September Spotlight Cynthia Horst

Let’s get to know Cynthia!

I was born in Val D’or, Quebec, and grew up on the south shore of Montreal.  My parents sent me to a public girl’s French Catholic school in Grade 1.  The nuns didn’t know a word of English and my family and I didn’t know a word of French.  The mother superior accepted me to the school because my last name was Kennedy and she through her arms up in the air and said, “I love that man!”. (meaning President John F. Kennedy)  I didn’t even know how to ask “Can I go to the bathroom?” in French.  Needless to say……           Our adult children.  As of two weeks ago, they are all married!

I grew up bilingual and was able to get lots of good jobs as a teenager and young adult.I’ve been sewing since I took Home Ec in Grade 6.  I used to sew my dresses for the school dances, and would sew gifts for my family as well.  I took Fashion Design and Merchandising at Ryerson Polytechnical University in Toronto. I married my husband in 1980 and moved to Provo, Utah.  What a culture shock that was!  Beautiful, huge mountains but hardly any trees.  We left Provo and moved to Arkansas for 7 years, the Florida panhandle (that’s where my husband grew up) for 12 years, Calgary, Alberta for 8 months, St. George, Utah for 1 year, South Jordan, Utah for 9 years, Ocala, Florida for 2 years, and we’ve lived in Rocklin, California now, for over 5 years.  We are professional movers!!!  Amidst the first several moves, we had 6 beautiful and wonderful children, 3 girls and 3 boys.I have been a breast cancer survivor for 14 years.  While I was recovering, my very good friend taught me how to quilt.  I had such a fun time, quilting with friends.  I belonged to many quilting groups, including the block of the month at Quilts, Etc. in Sandy, Utah.  

When I moved to Ocala, I became a lone quilter.  I taught lots of ladies how to quilt, but never belonged to a group.  I had 2 grandchildren when we moved there.  I would make each baby a quilt, a wall hanging, and an heirloom blessing gown with a smocked bonnet.  The children ran out of wall space, so I gave up making the wall quilts.Eight months after we moved to California, my youngest son left for his 2 year church mission to Brazil. I was pretty lonely, so I started a blog (http://dreamquiltcreate.blogspot.com)and signed up for Instagram.  

My life has been busier than ever!  I travel to Utah every 6 weeks or so to visit my children and grandchildren, and have made lots of quilting friends through my blog and Instagram. 

Two Christmases ago, my husband surprised me with a beautiful sewing room and sewing machine.  He supports my quilting habit and really spoils me :)

Favorite movie:  I like romantic comedies such as Return to Me, 17 Dresses, Chocolat, etc.  I must mention my all time favorite, Anne of Green Gables.  I have been to every inch of that island.  Both my parents were born and raised in Prince Edward Island.  Growing up, we would visit there, almost every summer.  Most of my extended family lives there too!  One set of grandparents lived on the red seashore.  We would pick raspberries, have clam bakes, eat lobster, and chase each other around in the tall grass.  I have so many fond memories of that area, so yes, I’m an Anne fan!!!



I am a self confessed chocolaholic!!!  

I am also a foodie.  I love farm to table restaurants and I love cooking at home.  It’s not as fun as it used to be though, since my husband and I are empty nesters. I love going to gourmet style grocery stores and discovering different types of restaurants.  I only live a 2 hour drive from San Francisco.  I have discovered that it is an eater’s paradise!  I’ve found lots of great “foodie” restaurants there.
I think that’s about it for me, I really enjoy being in this quilting bee.  

Strawberry Day

I spent the morning making Strawberry Freezer Jame and then, after my little helper went to Preschool, it only seemed right to head down to the sewing room and make up my Strawberry block for  Cynthia.  I just love making these Farm Girl Vintage Blocks and  I can't wait to see Cynthia's Strawberry quilt all done up.  And making this block added another to do on the list because I decided  I really want to make up the Farm Girl Sampler one of these days.  So fun!!!

Strawberry Season

Strawberries are ready!! I give you my finished bee block.  Adding to Cynthia's fall harvest of these big beautiful berries!!!  Happy jamming, snacking...or quilting!

What a fun block!
Tamara

September's Bee Block

Hi friends!

I'm so excited that it's my month!!!

Which block to choose...

