beyond the reef

...worth repeating.

2012-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve Reflections - 2007

"We are the echo of the future." - W.S. Merwin

On this eve, I choose calm and quiet. I am still and I listen for the echo of what is to come. To create. To do. To be.

And if you are not calm and quiet, and if you are singing and dancing and greeting the new year with revelry, I think that will be what you create and do. That is what you will be.

So, choose wisely.

May the new year be a delight to you all of the days of 2008.

It is a blank page; write well.

As for the old year, I quote Buckminister Fuller:

"There is no conclusion. There are no fortunes to be told, and no advice to be given. Farewell."

And as for the bittersweet ache that 2007 has left, I quote Luis Cernuda:

"I know well enough that this image - fixed forever in my mind is not you, but the shadow of love which exists in me...and although I know this, I then think that without you, without the rare excuse you give me, my love, now a tenderness today would be there within sleeping still and lying in hope...then I thank you."

0 COMMENTS:

Listen.

2011-12-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

I met the most incredible woman tonite.

Her name is Ellen.

Ellen is in College, and everyone around the table had an idea of what she should 'become'.

I thought in that moment, she already IS.

I, for one, hope she grows up to be herself.

That will be the best gift of all that she can give to the world's future.

She and her mother had something in common - an interest in others, and a keen sense of listening.

During this Christmas Eve and throughout Chanukah, may you take a moment to just do that.

Listen.

And when you do speak, speak from the heart, speak from your true self.

Because you just may never know who's listening.

HappiestHolidays.

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

be.do.create

2011-12-07T10:41:00.001-08:00

you know that has been the

tag line

for beyond the reef

for as long as I can remember

be.do.create

so when I saw this

on a blog that I follow

I just had to share

no, not sponsored.

but thoroughly enjoyed.

create daily from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

hope you enjoy it too

maybe even enjoy it enough to sign up

or not

but.

remember.

today is a day to

be.do.create

tomorrow is a day to post a book giveaway

HappiestDays.

HappiestHolidays.

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

2011-12-04T19:28:00.001-08:00

thank you

Martingale and Company

and congratulations to number 3!

please email me your snail mail

addy

and your book will arrive in time

to wrap and put under the tree

tomorrow I will serve

twelve

(yes, as in the 12 days of Christmas)

of my dearest quilters

a formal sit down dinner

turkey

and the trappings

so, the next book giveaway

will be posted on tuesday

because tomorrow, well, you know

hope you'll stop by again

and please

tell a friend

HappiestDays.

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Yes, it's another BOOK GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-30T13:07:00.001-08:00

Congratulations!

back to the last post, and please, #4

send me your snail mail

addy

thank you Martingale & Company

Buddy is bound and determined to help with the seasons' decorations

everyone has their own way of helping, approaching the holidays

even if it's only Winter Solstice

Buddy is helping by laying on the lights, snoozing where the tree will go,

and curling up under the tree where I want to put the quilt

as quilters, I would guess you are all a bit more creative than Buddy

Martingale & Company has passed along a new copy of an older book

from Becky and Linda - Piece O'Cake

That Patchwork Place

the piece o cake applique way is described in detail, the patterns are precise

and the quilt is a-dorable

yes, it's a one quilt pattern book

and while I know I won't probably ever make the completed quilt

i know for a fact that I would make a block here and there, embellish the heck out of them

and frame them to put up for the holidays

I even like the names they used for these blocks

but I just gotta ask

how does your family "help you"

decorate

for the holidays?

your funniest story

HappiestDays

natalie.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T10:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving.

stop.think.thank.

for those of you that know me well

you know that I love Thanksgiving more than just about anything else

it's like Christmas (Hanukkah, or any other December Holiday)

without

the presents

it's the best of both

you get the food the friends the family

without the

"did the sweater I gave her fit"

but with the

"I am so thankful for everything and anything I have in my life"

big or small, little or lots

you just have this day, even if you sit alone by yourself outside on the edge of the bay

you can

stop.think.thank.

i am thankful for all of you - my readers, my followers, my quilting friends

from sri lanka to santa barbara and everywhere in between

thank you

how many of you have been following

generation q magazine?

well, in honour of

"oh thank cuteness"

I present

buddy

getting ready for Thanksgiving Dinner travels to a friend's home

(it's as close as I could get to the picture of the kid in the bath tub with bubbles)

I wish you all well this magical day

whatever your circumstance

may your thoughts turn to that for which you are thankful

I am thankful for you

HappiestDays.

natalie.

Holiday Book Giveaway!

2011-11-23T12:46:00.001-08:00

yep.

