Saturday, March 23, 2013

QUILTERS NEEDED

Greetings Fellow Quilters!


I need your help. 

The library where I work, Cochranton Area Public Library, is in the process of building a new Library building.  Our current structure is aging and needs a lot of updates so the Library Board decided to build a new Library.

We have been doing fund-raising and have our big fund-raising event coming up soon.  We are hosting the first Cochranton Library Art and Textile Auction.  It will be held May 18th at the Meadville Elks Club in Meadville, PA.  So far, we've raised about $80,000 towards our goal.  We hope to break ground very soon.

I am helping with the Auction.  My task is to arrange for Quilt and Textile donations.  Please note that this is a juried auction and all items will be selected by the Jury Board for inclusion in the Auction. 

Would any of my Blog followers or friends care to donate a piece to the Auction to help us raise money to build our new Library?  The deadline to submit items is April 15th if you want to be included in the catalog.

I am looking for quilts in  clean condition that are either a traditional design or an original design (please, no published patterns unless you have permission from the designer).  Sizes can range from miniature to bed size.  Styles can be from traditional to art quilt. Quilts must be well-made and not purchased from a Big Box Department store.

If you are interested in donating an item to help raise money to build a new community library, please either email me at:  littlequilts@windstream.net OR you can mail items to:

Tricia Maloney
Cochranton Area Public Library
PO Box 296
107 West Pine Strret
Cochranton, PA 16314

If you are shipping a donation, please let me know so that I can expect it.  Also, please include your contact information, including an email address so that I can contact you.  If you have any questions, please email me.

Thanks for supporting our library.

Tricia

Saturday, March 16, 2013

WINTER BLOG HOP WINNERS

Okay, okay, I must apologize that I didn't post the winners yesterday.  Friday was my shopping day with my mom and by the time I got home, it was all I could do to collapse in a chair.  We went to a super clearance sale at a new area shop......I spent $44 and bought four stuffed bags of new clothes!  Including six wool sweaters to repurpose as mittens and maybe hats.

Anyway, here are the winners:

Amanda K from Texas is the winner of a copy of ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS

Sandra Visser from Utah is the winner of the magazines.

Congrats Ladies!

Both winners have been contacted and their prizes will be in the mail!


By the way, I won a collection of batik fabrics and a pattern from another blogger!  Wahoo!!!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 7 -- LAST DAY

Greetings Everyone!

Today is the last day of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  How many blogs did you hop too?  Me, not very many considering that there were around 200 participants.

Anyway, you have until midnight tonight to leave a comment on the daily blog in order to be registered to win a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  As the number of comments has reached over 100 now, I am also going to give away two magazines featuring my quilts.  Fun!  Good luck everyone!  Also, I'd love love love it if you'd become a follower.  When my new book comes out in July, I'm planning to do some giveaways and such -- you don't want to miss that, do you?

Now let's talk about quilting style.  Recently it's been on my mind.  A friend of mine, Gaynel (who is one of the finest long arm machine quilters by the way) told me about a week ago that she opened up a magazine and saw a quilt that she immediately recognized as one of my designs before she'd even read the designer's name.  This really got me thinking.  What exactly IS my style as a quilt designer?

A day or two ago, my favorite magazine editor mentioned that she really liked my style so I emailed her back and asked her what she saw my style as.  I've always thought of myself as "eclectic" although I'm not really into applique veru much (I do admire it, but I don't really have the patience for it).  Carolyn emailed me back and this is what she wrote,  "I think of your style as tradition with an eye for simple lines...I think you make every effort to display the beauty of the fabrics and
create designs that quilters are confident they can tackle."  She definitely nailed how I approach designing, but now I have to come up with a name for it. 

Until tomorrow, when I announce two lucky winners -- one for the book and one for the magazines!  Now I'm off to hop a little bit more!  Maybe I'll see you!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 6

Hello Once Again Everyone!

Welcome to Day 6 of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  If you leave a comment on the daily post, consider yourself registered to win a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  Oh!  And don't forget to become a follower too!

