I just love it when two of my favorite things come together! Best-selling quilt author Marie Bostwick’s book, The Second Sister, is being filmed now as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie!
While I enjoy a number of quilt-themed (and not) books and series, I’ve often referred to Marie as “My Favorite Author” – mostly because her witty comments and clever nicknames for her family members are endearing and inspiring. (I’ve often thought we could be best friends if we were neighbors, but in reality, I’m one of many fans who exchanges about two minutes of conversation with her once a year (if I’m lucky) at book signings.)
Of course, I love her books, even those not completely engrossed in the quilting themes and I read each one more than once! I suspect Christmas Everlasting will be another staple during the holiday season!
Are you buying a quilt or a blanket? Troublemakers on social media sites seems to go through phases where they like to confuse the unaware buyer.
Buyer’s beware…
Oftentimes, companies will promote products that show in our Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest feeds based for things or subjects we like and follow. Sometimes social media learns these details when we simply talk in front of our phones. (I’ve had things show in my feeds that I’ve only THOUGHT about – how’d they do that?)
A popular trend for a while was what appeared to be beautiful appliqued quilts for sale. Not only were these “quilts” were priced was too low. Furthermore, they were way too pretty to be true.
You and I know the difference between a quilt or blanket!
While they are marketed as quilts, how does a non-quilter know if they are buying a quilt or a blanket?
First, the biggest clue for you or I is based on the fact that we KNOW the amount of work and time it takes to make one of these works of art. Mass production is highly unlikely. If fact, for many of us, an intricate quilt like one of these is a “one and done”!
Beware of themed quilts.
These people like to prey on unsuspecting parents or grandparents. For example, they might feature a quilt with a music theme. If one’s child or grandchild is into music, it’s an easy sell!
What was my next clue? THEY CALLED THEM BLANKETS!
Furthermore, which is it, a quilt or a blanket? In the photo you see what appears to be intricately appliqued quilt. Their mistake: calling it a blanket!
You likely won’t get either!
The problem is they are fake companies stealing real quilters’ pictures and using them to cheat other people. It’s unfortunate. Quilters need always be aware that their photographs can be hijacked.
Next clue: $59
You couldn’t buy the fabric for a quilt (or maybe a blanket, these days) for $59!
Last Clue: Selling MANY different quilts (or blankets)!
It’s amazing (and kinda sad) how many people respond excitedly to these posts by tagging their friends and loved ones. You can read the comments to see how many people are tagging others to show them this great buy. One such post which was being massively shared was for brilliant pieced, appliqued, and quilted musician-themed quilt of a cello – all for $59!
The personal story behind the quilt or blanket dilemma.
It’s been a “thing” in my family for years that when one of them asks me to pass them the blanket, I stand up and yell, “They’re quilts, not blankets!” (like Harry Potter, only with a pretend wand). Then, I add, “I am not a Blanketer!”
Karla
I’ve recently joined a pattern-maker group and, sure enough, they are suggesting you search these sites to see if these companies have stolen your pictures. (I have no idea what you do if that happens.)
What to do about the sites?
I try to report the company, when allowed by Facebook. I also comment on the post that the company is a fraud. The only other thing I know to do is to tell as many people as I know not to fall for something that looks too good to be true.
By the way, even if you ask for a blanket in my house, your’e going to get a quilt!
Here are some fitness ideas for quilters who want to combat sore shoulders and other complaints commonly caused by repetitive movement.
First, we likely all agree that we are often driven by goals…goals to get our projects FINISHED, that is! Let’s explore some ideas for how to continue to work through our aches and pains with these fitness ideas for quilters.
Quilting Muscle
Initially, as a new quilter, I got real excited about setting up my sewing work space. I didn’t trust my instincts. However, I had already mastered the art of buying quilting books, so I bought the latest title on the topic.
I devoured that book, studying every picture and reading every word. I set up my sewing space just like the author suggested. I really liked how productive I could be in my little sewing station, everything within reach…until I started to hurt.
Consequently, I began looking for fitness ideas for quilters, because I had found that the more I stitched, the less I like it. I had to take breaks.
I’m not saying there was anything wrong with the suggestions for optimum quilting output. They just didn’t work for me…or my back.
Mostly, I tend to keep lots of tension in my shoulders and upper back. Improper chair height, table height, poor posture (very me) are all contributing factors for tension in the upper back area. But I had noticed some changes in the lower half of my body, too. Maybe it was just the aging process–or was I just sitting on my backside too much?
