The registration is open for the New England Quilt Seminars hosted by David Taylor Quilts.  I’m thrilled and look forward to this event so much!  12 students for 5 days to have lots of one on one time of instruction on English Paper Piecing and Applique’.  This will be awesome to really focus on improving the techniques used in the quilt.  We’ll get a huge start on the class project, Nana’s Garden Club.  This quilt has a big block center with EPP and Applique.  I love teaching Starch Basting and helping students achieve excellent results.  It’s so rewarding to see the excitement of a student when they have success using the techniques I love.  ❤️  These techniques help make fancy quilts go together wonderfully!  

Join me won’t you?  Click HERE for detailed info!  The New England Quilt Seminars is held in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire and looks to be a beautiful setting!  I hope to see you there! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  

Missie

I’ll be Teaching at New England Quilt Seminar Sept 2022!

 Hello and Happy New Year!  Christmas 2021 has passed…well almost!  We have another family celebration starting today and then, we’ll move on to 2022!  We have enjoyed the kids and grand babies so much this last week.  A few more days of snuggles and we’ll be back to the regular life events.  

Here’s a photo of our first half of Christmas celebration.  We’re missing my middle daughter’s family so we’ll do another official photo in the coming days with everyone!  The weather has been so nice we didn’t even need coats for the Christmas Eve church service!  We don’t get mild winter weather in Des Moines too often so it was a nice change!  

As the title of this post mentions, I will be teaching at a new event for me… the New England Quilt Seminars hosted by David Taylor Quilts.  I’m thrilled and look forward to this event so much!  12 students for 5 days to have lots of one on one time of instruction on English Paper Piecing and Applique’.  This will be awesome to really focus on improving the techniques used in the quilt.  We’ll get a huge start on the class project, Nana’s Garden Club.  This quilt has a big block center with EPP and Applique.  I love teaching Starch Basting and helping studenTs achieve excellent results.  It’s so rewarding to see the excitement of a student when they have success using the techniques I love.  ❤️

Join me won’t you?  Registration is February 11th.  Click HERE for detailed info!  The New England Quilt Seminars is help in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire and looks to be a beautiful setting!  I hope to see you there! 

Take care and thanks for stopping by today.  Blogger is becoming more and more difficult to accept new posts.  Please be sure to check out other blog posts from my website at TraditionalPrimitives.com.  I post a few more there.  Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and eventually we will let you know when a new post is made with some fun info.  

Happy New Year!

Missie, TraditionalPrimitives.com

Academy of Applique’ 2021

Hello Everyone!  I’ve just returned from teaching at the Academy of Applique’ held in Williamsburg, VA.  It was SOOOO nice to see people in person (with masks) and see the smiles in their eyes.  I absolutely love teaching and to teach at the Academy is such an honor!  I always tell my students I hope I can teach them something and love seeing them get excited about creating quilts using the methods I prefer and teach.  I’ve heard from several students who have finished all the Hexies for the center and are on their way to prepping the rest of the elements for the center.  

The class project was Nana’s Garden Club, a quilt inspired by my Mom and Memaw who loved being members of their local garden clubs in Mississippi and Georgia.  I remember my Mom being so excited to enter contests of decorating the front door.  One year she wrapped the door in gold wrapping paper with a huge ribbon and then added a beautiful winter wreath. She saved that paper and ribbon and we had gifts given for several years with that paper.  Memaw had several gardening books that I received from my mom once I started enjoying having a flower garden.  I cherish it!  I am so blessed to see her handwritten notes in that book.  Anyway, the quilt is filled with memories of my Mom and Memaw as I remembered them when I stitched.  Isn’t it wonderful how our quilts are filled with memories!  

Along with those memories, Nana’s Garden Club is filled with whimsical flowers and a few hexies as accents. 

