Hi there...

Hi, my name is Jessica.
I am a mom at home with my kids (ages 4 and 1.5). I am always looking for creative outlets for my silly brain that always seems to be running and running. (the kids are running too.)

Tonya is so inspirational, I don't need to tell all of you about that. I like that she seems to start something and then....(gasp) she carries it to a logical end and gets a lot of great creative work out there (out of her head and into the world).

I have been eyeing the letters for many months now and know that they are going to be a part of my project...I have to say that I really like the word "joy" and may incorporate it in to mine too.

Look forward to working together...thanks tonya!

Last Christmas...

Hi, Heidi here :-)
This is my sketch for the elk. I'm not sure if it will have 4 legs, I think 2 legs will be easier.
At the moment I'm struggeling with the horns... wish me luck
Heidi

hi from Søren

I'm Søren from Western Massachusetts. My blog is http://rivermade.blogspot.com - there isn't any quilting there, although I do quilt! I'm not sure what I want to do for this class - some kind of wallhanging that makes me feel COZY!

Winter Inspiration

I was trying to think of what would be a good wintertime quilt for a person who lives somewhere it doesn't snow. My first thought was a pine tree. They're easy to make and can be pretty all on their own. It's also an excellent block for a christmas quilt. So I've made a tree tutorial, it's now on my blog.

I think a quilt just like this would be lovely. The dots can be stars or snow, however you choose to look at it. Maybe the word "peace". That's a great word to do in all capital letters, including the A that's made like an H (no slants) if you've never tried the letters before.

By the way, if you've never done any free-piecing before, do realize there is a learning curve. It helps to do the same block over and over again a few times until you get the hang of it.

I could also throw some snowflakes (aka asterisks) into my scene. These are made with a 4" background and 1" strips. I think I'll add background fabric to the corners of the block in order to round off the snowflakes. I'd also do at least one more flake - four is an awkward number. Five would be better.

Here's another tree quilt for inspiration. This is Blue Spruce by Gwen Marston. She's my hero.

You can't get a more simply pieced quilt, it's definitely a showcase for her marvelous quilting. If you love hand quilting, I hope you've checked out a copy of Quilting with Style by Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham. Holy Cow! The book is out of print and usually it costs an arm or a leg, but there's a glut of them right now at Amazon.com. Fantastic prices. If you love hand quilting, go get a copy. I highly recommend it.

The other fun place to look for hand quilting inspiration is Joe Cunningham's Freehand Quilting.

Back to talking about trees... You can make them really scrappy. When you put a tree shape down on a background? Well you could layer a stack of four background blocks and then mix and match the resulting shapes.

And you know how you end up with a tree shape after you've cut out the background? Well change it somehow before you use it again. Make it skinnier or leaning to one side, make it shorter... You want all the blocks to be different. That's the advantage to free-piecing - if everything is different and a bit wonky, then nothing is wrong.

You could use just scrappy trees for a top, or add words. You could use the trees as alternate blocks between Hugs and Kisses 4-Patches (aka Xs and Os - see the Take the Leap Challenge for more info. Xs and Os are easy to make, that's why I recommend them). Or alternate blocks between houses or anything else you can think of.

If you're wondering how in the heck this class works, this is basically it. I give you tools in the tutorials and then I throw lots and lots of ideas at you. Pick something that you want to work on and start making blocks. If you're at all stuck or unsure of where to start, then write a post about what your ideas or inspirations are, and then we can all work together to get you started.

Did you see the wonderful JOY that Juliann made? Those are more great letters to practise with - they're easy and soooo happy.

Introduction

Hi, Heidi here,
just a short introduction: I'm 48 years, married, 2 kids, part time working and quilting for 11 years now. Nearly all of my quilts are traditional, but I've tried free piecing too.
I will try an elk and see where it will lead me.
This is my first blogger post at all, so I will keep it short :-))
Heidi

Word Number 1

Hi everyone

I have you all to blame for a late night last night - yeah, right!*

I don't often have a plan for a quilt that is 'artistic' all nutted out in my head right from the beginning (okay, I confess, I don't make many art quilts) but when I saw Tonya's on-line class a picture popped into my head straight away. I stayed up until 2 am to get my first word done and here it is:

I think this is going to be fun.

Cheers
Helen from NZ

* "yeah, right!" is a billboard campaign for Tui beer here in NZ. I think it means the same as "not!"

Jenclair from Bayou Quilts

Officially, I'm auditing this class. I want to learn, but "auditing" gives me an out if I don't follow through with an actual product.

