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.

Come join me on CRAFTY

Join me on CRAFTY create, believe, make, do, craft AnnMarie Cunniff has: 4 friends 13 photos 14 videos 1 discussion 12 blog posts For books, sewing supplies, sewing machines, quilting mysteries join CRAFTY1 today. Click to Join Members on CRAFTY: Feilecan Roisin Andrea Moore Amin Khan Kundi Hess jill jeglum About CRAFTY Share craft ideas and projects. Help to teach persons or families of persons with disabilities to find a craft to help in their recovery. 6 members 13 photos 14 videos 13 blog posts   To control which emails you receive on CRAFTY, click here

Grandma's Gab Sheet September 16, 2009

Grandma's Online Gab Sheet  September 16, 2009 This is the newsletter you requested from  Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium, Inc. We hope you will visit our website at www.grandmasatticquilting.com  Having trouble reading this email...  to switch your format to text click here   Free Quilt Block Kit Offer Continues! FREE QUILT BLOCK KIT! We're extending our Free Quilt Block Kit promotion one more week! Spend $25 or more in our web store and we'll send you a FREE Quilt Block kit. Each kit contains the fabric and pattern you need to make a classic 12" quilt block. This is our way of saying Thank You for shopping at Grandma's Attic. To receive your free quilt block kit, just write Quilt Block Kit into the comments section of your web order. Specify whether you want 1930s, 19th Century, Florals or Brights—or we can pick one for you.  Click here to begin shopping!    FRENCH BRAID OBSESSION. Here are new ways to indulge your passion for French Braid quilts. There are eight all-new projects featuring spectacular new ways to French braid your quilts. New shapes and sizes: wall hangings, table runners, multi-sided table toppers, and Christmas tree skirts are featured. New ways to use French braids include borders, variable-width, and star shapes. New color palettes with big, bolt prints are also included. Click here to order.   SEW SPECIAL FAT QUARTER GIFTS. You can create beautiful gifts sewn with love from your heart using this delightful book by House of White Birches. You'll learn how to make gifts from fat quarters by sewing and quilting them into unique gifts for everyone on your list. Patterns include quilts, pillows, table runners, tea cozy and coasters, baskets, aprons, boxes, purses and more! There are 64 quick and easy designs in all. Click here to order.     HARVEST BARN. Decorate your home with a collection of small seasonal quilts and pillows designed for the busy, traditional quilt maker. Harvest Barn is one of eight seasonal patterns from Calico Hills Farm "Calico Seasons" series. Pattern includes instructions for two small wall quilts (15" x 24" and 18" square) and two pillows. Click here to order.    SEESAW SCHOOL. Decorate your home with a collection of small seasonal quilts and pillows designed for the busy, traditional quilt maker. Seesaw School is one of eight seasonal patterns from Calico Hills Farm "Calico Seasons" series. Pattern includes instructions for two small wall quilts (15" x 24" and 18" square) and two pillows. Click here to order.     SUNFLOWER COTTAGE. Decorate your home with a collection of small seasonal quilts and pillows designed for the busy, traditional quilt maker. Sunflower Cottage is one of eight seasonal patterns from Calico Hills Farm "Calico Seasons" series. Pattern includes instructions for two small wall quilts (15" x 24" and 18" square) and two pillows. Click here to order.     FALL FABRICS. Inspired by the time of year when the leaves change color, the weather gets colder, and the harvests are ready, these fabrics will put you in the mood for a beautiful autumn filled with sewing and quilting projects.  Click here to order.      CLOTHESLINE CLUB. Darlene Zimmerman's Clothesline Club is a fun way to collect all those 1930s-style fabrics. Packets of patterns are available each month featuring her 2009 Fabric collections, including Home Sweet Home, Family Gatherings, and Storybook. Click here for packets and fabric collections.   AMERICAN RETRO. Think back to the simple days of bobby socks and dates at the soda fountain; pajama parties and dance marathons, circa 1945. America was migrating to the suburbs in numbers never before seen. Colors in this period became vibrant and full of life as America moved out of the depression with its eye on victory in the war in Europe. Taking its cue from delightful kitchen textiles to stylish apparel, American Retro combines fashion vogue from this bygone era into a collection for the modern quilter. Click here to order.       FAMILY GATHERINGS. Darlene's newest 1930s group is cute, cute, cute. It can easily be taken into a holiday theme, but is also perfect for extending well beyond holiday seasons. There are 20 prints in the collection. Click here to order.    MARIE WEBSTER. This beautiful collection features 25 fabrics inspired by the creations of Marie Webster, an influential quilt designer who gained acclaim upon the publication of four of her quilts in the January 1911, Ladies Home Journal. We fell in love with the florals and pastel colorations of this grouping and think you will too! Click here to order.        TINY TOTS. Amy Barickman designed this delightful collection of fabrics for Red Rooster. Inspired by an object book for pre-readers, you'll love the dots, stripes and prints tossed with toys that complement the soft book fabric panel. The panel features ten pages from an object book—make it into a book or cut them up for individual quilt blocks.  Click here to order the fabrics.  Click here to order the panel.     SUNBONNET SUE. This fabulous bundle of 41 prints by Windham Fabrics, was inspired by a 1930s quilt pattern classic. Complete with cheater prints and adorable coordinates, Sunbonnet Sue is credited to Bertha Corbett Melcher who was challenged to portray expressions without a face in her drawings. The result was the iconic fun-loving child with her face hidden by a bonnet. Sunbonnet Sue has been a quilter's favorite ever since. Click here to order.   SUNBONNET SUE. Follow Sunbonnet Sue as she goes about her chores in this creative interpretation of a quilt lover's classic. Originally designed by Pat Smith as a Block of the Month program for Grandma's Attic, all 12 blocks are no included in one convenient package. Easy-to-follow instructions for both traditional and fusible web appliqué methods are included. Click here to order.   OVERALL BOYS. All your favorite Overall Boys are featured in this cute quilt by Patti-Ann Publications. You'll find Suspender Sam, Overall Bill, Fisherman Fred, Farmer Ted, Gardening Gus and more. The 12 appliqué blocks can be done with either traditional or fusible appliqué. Full-sized patterns and templates are included. Click here to order.   OILCLOTH. Reminiscent of Grandma's Kitchen, our oilcloth is a modern, durable waterproof and stain-resistant product that works just like the original old-fashioned fabric. Use it for making table cloths, placemats, totes, lunch bags, cosmetic pouches, specialty aprons, splat mats, baby bibs, picnic sit-upons and anything you can dream up. So easy to use, just cut to size and you can be ready to go! Oilcloth is waterproof and comfortable. With its bright and cheery colors you'll love all the possibilities Oilcloth provides.  Click here to order.   Patchwork Party  Fall Edition 2009 September 1 - November 30 PATCHWORK PARTY. The party you've been waiting for has finally begun! Twelve shops bring you twelve beautiful blocks designed by Marti Michell using the beautiful fabric collection Samsara by Benartex. This line is just absolutely gorgeous. Our block is called "Scarborough Square." It looks remarkably similar to a Storm at Sea block. Isn't it pretty?  Click here to purchase our block.   FINISHING KIT. Our "Square Dance" Finishing Kit contains the fabric you need to complete a beautiful queen-sized quilt top. Using Patchwork Party's Fall Edition 2009 quilt blocks, we created a sweet and simple setting so you can get your quilt put together quick and easy. The quilt was constructed by Rachel Greco and quilted by Linda Perry of Artistically Quilted by Linda. Measuring 75-1/2" x 91-1/2", all fabrics for the quilt top and binding are included in this kit. Click here to order.     PATCHWORK PARTY PACK. Marti Michell used 12 Benartex fabrics to create the Fall Edition 2009 Patchwork Party blocks. Our Party Pack gives you a selection of each of the fabrics used in those blocks. Whether you need fabric "just in case" your ruler slips, or are in search of extra fabric for coordinating projects, you'll love the convenience of this fantastic fabric bundle. Click here to order.     MARTI MICHELL TEMPLATES. All of the blocks in Patchwork Party Fall Edition 2009 can be cut using Template Set A and Set C. In addition, our Scarborough Square quilt block looks remarkably like a Storm at Sea block, a block Marti makes it a snap to complete with her Storm at Sea templates.   Click here to order Template Set A.  Click here to order Template Set C.  Click here to order the Storm at Sea templates.    HAVE FUN WITH GRANDMA! Our recently revamped website includes pages full of useful information and fun. You'll find free quilt and embroidery patterns, magazines and newspaper articles that have featured our store, Quilt Games and Sayings, Quotes from our Gab Sheet and Articles from our Scrapbasket Newsletter.  Click here to join the fun!      Have you Read Grandma's Brand New Blog?  Click here to visit. Bookmark the site so you can visit often.

