I Had to Do It...

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever been working on a project and working on the same block or unit, but wanted to make one of the other blocks or units in the design just to see how it would look??

I feel that way all the time, don't you?

Anyway, the past few days I have been working on the Willow Bed Runner and loving the results, but I really wanted to see another unit to get an idea of what it will look like.  So I had to make them!!!

Here they are... These units are the middle of the "blocks".  I used a pale yellow batik and a black batik.      These units totally transform the look of this to be quilt.

Here is a look at the whole section where I added these units.

Here is a look at all the units I was able to accomplish over the past few days.  I did 8 more of the colored units and 4 of the middle units, just today.  

Oh and I had a helper again...

My little boy has been my quality control for the past few days.  Well, he has been sleeping next to my machine.... I guess sewing is boring to him.

Until Next Time...

I Had to Do It...

Progress Made

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday, I was able to take advantage of another sewing day!!! Yippee!  I made progress on my units for the Willow Bed Runner.  After making 8 more units, I have 24 more to go then onto the middle units.

I am really liking the zig zag effect that this will have.  The black space is where the middle units will end up.  

Here is what I have so far, NOT the final layout so stay tuned.  This quilt is going to change... a lot!!

The nice thing about this pattern is that it uses 2.5 inch strips!  So if you have some jelly rolls or the like laying around, this is a great way to use them.

The pattern can be found by clicking here.

Until Next Time...

Progress Made

Starting Another....

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday, I was in Heaven!! I was starting another project.  Don't you love it when you are starting something anew?  There is the excitement of the fabric, cutting it up and then watching it transform into a new quilt.  I LOVE everything about the process!  

How about you?

I began by sorting out my batiks and pairing them lights with darks.  

I've got them all paired and they are ready to go!  A little paper piecing is in order, as you know it is my favorite way to piece.  

I am making the Willow Bed Runner by Judy Niemeyer, using fabrics that are not yet out from Robert Kaufman.  This will be a sample for a quilt shop that I will be teaching at in October, 2013 in Mesa, AZ... Quilter's Oasis.

The fabric and kit will be available in July in my online shop.  But you can get the pattern now, by clicking here.

After some cutting and squaring up, I ended with some little scraps all in a heap.  Aren't they pretty?  

I was able to construct 4 units and I am liking the results so far.  But you will see more definition later on in the process.

Here is a little close up... perfect spikes!  That is what I absolutely love about paper piecing.

Stay tuned for more... I am actually going to sew some more tomorrow too!  Yahoo!

Until Next Time...

Starting Another....

Birthday Sew In!!

Hello Everyone,

This past weekend was my birthday weekend and I wanted to have some fun with friends.  So I held two sew ins at my studio!  One on Friday and one on Saturday, we had cake and fabric giveaways.

But the best part was seeing what everyone was working on!  That is my absolute favorite thing... such inspiration.

Roberta was working on several projects.  This one is Crackers.  She bought the kit from my shop and it is looking fantastic. This is the Red Hot version. You can find the kit and/or pattern by clicking here.

Fran was working on this lovely!  She will be entering it in the Flights and Fantasies Quilt Show in September.  I am anxious to see this one done!

This is another that Roberta was working on... I thought this was very unusual and beautiful.

This beautiful pink and green quilt was being quilted.  My favorite colors.

I was working on putting my borders on my Mariner's Compass quilt.  The borders are done!  Now to attach them!!  If you would like to take this class with me, just click here for the information.

Leslie was working on this.  These were put together with 2.5 inch strips.  I can't wait to see this one finished.

Karen was working on this cute appliqué project.  Two of my favorites here... Kaffe and Black and White.

Cherie was putting her Stepping Stones together.  She used Story Strips that she got from my online shop.  She took the class with me.  The strips can be found here and the pattern here.

Deb was working on Color Boxes!! This is a kit we have put together.  It is all Kaffe Fassett fabrics and black and whites.  Wait until you see the final photo!  

You can find the pattern and kit here.

All and all it was a fantastic weekend!!

You can see ALL the photos by clicking here.

Until Next Time...

Birthday Sew In!!

Another Class Has Graduated!!

Hello Everyone,

On Wednesday, I taught the last session of the Glacier Star Technique of the Month to the Wiltwyck Quilter's Guild in Kingston, NY.  These ladies did a fantastic job!!

