Tuesday, June 10, 2014

New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop

I know what you are thinking. Pie Lady? Really? I will let you in on a little secret. I am not the world's biggest fan of pie, but I am pretty good at making them. It has become an annual tradition for me to enter and win our local pie competition at the county fair. When I brought home some more trophies last summer, it was my husband who commented that I was turning into a "Pie Lady" and it just sort of stuck. If it were up to me, I would be Awesome Cupcake Quilts or definitely Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Quilts, but Pie Lady just sounds better. Speaking of sounds better, here is a link for the best chocolate chip cookie (It's the Cook's Illustrated version, thick and chewy) you'll ever put in your mouth. Trust me, I've put plenty of them in my mouth.

These are the pies that I made for other people this Thanksgiving: 2 pumpkin streusel, 2 peach, 1 Dutched apple, 1 rhubarb, 1 cherry, 1 pumpkin and 1 blueberry
I approach quilts like I approach pie. I research the heck out of traditional methods, practice it, and then try to find some way to innovate or update it. I ask "what if?" a lot. I think about quilts the same way. I seem to think about quilts all the time. My little boys have seen these zone outs quite a bit. I never realized how much I did it until they started saying "that would make a great quilt" when we looked at illustrations in their picture books or they stopped to point out some colors to me on our walks. Both of them will sit on my lap for far longer than any normal 6 year old and 4 year old boy would, looking at illustrations of block designs. The ladies at my local quilt guild laugh at the way I check out book after book from the guild library. I am a self-taught quilter and I am hungry for knowledge. I don't care if the book has a modern slant or not. I look for techniques and inspiration everywhere.

I created a collage of the three entries I made for this year's Pantone Color Quilt Challenge (radiant orchid). These projects are a good representation of who I am as a quilter. I have full blog posts for these projects if you are interested in more information. The first is Radiant Triangles. Going through my drawer of rulers one day, I saw my Tri Recs ruler. I looked at it hard and wondered what else I could make it do. I had just finished an improv log cabin quilt and wondered, "what if I use the triangle as the center of a log cabin?" The second is Radiant Improv. I wondered what would happen if I combined a traditional block with improv piecing. The last is Radiant Circles. I love curves and wanted to try my hand at sewing them, so I folded a piece of typing paper and cut a curve. I made a pillow to practice sewing that curve, and when it worked, I committed to a quilt.


The next project I wanted to share was a quilt I made called Mod Boxes. I drew this out on graph paper with my feet dangling in the community pool last summer. I had a baby last spring, so I had a companion snoozing away in her carseat. My husband and I took turns watching her under the shaded awning and playing with the boys in the pool. The colors of the pool and shade seeped into the color inspiration of this quilt. I just love Kona Water. Pretty literal, huh?



Most of the time, I don't order specific fabrics for specific projects. I had a moment of clarity when I heard Bill Kerr from Modern Quilt Studio give a presentation at our quilt guild. He said, "Ugly fabric can be effectively utilized in a quilt." When I went home and looked at my stash, I realized that a.) he was right and b.) My stash reflected my personality TOO heavily. I had lots of splashy fabrics, but not enough of the understated, "drab," workhorse fabrics that make a cohesive quilt. Plus, I had glaring gaps in the colors. Apparently yellow, blue and orange fabrics are NOT fun to buy. I have worked hard in the last 18 months to correct that problem and develop a more well-rounded stash with added design possibilities. My solution? I've stopped picking out most of the fabrics myself. Scrap packs are a fantastic deal. My LQS in Hills, Iowa (Inspirations) has them and Hawthorne Threads has great scrap packs online. The other thing I do is put my mom on the case. She goes to her LQS in Preston, Idaho (Suppose Quilt Boutique) during their semi-annual sale and picks up the $0.99 fat quarters for me. So often, the most, um, "interesting" fabrics are the ones that make it into the next project. Don't believe me? Look closely and you'll spot the dark brown fabric with giant white egg beaters. Yep, giant white egg beaters. Thanks, mom!


So today, thanks to modern technology, I am posting this blog en route to my mom's house. To keep me company through Wyoming, and distract me from the realities of a 1200 mile road trip with three children, I thought I'd try one of the games I used when I taught 4th grade. It's called Two Truths and a Fib. I will share 3 statements about me; 2 are true and 1 is not. Can you spot the fib? Tell me your guesses and/or write one of your own. Bonus points will be awarded to anyone who makes me laugh out loud.

Since far too much of this post has been about food, I thought I'd continue the theme and besides, quilting IS bananas......"and bananas is good!"

1. I despise any banana-flavored candy, especially Runts.
2. My daughter makes a unique and long-lasting hair gel out of smashed bananas.
3. I once told my husband that "I only eat bananas that are brown and smushed."

Enjoy the rest of the blog hop and thanks for stopping here!