I'm a little late in announcing last week's

book giveaway

there was this little matter of

a pie baking cooking class with littleNatalie

and her mom

and did you notice?

we had a comment from

sri lanka!

thanks, Mystica

(her interests are quilting and working with children in orphanages!)

but.

here we go!

back to the blog post to look for number 5

please email me your mailing addy

congratulations!

as always, we are thankful to Martingale & Company for providing such lovely books

for our readers!

this week, we will be talking about 'Tis the Season, by Jeanne Large and Shelly Wicks

this book is 79 pages of everything you could ever need

to turn your home into a winter holiday wonderland

there are pieced projects, applique projects, wool projects

honestly, these two did a lovely job on this book.

how many projects, you ask?

I counted thirteen!

pillows, table runners, wallhangings, quilts

so to get the comments started

here is my question to you

do you change your linens, quilts, quilted wallhangings

for the Holidays?

tell us what you do change in your home

to say

"HappiestHolidays"

HappiestDays.

natalie

It's almost time!

2011-11-21T19:56:00.001-08:00

a team holiday dinner

it's a tradition

and it's just a matter of time

before we get our sparkle on

wish we had room around the table for all of you

to join us

because

there's nothing like a formal sit down dinner

for your "best girls"

hey, best girls,

please rsvp

in the comments below

and tell us all what you'll be bringing

and for those of you that follow us

please let us know

what you'd bring

if you could come too!

HappiestDays

natalie.

Book Giveaway - winner and new book post!

2011-11-14T16:33:00.001-08:00

we have a winner!

okay, it's up to you to count down, six different comments

discover who you are...

and send me an email

natalie@beyondthereefpatterns.com

with your pobox/snailmailaddy

and I will send you your book!

...thank you Martingale & Company

our next book is about

yes, I know...the other creative word

knitting.

I made a milky way scarf sampler, and then I got into quilting for, well, for a lot of quilt shows!

isn't it funny how (at least for me) knitting for quilters is such a seasonal thing!

you know, in Hawaii, they say the best hand quilters come from

upcountry

and that's because it's colder there than anywhere else in Hawaii

whaddya know

of course, people all over the Hawaiian Islands will challenge me about this

tidbit...it's okay...

you will want to make a lot of these projects for your girlfriends,

your quilting sisters

or your family member

please leave a comment

and let us know which person you'd make a project for

it's a big commitment!

HappiestDays.

natalie

it's Book Giveaway time!

2011-11-10T11:15:00.001-08:00

Thank you to Martingale & Company

for allowing us to review their publications

and to have the chance

to give the books to our readers once we are done with our work!

we will be doing book reviews for the rest of the year so that you can have the chance

to be chosen for some great books

holiday gifts

for either yourself or a friend

why do we review Martingale & Company books?

because we love their format, their detail, their team, their authors, and because they believe in us too

this quilting book is the first giveaway

All-Time Favorite

Scrap Quilts

from That Patchwork Place

95 pages

18 projects

15 designers

the designers in this book read like a who's who of quilting

and you get all of these names in one book!

Kim Diehl, Joanna Figueroa, Judy Hopkins, Nancy J. Martin

just to name a few

and that is what I love about this particular book

We know blog readers love giveaways.

Here's the thing. I can't give you the giveaway unless you are a follower of the blog.

why?

because I can't find you to contact you to let you know

you have been chosen by the random number generator

thanks for your understanding

leave a comment naming at least one hand made holiday gift you're making

this year

to be entered in the drawing

we will announce the winner of this series of drawings every Sunday

until the 25 of December

HappiestDays.

natalie

...and you thought it was only "a cat's life"...

2011-11-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

It's true.

Dogs do it too. It's not just cats.

Buddy NEVER hangs out in this part of the house.

...until.....

there is a quilt or project in the space

I can just hear him saying,

"not another quilt..."

"me, me, me!"

"play with me, not fabric"

"hey, will you look at that, there's a perfectly good

DOG

right here!"

I know we talk a lot about balance in our lives.

During the approaching holidays,

let's remember to include our pets

in our balance.

After all, aren't they the ones

that provide us with

the most unconditional love

and the best opportunity for

a walk

a kiss

a smile

a lower heart rate

a better blood pressure

a little understanding

(it's true!)

Here's to "a perfectly good dog..."

HappiestDays.

natalie.

speaking of balance

I have been blog-absent since PIQF

someone at the show

said they would like to see weekly blogs

others said they don't have time for blogs

but would rather see more facebook posts

please - leave me a message

and let me know

how you think I might attract more

"followers"

Thanks!

What brings us together?

2011-10-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

what brings us together?

what is it that we come together to do?

how do we connect with each other?

what do we have in common?

today, while at piqf, I saw a woman's coin purse and commented on how well it was made

"my daughter made it"

then the daughter came over

with her daughter

yep.

they're all wearing black

yep.

but

my point is this

take a moment to find

the

common

among us all

and celebrate the fact that we can come together

at a quilt show

for a charity quilt

to sew for ourselves, for others
in a class
at an exhibit

and that we find that common thread

that binds us all together

HappiestDays.

natalie

beyond the reef

Job. Well. Done.

