Color...

Hello Everyone,

As you all know, I love color! The past week I have been cutting... and playing... with some beautiful batiks for a wonderful kit. I just had to share them with you!

Look at these luscious colors. So vibrant and spring like aren't they? Plus, I love to work with batiks.

These are the dark ones that serve as the background for the pattern and kit. The fabrics are Hoffman and the kit are available in the shop. And yes they are included in the 15% off sale, but it ends today!! Just use the code entire15 at checkout. Click here to start shopping.

Don't forget to enter my fabric giveaway at my friend Amy's blog. Just click here...

Until Next Time...

Color...

What Was Old Is New Again!

Hello Everyone,

If this is your first time visiting my blog, welcome! Please feel free to browse and I hope you are inspired. But while you are here, don't forget to enter my giveaway going on for The Quilter's Bible book -- a terrific reference for any quilter! Just click here.

Any who... about one month ago Victoria asked if I wanted to enter a small quilt in the NY Metro Mod Quilt Show. Of course, I said yes! But it needs to be a small quilt. Usually, I don't do small, as you can see by some of my quilts.

So the wheels were turning....

This block I had paper pieced a very long time ago. I still love the fabric in this too, bright and bold. So I measured it. It needs to be made a little bigger. I have been pondering what to do with this block for the longest time and now given the opportunity to make a smaller quilt, I know what I am going to do. Sweet!!

This is the only fabric that I have left from this grouping and there isn't a lot. But have no fear, I have much more fabric in my stash. Although, I don't think that I will need a lot since it is a small quilt. Not sure when I will get started on it, but I know that it will be soon.

Here is the back of the block, just for ha ha's! I love paper piecing!!

Thanks, Victoria for the inspiration to complete this block! What inspires you?

Two side notes...

1. Visit my friend Amy, I am giving away some fabric on her blog!!

2. Don't forget the sale in my shop, good through Friday. 15% off entire order using the code entire15 at checkout. Excludes Kona Cotton Solids... sorry. Just click here to begin shopping.

Thanks for visiting! I hope to see you again soon!

Until Next Time...

What Was Old Is New Again!

My Stamp of Approval and The Fabric Winner!

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was spent very quietly with my family. I made a yummy Lasagna, sauce, meatballs and sausage. We just love it! Some leftover too. YUM! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter too!

My friend, Victoria, has begun a signature quilt and has been asking for contributions. You can read all about it here.

So I decided to make her a very traditional log cabin block, but with non-traditional fabrics. A couple of batiks, Australian Aboriginals, and Kaffe Fassett. No repros in this one.

Since Victoria doesn't like a whole lot of white, I kept the center square relatively small.

I used the Baskerville font, as I thought that would be the easiest one to trace. I think it turned out pretty well. And it was fun to do!

I hope you like it Victoria, it is on its way to you!

I also was able to quilt one of my quilts that I can't show you right now, but will be able to soon. The binding is waiting to be applied, which I need to do quickly.

Love how it turned out too! I guess I just had a pretty good day. Sometimes you need one of those every now and again.

Now onto the winner of the Jennifer Paganelli Fat Quarters:

Mr. Random Number Generator and I drew lucky number 120...

Jean From Jean's Page

Congratulations, Jean!!

If you didn't win the fabric, but would love to own some of Honey Child for yourself, just click here to get some.

Don't forget to enter my drawing for the Quilter's Bible Book. A great reference for any quilter. Just click here to enter.

***Oh, and one more thing... right now you can receive 15% off your entire order in the online shop!! Just use the code entire15 at checkout. Start shopping now... ***

Until Next Time...

My Stamp of Approval and The Fabric Winner!

The Quilter's Bible Book... GIVEAWAY!!

Hello Everyone,

Wait until you see this book! I was asked to do a review of this fabulous book. If you are an advanced quilter, beginning quilter, or just thinking about quilting, this is a wonderful resource to have in your quilting library.

It is jam packed with information from how to get started, cutting, piecing, applique, quilting, binding, nothing is left out.

The book is loaded with different options for different techniques and is extremely well written and laid out. No stone is left unturned.

I even learned about Kantha quilting. Do you know what that is???