I am one happy person today!  First, since yesterday I've had FOUR more quilts accepted to Quilter's World Magazine and for an Annie's (used to be House of White Birches) book.  Oh my word!  Luckily all four of them are wall sized or smaller.  What a fun challenge.  NOW OF COURSE, I GET TO GO SHOPPING!

Another cool thing that happened recently is that I found out that my oldest niece, Meg, recently cited my book for one of her papers in college!  Wahoo!  That's something you can't say happens everyday.

The icing on the cake of course, is that the robins are back which means spring is truly right around the corner.  I say this of course, while there's a veritable snowstorm outside right now.  LOL!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 5

Good Morning Friends!

Today is Day 5 of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  If you leave a comment on the daily blog from March 8th until March 14th, you will be registered to win a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  Also, while you're visiting, I hope that you'll become a follower so that we can stay in touch.  Don't forget to visit the other blogs on the Blog Hop, too -- there's like 200 of them!

This morning I found myself working on the binding for the memory quilt I blogged about the other day.  It's amazing how fast binding goes on a small project.  After an hour, I am actually done with the binding.  Now I only have to tack down the hanging sleeve and the quilt will be finished.  I hope my neighbor loves it -- I'm really happy with how it turned out.

After I'm done blogging today, I am planning to begin writing the instructons for two quilts headed to Fons and Porter Easy Quilts.  They are both throw quilts.  One used Marblehead fabrics while the other one used fabric from the Sweetcakes line from Riley Blake.  I really love working with Riley Blake collections, they are fresh and fun and they definitely fit my style.  What's your favorite fabric manufacturer and why?

I finally heard from my editor Kent, who is on  his way to a vacation in Mexico tomorrow -- LUCKY HIM!  Anyway, all fifteen quilts arrived safely last week and are now waiting to have the straight-on photos taken.  Kent said that the book is right on target with space and we should have plenty of room for the diagrams and photos.  WAHOO!  I was a little worried about this because it seemed like so much stuff to cram into 96 pages.

Here's a little nibble about my new and upcoming book with Kansas City Star Quilts:  THE STORY IN THE BOOK BEGINS IN RUSSIA AND ENDS IN THE UNITED STATES!

Interested in knowing more?????  Then become a follower so that you can stay up-to-date on theis new book!

Monday, March 11, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 4

WOW!  I'm very excited that so many people have visited my blog so far.  What fun!  Hopefully you'll become followers too!

Anyway, today is the 4th day of Quilting Gallery's BLOG HOP.  If you leave a comment on today's blog (or any blog from March 8th through March 14th, 2013), you will be registered to win a copy of my first book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.

I thought I'd tell you a little bit about ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS today.

I doubt that I could explain the book better than the back cover description, so here's the description from the back cover:

Make a Home for your orphaned blocks!

Orphan blocks can find their way into any quilter's life.  Whether they are leftover from an unfinished project, collectible blocks found at a garage sale, or even antique blocks discovered in your great-aunt's attic, Tricia Lynn Maloney will teach you how to care for your orphan blocks, and make a home for them.

ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS INCLUDES:
  • 14 projects with 11 variations
  • Instructions on caring for your orphan blocks
  • Advice on designing a setting
  • The story behind each quilt
If you don't have any orphan blocks, Tricia gives you advice on locating potential sources, whether from your own family or online.  And it's easy to substitute brand-new blocks, and make a new quilt from the ground up.  Check out the 11 variations in the book, where Tricia did just that!

Whether your orphan blocks are antique, vintage, collectible, or simply leftover from a recent project, you can sew the perfect setting that will let the blocks shine!

I don't think I could have said it any better!

Here's one of the quilts from my book.  It's called Mad for Madder.  The blocks are circa 1880.  All of the other fabrics are new reproductions.  This is a great quilt setting for any blocks, even modern ones, don't you think?






Sunday, March 10, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 3

Oh What a Beautiful Day in Northwestern Pennsylvania!

Today is DAY 3 of the Blog Hop with the Quilting Gallery.  Remember, if you leave a comment on the day's blog from March 8 - March 14th, you will be registered to win a copy of my first quilt book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  The drawing will be March 15th and the winner will be notified then.  Good Luck! 

