QUILT THE GUILT AWAY!

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I happened to be reading a Debbie Macomber book the other day and the name of their knitting class was "Knit to Quit." Everyone in the class was learning to knit to help them quit a bad habit or change their life.

Guilt sits in the hearts of so many, but finding yourself deep in something you are passionate about will separate you from pain, suffering, and anxiety. It doesn't matter what you feel guilty about; focusing on something that makes you happy can always help to separate yourself from from the issue, long enough to ask for forgiveness, offer forgiveness, or be forgiven. It's like sitting outside of yourself, seeing your life like a sitcom. When you focus on something with enough passion it is a natural way to separate and relax.  It doesn't matter what it is you are passionate about, as long as it involves activity that makes you happier than anything else at the moment.

I am taking a quilting class and I know now that this works, as I have felt it and resolved it by facing it headlong after allowing myself the time to focus on my quilting.
Find a passion, activate it...and see how it helps. Don't just take my word for it...try it.

QUILT HEALING!

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Having suffered clinical depression and anxiety most of my life, the sudden death of my sister manifested as Agoraphobia.  My counselor was unable to find a "day program" to take me out of my comfort zone and lead me into the path of recovery.  The only programs out there were for the mentally challenged.  Not sure what to do, but wanting recovery so much...I found some peace in meditation to begin with, and then things just came my way.  I was focused on healing and so the resources to "heal" came to me.  Had I stayed focused on "being disabled," I would have remained there.

I took up painting by watching Donna Dewberry on PBS late one night.  I began to create hand painted crafts, many of which I was able to sell.  I began making a new angel every year around Christmas, and I wrote a cookbook with my family which we now sell on ETSY.com and donate the proceeds to Cancer, Heart and Autism research. I returned to college to complete my degree (at age 60) by taking my classes online. The greatest resource I found was in "quilting." I began by researching online and finding patterns, learning rotary cutting, and attempting to make wonderful quilts.  I wasn't very good at it, but I loved doing it.  On a whim one day after leaving my counselor's office I found a little Quilt Shop right near her office.  Unable to just pass by, I went in. I entered on the side where they were having quilting classes and moved my way over to the material section.  I inquired about classes and they told me a new beginner's class was starting the next week. Without hesitation I signed up.   

The first day of the class I got there 30 minutes early and sat in my car, feeling anxious but almost giddy that I had gotten myself there; and with sewing machine and materials in hand I was going to "learn" to quilt the right way and end my frustration.  Although the class was three hours long, I managed to get through the first one and was shocked at how smoothly it went, but even more by how I was feeling.  I managed in those three hours to separate myself from my anxiety, and like a fly on the wall, I saw myself relaxed and happy, and the time flew by quickly. I felt healing when I left the class.  I am so content to see what I accomplished, and am embarrassed to say, I love the praise I get from my friends when they see how much I have improved.

Having always believed that success comes from focused attention on one's strongest desire, and the continued effort in the direction of one's intention; I was reminded of an experience I had many years before and had to abandon, to take care of my mother when she was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. "When you believe in  your purpose and keep faith while always going in the direction of the intention without wondering where the resources to accomplish the task will come from, the resources come to you.

I have created my own "day program" called "our Gratitude,"and have applied to the Pepsi Challenge for the funding, but I know that even if I don't get accepted, the resources will show themselves as long as I keep going in the direction of my ultimate desire.

Watching the movie, "The Secret," was what reminded me of what I already knew, and it also renewed my continuous gratitude for all that I already have. Living a life of purpose is all that is expected of us, and with faith in your intention you will see the results in your own  life.