Carole @ Fresh Off The Frame 
Camelia @ Camelia Elliott
Nurdan @ Hug a Bit Quilts
Paula @ Mud Pies and Pins
Lori @ Sew Psychd
Kitty @ Night Quilter
Christina @ Wips and Tuts
Diana @ Sew Crafty Chick
Marcia @ Cozy Capatiller
Judy @ Quilt Paradigm 
Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts




45 comments:

  1. I'm going to go with the fib as the last one--about only eating bananas that are brown and smushed, but only for the selfish reason that I despiiiise brown and smushed bananas!

    Yay for the Blog Hop! I love your pool quilt. That color is divine and I very well might have to go get me some Kona pool, asap!

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  2. you sound like me...i love baking, but prefer salty snacks, so i never really eat what i bake lol. i LOVE your triangle pillow and your circles! i think those dark colors and bold shapes really appeal to me! nice to meet you, hope you will stop by and visit! :)

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  3. I am guessing #3 is the fib. That is interesting to hear about your award-winning pies. Pie is my favorite dessert. However, I have yet to master pie making.

    I just went on vacation to the beach and took a photo through a square cutout of a hedge looking out to the ocean from our pool. Your pool quilt using that green and blue is stunning and so creative.

    :)

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  4. I guess #1 is the fib. Runts are good. I love your triangle log cabins.

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  5. Love all the colour and the quilts, oh the pies as well! I think #1 and #2 are correct! And what a lovely post xxx hugabitquilts

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  6. Long Lasting Hair gel sounds like a giant fib to me! Since you are a baker, I bet you did say you'd only eat brown, smushed bananas, and runts are probably okay. Fun post! I bet the other pie bakers silently groan when they see you coming to the fair! :-)

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  7. I think the "long lasting" hair gel is the fib! LOL What a fun post!

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  8. I theink I only eat brown mushy bananas is the fib

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  9. I love the variety of your triangles! Great idea to use the log cabin method to create something new and refreshing. Hm. Do you like banana flavored candy? Fun intro post, and I love the Pie Lady story. :)

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  10. Disliking banana flavored candy is a fib?
    Visiting from the hop group! I love your blog and I love your triangle quilt! Good luck on your trip! That is one long way to go with three kiddos! I am about to do the same thing. Tx to Colorado with two kiddos. That is going to be a long move!

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  11. #2 hair gel but I'm only guessing - no clue really!

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  12. Love your triangle quilt! I did one too :) I like the way you made your triangles differently, not all log cabin style - adds wonderful visual interest!

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  13. I think the hair gel is a fib! Your Radiant circles quilt is stunning. I really enjoyed your post and getting to know you better. I am totally too shy to play your fibbing game, though. :)

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  14. Please tell me that #3 is a fib. #2 has to be true. As usual I think your quilts are the bomb! I wish I could break away from my traditional trap and go a bit more wild and free. I can do it on the quilting but struggle to do it with the piecing.

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  15. I love that last triangle quilt....the colors and prints are FANTASTIC (even the egg beaters)...lol. Oh, and I love pie too!

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  16. Well, I don't really like banana-flavored candies, so I bet that's true. I can picture you (in some unknown context) saying you only eat the smushed ones. And my friends use banana peels for facials, but I can't imagine it would make a very long-lasting hair gel. Am I right?

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  17. Looks like you love solids as much as I do, Pie Lady! Those triangle quilts are absolutely gorgeous. I'm so envious that you managed three entries to the Pantone Challenge. I dropped the ball and missed out completely on that one! As for the 2 truths and a lie, it's a tough call. I'm betting on the banana candies being a lie - the other two are too wacky to be lies! :)

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  18. I am strongly going with C is the false... For some reason I take it that you aren't into bananas... And o belive children creates all sorts of ways for at home use, I mean, they are just trying to save a few bucks! I don't buy fabric for one specific quilt either, just saw fabrics and therefore my bank accounts stays steady, my stash keeps growing and my quilts keep advancing.

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  19. I, like Beth, am hoping no.2 is the fib. I'm not sure what it would be like to smell like bananas all day. Your last triangle quilt is beautiful!

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  20. I adore your blog! And just sos you know, I will do ANYTHING for pie. even babysitting four kids on a car trip ;)
    XX!! Lori
    Ps, I abhor banana candies, all they are good for is sticking up your nose. if you're ten. or particularily bored.

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  21. I've been called un-American on many an occasion for not liking pies, Jill : P But kudos to you for the skill and it makes a great story for your blog name. Have a safe trip!

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  22. I am pretty sure that 2 is true! I think 3 might be the fib.
    I could never work out why banana lollies didn't taste like bananas. Then, when I was visiting Oman, I ate some of the local tiny bananas. They were really good but they had a slightly different flavour from the bananas I am used to; they tasted like banana lollies!

