Retreats – Lana Russel

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Island Batik Ambassador December Challenge

It’s All Up to You

December brings another month to embark on our own project, regardless of its size, theme, or technique!

I’ve been going to a lot of retreats lately. I love them so much! It’s a way to meet new quilting friends and I’ve been searching for my new tribe since moving across the country a couple years ago. I began my December quilt at the retreat I attended last month. I joined the Crimson Christmas Quilt Along with Krista Moser. Once I saw her Crimson Christmas quilt pattern, I knew I had to make it! I had some Island Batik scraps that worked great for this challenge.

The beginning process is getting all the 60-degree pieces together before being able to put them on the design wall to see it coming together. A fresh Schmetz 80/12 needle begins the piecing process every time.

It’s beginning to come together here.

And finally it is together after day 2 of the retreat. It just needs to be trimmed at the edges.

After trimming.

I quilted it on my Handi Quilter Forte 24 (Amara 24) using Chrisy Dillon’s Radiate digital pattern for Pro-Stitcher. I was able to audition it using Pro-Stitcher Designer by bringing in a picture of the quilt using the Backdrop tool and auditioning different digital designs until I found one I liked. I used Hobbs 80/20 batting and Superior Thread’s Monopoly in smoke for the top thread for longarming so the thread wouldn’t show, just the lovely texture.

After taking it for show and tell at my guild, I hung it in my entry for the holiday. I’m very happy with it!

This is my last post as an Island Batik Ambassador as life is taking me other directions. I have loved this opportunity so very much and it enriched my life for its duration. Island Batik is so generous and supportive of its ambassadors! I would encourage others to apply!!

Please take a look at what the other ambassadors have chosen to do for their It’s All Up to You Challenge:

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

November 11, 2024

Island Batik Ambassador Challenge November

Dresden Plate Blog Hop

This month’s challenge was to make a Dresden quilt lap size or larger using the Surprise Bundle we received from Island Batik.

My Surprise Bundle was Midnight Garden, a beautiful collection of blues, purples, and a bit of gold. This was designed by Jerry Khiev as a Spring/ Summer collection and will be shipping to shops beginning next month. Ask for it at your local quilt shop.

Here is my 1/2 yard bundle along with 2 yards each of two coordinating fabrics, a light and a dark shown in the upper right. I added two background fabrics previously supplied by Island Batik.

I had never made a Dresden Quilt before, but remembered I met a girl the first time I attended the Empty Spools Seminar who had written a book with patterns for Dresden Quilts. I purchased the book and template from her, Amalie Belden, so I perused through the book and chose a pattern that appealed to me. I preferred the pointed top blade, so I made that change.

I thought this was adorable. Of course, I’m a sucker for polka dots. But I did change the blades to a pointed top instead of the flat top.

I took this project with me to a quilt retreat. Here I’m just getting started making 180 Dresden blades! Yum, those colors! I used Aurifil 50 weight for piecing.

I like the movement this background fabric provides! It’s Moo Milk!

I so enjoyed quilting the blades by freemotioning the swirls on my Handi Quilter Forte 24. Too fun!

This background is lavender and I love how it brings out the purples.

It’s always exciting to see it all come together, even if it is using blue tape on a wall to make it happen.

These are the four corners, the last part of the puzzle.

And here’s the finish. I really love it! It finishes at 48×48. First Dresden and first time making flange binding. I love the border Amelie designed for this quilt as well. I used Hobbs Heirloom cotton batting and loved the soft texture! I quilted it on my Handi Quilter Forte 24 longarm.

Here you can see the flange binding a bit better.

Thank you to Island Batik and their Industry partners, for supplying me with products to use for these monthly challenges. These include but may not be limited to Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Oliso Iron, Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Rulers, ByAnnie patterns, and Funky Friends Factory patterns.

Check out what the other Ambassadors made for their Dresden Plate Blog Hop Challenge:

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.

October 13, 2015October 22, 2015

Spring Retreat Scheduled!!

Cold weather is on its way and I’m already thinking Spring! I need something to look forward to, and if you do, too, plan to join me at The Cornerstone Inn in Nashville, IN from Sunday, March 20 – Thursday, March 24. Bring your sewing machine, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, books for reading and relaxing, and / or $$ for shopping. It’s a beautiful area perfect for a getaway. I have been dreaming of having a retreat here for a few years. I have reserved the 5 Upper Rooms that share a living area and kitchen that is separate from our work area. That allows you to bring your own food if you desire. There will not be any shortage of food, however, as a hot breakfast with 2 or 3 entrees, fresh fruit, cheese, bagels, bread, pastries, coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, etc, etc, etc is included along with with freshly made afternoon snacks put out at 4 pm and homemade desserts at 7 pm. I have been here many times and it is so peaceful. I only have 4 spaces left because of the reasonable price (half price weekly rate), so let me know if you are interested. The nightly rate is $60 and a $50 deposit will hold your spot.

