Inspiration + Tradition

they say if you toss your lei into the sea, that you will return again to Hawaii

like the lei returns to the Islands on the waves that carry it back to the shore

I think that a quilt of yellow/orange, red, purple, grass green and white

will carry me back to Hawaii

 

Inspiration

+

Tradition

beginagain

2010

natalie.

I have been sending to a select group of you, your own personal emails.

I saw you at a show, or you wrote to me, and you asked me.

Please email me.

Reminders.

And for the rest of you, here it is.

The Seven Sisters Quilt Show is this weekend.

At the Madonna Inn Expo Center.

In San Luis Obispo California.

9-5 and 9-4

Saturday and Sunday

Now, if I seem a little tired as you come by to see me, please be kind to me.

And compliment me on the booth.

And the quilts.

And the hula girl fabric quilt (we have kits).

And the Paper Dolls quilt (we have kits).

And maybe my hair or something like that.

Fake it about the hair.

Please.

Anything.

It takes a lot to get ready to 'get on the road'...

It is girls weekend for me, too.  With Katey and Lisa (oh, okay, we're gonna have Paul and Chip the dog with us too).

We're gonna be at some great place to eat and drink and carry on after the show setup on Friday.

We'll see you there!!

And the next morning, since Katey is in charge, we'll go for a run.

We'll see you there, too - Katey in front, me bringing up the rear.  Like I tell people about running, I do it, I just don't do it well.

THEN we'll do the quilt show.

So, if I seem a little tired when you see me...

Thanks for thinking of

b e y o n d   t h e   r e e f

sparkle and shine

2009

(sorry I have not written more - more in the days to come)

Aloha Fish are HERE!! aka Quilted Origami Series

a l o h a   f i s h

...the fish are here.  Well, actually, the fish were at Road to California.

And if you signed up for the class at

Luella's Quilt Basket

you received the pattern before anyone else, anywhere else.

We had a great class, and accomplished a lot.

Some people that have taken other Quilted Origami classes from me

said the fish are easier than the Aloha Shirts or Aloha Muu Muus.

That remains to be seen.

After all, they took the class!!

As a bonus, we discussed color theory, and even got some needle turn applique techniques in as well.

You never know what you're gonna get in one of my classes as a bonus.

Last time we were at Luella's we were dancing - hULa!!

In the Quilted Origami series of beyond the reef patterns, there are no raw edges when you're done with your model.

All that's left to do when you are done, is stitch it down to the background fabric.

And so it is with this little fish.

(well, except for the tail, which you needle turn under, then you're done)

The patterns are completed, and the quilt is completed, and the class is taught!!

We did have a lot of fun in class, tho - - I hope you'll consider taking a quilt shop class in your neighborhood.  Remember to support your local quilt shop and your quilt Guild, as they support YOU!!

Thanks for thinking of 

b e y o n d   t h e   r e e f

Natalie.

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

PS - my apologies if the pics are loading slowly - - 

I am trying a different camera, and the settings might just be a little off...

let's see how this goes...

On your journey...leave tracks.

A girlfriend sent me a birthday card this month that read,

     "On your journey through the sands of time...leave tracks."

As quilters, we are always leaving tracks, aren't we.  Tracks.  Did I say tracks?  I meant threads.  What if it read, 'On your journey, leave threads.'  We leave our tracks on the minds of the people that see our quilts hanging in shows.  We leave our tracks as we wrap our loved ones in our three dimensional creations.  We leave our tracks on the hearts of the people that receive our donation quilts - for auction, for a ride along, for camp, for a chemo treatment chair...we leave our tracks on the hearts and minds of people we touch with our quilts.

Which is why I have posted this shining doorway pic.  Do not be afraid of going through.  Make tracks.  Take the class.  Make the quilt.  Make a mistake.  Make the successful ribbon winner.  But go through.  Because when you are done with the quilt, the mistake, the class, when you have pushed through, you will find on the other side....yet another door.  (now you are wondering why you read this blog, right?)  No, really.  And thank God for that!!  Because if we had only one door to push through, one class to take, only ONE quilt to make...well, you understand now.  Oh.  ONE quilt to make?  What would it be?  I can't pick just one, can you?  Make tracks.

I will, however, give you my list of ONE's here today, tho.  The things you can find at www.beyondthereefpatterns.com .  The things I really do use.  The things I can count on for great projects.  Which is why I carry them - to pass them on to you!!

• Jeana Kimble Needles
• Weeks Dye Works threads
• SOAK soap
• Bamboo Batting
• Amy Butler books
• Denyse Schmidt papers and journals

But just ONE quilt?  No way to make tracks, thank you.

I remember one day my 9 year old friend Kendra came through the garden gate and stood in the doorway of the cottage - just as I was tasting a quilt top.  "Natalie, are you making ANOTHER quilt?!?????," she asked.  And then she smiled.  If I knew Kendra's smile was the glow on the other side of that door, of course I would go through!!! And of course, I AM making ANOTHER quilt.  This time Kendra, it is a series of quilts.  And I am pushing through that doorway on my journey.  Hanalei Bay and Diamond Head.  Then Big Island and Maui.  The same size as the honu quilt (you can find this quilt kit on our website).  18 x 22 ish.  A journey.  Tracks.  

Won't you join me?

be.do.create

2008

Thanks for thinking of

b e y o n d   t h e   r e e f

Natalie.

natalie@beyondthereefpatterns.com

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

www.beyondthereefpatterns.blogspot.com