The first of the fitness ideas involves your iron. Move it!
Granted, I may lose a few minutes of stitching time walking to and from my ironing board, but that’s okay because that little walk gives me a chance to reach up, stretch backwards, and roll my shoulders. Sometimes that’s all it takes to keep me from stiffening up over a day of stitching.
Think of extra movement as a chance to stretch, instead of wasted time.
Therefore, I no longer have everything within reach. It’s a different mind-set, really. Now I try to think of the extra movement as an opportunity to rev-up.
Secondly, consider fitness ideas like “creative movement”.
Whether you are getting up to press seams, cut fabric, or grab lunch, try to throw in some steps you don’t normally do. How about a side-to-side step? Or step-touch (like walking down the aisle for a wedding). Sometimes when I am loading a quilt on my long-arm, I move from one end to the other by doing small plies or squats. Now I’m not talking about deep, hurt-your-knees- or-lose-your-balance kind of movements, but small movements that wake your body up and warm up some cold muscles.
Find fitness ideas that YOU enjoy.
If you like creative movement, take a look at this set of dvd’s: Body Groove. Admittedly, I only do this video when no one else is home, but it’s quite fun! I can’t say it’s a hard work out, but it’s so enjoyable and freeing that I look forward to that time every day! These are simple movements to music (not aerobics) that you do at your own ability level.
Next, turn on a tracker.
As much as I talk back to my fitness tracker some days when it fusses at me to move, it really helps me to realize how sedentary my life can be. Your phone may work to track your steps, also. The down side to tracking steps is when you forget to take your tracker off it’s charger and feel like you’ve wasted all of those steps you took (crazy)!
Stitch One, Curl One…or something like that.
I keep a small free weight (a full water bottle works, too) near me so that when I take a break I can do a few bicep curls, shoulder presses, or tricep curls just to keep the blood moving and my muscles awake. I feel like my brain works better, too, when I am more aware of my whole body while I’m stitching.
Please keep in mind that I am a quilter, not a doctor or trainer. Please don’t hurt yourself. Seek medical advise before starting any exercise program.
A tree block is in store for the final piece in the River Heritage Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt.
Called Tree Line, this tree block features three trees of varying heights, making a diagonal line. Similar to a tree line along the river, these guys will take a side roll in your finished quilt.
Month Nine Tree Line
The River Heritage Mystery Quilt Block Review
First, we began with the Paddlewheel block, made from a traditional block with mostly a dark paddlewheel on a light background. Next, came the Railroad Crossing and Flock of Geese blocks. These, too, are both classic blocks which fit our river theme beautifully. After that came Lighted Bridge. I designed this block based on the Bill Emerson Bridge stands over the mighty Mississippi, connecting Cape Girardeau, Missouri to East Cape, Illinois.
My favorite adventure in designing River Heritage was taking the ferry ride across the Mighty Mississippi. See the photos in Port and Starboard block post.
Karla Kiefner
More River Heritage Quilt Blocks
In addition to learning about the next block, Trail of Tears, I also learned much about the history of the trail in our local museum at the Trail of Tears Park. Another classic block followed called Port and Starboard. Getting photos for this block involved a ferry ride across the river!
Eagle’s Nest was another fun block to plan because we hiked up to a look-out for those photographs. This block will land high on your quilt! Your last block was Hovering Hawks. For this block I learned that hawks generally don’t hover – at least not in groups!
Month Nine Tree Line Block
The Tree Line block was designed with it’s placement in the overall quilt in mind. With the shortest tree to the left and the tallest on the right, a diagonal line is formed.
This block is made with six flying geese units to make the three trees.
You’ll start by making the trunks for each tree and then add the tree tops and sky to make three columns. Use your own color scheme – your trees don’t have to be green and sky doesn’t have to be blue! Remember to check your values by taking a black and white picture of your fabric choices.
Okay, so it’s not really a quilting cabin. It’s a deer camp for the hunters in the family all year round. But for one week, we try our best to “chick” up the place!
Step one, clean it up.
After cleaning, but before the invasion!
We spend a bit of time when we arrive to vacuum, mop, disinfect surfaces, wash bedding, and do mouse and spider prevention– because it really is a cabin in the woods!
Step two, bring it all in!
First, we’ve set up the table. Followed by the tables, machines, fabric, thread, needles and pins, design walls, quilt blocks, music, movies, lights, food, food, more food. Lastly, and best of all, friends!
