Shar Schmutz

Annie, what patience and talent you have! Love it!

Wow! They made the right choice for the quilt maker and quilter! What a team! Beautiful!

That is stunning! Black is so difficult too!

Mercedes, I have it and don't use it very often, but when I do need it for tiny stippling, I am VERY glad I do!

Hey Jim! That was a great idea! I'm going to file that one away for future reference!

It was very cool to have dinner with these special quilting sisters and meet them in person! Thank you Sue for making reservations and the invitation for getting us together. I throughly enjoyed myself!

Sue, my message box was full, sorry about that, I have emptied it now and sent you a note. Shar

I will be attending the show and vender mall, I'm not taking classes, if a dinner comes together, I will try to make it! Not sure which day I'll be going, it's all up in the air for me at this point. Hope I can make a few connections, next year I hope to take some classes and be there longer.

Road 2 CA was fantastic! I saw the most amazing quilts, so many of them well beyond my modest skill level, and I enjoyed the vender mall. The quilts were outstanding, I believe this was the best show I have had the pleasure of attending. I did not take classes, not because I don't need them, especially after seeing the talent displayed at this show, I really don't know why I don't like taking classes. I finally gave up on taking pictures of the quilts and just enjoyed them. My husband, all round great guy, didn't tap his toes once waiting for me, he enjoyed the show as well and toted my purchases for me. Quilting has been elevating for years into such an art form, there is a division occurring in quilting and this show was announcing it loud and clear. Art vs. Utility, even pretty utility just pales in the shadow of art quilts and quilting. I am torn about that, the quilts I love are all utility quilts, the quilts I never get tired of looking at are the art quilts. Sooooo, should I be trying to turn my Millie into an overgrown thread paint brush, learn to dye my own special fabrics, attempt to do anything by hand, or keep making those useable utility quilts to the best of my ability? Oh yes, I don't really have to decide, I can do both if I develop the skill sets! Do I want to? Probably not, I have barely begun to feel comfortable/confident with the utility quilting I do and enjoy. I am so proud of the quilting world and to be a small part of it. It is great to be able to say we love what we are doing and go to shows like this and bask in glow of all the talent!

I ran into those opportunities for frogging quite a bit when I began custom quilting. I still do for that matter. I also learned bad words could be made to come out of my mouth, frustration and tears seemed to be my constant companion. I questioned my goals, why was I doing this to myself etc.etc. I called a well known local quilter and asked for a lunch date to discuss what I was doing wrong all the time. At the time I thought this quilter walked on water, she told me she has slip ups or opportunities for artistic license all the time and she cured herself by applying the 24 hour rule. Let it be for 24 hours, if it still bothers you after that, and if you can still find it, rip it out, if not, leave it. I was floored to find out my quilting idol was human! As mentioned by others here; we have all been there and will continue to find ourselves less than perfect, it is ok.

Heidi says it best....

Blessings and love coming your way! Ok at least one hug too!

Jim, I have quilt glide and would not be without it! Yes, the needle keeps moving, but it moves at a much slower rate than if you are in simple manual mode. It allows you just enough time to engage the brain for the next direction without the panic of having to move faster than you are comfortable. The best thing is the smoothness, a perfect blend of stitch regulation and manual mode. Heidi, I have both and bliss and glide, you will extend your quilting years by investing in both, especially with the type of quilting you do, they allow longer sessions without the arm, and neck fatigue. It seemed unreasonably costly at the time, but I am so glad I did the upgrade to Bliss, I am not sure if glide can be added later to a machine.

Very beautiful Corey!

Congratulations!

Last year I only made it to the forum dinner as I was passing through on a trip sour to see my daughter in California. Sadly, this year count me absent. I hope to get to Road to California this year again, maybe I wil see some of you there. Have a ball!

Linda, the cycle of life never stops, these events teach us to love and live while we can, and you are so right; if you love them, tell them! I agree you will know the correct time to give her last gift to her husband, I cannot imagine how difficult it will be to quilt her last quilt, but you will pour enough love into it to make it even more special for her husband and family. It is special of the guild to make a quilt of comfort for the family in such a short time is just another example what quilters can achieve through our shared art and what a wonderful family we are! Blessings and good thoughts coming your way especially while you are quilting her quilt.

Celebrate! "J " went home today! in a wheel chair still but home is HOME! She was so excited! She truly has everything figured out for cooking, getting in and out of bed, and all the daily things she needs to do. doctors feel she is healing well, but she still isn't allowed any weight on the leg. She is already figuring out how to get to her sewing machine! LOL. Thank you everyone for the positive thoughts and prayers for this special quilter!

Yaaaaa, Quiltmonkey is back, Quiltmonkey is back! Quiltmonkey is back!!!! Wait.., who is Quiltmonkey? Oh ya that awesomely talented, and wonderful spirit who lives waaaaay north!! Congratulations on the fabulous achievement with school and everything! Welcome back, can't wait for the quilts start flowing again!

If you haven't already found what you are looking for,you might want to try Fabric Depot in Portland, they carry all sorts of fabrics. Also, Britex in San Francisco. good luck!

Coming to a venue near you: Quilter extraordinaire, talented quilt artist, and all around great person.....Cindy T of our own APQS Forum!!!!!! Awesome Cindy, isn't it amazing how far quilting has taken so many of us from our old comfort zones!! Personal growth is a good thing!!!! Congratulations, I am sure you were wonderful!

A special time, enjoy it to the max! Those look like giant popovers, I'm not sure what Yorkshire Pudding is, but it looks good so far!

Happy Birthday Beth! You will love that saddle stool! I have no idea why I waited so long to get mine, I do most of my quilting sitting down and love it!

Beautiful, worth all the time you put into it!

Your quilting mad this quilt really have star power! Very Nice!