Cherry House Quilts

400 Quilts!

As I posted earlier, this past Saturday was the 8th Annual Interfaith Quilting Bee.  What an amazing and uplifting day!  The spirit of love and concern for those in our community who are suffering was overwhelming.  There were 240 quilters on hand, and by the end of the day, about 400 quilts had been completed.  The way the program works is that on the day of the Bee the block for the next year is presented, as well the pattern.  Each group works on their blocks and quilts throughout the year.  The block for 2009 is a crazy 9 patch.  Also on the day of the bee, about 20 tops are tied, or quilted by the participating groups.  In another area sewing machines are set up to do the bindings.  We work till noon, then attend a presentation of the quilts to the charitable organizations.  One group, Family Time is a crisis shelter for abused woman and children.  Many times these families must leave their homes with no belongings.  After the families are processed, and given an orientation, each family member is invited to select a quilt of their own.  Sometimes this is their only possession. 

    All in all, it was a wonderful day, and truly what quilting is about to me.  It's about giving to those in need, it's about giving comfort & warmth, it's about coming together as a community of woman.  I love quilts, I love what they impart, they are so much more than the fabric that they are made of, they are love.

Tybee Island...and my first magazine!!!

    This is so exciting!!!  Another dream checked off of my list of goals...a quilt in a magazine!  This is Tybee Island; in the current, and sadly last issue of Designer Quilts magazine.  I spoke to the folks at Andover Fabrics, and they have said that the Halfway Cafe Fabric line is now available in stores.  Do you guys know Tybee Island?  When I saw this fabric, that was immediately what I thought of.  Several years ago the girls and I went on vacation to Savannah, Georgia (we love Savannah, and we would all move there tomorrow).  One of our day trips was to Tybee Island, to play in the ocean, enjoy the beauty of the beach, and check out their awesome light house.  For dinner we went to The Crab Shack...oh my gosh, it was the best food!  This place is the real deal...faded, not fancy, but so, so good.  I dedicate this quilt to Tybee Island, and my girls.  Pick up the Summer 2008 issue for the pattern to Tybee Island.

Here's the cover of the issue.  There are some great quilts, and articles, but more importantly an educating issue in regards to Multiple Sclerosis.

Introducing Foreign Currency

Double click for a full view  

Foreign Currency Quilt Pattern

Quilt Size 63 x 68

$9.00 

i do Redo

  How wonderful is this quilt?  I got a call from the great folks at Cherrywood Fabrics, telling me they had created I Do! in their fabulous hand dyed fabrics!  I was so excited, and couldn't wait to see how it turned out...I think it is beautiful!  Seeing their booth at Quilt Festival in Houston is always a highlight for me, the colors they achieve, with the various gradations are so rich, and vibrant.  If anyone is attending the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, Cherrywood Fabrics will be on hand, selling the kits, and the pattern. 

Here's our I Do!  We used lots of Kaffe Fassett fabrics in ours, as well the always amazing Kona Cotton Solids.  This pattern is available for purchase here.

Interfaith Humanitarian Quilting Bee

The 8th Annual Interfaith Quilting Bee is being held on Saturday, July 19th in Kingwood, Texas.  This Quilting Bee provides a unique way for individuals and congregations to support local charitable organizations.  We make & tie quilts, and sew on the bindings.  The finished quilts will given to HAAM (Humble Area Assistance Ministries), Family Time (rape/abuse center), Birthright, Family to Family Mentoring Program, and other local charities.  This will be the 8th year that I have participated, and every year I come away so amazed by the work of so many generous women.  One year, an elderly lady made 159 quilts!  At the end of the bee, there is a brief presentation by the organizations that will receive the quilts.  They tell of the families and children whose lives are changed by these beautiful gifts.

