What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

The Renwick Gallery, The National Museum of Craft

 So this past week, I got spontaneous.  Yep, you read that right...the princess of plan decided at the last minute to take a quick trip to Washington DC.  Two of our favorite art museums, the National Gallery and the Renwick Gallery had some great exhibitions that are going to close in the beginning of January.  We've been trying to make time to see them, but with our early winter here on Lake Erie, it's been hard to find a few good weather days.  I saw that it was going ...

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So today the sun shone in my part of the county while our lakefront once again got pelted with snow. 

Erie is easily up over 60" inches of snow and it's not even winter.  It's been exhausting and kept people from truly enjoying Advent and the Holiday season.  I have a bit of the blahs that have been continuing for about the last 3 weeks.  Sigh the joys of dark grey days.  

Anyways...

Over the years I've done a series of posts about Christmas gifts I thought were what every quilter needed but might not be ...

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Presque Isle, Lake Erie, PA

 

Living on the shores of Lake Erie is always an adventure in the winter.  You never know what the weather is going to do.  Last year, we got 25" of snow all year.  This year, we doubled that in 3 days.  Yes, there are parts of the county that got 50" or more of snow this last week.  

But we live in Erie County so we take it all in stride right?  Well you would think, but when your authorities  declare a state of emergency and have all non essential workers to shelter in ...

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Thankful this year for being able to navigate all the changes....changes in a job, family dynamics, our country.  It all seemed so overwhelming at the time, but here it is Thanksgiving, quiet and relaxed.  

 I'm traveling this weekend on the edge of Adirondacks where snow is quietly falling....

What Have You to Be Thankful for?

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You wouldn't think that living outside of Erie, Pennsylvania would be a center of culture. And it kinda isn't.  But it kinda is.  Really, we're within an hour or two of Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.  Plus 3 hrs out of Toronto. As well as 2.5 hrs out of central Ohio.  Yes, you read that right ....central Ohio.   Central Ohio, for you not in the know, is a hot bed of quilting.  Not only is there a plethora of quilt stores, quilt groups, retreat spots but also there is The Dairy Barn Art Center (home to Quilt ...

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Peppermint Reindeer by Laura Heini

 This week in my spare time, I started thinking about decorating for Christmas.  To tell you the truth, I'm not all that much into decorating, mostly because it takes so much time.  What I do like is designing the composition of the decoration scheme.  Yes, you read that right.  Your decorating has a composition just like your quilts.  One thing I've learned, is that all the elements of design I've been studying over the years can be used in a myriad of ways....like planning your Christmas decorations. 

But this post is ...

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 For all my US readers...well it's been a week, hasn't it?  No matter what your political views, I'm sure
I'm not alone to say, this week has been A LOT.  Raise your hand, if you've had enough politics to last you four years?  Living in Pennsylvania, it's been kinda like being the most popular girl at the dance.  THEN living in Erie County, just doubles that.  Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the saying goes in the political world...the way Erie County goes is the way the country will go.  We've picked the ...

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 So I did it.  I manage to get through my first rug hooking project.  Let's just say it's rough but a start and I wouldn't quite say a rough start.  Some things I've learned...

1. Taking a 3 hour starter class to get a taste of a new hobby was one of my better ideas.  It was a relatively small investment ($65 and that included everything you needed including a beginner hook) and you really get a feel for if you're going to like it enough to invest more time and money.  
2. I like rug hooking ...

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 Something that I was reminded of this week is that I have a tendency to create in one of two categories.  Either my pieces are all about technique or all about design.  I know lots of quilters who are all about technique.  They buy a pattern and then spend their energy on learning how to create it perfectly.  The closer they get to perfection, the more of a rush they get.

Oh What Lovely Smoke, Elizabeth Barton

Then there's the quilters where it's all about the design.  They work on designing a piece and then figure out how ...

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 I really think it's important to feed your inner creative soul.  I know that sounds "artsy", but it's true.  I think after preaching this so much at home, my husband has finally gotten it.  That's why I wasn't shocked when he dragged me out to the Erie Museum to see the latest exhibit, Summoning the Wind, by Qian Li.  

The Erie Art Museum was never this powerhouse in the art world.  Lately, though, I can see that it's upping its game bringing in some really nice exhibits as well as developing its own.  Qian ...

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Anybody who has been paying attention would know that the last 6 months, I've been a bit obsessed with my new job.  Let me just say that Customer Service is not for the weak at heart...but...if you love your product and you love working with people, it can be really fun.  Not to mention throw in a nice work environment and a touch of technology and its really is fun.

That all said, my creative side is slowly but surely coming back to life.  I've had this idea baking in the back of my brain for ...

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Okay, since I've had a big day that started at about 3:45 am...I'll make this short and sweet.  You do not suck.  You only think you suck, but trust me, you don't.  

As in most things, the internet is a blessing and a curse.  It brings us together as "makers".  It helps us connect and finally we feel like we fit in.  It's like we're with a tribe that understands why we take $300 in fabric, spend hours cutting it all up, only to take hours to sew it all back together. You ...

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 So, this week I was blessed enough to spend a couple of days in Amish country, Holmes County, Ohio.  Since it's only a couple hours away, it's become a favorite when we need a quick getaway.  Plus, summer is hanging on nicely with 2 weeks now of sunny weather in low 80's.  Anybody who's ever lived on a Great Lake knows what a blessing that is.  What does one do in Holmes County?  Well mostly shop,
browse, explore, chat.  It's quiet and fun.  

The best part of it  - at least for me that is ...

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Albion, PA has the 3rd oldest carousel in the country

First, I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and welcome back. I truly can't believe that while I was gone, blogger has FINALLY made it possible to reply back to comments (which I will do more now that I realize I can!)   That only took 15 years!  

Also thank you so much for the encouragement as I dip my toe into the world of rug hooking.  I'm going to take Margaret's advice (which is always good) and  do some research using some of the great ...

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The Fiber Art Studio, John C. Campbell's Folk School

 I want to thank everyone for the grace you've shown me as I took the summer off from blogging.  One thing I have learned after having a blog for 15 years is that blogging seems to go in cycles and it's not a bad thing to just go with the flow.  I actually thought of stopping.  Most of my favorite bloggers have.  I get why though.  After so many posts there isn't a ton to say.  My husband talked me out of it.  He reminded me that ...

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 So finally this week, I am back at my quilting frame slowly but surely getting my "Rain Rain" quilt hand quilted.  I've gotten the hang of using Pearl cotton 8 and 12 but I wouldn't say I absolutely love it like I've heard from so many others.  What I do love is that the quilting line is bold enough and rustic enough to go with the quilt.  I'm just going  to keep plugging away at it.

I'm finally starting to feel more at home at work.  It's the kind of job where it's ...

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