Alison's Expressions

New Arrivals

2012-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day, It seems impossible to believe it is already Valentines Day.

Very good friends of mine Craig and his wife Jamie welcomed their first son Quinn Patrick Walker to the world on February 2, at 11:29 am. He was 8 lbs 6 oz and almost 21 inches long. He is beautiful. Craig and I worked together at the Denver Post. We have been through a lot of up and downs together. I am so happy for whole Walker family.

I had been thinking about what type of quilt I could make for Quinn, then on Friday during our Appliqué Club meeting UPS delivered a new box. I looked to see what was inside and it was four new books from The Kansas City Star Quilts. While I was looking through them one just hit me, “This is it”. I sent Craig a text about the colors of the Quinn's room and starting planning.

Story Time: Picture Quilts to Stir a Child's Imagination

by Kim Gaddy

The Book is full of really cute animal appliqué quilts. I have selected most of the fabric with some adjustments once I found out the colors of Quinn's room. Can't wait to get started. I will show my progress as I get the blocks done. Here is a photo of the quilt from the book. I will have to change the name on the wagon to Quinn.

Hope to start working on it tomorrow after I get my chores done that I have been neglecting lately. My house looks like a tornado has struck with papers and receipts everywhere. Ah tax time. Here are the other cool books that arrived on Friday.

A Year of Cozy Comforts: Quilts and Projects for Every Season

by Dawn Heese

A Bountiful Life: An adaptation of the Bird of Paradise quilt top in the American Folk Art Museum

American Summer: Seaside-Inspired Rugs & Quilts

by Polly Minick

White Christmas

2011-12-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

The first day of winter came in with a bang. Here in Colorado we will be having a White Christmas. The weather on Christmas day is supposed to be nice but there is no way all the snow we are getting today will melt by Sunday. I have about 15 inches so far. I will need to shovel my driveway in order to get my car out, I can't just drive over it. It is to high. My cat spent most of the day sitting in front of the space heater.

This ruler is 18 inches long

Our Newsletter with all our new classes, events, and block of the Month Programs are now available online at: http://www.fabricexpressions.com.

Our Open House is the weekend of Jan 13-15. Here are a few of our classes and Block of the Month samples.

Daisy Chain

Heart and Flowers

"Cabana" Block of the Month

Secret Garden

Professional Tote

Meeting Santa

2011-12-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not had a post in a while. Thing have been crazy. I was sick for a while, then Thanksgiving, then I went home for a memorial. Sunday I was able to spend the day with my mom, sister, and my niece. We went to The Huntington Library so Maria could talk with Santa.
We are starting to put together our schedule for next year. We are going to have a few Block of the Months.

Cabana

Cabana Block of the Month - Designed by Swirly Girls for Michael Miller Clubhouse. Finished quilt measures 92" x 108". This 12-month program includes pattern and fabrics for a portion of the quilt each month, including blocks, sashing, borders and binding. Each installment also includes a pattern for a bonus project using the "Weekend" fabrics by Michael Miller. This program begins in January, 2012 and will conclude in December 2012. The cost is $25 per month.

Amish with a Twist

Designed by Nancy Rink using Centennial Solids by Marcus Fabrics. Finished quilt measures 88-3/8" x 105-1/2".
This 5-installment program features 3 "lesson" units per installment and the lessons are grouped by related techniques and progress in level of difficulty. This project is perfect for the beginning quilter! Each installment also includes additional design ideas and a pattern for a bonus project. The fifth installment will include fabrics for setting the blocks, borders and binding. This program begins in mid February, 2012 and ends June 2012. Cost is $ 48 per month.

Quilt Festival

2011-11-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today is the first full day of Quilt Festival in Houston. From what I have seen on facebook and twitter people are having a great time. It is a great show a little overwhelming the first time you go. So many quilts, so little time.

Here are some more quilts from the show. These are from the “Innovative Applique” category. If you would like to see all the winning quilts from this years Festival go to:

http://www.quilts.com/fqf11/enVivo/index.html

This quilt placed 3rd. All of those little pieces are appliqued

I have decided to host a Saturday Sampler next year. We will start in January. I can’t tell you much about it because it is a "Mystery". Each month you will get a part of the quilt. I will have the rules and sign ups soon in the shop.

Best of Show

2011-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Back home in Colorado we hadour second snow storm this fall. My trees aretaking a beating. Mr Moda is notbothered by the snow. He follewed me around the yard checking on the trees.

