The Little Things that Inspire

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Lori Kennedy

Good Morning, Quilters!

As you may have guessed, I’ve been away from sewing studio for several days. For more than 15 years, my Mom, sisters and several friends have met near Galena, Illinois for an annual quilt retreat. It’s a six-hour drive for me which I usually stretch to 7 or 8 hours. I stop frequently–for antique shops, quilt stores and to photograph any pretty view…I just LOVE the drive through the cornfields of the Midwest during harvest season!

By the time I arrive at the retreat, I’m already inspired by the colors and shapes of the countryside, but that’s only the beginning!

In addition to seeing old friends and their amazing quilting projects–more photos to come–

I’m inspired by the little things— like the traditional jigsaw puzzle…

and seeing the way others work…

The clever way quilters organize…

And that anyone can paper piece so small….

And of course, we all love the pretty notions…

I was so inspired..I finally added the border to my Boxes and Vines quilt top–(I hate sewing borders!)

More quilt retreat photos to come…

What about YOU? Do YOU go to any quilt retreats?

What do YOU learn from your quilting jaunts?

What little thing has inspired YOU lately?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Signed,

Idea-Rich-&-Ready-to-Share-Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Quick and Easy Grid Variations-FMQ Tutorial

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Lori Kennedy

Good Morning, Quilters!

Did YOU think of a few potential personal symbols after our blog hop yesterday? Don’t forget to comment on yesterday’s post to enter to win a copy of Deborah Boschert’s new book, Art Quilt Collage. Also, be sure to hop on over to the other blogs–it’s a great way to travel around the quilt “blogosphere” and earn more chances to win!

EASY GRID PLAY

Today’s tutorial is a combination of several tutorials. By combining the X Marks the Spot grid motif with another motif, you can create a wide variety of easy quilting for any block or quilt size.

In X Marks the Spot Tutorial, we drew a one inch grid…

Then we filled in ever one inch block with an X – by stitching triangles into the center of each square.

In this motif, the X is larger–2″ by 2″.

This allows extra room to add another motif.

First stitch all of the Xs on the grid…(not shown here).

Once that is complete, go back and add another motif t0 every other row.

Motifs like The Snowflake

The Spooky Spider

or The Daisy Chain…work well.

A Spiral would also work well….

This would fill any quilt very quickly and it’s WAY EASIER than it looks! (We all love that!)

Give this motif a try on your next quilt–and as always,

DOODLE FIRST!

Lori-wants-to-doodle-all-day,

Fare-the-well, Fare-the-well,

Giveaway! Art Quilt Collage–Meet Deborah Boschert

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Lori Kennedy

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Good Morning, Quilters!

We are on a blog hop today! For those of you unfamiliar with the term—a blog hop is like a ten-day progressive party. Every day for ten days, we are invited to stop by a new friend’s house (or blog) for some refreshments, a little conversation, a few party games and in this case a GIVEAWAY!

Often a blog hop, like a progressive party, is a way to celebrate something. In this case, we are celebrating Quilt-Artist-Extraordinaire, Deborah Boschert’s new book, Art Quilt Collage.

A REFERENCE BOOK OF TECHNIQUES

I am really excited to share this book with you because it contains so many fresh ideas about quilting. It is a technique book, chock full of inspiration.

Now don’t get excited over the word “Art Quilt”–I know it intimidates many…This book is packed with ideas on how to add interest to any quilt, whether it is a small collage for framing or a king size quilt for your bed.

ART QUILT COLLAGE BOOK CHAT

I had an opportunity to chat with Deborah about her book last week…

After some initial silliness, I threw down a challenge…

Deborah offers a clear path of how to transform an inspiration (like a photo or a word) into a quilt. There are machine quilting and hand embroidery tips, design and composition suggestions,(including a design checklist), and a very interesting chapter on personal symbols.

I was really intrigued by the chapter on Finishing which include several options for edge treatments as well as a variety of ways to mount or hang a quilt. (I’m thinking some of my “Vase Quilts” might become mounted or framed “Art work”!)

SEVERAL CHANCES TO WIN!

Enter to win a copy of Deborah’s book here at The Inbox Jaunt simply by leaving a comment on today’s post. Tell us what your personal symbol might be…

I think mine would be a flower, or a coffee mug, or a sewing needle, or a spool of thread, or a pair of glasses, or a silhouette of my six children, or…..Hmmmm….I think I have an…

Inspiration for an Art Quilt Collage!!!

Happy Stitching,

Lori

PS…If your are new to The Inbox Jaunt, be sure to check out our Tuesday Tutorials–the most popular posts every week!