Quilting in the Garden 2014

What a scrumptious day at Alden Lane Nursery to see their annual “Quilting in The Garden” show.  Beautiful quilts hanging all over their vast property amongst the flowers and trees, all blowing in the wind!

First some shots of the whole scene and then we’ll zero in on a few quilts (only a fraction unfortunately!).  Photography a little challenging as one is looking up taking photos against a sunny sky, so we’ll show you what we can, and enjoy the dappled light. If you’re in the area, don’t miss this event next year!

Featured artists this year were local celebrities Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, and from Oregon, Jean Wells and the Quilt of Sisters.  There were also quilts by local quilters, some with booths. There certainly were beautiful quilts everywhere.  Kind of dreamy! Take a gander….

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery #192 OHO Zen Chic by Ginn Staines

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery Quilt #254 The Good, Bag and Ugly by Judy White, #247 Friendship Lattice by Teresa Abbey

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #186 Vintage Hexagon by Jackie Erickson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #145 Tumbling Stars by Diana McClun and Laura  Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #242 Neighborhood Square by Candace Hallquist

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #163 Digital Pink Rose by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Digital Pink Rose by Diana Mc Clun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #164 Red Triangles by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Red Triangles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #166 Scrap Silk Quilt 1 by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #127 Star Medallion by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, back of #127 Star Medallion by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes…I spy Pop Rox!

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #42 Modern Drunkard for a Missionary by Melissa Draper

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #93 Red Mountains by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #168 Crazy Quilt Bugs by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #122 The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #208 Quilts Hanging in the Village by Peggy Lindsay

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Quilts Hanging in the Village by Peggy Lindsay

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #103 Garden Maze by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #165 Color Study by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #40 Play with Botello by Jackie Ferrebee

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #21 Mystery Quilt by B.J. Meier

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #79 Rollin in the Jellies w/ Louise by Robin Maimoni

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #74 Crackers and Jellies Gone Chevron by Linda Gullick

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #141 Monet’s Garden by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #57 Juanita’s Star of Bethlehem by Barbara Bowman

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #187 Contemporary Log Jam by Jackie Erickson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #207 Garden Gone Wild by Jean Wells-Kennan

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #194 Pavers and Pomegranates by Tonye Phillips

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Pavers and Pomegranates by Tonye Phillips

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #24 Star Struck by Mary Walcher

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #151 Woven Ribbons by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Woven Ribbons by Diana McClun & Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #219 Baker’s Twine quilt by Valori Wells

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Baker’s Twine Quilt by Valori Wells

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #41 Little Miss Color Wheel by Melissa Draper

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #139 Sensu by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #190 Batik Lone Star by Jackie Erickson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Batik Lone Star by Jackie Erickson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #183 Caliente by Ann Richardson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, Caliente by Ann Richardson

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Quilting in The Garden at Alden Lane Nursery, #204 Tumble and Turn by Lawry Thorn

Diana’s sampler quilt

On a visit to Diana McClun’s studio, she pulled out the sampler quilt she made with Pop Rox while teaching a class on beginning samplers–from her and Laura Nownes‘ book Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!, chapter12.  It combines a variety of beginning sampler blocks that you can compose onto any configuration you want and the book gives 4 samples of compositions if you don’t want to design your own.  This one is a fifth.  I’ll have to try one some day!

She let me borrow it to take photos to show you so here it is!

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

Sampler quilt from Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes using Pop Rox fabric

More Quilts from the 3rd edition of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

I told you I would be back with more quilts from the new edition of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes.  And autographed copies are now available here.  I was lucky enough to get a preview of all the physical quilts plus see some of the photography sets. I have learned so much from my visits with Diana McClun, and it is also such an honor when they use my fabric. Diana was supposedly retiring, but everyone laughs at that as she’s been pretty busy, especially producing this new book with Laura. Laura continues their business now on her own with patterns, teaching and lecturing and the popular blog See How We Sew. She is so kind.

