Paradise In Blooms – HollyDee Quilts

A Year in the Life of – ME!

Published on December 31, 2015 by hollydeequilts3 Comments

2015 was a busy year for us. We had just moved into our new home.

In the studio we had shelving to build, peg board to hang, cabinetry to place. Lots of rearranging as I decided to tweak things, 256 sf of design walls to put up.

Join local groups; Luling Fiber Arts. Create new groups; Settlement Magnolias. Just to name a couple…

My travel included a cruise where I was teaching, NQA in Little Rock where I was teaching and vending, Montana for a tune-up and so much more. My treasured time is when I am quilting with long-time friends and we are enjoying each others company (or when I am with my hubby!)

48 Retreat/Quilt To You Wilt/Cruise days, most of these where a taught, but a couple where I was a lucky participant! 6 visits to guilds to provide lectures and workshops! 22 workshop days at various shops usually involving 2 or more hours of travel each way! 6 shows including NQA in Little Rock. 1 Guest Artist appearance at a show where I was a vendor had a special exhibit and daily bed-turnings.

4 days of Farm Camp for the Grandkids, 7 days of Camp Dee-Dee with the Grandkids! Enjoyed 2 plays that my granddaughter was in, baseball games for the grandson as well as other family time events!

And along the way I finished a few quilts, a couple of them were started prior to 2015, but many were started and made it to top stage in 2015. I also quilted several quilts for customers (but not as many as I used to!)

Here are most of the finishes for 2015….

The original “One” was my first finish of 2015. Be sure to look at the close-up photo of the beading a fellow quilter added for me!

While in Little Rock a delightful quilter offered to bead my quilt for me – it was already quilted but she very carefully hand stitched each bead on, only going through the top layers! She even put the binding on it before shipping it back to me! I just love quilters! Pattern “One”

My 2nd “One” of the year! I have another one that just needs the leaf stitched down! I look forward to teaching this quilt again and again! It is fun!

Paradise in Blooms, started, finished, quilted and bound in 2015! WooHoo!

A beauty that was started this year – but I may need to go visit my friend Lisa at Compass Point Quilts in NH to finish it!

Tea Time Placemats. I love making these leaf quilts. I have kits and patterns available at my online store.

Vintage Compass – made as a sample for Pinwheels and Posies in Dickinson, TX. They have kits!

My 2nd Prismatic Star of the year. I cannot get enough of this quilt! It is so quick and easy to make. Kits and pattern available at my online store.

Paddlewheel using Judy and Judel Niemeyers fabric collection, Reclaimed West. Pattern is still available at my online store. All fabrics were donated by Timeless Treasures and I did a 2 part blog tutorial for how I made this quilt. See part 1 here.

Landscape table runner made and kitted for the cruise I taught on in May. All kits are pre-cut ready to sew! Including the papers for one table runner. Kit includes papers to make 3 more quilts, they just aren’t precut! I have included a photo of the back of this quilt so you can see my “upside down” quilting!

The back of my Landscapes Table Runner so you can see the quilting. This backing fabric was approx 24″ wide, purchased on Maui in 2001, just waiting for the perfect quilt.

A small sample made to show the fabrics in kits I have available when teaching Seasonal Table Runner/Table Topper.

Screenshot 2015-12-31 08.40.51 — This quilt is at Hancocks of Paducah right now so I am using the new coversheet for the photo. I made this quilt for Quiltworx, while I was there in July. Constellation is from the book Geese Migrations; available on my site!

Vintage Compass made for Certified Shop Pinwheels and Posies. Kits available from them!

Osprey’s Nest, downsized. OK I got really tired of making geese – so I figured out what I could make with all those fabulous log cabin blocks and the geese I had done. So far 1 table topper, 1 table runner and 2 placemats. I will also have the mirror image of the table topper when I am done! Pattern available on the site!

Dancing in the Moonlight! A silhouette of my granddaughter from a photo where she was dancing at camp in 2014. A friend took the tiny photo and made it life size for me. The blocks in the background are Garden Wall and available on the site. I used an ombre for my backgrounds and a Judy Niemeyer Bali pre-sorted Pops set for the accents.