                                              

                                          

This quilt was a joy to create!  Our new product, Ultimate Freezer Paper is an absolute game changer for quick starch prep for applique’ shapes.  Due to the wonderful stiffness when two sheets are used together, along with the mini iron and Premium Quilting Starch, the Fingertip Stiletto, which allows you to get your finger right up close to the iron without getting burned and the Starch Brush which gives you just the right amount of starch on the seam allowances, you get quick and precise results on any shape easily!  These tools make preparing appliqué and English Paper Piecing shapes a real joy.  Then once they are completed, the sewing part goes lickity split!  The pattern walks you through the process as well as gives you a lesson on drawing a big circle and setting those hexies in place on the border easily.  The pattern is now available on the home page of the website, TraditionalPrimitives.com.  While you are ordering the pattern or kit, be sure to also choose the supplies suggested to make the process easy and quick.  It all makes a huge difference in the enjoyment and success while making quilts!

                                                       .  

We have kits available for you and remember the pattern is free when you buy the kits for most all of my designs!  You can add on the preprinted and doubled template pages.  These pages are ready for you to cut and begin!  There is also an option for purchasing the precut hexies needed for the quilt.  There are lots of options to make everyone happy and get you going on this quilt! 

As soon as I returned from the Academy of Applique, we had a visit from all the kids and grandkids.  We have 3 grands now and boy oh boy are they fun!  Paxton is quickly becoming a little boy.  Kenzie is almost a year old now, beginning to walk and talk, and Julian is on his way to being 2 months old!  We found a moment to get a quick pic of the three of them together!  Once Kenzie discovered Julian’s mouth we couldn’t keep her finger out of there!  Haha!  Oh the fun they will have together in the future... Of course I love it when all my girls come home.  I’m so proud of each of them as they grow up.  They love finding time to be together and make great efforts now that they all live in different parts of the country.  ❤️❤️❤️

        

Thanks for stopping by today!

As always, take care, 

Missie

TraditionalPrimitives.com

News from the Past Few Months!

Hi Gang!
It's been a while since I've had time to post, but I have been very busy indeed.  Since my last post about teaching in my hometown of Springfield, MO, we had a great time in class!  I was so thrilled that all the students loved the techniques taught, and they did an Awesome job!  Merrily We Quilt Along has an exceptional classroom and knows how to put on a good show for sure!!  If you are ever in the area be sure to stop in and so some shopping.  They have a great selection of fabrics and notions of all styles- a little something for everyone!  They are right off Sunshine and 65 so they are very easy to get to.  Last I checked they had a little Rustic Homestead, my second fabric line, left in stock, so be sure to check it out!!  They made the nicest display...💕

Speaking of fabric lines by yours truly, I do have another line called Barn Dance which is being sold to stores now.  Click HERE to see the fabrics up close and personal and be sure to let your local shop know it's time to order now so you can purchase it next May!  Your local shop can call Blank Quilting direct or reach out to their sales rep to place the order.

The colors are rich and will make a great quilt, or two or more! I love these rich tones for mixing up in a scrappy quilt, how about you??

I can't wait to get it in my hands...gotta make something pretty pretty!

Other exciting news is I will be returning to teach at The Academy of Applique' in Williamsburg, VA in early March!  You can check out the classes I'm offering by clicking HERE.   Then click on 2020 classes.  Wait for it to load, as it can take a while.  My classes are shown a few pages into the document.  I only have a few spots left and the sign up deadline is Jan 15, so Hurry Hurry and decide to join me!  I will teach you some advanced applique techniques as well as get you started on my EPP techniques.  The projects are a block for a new quilt, Coeur d'Alene shown below...

I am so thrilled in the look of this beautiful block as I make more blocks to have it down perfect for you when you take the workshop.  The block shown above will be for the workshop and I'll reveal the full sized quilt with 9 blocks at the Academy.  I can't wait to show you!  Won't you come and join so you can see it in person?  

And several blocks and advanced techniques for The Gardens Of A King, which you should already know about if you have followed me for a while!  If you are new here, take a peek on my website at TraditionalPrimitives.com in the English Paper Piecing section.  This quilt is still very popular and I love teaching these difficult looking blocks in a way that makes them go together like magic.  You will learn a lot if you attend!  

The experience of going to the Academy of Applique is so wonderful!  You'll be surrounded by those who love applique' as much as you do!!  The location is stunning and there is so much history all around to explore and learn from.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I would love to have you join me so I can help you become better at Applique'!  I have tips and tricks to make difficult projects easier-I promise!!  Don't forget, the deadline is approaching fast so act quick to save your spot!!