As the individual quilts are finished, they are draped across the backs of the pews.  As the morning begins there are one or two, the next time you look up, you may see a dozen scattered throughout the chapel, by the time we break for lunch, the chapel is filled with literally 100's of quilts.  Without fail, every time I see those quilts that fill an entire room my eyes fill with tears.  It is an explosion of color, and a visual proof that we can all work together for the common goal of making the world a better place.  Here are some pictures of the 2007 Quilting Bee.  If any of you lovely folks are in the Houston/Kingwood area you are more than welcome to join us!     

More Girl Power!

Sweet Nicolette from Devliegendekoe (the flying cow) created her version of our Girl Power quilt using fabric by Heather Ross...how cute is this? 

 

I really love the back, what a great way to create something unique, plus using extra blocks is always a bonus.  Here's a look at our original Girl Power Quilt, click here for the FREE PATTERN.  If you've created a Girl Power Quilt we would love to see your photos! 

Strengths & Weaknesses

Thank you all of my kind friends for your sweet encouragement...sometimes we just need a good cry.

On to the new quilt...the fabric is amazing!  It is from Robert Kaufman's Imperial Fusion.  I must admit that I was a little intimated by this fabric initially, it is so rich in color and texture.  Once again there were so many decisions that had to be made before I took a single cut into that glorious fabric.  Have you ever thought something to death?  Trying to make something so much more complicated than it has to be?  That's what I was doing with this fabric...trying too hard.  Sometimes I have to have a little meeting with myself (I invite the cats, but they generally don't care what I have to say, as long as there is fabric for them to lay on).  So back to the meeting, I kept trying to turn this fabric into something fancy & grand; but take a look at the fabric, how much fancier, and grand could it be?  Gilding the lily comes to mind.  When I'm stuck in any aspect of my life, when confusion reigns supreme, there is a sure solution that ALWAYS works, going back to the basics and the fundamentals.  Why was I trying to turn this fabric into something that I'm not?  I'm not a fancy quilter...I can make meticulous fussy little blocks, but that is not who I am, and that is not what I do well.  What I do well is make bold statements with geometric shapes.  That is my strength, that is what I know how to do, day in, and day out.  It's what I love, and what I'm comfortable with, so why was I trying to do something different?  Silly Cherri.  Once I accepted my strengths and weaknesses, I was able to move forward.  I was able to stop trying to be something I'm not, and consequently something my quilting won't be either.  Hallelujah, what a relief (big sigh!)  Well the fabric is all cut, strips are being sewn, blocks are made, and I am in quilting heaven.  

Here's a clue of what's to come...  

Just 5 more minutes

How's this for an itinerary?

• Germany
• Houston
• SLC
• Rexburg
• Houston
• Sweden
• SLC
• Rexburg
• Panama
• Costa Rica
• Houston

This has been Ashlee's schedule for the last month.  She has been on tour, promoting her CD, and home for a day to two between all of the other locations.  Friday she had a concert in Rexburg, and was able to see Lizzy for a few hours, then flew to Houston, en route to Panama.  I met her at the airport to collect her guitar, and laptop, and I was able to see her for 5 minutes before she got on another plane.  How my heart broke to let her go, it was so sad, and hurty.  Letting children go has to be one of the most painful aspects of parenting. 

When I was pregnant with my first baby Luke, at the tender age of 21, I made a decision that I have never regretted.  I decided one day that I would never wish away time - I wouldn't wish away a minute of pregnancy, I wouldn't wish away years of nursing, or changing diapers, I wouldn't waste one second of my time with my children, because I knew one day they would be gone.  Where does a 21 year old get that kind of wisdom?  I don't know, but I'm grateful now for the decision I made then.  That decision was sometimes put to the test...8 weeks of chicken pox, etc...but no regrets.  My only sadness is that the time went so fast, and now they are gone.  I just want them to all be home, laying around on our red couches, covered in quilts, watching Lizzy play a video game, listening to Ashlee and Melissa talk in silly voices.  I want Luke to be home, and not away in the Army.  I would just give all that I have for 5 more minutes with all of them. 

