Gloaming Fabric Blog Hop

I've been posting teasers on IG and the wait is finally over!  Today is my day on the Gloaming Blog Hop featuring the beautiful line of fabric by designer Shelley Cavanna of Cora's Quilts.  You can read all out it and see the full selection available by visiting Sew in Love (with fabric) HERE.

The blossoming tree made for the perfect backdrop to show off the quilt because as you will see later in the post, there are floral motifs throughout the fabric line.  My favorite are the subtle prints that read as a solid from a distance but are beautifully detailed close up.  These were great for the graphic design that I had in mind.

My granddaughter helped choose the three fabrics for her dress and hair band.   The largest print was fun to use and she loved it so much she didn't want me to hem the bottom so I added a fussy cut trim instead.

For the quilt, I knew I wanted to create an original design so I played around with options in Inkscape, landing on this one.  As you can see, I gave myself artistic freedom to modify along the way.  It still feels in the spirit of the original concept and I'm very pleased with the result.

Mock up design Gloaming06

I had fun finding the repeat and using that as a width guide rather than a predetermined measurement.  That's the bonus of making things up along the way.

Lately I've been doing single fold binding for my quilts as long as they aren't going to be heavily used  or frequently washed.  Turning just at the flower's edge made for an easy reference.

My friend let me us her longarm for the quilting and I finished in two sessions.  Which was a good thing since I was heading to QuiltCon the next day and wanted to have it done before the trip.  (See the recap from yesterday)

Usually I just stitch until I run out of bobbin or break a thread but this time I started and stopped taking time to bury my thread.

Here you can see the dress in progress and the detail on the pocket.  This is the same treatment that I used for the trim at the bottom.  So Cute. 

A break in the storm made for pretty puffy clouds but it also meant a battle with the wind.  Here are a few out takes.

I'm lucky that she takes her job seriously when it comes time for a photoshoot but also has a good time too. 

Thank you Shelley for designing such a delightful line of fabric and to Benartex Fabric for generously giving me the opportunity to sew with it and be part of the Blog Hop.

Here's the full line up for the Benatrex Hop this week:
Monday: Introducing Gloaming - interview with Shelley CavannaTuesday: Gloaming Hop - Cara Cansler @Sew_Colorado and Becky Jorgensen of Patchwork Posse; @patchwork_posseWednesday: Gloaming Hop - Karen Foster of CapitolaQuilter; @capitolaquilter and Kate Colleran of Seams Like a Dream; @seamslikeadreamquiltsThursday: Gloaming Hop - Julie Cefalu of The Crafty Quilter; @thecraftyquilter and Rene Stout @QuiltingNonaFriday: Shelley's Virtual Trunk Show

Benatrex is letting me give away a Gloaming Fat Quarter Bundle to one of my followers.  (open to US addresses only)  Head over to the Gloaming Giveaway Post on my IG account for details and to enter.  Leave a comment here on the blog (limit one and be sure you are not a no-reply blogger) for a bonus of 10 entries! Giveaway is open until Friday March 9, 2018 at 8pm Pacific Time. EDIT: Giveaway is closed, congratulations to the winner.

QuiltCon 2018 - Recap

Reflections at QuiltCon 2018

If I wait any longer to recover from QuiltCon before making a blog post or think that I need to wrap my head around the whirlwind experience before trying to put it into words, the recap simply won't happen.  Proof of that is the absence of a recap for QuiltConEast 2017 Savannah.  (I just may need to insert a belated post) 

Having "Reflections" displayed in such a beautiful venue alongside gorgeous works by makers that I admire including two fellow BeeSewcial quilts was such an honor.  Receiving a 2nd Place Ribbon at such a prestigious event was incredible.   Collaboration is dear to my creative heart so the category is especially meaningful.  All of our hand and hearts came together to make it happen. 

2nd Place Group or Bee Quilts

The label reads::

"Using a palette inspired by an '80's surf contest poster and the picturesque Venetians of Capitola Village, my BeeSewcial mates created improv blocks in solid that I puzzled together to make "Reflections". 

I asked them to focus on these elements: The relationship of colors and/or shapes within the block. A change of value or scale from top to bottom or side to side. An exaggeration or distortion that the word evokes. 

Although intimidated by the desire to preserve their individual beauty, I enjoyed the assembly process using the same design elements of the prompt to painstakingly determine a final composition."

2nd Place Award Group or Bee Quilt

Makers Left to Right: Hillary Goodwin, Me, Diane Stanley, Stephanie Ruyle, Debbie Jeske.  Not pictured: Leanne Chahley,  Felicity Ronaghan, Marci Debetaz, Kari Voitechovsky, Melissa Richie

QuiltCon Workshops

The first night, I had the most fabulous secondary design class with Jen Carlton-Bailley aka: bettycrockerass.  My sister and I took it together and although she and I may come from the same genes but we have very different creative preferences.  Sharing a design wall was a blast and while I stretched myself to make order and recognizable shapes out of scrappy chaos, she broadened her usual approach to take on a more improvisational spin.

We finished up on Sunday with full day workshops although not the same ones at the same time.  My sister had taken the Modern Improv Strip Piecing class earlier so I knew what to expect and got to see what she'd made in class.  Improv is my comfort zone so I wasn't sure how it would be.  I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed Katie Pedersen of Sew Katie Did.  She put everyone at ease and was incredibly encouraging.  Watching the wide range of blocks all from the same basic method was really fun.  I also got to sit next to and visit Marianne Haak of MariQuilts, The Quilting Edge which was great.

Pasadena Venue

Once again, we stayed at the Sheraton adjoining the conference center.  This time we had a birds eye view and could see the comings and goings of attendees.  It was "California cold" and I tried to bite my tongue since complaining to others who escaped below zero to come seemed kind of rude.  There was blue sky and it was pretty but I did resent having to wear a jacket at night.

Several of my "Transparent Connection" themed January BeeSewcial blocks given to me in person.  Check out the silly picture of Anne and I posing as she hands off the out of this world improv EPP.   I do love my beemates!

Felicity's "Winter" BeeSewcail Quilt

Stephanie's "2 Degrees Celsius"

Walking the show with local guild mates and especially visiting the Curated Quilts booth and seeing so many familiar names on the minis that were displayed (including Isabelle's).  I've had the pleasure of meeting Amy on several occasions so it was great to meet Christine Ricks as well. 

SBAMQG at QuiltCon

We had a wonderful showing of members and managed to round up about half for a group picture.  There were opportunities for selfies with new and old friends too. 

I received a beautiful improv mini and gifted the mini that I made to Alex who came all the way from Germany to attend. 

The Special Exhibit Tour was fabulous and a favorite as always. 

I snagged a pair of socks before they sold out - Aren't they great?  Anne's quilt on the left shows the design. Also incredibly proud of Julia and excited to find a bolt of her fabric during a little shop hop.  It feels like a lifetime ago that we all served on the board of our local MQG chapter. 

Last but not least, an unexpected score at Birch.  I love their organics and was happy to visit the shop in person for the first time but did not plan on walking out with a stack of knits for $5 a yard - how could I not?

The MQG has photos of all the winning quilts HERE.  I did take photos of quilts from the show but there seems to be quite a lot of very well written posts and the hashtag on IG to enjoy so I'll sign off for now!