"FROM GRANDMA'S SCRAPBASKET"  My grandmother was an avid reader and a self-taught historian. Over the years she collected an entire host of quotes, book passages, and inspirational snippets to share with friends and family. "From Grandma's Scrapbasket" is my opportunity to share these endearing tidbits with you each week in the hopes that you too will find them inspirational and thought provoking. Enjoy! -- WEALTH -- "It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has."  < Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887 >

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Until next week,

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Machine Quilting Unleashed

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

Greetings Quilt Block Maker

Are you among 42.9% of quilters whose biggest challenge in
finishing a quilt is deciding whether to machine quilt or
hand quilt?

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Do you already know that you want to machine quilt your
finished quilt, but can't decide what design to use to
quilt it?

Or, maybe you already have the machine quilting design all
picked out, but lack the confidence to put the quilt to the
sewing machine needle and thread and do some stitching - the
machine quilting way.

I've been quilting for more than 26 years.  Yet every day I
used to look at stacks of unfinished quilts.

The quilt tops were finished, and I wanted to quilt them,
but, like so many other quilters, I lacked the confidence in
my machine quilting skills, and didn't want to ruin the quilt
that I had spent hours so carefully stitching together.

It wasn't that I was just guessing that I would ruin a quilt
if I machine quilted it. I had actually ruined one!  

And another one was embarrassing.  

But quilting daughter, Stephanie, designed the quilt when
she was in first grade and didn't care what the back looked
like; she wanted it hanging on her wall.

After those few disasters, I dismissed the idea of machine
quilting for years.

But then the stack of unfinished quilts began to grow.

I called around looking for some machine quilting help, and
discovered that a friend of mine who I had lost touch with,
had become an expert machine quilter. So I enlisted her help.

Using tips from her experience, I was able to spend some
time practicing with my machine quilting and gain the
confidence I needed in order to machine quilt a lap size
quilt and get started quilting other quilts in my stack.

And you can, too.

All of the details are here:

www.MachineQuiltingAdventure.com

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com
www.MachineQuiltingAdventure.com

P.S. Using this fabulous quilting resource, you will know
how to sew triangles together perfectly, add borders that
"square up" your quilt, and make matching bias binding.
All of that in addition to seeing how to machine quilt
on your home sewing machine.

www.MachineQuiltingAdventure.com

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