Boulder County Flood Quilt to be Diplayed at County Courthouse

            This quilt is a very special one indeed.  It a collaborative effort by many people to remember the flood that devastated Boulder and surrounding mountain communities last year.  As I told the Longmont  Times Call photographer that came to visit my studio:  Everyone has their own flood story, this quilt helps to tell some of those stories.  In the weeks following the flood, the people of our community really came together to help one another.  Much like how this quilt was created.
     A call for blocks was put out earlier in the year.  Sadly, I missed the deadline.  Just two days after the deadline though, I received an email wondering if I might be interested in quilting this magnificent piece.  I leaped at the opportunity!  I so wanted to be a part of the project and am so happy they choose me.  I tried to enhance and honor the blocks without adding to much.  The sashing and borders however were my playground.  In the sashing, I quilted jumbles of pebbles and flowing rivers everywhere.  In the darker brown borders, I did some flowing blue columbines.  It is now off in the hands of the volunteer that will bind it.
     Once finished, this quilt be on display at the Boulder County Courthouse for all to view.  I think the installation is to be a permanent one as well.  The plan is to hang it in time for the 1st anniversary on September 11th.          

Boulder County Flood Quilt

Moments at Mountainjoy

 It has been a busy month.  The weather has been unusually wet and raining causing the rivers to flow and the flowers to grow.  The moose have been visiting on their annual tour.  The two picture here are bull moose, one we nicknamed Mickey because his growing rack looked just like Mickey Mouse ears one day.  Therefore, "Mickey the Moose" he became. 

 

We have had tragedy in the community.  Too many recent deaths, but truly saddest was the loss of young Sophia Dubose.  She was taken by the raging river in Boulder Canyon one day.  The community had a benefit for her family and the tree quilt was my contribution to the silent auction.  I found out later that friends of mine who were very dear to Sophia as well purchased this quilt. It all makes me very happy when my quilts go to great people.

Speaking of happy, I was delighted with the way the Mariner's Compass came out.  I put a lot of planning into the quilt designs and it really paid off.  If this quilt gets to grace the walls somewhere in the Supreme Court as planned, I will definitely let you all know.

I have been doing a lot of spinning lately.  It is hobby I pick up on annually, but the bug really got me this year.  It's all I want to do.  I make deals with myself - so much quilting then so much spinning.  I am also quite pleased with my new position as Fiber Director at Mountain Flower Goat Dairy.  Along with all my other day jobs, I get to turn kids on to fiber at a 3 day camp this summer!

Quilted Wallhangings and Wildlife

 I have been long-arming so many quilts and having escapades and computer/social adventures, that I have neglected this blog site  sorely.  My apologies.
I will try to earn your love again by sharing all that I can. 

Macaw for Client

I have been growing in so many directions lately:  personally, creatively, and educationally.  I have been quilting for clients and sometimes finding the time to quilt from my creative streak.  The Macaw is a wonderful example of what long arm quilting can do to lend form to a piece.  It was a very abstract top when my client gave it to me.  I studied photos of Macaws (via Pinterest and Google) for several days.  I have been discovering that taking the extra planning time really does make a better quilt.  I have even taken to marking quilt tops!

Quilts for Paws Project:  Merlin

  The Quilts for Paws project is a slow success.  I have not had an outrageous demand, but I have managed to get Shadow his surgery.  He is the happiest he has ever been in life.  It is quite nice to see.  I will continue this project as I do believe it is a good cause.  I did not begin is it just to help my animal and I would still like to help other animals get the veterinary care they need.
  Spring has finally come the Rockies.  We have had lots of rain so everything is really green and gorgeous.  This particular moose has been roaming the neighborhood.  We named him Mickey because his antlers kind of look like Mickey Mouse ears in the this photo. 

Mickey the Moose

Some of my focus lately has been developing my other social media sites.  It has become quite a long list actually.  Let's see, www.mountainjoyquiltndye.Etsy.com and this blog were my first social sites.  Now, I have added:  www.mountainjoyquilts.com, www.facebook.com/mountainjoyquilts,
I am so addicted to my Pinterest for great inspirations and a place to share my work,
a not so active linked in profile,
and personal FB   --Whehh! It takes 2 cups of coffee in the mornings just to check them all for comments.  I love getting comments! 
I promise to write and share more often again!  Keep quilting and creating!