Some of the piecing for this quilt was started many moons (aka years) ago. AndSewItBegan asked me to come teach this at her retreat house so I figured I better get it together. I used a Kaufman Khaki for the background and hand-dyes for the accent fabrics. This pattern is Southern Beauty aka Sleeping Beauty by Sue Garman. Don’t you love Sue’s work?

This year I joined the Luling Fiber Arts group and our leader, Kelly, taught us how to make this fun convergence quilt. This quilt is small but was made in 2 hours, including all cutting!

Those are all silks on the wall, my WoodCarvers star is in progress! Any bets on a finish date? Pattern uses the new lone star technique and is available on the site!

I cannot take all the credit for this one. Most of the paper-piecing was done while in Montana, but not by me. My 3 Australian friends did not bring enough of their own projects so they worked on mine! This quilt is called Chasing Rainbows and can be found in the Geese Migrations Book (available on this site). I used 2 different ombre fabrics for the color and black batik. I hope to have kits for this quilt very soon.

These 4 quilts were completed by me to be donated to our local first responders! They will be quilted very soon!

My version of Prairie Pinwheels. This quilt was fun and easy to make and I was able to use all stash fabrics! What a great quilt for a young child! Pattern available at my online store.

Not finished but wanted to include it. I need to piece and add the borders. This pattern is called Indian Summer and is available at my online store. This sample is made with lots of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and black/whites. All purchased at Pinwheels and Posies Quilt Shop.

Diamond Wedding Ring NEW version! I made the original version many many years ago and let me tell you it was not for the faint of heart. There were at least 8 billion Y seams! This quilt is assembled with ZERO Y seams. Quick and easy paper-piecing and custom creative grids rulers make this quilt a snap! Rulers and patterns available in the store! All fabrics (except the outer border) were purchased in June 2015 from Valli and Kim in Dripping Springs, TX. The background has all kinds of appropriate sayings for a couple in love!

Fractured Paint Box – she’s a little loud but was so fun to make. The center is made from a very dark green accent and Kaufman solids strip set. The border was left over backing from a wedding quilt I made a couple of years ago; purchased in Maui when we attended the wedding! I love destination weddings – how about you?

I have ended the year with “Three” I started this on Christmas Day, it went very quickly. Kits will be available on my site soon! This one is called Lemons, Limes and Satsumas; we had those 3 trees in our backyard before we moved. Picking fresh fruit around Christmas each year and burying your nose in the fabulous blossoms each spring. I miss those trees!

A year in the review. Of course there are other quilts that are started but I did not include! I have to save something for next year right? (as I look at this photo I realize there is one here that did not get featured above)

Let’s all make 2016 fabulous!

Dee

Woolgathering on a Tuesday

Published on March 24, 2015 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

I have a few random thoughts and photos to share with you today!

First sending thoughts and prayers to those who are struggling with things that are beyond their control. You are loved and it will take some time, but it will get better. Life is truly good! But dang some of those bumps in the road are extreme!

I am constantly reminded how amazing God is – we see evidence all around us, but it is the daily reminders that I cherish!

On Monday, March 16th we closed on the sale of our “old” house. We lived there 18 years and made so many memories there! As we drove east on I-10 towards Houston there was the most amazing pre-sunrise. The sky was red in between the clouds. Hubby was driving so I pulled out my camera and tried to capture it. You can see the color even with all the noise in the photo.

Sunrise traveling east on I-10 in the early hours of March 16th.

Later that week I was invited to my friend’s house for a quilt retreat. There is nothing like time spent with friends that are family!

Each time this little guy would come out we would stop sewing and chatting to just enjoy him.

And the sunsets at her house are phenomenal

Here is the first evening

And here is the second evening – caught at the perfect moment!

While I was there I worked on my Paradise in Blooms Quilt – my goal was to have it done! Ha Ha Ha – I did get the center all done, not completely assembled yet though. Now I am piecing the outer border to make it queen size. Maybe this weekend will see a finish!

Had to move to the other room to see it with the baskets - Ripsy likes this too! — Had to move to the other room to see it with the baskets – Ripsy likes this too!

