Desire to Inspire 2017 - Looking for a January Challenger!

Holidays are over, and it's time to start thinking of spring! This collection, Pretty as a Pansy is sure to put someone in the springtime spirit. We are looking for a Challenger for January who wants to have these beautiful fabrics and making something wonderful! 

Are you inspired? We want you to put your name in the hat for this month's challenge! Comment on this blog post or email vanessa@jaftex.com.

PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! We will pick someone on Wednesday, January 4, 2017.  

This is how it goes: 

1. YOU sign up below with your email or blog name to this post, or email vanessa@jaftex.com

2. WE pick a winner. 

3. YOU send us your address.

4. WE send you the "Pretty as a Pansy" fabrics shown above.

5. YOU make something AWESOME during the month of January, with pictures and your story.

6. WE post it. 

7. YOU keep it. 

*We would like to have challengers show us they can do it. So while you don't need a blog, you may send pics to the email address above, so we can see what inspires you! 

We have a challenger for December Desire to Inspire - Meet Victoria Steel

Meet Victoria Steel - December's Challenger

Tune in to this blog at the end of December as our challenger has nearly the whole month to take these fabulous fabrics and create something that has inspired her.

This fabric line, "Clean Living" by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup is shipping into fabric stores now. Victoria was inspired by this collection because she is a fan of mid-century modern design. When we notified her of being accepted as the challenger, she shared a quilt design that she had already started with these fabrics on her software!

Meet Victoria Steel, originally British, she has lived all over the world. She now resides in Cheyenne, Wyoming where she works full time at Laramie County Community College and in her free time enjoys quilting and quilt design.

Design to Inspire - September Challenger Laura Piland

Meet our September Challenger: Laura Piland!

My husband and I grew up in the same town in Kansas and met in high school just before he left for basic training in the United States Air Force. He served four years, and was stationed in Kansas for the same amount of time. Then we moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for his job. I taught middle school math for most of the time we lived there. I loved it! Math has always been my favorite subject!
Also while living in Las Vegas, I got an inkling to make a quilt for a friend after she had a baby. I had sewn a little bit as a kid, but never made a quilt. I used internet tutorials and YouTube videos to teach myself everything I needed to know! I also called my mom and grandma for quite a bit of advice! That first quilt was made six years ago. As soon as it was finished, I started another. And another. And…I was hooked!

About four years ago, we decided we wanted to move somewhere with lots of trees. We also wanted to move to a small town and start a family. Those desires led us to Mountain Grove, a small town in southwest Missouri. Since moving here, we have had two boys. The oldest is now 3 ½ and the youngest is 1 ½. I am currently staying at home with them. This new challenge of dealing with toddlers has led to much more quilting! I like to say quilting is to me what fishing is to my husband! It keeps me sane!

Sweet Hexie Pillow with Sew Bee It! Collection

Mountain Grove is about an hour away from the “big city” of Springfield, Missouri. The area is referred to as the Ozarks. There are lots of trees and hills, called the Ozark Mountains. We live on a small farm about ten minutes into the country. The dirt road that leads to our house has trees covering several parts of the road. The days just started to get cooler this week, and I am really looking forward to the leaves changing colors! On the way to our house, there are five low water bridges. I had never heard of those before moving here!

Basically, they are concrete patches in the road where the creek flows right over the road. So we drive through the creek five times on the way to our house! During a heavy rainstorm, the water level in the creek becomes too high to pass through. The rest of time, my boys like when we drive fast through the water to make big splashes! Oh, the life with boys!

Pillows and Quilt with Sew Bee It!

Mini Quilted Books

In the six years since I started quilting, I’ve made 79 quilts! 38 of those this year! I’ve made mini quilts, mini mini quilts, table toppers, table runners, baby quilts, and large quilts too. I sometimes make things other than quilts, but I always go back to quilting. In 2014, I wanted to make 14 quilts in 2014, but I didn’t hit that goal. So I changed it to 15 quilts in 2015 – and ended up making 27! I think I’m well on my way to my 16 quilts in 2016 goal too! Ha!

 (You can see all my quilt finishes on my blog!)

