How to fight Lex Luther using only fabric

Are you ready for some fun design inspiration featuring Just My Type by Tammy Silvers for Island Batik??

I had a blast recoloring a few Fat Quarter Gypsy and Swirly Girls designs. This collection is in my favorite colors, so it was no hardship to play with the digital images.

Let's get started... first up is Streamline!

This is not a recolor. I made this version of Streamline in Just My Type for the Island Batik catalog.

Here are the fabrics from the collection:

Next quilt... still a FQ Gypsy pattern: Modern Weave.

Time for a Swirly Girls pattern: Equal Rights... Yummy!

And lastly, another Swirly Girls pattern: Focus Pocus.

Such beautiful colors and designs. It is hip and fun. The variations of color make it a great collection for almost any quilt design... it has lights, medium and darks. Love it!!

Check in tomorrow to see more inspiration!

Tomorrow you can visit:
Kris Poor from Poorhouse Quilt Designs
Bea Lee from Beaquilter
and
Jennifer Fulton from Inquiring Quilter

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Making It - My chemo goal week 3... quilt pattern launched!

by Joanne Hillestad on 02/20/20

Today is the Day!
Last week I discussed why I love this fabric collection.
If you missed that post, you can find it right below this one. ??

Today I'm finally releasing the quilt pattern Feel The Love. I wanted the quilt to be a nice size for use while sitting in a recliner. Not too big but also not too small. The hearts are half hidden in the design. My thoughts were to have the hearts surround you when wrapped up in this quilt. That way you feel the love of the person who made this quilt for you. Might seem a little corny, but that's what I was after.

I would like to thank my friend Theresa for braving the subzero temperatures here in MN to get this picture of the finished quilt. Hopefully you can see the cute ribbon quilting I did with my longarm. That was a lot of fun. This fabric collection really looks great in this quilt. The variety of colors and prints works well together. It's perfect!

Here are the fabrics from the collection:

So, why do I support the American Cancer Society instead of a breast cancer specific organization? I send them a donation every single year. Here are my reasons:

1. When I needed questions answered they were there.
I was scared and full of anxiety. I called the local office and they talked to me just to help calm my nerves. I was invited to visit their office and sit down with a person who could help connect me with other services. They sent me home with a wig and other head covering and information.

2. Some of the services they offer are just to make a bald woman feel better about themselves.
I took a class taught my a makeup specialist using makeup donated by all sort of companies. During the class, each of us were given individual instruction of how best to apply makeup, how to care for our wigs, how to care for our skin, and so much more. The attention was personal and heartfelt and it meant a lot to me when I needed it.

3. There are many, many types of cancer.
I met a bunch of people going through a variety of cancers at classes and during chemo. I had breast cancer and there are a lot of support groups out there for people like me. But there are so many people with rare cancers too. They need support as well.

I could probably go on and on. Those are the 3 most important reasons. #3 is really the most important in my opinion. If you would like to donate to the American Cancer Society directly, click here.

If you would like to purchase the Feel The Love pattern it is available here.

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading about my cancer journey over the last few weeks.
Jo

Let's have a little giveaway!
Enter my Rafflecopter giveaway
for a chance to win this cute pop up made with
Soulful Shades of Pink by Marcus Fabrics.

Click on pop up picture below to go to giveaway

Schedule of Events: (I borrowed this from Kris/ blog post... thanks Kris!!)
Feb 7th
Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to the free pattern.
I will be posting about my breast cancer story.
Kris will be posting tips on strip piecing.

Feb 14th
Kate will be posting a mini tutorial to enhance the free pattern.
I will be posting about why I chose this fabric line and show snippets of my project.
Kris will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to her free pattern.

Feb 21st
Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and showing other projects made with the fabric.
I will be showing off my project and a link to the pattern. All profits from the pattern sales will go to the American Cancer Society.
Kris will be posting a mini tutorial about sizing the project for kids.

