Meet me in Virginia...

Yes, I'm getting super excited about my upcoming trip to Virginia.  I'll be teaching at the Mid-Atlantic Gammill Training Center in Phenix.  I'm hoping the weather gets a wee bit cooler - I'm hearing it's almost the same weather as here right now... no, I want fall!

I'll tell you all about my classes in a second but, first I want to share the awesomeness.  Each class is limited to only 8 people.  Each person will get full use of their own machine - no sharing which is super awesome, right?  The only downside to small class sizes is they fill fast -- if you're thinking about signing up you'll probably want to hurry.

Now, on to the class fun stuff -

The Creative Process - full day class
Have you ever wanted to create your own design?  In this class, you are going to design your own original mini wholecloth and then stitch it out!  Yes, designing a quilt is not as difficult as you thought - and you don't even have to know how to draw!  Just a little guidance and some creativity and you'll soon be on your way to designing many original quilts!  This process can be used to create both applique and wholecloth designs.

If you've been following me you've probably seen these quilts - these were all created using this technique!

Wonderlust by Karen Marchetti

Stella Luminosa by Karen Marchetti

Iron Acanthus by Karen Marchetti

Jokers Jest by Karen Marchetti

Sidewalk Chalk by Karen Marchetti

And here's a little surprise - if you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen a couple of peeks of my latest competition piece.  Guess what?  I'll have it with me (to work on) and it too was created using this technique - you'll be the very first ones to see it (well, if you're in class)!

Pop Those Lines - full day class
Using rulers and some background fills on a custom-printed panel, you'll learn how to make your ruler work pop!  You'll take basic ruler work to the next level.

So there they are - two totally different classes.  One is totally right brain and the other kinda left brain! 

Remember, there are only a few spots left in the classes - hope to see you there!

Block Breakdown #2 - Nine Patch

Every month on the Gammill YouTube channel I'll be sharing a different block showing several quilting variations.  I'll make sure to share the link here as well.  You can always click on the Block Breakdown links (located in sidebar) to check if you've missed any.

Here is Block Breakdown #2 - Nine Patch

Let me know how you're liking the series and if there are any specific blocks you'd like to see.

Just a little...LOVE

My piece for the IQA/Quilts Inc. Silent Auction at this years Houston Festival is finished! 

I wanted to keep it simple yet still share a part of me.  I love hearts, painting, and machine quilting so I combined those into the piece.

It started out like this - I grabbed a beautiful piece of hand-dyed fabric, followed by a little cursive love, added a heart, and then feathers (of course)!

Yes, that is a variagated metallic thread.  For the background quilting, I switched to a matching thread.

And you wouldn't believe how different this fabric photographs!  These aren't filters, they were taken with different lights turned on... crazy!

Well... I knew I wanted to paint on this little beauty so I started adding some iridescent purple.

Look at the difference some paint makes!

Then I decided the feathers needed a little paint love too

For those that have asked, here is a super quick video of my painting/shading process:

My original paint plan had me adding some iridescent turquoise to the background quilting.  But, after seeing the heart I decided that was the only part I wanted to emphasize so the plan changed.  See, sometimes changed plans are a good thing.

So if you'll be attending Houston this year you'll have the opportunity to bid on this little beauty, well, you'll have the opportunity to bid on a lot of beauties!  Hope to see you there, although I'll be busy in the classroom teaching.  You can see my class info here or on the Quilts Inc. website.

Houston Quilt Festival

I'm am thrilled to be part of this year's faculty at Houston Quilt Festival.  I have the honor of sharing four classes with all of you. Yes, Quilt Festival is still happening, you can read all about it later in this post.

Friday's classes:

Unfortunately, Build-A-Stitch is sold out.

But there is still room in Build-A-Stitch 2, which covers 20 more stitches.  And no worries, Build-A-Stitch is NOT a prerequisite for this class.





Saturday's classes:

Lots of ruler work in Pop Those Lines but, when we combine it with fun background fills some amazing things happen!

Spunky Funky Feathers is full of super fun and super whimsical feathers.  The best part... all of these feathers have ZERO backtracks!  

With the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, everyone is wondering about this year's Quilt Festival.  Is it happening - there is no doubt about it.  Here is IQA's recent Facebook post:

International Quilt Association (IQA)

September 6 at 3:23pm · 

Important note regarding the IQA Judged Show at International Quilt Festival

We would like to thank all who have sent messages of support to us in response to the devastating flooding taking place in our home city of Houston. We are happy to report that all of our staff and volunteers are safe, that our office did not suffer any hurricane- or flood-related damages, and that all the quilts sent in for the judging that is still taking place this week are safe and secure.

Our office has reopened with limited hours as of Tuesday, September 5. Please be patient in receiving a response to calls and emails as we catch up on work and correspondence.

We have also heard from many people asking whether they should cancel their plans to attend this year’s International Quilt Festival or the IQA Winners Circle Celebration. We want to assure you that there is no reason to cancel any travel plans, as the show is still scheduled to go on.

Festival is nearly two months away, and we have full confidence that our city will bounce back quickly, as it has always done. Also, neither the George R. Brown Convention Center nor the Downtown Houston hotels were damaged in the flooding.

Many others have not been so lucky, and we ask that you keep Houston and all areas that have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey in your thoughts, and, if possible, consider making a contribution toward organizations involved in the ongoing relief efforts.

If you are interested in making a donation to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, please consider the Houston Flood Relief Fund organized by J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, or the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett.

Some people are questioning if Houston and IQA really can pull things together in our badly hurt city so that Festival can be held. We understand where those doubts are coming from. Our best answer to anyone with doubts is this: as the founders of the International Quilt Association, we promise you that the display of our Judged Show at Festival WILL go on!

But our second best answer can be found in the commentary piece below for the Austin American-Statesman written by a non-Texan. It brought us to tears. We hope it will help you understand why we can make our promise: The show WILL go on.

Thank you!

Karey Bresenhan & Nancy Puentes
Co-Founders
International Quilt Association

So, with all that - hope to see you in Houston!

Upcoming classes!

In October I'll be teaching at the Mid-Atlantic Gammill Training Center in Phenix, Virginia.  WHAT?  I know... I never teach during the month of October because that is usually hubby's vacation time - so that makes this event even more special!  No worries, he's still getting his vacation.  Okay, I'll have to admit, I'm a little excited about being in Virginia in October -- why you ask... FALL!  So don't worry if you see me outside taking lots of pictures.  The one thing you miss while living in Florida is changing seasons.  Especially all the beautiful colors that happen during fall.

So... back to classes.  Space is limited as the classes are one person per machine for optimal learning.  If you're in the area and want to sign up I wouldn't wait too long... can't wait to see you and share some quilty goodness!

You can contact Threads Run Thru It for more info at 434-376-7755.