Sew Bee It! Quilt Close-up

I don’t really have a set style or type of quilt that I love. However, I really love trying new things! I rarely make the same quilt twice. I always seek out new techniques and short cuts. I don’t want to waste the precious sewing time I get! I tend to like more modern quilting designs, but I don’t limit myself! I’m always willing to learn something new!



I sew almost exclusively on my vintage Bernina 930 Record. I bought it just after starting my first quilt. I quickly realized the “just in case” hand-me-down machine I had was causing more frustration than it was worth! I use my Bernina to piece and quilt. I have a walking foot for straight-line quilting and a darning foot for free motion quilting. I’m not sure I could trade it for any other machine! I love it!

 Finished Quilt with Sew Bee It! Collection

This year, I discovered that writing quilt patterns feeds my love of math and teaching! I have written a few patterns and will be releasing some more very soon! It is a goal of mine to teach quilting classes at quilt shops or quilt guilds one day!

Sew Bee It! Apron 

The online quilting community has really helped me find my “tribe!” I love connecting with quilters all over the world! I’d love to “meet” you and get to know you too! You can find me around the web on Facebook, Instagram, Ello, Pinterest, and of course, my blog. I like to share the stories behind the quilts I make along with behind the seams photos. In fact, I have a blog post up about my Desire to Inspire Challenge with lots of behind the seams photos!

Sew Bee It! Weaving Pillow

Facebook: Slice of Pi Quilts - http://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/
Instagram: @sliceofpilife - http://www.instagram.com/sliceofpilife/
Ello: @sliceofpilife - http://ello.co/sliceofpilife
Pinterest: Slice of Pi Quilts - http://www.pinterest.com/sliceofpiquilts/
Blog: http://sliceofpiquilts.blogspot.com/

I have truly enjoyed the Desire to Inspire challenge this month! I still have a fabric panel and some other fabrics left over, so be sure to keep an eye out for more projects from this fabric line! Thank you Henry Glass & Co. for the opportunity to work with these beautiful fabrics!

Meet the Desire to Inspire Challenger for August - Sharon Parcel

We have a Challenger for August! Meet Sharon Parcel. 

She actually has a camper, so we are excited that she is in the groove for this challenge. Sharon lives in Lees Summit, MO - only a short distance from  Missouri Star Quilting. 

The fabric is on it's way out to you Sharon! We can't wait to see what you do! 

A special thank you to everyone who offered up for the challenge. Please, please don't give up! There are some very talented readers of the Henry Glass blog, and we are always so happy that you are willing to take on the Desire to Inspire Challenge. So please try again next month. 

Desire to Inspire August Challenge - Quilt Camp by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup

  Visit Quilt Camp by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup. 

This is where retro moods meets camping fun meets trendy glamour, it's all here in simple checks dots and campers! Inspired by this camp load of fun? 

Sign up for our August Desire to Inspire Challenge. August challenger will be selected on August 1. Here are the simple rules: 

1. YOU sign up below with your email or blog name to this post.

2. WE pick a winner. 

3. YOU send us your address.

4. WE send you the "Quilt Camp" fabrics shown above.

5. YOU make something AWESOME within 3 weeks, with pictures and your story.

6. WE post it. 

7. YOU keep it. 

* We would like to have challengers show us they can do it. So while you don't need a blog, a profile with some quilt pictures helps. Enter by commenting with something you have done before. We will not post your emails, or links or anything on the site, it will remain private. We just want to get a flavor of how inspiration strikes you!  

Desire to Inspire - JUNE "At the Lake" Collection by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs

It's summer time, and leisure thoughts seem to automatically drift to spending lazy days near the water. Lake, beach, or ocean doesn't really matter. It's a better life. 

This collection, 'Better At the Lake' by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs holds marvelous inspiration for the folks who are ready for an escape at the lake.

The Desire to Inspire challenge rules are very simple:

1. YOU sign up below with your email or blog name to this post.

2. WE pick a random winner. 

3. YOU send us your address.

4. WE send you 5-6 yards of the "Better At the Lake" fabrics.

5. YOU make something AWESOME within 3 weeks, with pictures and your story.

6. WE post it. 

7. YOU keep it. 

All you need to do is give us your email address* or blog name* 

in the comments section below to enter. 

(Your email will remain private)

We will choose the Challenger and send fabrics out this week! 

