Sale Items on Website

Check out the website for some new items and also so great End of the Year Sale.
http://www.karenpharrstudios.com/

New Release, Kool Kaleidoscope Quilts

Kool Kaleidoscope Quilt Book is now out, See my Sticks and Stones quilt on pages 32 (border section) and Gallery section page 36.

Thanks Ricky Tims for including my Quilt.

Teaching in Paducah

It is official, I am now listed on the AQS site as an Instructor for Paducah.  Would love to see you in one of my Classes. 

http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/paducah/2011/teachers/teacher_biographies.php

Yeah Tennessee

We made it, I actually have my studio unpacked and am sitting in it typing on my Blog.  My room is small but I am going to take some time and share it with you. I think I used my space wisely. 

I have a full size cutting table, a 5 foot sewing table and a 5ft big board for ironing.  4 book cases for fabric and a book shelf.  Oh Yeah, also my TV. 

Happy to be in My New Home

Moving On

I have been so busy, I have been a terrible blogger.  Hoping for a simpler Life we will be loading a moving truck this week and moving to the Knoxville Tn area.  A small town called Luttrell just 15minutes NE of Knoxville.  I am very excited to be able to concentrate on shows all around the area and on to the East Coast. 

Paint Retreat

So much fun painting for 3 days here in La Veta.  I wanted to share some of the great work from my students.

Beautiful Sun Print, In between Rain Storms.

Hand Painted Silk

Stunning Sky

Great Use of Fluorescent Paints and Black

Wichita Kansas Quilt Show

Catching up from the summer, here are some great pics of quilts and friends from the Wichita Show.

To the Edge and Back

So I warned you that you would be surprised at what comes next.  I seem to be finding my roots again and will be bringing you some more traditional quilts and designs.  I am rekindling my affair with my sewing machine and loving it. 
Finally after 10 yrs my hands seem to be allowing me to do a bit of hand work so I am reinventing some new ways to do redwork.
Check out my new etsy shop for some Homespun Fun and New star kit.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/karenpharrstudios

Studio Cleanout

Your gonna be surprised at what you see next.  Close to Colorado.  Yard Sale with lots of fabric, patterns, books, and other great stuff on Friday!!!

1/2 price Books

End on Thursday!!! Don't miss out. 

1/2 Price Books

Just listed all my Quilt Books on the web at 1/2 Price.  Get them while you can. 
http://www.karenpharrstudios.com/

Common Threads Quilt Show

Count down to going to Wichita Kansas for the Common Threads Quilt Show.  June 25-27th.  Hope to see some of you there.  Stop by the booth and say Hi!! 

Workshops

Just updated the website, http://www.karenpharrstudios.com/ , New Workshops and Lectures.  Now taking bookings for 2011 and 2012

Redesigning

So I find myself lately working on some new projects.  I have been reworking an idea for machine applique.  As moth of you know with my carpal tunnel hand work is not something I can still do.  So I am working on wash away applique.  No glue, all cotton, as realistic to hand work that I think you can get with all new tools.  What do you think? Intrigued?

Growing as a Quilt makers.

Lecture today at the Green Valley Quilt Guild.   Workshop tomorrow.  Home on Sat. 

Denver Mancuso Show

So after leaving Paducah we headed to Denver for the Denver Mancuso Show.  One of my favorite shows I love the extra little art vibe it has and there also was a wonderful SAQA exhibit.

                                                       

This was my favorite quilt and I met the Artist.  It won viewers choice but not judging ribbons.  It was not quilted to death which I thought was a nice change.

Paducah Final Thoughts

So yes this year the crowd was down, not sure exactly why.  But I would have to say if you ever want to plan to go to Paducah it will be a great year next year.  With the new pavillion in place, and it is wonderful.  Air conditioned, carpeted floor and I already have my same space reserved for 2011. 


Some tips, I have heard it always rains at least once each year.  So bring an umbrella.
Wear good walking shoes, but take advantage of the buses that run all over town to all the great spots.
Start booking a Hotel Now.
If you want to have dinner downtown. Make a Reservation. 
Don't forget to visit Karen Pharr Studios.

The Amazing Quilts

So here are some of the quilts that caught my eye at the Paducah Quilt Show

Paducah - "It's Like a Picnic"

While setting up our booth at Paducah one of the other vendors told me Paducah was like a big picnic. I wasn't sure exactly what he meant but as the week went on I kinda figured it out. 

First of all Food, one of the parking areas was set up with tables and a tent for shade and surrounded by food vendors.  Bar-b-que, by the way, The Best!  Another learning experience is you must partake in the Strawberry Shortcakes made by the boyscouts.  About 10 inches tall, they looked wonderful.  Didn't get a chance to have one.