More exciting news is that Jeff and I are expecting our first granddaughter in March!  Paxton is such a joy and makes our hearts so full, but we are so very excited to welcome another into our world.  I've been told for so long the love of a grandparent is special and we know how special it actually is now!  Here's a little collage of the afternoon they found out we will be loving on a "SHE" this time around!

In October the Winter issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects was released and I happen to have a quilt in this issue called Winter Blooms!  This magazine is one of my favorites and this issue is quite stunning!  My quilt is inspired by the first blooms we see popping up through the winter snow in late winter... a little old snow with bursts of color greeting us with a smile for Spring!  We have kits and the magazine available on the WEBSITE on the Books and Magazines tab!  They won't last long so grab one while you can. 

Recently, I was quite surprised to learn that my quilt, English Wedding was put on the cover of  the winter issue #134 of Quiltmania!  I was so thrilled and quite honored!  A dream come true...

We have just restocked kits for this and we do have the magazine in stock if you are interested.  You will find it on the English Paper Piecing tab as well as the Books and Magazines tab on the website at TraditionalPrimitives.com .

My last bit of excitement is that we have finally launched our new website!  It has the same web address at TraditionalPrimitives.com  but it looks so much better than my old site.  It works well for mobile devices or computers and we are so happy about that!  Take some time to look around and please let me know what you think!!  I hope you like it!

As always, thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Take Care,

Missie

Traditional Primitives

A Blustery Day at the Lake House...An Upcoming Teaching Engagements

Wow!  I would sure say that winter has arrived.  We have not gotten snow here at the Lake House like they have back in Des Moines and other parts of the midwest, but it's still cold and windy.  Why is it we always feel shocked when winter sets in? The forecast for today was 6" of snow but now has reduced to 1".  That's moving in the right direction for me!  It's pretty mild most of the time here at the lake, so it will be gone quickly. 1" will be just enough to enjoy for a day or so.  ❄❄❅❅  Maybe this view will be white tomorrow!  It will put me in the mood for Christmas...🎄

I have been busy going through the items of my parents lifetime.  It's taking me down memory lane for sure.  There are so many memories, it makes me both happy and sad, but comforted as well.  My parents talked about wanting to update the house but never could decide what to do.  We decided to redo the kitchen, remove wallpaper and paint.  Thank goodness the painters have a product that will eliminate having to remove the wallpaper and will be able to paint the walls easily.  The kitchen is in the middle of its' remodel and I will post some before and after pictures when it is completed.  What an experience!

I plan on taking a few minutes from going through items today to do some sewing while football is on.  It used to be that I would prepare a lot of Applique or English Paper Piecing ahead and bring my stack upstairs to sew while Dear Hubs was watching football.  But so far this year I have not had time to prep much ahead of time.  I do have a stack of triangles that I have been sewing together for a while now so I will get them out and try to get some piecing done.  It seems I have been carrying this box of triangles around with me for over a year!!  Time to get it finished!

What will it be??  I'm not quite sure yet!  HAHA!  I am pretty sure I do know, but I'll be keeping that a secret for now!

I've used the Triangle Punch to make my Premium Freezer Paper shapes very quick and easy.  You can find them on the notions page with the Hexie Punches by clicking HERE.  

I have two teaching engagements coming up if you want an excuse for a road trip!  The first is at the Road to California show in Ontario, California.  I will be teaching English Paper Piecing using my technique of basting with starch.  It's a great class!  Click HERE for info.  My workshop is the 3rd one on the page.  Join me for great tips, a new technique for basting and fun!

The second teaching engagement is at the Academy of Applique' in Williamsburg, VA.  I am so honored to be teaching at this event.  It looks like a wonderful location in the heart of history of the beginning of the USA.  I will be teaching two sessions and the topic is The Gardens Of A King quilt.  We will work on 3 blocks in each session and lessons will be full of great tips for excellent results.  I love teaching this quilt to show people it is not as hard as they think it will be!  Click HERE for information.  My workshop information is on page 12.  Click the arrows in the bottom left corner of the picture that comes up on the page and all the information will be there for you to see.  I can't wait!

