charity – Lana Russel

June 18, 2024June 28, 2024

June Island Batik Ambassador Challenge

Sleep in Heavenly Peace / Quilt Across America

Featuring Deb Tucker / Studio 180 tools

All children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. Across the US, too many boys and girls go without a bed—or even a pillow—to sleep on. These children end up sleeping on couches, blankets, and even floors. This can affect their happiness and health. That’s where Sleep in Heavenly Peace comes in. A group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling, and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need.

So many great charities provide clothing, meals, and toys to families in need. But as wonderful as this aid is, few organizations offer suitable beds and bedding to the kids in these families. Sleep in Heavenly Peace fully believes that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. If a child needs a bed, Sleep in Heavenly Peace wants to make sure they get one. NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN OUR TOWN!

Quilts Across America is a program that relies on the generosity of quilters everywhere to provide a quilt with each bed that is delivered. Quilts Across America was initiated by Studio 180 Design and Tucker University in July 2023. Help make this the largest quilting project in America and complete the process of getting kids, Off the floor, Into a Bed, and Under a Quilt.

If you are interested in helping out, check out Shpbeds.org and note the requirements below.

Quilt Requirements

Size between 50” to 60” wide and 75” to 90” long.
Simple quilt designs.
Colors that appeal to kids and young adults from 2 to 17 years of age.
No religious or holiday themed fabrics.
Quilted, not tied.
Machine bound is preferred.
No buttons or glued on embellishments.
Simple allover quilting is recommended.

I was excited to join this cause and selected some pretty, uplifting colors of Island Batik fabrics. I opened Electric Quilt and designed a quilt that I could use my Studio 180 tools to make the blocks.

This is the design I settled on.

The lightest fabric I chose is Frosting by Island Batik, from the Foundation line available all year round. I also used it for the backing and binding. I absolutely love the subtle color changes within the design.

The other fabrics I used are:

Pin dot mini floral teal chameleon https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/pin-dot-floral-batiks-mini-floral-teal-chameleon-yardage

Chromatic Triangles Teal Aruba https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/chromatic-batiks-triangles-teal-aruba-yardage

Morning Glory Vine Teal Parakeet https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/tropical-oasis-batiks-peonies-multi-blue-green-yardage

Tropical oasis sprig multi pink purple https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/tropical-oasis-batiks-sprig-multi-pink-purple-yardage

Tropical oasis leaves multi pink yellow https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/tropical-oasis-batiks-leaves-multi-pink-yellow-yardage

Tropical oasis peonies multi blue green https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/tropical-oasis-batiks-peonies-multi-blue-green-yardage

This is the Magic Wand. It is used to mark on either side of it to indicate the stitching lines. I used my Hera marker which creates a crease so you don’t have to worry about getting any chalk or other kinds of lines out later on. It’s one of my favorite tools.

Then I stitched on the creased lines.

After stitching both lines, I used my rotary cutter to cut down the middle between the two stitched lines, creating two pieces. I pressed those pieces and then placed another square, used my Magic Wand again and stitched on both creased lines.

Then cut between the two stitched lines.

Press and now you have a Flying Geese unit.

This is where the Wing Clipper comes in. Line up the seams with the lines on the tool and trim the excess.

Turn the unit upside down and trim on the other two sides.

The first few blocks on my new Felt Right design wall. Loving my blocks and the design wall as well! At this point I chose to name my quilt Looking Up because of the arrows pointing upwards.

The third Studio 180 tool I own is the Tucker Trimmer. It is used to trim down half square triangles, among other things.

It’s on the longarm! I love my Handi Quilter Forte (now called Amara 24) and Pro-Stitcher!

This is the design I chose to use for quilting. I liked the clouds and swirls. It is by Christy Dillon and is called Calm Clouds e2e.

I love the positivity in this quilt! The arrows pointing upwards, the plus signs, and the friendship stars. I hope it brings a young person endless snuggles and happiness.

This is a good picture of the backing, Island Batik Frosting and is available all year round. I love the very subtle color changes.

This is how I bind quilts by machine. I sew the binding to the back side of the quilt and then bring in to the front and sew using the serpentine stitch.

Quilt Stats

Pattern; Looking Up by Lana Russel

Fabric: Island Batik

Iron: Oliso

Needle for piecing: Schmetz Microtex 12

Batting: Hobbs 80/20

Tools: Magic Wand, Tucker Trimmer, and Wing Clipper by Deb Tucker Studio 180

Quilting: Handi Quilter Amara 24, Pro-Stitcher, Calm Clouds e2e by Christy Dillon

Be sure to check out what the other Island Batik Ambassadors did for this challenge. I love this group of creatives!

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Megan Best ~ BestQuilter
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Julia Schweri ~ Inflorescence Designs
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

December 2, 2023

Covering the World: One Quilt at a Time

by Accuquilt

Beginning in June 2023, AccuQuilt is partnering up with Island Batik and Baby Lock in a pay-it-forward campaign called “Covering the World: One Quilt at a Time.” As an Island Batik Ambassador, I chose to participate by donating one of my quilts to my local guild to donate locally as needed.

