When I traveled to New Zealand in January, one of the things that I noticed quickly was the different flush options available when using the toilet. This knob went either way, so it wasn’t apparent at first exactly what I was selecting. I thought the little circles were decorations.

When I arrived at this flush options, the light went on and I realized I had the opportunity to select a half flush or a full flush. Ooooh, options…But, what constitutes a half flush and what warrants a full flush?

OK, so I am thinking someone stole the knobs off this toilet…perhaps they are collector items???

This one clearly marked my options, but the full was on the left and the half was on the right. I think there should be some consistency as to where they are located.

Now see what I mean…no markings on these buttons…which  is half and which is full?

This was a smart flush, but they weren’t smart enough to mark the buttons!

This was the first toilet flush that really confused me. Did they have the options and if so how did it work?

I am now back on track, clearly marked and quite stylish.

These buttons were huge!!! Were they handicap flush buttons?

I liked this one, it is rather stylish. By now I had the full flush and half flush down to a science…but the buttons still fascinated me.

When I arrived back in the USA, I felt cheated…I no longer had the option to select half flush or full flush as the flush was automatic which caused me not to linger once my task was complete.

I have to admit, when I am  visiting a new place, I tend to note the signs everyone. This one caught my eye and just made me laugh out loud! Look at the faces on those guys. I wonder if they are know as the “Big Nuts” guys.

The New Zealand humor was everywhere. This was a sign on the door of a restaurant in Queenstown. I bet it got  everyone’s attention.

Until next time,

All the best,

Carol

I just returned from La Veta, Colorado where I taped a segment for the online community, The Quilt Show. It was a fast and furious trip, but I was delighted that I accepted the invitation to tape a segment to be aired in the fall. I flew to Colorado Springs and then drove to the charming little town of La Veta. There, I met up with Ricky, Alex and the crew for dinner at the La Veta Inn. The next morning the guests began arriving to view the taping. Justin addresses the audience and entertains them during the prep time.

The taping doesn’t happen without a good deal of preparation by everyone involved. Here Alex and I are going over the steps to be covered so the camera men will know where to aim the cameras.

I demonstrated the steps for making the France block from the Mariner’s Compass Stars book to make the Sunrise Quilt. Alex and I are getting all the step-by-steps in order before the taping begins.

We are ready to begin the demonstration so Ricky plays a bit of piano and introduces the demonstration segment. The set was decorated with several quilts from the Mariner’s Compass Stars book.

I think Alex is asking a question here during the demonstration. Do I look confused?

Actually, the demo went very well and we are ready to move on to the fireside chat.

During the chat portion, obviously Alex and I thought something was very funny and Ricky isn’t laughing…lol. I described several of the quilts decorating the set and answered a few audience questions.

After the segment taping, Ricky, Alex and I posed for pictures. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat! It was also fun to catch up and visit with Ricky and Alex.

One surprise was seeing Judith Baker Montano at the afternoon filming session. Judith lives in La Veta and she graciously invited me to her studio and home after the show.

Judith is famous for her exquisite use of thread and ribbon to create spectacular pieces. I loved seeing how she stored her threads.

After visiting La Veta, it is easy to see where she gets her inspiration. This piece displayed in her studio looks just like the La Veta area.

Now, one of the perks of taping a segment was receiving a gift certificate to join The Quilt Show that I was instructed to give away.  I am going to give it away to one of the members of the Carol Doak Yahoo Group in a random drawing. To be in the drawing, visit the group site to read how to enter.

All the best,

Carol

 When the February/March issue of Quilter’s Newsletter magazine arrived, I was humbled to see that I was selected in the Readers’ Choice Awards as the Favorite Paper Piecing Teacher. To be in the company of favorites like, Karey Bresenhan, Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson, Ami Simms, Ele Sienkiewicz, Diane Gaudynski and other giants in the quilting industry was very humbling. Many thanks for your vote of confidence, for your support and friendship.

Jessie paper piecing

For several years now I have been using my teaching skills to teach my perfect granddaughter to paper piece.

Ironing fabric is cool, but not clothes

She began by choosing fabrics and gradually over the past couple of years has graduated to ironing too.