This past weekend I was teaching at a quilt til you wilt at “Country Living Quilts!” To see photos go check out their Facebook page! (Or mine, I will post some phone photos there too!) I arrived home early Sunday evening, as hubby showed me what he had worked on I noticed the moon and Venus? Grabbed the camera and caught this.

A sliver moon and is that Venus? I know nothing of astronomy! Sorry folks!

And then this morning as I stood at the quilting machine I spied with my little eye the red stag deer. They were playing on one of our sand piles. I hope you enjoy!

Now that I have shared these I can gather some more wool to share later!

Have a great week and maybe I will see you again here in the cyber world before the week is over!

Dee

PS – Timeless Treasures shared my blog tutorial – they have a very nice blog here is the main page so you can see the recent topics!

A little bit of amish – with a twist!

Published on March 12, 2015 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

Earlier this week Shirley and I met up at the dealership while I was waiting for them to complete my oil change and a minor recall issue so I could give her a quilted quilt! That means now that she has it in her possession I get to share with you!

Full view of the quilt - lovely batiks! — Full view of the quilt – lovely batiks!

Some of the individual blocks.... — Some of the individual blocks….

Feathers in the border with variegated thread - king tut! — Feathers in the border with variegated thread – king tut!

I love quilts with dark backgrounds – Amish with a Twist is a great quilt and this one was done as part of the block of the month program at Pinwheels and Posies in Dickinson, TX.

What are you working on this weekend? I will be at a retreat with friends working on my Paradise in Blooms. Stay tuned for photos next week! Would you like more information on Paradise in Blooms? Click HERE!

Dee

Hot Hot Hot – Fire Island Hosta – Retreat!

Published on February 2, 2015 by hollydeequilts3 Comments

I had the privilege this weekend to teach a fabulous group of women at a quilt retreat I held at the Wimberley Quilt Ranch. This was the 2nd time I had hosted a retreat here and I really enjoy this facility. This time we also had the owner of the retreat center join us. It was a pleasure getting Diane hooked on Judy patterns! Because our retreat was full with a waiting list Diane would head back to her home (just down the road) each night to catch a few winks (or bottle feed the calf)! She did say she really sees the value of being able to just stay and “retreat”! I think we will talk her into staying the night at the June retreat, which I am just finalizing the details on.

The next retreat is at the end of April at 12 Pines Retreat Center – see photos of that project below!

Our next retreat at Wimberley Quilt Ranch is for “Beginners and Finishers“.

Here are the photos from our Fire Island Hosta Retreat!

Ronda enjoying the beautiful sunset. See more on her blog here! — Ronda enjoying the beautiful sunset. See more on her blog!

Thursday evenings sunset - there were several of us on the porch enjoying this one! — Thursday evenings sunset – there were several of us on the porch enjoying this one!

Sunset through the trees - the trees at WQR are AMAZING! — Sunset through the trees – the trees at WQR are AMAZING!

I walked to the end of the road to get this shot - fabulous! — I walked to the end of the road to get this shot – fabulous!

And the last glimmer.... We wanted to enjoy every last drop! — And the last glimmer…. We wanted to enjoy every last drop!

Lou Ann's first vein is pieced! She is a happy girl! — Lou Ann’s first vein is pieced! She is a happy girl! (that is Ginger’s clamshell on the wall behind Lou Ann)

Cathy had never paper-pieced before. Her friends coached her prior to retreat so she could have some of the basic piecing done - and now she has her first vein pieced. I love her colors! — Cathy had never paper-pieced before. Her friends coached her prior to retreat so she could have some of the basic piecing done – and now she has her first vein pieced. I love her colors!

All of Lou Ann's leaves are done! — All of Lou Ann’s leaves are done! now she is reading what she does next!

This one is Linda's - she had purchased her fabric before the pattern was ever released - started working on it the day she got her pattern. Then got stuck on the veins - she was happy to come to retreat just to learn how to do the veins! — This one is Linda’s – she had purchased her fabric before the pattern was ever released – started working on it the day she got her pattern. Then got stuck on the veins – she was happy to come to retreat just to learn how to do the veins!