Your post will be scheduled for June 30. 

Desire to Inspire Challenge is underway with Sherry Stevens!

Sherry Stevens from Washington has accepted this month's challenge to use "Harvest Blessings" by Janet Nesbitt. We can't wait to see what she does! She was so happy because it's also her birthday!

Here is a special video shout-out for Sherry from the Henry Glass designer, Janet Nesbitt.

Desire to Inspire Challenger: Lisa England shows off her talents

Beautiful "Aussie Mates" Star Quilt  

Lisa England was the lucky one who accepted the Desire to Inspire Challenge for March. She received several pieces of fabric from Delphine Cubitt's "Aussie Mates" collection. You are going to be amazed with what she came up with during this past month.

To get to know Lisa's fun style, take a look at the first project she made with the "Aussie Mates" collection.

Here's Lisa's story: 

I live in Ashland, KY --  a small town on the eastern edge of Kentucky.  I can drive about 5 miles in one direction and be in Ohio or about 5 miles in another direction and be in West Virginia.  Ashland is my husband’s hometown and his parents and an assortment of other relatives live nearby.  It’s a small town with friendly people, a good family atmosphere, a temperate climate, and very little traffic.  I grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, but have now lived in Kentucky longer than anywhere else.

Lisa and hubby walking the lava fields in Hawaii

I have a wonderful husband whom I met when we were students at Virginia Tech.  We married shortly after graduation and will celebrate our 30^th anniversary this summer.  We have a grown son (also a Virginia Tech graduate) who lives and works near New Orleans.  My husband and I have been a great DIY team since we first married, and have done many remodeling projects over the years.  He’s one of those people who can build or fix just about anything.  We are also college and NFL football fans and enjoy going to games or watching them on TV.  

Lisa and son at waterfall in Hawaii

When our son was at Tech, we went to all the home games and had a lot of fun with that.  We also enjoy going to places where we can hike and see beautiful scenery, and have visited many National Parks.  Our vacations are usually not “sit and relax” type affairs.

Quilted tote, perfect as a child's book bag

I learned basic sewing as a kid from my Mom and Home Economics class, but my interest really grew after I was married.  I started with clothes, crafts and home decor items, and then started quilting about 20-some years ago.  My mother-in-law is an accomplished seamstress and quilter who has taught and encouraged me in all things sewing related. 

I make quilts in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors.  I like so many things!  Paper piecing shows up in many of my projects because it is one of my favorite techniques.  The last couple years I have been lucky enough to test paper piecing patterns for several talented designers from all over the world.  Getting to interact with the designers and try so many wonderful patterns is something I really enjoy.  And something I never anticipated when I started quilting so many years ago.

Not long after I started quilting, someone (my MIL, I think) suggested that I take a photo of each of my quilts or projects.  Now, of course, I have lots of digital photos of the things I’ve made but I still get a print of each one to put in a photo album.  I buy the little albums that hold 100 photos each.  I’m currently filling album number seven.

Surrounded by family and quilts – what could be better? 

I donate some of my quilts to a local crisis pregnancy center and some to a Hospice facility. I also participate in "Hands2Help!" at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  I give many of the quilts I make to family and friends.  

Sometimes at holiday get-togethers I set out a big stack of quilts and have everyone draw numbers for the order in which they each get to pick a quilt.  One year, after much discussion, deliberation, negotiating, and even some bluffing, my husband’s family members suggested a photo with all the quilts and their new owners and me in the middle.  They can be a crazy bunch!  I am fortunate to have many family members on both my side and my husband’s side who really appreciate the quilts and other handmade gifts I give them. 

"Aussie Mates" Plus Quilt

I’m not in any guilds, but I do meet most weekday mornings with 2 good friends who are also quilters.  We meet at the local YMCA where we take fitness classes and talk about quilting.  It’s a fun way to start the day!  

 Drawstring backpack with zipper pocket

"Aussie Mates" Baby Quilt

Sometimes we find time to go to a quilt show, take a class, or go on fabric shopping trips.  The owner of my favorite LQS (Michelle at WVQuilt) has published a few of my patterns and has been a friend and cheerleader for my quilting for many years.