Learning in a supervised setting

Jessie is learning all the steps, but she is always supervised with me standing right next to her when she picks up that rotary cutter.

Placing the fabric correctly is the next step.

Jessie knows to take the step of placing her next fabric seriously.

Little sister looks on..

Jessie loves taking part in this grown-up activity. Little sister looks on with envy.

Oh, I see how that works...

She is learning…

Ooooh scisssors....

Not yet my little one…

But I feel ready to paper piece!

Not yet little grasshopper…

Look at that smile and sense of accomplishment.

Although I do love to travel and teach, perhaps my most important job is to share the love of quilting with my perfect granddaughters.

Until next time,

Carol

Ginny Carroll

I recently returned from a 11-day trip to Florida to teach and lecture for three different quilt guilds. Since if live in New Hampshire, heading south in the winter months to a lovely warm climate is an added bonus. My first stop on this trip was to Leesburg where I taught for the Quilting Sister Quilt Guild. The first day I presented the Fire and Ice Quilt from the Mariner’s Compass Stars book. The students jumped right in, with most getting a good start on their quilt. On the second day, I taught an introductory class to this book. Ginny Carroll has already completed one section with just three pieces. I could tell Ginny was a member of my Carol Doak Yahoo Group because she was wearing her group name tag.

Denise in Leesburg

Denise Mohler also is a member of our Carol Doak Group and attended both workshops. It is such fun to meet our members in real life!

Kitty Gonzalez at dinner

Kitty took the Fire & Ice class and brought the center section of her quilt to dinner that evening.

Shopping on the way to the retreat

Next I was off to teach at a quilt retreat for the Southwest Quilters Guild. Of course on our way to the retreat locations, a couple of stops at quilt shops along the way were a must!

Heather Phillips from Nova Scotia

You just never know who you are going to run into in a quilt shop. This is Heather from Nova Scotia and she is also a member of the Carol Doak Yahoo Group.

Retreat students counting blocks

 The Retreat was held at a lovely facility. One large room with lots of students working on their paper-pieced projects. These students are counting their blocks to see if they have made all the blocks for the Fire & Ice quilt.

Retreat quilt

 I also taught a class from the Simply Sensational 9-Patch Star book. One of the activities was for the groups in each cabin to make quilts from “ugly” fat quarters for a charitable project. The groups would then compete for a prize. Who knew one of the 9-Patch Stars was going to be the centerpiece for a lovely quilt?

Patchwork Pig Quilt Shop stop

Then I was on to Lakeland, Florida. No shortage of quilt shops here. We visited the lovely downtown shop called the Patchwork Pig. Here Jolene Welcher, Marion Pugh (owner) and Elsabeth Harris are ready to assist. Trust me, you could get in really serious trouble here. The fabric selection was amazing!!!

Happy Student with her Florida Star

I taught the Florida Star from the 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars book at the Ladies of the Lakes Quilt Guild. This looks like one happy student and look at those perfect points!

Melody and Holly at the Fabric Warehouse, Lakeland, FL

Melody and Holly of the Fabric Warehouse in Lakeland c0-hosted both the workshop and evening program for the guild in their lovely shop.

Log Cabin Garden Mini quilt and maker

I do love the Show and Tell portion of a meeting. Here I had the opportunity to see one members lovely Log Cabin Garden quilt.

Treble Metamorphoses by Marian Sparks

I recently received an email from Marian Sparks regarding a quilt that she made using the Day and Night Star Flower pattern available as a free pattern on my web site. Marian then sent me a picture of a quilt she made using the block. This is one of those thought provoking quilts. As I study the quilt and take into account the name, it does draw me in.