New Year, New Makings

Getting through the holidays was a little tough this year.  My December was looking quite open when a friend of mine had a bad fall due to vertigo and broke her arm.  I was happy I had so much free time, because my friend had many projects going on.  I was able to help her finish a few of them.  I helped my friend create a true St. Nicholas costume in red velvety stuff that was so heavy, I couldn't imagine how her husband was going to preach in the 2 capes, stole, and miter.  He looked fabulous!

This quilt top was about halfway through being pieced when I jumped in.  I finished piecing the top, and then pieced a very intricate back.  Not sure why, that's just what happens over coffee designing sometimes.  I quilted it and even bound it for my friend.  She thought she could manage that, but I knew it would be an odd angle to hold her arm at, so I just did it.  The recipient was quite pleased of course.
It was so great to be focused on other people and helping during the holidays.  The true gift is in the giving.  

Joys and Trials of Social Media

Hi Everybody! 
I have been having difficulty gaining access to this blog account when I have felt the urge to write lately.  I made it through today though!  It has been a busy fall here in Colorado.  The flood was not a good time for anyone I know.  There has been a lot of clean up and things are getting back to normal.  That's the great thing about us resourceful mountain folk.

 If you look back through my posts, you might find the Empress Ohashi quilt that I did for a client last winter.  She was being stored in a closet waiting to see if she was going to MQX West when disaster struck.  I found out the closet was leaking with all the rain and the original red interlocking design in these center corners was bleeding into the beige!!!!!  After many deep breaths, I realized that I made the quilt, I could fix the quilt.  I ripped out the offending, bleeding red fabrics and came up with this new design to cover all the damaged areas.  It was a good deal of work getting her ready and off to the show.  It is so much fun to have a quilt in a show that your parents went to see!

                                                                                  

Empress Ohashi's new corner treatment

Now that the Thanksgiving feasting is done (I will never be finished being thankful), I can focus on getting through the next holiday.  I have the Quilts for Paws program, several quilts and my wonderful truffles up for sale at www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com.  Time to think of gifts of folks that I love.  I will share all the photos of the Christmas gift quilts, both clients and personal, after the holidays.  I hate ruining surprises. 
Until next time, keep quilting and creating!

Claws for Paws * A Fundraising Project

I have had a busy summer with some travels, some floods, and some quilts of course.  I have begun a new project.  It is called Claws for Paws.  This project will help animals everywhere, starting with my little Shadow and then continuing with funding animal care on a local and national levels.
This began because of my cat, Shadow's need for a non-life threatening operation.  We already got him through the life threatening stage, but now he is in pain sometimes.  The operation will make it so he is pain free and back to his normal litter-box using self.  He is quite happy and social since his near death experience.  My vet is willing to perform a multi-thousand dollar operation for cost.  He does this because he loves animals and understands that sometimes animal owners are down on their luck, but never their love.  I am not the only one in this boat.  Therefore, I came up with this idea.
The quilted pet portraits are as unique as your own animals.  You see, I begin with an actual photograph of your pet.  The photo is transferred to fabric and then given borders to make it look like a framed portrait.  Then, quilting/thread-play adds all the dimension, life, and character of your best friend. I can do single animals, best buddies, or whole herds.  The animals don't have to be furry to friendly in my program either.  I will do cats, dogs, iguanas, llamas, fish, you get the idea. 
At first, 100% of the funding will go to Shadow's surgery.  Eleven quilt orders will get Shadow his operation.  Once Shadow has his surgery, 50% of the profits will continue to go to animal care funding.  It will be split up with my local Veterinarian getting 25% and the remaining 25% will be donated to other foundations such as PetAid Colorado or the Humane Society. 
This 13" x 15" quilted portrait costs $75.00.  You can email me at rebeccah@mountainjoyquilts.com or visit my shop at www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com to order your portrait.
 I will be keeping track of funds donated and names of ours friendly supporters on my website page dedicated to the Quilts for Paws project on my website www.mountainjoyquilts.com.  I know we can help animals get the care they need.  Please help me spread the word and thank you for your support.

June Already?

