Eleanor Burns – Strip Quilter

Happy Halloween everyone! Suddenly it is Fall in our San Diego area, leaves are falling and we awake to ghostly fog and gray days. OR, it gets hot and sunny and we dig out our summer shorts.

Look at this tree ladened with juicy apples. Can you just imagine the dishes you can put on the table using this fall fruit? Apple pie, apple crisp, tossed in a green salad…humm, best pick a few!

It was a big thrill  last week to have two “little treats” come to Julian to visit overnight. Three year old Ellie, and brother Jonas were all smiles at Mountain Valley Ranch in Ramona, CA as we explored the Pumpkin Patch.

Of all the pumpkins, can you guess the the two I would pick?

Jonas fits right in as the cutest pumpkin in the wagon.

A big surprise arrived on October 23, two weeks early and weighing in at a delicate 6 lbs 1 oz. Introducing my newest grandchild, Kylee Marie.

She is Orion and Teresa’s new little sweetheart.

It breaks my heart to have to leave for market, but, it was a blessing to be here to meet
her on her “birthday.”  I look forward to more cuddles on my return.

In one jam packed week our sewing room went from this

to this…..!!!

Isn’t that amazing!! I am “sew” excited. The studio went from a dull white to a cheery yellow, very inspirational, yet calming. How can I express the change? It is “SEW” wonderful. There is a place for everything and for now, almost everything  is in it’s place. Drawers and cupboards, baskets and trays, shelves and cubbies make me celebrate organization on a whole new level!

With a triangular work flow from sewing machine, to ironing, to my computer I am sure my production will increase…hope you’re all happy to hear that. Orion added convenience with several accessory slat walls. Aren’t they attractive? Hooks inserted into the slats hold rulers, rotary cutters, patterns and notions all within easy reach.

Thank you for all your kind and encouraging words about my new Koala Studio. Hope you like the change…now, when you see our books and patterns, you will know where it was all inspired and created.

Cody isn’t getting “fresh” he is hooking me up for a microphone and I am excited! You’ve heard me exclaim this over and over but I AM EXCITED! I am about to show you (and others via video) my OLD and MESSY sewing room. Ordinarily, I would keep cameras away, but it is out with the old and soon to be in with the NEW.

All of this…..

All of this….

Even our trusty copier….

GONE!

Orion and I are discussing “the plan”. In the next few days, this room will be stripped (another of my favorite terms) of everything. From floor to ceiling, gone…including the carpet and existing lights.

This make over is a custom Koala Studio.

Can’t wait to show you the new but like me, you have to wait patiently.

Didn’t I promise you something yummy? What could be more “delicious” in the Fall than apples. My log home is in Julian, CA, a town famous for these crunchy treats. Before I could even get a picture of the Apple Cake  at block party it was gone, gone! I KNOW you will like my mom’s recipe so I am sharing it with you. Enjoy. Let me know how you like it.

Erma’s Apple Cake
3 eggs – beaten well
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
2½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
4 cups chopped apples
½ cup nuts chopped

Grease or spray Bundt pan with Pam. Pour in batter.
Bake @ 350° for 50 minutes or until done.

This week we held our August Block Party. The featured project is a darling and delicious Apple Wall hanging using 10 inch squares in colors of Rome Beauty red, yellow Delicious and Granny Smith green. The quilt features thirteen apple blocks, however, you make fourteen. Below get a sneak peek at… a bonus project!

This American Jane Punctuation fabric reminds me of going back to school when I was teaching in the sixties and seventies. This line was designed by Sandy Klop for Moda.

A happy group of gals took a bus from Quilt in a Day to the Long Beach Quilt Show. They are most excited to get off the bus and start spending.

Our booth looked enticing, filled with quilts, books, patterns and notions. I spent much of the time in one corner of our booth, signing books and  meeting some of you.

Sandy Klop stopped by. She  designs  her line of American Jane Patterns plus Moda fabric under the same name. One of the projects for our next Block of the Month features her “Punctuation” line in a cute little quilt good enough to eat. (YES, that is a hint.)

Many years ago, I had masks made….we still like to have fun with them.

Humm…wonder what is tempting these shoppers?

And what did I do when I got back to work….I actually put my feet up!  I  cleaned my office prior to the show and was delighted to find space for my feet. It is usually impossible! My desk usually overflows  with scribbled notes, fabric samples, ideas, strong coffee and sharp yellow pencils. With that said, best get busy, there is work to do!

