Signs of Progress

Hello Everyone,

So the last few days have been eventful for me and my family. Our car broke down in my parents driveway. The car is still in NJ being repaired while we returned home with my parents car. We weren't able to see hubby's side of the family for Christmas, as planned, because of this unfortunate event. But we all are still smiling, so that is a good thing.

In the meantime, I have been working hard at making new bundles and die cuts to add to my shop later this week. So keep an eye out.

But today, I was able to get in some much needed sewing time. I was kept company by my kitties and went to town. I started by putting up what I had done already on the design wall.

These blocks are such a cinch to put together and really have a nice impact.

This was the first layout of many. It underwent many transformations today. I only picked the best ones for your viewing pleasure.

Continuing to piece the blocks together, I continued to place them on the design wall and rearrange them in the process.

This one was the final layout for today. But, I predict that there will be many more transformations because...

Look at how many more I have to piece together. This is going to be a big quilt. But I am loving it. I know that there are a lot of Kaffe fans out there, because I have been getting e-mails from lots of you that have done the same quilt or similar. I am so glad to be in good company. In fact, Wanda is going to join me in getting out her box of striped fabric and start a striped quilt!! I am excited to see her progress.

If you haven't already, be sure to sign up, in my sidebar, for special discounts and offers on my website. Now I am off to explore blogland and catch up on what everyone has been up to lately.

Until Next Time...

Signs of Progress

Stripes and Kaffe

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful holiday! I can't believe that in just a few short days 2009 will be gone and we will be welcoming in 2010. Where on earth did the year go?

Anyway, some progress is being made on my striped blocks and I wanted to share with you my inspiration for this quick project.

Since I do have quite a few Kaffe books, I had pulled them all out and had been leafing through them for some inspiration for a new project. His Passionate Patchwork book did the job for me. I mean just look at the quilt on the cover.

So I had some striped fabric in my stash, as you all saw from my previous post. By the way, that is about all the striped that I have in my stash. Not sure I understand why, because I really love them. I saw this first striped quilt, in the book, and just loved it.

Then this second one and loved it too!! What to do?? Which do I choose??

Then I saw this one. Unfortunately the color scheme in the picture did very little for me. The muted colors just aren't my style. I am sure you have all noted that from reading my posts. But what I really liked about this quilt was the variety in sizes of the squares. There are 3 different sizes 9, 6, and 3 inch blocks. I think that having the different sizes definitely adds interest.

So I began cutting into my striped fabric stash. I used the EZ Companion Angle Ruler by Darlene Zimmerman. The sizes were just right and matched the templates that Kaffe provided in the book!!

After cutting into a few of the stripes, I just needed to know what it was going to look like, so I laid them out for a peek. Since these photos were taken I have sewn a few of the blocks together and I just love them. I will definitely take more photos. I think over the holidays I will be working on it and hope to have some blocks up on the design wall.

I added a new feature to my blog/website. If you go over to the left sidebar you will see just below my profile and the button for my website a sign up form for special discounts at my online shop!!

Yes, if you sign up here, periodically I will be sending out special discounts to my friends for my online fabric shop! So if you would like to know when there are special sales, just go on over there and sign up.

Psssst... just a hint there will be a special coming really soon. Hope to see you there!

Until Next Time...

Stripes and Kaffe

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone,

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Starting Something New

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever had the urge to start something new?? I bet you all have. That urge to start a new project seems to be never ending here. I had been looking through some of the Kaffe books that I own and while most of his quilts I love and want to make, I settled on one in particular.

Part of the reason is that I wanted something quick to do. So I went into my stash and found these lovely woven stripes that I had purchased in a quilt shop on clearance several years ago.

Aren't they just gorgeous colors? I love them all and it was finally time to use them.

So I took a look at the templates in the book and of course I had a ruler that matched just perfect. I just love it when that happens.

Started cutting into the striped fabric and voila...

This will be the result for many of the stripes there.

In my next post, I will show you the pattern and some of my results with the stripes. Just beautiful. At least I think so.

