Row By Row Experience 2015

This was the 2nd year I participated in the Row By Row Experience.  Last year was an adventure with travels which covered VA, NC, SC, GA,& FL; this year I set a personal goal to be the first finisher at a quilt shop.  Well, I am super excited to announce that I DID IT!! 

My 2015 adventure to be a 1st finisher and win a prize began on June 21st and ended on June 30, 2015.  During these 9 days it wasn't ALL sewing; I looked through a bunch of photos of my dad so I could post a few pics for Father's Day (I really miss him!), drove around to the shops and purchased kits / picked up patterns, had breakfast with a friend, attended Washington Nationals Baseball Games at the park, got a flat tire in Manassas, drove on a donut tire for a day so I could take my niece and nephew to breakfast, waited 3 hours for a new tire in Fairfax, had a sew day with 2 friends, attended a birthday dinner for my nephew Thomas (turned 14), attended a wedding in Woodbridge, and of course SEWED, SEWED, SEWED...

Unfortunately, there were casualties of this adventure:  no clothes were washed during this time (good thing we have a lot of clothes!), no grocery shopping was done (sorry babe!), very few meals were eaten with my husband (sorry babe!) and the pup really didn't get as much attention as she is accustomed to (sorry Pumpkin!)

PUMPKIN - mom, are you ever gonna get out of this room?

Journey JR, the gnome, made a debut on the Row by Row Quilt in the Cabana!

The morning of July 1, 2015 I drove to Oh Sew Persnickety in Haymarket, VA where I met up with my friend Lynne.  I was secretly screaming inside because this was really a personal goal to see if I could complete challenge of all 8 rows, figure out how to put it all together, create a label, machine quilt on my home sewing machine and machine bind it all in time to be the first in a shop.  There was definitely a feeling of relief when I officially completed the quilt and delivered it to the shop.  Then we went to IHOP and had some fluffy pancakes :-)

The FINAL Quilt

 

The Quilt Label

What I won:
Imagine my excitement when I got to actually PICK all 25 of the Fat Quarter Prize!!  It took me a little time because I really, really, really wanted 1 of each fabric in the store!  Alas, I narrowed it down to the following 25, which I'm in love with.  Thank you Oh Sew Persnickety.

The Row By Row Experience website:
http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/

Quilt Shops where Rows came from that make up my quilt:

• http://www.auroraquilts.com/ (Manassas, VA)
• http://www.bluecrabquiltco.com/index.htm (Henrico, VA)
• http://www.bonnysews.com/ (Stafford, VA)
• https://www.jinnybeyer.com/ (Great Falls, VA)
• http://www.kellyannsquilting.com/ (Warrenton, VA)
• https://www.ohsewpersnickety.com/ (Haymarket, VA)
• http://www.quilterscornerva.com/ (Midlothian, VA)
• www.quiltpatchva.com (Fairfax, VA)

Final thoughts:  I'd like to thank all those who supported and kept me motivated during this personal challenge!  A special shout out to Lynne (she was the 1st finisher at the Blue Crab Quilt Co in Henrico, VA - yay!) who was my travel and accountability sidekick literally during all hours of the night / morning, Doreen (of www.auntreensplace.com), and all the H&H ladies for encouraging words, and especially my husband for rescuing me when I got a flat tire and for being so patient while I was sewing like a crazy person!  It truly takes a village...



GOD BLESS YOU!

Small Tissue Box Cover...Small Exhibit Contribution…Extra Large Gratitude and Thankfulness...

I am so honored to be among those included in the Virginia Tribute to Jane Stickle, Curated by Doreen Johnson (of Aunt Reen's Place) at the VA QUILT MUSEUM. The museum is located in Harrisonburg, VA and the exhibit runs from May 5 through July 4, 2015.  The exhibit is located on the upper level of the museum and features so many beautiful quilts and other items in the spirit of Dear Jane Blocks. 

It was also an extra special honor to be among the 7 volunteers that transformed the empty museum walls into this spectacular exhibit. For those that are able, I strongly suggest volunteering at any museum and becoming a part of the history!  It's fun, educational, and something out of the ordinary.

If you have ever read the Dear Jane Book by Brenda Papadakis, have assembled one or more of these tiny little treasures, or have seen one of these quilts in person, you won't want to miss this exhibit!  All items were made from VA Quilters. It's so inspiring to see how the same blocks transform into such unique masterpieces based on an individual's fabric choices, number of blocks used, imagination, and placement of blocks.

I'm still working on my two "Baby Jane" complete quilts and it's truly an emotional adventure that I won't ever forget.

GOD BLESS YOU, Baby Jane Tissue Box Cover
(Get it…when you sneeze, people usually reply - God Bless You!)

*FABRICS - Andover's Downtown Abby Collection

*Found @ OhSew Persnickity in Haymarket, VA

This was after a full day of preparing, hanging, placing, climbing, laughing and helping with the exhibit set up!  

MORE ABOUT DEAR JANE:

To read more about Dear Jane, check out the Author's website:  http://www.dearjane.com

BUS TRIP TO MUSEUM EXHIBIT:  

There's a bus trip to the VA Quilt Museum on Thursday, June 18, 2015 leaving from Kelly Ann's Quilting Shop in Warrenton, VA - join us!!

Wishing everyone a great day!

-Lisa

1st WOOL project!

I've seen wool projects but really had no idea how to work with or knew the difference in Felted Wool, Wool Felt and felt.  Last month I joined the Centreville Quilt Guild and they had an opening in an upcoming Wool Workshop.  Of course I signed up!

This past Friday, March 12, at the Saftey Center off Stonecroft (which I always thought was just a police station) I entered into my first wool experience. 

The instructor, Terri Berrier, was a joy and I learned a lot during the day.  It was good to be exposed to other designers as well, I hadn't heard of many of them: Jo Morton and Bonnie Sullivan were just a few.  It was also great to get to know a few of the other guild ladies as well.  

She is from NC and works/teaches at: http://www.lonestarmercantile2.blogspot.com

Below is the process for this one day course.  I got most of the handwork done during the day and the. Finished when I got home.  Then I sewed the pillow, stuffed it and added that really cute chenille.  It's a little pillow, so I placed it next to another pillow I designed so you can see.  It's really cute in person.  Wonder what my next project will be?