The process of re-entry

Written by Diane Harris on May 12, 2023. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

I’ve been gone a lot over the past few months.

So many nights away—some for business, some for personal.

Now that I’m home, I have to do what I call re-entry. Re-entry happens when I have no idea where to begin. It helps me to reconnect with various parts of my life. It’s a jump start. If I don’t practice re-entry, I’ll continue to feel overwhelmed and lost. Am I making any sense? Does this happen to you, too?

Re-entry: Kitchen

One of the obvious places to begin is the kitchen.

We have to eat. I practiced re-entry by making a big pot of vegetable soup. It’s delicious!

I feel connected to my kitchen again. I have a sense of what’s in the fridge and I’ve started a grocery list.

Re-entry: Husband

I’ve made time for him: catching up over coffee on local news, the farm, the projects in our yard. I’ve held his hand and rubbed his neck. He feels grounded again.

Re-Entry: Laundry

I unpacked one suitcase.

I’m unpacking the second and I’ve started the laundry. Tomorrow I’ll have choices about what to wear because everything will be clean. Done and done.

Re-Entry: Email

I’ve trashed a few dozen junk emails and flagged others as important.

I responded to the most critical messages and made notes about the ones that can wait.

Re-Entry: To-do list

I’ve started a new to-do list and am working my way through. I don’t separate work from personal because it all needs attention. I cross things off with a sense of jubilation. It’s silly but it lifts my spirits.

Re-Entry: Studio

This is the hardest one. I have dozens of WIPs.

I have a deadline quilt to bind and six new ideas to test. I’ve submitted ideas to publishers and if any of those are picked up, they’ll have to be created pronto. My desk is piled high with contracts, bills, sticky notes of stuff.

I started by sewing blocks and setting squares together while I listened to something and it got me going. Now I’m binding the deadline quilt because it must be shipped to France next week. I can’t wait for you to see it!

Re-entry is necessary and difficult.

It always takes me a few days to figure out where I am and what needs to happen next.

But soon I’ll be all settled in for summer, ready for the next wave of creativity.

Bring it on!

Keep quilting,

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Stash Bandit and The Quilt Show in Phoenix

Written by Diane Harris on April 3, 2023. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

One of the rich resources available to quilters is The Quilt Show,

an online community with lessons, patterns, projects, history, quilt alongs, BOMs, forums, a gallery, a blog and much more.

The Quilt Show is hosted by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson, both legendary figures in the quilt world. Here’s an invitation from Ricky. (Click the arrow to begin!)

Not long ago I was invited to be a guest on The Quilt Show, and last week we taped my episode in Phoenix. It was great to escape the cold of Nebraska for a couple of days in the warm desert southwest.

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Christmas Cheer in QUILTS!

Written by Diane Harris on December 9, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

Would you like to enjoy some holiday quilts?

Could you use an hour to yourself? Let me wash your Christmas cares away with the

JINGLE BELLS TRUNK SHOW on Zoom.

Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022, 7 pm Central

The trunk show will be recorded so that if you can’t attend live, you may watch it later at your convenience for up to a week.

Tickets are $20 right here. Get yours now!

There are all kinds of quilts to see. Quick and easy quilts, more challenging quilts, and quite a few in between.

There are wonky quilts and traditional quilts. Big quilts and small quilts.

There’s a little something for everyone. You’ll get a sneak peek of upcoming holiday quilts, too. You’ll have a front row seat because that’s how Zoom works. Everyone sees everything perfectly. It’s a wonderful invention and I consider it the silver lining of the pandemic.

Tickets are $20 and they’re worth every penny.

Get your ticket now!

I can’t wait to see you!

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Open to all: Jingle Bells Trunk Show

Written by Diane Harris on November 19, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

Let’s Zoom: Thurs eve Dec 1, Christmas quilts galore!

I’m really excited to be sharing the Jingle Bells Trunk Show on Zoom. Lots and lots of Christmas quilts for you to just sit back and enjoy from the comfort of home. This presentation is open to all and tickets are on sale now.

Everyone has a front row seat and there are plenty of detail shots. Since I sew mostly scrappy quilts, I’ll share my ideas about what makes each quilt work (or sometimes not work). If you enjoy scrap quilts, there will be some great takeaways.

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So close and yet so far

Written by Diane Harris on November 3, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Magazines, Quilt Lifestyle

I was really excited a few weeks back to add the last few border strips to my Daydream sampler quilt in scrappy Christmas colors. I started this project when I was freelancing for Quilter’s World a couple of years back.

Below is designer Carolyn Beam’s original Daydream in Moda fabrics by Corey Yoder.

I wanted a more scrappy look and I had several yards of this great candy cane print.

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Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts: Online!

Written by Diane Harris on July 31, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

Get tickets early and SAVE on my most popular trunk show.

If you make quilts, you generate scraps. And you probably also collect fabric. How do you bring these treasures together into a beautiful quilt? Let me show you!

Join me LIVE for my most popular trunk show, open to everyone, everywhere, on Monday, Sept 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm Central.