Sue McCarty from Roy, Utah, was the Handi Quilter “Best of Show” winner at the International Quilt Festival,

click here for more information http://goo.gl/QfGPj

Quilt Show

2011-11-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some more quilts from the quilt show. These quiltswere entered in the “Celebrate Spring” and “ Floral” categories. It is nice to see some people have a sense a humor as seen in the first quilt. Lions faces in the flowers. The next quilt used beads for the centers to give it some texture. I took a close up shot of the center.

I have exciting news, while I was at Quilt Market I met withTraci Suzanne Marvel. Traci is Director of Marketing (aka Dirctor of Fun and Enternainment) for Bigfork Bay CottonCompany . We will be working together this coming summer. I am very excitedabout having Traci coming to Colorado.

I had a true six degrees of separation while inHouston. I had been talking withTraci at Bigfork, Traci and Pat Sloan are working together, Pat Sloan isjoining the Moda team this Spring and Bigfork is talking with Moda. Here is one of Pat Sloans projects with Bigfork.

Quilt Market

2011-10-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from Quilt Market in Houston. There was so much to see, between all the merchant booths and all the beautiful quilts. I will be showing you a few of my favorite quilts over the next coupleof day. Todays quilts are animals quilts I really liked. They part of the "Art Pictorial" catogery. They are amazing, they look like painting.

I ordered a lot of fun fabrics, patterns, notions and someother surprises. The fabric willnot be here until next year, and I have decided on some new projects for nextyear.

Before market I made a few quilts for my good Friend Lissa Alexander for Moda. I made three quilts (twowere the same quilt.) The quilts were part of the displays in the ModaBooth.They we quilted by Karen Niemi.

Lissa shows one of the quilts I made using the new Fig Tree Jelly Roll "California Girl" seems appropriate since I am a California Girl.

Lissa talks about a new line from 3 Sisters called "Papillon." The original antique quilt is on the left. the quilt she is holding up is the one I made. Lissa made the quilt hanging up on the wall.

Moda fabrics has been involved with Quilts of Valor program. We at Fabric Expressions made star blocks, and quilts. Moda recieved so many stars they have come up with another pattern and kits that use the stars. We will be receiving some of these quilt kits to make and donate to your local soldiers. This quilt was quilted by our own Crystal Zagnoli.

Great Project for Kids

2011-10-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

While my niece was visiting this past weekend we had some quite time to color. I brought here a fabric panel from Studio E called "Color Me" I had cut out the different motifs and ironed them on freezer paper to make it easer for Maria to color.

These could make great gifts for family members, with the holiday approaching and family get togethers you can keep the kids busy for a while. Each Panel has eight different designs to color.

After Maria went home I made her a pillow with the first one she colored.

I am working on a Doll Quilt from the panel we colored together.

Family Visit

2011-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend my sister Jen and her daugher Maria came for a visit from Los Angeles. We had an great time visiting family and friends. It was an action packed weekend. Jen and Maria stayed with Tanya a close friend Jen went to school with.

We thought about going to the zoo but our uncle Tim suggest we meet him and our cousin Joe at Riverside Cemetery. Riverside Cemetery is the Denver's oldest operation cemetery and is designated a national historic district. Tim and Joe volunteer there.

Our cousin Danny is in a band "Today's Paramount" and they performed Saturday Night so after we all had dinner we went to listen to him play.

Sunday we meet Tim and cousin Katie at Washington park. Maria enjoyed the afternoon at the park and spending time on the petal boats with Katie.

After a fun afternoon at the park we had a casual dinner then had to say goodbye. Jen and Maria have an early flight back to LA.

Quilt-A-Fair

2011-09-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today we set up day for Colorado Quilting Council's Quilt-A-Fair. The show Friday and Saturday at the Boulder County Fair Grounds. Vendors are from all over Colorado and surrounding states.

Here is what part of my booth looked like at 3pm today. We have patterns and kits for all kinds of projects. I went back to shop to pick up a few things that would not fit in my car.

Here is what my booth looked like 10am this morning. Hope to see you at the show if you are in Colorado.

Class Schedule

2011-08-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Our new class schedule is now available on the website. www.fabricexpressions.com
We have worked really hard to offer a wide variety of classes. JaNelle is starting her Baltimore's Cousin again. JaNelle designed the quilt, each blocks finishes at 20 inches and she has a history leason with each block. You will also learn differant applque techniques.

I designed this quilt when our special batiks arrived before our shop hop. It will be a fun class with a fast was to make the blocks. We have kits available.