If you’ve been following this blog you know that I am primarily an artist and now a fabric and surface designer who licenses her art, but I have also finally been bitten by the quilting bug. To get myself started I have been doing improv quilting where I just cut up fabric and sew.  Well, not totally- I usually sketch out an abstract design. I don’t think I would even have attempted this if it wasn’t for what I have learned from Diana talking about her design considerations, color placement and the world of quilting etc.  Most importantly were the comments about quilting being about love and community.  Then I crack open one of Diana and Laura’s books, or watch one of their video’s to get a few quilting basics. And I have another design friend, Tara Faughnan, who does amazing quilts, who just looks at  me straight on when I am stewing about maybe doing this or maybe doing that and says “Just sew. Just do it.” It takes a village to get me sewing again.

Without further ado, more of the quilts from the quiltmaking “bible” Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! taken at the book signing party and here with permission of the authors.  I have my eye on a couple to make sometime in the future….

Square in a Square, by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 28 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Square in a Square, by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 28 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Square in a Square, by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 28 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Square in a Square, by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 28 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Snowball, by Diana McCLun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney p. 48 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Snowball, by Diana McCLun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney p. 48 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Snowball, by Diana McCLun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney p. 48 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Snowball, by Diana McCLun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney p. 48 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Flying Geese by Dale Fleming, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 45 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Flying Geese by Dale Fleming, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 45 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Flying Geese by Dale Fleming, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 45 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Flying Geese by Dale Fleming, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 45 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Log Cabin by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p.34 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Log Cabin by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p.34 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Log Cabin by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p.34 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Log Cabin by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p.34 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch Leftovers by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 33 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch Leftovers by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 33 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch Leftovers by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 33 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch Leftovers by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Kathy August, p. 33 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch with Alternate Blocks by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by kathy August, p. 31 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch with Alternate Blocks by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by kathy August, p. 31 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch with Alternate Blocks by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by kathy August, p. 31 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Nine-Patch with Alternate Blocks by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by kathy August, p. 31 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Somersault by Denise Killingsworth, p. 24 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Somersault by Denise Killingsworth, p. 24 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Somersault by Denise Killingsworth, p. 24 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Somersault by Denise Killingsworth, p. 24 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Times Square by Jill Schlageter, quilted by Melanie Meadows, p. 50 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Times Square by Jill Schlageter, quilted by Melanie Meadows, p. 50 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Times Square by Jill Schlageter, quilted by Melanie Meadows, p. 50 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Times Square by Jill Schlageter, quilted by Melanie Meadows, p. 50 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

1000 Pyramids by Pauline Stone Pearsall, p. 52 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

1000 Pyramids by Pauline Stone Pearsall, p. 52 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 178 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 178 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 178 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 178 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

By The Sea by Gail Abeloe, quilted by Sharon Winter, p. 37 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

By The Sea by Gail Abeloe, quilted by Sharon Winter, p. 37 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

By The Sea by Gail Abeloe, quilted by Sharon Winter, p. 37 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

By The Sea by Gail Abeloe, quilted by Sharon Winter, p. 37 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Half-Square Triangles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 40 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Half-Square Triangles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 40 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Half-Square Triangles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 40 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Half-Square Triangles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 40 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Kathy August and Joni Tremreull, p. 180 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Kathy August and Joni Tremreull, p. 180 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Kathy August and Joni Tremreull, p. 180 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Kathy August and Joni Tremreull, p. 180 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Lilac Rose by Diana McClun, for Kerby Smith, photographer of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition.  The lilac rose image is a photograph by Kerby Smith that he printed onto fabric.

Lilac Rose by Diana McClun, for Kerby Smith, photographer of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition. The lilac rose image is a photograph by Kerby Smith that he printed onto fabric.

Lilac Rose by Diana McClun, for Kerby Smith, photographer of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition.  The lilac rose image is a photograph by Kerby Smith that he printed onto fabric.

Lilac Rose by Diana McClun, for Kerby Smith, photographer of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition. The lilac rose image is a photograph by Kerby Smith that he printed onto fabric.