2011-10-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Job. Well. Done.

“That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

[BusinessWeek, May 25, 1998]

photo credit Jeff Chiu

...with grace.

2011-09-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

we have a very close neighborhood

when we need help, we rarely even need to call

everyone just knows

my mother died when I was just thirty-something

she had been ill for 7 years prior

so as an only child

my role as caregiver came to me very quickly in life

imagine, then, if you will

how pleased I was to meet my neighbor's wife

she was so much like my own mother

she lived her life with such grace

when it was her time, I gave her the last gift that I could

I let people know

I went to their homes, and I spoke quietly and calmly

and I tried to approach the task as she might have

...with grace.

Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes,

that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.

~ Paramahansa Yogananda

take a moment to honour those women in your lives - those who have come before us

let our thanks to them be

our own life

lived

....with grace

natalie.

Sunday Giveaway Series

2011-08-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

"Goodnight Irene"

in honor of families that have no power

and those of you that have experienced

damage

from

Irene

our hearts go out to you

this will be a simple giveaway

this architect bridged both sides of the US

"California B++++alow"

"Falling W++ers"

how many of you can tell me who designed this vase?

and more importantly

as quilters...

what color is this?

HappiestDays.

natalie

(UPS delivery person, Robert, will select the winning comment)

and we will send you a Robert Kaufman

Kona Cotton

Roll Up

2-1/2" strips

black

yum

good design

2011-08-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

good design

I love my friends

that remember

how much

i love

good design

and great architecture

and comfortable

interiors

(did you know I had a 'prior life' before quilting?)

and fabulous lighting

break out of your routine

trust a friend to delight you

I promise,

you won't be disappointed

HappiestDays.

natalie

Sunday Giveaway Series

2011-08-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

sunday giveaway series

by way of explanation

here is the original post

info

so many of the things in my home
from my travels
and my experiences
are
f u n c t i o n a l
items
so.
I thot, "we could do a sunday giveaway series
whereby
I asked all of you the function of something
or the age of something
or the purpose of something"

here we go!

this should be an easy one

please make sure you are an official follower

of the blog

and go to the facebook page

and click that "Likes" button

and then leave a comment about my teal metal containers

I will send you a half yard bundle

of these four

Anthology Fabrics

(I used the two on the left for the pillowcase tutorial)

if the random number generator picks your comment

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

or you can order yardage for your own project

on the shop site

$8.99/yard this weekend only

Pillowcases! a tutorial

2011-08-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

pillowcases tutorial 101

I have a wonderful girlfriend who has a wonderful husband

it's his birthday, and I never know what to get him

so once again, and yes, I've done it before

he's getting

pillowcases

two matching pillowcases

thank you to the person who invented this technique

(I did not, and I don't know who did)

I thot I'd share my favorite technique

for a standard 20 x 28 pillowcase

select two fabrics

one for the body of the pillow, one for the border

if you want a little accent strip, then select three fabrics

(we will not be demonstrating that technique here)

starting with the border fabric, cut 20" x width of fabric

BIG NOTE

(if you have directional fabric or a fabric with a repeat

and you want to fussy cut the fabric

for your 10" strips, you will require more fabric)

turn the cutting mat not the fabric

(another big tip of mine - for accuracy, do not move the fabric, move the cutting mat!!)

and trim to 21" wide

hey, look at that!

it's a NO WASTE project

keep your selvedge and make a selvedge block

make a coaster, make a hot pad, make a block for a quilt

now cut this 21" wide by 20" long piece into two (2) 10" pieces

with your selected pillowcase body fabric

you will cut two 27" lengths of fabric

again, my tip for fast pillowcases

fold this piece of fabric in half

then cut it to be 21" wide

you know I am always trying to give helpful hints

for accuracy

but this project of simple pillowcases are two pieces (three if you want an accent strip)

and they are big pieces

I would never suggest you cut quilt square pieces

in this manner

take one pillowcase body and one pillowcase border

open them both up

body is 27" long x 42" wide

border is 10" long x 42" wide

put the pillowcase border right side DOWN onto the pillowcase body right side UP

when you pin, be sure to pin close to the edge

because.....

you are going to roll the body of the pillowcase towards the border

and make sure your 'roll' is no more than about two inches in diameter

and snuggled up close to that pinned edge

"open" up, or lift the border edge that is not pinned

and continue rolling towards that border edge

until you have rolled all the way to the pinned edge

now place the border, right side down, over the rolled up body of the pillowcase

and tuck that bottom width UNDER the roll

you're going to line up the two edges of the border, with the rolled up body of the pillowcase

in the center

and pin all three layers together

now, clean up that machine that you love so much

and that lets you make so much love to give to others

(get your manual out and get personal with your machine!)