Until next time, 

All the best,

Carol

I recently completed my final trip for the year to the Dallas, Texas area. I visited four guilds in the area, Granbury, Fort Worth, Arlington and Parker County where I presented a lecture and workshop for each. It was a busy week, but a really wonderful week too. It takes some organization to put all the pieces together for four guilds and the unsung heros are the Program Chairs who do a wonderful job of organizing events. Here I am with Heather from the Trinity Valley Guild in Fort Worth just before presenting my lecture. Speaking of lectures, I was so sincerely moved to receive standing ovations after presenting my lectures. Wow, what a great way to end the year!!!
The students in the Perfect Points class had the opportunity to show their finished projects from the class.
Everyone was all smiles!
In Granbury we did the Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars class. Here one of the Granbury students is tickled pink with her first block.
I also am delighted to receive photos of finished projects from workshops long after the workshop is over. This “Fire and Ice” quilt was made by Dottie Szypulski, who took a workshop in Canton, CT. Dottie put a little twist in the outside corner blocks. I love to see students add their creative ideas.
And sometimes students take off after a class and work on new projects. Barbara McCarty wrote: “I took a workshop from you with Wayside Quilters in Massachusetts a few years ago. I just completed a queen size quilt using Rhonda’s block and variations. I love the different patterns that form. I hope you enjoy the quilt pictures!”

Sometimes, I never actually meet the quilters who share their creativity with me. Cheri’ Radliff wrote: “I have to tell you, I have held on to the January 2003 edition of The Quilter Magazine since November of 2002 in hopes of building up to your pattern. I began quilting in 2000. After doing 13 quilts I decided it was time to try. I hand quilt all of my quilts so I don’t pump them out as fast as others can. Here’s a picture of my version of your spinners quilt pattern. I just LOVE patterns that intermingle from square to square so I absolutely enjoyed this pattern. I know it’s not perfect since some of my green squres are a little lopsided. Oops! But overall, I am happy with how it turned out.
Thanks for sharing your creativity. I’m now looking for a pattern for my next quilt.”

But today, I received an email and it reminded me why I do what I do:
It is being shared with Mary’s permission:
Dear Carol,
I simply had to tell you again just how much I enjoyed your class. When you discussed color and showed us how to arrange the samples to decide the best ones for the project, I thought to myself–that was worth the price of the class! Then when you showed us how to line up the sections of the block and random sew to make sure it fit–again I thought, Wow, that was worth the price of the class! Then you showed me–the practicing to be a novice–quilter how to cut properly with mt lefthandedness–one more time, I thought, well, that was worth the price of the class! As the day progressed I would think that phrase over and over. I learned so much from your class and feel SO much better about my quilting efforts, I have promoted myself to novice quilter!!!! Thanks so much for your expertise. I loved your methods (that’s plural!) because I learned SO much from you other than paper piecing–but, by golly, I learned that too!
Many thanks,
Mary Wimberly, Trinity Valley Guild Member, Fort Worth

When I read Mary’s comments, I smiled with such satisfaction. You see, I really enjoy making quilts and I love to show others methods that will add to their enjoyment of making quilting. It was a wonderful reminder of why I do what I do.
All the best,
Carol

This past week I had the pleasure of lecturing and teaching at The Gathering in Nashua, NH. It was a pleasure for me to be there to help celebrate their 20th Anniversary. I taught the first year of The Gathering and my how it has grown. Marie Geary and Jeanne Glenfield started this show and ran it for many years. We lost Jeanne last year to cancer but her daughters have taken over the reigns and are doing a super job…….They even managed big smiles at the Opening Night Banquet. The room overflowed with well wishers and Jean’s daughters grabbed a small nearby table to eat. Not sure what the “sign” was for, but it was not for our event. We all did have a chuckle about reading it very carefully. Jeanne, I am sure, is looking down from above so proud of her daughters and their labor of love and carrying on a legacy.
There was a special exhibit of Jeanne’s quilts. The quilt above is called, My Lancaster Tribute. I enjoyed looking at the wonderful exhibit of all her quilts and reading the descriptions.
This quilt caught my eye! It is called Mini Big Quilt by Caroline Murphy. I even recognized some of the blocks from my books in this quilt. It has 49 mini quilts using 16 2″ squares and has over 14,000 pieces…..that is a labor of love.
I live in New Hampshire were we are treated to beautiful fall foliage. This quilt made by Patricia A. Bruno and is called Autumn Birches II. Just stunning and great depth.
I’m not usually a “pink” quilt person, but the award winning quilt was just stunning! I usually take photos of the labels so I can tell later who made it. Oooops. I forgot to get this label.