My initial foray into quilting occurred right before my first granddaughter's 1st birthday when I took a class for a simple 9 patch at a local quilt shop. From there, I went online! Into the virtual quilting world...where you can find what you need when you need it.

I'm less traditional than some, although I adore traditional quilts. I love Gwen and Freddy and their no rules, bright, and cheerful creations. The simplicity of Denise Schmidt also appeals. All over the map, that's me. My blog is Bayou Quilts, although quilting is limited at the moment!

I recognize so many names here, and such a variety of styles! I'm so looking forward to the class, regardless of how much or how little I actually accomplish. Thanks, Tonya!

ANNIE - hey you guys are FAST!!!

WOwwww! I can't believe how fast you guys are moving>>>> warp speed!. I'm still trying to get my ideas on paper and a couple of you have houses and letters done! I think this is going to be a class of A+++ students. I better get an apple for the teacher! LOL

Tracey and I have found that we are part of the same guild. She lives about 20 minutes from me and we met through a gal in Paris!

Hope to have some sketched to post on Monday ~ have a great weekend.

Juliann's first post

Hi all - Juliann from the Pacific Northwest here. I am so excited to join you. I started playing with some pieced letters right away. I can't wait to start making houses and trees and angels.

I took a class with Gwen Marston many years ago and just loved the wonky piecing we did. This will be fun.

Thought I'd prove I could free piece

Hi, Helen From NZ again.

I found the house blocks so I thought I'd add a piccy to this blog, just to prove that I could free piece. I think what I've proved is that I take blurry pictures when it is 11.30 pm on a Saturday night. I made these a couple of years ago for a quilt I am going to call "Not All Houses Have Chimneys". I'm great at thinking up names for quilts, not so great at finishing them!

Hi from Helen

Hi everyone

I'm Helen from New Zealand. I've been reading Tonya's blog for over a year now and I love her free and easy piecing style. This challenge caught my eye since I don't free piece much, although I do have about a dozen Gwen Marston Style house blocks languishing in one of the many 'to do' piles that seem to multiply in my house.

Christmas here means a long summer holiday, barbeques, beaches and blue sky forever - well at least in my childhood memory it does!

You are welcome to visit me on my blog honeybunchquilting

Hello from Diane at Persnickety

Hello! I’m Diane from the Chicago area. I’ve already “met” some of you through my blog, Persnickety Quilts, and look forward to joining you in Tonya’s cyber classroom.

I’ve been quilting for 26 years and for much of that time, defined my style as “traditional.” After several visits to Gwen Marston’s Beaver Island Quilt Retreat, I’m more comfortable with “liberated” quilt construction. I love the whimsical results of working spontaneously and can’t wait to try Tonya’s techniques for lettering.

I want to make a little Christmas quilt with a “BAH HUM BUG” theme. Naturally, I had the curmudgeonly Scrooge in mind, while the endlessly inspiring Tonya thought of a buzzing insect (guess that’s why she’s the teacher!) Can’t wait to get started. I’ve been away from my machine too long.

Fitzy - Quilted Cactus

Greetings from the desert southwest, where we reached 86 degrees today! Fall fashion means wearing flip-flops in autumnal colors.

I work full time for our County, (and then some), averaging an 11 hour work day. I'm an auditor, and if I'm not crunching numbers, I'm doodling machine quilting while talking on the phone, and spending every free nano-second thinking about quilting, lol. I fit it in wherever possible. I've also gotten involved with knitting, it's a love-hate relationship. I've been quilting for about 8 years, knitting since 6 grade.

My dh works in the control room for the ABC affiliate on the morning & noon news program. We rise and shine at 3am so he can be there by 4. My idle time in the morning is like what normal people have in the evening, and I'm planning to get my sewing done in that window. Heck, I think I have a whole hour and a half before I need to get ready for work! Obviously, you can gather that we're both morning people! (Bedtime is 8pm, thank goodness we have no daylight savings time!)

I'm planning a wallhanging for this Winter class. I've got some temporary designs floating in my gray matter...maybe a jumbled string of Christmas lights, or an old-fashioned bust of Santa.

I appreciate Tonya for giving us this opportunity to gather together. I've tried being in a Ring, it just didn't suit me. This allows less rules and more freedom, my kinda style!

Can't wait to get started!

You can see what other trouble follows me on my blog.

Kim of Kim's Quilting Adventure

Hi I'm Kim from northern NJ and am a self taught quilter. Now that hasn't stopped me from taking a bunch of classes in the last few years. I've been quilting since high school in the 80's *gasp*.