Please Note:  I have not done any linking within my text in quite a while.  As I preview this, I notice links come up everywhere in my post, including old text.  My computer has been embedded with "trusted offer surveys" left and right.  My apologies for this and I suggest not clicking on any of the links.
So, about my life:
I have been addicted to Facebook and Pinterest recently.  Fun stuff.  I have also been doing a lot of work both in the home studio and at Long's Gardens.  My dogs are happy that I get to be home more now that Open Season at the Gardens is over.
I have been playing with Zentangles for a few months now and have started creating pieces like the one pictured here.  My new style of quilts are done on silk with very fine threads and a lot of doodling.  Ohhhhhhhhhh, I really like where I'm going with this. I can't wait to do more.
I have also been attending some local quilt guilds and meeting new people with the same passions about quilting.
My mother in law has been hankering for pictures of her grand-dogs.  So, here are a few.  Gwynnie loves sitting on this windowsill.  I have tried to break her of the habit, but to no success.  She has the best, most comfy view in the house.  She and I have been putting oil of coconut in our hair every few weeks.  She tries to eat it before I can get it on her.  It is quite entertaining.  She also loves taking naps with her best buddies Bogie (dog) and Loki (cat known as Big Dog).

February Always Flies By

Sid and Gwyn enjoying some long awaited snow

 It has been quite an eventful month for me.  I have been working away on several quilts for Kerry of Commaworkshop.  I also attended three quilt events/guilds which were all very fun.  I have been working on a quilt for my aunt for 2 years now.  It is all hand applique block-of-the-month and named Empress Ohashi.  It is the type of project that I enjoy doing on cold, snowy days when I don't want to move more than three feet from the wood stove. 

Gwyn helping arrange Empress Ohashi

I just finished all the applique and pieced together as a quilt top the other day.  As you can see in the photo, my master of balance was helping me arrangement.  It is too funny how she sits in chairs like humans or the cats.  Now, I have to quilt it. 
I am, of course, nervous about this last step.  It is such a gorgeous quilt top.  So, yesterday, I had a play day.  I loaded the machine with pretty tie-dyed fabric and just played.  I think I learn more on a play afternoon than I do in months.  It is truly important to take the time to play/practice. 
I also just started taking a Zentangle drawing course.  I think it will really improve my skills as an artist.  I have never been good on paper, just give me fabric or frosting!  So, I thought it was time to learn.  The Zentangles are great and the style really translates into quilting quite nicely.  It is fun, relaxing, and educationally skill-building all at the same time. 

Bogie under pile of blankets

It is dumping snow on us today (finally!).  So nice and pretty looking out.  Starting to wonder if we should move the car to the bottom of the driveway.  It's about time.  We were really overdue and fire season just stinks of fear and anxiety around here in drought years.  Thank you for the snow!
Well, I am going to try to clean my house up today. I've been ignoring it for the sake of work lately, but let's face it, I'd rather be quilting any day of the week versus cleaning.  Glad my hubby keeps on top of things and I just go for the deep clean every few weeks.
Keep Creating and Quilting!

The Steam Trunk Dresden

This is the Steam Trunk Dresden quilt.  I was recently given pieces of this quilt found by my client in her grandmother's steam trunk.  The blocks were already sewn into 4 rows and my challenge was to create a finished quilt that looked like it had been done in the 1930's.  This was my own personal challenge as the client admitted knowing nothing about quilts.  I felt a desire to be as true to the original quilter's vision as I could imagine.
I pieced the top only adding two small strips of muslin to make complete rows and not have to chop into two of the rows background.  I must mention here how the quilt was hand appliqued onto old sugar bags.  You can still see "C & H Sugar" print among others on the bags as well as the curved needle holes evident of the original bag structure.  For the quilt designs, I went old school.  I did free motion tear drops in each of the petals, did a feathered wreath in the center, and echoed the flower/plate itself.  To fill in the background, I choose and adapted a design from Quilting Designs from the Past, by Jenny Carr Kinney.  I found the most wonderful design and enlarged it and added a few scrolls.  After tracing this design with my laser from the back of the machine, I jumped to the front to fill in.  There were several open spaces that needed a flower or scroll added in order to achieve interwoven flow.  Quilting it like this left me with approximately 1800 threads to tuck when I was done.  It took me five hours to tuck those threads, but it was well worth it  for the incredible antique look I managed.
The best part is that the client loved it and can't wait to surprise her father with it when he visits this summer.  That is the most wonderful thing about quilts - their stories.  I'm sure this man can remember seeing his mother work on this quilt.  Now, he gets to hold his mother's work finished in his hands.  The grandchildren and future generations can feel the soul of their maternal creator in their hands.  To be able to help make this happen for people is what makes quilting so special for me. 
Keep quilting and Creating!