stitch along pinned edge using a 3/8" seam

and...ALWAYS remove your pins as you sew!

here comes the magic - I know there are a lot of pictures, and a lot of 'steps'

but this part is worth the whole tutorial!

start pulling on that rolled up pillowcase body

you're turning it inside out!

it makes for nice clean borders every time

finished edges on the inside and the outside of your pillowcase

without an additional seam or having to finish it by hand

Here's the other tip that makes for accurate, clean, tidy, neat sewing

press, press, press

every step, every seam

every moment spent pressing is time you save when you're sewing

i promise

now we're going to sew the seams

using a french seam

now you're going to fold your pillowcase in half

matching the border seams

and with wrong sides (of body) together

stitch along the raw edges of the side and bottom of the pillowcase

using a 1/4" seam

press, then turn inside out

making sure the seams are pushed "out" and flat

(if you pressed carefully, this will be the case)

another hint

start sewing this seam

about 3/4" from the top edge of the border

then sew in reverse to the edge

and sew forward again

why?

your threads will be buried in the pillowcase

not out at the edge, where they could unravel

and you won't have that backstitch/backstay bulk at the edge of your pillowcase

but rather it will be inside of your pillowcase

now continue to sew just bigger than a 1/4" seam - probably 3/8"

and you will be encapsulating the raw edge of the last seam you stitched

or, as they say, boxing it in

turn right side out

and you have yourself a pillowcase

repeat these steps

and you will have a pair of pillowcases

HappiestDays

natalie

please go to

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

to purchase the fabrics used in this project

congratulations to.....

2011-08-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

congratulations!

jake and vicki

i just know jake is going to love

this

bundle of fabrics!

I think it's a thing for tomatoes, I can't remember what they're called, where the tomato plant climbs up it. I'd put plates on each rung and serve cupcakes and small desserts.

And I can't wait to put 'small desserts'

on my garden pieces

because

clearly

they didn't make it into the garden

they are a lovely memento of a wonderful time spent

in Boise, Idaho

I don't know about you, but I see quilts when I look at this...

how about you?

HappiestDays

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Sunday Giveaway - a little late

2011-08-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

sunday giveaway

(okay, I'm a little off schedule)

So, if you'll remember
the
sunday giveaway series is about the following:

so many of the things in my home

from my travels

and my experiences

are

f u n c t i o n a l

items

so.

I thot, "we could do a sunday giveaway series

whereby

I asked all of you the function of something

or the age of something

or the purpose of something"

here we go...

please leave a comment

to be entered in the 'drawing'

for this fq bundle

of colorful fabrics

your comment should answer two questions

1. how were these metal sculptural elements

originally used?

2. in what unique way would you use them (other than for what they were intended)?

cmmon.

get creative here

think of something really

wacky

wild

wonderful

whimsical

let's have some fun.

HappiestDays.

natalie

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Sunday Giveaway Series

2011-08-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday Giveaway

(every sunday afternoon)

okay, well, at least for a little while

(because we'd like our readers to become followers)

I started noticing

that most of the things in my home

have a story behind them

wait.

I'm not saying that well at all.

so many of the things in my home

from my travels

and my experiences

are

f u n c t i o n a l

items

so.

I thot, "we could do a sunday giveaway series

whereby

I asked all of you the function of something

or the age of something

or the purpose of something"

here we go!

having said that

here is the first question

(not so fast, I know it's a juicer)

do any of you know the name of this pattern?

and for the next question

can you guess what I made each of my neighbors

that they found on their doorstep

this morning?

and finally.

you guessed it

do pigs fly?

(just kidding)

my favorite photo in the kitchen

was found in waterloo nebraska

what task is the woman in the photo performing?

answer all three questions

(or make up your answers)

and as long as you're a follower

I will send you a beyond the reef pattern

h u l a c h i c k e n

(hint)

if your post is chosen by the random number generator

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

I will post every sunday afternoon

I will announce the winner every tuesday afternoon

won't you tell a friend

and help me log a few more

followers?

21 Madison Cottage - a tutorial

2011-08-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

International Quilt Market

Long Beach

21 Madison Cottage

(marcia, marcia, marcia)

(tropical punch)

here is the tutorial for the lovely quilt that was hanging in the

beyond the reef

booth

thank you once again to

Madison Cottage Design

Kenna Ogg

(available for a limited time only; pattern coming soon)

This is a 'no waste' quilt

so be sure to read all instructions carefully.

