The Noble Wife

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:20:00 +0000

I am happy to be a part of Quiltmaker Magazine's Special Interest Publication (hits the newsstands Nov. 17) and, of course, to be a part of the blog tour:

Wow! 100 Blocks! And you can WIN A FREE COPY!
Here is the block that I designed for the issue:

Of course, I had to do something with applique, because I just can't seem to stop drawing...
I have to say, I spent way too much time on this blog post.... I thought I'd just show one or 2 ways that the block could be used in a quilt, but then I was on a roll and I just couldn't stop.... so here are a few of the ideas that I came up with.

You could just make one block with the applique, add a couple of pieced blocks, and make a quick wall hanging: (exhibit A) You could use your single applique block for the center and build a whole quilt around it: (Exhibit B)This is the same exact quilt, done with different fabrics- a totally different look: (Exhibit C) Of course, you could make several blocks and put them together just about any way you choose: (Exhibit D)

(Exhibit E):
Same quilt as above but with a more complicated block (Exhibit F):
(Exhibit G):
Your fabric choices could be soft and subtle: (Exhibit H)Or a little wild and wacky: (Exhibit I)

So you can see I got a little carried away.... But this is what I really love about quilting- you can NEVER ever run out of ideas.... Just one block.... a million possibilities.... and with today's choices in fabric.... (please excuse me while I hyperventilate just a little bit)...

BTW I did all of the above quilts with my EQ6 program- I am totally addicted! (And it's not like I needed another "habit", what with my affinities for chocolate, diet Pepsi, Jane Austen movies, British Country Living magazine, fabric, fabric, oh and fabric... really, need I go on??) I can "make" a whole quilt in about an hour, and never get stiff shoulders or sore fingers!

To WIN your very own copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, comment on which above quilt design you like the best. I will pick 2 winners at random 8 pm EST Sunday November 15.

Good Luck!

Halloween 2009 Revisited

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

After visiting the farmer's market, we brought our pumpkins home and set to work...

Just one of us decided to dress up...
Pumpkin guts everywhere.....

The finished product (and no lost fingers.... a very good thing...)
In the afternoon we also visited an old fort... nice and spooky....

What is that saying about the lunatics running the asylum? I think it may apply....

I can't believe I posted those pictures.... I have a feeling I may regret it... maybe I already do....

Trip to the Farmer's Market

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Saturday we took a trip to the local farmer's market. It was raining (AGAIN!!) but we had fun looking at all of the interesting pumpkins and gourds on display, and choosing just the right ones. Maybe daughter will start a new jewelry trend at her college.....

I will show you what we did with our pumpkins in my next post.

Surprise Giveaway Winners

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

I actually decided to randomly pick 2 winners for the Surprise Giveaway, and they are....

Dawn from Linen Closet Quilts and Robin from The Robin's Nest.

Dawn and Robin will each receive a candle, a package of note cards, a hand-painted pin (made by yours truly), and a CD of my favorite music.

I love surprises (well, I really like surprising other people, but don't necessarily like being surprised myself- I always like to know exactly what to expect). My kids have learned that when we tell them to get their shoes on and get in the car for no apparent reason, they should do it without question or complaining. Because often it means a trip to the ice cream shop or something fun like that.

Oh and speaking of surprises, Happy Cottage Quilter will also receive a hand-painted pin and package of notecards for being the first one to comment on yesterday's post which announced the Surprise Giveaway...... Whoa! Betcha didn't see that one coming, did you????????? Yep I'm just full of surprises today..........

So don't be surprised if I decide to do more SURPRISE GIVEAWAYS in the future. 'Cause I think I mentioned, I'm sneaky like that!

SURPRISE GIVEAWAY!!!