Check out the link above and plan to join me. You won’t regret it!

Take Care,

Lana

July 19, 2015

TWIST ~ This Week In Studio Time

Last weekend I spent a lovely time with my bestie since age 8, Cheryl. Every summer we meet up at The Cornerstone Inn, a B&B in Nashville, IN, bring our sewing machines, projects, and wine, and have a wonderful time catching up with each other! The Cornerstone Inn is not your typical Bed and Breakfast. The hot breakfasts are buffet style with several choices every morning. Delicious fresh fruit is always in abundance. Homemade goodies are available starting at 4 pm and desserts in the evening from 7:30 – 10:00 pm. With all this available we find we only need to eat a late lunch /early dinner out each day. They are so accommodating that they have let us peek in each room to see which ones work best for us to set up our machines and sew. And if the chapel isn’t being used the weekend we are there, they let us set up in there and give us the key! The chapel is about 15 x 20 with it’s own bathroom. Couldn’t ask for more.

I decided to spend some time sewing a couple projects for myself for a change:

Austrailian fabric for the Trapeziod Tote

Fabric selection from my stash for Beatle Bag

We spent A LOT of our weekend perusing the 430 classes being offered at the Houston Quilt Festival because that’s our next trip together!! We are SO excited! Cheryl is retiring at the end of August and I’ve just been retired for a year, so this is our retirement trip together. Neither of us has ever been so we want to make the most of it. We wanted to take some classes together, but not be tied to feeling like we had to do that because of our different interests. We registered on Wednesday, the first day registration was open, and are both thrilled with our choices. Can’t wait!

I did make good progress on my projects over the weekend. I finished the Trapezoid Tote and made headway on my Beatle Bag.

In order to finish the Beatle Bag, I need to find a 2″ metal ring for the front of the bag. I wish they would have included this with the pattern, as they did the plastic zippered compartments. I have had a terrible time trying to find one. I have been to JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Menards, and my local quilt shops. One of the quilt shops had a dark wooden one, but I think this bag is begging for a silver one.

It was a fabulous week with much chatting, planning, and sewing!

Take Care til next week and thanks for following me!

Lana

April 12, 2015June 6, 2015

St. George, Utah

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel to beautiful St. George, Utah. “Jaw dropping gorgeous” is how I described it to my husband on the phone. Perfect weather, mid to upper 70s, sunny, no humidity, and breathtaking scenery! A local park with paved bike paths nearby provided convenient daily walking opportunities.

Stellar bike paths near my hotel provided good opportunity for daily walking.

Palm trees (in front of hotel) are always a good sight!

Superior Thread’s Sue Green-Baker Serger Workshop is what attracted me and it was so worth it! Sue is a knowledgeable and entertaining instructor and the Superior staff was exceptionally helpful and courteous. I have a serger that lives in my closet and really wanted to learn how to use it to its fullest potential.

I attended both the 3 day Beginning and 3 day Advanced Classes back to back, with a day off in between. Each three day class had its own huge binder full of colored pages with detailed instructions and page protectors for safekeeping of the samples you made during class. The fabric for your samples was precut, bagged, and ready to go. Superior Threads included a generous thread package to play with, as well.

Everything was so well organized. I learned how many amazing features a serger has, for sure. So cool! I sewed on Baby Lock’s Ovation, its top of the line model. Of course, I fell in love (OOoooahhhh, that jet air threading!) and it followed me home. My daughter inherits the one still in my closet!

A two hour lunch each day allowed us time to shop at Superior Threads and Fab Fabrics upstairs.

On Sunday, my day off between classes, I rented a car and drove about 30 minutes to Snow Canyon State Park and then on to Kayenta. Others chose to drive to Zion or Bryce Canyon, but I had already been to both a couple of times. I was mesmerized by the scenery, once again. Being a camper, I detoured through the campground within the park. Check out these amazing campsites!!

One of several walking trails –

Then a very short drive to Kayenta and Coyote Gulch, an art village. I loved the area so much, I visited a model home.

During the Advanced Class we met Bob and Heather Purcell, owners of Superior Threads.

Heather presented a trunk show of some of her garments and quilts one evening after dinner. She pieces a quilt about every two weeks and has someone else do the quilting.

Someone else does her quilting and then she makes the garment.

This side she couched Razzle Dazzle over the top.

Close up of quilting – makes it look like papyrus

This visit was an exceptional one. I just love spending time with like minded peeps!

February 25, 2015April 3, 2015

Quilt Retreat

I attended a wonderful quilt retreat last weekend at Lakeview Villages near Seymour, IN. Beautiful facilities! It was a pleasure to sew in the enormous room with one entire wall of windows and a fireplace at one end. An eagle even gave us a show right in front of our eyes.

Much progress was made by the 24 quilters during the weekend! Here are some examples ~

And these are only a few!

I worked on a wedding quilt I have been commissioned to make for friends to give as a gift. It is coming along nicely, but that’s for another post.