Sharon Holland | Storts Market

August 17, 2022
by Lesley Storts 4 Comments

Sharon Holland Kismet Fabric Pincushions

Chance. Destiny. Karma. All synonyms for the word kismet. This was a new word for me that I learned when Sharon Holland released her Kismet line, by Art Gallery Fabrics in November 2020. This fabric has been on my radar for some time, but my busy life kept me from completing a pincushion batch until last month.

Kismet fabric by Sharon Holland, Art Gallery Fabrics

As I continue to make pincushions, I’ve created a system that makes the process easier. One of the steps, which helps me organize and streamline, is matching fabric and glass before I sit down to create. Matching requires thought and reflection when auditioning pieces. Because of this, I feel like I really become acquainted with the fabric. I enjoy this process so much!

Matching glass and vessels for pincushions.

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July 22, 2022
by Lesley Storts 2 Comments

Salt Cellar Spotlight – Cut Glass Salt Cellar with Sharon Holland Fabric

I am starting a new series called “Salt Cellar Spotlight”. There are so many different salt cellars with seemingly endless opportunities for creating. I thought it would be interesting to highlight the salt cellars and a few details. I hope you find it interesting too!

SALT CELLAR SPOTLIGHT

Name of Salt Cellar: Tapered shape prism cut¹
Size: 1 3/4″
Manufacturer: Unknown and difficult to pinpoint due to cut glass being made by the artist with slight alterations creating thousands of different patterns¹.
Year Produced: Unable to pinpoint since manufacturer is not identified but consensus dates production between 1880-1920 and most likely around the turn of the 20th century¹.
Interesting Salt Fact: Sodium and chloride are the chemicals combined together that we refer to as table salt. Sodium is required for human bodies to adequately function².
Interesting Historical Fact (turn of 20th century): Scott Joplin wrote The Entertainer. I learned to play this iconic piece of piano music in my youth. NPR has an interesting article about Scott Joplin.

Cut glass salt cellar pincushion made with Sharon Holland fabric set on hand painted Royal Winton Grimwades china.

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July 9, 2020
by Lesley Storts 2 Comments

»Collecting Buttons«

Buttons. A necessary sewing and clothing accessory but probably not something most people think about. As a quilter, I rarely made anything with buttons prior to making pincushions. Once Lucy and I started making pincushions, we became very interested in buttons. We have built our button stash buying at big box craft and sewing stores, antiquing, thrifting, garage sales, and eBay.

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April 20, 2019
by Lesley Storts 2 Comments

»Sharon Holland Floral Print in Reclaimed Glass Pincushion«

Reclaim – to retrieve or recover

When Lucy and I first started making pincushions, we frequented many antique shops hunting for just the right salt cellars. Over time, we started noticing other small dishes and finally ventured into different pieces to test if they would work. Ashtrays are a very common find. Some of the ashtrays we have found are made in beautiful patterns with interesting glass. Reclaiming and repurposing the glass spurs our imaginations and provides inspiration for creating.

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January 25, 2018
by Lesley Storts Leave a comment

»#sewcialbeesampler«

I’m so happy that I’m all finished with my #sewcialbeesampler quilt! I started this quilt last year with the weekly sew along written by Sharon Holland and co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell. I finished it shortly after the beginning of this year and finally had a chance to get some pictures.

I enjoyed the challenge and look of different blocks each week. Sharon’s beautiful instructions are visually pleasing and easy to follow.

I planned from the beginning to use different fabrics in every block. My only constraint was to use my Art Gallery Fabrics stash. I have built a stash since discovering this fabric line a few years ago. The back and binding are also Art Gallery Fabrics.

This is a large quilt! I decided on an all over geometric pattern for quilting. I used Aurifil thread. Quilting was so easy to do on my domestic Pfaff using my quilting foot.

I’m so pleased with my quilt and the way it turned out. I learned so much while making it, had a wonderful time perusing the other maker’s blocks on Instagram (#sewcialbeesampler), and simply being in touch with other quilters via social media. I’m especially grateful to my friend Shayne, who introduced me to Art Gallery Fabrics, and my local quilt store Sew to Speak because they carry Art Gallery Fabrics and I can see them in person.

To see progress from last year go here or here.

Happy Quilting! ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎

May 5, 2017
by Lesley Storts 1 Comment

»#SewcialBeeSampler Update«

Blocks for this quilt are progressing. Sometimes on a weekly basis, or sometimes 3 in a week if I’m behind.

This project has involved some first for me. This is the first time I’ve made a sampler quilt. This is also the first time I have a “metered out” project that progresses on a weekly basis. I’m enjoying the process.

Being involved in a large online group and seeing the progress and diversity of how quilters interpret the blocks with their fabric is interesting and enjoyable.

I’ve also been paying a lot of attention to my sewing so that my blocks look good and will go together well. And because of that, it has flowed into my other sewing and piecing of quilts. So a big THUMBS UP! Thanks Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell for this fun sew along!

Happy Quilting ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎

April 28, 2017
by Lesley Storts Leave a comment

»Pike Quilt«

New quilt! Let’s keep this short and sweet…

Inspiration: Previous small Pike quilt. Traditional jackknife block.
New size: 55″ square
Fabric: Bountiful, by Sharon Holland made by Art Gallery Fabric
Thread: Aurifil
Pattern: Etsy Shop for $1 – link HERE!

I picked my fabrics and realized after I started putting it all together that I was following the primary color scheme. I tend to do that. A lot. I think I like that combo. ;-)

Quilting done on my domestic Pfaff. I realized that the pebbling I quilted in the center was very dense so I lightened up when I moved out. I free motion quilted this entire quilt and loved the process.

I am so happy I can offer a pattern with this quilt. I think the pattern would work with so many different fabrics!

If you make it, use #pikequilt and tag me @lesleystorts or @stortsmarket so I can see what you create!

Happy Quilting ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎

March 4, 2017
by Lesley Storts 1 Comment

»#sewcialbeesampler«

Hi Quilting Friends! I’m working on managing my time and priorities better so I have more freedom to choose when opportunities arise. The Sewcial Bee Sampler, hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell is a project I saw a post pop up on Instagram a few weeks ago and thought, “That would be fun, but I’m not sure I have time.” The first week passed, and I started seeing the blocks and I decided I would make time. I’m so glad I did. I look forward to it every week, like so many other quilters who have joined in.

Once I decided to venture in, I had to make some fabric choices, otherwise I would be overwhelmed. I have been using Art Gallery Fabrics for a couple of years and narrowed it down to just that fabric company. Pulling all of my AGF into one place has been fun because I enjoy seeing it all together!

Each block has a border and I happen to have many solids from my previous Prismatic Chill quilt. Making the decision for solid borders simplified choices in each block.

I finished up block #5, July Fourth, last night. I like looking at my IG feed and the hashtag I set up for my personal quilt (#lesleyssewcialbeesampler) to make sure I’m keeping the color and fabrics balanced. The first 3 weeks I made blocks with orange. I find myself drawn to that color – A LOT! I say green is my favorite, but I think orange is the understudy, waiting in the wings to boot green out of the way. I’m sure I will have more orange because there are a lot of blocks, but for now, I’m conscientious about trying to bring a wider range of colors into play.

If you are ready to learn and have some fun, then join this sew along HERE! Sharon has done a wonderful and BEAUTIFUL job writing up the blocks each week as well as providing tutorials on her blog. Thanks to both Sharon and Maureen for brining quilters together for this project 💕

Happy Quilting ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