Earlier this year I participated in one of GE Designs Quilt Alongs, Strip Twist. My Island Batik Stash Builders were perfect for this quilt. Stash Builders are 5″ strips by width of fabric that come 4 strips to a roll, 5 rolls per package. That’s nearly 3 yards of fabric and perfect for cutting 5″ squares or 2 1/2″ strips. I whipped this up at my annual quilt retreat using Schmetz needles and Aurifil thread.

Added borders and scrappy binding using more of my Island Batik Stash Builders, Hobbs 80/20 batting, and Pro-Stitcher on my Handiquilter Forte

Donated to our guild’s charity chairperson, Darlen,e at our November meeting

I know someone will appreciate this one as it is delivered this month.

Thank you Island Batik for the fabric and GE Designs for the inspiration!

May 21, 2023June 10, 2023

Empty Spools Seminar

Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA

This lion is so detailed and colorful and uses foundation paper piecing, a skill that I had let become rusty. Verushka Zarate, of Pride and Joy Quilting, is the designer and teacher. She is an amazing individual! I’m so glad I decided to attend her session!

Empty Spools offers many 5 day sessions from February through May every year. Each 5 day session has 10 or 12 well known quilting instructors who come to teach a project using their specific skill. Each evening a 3 or 4 of them speak about their inspiration and quilting journey and also about the class they are teaching. There is also time for student show and tell. Many students live in California and are able to drive, but many others fly in and rent sewing machines. There is also a quilt shop set up in case you need to purchase fabric or supplies for your class – or for your stash.

Asilomar Conference Grounds are within the Aramark Park System and has simple, rustic sleeping rooms, but wonderful facilities, including classrooms, a dining hall, a cafe, and a large social hall, among many other amenities.

This is the lodging building I was assigned!

Asilomar is right on the coast and such a beautiful place for artists to create.

This is a quilt that the maker made as a fundraiser for a charity.

This was the first quilt shared as part of the students’ show and tell the first night. Here are some others…

This is a class Sandra Bruce is teaching next year.

This is one of Melinda Bula’s class samples. I’ve always wanted to take her class.

This is the progress I made on my Heart of a Lion in Verushka Zarate’s class.

The youngest student in our class finished the entire lion! Verushka is on the left.

Before I arrived at Asilomar this year, I thought it would probably be my last, but after this year, I’m not so sure. It’s such an inspirational experience…

May 18, 2023

April Quilt Retreat

Nashville, IN

The last week of April, I flew back to Indiana for a quilt retreat I began when I lived there. It was just wonderful visiting with golden friends!! I missed them so much! It highlighted the difficulties of moving across the country during a pandemic. Meeting people and making friends has been challenging here in Washington state due to masking and meetings being via ZOOM. SO being with friends I’ve known for several years was very comforting and enjoyable.

We (eleven friends) have been meeting annually in the same place for 7 years. Nashville, IN is a great locale for our retreat because we don’t have to drive anywhere once we move in. Many places to shop and eat within walking distance. Fabulous sharing and good times!!

Enjoy viewing some quilts that were completed or projects that were worked on during the 4 1/2 days together.

The two Lindas. One quilts, the other knits.

Elaine’s quilt – made from her late sister’s fabric collection for her sister’s sons

Each panel of Kathy’s tree skirt is detailed and amazing!

Three Posh Santa’s – two of Bev’s, one of Lynn’s

Bev also worked on these blocks for a Christmas quilt

Lore’s beautiful quilt for a special charity. She makes and quilts around 20 quilts for charity every year!!

Lore’s work on this Christmas Tree quilt from Missouri Star Quilts

My Strip Twist pieces for GE Designs’ Sew A Long

These are what the Strip Twist blocks look like

Our last breakfast. We failed to get a picture of everyone. A few had to leave early.

January 1, 2023December 21, 2022

Sunshine and Tulips for Bev

Kimberly by GE Designs

GE Designs released a new pattern in July, Kimberly, and offered a quilt a long. It required 2 layer cakes, so I selected these from my stash. They were identical, in 2 different colorways. I loved the ease of this pattern and enjoyed just sewing and not having to match up seams except for the blocks themselves. I did make sure the diagonal seams in all blocks were facing the same direction. I didn’t have a purpose in mind when beginning this quilt, but its purpose became clear as the next few months passed.

It was easy to take on my travels by car, along with my Singer Featherweight, while teaching closer to home. I was able to finish this top in one of those hotel rooms. It’s such a happy, lively quilt

I found this Tulip Bells digital quilt design by Quiltable.com and thought it would be a great pairing for this quilt, echoing the tulips in some of the blocks. I double batted, with Hobbs 80/20 on the bottom and a layer of wool batting on the top to provide the puffiness and warmth. By this time, it was clear who this quilt had been intended for all along.

One of my very best friends is bubbly, colorful, and lively. She laughs ALL the time – so much fun to be around! She dresses in vibrant, beautiful colors. She would love this quilt, right? Made for her.

Alas , into everyone’s life come some shadows. A difficult chapter in the book of life. Even the bubbly and lively. A difficult health diagnosis shook the ground she walked on. Of course she is tackling this with her natural positivity with all her besties rooting her on. This happy quilt was made for her. Enjoy, Bev!