Look who visited the classroom to see the finished quilts...

The Muppets!  They were soooo impressed with all their work too.  They loved all the color combos that these ladies came up with... unbelievable!

Now let's check them out...

Mary was able to get half of her gorgeous blue quilt done before she had to leave early.  Lovely!

Shirley and Peggy with their halves.  

T with her glorious color filled half!

Sharon walked out with almost all of it done and then when she got home finished it all AND took the papers off too!  

Debby also walked out with most completed and finished it up and sent me this picture.  LOVE the pink.

Eeeek... a total Christmas version!  I LOVE it!! Perfect for the holidays.

Here are all my New York beauties with their quilts!  They did a GREAT job!  Thank you all for having me to your guild.  You were great!!

To see ALL the photos from the class, just click here.

Here are a few things that you may want to know about...

Don't forget to enter my Birthday GIVEAWAY going on here, it is a good one you won't want to miss!

Also, today is the last day for the birthday sale going on in my online shop!  Everything is on sale!! Use the code 23birthday at checkout to get 23% off your entire order.  *Excludes classes, clearance, and gift certificates.  

Just click here to start shopping.

Yes, today is my birthday!  I am 23 on the 23rd... LOL!! Or at least I wish I was 23!!

Enjoy!!

Until Next Time...

Another Class Has Graduated!!

Happy 56th Anniversary!!

Hello Everyone,

Today is my parents 56th wedding anniversary!  

56 years of being partners in life, loving one another and loving their children.  Today, I had the honor of spending the day with them. 

They came to Connecticut to celebrate their day today and my birthday tomorrow.  A great weekend!  Who could ask for more?

This morning I took this picture while I was walking with them along the river, chatting and getting some well earned exercise.  Then off to dinner tonight!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!  Wishing you many more years of happiness together.

Lots of Love.... XOXOXOXO

Until Next Time....

Happy 56th Anniversary!!

Birthday Giveaway!

Hello Everyone,

My birthday is this Sunday and I thought I would celebrate with all of you!!!  I have partnered with my friend Maureen Cracknell to help me celebrate!

I am giving away this great bundle of Kona Cotton Solids!!! It is the Hot Spicy bundle.  That is right!! Woohoo!! Who wouldn't want this?

You can find this and MUCH MORE Kona Cotton in my online shop by clicking here.

But if you would like to enter the giveaway, you need to visit my friend Maureen at Maureen Cracknell Handmade.

Visit her awesome blog and tell her I said hello!  

Click here to enter the giveaway!!

Until Next Time...

Birthday Giveaway!

Fabulous Combos

Hello Everyone,

I have been sort of off the grid the past two days, I have been on the road in New York teaching!  On Tuesday, I taught at the Warwick Valley Quilt Guild.  

A fabulous group of quilters they are for sure!  

I was teaching Indian Summer and these ladies came up with some great combinations...

I love this scrappy rainbow of quilt blocks.

Jewel tones are just gorgeous!

I am in love with these batiks.

A little show and tell.

Happy Quilters!

This one reminds me of the beach.  

I had a terrific time and hope that all there did as well.

If you would like to know more about this pattern, you can find it here.

Until Next Time...

Fabulous Combos

Awesome Work

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was my last session of teaching the Glacier Star at Country Treasures in Chester, Vermont.  These ladies are not only talented, funny, gracious and friendly, but some of my favorite people.  I have known about half of them for some years and the other half have become new friends.

Anyway, they did completely AWESOME work!! Each and everyone of their quilts where unique.  LOVE THEM ALL!

Here is the happy group showing off their quilts!!  Well done ladies!!

Sue was the over achiever and completed the Queen version.  She was truly the queen!!

Christy continued to plug away and got hers all complete.  LOVE!

Pat got off to a bumpy start, but quickly learned and did an extraordinary job!! LOVE THE PINK!!

Linda had the most unique color version that I have seen... a cross between Christmas and modern... just stunning! 

And as you all know I LOVE KAFFE... Well, Sarah finished her Kaffe version and I totally wanted to walk off with this one.  Not only is it Kaffe, but there is a good amount of pink in it!!

For all the photos, and there are some really good ones from the last class, just click here to see them.

If you would like to see where I will be teaching this class in the fall, 2013 and winter, 2014... just click here for my schedule!

Until Next Time...

Awesome Work