My husband is very supportive and sometimes has more confidence in my abilities than I do.  I’m sure he never anticipated I’d become so obsessed with cutting fabric into little pieces and sewing it back together, but he has been wonderful to give me the freedom to do what I love and to fill the house with everything quilt related.  



He was the one who encouraged me to buy a mid-arm quilting machine about 8 years ago so I could easily do my own quilting.  Now, like many quilters, I have so many ideas about things I want to make that I will surely never get them all finished.  It’s fun to try though!

It was great to meet Lisa, and see the abundance of work she produced in just a month!
And she is so kind! She is offering up this sweet little giveaway of two projects that she made with the little bit of fabric she had left over!

"Aussie Mates" Pot Holder and Wristlet from Lisa England

Desire to Inspire Challenge - Interview with Katie Wyatt

The February Desire to Inspire Challenge was accepted by Katie Wyatt. She had just a little less than a month after getting her fabric from the Dana Brooks "Little Red Hen" collection to do something fabulous.

And fabulous was what she did!!!

Below is our interview with her, and pictures of her projects...

HG: Where do you live, and what is it like there?

I live in the historical town of St. Michaels located on the eastern shore of Maryland.  My husband and I have been here for 18 years - prior to that we lived in Bethesda, Maryland.  St. Michaels is know as the ‘Town that Fooled the British’ in the war of 1812.  St. Michaels has quaint shops, great restaurants, The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the lovely Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond hotel, and all the blue crabs you can eat.

(HG NOTE: I couldn't help myself and grabbed a picture of the Inn at Parry Cabin by Belmond from their website - WOW!)

HG: Share a little about your family and what you like to do together?
Wilson [my husband] and our two adorable Westies [Julep and Derby] enjoy walking around the town of St. Michaels.  We have the harbor area on the Miles River and plenty of historical homes scattered around town.  A favorite vacation spot [although we live in a vacation spot] is Duck [on the Outer Banks] of North Carolina.  Here we rent a pet-friendly home.  Since this is a ‘driving’ vacation I pack my sewing machine and a nice stack of fabric.  We are also photographers and enjoy taking pictures of nature as well.   

One of the Westies - Derby - inspects the quilt in progress

Julep gives seal of approval for snowball quilt

HG:  Share about your quilting journey... how long have you been quilting, what is your favorite technique or type of quilt, and who taught you?

I started to sew in the early 70’s when Home Economics was taught in school. My aunt was my inspiration then ... watching her sew Barbie clothes.  Taking a long break from sewing I started again with inspiration from my sister.  When she found out how much I paid for a simple dog bandanna she told me she could make them so much cheaper.  The next thing I knew I was buying a sewing machine to make dog bandanna’s.  I lost count but I made approximately 1,000 reversible dog bandanna’s which I donated to Westie rescue groups [in the US & Canada].  The rescues used the bandanna's for fund raising or to put on a dog when it was ready to go to to their forever home.  This step turned into making American Girl doll clothing - another sewing project inspired by my sister.  My quilting journey started when I met a lady at our local fabric store with a stack of quilting books.  We started talking and she invited me to the next quilt guild meeting.  From that point I was hooked.  Now I make quilts to donate to Westie rescue auctions on Facebook.  It’s my way of helping get a Westie get the medical attention it needs.  I have donated American Girl clothing to rescue auctions as well, but for most part I give all these away.  It makes me happy to see the look on a little girls face when she opens up a box of custom made doll clothing. 

The following pictures are clothing for American Girl dolls that Katie makes and gives away. 

HG:   Want to give a shout-out to your guild?  

I’m a member of the Bayside Quilters guild of the Eastern Shore [baysidequilters.com].  Our guild is very active with monthly meetings including guest speakers, classes, and various Bee’s.  The Community Outreach portion of the Guild meets monthly as well.  One program I’m particularly fond of is the Outreach donation of over 400+ Christmas stockings in various sizes to the Marine Mom’s in Bethesda.  These are then filled with goodies and are sent overseas to the troops.  Outreach also donates many many quilts to various groups and individuals - it’s too many to list here.   

HG: And anything else?

I have a love affair with fabric [don’t tell my husband or the Westies!]. I’m inspired by the creation of others as I hope others are inspired by my creations.  I do a lot of sewing and in order to keep track of what I made I started a blog just for the photo's [www.katiesews4fun.blogspot.com].  My other blog [www.westiejulep.blogspot.com] is my everyday life blog. Feel free to visit anytime.