I hope everyone will look for my project next month at PEPSI CHALLENGENGE 
and vote for me to fund my "day program" for high functioning disabled  adults, designed to lower the number of people on disability and increase jobs and income to the state.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Tween Throw and Pillow Set

Blog |  Crochet Patterns | Free Craft eBooks | Knitting Patterns | Low-Cost Crafts

Remember to add mail@AllFreeCrochet.com to your safe list	May 8, 2010

Good Morning Crocheters,                                                                                   In this issue, you will find the three most popular crochet patterns from each of last week's newsletters, as voted on by readers. This issue is a great way to review your favorite crochet patterns and never miss a great crochet idea! Monday: New Crochet Patterns Monday: Unique Designs Tween Throw and Pillow Set (shown) American Love Barbie Dress Little Baker Set Wednesday: 27 Crocheted Dishcloth Patterns Crochet Spring Cloth (shown) Scrubbie Dish Cloth Up and Down Dishcloth Friday: Simple Weekend Crochet Patterns Cute Bee (shown) Fashion Top Tunic Top with Pouch Pocket Happy Crocheting, Editor of Hooked on Crochet   P.S. If you love angels and are looking for crochet patterns then be sure you take a look at our 8 Free Crochet Angel Patterns. P.P.S. We have once again arranged for you to get a Free Diet Sample Pack - Lose up To 30 Pounds in 30 Days.  Get your Diet Sample Pack. Test & Keep FREE Garden Products National Home Gardening Club.  Try the club risk-free and you'll also get expert tips, project ideas & a FREE issue of Gardening How-To Magazine.

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet a Solomon's Knot Stitch. Donna Wolfe talks her way through it while you watch each step. Watch the video here!

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The Lost Art of HAND QUILTING

Image by dannie4852 via Flickr

With progress things change everyday. In my world I am always on the lookout for new crafts to learn and create wonderful things from. One such craft is quilting. I am new to it but I get lots of help from different resources, and Penny Halgren shares the most information resources on the internet.You can join her newsletter HERE:
Here she talks about hand quilting. I like to do mine on the machine but hand quilting makes it convenient to take it with you when you want to. Check out her techniques and tips on how to hand quilt.
Learn from her expertise, she is a professional quilter and knows her stuff.

HOW TO BIND A QUILT

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What appears to be one of the most difficult steps in creating a quilt is the binding, but Penny Halgrentakes you through the steps in this easy tutorial. Take a look at it before you begin binding it will make life a lot easier. She also talks about creating a Landscape Quilt which sounds really beautiful, I might try one myself.
If you haven't signed up for her FREE NEWSLETTER, you should. She is a master quilter and I have used so many of her tips in creating mine. She offers 10 free quilt patterns per month when you sign up HERE.
Stop letting the frustration of quilting get to you, sign up with Penny and get the help that will make thin gs easier for you.

Joining Pieces of Batting for your Quilt

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Greetings Quilter,

Quilters tend to be thrifty.

Well, maybe that is an understatement. Or is it an overstatement?

Anyone who has been around quilters knows that we collect small
pieces of fabric. Some of us have our limits – size of the piece,
color, type of fabric, etc. On the other hand, some quilters keep
every little piece of fabric that comes their way.

But how many quilters save their batting? Maybe the question is "do
you save your batting and know how to convert those small pieces into
larger pieces so you can use them in a quilt?"

For years when I began quilting, I bought only the size batting I
needed. The leftover batting became stuffing for pillows, little
fabric animals, or any other thing I needed some stuffing for.

It never occurred to me that I could piece the batting and use it in
a quilt.

That notion came to me via a workshop. The teacher mentioned that she
always purchased the largest piece of batting she could, and then
saved what wasn't used for other quilts.

Hmmmm… Sounded nice, but how do you keep the batting from bunching up
inside your quilt?

Turns out, you can sew it together – almost like you do your blocks.
And, as usual, there are several different ways to piece your batting.

The easiest was brought to us by way of an Eavesdrop on a Telephone
Conversation with Bonnie Hunter – who saves everything because she
loves to make scrap quilts.

Her method is to overlap the batting slightly and then zigzag down
the overlap. Because the batting is somewhat puffy, and it is
getting tucked inside the quilt and quilted, there really is no
ridge or stiffness where the batting overlaps.

Of course, you probably will zigzag a very wide and long stitch –
not one of those you might have used for machine appliqué when we
were making those tunnels of thread.

There are a couple of other methods for overlapping batting that
you'll discover when you visit:

http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/3010-piece-batting.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com

P.S. Which method you use will depend not only on preference but
the type of batting you are working with.

http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/3010-piece-batting.php

P.P.S. For additional resources, check out my blog:

http://quilterpenny.wordpress.com/

You'll find all the daily emails so you can search for articles
about tons of quilting topics!

