Summer Sampler 2019 - setting options

Summer Sampler 2019 comes with two different setting options.

I love this one with the curved setting blocks!

This option features a diamond alternate block.

You can join the Summer Sampler here. Use code LynnCarsonHarris for a discount.
Presales: Wednesday, May 1-Sunday, May 19

Sampler Price: $29.99

Pre-sale Coupon Code: $5 off with designer coupon code -LynnCarsonHarris, coupon expires May19.

Here are the designers.

Matching the Summer Sampler Design Team Image, Top to Bottom, Left to Right 

Row 1: Heather Black @Quiltachusetts, Krista Hennebury @poppyprint, Lynne Goldsworthy @lilysquilts,  Lee Heinrich @lee.a.heinrich, Krystina Hopkins @khquilts 

Row 2: Andrea Tsang Jackson @3rdstoryworkshop, Jemima Flendt @tiedwitharibbon, Faith Jones @freshlemonsquilts, Kitty Wilkin @nightquilter, Yvonne Fuchs @quiltingjetgirl 

Row 3: Lynn Carson Harris @lynncarsonharris, Stephanie Zacharer Ruyle @spontaneousthreads 

Row 4: Jen Carlton Bailly @bettycrockerass, Amy Friend @duringquiettime, Justin Stafford @keatonquilts, Katie Blakesley @swimbikequilt, Jo Avery @mybearpaw 

Summer Sampler 2019

I am pleased to be a part of the Summer Sampler 2019 piecing bootcamp with Katie Blakesley, Lee Heinrick, Faith Jones.

The Summer Sampler 2019 runs from May 20-October 20. 

New blocks launch each Monday--participants will be notified via email that the new block is ready to download.  Also, if someone joins after the launch date, they will receive all of the previous block patterns via email once they sign up.

You can join the Summer Sampler here. Use code LynnCarsonHarris for a discount.

Presales: Wednesday, May 1-Sunday, May 19

Sampler Price: $29.99

Pre-sale Coupon Code: $5 off with designer coupon code -LynnCarsonHarris, coupon expires May19.

Here are the blocks in the 2019 sampler.

Kits are available here, or you can use your own fabrics.

Here is a list of the designers.

Amy Friend @duringquiettime 

Andrea Tsang Jackson @3rdstoryworkshop 

Faith Jones @freshlemonsquilts 

Heather Black @Quiltachusetts 

Jemima Flendt @tiedwitharibbon 

Jen Carlton Bailly @bettycrockerass 

Jo Avery @mybearpaw 

Justin Stafford @keatonquilts 

Katie Blakesley @swimbikequilt 

Kitty Wilkin @nightquilter 

Krista Hennebury @poppyprint 

Krystina Hopkins @khquilts 

Lee Heinrich @lee.a.heinrich 

Lynn Carson Harris @lynncarsonharris 

Lynne Goldsworthy @lilysquilts 

Stephanie Zacharer Ruyle @spontaneousthreads 

Yvonne Fuchs @quiltingjetgirl 

Control - Domestic Abuse Quilt Series #13

Control - 16’’ by 16’’

In an abusive relationship, the abuser gains control as the person being abused loses control.

This control applies to all parts of their life. It affects (for abused) the ability to communicate, travel, enjoy former interests, think for one’s self, pursue new interests, etc.  The control can be severely limiting and constrictive.

The abused can lose control of their past life narrative and every aspect of the future:  health, activities, relationships (or lack there of), home (house), phone, computer, money, car . . . everything.

Ten million Americans experience domestic abuse every year.  Ten million.  Someone I love and care about is a victim of abuse and has been for over twenty years.  Odds are you or someone you know is a victim as well. I have learned a lot about domestic abuse over the last two decades and the number one fact I have learned is that most incidents are never reported.  Ten million people every year and that number doesn't reflect the full scope of abuse in the US, as many people aren't able to safely share and report their stories.  I am a doer.  I like to make and fix things.  Sadly, I cannot fix things for the person in my life who is being abused.  But, I can speak up.  And I can sew.  And hopefully I can make a difference. (Statistics from the CDC)

Domestic violence knows knows no boundaries when it comes to race/gender/sexuality/age/socioeconomic status/geographic location/culture.  