Wish me luck for actually getting to sit and stitch today!  

Have a wonderful day yourself!

Take care,

Missie

TraditionalPrimitives.com

#31daysofblogging2018

#EnglishPaperPiecing

#TraditionalPrimtives

My Day for Splendid Sampler 2!

Well, today is my day for sharing my block in the Splendid Sampler 2 book!  I'm happy to share my block, Full Circle with you!  It's about coming full circle with English Paper Piecing after trying to love it for so many years.  Those of you familiar with my blog know that I have my own way of basting EPP, but the newcomers from The Splendid Sampler may not know about it.

Early on when I learned to quilt back in the late 80's one of the first quilts I wanted to make was a
Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  I tried basting with needle and thread and just couldn't do it well.  Over the years I'd try again, and still I didn't like it (and frankly was no good at it!).  Then the shortcuts for EPP basting came along and they just were not for me for one reason or another.  I went on to enjoy applique' as my favorite quilting technique for many years.

One day I decided to do a Dear Jane quilt and I decided to make it using applique'.  (I was not a "piecer" at this time and applique' was my favorite thing!) . When I came upon a sharp point I decided to use starch for basting the applique' and it clicked that I should try starch basting for English Paper Piecing.  After all, many of the blocks in Dear Jane should really be pieced.  It worked great and has lead to developing all sorts of tips and notions for using while Starch Basting English Paper Piecing.

This leads me to the block Full Circle...symbolizing how I struggled to love English Paper Piecing and now it's my favorite way of piecing!  I can now say in all honesty that I am a piecer.  I love handwork and it works great for me and many others. 

Watch this video to see exactly what got me so excited about EPP~ click HERE.  The block Full Circle has an English Paper Pieced center and the rest of the pieces are Applique'd using the same method of Starch Basting.  (You will also find this video on my home page in the top right corner if you want to watch it again at TraditionalPrimitives.com )

You can use traditional English Paper Piecing Basting to prep your block, but here's the way I made my block if you want to learn a shortcut for basting:  Copy the pattern onto Premium Freezer Paper and then iron two pages together with shiny sides down.  Then cut out the shapes right on the lines.

Next prep the triangle pieces by ironing the shiny side of the template to the back of the fabric. Paint two of the seam allowances with starch using the Starch Brush and fold the seam over and dry with the iron.  Leave one seam un-prepped and flat.

Next prep the center hexie shape using the starch basting method.  

And then move on to prep the petal shapes.  Only starch baste one side of each petal. 

And lastly prep the background outer circle.  Clip the curves so that the seams will turn nicely when you press them dry on the backside.  

Follow the directions in the book for using the star shaped template as a guide for placing the petals in the proper position and glue baste them in place.  

Use basic English Paper Piecing stitching to sew the center triangles together and then glue baste them in the center of the star shape and stitch in place.  

Stitch the petals in place also.

And lastly stitch the outer circle background in place!  

The block above is the one pictured in the book on page 78 and the one shown below is the one I've made for my quilt using my 1st fabric line Ginger & Spice from Blank Quilting.  My fabrics are a touch traditional and a touch primitive, just like my quilting style and business name, Traditional Primitives.  I'm very excited to be using them in this project.  You can find Ginger & Spice in your local quilt shops now if you are interested in having them for yourself!

Featured this week with my blocks are my favorite little scissors for clipping threads.  These little sheep scissors come in black or silver- a tough decision on which one is cuter!  Need a perfect gift for your favorite sewing friend?  These scissors would make a wonderful keepsake!

You will find the notions mentioned on the Notions page of my website, TraditionalPrimitives.com and there are more videos beside several of the products.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I hope you have learned a little something today and enjoy making your Full Circle block.  Get it done soon and enter the contest Pat mentioned at SplendidSampler.com- Good Luck in the contest to win 12 spools of Aurifil thread!

If you don't have your book yet it's available in quilt shops now!  Join us in the FB Group as well.  It will be so much fun to stitch this Splendid Sampler 2 together!

