Welcome to my new/old hobby!

Fairy houses, bird feeders and birdie houses....that's how my mind rolls. Since I can't quilt anymore, I've picked up my old love of woodworking. Go visit my Google page and see what I've been up to :)
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KarenBush/posts

I'll be taking more pix and adding some stories to the little abodes, in the meantime. have fun in my 'mystery' rooms and cottages...

Farewell Dear Friend

                                                        (picture captured from her blog)
Today I found out that a dear friend, Linda Brannock had died in May, 2015. It was such a shock that I'm not quite processing it yet.
We lost touch when we went down different paths about 2001 but I thought of her often and the good times we had and challenging each other. She with her folk art/primitive designs and sending them to me to hand quilt into designs that would make it Pop for her models for her publications. Who would have thought I would have done her hand quilting for all those years.
Star Quilt will be forever in my heart. Linda was a true artist and I had my favorites of her designs. She was also a mentor to me when I first started quilting for her as a team for Red Wagon Designs. I had never hand quilted Over applique, 3-5 thickness of homespun.
The first one she brought to me was an all over desing OVER her pieced and applique design. I asked if she was Crazy! ha. but, I did it and that was the start of our work/friendship relationship.
She was a wonderful, cheerful person who was a great hostess when I'd go to her home for home baked goodies that her husband made up for us, as well as a great cook.
She even named her beloved kitty "Star" and I marveled at her home. So well appointed with primitives and authentic antiques, I never wanted to leave.
I'm not privy to what happened, but I can sincerely say that she will certainly be missed not only in the quilting community, but by her friendships that she developed from all of her markets,shows and classes.
A few of my favorites and still have them were her Miss Jump and, of course, her stars and angels.
Linda, you're not on earth physically, but where you are I'm Sure you're still giving classes and coming up with wonderful pieces of art. I knew you, I love you and I will miss you even more.

Some fun pix of my quilting room re-do a lifetime ago

Some pix of my old quilting room. I got tired of blahhh walls, so got out the paint and made a 'faux' cabin. I painted horizontal lines to look like barn wood, fru fru hand painted foliage, caladium, morning glories....and yes, there IS a fabric thief in the  midst of my quilting room! And the bottom one of me smiling so big??? I don't EVER remember smiling like that when Piecing a quilt. Hand Quilting, YES, but not piecing!

LOST QUILT!!!!

I'm posting for a quilting friend. We're hoping to find and return this beauty!

Last weekend after the ORIGINAL Sewing & Quilt Expo in Cleveland, Ohio, my Potpourri quilt went missing. I had lent it to a Pins and Needles in Middleburg Heights, Ohio and it went missing after the show when they had a third party pack up their booth. I guess they thought it would turn up in one of the boxes and I only learned about it on Thursday, April 2. I am devastated as I now need to make another sample for Quilt Market in Minneapolis. This pattern is one of my biggest sellers. If anyone sees this quilt, it is mine. I have not sold it, and I have not given it to anyone. Please share this with anyone you can.

https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.hillfromm?fref=photo

Basting a Quilt - The Easy Way!

A new technique for basting

Here's another technique to baste your quilt. I saw it on one of my quilting groups and think it's a Great idea! They bought boards, but I'm thinking you could use empty bolt boards from your quilt shop, Joanne's, etc...and it would work as well. As far as using it for a full sized quilt, I'm not sure but at least you could start it as the center basting. From the center to the top and to the bottom and then to the sides without the board and know that it's nice and straight!
Here's the vid and hope that might help. I'd Love to sell my books and I have different techniques in there to baste, but there's always room for more Info!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcF0_hqbOrk

A little giggle for the day

I thought this would be fun to publish today...Do you have your quilt in a hoop/frame or lap today?

Join my Facebook page and 'like'...please :)

A sneak peak from Amazon on my Guide to Handquilting;

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-hand-Quilting-comprehensive-hand-quilting/dp/0615836054/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396920912&sr=1-2&keywords=Guide+to+Hand+Quilting#reader_0615836054

New Features to the blog

For those of you using Google Chrome a new feature has been added to my Blog...you can hover over anything on the blog and PIN it if you like! Feel free!! Tell your friends :)
And...But WAIT there's more! Look on the right and you'll see a 'contact' box, feel free to contact me day or night. I might be sleeping at the time, but I'll make sure I get right back to ya as soon as I can!
Any more that you need on here, just let me know I'm open to suggestions.
I'll be adding some more little history tidbits soon. It's a 'thing' of mine. I tried pole dancing...didn't work out 'sa well...:/
 

Basting- It's not fun but a Must!

 

 

Basting is High on the priority list of things to do to prep your quilt for quilting. "Sandwiching" your three layers and stablizing for the hoop, frame or lap.

My book will give you several different methods according to the space you have to work with for full size and smaller quilt tops.

 

 

Buy before October 28 for the Amazon special of FREE shipping!

http://tinyurl.com/ntr7dg7

No, you Can't take it with you!

As quilters, we all have our stash of fabrics, tools, U.F.O'., finished quilts and who knows what else. Including your sewing machines, sergers. Etc.

