Welcome to the Flipboard app

Some time ago I discovered an app for my smart phone that I've come to love.  It seems only right that I share that info with you, but I wanted to make sure that my love was a bit more than puppy love.  Recommendations need to be long-lived.  So I continued to test and use it for several months.  I've come to use it in places I probably shouldn't (in the car on long trips, during meetings, even slipping it into the "reading room") pretty good indicators that I'm hooked.  

Flickr/Julie Jordan Scott

I love Flipboard for fast reading.  It was the first app I downloaded when I bought the new phone that I now have.  Flipboard bills itself as "YOUR PERSONAL MAGAZINE" and encourages users to "Find, follow and collect stories on all the topics you love." The app is free, and you choose the types of articles you are interested in reading.  I think of it as Pinterest for readers, and you know how hooked I am on that app.  Instead of collecting pictures, users collect blog, magazine, news and other articles of interest. 

Red Pepper Quilts

One of the ways that it's user friendly is that each article has three small icons that make it easy to save the article (plus sign), collect more articles (heart), or share the article (envelope). 

Although Flipboard  is fairly easy to use, I am still learning the tricks.  While writing this article, my research turned up the way to embed the magazines into a webpage.  How convenient is that? You can easily follow this or any of the magazines I've created.

Click here to view my Flipboard Quilting Magazine.

Genius Hacks Every Quilter Should Know is a
free PDF eGuide available exclusively on Craftsy

That magazine has 28 articles but now that I realize that following a magazine and flipping articles into my magazine are two completely different actions, I'll flip articles into my magazines. That means that, like my Pinterest boards, my Flipboard mags will grow!  Of course, if you find articles that you think I'd like, please share them with me.  Then we can read and discuss articles of mutual interest.  What a great way to connect and learn, don't you think?  

Guild Newsletter Article....Me!

Straight from our guild newsletter!  Written by Mrs. Helen Mire (Thanks Mrs. Helen)

One of our Designers Extraordinaire!! …

Mary Evangeline Bourque Marcotte   

Mary has been quilting since her first child, William, was born 35 years ago. Her other two sons, Adam, 32, and Rory, 30, also enjoy her craft because she has quilted for each of them and also for their wives, Stacy, Jenny, and Meggan. Quilts also adorn the beds of each of her seven grandchildren, Dusty, Alayna, Lane, Jolie, Marley, Catherine, and Sophie and sometimes they even drag those quilts around with them.

Mary was born in Cottonport and raised in Plaucheville. She graduated from Plaucheville High, and now she lives in Evergreen with her husband, Richard, of 36 years.  Richard grows vegetables on about 4 acres and sells these fresh vegetables to the public. Her parents, Riley Bourque from Maurice, LA, and Ellen Lacombe from Moreauville, finally settled in Avoyelles with Mary and her seven sisters after moving several times during Mary’s young life! Mary’s mom always quilted, especially after she retired.  Mary’s grandmother also quilted and she learned many quilting techniques from both of them.

A teacher here in Avoyelles Parish for the last 25 years, Mary was a school librarian at Marksville High for ten years, but is now back in the classroom at Bunkie High. She teaches English to 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students. When she retires, she wants to quilt and travel. Mary loves to design, because she started out that way. “I didn’t start out with patterns, but just created blocks,” she says. “As I started becoming more and more interested in quilting by  reading, seeing other quilters designs, and visiting quilt shows, I realized I could do that and I would come home and make my own designs.” 

“I found a quilt top my grandmother made in my mom’s house after mom passed away.  I copied her pattern and made a few quilts using that pattern. My niece had a photo of my Dad’s barn and I wanted to create a quilt of the barn to honor him, so I enlarged the photo, made a pattern, and used fabric and thread to add details to create this quilt. I presented it at one of our meetings, and it won a Blue Ribbon in Wall Hangings at our last Quilt Show. I also created a quilt of the Cotton Gin in Cottonport. I use muslin to separate the strips for an interesting pattern in the scrap quilts I demonstrated at our Guild meeting. Use just scraps to create the strips.”