Measure twice, cut once

please

your quilt will require 21 fat quarters, two must be a highly contrasting light/white

binding will require 5/8 of a yard

the backing will require 4 yards

Creative Grids 60 degree ruler
batting of your choice

quilt size is 63 x 75

After admiring your 21 fabulous fat quarters, press all of the fat quarters.

Square up one of the +/- 21" edges and trim, minimally.

From each fat quarter

cut three (3) 5-1/2 inch strips, perpendicular to the selvage you just trimmed

so that you have three (3) 5-1/2" x +/- 21" pieces

You are going to need a 60 degree ruler - our favorite is the Creative Grids ruler.

do not stack your strips to cut your triangles

cut each of the 5-1/2 inch strips separately

(yes, I really want you to only cut one strip at a time)

place selvage edge on the right, and cut edge on the left

place 60 degree ruler

with 5-1/2 inch line on the bottom of the strip

and flat point on the top

as far to the left as you are able

to make a whole triangle

cut on both sides of the ruler

rotate the ruler so that the 5-1/2inch line is on top of the strip

and the flat point is on the bottom

cut again

repeat this, until you have cut five (5) triangles

square off that remaining selvage edge

place your 60 degree ruler on your fabric

with the left center line on the edge

cut angled side

and trim

this will be a side triangle

here comes a really important part

of the instructions

out of your three (3) 5-1/2 inch strips

you are going to cut two of them fabric right sides up

and one of them wrong side up

and you are going to trim the selvage

and trim the side triangle

the same way you did before

but

this will give you right and left

side triangles

from which to choose

when you lay out your top

on your design wall

from each fat quarter

there will be fifteen (15) triangles

and three (3) side triangles

both right and left

you should now have twenty one (21) different stacks of triangles

that you just cut from each fat quarter

stack them by color

pick up one triangle from each color stack

and lay them out to create a row of your quilt

a row will be made up of 21 different colored triangles

(don't worry about adding the side triangles yet)

continue laying out 21 different colored triangles

until you have completed fifteen (15) rows in this same manner

fifteen rows

twenty one triangles per row

lay out the white and the sand

colored triangles

to form

diamonds

scattered about your quilt

once you have a pleasing layout

add a left and right triangle to each row

arranging them to your liking

stack your rows and label them

start sewing triangles together to form rows

the flat point of one triangle

fits just inside the triangle next to it

(right sides together)

sew 15 rows

match tips of triangles together as they are pinned

sew rows together

sew just through the top of triangle

where seams intersect

continue to use scant 1/4 inch seam allowance

and sew all rows together

after sewing all rows together and pressing your quilt

stay stitch approximately 1/8 inch from the edge

this will protect your seams and your edges until your quilt is finished

thanks to all of you that purchased the kits for this quilt

International Quilt Festival

Long Beach

there are bundles available

and Creative Grids rulers available

in the

beyondthereef

shop

HappiestDays.

natalie.

"Against the Grain" tutorial, part two

2011-07-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

t u t o r i a l - p a r t t w o

here's where the tape comes in

okay, you've sewn your pillow top, and you're ready to

"go against the grain"

but first, we're gonna have to go with the grain

from the side edge of the pillow edge

measure 3-1/2" from the edge

place your ruler along the side, and run the masking tape against the edge of the ruler

down the whole top of the pillow, top to bottom

yep.

those strips that you sewed down?

the whole 22 inches

perpendicular to your strips

now measure 4" from that first line of masking tape

and place another piece of masking tape

down the whole top of the pillow

perpendicular to your strips

continue placing masking tape every 4" across the whole pillow top

now, you'll need some thread, and a sewing machine

grab your glasses too

(you know you're gonna need them...cmmon, I'm just sayin...)

straight stitch sew DOWN the top of your pillow

'with the grain'

if you will

and if you don't already have the iron/ironing board out

you're gonna need a hot iron and an ironing surface

too

remove the masking tape from your pillow top

place top right side up

and iron

(now)

"Against the Grain"

all of your folded strips

are going to create a curved edge

back to the tape

place masking tape perpendicular to your strips

to hold the folded strip curves in place

'against the grain'

you're going to want to have the edge of the tape

(your sewing guide)

at the middle of the other two 4" sewing lines

straight stitch sew UP the top of your pillow

'against the grain'

t u t o r i a l - p a r t t h r e e

grab your remaining 2-1/2" strips

cut 11 (eleven) and 11 (another eleven)

2-1/2" x 17-12" long

did you remember to trim the selvages?

sew strips together to make two 17-1/2" x 22-1/2" rectangles

hem one side of each 22-1/2" length

place 'Against the Grain' pillow top right side up

place backs right sides down

to form envelope back

sew all four sides

turn pillow right side out

enjoy!

