The EZ Dresden Quilt Challenge

Hey Everyone!   

I am so excited to share some exciting news about a new quilt Challenge that is kicking off TOMORROW!!!  The Salt Lake City Modern Quilt Guild has partnered with EZ Quilting to create an amazing quilt challenge in honor of Darlene Zimmerman's 20th anniversary with EZ Quilting.  This Challenge has an emphasis on Darlene's Dresden Ruler and has some INCREDIBLE prizes for the top finishers.

To get this Challenge jumpin', there will be a blog hop featuring different project that can be created using the Dresden ruler.  Each blogger will also be giving away a free ruler to a lucky reader.  Make sure to stop by each blog in the hop for a chance to win!  

Come back here on June 5th for my sweet little tutorial as well as a giveaway!

All the details of the Challenge can be found here.

The Blog Hop Begins Today!!!

June 1

Salt Lake MQG: Kick Off www.slmqg.com/

June 2

Lee: freshlypieced.blogspot.com/

June 3

Kati www.fromthebluechair.com/

June 4

Victoria: bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

Tanya: www.squaresandtriangles.com

June 5

Val: howaboutpinkplease.blogspot.com/

Leigh: leedledeedlequilts.blogspot.com/

June 6

Amy: amyscreativeside.com/

Elisa www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com/

June 7

Katie: www.swimbikequilt.com/

Emily: emsscrapbag.blogspot.com/

June 8

Melissa: happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/

Brooke: pitterputterstitch.blogspot.com/

June 9

Nicole: mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/

Amy sukie.mt-wudan.com/

June 10

Elizabeth: www.dontcallmebetsy.com/

Colleen: www.thebusybean.com/

June 11

Faith: www.freshlemonsquilts.com/

Deonn: quiltscapesquilting.blogspot.com/

June 12

Angela: angelaflicker.com/

Barbie: thequiltingmill.blogspot.com

June 13

Amy: www.diaryofaquilter.com/

June 14

Jessica: sewcraftyjess.blogspot.com/

June 15

Salt Lake MQG: Wrap-up www.slmqg.com/

Thanks so much to the incredible Sponsors for making this Challenge so special!

                   

Have fun hoppin'!!

~Val

Teacher or Director Appreciation Gift

The director from my two sons Pre-School recently retired after more than 20 years.  The Moms wanted to make her a gift that she would cherish forever.  

We have one of the coolest paint-your-own pottery places in town called Half Baked Pottery.  Kristen, the owner, let me borrow paint and I took the plate & paint to the Pre-School to have all the kids make their fingerprint impression around the plate.  

I then came up with a quote and printed it out on the computer and traced it onto the plate.  I used a pencil that withstands firing to write the words.  When it came out of the kiln, I wasn't happy with the pencil because it was too light.  I decided to trace over the pencil with a Sharpie.  It turned out much better and really popped!

I hope she loves it!

For a few other plate ideas, go here.

~Val

My UK Adventure!

   HELLO!!!!!!!!!   It has been way way way too long since I've been in touch! I have just gotten back from an incredible adventure that I can't wait to share.  My big brother recently got married to a lovely British gal in Cambridge, England.  This was my first time over The Pond and the experience did not disappoint!   Our trip started off by visiting family in Scotland for 4 days.  Luckily, they had record high temps while we were there making the trip that much more enjoyable!

Eyemouth, Scotland

 

We took a day trip to Edinburgh (anything to see more castles)!

Next, we headed to Cambridge so the boys could be the ring bearers in the wedding.  

They were dressed in tuxedos and Chuck Taylor's All Stars sneakers.  (Chucks & Tuxs!)

It was a beautiful wedding on a perfect day.  I'm so glad to finally have a sister!!!

photo taken by http://www.stillvision.co.uk/

Then we headed off to Paris for a few days.  We figured that since we were so close, we might as well go!  This may not have been the brightest idea with 3 small boys in tow, but I am glad that I got to experience it!

On our way to La Basilique du Sacre Coeur in Mont Martre, we passed by this sculpture.  Does anyone know what this is and why there is a shiny buttocks on the stone wall?  There was a school field trip that was studying this as we passed by, so I know it must have some important story "behind" it.  

Just curious if anyone has a clue about this?

It definitely was the best vacation I've ever taken and I can't wait to get back there again!  I also can't wait to get back to sewing!

xoxo

~Val~

100 Days of Modern Quilting

The Modern Quilt Guild is featuring 100 Days of Modern Quilts.  If you are in need of inspiration...this is the place to go!  There are so many lovely ideas, tutorials, and styles to view.  

Today, my favorite little owl quilt titled You Can Call Me Owl was lucky enough to be featured.  I am just thrilled that my quilt is being exhibited along with some of the most talented Modern Sewists of today.  

What a honor!

~Val

The Heroes Quilt is features on Quilt Story today!

Hey everyone....

Go check out Quilt Story.  The Heroes Quilt is featured today!!!

Thanks, Heather & Megan for the feature!

~Val

O.M.G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out how much the Heroes Quilt sold for last night....

$1,000!!!!!!!!!!

I just can not explain how thrilled I am about the response the quilt received last night.  Thanks again to all wonderful ladies who made this vision become a reality.  I honestly could not have done this without you!!!

~xoxoxoxoxoxo~

(~you get extra hugs and kisses today~)

~Val

Bring on the bidding!

I am so excited!  I found out that the Heroes Foundation silent auction will be live to the public via the internet.  What does that mean?  ANYONE can bid on the Heroes Helping Heroes quilt!!!  All you need is texting capabilities and you are golden.

The bidding is open now and closes at 8:30pm on Saturday, February 25th.  You guys...people have already bid on the quilt!  SCREAM!!!!  Not only that, there were two friends of mine at my son's pre-school telling me that they had already bid on it.  I am so excited.

Go check out the auction site here: http://heroesfoundation.auction-bid.org/

The Heroes Quilt is item #270.

For the silent auction, I took all the cards that people sent that shows who their blocks are in honor of and put them on a poster board next to the quilt.  I hope this will tell the story of this quilt and make people want to bid even more!

Share this news about the quilt.  If you want it and can't afford it, tell your rich Uncle to bid on it for you!!!!  It's a tax deduction after all and supports a wonderful cause!  (oh, and this pillow comes with the quilt!)

Fingers crossed for a fun Gala full of generous bidders!

xoxo

~Val