Patty will be teaching a new class from The Buggy Barn, "If the Hat Fits. " She will also be teaching her invisible applique class. We have a new instructor Terri Scott, she will be teaching an EQ7 (electronic quilt) and a Big Block Quilt that can be made with charm squares or a layer cake. We have added more UFO sew days.

The Winners Are:

2011-08-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

We announced the winners for our pot holder challenge yesterday during our "Terrific Tuesdays" class.

Congratulations to Debbie, Shirley, and Jeannine. They received gift baskets and a ribbon. Now our challenge is a pin cushion. We had some great ones turned in yesterday. Winners will be announced at the next class next month. Come vote.
The next challenge due Tuesday Sept 20th is a gift bag or wine bag. You can use any pattern or design your own. Embellish it anyway you want. We will display it in the shop for a month.

Shop Hop Starts Today

2011-08-05T03:16:00.000-07:00

It’s Shop Hop Time. In just a few hours the doors will open 12th Annual Rocky Mountain Fever will be in full swing. I hope you enjoy yourselves and find so great project and ideas. We have some great unique projects and display’s at the shop. We have designed three with our exclusive shop hop batiks that goes on sale today. We have kits for our Shop Hop block and our Shop Hop quilt that uses the blocks from all the shops.

Leave a comment about your favorite thing about the shop hop or if you can’t make it to the shop hop pick your favorite quilt. To celebrate my Birthday on Monday I will pick a name by random and the winner will be get a present.

I will have more photos on Monday from the hop. I Don't want to ruin any surprises.

Shop Hop.

2011-07-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry It has been a while since my last post. It has been crazy since I got back from LA. I can't believe shop hop is less then two weeks away. Where did the summer go? We are working hard making new projects with our exclusive fabric at select stores. I have the fabric in four color ways. My Shop Hop Quilt is hanging in the shop. You have to come see.

A Family Affair

2011-06-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

This week is all about celebration. Sunday was Fathers Day and Maria and I took Grandpa Gene out to breakfast. Sunday night my sister Jennifer made a great dinner for our dad and her husband Francis (Maria’s Dad.) My baby brother Joe graduated last night from Venice High School. The Grand Finale is a big party for Maria on Saturday, she will be four years old.

My Sister Jennifer, Crystal, Joe, Dad, and Me after graduation.

Joe with some of his friends.

Maria making Lemonade with her dad Francis on Fathers Day.

100 Quilts in 100 Days

2011-06-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

A BIG THANKS to everyone who donated stars blocks to this project. We at Fabric Expressions turned over 200 blocks. We will be having a Flag of Valor sewing weekend July 9th & 10th, to help complete some of the quilts. We have all the blocks and other fabric to complete the quilts, Come join as for a fun weekend while making quilts for good cause.

Here is a Special Note from MODA

A HUGE thank you to hundreds of quilters, sewers, binders, ironers, sorters, and organizers that have all volunteered their time for Moda's Just One Star Program. As of June 14th we have met our goal of 100 quilts in 100 days. The generosity has been overwhelming. I am personally moved by the generosity of quilting community. The notes and letters have touched us with the stories. I know that the soldiers that receive these quilts will also be moved by the time the talent and love that have gone into each of these quilts. We have received blocks from all over the world for this event totally at this point 12,000 blocks. This events has grown much bigger than we could have ever imagined and we owe each of you the participated a big thank you.

We could not have done it without you.

We will be posting updates regarding additional quilts and the distribution of quilts and blocks

here, so check back for additional details.

Capital Quilt Show

2011-06-10T01:57:00.000-07:00

Every two years the Colorado Quilting Council (CQC) hosts a showcase of Colorado quilters at the State Capitol. The show opened on Monday and runs through August 19th. There are over 250 quilts on display in capitol. I had the pleasure of visiting on Wednesday afternoon. There is an Opening Ceremony is today at 2 p.m.

It was great to see everyones quilts. Where comfortable shoes when you go. The quilts are on three different floors hanging through out the building. When I thought I saw them all there were more around the corner. The show is free and is open M-F. Sorry the Capitol is closed on weekends and holidays.

This is the quilt I entered in the show. Have a great weekend

Outdoor Quilt Show

2011-06-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

We had our first outdoor quilt show and it was a great success. Thanks to everyone who gave us a quilt too display. There were a lot of great complements about the quilts. They are all so cool. We are thinking of having another one during our upcoming Shop Hop Aug 5-7.