I just love the free form letters on Tonya's blog. I too love the Liberated Quilting books and want to learn to play more "outside the templates". I was reading the blog to my dd and she is going to help with the design of the quilt. She doens't like to sew :( but she is quite creative in her own work.

I can't wait for us to get started playing.

Annie - quilt til you wilt

Hi Gals! I'm really excited about Tonya's class. I have been a fan of Tonya's for some time now. I have a blog Quilt til you Wilt which will give you an idea of what's going on with me. I live in CT and have been quilting for about 7 years. I've been married almost 25 years and have a son who just turned 21! He is a senior in college in Vermont.

I've got lots of ideas for this quilt and hope to sketch something out this weekend. Looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing!

Thanks, Ton, for inviting me to the soiree!!

Tracey in CT

Hi Everyone, I'm Tracey, and I'm in CT. I've been quilting for about 15 years and am trying to 'let go' and be more creative and 'artsy', so here I am. My blog isQuilting in CT if you are interested in taking a look at what I'm working on.

DH "El GROUCH" is a computer guy, self employed and works at home. I'm a stay at home Mom, and we homeshool our kidlets. Thing One is 11 years old and she loves to dance, play video games, make origami and other crafts and she's ready to learn quilting. She is a 6th grader, homeschooling again after 3 hideous years in public school. Thing Two is 4 years old and he is a rough and tumble boy who love trains, trucks, Dora the Explorer and his Mommy. We have 4 cats: Donyell, Buddy, Groo and Peanut Butter.

I mostly quilt for donations. I make lots of kid size quilts that get donated via Wrap A Smile (sponsored by Wells Maine Rotary Club) and Wrap Them In Love. I also tend to make huge piles of scraps, orphan blocks and UFOs.

I'm going to spend some time this weekend thinking about what type of project I'll do for the 'winter' class. Interestingly, I was just fondling my Christmas fabrics the other day, wondering what I would make, so I will probably make a Christmas project. Dare I hold my breath and hope to have it finished for THIS year??? ;-)

Kristin- intro

Hi there! I'm Kristin in Oregon. I love Tonya's quilts and find her whole blog so inspiring. We are both big fans of Gwen Marston and it's nice to see another quilter working in a free pieced fashion.

I have a batch of the new Holly Jolly fabric that I want to make a small wall hanging with. I have some of my own ideas, but plan to ask the kids to help me design it so it will be a true family quilt. I haven't tried any of Tonya's letters yet, so that will be a goal for me on this one.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with too! So much inspiration!

jude introduction

HI! jude here... i am in new york... long island to be exact. i have mostly been unplugged, until i came across Tonya. this is my second class, and i am hooked. i have learned so much and i am excited to be finally free of my fear of a sewing machine.
i have a blog here and a behind the scenes blog here. you can also find me on flickr. all my quilts are gifts and so this seasonal class is perfect!
i have chosen to do a small quilt with the theme of Peace on Earth...because the holiday season always makes that wish stronger for me. that is where i start. i look forward to being in class with you all and with a marvelous teacher. thank you Tonya for your gift.

Admin Stuff

Tonya here.

I adore you guys. I really do. Such a quick response. I did learn a lesson really fast - loads of you are no-reply and it can be hard to try and track down info. So I now need you to send me an email if you want to be a part of the class - I've listed the info I need in the sticky Welcome post. If you have already received your invitation to the blog, you need do nothing. Haven't heard from me and you're not listed in the sidebar? Send me an email.

Welcome to the class. It will be very informal. No big surprise there. I don't do formal or structured. Print out any tutorial you might need - those are your how-to's. If you need more details or are stuck, please please please ask. Either I will have something for you or one of your classmates is sure to lend a hand.

You're working at your own pace, but I'd say the goal is to have a quilt top (wallhanging or doll quilt sized) by the end of the month. Sometimes it can help to have a deadline. That's not to say you can't take longer or make your quilt bigger. Follow whichever "rules" of the class you choose to. I plan to keep the blog open until the end of February - that's the end of winter as far as I'm concerned.

If I write any posts I think you all should see, I'll list them in the sidebar.

I'd love to see an introduction from each of you who have joined the class blog. Just say a little about yourself and let us know if you have a blog elsewhere. Also, are you planning a winter quilt or Christmas? Do you have any ideas that you're anxious to start on? (I've seen some great ones in the comments). What does Christmas/winter mean to you? Just throw some thoughts down in a post either here or on your own blog.