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Making It! Jo's little chemo goal - Week 2

by Joanne Hillestad on 02/13/20

My Birthday Celebration Continues!

Last week I discussed why turning 50 is so exciting for me.
If you missed that post, you can find it here. ??

This week, I would love to talk about the fabric that inspired me to have this mini blog event.
Last October, while in Houston at International Quilt Market, Kate, Kris and I walked into the Marcus Fabrics’ booth and spotted the Soulful Shades of Pink collection. It is in a pink that is not traditionally associated with the breast cancer awareness campaigns.
I instantly loved it… for exactly that reason!

Let’s go back in time.
I was diagnosed on September 27, 2007. Four days later Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicked off. It felt like every third commercial was about breast cancer. It was overwhelming at that particular moment in time. Now, don’t think I’m against having a month for breast cancer. Not at all! However, in the midst of a diagnosis, it can be stressful and anxiety inducing.

The traditional pink became a constant reminder that I had cancer. As a result, making a quilt in the traditional pink sort of screams BREAST CANCER to me. I just never felt compelled to make a quilt for someone or myself in fabric collections using that pink.
Now, I’m sure other survivors don’t have the same thoughts. We all deal with things differently. But for me, the pink is okay in small quantities. But a whole quilt would be too much for my over-thinking brain.

When I saw the Soulful Shades of Pink collection by Marcus it was perfect.
Pink, but not the traditional one.
Calming. Lovely.

It is a great mix of pinks and grays. The stripe is perfect for a binding.
The butterflies make me smile.
I absolutely love everything about it!

Next week I will reveal the quilt I designed. All profits (everything except the cc fees) for all 2020 sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society. I’ll explain why I donate to the American Cancer Society every year in next week’s post. The pattern will be a pdf download only available on my online store starting next Friday, February 21st.
Here’s a tiny sneak peek:

Thanks for stopping by!

Schedule of Events: (I borrowed this from Kris/ blog post... thanks Kris!!)

Feb 7th

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to the free pattern.

I will be posting about my breast cancer story.

Kris will be posting tips on strip piecing.

Feb 14th

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial to enhance the free pattern.

I will be posting about why I chose this fabric line and show snippets of my project.

Kris will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to her free pattern.

Feb 21st

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and showing other projects made with the fabric.

I will be showing off my project and a link to the pattern. All profits from the pattern sales will go to the American Cancer Society.

Kris will be posting a mini tutorial about sizing the project for kids.

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Making It! A celebration of Jo's chemo goal - Week 1

by Joanne Hillestad on 02/06/20

So, I just turned 50.

Many women don't look forward to this milestone.

Many women haven't been diagnosed with cancer at 37.

I was.

So, turning 50 to me is a celebration!
A huge, exciting and wonderful gift!
I smiled from ear to ear on my birthday!

Here is my story... and something fun I am doing to celebrate it.

Let's roll back 12 plus years ago. I was a busy mom working in Corporate America as a database analyst. My 2 boys were aged 8 & 10. It was August and the whole family was heading out to Moab, Utah for a well-deserved vacation.

Moab 2007

We were travelling with 2 families: In total we had 7 kids, at least 3 dogs and a cat along for the ride. We were travelling in our RVs and camping at Dead Horse State Park. If you ever get a chance to visit Moab in an RV... it is a great place to stay.

On the drive out I wasn't feeling my best. I seemed to catch some sort of bug while heading over the mountains. I spent the first few days sick with a fever. I started to feel a little better and enjoyed the remainder of our vacation. But there were times I just couldn't catch my breath when hiking up big hills. It was strange. I even told me husband at one point... I think something is wrong with me.

We got home from vacation and I felt like I had a sinus infection. So, I went and got some antibiotics from the doctor. Cleared it up after 2 rounds and I moved on. Then one day I woke up with a sharp poke of pain for just a second under my left arm. Hmmm... that was weird. I went to feel the area and found a lump. It was a Sunday morning. I knew what a lump in your armpit could be. Believe it or not... I saw an episode of Oprah one day years before where they talked about checking under your arms. So, I was instantly frightened. I made an appointment to see my doctor on Monday morning.