Here are the quilts that were on display:

JaNelle's Basket Quilt

Chris's Family Horse Quilt

Pam's T-Shirt Quilt

Susan's Colorado Quilt

Jose's Super Stash Bowl Quilt

Mary's Flannel Quilt

Mine

JaNelle's Women's Voices

Karen's Tennessee Waltz

Pam's Star Quilt

Susan's 5280 Quilt

My Quilt

All the quilts are so beautiful. Thanks again. Looking forward to hanging more later this summer.

Alison

Getting Ready for Quilt Market

2011-05-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City is just a few days away. I made to quilts to hang in the Moda Booth. Here is the fabric for one of the quilts. It is the next "Collection for a Cause" line of fabric. Here is a sneak preview of what I made.

First cut the fabric into strips, sew them together to make a lot of nine patches. Sorry you don't get to see the finished quilt until It is hanging in Salt Lake.

New Classes

2011-04-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring.

We are putting the finishing touches on the the next newsletter. I hope to have it to the printers by Friday. Here is a preview of some of our upcoming classes this spring and summer. We have a lot of fun classes coming up. I will have the newsletter on our website as soon as I get it to the printer. I will send an email when it has been posted. If you don't get my emails you can sign up at our website:
http://www.fabricexpressions.com

Stars

2011-04-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

WOW-- Thank You for all the star blocks that have been donated. I have mailed 36 blocks so far. I will be collecting blocks until April 25th. Each quilt needs 18 star blocks. Lets see how many star blocks we can made.
What have I been up to? Well I have been busy working on my website. It has been re-designed. Take a look at it. Let me know what you think. http://www.fabricexpressions.com
I have also been working on the next newsletter. We are going to have a lot of fun classes this summer.

Time to Vote

2011-03-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Vote for your favorite Nominees for the 2011

Golden Quilter Awards

Fabric Expressions has been nominated for the Golden Quilts Award in the category #4 Best Quilt Shop (physical) You can go vote at
http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/.
Leave your votes in the comments section
My good friend Joanna Figoura (Fig Tree Quilts) and Harriet Hargrave have been nominated in other categories.

MODA Star Block Challenge

2011-03-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

I Love this quilt. Not just because I made the sample for one of my best Friends Lissa at Moda fabrics, but I thinks it is beautiful. Lets make some star blocks and help them make 100 quilts in 100 days.

The challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the
Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson.

The deadline for star blocks
is May 1, 2011 so that we can meet our quilt deadline
by Flag Day, June 14, 2011.

As the saying goes – “many hands make light work”.

We need 1800 star blocks to reach our goal.
Please take a few minutes to piece Just One Star block (click here for block pattern) using a medium red or blue and a cream background. Better yet, invite your small group or even your entire guild to make Just One Star block. Sign each block with your name and state.

Then we can truly say....the hands of a grateful nation comfort our soldiers!

We will coordinate the donation of the 100 quilts thru the Semper Fi Fund, a cause

that is near and dear to designers, Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson.

Thank you for your help!

Send untrimmed blocks to:

United Notions/Moda Fabrics
Attn: Just One Star Project
13800 Hutton
Dallas, TX 75234

My Day Off

2011-03-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays are my day off. It is the one day I do not go to the shop, but that does not mean I am not working. Today is a perfect example. It was a beautiful day today. We were suppose to reach the the low 60's today. I went outside this morning and my cat "Mr Moda" followed my outside and climbed his favorite tree where he thinks he is the king of the neighborhood. We may get snow tomorrow night. There is just a little snow left in my yard behind the cat.

The rest of my day I never left the inside of my house. Most of my day was spend on the computer. The highlight of the day was meeting my cousin (Katie Brannon) for sushi dinner. Yum.

After dinner I was determined to and sew. I have been designing a couple of quilts and this one of the blocks. More blocks to come, hope to have it ready by May.

Charity Challenge

2011-02-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

The basics charity challenge.

This is a great opportunity for all of us to give a little, and it doesn't take much time.

Stop by Cara's blog to read more about the challenge.

Cara is even offering great prizes!

Happy Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Groundhog Day! The Groundhog did not see his shadow YAHOO!! Early Spring! The weather has been crazy across the country. It is cold here in Colorado. It was -27 degrees when I woke up this morning. OK so I wake up when most of you are sleeping but it was really cold this morning. Today the high is suppose reach 1 degree. We are suppose be warmer the rest of the week then more snow on Sunday.

