The World Surrounding Me

About 2 weeks ago, I picked up a project that has long lay dormant: a 12-block applique project designed by Alice Wilhoit called “Remember When.” My version is still in pieces, so here’s a picture of the original quilt: I saw this quilt on display at Alice’s booth during the one-and-only time I’ve managed to get [...]

My mom (aka my very own professional longarm quilter) sent me pictures today of the latest things she quilted: 4 of my Hawaiian applique blocks (to be made into pillows). One of those pillows comes with a story, which I wanted to share here. In 2006, in conjunction with visiting my parents in Ireland (since [...]

  Day 11: Something Blue     A Hawaiian-applique inspired button, purchased at Quilt Passions in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is sitting on some fabric purchased (from the clearance area!) at Fourth & Main Quilt Shop in Cannon Falls, MN. (I took this photo yesterday, but forgot to post it. So, there [...]

I’ve been working through my massive to-do list around the house. It had everything on it from “change light bulb in bedroom ceiling fan” to “landscape the backyard.” After reaching the milestone of having more work done than left to do (grand total will be about 135 hours of work), I’m taking a few days [...]

Last spring, during the abundantly rich wildflower season here in Central Texas, the red indian paintbrush flowers were particularly beautiful. Their simple shape also seems particularly appropriate for Hawaiian-style appliqué. I’ve been planning my next applique project, and I think I want to feature this flower in another Texas-meets-Hawaii theme. I am going to use blue & [...]

I have finished two quilt blocks within the past few days. They both have a lot in common, but are also very different! Block #1: “Maile” Purchased pattern. Folded in eighths and cut out quickly (like a snowflake) the morning we were leaving for Kauai. Smooth, flowing shapes with some not-so-sharp outside points, but no [...]

I woke up at 6am Austin time, which sadly, is 1am Hawaii time. Any idea I had of *not* napping on the flights today has completely vanished. Oh well, this should mean I’ll be up to see sunrise tomorrow morning from Poipu Beach! I’ve used the time so far this morning, trying to be quiet [...]

Here’s yet another completed appliqué block waiting to be made into something! This one is loosely inspired by the Bird of Paradise flower. I designed this block myself, inspired by flowers we saw on our first trip to Maui (though apparently these plants are native to South Africa). If you look at the blueish-purple shapes in each [...]

I started these blocks around September of 2008, from fabric purchased in New Mexico, and finally finished them last week at Cornerstone Festival. I haven’t worked very hard on these – they were just my take-along project for far too long! They are all custom-designed, by me, and are entirely hand-stitched with needle-turn appliqué. They are simple, of [...]

I completed my most complicated Hawaiian appliqué to date during a set at Cornerstone Festival. Yes, if you happen to attend Cornerstone and see somebody sewing, it’s probably me. I enjoy watching bands I don’t know as well from my comfy chair, with my appliqué bag at the ready. It is a torch ginger motif, which I [...]