Count Down to the Quilts By Barb Quilt Retreat – Leaving TOMORROW!

If any of you could see the pile of things waiting to be packed into my van (yes, I’ll have to drive it around back) you would probably think I’m crazy!  I’m only going to be gone for two days!  I just really don’t want to feel restricted in anyway so I’ve pretty much packed up my entire sewing room.  I can’t wait to head out for Belmont tomorrow to the retreat and get sewing! 

Here’s the teaser quilt for today:

Fruitful Harvest – Crossroads

an overview of this beautiful lap quiltA close up of the ‘fruity’ quilting Barb did for Diane.   

Count Down to the Quilts by Barb Quilt Retreat – 3 days

For some reason I decided to have a Pampered Chef party at my house tonight so my preparation for the Quilts by Barb Quilt Retreat had to go on hold so I could clean my house (or at least three rooms of my house…).  BUT I’m still super excited!

Your temptation/teaser today is -

American Candy Quilt – Hand in Hand

overview of the quilt   close up of the quilting

Count Down to the Quilts by Barb Quilt Retreat – 4 days

I am so excited to head down to Belmont for the quilt retreat and I’m sure there are many others that are as well.  It’s been such a crazy busy apple season that I absolutely can’t wait to go and sew for 2 days straight (I know, some of you luckies get to stay for 3 days)!

If you’re not excited yet I wanted to show off one of the quilt’s Diane made as an example for the retreat to help get you excited.

The Scrappy Blackford

OverviewA close up of the amazing quilting Barb did on the quilt! 

Wait to see more as I continue to count down to the retreat!

Crazy Nine Patch Class

The Crazy Nine Patch Class was a success. Take a look at a few of the quilts that were started.

More later. Barb

I still have openings!

Announcing a brand new Quilt Class!!
“Crazy Nine Patch”
When: Wed, July 28, 2010
Time: 9:00 – 3:00
Where: Barb Raisbeck home, 421 Mill St, Bloomington, WI
Cost: $30
Lunch: Will be provided


Call me at 608-994-2821 or email me at Quiltsbybarb@tds.net for details or to reserve your spot.
Barbara Raisbeck

An Interview with Tisha Sandberg – Instructor of the Papercraft/Scrapbooking Portion of the QuiltsbyBarb Getaway Weekend

As well as being able to learn some fantastic new quilting projects on the 2010 QuiltsbyBarb Getaway Weekend you will also have an opportunity to learn from an artist on some Papercraft/Scrapbooking techniques.

Meet the instructor - Tisha Sandberg

I asked Tisha a few more questions about herself and her art so we could find out even more. And here’s what she had to say:

***All Images shown are examples of Tisha’s work***

When did you first start creating things?

I’ve always loved making things; Halloween costumes, Valentine boxes (I’m seriously dating myself now!) really anything that involves working with my hands. I grew up around lots of boys, so I also built things with wood, used tools and did lots and lots of yard work, which I think can also be creative…digging, planting, growing.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?

My first serious art experiences were in Jr. High School. I had an incredible teacher who exposed me to things like printmaking, sculpture and other forms of art that, in retrospect, were pretty amazing for Junior High. I also lived in a college town and was able to take classes in the summer. A friend and I took a class one summer and there was a nude model. When my dad picked us up we didn’t say a word for fear we wouldn’t be able to take classes any more.

My early art experiences really stuck with me but I didn’t get back to art seriously until about 12 years ago. I turned a room in our house into a studio and it really changed my life. Everybody needs a workspace of their own….even if it’s a tiny one!

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere! I love design and texture and look to everyday things for inspiration. I take a lot of photographs and also carry a notebook with me all the times. I’m also drawn to primitive, African and Indian art and like to browse through books with images of cave art or the designs on clothing, etc..

What is your favorite medium to work in? I really can’t think of many things I don’t like to work with, but paper and fabric are probably my favorites. Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what? Absolutely! But as I get older I’ve realized that I just can’t do everything that I have a desire to do. I’d rather do a few things well than lots of things in a mediocre way.

What's your favorite variety of apple?

Honey Crisp, but I buy Empires because they keep so well.

What are your favorite shops on etsy? Why do you like them? I love printmaking, so love all the sites that have silk screen and relief printed items. I also love handmade books and cards because they can be really unique, funky, beautiful, etc., and still have a functional use. There are so many great shops it’s hard to pick a favorite.

see more of her fantastic work

So now that you’ve ‘met’ the instructor let’s find out MORE!

What will we be doing?

We will be having a special area with lots of room for scrapbookers, card makers and papercrafters to share ideas and enthusiasm for the things they love to do. We may even find some things to do with all those beautiful leftover scraps of fabric!

projects

• handmade books that can be used as photo albums or scrap books

• handmade cards and creative packaging ideas for giving them as gifts

• templates and instructions for making gift bags, boxes and photo/music CD cases

• rubber stamp carving

• other instructional information ***Information will be presented on photo editing/altering, printing your own papers, using materials you won't find in a scrapbook store and much, much more. There'll be plenty of time for you to share your own creative ideas as well. So come and join us!