“I have attended the Houston Quilt Show for the last seven or eight years. I have also been to the Gulf South Show several times and a couple of times to the show in Beaumont, Texas, and of course to Krotz Springs and also once to Shreveport. If I hear about a quilt show, I will certainly try to get there,” she says. “Donna Mayeux and I went to classes given by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims,” she says proudly. “Sure learned a lot that weekend!”

“I will miss going to our Quilt Show this year.  I had already decided which quilts to put in the show and certainly hope we continue it next year. Many people visit our show and this is a great opportunity to encourage tourism in Avoyelles Parish, so I know there will be many disappointed people this year.

“There are many opportunities to build your stash and also learn about quilting right here in Avoyelles Parish by attending our Guild meetings. We have many talented quilters who are willing to share their passion for quilting with us, so I feel we are blessed to have this Guild in my community. 

“I have written on quilting in an online magazine, The Quilt Pattern Magazine.  I have a blog named Fleur De Lis Quilts at fleurdelisquilts.blogspot.com. Check out the tutorials on my blog on many different subjects. Over the summer, I created the Louisiana Block for American Made Brand, which is a fabric line by Cloth Works. I will always continue quilting and enjoying the good life here in Avoyelles,” she says as she smiles broadly!

                  From Mary’s Blog Spot:  AMB Louisiana License Plate  

Paducah on National Geographic Traveler

While reading National Geographic Traveler online earlier today, I found an article that mentions Paducah, KY, for its National Quilt Museum and arts district.  (I'd like to add the architecture to the list.) It's interesting that Paducah is number five on the list of fifty. It took me a little while to figure a few things out, but eventually I did, so I'm posting the short piece here.  By all means, follow the links and read the entire article for kicks.  

The 2014 Traveler 50: World's Smartest Cities

Essential places, people, trends, and ideas that have turned the world’s most intelligent cities into travelers’ hottest tickets.

From the October 2014 issue of Traveler magazine

By George W. Stone

5 Common Threads

Paducah has us in stitches. This small Kentucky town was recently named a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art for its efforts to sew together world-class fiber arts assets (the National Quilt Museum is located here) and to attract creatives (potters, painters, jewelry makers) to its LowerTown Arts District.

Gee's Bend Quilts

Pinterest photo

I've been interested in the quilts produced in Gee's Bend, Alabama, since I first read about them in one of my mom's quilt magazines several years ago.  Our recent trip to Tennessee and Kentucky took us in a roundabout sort of way through parts of Alabama.  Since much of that trip had to do with quilts, I began thinking about the Gee's Bend quilts and had the idea to make my own replication quilt inspired by those in the magazine article.  

Auburn University photo

I can't find the article now, of course.  I may have returned the magazine to mom, or not.  I very likely have it in my collection, but my magazines are not arranged in any form unless "tossed on the shelf" counts.  Not exactly a good impression considering I am a librarian.  

It's rare that I go looking for one particular thing in those magazines.  It would take lots of time and effort.  I don't have the space.  Mostly my only reason is that I just don't have the desire.  Regardless, the once a year that I do want something, I am reminded that it's disgraceful, so it isn't necessary to pass that info along to me.  It won't help anyway.

Back to Gee's Bend.  I figured I'd do the next best thing: Pinterest some photos and find one or two I like.  Nooo, that won't work either.  Firstly, Pinterest has Gee's Bend inspired quilts, not the real thing.  Secondly, I know what I want (I think) and I couldn't find it.  Although I did build a "Gee's Bend, quilts" board of some quilts I do like.  Mostly, though, Pinterest has photos of knitted blankets inspired by Gee's Bend.  Not what I want.  So I did a "real" search: can we say Google?  This is what I found.

Auburn University has an extensive Gee's Bend web project that documents the quilts, the quilters, the history, archives, links.....everything I could want!  Thank you Auburn!  