On a stroll out to get some lunch, there were people, under the tent at the picnic tables, sitting on the flood wall, Yes, it was a picnic. 

I caught up with this lovely lady while she strolled thru the new Pavillion and I couldn't resist asking for a picture of her shirt.  She was set for the Picnic. 

I am glad she made it!!

Paducah Best of Show Quilt

So let me show you the Best of Show Quilt for Paducah 2010. Stunning is a simple way to put it.

Up Close

Paducah

So I am going to take the next few days to tour you thru Paducah.  It was my first trip to the show so I really want to share it with you.  Our Booth Opening Night !!!

Kelli Nina Perkins - Blog

Please check out Kelli's Blog, she has been trying out my new paints and has some great things to say and a new piece done with the Paints. 
http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/2010/04/introducing-karen-pharr-studios-paint.html#comments

Thanks Kelli !!!!

Karen Pharr Studios Fabric Paint

So Exciting,  I got the pleasure to meet Kelli Perkins author of Stitch Alchemy and Belinda Spiwak writer for Cloth Paper Scissors.   Both  used my new paints in Make it University at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago.

International Quilt Festival - Chicago

Best of Show

Viewers Choice, My Favorite as Well.

New Jersey Quilt Fest

Some great quilts at the NJ Quilt Fest. A few of my favorites.

 
 

Best of Show

New Jersey Quilt Fest

I took photos today at the New Jersey Quilt fest show, will post pictures in the next day or two. 

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival

Here are some great shots of the Mid-Atlantic Quilt festival quilts.
Best of Show

My Personal Favorite

I love this one, then I read the description, Hand Applique, wow all needle turned, no raw edges.

Fabric Paint

Today I sold my first jars of Karen Pharr Studios Textile Paint.  I am so excited to have a product that is great on the fabric and so fun to work with.  There are matte colors and of course shimmers too.

Down Time

Finished a Fun and Full Original Sewing and Quilting Show in Tampa.  Taking a Break between shows in Savannah, GA.  Never been here before.  Took some quilt inspiring Photo's today. 

New Fabric Paints

So I can hardly believe it but there is a New Fabric Paint being released.  Yes, it is called Karen Pharr Studios Textile Paint.

Two lines, Matte and Shimmers.  How could I do anything that didn't offer a shimmer.  Love my shiny stuff. 

So Next time you can visit my booth please check out my New Fabric Paints.
If you can't visit the booth, I will be setting them up on the website as soon as I get a chance.

http://www.karenpharrstudios.com/

Ready for Some Quilt Shows

One Day Countdown.  Leave for Tampa on Sunday.  Machine Quilting and Zany Zinnia classes are both full but there are still openings in Atlanta.

http://www.sewingexpo.com/

Tucson Quilt Show

Best of Show for the Tucson Quilt Show.  Hand Pieced and hand quilted.  A Beautiful work in stunning Colors.

You can always count on a lot of Day of the Dead quilts in the Tucson Show as well... Thought this one was a lot of Fun.

Winter Quilt Show

Winter Quilt Show in Oklahoma City was full of fun.  I taught one class and had one lecture.  Great group of Ladies.  We introduced a new thread line, Cucirini Tre Stelle from Milano, Italy.  The favorite of the show seemed to be the 24wt silk thread in a wonderful variety of colors.

On the Road Again

Oklahoma show is done and over,  On the Way to Tucson.  Made a fun stop in between at the Moda Fabric Warehouse.  Wish I had a bigger Van. 

Keeping Your Thoughts

How do I keep my desings after I have thought of them,  well, ideas come to me at many different times so I always carry a small journal style book with me.  I record ideas in them, sometimes draw pictures.  Some ideas turn into things, some don't.  When I am at home I have a folder I put them all in so I can refer back to them anytime. 

Cucirini Thread

Thread Shipped to Oklahoma City today.  We will pick it up and unpack it for our first show of 2010. 

New Thread

Waiting Patiently, well maybe not so patiently for the new Cucurini thread to arrive.

Explosion

Do you ever feel your head will explode with thoughts of all the things you can make.  New techniques, new ideas, Never enough Time. 

Starting Fresh

Christmas is Done and the New Year has Rung.  Everyone I talk to says they are looking forward to a new year.  Next show is only 11 days away.  Oklahoma City,  See Ya there !!

Fabric Shopping

Started the New Year off right!!  Fabric Shopping.  I am looking for the perfect black and tan prints to work with some sephia prints on fabric for a New Crazy Shuffle Quilt.  Getting close, could use a couple more prints.  Then have to choose the pictures.