For those of you who are new to my blog, please feel free to read back on older posts and get to know me.  You'll find me on FB as Traditional Primitives from Missie Carpenter.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by and as always, Take Care,

Missie

Shop by clicking on TraditionalPrimitives.com!!

Life Brings Changes and Life goes on...

Well, lots has happened since my last post.  My first line of fabric with Blank Quilting has been shipped to stores! YAY!  Ginger & Spice is out there in quilt shops so be sure to find out if your local quilt shop has it in stock.  It was so exciting to see it in person and have it in my hands!  The colors are rich and deep.  The fabrics feel so wonderful.  I'm so proud to have designed these and look forward to seeing them pop up in quilts out there!  If you use them, I'd love to see what you create with them!

My family has enjoyed watching our first grand son grow up a bit each time we see him.  He is just a precious boy...  We went on a vacation in late August to one of our favorite places in the Destin, Florida area and this little guy really enjoyed the sand and water!

We all had a wonderful time together enjoying each other's company and the area.  My mom was doing so well and took a turn for the worse with her health while there and unfortunately we had to say farewell to her as she passed onto her next life, back again with my father and brother and all the other family members who went before her.  We miss her terribly but find comfort that she is forever young and healthy once again.  I wouldn't normally put all this out there, but just can't let it go unmentioned.  She was such an influence in my life and in my kid's lives... I wouldn't be who I am without her having been my mom and I'm so very thankful to have had both of my parents for as long as I did!  Such a blessing...  They encouraged me to be the best I can be, to be creative and to be the parent I am to my children today.  

It's been a busy, busy time since this moment.  Life goes on and she would want us to keep on keepin' on.  She had so much spunk and energy and I hope to have as much spunk and energy as she did up into my 84th year should I be blessed enough to live that long!  

After this life changing event, life got very busy with settling things but also teaching and traveling and Quilt Market was fast approaching!  My friend Julee P offered to help me out and she kindly made one of the free quilt patterns offered at BlankQuilting.net that I designed for Ginger & Spice.  That's what I call a generous friend!  In 10 days she did most all of the applique' on this quilt shown below!  I understand a few of her quilting buddies also chipped in and helped on a few blocks.  So Big Thanks goes to Julee and also Karen, Chris and Norma as well for helping me prepare for Market and Festival!  I loved having the quilt there to show off my fabrics!  Contact your local quilt shop and make this quilt yourself~It's easy applique'!  If your local quilt shop did not happen to order the fabric line, you can find it on my website by clicking HERE!  Once again Thank You Thank You to Julee!!

One of the teaching engagements this fall was with the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild, my local guild.  It was an honor to show my quilts from the early days and share funny stories about learning to quilt.  As the quilts were shared, the ladies laid them on the pews to my left.  After it was over it took my breath away to see them all laid out.  I love sharing what I've learned along the years.  If your guild needs a lecture and workshops please have them contact me.

My time was also filled filming with The Quilt Show!  It was a great day with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims filming my episode that will be aired June 2nd.  Amazing what all goes into making a wonderful show for us quilters.  The whole team did a great job with me to make it a great experience!  The filming took place at Piece Works Quilt Shop in Winterset, IA.  A great shop!  Put it on your list of stops in Iowa if you are ever nearby.

Next up was Quilt Market in Houston.  The weather was good and we met lots of new friends and caught up with the friends met in previous years!  I was very pleased to be able to finish and show my new quilt design English Wedding featured below.  This quilt is made using my starch basting technique for English Paper Piecing as well as cotton and wool applique'.  It's scrappy and happy and a joy to make!  The pattern and kit are available on the website and you can see it by clicking HERE.

I also introduced a new wool and cotton applique' table topper called Boho Star.  This quick little project is quite easy to make and has the added interest of Primitive Boho Buttons on top of some of the pennies.  This one is proving to be very popular and the buttons are part of it's success.  They add such a cute touch to a simple little design!  Since life had been so very busy I enlisted the help of a fine seamstress I've met on FaceBook.  LaNan Eldridge did a fine job stitching this sample for me!  Thank you LaNan!  You can find the pattern and kit by clicking HERE.

