International Quilt Festival - Long Beach, CA

I just returned from a lovely week teaching at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA.  This was my first trip to this Festival and I was very pleased with every aspect.

The Convention facility was spacious and the weather was gorgeous every day. I could not have asked for better classroom space.

The students were happy and successful!

Even had the opportunity to meet some members of the Carol Doak Yahoo Group.

I knew Flo was a member because she was wearing her Carol Doak Yahoo Group Name badge….Is that embroidery cute or what?

I often see students wearing clothing that matches their fabric, but this was a first! Judy Wallace had nails that matched her fabric!

The Convention center and hotel were right in the middle of a wonderful area of Long Beach offering great restaurants etc.  Where else could you see purple trees?

Perhaps the aliens I saw walking around the convention floor had something to do with it.

They really seemed to go all out for the quilters. Even this carpet was an inspiration every day.

The vendors were super, the quilts lovely and the classes fun. What more could a girl ask for?

All the best,

Carol

Mary's 5000 Member Block

When I teach classes, I often cover the topic of choosing fabrics for a project. Most quilters are timid and unsure in this area of patchwork. Recently I uploaded a new block design for the Carol Doak Yahoo Group. It was in honor of our group reaching 5,000 members. Lots of members have been making the block and uploading pictures. Mary used a white background with red and blue to produce a very patriotic block.

Linda's colorful block made into a small wall quilt.

Linda chose a black background and a variety of bright colors. She also found the perfect multi-color setting fabric. This wall quilt has a contemporary feel.

Kathi in Georgia gets our attention

Blue and orange create a very strong contrast and this one has great attention getting appeal.

Bonitahounds

This block has a graphic appeal and a variety of fabrics and colors to keep our interest.

Cathy in Maryland

Cathy in Maryland chose her colors from the border fabric she used to frame her four blocks. Wonder if Cathy would have chosen the colors without the border fabric? Perhaps yes but perhaps it was the comfort of seeing them work together in the border that inspired her.

Patti's block

When I first saw this block, I noticed that great print fabric used in the rays. It almost gives a lacy appearance to the block.

Carol, Cathy's Mom

Now Carol may be related to Cathy, but she definitely marches to a different drummer. The simplicity of the shades of black and red are wonderfully graphic.

Barb's block

Doesn’t Barb’s block just make you think of early spring with the purple and yellow flowers decorating the earth?

Anita D.'s block was turned into a Trivet

Anita’s colors against the solid black are very graphic. My question is the chicken and the egg…did Anita have the border fabric and choose her colors from it, or did she choose her colors and found the perfect border fabric?

Merilyn from Australia

Most of the fabrics in this block read solid against the white background. Using that very dark maroon for those spikes really make them stand out and give this block a delicate look.

Chris in Oregon

Chris has a graphic block too, but she chose more pastel colors to give it a soft look as well.

Lida in MA

Lida’s block just celebrates color!

Barbara in TX

Many quilters do love the combination of blue and yellow. Barbara did it well with plenty of contrast and interest in the textures of her fabrics.

Pat F

Pat used blue and yellow also, but went for a neutral white background and added an accent of green in the four corners.

Carole D

The batik style fabric that Carole used in her block gives it a tropical personality.

Janice in TN

The floral print Janice used was a great jumping off place to combine the colors she used. I really like the darker red triangles in between because they add a bit of spice to this block.

Suzanne's block

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Suzanne’s Christmas fabrics definitely define the purpose for this graphic block.

Patty C wanted to play

Patty C wanted to play with the possibility of using this block to create a medallion style quilt. She limited her color selection, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be expanded to include more colors later.

As I looked through the blocks that were posted and noted the different approaches members took to make their blocks, it brought home that choosing the perfect colors is simply a matter of choosing the colors that achieve your goal.

All the best,

Carol

Leslie's Mystery Quilt

Recently I began uploading the steps for a new Mystery Quilt to the Carol Doak Yahoo Group. The last time I did a Mystery quilt for the group, it was very successful so I thought it was time to do another.

Julie's Mystery Quilt

First the fabric criteria (light, medium, dark, warm and cool colors) were given along with yardage and cutting lists. It always amazes me how quilters love to participate in a Mystery, not having a clue where it will take them.

Lee's Mystery

Perhaps as a designer, I need that control…lol. As members uploaded their fabric selections, I began uploading the first step. This quilt used only three 4″ blocks, but different color placement and settings for the blocks offered variety.

Mary H's Mystery Quilt

Some members followed the graphic color’s that I used in the illustrations and others went down a completely different color road. Perhaps those are the adventurous quilters.

Linda's Mystery

In the end, one member, Mona, did figure out the Mystery solution. However, I think I kept most of them guessing. I discovered I loved designing Mysteries and creating something interesting from very simple foundations.

