piece peace

Friday, May 10, 2013

Birds of a feather...

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Stitch me up: Why embroidery is like golf

Welcome to the Stitch Me Up Blog Hop. A thank you to Jane for putting this all together and for Madame Samm for being the ultimate in inspiration. I will tell my tale and show my work below but first please visit these talented ladies.

THURSDAY March 21st

Janice@ That Other Blog

Angela@ That Other Blog

piece peace

Stitchin’ By The Lake

Phoenix Heirlooms

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Mamaccessories

Molly's Place

Kath's Creations

Get More Done Today

Sew Many Yarns

The Distracted Domestic

Sheila's Quilt World

UK City Crafter

I have always wanted to try my hand at embroidery (pun intended). The beautiful things I see you and others create inspire me. This blog hop seemed like the perfect time to try...and it was the perfect time.
Many people enjoy the game of golf. They live to play. I respect these people, however from my experience I agree with Mark Twain's notion that golf is a good walk spoiled. Trying to get that little ball into the hole with the different clubs was the most frustrating experience ever for me...until embroidery. Executing the actual stitches was enjoyable. The split stitch and back stitch and I were becoming BFFs. But..threading that needle was another story entirely. It became increasingly difficult to get the beautiful finca pearl thread through my lovely embroidery needle. With each failed attempt my blood pressure rose a little higher. After 35 mins without success, I knew this had to end. Either I gave myself permission to stop...or I stroked out. Instead of feeling like a complete failure (which is my go to in situations like this), I told myself every craft is not for every person.
Below is a picture of what I had completed before I started losing my mind. This precious design from Madame Samm reminded me of my Lillian. Just like this little girl, behind that smile and sparkling eyes is a bit of mischief. I was going to use this on an apron dress for her to wear this summer.
I am disappointed and you probably are, too. Maybe you will have mercy on me and...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE share your embroidery needle threading secrets with me so I can try again another day.

I am still very grateful for this experience. More than ever, I am humbled by the talent in our community. Thank you for visiting me.

piece peace

Friday, March 1, 2013

Beginnings

Wondering where I have been lately? During QuiltCon, I had the pleasure of rooming with fellow TMQG member extroadinarie, Jenny. She had asked me why I fell off the blog wagon and I told her I had been in a creative rut. She recommended the equivalent of cross training for creative inspiration. We decided to have a daily challenge using a medium neither of us have very much experience with...pastels. Is she smart or what? Every day we are to create a picture using pastels. Other mediums etc are allowed. We are not hard and fast about rules. I see you have your shocked face on.

Day 1 is today and I quickly whipped up, beginnings.

Something pure and amorphous rising from a sea like place at a time of transition, eg, sunrise maybe. Yes, this is a bit clique and amateurish. I am fine with that. It is a new beginning for me. I have never before committed myself to a creative endeavor every day. I am hoping it will lend itself to my quilting, sewing and overall views. Also, it is my hope that this will end up being a visual diary of sorts. Something I can reflect upon as the days move forward. I hope to notice a progression of my techniques towards being more refined and sophisticated. Finally, I hope I can really capture my voice and transparently and fearlessly display it.

piece peace

Monday, January 7, 2013

In a Word Blog Hop: Security Bracelet

Welcome to Day Two of the In a Word Blog Hop. When I signed up for this blog hop, I had no idea what I wanted to do with this project. We are supposed to reveal things about ourselves with the word or words we choose. I am horrible about describing myself so I turned to those who know me best. I asked my hubby and my closest girl friends to use one word to describe me...and to forgive the narcissistic request. I was dumbfounded.

I could not believe how highly these people thought of me. Surely they cannot be describing me? I thought it over for a long time and decided that maybe I could humbly try on these superlative traits...literally. Thus, the security bracelet. Linus had his blanket, and now I have a bracelet to wear when I am needing a small or incredibly large boost to the self esteem.

The awesome Scarlett Von Black from Tula Pink's Nightshade is on the outside,(for some reason I think she resembles me slightly) and all of those fantastic words are on the inside up against my skin. I love it!