Featherweight is set up and stitching on night one.
In this quilting cabin, we sew among various trophies on the walls and hanging above us from the ceiling.
Get ready to work!
Read on to share in our adventures which included a low-flying plane, a Polaris ride through the property (with a fortunate ending), limited cell service, a ringed-moon, hooting owl, quilt reveals, sunrises, demos, sunsets, more quilts, a little (wink) Mamma Mia, and a lot of laughter.
Linda gives a demo for making clothesline bowls.
Design work.
One day, we stood in the field at the top of the hill and made an impromtu target for a money/food/water drop with this water bottle as the target. It felt like a scene from Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
We did get a flyover!
Mules rides!
A few days later, got us a ride through the property, complete with thorns and briars and overgrown brush. So, it was a Polaris, not a mule, but that doesn’t sound as exciting.
We were truly blazing trails! This was our view from riding across the the dam.
It was all fun and games until we broke down! Fortunately, the abrupt stop didn’t happen in the middle of nowhere OR in the middle of the briar patch. A brief, downhill walk back to the truck was welcome! We stayed close to the quilting cabin after that.
Completed tops hang from the banister.
Learn more about the Floating Flower Garden quilt! It’s made with BOTH beautiful sides of fabric.
Sunrise at the Quilting Cabin
One morning, about 4:30, Linda and I met in the kitchen and since we were both wide awake, we decided it was time to take the coffee to the porch. The moon had a beautiful red ring around it. We rocked, talked, drank coffee, watched the stars turn into a sunrise, and heard an owl in the tree.
Quilting Cabin, Mamma Mia Style!
How does Mamma Mia fit in? Well, one annoying quilter (there’s always one) couldn’t get “Waterloo” out of her head. Knowing only that word of the song, that’s all she would sing…over and over until they finally turned on the movie and then NO one could get that or any of the other songs out of their heads. Let’s see…”Dancing Queen”, “Waterloo”, “Super Trouper” “Honey, Honey”, “Momma Mia”, “Money, Money, Money”, and “Our Last Summer”
Yes, friends, you are all welcome – you’ll be singing those songs the rest of the day!
That one Annoying Quilter
Yes, friends, you are all quite welcome for the reminder (blowing kiss).
We had a wonderful week. I regret we didn’t take more pictures, because, believe it or not, some quilters, quilts, and activities didn’t get photographed!
Quilting Cabin Gallery
Peggy’s Bear Quilt
Beth’s quilt on the design wall.
Sunset at the old barn site.
The new shelter at the site of the old red barn.
Merle and Nancy trying to get cell bars while Mary is hard at work.
Coffee on the porch.
Retreats are about more than just getting away.
This is what happens when you play hooky from quilt class!
Naturally, there is something wonderful about being around old friends, making new friends, and having limited responsibilities. You can do whatever you feel like doing. You laughing and share.
These are all things that you can’t do at home, stitching alone.
In conclusion, when you’ve left the quilting cabin and you head back to civilization, let me leave you with this song…
“Back to life…back to reality” (another song for you…by Soul II Soul, 1989) You’re welcome, friends!
This little turtle quilt just made the trip to two of my favorite places in South Dakota!
Dakota is a Southwest style turtle quilt made with both beautiful sides of fabric!
Choose a focus fabric that’s beautiful on BOTH sides.
Every Creative Bee Studios pattern, including this turtle quilt, comes with a guide for auditioning both sides of fabrics. First, start with your focus fabric. See how legs, head and tail of this turtle quilt (made from the REVERSE) are a lighter value but just as interesting as the RIGHT side?
Learn how to “remove” color to see only value.
Black and white photos are a great tool for auditioning both sides of fabric.
Pick a variety of background fabrics.
Secondly, audition possible background fabrics for your turtle quilt with both sides of your focus fabric. You’ll discover the nuances of value as you learn to audition both sides of fabric.
Why South Dakota?
To summarize, our daughter was working shows at the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer, SD for the summer. Our treat was to watch her play the role of Laurie in OKLAHOMA!
Black Hills Playhouse & Dakota Dream
We made new friends, Kathy and Ernie, in Custer SD. They are owners Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast & Horse Hotel. We highly recommend a visit to the Black Hills in Custer State Park and a stay with Kathy and Ernie.
