Cherry House Quilts

News, News, more News...the happiest news in all the land

   
Dear Quilty Friends,

I am so excited to tell you that I have written a book with C&T Publishing!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see right over there <---- it is called

CITY QUILTS - 12 Dramatic Projects Inspired by Urban Views

12 quilts - all solids, nothing but beautiful Robert Kaufman solids!!!!

This project has taken 1+ years, and it has been the best, hardest thing I have done, aside from raising my children.

I hope you will love it, and I hope you will buy it!  As Linus says to Charlie Brown about the Great Pumpkin, " He'll come here because I have the most sincere pumpkin patch and he respects sincerity."  This is a most sincere quilt book, and everyone respects sincerity!  I have so much to say about the journey, but I'll save it for another day. 

Thank you for being my friends,

Cherri

P.S.  Meant to say that it is due out in May 2010

Fruit Striped Gum Quilt Along...all the details

Ready to get started on our Fruit Striped Gum Quilt Along?  Ready to use up those scraps?  Here's how we will get started...

• Gather all of your scraps in white - whether solid, tone on tone, any thing in this neighborhood - you will need lots of white fabric
• Gather all of your pastels...anything really light to medium in color 
• Sort the scraps into color families...all the yellows together, all the pinks, all the greens, purples, blues, etc.
• Length of scraps 4'' to 15''
• Width of scraps 1'' to 3''
• How many scraps?  Lots and lots...there is no definitive answer to this, remember it started as a project to use up all of my scraps
• You will need a foundation for sewing your scraps to...I prefer non fusible, non woven interfacing (NFNW) lightweight, this is sold by the yard or in packages.  I purchase mine by yard, which is 22'' wide.  This is my personal preference, feel free to use this, or a lightweight muslin.  I use this because it provides stability to the various weights of fabric, as well as eliminating any issues to fabrics that have been cut on the bias.
• 4 1/2 yards of NFNW interfacing, or other foundation material (this is for 22'' wide NFNW interfacing), recalculate if using a 42'' wide material).
• Cut interfacing/foundation material into 10" squares
• 9 1/2" square ruler - for squaring up later
• sewing machine, iron, rotary cutter, rotary mat - all the usual quilting supplies

Quilt Block - 9" finished

Quilt Size - 44" x 54" in a 5 by 6 configuration...you can make yours larger, or smaller depending on how many scraps you have

Here's the link for the Scrap Quilt Along Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1286594@N21/

Here are the badges:

150 x 150  

200 x 200   

link to www.cherryhousequilts.com

Click here to Download Scrap Quilt Along pdf

You are ready to get started!  Gather all your materials, sort as noted above, cut your foundation material to size, and on Thursday will be begin sewing!!!

Thank you for joining me on this journey!  I hope you will have a great time, that you will use up your scraps, and have something of beauty when it's all said and done.

Cherri 

I am so silly

I was contacted by a customer in the UK who said they couldn't purchase a pattern through the pattern store, a message said we didn't ship to the UK.  I thought, what the heck...of course we ship patterns overseas all the time.  Looking in the help guide for the e-store didn't help, so I contacted customer service.  They politely emailed me back, stating I had only set up shipping for the US.  User error - completely my fault, what a silly I am.  So any friends overseas, all has been corrected, and you can now purchase anything we carry, to be shipped where ever you may be.

Here's a great picture I came across of the photo shoot of City Blocks a large 72'' x 82'' quilt seems minuscule in this atrium setting.

Have a silly day,

Cherri

Fort Hood Quilt update 11.13.09

Happy News - yesterday 15 quilts arrived!!!  Many of you have asked for confirmation of when your quilt(s) arrives.  Since the quilts are being shipped to my son's house in Killeen, and not my own; this presents the tiniest challenge.  Luke is logging all of the quilts as they come in, and he will send the list to me, and I'll post it soon. 

Luke and I discussed last night the wisdom in holding all of the quilts until the 31 arrive, or delivering the quilts in batches, since some of the wounded have been released, and others are in one of three hospitals.  What we decided was to for him to take the quilts he receives over the next two days, and deliver these to the Chaplain's office on Monday.  Several of you have said that you are planning on shipping your quilts today, or this weekend so by the end of next week everything should have arrived.  He will then deliver the remainder to the Chaplain. 

The Fort Hood Public Relations Officer will be photographing the quilts prior to them being turned over to the Chaplain; I'll post the pictures as soon as I receive them.  Rest assured that everything is being documented, and that your quilts are in loving hands!

Cherri

P.S. With the quilts that have been committed, I believe that we have all of the quilts needed for the wounded.  I've been in contact with the group Home of the Brave Quilts, who will be providing quilts to the individual children, and families of those that were killed.  If you have a quilt to donate for this cause, please email Sandi at homeofthebravequiltsnational at yahoo dot com

 

We made the paper!!!

Check it out dearest quilty friends!  Our quilt drive efforts made the news...

http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=2399

Cherri

An update, a sale, a quilt along, and more...