You all have the Farm Girl Vintage book by Lori Holt, so my block is going to be the strawberry.

I've cut all the pieces...

Packaged them and mailed them to you.

You should be receiving them tomorrow :)

I've been wanting to make this quilt for a while!

Thanks for helping me get it done :)

Queen Bee for August

It's no surprise that as we get older time seems to move faster!! Right now, it feels like time is moving at hyper speed and I can't keep up without feeling tired!! Anyway, I'm grateful to be able to get up each day. Most days I SEW!! I continue to have very long lists of projects that I'm working on. I never seem to run out of projects and I can't seem to stop adding new ones. I think I may have a problem but, it's a HAPPY problem, Lol. I'm sure many of you can relate to my excitement over having lots of fun projects that keep me busy!! I LOVE this CREATIVE Community that WE GET to ENJOY and that I can't seem to get enough of!!

Here's a little bit about me. I chose this picture because it's my husbands favorite. It was taken 3 years ago right around the time my husband lost his job of 20 years. We had just sold our home of 15 years and we were living in temporary housing while building a small townhouse. That's when we received this unsettling news. Long story short, we took a job in Florida and lived there for 22 months before taking a promotion with the same company to Texas. We are trying to move closer to our family in Utah and California. We love being here in Texas and it makes it's more drive-able and the flights take half as long and cost us less. We have loved every minute of the 7 months we've been here and look forward to being here until my husband retires then we hope to move back to Utah to be near our loved ones.

15 Things you may or may not KNOW about ME:

1. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin
2. One of four siblings. (Tim, Kim, Leah, Robbie)
3. Moved to Utah with my Family in 1970
4. Lived in New Zealand with my mom's sister's family during Junior year of High School
5. Graduated from Orem High School in 1979
6. Worked as a Travel Agent for 10 years
7. Married my sweetheart, Mark in 1982
8. 1st child born on my birthday in December of 1983
9. Mark graduated BYU and we moved to Fremont, California in August 1985
10. We had two more children while living in California for 13 years
11. Moved back to Utah in August of 1998
12. Spring of 1999 we welcomed our 4th child
13. Moved to Windermere, Florida in March of 2014
14. Moved to Texas January of 2016
15. I have Maori & Scottish heritage on my mother's side, English & German on my Father's side

Fun Accomplishments Over the Years:

I've hesitated posting this because I'm embarrassed to share these accomplishments with you but it serves as a reminder to me that I've had opportunities to share (sometimes I forget) and I've made an efforts (here and there) to contribute to "Our Creative Community" which I LOVE SO VERY MUCH!!

I admire ALL of you for what you've accomplished and for the many hours

with which you TEACH, and SERVE, and GIVE BACK to OTHERS.

Keep it Up Ladies!!

I See (and ENJOY) Your Many Gifts and TALENTS!

I WISH to APPLAUD Each of YOU!

Also, let this serve as a REMINDER to EACH OF US!!

It's ONE of my MANY favorite quotes and it's helped me over the years.

Quote by Theodore Roosevelt
Picture Link

Let the Embarrassment Begin... Lol...

Designed 5 Tole Painting Books for Provo Craft 1992-1997

Designed 9 projects for Moda Bakeshop

Starting from 2009

  

  

Designed 2 Projects in "Fresh Fabric Treats" May 2011

Designed 1 Block for "Modern Block" November 2011

Designed Quilt for

American Patchwork and Quilting December 2011

I was surprised and excited when I was told that my quilt had been chosen as a shared cover Which means that half of the published magazines had my quilt on the cover and the other half would have another quilt on the cover. I don't think they've done that before or since, at least that I know of.

Thanks for humoring me and I hope you still like me. Lol.

You can tell I'm over thinking this, Right?

I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better!!

A Little Gift to You from Me!

I've sent each of you an email for a pattern I designed for the Pincushion of the Month Class I taught while working at Just Sew in Highland, Utah before we moved to Florida. I hope you enjoy it and I would love to see pictures if you ever decide to make it.