So, thank you, Kenna

Madison Cottage Design

for creating such a great textured pillow

Please come by Booth 937/1036

this weekend

to take a peek at the finished product

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

"Against the Grain" tutorial, part one

2011-07-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

p r e f a c e

you all know

if you have read anything I have written about quilting

that I firmly believe we don't ever get to our destination

alone

by ourselves

just because

we are truly the sum of our parts

our friends

the people that walk shoulder to shoulder with us

to get to that destination

you have read the interviews...you have seen the projects...you have read the books

Rose Hughes

Jaybird Quilts

Martingale & Company authors

and so for the International Quilt Festival, Long Beach

(thank you, Quilts, Inc.)

we will post two tutorials by Kenna Ogg, Madison Cottage Design.

available for a limited time only.

thank you, Kenna.

"Against the Grain"

kenna ogg

madison cottage design

t u t o r i a l - part one

a happy 21" pillow

for this pillow we are using a Robert Kaufman Glam Garden roll-up

you will need (22) 2-1/2" strips by width of fabric (wof)

trim selvages from all strips

select twenty-two (22) strips that you will want to make up the front of your pillow

cut a piece twenty two inches 22" from each of those twenty two (22) strips

keep the remaining fabric handy

(we're going to use it to make the backing for the pillow)

take ten (10) of those strips, and fold them WRONG sides together and press
(these will be your "folded strips")

take one 2-1/2" strip (these are your "flat strips") , and one folded strip,
and line up raw edges at the top of the 2-1/2" strip
DON'T SEW YET....

now, take another 2-1/2" flat strip, and line up raw edges again,

sandwiching your folded strip between the two 2-1/2" flat strips that are now RIGHT sides together.

OKAY, NOW YOU CAN SEW

using your 1/4" seam - sew along the edge with the folded strip

press open

continue sewing your rows in this same manner until you have 10 "folded strips"
and eleven "flat strips"
(ending with a flat strip)
your pillow top will be 22" x 22-1/2"

now we're going to add that texture

you're going to need some tape

and

you're going to have to come back tomorrow

to learn how to make the texture!

HappiestDays

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

A Quilter's Story

2011-07-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

I wrote to a friend recently.

Passing on some information about a private party quilt and fabric sale.

"there's a story in those quilts and fabrics"

I wrote to her...I'll share it with you one day

we all make quilts.

we all make quilts for different reasons.

we select fabrics, carefully,

and add them to our stash

some fabrics are chosen with specific people in mind

we think of those we love as we look at quilts or patterns

or fabrics

and they carry our love to them in the finished quilt

that they wrap around them

as they move through their lives

but sometimes we part with our intended fabrics, or quilts, or blocks

or projects

I hope when you receive that gift of a fat quarter bundle

or a quilt top

or a stack of blocks

that you will honour the person that first had these treasures

bless them

and give wing to their projects

put your own story

into those fabrics

that quilt

and pass it on to someone you love

HappiestDays

natalie

Friendship.

2011-06-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

friendship.

friendship comes in all shapes and sizes

it is the family we wish we had

it is our inspiration

our accountability

there are times that we struggle with it

and those are the times, I have found, that you must remind yourself

that your friend may be struggling too

one day one of my best girlfriends and I were at an outdoor quilt show

she is 5'-0" olive skinned, I am 5'-8" and blonde/blue

someone overheard our exchange and asked,

"are you two sisters?"

and before I could say a word, my friend simply and calmly replied,

"if she was my sister, I would have killed her a long time ago!"

have patience

and be thankful for whatever kind of friendship you have

for it is truly the best gift of all

that friend that makes us more than the sum of who we already are

and urges us to be more than we could ever hope to be

HappiestDays

natalie.

Pattern Giveaway WINNER!

2011-06-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

we have a pattern giveaway winner

congratulations
to our new sewing and quilting friend

next giveaway
Martingale & Company
new new new
book

please check in with us again - this week!

HappiestDays.
natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Sewing Day!

2011-06-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

So many of us quilt. We don't sew, we quilt.

Others started sewing, and then began quilting.

I started sewing and quilting, oh, I'd say, at about the same time.

I wanted to make quilts - meaningful gifts.

and

I wanted to make cool clothes.

You know, "one-of-a-kind-wear".

So when the Kwik Sew patterns that I had ordered at Market arrived
and the

Cloud 9 Organic Cottons.
arrived,
I couldn't help myself.

Of course, I pulled out some tropical cottons, as well.

These patterns are a first for me (well, almost).

They are lovely. Step by step instructions, and paper patterns.

So here are a few tips.

Trace the size you will be using, and leave the patterns intact.

Lesson number one.

Lesson number two.

Follow the instructions.

Whether you might make it that way or not, follow the instructions.

Lesson number three.

A dress pattern, if short enough, can indeed be considered a top.

And lesson number four?