To clarify, some of the photos on Pinterest are of original Gee's Bend quilts or very good reproductions, but there's no way to know which unless you follow the links.  It's also possible the photos may have been touched up.  Look at the two photos at the top of the page and make the comparison for yourself.  All other photos are from the Auburn University website.

Now that I've found the Auburn U. site, I'm going to take my time and really look at and enjoy the quilts while I consider what I want to do about my idea.  Now isn't that a great idea?

TQPM News

Here's some good news!  I submitted two tips to The Quilt Pattern Magazine last summer and both were picked up for a bonus article on sewing room organization which was recently posted on their website.  Anyone who is a subscriber of TQPM has access to the article.   

I can't share the entire article since that would breach copyright laws, but I can tell you that the seven page article includes info on organizing small spaces, fabric storage, repurposing other objects, pegboard uses, storing fabric scraps, sewing process, and lighting and furniture.  I can also share my own tips:

Safety Tip

Here's my safety tip for those of you who store rarely-used items up high: I keep a small stepstool in my sewing room near the highest items.  I'm less tempted to reach or climb on anything that just happens to be nearby.  (I call it "monkey reach" because only a monkey could really pull it off."  I've probably saved my neck a few times.  Mary Marcotte

Don't forget to go low!  Under my work table there's a nice shelf, but under that, plastic bins of fabric!  Since my hubby built the table, we were able to measure to make sure the bins slide under the shelf.  It's a bit of a bother to get to them, so I store garment-making fabrics there.  I now quilt more frequently, but still make things for the grandchildren.  

Mary Marcotte

And more good news on the TQPM front: I have a four part pattern coming out in January.  I'm pretty excited to see it in print!  I am not supposed to share the actual picture until I'm told it's okay to do so, but I can tell you that the pattern is for a stained glass quilt with a beach motif.  There are lots and lots of photos to make sure the directions are easy to understand.  

Of course, TQPM made sure it was tested by a quilter who seemed to think that the directions are easy enough to follow.  Since my subscription to TQPM was going to end in January, I made sure to re-subscribe a few weeks ago so that I can get all four of the issues that include my pattern.  

If you're not a subscriber to The Quilt Pattern Magazine, you should consider subscribing now!  I'd be thrilled to tell you how--the website is http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com

Finally, the photos on this post all come from TQPM's annual Kitty Photo Contest.  Check out the quilts under the kitties!

Happy Quilting,
Mary

TQPM News

I got great news today!  The Quilt Pattern Magazine is an online quilt magazine started by Cindy McCoy as a way to "bring you high-quality, tested, patterns from designers, plus unique quilting articles from writers around the globe."  Carol, TQPM editor, sent me an email with information about an article I wrote for the magazine.  


The first installment of my stained glass workshop will appear in January, and they've extended it from three to four installments!  I was hoping for two, possibly three installments.


Carol also sent a copy of the work in progress so that I could see what it looks like.  I must say, I'm impressed!  Not having the programs that would allow me to create patterns, I scanned and sent my hand-drawn patterns.  Imagine my joy at seeing them turned into professional-looking patterns almost ready for publication.  


The article will first go to editors, then it goes to testers.  The testers will follow my directions to make a quilt that, hopefully, will look just like my original.  After their changes or corrections, the article will go through it last change.  Copywriters will finalize the format, photos and drawings.  Since this is July and the first article will appear in January, TQPM has six months to get all that done.  


If you have considered getting TQPM, now is a great time to do so, since they are offering a free pattern for anyone who signs up to receive their newsletter.  Click here to go to the sign up page. 


The "About" page of the website says this about the magazine:  

"We are dedicated to showcasing designers' patterns while preserving their styles, their methodologies, and their individual voices. This includes their regional spellings and local color. You won't see patterns shoehorned into a particular format, nor unique techniques superseded by truncated "standard practices". Instead, we faithfully reproduce the designers' techniques and methods as closely as possible. After all, with respect to their designs, they are the experts!"

I can say from my own experience that working with the editors has been great so far.  I look forward to seeing my work in the pages of the magazine.  If you subscribe to TQPM, leave a comment letting the rest of us know how you like it.  Of course, I do subscribe and really enjoy the magazine, but I'd like other opinions as well.