I am personally excited about this addition to the quilt retreat weekend! There are some great lessons being taught that can be incorporated into creating amazing OOAK fabric (rubber stamp carving) and art quilting! What fun and what variety!

News from Quilting and Sewing Expo in Oshkosh, WI

I received the following from Connie, a student from the Expo in Oshkosh. I will be teaching this same class as the Sewing And Quilting Expo in Platteville, WI on June 4 and 5, 2010. Thanks, Connie, for sharing this with your friends and me.

"I just wanted to show you the beautiful quilt I made. It was the first I have machine pieced and machine quilted although I'm still working on the hand quilting of my daughter's memory wall hanging. I have sewn squares together for quilt tops at Wisconsin Warmers, an Oshkosh volunteer group that makes quilts, lap robes, Christmas stockings, and book bags which are donated in the community.

This quilt started with a fabric exchange at the Oshkosh 2010 Quilt and Sewing Expo held in March. Barbara Raisbeck did the lecture called "Do You See What I See" and she suggested the 5 inch squares could be banded on two sides and laid out with every other one turned upside down. That makes double sashing in some places, the colored squares touching on the other sides, and makes the beautiful diagonal pattern. I used a multicolored small floral print fabric (because I love flowers) for the backing and binding and quilted it in the ditch. It fits on the top of a single bed in my guest room and ended up this size because of the number of squares from the exchange although I did double up with several of the fabrics I'd shared.

This was a fun project that took most of my free time for two months so now I have to get busy and wash windows and transplant some flowers. I hope you liked to see my retirement skills in action."

International Quilt Festival - Chicago

                Barb was asked to submit quilts for the International Quilt Festival in Chicago IL.  I was happy to snap pictures of THREE of her quilts that were prominently displayed during my visit yesterday.  (My pictures don’t even begin to do them justice.) A Wholecloth Sampler Card of a Different Color          Katrina’s Log Cabin

If you would like to take a class from this talented quilter you can sign up for the 2010 Quilt Retreat being held in Belmont, WI, November 12th, 13th and 14th, 2010.      

Who’s Got You All in Stitches?

Hopefully your answer is my ‘Love is in the Air – Hot Air Balloon Quilt.’  Yes, I was honored to be chosen as one of the 50 competitors in this voting competition. To read more behind why Quilting was chosen check out this storque article:  http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-all-in-stitches-7387/

 

Don’t forget that Saturday, March 20th is National Quilting Day.

 

In the meantime, please cast your vote for my ‘Love is in the Air – Hot Air Balloon Quilt’ here:  http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=96

The Vote Closes at 11:00am EST on March 18th…so don’t wait too long!

You do have to be a member of etsy to be eligible to vote – don’t worry – it’s easy:  https://www.etsy.com/register.php

***Normally I do a front page analysis of etsy on Tuesday – I am unable to find the flickr account that etsy keeps with these front page screenshots – does anyone know what happened?***

Update on Blog

Greetings,

I have to apologize for the problems on my blog. My account has been disabled and I don't have any idea of why!

If you look back through the posts, any posts that I added to the blog are missing all their pictures. This includes many of the retreat pictures from years past.

I am unsure what I am going to do from here. Please stay tuned and visit my webpage for updated.

Thanks.

Barb

www.Quiltsbybarb.com

QuiltsbyBarb on Etsy’s Front Page!

Congratulations to QuiltsbyBarb for having her Scraptastic Quilted Table Runner make front page with my midnight treasury!  It looked great up there!

Kim’s Mystery Retreat Quilt

Today I finished quilting another beautiful quilt that was made as a Mystery Quilt at the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.  Kim did a fantastic job on her quilt and I love her colors.

View Full Album

Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend 2005

In cleaning out my old computer and transferring to my new, I came across a copy of my old webpage from 2005.  Found lots of pictures from the 2005 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.

Our project was Camp Wawbeek Trail.
  This was Diane Lapacek's sample for the weekend.

Kathy Parker won the give away blocks for a sampler.

We had snow that weekend but notice how green the grass was!

Now all four of these ladies were working on the same quilt.  Is it the block or is it the quilter or is it the teacher?  I wish I had finished quilts to match each block.

Get a load of the line up at the ironing tables!

I was doing some tearing out for someone.  But, what I really like about this picture is the food on the snack tables in the background!

I love the concentration on the faces in this picture.  This had to be one of the most serious times at all of our retreats.  I really wonder what was happening!

We paper pieced a mini quilt with insulated batting to use as a hot pad for the center of the table.  Who's hands are in the picture on the left?  A $10 gift certificate to the store at the 2010 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend for the first one to identify them.

Show and tell of our 2004 project, Prairie Star,

an original pattern by Diane Lapacek.

A beautiful Bargello shown at Show and Tell.

Thankful, counting, ironing and concentrating.

And, last but not least, Diane Lapacek, my number one teacher for my retreats and none other than me, Barbara Raisbeck, the owner of

Quilts by Barb.

More pictures coming soon!

Happy Quilting.

Barb