Well, be sure to share.

Share a good pattern. Share a good fabric.

Share a day team sewing with a friend, if you must, to get your sewing done.

Or your quilting.

Or your knitting.

Then return the favour.

HappiestDays.

natalie.

want to win a copy of the pattern

shown in "lesson I can't remember"?

become a facebook follower.

and a blog follower.

leave a tip

a sewing tip

in the blog comments

we'll announce the winner on Monday.

quick.

(hahahahaha)

It's Memorial Day - Decoration Day...

2011-05-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

I met a young man on a plane.

I could tell by his haircut.

I asked him, "Are you visiting - family or a girl?"

"Family, ma'am."

I knew right away.

"Thank you for your service"

"I bet they were happy to have you home. How often do you see your family?"

"Not often," was all he said.

He was a Ranger.

"I came home for my Grandfather's funeral."

"Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. How is your grandmother doing?"

"My grandfather was in the Air Force. They were married 54 years. She's not doing so well, ma'am."

"What is her name?"

"Lois, ma'am."

"Well, I will hold her in my thoughts."

He continued.

"He had a military funeral. That's also why I came home. They let me participate, even tho I'm a Ranger."

"She must have been proud."

"They let me present the flag to her."

I stopped, trying to imagine Lois at the moment her grandson bent down

to gently place the American Flag in her hands.

After composing myself, I said, "That must have been a very special moment for her."

So, I hope that today, in whatever way you choose,

you will remember young men like the one I met on the airplane

that you will remember older men like his grandfather

and that you will say a prayer, or stop for just a moment

to think kindly about Lois.

natalie.

(disclaimer - young men and women, older men and women)

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns!

2011-05-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Quilt Market

You've seen the pictures
met the folks behind your favorite designs.

But why do we go to Market?

To find lovely things for you to make.
lovely things.
lovely.

JUGGLING SUMMER

DARK TARGET

STONY SNIPPETS

Like these three moderns. I can't wait to see them in Hawaiian.

I can't wait.

This designer is from Germany.

And her booth won best first exhibitor's booth!

Thank you Brigitte and your hubby for bringing us these wonderful designs.
It was a pleasure meeting you and your hubby.

ILSA HANDLEBAR BASKET PATTERN

EVA SEWING BASKET PATTERN

KARIN LAUNDRY ROOM PATTERNS
And things for your home.

"Whether you sew, quilt, embroider, knit, or do any kind of needlework, we believe that handicrafts create a happier world.

Using your hands to make something stimulates your imagination, gives you a source of pride and accomplishment, and ultimately feeds your soul.

It's not just about the finished product, it's about the journey.

Hemma is Swedish for "at home."

We're here to inspire you and help create a bright, cheery, and happy life at home.

kathy mcgee - designer"

For garments and bags, we had a long appointment with the "Global Specialist"
at KwikSew.
Beautiful white paper patterns, two color, and great sizing.

And when it comes to bags, in one pattern, you'll find THREE bags.

Finally, from Australia, we are bringing you three patterns from Kellie.
Here are two - "Oh Christmas Tree..."
There is a lovely story that goes with the pattern "Memories"
but you're going to have to come by the booth
at Long Beach
Summer Quilt Festival
to hear it!

If you don't want to wait until Festival, you can find these in the shop now.

HappiestDays.
Natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

PS - coming soon, JaybirdQuilts patterns too!

Book Giveaway Winner is.....

2011-05-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

we have a winner!

thank you martingale & company

and remember....this is an autographed copy of this book.

Thanks to the rest of you for visiting - please tell your friends!!

Over the next week, we will be posting all of the patterns and fabrics

on the website/shop site

that we found at Spring Quilt Market

Hope you'll visit there as well!

HappiestDays.

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Book Giveaway - Special Book from Quilt Market

2011-05-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

s u r p r i s e

it's a book giveaway

exclusively from

Spring Quilt Market

Thanks to Martingale & Company

we have a new book for this giveaway.

A book written by two authors.

This signed copy is for one of you!

These two authors worked between the USA and UK

to bring us

12 Sunbonnet Sue wallhanging patterns!

The quilts are definitely achievable.

And the book, of course is written in that great

Martingale style.

Just look - color, fabric recommendations...

And last but not least, not only do you get twelve very cute Sunbonnet Sue

wallhangings - one for each month of the year

BUT.

You can log on and get two more free patterns

for larger quilts!

Like our beyond the reef facebook page

then leave a comment on the fb page saying "I'm in" for the Spring Quilt Market book giveaway.

Then become a blog follower and leave a comment on this blog.

The random number generator will select a winner

Monday

nite.

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

Come with me to Market!

2011-05-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

a wordless tour

Spring Quilt Market

HappiestDays.

natalie

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Spring Quilt Market

2011-05-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Spring Market.