The Quilt Shop
On our trip we visited The Quilt Shop, Inc. in Chamberlain, SD. Owner, Sonya Kroupa is holding Dakota and Tanka quilts below. Creative Bee Studios patterns have been featured in her very cool shop! In addition to rooms and rooms of interesting and different fabric, kits, and patterns, she has local artwork, jewelry, and beads. Visit The Quilt Shop website HERE.
Also, see this post which shows more fun things to see in Custer and the Dignity statue in Chamberlain HERE.
This turtle quilt pattern is petite design, finishing at 18 x 24 inches. It’s a great “afternoon quilt” – quick and easy. Even after making more than twenty #usebothsides quilts, I can’t decide which is more fun, choosing the focus fabric or the background fabrics. Both are vital to the charm of the quilts!
Think outside the box!
Imagine all the different “turtle “fabrics you could use! Your turtle could be playful with children’s motifs, realistic with mottled dotty fabric, or wild with large florals or geometrics! In conclusion, anything will work as long as the reverse passes the audition!
The Hovering Hawks quilt block is the featured design for month eight of the mystery quilt, River Heritage.
The Hovering Hawks quilt block is another classic quilt block that’s been around a long time.
Variations on the history of this quilt block.
Of course, it’s easy to understand why hawks would be commonly seen along the river. But the meaning of this block has numerous variations. Some accounts simply say the block pays homage to the common bird of prey scene in everyday life.
Additionally, the Hovering Hawks quilt block is considered to be from the family of the Jacob’s Ladder block variations.
Finally, another explanation of this block relates it specifically with the Civil War. It is said that the facing triangles symbolize the foraging soldiers on each side of the war.
There’s an interesting history lesson by Barbara Brackman HERE about the block and it’s symbolic meaning with the civil war.
The past months of the River Heritage Mystery Quilt has given you seven blocks that each have some connection to life along the river. Such is the case with this one.
I think you’ll find this quilt block is fun to make.
Photographing actual hovering hawks proved to be quite a challenge!
First, the red-tailed hawk (which is likely what lives here) doesn’t actually hover, according to the experts. They may appear to do something similar, but experts say it isn’t actually a hover.
Furthermore, the hawk is usually a loner, not flying in groups like turkey buzzards. I’ve learned a lot on the adventure through the River Heritage quilt! I hope you have, too!
Here’s the overall description of the Hovering Hawks quilt block.
Hovering Hawks is made from sixteen squares, ten of them made from half-square triangles. This block has been made over the years using lots of different fabric and value combinations. I played with my fabrics quite a while before making my final choices for this block. Use your own color scheme to make your block. Remember to check your values by taking a black and white picture of your fabric choices.
Hovering Hawks
First, you’ll arrange half-square triangle blocks with single blocks. Therefore, the piecing is easy and familiar.
Use your value tests to help determine placement of fabrics.
The challenge for me was deciding where to place my fabrics. However, testing the values really helped me have confidence in my fabric choices.
The morning was crisp and the air wet. Steam was rising off the pool water. It was definitely a sunrise quilt kind of morning!
The sun hadn’t peaked over the ridge yet, but the birds were singing from all directions. I could still hear some lingering locusts in the woods. I grabbed my favorite “pool quilt” and a cup of hot coffee in my favorite mug. My bible opened to Psalms.
My days always go better when I start them this way. It’s one reason I love summer so much!
Everything about the day is better. The challenges, the frustrations, even the joys and opportunities-gets put into perspective when I consider the majesty and power of God and the unbelievable sacrifice of Christ on my behalf.
Snuggling in a quilt you love is good, too.
This favorite sunrise quilt was made using Misty Fuse fusible web and Leaves Galore rulers. The best part for me is the background fabric. It looks like the bottom of a pool when the sun is shining.
However, the imperfections are completely taken over by the colors, the sparkling water fabric and the softness of the snuggles.
Water Colours
A time to sew.
There is a bible app on my phone that gives me a new scripture each day. I chuckled when I read that there is “a time to sew”, think it should be “sow”.
Then I realized it was from a later verse in the chapter and my version usually used the word “mend”. Of course, I’m thinking, “how appropriate”. Yes, I needed to hear this message.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (7) A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Our visit to South Dakota was nothing short of breathtaking!
Overall, the visit to South Dakota included stops in Chamberlain and Custer. What I didn’t expect to see were quilts everywhere!