First, and foremost, a huge thank you all who have donated quilts for the wounded at Fort Hood.  The first quilt arrived yesterday, and I'm sure the trickle will soon become a flood of quilts.  Luke was telling one of his wounded friends about the quilts that are coming; this young man was so touched, and sent his thanks and gratitude in advance.  This young man was shot, and has a bullet lodged near his spine.  The bullet will not be able to be removed, due to the possibility of further damage.  Considering what these soldiers have gone through, a quilt seems a minor thing, but they are so grateful.  My heart melts into a little puddle every time if I think on this for too long.

Onto other things...

• We will be starting the Scrap Quilt Along soon, soon, soon.  We will begin with the Fruit Stripped Gum quilt, then make Children's Lit.  The supply list, badges, Flickr group info, and schedule will be posted by Saturday.
• Has anyone seen the new Quilt Sampler magazine?  One of the featured shops is hanging a great version of "I Do".  I don't think those kind of things will ever stop being a huge thrill to me!  Makes me giddy :-)
• Remember when I said that with the new store, I could see which pattern was the most viewed?  At the time the top two were City Park, and I Do...well City Park has definitely pulled ahead!  To really test these statistic I've put both City Park and I Do on sale, with 10% off, we will see who ends up the winner of this little race.  The sale will run from now through next Wednesday.  No codes, nothing to enter, the prices have already been reduced!
• Speaking of City Park, with the next printing I'll be making a change to the pattern - changing it for the better.  If you are familiar with the pattern, you will understand what I'm about to explain...the colored solids in the quilt are indentified by number, the new patterns will have an image that shows the block placement by color number.  Quilting by numbers, so to speak.  
• Well it is definitely time to get back to the business of being in business, new quilt patterns are on the horizon - our first new release will be City Breeze, which I'm quite sure you will LOVE!  After that some beauties with new Moda fabric, then it is a couple of baby quilts which are always too precious! 

That is it for me today my friends...I must say I feel so much closer to the quilting community at large, by this amazing coming together as mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters to give something of comfort back to those that serve and protect our nation.  Thank you again for all that you have done!

Cherri

Hooray!!! We met our goal!

We now have reached our commitment for 31 quilts!!!  Thank you so much to everyone that has committed to send in a quilt, and to those that were not able, but truly desired to participate in some way.  I'm certain that the recipients of these quilts will feel the love and tender care that will be sent in each package.

There seems to be a bit of confusion on one matter that I need to address.  The quilts that are being shipped to Killeen are for the wounded; and not those that died.  When I first spoke to the Assistant to the Chaplain, it was my desire to collect enough quilts for both groups, but the assistant said that logistically, it would be difficult to get the quilts to the family members.  Because of this, and the urgency I felt to get the quilts to the wounded; that was where I focused my energies.  In speaking to my son Luke, I told him that I was sad about not having quilts for those that died.  He has committed to getting quilts to family members of those that were killed, if we can come up with the quilts. 

What are your feelings?  Do we go on and collect for those that were killed as well?  This is a painful subject, and my heart breaks thinking about the suffering of these families.  If we can collect 13 more quilts, Luke will make sure they are delivered.

I'm so grateful for everyone's contributions, and for the outpouring of love that has been demonstrated to the members of the military.  Luke has been so overwhelmed every time I've called and said "we have 4 quilts", "we have 11 quilts", "we have 15 quilts", "we have 21 quilts'', and now we have met our goal.  He said "where are they coming from, who is doing this for us?"  He has been touched, and is grateful for everyone's kindness.  I knew though when I wrote that post on Friday, that we could do it, that quilters would make certain it happened. 

Let me know what you think about collecting 13 more...I think we should do it, if everyone is willing.

With love and gratitude,

Cherri

Quilts for Fort Hood

Hi Friends,

The response to the request for quilts for the wounded at Fort Hood has been wonderful!  Thank you so much to those that have committed to a quilt (or two).  Our goal was for 31 quilts, and to date we have approximately 15 committed.  So we have 16 to go! 

Do you have a quilt to spare?  Several dear quilters have said that they have had finished quilt tops that they were going to quilt over the weekend, and ship at the first of the week.  Size wise - lap quilts are great!

Here's a free pattern I designed years ago called Patriotic Pizazz that would be perfect if you are inclined to make up quilt quickly.

Thank you to everyone that has spread the word about this project!

Cherri

A Request for quilts

By know, I am sure the entire world is aware of the tragedy at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.  My son is Spc. Luke House, command executive assistant, STB, III Corp, at Fort Hood, and was working yesterday when the horrible events transpired.  I thank God with all my heart that he was not harmed or injured, but I am so saddened about the lives that will be forever devastated by what happened.

What can we do to help?  Quilts.  We can comfort them with quilt. 

I would like to gather 31 quilts to provide for the soldiers that were wounded yesterday.  Currently the wounded are divided between three hospitals in the Fort Hood/Killeen areas.

Would you help?  Do you have a quilt to spare? 

