October 5, 2008

My first quilting class...

This Thursday I go to the second session of my quilting class. I have Nichole to thank for sparking such an interest in quilting in me. It was her beautiful Quilter's Sampler set that won me over. So here I am, packing my supplies for quilt class! Can you believe it? My instructor is fabulous and I just LOVE her!! Her name is Trudee, and I know she will be one of the most patient and kind teachers. There's one other student along with me and we couldn't have MORE DIFFERENT styles. She selected bright Batik fabrics for her quilt. I selected the fabrics below. It should be very interesting to compare our quilts when we're all done.

We'll start out making a sampler quilt that will showcase 6 different 12" blocks. Each block will use some different quilting techniques so that we get a good start with the basics of quilting. At our first class, Trudee had us walk around the quilt shop and select a fabric we liked. She then helped us find coordinating fabrics and taught us about contrast, lights and darks, etc. I pretty much knew all of these concepts but I saw them in a whole new light when they were applied to quilting. One of the main things to keep in mind with quilting is that for the patterns to show up in your quilt blocks, you really need the right amount of contrast in the fabrics. Trudee could pick out fabrics that you would never believe would look good together. Like the red fabric below, I never would have picked it but it blends perfectly and this wonderful brown polka dot on it. I also selected a brown fabric with polka dots (gotta love 'em!). The beautiful blue-ish floral fabric on the left will also be used for the backing of my quilt.
Now here's a question for ya. Do you remember the first supplies you purchased as a scrapbooker or stamper..or quilter for that matter? I have SO MANY supplies collected from my 10+ years of paper crafting that I couldn't begin to think what my first supplies were. But I made sure to take a photo of my first quilting supplies and first quilting fabrics. They'll make for a great scrapbook layout, don't you think? Stay tuned and I'll be sure to show you some photos of my first quilt blocks! I'm a quilter...yay!
And how about some quilting cards? I reached for my Lockhart quilt blocks and created two beautiful cards. I paired them up with Papertrey's Quilter's Sampler and Sentiments sets for some great phrases. I forgot to take shots at an angle, but I embossed the quilt blocks and the sentiments with gold embossing powder. Ohhhhh, they're so beautiful and rich looking. Embossing is back, baybee!! Check out the new silver and gold powders over at Papertrey Ink. Nichole says they're her favorites!
I colored my Lockhart quilt blocks with Copic markers. When you emboss images, it's so easy to color with the Sketch markers. The embossing adds a raised edge so it's very easy to stay in the lines. I layered my images with Spellbinder's square and scallop square dies. The patterned paper is from K and Company and reminds me of the colors of my quilt. I added machine stitching to my cards to complete the home spun feel I wanted to create.
The friendship card is going to my quilt teacher, Trudee. I know she'll flip when she sees quilt cards! The birthday card is going to my Aunt Betty. She is a fabulous quilter and I can't wait to pay her a visit so I can marvel at her beautiful quilts.

Sooooo, wish me luck friends. I'm so excited!! P.S.....if there's any quilters out there, please share your great quilting blogs/websites with me. I'd love to start a quilting blog list!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michelle, get ready for a whole new addiction! I decided to try quilting a year ago, and I am now as obsessed with fabric as I am paper! It's a lot of fun. Be sure to post your first blocks made with those pretty fabrics...I'll be watching for them!
Wendy

Jessica Christensen said...

Hey, Mish, I have been following your blog for about 6 or 7 months since my friend sent me your link. I am a long-time scrapbooker, but new to stamping and cards (maybe 9 months for that). I've been quilting for about 18 years, and I have enjoyed reading your posts about how excited you are about quilting. I love your brown and red floral fabric. It's from the Shangri-La fabric line (which I have a whole pile of myself). Anyway, feel free to check out my blog. It's quilting and cardmaking together. I'm at www.thebossyquilter.blogspot.com. Thanks for all the inspiration!

Jessica

Tricia T said...