Spring 2008 - a few weeks after I finished chemo

She wasn't convinced it was anything... we waited for my cycle to come and go. If it was still there, she said come back. Now, I had never had a mammogram. I wasn't old enough. The recommendation at that time was 40.

So, when it didn't go away, I went back and that was when everything started spiraling out of control. It took a full month for a formal diagnosis. There are lots of steps. By the end of September, I got the results and yes, I had breast cancer at the age of 37. They said I probably had it for at least 8 years. That would date back to when my youngest son was born.

While going through all of this unbelievably scary stuff, I would pray to just make it to 50. Please, just let me live until I'm 50... my boys will be 20 and 23 by then. So much closer to being ready to make it without me. You have so little control during something like this. I had to do something, so I didn't lose my sanity. I did lose a lot of that lingering baby weight... that was a plus. However, I don't recommend the anxiety diet. lol.

I had surgery 9 days after diagnosis and started chemo 3 weeks after that.
All of my hair fell out on Thanksgiving morning. All at once.

I continued to pray. Let me get to 50.

I had 6 rounds of chemo.
I finished, and life started to move on. It was still very scary many times. Still is every now and then. Slowly but surely you learn to live with your new reality. The day I accepted that I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, that no one lives forever, and I have to enjoy and appreciate every single day I get on this earth.... that day was a good day. And here I am... 50! I did it! I made this goal during chemo to fight to get to 50 no matter what. I have been lucky. So far, my cancer has stayed away. I still have to go annually to my oncologist and get tested. Once a year I am a twit consumed by anxiety until I get the results. My type could lay dormant for decades. I will never be 100% free of the worry. But I don't let it completely rule my life anymore. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about it 100 times. Anyone who has been through something like this will understand exactly what I mean. My life changed forever back in August of 2007... but not for the worse.

Relay for Life 2008

I became an empowered woman who wasn't nearly as afraid to follow my dreams.

That is how the Fat Quarter Gypsy came to be.
Thanks to cancer.

And now I'm 50 and so very happy!

My new goal is 105!

It's time to celebrate!

I am hosting a Mini Blog Event with two of my favorite quilt designers:

Kris Poor from Poorhouse Quilt Designs
and
Kate Colleran from Seams Like A Dream

Please visit their blogs and see what fun tutorials they have planned for you.
We will be posting 3 weeks in a row starting with today. For me, this week is all about why. Next week I'll share a beautiful fabric collection by Marcus Fabrics. They were generous and sent us fabric to make projects and a quilt for this blog event. We saw this collection at International Quilt Market in October and instantly knew we needed to do something with it. So, come back next week to see it.
The last week I will be launching a new quilt pattern called “Feel The Love” under the Swirly Girls Design brand. The pattern will be available as a pdf download. All profits (everything except the credit card fees) for 2020 sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society. I'll dive into why I support the American Cancer Society every single year on week three.

Marking my 50th birthday by giving back is something I am really excited about!
Thanks!

Time to go do a few celebratory cartwheels… oh wait… maybe not. I am 50 after all!
Jo

Schedule of Events (Thanks to Kris... I totally stole this from her blog post):

Feb 7th

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to the free pattern.
I will be posting about my breast cancer story.
Kris will be posting tips on strip piecing.

Feb 14th

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial to enhance the free pattern.
I will be posting about why I chose this fabric line and show snippets of her project.
Kris will be posting a mini tutorial and a link to her free pattern.

Feb 21st

Kate will be posting a mini tutorial and showing other projects made with the fabric.
I will be showing off my project and a link to the pattern. All proceeds of the pattern sales will go to the American Cancer Society.
Kris will be posting a mini tutorial about sizing the project for kids.

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Kismet Blog Hop by Tammy Silvers for Island Batik

by Joanne Hillestad on 02/03/20