Sunday, January 25, 2015

Grow Your Blog!


Thanks for stopping by!
Vicki at 2 Bags Full is again hosting the Grow Your Blog party!
Be sure to hop over to her site HERE for links to hundreds of great blogs.
If you are new to my blog, I'm Karen and I live in Minnesota where we need lots of quilts----perfect for me because I like to make them!

I started my blog as an aid for a group I have at Colorz Quilt Shop. 
Each year the Stitch Therapy group work on a project together. It is so inspiring to see how many versions there can be to one pattern!
Some of our past projects include: 

This is the quilt that started it all!
(Sadly--it's not quilted yet...)

I made the quilt as a model for the quilt shop--it turned into a class and the class turned into the Stitch Therapy group!

I stitched a second version in Redwork during the class.

At least this one is quilted. 

I had already made Lori Holt's Apron Club, so this was our second project.

The quilt was made before Lori began designing fabric for Riley Blake.
My label is dated 2008, but I may have pieced it before that.
 

One year we made lots of small projects from The Green Book.
Another combination of applique and embroidery: Memory Bouquet from the Kansas City Star book Star Quilts II
I'm not sure of the year we did this one.
 
Some of the Stitcher's did their versions in all applique.
I thought adding the dog-tooth border was kind of fun. 

The Wish Quilt.
This pattern was first published in an Australian magazine, which is when I made my version.
I started my blog so I could post updates for my class to help create this quilt-- now a free pattern from Bronwyn Hayes (Red Brolly).

I hate working the satin stitch, so I used colored pencils (and occasionally markers) to fill in those areas.
I know--slacker.....

I also used crystals instead of French Knots. 

Last year we did Simply Red by Kathy Schmitz.
This is Brenda's beautiful blue version. 
I'm not sure if I've forgotten a project or two,
but I can't wait to start Sophie's Garden, our 2015 project.

Thanks again for stopping in--come back soon--there's lots more going on!

20 comments:

  1. Hello I am visiting different blogs through Vicki's blog party. Beautiful quilts.

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  2. I love your idea of using the color markers,etc...I'm not fond of satin stitch either. Your idea looks lovely!

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  3. Hello Karen! Wow! What beautiful quilts! Love them.... I'll be visiting again to see what you are doing! Have lots of lovely visitors! :) x

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  4. I was on your blog last weekend doing some looking. You inspired me to do the Memory Bouquet embroidery and applique. I shopped for fabric and now need to do some tracing.

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  5. Oh my goodness! That apron quilt! How cute can you get?! Your work is amazing - such meticulous craftsmanship! I admire your talent!
    I'm a fellow GYB-er!

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  6. Glad to meet you! I am having a lot of fun seeing all the great inspiration, so many new ideas! Love, Love, Love! L

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  7. Your quilts are just stunning-love them all especially the aprons-so glad to have met you through the party
    Kathy

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  8. I love your work! I have been quilting 20 years and I have never finished my first quilt either! Visiting from GYB.

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  9. I could see how the quilts have grown in complexity as the years have gone by. I love seeing a quilter journey. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  10. What a great little trunk show. That apron quilt is just too cute!

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  11. love your quilts, I am a quilter from Ga. and already follow just visiting from Vickis

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  12. Wowed! So glad I popped in to vist (GYB party). What inspiring, beautiful work! I'm now a follower. Looking forward to following you.
    Best wishes

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  13. You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

    So that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands!

    What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen I'd love for you to follow and subscribe to.

    Happy crafting!
    SuZeQ

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  14. Hi from Wisconsin Karen! I hope you're staying warm but with all of those quilts I'm sure you are. I love the apron quilt - it made me smile.

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  15. HI Karen! Just stopping in from the GYB hop. I enjoyed all your projects...that stitched bunny is adorable!! V

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  16. HI, I'm a textile artist, visiting, via GYB, from St. John's, NL Canada. Your projects are wonderful. Enjoyed my visit!

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  17. Stopping by from GYB. Grew up in MN, have lived in MA decades; I still love running into other Minnesotans. Your sewing is wonderful... I look forward to seeing what's next!

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  18. It was great fun to see all your quilts. I really like the combinations of embroidery with more traditional blocks. I'm a crazy quilter so of course I like the embroidery! So nice to meet you. Enjoy the party!

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  19. Visiting from Australia for the GYB, Enjoyed seeing your lovely stitching. Bronwyn Hayes is one of my favourite embroidery designers, but I haven't made that quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. I really like your mix of stitching and quilting! Lovely work! Visiting from the GYB hop. I'll be looking for the Bloglovin follow button.

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