Looking a fun fast Valentine gift? How about this cute wool-felt penny rug with votive candle. We have kits ready to go. Everything is cut for you and the candle is also included. $7.99.

I better get back to getting organized. It is a slow process I am going through every piece of paper, magazine, UFO, and fabric to see what to keep, donate, or trash.

Getting Organized

2011-01-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

It started by deciding to organize a bin full of scraps for our upcoming Super Stash Bowl class. Then I decided organize the whole house one room at a time. I started with the easiest rooms first. The kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are all done. No Fabric in any of these rooms.

   Today I attempted the extra bedroom, that used to be were I had my sewing machine set up. Lately it has become a dumping ground for fabric, papers ,and most of my clothes. I cleaned out the closest and all the selves. The room is empty and everything that is sitting in my living room need to be put back. My cat Mr Moda, checks out the empty selves.
   While I was cleaning out the closet I found a laundry hamper with three different sections that I forgot I had. I was about to put it in the donation pile when I thought I could use it for keeping my stash organized. I have strips and squares in many different sizes. So this is how I am going to keep by 2 1/2 inch, 4 1/2 inch , and 5 inch strips and squares.
   Now I have to go through everything again and edit out only what I need and donate the rest. I will keep you posted on my progress.

2011-01-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

We will be having our first Charity Sewing Day this Monday January 17th. we will be making pillowcase, as part of the million pillowcase challenge. We are also making quilts for "Quilts of Valor". The mission of QOF is cover all those service-members and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts call "Quilts of Valor. " This is not about politics, it is about people.

We will have patterns in the shop.

American History

2011 marks the 150th year since the beginning

of the Civil War. Barbara Brackman has started a new
blog and is providing a free block pattern each week.

Along with the block is a little history on the Civil War.

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

The Votes Are In

2010-12-06T05:48:00.000-08:00

All the votes were counted and the winner was announced Saturday Night at our Customer Appreciation Auction. Congratulations To BJ Howe, her quilt was the winner of our half square triangle exchange challenge.

After all the the entrants were given there prizes the auction began. This is the third year we had the auction. Customers were given quilting bucks for every dollar they spent from November 1 through the start of the auction. Over 50 prizes were given away to the group.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

I am off to see family in Vegas. I am taking some projects to work on while I am gone. I always take a lot of stuff and usually bring most of it back undone. We will see if I get any done on the plane or I just fall asleep. Most likely I will fall asleep. As soon as the plane starts moving it puts be to sleep. Can you guess what I am making? Hint there is more than one project. One will be a new block of the month I am designing and one is for a class for next year.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Family, Food, and Football and a little slot machine action is what I will be doing later today. One of our traditions is I make these cookies and take them to Vegas for Gene to have while is watching football and horse racing. They are filled with peanut butter. Directions are easy just a few steps but it does take time.

You will need Ritz crackers, Chunky Peanut butter ( it must be chunky, ) White and Dark Almond Bark, and wax paper.

Step 1 make a cookie sandwich with two ritz crackers and peanut butter.
Step 2 melt one of the almond barks ( I use the microwave) dip half of the cookie and place on wax paper.
You need to let the almond bark set. I make a lot of them so by the time I finish one fit is ready for the other.
Step 3 melt the other almond bark and dip the other half. Let set and then they are ready to eat.

Thanks to Marilyn Dale for the recipe
Enjoy
Alison

We Need Your Vote

2010-11-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year we exchanged over 4000 half square triangles inspired by Edyta Sitar book "Friendship Triangles." I then challenged all the participants to make a quilt using the half square triangles.

Now we need you to vote for your favorite. Please pick one and tell us in the comments. You have until Midnight December 3. Winner will be announced at our Customer Appreciation Auction.

And the WINNER is

2010-11-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

The winner of my first giveaway is Mary Thornton congratulations. Mary Wins a "Fresh Cotton"Charm Pack by Fig Tree and Co

My First Post

2010-11-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

I am back from Quilt Market and guess what kind of classes I took while in Houston. "Blogging." I am jumping in to the blog world with both feet.

I have been quilting since 1988 and have owned Fabric Expressions since 2007. Fabric Expressions is located in Littleton Colorado, we offer many classes and different sewing clubs. I made two quilts that were on display at the Moda booth at Quilt Market. I made a quilt for the Quilts of Valor Program that many fabric companies are taking part in next year. Fabric Expressions will be taking part in the program as well.