July and August

Kim,  I just love making these Spell it with Moda Blocks!!!!  I have made one and two , Spell It With Moda Quilts, and always have so much fun making up these little letters.  In fact, I  had so much fun with these , I think it might be time to add another Spell It With Moda quilt to the list ;)

Quick note, one of my letters didn't have the bottom background strip in the package, and the other one did, but the piece that goes under the P was to small, so I had to piece the bottom strip to the piece you sent in order to finish the letter.   So both will need to have that strip added :)

And Stephanie, I have to apologize.  Not only is my block late  (I accidentally put your package in with the envelopes of my June blocks that were returning and totally missed it.)  but on top of that, I noticed when I was editing the photo to post it here, that I totally misplaced 2 of my 9 patches, and of course it is already in the mail.   I am sorry Stephanie that you will have to take out that row.   I have no idea how I didn't notice it sooner.   But I loved making this block and it has always been on my bucket list as well.  Maybe next year we will be making the same block for me ;)

Looking forward to September ;) 

A Thought, A Block and a Thank You

These blocks should be with their owners by now

 but I 

thought I would share

 the finished blocks!

I had fun with Nedra's

 paper pieced block and 

the fun fabric she picked!

Thank goodness it wasn't

 hard to do (I have a fear

 of paper piecing) but really, 

Nedra should have 

sent more... one was just too easy!

 I would gladly make more Nedra

 if you want to send it out!

Then there was a couple 

blocks for Melissa! Oh my gosh...

what a fun way to 

make a Hunter's Star block! 

I want to make one

 for myself now. 

I can't wait to see

 this one made up!

Oh, and by the way... 

I plan on having a little show and tell of some of

my past  quilts that were

 made by you all

I love my quilts and

 even though they might

 not be quilted yet... they will be 

treasured just the same!

Now this next block was 

one I had wanted to make

 when the quilt along

was going on after the 

magazine was published

 that included the 

pattern.

Steph picked this one

 and I'm really glad she did!

Yes, there are a

 bajillion pieces to this block,

 but it is beautiful...

and even more so

when all the

 blocks come together!

You ladies are great... 

and a good influence and hopefully 

we are good for

 each other... 

encouraging 

each other to stretch

 and learn!

Thanks so much... and I am 

looking forward to the next block!

And Shari... you are 

the best Beehive Mama! I love the spotlights you share!

Thank you so much for 

putting those together and sharing the Pinterest 

inspirations too!!!

Sinta

August Quilt for Kim Walus

In 2014 Moda came out with their version of an ABC quilt called Spell It With Fabric. I printed off every letter and every number for future reference when i was ready to make a quilt. I've always loved every quilt I've seen and can't believe that it's been two years already. With all of the moving we've done over the last few years I'm not surprised that I have so many unfinished projects. My goal is to "JUST KEEP SEWING" and eventually I will catch up.

This is my inspiration for the quilt I chose for August!

I also loved the ABC Blocks we made last year! I'm sorry I failed to remember whose month that was but you inspired me to do it this year!

Link to Samantha Lee Olsen's Quilt Post on Moda's Bakeshop

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2016/03/qal-tulip-block.html

Photo credit: Samantha Lee Olsen.

If you don't have all of the letters you can go to

the Moda Fabric Spell it with Fabric Pinterest Page. 

https://www.pinterest.com/modafabrics/spell-it-with-fabric/

Information on the Spell it with Fabric Blog Hop done in 2014

http://blog.modafabrics.com/2014/02/spell-it-with-fabric-blog-hop/

You can copy and paste this link and change the "Letter A" to the letter that you want to print.

http://www.modafabrics.com/a_spellitwithfabric.pdf

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? You just need to make each block assigned according to the enclosed patterns

Can your partners use any of their own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? I've included the necessary fabric that will be used for each block.

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with? Any color will work.

Do your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide? The fabric will be cut out for the 2 letters you will have so just use that fabric.

Do you have a general theme or is it up to your partners to decide? Are there any specific themes that you do NOT want in your quilt block? Likes/dislikes? Not applicable.

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)? Not applicable.

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block? https://www.pinterest.com/modafabrics/spell-it-with-fabric/

If your partners are super motivated and are able to make two blocks out of the fabric you send would you like them to do that? Yes, PLEASE!! Thank you for your willingness to make two blocks if you have the time. I tried to pair one of the easier letters with one of the letters that had more pieces.