Beginning Sampler by Nikki Vilas, p. 182 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Nikki Vilas, p. 182 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Nikki Vilas, p. 182 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Nikki Vilas, p. 182 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Star Medallion by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 86 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Star Medallion by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, p. 86 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Diana Mc Clun, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 176 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Diana Mc Clun, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 176 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Diana Mc Clun, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 176 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Beginning Sampler by Diana Mc Clun, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 176 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Sawtooth Star by Pauline Stone Pearsall, quilted by Kerry Reed, p. 56 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Sawtooth Star by Pauline Stone Pearsall, quilted by Kerry Reed, p. 56 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Sawtooth Star by Pauline Stone Pearsall, quilted by Kerry Reed, p. 56 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Sawtooth Star by Pauline Stone Pearsall, quilted by Kerry Reed, p. 56 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

All Stars Sampler by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 75 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

All Stars Sampler by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 75 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

All Stars Sampler by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 75 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

All Stars Sampler by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 75 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Chevron by Diana McClun, p. 72 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Chevron by Diana McClun, p. 72 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

It’s finally here, the new Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

What a fun book signing party. Gorgeous quilts in a garden nursery setting, with sweets galore and a couple hundred people. Celebrating the 3rd edition of the million copy best selling quilting “bible” first published 25 years, Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!! 3rd edition by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes is now out with all new quilts using modern fabrics. Stunning.

So many people have said they learned to quilt with the previous editions, maybe I will be one of the first ones to learn to quilt from the new edition…after I finish all my initial get-my-feet-wet  improv quilting projects I’ve started.

I think I got shots of all of the quilts that are in the book and some extra quilts that were being exhibited and with their permission will be showing them all here but it may take a few posts to go through them all so stay tuned.   Here are some shots of the event, and the first round quilts. Enjoy!

Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes signing books

Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes signing books

The third edition of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

The third edition of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson

The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson
p. 62 of Quilt! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson

The Giant Tumble by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson
p. 62 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Circles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson

Circles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson
p. 70 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Circles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson

Circles by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson
p. 70 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Lazy Day Quilt by Gail Abeloe

Lazy Day Quilt by Gail Abeloe
p. 26 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Lazy Day Quilt by Gail Abeloe

Lazy Day Quilt by Gail Abeloe
p. 26 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August<br />p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August<br />p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August<br />p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!

Rectangles by Diana Mc Clun and Laura Nownes, machine quilted by Kathy August
p. 22 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Grandmother's Flower Garden byMcClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney with fabrics by Valori Wells, p. 64 in Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Grandmother’s Flower Garden byMcClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney with fabrics by Valori Wells, p. 64 in Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Grandmother's Flower Garden byMcClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney with fabrics by Valori Wells, p. 64 in Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Grandmother’s Flower Garden byMcClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney with fabrics by Valori Wells, p. 64 in Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Spoolin' Around by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 59 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Spoolin’ Around by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 59 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Spoolin' Around by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 59 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Spoolin’ Around by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Victoria McEnerney, p. 59 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Pinwheels by Ashley Pevy, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 42 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Pinwheels by Ashley Pevy, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 42 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Pinwheels by Ashley Pevy, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 42 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Pinwheels by Ashley Pevy, quilted by Marla Monson, p. 42 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Star Light, Star Bright by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, fabric 'Terrain" by Kate Spain

Star Light, Star Bright by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, fabric ‘Terrain” by Kate Spain

Star Light, Star Bright by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, fabric 'Terrain" by Kate Spain

Star Light, Star Bright by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Marla Monson, fabric ‘Terrain” by Kate Spain

Kaleidoscope by Dawn Guglielmino, quilted by Beth Hummel, fabrics "licorice Fizz" by Carol van Zandt, p. 54 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Kaleidoscope by Dawn Guglielmino, quilted by Beth Hummel, fabrics “licorice Fizz” by Carol van Zandt, p. 54 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Kaleidoscope by Dawn Guglielmino, quilted by Beth Hummel, fabrics "licorice Fizz" by Carol van Zandt, p. 54 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Kaleidoscope by Dawn Guglielmino, quilted by Beth Hummel, fabrics: “licorice Fizz” by Carol Van Zandt, p. 54 of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! 3rd edition