In closing, I would like to thank Henry Glass Fabrics and the ‘Desire to Inspire’ contest for choosing me as the February winner.  Working with the Little Red Hen Collection of fabrics by Dana Brooks was a pleasure.

 

Used the Panel for Pillowcases! 

Tablerunner # 1 

Tablerunner # 2

Lap Quilt #1 Close up

Lap Quilt # 1

Lap Quilt #2

A big thank you to Katie Wyatt for doing such an AMAZING job with the Desire to Inspire Challenge. Here she is - Katie Wyatt.  Enjoying herself at the beautiful Inn at Perry Cabin. 

The next Desire to Inspire challenge will be posted TOMORROW. What will you do? Are you ready to accept the challenge? 


(NOTE: Katie has offered to GIVEAWAY one of the Table Runners and the set of Pillowcases to one lucky winner. Enter below.)

Desire to Inspire Challenge Giveaway Prize from Katie Wyatt

Our Desire to Inspire Challenger is Truly Inspired!

CHALLENGER UPDATE!

We certainly love it when we can make someone's day! The Desire to Inspire Challenge was accepted by Henry Glass fan and blogger, Katie Wyatt, and when her "Little Red Hen" fabrics arrived both she and her darling Westie, "Derby", fell in love.

Who doesn't love a picture of great fabric and a darling Westie that wants some love? 

No time for belly rubs Derby, Katie has some sewing to do! Check back on February 29th to see how this Challenger met the Desire to Inspire Challenge! 

For more photos, check out Katie's blog: http://bit.ly/1SgwfrK  

Desire to Inspire Interview with Daryl Perry

This is an interview from our most recent winner of the Desire to Inspire Challenge! 

Name: Daryl Perry

Where do you live: New Mexico

Family: I have been married to my best friend for over 35 years. I have a daughter, a son and one grandson.

How long have you been quilting: I first began quilting back in the early 1970’s. My mother taught quilting at a local college in the evenings and then a couple of years she later opened a quilt store in Tarzana, California called Quilt ‘n Stuff (in the mid 1970’s). I worked full time in the shop for my mom. Piecing, appliqué and quilting was all done by hand back then. Tracing around cardboard templates onto fabric and then cutting the shapes out with scissors. Mom’s shop only lasted for a year. If she had only known rotary cutters, rulers and mats would soon be invented around 1980, I wonder if she could have hung on until then?  Our lives would both be different today though. I wouldn’t have met my husband and I am glad that my life turned out the way is has, but still it makes you wonder what would have happened.

Then some years later when I had young children, I picked up a VHS tape of a PBS show starring Eleanor Burns called Quilt-in-a-Day, at our local library. I was amazed when I saw Eleanor using a rotary cutter, ruler and mat and how fast and easy it looked. Plus she sewed the pieces on her sewing machine! I had to try that! So I ordered her rulers and her book and then bought a rotary cutter and mat at the local fabric store. I was hooked! I have been quilting, piecing and doing appliqué ever since. I have gone much farther with quilting than my mother ever did.

What's your favorite technique? I love fusible appliqué the best. I usually sew a blanket stitch around the appliqué.  

Who taught you how to quilt? I watched my mother and picked it up from her. She would be preparing quilt blocks for the classes that she taught. I borrowed her books and taught myself. Mom was there to help if I had a question, but she was too busy to sit down and actually teach me every step herself, LOL!!!

Do you belong to any guilds? I do belong to three groups that each meet once a month. Occasionally I go to a large quilt guild that I used to belong to. I prefer the smaller groups because I have really gotten to know these ladies, whereas with the larger group you really can’t get to know all the women very well.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers? I have been blogging about quilting, knitting and bags I make, etc. on my blog since 2008 @ Patchouli Moon Studio. I hope you all stop by for a visit

I made a flag banner out of the fabrics that I received (Patriotic Primer). It was hard to get a really good photo of this on my wall, but it looks wonderful in person!

Here are a few shots of them up-close: 

It's hard to see but there are crystals used as accents on several pieces, so the when the light hits these they really sparkle: