Blogger’s Quilt Festival Spring 2013 – Roses for Katelyn

May 17, 2013May 17, 201313 Comments

I am entering my quilt, Roses for Katelyn, into the bloggers’ quilt festival this spring. I was excited to read that you can enter two categories! (See my other entry here.)

Roses for Katelyn was completely made by me and it measures 36″ x 43″. I used soft edge applique techniques and machine quilted it on my old Bernina 1630.

I am entering it into the applique quilt category and would love your vote!

This is my first time entering something into the festival but after reading more about it in the latest issue of Modern Patchwork magazine I decided to give it a try.

This quilt is very special to me because I made it for my brand-new niece Katelyn.

Roses for Katelyn

My older sister and I have always been very close. When I had children she was such a terrific aunt and I felt so sad for her when she was not able to have children. After several years of trying she finally adopted her first baby boy, who’s now almost 8!

Ethan’s Alphabet Applique

Jacob’s Monkeys

Then she adopted her second sweet son who’s nearly two. Finally, she adopted her little girl just two months ago. I’ve made quilts for all of 3 them and it makes me very happy to visit and watch these little quilts get used and loved. 🙂

Original Quilting Plan

I blogged about Roses for Katelyn as I was making it, so I was able to show a lot of the in-progress work while I appliqued the blocks and decided how to machine quilt it. You can read the last blog entry here which gives links to all of the previous WIP posts.

Actual Quilting

I loved every stitch that went into this quilt and I’m especially pleased that both mom and baby are happy with the quilt and are doing well. 🙂

Roses for Katelyn, by Christa Watson

Blogger’s Quilt Festival hosted by Amy Ellis

May 17 – 24 – Linkys Open & Nominate for Viewer’s Choice

May 24 – 30 – Vote for favorites in each of the categories

May 31 – Winners announced

To Mom With Love on Mother’s Day

May 12, 2013May 12, 20139 Comments

The following is an essay I submitted to Quilter’s Newsletter’s writing contest, “300 Words about Quilting – The Person I Taught to Love Quilting”. They have selected it for publication on their website coming up in August/September as part of their “Web Extras”. (You can see my previously published essay here.)

I’ve chosen to dedicate this post to my mom for Mother’s Day – Love ya Mom!

Mom and Me

Quilting Bridges The Generations, by Christa Watson

When I was little, my mom taught me to sew. When I became an adult, I taught her to quilt. As a child, Mom fueled my desire to be an artist. Growing up, we participated in all sorts of community crafts classes together like candy making, chocolate molding, needlepoint, and even a short stint with ceramics. One of my fondest memories was picking out brightly colored cloth bands and making piles of woven potholders. (You can guess what everyone got for Christmas that year.) Mom taught me how to make clothes for my Barbie dolls and how to stuff a pincushion. To this day, she has kept my very first project.

As I grew older and life got in the way, I buried my inner artist. Mom divorced, I survived my teenage years, and we really didn’t have that much to talk about for awhile. Then, about a year after I married, Mom decided to give me a sewing machine for Christmas, thinking I could put it to good use. Before long, I stumbled upon quilting. (How did we miss that before?) All of a sudden, I could create again.

Three Generations of Fabric-Lovers

Soon after, I became the teacher, and Mom signed up for every one of my quilting classes. She was my number one fan, and I don’t know which she loved more: learning how to quilt, or spending time with me. We joined a guild, started attending quilting retreats, and drooled over colorful new fabrics together. We found something in common once again. The joy I felt in teaching this exciting craft was even more meaningful with Mom as one of my students.

Now that we are both a little older with quite a few quilts under our belts, Mom spends a lot of time these days taking care of her mom and keeping her warm and cozy with quilts we’ve made together. I now have my own young daughter who’s old enough to sew and has just completed her first quilt. I’m beginning to see that spark of desire that my mom first kindled in me, and I look forward to the time my daughter is old enough to attend her first quilting retreat with Mom and me!

My Mother’s Day Shirt From My Daughter

Some Sadness

April 22, 201339 Comments

I was not going to write this post. But then I was overcome by emotion and realized that part of my grieving process involves talking and about writing about my emotions. This is therapeutic for me. Be sure to read tomorrow’s post for more happy thoughts about quilting, but for today, please indulge me in my grief.

As the events of Boston were unfolding, I was saddened along with the rest of the country. However, on Friday as the country was celebrating the capture of the second bombing suspect, police arrived to a home in my neighborhood where a mother had taken the life of herself and her two children, one of whom was my daughter’s good friend.

Words cannot express the depth of our sorrows as our neighborhood tries to cope with understanding why. The local news has been out here many times over the weekend and neighbors and friends have joined together to comfort each other. This is what good people do in sad times.

Here is a clip from our local news showing many of us standing together in love and sadness.

Neighborhood Memorial

People grieve in different ways. For me it helped to talk to my friends, neighbors, and church members, to pray a lot, and to hug my children. I also tried to listen to as many uplifting spiritual talks and music as much as I could this weekend. I also threw myself into quilting with a vengeance (which you will see the results of later this week).

I am so grateful that I will be heavily involved in my upcoming guild’s quilt show this week as it will be a welcome distraction. So if I am over exuberant later in the week, you will know why. It will help to push away the sadness.

For those of you wishing to do something to cope with your grief about the terrible events in Boston, Berene Campbell from the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild has put together a wonderful project explaining how you can help.

Please go hug someone today and tell them you love them.

Winter Ski Vacation Wrap Up

April 1, 201310 Comments

We are back and well rested from our Spring Break snow vacation last week. Because we live in the hot desert, to us going on vacation means finding the snow, rather than getting away from it, LOL! We enjoyed beautiful weather in Brian Head, Utah which meant lots of wonderful white snow amidst sunny skies – the best of both worlds.

The Watsons at Brian Head Ski Resort

This was literally the view we had out of our cabin window all week long. It was the perfect setting for me to relax, get in a little design work and keep up with my email and blogging.

During our stay-in-the-cabin days, Jason entertained the kids by watching movies and playing games, allowing me to get in a little sewing and work on a few WIP’s and UFO’s. After all what’s a cabin vacation without a sewing retreat thrown in for fun?

My kids all want to move someplace where there is snow. But as their mother I realize it’s only because they see it as something to play in. They’ve never shoveled it, driven in it, had to deal with the muck and the mud, etc.. etc.. Oh, to be young and carefree again!

The family that snow-shoes together stays together!

At the end of the week, we tried out snow-shoeing, tubing and building snow caves.

Snow Tubing

Snow Cave

The other snow activities were fun but I think I still prefer downhill skiing. 🙂

Christa Skiis

Now I’m happy to be back home safe and warm, ready for a week of quilting!

A Little Cabin Retreat

March 25, 2013March 23, 201310 Comments

This week, my family and I are headed to the snowy Utah mountains for a little vacation with the in-laws (the same ones who took us to Florida earlier in the year). We will do a little skiing, a little relaxing, and for me, hopefully a lot of quilting!

I’ve packed the most essential supplies for a spring-break getaway: my Singer Featherweight along with a pile of fabric and supplies to get caught up on a bunch of UFO’s.

Right now I’m working on two block-of-the-month projects: my skillbuilder quilt-as-you-go blocks and sewing themed paper pieced blocks.

I’m also going to start piecing my backing for my Hugs ‘n Kisses Quilt Along.

While there, I hope to spend a lot of quiet time thinking about and planning some upcoming quilting projects. I have loads of ideas for future quilt alongs that I’ve got to get out of my head and sketched onto paper.

Thank goodness for the great help back at home.

Marcie does a fantastic job taking care of business for me both when I’m here, and while I’m gone.

She helps make my professional life easier so I can enjoy my personal life!

Vacation Postcard – Wish You Were Here!

January 21, 2013March 19, 20133 Comments

This week the whole family is on vacation in Florida touring Universal Studios and Disney World. It’s a much-needed break from our regular routine and a chance to hang out with the extended family in a fun environment. (This was our surprise Christmas present from my husband’s parents that I blogged about last month).

On Saturday we spent the entire day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

The Spiderman ride was amazing with special 3 D Effects.

Jason and his sister with the kids.

My son Ryan is a Spidey fan!

They recreated Jurassic park complete with a fantastic water ride gone wrong. Thank goodness we escaped from the T-Rex. It really felt like we were in the world of movies!

We visited Seuss Landing, full of truffula trees and characters from all of the books.

Truffula Trees

Jason and I paused for a minute in front of this cute little store-front window. Hmm, maybe we could use this in a future advertisement for our Grinch fabric collection???

By far, our favorite area of the park was a re-creation of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. (We are huge Harry Potter fans!) We visited Hogsmeade, downed some delicious Butter-beer and took a look at the famous Hogwarts Express.

The kids were thrilled to visit Ollivander’s to buy their own magic wands, and Ryan was chosen to act out a special “wand-finding ceremony” of his own at the famous shop. The best ride ever was a tour and intense motion ride inside of Hogwarts castle (sadly, no pictures!)

I was very pleased to see that the robe-maker’s sewing machine of choice was an antique singer featherweight. Because the individual robes were way out of our price-range (over $100 each!), my kids asked me if I could “quilt” them a Hogwarts robe. I had to patiently explain that quilt-making and clothing design are two entirely different things!