First, we saw a huge quilt monument, quilt shops, a quilt in a musical, and quilts at our bed and breakfast. What more could a quilter ask for?
A quilter-friendly visit.
Our visit to South Dakota happened because our youngest daughter was hired by Black Hills Playhouse in Custer, SD. We knew little about the playhouse or South Dakota, but planned our visit right away when we learned of her opportunity. She would play the role of Laurey in OKLAHOMA!
I had no idea the South Dakota visit would be so quilter friendly!
Dignity in Chamberlain, SD
Dignity is a 50-foot-tall statue in Chamberlain, SD, to honor the cultures of the Dakota and Lakota people. She represents courage, perseverance and wisdom. Made from stainless steel, Dignity wears a Native dress from the 1850s and holds a star quilt made from 128 stainless steel blue diamonds. Dignity was designed by artist laureate Dale Lamphere and gifted to the state of South Dakota by Norm and Eunabel McKie. Learn more about Dignity HERE.
Just down the road from Dignity in the city of Chamberlain is The Quilt Shop. In addition to several rooms filled with bolt after bolt of beautiful fabric, is the main room featuring a mix of Native American art, jewelry, beads, quilt patterns, kits, laser pre-cuts, panels, and more fabric!
Sonya, owner of The Quilt Shop featured Creative Bee Studios patterns!
No South Dakota visit is complete without a trip through the Badlands. The landscape is diverse and amazing.
The Badlands, South Dakota
Bison galore!
A partial herd of bison “greeted” us when we entered The Black Hills.
There were bison statues all through the town of Custer, too This one is sporting a quilt.
Check out this bison following us on the road (view is from inside our Tahoe).
The Black Hills Playhouse
Taking this long of a trip to see a show, we didn’t see it just once, we caught it three times! We didn’t stop smiling, even to the end of the third show!
Click here for more info on BHP.
It’s amazing that this quaint theater tucked in the hills has such a dedicated following, especially when you see the roads people travel to get to it! At least the first three shows were sold out. The energy level of the cast was high, the performances perfected, the direction was unique and solid (not that I’m an expert at ALL, but I know what I like) and the SOUND…I could hear every word. It was a wonderful experience. Everything you would expect from a professional playhouse.
Curly and Laurey played by Lukas Ptacek and Jacquelyn Kiefner
Ado Annie – “I’m just a girl who cain’t say no!” Played by Josey Miller.
See more incredible photos by Sage Studios Professional Photography on their Facebook Page HERE or go to their website HERE. He really captured the moments and the energy-even the rice toss the moment before the lights went out at the end of the show.
More sights on the South Dakota visit.
The star quilts took on significance for the Sioux and Assiniboine when buffalo was pushed to near extinction and hides and robes were no longer given as honors. Also known as the Star of Bethlehem, the pattern is also featured in quill work, bead work and paintings.
Mount Rushmore
Mock Up of Crazy Horse Memorial
We got to spend part of one day with our daughter and took in Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore!
Owners Kathy and Ernie, Dakota Dream
Last, but certainly NOT least to share about our trip, was the warm welcome we received at Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast & Horse Hotel. Kathy and Ernie were delightful hosts and, I’m telling you, they thought of EVERY thing to make our stay special! We highly recommend! Even after day three, I was still finding little things they did to provide all the comforts, well, beyond OUR home!
The first reason Sandy is so fun and easy to make is the focus fabric! You only need to pick ONE. The RIGHT sides makes her shell and the binding. The REVERSE makes her legs, tail and head.
Add a fun, scrappy background.
Secondly, the background fabrics can be bold and fun. A variety of background fabrics can make this quilt sparkle with interest!
Furthermore, you learn HOW to audition BOTH side so fabric. You’ll start with your focus fabric. Next you’ll audition your background fabrics with BOTH sides of your focus fabric. The guide in the pattern tells you what to look for and how to use value to make your choices. See How to Use Both Sides.
About Sea Turtles
Did you know? Cooler sand temperatures produce more male and warmer sand produces more female sea turtles.
The sea turtle eggs hatch almost simultaneously, making the sandy nest look like boiling water. Instinctively, the babies find their way to the water with the help of the slope of the beach and the moon and star reflections on the water.
The large number of turtles hatching and moving to the sea all together helps protect them from predators. That’s why its a good idea to remove chairs and umbrellas and fill all holes at night during hatching season so they have a better chance at making it to sea safely.
Here’s a list of some of my faves by Marie Bostwick:
