Show links:

Check out the new podcastThe Quilting Pot

Leah Day’s commentary on dropping your feed dogs

Leah Day’s demo of how to modify a plastic closed-toe darning foot:

Click here to play the podcast!

Me! In 2 hours, 57 minutes and 32 seconds. This is a major milestone in my goal to complete a full marathon before turning 40. I am so stoked! Er, and a little sore.

I would post a pic for you but I don’t have one yet, and there are probably copyright issues with the pro photos that were taken.  Besides I look craz-i-fied when I am running. You understand, right?

What are your goals for 2011?  Here are a handful of mine:

1. Complete the hand-pieced quilt that I designed (top is done!  woot!)
2. Complete charity quilt that I designed (and give away a kit to a listener so they can make their own)
3. Create a free tutorial/pattern from #2 and post it
4. Sandwich and quilt the Sunburst quilt.  Maybe I’ll have it done for the guild show.
5. Sandwich and quilt the Husband’s quilt made from art drawn by The Boy and The Girl.  If you want to make your own artwork quilt, I’ve posted instructions.
6. Piece and complete another quilt of my own design.  This doesn’t have to be hand-pieced but it would be cool if it was.
7. 14 podcasts.  I can’t seem to do much better than that!  Last year the goal was 18 and I think I hit 15.
8. Host another challenge.  I’m thinking it might relate to finishes, but with a twist.

Check out Material Obsession 2 and Fabric Trends!

Have a listen!

PS – I was not compensated in any form for my comments about either MO2 or FT.

Hmm.  Interesting.

Ok, there is just no way that I can avoid making goals for myself.  That’s just me.  And you know what?  If I don’t know what I’m  aiming at I definitely won’t hit it.  So I won’t be skipping the goals for the year (notice I didn’t call them resolutions, because it is not really resolved.  Ha ha.)  But I thought I should think of a word for the year.

The word is so unbelievably obvious.

So that is what I’m going to work on this year.  Doing.  Sometimes I just can’t get myself in gear.  But not this year!  This year I’m gonna do.

What word would you pick for your year?

Have a listen!

We’re closing in on the end of May Mayhem!  Keep up the great work, everyone!  I’m so blessed to have dedicated quilters virtually beside me during this challenge.

Check out the Virginia Quilt Museum – I get to visit it this summer!

Have a listen to the show.  Thanks for visiting

Have a listen!

Thank you to the many listeners leaving comments!  The Husband especially likes your feedback

In March I had the opportunity to see Patricia Knoechel of Quilt-in-a-day fame speak and give sewing demonstrations.  It was well worth the $3.00 entrance fee and the 1/2 day of vacation!  She was promoting her sister Eleanor’s book, ‘Quilt Blocks on American Barns’. I bought a few things and had a great time.  I am glad I took the time to go.

Hurray!  I finished The Boy’s quilt.  Sorry, we are having technical difficulties with the camera so no photos yet but I wanted to share the awesomest finish on the binding I have seen: the ladder stitch!  I heard someone mention it on a podcast – I am thinking Annie Smith but honestly it was months and months ago so I am not sure who it was.  So I googled it to find a tutorial.  I found this super-clear and easy to follow tutorial at Turning Turning.  Check it out. 

Head on over to Big Tent to join the Pioneer Quilter group!  You will need to join the main Quiltcast Supergroup before you can join Pioneer Quilter.  Signing up will get you entered in a drawing to win a year of Quilter’s Newsletter!  You can also enter by leaving a comment here and by leaving feedback on iTunes (and then notifying me of your feedback here.)

Have a listen!

• The Modern Quilt Guild.  I’ve seen it mentioned on Sew Mama Sew several times and meant to bring it up.  Alert listener Carlyn reminded me about it.  Are there any Modern Quilt Guild members listening?  Send me an email or leave a comment if you are a member.  I’d love to hear what it is like.
• The Ladies’ Art Company Block Tool by Connie Chunn.   What an awesome reference!  It has a great variety of blocks and gives cutting sizes for up to 5 different block sizes. 
• The Quilter’s Newsletter had two patterns that I loved this month.

Have a listen!

Keepsake Quilting – I am still in love with that Halloween block of the month.

AQS – a contest!  Just fill in the form here.

The Alliance for American Quilts is holding a quilt contest.  Entries aren’t returned, but it is for a good cause and your work will be documented in the Quilt Index!

My sister Karri is participating in the three day Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure event in Cleveland this year.  If you can provide her some support it would be greatly appreciated!  Also she is hosting a children’s clothing swap & shop March 6th in Rootstown, Ohio.