I've already heard some great ideas for quilts. Just dive right on it and see where it takes you.

Admin: Please start every post with your name - it can get very confusing when there are this many people in the same blog. Also, create a label that you will throw on all of your posts.

If you're unfamiliar with using Blogger, it has a great help function. See "help" in the upper right hand corner? You can search on "label" and it will tell you what it is and how to use it.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you have any questions.

Welcome to the Class

+++ Edited on 9 Nov +++

I thought it would be fun to have another class blog, this time focusing on quick Winter or Christmas wallhangings. There's no charge, this is my present to you. The class is open to anyone, but the rules are you have to make the quilt up out of your own head. No patterns. No templates. No EQ quilter. This is all about free-piecing or applique. There will be no set instruction. I'm not going to tell you what to make. But I will hopefully provide you lots of inspiration and encouragement.

Don't know where to start? Write out a list of what Christmas means to you. Do it really fast either on the computer or with pen and paper. Be specific. If you're from northern climes then Christmas may very well mean snow, but to my friends down under I suspect it's greener. And do kangaroos really pull Santa's sleigh? I love that idea. You could also make this quilt for a specific person or family. Get them to make the list if you're stuck for ideas. This would be a great quilt to collaborate on with your kids.

Here's a fast list from me: Let it Snow, Frosty, Rudolph, Grinch, Santa Clause, tree, ornaments, fire in the fireplace, stockings at the chimney, snowmen, mittens, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, presents.

That was fast, not very exciting. But it doesn't have to be. From that list I can see I still associate winter with Christmas even though it's been well over 10 years since I've seen much snow all winter, let alone at the approprite festive time. I could do a really fun wallhanging with asterisk snowflakes and mittens and the word SNOW repeated. Or the lyrics from the song. I don't know how that quilt might turn out, but I don't have to know to start. Just make a block that inspires you and go from there.

Or if you're more in the mood to applique, how about a Christmas or winter bouquet? You've seen my Blooming Horrors? And how about Kristin's fabulous Bootiful Booquet? Well you can do the same thing using novelty prints that are appropriate for the season.

If you in a goofier mood, how about combining Christmas with Halloween? Skeleton Santas? Santa with a black cat and jack'o'lantern?

Since you are coming up with your own ideas you are only limited by your own willingness to try. You can make anything you want, but you have to do it.

Dive right in or doodle some ideas first. I came up with this Merry Christmas, Earthlings drawing this morning. I might have to make it a little bigger so that I can get a 3-fingered hand in the picture. And yes, you can take this idea and run with it - I know whatever quilt you come up with will look much different than mine. I'd love to see some alien or monster santas out there.

How about cats and/or dogs looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claws? Although that could be for a Halloween/Christmas combo quilt as well. mwah ha ha.

I do love novelty prints when I'm working on house blocks. Try combining winter/Christmas fabrics with whatever else you love. Toy or candy fabric would obviously go with the theme of Christmas, but bugs, aliens, robots, pirates, Elvis, motorcycles, or martinis would be a hoot. Seeing Angela's little girl in her fairy costume makes me think of adding fairies.

Stuck for ideas? I just browsed through equilter.com's Magic fabric. What an absolute hoot. I could have a great time making a pink and lime green christmas fairy quilt for a little girl.

Speaking of novelty fabrics, consider using it as the whole middle of the fabric and just add name(s) or word(s) in the borders, rather like I did in my Merry Penguins quilt (which still doesn't have binding - d'oh!)

It's a great showcase for your quilting. Also a great place to practise since this is a quilt that you will probably only use seasonally. Trust me, that is a fast quilt. A fat quarter is all you need for the center.

How about those ideas for starters? Want to come play with me? Although I admit I might not be doing all that much sewing myself.

You'll need a blogger account if you want to make posts on this blog. But you don't have to post here to be a part of the fun.

If you want to participate send me an email (tartbr47 at hotmail dot com). I need to know:

What name you want to go by
Do you want to participate in the group blog? If so, I need an email address
to send you your invitation to join. If you don't already have a Blogger account,
you will be prompted to create one. you don't have to have a blog, just the account)
Do you have another blog elsewhere that you'd like me to post in the sidebar?

If you don't have a blog and don't want to create one, I am willing to add your photos for you as long as I don't get too overloaded.

Everyone will be able to read this blog and leave comments, so I hope you'll stop by and see what's happening here, even if you don't want to play.