Wednesday, November 28, 2012

My Kissing Booth Quilt on the BasicGrey Blog!

I'm so excited!! I have my first tutorial on the BasicGrey Blog today!  Hope you like it!



Come back tomorrow to see it done up in a different color way!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Self Quilting

I learned a new phrase last week ~ self gifting. Basically, when you're out there shopping for others, you pick up a little somethin' somethin' for yourself.

Although I didn't do any self gifting this weekend, I did indulge in a little self quilting ~ which basically means that while I should be finishing up (starting?!) Christmas gifts, I made one for myself!  I've had this little project on my list for forever. Time to finally do something about it. I hauled out my basket of selvages that I've been collecting since I found out that you're supposed to save them and make something awesome like this. (That is never gonna happen. And I'm pretty much over the whole selvage saving  thing, too.)






Anyway, I made Amy's pincushion/armrest/sewing center. I really like it! And it will definitely come in handy when it's time to sew down all the bindings/casings/openings of all the gifts that I hope to get finished. 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Jay McCarroll at BMQG!

I feel like this happened ages ago! In reality, just a few weeks. After months of planning, a little organizing and more worrying than necessary, the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild hosted our first guest speaker: Jay McCarroll.



I first met Jay at the Lancaster Quilt show, where we literally bumped into him in the lobby of the hotel. He was so sweet, funny and gracious. He gave us sneak peeks of his upcoming line (which is now out: Center City.) I invited him to come speak at our guild. 8 months later, we made it work (said in my best Tim Gunn voice!)
With the bag that Amy made!

Wearing the mini quilt Dawn made!


Jay spent the day with us, talking about his childhood, his early designing years, life in Europe and New York. And yes, he dished on all the Project Runway stuff. It's so interesting, though, because to hear his whole story, PR was such a small portion. Yes, it launched him into the international fashion spotlight ~ not necessarily a good thing ~ but it's so far from what he is now. He was very honest, very funny and at times a little naughty. (There were a couple of pre-teens in the audience who may have learned a new phrase or two!) He spoke for three hours. I think many of us could have listened to his stories for a few more.




Towards the end of the afternoon, he got into his latest projects. He showed us samples of his upcoming line (no photography, please!) and gave us a little tour of his latest offerings: scarves, socks,  skirts, magnets, cards, etc. All available at Jay McCarroll Online (oh, and he's having a little Cyber Monday sale now, too!)

He finished up with lots of autograph signing and picture taking, before heading back to Philadelphia.








Thanks, Jay for a great afternoon! We'll see you again soon!