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:35:00 +0000

I have been trying hard to keep up with all of my favorite blogs (so, so many....) and trying to reply to comments on my blog (because I read and so appreciate each and every one). But I fear I have fallen woefully behind (again.... tsk tsk... I know.... shame on me....) So in appreciation for all of the lovely and encouraging comments I receive here, I decided to do something a little special. You see, during the entire month of October, I filed away ALL of your comments. Yep, every single one (I'm just a little sneaky like that...) All of those names are going into a giveaway I am doing. You get an entry for every comment, so if you commented 10 times during the month of October, then you get your name entered 10 times. (You were entering a giveaway and you didn't even know it- hee hee!!)

I am in the process of compiling the entries right now, and I will pull the winner later today.
Tomorrow I will post the name of the winner and their FABULOUS prize (insert Bob Barker immitation here.)

Thank you to everyone who visits here and leaves a comment. Have a wonderful Monday.

My Favorite Fungus

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:05:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we had several days of rain (which seems to be a recurring theme around, since this past spring). After it cleared up, I looked out the front window and saw something strange. Upon inspection I found this really interesting "garden" of mushrooms of various kinds and colors. I just had to take (a lot) of photos.
This one formed a cup on top that collected water.

I think this is the same type of mushroom as the others above, but in a different stage of development.These were a beautiful bright yellow color, but we looked them up and found out that they are extremely poisonous.This group looks like the Mushroom Family- Papa, Mama, and Baby Mushroom, don't you think? And below, they are pictured a few days later.

I thought they were so beautiful and interesting, they inspired me to do a few quick sketches.

Daisy Update

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Here is Daisy when we went to visit her in the hospital yesterday. She was feeling and acting fine- full of energy and wanting to come home with us. She has charmed everyone at the hospital.
This morning we got good news- she is coming home this afternoon! When this all started, there was some discussion about her prognosis because she's 10 years old- we don't consider her old, of course, but I guess she is approaching her "golden years".... she doesn't act or look like an old dog. But her bloodwork is looking better. We will still have to keep a very close eye on her. She will be on immunosuppressive drugs for a least a few months.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and prayers.... they mean a lot to us. I am sure they have helped in her recovery. She means so much to us- after all, she is the baby of the family...

4:31 pm Update: It's good to be home............

Needing Prayers for Pup

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Daisy has been in the hospital since Saturday night. I rushed her to the veterinary emergency room (thank goodness, we have one about 25 minutes away) at about 10 pm because she just didn't look right to me, and her ears and gums were very pale. She was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia, which means that her immune system has gone haywire and is attacking her platelets. She is at a dangerous risk for hemorrhage. Please pray for her (and us!) We are a little worried. At least she is feeling well, not acting sick. But as I said, her platelets are so low that the vet said that even vigorous barking could set off bleeding. I am going to visit her today and take her some homemade food (chicken and brown rice and veggies). I will be so happy to see her. Hope she can come home soon.

Homecoming

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Daughter was Homecoming Princess for the Sophomore Class at her college. We went to the basketball game on Friday night to see the "coronation"...
Below, she is with the Sophomore Class "prince".... Here she is with some of her friends....

And here she is with her boyfriend...
Last week we had to decide what she would wear. We thought that we could cut off the bottom of a formal dress that she already had, and turn it into a cocktail length dress. I went up to her college with sewing machine, sewing notions and supplies, trims, iron, etc. so I could work on the dress while I was up there. When I was about halfway there, I realized that I forgot to bring the dress that we were supposed to work on! Duh.... So I stopped at Target and just pulled one of everything off the racks and took $400 worth of dresses with me. She tried everything on, chose one, and then I had to return everything else on the way back home! Oh well, I think she ended up with a nicer dress, very classic that she can wear again many times. And it was on sale- so everything worked out OK. But I honestly couldn't believe that I forgot to take the dress- well, actually I CAN believe it- after all, I've done dumber things in my life!

Today I get to paint, something I don't get a chance to do much of anymore, but I have a good project to work on, so I am excited! Have a creative Monday.....

Look What I Did!