OH!  I almost forgot!  Please become one of my blog followers so that we can stay in touch and you'll know when my new book comes out and any upcoming events!

Anyway, back to this beautiful day in NW PA.  It was a balmy 64 degrees F today with lots of sun.  Would you believe that I washed a couple loads of laundry and hung them outside to dry?  Me neither, except that I actually did it.  Oh, how wonderful my clothes smelled when I took them inside and put them away.  Ahhhhhhh.

Spring must be on the way because the animals are coming out to see what's going on -- woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks, Canadian geese, and other assorted bords.  Sadly, I haven't seen my first spring robin yet, but I know it's just a matter of time.  I've even noticed the buds starting to swell on the trees.  What's spring like in your neck of the woods?

Today I did manage to spend some time in my studio although I was wishing it was outisde instead of down in the dungeon!  I put the binding on a small quilt that I've been commissioned to make for a neighbor as a memory quilt for her granddaughter which includes fabric salvaged from her father's (the great-grandfather) red plaid flannel shirt.  I designed a medallion setting and feature a photo of the granddaughter and great-grandfather in the center.  It's rather sweet, don't you agree? I'm very pleased with the quilting.  Have you ever made a memory quilt?



I'm also working on a fat quarter tote bag for an upcoming book.  It's going to be really quite mod with fabrics in black, cream, grey, and taupe.  Pretty fabrics, huh?



I haven't heard from my editor for about a week now.  I'm guessing that no news is actually good news.  I do need to check to see if the quilts arrived at the office, though.  They should have been there last Wednesday and I haven't heard anything so I'd better check on that.

Well, I guess that's enough for today.  Until tomorrow!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 2

Hello Again!  Welcome to Day 2 of the Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  Don't forget to leave a comment to be registered for the drawing of a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  If you leave a comment on the day's blog from March 8th to March 14th, your name will go in the drawing hat.  I plan to draw the winner on March 15th.

The weather was so beautiful today and the sun was so bright that my antique-loving parents and I played hooky and went to one of our favorite places -- Lisa's Indoor Flea Market in Greenville, PA.  Here are some photos of quilt and textile items that I saw there.













This photo shows the assorted quilt blocks that I scored today at my favorite booth.  Five Dresden plates from the 1930's, a ca. 1910 single wedding ring, a ca. 1940 stripy block,  a ca. 1910 unidentified block, a ca. 1900 pinwheel variation, a ca. 1900 nine patch variation, and of course over 100 little nine patch blocks from the 1930's/1940's.



What did you do today?






Friday, March 8, 2013

BLOG HOP DAY 1

Hello Dear Readers!

Today begins the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop. What fun! If you visit my blog between March 8th and March 14th, leave me a comment on the day's blog (yes, I am going to blog every day during this time, seriously) and you will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of my first book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS: MAKING A HOME FOR ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, COLLECTIBLE, AND LEFTOVER QUILT BLOCKS.



 I am going to put all of the participants' names into a hat on March 15th and will pull out the winner. If there are a lot of participants, I might just give away a second book! Or maybe some magazines as I have stacks and stacks of magazines featuring my quilts now. WAHOO! Let the fun begin!

This week I've been feeling decidedly happy. Or perhaps it's giddy relief? I think it has something to do with getting all of my new book project stuff off to my editor, Kent, including the quilts themselves. Also, I think I've got a touch of spring fever too.

At first I thought I'd feel like something was missing once I sent everything, but actually I'm feeling the opposite. I feel like I've found something. Maybe my mind?? Or perhaps my sanity???? Or maybe it could have something to do with actually being able to sew again. Before I sent in all my book stuff, I was chained to my computer and didn't see my sewing machine for weeks and weeks. Sigh.... But now I'm back in the studio working on four quilts and one bag for magazines, and three memory quilts for a neighbor. Oh, I have a couple class samples going right now too. I am SEW HAPPY to be quilting once again.

Until tomorrow!