Saturday, March 14, 2009

Another Name, Some Houses

My incredibly talented, blogless friend Rachael is crazy for Halloween (check out some of her great crusties in this post)  not that that's the only holiday she's made fun little quilts for (here and here). She sent me this fabulous name block:

This little free-pieced witch finished at 6" high. wow, the details:

I've actually been doing some sewing myself. Zipped out some Wonky Houses:

Until I ended up with this many:

The first few are always so straight - it takes a while to get back into the rhythm of it and make them looser and crazier.

I suspect I'll be making even more. I'm teaching a class on the houses in April, so I need some samples to take with me. I only have one house quilt here with me and right now it's hanging up at the shop, the JaMPatch in Stuart. You can read a bit more about that here. My sweet husband just threw a few more house quilts in the mail for me so fingers crossed they get here before the class.

I hope some of you live close enough that you can come take the class. It should be a lot of fun and we're having it over two days so that we can throw a few free-pieced letters in as well.

We figured the houses would be a good place to start teaching because of the great article in Quiltmaker. By the way, that issue of the magazine is available for purchase from the publisher if you can't find it at your local quiltshop or bookstore.

I've got to get running, so ya'll take care.

28 comments:

BarbCarol said...

Too bad you can't teach a "real-time" class online. Is that technology even available?

Unknown said...

I just love those houses! I know exactly which article you are referring to and it is wonderful.

sewtakeahike said...

I think I need to make a few of those little houses too! They're so cute!

Brenda said...

I like the dotted and spotted backgrounds. very fun houses. I'm still in term paper mode, so I'll admire your work instead of making some of my own.

Clare said...

Hope the quilts make it in time. Which ones are you going to show?

I've decided to hang on to my name after all. I going to make another family quilt, but this time for us.

Julie said...

the wonky houses are darling. I think I need to try my hand at those now that I am loving the free letter piecing.
and the witch is so cute too.

Alison aka Baby B said...

I officially need to try to make some name blocks, because ohmygoodness they are so amazing! I really love the wonky houses too. They are wonderful!

MichelleB said...

That Rachael block is fabulous! I love her witch. I love your houses, too. Wonderful.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh man, that witch name block is AWESOME! That should be a quilt in itself!

Kristin L said...

Woo hoo! I predict you'll have a fun time teaching and everyone will enjoy working with such happy houses.

Rachel's Halloween name is a hoot!

Sarah said...

great name block! love the little faces peeking out in the letters.

and of course i love houses : )

jacquie said...

if i was close i'd be there in a second! i have that trouble too...i start and everything is straight.

YankeeQuilter said...

Having taken your house class oh so many years ago I can attest to your being a good instructor! So glad you are teaching again! I still want to make a Halloween house quilt...

Sharon said...

I love Rachael's name block! What an inventive beauty she made! And I like her sense of humor too. All of her work that you've shown is wonderful. She should have a blog.

Your houses are different in the more-tropical colors! I'm glad to see that you're not so wonky when you start either - that makes me feel better!

Man, if I was in Florida, I'd be at your class in a heartbeat! And I did finally manage to find a copy of that magazine. Woo hoo, Ton! You're getting famous!

Joyce said...

Too cute. I feel some wonky houses in my near future. I think they are contagious. You only have to see some and you have to go out and make your own village.

Cher said...

hurray for wonky house teaching! glad to hear you will be spreading the fun in person and doing letters too! I spotted some familiar fabric in a doorway too-how cool.
amazing name block-so great to see what others do. my wonky village quilt will be in a guild show in April-I am spreading your fame in WA too.

GloJoeSews said...

U've inspired me sooo much that I started by own blog today and am going to make some wonky letters and post pics! Thank you for your inspiration and tutorials.

The Calico Cat said...

Love the eyes poking out of those letters!

nannergirl said...

What fabulous houses! I love the fabrics. Wish I was close enough to be in that class!!!

jovaliquilts said...

Oh, I wish I lived in Florida -- I'd be at the class! Will just have to get you to come my way.
Love Rachael's name block, it's so much fun to look at.

Dionne said...

I'm terribly jealous that I can't take that class! Your free form quilting is such an inspiration, my poor boxed in brain gets all dyslexic when I attempt anything free form. Perhaps a class is what I need!
Cheers,
Dionne

Leon1234 said...

This was really good. How are you doing?

Browndirtcottage said...

I WANT that RACHEAL name even though my name isn't Racheal...she did a FAB job on it....Great that you are getting to teach the class....it wouldn't take me but 2 days driving to get there......

Hedgehog said...

What a great job on that name! Love the houses, too.

julieQ said...

That name is the cutest ever. And I love your wonky houses, so cute!

Lynda said...

Are your colours getting brighter now you're away from European skies? These houses seem positively spring-like!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

I love it--apartment houses

Anonymous said...

Your wonky houses inspire me to keep plugging away on mine. You are so speedy at making them! And your friend Rachael is highly talented, as well. Thanks for showing the possibilities of "Just doing it."