Have you considered what will happen to all of your treasures when you go 'toes up'? NOT that we want to think about that, but it happens. Preferably in the quilt room.

A group of quilting friends and I made a “Will” years ago, specifying just who got what when we were no longer quilting on earth or of sound mind. (not that a sound mind really figures in this equation) I don't know about you, but my family would have NO clue at that time what to do with all of it. I could just see it all going to Salvation Army or to the curb at trash day. It would be an overwhelming job for anyone even if they knew what they were doing and the value.
Certain fabric of mine when to certain people, machine, etc. Actually, the local friends were to 'come and get it', first come, first serve on certain things.. The sewing machines and tools, gadgets were to go to certain people or organizations as well.

You might give this a thought, look around and see what you have. You'll be surprised if you wonder as a non-quilter might just What to do, even a quilting person would be overwhelmed without the help of our 'last wishes'....

Do you have ideas on this?? Leave a comment! :)

Our scrappy ladies of the 1800's

On covered wagons, ladies would keep their little baskets of scraps that they traded and collected. They'd use for mending and would Hope that they had enough for some quilt pieces. They HAD to use quilts for their warmth and would piece as the wagons rolled on if they didn't have to walk that day. They'd meet up with other travelers and this was one of the highlights of their poor lives...meeting up with other women with scraps to trade.... 

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Cleaning your Heirloom and New Quilts

When I was a curator for an historical museum, I had a group of girl scouts who needed a project for their badges. They were 12 and 13 years old. We very carefully took the quilt from their displays (all 123 of them) and had a plan.

I used white bed sheets to put on the board room tables, laid out one quilt per table and gave all of the girls a natural bristle, VERY soft, paint brush and an xtra soft toothbrush. Small strokes, 4 girls per quilt. It was amazing what was on the sheets underneath and the fly-away gunk on the floor from those poor quilts. They had been displayed for Years the same way, no cleaning and in a small room facing West, 7 windows on them and brick walls!! YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!! After they were cleaned this way, we refolded and redisplayed in a better, darker room. It took about 3 months and they had 'history lessons and stories' throughout...I had the Best time with those girls!

Not only did they learn something and got their badges, they brought the whole troop in for a Program on what they did, how and why, etc...along with some of the stories we came up with !

If you're concerned about cleaning the quilts or quilt blocks...check the fabric. If it's a quilt top and not sandwiched and quilted yet, the best and safest way to give it a little clean is to hang it outside in a good stiff breeze, put in the dryer in a pillow case on 'air' only. Otherwise, wait until it's quilted. IF it still absolutely NEEDS to be cleaned, take special pains and time to do it right or you might end up with shreds of its former self.

I've filled the washer with cold water and Orvus (cleaning solution used for quilts) . I don't use chemical detergents on Any quilt, new or old. Put the quilt into the full tub and let it soak for a bit with NO agitation. Now for the hard part....take the quilt out, dripping wet, try to gently wring it out and lay it flat outside, on a porch rail (being careful not to put too much strain on the seams) and let it air dry.

If it's just dusty and/or with a few stains, shake it out, put it on the line for the wind to 'dust' it out and the stains??? Use pantyhose on your vacuum attachment (cut out the toe from pantyhose to fit over the attachment). Sometimes it's just better to leave those stains in. That's the 'curator' in me. The stains add to the character and history of the quilt. If it's one of those OCD things and you HAVE to get those stains out, be Very careful. A tiny dab of Dawn on a q-tip, dabbing (NOT wiping) with a wet cloth, lemon juice. But above all...do NOT take to a dry cleaner. NO! The chemicals are way too harsh for new Or older quilts.

Now, here's a good vid on how to clean a new quilt, lots of good tips in this video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meaqNJUcvNA

This book is a great tool for your workshops, classes or by yourself! Learn the basics of hand quilting that pieced treasure! This is an updated version of my first book, "Quilt As Desired" from 1998. Thanks in advance

In soft cover and Kindle format

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-hand-Quilting-comprehensive-hand-quilting/dp/0615836054/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396920912&sr=1-2&keywords=Guide+to+Hand+Quilting

Does Hand Quilting Hold Up?

When I first started hand quilting for a business was in the early '70's and was contracted by a company called Quilt Country out of Kansas City. It was in the garment district and run by 2 men. They had hundreds of quilts and tops they had collected and started their business in repair and sales. They contracted me to repair as in un-quilt the 'old' quilts and replace batting, backing and re-quilt along with tops to quilt. He would send the materials I needed,the batting, backing thread.

One particular quilt that had its own history was a small yellow and white print. I don't remember the pattern but the backing was in bad shape, it had dry-rotted and taking it apart VERY carefully to the batting, there were bug legs, tiny sticks in the cotton batt. It was real cotton bolls that was used by the little lady. I kept working on it and that was my first experience with researching.