Modern

Photo from The Modern Quilt Guild

I'm in trouble.  I've discovered modern quilts.  Yep, I'm all there.  In fact, I'm working on my second modern quilt now.  What's bad is that I don't even know how I fell  into this mess.  Really, I woke up a few days ago and there was a modern quilt almost complete on the long arm!  Just like that.  

I also noticed that I've been following modern quilt blogs: The Modern Quilt Guild was the first, but that led to The Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild, which led to places like A Little Gray (don't fall for it--there's lots of gray and every other color, too).  Before I could stop I'd followed Olive and Ollie and several others.

Why am I in trouble?  Well, for one, it seems that I'm spending precious quilting time on the computer oogling over other people's quilts.  (as if I didn't do enough of that already)  And a look at my stash has informed me that I have all the wrong fabrics for modern quilts.  Sad, but true.  So guess what I did.......


Yes, I did.  I went shopping.  I bought lots of gray.  GRAY.  Shades of gray and some of every solid gray I could get my hands on.  And then (as if I could afford more) I picked out TWO shades of the brightest happiest yellow....which just happens to be the perfect shade of happy and looks stunning mixed in with the grays.  


I need an intervention.  I agree.  I'll see someone, maybe even a professional someone, as soon as I finish this stunning gray quilt.  Well, maybe it can wait till this interesting little convention is over:




Anyone know how far it is to Austin?

300 and counting!

http://asisterlyconnection.blogspot.com

This post is my 300th!  Wow, what a milestone.  It's amazing to think of the life changes that have occurred since I began putting my crazy thoughts in a forum that the world can read.  It is, indeed, a world-wide forum.....I've had the pleasure of meeting people from almost every continent.   


Some have become friends with whom I share surprisingly close-to-my-heart ideas.  Some stop by regularly and leave a note; others visit every now and again.  But the community that we've built serves as wonderful inspiration, sacred blessings and great karma!  I am extremely grateful to every one.  

http://bayouquilts.blogspot.com/

Of the many people I've met, a few ladies deserve, at the very least, a mention and a special thank you from me.  They have been wonderful inspiration and encouragement. Please visit them and say hello.  


You can find them by clicking on the link below the photos, which all come from these extra-special, bloggy friends.

http://cherryredquilter.blogspot.com/

Jan-Maree at Cherry Red Quilter and Aussie Hero Quilts who is unbelievably prolific when it comes to helping others and making beautiful quilts; 


Dana of Lambs and Ivy Designs who is a master at fabulous ribbonwork; 


Jenclair of Bayou Quilts and Dolls writes about her doll-making, reading, quilting, and inspiration; 

http://lambsandivydesigns.blogspot.com

Diana and LaDonna at A Sisterly Connection who are all about family and quilting.


And I want you, readers, both regular visitors and every-now-and-again folks, to know how much I appreciate your spending some time at Fleur de Lis Quilts, your inspiration, your kind responses, your appreciation of my craft.  You are the reason I'm still here!  
Happy Quilting,
Mary

Quilt Judging articles

A while back someone from the Quilting Board asked where she could find articles on how judges look at a work when judging quilts.  I did a little research and found these articles from several sites to send to her.  Naturally, my interest was piqued, so I wanted to save them to read later, but thought you might also enjoy them.  They are in no particular order, just pasted to the blog in much the same order as I found them.  I honestly don't even remember what I did to get to these and, though I haven't read them all, I've found good info in those I've looked at.  Some are general articles, others are pretty specific and still others are from people who are judges themselves.  If nothing else, they make for pretty good reads just for the tips and insider info that they provide.  Enjoy!




http://www.kathryngreenwold.com/

http://nqaquilts.org/judges/judges-about.php

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1480.asp

http://marystori.blogspot.com/2009/07/quilt-show-judging.html

http://www.professionalquilter.com/weblog/tag/quilt-judging

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/213148/how_to_create_an_award_winning_quilt.html