Mona's Mystery

Anita, decided to use the foundations in a smaller size and create a Miniature Mystery Quilt.

Anita's Miniature Mystery

The photos of the completed Mysteries are still coming in. Each time one is uploaded, I enjoy seeing a new fabric combination and seeing how it impacts on the overall design.

Enjoy the show…

Mary's Mystery

Karen's Mystery

Joan's Mystery

Carole D's Mystery

Nancy's Mystery Quilt

The completed tops are still coming in and still creating the mystery of how the same design can yield so many different looking amazing quilts.

All the best,

Carol

Debi Moffett, owner of Somewhere Sewing

I just returned from a delightful trip to Johnson City, TN,  where I taught classes for Somewhere Sewing. The cracker jack owner, Debi Moffett, arranged for two classes. The room where the classes were taught was decorated by one of Debi’s customers, Lucy, who is no stranger to my designs. This stunning quilt, featuring the block designs from 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars, set the stage for a super couple of days.

Minis.....

Lucy also brought several of her miniaturized versions from 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars as well as some miniatures from Easy Paper-Pieced Miniatures (out of print).

and even more minis and Just Ducky

It was fun to be surrounded by all these lovely little quilts. The Just Ducky Quilt is from Easy Paper-Pieced Baby Quilts (out of print).

Free Miniature Pattern

Susan proudly displays her version of the free miniature quilt pattern available here on my web site. I planned to wear that matching shirt….LOL

Perfect Points

The first day, I taught the Perfect Points class. I do love teaching this class because everyone achieves those amazing Perfect Points easily!

Janice admires her Sunrise Block and setting triangle

When I travel to teach, sometimes I am fortunate to have a student in the class that I have “met” online in my Carol Doak Yahoo Group. That was the case with Janice. Since Janice lives in Knoxville, she signed up and came to the class. Now when Janice and I correspond on the group, I will know her in person.

All smiles

You know, I just never tire of teaching classes because this is what it is all about for me. That big smile on the face of a student who has enjoyed the day, enjoyed the process and enjoys the results.

Fun and Friends

Now these three told me they were the “trouble makers”, however they were no trouble for me. Instead, they were delightful students and fun to be with.

Star, The Rockin Colt

Now, this was a first for me. Paulette Jensen came to the class with pictures of a colt she had made for the “Colts on Parade” in Lake Geneva, WI. This was a fund raising event for Challenged Children on Horses.

Hind quarter stars

Paulette decorated “Star” with actual star blocks from my book. She used an acrylic gel medium to adhere the fabric blocks and then several coats of polyurethane to complete the project. Her efforts were rewarded with a top 7 Award Prize.

It was a fun trip all the way. If you are ever in the Johnson City, TN vicinity, a detour to Somewhere Sewing, is worth the trip! Tell Debi, I said “Hi, ya’all”

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

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

This is the first post of my new blog at my website, so it truly is a new beginning using an entirely new system. There are lots of neat options, I just need to figure out how to use them all. The only way to learn is to jump in and start. I am also writing this on New Year’s Eve day, with a brand new year starting tomorrow.

The block above was made by Mary D. from the Carol Doak Yahoo Group. I started a Block of the Month for the group last September, so the beginning of the month means a new block is uploaded for the group. Members make the blocks using their creative ideas and upload their pictures. Each block represents a scene and living in New Hampshire, a snow-covered mountain scene is perfect. This block is also a pretty plain block so it offers lots of creative options for embellishment.

4500 Member Celebration Block

I started the practice of uploading a Celebration Block each time we hit a milestone membership. Well, we just reach 4500 Members!!! Trust me, when I started this group a couple of years ago, I had no clue it would grow so quickly to thousands of members from around the world. I just uploaded a couple of days ago, our 4500 Member Celebration Block. I provide the design and the members provide the creativity as no fabric or color suggestions are given. This block was made by Karen. I will show more of these blocks in future blogs.

New Zealand Block from Mariner's Compass Stars

I am also beginning my 2009 travel schedule. I leave next week for Texas and then am home just a few days before heading to New Zealand for a couple of weeks. I will be helping Beth Hayes lead a group of quilters on this exciting and fun trip. I have traveled to New Zealand to teach many years ago, so I am looking forward to returning to this lovely island. When I wrote the Mariner’s Compass Stars book, I named each of the blocks in the book for different countries and areas of the world. When I designed the New Zealand block I was reminded of the beautiful gardens represented by the reds and pinks, the color of the water in the harbors, the gorgeous green and snow-capped mountains.

Speaking of snow, we got several more inches yesterday. Heading south is looking really good.

Until next time, all the best,

Carol