July Spotlight Stephanie Romney

Let’s get to know Stephanie!
Sometimes, I can't even believe my good luck. What a fun year this has been! Thank you for welcoming me into this group and allowing me to work on blocks for the amazing quilts you create. I've already received some of my Burgoyne Surrounded blocks back from you talented ladies, so it's probably time to introduce myself.

A little about me: I was born in Mesa, Arizona. I still live in Mesa, Arizona. I will most likely die here. (I feel like it might be any minute every single summer!) I met my husband while attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He was born and raised in Phoenix, but it took moving one state to the north to meet each other. We were engaged the day we met - - - to other people. One year later, we were married - - - to each other. (That's a long story for another day.) We've been blessed with three daughters and one son. They've all married wonderful spouses and we have eleven beautiful grandchildren (one's been born since this photo, and one more is on the way). They all live nearby and we are so grateful for that.

I'm the oldest grandchild on my mom's side of the family. Eight grandsons in a row were born after me before any more girls came along. So - - - naturally I was Grandma's favorite. She was my first piano teacher and she taught me to sew. I love her for that. I have no idea how many sets of matching dresses I sewed for my girls when they were little. Miles of ruffles, sashes, English smocking, shadow applique, lacy socks, hair bows . . . I had lots of fun. It was a sad day when they finally said, "MOM! NO MORE MATCHING!" (One of my biggest mom fails is that none of them play the piano or sew. They are, though, extremely talented in many other ways.)

The first quilt I ever made was a king-size "quilt as you go" log cabin. I finished it the morning of October 28, 1983, promptly went into labor, and my second daughter was born later that day. About twelve years ago, my friend organized an "I Spy" fabric swap in our neighborhood and that quilt was the first of many I've made since then. (That was the quilt that gave me carpal tunnel syndrome in my left hand. My thumb and index finger are still numb. Another story - - - another day.) I sew with a group of friends once a month. We've gone through various phases of quilt making. We used to try and all work on the same type of project at the same time. We've wised up and now we sew whatever we want. It's my favorite day of the month! I make quilts for my grandchildren when they turn eight and I made a beautiful king-size triple Irish chain for my mother when she turned eighty. Quilts are for all ages.

Last summer, after thinking/dreaming about it for many years, I approached my husband about the possibility of starting a longarm quilting business. Even when I explained the cost of getting started, he said, "What are you waiting for?" Two days later, my son-in-law was knocking down the wall separating two vacant kids' bedrooms in the front of our home. By the end of August (less than a month later), Ivy, my Gammill/Statler was delivered. It has been so much fun (and maybe a little stressful) learning and working on other peoples' gorgeous creations. It keeps me very busy and is a great form of therapy. The only downside is that I don't have as much time to piece my own quilts any more and I kind of miss that. I should probably stop taking naps and eating bonbons!!

Spotlight for July: Melissa Corry

Let’s get to know Melissa!

I was born and raised in West Valley City, Utah, a suberb of Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved to Cedar City, Utah to attend Southern Utah University after high school.  I was extremely grateful to have a wonderful twin sister to to come with me to college and be my roommate as it made the whole leaving home thing a little easier to bear.  We enjoyed SUU and over my third summer, I met a young local Cedar City boy, who ironically enough was living in Salt Lake City attending the U of U but just happened to be home for the summer.   6 Weeks later we were engaged.

We moved to Salt Lake City where my sweetheart finished his undergraduate work and welcomed or first child, Spencer into our family.   My husband then applied for Medical School following in his Dad's footsteps and  Thus began a crazy adventure of the next 7 years  :)    We attended medical school in Kentucky, did clinical in Washington State and Utah, and finished up with Residency in Indiana.  Needless to say, we got very good at packing up a U-haul and moving back and forth across the country ;)  We also welcomed 3 new children into our family over this time, Jessica  in Kentucky, Kristian in Washington, and Kamryn in Indiana, making each of our children born in a different state.   

After residency, we finally got to move home to Cedar City, where will live now and plan on living until we die!! My baby girl  Josie, joined our family in Cedar City.   And now, we are settled and loving life.  Our family loves playing games, camping and going on hikes  in the mountains, and generally just hanging out together.     I love being a wife, mother, and homemaker!!  

So where does quilting fit into all of this . . . Well,   Before moving across the country that first time I asked my mother to teach me to quilt.  I figured I was about to have some lonely evenings on my hand and needed some hobbies.