The words are: commanding, confident, capable, genuine, charismatic, strong, warm, and unsinkable. Do I have them all fooled or what?

Many thanks to Madame Samm and to the lovely Linda for pulling this terrific event together. Thank you for visiting me today. Please make sure to visit the rest of the words at these blogs:

Tuesday, January 8
Piece Peace (Patricia G.) --That's me!
A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? (Pamela A.)
Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)
Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.)
Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)
Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)
Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)
The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)
Terrys Quilting Time http://terrysquiltingtime.blogspot.com

Wishing you all
piece peace

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A love story

Sometimes when two people meet the story is already written. Such was the case for two of my friends in college, Kirsten and Rob. Once Rob met Kirsten he knew she was the only woman for him. I know this because he told all of us including an uninterested Kirsten. Time passed and charming persistence paid off. After graduation Kirsten and Rob married. They have three young beautiful children and a happy life in Sandy Hook, CT.

Call it divine intervention, karma, or luck but my friends left on a family vacation last Friday morning, thus being spared the carnage at Sandy Hook Elementary where all three of their children attend school. As you can imagine they are all extremely traumatized and heart broken right now. I am so grateful that their children were unharmed. As with so many others, I am devastated by what has happened.

This is my daughter, Valerie. She is in Kindergarten and will celebrate her 6th birthday in a few days. The only difference between her and the children who lost their lives in Sandy Hook is geography. She is the love of my life...my love story. I would do anything in my power to protect her.

If you are like me, you want to take some action. You do not want these deaths to be in vain. You want to protect your loved ones. The time to act for gun control is now. Join the Brady Campaign for Gun Control or write your local representatives and tell them that you love your children more than guns!

peace piece

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Cause WICKED is how I feel...

Welcome to day two of the Wicked Blog Hop. As a lover of all things Halloween, I could not wait to sign up for this hop. Many thanks to Madame Samm and Wendy for putting this together.

Sometimes life gets in the way of the best plans and ideas. I am sure you have been there. Long story short, I had a wicked head cold two weeks ago and I just got another yesterday. So WICKED is how I had been feeling lately. Actually, I am feeling much better today so maybe I am only wicked and not WICKED.

On to my block. It is a delightful log coffin block. The plan is to make a whole quilt of these with different fabrics. This block features fabrics from Tula Pink's Nightshade and some of The Ghastlies courtesy of Alexander Henry.

The rest of the the ghouls for Terrifying Tuesday, 23rd of October

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Hill Valley Quilter

Fignie - A Geekie Crafty Life

Hot Pink Peonies

Jane's Quilting

Sew Me Something Good

Buzzing And Bumbling

Polkadot Classic

Piece Peace--You are here! Run away quickly!

Selina Quilts

Pigtales And Quilts

Thanks for visiting my haunt!

piece peace

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Double Troub-bowl

Today is my day of the Bowls with Borders Blog Hop. Like several quilters, I have cats. Do your cats always seem to jump up on your cutting table as soon as you have the blade guard down on your rotary cutter? Mine do. For some reason, my cats seemed particularly interested in this paper pieced bowls project while I was working on it. Thus the inspiration for Double Troub-bowl.

This paper pieced and applique mini is 10 x 13 inches. The pattern is from the very talented Regina Grewe.

Bubba approves!

Here are the rest of today's Bowl with Borders Blog Hop Hosts. Many thanks to all participants, Carol, Madame Samm and Regina.

Gabi S.
Monique H.
Quilt-N-Queen
Crazy 'bout Quilts
Rita, Crooked Quilter
Geema's Wonderings
UFOs and UBIs

I Piece 2-Mary
Sew Inspiring Crafts and More

The full schedule can be found here.

Thank you so very much for hopping by today!
piece peace

Monday, August 13, 2012

Bowls with Borders Blog Hop

Be ready to be bowled over by over 150 bloggers over the next few weeks during the Bowls with Borders Blog Hop. This bowl-nanza is courtesy of Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. It is the brain child of Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt and is made possible by the talent and generosity of Regina Grewe.

