Cherry House Quilts

Technical difficulties

I'm working on the latest pattern for Cherry House Quilts, which I am really excited about!  It combines big ol' Kaffe Fassett florals, geometrics, and solids in a surprising way.  Using the walking foot for this quilt is a great option, but sewing around my cat Stella is proving a little difficult.  It's a good omen if Stella likes my quilts, she has excellent taste, and so her laying them, in my mind is sort of an honor.  But while I'm in the middle of quilting, that is a bit much.  Definitely not the first time though. 

Happiness Rating

There are a couple of really interesting articles in a British newspaper about women being unhappier than man.  The articles break down the responsibilities of both, what chores fall to whom, etc.  This subject always fascinates me...I know in my Mom's home the line of who did what was very clear.  In my own home everybody did everything.

I think marriages can be wonderful, and work & chores evenly distributed.  My marriage didn't happen to be that way.  Shortly after my marriage ended I was standing in my local quilt store buying some fabric, trying to ease some sadness.  I must have been in some kind of fog, I had no idea how many bolts I had put on that table.  I said to the lady cutting, "wait, I can't buy all of that - my husband will kill me."  Then I said, "wait, I don't have a husband anymore - I'll take everything".  I just laughed, and laughed...I thought that was the funniest thing in the world.  That lady looked at me like I was nuts.  Not too far off the mark probably. 

Here are the articles...if we are going to take a poll, at this exact moment, I am happy!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=484134&in_page_id=1770

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=484355&in_page_id=1879

Baby Quilters

As I've said before, Lizzy and I talk all the time.  It's been interesting to hear about her little group's adventures in quilting.  The ups and downs, the learning curve, things you just forget about after you get so many quilts under your belt, so to speak.  Things that are second nature (1/4" seam allowance, pinning seam intersections, bobbin winding, seemingly possessed sewing machines) to a seasoned quilter, can really rattle the confidence of a first time baby quilter.  It's sort of like being a new mom.  When Luke was a newborn, we hadn't been home from the hospital for more than an hour, when in an instant he spit up, and pooped at the same time - I looked at this formally beautiful child fresh from heaven (picture Disney birds singing around his little head), turn into some kinda grossness machine, I handed him to my mother and said, "eew, take it".  Calmly, without missing a beat she said, "okay".  Less then five minutes later my beautiful baby was back.  I stared in amazement at my Mother - how did she do that - how did she "fix him" so quick? 

Remembering the first time I saw a log cabin quilt - I thought it was so beautiful, magical even - how did they do that I wondered.  With no knowledge whatsoever I decided that I would sew a log cabin quilt - just like that!  I cut up strips of fabric that I had on hand (one of them happened to be a lining fabric - brilliant, right?)  I kept trying to recreate this thing I saw, with no success at all.  Ever try seam rip lining?  No good.  I eventually hid that experiment away, and when I finally learned how to sew a log cabin, I was really embarrassed by my previous attempt.  Learning - it is a humbling thing.

Perfect Moments

Yesterday, and today have been wonderful in the world of Cherry House Quilts.  Yesterday we put our first pattern up for sale - City Blocks, and today begins my own quilt exhibit. My quilts are hung in the Continental Airlines building in downtown Houston.  I'm sharing the space with a Houston artist named Kermit Eisenhut. 

Having my own quilt exhibit has been a dream of mine for years!  It wouldn't have been possible without the tremendous help from Lizzy, even though she's all the way in Idaho.  She had to ship several quilts to me, she wrote all of gallery literature, anything computer/design related, she did it.  What a good, sweet daughter she is.  It also wouldn't have been possible without the help of my dearest BFF - he's a dream, and my hero.

So things have been rather insane, getting the pattern ready to sale, and getting the quilts ready for the show.  Imagine with me if you will, I'm standing in Kinko's picking up the gallery literature, reading the "about the artist" statement Lizzy did for me, having a moment, cherishing all that is going on in my little world, and who should come on the radio - Sting - the moment was perfect - for about two minutes I was in heaven.  I'm so grateful for those perfect moments - they don't come around very often, but when they do; they are really special. 