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  23. Lovely quilts and lovely to meet you! Hope you survived that car trip :) I'm hoping that #1 is true :)

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  24. Nice to meet you. I have been working on my stash too. My problem colours turned out to be yellow and orange. Getting better with orange but still struggling with yellow. There isn't quite the right shade of yellow for me. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it, when I find the right shade I will buy some.

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  25. I'm guessing 1 is the fib...although that would be truth for me, I hate artificial banana flavor! I'm also noticing how my stash falls short. I tend to buy what I'm drawn to, but then it doesn't really work for a project. It's been fun being in a bee, because it forces me to make do with what I've got, and think about making wiser purchases in the future!

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  26. Your color choices are amazing!! Hmmm...the fib, maybe #3 because everyone's guessing #1.

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  27. Love your quilts, and that triangle log cabin is wonderful. I'm guessing #3 is your fib. Now let's see if you can guess mine. 1. I've held a lottery ticket worth 7 millions dollars, but had to give it back to the real owner, and then ask for the company we worked for to pay his way to Austin to collect because he was so broke. 2. I drove a 15 passenger van into Mexico for work for 6 months, carrying 1-8 people with me. I went from being a slightly crazy driver to being known as Hell on Wheels. Often having my passengers screaming in a combination of fear and hilarity. 3. I rarely carry my phone with me, and it is always needing a charge. In fact we often have to hunt it down before we leave the house because I've forgotten where it is. I have thought of getting one of those clapping devices for it.

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  28. I kind of really hope that #2 is the fib, though it would probably smell nice. :D I'm known with my in-laws as the dessert lady -- in fact, I'm making a lemon meringue pie for Father's Day this weekend. You don't happen to have any tips to keep it from weeping, do you? :D It always tastes delicious, and nobody complains about the weeping, but it bothers the perfectionist inside of me.

    I love your method of getting variety into your stash, though I would have bought the egg beater fabric on its own. I'm always missing blenders, small tonal prints to provide rest to the eyes... maybe I just don't want your eyes to rest! :D

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  29. Really fun post and lovely quilts. I very much like the 'what if' attitude to quilting. I'm going with the hair gel as a fib - I don't reckon it could be long lasting! Surely your hair would go from yummy banana smell to rank, bad banana smell quite fast - good wash out conditioner I could believe, but long lasting gel? I reckon not!

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  30. Your pies look scrumptious. Love your triangle quilt.

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  31. Wow, you've worked wonders with those triangles. They look fantastic. Thanks so much for the introduction.....

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  32. My baby can also make hair gel out of bananas, so I'm going with number one. Fake banana flavor is hit or miss with me, but I know some detest it. Maybe one of those is you.

    I also had a baby last spring, if by last spring you mean 2013. I assume that's what you meant since you talked about sitting my the pool with her. She has 2 older sibs like your girl, but I have the female set: 3 daughters! The oldest turned 6 this week. And the medium one will be 4 in August.

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  33. it's got to be 3, brown bananas are gross! I love bananas but hate anything banana flavoured. Love your quilts, they really are gorgeous

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  34. I love bananas, banana candy--eeeuw!. lol. I love your color sense. Your quilts are gorgeous.

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  35. Those pies look amazing, especially the blueberry (my favourite). Your quilts are beautiful too. I love your 'try anything' approach to quilting. My Dad's favourite bananas are the brown ones that I think are only fit for making banana bread, but I'm still guessing #3 is your fib. I can't imagine eating a brown, smushed banana!

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  36. I used to do the same game when I taught adults! I think your fib is #2 - since I have longish curly hair, I am always using various products (bought and homemade). Bananas make a great conditioner (as does mayo) but I don't think it would work well as a hair gel. Who knows, I could be wrong and learn something new. I need to round out my stash as well, but haven't figure out exactly what needs to be added yet. I have more reds and greens than needed so I guess everything else if fair game! Thanks to you I might be making some cookies this afternoon. I used to be a recipe tester for America's Test Kitchen. Love ATK and CI recipes!

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  37. I say #3 who likes brown bananas? those are for cooking only right :-) Your projects pies and quilts are looking great! Nice to meet you.

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  38. I am not really a pie person either, but I love your quilts!

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  39. Hello and nice to have met you through the blog hop! I particularly love your Pantone challenge quilts - great use of colour!

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  40. I love your Pantone projects and triangle quilts! Nice to meet you.

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  41. Nice to finally meet you through the blog hop. I posted in the first group. I love pies and yours look as good as your quilts.
    I think the lie is number 3; that you told your husband you only eat bananas that are brown and smushed.
    Okay, now I'll go; 1. I love blueberry pie, 2. I love key lime pie. 3. I love lemon chiffon pie. Hope to see more of you in the blogosphere.

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  42. I love how your little ones are already learning to slow down and appreciate what is around them as they search out quilt designs. It's a good way to see the world. And, I'm going to guess that fact 2 is probably truth. Was there any banana hair gel involved on the long trip? It seems like the type of thing that could happen.

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