Mish, I am so excited for you! My dd was laughing at me, cuz I was so thrilled that I was reading your blog and saying out loud- "She's taking a quilt class!!! And she has Gingher scissors!! Oh, she's going to have so much fun!!!!" The funny thing is, she actually knew who I was talking about right away! :) You'll have to try the fabshophop... www.fabshophop.com. You visit a bunch of different quilting stores online looking for a bunny. You can win prizes... in fact, my only pair of Gingher scissors (which I absolutely love and couldn't live without even though they are tiny) I won on a hop. It's fun to see what's out there, too!!
Enjoy your new adventure!!!!

Linda Carson said...

I hope you enjoy quilt making but not as much as card making! My grandfather once told me that the first dream you have sleeping under a brand new quilt will come true! Hope it's a sweet dream for you!

Chrissy said...

Hooray for quilting Mish! I started as a quilter and have recently joined the stamping! :-) I do post both on my blog - my most recent big quilt was this one - http://cmhdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/07/whitneys-garden.html - it is one of my all time favs that I have made.

I love the fabrics you chose! I have some of that brown w/ the big floral ... so beautiful! Moda makes excellent stuff! Good luck with you class! :-)

Anonymous said...

OH WOW!!! Making a quilt!! Just love your fabrics..so gorgeous!! Quilts will go perfectly with your decor of prim and old things you like to find. Can't wait to see what you make!! Here's a blog of a lady that quilts AND likes old things. Hunt on her blog until you find the red/white/blue quilts she and others made for a fallen soldier. The story is awesome. If you have time check out his mother's blog
http://lesliekamm.blogspot.com/ that is a daily journal of his recovery...such amazing people! It gives me goose bumps knowing what this boy, what this family has sacrificed for us Americans. I know I've gotten off track from quilting and card making but others out there reading this--take a few minutes and check out this blog. Take a few minutes to be thankful for your freedom this young man helped secure for you. I don't even know this family but I have followed this story from the very first and it's the first blog I look at every day.

Terri said...

That is really cool that you are taking quilting classes now. You won't need near as many supplies are you do as a card maker but you could get addicted to fabric. I am a quilter as well as a cardmaker. I have been working on a railyard quilt for 8 yrs now. I started out hand piecing it but finally gave up and machine pieced it together instead. I am still hand quilting it though and have made a lot of progress on it this summer. I need to put some pictures of it up on my blog. http://www.terrbear38.blogspot.com/ There are a few other quilted pieces and quilt cards there if you want to take a look. I have been incorporating stamping with my quilting lately too. I look foward to seeing your first blocks. Have fun making them.

Anonymous said...

Mish,
Welcome to the world of quilting!! ...and a brand new addiction, lol!
I am interested in knowing where you are taking classes, we are in the same state, NH.
I just love your blog!!!
Thanks!
Gay Ferland

Anonymous said...

Congrats on being a quilter! Your fabric selection looks yummy, and they have a nice variety of color values. You are going to be very pleased with the outcome. You're a natural! Love the cards too...I just got a couple of the Lockhart quilt block stamps and will enjoy creating with them...thanks for the inspiration. And be sure to keep us posted on your quilting progress. So exciting!!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh Mish!!! So awesome. Those cards are beautiful, those fabrics are beautiful. I can't WAIT to see those quilt blocks. Maybe it will inspire me to pick up my quilt that I started about 15 years ago (*gasp*). And I already asked for that gorgeous stamp set for Christmas so I will get to have fun with that too :) Thanks for all of the inspiration!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Mish, I love the fabrics you picked out! I can't wait to see the finished product!

I actually DO remember the first cardmaking items I purchased. It was a bunny stamp and black ink. I was snowed in at my SIL's (no snow there, but couldn't get home due to a snow/ice storm), so she introduced rubberstamping to me.

Now for the first fabrics....can't remember. I do remember being 8 yrs old and staying with grandma for a week. She taught me to sew and I had a ball!

DeeDee said...

