ByKate Blog

Return to "hot"

2011-06-05T07:10:00.000-10:00

It's going to be a record temperature day, again and summer is not even here yet.
I have returned from vacation and two graduations plus the ordination of my best friend, Janet Madden. It was an inspiring and beautiful ceremony on a bright blue day on a hill in Los Angeles. I was able to visit with many friends I knew in the LA area.
It takes longer for me to catch up than it used to; but then everything seems to take longer.
I'm looking forward to the classes and lectures I have scheduled in the next few months.
A discount coupon is coming soon...keep looking for it on the home page. I want everyone to try something new from By Kate and remeber how relaxing it is to hand stitch, especially while on a trip.
Sign up as a fan and I will have something special just for fans.
Thanks, Kathleen

One of those days

2011-05-11T07:17:00.000-10:00

It's muggy, but still no rain. We can only pray. I'm in a finishing mode trying to get some of my UFOs out of the to-do pile and into the finished pile. The Hannah's Star is at the longarmer genius to bring it to life. I am finshing the last few blocks for my Block of the Month. I hope you will try some of the great ideas. I am also working on a Tumbling block piece to showcase some more wonderful Kaffe Fasset fabrics and the new bold floral on shelves today. It is easy and another bright one. Stay creative and sew more. Kathleen

Day Trip

2011-05-06T12:17:00.000-10:00

Bob and I took a road trip to Dripping Springs about an hour west of us to a new quilt shop. Valli & Kim's Quilt Shop 700 W. Hwy. 290. 512/858-4433. It's a great store; very light and airy with bright colors everywhere... even brightly color zippers for summer purses. After a yummy lunch at the Salt Lick BBQ, we headed back by way of Kohl's, Hobby Lobby and Sun Harvest for fresh veggies we are home and glad of it. I'm not as young as yesterday and I feel it when we shop,shop,shop.
I also dropped off the Hannah's star quilt to be quilted by one of my favorite longarmers: Mary Golden of Cedar Creek, TX.
And so time for a cold glass of tea and putting my feet up until dinner time. Try hand stitching while you watch some tv tonight.
Kathleen

Wedding Day and other thoughts

2011-04-29T06:51:00.000-10:00

I do love a wedding and William and Kate's was beautiful. I know we all wish them the best. Speaking of best...here is a pic of my current quilt titled "Hannah's Persian Star". It is VERY bright and I am now planning the quilting design.
Other news includes computer news. I am now going to use my Mac Pro Book for more of the things I do including my website and blog. Much to learn...
Have a great weekend and be creative. Kathleen

Busy,busy...

2011-04-21T08:27:00.000-10:00

I know that we are all busy, but I don't seem to be able to get in front of "it". I sure you agree. I'm late starting spring cleaning, but I am cleaning out my office area. Too many extra papers, files, boxes for shipping, and a hundred other things. I am trying to be "ruthless" so that I have room for the things I really need and love.
I'm working on the appliques for the border of Hannah's Star (my newest). I tried the freezer paper and glue prep for the pieces... too hard to get the paper off. Next time I'll do needle turn...my favorite method. Anyway the piece is coming along and I'll have a photo soon. I'm learning how the add the pics to this blog.
Suns out and I am going out to the backyard to soak some up. Smile! Kathleen

Katy Show musings

2011-04-10T12:24:00.000-10:00

I had a good show at the West Houston Quilt Guild in Katy, Tx. The show was about two + hours from home. I was able to unload with the help of one of the guild members. She had a big cart and we worked hard. The setup always seem to take longer than I want.
The Friday show was slow with not a lot of visitors and all the vendors worried, but Saturday was a good day.
I got to see my son who lives in Houston twice on this visit. I always love that.
Bob ...dear husband... helped me unload when I got back this afternoon and I have started the "after show" process and sorting, inventory, and bookkeeping.
I saw some beautiful quilts, especially the Best of Show and the Judges Choice. Applique is back in vogue and wonderful quilting by hand and machine.
I still marvel at "us" quilters and the work we do to produce wonderful quilts, but also as guilds to put on shows...All the HARD work.
I will leave again on Thursday morning for another show. This time in Pearland, TX. More about that show later. Kate