Christmas, Quilts, and Dogs

 A very Merry Christmas and tidings of a Happy New Year to all!
I just finished this quilt recently.  It is McKenna Ryan's At Home in the Woods pattern.  I worked on it for a client for 2 years, slowly doing the cutting of the pieces next to the fire when it is really cold up here.  The quilt came out quite nice but I have decided that I do not love the look of fusible applique.  It is just raw and unpolished for my taste.  The pattern was beautiful though and there was no way to create it using any other technique.  The fine details in the flowers, bumble-bees and hummingbirds could not have been achieved without using the fusible technique.  All in all, I am very happy and proud to have finished this quilt. 
The photo of the dogs is basically for my husband's mom.  She loves to see how her grand-dogs are doing.  This is Bo and Gwyn (who is growing up) sleeping on their favorite blanket (which has proceeded to the next life already) and the fireplace glove that Gwyn likes to have close by.  I love that they keep me company in the studio, yet lately I've been trying to explain to them that if they interrupt my too much - no Kibbles next month.    Also, they lack the knowledge (or faith) that I will be right back, they don't need to follow me everywhere.  Ah, it is good to be loved though.
Peace, Blessings, Love, and Hope to you all!

Quilted Christmas or Santa on the Blinds?

Christmas is coming and quilting is where it's at.  It is so nice to be home quilting away.  We have amazingly nice weather and I have been quite the busy quilting B.  I just fell in love with this fabric panel when I raided my Aunt's stash over the summer.  There were 2 panels and I made this quilt up to be on sale over the holidays on my Etsy site.  I will be using the other panel to create a gift quilt for my Aunt (probably for next year). 
When I get a really nice panel like this, my favorite thing to do is "faux-punto!"  That is what I call it when I slip extra batting layers into certain areas (such as under Santa and the animals) to give them a more puffed look.  I think it adds a little more life, character and dimension to a simple top.
Here is a photo of half of the family keeping me company while I work.  You would not believe how many photos of the dog-pile I am beginning to get.
Sid is just pretending to sleep in this one, but often times they are all sacked out and snoring in my studio. 

Beautiful Quilts, Beautiful Week

Nana's Hannah

 This is Nana's Hannah.  I quilted it quite heavily with all sorts of free motion designs.  I actually photographed them all and will be compiling them on my website at some point in the future.  I was really happy with how this quilt came out.  It was hand pieced by my  paternal grandmother and I got to quilt it.  How fun to be able to pass along such a treasure carrying the generations of a family working together.
I was also able to finally finish a quilted wall piece that has been around a while.  It was an inspired day when my husband handed me this piece of hand-dyed fabric.  I just saw the landscape.  Moonlit Mystery is the first in what I hope to be a long series of landscape quilts.  I find them so peaceful, tranquil and inspiring both to create and to gaze at almost in meditation.  I am not he only one who loves this quilt.  It was unfinished but on display at my open studio tour.  I had several offers for if I finished it.  It was on hold while I did all the other quilts recently and then I had a day to finish.  It was easy to decide who to call first with an offer.  I was struck by the last woman to visit my studio that weekend.  She had obviously been having some health issues and just wanted something new (she also wrote down that she wanted it with her phone number on my mailing list).
Years ago, I was told by an amazing woman that I should/needed to be making healing quilts.  It has been tickling my brain as to what these quilts would look like, not just the healing intentions sewn with the threads that hold the quilts together.  Maybe I have found them in the landscape quilts.  Healing is an ever going, ever changing process.   My one wish today is that all people have the strength, courage, and support to heal themselves and this beautiful earth we all call home.

Our Foxy visitor this week

6 Quilts in a Week

The sun rises on this beautiful day which is surprisingly still very fall-like.  I've been expecting snow for a while, not to worry though, it will catch up and I will be whining in January.  It is fun though to watch the snow blow around outside.  I have a lot of windows and the wind is fierce up here, often times I can look out and feel like I in a snowglobe.  Wow, it sounds like I miss winter, that's weird.  I have been working too hard.

