Quilting...for the Rest of Us

Episode 045: In Which We Get Felted with Erin Rissberger April 12 2011

Howdy, podquilters! Today I bring you Erin Rissberger of Quilting Acres and her Etsy shop filled with beautifully colored, hand-dyed felted wool. She and I talk about how she got into wool, her process, uses for felted wool, finding wool in thrift shops and your closets, and a few other topics tossed in between! And yes, I announce yet another give-away! Woohoo-the presents are flying!
Erin's Etsy shop is: http://quiltingacres.etsy.com
Click here for instructions about how to felt wool yourself.
Felted wool give-away: For the opportunity to win a stack of hand-dyed felted wool from Erin Rissberger's shop, leave a comment about why you would like to have some felted wool! Leave your comment by April 30, 2011. Good luck!
Reminder on the Podcastiversary give-away: Deadline has been extended to April 18th, 2011. Remember, leave a comment about what you've learned (quilty-related) in the last year. Those who leave comments will have their names entered in a drawing for some fabricy-goodness from me in celebration of my first anniversary of this podcast.
And check out the Mystery Stash Challenge by clicking on the "Stash Challenge" tab at the top of this page. I hope you'll play along!

Episode 044: In Which We Get a Workout and Check Out Some Books

I'm back with bells on! Well, swingy-type bells anyway. The soundtrack is back! In this episode I describe some Quilter's Exercises, and then review several books.Thanks to everyone who has posted comments--you're giving me content for a future episode. It's great! Keep it coming!
Books referenced:
Happy Gloves: Charming Softy Friends Made from Colorful Gloves by Miyako Kanamori (Penguin, 2007)
Make a Monster: 15 Easy-to-make Fleecie Toys You'll Love to Sew, by Fiona Goble (New Holland Publishers, UK, 2010)
One of a Kind Quilt Labels: Unique Ideas for a Special Finishing Touch, by Thea Nerud (That Patchwork Place) 2004
Quilt Block Leftovers: Clever Uses for Spare Squares, by Sarah Phillips (2005)
Pretty Little Mini Quilts, edited by Ray Hemachandra (Lark, 2010)
15 Two-Block Quilts: Unlock the Secrets of Secondary Patterns, by Claudia Olson, (C&T 2002).

Episode 043: In Which We Talk about Fabric March 27 2011

(Still no theme song due to computer issues. Sorry! Just hum yourself a few bars....) Welcome to my podcast birthday episode! Woohoo! In this episode, I respond to Kris' question about the difference between "quilt shop quality" fabric and "discount store" fabric. I also announce my podcast birthday give-away!
Mentioned in this episode:
Jera's sachet tutorial at Quilting in the Rain
Jim Salinas' article, "The Difference between Chain Store Fabric and Quilter's Grade Fabric," at Cat's Quilt Art blog.

Episode 042: In Which We Follow in Our Mother's Footsteps March 20 2011

(Due to technical difficulties, there's no theme song music or my usual intro. Welcome to "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" unplugged!) In this episode, I announce some winners, reveal the next stash mystery challenge theme, and share the stories listeners have left in the BigTent forum on "Following in Our Mother's Footsteps." Listener comments and some upcoming stuff too!
To join the "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" Kiva team: http://www.kiva.org/team/quiltingfortherestofus (You'll need to become a Kiva member first, if you're not already.)

Episode 041: In Which We Talk to Kim Templin March 14 2011

I had so much fun talking with Kim Templin, inventor of the Double Diamond Ruler, for this episode! The ruler is cool and fun, and it's inventor is too! Listen in as Kim talks about the Double Diamond, how to use it, the process of inventing, and her favorite thing about quiltmaking.
To check out the Double Diamond Ruler, www.bright-quilting-notions.com. Don't forget--listeners to the "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" podcast can get 20% off their order by typing my name, Sandy, into the coupon code!
Other things mentioned in this episode:
Seamed Up: www.seamedup.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com
Stitchtalk: www.stitchtalk.com
New podcasts and less-new-podcasts to check out. Use these links or find them on iTunes
Crafty Garden Mom with Tanesha: http://tanesha.podbean.com/
Peacebrook Quilting with Victoria: http://www.peacebrookquilting.com/
History Quilter with Susan: http://historyquilter.podbean.com/
Katie's Quilting Corner with Katie: http://www.katiesquiltingcorner.com/
The Overall Quilter: http://www.overallquilter.com/

Episode 040: In Which We Read Some Magazines

In this episode, I talk about dog-sledding, Irish Quilting, and the stash mystery challenge. How's about that for a mix?  I review several quilt magazines published in countries other than the U.S., give a Sandy update, and a respond to a few listener comments. Come along for our international ride!
Irish Quilting: (digital editions available):  http://www.irishquilting.ie/Irish_Quilting/Digital_Downloads.html
Fabrications: Quilting for You (United Kingdom--no digital editionsavailable): http://www.grosvenorshows.co.uk/html/fabrications_magazine.html
New Zealand Quilter (no digital editions): http://www.nzquilter.com/
Australian Quilters Companion (find the magazine under "subscriptions"): http://www.completecraft.com.au/
Quiltmania (France): http://www.quiltmania.com/english/home.html (or quiltmania.com and click on the little British flag on the right corner to get the English version of the site)

EPisode 039: In Which We Go to the Movies Part II

Come to the movies with me again as I review three (and sort of a fourth) quilt DVDs. You asked for it, you got it! So it's time to make the popcorn and settle in for a movie date.
DVDs reviewed on this episode:
Fons and Porter MasterClass: Flying Geese (with Liz Porter): www.shopfonsandporter.com
Quilting Arts TV with Pokey Bolton (100 Series): www.interweavestore.com
Patchwork Schoolhouse: Finishing Well (with Joann MIddleton): www.patchworkschoolhouse.com (Also check out "Basic Training" for beginners.)
Other resources mentioned:
Pat Sloan's "Complete Guide to Quilting on Facebook" at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/PatSloanCompleteGuideToQuiltingOnFB
Inventory Software: Organized Expressions for Quilters: http://www.lns-software.com/quilters/index.html

Episode 038: In Which We Get All Hippy Feb 11 2011

Welcome to episode 38, in which we go retro hippy and I talk about the peace sign quilt I have completed for my niece. Each step of this project was a learning process. I talk about what I did right and what I could have done differently, plus a little bit about using directional fabrics.
For more photos of the quilt, check out my blog.
Stash Mystery Challenge deadline on Monday, March 7th. Can't wait to see your pictures!

Episode 037: In Which We Do-Over (Feb 4 2011)

This episode feature's listener's responses to the question, "If you could have a quilty do-over, what would it be, and how would you do it differently?" I got a lot of great responses! Also, Sandy Update, winner of the Quilty Resolution drawing, and reminders of upcoming challenges.
I reference Jeanne's blog entry--it's a great read:  http://noscraptoosmall.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-for-quilting-happiness-before.html

Episode 036: In Which We Talk about My (Current) Favorite Things

Hey, podquilters! This week I rave about a couple of things I'm seriously digging at the moment, and then I spend a few minutes briefly mentioning a couple of things I'm not digging quite so much. So you get a book review, a couple of product reviews, and a few tips. Plus, listener comments had some great inspiration this week!
From this episode:
Quilts around the World: From Alabama to Zimbabwe, by Spike Gillespie
Carol Doak's Foundation Paper (Scroll down to find the paper only, or buy it as part of a bundle with other books and notions if you look in other areas of her store. Amazon has it for the same price at the moment.)
Quilt University for online classes