NEW WEBSITE!!!

So I've left you all hanging about the mermaids and sailboats...Wanna' know what's been going on? A NEW WEBSITE!!! My good friend Bob has done an incredible job of getting my website set up and ready to role. Check it out at: http://www.bethanyquilts.com/ Don't forget to subscribe to it! And check out all the cool tabs and links...(some of which are complete and others in the process of updating).

Of Mermaids and Sailboats ~Part 1~

I have been stitching away! Here's a sneak peek of what's next...stay tuned!

ALL NEW DESIGNS ~Part 2~

Here are the rest of the pictures from the 2 day quiltathon. Weee! It was a challenge but so worth the effort. I was delighted to be able to use several of the new stitch motifs I learned at MQS. I did not think that I would be able to master them less than a month after my business trip. I consistently practiced making the feathers & before I knew it - I was stitching them on this quilt. As for the ribbon candy quilting...I had actually decided before MQS that I couldn't do it. I was happy to discover during a class at MQS that I was WRONG! Guess what my instructor Linda Taylor made me practice for 20 minutes straight? Yes...you got it...ribbon candy and more ribbon candy. Now I'm a ribbon candy pro.

Sandy King did a beautiful job with her choice of fabrics and pattern. I loved quilting her quilt for her. Thanks Sandy for letting me have fun with it.

Feathers in the corners & borders...

As I was quilting the quilt I had no idea that I was simultaneously creating a whole cloth quilt on the backside. I was delightfully surprised at what I discovered when I unloaded the quilt out of the machine.

Here's a good view of the feathered medallions, ribbon candy, swirls and border feathers...

The skinny feathers in the sashing added movement to the middle of the quilt and tied in the border feathers...

Upclose photo of the border feathers...

I'm so proud of how well the ribbon candy quilting turned out!

The swirls were the perfect motif to fit into the small center squares...

Stitching around with ALL NEW DESIGNS!!!

Here are a few pics of the quilt that took me two days to quilt. I was so excited to be able to use several of the new techniques and designs I learned at MQS. As you can see in the photos (and several more on the way) I used 4 different feathers to fill in borders, sashing, corners and the center diamonds - and TONS of ribbon candy quilting in the braid sections. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and I learned a lot along the way. I surpassed many of my goals with this quilt and can't wait to feather the next one! *The part that surprised me the most when I took the quilt off the machine was that the back looked like a wholecloth design! I certainly didn't plan that! So don't miss the photo of the back of the quilt at the end of this post*

Sneak Peak!!!

Well, as you all have seen, I've been talking for the last 4 blog posts about MQS. Now you will start to see the fruit of that business trip. I arrived home so inspired to try out the new ideas I'd seen. I've been slaving away for the last 2 days over a little masterpiece. The quilt has 4 different feather motifs, swirls and tons of ribbon candy quilting. Stay tuned because there's LOTS of exciting new pictures coming soon! I can't wait to show you all!

MQS Rocked!!!

The week I spend at MQS was so worthwhile and inspiring because of what I learned from these talented quilt artists and because of the many new friendships I started. It was an absolute BLAST getting to be a Teacher's Angel (teacher's aid) for Karen McTavish and Sue Patten. I also enjoyed all the classes I took with Myrna Ficken, Mary Nordeng, Sally Terry, Linda Taylor, Claudia Pfeil, and Gina Perkes! You ladies were fantastic! Ultimately I came away from MQS with several new long arm quilting patterns to offer my customers and my brain is still buzzing with new ideas everyday. Going to MQS was like diving into the deepest end of the pool...I am excited about challenging myself with a seemingly endless array of stitched designs. I am also thinking very strongly that I might try to design a show quilt next year...hmmm. This was probably one of the best business trips I have ever taken. I LOVED it and can't wait to go back next year. Be sure to check out each teacher's website - they are all linked to their names. **See the two posts previous to this one for more information on Claudia Pfeil and Gina Perkes.

Karen McTavish

Myrna Ficken

 Linda Taylor

 

                            Mary Nordeng                                        

Sue Patten

 Sally Terry