Sis Boom Quilt Red Cross Raffle

This quilt was actually pieced together during Jennifer Paganelli's "Girls World" book signing last month, by all of her loyal fans. I just quilted it up and framed it with vintage cotton trim and it was ready for the raffle! So when Jennifer announced her one day fabric sale last Friday, we decided it was time to share. The tickets were only $1 each, and we had just one day to sell. We raised over $100. and the winner is Heide Mueller-Hatton, from Branford, CT! Lucky girl.Thanks to everyone who shared in this fundraising event! The money raised will be going to the Red Cross.

A whirlwind of love.

The tsunami in Japan and the series of tornados in the midwest have left me feeling helpless and faraway from those in need. (Light bulb!)Time for another fundraiser!
We did it before, when the earthquake devastated Haiti, raising almost $4,000.00.
We whipped up 8 Quilts For Christmas for the homeless shelter in Bridgeport with no time to spare.
So, now we are challenged with two different disasters in two different hemispheres.
My friends have come out like gang buster to pitch in. Jennifer Paganelli has donated her perky Sis Boom fabric for some of the quilts. We raffled one off at her sale this week, raising funds for the folks in the midwest.
A new friend in Seattle, Washington, Pat Belyea, has been oh os generous and donated a few quilts worth of rare vintage yukata cotton that she imports from Japan. This fabric is such an honor to work with- hand dyed and traditionally made for kimonos.
Last but not least, my dear friend, James Bosco who is creative director at McCalls patterns has sent his own quilt, an amazing 80'' x80'' quilt with the Japanese fan pattern. He also got his co-workers to involved, donating about 40 squares
to be assembled and quilted. Many , many thanks.
The plan is to send the "care quilts" that we make to Red Cross in the Mid- West, as shipping to Japan is hundreds of dollars. Then, we are going to raffle off James' quilt and the one that I made with the Yukata cotton and send the funds to Red Cross Japan. Each ticket is $5.00 and checks can be made payable to "Red Cross". Specify which quilt you want tickets for-
QUILT A:"Fan Quilt"
or
QUILT B:YUKATA QUILT:"Yukata Quilt"
A week from Friday, July 29th, we will be having the Quilt Event at my house,(email me for info) 10-3, stop, stitch and have a glass of herbal iced tea and some special treats made by Robyn Eads of Peace Tree FDesserts- all local, organic, sustainable.
Send checks to:
Nancy Geaney
206 Sharp Hill Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
Make checks out to RED CROSS or I can accept PAYPAL.
I will send you a ticket stub in the mail or email you the stub numbers.
THE RAFFLE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AUGUST 2OTH.
Please spread the word!

West Indies Voodoo Magic quilt.

This Sis Boom line, West Indies, inspired me to employ some tricky techniques. The "voodoo" like magic blocks in the center are really pretty easy to make, once you know the tricks. It's the same technique used to create the scalloped border. My friend Helen Bergner shared a link to "10 minute Block" video tutorial for this effect- thanks Helen! There on youtube I found the technique (same concept) for the scalloped "flying geese".Give me until the end of the week to get the pattern posted...

'70's remix.

This vintage quilt top, found on ebay for a song, was made in the 1970's, and left for me to finish in 2011. I love the odd fabric choices and the giant log cabin motif. My kind of quilter... whoever you are. New life for a great piece.
The fabric for the backing is from British designer Cath Kidston
The "David Bowie" chair I shot it on was given to us by our great friends, Ronnie Stam and Jan Eleni. They call it that because he was photographed on it a few years back. A Glam rock chair for a '70's quilt top with a fab UK backing. Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom fabrics, always with a retro flair, were perfect for the binding.

Quilt Market or bust!

Jennifer Paganelli had me make a piece for them to display at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City representing her newest line, Honey Child. I am particularly fond of the hot colors- pinks and oranges- and love the East Indian feel of the Dana line.
Forgive the many pictures of Ollie, but it has been awhile since I have photographed a quilt, and he became very excited. Nothing worse than an out of work model trying to hog the camera...

Queen Streets little princess.

That's my friend, sweet Georgia Brown. (Yes, her real name.) She's relaxing on my Queen Street quilt while perusing the new Sis Boom Girls World book that I helped style and my husband (Tim Geaney) photographed. Not out until April, but you can pre-order it on Amazon.

Quilting double time.

My niece is putting me to the test. I like to think I am prolific, but my Becky had twins- 5 weeks ahead of schedule- and I need to make them quilts before our visit on Saturday. I decided to feature a black and white original photo printed on fabric to be the focal point, and to disperse color here and there among Sis Boom black and white prints.
Owen will get the deer in the woods with primary colors.
Chloe will get a sea shell with various shades of pink and white.
One down, one to go.
Quilting to be completed tomorrow- ready for a ride up to Providence , RI by the weekend!
I am a proud Great Aunt... can't wait.

"Hail" to the Queen Street!

All hail to the Sis Boom Queen Street line! This simple block on block action simply amplifies the beautiful prints and colors that Jennifer Paganelli used to create this latest line.
Give me a day or to to post the pattern... if you are interested!

Merry Christmas, babies...

And so, the 100 Quilts for Christmas Challenge has been a huge success. By Kate's account, over 120 quilts were donated to shelters for babies and children around the country- and that's not including the 7 we made at Musical Squares Night! The tops are done, thanks to family (including my daughter, husband, niece and nephew!), friends, friends of friends and neighbors.Even star designer- and dear friend- Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom fabrics came to sew! What an honor.
Some of these folks had not sat behind a sewing machine since middle school home ec class, and some like my husband Tim,(in hat) and his friend (award winning musician) Chris Brown had never sewn before. I cut the fabric ahead of time so that part was done. I had different bags filled with fabric for different quilts just waiting to be sewn together and thrown on the design wall for completion. There were also 3 quilts constructed of squares made by my friend James Bosco (fashion Editor at Vogue and Butterick Patterns) and his colleagues Pam Brooks and Laurie Jackson- Murray. They were so beautifully made- maybe I should take a few lessons from them!
It was a mad dash to get these done with wine and cheese and really great music- I can't wait to do it again in February for Valentines Day, and in the Spring with Denyse Schmidt and her Greenfield Hill Collection.
I go off to quilt and bind on Tuesday, so check back before Christmas eve to see them all finished, and before they go to find a place with a child at The Bridgeport Center for Women and Families.
Special thanks to Mark at Trackside Teen Center for letting us use their "Big Room" and for Brett's help preparing for the musical event! Looks like we will be coming back!