April 10, 2016April 7, 2016

Quilt of Valor

After hearing a presentation about Quilts of Valor at our local Quit Guild, I signed up to be a presenter. My first presentation was a triple one – to a father and his two sons. I was very moved by the experience. I knew I wanted to start making some of these quilts for donation. But, the first one needed to be for my 95 year old father. I found the idea for this quilt on the Accuquilt website. I revised the Celebration Table Runner by adding three rows and continuing the flying geese as the border. I also modified it to make it using the Cotton Theory method.

And I was able to present it to him when I visited him in Florida in February.

Dad's Quilt of Valor — Dad’s Quilt of Valor

I’m so happy to be involved with this organization. www.qovf.org

January 31, 2016

Time for TWIST

TWIST = This Week In Studio Time

Last week I was able to finish a Quilt of Valor for my father, who is 95 and served in WWII. It is based on an Accuquilt pattern, Celebration Table Runner. I modified the pattern not only to make it quilt size, but also to construct it using the Cotton Theory method. Finished size is 60″ x 70.”

I will be able to present it to him on Valentine’s Day. Can’t wait! He has NO idea!!

I upgraded from an Accuquilt Go to an Accuquilt GO Big recently and am loving it! I am appreciating the speed and accuracy of the cuts.

Happy Sewing!

Lana

October 18, 2015October 13, 2015

Quilter in Residence!

This summer the Indiana State Museum had a quilt exhibit entitled 19 Stars. Here’s their description of the exhibit:

“Indiana is the 19th state to join the Union; the state flag depicts nineteen stars. In anticipation of the state’s Bicentennial, this exhibit presents 19 historic star-patterned quilts selected from the Indiana State Museum’s collection along with 19 contemporary star-themed quilts created by some of Indiana’s outstanding quilters.

Stars were favored patterns in the 19th and 20th centuries and appear in many variations. The historic quilts in this exhibit span a hundred and fifty years of Indiana quilt-making, from the 1830s to the 1980s. In contrast, most of the contemporary works were created specifically for this exhibit, and incorporate the star theme in any number of ways, from overt to illusory. The artists’ techniques vary widely, from traditional piecework and appliqué to improvisational collage, layering, or richly textural thread painting.”

The Quilt Guild of Indianapolis, of which I am a member, thought it would be nice to have some members sit outside the exhibit quilting and available to answer any questions visitors might have about quilting or our guild. My friend, Bev, and I enjoyed this so much the first time we did this that we signed up for double duty. Here I am working on a Cotton Theory Charity Quilt.

I really enjoyed the experience!

Take Care,

Lana

August 2, 2015July 19, 2015

Healthy Families

When I retired, I decided 20% of my sewing time would be spent on charity quilting. I just needed to decide on the organization or cause I wanted to support. I have a heavy heart for those who suffer from domestic violence, even though I don’t know anyone personally. I guess I’ve just experienced enough of the male dominated society I’ve grown up in that it touches me in that way. We don’t have a women’s shelter in our county, but there are plans for a 30 bed unit to open in 3 years. I thought I could make 10 simple twin size quilts a year and have 30 ready in 3 years. I knew it was a lofty goal, but I set forth. However, retiring allowed me the freedom to travel quite a bit and I fell farther and farther behind in that goal. But, I retired, so we could travel. I needed to reassess.

I had a friend who had mentioned she had organized a sewing group that supports Healthy Families and invited me to sew with them. They make items that support members can take with them on home visits and leave them at the home as a gift. I researched Healthy Families and liked what I found.

“Healthy Families Indiana is a voluntary home visitation program designed to promote healthy families and healthy children through a variety of services, including child development, access to health care and parent education.

By working closely with hospital maternity wards, prenatal clinics and other local agencies, Healthy Families Indiana systematically identifies families that could benefit from education and support services either before or immediately after birth. The program is designed to strengthen families by reducing child abuse and neglect, childhood health problems and juvenile delinquency.”

I ran it by my friend, who is in social worker, to give me a personal account of Healthy Families and she gave it a two thumbs up.

Mary Alice’s group is very well organized (they’ve been at this for 12 years!) and each person has their station, be it, cutting out, ironing, sewing, quilting, sandwiching batting, etc.

Quilts, receiving blankets, and burp cloths ready for pick up

receiving blankets, burp cloths, and bibs

July 24, 2015July 24, 2015

TWIST ~ This Week In Studio Time

I joined the Turning Twenty Mystery Quilt Block of the Month last week and after I found out it was going to be stars, decided I would make this in red, white, and blue and donate it to Quilts of Valor. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Quilt Guild of Indianapolis recently had a presentation by this organization that was quite moving. Very impressive! I volunteered to be a presenter after hearing about what they do. Anyway, here’s my progress:

I love the confetti background!

My neice just gave birth to a 9 lb 10 oz bouncing baby boy, so I’ve started this quilt for Caleb.I cut half square triangles with my Accuquilt Go – so easy and quick! On the design wall…That’s my weekly recap! Take care til next week!

Lana