mixup, actually there were two mix-ups. Our future neighbor rescued me – he works on base and walked over to “sponsor” me on base for the graduation. I walked through the security gate about 60 seconds prior to my nephew and his wife coming through via their vehicle, they picked me up on the base-side of the gate and we were off to find parking and a place to view the graduation.
We had arrived a little early and so we had some wait time. I played with my camera, it was a very hazy day and I apologize in advance for the photography. At one point my poor nephew was feeling the humidity and Texas heat (which was actually quite mild). I commented that at least he wasn’t in “dress blues” and he settled right down – it is all about perspective!
I would like to share a portion of the graduation ceremony. They had handed the reins over to a visiting General who is retiring. He has served our nation for his entire adult life. His words to these young recruits as he passed the baton were right on target, I hope they were listening.
Remember we were up at 0-Dark:30 and drove to San Antonio in the dark, after we parked it was time to enjoy the sunrise.Our view as we walked to the graduation fieldMy husband should’ve been here – he could’ve told me all the stats on these planes.My husband should’ve been here – he could’ve told me all the stats on these planes.No caption required….The flag carriers getting ready for the ceremonyIs he late? For a very important date?Waiting is hard for all ages, this young girl was so good and just precious.How do they do that slouch and march?The special dignitaries are arriving, including the Mayor of San AntonioThe festivities beginMuch pomp and circumstanceHonors went to our nephew’s squadron – they scored top in all areas.Honors went to our nephew’s squadron – they scored top in all areas.Honors went to our nephew’s squadron – they scored top in all areas.The female contingent of our nephews squadronThe ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..The ceremonial march…..Our airman waits for us to find and release himLooking Sharp!Thanks momma for the photo – I know all you wanted to do was hug your boy!Momma is still in awe of the young man at her side!Families take the opportunity for photos with vintage planesAnd of course we took our turn too!Dad wanted in on this photo!Notice their posture and their feet!So serious…..Visiting the barracksDad takes a photo of the airman’s bed – he did not make it like that at home!Our airman could not wait to hang up his jacket! For his weekend leave he will remain in dress blues sans the jacketCaption this…Always ready!
Thank you to all of our VETERAN’s for your service!
This class included 591 recruits that are now ready to carry the torch!
Be sure to thank a vet – not just today but every day. My nephew and his wife were very impressed with the citizens of San Antonio – these citizens took the time to stop and thank their young man for his service!
In January 1996 my mom moved on to greener pastures, later that month I was offered a position with a marine dealership in Texas; the hubby and I decided to make the move as it would be me many miles closer to my sister who lives in Georgia.
I began my job in mid-March 1996 and the family followed in November along with a huge truck loaded with our home. My sister arrived a few days after the truck and one of her first questions “Did you move mom?” I found this a humorous question and whenever I see “Mom” it always makes me smile as I think of my sister wondering if I abandoned “Mom” in Utah.
So, Jenni, this is for you – so that you once again know that “Mom” is safe and sound and at home in Luling.
Mom is packed and ready for the road tripA nice safe place for mom to rideMom made it safe and soundHome is where the heart is (and where mom is!)
And she is not in the pumpkin!
Bad photo – but there’s mom – ready to greet visitors!
And at the same time you get a glimpse of what we were doing last weekend! Remember the BIG move happens mid-November!
Enjoy your day and find something that brings a smile to your face and then share that smile with someone, they just might need it as much as you!
Glacier Star is another favorite pattern that I teach. I have made several of these in conjunction with Pinwheels and Posies Quilt Shop. This was the first “technique of the month” quilt designed by Judy Niemeyer Quilting aka Quiltworx. It continues to be a favorite among shops and students.
Pat and her friend Patty decided to take this multi-part class, then life got hectic and Pat was not able to get back to her quilt for sometime. She was so excited to finally have the top done and dropped it off with me to quilt it a few months ago. I finished while she was in Boston on vacation and we were both finally able to get together Monday!
So now I can share with you!
An overall of the quilt – the green on the edge of teal with the burgundy always make a pleasing quiltPat wanted her quilt a little bigger so she added an additional border.Pat brought her hubby with her to pick up her quilt – explaining that they would now be painting the bedroom to go better with the quilt!The snowflake with geese on the pond unitsPat’s center snowflakeThe pillow shamThe center of Pat’s pillow shamThe pillow sham
I don’t currently have this pattern on my schedule to teach – but I do have a retreat schedule to teach the 2015 Technique of the Month – Click HERE for more information.
One of my favorite patterns to teach is “Summer Solstice” by Judy Niemeyer. Several techniques are used to make this fabulous quilt and I call it a weekend quilt – once you know the techniques – you can make it in a weekend. I have made 4 of these quilts myself.
A couple of weeks ago I was the guest speaker for the Baytown Area Quilt Guild.
I always enjoy when guild members bring their “Judy” quilts for show and tell on the night I am there. We had 3 Judy quilts, 2 of them were Summer Solstice. A fellow Certified Instructor had taught this class at Painted Pony in 2013 and these were 2 of the quilts finished in that class. (Please forgive the photography on these, during show and share the quilts are moving targets!)