There is a cool cloud cover today, enough “cool” for a sweater…but it came off immediately. There was work to do. When three year old Ellie saw me sewing, she exclaimed she wanted to sew too. Off she went to pick out her favorite Fat Quarter in the store. When told she needed a second one, another smile and giggles of  cooperation!

Are you surprised she would pick pink?

Ellie and I lining up the fabric, she is an expert
at knowing what buttons to push….especially mine!

The fabric is going through nice and straight, it’s step one
with the Quilt in a Day method.

Obviously, there is a long way to go on this “quilt in a day”…
Ellie was off to play with the dogs after this was sewn together.

It is such fun to teach Ellie to sew. Do you get that opportunity too? Send me any hints you might have, let’s continue the quilting “bug” in the next generation.

Shipshewana, Indiana has a small town atmosphere and is  home to many Mennonite and Amish people. I was invited to the Shipshewana Quilt Show recently to give both lectures and hands-on classes. I taught the Peaceful Pastures project from my Quilt Blocks on American Barns book. See my last post. Trust me, I can make this wallhanging blindfolded!

My  host for the event was Andre Yoder who kept his promise to provide me with
dark chocolate and baked oatmeal.  Pictured with me is Andre and his parents.

I enjoyed meeting friends during book signings at Yoder’s Department Store.

One of the fun things to do is visit the largest flea market in the midwest from early May until October, (note: Tuesday and Wednesday only). This is a “do not miss” event that features everything from fresh fruit to handmade furniture.

Find the best dressed geese at the famous swap meet….they were gossiping about the
funny people they were observing, including me!

In nearby Marshal County there is a Barn Quilt Trail! This is  a relatively new trail….it was in the spring of 2009 that these quilt block murals began appearing on barns. They are rightly proud of the spectacular scenery through the gently rolling countryside as you follow this trail.

Looking for the Quilt Barns was like hunting for Easter Eggs.

After flying all night and getting nearly no sleep, Sue and I arrived in Richmond, VA to teach for All Brands, a top Baby Lock retail store. There was just enough time for a quick shower before our teaching responsibilities began. Over the next three days, over one hundred ladies made “Peaceful Pasture”, a 22″ x 24″ wallhanging from our new Quilt Blocks on American Barns book.

An entire room of gals showing off their Peaceful Pasture and of course their smiles!

I’m cheering at their combined successes….each wallhanging looked  fabulous.

I  literally got caught exploring the area.

This tempting sign led me to investigate the displays of local folkart.

This is a busy week for me. Monday I started a three day Teacher Training course right here at Quilt in a Day. It is exciting to have a gal from Australia, a gal from Canada and others from all across our great country. There are numerous reasons why they are here. Some are shop owners, others quild and church members, some wanting to teach from their homes, all are anxious to learn our methods, familiarize themselves with our products and go out and teach.

Part of the training is hands on – like making “demo in a bag”. This gives them reference materials when they teach. A business lecture includes problem solving, learning their way around our websites and fun ways to have happy and successful students.

As the training comes to an end, the skills are only a small part of the three days, the camaraderie felt by all will last a lifetime. Good luck to all of you!

Before they left, they did a little last minute shopping.

There were a few books to autograph.

Very coordinated, a purse and water bottle in pink and purple and more fabric to buy in the same colors.

My busy week continues, I fly on a “red-eye” tonight and teach first thing in the morning in Richmond, Virginia.

Each month nearly 13o ladies arrive at Quilt in a Day the second Tuesday of the month for either a day or night class. They are here for the Block of the Month, this year expanded to a Quilt of the Month!

May’s pattern was Cinnamon Swirl, a delightful pattern submitted by my sister Judy. It is made from a Honey Bun, 1  1/2″ wide strips of delicious fabric. Blocks swirl one way and then the other when placed in the opposite direction. It’s a great pattern to do in two sizes, baby or lap. 

Treating the gals to cinnamon buns as they entered the classroom was a surprise they enjoyed. I got up early and attended to my cooking duties before they arrived for the 10am class. The night crew had the cinnamon buns for dessert, just as yummy then too.

The warm Cinnamon Buns rest on two samples of the newest pattern. If the buns look extra dark, blame me. I added two TABLESPOONS, not teaspoons to the mix.  I always get the two mixed up. Do you ever do that?

The morning class gives me their full attention…..

then again, maybe not, note these busy hands.

June will feature something patriotic, it’s in the works.