Block from the Reversing Climate Change Quilt

Block from the Stopping Domestic Violence Quilt

I got 6 quilts done last week.  The first was the little dog quilt I blogged about last Sunday.  Then, I got a rush order to do 3 quilts dealing with big issues.  The blocks were created by a group of Methodist women and they were large banner type quilts each 55" wide.  The quilt that dealt with Immigration Reform was 120" long, Reversing Climate Change was 99", and Stopping Domestic Violence was 88".  There is fourth in the series, but lucky for me it still needed borders put on and was not dropped off with the others.  My client told me not to take the time with custom quilting.  I was too honored to be a part of these visual portrayals that I had to give my piece.  They were simply quilted, but I did more than just straight-ish lines that we discussed.  They looked great and I am happy.  That's part of being a quilt whisperer, always do justice to the quilt regardless of price and time.
 The next 2 quilts I did were for another client who does white quilts with poems and such written into them.  Some have great stories with them and this weeks were wonderful.  I do not share these stories here, as she has her own quilt business and I hate being the one spoils any surprises.  You can visit her website, www.commaworkshop.com if you are interested in these quilts.   
Today, I am going to load and begin the next one for my grandmother.  It is either a Dear Jane or Hannah, I've been referring to it at as Nana's Hannah cause it's fun to say.  She hand pieced this quilt and it is gorgeous!   Once again, I find myself nervous in beginning.  It is hard being a realist perfectionist (you know, wanting and striving for perfection yet truly knowing it is unattainable). 

Threadplay Breathes Life into Quilts

A dog named Bailey gets new life.

I was given this cute dog quilt to do something with.  It was already quilted with the binding firmly attached when I got this quilt.  The quilting was done well.  It was invisible thread holding down the edges of the applique pieces.  My client's desire was to have it look less flat.  It was a wonderful little quilt already (and this client happens to be my grandmother's), so I began with a little trepidation honestly.
It was such fun though and I quickly learned all the stitching looked great.  I kept changing thread colors and designs depending on where I was in the piece.  When I was finished, this dog had so much more character than before.  The texture of the hair was what was really missing on those fabrics.  The back of the quilt looks really cool now too!  I hope Nana loves it.

Here is a little food bit for you all.  Now that I am home again for the winter, there will probably be more postings of recipes.  This is just an idea that I know I can not have been the first to come up with.  So, I made a box of mac & cheese the other day and then while reaching for the parmesan cheese, I spied the leftover bacon.  Oh, what a delight!  I am so glad I sprinkled the cheese and the bacon crumbles onto the macaroni!  Delicious but Dangerous is the board I am creating on Pinterest for all these recipes.
I am blessed with work and would love to be doing the next quilt (I have 7 to do this week).  Sadly though, I woke up though with a seriously swollen thumb. (arthritis?)  Hopefully it will go away soon and I can get back to playing on my long arm.
 I wish you all a beautiful fall filled with inspirations!

The Moose of Mountainjoy

We have had many visiting  friends lately.  They have enjoyed getting to see some of our more regular visitors.  The moose are very comfortable here and they love to eat my aspens.  This mother and child pair have been sleeping here quite often of late.  So has another rather large and beautiful boy.  I enjoy their company and see that the dogs leave them alone.  I just wish they would eat more thistle and less fireweed or aspen.  I had no fireweed this year to make mead from.  And that is a bummer, but I am not about to start fighting with moose and am very happy that they like it here.
I've had friends with us most of the week and more are coming up today.  I got 2 quilts done, but they are for Commaworkshop and are mostly white writing on white fabric - something a photo does not capture.  I have yet to create the memory quilts webpage, we'll see how much I can get done today.  Only one more week at my farm job though so winter is coming and my computer time of the year begins.   I did re-open my Etsy site though, yeah!!!!
Keep on quilting and creating!