Carol has the master list posted here.

piece peace

Saturday, July 28, 2012

QuiltCon Challenge Block

For the first time in almost 2 years, I am proud of something I have made. Like most of my stuff, it is not technically perfect. I do not care. This paper pieced block was designed and created by me. I say that knowing full well that someone else in the history of quilts has probably made this block before, or something like it, but I had not seen it. For the first time, I saw a block in my mind and was able to create it without disaster.

I am sending it in to the Quilt Con Block Challenge. The challenge blocks are to use the QuiltCon colors to represent what modern quilting means to you. QuiltCon colors...check. This block represents modern quilting to me for a few reasons:
1) The orange center is supposed to represent a compass. With social media and technology the world wide quilting community is united.
2) The triangles represent the constant change and evolution of quilting. We are an extension of the women quilters who came before us. We keep their legacy alive and hopefully, we add to it.
3) The different colored lines on each quadrant are to provide a sense of movement. Certainly, the Modern Quilt Guild is a movement. For the skills, the inspiration, the camaraderie, and the creative outlet that the TMQG and the blog world have given to me, I am truly grateful.

piece peace

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The rest

It has been one, hot, busy summer! God bless the inventor of the air conditioner. Yesterday I finished up the rest of my blocks for the Triangle MQG. This has been one great experience for me as it forced me to go outside of my comfort zone. I feel like my skills have improved. They needed some improving.
Here they are:

We have the big reveal at tonight's guild meeting. I sure hope the recipients like the blocks that I have made for them.

Also the Red, White and Blue Blog Hop is still going strong. You can get the list including today's bloggers at Jane's site.

Stay cool and piece peace,
patricia

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Welcome to the Red, White and Blue Blog Hop

Friends,

Thank you so much for visiting the Red, White and Blue Blog Hop, Day 1. I have 5 blocks to show you.

First up is a pinwheel block with a little star applique to be festive.

Next up is a string block. It looks like a star in the middle to me, but I believe it is called a broken spider web block.

I wanted something that looked nautical so I made this block up. I am pretty sure there is no real flag like this so I am making it the Patricia Flag. No need to pledge allegiance, but feel free to follow my blog. Wink.

This block is called ET Phone Home and it is from Lily's Quilts. It was a fun block to make. You can find it on Lynne's blog.

This is the final block. It similar to the first block, but it has a star and a heart, because I loved participating in this blog hop.

My thanks to Jane and all the other very talented blog stop hostesses. The Red, White and Blue Blog Hop master list can be found on Jane's blog.

Here is the rest of today's Red, White and Blue Ladies:
Mary on Lake Pulaski
Hot Pink Peonies
VroomansQuilts
piece peace--You are here.
The Cuddle Quilter
Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting

Wishing you piece peace!
patricia

Thursday, June 21, 2012

More Blocks

Moving right along. I have three more blocks done. All are new or relatively new techniques for me.

This one is for the TMQG bee. It was the first time I tried any improv. I really enjoyed it.

This next one is my third try at paper piecing. One of our bee mates wanted a chicken block. This is Hen with Chick which is a free pattern I found on Sew Hooked. Credit on the site is given to Catherine Magraith. Thanks Catherine. It is a 5 inch block, so I made four slightly different yet related chickens with their baby chicks.

Finally, I made a version of E.T. Phone Home which is a new, free paper piece pattern from Lynne of Lily's Quilts

Lynne asked for those who made her new block to show it to her, but mine still has quite a bit of room for improvement. I think I will leave the paper in the star points until the entire block is sewn next time. I really love this block so I already have plans for some more E.T. Phone Home blocks.

What are you working on?

piece peace

Friday, May 25, 2012

TMQG Bee Blocks

The Triangle Modern Quilt Guild was having a swap and I decided, after much trepidation, to try my hand at one. I have never participated in a swap as I do not think anyone would like to receive anything I made. Two blocks in and I am really loving this block swap stuff. It is like a mini creative quilting puzzle. The fabrics and parameters were given and you have to come up with a block.