The publishers also wanted to give you, my readers, a peek at one of the projects in the book, the Daisy Cot Quilt.

A wonderful little quilt that you can size to whatever suits your needs.

Cute little daisies appliqued on the quilt. Great for a baby. The pattern is below for you to use for free!!

Daisy Cot Quilt
By Linda Clements,
Author of The Quilter's Bible

This little quilt uses fusible web appliquéd flowers on a background of pieced squares. Fresh, contemporary fabrics have been used but the design would suit any style and colors and could be sacaled up to any size.

Profile

Skilled Practised: Piecing squares; fusible web appliqué; blanket stitch edging; straight borders; machine and hand quilting; binding
Quilt layout: 5 x 3 appliqué squares with two borders
Finished size: 46in x 30in (117cm x 76cm)
Fabrics: Fifteen 81/2 in squares for appliqués; white border fabric 2in wide x 140in; print fabric 21/2 in wide x 155in; backing fabric; wadding (batting); binding 21/2in wide
Threads: Anchor perle cotton multicolor 1304; stranded cottons in mid green and cream and machine threads

Method
Detailed instructions are found in The Quilter's Bible for stichings, borders, making a quilt sandwich, and bindings.

• Piece together the 81⁄2 in (21.6cm) white and cream squares in a 5 x 3 layout.
• Using the daisy template (enlarged) and fusible web, appliqué a daisy in each square. Edge the daisies with blanket stitch using one strand of perle cotton.
• Embroider flower centres with a circle of whipped running stitch in three strands of green stranded cotton, whipped with cream.
• Add the borders. Make a quilt sandwich. Machine quilt in the ditch between the squares and across flower petals. Hand quilt a loop pattern in the borders using variegated thread.
• Bind the quilt to finish.
  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Clements, author of The Quilter's Bible

Author Bio
Linda Clements, author of The Quilter's Bible, spent many years nursing in intensive care but, after completing her MA in creative writing and degree in publishing and book production, she switched careers in 1990 and is now an experienced project editor and writer, specializing in craft and particularly quilting titles. Over the years, Linda has contributed her writing skills to many of the David & Charles titles, particularly in the cross stitch list, as well as penning stories in her spare time and writing a non-fiction book, The Spirit of Christmas Past, which was published in 1996. Her main passion, however, is quilting, and she has been in the fortunate position to be able to learn and improve her skills from some of the best quilting teachers via her editorial work. Linda lives in Totnes, Devon, with her science-mad son, Rory and two demanding cats, Kiki and Boo Boo.

Reviews
"an essential resource for every quilter's library."
-- Lynn Edwards MBE

Now for the giveaway!! Would you like to win this book and add it to YOUR library??? Here is what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment here on this blog post (you MUST have a way for me to contact you) and tell me why this would be a great addition to your library. You can also purchase this wonderful book on Amazon by clicking here.

Make sure you tell all your friends about this fabulous giveaway!

The giveaway is open until midnight April 28.

Good Luck!!

Oh, and I am having a site wide* SALE! You can take 15% off your entire order by using the code entire15 at checkout. The sale is going on through April 29. Just click here to start shopping.

*except Kona Cotton Solids as they are already at the incredibly low price of $5 per yard.

***The giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. Check back to see who the lucky winner will be.***

Until Next Time...

The Quilter's Bible Book... GIVEAWAY!!

15 WINNERS!!

Hello Everyone,

Just popping in to let you know that Quilt Magazine has drawn the winners! And guess what... SURPRISE... there were 15 of you who won the ruler!!!

To find out if you were a winner just go to their Facebook page and check out the list. You can get there by clicking here. Thank you to all who entered!

Until Next Time..

15 WINNERS!!

Boston... Day 2... Chihuly!

Hello Everyone,

Our second day in Boston began with a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the Chihuly exhibit. We arrived early but had to wait about 1 hour to actually see the exhibit. It was worth it, but we didn't get to see anything else in the museum as we had a session for a college visit.

This was one of the first things that we were treated with when entering the exhibit. Probably one of my favorites too.

