The Joy of Teaching

I had a great day Saturday teaching Part 1 of the Convertible Curvalicious Backpack at The Round Bobbin. (If you want the pattern head to Curvalicious.net)

It was the perfect day to be teaching. How could anyone complain about being in a quilt shop for 4 hours?

Gretchen Gibbons was in the class. If any of you love wool appliqué, you probably know her. She has 2 wonderful books, Pennies From Heaven and Enchanted Garden. She brought her most recent quilt with her to share. It may be a Block of the Month, so I said "sign me up". Check it out. I think it's gorgeous with such an expected setting fabric. 

Here's a couple of close ups. 

The photos are a little blurry, but trust me, it's gorgeous. I don't know if you can see the seed beads. (I really need to learn to hold my phone still when taking photos.  )

I also finished Mary Marks' latest mystery book, called "Gone But Knot Forgotten".  Mary comes up with the most unexpected ideas as a basis for her novels.  It was a great read and truly a surprise ending. It's the third book that Martha Rose is the middle aged divorced quilter that is always at the center of a murder and helps to find the killer. 

I shared my Curvalicious tote bag with my class on Saturday. It really is bold and eye catching. I do love batiks. 

There is no pattern available, BUT, it's available as a video class. The video class is part of a year long class with 12 projects from 12 different teachers, called Quilted Adventure. Head to this site for more info: bitly/CherylLynch

It was filmed with my friend Nancy,in my sunroom, with my iPad. It is divided up into two parts. Also included is a tour of my studio and an interview. I'd love to have all of you as my students. This bag is one of my favorite designs. The class would make a great holiday gift, if someone you know needs a hint!

Convertible Backpack

Is it a backpack

or is it a crossbody bag?

It's both!
I think it's my favorite Curvalicious pattern.  Some of you may have seen it either at my quilt guild or at the Syracuse AQS show.  I created it for my river cruise to France last Spring.  In the country I wore it as a backpack and when we hit Paris, I switched it to a crossbody bag.  Either way my hands were free.

There is a hook on the strap and a D-ring at the bottom of the bag.  To make the change, lengthen the strap and connect the hook to the d-ring.  Abbracaddabra!

To change it from the backpack back to a crossbody bag, unclip the swivel hook and then shorten the strap.

Since I designed it for travel, there is a pocket big enough for my tablet on one side and then pockets to hold my phone, a couple of pens and ???? I made it the right size - not too big, not too small - to also carry my camera, sketchbook, wallet (of course) and my passport.

There have been so many pattern requests, that I have been working on one for about a month.  The owner of the Round Bobbin,

a great quilt shop in Ambler, PA saw it on a recent shopping trip and twisted my arm into teaching it this Fall. I wanted to make a sample for the class that used fabric from the shop.

There's a class preview party this Saturday.  I think that's when sign ups begin.  The class will be two sessions - 11/21 and 12/6. If you're interested you should call the shop for the particulars.  The number is 215-367-5596.

I apologize for the lack of color in the photos.  The anemic looking fabric is my favorite color chartreuse.  The same thing happened with the backpack to follow. I don't think my iphone likes green. Hrmph.



























In the meantime, there's a wonderful quilter and friend that is testing the pattern. She finished in record time and gave me a bunch of notes.  After I make the  changes/clarifications, I will send it to the printer.   I will post it as soon as it's available for sale.I will put it on my etsy shop and it will include the backpack hardware.

New Friend/New Shop

My morning started with my annual mammogram.  Arghhh!

But my afternoon was wonderful. I drove to The Round Bobbin with my friend Linda to meet a new friend that I met on-line.  Now I know that sounds kind of creepy, but here's the story.

Back on September 6th, the theme of my Wednesday's Wanderings was my birthday.  Since I love cake, I made myself this whimsical cake.

I made one for my WW and one to give away on  to celebrate. 

 Judi won the giveaway and I was so happy that she did. 

 She told me that it would be wonderful to win and it would cheer her up

because she lost her son on 9/11. 

 So I was so thrilled when she was chosen using a random number generator, but here's the rub.

I couldn't get in touch with her because she was a NO REPLY COMMENT BLOGGER!!!

I then pinned the piece to my design wall to enjoy myself. 

Then a few weeks ago Judi's name surfaced as she left a comment on one of the computer lists to which I subscribe., and it said Judi from PA.  Hey, I'm from PA! I e-mailed Judi and it turns out she lives not far from me. I was so excited and knew I had to get this piece to her.

What's better then to meet a new friend at a new quilt shop that is located halfway between us.

That's the story behind my meeting a stranger that I connected with on the internet.

Now that stranger is my friend.  We have so much in common and couldn't stop talking.

Some projects from Sew Embellished!

A wall of fabric!

On the far wall are bolts of batiks.

View when you enter

This section of the store is all about wool with lots of patterns by Gretchen Gibbons.
If you like her book, Pennies From Heaven, you would have a field day here.

One of her wool projects that is available as a kit.

Yay for quilting and beautiful fabric and new friends.

Nothing could be better - especially after a mammogram.