There's one thing I have learned in my lifetime...life does bring changes and life does go on.  We gain strength from each event in our lives and learn to be stronger and more determined to enjoy life while we are here to enjoy it!  I will miss my original family (My parents and brother) with all my heart but I will keep on enjoying my life to the fullest!  I'm so thankful to have my own wonderful family~ My wonderful husband and daughters, son in laws and grandson~Yes...life goes on!

Thanks for visiting today and please come back again!  I have some fun news to share soon!

Take care, Missie (and Jeff, pictured above)

It's Good To Be Home!

Wow! Time flies when you are having fun! Since the last post here on the blog, we've traveled through 8 states and spent many a night away. It's so good to be home!
Some exciting news... A new Punchneedle Mini Quilt is published in the current issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects!

I do believe this little quilt, Pomegranates and Pennies, is my favorite Punchneedle Mini Quilt yet. The rich colors are just what I love and say "home" to me. It's a super easy design to punch and works up very quickly due to the large smooth shapes. The finished size is 12" and will be a great addition to my mini quilt wall. I have the magazines and full kits, including that beautiful wool and Valdani Threads, for this little quilt on my website HERE at Traditional Primitives. This would make a great Holiday present for someone special! After all, it is time to be thinking about shopping for Holiday Season.

Do you see something familiar below in the photo of Frond Studio's booth in Sample Spree at Quilt Market?

The light colored quilt is my pattern French Diamonds! What a difference color makes. See more pictures HERE.

Stephanie Brandenburg is the designer of Frond Fabrics. She's an amazing artist with exceptional talent! I have used several of her fabrics for my backgrounds in some of my primitive quilts. French Diamonds above uses her Plaster Of Paris fabric and has the look of leather in my quilt. The background of the original Pennies In My Garden is also her fabric called Brushstrokes.

It's a challenge for us to think outside the box when we see a quilt we love. You can see their light artsy version below on the back wall as well. Look closely at the table and you'll see Brookshire Star!

Wow! Such a different look with different colors and fabric styles! Frond has used their new Barnboard fabric for the background of Brookshire Star. It keeps that rustic look but adds the modern touch with the Frond fabrics they've used. It's that industrial meets rustic that's so popular today! See more pictures HERE.

,

And my version below...

Take a look at Frond fabrics HERE to see if you can find a unique fabric for one of your upcoming quilts to add the rustic feel you are looking for! Sometimes we need to open our minds to create the "look" we're after when making quilts. I search for primitive fabrics in all types of fabric design styles... Try it! You may find it's easier to open the box than you think!
That's my lesson for today!
I'll share a few pictures from Quilt Market and Festival. We found it challenging to squeeze 40 feet of quilts into 18 feet of wall space at Market, but we managed to make it work out, thank goodness!

We enjoyed bringing our Dear Daughter and Son In Law to help handle the crowds! It was a great time! I was so hoping the World Series would finish up before they had to fly south to join us. Unfortunately the last game was played while they were on the flight to Houston. On the good side, the flight was delayed so they got to see most of the game at the airport...it's a good Son In Law who gets on a plane to join his Mother In Law at a quilt event...especially when the most important inning was just beginning as he entered the plane! He's a Cubs Fan so thankfully the reruns of the end of the game were pleasant for him to see the next day! I love him dearly! Thanks to both he and our daughter for their hard work at Festival!

We saw some friends from the past and met lots of new friends! I love it when you bring your quilts made from my patterns. Thanks for sharing ladies! Enjoy these collages of Fun from Festival! We see A Warm Welcome and Gardens Of A King in the photos below.

Teaching, translating by way of the internet and enjoying the rush! English Paper Piecing basting with Starch, rug punch and punchneedle! My favorite pastimes!

The exhibit was stunning. Unfortunately my camera did a reset and lost all of the photos I took. The exhibit at Festival is always stunning. Absolutely takes your breath away when you see these extraordinary quilt from all eras.

It's such a great time to go to Market and Festival. We are rested and caught up and are ready to take on the upcoming Holidays. It's hard to believe this year has moved by so quickly! Before we know it, we'll be writing 2017. Yowza!
Thanks for taking time to check in on the blog today!
Take care,
Missie

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