Here's some photo's of my quilts...

 

All of these quilts are either original patterns, or adaptations of vintage patterns. 

Here's to perfect moments!

New Pattern

This weekend our pattern store and several of our patterns will finally be up for sale! Here is our newest edition to the CHQ.

hooray!
Lizzy

Blanket Weather

As blanket weather approaches, how about a little blanket for your best cat, or dog.  Here's an idea for a little pet blanket, that our cats and dog love.  Mickey actually carries his favorite blanket up and down the stairs.  We keep one of the little blankets on the corner of the couch, where the cats lay, to try to protect it somewhat from cat hair.  Mickey also has one in the bottom of his kennel, it fits just right.  This is great way to use up bits of fabric left over from previous projects.

• 2 pc of 24" x 24" flannel
• 1 pc 24" x 24" fleece
• Sandwich together, flannel/fleece/flannel, safety pin the layers, and sew diagonally from corner to corner - both way - creating a large X
• Sew a straight line approximately 4" in, on all sides
• With heavy duty scissors, make a cut about every 2", careful not to cut the stitching line (see above). 
• Give it a good wash, then throw it in the dryer, and it's an early Christmas for your pet!

These also make great gifts for the other pet lovers in your life.  The dimensions can be increased or decreased depending on the size of your pet.

Exciting Day!

It's an exciting day for me as a Mother - Lizzy started making her first quilt last night, and I couldn't be more proud.  She and her printmaking friends are all making City Scapes together.  They meet every Wednesday as a little group to make their quilts.  She called me after they met and was discussing her fabric choices, what she needs more of, and other quilt related issues.  Talking quilts to my daughter, what could be sweeter?

What is normal?

There is a really interesting article on MSNBC this morning titled You and Your Quirky Kid.  I recommend it if you were a quirky kid, or you have quirky kids.  This article applies to both my children, and myself.  My son Luke was diagnosed with dyslexia in 3rd grade.  As I went through all of parental assessments for him, I realized that I was dyslexic too.  For years and years I thought I was stupid, that I couldn't learn, that I just "didn't get it", and definitely didn't fit in.  Understanding that I had a disorder really helped me to accept myself, if you will.  All of my children have some type of learning disability - nothing that stops their progress, but they do have their stumbling blocks.  But stumbling blocks can also be used as building blocks.  Each of them approach life from their unique prospective...I think this makes the world a better, more special place. 

I think understanding our quirks is good, let's make lemonade from our lemons.

What to do with leftovers?

 

This is one of my favorite leftover recipes - flowers!  When I say that I can't throw fabric away, I'm not kidding.  I had fabric leftover from this project, it had fusing on it already, and I couldn't bear to pitch even the smallest piece.  The title of the quilt, is appropriately called Leftovers.  I had so much fun making this - it was a good practice piece for machine quilting also.  These little quilts make great gifts - they can be made in an evening or two - and in the case of this piece the only expense was the fat quarter backing (Cherrywood Fabric); the binding, and back were left over from the original project.

Here's another little quilt, the background is just 4 6" sqs of my scrap blocks that I keep on hand, and some log cabin style roses that I make from bits of silk, batiks, or whatever "I can't bear to throw it away" scraps that I keep in a little bag.  

New Banner - New Look!

Did you see our new banner?  Isn't it lovely?  Lizzy is updating our banners, and "look" in order to officially introduce ourselves to the quilting world in October.  We are so excited about the designs, patterns, and style options that we will be bringing to you.  We have a series of quilts that we will be presenting - all reflective of our love of art, family, culture, and individual style.  Our patterns represent the best we have to offer...tradition with a twist, as well as unique contemporary quilts.  Fabric choices will from range from strictly solids, to the latest textile designs, and occasionally a trip down memory lane with fabulous vintage & reproduction fabrics.

We thank each of you for your kindness, friendship, and support so freely given.  We truly look forward to the bright future that we envision. 

Lots of love,

Cherri and Lizzy