I found out that the quilt belonged to a family who found it in the attic and had the notes of the quilt maker. They traveled West and she would piece a little when she could, sharing scraps with their travel-mates in wagons and then, nothing. We didn't know if they were killed on the way, but, there was still some blood on the quilt. Faint but there. To get to the topic...the hand quilting was Still There. The fabric had dry rot in places, but the thread and quilting was Still there.

As an amateur historian, this was a special quilt for me and was able to meet the owners when I was finished. This was before the 'quality fabric, thread, etc'. and we used what we had at the time. After several years, I cringed at the thought that ALL of the quilts I worked on for this company used 100% poly batting.....eeeeeeekkkk....

Now to add to this, there's Nothing wrong with poly-batt! But, you need to use materials that are period correct. If you're working on an antique quilt, be sure to use the materials for that period. In most cases, cotton or wool batting. These make for a nice, flat finish to the quilt as well. Practice with batting samples from your quilt shop to see which 'needles' better for you. There are different weights and density to these and some are a little trickier to work with. 

Do hand quilted quilts hold up as well as machine quilted....of Course they do!!! There are quilts out there 200 years old and are still in tack. sometimes the semas or the fabrics are a little worse for wear, but....the hand quilting is STILL THERE!

The new "me" for blogging

Just a little blurb while I tweak some new articles. I'm really bad about keeping my blog up to date, but I'll try harder. Since history is my 2nd love...I'm going to be adding stories on the history of quilts, fabrics and techniques. I hope you enjoy the 'other' side of me.
Feel free to add your comments and if you'd like to be included in my links to your blogs, feel free to email me. The blogs have to be quilt related and that's about the only requirement :) 
****

There were times that I would put a pillow on my lap and the quilt Without the hoop. The pillow helped to elevate the quilt a little and gave me a soft resting place for my arms. Still in the recliner

Tired of waiting for a blog ?? Well, come and join us on my Facebook page....I just uploaded LOTS of pix on there: I'll come back to post on the blog later :)
https://www.facebook.com/karenbushquilts

(((WHAT))) IN THE WORLD??

does a tea cup, saucer, greeting card and stencil possibly have to do with Hand quilting?? Read my book...Guide to Hand Quilting, the basics....from Amazon and find out!!!! yes, I'm a Tease! :)

How to go from Blahhh to Ba- Zing to your quilting room!

When I had my hand quilting business, I had a dedicated room with a Door! A MUST for all of us serious down-to-the-nitty gritty, leave me Alone quilters! Now, I'm posting some pix of my quilting room with some explanations. This was in the 1990's...NOT current, so please forgive the quality of the pix and the out-dated things in the pix. OHH my gosh, I noticed my old boom-box Much need for those books on tape, and my 13 inch tv! haha...well, I DID have cable then. Best $$ I've ever spent.

I watched tv (usually Court TV) while I hand quilted to keep my mind working as well as my fingers and to 'time' myself durning commercials. Got to have those important potty-breaks and such ya know!

So,...I took a look one day and it was...well, it was BORING. I had my totally necessary recliner and true light, that's about all I needed as far as furniture since I didn't have much time for piecing, just hand quilting for customers.

But, it was Still boring. Blah off-white walls, homespun curtains, mini blinds and hardwood floor. One Sunday afternoon, I took paint to brush. I dry brushed over the off-white with white tinted with a tad of black for a shaded gray and dry brushed horizontally on all 4 walls. Then, got the yard stick out and used that for guidelines for 'boards'....went back and added black 'squares' making it look like square nails in the boards.

That still wasn't enough. I just HAD to hand paint ivy, morning glories along and up the walls, Caladium near the baseboards....made the wall by the closet look like a separate room and a rail fence.....As they say....Ba-zinga, I had my quilting 'cabin' or quilting in a barn. I wasn't finished...as the Former dh gasped for air...I painted over the hardwood floor with barn red oil paint, outside grade....it was WONDERFUL!!!
Whenever I had people over and when 'word got out' I had quilt customers who were picking up their quilts wanting to see my 'quilting cabin'! LOL..

It served as a wonderful retreat for me as I spent a Lot of time in there and had 2 windows looking out at my terraced back yard and the bird feeders at the windows. Along the way, the Hallmart gift shop closed here in town. I managed to win the bid at the auction for 9 of her drawers that were used for storing gift cards. Great drawers. Deep and wide on nylon runners holding all of my quilt fabric, flats, fat quarters, even yardage.

Of course, I outgrew those as well and had to add an upright shelving, you can NEVER have enough fabric. That was my 'retirement' collection. To be used when I retired from hand quilting and actually had time to Make quilts.

I could stack the drawers (pic on the left with stash raid in the making by friend) Or, unstacked with very long flat top for cutting surface and/or basting surface 

 This is actually a flat wall.I started at the door frame and used what I learned in my high school art class on persepectve to 'shape' what looks like the wall goes into a corner with the rail fence and, of course Things growing on the fence.

So, you can always revive a boring room. Maybe I was nuts, but I was a Happy nut! I didn't stop there, either...you should have seen the REST of the house! LOL

Yippeee!!! Quilt Pattern Magazine, online, has reviewed my book!
http://quiltpatternmagazine.com/