Practicing Paper Piecing & Exciting News

I'm published!

                                
More often than not the quilts I make are partially inspired by a need to learn or practice a technique.  I have a very large precise paper piecing project on my long term list.  I want to make Judy Niemeyer's pattern called "Flowers for my Wedding Ring."  (I bought the pattern from Keepsake Quilting) I have the pattern and cut out the paper patterns, and started gathering materials.  Now I need a little practice with paper piecing.  Good timing for me, it looks like the next block of the month on Craftsy is paper piecing.  They also have a class called Quick Strip Paper Piecing by Peggy Martin.  Not sure if their techniques are similar but they both use strips of fabric and they both paper piece so I guess it can't hurt to try.

I started yesterday and made the first project.

Here are some photos.

Pinwheel Polka

Janet Hartje Pinwheel Polka from Craftsy class

Two choices

Now for the exciting news.  The small group I belong to is now published in a McCalls magazine.  This was a special edition they created to showcase groups of quilters across the country.  The title of the magazine is America Quilts Together Autumn 2012. 

I'm published!

                         

 My group "The Rosie Quilter's" is on page 61.  There is a group photo from our Christmas party, the original palm tree photo we used to make our challenge project, and a photo of some of our quilts hanging at City Hall.  So exciting to be included with all of the wonderful quilters in this magazine.  There are lot's of patterns in the magazine that will be fun to make in the future, so you may want to pick up a copy too. (McCall's gave me permission to post this on my blog)

Have a Creative Day

Janet

September BOM for Craftsy

Finished my two blocks for September.  I'll have to take a picture of all the blocks I have so far.  There are 18 in total now.  I guess I need to start thinking about sashing and borders. 

September Blocks:

Chain Block

Janet Hartje Chain Block

Cleopatra's Puzzle Block

Janet Hartje Cleopatra's Puzzle Block

Have a Creative Day

Janet

Craftsy Block of the Month(s)

I'm playing catch up this weekend.  I hadn't done any of the Craftsy Block of the Month patterns since May.  So, far I have finished June, July and August.  I guess I am caught up now because I have the whole month to finish September's blocks.  It went pretty well, a couple of goofy glitches but I think I caught my mistakes and repaired them.

June blocks:
Greek Cross Block Pattern

Janet Hartje Greek Cross Block Pattern

Octagon Block Pattern

Janet Hartje Octagon block pattern

July blocks:
Traditional Dresden Plate Block Pattern

Janet Hartje Traditional Dresden Plate Block Pattern

Modern  Dresden Wheel Block Pattern
(This is one of the blocks that I goofed.  We could either buy a special ruler to make the pieces or make our own pattern.  I chose to make my pattern because I wasn't sure if I would ever make this block again, so I didn't want to invest in the ruler.  My pattern must have been a tiny bit too big at the center points.  When I sewed the pieces together the outside edge layed nice and flat and the inner part was like a roller coaster.  I just took each seam in a tiny, tiny bit and it all layed flat for me.  Whew!)

Janet Hartje Modern Dresden Wheel Block Pattern

August blocks:
Ohio Star Block Pattern
(I made a goofy mistake on this one, I think I was sewing too late last night.  I didn't notice until I took a photo and looked at it on my computer.  It was easy to fix.  It reminded me of the Sesame Street song, "One of these things is not like the other..."  Can you see the mistake.)
goof

oops!

correction

Janet Hartje Ohio Star Block Pattern

Double Star Block Pattern
(I wasn't sure about the fabrics I chose for this one, but I really like how it looks.)

Janet Hartje Double Star Block Pattern

Have a creative day
Janet

Show time!

I have been missing here most of the summer.  I am back and should be posting on a more or less regular schedule.  This has been a summer of healing through art.  My mom passed away at the beginning of June.  We had a wonderful celebration of her 94 years of a life well lived.  I know she is enjoying her reunion with my dad.

Lucky for me I had a show to get ready for in September.  I have been working on these pieces over the summer, as well as enjoying some time reading and relaxing.  Nature has always been a spiritual healer for me.  When I need time to reflect or rejuvenate I love to walk where there are lot's of flowers and trees and birds...

Sewing is also a way to capture that inner peace.  Combining nature with sewing has been my project for the summer.  I created a summer garden series from photos I took at a garden show in my city.  I made six pieces, for the show and also added the moss covered tree I created for the Minnesota Quilt Show.  I planned to make a couple more but had to stop free motion quilting for a couple of weeks when I developed bursitis in my shoulder.  Quilting is hazardous work!  A few sessions with a wonderful therapist and I am back to work.  

If you happen to be in Woodbury, Minnesota during the month of September, stop by Central Park Place.  My show will be hanging just above the little amphitheater.  These pieces were created using commercial fabrics, fabric paint and lot's of thread.

I promised an online show for those who live far away.  So, here it is...

Summer Garden Series
by Janet Hartje

Koi by Janet Hartje 

Backyard Waterfall by Janet Hartje

Reach for the Sun by Janet Hartje

Tiny flowers by Janet Hartje

Red Water Lily by Janet Hartje

Touch of Pink by Janet Hartje

Moss covered tree by Janet Hartje

Hope you enjoyed the show!  Now it's time to catch up on a few things.  I am three months behind in my Craftsy Block of the Month, oh, and maybe I should catch up on pulling weeds and cleaning my house and ....

Have a Creative Day
Janet Hartje