Fabric of Our Lives

The aspen leaves at this time of year are simply wonderful.  I haven't had time to take photos with anything other than "retina-chrome" this year and they are starting to fade.  It is pretty much the same every year, breath-taking gold and green that can be replicated.
The pups are sacked out right now and I just finished the 26th quilt for one of my clients.  She has been keeping me pretty busy this year and I'm always looking for more quilt clients.  I truly love being a part of these stories that get past on.
When I work on quilts for other people, I learn about them throughout the process.  I am touched by their lives and stories.  I have been doing a lot of memory quilts this past year.  They all have their own unique stories to share.  I have decided that one of my next "to do" projects is to put together a page on my website that features all these wonderful quilts and the stories as I have learned them, through the fabric of lives both past and present.  I promise to get it done in the next week, I have to take some pictures of my private collection first.  The family tree is hung high up on a wall and will require some effort.
I have been feeling a bit lazy this weekend and have decided to take it easy as I have been so busy.  Therefore, this weekend I only did 1 queen size quilt and began a sweater for my husband.  Fall and winter always make me want to knit.  This year, I am going to remake his favorite sweater.  It is so much fun to pick out yarns for a new project.  So full of hope and swing as I start the first few inches.  I am still in the "joy of new project" stage.  A few more inches in and I'll be wondering why I'm not done yet.  It is not a short attention span, it is wondering why it takes so long.  Does anyone else experience this?

It took quite a while for me to get these personal quilts done, but perseverance pays off.  I love my bedroom now.  Here is a photo of the quilt made from our wedding Huppah and the signature quilt of wedding guests on the wall.  The quilt has my favorite design, The Seed of Life.  I went very simple with my quilt, it does not have any bias tape on it.  I usually make the seed look stained glass with black bias tape and then I have been known to lay down miles of colored bias tapes in Celtic knot work around the borders.  (Visit my website gallery to view several versions of this great design, www.mountainjoyquilts.com). 
I had a very busy weekend with the 1st Annual Gilpin County Artist Open Studio Tour.  I had over 30 people come visit my studio which is really good considering how far from the beaten track I live.  Everyone was just delightful.  They loved my work, my long arm, and my funky mountain home.  It was a great experience for me and I loved meeting all the new people. 
Looks like rain today or possibly our first snow?  I must get to work now, I have a queen size quilt to do today.  I hope everyone has a fabulous week!  Keep on creating!

Open Studio

Here is my gorgeous, sunlit studio going back together again.  I am so happy when I walk into my studio now, it is like walking into dripping golden honey without getting sticky.  My husband did such a good job and learned enough about laying flooring to do the back half of the house sometime.  A friend gave us some great oak flooring that was reclaimed from either a church or school in Kansas.  That is a project for another time though.
I am readying the studio for the 1st Annual Gilpin County Artist Open Studio Tour which is this next weekend.  I am very excited about opening my studio and sharing my love of quilting with anyone who wants to take a drive into the mountains to catch the aspens changing and some great artwork.  There are 17 people on the tour and I am quite honored to have been invited to participate.
If you live locally and would like a map, contact me for one.  I will gladly respond to all serious inquiries.
I have never looked forward to winter before like I am this year.  We have lots of firewood and I have a good deal of quilt work to get me through.  Not to mention, I get to work in the space above with the wood-stove blazing and the snow falling outside.  The dogs and I will have a lot of fun snow-shoeing too!

Logging Off for a Week

Hey Everybody,
The studio is almost all cleared out and the wedding cakes are ready to deliver!  The carpet is supposed to get ripped up today but I said I needed a little computer time first.  I have to notify my few but faithful followers and get a few autobiographies supplied to Gilpin County Art Studio Tour group.
So, here you go, I am will be logging out and taking my computer apart in a few hours.  My phone still works though if anyone needs to contact me.  Look forward to photos of my new studio in a week or so.
Keep creating and have fun!

Dog Tired

Here are my babies taking a well-deserved break.  This last week was quite long, hard, and surreal. 
We had two friends that left Colorado and a lot of stuff in our basement.  There was a lot of comings, goings, and sorting happening.  We ended the week doing a catered dinner for 16 for friends of ours.  The photo was taken right after delivering the meal.  It was also our 5th anniversary of actual marriage.
We had the most wonderful night of doing absolutely nothing!  We were told to go out but after such a week as we had, it was so nice to just be home with only my husband and animals.  We had delicious New York Strip steaks and honey gold potatoes fried with some garlic.  Simple and perfect!
Today, we pull everything out of the studio so we can remove the carpet and expose the beautiful hard wood underneath.  It will be so much nicer to sew and dance on now!  Maybe we will feel like going out tonight for our anniversary dinner after a lot more hard work.