Melba's colors are going to be fabulous - I think this is her first Judy project. I wish I had gotten a photo of her project with her leaves up there - dang! — Melba’s colors are going to be fabulous – I think this is her first Judy project. I wish I had gotten a photo of her project with her leaves up there – dang! PS – she used one fabric in her arcs – but paper-pieced it to get lots of texture!

April's retreat - Paradise in Blooms - we are filling up for this one - let me know if you want a registration form - spots are going FAST! — April’s retreat – Paradise in Blooms – we are filling up for this one – let me know if you want a registration form – spots are going FAST! (Lisa’s Fire Island Hosta is hanging up there too – THANKS Lisa for sharing your design wall with me!

LaVonne had never paper-pieced before - and I think she is going to enjoy it! She did GREAT! You will see more of her quilt later in the photos! — LaVonne had never paper-pieced before – and I think she is going to enjoy it! She did GREAT! You will see more of her quilt later in the photos!

Mary had attended one other class with me the pattern was "Hoffman Crackers" and a very simple pattern. I am so excited that she wanted to join us for FIH - her quilt is going to be fabulous! — Mary had attended one other class with me the pattern was “Hoffman Crackers” and a very simple pattern. I am so excited that she wanted to join us for FIH – her quilt is going to be fabulous!

Ronda is doing the color way from Tennessee Quilts - this is really out of her box! She is a Civil War, 30's kind of gal and I love watching her smile when she puts up another section because this quilt makes her HAPPY! (Cathy's leaf is on the side) — Ronda is doing the color way from Tennessee Quilts – this is really out of her box! She is a Civil War, 30’s kind of gal and I love watching her smile when she puts up another section because this quilt makes her HAPPY! (Cathy’s leaf is on the side)

Cheryl is giving us sneak peeks of her colors - can't wait to see more! (There is more below!) — Cheryl is giving us sneak peeks of her colors – can’t wait to see more! (There is more below!)

Aw Brenda - this fabulous! Her first Judy quilt (and I think paper-piecing) was Captain's Wheel at Wimberley Quilt Ranch last year. I think she is hooked! — Aw Brenda – this fabulous! Her first Judy quilt (and I think paper-piecing) was Captain’s Wheel at Wimberley Quilt Ranch last year. I think she is hooked!

Oh Cheryl you are such a tease - we want to see more! — Oh Cheryl you are such a tease – we want to see more!

Look - Lou Ann has all her center pieces on the board! Pinwheels and Posies helped her select her fabrics - she told them she wanted it to look like "leather" - — Look – Lou Ann has all her center pieces on the board! Pinwheels and Posies helped her select her fabrics – she told them she wanted it to look like “leather” –

Look at Cathy's focus fabric - WOW! — Look at Cathy’s focus fabric – WOW!

And we have a top - now time for the borders! — And we have a top – now time for the borders!

Lisa's colors are going to be fabulous - she has made many Judy quilts and I think she was enjoying the journey this one is taking her on. She will be joining us in April for Paradise in Blooms! — Lisa’s colors are going to be fabulous – she has made many Judy quilts and I think she was enjoying the journey this one is taking her on. She will be joining us in April for Paradise in Blooms!

Diane's is coming right along - (she is the owner of WQR) - but this weekend she was just another retreater. (until I couldn't find the back-stock coffee!) — Diane’s is coming right along – (she is the owner of WQR) – but this weekend she was just another retreater. (until I couldn’t find the back-stock coffee!)

And Ginger's quilt makes an appearance - those are beautiful salmon colors with rich browns - going to be fabulous! — And Ginger’s quilt makes an appearance – those are beautiful salmon colors with rich browns – going to be fabulous!

Remember our first time paper-piecer - yes this is LaVonne's. You can also see a hint of Mary's to the left. — Remember our first time paper-piecer – yes this is LaVonne’s. You can also see a hint of Mary’s to the left.

Cathy had an oh oh moment - her arcs were going to blend with her focus fabric - what to do - what to do..... — Cathy had an oh oh moment – her arcs were going to blend with her focus fabric – what to do – what to do…..

Add an accent - this was SO easy - I love demonstrating this technique! — Add an accent – this was SO easy – I love demonstrating this technique!