I began slowly and enjoyed being able to create adorable baby blankets for friends.  I created Happy Quilting in July of 2010 after my husband got on my case for hijacking our family blog.  And from there, it has just been an amazing ride!!!

I have loved the opportunity Happy Quilting has given me to expand my skills and share them with others!! I never would have dreamed when I stared my blog that I could say it would lead me to becoming a pattern writer and  author.  I have just loved having so many wonderful opportunities to create open up to me in this amazing industry.  And most of all, I have loved making  so many wonderful friends in this virtual quilting community!!  I just love this industry and the small little corner I have to be a part of it.

Favorite Movie - Pride & Prejudice, although you could throw in any Jane Austin in there ;)  I love to watch movies and have a crazy little obsession with finding old DVD's of shows from my childhood at the Pawn Shop.  I think we have over 400 movies now.  But we don't have netflix, kind of silly ;)  Favorite TV Show - My family loves to watch Master Chef.  I personally don't really watch much TV (movies a ton) unless you count when my  husband is watching sports while I press fabric :)  Good times :)


Favorite Candy - I love Milky Way Simply Caramels ;)   Honestly, I love anything with Caramel ;)

Favorite Recipe - My mom's bread recipe.  It is no fail and my family loves it and there is just nothing quite like the smell of homemade bread or rolls ;)

Spotlight for July: Melissa Corry

Let’s get to know Melissa!

I was born and raised in West Valley City, Utah, a suberb of Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved to Cedar City, Utah to attend Southern Utah University after high school.  I was extremely grateful to have a wonderful twin sister to to come with me to college and be my roommate as it made the whole leaving home thing a little easier to bear.  We enjoyed SUU and over my third summer, I met a young local Cedar City boy, who ironically enough was living in Salt Lake City attending the U of U but just happened to be home for the summer.   6 Weeks later we were engaged.

We moved to Salt Lake City where my sweetheart finished his undergraduate work and welcomed or first child, Spencer into our family.   My husband then applied for Medical School following in his Dad's footsteps and  Thus began a crazy adventure of the next 7 years  :)    We attended medical school in Kentucky, did clinical in Washington State and Utah, and finished up with Residency in Indiana.  Needless to say, we got very good at packing up a U-haul and moving back and forth across the country ;)  We also welcomed 3 new children into our family over this time, Jessica  in Kentucky, Kristian in Washington, and Kamryn in Indiana, making each of our children born in a different state.   

After residency, we finally got to move home to Cedar City, where will live now and plan on living until we die!! My baby girl  Josie, joined our family in Cedar City.   And now, we are settled and loving life.  Our family loves playing games, camping and going on hikes  in the mountains, and generally just hanging out together.     I love being a wife, mother, and homemaker!!  

So where does quilting fit into all of this . . . Well,   Before moving across the country that first time I asked my mother to teach me to quilt.  I figured I was about to have some lonely evenings on my hand and needed some hobbies.

I began slowly and enjoyed being able to create adorable baby blankets for friends.  I created Happy Quilting in July of 2010 after my husband got on my case for hijacking our family blog.  And from there, it has just been an amazing ride!!!

I have loved the opportunity Happy Quilting has given me to expand my skills and share them with others!! I never would have dreamed when I stared my blog that I could say it would lead me to becoming a pattern writer and  author.  I have just loved having so many wonderful opportunities to create open up to me in this amazing industry.  And most of all, I have loved making  so many wonderful friends in this virtual quilting community!!  I just love this industry and the small little corner I have to be a part of it.

Favorite Movie - Pride & Prejudice, although you could throw in any Jane Austin in there ;)  I love to watch movies and have a crazy little obsession with finding old DVD's of shows from my childhood at the Pawn Shop.  I think we have over 400 movies now.  But we don't have netflix, kind of silly ;)  Favorite TV Show - My family loves to watch Master Chef.  I personally don't really watch much TV (movies a ton) unless you count when my  husband is watching sports while I press fabric :)  Good times :)

Favorite Candy - I love Milky Way Simply Caramels ;)   Honestly, I love anything with Caramel ;)

Favorite Recipe - My mom's bread recipe.  It is no fail and my family loves it and there is just nothing quite like the smell of homemade bread or rolls ;)