Week 23 (Mindy Reeves): Tuesday!

Many years ago when I was about 10, my mom tried to teach me how to sew. It went horribly wrong and it was about 21 years before I ever touched a sewing machine again! Many people have asked me why I started quilting. Well, a few years ago, my then-6 year old daughter looked at me and said "Mommy, I've made 3 quilts, are you ever going to make ONE?" So both of my girls were actually "quilters" before I was! (Though they're both on a break since its not cool anymore lol.) Here are a few pictures of their work. The first picture is them with their second quilts hanging in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in 2012. The others are close ups of their quilts, which they pieces and quilted on the Avante long arm!

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If you've never done a Judy Niemeyer quilt, you've probably never used registration points. They're an awesome way to mark where two pieces should line up when there isn't defined points in the blocks themselves (like corners or other seams). You baste about an inch into the block and then line them up during assembly. But then you have to tear them all out afterwards! Lol So guess what I'm working on while I wait to pick the youngest daughter up from school? :D

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Sorry for another post so soon! Lol when I'm tearing out seams or registration points, I like to use thread snips instead of seam rippers. I can never get a seam ripper to work right! Lol These Famore' snips are my absolute favorite with the little hook on one side of the snips! They are made here in the US (in Georgia I believe). I got this pair when I went to Quilt Market in Houston last October/November and I love them!

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Confession time! When I'm paper piecing at home, I throw the papers and scraps into a pile on the floor then go back and clean it all up later! Lol it just doesn't seem to land in the garbage can so I just give up! Lol

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(Picture 1 of 4) After seeing my mom's studio on Monday, my little 10x10 room is very tiny but I wanted to share it anyway! Lol this is my door and cutting area which is currently loaded with projects getting ready for classes at Quilter's Affair in Sisters, Oregon in a few weeks! 

(Picture 2 of 4) this side of the room is my actual sewing area with a great view of my neighbors lol. At least the pretty tree covers it! My table and chair are both from IKEA and they're perfect for sewing! (They're the same tables and chairs my mom uses in Grandma's Barn.)

(Picture 3 of 4) This is my wall of fabric and projects! Look familiar? Yes, they're the same IKEA shelves in Grandma's Barn too! Lol. I try to keep is somewhat organized where I can see all the fun fabric I have available to work with. I keep all of my Tula Pink fabrics together (they stretch across two shelves though!) and all of my Judy Niemeyer patterns take up the majority of another shelf! Lol

(Picture 4 of 4) and finally the last wall - my iron area! The bins on the shelf are all overflowing with fabric and some little kits that I need to use! The shelf is from... you guessed it! IKEA! (Can you tell that I love IKEA?!?) 

Thank you and Have a great day!

Week 23 (Mindy Reeves): Monday Memorial Day!

Hello, 52 Quilters friends!! I am Mindy of @MommyandMeeMeeQuilting (on Instagram) and I live in Springfield, Oregon! I am very excited to take over and I hope you have fun following my journey through the week! 

I am a proud mom of two amazing teenage daughters that keep me busy in between work and quilting! Lol I do work full time from home for a health insurance company and I love it. It allows me the flexibility to work partial days so I can sew with friends one day during the week (more about that on Thursday!). 

I have been quilting since February of 2011 when I made a blue and green quilt from a kit I got from the Quilt Barn in Puyallup, Washington! My most recent "finishes " (tops only! Lol) are two Judy Niemeyer quilts, Indian Summer (the green one) and Vintage Rose. I do have to admit that I love Judy patterns so you'll see a few this week!
 
I love quilting and look forward to it every week. It is a way for me to get out of the house and spend time with my mom and my friends! I usually sew on Thursdays and Sundays, but since today is a holiday, I will be up at my mom's house sewing today (as soon as I can get two teenagers out of bed! lol). I look forward to sharing with you and please let me know if you have any questions!
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Since yesterday was Memorial Day here in the US, I want to share a picture of me with my favorite veteran, my grandfather, Leo. My grandfather served in WWII in the US Navy on the ship USS Northhampton. His ship went down during a battle in the Pacific but he was one that survived and went on to lead a long, happy life until we lost him in September 2008. I was blessed enough to know my grandfather until the end, but I'm also blessed that my children were able to know him even if for a few short years. He is truly one of my heroes! Please take a moment to remember all those we have lost on this Memorial Day and thank those veterans still in your life!
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One more quick post before I kick the kiddos out of bed!

This is my first quilt (blue and green one) that I got as a kit at the Quilt Barn in Puyallup WA. I saw the quilt hanging in the store and knew it would be my first!

This is my recent finish #IndianSummer by #judyniemeyer (in all green batiks). This is the second time I've made this pattern and the first is in rainbow fabrics. I'll be sure to share that later this week!

And this one is my newest pride and joy!! This is the #VintageRose pattern by Judy Niemeyer. This pattern came out in January and my parents gifted me a class for Christmas! I have been taking the class with Shirley at Jannilou Creations in Philomath, OR since January and I finished it two weeks ago. Now to figure out quilting for it!
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 Welcome to Grammas Barn!! This is my mom's studio and where I spend nearly every Sunday sewing. This first picture is my little corner of the room (usually a mess! Lol). And, yes, there are two long arms in here! Lol 

 
This is a view of Fern Ridge Resevoir from her driveway. Well, it would be without the fog! Lol the fog is so thick this morning that I had my wipers going on the truck the whole drive here! Gotta love the Willamette Valley!

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 Fun day sewing with some yummy strawberries from the farm down the road and the kiddos found another stray kitten at Gramma's today (sitting on my oldest's shoulder lol)!
 

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Under my needle today! Judy Niemeyer's Prismatic Star pattern! Still have to sew the pieces together but had to lay it out and look! 

I love paper piecing, but I also have to say that I LOVE the smart corners in Judy's patterns! They are a little extra cutting but make pieces line up so easily! 

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Last post for today - two of my favorite sewing buddies!! My brother from another mother, @jadm22 , and my mommy, @lauraorcuttlowe! Thank you for following along today! Love to all and good night!

 

 

Week #22 - Quilt Market Round-up

This year on the 52 we were lucky to have "Mad Color Scentist and Chief Quilt Maker" Scott Hansen from Blue Nickel Studios reporting for us at Quilt Market.

Scott was the 22nd quilter to take over the account, and he shared an amazing array of updates on the '52 as well as his own instagram account.

With a quick round-up - here are some of his highlights from the event:

Here's my #twisterquilt pattern done up in #tulapinkspiritanimal for #springquiltmarket2017 Check out all of my patterns at the link in my everyday profile at @bluenickelstudios And be sure to follow me there as well • • #tulatroops #quiltmarket #quilting #quiltsofinstagram

A post shared by 52 Quilters (@52quilters) on May 21, 2017 at 2:53pm PDT

Here I am with @victoriafindlaywolfe and @pbandjquiltstudio at #quiltmarket2017

A post shared by 52 Quilters (@52quilters) on May 19, 2017 at 9:09pm PDT

#sikura batik fabric --presented by @lovebugstudios for @island_batik --- Beautiful line • • #springquiltmarket2017 #quiltingfun #lovelysquares #quiltmarket #batikprint

A post shared by 52 Quilters (@52quilters) on May 21, 2017 at 1:58pm PDT

Looks like another fab quilt market this year, stay tuned for more updates to come from upcoming shows like Quilt Canada in June, and Festival of Quilts (UK) in August!