Diana and Laura at Diablo Valley Quilters

Diana McClun and Laura Nownes spoke at Diablo Valley Quilters not too far away from me last week. Attendance at this meeting was huge, and it seems to be a large and thriving quilt guild. I also found out that Diana and Laura were some of the original founding members. It was a wonderful presentation where they brought a ton of quilts that they had made over the years and were part of their books and patterns they sold.  Each quilt had a wonderful story.  One really got a sense of their great partnership, and easy to see why their books were so successful!  Since Diana is officially retired (hard to tell!) Laura continues their business and they recently collaborated on a new edition of one of their best selling books. (more on that at another time)

I went to this event with my camera intending on taking photos and blogging, but I enjoyed myself so much and met some great people so I didn’t really take many photos or notes.  It seemed better to just experience it.  In the end however, I do have some nice shots of “the silk quilt” Diana made for Laura, because it totally floats my boat. Love love love. I saw it in progress and was blown away, and it was nice to see it finished.  I didn’t however get a shot of the whole thing, but hopefully you will enjoy snippets.

Without further ado, here are some informal shots of the silk quilt and the event!

Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

silk quilt by Diana McClun for Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes

Project Week!

OK, this week we are back to highlighting projects.  We have both Licorice Fizz projects AND Tokyo Rococo projects to get caught up on and I hope to tell you a bit about the people who have designed and/or made them.

But first, I will show you what I have been doing.  Not much! Having moved and renovated a new studio, sewing projects fell by the wayside.  Plus, I sew for fun only.  I have been inspired to start sewing again after I started designing fabric and getting to know some wonderful quilters, sewing pattern designers and sewists. I just had to get my hand back into it.  And I am extremely rusty, so whatever comes out comes out and in time the quality will improve.   I will sew a little with my own fabric, but also with my fabric stash. More on that later. (I have a great new storage place for my fabric stash!)

So here we have the last project I did with Tokyo Rococo, some placemats.  I think I would use a thinner batting next time, or even a thick stiff interfacing instead.  But it was a way to get my feet wet.  I actually just started cutting trapezoidal strips and sewing them together and pressing until I had shapes larger than a placemat and then trimmed them and sewed them together with a single piece print backing.  Yes, I got tangled up on the edges, and after resewing a couple sections, decided to keep them all rough and wabi sabi.  Plus it will be fun to compare it to projects I make in the future, in hopes of steady quality improvement. Have to start somewhere and if I get stuck in pursuing perfection, nothing will ever get done!

IMG_6434

 

Next up, I am dying to make something using my raw silks from Asia.  I originally collected a ton of this fabric to make a large duvet cover using all squares.  But now I want to make an art quilt or large wall hanging.  I probably won’t add any prints, but want to add a little 3D element…stay tuned.  I have a few drawings for inspiration, not sure if I will plan it further before I start sewing. But looks at these colors…..

IMG_8465

IMG_8466

AND, I am reading Kaffe Fassetts autobiography.  It was passed on to me by Diana McClun who is working on an amazing book project of her own with Laura Nownes. I was lucky enough to see many of the new quilts going in there in person a couple weeks ago–absolutely BREATHTAKING.  They were floating around in my mind’s eye for days. More about that when the time comes. IMG_8467

Waterfall Chevron Quilt

I had such a good time watching this quilt evolve and I am immensely grateful for the experience.  When Diana McClun told me she wanted to make a quilt for me with my first fabric collection I was pretty excited to say the least.  I learned SO MUCH watching this project take shape and communicating with Diana and Laura at times through the process.  I watched one of their quilting video’s during this period, and am still slowly making my way through their first book, Quilts, Quilts, Quilts.

And I am as surprised as some of you that with this experience I have officially been bitten by the quilting bug and have started sewing again, armed with a hand me down Jenome from my late mother-in-law.  Diana is amazing and I am grateful for her mentorship as she certainly is that for me, and also for her friendship. A gift to be sure.

And very cool that their quilt is featured in McCall’s Quilting’s July/August Issue in stores now.   They are also all very nice there!

How does one really capture the real feeling of a quilt through photographs?  Well, I will be spending a lot of time trying to find that out in the next few years.  Here are some of my first attempts with this quilt that I will always treasure.

Diana McClun and the “Waterfall” chevron quilt by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, quilted by Creative Quilting