Cherry House Quilts

Many thanks!!!

2013-02-26T14:45:37-06:00

Many thanks for your kind and positive comments to my blog post about my weight loss, and my new book Urban Views. Both are so exciting, and both feel like such a milestone. Here I am today at the Gap buying a pair of size 8 jeans, holy cow, I think it's been 25+ years since I've worn size 8!!!

Let me tell you a few awesome things about Urban Views...the foreward was written by dearest Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Fabrics, all of the quilting was done by the amazing Angela Walters, all of the fabrics for the quilts are Kona Solids by Robert Kaufman (with one exception, but I'll let that be a surprise). Since some quilters prefer textured fabrics to solids, the book includes some tips on how to use them instead of solids for ALL of the city quilts. We explore various types of near solids, hand-dyes, and other fabrics beyond cotton.

Susan asked why I didn't move to Utah with all of the girls being there...I have a few reasons, I'm not a fan of the cold, I have a job in Houston, and I'm not a fan of the cold. Maybe someday when everyone is settled I'll think about it, but I'd hate to move there; then have everyone up and leave.

Gotta run (really, I can run now!), I'll chat with you soon.

xoxo,

Cherri

Really, 125 lbs!

2013-02-17T12:57:41-06:00

If I were to be graded on my blogging activity this past year it would be pretty low, near the bottom I think. But I have been busy, so busy I didn't mention what I was doing. There were two important events going on in my life, one was finishing my second book (hooray!), and the second was dieting (Methodist Weight Loss Management), a wonderful program that I can't say enough good things about! Let me tell you about the diet first, Since January 2012, I've lost 125 lbs...really, I've lost 125 lbs!!! I've lost a whole person, and I haven't reached my goal yet, but close. Sorry I don't have a more recent photo, I need to get a new one taken.

Second is my book Urban Views, by Stash Books which is available in June. Urban Views builds on City Quilts, with the addition of triangles. There is also a section called City Challenge which I hope will inspire quilters and guilds to have their own City Challenge.

In my home life there have been lots of changes as well. Melissa has moved to SLC to finish her Master's, she has a new nursing job, and is minutes from sisters Lizzy & Ashlee - awesome for all of them, a little hurty for me. My sons' family just joined him in Okinawa, again awesome for them; a little a hurty for me. I couldn't be more happy for all of them, but within the span of two weeks 5 family members left town & country. Plus Melissa took our dog Mickey, and her cat Minkee. Pinecone (my cat) and I aren't quite sure what to do with ourselves. I think I'll have to adopt a cat for her. Pinecone needs a pet!

So back to the quilting front, there are lots quilts in the work for magazines and patterns to be released. Plus I can't wait for Urban Views to be out and about.

Here's to better blogging and a great new year (it's only February - I can say that, right?)

P.S. I lost 125 lbs!!!

xoxo,

Cherri

1 Million Pillowcase Challenge - add two more!

2012-09-30T11:50:25-05:00

This is the last stop on the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge, and I'm so excited to add my two pillowcases to the count. Have you picked out your favorite style pillowcase yet? I did, and I love it! I chose the Roll It Up case...probaby because there is a video that shows me exactly what to do...I'm much more of a visual learner, so that helped loads; thanks Jennifer! Look at the inside of the pillowcase, the band is enclosed...new skill.

Here's a list of all the cases you can make, whether you're a plain or fancy type sewer, there is a pillowcase in there for you to make, and giveaway to a wonderful cause. Where to donate, that's been my biggest challenge, since the needs are so extensive. Here's a link to causes that would be so grateful for your donation:

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/wheretodonate/index.html

My daughter Melissa is an oncology nurse, so we are going to look at the list together, and pick out where to send our pillowcases.

Another challenge was what fabric to use, femine, little girl or boy, something manly...so many choices! In the end I selected some fabric from Robert Kaufman that I thought would be nice for a man or a woman - it's cheerful, and reminds me of the woods; I think it will be perfect for lots of folks.

Even thought this is the last stop, here's the schedule in case you want to go back and see what everone else has created, and who they are sharing their pillowcases with:

1. Welcome from American Patchwork & Quilting (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
2. Rashida Coleman-Hale (http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/)
3. Olivia and Alayna's Pillowcase Project(http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
4. Morgan’s Smile Factory (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
5. Pat Sloan (http://blog.patsloan.com/)
6. Northcott (http://pattispatchwork.com/)
7. Betsy Chutchian (http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/)
8. Vanessa Christenson (http://www.vanessachristenson.com/)
9. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
10. Laurie Simpson (http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/)
11. Oak Hill, Ohio (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
12. Robert Kaufman Fabrics (http://www.swatchandstitch.com/)
13. Pam Buda (http://www.heartspunquilts.blogspot.com/)
14. Indygo Junction (http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/)
15. 4-H (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
16. Katie Hennagir (http://baywindowquiltshop.wordpress.com/)
17. Anni Downs (http://hatchedandpatched.typepad.com/)
18. FreeSpirit Fabrics (http://www.freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/)
19. American Patchwork & Quilting Staff(http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
20. Patty Young (http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com/)
21. Moda Fabrics (http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/)
22. Monica Solorio-Snow (http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/)
23. Moda Bake Shop (http://www.modabakeshop.com/)
24. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
25. Roseann Kermes from Rosebud’s Cottage(http://rosebudscottage.typepad.com/)
26. Ann Kelle for Shannon Fabrics (http://www.annkelle.com/category/blog/)
27. Therm O Web (http://blog.thermoweb.com/)
28. Edyta Sitar (http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/blog/)
29. Fabri-Quilt (http://inspiredbyfabric.blogspot.com/)
30. Cherri House (www.cherryhousequilts.com)

Happy Sewing!

Cherri

Bad News / Good News

2012-09-25T11:45:41-05:00

The previous winner of Simply Triangles never contacted me, so I've picked a new winner...hence; bad news/good news!

Joyce Mitchell it's your lucky day!

I'll send you an email, please write back, and send me your mailing address.

Have a great day everyone!!!

xoxo,

Cherri

Simply Triangles Winner!!!

2012-09-11T13:15:45-05:00

Thanks to everyone for participating in the Simply Triangles blog tour.

The winner of the book is Deb Praus!!!

Congratulations Deb!

Cherri

Simply Triangles Blog Tour!!!

2012-09-04T07:34:55-05:00

Welcome to day three of Barbara Cline's blog tour - I'm so honored to join along. The title of Barbara's book is Simply Triangles, but let me tell you - it is so much more! If you've ever been intimated by triangles, fear not...between Barbara's clear instructions, and C&T's graphics, you will become a triangle queen (or king).

In getting to know Barbara better, here are a few questions that I wanted to know, and share with you...

What inspired you to write this book?
My first book I wrote, "Star Struck Quilts", is based on quilts that are the lone star block layout. The diamond blocks in the lone stars are pieced which makes design inside a lone star quilt.
Simply Triangles, my second book, was inspired by a similar idea. These quilts are based in triangle block layouts. The triangles are pieced making stars, daisies and pinwheels.
I do not find myself a writer, but a designer and quilt maker. C&T Publishing has been a wonderful publisher to work with. It is with their fine expertise and years of experience that they have helped me tremendously in writing my two books. Currently, a third book is in the making, also by C&T Publishing.

Do you teach? Yes, I teach classes, give lectures and trunk shows nationally. I also teach at Patchwork Plus, a local quilt shop. What do you love about teaching? It is a thrill to teach new concepts and to see new ideas "click" when quilters learn. There is also a joy in showing "tricks of the trade" that make piecing easy.

(Parla - Barbara's daughter with a quilt in the works)

Do you have a passion for triangles, or a passion for quilting?
My passion is designing and then making what I designed.

Where do you "fit" in the quilting world...modern, traditional, all?
I tend to be more of a traditional quilter. I have 6 sisters and they stretch and encourage me on the modern side and challenge me to step out of my comfort zone.

To win a copy of Barabara's book, leave a comment, and a winner will be selected on 9/9/12. *Winners from outside the U.S. will receive a electronic copy of the book.

Here's the schedule for Barbara's tour, be sure and check out all the stops:

http://www.cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/ 9/2

http://pollythepatchworker.xanga.com/ 9/3

http://www.jankrentz.com/weblog/ 9/5

http://www.connectingthreads.com/blog/ 9/6

http://coleensr.xanga.com/ 9/7

http://quiltingal.blogspot.com/ 9/8

Happy Quilting!

Cherri

We Love Color Winner!!!

2012-06-18T17:04:58-05:00

Thanks to everyone for your comments about color and inspiration! We have a winner for a copy of the book and the fabric bundle. This is what Jane had to say...I'm inspired by nature. Flowers, greenery, sand and sea, rocks, the sky...it's all good! Thank you for the chance to win. :)

Jane, I'll email you, and you can send me your mailing address.

We Love Color is now available here, it is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it for the modern quilter, or anyone who loves solids!

This is my quilt, Centered.

Enjoy the rest of the blog tour...keep entering for your chance to win!

xoxo,

Cherri

We Love Color! Blog Tour and Giveaway!!!

2012-06-11T13:19:20-05:00

We love color, I love color, you love color...what a celebration of color, and of Robert Kaufman's amazing selection of Kona Cotton Solids. Words can't describe my love for these fabrics, and all the choices of color that are available. And, while it seems too good to be true they RK is introducing 28 new colors...be still my heart!

One of the new colors is Wisteria...I love it!

How would you use this color? Something totally Springy I think!

My favorite Kona color is Cerise...or Cherry in French...fitting, don't you think?

The quilt that I created for We Love Color is called Centered, a very sentimental story about my life years ago. While I don't have any sneak peaks for you (I'm out of state visiting a brand new grandbaby), I promise it is worth tracking down the book to take a look.

Where do you find inspiration for color? For me...it is everything, and everything! Leave a comment, and on June 18th I will have a giveawsay for a copy of We Love Color, and a bundle of the new colors!!!

xoxo,

Cherri

2 Minute tip #3 follow up

2012-03-18T07:14:15-05:00

Thanks to all for sharing your great bobbin tips...so many great ideas, I especially loved these:

From Erica: I like having bobbins ready to go. I read a tip about having a certain number of bobbins ready to go and when they run out, it is time to change the needle and clean out the lint. I've used all kinds of threads, but I do notice Aurifil and Presencia create less lint.

From Andrea R: Sometimes I put a full bobbin on the *top* where you put your spool of thread, and a full bobbin in the bottom. THen when the top is about to run out you know the bottom is going to run out too. Never would have thought of that!

Here's where I purchase my Gutermann thread, my LQS has a semi annual sale, and the thread is 15% off I think, so that is when I stock up. They also carry thread stands (I'm sure you could find one anywhere). Look what smart little Cluck Cluck Sew did...that would have never occurred to me in a million years!

In regards to Gutermann's lint, versus other brands; I couldn't say one way or the other myself. 90% of my sewing is done on my Bernina 440, and I've never had a bit of trouble. It is good to know that Aurifil received such high praise from so many of you.

Here's something of a bobbin trick that has worked well for me...have you ever had a wound bobbin that is giving you complete grief, the thread keeps breaking, and causing all kinds of problems? When I have a bobbin like that, I put that nasty bobbin on the thread spool, and wind another bobbin with it (it was perfectly good thread, after all.) I don't know if the tension was off, or what the problem was; but rewinding it onto a new bobbin does the trick.

Any more bobbin tips? Be sure and share them with us!

Happy Sunday!

xo,

Cherri

I'm so excited about sharing tip #4...index cards!

2 minute tip #3

2012-03-16T19:14:22-05:00

#1 pet peeve for me...running out of bobbin thread in the middle of sewing, and having no other bobbins ready to go. New cure - having lots bobbins ready to go at all times. When I've got a few minutes, and lots of empty bobbins I just start filling them up. Basically I only use gray, black, off white, and white for piecing so those for are what I always keep on hand...about 5 of each. I do have this silly internal game I play late at night, I say that I can't stop sewing until the bobbin runs out - do you ever do that?

Do you purchase your thread by the spool or the cone? I purchase Gutermann thread in gray, black, off white, and white by the cone, so it makes thread for piecing a real bargain.

xo,

Cherri

2 Minute tip #2

2012-03-13T10:37:52-05:00

Here's tip #2...it's a little longer than 2 minutes, but it is definitely worth the time to check it out. It is my binding end technique. I posted it last year, but in case you missed it, take a look and see if this will help in finishing off your quilts. Finishing off - sounds like something fatal, but actually it's a great trick for getting your quilts done.

Here you go... http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/cherry_house_quilts/2011/03/chq-qal-binding-the-quilt-3-weeks-late.html#

xo,

Cherri

Two minute tip #1

2012-03-12T17:44:09-05:00

Often as I'm working, I have (what seems to me) like a brilliant idea, then I think "I should share that"; but I generally never do. So thought I would share them here, with you. Some ideas you may have known forever, others you might say "why didn't I think of that", you may even have an excellent tip of your own to share - which would be great - the more the better!

Tip #1

Do you have a much coveted Kona Cotton Color card, or a Moda Bella Color Card? What happens when they become obsolete, is your heart broken, and the hunt for a new one begins? Don't throw that old card away - date it, and hang on it as a resource for your library. Colors come and go, and you may desperately need to know that Alpine is no longer manufactured by RK, but there are seven other greens that make a perfect replacement. If the crew from Hoarders shows up at your house, pitch 'em, but otherwise those dated cards make a wonderful study of what's in and out in solids.

xoxo,

Cherri

Why 2012 is great!

2012-02-27T10:29:23-06:00

Thank you to everyone that left a comment about why 2012 is great! I loved reading your responses, and hearing about all of the wonderful changes and upcoming events in your life. Lots of new babies, lots of time with family, lots of gratitude, and lots of goal setting.

The same things that are happening in your lives, are happening in my life too! I have two new grandbabies on the way, new projects in the works, and so much to be grateful for.

The winner of the book is...Kaaren Babb! Kaaren I'll email you to get your mailing address.

Thank you also for your kind welcoming words, it's good to be back!

xoxo,

Cherri

The end of hibernation - and a give away!

2012-02-23T12:09:30-06:00

It was 77 degrees in Houston yesterday, and I had to turn on the AC, so that means that hibernating is over, and I'm back in action. A more accurate statement would be that I'll be visible again...there is lots to share...new magazine projects, a big project, a personal project - I can't wait to share them all!

To start off this new year right (almost 2 months late) I've got a free book for you, Sonoma Rose from the author Jennifer Chiaverini. The kind folks at Penquin Group are offering a free copy, and I wanted to share it with you!

How to win? Leave a comment about why 2012 is going to be a great year for you. The give away will end on 2/26/12, and Penquin will mail the book directly to you. This contest is limited to those in the US and Canada only.

I cannot wait to share my reasons for loving 2012 - it's going to be a good great year!

xoxo,

Cherri

December already???

2011-12-13T08:33:56-06:00

Okay, who said it could be December already? Wasn't it just December, didn't we just put up the Christmas tree...like last week? The years go by quickly, but this one has been a blur.

While 2011 has been challenging, at the end of the day (and year) I can honestly say that I'm grateful for it all. I've been given an opportunity to honestly look at my life, to see what is wonderful, to see what is unimportant, and to change what I need to change. I'm looking forward to 2012 both personally and quilt wise...lots of exciting things in the works that I can't wait to share.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all ♥

xoxo,

Cherri