It's a wholesale show.

It's big.

How big you ask?

BIG.

Today we'll take classes every twenty minutes from 10 am to 6pm

while every name you can possibly think of

in the quilting industry

sets up their booth.

We're on our way.

(what, you ask, no pictures?!?!?)

HappiestDays.

natalie.

Happiest Mothers Day

2011-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Happiest Mother's Day,

Mom.

I know

no matter where I am

there you are.

I miss you so...

HappiestDays.

natalie.

Amy Butler Designs and fb

2011-05-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

We received an email from

and thot I'd pass the word along...

Hello Sweet Friend!

I've just launched my Amy Butler Facebook page and I'd love you to join me! THIS feels good! We're cracking open the champagne, putting on our party dresses and celebrating the start of something great! The timing is perfect as this is my 10th year in the quilting industry so there is lots to be grateful for and lots to get excited about. So what's this all about?

More is more I always say... What should you expect from me? For starters, this pit stop in FB land is all about love and creating... and especially connecting. There will be exclusive, yummy everything from photos, projects, sewing and crafting inspirations, videos, music, food, contests and more! This is going to be an evolving project for all of us. You, me and whatever life brings us.

I have also updated my flickr page. I've added photos from some recent photo shoots, my family, studio and home. I've also started a few groups so you can share your creations with everyone! New groups will be added as we go along.

Click on each link below to start uploading your favorite projects today!

Amy Butler "Soul Blossoms" Fabric Projects

Amy Butler "Love" Fabric Projects

Amy Butler Book Projects

Amy Butler Craft Projects

Amy Butler Sewing Patterns

Amy Butler Quilts

Amy Butler Decor - show off your decorating inspirations!

I am so excited about these new ways to connect with you. I would love to hear your feedback so become a fan and let me know what you want to see on these pages in the future, I can't wait to hear your wonderful ideas!

Much Love,

Amy

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

We have a book giveaway WINNER!

2011-04-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Leah!

Leah, you won the book!

Thank you Martingale & Company.

Here's the thing, tho.

Remember that fabric I showed you that I picked out

to make the cover quilt?

Well.

I didn't work on it.

Nope, I didn't get it done!!

So it's off to the quilt store for me.

I gotta get my own copy of this great title

so I can finish that quilt!!

Leah, please email me with your addy and your book will be on it's way.

Remember to support your local quilt shop.

And quilt designers.

And Martingale & Company.

HappiestDays.

natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Book Giveaway - It's here!

2011-04-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you

Martingale & Company

This book is filled with great projects.

I love the cover quilt.

tons of great projects, actually.

so I picked a ton of pieces out of my 'new stash'.

red, white and blue

well, sort of.

but in reality,

I am inspired by the book.

their colors.

honestly, didn't the last post have to do with stash?

here it is.

I will post pics of the cutting,

and pics of the last book's project.

I just want you all to know.

Martingale takes the time to give you the details.

I mean, how many of you take the time to

pop your seams

for better pressing, and overall flatness?

This is a book giveaway.

Become a follower

of the blog

of the facebook page

and

tell me what is blooming in your garden

something

that has come up in the last week

and you are entered in the random drawing

to win this book

Drawing will be April 16

Saturday.

HappiestDays.

natalie

Another Special Fabric Bundle

2011-04-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Many of you said you enjoyed

the

'special fabric bundle'

so.

you ask,

we deliver.

I am not a project by project quilter.

Okay, yes, I have made projects from just one fabric line.

BUT.

I am for the most part, a quilter that likes to pick and choose.

Quilting as a process, for me, is 'messy'.

We've talked about this before, haven't we?

I recently visited friends, sewing machine in hand.

And projects neatly tucked in little bags.

But before I knew it, I realized I needed

FABRIC STASH.

It is what makes antique quilts, scrap quilts, family quilts

so endearing...that 'unmatched' look.

Moda? check. Michael Miller? Got my Laura Gunn.

Orange? Yep.

Martha Negley. Joel Dewberry. Andover.

Want a chance to purchase

this eclectic blend?

I bought extra, with four of you in mind.

fat eighths

(we like to give a little extra at beyond the reef)

Leave your comment and a "mine, mine, mine"

(thank you vintageweave interiors)

and if you're one of the first four to comment

one of these bundles

could be yours

$18.98

shipping/tax

included

HappiestDays.

natalie

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

Giveaway Winner is.....

2011-04-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations

we have a new sock knitting

friend!

Happy Cottage Quilter said...

I can only knit scarves so far. I've picked knitting back up because it was quick and easy projects. But I'd love to learn how to knit socks and hats!!! That is my goal :-)

Well, we can't wait to see your socks!

Thanks for visiting.

natalie.