Alright, I've had my cry, and my little pity party for one.  Time to start a new quilt...the keeper of my sanity.  Thank you for letting me share my woes...it's time to go back to work.

Candy (box) for sale!

I just love this sensory quilt...it is soooooooo soft, and fun too! With the combination of the three textured fabrics...minkee, flannel, and chenille...you are constantly rubbing your hands over the surface of the quilt, trying to find your favorite BonBon Block.  Don't even get me started with the Minkee Dots on the back...heavenly!  Make one for someone you love, or make one for yourself; we won't tell.

• Charm Pack Friendly
• Scrap Quilt Friendly
• Cog-ni-zant Quilt Series...comfort & learning; what could be sweeter!

Candy Box Quilt Pattern $9.00

Presenting Candy Box!

So much texture, so much fun, so much love!  What could be sweeter?

Cog-ni-zant Quilts

Check it out...our newest line of quilt patterns...starting tomorrow!

Candy Research

At Cherry House Quilts we take our research very seriously...we never want to lead anyone astray, especially when it comes to candy facts.  I was trying to find the best name for our special "hard on the outside, soft in the center" block.  The proper name for the hard/soft candy is a BonBon, so we will call our framed minkee - flannel - chenille blocks BonBon Blocks.  The detailed instructions will be in our new Candy Box pattern...due out very soon!

During the course of my research I came across the most amazing website ...appropriately enough called Candy Blog.  This site is wonderful with candy facts galore!  I know that Lizzy is always looking for organic or vegan products, the first product shown is called Organic Zootons.  This blog has all of the details about the products, plus beautiful photos.  By the way does everyone know that there are only 115 days till candy season begins!  I'd much rather know that then how many days till Christmas.

Back to the research...actually I've done too much research, so I'm going to sign up for a gym membership instead...better for me I know, but not nearly as fun!

I love candy!

"I would stand transfixed before the windows of the confectioners' shops, fascinated by the luminous sparkle of candied fruits, the cloudy lustre of jellies, the kaleidoscope inflorescence of acidulated fruitdrops -- red, green, orange, violet: I coveted the colours themselves as much as the pleasure they promised me."
Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) French Existentialist, writer

Someone who feels the same about candy and color as I do!

Here's the logo for Candy Box...the pattern is soon to follow

So what's your favorite?  Does cotton candy count as candy?  What about candy corn, or cherry lifesavers, too many to choose.  I think I'll have to make a chocolate quilt - how cool would that be to research?

Let me know your favorites...maybe I'll discover something new.

 

Book Winner & Island Quilts

Hooray...the winner of the three books is Teresa!  A big thank you to everyone that participated, we had entries from all around the world, and that is so fun!

And without further ado...Introducing Galveston (the quilt not the island)

Featuring Halfway Cafe fabric line by the amazing designers Eric & Julie Comstock of Cosmo Cricket and Andover Fabrics.  The free pattern will soon be available on Andover's website.  Plus, another quilt featuring Halfway Cafe called Tybee Island will be in the next issue of Designer Quilts magazine.  Something about this fabric line reminds me of wind swept islands, and our favorite weathered eateries.

For me it's back to the studio, besides Candy Box being released next week, I'll be introducing two patterns Tuille the Worm (adorable), and Florin (Italian Coin).  These two patterns will feature fabric by Robert Kaufman.

Have a happy Sunday!

Cherri   

To Do List

Getting stuff checked off 'to do' lists has to be one of the best feelings I think...here's mine lately

1. Mailed off the free patterns that I gave away, at least a month ago for City News.  We are going with the better late than never mindset at this point.
2. Found out that my beautiful scraps now have a happy new home, and that they will be shared, and put to good use!
3. The pattern for Candy Box is about complete, and will be available in our pattern store soon

Remember when we had our big book giveaways?  Well, the very last week, had the biggest prize of all, but the winner never contacted us.  These amazing books are still available.  We will try this again, if you are interested in these books, leave a comment, and on Saturday we will have a drawing for a new winner!