Remember, it affects ten million in the US every year.  If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know that the folks at the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1 800 799 SAFE or thehotline.org) are ready to listen and support you, as well as refer you to a local program or organization. If you observe someone being abused, you can also call the hotline.  A good samaritan call can save a life.

See all of the Domestic Abuse Quilts here.

An Inspiring Place to Work

While we were visiting my son in Holland, MI he took us to see his new workplace, the Herman Miller Design Yard.

I have to say, I’m pretty jealous that this is his view each morning when he walks in the front door.

The whole building is beautiful.

I could spend at least a month just sitting in the lobby library perusing the extensive collection of art, design, and typography books. Do you think they would notice if I moved in?

How about this special marshmallow couch for year round outdoor use?

Sunset in Holland, MI

We had a quick visit to Holland, MI to visit our son and his wife.

I took my new camera to the beach for some sunset photography. It was great to get away even for just an overnight visit.

Miss P used my old camera to do her own photography practice. She is hoping to be a photographer for the high school newspaper and yearbook next year. Yes, I said high school! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?

photo and editing by Miss P

photo and editing by Miss P.

photo and editing by Miss P

links are affiliate links.

Little String Stars

String Stars, a recent finish.

I had these little stars made for a while and at a quilt retreat last September set them into blocks using some beautiful purple Oakshott cottons. I just recently finished quilting it.

The binding is a beautiful green Oakshott cotton.

A search through my photos told me that I started making these stars more than three years ago! I knew it had been a while but had no idea it had been three years! That was before I had any grandchildren, and now I have TWO. Time really flies these day.

I took advantage of a nice warm day last weekend to get some photos.

Finished size 31’’ by 31’’.

Our spring break trip was just what I needed to get back in the swing of things at the studio. Last week I finished all the blocks for this variation of my Wind Farm quilt. The pattern for this is in my book, Every Last Piece.

Yesterday morning I sewed them all together and I have another top to add to the “to be quilted” pile. One of these days I need to start working on all those quilt tops.

I decided on a whim to make the pinwheels from a variety of purples. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first but now that I have it all put together I LOVE it.

Spring Break

Our spring break this year started with a quick stop in Florida to visit family and find a ton of shark teeth. We drove up to Savannah for a couple of days where we walked all over downtown and also had an afternoon kayak outing. Our last stop on our trip was in Virginia, where I grew up. We spent our time there walking around Blacksburg and then hiking out in the Pembroke area.

The two mile hike up to the cascades was one I made many times in my childhood. I hadn’t hiked it in about 20 years.

Miss P has been getting interested in photography and took many photos of the water on the way up and at the falls.

Here are a couple of photos from Wind Rock, another place we visited in my childhood. I remember day trip picnics on these rocks.

Visiting this place was just what I needed.

Sewing Scene

How I left things at the studio.

Sewing Therapy

Years ago, when four of my family members entering nursing homes, I decided I needed a travel sewing project for time spent in the car traveling and visiting with them. I prepared an intricate appliqué piece and had it basted and ready for any stitching time.  I stitched on that piece for months and as I neared the end of the appliqué three of those four family members died- in the same week. 

I went on to finish the piece. I hand quilted it and entered it in a national quilt show. When I got the quilt back from the show, I folded it and put it in the closet in my sewing room. About ten years later, while cleaning that closet I pulled out the quilt. I unfolded it completely unprepared for my reaction when I saw the quilt again. I was instantly in tears. That quilt held a lot of memories and grief. Unknowingly, I had parked my feelings and emotions in the stitches of the quilt for a time when I would be better equipped to process them. It was quite a moving moment. 

I am currently working on a series of quilts that is serving a similar purpose.  A member of my family is in an abusive relationship. After many years trying to help my family member and trying plan after plan that would never help, I finally came to the realization that people are allowed to make decisions that are not in their own best interest. I am now working on a Domestic Abuse Quilt Series to raise awareness of aspects of domestic abuse as well as a form of therapy for myself.

I’m guest blogging today on Helen Stubbings website, Hugs from Helen. Head on over and check out some of her other Stitching is My Therapy Guests. She will be hosting guest bloggers all year. Here’s a link to her Stitch Therapy site where you can get supplies for your stitch therapy.