This red and white award winning quilt is another show stopper. I did get a close-up of the workmanship in this quilt. The quilting was just amazing.
Isn’t it funny how a quilter is often asked how long it took to make a quilt? I imagine lots of hours went into the quilting and piecing of this red and white quilt, but I don’t imagine the quilter was counting them. She was just enjoying the process.
Life in Holly Ridge made by Nancy Prince was another amazing artistic quilt. Nancy wrote that there were 50,000 yards of thread and 5 million stitches used to create the thread painting design.

I stood there and studied the details in this quilt for quite some time. Her grandchildren are the merchants in the town. I would imagine that anyone who can create that much detail in one quilt considered it a labor of love.

I came home from The Gathering feeling filled up with the priviledge of seeing so many labors of love.
All the best,
Carol

I left yesterday to travel to Houston to attend the International Quilt Market and then Quilt Festival. It is such fun to meet up with old friends and make new ones. One of the first people I ran into last night was Mimi Dietrich. Mimi and I go waaaaay back and it was fun to catch up with each other last night at dinner. Here is Mimi and Norma smiling and ready to go.

This past week I fullfilled a request to come to my local Barnes & Noble book store to sign books. Now typically I am at quilt events where everyone is a quilter so it was a bit interesting talking to lots of people who are not necessarily quilters. There were lots of oohs and ahhs over the quilts and vests and lots of conversation about my quilts and family quilts. There were some quilters who were delighted to see some of the projects from my books and add a book or two to their library. Surprisingly there were lots of gentlemen who stopped by to tell me their wife or mother was a quilter. See, they do notice. One delightful husband called his wife and purchased two books for her and one for himself. I would say he is a keeper!
The Carol Doak Yahoo Group is getting in the swing with our new Scenic Block of the Month. Creativity is alive and well in this group. Joan made this delightful October Block with a wonderful feel of fall and Holloween.
The deadline date for me to select a random winner from all of the 4,000 Member Celebration Blocks that have been uploaded was last week. Carol in New York won 60 Fat Quarters!!! I had the chance to look through all the submitted blocks again and just marvel at how different they all over. Isn’t this block above made by Gloria in Moline just gorgeous and so different?
Members have been completing their tops from the past block of the month and showing us their creativity. The quilt settings are quite varied as are the color schemes. This quilt was made by Amy Robertson. If you want to join in the fun, just click on the link above!

Me, I am beginning to pack for my trip to the International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston next week. With talks, demonstrations and classes to teach, I have lots of packing to do!!! The thing I bring the least of is my clothes because my suitcases are filled with quilts but this year I am bringing about 15 Reversible Vests so I am all set. If you will be in Houston, this is my schedule:
Carol’s Houston Schedule Appearances

Friday, Oct. 24
10:30 a.m.Schoolhouse Presentation on Easy Reversible Vests

Saturday, Oct. 25
1 to 2 p.m. In the Martingale & Co. booth

4 to 5 p.m. In the C & T Publishers booth

Sunday, Oct. 26
11:30 to 12:50 In the Checkers Distributors booth

2:30 to 3:30 In the Martingale & Co. booth

Teaching Monday, Tues and Wednesday

Thursday, Oct. 30
2:00 p.m. Meet the Teachers Presentation at Festival

I am going to bring my camera and laptop and hope to make posts from Houston to keep you all up to date!
All the best,
Carol

I just returned from Klamath Falls, Oregon where I lectured and taught a couple of classes. What a fun group of quilters I had the pleasure of meeting. Above Georgie Reed of Klamath Falls, is showing off a wonderful group of Mariner’s Compass Star blocks she had made using a variety of scrap bright fabrics. Georgie is joined on the floor with a few toads.
Georgie came to both workshops with several friends….including the toads! It was really neat for me to see these blocks done in such a festive way.
After seeing the accompanying toads, I had a feeling they inspired the bright colors!
Students worked on both 4″ blocks and miniature blocks. Students are always so surprised when they discover that making minis is really quite easy and lots of fun.
I do try to make the workshops fun….but I don’t often see students with scissors through their heads…gotta love the fun quilters in Klamath Falls!
All the best,
Carol