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:51:00 +0000

When I arrived home from Quilt Market last week, this was waiting for me in the mailbox... Daughter and I went to a quilt show about a month ago, and I saw a wool quilt by Maggie Bonanami that I thought would be great in my family room. It was available as a Block of the Month. Now, don't ask me WHAT IN THE WORLD possessed me to think that I'd have time to work on someone's else's design, you know, for my own enjoyment, in addition to developing my own designs. But I did sign up for it. I spent most of the weekend working on it, and tah-dah!!! I actually got Block #1 done! Yay!

I know this doesn't look like "my style"- when I design, my projects are much brighter and cottage-y in style. But my house is decorated in a style I would describe as country colonial with a little primitive thrown in. Go figure... I think I just like a lot of different kinds of styles and I'm just looking for an excuse to get them all into my life somehow!

Tonight we are going to the basketball game at daughter's college- she is on the Homecoming court as Sophomore class princess! I got her a lovely new black dress, I will post photos next week. Have a wonderful weekend.

Award Winning Booths at Quilt Market

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Some booths that won awards at Fall Quilt Market in Houston...

First Place- Single Booth- Minnick and Simpson

First Place- Double Booth- Heather Bailey

Second Place- Double Booth- Amy Butler

Best Merchandising- Sandi Henderson

And this one didn't get an award, but I think it should have- so here is my favorite booth, by Blackbird Designs. I just love everything they do design-wise, and they are very nice and friendly, too.

That's it for the Quilt Market photos. I guess I will have to come up with something else to blog about now- haha.

Quilt Market Pals

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:18:00 +0000

The people I have met through Quilt Market are really wonderful... Me with Brenda from Acorn Quilt and Gift Company. I am so fond of Brenda- she has been so generous with her wisdom and advice. And of course, her designs are just gorgeous. She has a wonderful new line of fabric with Lecien called "Celebration."

Me and Lynette Anderson, a popular designer (and lovely lady) from Australia. You will love her designs, featuring applique and embroidery.
The girls from Melly and Me, also from Australia. It was my first chance to meet them, they are as fun as their wonderful designs. You will definitely be hearing more about them!

A couple of other designers from Down Under are Hatched and Patched and Hugs n Kisses. The Australians are taking America by storm! And with good reason- these are all very talented and creative ladies.

For a fun look at a newbies perspective on Quilt Market, go to this post by Lizabeth Rolfson. It will make you feel like you were right there at Market.

Fall Quilt Market 2009- The Frenzy Begins!

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:40:00 +0000

OK so just to prove to all you that I am not vain, here is a photo of me that hubby took- shortly after we got off the plane in Houston, we stopped at Taco Cabana for something to eat, and here I am eating a taco salad. It was quite yummy. When reflecting on this photo, please be kind and remember that I had been up since 4 am and was not wearing any makeup!

One of the best things about Quilt Market is going to Sample Spree the night before the show opens. It is a chance for shop owners and designers to get the newest fabrics to make up samples quilts and projects with. Sample Spree is, well, kind of a frenzy.....Shoppers at the Moda table! Crazy!!!

Below, hubbies wait patiently (and guard the bags and bags of loot!) while wives shop (and shop and shop and shop.....)Above is a photo of the Benartex table- I got several fat quarter packs from them as well as Moda (see below). I haven't opened them up yet- I told daughter I would wait for her to get her homework done so we could open them together..... like Christmas morning!

A view of the convention center floor from the upper level.
Me in my booth opening morning.

I will have lots more photos next post.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Catching Up

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:27:00 +0000

Got back from Quilt Market in Houston last night.... came home with my head buzzing with new ideas.... I really want to play with these....But there is unpacking to do, and orders to fill, and of course, I came home to this....

and this.....

....so playing will have to wait for just a little while....

Hope whatever you are doing today, you take time to do something creative and fun!

Happy Wednesday!

A Day of HOPE

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:32:00 +0000

A couple of Saturdays ago, hubby and I and a group from our church travelled to Hagerstown, MD to volunteer for a community outreach sponsored by Convoy of Hope. Thousands of flyers were sent out, notifying the community of what would be offered: free groceries, lunch, clothing and much much more.... Over 1000 people volunteered at the event!

Our church group met at 4 am..... considering the hour, I think we look pretty good! (This is me on the right, with my friends JoAnn and "Papa" Chris.)

Truck loads of food and clothing were brought in for distribution. 5,000 bags of groceries were assembled by volunteers of every age....
Four thousand people waited in line in the rain to get in....

In addition to free groceries, there were tents featuring various available services to the community, a job fair, resume assistance, a health care tent.....

Also offered was a kid zone with games etc., hair cuts, family portraits, and a prayer tent...
IT WAS ALL FREE.

The fact that 4,000 people were willing to stand in the rain to get in tells me that people are hurting....

The fact that over 1,000 people offered up a Saturday to help tells me even more about our capacity for compassion for our neighbors.....

Read an excellent article in the Hagerstown, MD local newspaper HERE. You will be inspired!

Those of us who volunteered are not special, everyone can do something....
Step out today and do something good for someone else...
You will be so glad that you did!!!

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. John 13:35

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.' Matthew 25:37-40

The Dog-Gone Cutest Thing on the Inter-web

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:21:00 +0000

You have to go to this website- it is sooooo cute!

http://www.idodogtricks.com/index_flash.html

Type in the following commands and see what happens:
Shake
Roll over
Play dead
Fetch
Dance
Kiss (save this one for last- it is the cutest!)

Have a great weekend!

More New Patterns

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:42:00 +0000

Here are some more of our new patterns that are just being released. A Peck of Pears is the perfect size for a wall hanging- I can't wait to hang this in my office. Most of the fabrics I used are from the Simple Abundance and Old Mill House lines from Moda, which should be in stores now. I hand appliqued this one and it went pretty quickly, the pattern contains directions for both hand applique and fusible machine applique.

Does anyone remember the "cat poop" quilt?? Well this is it- minus the stains, thanks to the dry cleaners. It's called Noelle, it is a Christmas wall hanging with a very cottage-y look. There are button flowers in the applique design, as well as lots of buttons scattered in the bottom border for some extra fun....
Finally, a pattern for a Ruffled Flower Pin shows how to make a pin in 2 different sizes, and you can use wool, cotton, ribbon, etc. There are lots of variations for this pattern, so you might just get carried away making tons of these for gifts! You can even use up the selvedges off of your pretty cotton fabrics that usually just get thrown away.

All of the patterns are available on the website.
It's time to do some last minute packing so we can fly off to Houston for Quilt Market- yay!
Maybe I will see some of you there- I will be in booth #1037. See ya!

New Patterns!

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Our New Patterns are finally here! They are now available on our website.

David's Playmates- this is perfect for any little boy! I've had lots of customers request a design for the boys, so here it is. It is done with easy fusible machine applique.

Savannah Wool Table Runner- Flowers are vibrant against a black background. Includes directions and diagrams for easy embroidery stitches. This is a very pretty project, I really like how it came out. It reminds me of a garden at midnight, which made me think of that book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I have never read the book, but I knew it took place in Savannah, Georgia, hence the name. Maybe someday I will actually get around to reading the book (OK, probably not.)

More new patterns in my next post... off to Quilt Market in a few days! So exciting!!!!!

More Quilts

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:25:00 +0000

A few more quilts that we really liked at the quilt show.

Hope you enjoyed these photos- of course, photos don't do justice to the real thing.

We are getting ready to leave for Quilt Market soon- I am trying not to overpack (especially now that the airlines charge you for every bag!) but I am afraid of forgetting something. I have never been to Houston, hopefully there will be time to see a little bit of the city while we are there.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good places to eat near the convention center (this is very important to me - HA HA!)

Amazing Applique

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:40:00 +0000

These are some incredible examples of applique that we saw at the quilt show.This is called "My Enchanted Garden" by Gretchen Gibbons and Lisa Calle.

This poppy quilt won a blue ribbon for best hand-work. It is easy to see why!
I like the texture that hand dyed fabric adds to this design.

Quilt Show Goodies

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:35:00 +0000

Some little goodies that we splurged on at the quilt show. Wool in wonderful colors, available from Attic Heirlooms.

We got this pattern by Liberty Star. Daughter was kind enough to make it for me- isn't it cute?

I said I wasn't going to get any fabric because I don't need it.... but it beckoned me... sigh.

Yippee! A Quilt Show!

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:00 +0000

We have been working really hard lately, getting ready for Quilt Market. Last weekend, though, daughter and I managed to find a little time to "runaway" and go to a quilt show.... It was so nice to be able to shop and look at the exhibits without having to work at a booth!

We saw lots of beautiful quilts and I'll post photos here over the next week.
These 2 quilts are really different from what I'm usually drawn to, I usually like something more traditional, but who could not notice and admire these colors?

Designed by Kim McLean, this pattern and fabric is available from Glorious Color. Don't you love how she fussy-cut the flowers in the fabric?

I wish I knew who designed this one... it reminds me of a kaleidescope... again, the colors are gorgeous. I wish I had the courage to use this kind of color! Oh well, maybe someday (when I'm off my medication maybe??? HA HA just joking. I'd never go off of my medication- no one would like that....)

Disclaimer- I'm not on any medication. And, of course, absolutely NO OFFENSE to anyone who is. Just funnin' with ya!

So there will be more quilt photos next week. I'm so glad I got my new little camera for my birthday last month- now I can always be prepared.

The Reason I have Been Missing From The Blog-iverse

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:45:00 +0000

Yes, I know I have been (in)conspicuously absent from blog world. No, I have not disappeared. But I have been up to my neck in shipping boxes, bubble wrap, and tape, trying to get ready for Fall Quilt Market in Houston, which is rapidly approaching. Everything shipped this morning, so we can reclaim the family room (for now.) Please say a little prayer for me that everything gets there in one piece and on time!

Sentimental Treasures

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:30:00 +0000

At the flea market we also found a pile of old pre-printed embroidery linens. I think they are from the 1940's? I found table runners and placemats and full table cloths that had never been stitched. Walked away with a whole pile for $15.00! Yes, it was a very good day!

We even got the printed instructions for some....For the most part, they are in good condition. A little yellow, a couple of spots here and there. Can anyone give me any suggestions for how to care for them? I don't know if I should wash them- or will that wash out the ink?

I think one of the reasons I am drawn to them is because they remind me of the embroidery that my grandmother used to do. When she and my grandfather were "courting" during WWII, she would sit at night working on her embroidery, while waiting for her "little sailor" to come visit. I have some of her embroidery from those days so long ago, I will show them off here sometime.

So that is the end of my flea market treasures (until next time......)

We Like This Suitcase.... a lot

thenoblewife@hughes.net (Jacquelynne) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:42:00 +0000

When we saw this suitcase at the flea market, it was sitting open, full to the top with old music sheets.....
What caught my eye was the "Choir Herald," dated 1915, on top of the pile. In addition to old books and hymnals, I also collect old sheet music. And since I am in the midst of working on music for our church Christmas program, I thought the choir piece might be fun to add to my collection. Maybe I could get a jump on the Easter program????
Daughter and I picked up the Choir Herald, and 3 or 4 more pieces of music that looked interesting, and we looked for the person running that booth. We looked, and waited, and looked again, but still, no one there. So I took the pieces that we had chosen and replaced them in the middle of the pile, hoping no one else would find them before we came back.

We walked around some more, and then returned to the booth. Still didn't see anyone working there. Finally, someone else shopping in the booth called over the guy working in the next booth- turns out, both booths were his and he was very busy. When I finally got a chance to speak with him, I asked him how much the music was. Usually I pay a couple of dollars for each sheet. He looked at the suitcase and said, "Just close it up and take it for $15.00" Excuse me, you want me to take the suitcase and all of the music inside for just $15.00?? Well, OK then.....

So we were pretty happy with that purchase. It was really fun to go through the case when we got it home. I may frame some of the pieces, because they are so interesting.

It was definitely a good day!