If you missed it check out my newest podcast here or in iTunes. It is getting really close to Christmas. I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful season.

Until Next Time...

Starting Something New

Displaying Your Quilts

Hello Everyone,

Well the countdown to Christmas has begun!! I am still busy here getting customer quilts quilted and back to them. There are going to be some lucky people out there receiving some wonderful gifts this year.

I thought it would be kind of neat for you all to see the various ways that I display quilts in my home. My newest podcast is all about displaying your quilts. You can listen to it HERE or find it in iTunes under Jackie's Quilting Chronicles. If you don't want to listen to me babble on, just stick to reading this post.

So this first picture is one of my favorites.

For those of you who like the look of a "quilt ladder" but really don't have the floor space then this option is for you. Just take 4, or as many as you like, decorative curtain rods and space them evenly on the wall. Fold your quilts nicely and voila! Instant quilt display. Hmmmm... I feel like I am channeling Karen. By the way, these are just inside my studio.

This next display is also just inside my studio. I have two vintage quilts and one of my own quilts neatly folded on this dresser that was mine as a child. I refinished the dresser and filled it with fabric, what else, right? For the curious, those purses are all samples of the Chloe Bag from Lazy Girl Designs. I taught this as a class at a local quilt shop.

This next display is just outside my studio. You can just fold multiple quilts over a decorative quilt rack.

This display is also just outside my studio. I purchased decorative curtain rods that have the clips. The clips really make it easy to change out a quilt when you want a different look. Do you recognize the Kaffe quilt?

Another thing I like to do is to just hang quilts over a railing and change them out every once in a while.

Here is another example of a decorative rod with clips. This quilt I made for my hubby commemorating his trip to Tanzania and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro!! He then went on safari after his arduous climb.

This quilt is hung in my foyer on a decorative rod. But the difference here is that this quilt has a sleeve. No clips on this rod.

Welcome to my bedroom! This is how I love to use our quilt. I used a matelasse coverlet and a dust ruffle first. Then I fold our Double Irish Chain at the bottom. We pull it up at night to stay warm. By the way, this quilt was the first one I quilted with my long arm back in September, 2000! It is custom quilted.

Here is my grandmother's Singer Treadle (which still works) graced with a doily that she crotched and two folded quilts that I made. When she passed, I was given her machine. It reminds me of her daily. I loved my Nana.

This last way I display quilts in my home is on my kitchen table. This little quilt graces it every day. I love it.

I have to also let you know that we use quilts while watching TV and you can always find someone wrapped in one or a kitty laying on a quilt. What can I say, the quilts are well loved in this house.

I hope you like the little tour of my home and the quilt displays. I would love to hear how you display quilts. I am sure there are many ways and I am always up for something new. Don't forget to listen to my podcast.

Until Next Time...

Displaying Your Quilts

Goodies

Hello Everyone,

This post is all about goodies for you and goodies for me!! First the goodies for you. I just added to my shop the following which would make terrific stocking stuffers for your quilting friends... It is not too late!

Kaffe Fassett Rainbow Rolls (1.5 inch and 2.5 inch), Die Cuts, and Fat Quarter Packs

They would really brighten up any quilter's stocking. So check them out HERE and HERE.

Now the goodies for me. Stephanie sent me a little Christmas present/thank you for being one of her supreme pattern testers. I was very surprised and tickled pink. She made my day!! A cute little pincushion adorned with a kitty (how did you know I love kitties... wink, wink). Also, 2 Christmasy fat quarters and a wonderful antique red spool. Thank you so much Stephanie! I love them all! But most of all I love being one of your supremes.

Now onto the next one, I recently won a giveaway from Heleen! I was so excited. She sent me some wonderful goodies from Sinterklaas. All the way from the Netherlands. I am so excited, I can now make some of their traditional cookies. Thank you so much, Heleen! By the way, I snagged this picture from Heleen's blog. The picture I took didn't come out very well.

On other notes, my December Newsletter is now out and can be read by clicking here. My next Podcast will be out this week.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! The countdown to Christmas is on...