Well Mish, if your new teacher didn't already know how talented you are...she will when you give her this adorable little quilt card!!!! TOO CUTE girlie!!! I can't wait to see your quilt!!! HUGS!!!

Shari said...

I used fabric from that same collection for a quilt class I took last year, it's a beautiful collection! Enjoy your class!

Your cards are absolutely stunning - so beautiful!!

Monique said...

Wow what a very beautiful card!

Sherrie said...

Way to jump into the quilting pool Mish! I love to quilt too...One of my biggest tips...when you are doing your piecing, use fabric glue, that way you won't have your pieces shift on you. This will make lining up your seams a breeze!
Have fun! Make sure you post pics of your progress and finished project!

I now love to stamp on my little pieced squares, such a cool way to make totally unique fabric!

Cynthia Michener said...

Wow.. i have been reading your blog for a long time. I love your cards so much. I am so happy to hear that you start quilting. I have started quilting long time ago and stopped because of scrapbooking and now I go back and forth with quilting and papercrafting. I am looking forward to seeing your first quilting. oh... Take it easy!!

Anonymous said...

Quilting supplies since that isn't as long ago as scrabooking...large self-healing cutting mat, rotary cutter, acrylic cutting ruler, and fabric. Since then I have enough stuff to open a store, including fabrics but that goes the same for my insatiable appetite for stamping and scrapping products! The last quilt I made was a California king for my DS & DIL and that did me in for a while! Enjoy your class, Mish!

terry said...

Michele, I treat my fabrics like my treasures! And I plan my travels around quilt shops! What is the name of the shop where you are taking your class? I will be in Kansas City soon and wouldn't want to miss a great quilt shop!!
thanks,
Terry

Terri said...

Sorry for leaving another comment here but I could not find an email address for you. I wanted to let you know I just posted pictures and details of the quilt I have been working on on my blog if you want to check it out.http://terrbear38.blogspot.com/2008/10/rail-fence-quilt.html

Anonymous said...

good luck! not that you will need it, your attention to and eye for detail will get you through it wonderfully! what fun! the cards are beautiful!
chelle

Molly B said...

I love your fabrics. Quilting was my fist love. Had to give it up when my son needed a nursery. I miss it so much, especially when I see your great fabrics all laid out and ready to go. I cant wait to see your quilt. Enjoy. -Molly B

Anonymous said...

Love the new banner!

I'm sure the quilt will be beautiful ~ you are so talented. Thank you for sharing!

Gail S. said...

I started to quilt about a year and a half ago. A woman who used to own a quilt shop told me she would teach me and she has been wonderrul! I knew nothing and now I have made 10 quilts/table runners. I take my quilt tops to a lady that actually machine quilts the finished top to the back. I haven't tried to hand quilt. I love making cards but I also love sewing quilts.
Your fabric choices are beautiful!!

Sally said...

Good luck, although I don't think you will need it! I'm sure you will be a natural quilter, just as you are a natural card creator. I can't wait to see your first quilt!
Sally

Anonymous said...

Love your fabrics, and great new banner at the top of your blog! Love your halloween decs!

Anonymous said...

Michelle - Good luck in your new quilting endeavor! My mother is a quilter, and I am a paper crafter. I can tell you that two of your new tools - your Omnigrid and your rotary cutter - are fabulous for both hobbies! My mom got me using them to cut paper, and now I can't do without them. I just love your blog... so many fabulous cards and projects!! And I love Halloween just as much as you do! Thanks for sharing your talent with us all!

Susan G said...

Beautiful cards and yummy fabrics. I hope you post a picture of your finished quilt. I started with a sampler. It's a great way to learn a lot of techniques and get a feel for color. You'll be totally addicted. I jokingly (but it's really the truth) say that I've picked the two most expensive hobbies--quilting and stamping. Just wait--soon you'll decide you need a new sewing machine. Been there, done that as they say.

Book Bling said...

