WELCOME TO My Custom Quilt Shops!

  October is an exciting month for many reasons, but for me this month is expecially exciting! For starters, I have been featured in two magazines that are now on the newstands. And secondly, As I write this, I am at the International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. I will write more about that on my blog later as soon as I recover from an exhausting but thrilling experience! For now, let me tell you about the magazines. Last quilt market in Pittsburg I met Mark Lipinski and somehow, when the conversation was over, I was asked to send him a quilt that he could feature in his "Quilter's Home" magazine. Well it is on newstands now as I write. Make sure you grab a copy of the Oct/Nov 2009 issue.  The quilt is called "Just Dreamy" actually named after the "Just Dreamy" fabric collection from "Riley Blake Designs." Mark has actually created a pattern for this quilt and it is available in the magazine with templates on thier website at http://www.quiltershomemag.com/


Also last quilt market, I was interveiwed by "Quilt Magazine."   One of my quilts, which they named "Sunny Day Delight" is featured on 3 1/2 pages complete with project instructions. I made the quilt with fabric from the "Ivy Trellis" collection made by Riley Blake Designs. It features beautiful hues of blue mixed with oranges and lime green. This quilt is one of those times that I made a departure from my own style, but it really did turn out to be beautiful and "Quilt Magazine" did a great job of showcasing it. They don't seem to have it featured on their website, so you'll have to buy the Dec - Jan 2010 issue to see the beautiful layout they did. I have kit's available for those who would like to recreate this 72"x89" quilt. Click here to order!

My featured quilt this month is one of my most treasured quilts.  Yes it is true that during the creation process I was heard calling it the quilt from you know where.  But isn't that the way life works?  That which challenges us the most, ends up being our most prized experience.  Finishing the quilt was really when I began to ask myself what I was doing.  As I planned out my quilting design, I decided to use a new technique called "McTavishing."  What you need to understand is that up until just the last couple of years, I have quilted most of my quilts by hand.  I did quilt this by machine, however I do all of my machine quilting freehand.  I do not use patterns or computer programs.  If you know about McTavishing then you will understand why I would question my sanity during the quilts creation.  The quilting alone was weeks in the making.  Infact, my process is so unique that I have coined my own name to describe it, "MacJinastitching.  Click here for more pictures  

I was recently asked by Chris Culver, President of the Alpine Arts Council, if I would donate a quilt for their upcoming fundraising gala. I had so many projects going, that I took opportunity to ask for help. My sweet friends in "That Alpine Quilt Group" all agreed to make a few blocks. I then assembled the blocks, quilted, and bound the quilt. You can see the full story in my blog. Below is a reprint from the article written by Aaron Holtsclaw and published in the "Lone Peak Press" on November 13, 2008.
The Alpine Community Theater held it's third annual gala this last weekend with a considerable turnout.  The attendees witnessed presentations from the past five ACT productions and raised money in a silent auction. 
"We appreciate the support of the community with the great turnout," theater director Laura Snyder said. "All the proceeds will go towards the theaters summer 2009 porductions"
All five productions were directed by Snyder who is excited about next year's presentation of "Annie Get Your Gun." 
"We were able to gather the original cast to come back and perfiorm at the gala."  Snyder said.  "They were just awesome and it was a great spotlight on that talent."
The gala also featured a presentation on the proposed theater and an announcement that there will be a cottage on the land to open in mid December with the puropose of housing a 100 percent nonprofit gift shop to raise moiney for the new theater.
"The presentation on the new theater in the heart of Alpine was great,"  Snyder said who looks forward to directing a production in that new building in the future.
"I'm so happy with the turnout," Alpine Arts Council President Chris Culver said.  "Condsidering the economy, it was a great turnout and we plan to have the fourth annual gala in the same place at the same time next year."
"It was great to see the community synergy that was expressed," Culver said.  "It is great that the most generous friends of the arts came out to support an event that is good for the children, youth and all citizens of Alpine."
The oringinal posting of this artical can be seen at: Daily Herald, Lone Peak Press - Town Hall

Some Consider Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to be the quilt capital of America.  I had opportunity to travel with friends from my quilt group to Intercourse Pennsylvania, home of the Amish.  This is a must see for those passionate about quilts.  The Amish are known for their bright colors, exquisite detail, and intricate designs.  It was so inspiring to see their timeless handiwork,but more than that, it was truely a culturally inspiring experience.  We actually had opportunity to stay with a local family and see first hand their daily routines and incredible work ethic.  It is no wonder their quilts are so beautiful, everything that they do is the very best.  This goes for cooking, farming, ranching, cleaning, and getting together as families and neighbors.  Even the fabric they use in their quilts is truly inspiring.  Many of the women in our group shipped fabric home in boxes for the fabric storage collection.  Click here to see more photos