Early Bird Special: Tickets are reduced to $13 if you purchase by end of day on Friday, Aug 5. Tickets from Aug 6 on are $20.

During the trunk show, we’ll examine quilts in many different styles to see why they work—and sometimes why they don’t. Whether you make traditional or modern or art quilts or a combination of these, you’ll find helpful insights to make your quilts sing.

Discover why some scrap quilts are beautiful and some are a jumbly mess. Learn ways to bring diverse fabrics together. See how auditions make a difference in the final results!

Gather many ideas for starting with what you have and moving forward into glorious scrappy miracles. Leave matchy-matchy behind and embrace a little clash. Create quilts that SPARKLE!

Early Bird Special: Tickets are reduced to $13 if you purchase by end of day on Friday, Aug 5. Tickets from Aug 6 on are $20.

Learn more about me here.

See more of my quilts here.

Learn more about booking an event!

I hope to see you on Monday, Sept 12 for Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts. Get your tickets now and save!

Quilt on!

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Upcoming Fun with Stash Bandit

Written by Diane Harris on July 19, 2022. Posted in Blog, Classes, How-tos and Ideas, Open Classes for Everyone, Trunk Shows

Lots of online and in-person events are coming up!

Pine Burr Workshop

Last minute seats available in an online Pine Burr workshop on Friday, July 22 from 9 to 4 Central. A Texas guild is hosting and the class is open to people outside their group.

This is a very old technique that I’ve adapted for the machine. It’s easy and relaxing and the results are stupendous. The full day class is $65.

These blocks are addictive and so much fun to make. I’ll show you several options and plenty of inspiration to get you rolling. Read more and reserve your spot right here.

Jingle Bells Trunk Show

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Mangelsen’s + Stash Bandit

Written by Diane Harris on May 25, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

I’m very excited about a new venture that begins next month.

I’m joining creative forces with Mangelsen’s in Omaha, a family-owned and local fabric, hobby, craft and just-about-everything store. I’ll do a series of events at the store beginning with my most popular trunk show on Sunday, June 5.

I’ll be sharing about 50 scrappy quilts. Each one has something to teach us about combining fabrics in unexpected ways. There are all sorts of styles.

Whether you like reproductions, or brights or a feminine look, there’s a little something for everyone.

Tickets for this trunk show are $15 and they include a discount coupon for use at Mangelsen’s on the day of the event. Don’t delay—get yours here: https://www.mangelsens.com/events/make-extraordinary-scrap-quilts/

Not only am I bringing tried and true favorites, I’m bringing everything I pieced during the pandemic. We’ll have a bonus section featuring the tops that aren’t yet quilted.

I did some new improv work, similar to MerryJoyCheer, above. This kind of making is unbelievably entertaining and I’m looking forward to sharing my new creations.

As a natural follow-up to the scrap quilt trunk show, I’ll teach “Color, Contrast & Cohesion: Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts” at Mangelsen’s on Sunday, June 26, 12:30 to 4:30. Registration is open and tickets are $75. Reserve your spot now!

I am so happy to partner with Mangelsen’s and I look forward to seeing many of you in person for the upcoming events we have planned. It’s going to be so much fun!

Best wishes,

Trunk show tickets here

Workshop tickets here

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Need a winter pick-me-up?

Written by Diane Harris on February 19, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Trunk Shows

How about a scrappy trunk show? Come and enjoy!

On Thursday, Feb 24 (just five days away) I’m giving Windy Wonders on Zoom to everyone who’d like to get a ticket and come.

This live event on Zoom will begin at 7:30 pm CST.

Tickets are $15 at eventbrite.com. Grab yours now!

You’ll hear the story of how I started making Baby Windmills, and how I built a trunk show of designs based on one simple block.

Plenty of tips on scrap quilts will be included, along with how-tos for making Windmills in any size you choose.

I’m in! Take me to tickets!

The trunk show lasts about an hour, to be followed by Q&A. Ask anything you like about scrap quilts!

If you’ve heard Windy Wonders or another Stash Bandit trunk show, feel free to leave a quick review in the comments. I’d appreciate it!

Get your ticket to Windy Wonders now.

I’ll see you on Zoom!

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Small guild? Big idea!

Written by Diane Harris on February 15, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

There are hundreds of small quilt guilds all over the world.

And I know firsthand that their programming is limited by their budgets. So I’ve come up with a plan to make it easier for smaller groups to book a program with Stash Bandit (that’s me!).

Here’s how it will work.

The live presentation will be virtual through Zoom.

Available to groups with 50 or fewer members on their paid roster (honor system).*

The fee for a one-hour trunk show of your choice is $10/person on the roster. For example, if you have 35 members, $10 x 35 = $350. (The standard fee is $525.)

You will be guaranteed a seat for every person who registers for the meeting on Zoom.

I will make the remaining seats available to others.

The deadline for your members to register for the meeting is 10 days before. This gives me time to fill the rest of the seats.

For very small groups, I may request a date other than your normal meeting time.

I will limit the number of these programs I do each year.

Does that sound good? 😊

Please share this info with the program chair at your quilt group.

I have six trunk shows from which to choose. Today I’ll highlight three.

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