tennesseeQuilts

Our shop hop starts next Thursday, June 2.  This year we have 12 shops participating.  Each shop has produced a block using the Basics line from Kansas Troubles, a Moda fabric.  Our block is Jonesborough Tree based on a block published in Bet Ramsey’s 1983 book Old and New Quilt Patterns in the Southern Tradition.  This block was made by a woman who lived here who had seen a quilt at the Old Jonesboro Days festival.  We have made the block in the required Kansas Troubles fabric and then done our own in scrappy fall fabrics with, of course, a Kaffe (actually Philip Jacobs) border fabric - variegated leaves in brown.   The Jonesborough Tree block is also one of the blocks on the Quilt Trail installed on the front of our building.

Our featured notion is Marti Michell’s Sashing Sets ruler which we have used to make the star points around the Kansas Troubles block.  The Sashing Sets is a great tool and you can make any number of variation of “setting” stars in your sashing. 

As promised, Glacier Star #3 is finished and hanging in the shop.  Fabric packs are available for this one as well as the other two.  The purple, teal and peach just glow.    

Last week, we had spring for a few days; enough to make my Mom’s Tulip Magnolia bloom successfully.  It usually gets a frost and doesn’t have a chance to show its full glory.     Anyone started on a second Glacier Star?  I have just finished my third - pictures to post next week.  You can purchase a separate package of foundation papers  ($40) if you are ready to start a second one.  Just let us know.

Brenda’s, Carolyn’s and Gail’s.  We are working on the outside Circling Geese at the moment.  24 total units with 16 right and 8 left.  Takes about 8 to 9 hours to complete all 24.  See if you can do better!!

We completed this top yesterday.  It is Funky Stripes by Allison Quilt Designs.  We used Amy Butler’s new Soul Blossoms fabric with Kaffe Fassett’s Serape stripes.  The paper pieced units are the beginning of Judy Niemeyer’s Weeping Willows in Kaffe Fassett “scraps.”  This pattern uses 2 1/2 inch strips primarily.  Watch our progress.

Okay, so remember when I was in Washington D.C. last February for its Snowmageddon - this time I am in Atlanta for the Snow Shutdown.  After chipping the ice off the car, we got out on Wednesday.   I expect I will be on a “no visit” list during the winter months for all the large cities in the US (or at least the ones that don’t want a “snow event”).  We were there for “Grand Ruler” training by Marti Michell.  We are a From Marti & Me Shop and begin our club in March.  You can join now for $30 for six months.  Your Membership benefits include a free monthly pattern and a 15% discount on any of Marti Michell’s That Perfect Patchwork patterns or tools.  

Here is another finished Glacier Star in roses and brights.  Fabric pack and pattern available on our website in the Judy Niemeyer category.

We have been counting down to our annoucement that we have been selected as a Quilt Sampler magazine Top Ten Shop for 2011.  We will be featured in a multi-page article that includes our original quilt design.  The pattern will be printed in the magazine.  Magazines are on newsstands May 10, 2011.  Here is a sneak peek at our quilt (in Kaffe Fassett fabrics, of course).  Let us know if you would like to pre-order your copy.

We are counting the days — Also, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the Staff  of Tennessee Quilts.

Last evening we pinned up the units completed so far.  Each one more fabulous than the last.