Until Next Time...

Goodies

Monterrey Medallion

Hello Everyone,

As promised, another 1930s quilt! I don't know what it is about the 1930s reproductions, but I just love them. The plan is to get a new line of them in my shop in the New Year. So keep your eyes peeled.

This quilt that I am showing you, I made when I taught classes at the local quilt shop. It was pieced about 3 years ago. Unfortunately, my friend closed the shop in June, 2008. We really miss it! This quilt was a sample for the class Monterrey Medallions.

I chose to piece it with 1930s fabrics with a solid teal accent. We auditioned other various solids but for whatever reason the teal just worked best.

The variety of 1930s was what was in my stash then, but I would surmise that my stash of 1930s fabrics has grown exponentially.

This quilt has a center star medallion. Then it is surrounded by logs or strips.

Following that border it has more stars. Which I really love! But who doesn't like stars?

Then finally a beautiful pieced border. I love the finished top. However, once again, I need to quilt it on my long arm. That is another project set for next year.

Monterrey Medallions is a pattern booklet by Terry Atkinson. Her patterns are fun, easy to follow, well written with a fantastic result. I made this quilt twice. The second one, I made in fall colors in a King Size. Then it was entered into the Kutztown Folk Festival and won a ribbon!

If any of you have made this quilt, I would love to see your versions. Have a great weekend! Oh and please pop over to my friend Anina's Blog, she is having terrific giveaway. Also, I just uploaded some new customer quilts for inspiration, check them out here.

Until Next Time...

Monterrey Medallion

A Little Christmas In The Air

Hello Everyone,

I thought I would show you a little of the Christmas decorations around our home. Since we had our first snow yesterday, I really feel the holidays arriving quickly! First up our tree.

You will notice several things different about it this year. We did not string our normal beads on them, nor do we have ornaments hanging near the bottom. Why you ask? Because of our newest cat that we adopted in July. You will recall by clicking here. We just weren't sure of how he would be with the tree and decided not to chance it at all.

Next up our ever growing nutcracker collection. I started this tradition with our kids years ago. Each Christmas they each get a new and unique nutcracker. When they finally have their own home they can take them with and start it with their family. What traditions do you have?

I really love the variety that we have and I try to choose ones that suit the kids personalities.

Here is our Nativity. Yes, this is the Jim Shore Nativity set. I just fell in love with it years ago when he first came out with it and had to have it. The kids enjoy setting it up every year.

Last but not least, the boys are just totally pooped from all this decorating. So Rolo and Pavi are relaxing by the tree.

Now for me off to do some shopping! Still a bit left to do and not a lot of time to spare. Don't forget today is the last day to use the coupon code happy20 on my online fabric shop. You'll get 20% off your order. So go ahead and do some last minute Christmas shopping for your quilting buddy. Enjoy!

Until Next Time...

A Little Christmas In The Air

Just a Small Quilt

Hello Everyone,

You all know my love of bright fabrics, that is definitely no secret! But I just adore 1930s fabrics too. In fact, I have a few that I would like to show you over the next month or so.

The first one is just a little quilt that I absolutely adore. I made it a while ago and really need to finish it up.

I used only fabrics from my stash for this one.

Every block with the exception of two have yellow for the center.

I don't know about all of you, but I find that piecing a smaller quilt is more difficult than a large one. Simply because there is less room for error. Not that I ever intend to make a mistake. But they do happen.

Here is the entire quilt. It only measures 23.5" X 28.5". I am going to scallop the borders, but I will be quilting it first.

Yes, it is the cover quilt from Darlene Zimmerman's book. I just love her and her work. I think I have all of her books. She just does 1930s fabric and quilts to perfection. Don't you think?

Now, you need to go over to my friend Kathy's blog. She is doing a wonderful giveaway of Terry Atkinson goodies. But hurry, it ends soon.

Also, don't forget, everything on my online fabric shop is 20% through December 8. Just use the code happy20 during checkout. Have a great weekend!

Until Next Time...

Just a Small Quilt