Sunday's "Intro to CQ" class

The class was Sunday and went really well.  It was a 4 hour class (one time class) and the timing worked out well. Everyone went home with a block laced and trimmed.. The room was large and had lovely light.  I will repeat this class next month for another group and then again after the first of the year.

Now everyone in this group has been invited to join our larger group at the house it they wish to continue.  In 2013 I will have had 39 CQ newbies in my classes..  As someone who has begging for years for a teaching venue, I am so happy!!  This format worked much better than the 3-session classes.

It looks like I will also  be teaching at least 1 three-session chatelaine class after the first of the year.

And there's been a change in the weather...

I'm "hot", on the edge of a new trend, and in the right place at the right time.

Stopping at the quilt store in August and being accepted to offer a CQ class was a shock...  Having it fill twice and a waiting list is a bigger shock.  I had been schlepping my stuff around to quilt stores for years getting the proverbial cold shoulder. Now I discover I'm "hot", on the edge of a new trend, and at the right place at the right time.

One night last week the shop had a "teacher's" night to discuss submitting a proposal for a class, expectations from the shop and what they thought would meet the approval.. The presenter said there is a new trend with their quilt customers.  They want projects smaller in size than quilts and they are wanting "hand work."  And here I am...on the spot so to speak...

As usual I had taken work with me while I had attended the meeting and of course I had my chatelaine...  They felt a class for the chatelaine would fill instantly... so here I am making two more...actually one and pieces.  One for a display model for the shop and pieces of one for teaching aids.  Since it is a quilt store and selling cottons, these examples are cotton.  My stitchers were here yesterday and since they are doing the chatelaines I picked their brains on how many classes and how long the classes needed to be to finish comfortably.  It was great to get their input.

And one stitcher is making a CQ Christmas stocking and made this flower from gold sequin trim and a button the same way I did my black ones.  It is spectacular.

And to end on a happy note every evening when I go out to lock up the chicken house and check on the barn, I return to the house and see my lovely door all lit up with Christmas lights... It never fails to make me smile and what a great way to finish my day.. The photo is spotty as it was foggy and raining.

Happy Dance, New Class and Necklace Upcycle!!!

I do a little happy dance every time I'm choosing threads.  I couldn't be happier since I now keep my thread on the large rings.  It is such a joy to lay the ring of threads right across the block to make my choices....

And remember in September when I told you I had a new workshop coming up at a quilt shop  using a new format.... an introduction rather that a series of classes.?  It's only a one-day workshop and I asked for only 7 people.  Well 9 have signed up and we've added another date in Dec. and that has filled up and now there is a waiting list for after the first of the year...  Mine you they are not really learning anything ....just seeing if they think they would like doing something with no directions, time consuming and addictive... If they like it, I can have sit & stitch at the shop or they can come to the house.  We meet here the last Saturday of the month and a couple Wednesdays during the month.. It's informal with everyone working at their own pace.   It works best here at the house as I HAVE STASH.... Wish me luck...  Here is how the workshop was advertised.

 Sunday Nov. 3 - 12-4

   "Introductory Workshop  to Crazy Quilting"

by Gerry Krueger

Crazy quilting is free-form and embraces all aspects of various needlework skills. 

Each piece is one-of-a-kind.

The afternoon  will begin with a slide show on crazy quilt history and various styles of crazy quilts..     Lots of samples of crazy quilting will be available to fondle and discuss.  Time will be spent on how to build multiple-layered seams, the hallmark of crazy quilting. Finally the construction of a block for a first project and a guide to the steps for success in crazy quilting. Lots of eye candy, freebies, and handouts. 

Although the jazzy red necklace upcycle was not on any to-do list , I just had to drop everything and do it...  It's been a long time since I've done any jewelry and I noticed I had a bunch of brooches waiting to be upcycled... Maybe this winter.  I lost touch with my beading buddy so I'll have to track her down.... I can hardly wait to wear this...

I used old beads, an old brooch, parts of another necklace and various beads and findings...plus the necklace I bought and disassembled...of course.

Quick updates

This has been a perfect block to tote about but it is very slow going.  I did get moldings  door and shutters done plus lots of flowers.  I find I'm happier if I put in all the blooms and then go back in and add the greenery...

But I took out the bridge and the pond.. Had a tiny new bridge and mislaid it.

It didn't seem like a lot of progress but when I place it by the last photo the newest work does show  up...

I'm trying to keep my work on my January CQJP2013 at a pace with my CQ classes...  Today is devoted to seams but we will be doing NO stitching...  I think I found the solution to the teaching problem of difference levels of comprehension and ability..

Another classy bunch...

 Today my Saturday class of five morphed into a class of eight enthusiastic stitchers. Two of them drove close to 70 miles to get here. The room is small and we were tight but managed...  Their blocks were all lovely and perfectly suited to embellishing... After we had gone through the laces and all the trims I had them put everything in their plastic bag and it was easy for them to see before any stitching began that their choices were in harmony with their blocks...  They left with everything pinned in place and went home to finish basting.

A classy bunch...........

Remember last fall when I arranged to teach a CQ class at our  new thread store - Lovely Little Stitches?  The group was limited to five students and I was hopeful I could get five...  Well 10 people signed up and I'm teaching  TWO classes and today was the first... One student was ill.

None have done any CQ so this was the very basics..  They were given a pattern for a block when they signed up so they arrived with block in hand and nothing else. Then we had a mini stash-dash as I piled the table with laces, braids, ribbons, cordings, and  other various trims... They cut quantities of whatever took the fancy until each had a nice pile to start choosing what they were going to use and adding it to their block...

Next week we'll use graph paper to experiment building layered stitches...using only about 4 of the easiest and most common stitches... Then start stitching... The thread part will be fun because the store is fully stock with a luscious array of thread... And we all know how we love thread.  The last week will be adding beads, buttons and motifs.  I do believe a good (and stress free) time was had by all.