Dear friend of KISSed Quilts, 

For those who are local to NE Washington, you are greatly aware of the devastating fires we're experiencing just north of us (over 135,000 acres), NW of us near Tonasket, and now in the Spokane area (east of us) as well. The Spokane/Indian Trails fire directly effected one of our customers and retreat attendees - Zella A (I've removed her from this newsletter list). Zella was at church when the level 3 - GO NOW orders were issued, so she didn't even get the chance to go home and grab anything. The home was a total loss.

I've already written to the retreat attendees, who have been there when Zella has been or are coming this year, to solicit $$ (for a tablet--her window to the world..note she is 89) and/or friendship star blocks to make her a quilt. Her grandson lives with her, so we intend to make two quilts. If we end up with more blocks, we'll make a 3rd for the young woman who was living in her home at the time, but has now found accommodations elsewhere. If we end up with even more blocks we will put them together and donate through the distribution efforts being organized at The Quilting Bee. There are more than 700 homes and structures that burned. 

If you'd like to donate $$ --please reply to this email and I will get you the details. We've raised $440 so far. I spoke with her 'tech savy' grandson and he helped me pick out the appropriate one. Total was $525 (less than expected). It has been ordered and I will be giving it to her on August 14. Thank you so much to those who have already donated.

If you'd like to make some friendship star blocks here are the instructions:

Note these rotary cutting instructions are exact. The center block (color --even make it up from scraps [see center of improv star block image] and then cut it 3-1/2" square) and corner blocks (black) should be cut at 3-1/2".

The Half Square Triangles (HST) can be made cutting them as a 4" square, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of colored fabric, then with right sides together, sew a scant 1/4" seam on either side of the drawn line. Cut on the drawn line. Trim it with the diagonal running through exactly point to opposite point and 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" square. Open to yield 2 HSTs. Make 4 HSTs. Create your 9-patch and sew together in rows  and then sew the rows together.

If you'd like to do every star point scrappy, then each 4" square will yield two of the same color ....so you could easily make two blocks or save one for yourself. Maybe you've got some leftover colored triangles and can just use them.

 

Please add your name along the diagonal of a star point with a micron pen, it will mean a great deal to Zella.

Once you have made your block, please check that it measures 9-1/2" x 9-1/2" and there is still 1/4" at least to the point of the star.

 

We'd like the blocks by August 10 ...please drop them off at our new location 219 Main St, Grand Coulee or mail them to me at:

USPS: Po Box 717    

Grand Coulee, WA 99133-0717

 

We're also putting together 'spare' tools that you might have in your quilting supplies to equip her to do some piecing. I'll be providing her a simple brother machine from our classroom if she feels up to it next week after she has worked on priorities like new clothes (today she was still in the clothes she was wearing on Saturday). She has secured a 2-bedroom home for herself and her grandson that was just about to become an AirB&B in the country that insurance is handling. She feels blessed and is very grateful to have such a space to figure out her next steps.

She is seriously the most optimistic person and has endured many setbacks in life. She typically is helping everyone else. We're excited to shower her with blessings in return. She is an inspiration to us all. Let's do something small that collectively will make a significant impact.

 

Thank you if you can help out in any way. You will be blessed.

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CLASSES

I was recently asked to provide a beginning quiltmaking class on the reservation through a grant. Ten students were invited, those that attended received a mat, rotary cutter and ruler, as well as my co-authored book, a spool of Aurifil thread and a fabric kit to make the blocks in the first chapter. 

 

So proud of each student as I saw their confidence grow with each block and their workmanship improved as well.

 

We are hopeful to host subsequent classes at my shop based on interest.

 

Thank you to Linda McLean at WSU Extension office for facilitating this collaboration.

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FAIR - Lincoln County, WA - August 20, 21, and 22

Sewing and Quilt category in-take is on Tues, Aug 18, 8am - 6pm - unless other arrangements have been made.
Take-down is Sunday 8am - pick-up starts at 10am.
Volunteer shifts are 9-1, 1-5 and 5-8 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Call or text June Jasman, Superintendent at 509.771.5685 if you are interested.

Show your quilts and inspire others!  Register now!

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NEW PRODUCTS

Kimberbell
Needle Minder                           Countryside Blooms Design

PATTERNS
       
        
I'd love to kit up any of these patterns for you! Just ask, indicate a desired colorway/theme and I'll show you images of the curated kit before any cutting is done.

Beyond our own Pacific NW Shop Hop, this summer several shop hops around the country have included one of my designs in the shop hop magazine, specifically created for their shop hop. The quilt has been on display at a shop in the respective shop hop region and will ultimately be given to someone in my circle of friends and family that live in the locale. What a fun surprise it has been to see this come together. If you are in these areas and want to know more details, just ask! The pattern is included in the magazine --so find a shop in the region and get a magazine and fabrics from them. The 1st quilt uses fabrics from Windham. The 2nd and 3rd quilts are both In the Beginning Fabrics.

Iowa Farmlands (June/July)      Hopeful Glory (KY/TN:July/Aug)     Magnolia Beauty (SouthEast: Aug/Sept)
   was at Farmhouse Quilting        @ Mountain Creek Quilters                         @ Elaine's Attic

I'll share more when they can be revealed.

For now, I'm working on shrinking the quilting queue and finalizing edits on new patterns coming out with my 2nd signature collection. We did receive our electrical final inspection sign-off. Whoo Hooo!!! So, we're working on the final setup in the back of the building before we can resume classes and sew-ins. No one more than me wants it done ;-)

Hope to see you or your order soon!