Friday, September 26, 2014

Red, White & Quilted. Cover girl!

7 
I had almost forgotten about two projects that I quilted last year until I received this book in the mail last week.  I was so excited to see the quilt I quilted on the cover of Linda Baxter Lasco's new book - Red, White & Quilted!  This is a really fun book where she shares a collection of antique quilts that have been re-made and quilted.  The pieced patterns are available for each quilt and there are 12 designs to choose from.  If you love two-color quilts, this book is for you!
 
1 
This is the Uneven Nine Patch that is on the cover.  I was able to take some pictures of these quilts before I shipped them off to Linda. I had a lot of fun with the quilting on this quilt.  The request was to have more "modern" quilting. 

2 
This quilting actually went a lot faster for me than most of my quilts.  I didn't add as much detail as I normally do, but the end result is fabulous and fits the quilt perfectly.

3 
The texture is just too fun! 

4 
It is so rare for me to leave squares untouched without quilting, but I think the balance of the quilting is perfect in this quilt.  It really works for this design.
 
5 
Love. 

8 
In the book you find the antique quilt pictured on the left and the quilt I quilted on the right.  It is really fun to compare the two. I just love the thought of making quilts based off of antique quilts. 

9 
I quilted two quilts in the book, Goose in the Pond can be found on page 72. 

6 
The pictures I took of the quilt were at the wrong time of day, so I do not have as many pictures to share because you cannot really see the quilting.  But, I do hope you like the one picture that I think shows the quilting the best. 

Well, the next couple of weeks are going to be an adventure!  I am headed to Australia for the AMQ Festival and I am excited to teach and meet so many wonderful people. Quilting has really given me so many wonderful opportunities that I didn't even know were possible.  I am so grateful and excited!  Australia here I come!!


Monday, September 22, 2014

Some Great News!

Fire and Ice 1

If you have been following my Facebook and Instagram account you might already know this news, but I don't want to leave you blog followers out of the loop.  Remember when I quilted Fire and Ice for Kimberly Einmo?  Well, Kimberly submitted it to the Chattanooga AQS QuiltWeek show and it won "Best Modern Quilt!" So fun!  Congrats to Kimberly! What an honor it is to have been able to quilt this quilt. This is the first "big" win for me as a quilter and I feel really lucky to have been a part of this quilt!

Some other good news that I want to share with you is that I have recently signed a contract with AQS Publishing for my second book.  I will be working on this huge project for the next year, trying to fit this in with everything else that I am doing.  It won't be a small task, but I will keep myself organized to get it finished in time. The working title for the book is "Secondary Quilting Designs with Judi Madsen."  I cannot wait to share with you all of the designs I have come up with. It will be a wonderful addition to my first book, Quilting Wide Open Spaces - but please know that I will not repeat designs from the first book - they will all be fresh and new!  YAY!

Have a wonderful week!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Quilting Inspirations.

Quilting Inspiration 1
Clint and I made a quick getaway last week to Disneyland.  We figured it would be the perfect date without the kids and we were headed to California anyway for the San Diego Quilt Show, so we made it happen.

I have people ask me all the time where my inspiration for quilting comes from.  Well - it comes from everywhere.  I am constantly looking at my surroundings and finding things that I could quilt.  Even Mickey Mouse has swirls by him ;-)

Quilting Inspiration 2
If only I had time to quilt everything I see. Seriously.  I found this beautiful motif at one of the cinnamon roll carts at Disneyland and I loved the way it looked.  I always take pictures of anything I want to remember.

Quilting Inspiration 3
Mexican tiles are always an inspiration and I love the bright colors that are used in them. This was at a restaurant in Disneyland.

Quilting Inspiration 4
The tile work in Tower of Terror is right up my alley as far as quilting.  I am really into shapes. One thing I try to do is use these as inspiration - I always want to put my own spin on things.  I want the ideas that I get to help my own creativity and not just copy someone's creation.

Quilting Inspiration 5
I had to include this picture - he's totally adorable!

Quilting Inspiration 6
I found my five petal flower in San Diego.  I guess it is called Jasmine!?! Perfect name for this beautiful flower.

Quilting Inspiration 7
It is amazing what can inspire you when you just walk around.  I found this ship to be so beautiful and the background of the blue water and blue skies was amazing.  I always love seeing our flag raised and waving in the wind, especially today as we remember 9/11.
 
Quilting Inspiration 8
I loved the cement blocking as I was walking around.  I think people might think I am a little crazy when I take pictures of the ground ;-)

See that cute purse?  I finally bought myself a purse.  I have never ever bought myself a purse - ever!  I have always made a bag for myself or have just carried a clutch wallet. So, of course the first one I would buy is a quilted Vera Bradley Disneyland purse. 
I love it.

Quilting Inspiration 9
The biggest reason I love being outside is to see all of God's creations.  There is nothing like His handiwork and I feel inspired anytime I see something beautiful like this beautiful Hibiscus flower. 

Quilting Inspiration 10
That goes for sunsets as well.  I am never at more peace and my mind is never more clear than when I watch a sunset.  These are the times that my mind is going overboard with ideas for quilting.

So, look around you - find what makes you inspired and what gives you peace in your life. It is always good for your creativity.   

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

San Diego and winner of giveaway!

 So this last week I went to San Diego for the San Diego Quilt Show.  I had a wonderful time and met some amazing people.  Clint and I made a trip of it, so it was fun being together just the two of us. I was amazed at the beauty of San Diego - I hadn't been downtown before this week and I absolutely love it there!  

 I had fun in my classes and met several wonderful people.  It is funny that I still get a little nervous each time I teach, but I am getting better at it.  I had someone tell me that the minute I don't get nervous is the minute I stop caring - I liked that thought because I do care and I really hope for great classes and a good experience for anyone taking my classes.  

 One thing I wasn't prepared for was that the local news station came into my class.  You can watch the video here:  Warning - the reporter says "blanket" several times.  We all know it is a quilt!  Seriously.  Then, he wanted us to chant "we love quilting."  It's all good fun, but you can see how I really feel about chanting when I give two thumbs up and a sarcastic smirk! 
I was nervous at first on camera because he asked what machine this was and I knew it was a Handi Quilter longarm machine, but my brain stopped for a minute - you will see that and I think it was totally funny!
 
I had a lot of fun with the ladies and gentleman in my classes, thank you so much for coming!  
I spent a few days in California, but will share more of my adventures in a different post. 

Okay, to the giveaway winner from forever ago - so sorry about the delay.  Congratulations to Mimi from ModMimiQuilts for winning the QCR and Kit from the sisters at Sew Kind of Wonderful! Email me at judi(at)greenfairyquilts(dot)com and I will forward your info to Jenny!  Thanks so much!