Can't wait to see the quilt in production.
Heaven only knows what I bought for my first card endeavor. I think it was stuff to make some collage Valentine cards. Glitter, chipboard, ribbon, etc. It was about 6 months after that I discovered Stampin’ Up and now I mostly stamp my cards, but lately I have started mixing the stamping with collage: fabrics, and other stuff.
I have always wanted to quilt but think I would just become a fabric hoarder and never get around to finishing anything. I am like that with my knitting already 
Mish,
I have a question for you. Could you please e-mail me?

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love the fabrics you chose for your quilt and cannot wait to see the finished product - I'm sure it will be every bit as gorgeous as those fabulous cards you crank out. It will be fun watching the progress of your latest project. Hope you enjoy your classes -- Trudee will go nuts over that adorable card you made for her -- that's one sure way to be teacher's pet!

glitter girl said...

Hey Mish -
Can't wait to read all about your quilting class and see your progress.
I love your new blog header, too. Super cute. I have to try that quickie glue/gitter technique w/ the nesties. You're so clever!
Happy Tuesday.
Kerry

Linda said...

Fabrics are beautiful. Looks like they are Moda's. I'm a fabricaholic as well as a stamper. You enabled me to buy Karen Lockhart's quilt block stamps to make cards for my quilting friends after seeing your cards. I look forward to seeing your each of your quilt blocks as they get completed.

CreativeMish said...

There is nothing better than a homemade quilt. I can hardly wait to see your finished product. I love your card!

Libby said...

Hi Michelle, I love your blog, congrats on starting the quilting. I have some pics of quilts I have made on my blog if you'd like to visit. Quilting is one of my favorite things to do, I just wish I had more time to do it!

I love the snail mail cards and also the quilting cards! You are very talented!!

Jen said...

Just gotta say - your blog is so fun to read!!!! =)

Wow - don't you just LOVE new craft supplies?!? Your new pile of quilting stuff looks wonderful - and the fabrics you chose for your first quilt are beautiful!!! I'm so jealous - I think I'll see if there are any classes going on at out quilt shop! =))

Please please keep us posted with the progress of your quilt!! I can't wait to see it!!

<3

Jen said...

Oh and P.S. - the quilt themed cards are FABULOUS!!! =)) I love them!!!!

<3

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Congrats on stepping into the world of quilting. Another obsession/addiction. My first love is quilting. Although you don't get the instant gratification that card making gives, you know the end product will last for years and give comfort and warmth to the user.

Debbie said...

Mish...
I'm so excited to see that you started quilting the same year I did. (2008)
I didn't get to take lessons (I need them) but I read a ton of books before I even started.
Check out my blog and see my first quilt.(Pictured at the very bottom of my blog.) It's a little bigger than a twin bed. You'd think I'd remember the measurements since I measured it a million times.
I just recently did a little sewing for my new craft house. Check it out if you have time. I didn't sew the curtains though, I was in a hurry to get the room sorta organized.

Your work is beautiful! I love your stamping and your quilting.

Your blog is a lot of fun!

take care,
Debbie

www.bzstampr.blogspot.com

nancy said...

Michelle, I'm hoping that you get a notification of comments since this is to an older posting of yours. I came across this quilting blog today (http://www.psiquilt.com/) and thought of you. (I had just recently read your post on your first quilting class.) There's a list of other quilting blogs on that site that you could explore.

I had bookmarked a number of sites that had monthly blocks to share, but lost them when my computer was killed off by a virus. Since I only quilt sporadically, I haven't searched for those sites again, but they are out there.

I am working on a sampler with fabric from my daughter's baby bedding, saved from when she graduated into a big girl bed. Brianna is turning 21 this year, so the quilt has been a while in the making. As I said, I'm a sporadic quilter, so the quilt will probably be finished for her first baby. Brianna asked me to give it to her as a college graduation present. She's realistic when it comes to her mom. Maybe if I focus, I can finish it in the next year and a half. Hmmm, maybe 'focus' should be my word of the year?

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