The first one I did had some super chartreuse, black and white. I was asked to make something with curves and a linear feel. This was a challenge as it was my first (actually my second attempt. I did a test block with my own fabric)at paper piecing. This NYB Block 0 is courtesy of The New York Beauty Quilt Along found on My Go-Go Life

My next swap partner has a love of the flying geese. When I saw this block from Fat Quarterly's own Tacha Bruecher, I knew it was the one. The Meeting Point block can be found in the new book Shape Workshop for Quilters by the Fat Quarterly crew. This book is a fantastic resource for all levels of quilters. It reminds me of a cookbook for quilters. Check it out!

What do you think? Will my swap partners be happy or mortified?

piece peace

Monday, April 16, 2012

Table Runner Blog Hop

Woo hoo! I made it! After my confusion on Monday, I was worried I would not be able to deliver on the goods today. Thank you so much for all those who reached out to me with messages of kind understanding and support. You know who you are! It meant very much to me.

This table topper encompasses things I love. I love flowers. My Nana's (my Mom's Mom) favorite flower was the Black Eyed Susan, so I tried to make this look like one. (Although it does look a bit like something that might grow in a garden on Mars, too.) Patchwork mixed with a bit of free-form applique is something I have been enjoying lately, and this mini features some of those techniques. I love my three little girls. The flower "petals" are made from outlines of their hands. Finally, this mini quilt and mini quilt hanger will be a Mother's Day gift for my Mom, whom I love.

Thank you, Madame Samm for hosting this Blog Hop and for everything else you do for the quilting/sewing community.

Please enjoy the other wonderful table toppers. You can find them all here:
Jacque (Snoodles)
Lesley
Sharon
Dawnmarie

Tuesday April 17th

Kris
Marcia
Jenny
Sheila
Josie

Wednesday April 18th

Vickie
Shanna
Deonn
Mrs Pickles
Sharon

Thursday April 19th

Leslie ( lesquilts)
Jennifer ( that girl)
Karen
Katherine

Friday April 20th

Marlene
Charlotte
Leslie
Darlene
Jane
Michelle
Cherry

Monday April 23rd

Christine
Just Carol
Patty D
Wendy
Leanne
Elaine M
Judy C

Tuesday April 24th
Jennifer m
Roxanne
Syd
Selina
Connie
Patti
Jane

Wednesday April 25th

Shanna
Mary
Marianna
Thearica
Kelly
Pauline
Mdm Samm

piece peace

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Easter Prep

In addition to the 7 WIPs I have been working on, it was Easter Prep time at our house today. I thought I would share some pictures...

Have a splendid Easter Day tomorrow!

piece peace

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Modern Mini: Give Peace a Chance

When I saw the challenge over Ellison Lane quilts for the Modern Mini Quilts, I had an idea. I would make a peace symbol mini quilt. Not too creative considering my blog is called piece peace, right?

When I saw some of the other submissions earlier last week, I honestly thought about not entering. I do not need to tell you the talent out there in the cyber-quilt community. Then I thought, why not Give Peace a Chance?

My Give Peace a Chance mini is made using mostly scraps and a bit of reverse applique. This was my first attempt at reverse applique. I am not sure how I feel about reverse applique. It was also my first round quilt and my first mini finishing at 15 inches (mug rugs excluded).

The back has a favorite black and white print of mine from Iota.

At any rate, hop over to Ellison Lane Quilt for some serious cool mini quilts! Also if you are interested, you can enter until tomorrow, Monday, March 5th at midnight.

Special thanks to my husband for taking the pictures. Anyone who has read my blog before knows I am an awful photographer.

piece peace

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Baby Max Update: Looking good

For all of you who have been following Max' story. He is doing well. Today is the first day he has had clothes on in a month. After a brief return to the ICU for reflux issues (not any heart, lung or breathing issues), he is back in the standard cardiac care unit today where the plan is to fatten this baby up. He is 3 months old and only 7 pounds, so it is time to order up the infant equivalent of Big Macs...32 cal formula.

The Berrios family wants me to thank you for your continued prayers. It gives them strength. Isn't he adorable?

piece peace