Learning

2011-04-05T04:20:00.000-10:00

Sunday I took a class from Sharon Schamber to learn more about quilting feathers. She is a mega award winner and has lots of info to share. We spent time on basting the quilt, washing both before and after making a quilt, the importance of visualizing the design before even marking, and then practice,practice...etc.
On Monday morning my guild had her speak and show her quilts. She is a delightful lady, if a little "nuts" like the rest of us. Her quilts are beautiful and deserving of all the prizes. We were treated to her new work in progress and it is amazing.
Now I am getting ready for the show in Katy, Tx. Look or me there and have a creative day. Kathleen

April Fools

2011-04-01T04:25:00.000-10:00

Good morning. I was engaged on April 1, 1961 and 50 years later I'm still happy with my very own "fool".
I just spent two days with a friend who had 3-1/2 hours of dental surgery. While she slept most of the time, I read all her quilting and crafting magazine and have some great new ideas. One is for an art piece with a peacock feather and a sparrow. I'll let you know how it goes.
I am also getting ready for the quilt show in Katy, TX next week by the West Houston Quilt Guild. It is at the Merrell Center on 4/8th & 9th. If you stop by please see my booth.
Have a creative day. Kathleen

Spring has sprung

2011-03-25T16:17:00.000-10:00

Spring is really here. I am starting to see the bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes appear. The days are certainly warmer after the morning clouds leave. It is nice to sit on the back porch and watch the cardinals and other birds about their business.
I worked on emails today trying to catch up on the block of the month "fans". Late afternoon I picked up a pizza from papa murphy's that you when you get it home. It was very tasty with a very thin crust loaded with chicken, artichokes, bacon, spinach and cheese.
The quilting was on hold today except to straighten up the studio so i'd have actual room to work.
TIP: Be sure to measure carefully for any border with bias edges and pin carefully so that you don't have to sew and then unsew...
Tomorrow is the farmer's market in Elgin and I'm hungery for what ever is fresh and green. Have a great weekend. Kathleen

paperwork

2011-03-23T05:47:00.000-10:00

Good Morning, It seems that I am buried in paperwork. For those of you waiting for am email about the Block of the Month... I'm still inputting the addresses.
Yesterday was my "bee" day. I sew with a great group of ladies and we actually get work done. I'm putting borders on my Hannah's Star and will design a special quilting design to show it off. I'm also gathering fabrics for a Yellow Roses quilt; the center of which was a birthday gift from Anna. She digitized a design I did a couple of years ago. I'm excited to start on it. After the bee, I got a haircut and a mammogram. DON'T FORGET YOURS! Have a great day.
Kathleen

"Customer Service" :(

2011-03-20T15:47:00.000-10:00

I can't believe that I have spent a total 3 hours and 50 minutes with HP trying to get a new printer up and going! Trying to keep my mind off the frustration, I worked on my new Hannah's Star quilt and ended up sewing two big pieces of the background in the wrong place. It doesn't pay to not focuson one thing at a time when you are frustrated... So tomorrow I will unsew and try again. Have a peaceful evening. Kathleen

Sunny Saturday

2011-03-19T09:52:00.000-10:00

It is a sunny warm Saturday. I got my small gardenready and planted some tomatoes. I will make a trip to Lowes on Monday morning to buy herbs, more tomatoes, probably cherry tomatoes. I am working on a lecture piece. I bought a four pointed stars at the Dallas quilt show and have added a couple of borders. I cut a piece of vinyl for the back to that you can see the paper piecing. The paper is dated June 28, 1931 from the Kansas City Star. Now for binding...
Next is a Lone Star piece using scraps of Kaffe Fassett fabric which were a gift from Hannah Lee. The star will be set in a bright turquoise with a pink urns border. It should really stand out.
If you are reading this, please send an email to bykate@capmac.org and tell your quilting intersts. Kathleen

Quilting rubber stamp templates

2011-03-16T16:00:00.001-10:00

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I just got back from a wonderful quilt show in Dallas, TX about 4 hours from my home. The show had beautiful quilts and great vendor; of which I am one. I have been selling stamps and patterns for almost nineteen years. Check my website at http://www.bykate.com/ to see everything.
I will try to keep up with news at least twice a week (or more). Today I have been working on a vintage four pointed star block for a lecture that I will give in Kerrville, in July. I bought several blocks from my favorite vendors to use in the lecture.
Tomorrow I will be going into Austin for a quilt lecture at the Texas State Library and Archives. Marcia Kaylakie will be talking about a summer spread made by Gen. Sam Houston. It should be very interesting.
Kathleen