Kathy’s Gail’s Summer Solstice – quilted by Cindy Gravely.Kathy’s Gail’s Summer Solstice – quilting by Cindy GravelyJanie’s Summer Solstice – quilting by ME aka HollyDee QuiltsThe 2 quilts side by side!
I also recently volunteered to make a sample for Quiltworx aka Judy Niemeyer Quilting for fall market here in Houston starting next week. The pattern – Summer Solstice – the fabrics the new “Reclaimed West” line designed by Judy and Judel Niemeyer and distributed by Timeless Treasures. If you will be at Market stop by the Checkers booth to see it in person! Many more samples for this fabric line will be in the Timeless Treasures booth!
My Summer Solstice made with fabrics designed by Judy and Judel Niemeyer “Reclaimed West” distributed by Timeless Treasures
Here also are a few other quilts from the guilds “Show and Share”
I love the quilting on this simple quiltClose up of the quiltingWhat a fun quilting – I LOVE the colors! Fabulous motion happening here too!One of my favorite Judy Niemeyer patterns – “Raindrops”Aren’t these sailboats great! This quilt was made by Liz and quilted by Kim Norton
This was my last stop for the year – I will hit 2015 running starting with The Kingwood Quilt Guild, Kingwood, TX. January 8 evening lecture. Workshop January 9 & 10.
Here are a few photos of the house before we start to “clutter” it up turning it into our home. As I have been “purging” the old home getting ready to move I have learned about myself.
Purging the grandkids toys was the most difficult thing – each toy, book, game I touch is a precious memory of how small they were and how they learned to do something new. Going through some of the notebooks where little toot has drawn so many little pictures for me.
One of the first things I did in the old house is take the “artwork” off the fridge – now my fridge only houses calories, not memories.
As I walk through the new house I do realize I don’t want to “collect” a bunch of stuff, but I do require it be a home where all who visit will feel comfortable and very welcome!
This weekend we will begin the task of placing our worldly goods through-out the new house – making it our home.
So here is a little tour of a few of our favorite things – I am sure there will be more through-out the coming weeks! I hope you all can endure.
Auditioning the stained glass window(s) It still gets a little bit more trim. One of the steps to making the house our home!
I had posted a photo of the window on my Facebook page asking for trim color recommendations – that photo showed green in the glass – funny there is no green – only amber. I still think I will go with green trim.
I look through this window and have the vision of the pretty flowers for the deer and me to enjoy!
Both grandkids wanted to take baths – we were just too busy playing this weekend – next time!
Hubby’s favorite accessory. We had these in our room last year at Washington School Inn where we celebrated our 25th anniversary and he just knew they had to go in the new house.He liked this accessory so much we had 2 put in our lighting budget!These fans turn and spin and really move quite a bit of air. The round circle on the floor is one of 2 floor plugs.
FYI – we have already pre-wired for this style fan only wall mount for each of the bedrooms. Just need to acquire the fans.
We can seat 6 around the island quite comfortably – shopping for bar stools!
While we were there this weekend with the grandkids we used our cheap 20+ year old barstools.
View of the working area of the kitchenThe front door – God Bless Texas!We had to wait until we closed the construction loan for my FUN to begin. My studio area is stained concrete – we arrived after closing with the Title Company to get to see it in process – squeal!!!
If only the original painters of the house would’ve done this good of job protecting surfaces. Look carefully in the photo – see those little white dots? That are paint droplets because the painters removed our protective paper – then painted!
So this is stain before any sealer goes on it – kind of boring. Brian from Artistic Impressions did 2 stain colors for me “Cola and Green Lawn”Another view of the stainingThe sealing has started – if you look carefully you will see the “fog” through the closet door. That sealer is nasty stuff! We shut off the propane and opened windows in other areas of the house. It was a windy day so the quilt room windows had to stay shut to prevent our wonderful fine sand from blowing in.
Speaking of our wonderful sand – Brian recommends we not wear shoes in the studio – well that won’t happen – I am on my feet ALL day and need the support – so I will just have to buy some new “indoor only” shoes. Shoe Shopping!
2 coats of stain – they will be adding 1 more – look carefully – my floor has a tortoise shell effect – this comes form the reaction with the stain and how our initial pour cured. I think the term is crazing – it is very fine cosmetic only cracking. A very cool effect.
Brian says he gets clients that want that “tortoise shell look” but he cannot control that – it is just a bonus effect!
Another view – 1 more coat of sealer then 2 coats of wax!
Just talked to Brian – they just cleaned all the fixtures and pulled the protection off the walls/baseboards. We will need to touch up baseboards because our painters used a heavy brush when applying paint – i.e. too much paint at one time. I could write a book on my thoughts about our painters – but this is a positive post so I will just be quiet!
The view through the french doors to the back porch.
We purchased the yard art at the Round Top Antique fair spring of 2013 and it fits just perfect in the country. I love cool things and I think that is pretty cool yard art!
Time for me to do some quilting! Ronda’s “Carolina Lily” is on the frame and calling my name!
Look around you – I bet your home is filled with memories!