P.P.P.S. Find answers to your Frequently Asked Quilting Questions:

www.AskPennyHalgren.com
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941

Quilt Camp in Kennebunk, Maine

Image by jared via Flickr

Quilting has always been a way for men and women to release themselves from the pressures of everyday life.  Whether the economy is up and down it is always a craft that can be done.  Quilters always have left over matierial, even just scraps can make a quilt. 
One of the biggest sources for learning to quilt by sharing with others are weekend retreats and quilting camps.  One such camp is The Franciscan Guest House of Kennebunk, Maine. Check out all that is available there and plan a wonderful Quilt Camp for your next vacation.
Here is a Quilt retreat inquiry form, if you are interested in more information.
This makes a perfect Valentine Day gift for the quilter in your life.
Happy Valentines Day and Happy Quilting.

Heart Quilts for Valentines Day

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Greetings Quilter,

It's all around us – whether we are watching TV, reading a newspaper,
or even listening to a 30-second news blast on a radio station.  And
I'm sure it's the same story all over the world.

It's the economy. And how bad is it really?

It probably all depends on your individual situation, but suffice it
to say that most folks have been pulling back on their expenditures
for many months.

And we quilters are no exception.

But that shouldn't stop you from making quilts – especially heart
quilts that show your love for a friend or family member.

Most quilters have a stash of fabric and fabric scraps that gets
bigger with every quilt, just waiting for the right moment in time.
And now is probably the perfect time to make a scrap quilt!

You can enjoy creating beautiful quilts while showing your family
and friends how thrifty you can be. Who knows? Maybe some of your
family and friends will give up their expensive hobby and take up
quilting!

The thing is – you can carefully plan a scrap quilt and make it
look like it was made from fabric purchased just for that quilt.
Or, you can pull an extensive assortment of fabric from your stash
or scrap bag and create a beautiful quilt.

With the popularity of scrap quilts now, more professional
quilters and workshop teachers have come up with ideas to make
scrap quilts "work."

I've gathered some simple ones for you:

* combine large, medium and small-scale prints

* use bright accent colors sparingly and consistently throughout
 the quilt to keep your eye moving

* use neutrals to give your eye a rest (black and/or white could
 be considered neutral

* pay attention to the amount of dark and light contrast within
 the individual prints of the fabrics you choose

If you've never designed a quilt before, and are reluctant to
start, begin with something simple, like hearts. Everyone loves
hearts, and it is the perfect scrap quilt, since each heart can
be made from a different fabric.

You'll find pictures of different styles of heart and scrap quilts
when you visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1135-scrap-heart-quilt.php

Using these examples, perhaps you'll get some ideas for making
scrap quilts that will put a smile on your face.

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

P.S. Remember that those "rules" are made to be broken, so make
your quilts the way that makes you happy:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1135-scrap-heart-quilt.php
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


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Your Featured Quilting e-Pattern for February 14, 2010: Little Trip to Bali

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Dear Crafter, Here is your featured quilting e-pattern for today. Click the link below and see it for yourself. February 14, 2010 Little Trip to Bali Showcase batik scraps in a little bejeweled quilt with the flavors of Bali using Trip Around the World blocks and a sweet baby elephant applique. This e-pattern was originally published in Keepsake Baby Quilts From Scraps. Quilt Size: 46 1/2" x 46 1/2". Block Sizes: 6 7/8" x 6 7/8", 6" x 6". Skill Level: Intermediate Category: Quilting ONLY $3.99 February 13, 2010 Simplified Log Cabin Quilting $3.99 February 12, 2010 Wrapped in Prayer Shawl Quilting $3.99 February 11, 2010 Butterfly Hoedown Quilting $4.29 Sincerely, Your friends at e-PatternsCentral.com Interested in subscribing to other FREE newsletters? You'll just love these ... e-PatternsCentral Pattern of the Day Annie's Wednesday Deals & Daily Features Clotilde's Wednesday Deals & Daily Features Quilter's World Newsletter

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