Our family motto is that “we work hard and we play hard.” Because I worked long and hard before we left, all of my regularly scheduled blog posts are coming up later this week: my quilt-along tutorial, sew and tell, and my favorite quilt-links. Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Highlights and a Happy New (Quilt) Year!

December 31, 2012March 19, 20132 Comments

We had a fantastic Christmas this year with family and friends. I finally felt like I was ahead of the game so I was able to be a bit more relaxed and indulge in a little creative fun.

Each year, one of our family’s traditions is to dress up on Christmas day and go on a scavenger hunt for our gifts. This year we went as superheros and villains. Our “grand prize” is a trip to Universal Studios in Florida with the in-laws. We just may go dressed this way…..

For a link to past holiday silliness, click here.

We also had a wonderful visit with two sets of friends that came to town. We usually make friends with couples who then move! I guess absence makes the friendship grow stronger…

Janice has a crafty side and she loves jewelry and cross-stitch. I was very happy when she told me that now she wants to make a quilt! Being the good friend that I am, I let her raid my stash as an extra little holiday treat. We have the same taste in fabric, so that was pretty fun.

Jessica is the friend that I credit for turning me on to Modern Quilting.

She’s very trendy and hip and has been making and enjoying modern quilts even before she knew that’s what they were called.

Jessica talked me into ordering the entire Pearl Bracelets line so she could get some of every color for Christmas.

You just can’t put a price on a smile like that – well actually her husband could when he got the bill, LOL!!

(Thank goodness I gave them a pretty hefty discount. 🙂 )

Playing with all of this wonderful fabric makes me really excited for the new year.

I have loads of ideas for quilts I want to make, as I’m sure you do, too.

Here’s to a happy new year of quilts!

You can read my list of quilting goals for 2013 here.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2012March 19, 20133 Comments

Merry Christmas from Christa, Jason & the kids. Hope your holidays are merry and bright!

WIP Wednesday – Christmas Edition

December 19, 2012March 19, 20135 Comments

Today I am just going to share a little bit of the work in progress that’s been happening this week. I can’t believe Christmas is so soon! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. 🙂

I have finished the design for my next quilting tutorial, which I’m calling “Sea of Squares.” I love the combo of crisp blue and white – especially in the winter. Now that I’ve finally gotten the hang of EQ7, I plan on designing all my quilts this way – the possibilities are endless!

I will post the supply list next week, right after Christmas, so you will have something to look forward to after your holiday festivities are over!

Next, we’ve been like busy little elves around here wrapping presents as soon as we get them. The kids helped me wrap for the first time this year and they quite enjoyed it. We made pretty good timing of it too, as we are usually doing this the night before, LOL!!

And finally, I just had to share a picture of this adorable Nativity Scene that my daughter made with her girls’ activity days group (sort of like girl scouts at church). It helps remind me of the reason for the season. 🙂

Yes – it’s made from graham crackers and candy and is quite edible – though she won’t dare let us think of it! (My favorites are the animal crackers and the licorice shepherds’ canes.)

Show and Tell – Christmas Cookies

December 14, 2012March 19, 20132 Comments

For show and tell this week I thought I’d share my oldest son’s favorite sugar cookie recipe with you! He has become quite the baker in our family and can somehow turn out a better product even when we are using the same recipe. (It must be that he’s able to be focused on the task while I am multi-tasking a million things while cooking and baking, LOL!!)

Jason Jr. made the dough while Jenna helped me roll it out and cut the shapes.

It was fun trying to get as many shapes as we could into one batch – sort of like tracing out applique shapes on quilt fabric. Hmm, that gives me an idea – cookie cutter appliques!

We decorated the cookies for family night and then dropped off a few batches for friends and neighbors. They think we were just being nice – in reality I could eat all these cookies myself which would NOT be good for my waistline, so I had to share!

Jason Sr. and Ryan really enjoyed decorating. (My hubby really does have an eye for color when helping me pick out fabrics). We have a creative family!

Here’s the recipe which my son found online from Picky-Palate.

2 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Cup sour cream
6 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

In an electric or stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.
Chill for at least 2 hours for best results.
Once chilled, roll and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Remove and let cool. Frost and decorate as desired.

And here’s our favorite creamy frosting recipe to go with it, from AllRecipes.com. You know what the special ingredient is? Sour cream! It blends well with the powdered sugar for some yummy creamy goodness.

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cup powdered sugar
food coloring

In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice and salt. Stir in powdered sugar and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Divide the frosting into as many bowls as you have colors. Add food coloring until desired color is achieved.