Some of you know how it goes at retreats - this person is hot, this person is cold - well we had little red riding hood here. I think she just wanted to wear that scrumptious cape from Ireland! PS - Diane is purchasing deflectors so each retreat can adjust there personal sewing zone! — Some of you know how it goes at retreats – this person is hot, this person is cold – well we had little red riding hood here. I think she just wanted to wear that scrumptious cape from Ireland! PS – Diane is purchasing deflectors so each retreat can adjust there personal sewing zone!

Ginger - I am in love! Those colors are fabulous! — Ginger – I am in love! Those colors are fabulous!

And some more of LaVonne's! (Mary I have to apologize - I didn't get a photo of yours!) — And some more of LaVonne’s! (Mary I have to apologize – I didn’t get a photo of yours!)

Ronda is making progress - she is also our fabulous cook so she doesn't get to sew as much as the rest of us! — Ronda is making progress – she is also our fabulous cook so she doesn’t get to sew as much as the rest of us!

Oh Cathy - I love it! - FYI - Cathy is playing with this and there may a surprise in a future post! Stay tuned by "following" the blog! — Oh Cathy – I love it! – FYI – Cathy is playing with this and there may a surprise in a future post! Stay tuned by “following” the blog!

Lou Ann is DONE! She decided to add just a little punch of color – her veins on 4 of the leaves are turquoise and turquoise was added to her accent borders!

Diane got a lot done - even though she was still working on the ranch part-time feeding the bottle feeding the calf and manning the gates so the hay could be unloaded! — Diane got a lot done – even though she was still working on the ranch part-time feeding the bottle feeding the calf and manning the gates so the hay could be unloaded!

Lou Ann's next project is Garden Wall! With the Judy Niemeyer Bali Pop's - perfect for this project! — Lou Ann’s next project is Garden Wall! With the Judy Niemeyer Bali Pop’s – perfect for this project!

This is Ronda's Captain's Wheel - she wanted a little help with the rope - this is another favorite technique for me to demonstrate - I have worked up a super easy way to do this! — This is Ronda’s Captain’s Wheel – she wanted a little help with the rope – this is another favorite technique for me to demonstrate – I have worked up a super easy way to do this!

And here is Ronda' Captain's Wheel - she will finish the rope at home - when she does a blog post I will be sure to share! — And here is Ronda’ Captain’s Wheel – she will finish the rope at home – when she does a blog post I will be sure to share!

I finished my NR/NL sections - whoop whoop! — I finished my NR/NL sections – whoop whoop! Retreat Info Here!

Hey Diane - this little calf greeted me when I got home Sunday! I just love these baby cows! — Hey Diane – this little calf greeted me when I got home Sunday! I just love these baby cows!

We had typical TX spring weather – Thursday was probably 80 degrees, windy on Friday as the front moved in, rainy on Saturday and Sunday started out crisp in the morning and turned out to be a perfect day – I even cleaned the car and took it to the car wash when I got back from retreat. This morning it was 36 degrees, a little breezy and the heater is on!

Now time to unpack and get ready for the next adventure!

What are you doing!

Dee

Twelve Pines a Place to Retreat!

Published on January 22, 2015 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

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!

Roll Roll Cotton Boll - Bonnie Hunter was well represented at this retreat! — 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? — Winnie was working on a T-shirt Quilt – did you know she teaches on Craftsy?

A little string piecing! Happy and Bright!

Not the same quilt - we had 2 working on their exchange blocks! — Not the same quilt – we had 2 working on their exchange blocks!

See - I told you it was a cute quilt! — See – I told you it was a cute quilt!

From a "Pizza Box" Swap! — From a “Pizza Box” Swap!

Nope - that is not string piecing - that is the FABRIC! — Nope – that is not string piecing – that is the FABRIC!

And there's appliqué — And there’s appliqué

Another baby quilt in the design process!

I made some progress on Paradise in Blooms!

Melba's baskets from the Pizza Box swap — Melba’s baskets from the Pizza Box swap

If you have never attended a retreat – put it on your bucket list! What a great way to meet friends and get inspired!

Make it a Dee-lectable day!