This information board was something that we had to read to occupy our wait time. I found it amazing that this man only has sight in one eye. I just loved his work that I purchased this book (click here).

Now you didn't think that was all of the photos that I took, did you?? I took so many, that I made a slideshow that you can view right here. It is quick only 1 minute long. Or you can click here to go to Flickr and view.

Once we finished here, we literally grabbed a quick bite to eat and made it to our next destination with just a couple of minutes to spare!!

Our second college visit was at M.I.T (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). To sum it up, we LOVED it!! Pretty much everything about it we loved and it is a front runner in the college search.

This is one of the buildings on campus. It was designed by Frank Gehry, a prize winning architect. You can read more about the Strata Center, on the campus, and Frank Gehry by clicking here.

There won't be a post for Day 3 as I was horrible at taking photos. But we visited Boston University and then headed home. It was a dreary, overcast and cold day too!

***Today is the LAST DAY to enter the giveaway!! Just click here to do so and good luck!!***

Until Next Time...

Boston... Day 2... Chihuly!

Blogging From Boston

Hello Everyone,

We arrived in Boston on Sunday afternoon and so far are having a wonderful time. Yesterday here is what we did...

We are here to do a lot of the above, college hunting. Northeastern University was our first stop. We enjoyed our tour and information session. Onto more tomorrow. From there we walked to here...

The Museum of Fine Arts, to see this...

Yes, I am finally going to get to see the Chihuly exhibit. But, I was so disappointed, they were closed for Patriots day!! So we are going back today!! And guess what they also have an African textile exhibit going on too. Happy day!!

Then we literally "ran" into this...

The Boston Marathon! Here are the runners at the 22 mile marker (well a little less than 22 miles, but when you have run that far who is really counting?) These people were just awe inspiring. We watched for about an hour and they just kept coming...

Tons of runners from every walk of life and age group! The male in the #1 spot is from Kenya and ran it in 2:03:02 and the female in the #1 spot is also from Kenya and ran it in 2:22:36. Simply amazing!! You can see more of the stats by clicking here.

Then it was off to here...

Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market. This is one of our favorite spots to visit in Boston. Great food, shopping, and street performers.

Here are some performers. These young women were hunched over and the performers did flips over them.

This man was just getting set up, but we didn't stay to watch. It looked like a torture device of sorts and he had a straight jacket in his hands. So who knows what he was going to do...

Then it was on to the North End of town for some good Italian eats! Being Italian, myself, I love to walk around here and find good food. The above photo was the scene from inside Mike's pastry shop. People apparently wait for their cannoli's. But that is not what I got, I grew up eating sfogliatelle.

They are my favorite and this one was delicious!

Then onto Regina Pizzeria. We were told that it is one of the best in Boston. So we thought we would give it a go.

Brick oven, been around for quite some time.

Here is what we had, half broccoli and half mushroom. It was good, but I must say that I have had better. Sorry to any of you who are Regina Pizzeria die hards. It was good though, I just prefer a thinner, crispier crust and not so much cheese. But, you should give it a try and see for yourself.

Anyway, tomorrow is another BIG day. Hoping to get some good college information and see Chihuly too.

***Don't forget to enter my giveaway going on now. There is still time, just click here and you could win some gorgeous fabric.***

Until Next Time...

Blogging From Boston

Modern Connecticut Quilters

Hello Everyone,

One week ago on Sunday, I had the pleasure of being at the first meeting of the Mod Conn Quilters!! It was a small gathering, but so much fun none the less. Meeting new quilters can be so inspiring and fun.

Some of us brought show and tell along with us and we all learned something from one another. Mainly, I was raring to go when I got home.

I would like to share the show and tell portion of our informal gathering. I am sure that you will see some quilts that you adore, as did I. So, go grab some tea and a cookie, sit back and relax and enjoy the show...

My friend Karen... always inspiring!

Me with an itchy nose and my Diamonds Down Under Quilt.

Now I know that your engines are all revved up now. You must get your sewing machines turned on and put the pedal to the medal. I am looking forward to meeting with these ladies once again!!

Before you head off to sew, don't forget to enter my fabric giveaway by clicking here, there is still time.

Until Next Time...

Modern Connecticut Quilters