If you do, please leave a comment, or email me at cherryhousequilts at gmail dot com

I would like to do this as soon as possible...I will provide an address to ship the quilts to, and we will get them to the Fort Hood Chaplain, who will deliver these to the wounded in the hospitals.

Thank you,

Cherri

How about a scrappy quilt along?

A while back I introduced you to my 'One Mountain, Ten Quilts'  a series of 10 quilts that I created from a very large, very stuffed bag of scraps that I couldn't bear to throw away.  The scraps that had been saved were very similar in terms of color and style...mostly pastels, many children's prints - quite literally leftover scraps of fabric from clothing I had sewn for my sweet children when they were little ones.  I had made a game of using as many of the scraps that I could, and I imposed some rules as well...

1. The #1 rule was, that I could add as much white (solid or tone on tone) fabric as I needed.
2. I could pull from my stash for the quilt backs
3. Every quilt had to be different - not 10 of the same quilts
4. I needed to push myself in terms of new styles, or techniques that I hadn't tried before
5. Keep making quilts until I ran out of fabric
6. I couldn't purchase anything to make these quilts...not thread, not batting, NOTHING - everything had to come from what I had on hand
7. The sum of the quilts needed to be cohesive
8. Have fun!

One mountain of fabric, and 10 quilts later, and the fabric was basically gone...all that was left were little bite size pieces of fabric that really were too tiny to use.  By the time I got to the end, I had discovered the some of the quilts were better than others (one was downright awful), that strict limitations can truly push creativity, and working outside of my comfort zone, as anxiety producing as it was; was good for me.

At the time that I was blogging about this, many of you expressed a desire to use up your scraps, but were perplexed on how to start...so, how about a Scrap Quilt Along?  We will create two of my favorite One Mountain, Ten Quilts quilts if you would like to participate.

How to get started?  First, tell me if you are interested, and would like to join along.  Second, vote on whether you would rather start on Children's Lit, or Fruit Strip Gum.  As soon a decision is reached, I'll provide you with a supply list, and we will get started!

Children's Lit

Fruit Sliced Gum

  

Something fun!

 
Do you remember this photo?  One of my first quilts in a magazine!  Well yesterday I dvr'd Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting.  Liz was introducing the guest, and over the lady's shoulder, I believe I see a photo of this quilt; which I couldn't believe.  So I reversed the dvr (gotta love the dvr), and sure enough, a huge poster size print of this photo is hanging in Fons and Porter's new tv studio. 

How crazy is that?  Did anyone else see it? 

I can't tell you how tickled I was...made my day!

Cherri

CHQ kits on sale at Fons and Porter!

If you are looking for a great bargain check this out at Fons and Porter.  Kits for our best selling I DO and Sweet Melissa are currently available in the fabrics shown:

I Do for $92.00

 

Sweet Melissa for $85.60

Be sure and check out our new pattern store while you are here.  The store has all kinds of bells & whistles that we didn't have before like how many views a particular pattern receives...City Park and 'I Do' are having a race as to which is your favorite...which would you choose?

Happy Wednesday!

Cherri

Lizzy's Parade

 
Have you seen the new Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts Winter 2009?  If not, you should check it out!  On page 74 you will see Lizzy's Parade.  I thought it the perfect title for a quilt featuring "flags" from Lizzy's Red Letter Day fabric. 

On a personal note, I can't adequately express the joy I feel in creating a quilt with my daughter's fabric...truly a dream come true!  It's one of those strange occurrence that instead of it being a dream in the far off distant; maybe never to happen future, it is happening now - and it is as wonderful as I imagined; which is also a sweet surprise!

Well that's it for me today...have a happy Sunday,

Cherri

Open for business, plus a 10% off sale!!!

Our shiny new pattern store is open for business!  Check it out here, or click the PATTERN STORE button to the right.

I'm so excited, a proper pattern store, it's pretty fancy if you ask me.  In honor of our new store I'm offering a 10% discount now through Sunday.  How to get the discount?  Enter the word BUMP during the check out process. 

Thank you for your patience through our bump in the road, as always we appreciate your loyalty, business, and support!

Here's another beautiful fall photo from webshots...wouldn't this be the perfect little thinking spot? 

Cheers,

Cherri

A bump in the road

For some time now Lizzy has been prodding me to change our pattern store from what is; functional, to something it should be; efficient, and nice.  I haven't done it for a myriad of reasons, mostly because it falls to the bottom of the priority list. 

Well, I just found out that our little store is broken, so what was at the bottom of the list, has magically moved to the VERY top.  Between Lizzy (thank you Lizzy), my son Luke (thank you Luke), and myself; we are on the road to getting a new store.

Thank you in advance for your patience, and I do apologize for any inconvience this may have caused you.  We should be up and running soon, and back in business!  In the interim, if you would like to order any pattern, just order Best Wishes (the only button that seems to be working :-\  ), then in the comments note the pattern you would actually like, and I'll get your order to you.

Mean while, sit back, relax, and enjoy this beautiful image that I didn't take; but downloaded from webshots (love them!), and by then hopefully all your worries and cares will be washed away, and we will open for business!

Cherri