I'm Fussy... Cutting, That Is

Hello Everyone,

I am sure that not one of you works on more than one project at a time, right? If you do, you certainly have more self control than me. Personally, I always have several projects going at one time. This time is no different.

I began fussy cutting these beautiful Australian Aboriginals and am truly loving them.

Here is the red just after cutting.

The black.

And the gold. I really love the colors of all of them. So then I just placed them on the design wall because I had to see them.

Don't they look nice all lined up? This is not how they will remain. There is a design to what I am making, but I cannot yet share it with you. Lots more cutting to do and sewing. Then maybe another sneak peek.

This particular fabric just lent itself to being fussy cut. Have you ever fussy cut your fabric? What kind of shapes and fabric styles did you use? If you click here, you will see another quilt, that you may remember, that I fussy cut, the results of which I was quite pleased.

Now if you would like to fussy cut some fabric, my friends at Quilt Magazine are running another GIVEAWAY!! It is for the OmniAngle ruler, a new ruler from OmniGrid.

If you would like to be entered in their drawing, just click here and leave one comment on their blog post. That is it!

They will leave the drawing open through Tuesday, April 19 at Midnight EST.

Also, check back here tomorrow for the winners of my big giveaway that ended on Monday.

Then on Friday, make sure that you stop back too! I want you to meet someone who is very inspiring.... lots of photos too!

Until Next Time...

I'm Fussy... Cutting, That Is

Has Spring Finally Arrived??

Hello Everyone,

Well, I must admit that I am no longer the skeptic. I think that spring is finally on its way!!

We had a glorious sunny day here on Saturday and I took advantage of it and went outside to photograph some of the sure signs of spring.

Look at my Hellebores poking their heads up from under the fall leaves! Yes, the leaves will be raked soon.

Daffodils are also rearing their heads, but not flowering just yet. Maybe next week.

I have tons of day lilies of all varieties in my yard. I love them, all different colors and they bloom at all different times of the year. There is constant color. Plus, they are very hardy, the deer can eat them, but they still continue to flourish!

These daffodils are on the south side of the house. There is constant sunshine here, so they are farther along. Who knows they may bloom this week.

And look at this... there are buds on my lilac bush! This is also on the south side of the house with lots of sun.

Another sign of spring is over here at Stephanie's.

***Don't forget to enter my BIG giveaway by clicking here. Today is the LAST day. Good luck to all***

Until Next Time...

Has Spring Finally Arrived??

The Back

Hello Everyone,

Just yesterday, I had a question on my Facebook page about the Lil' Twister quilt and piecing the quilt. She wanted to know how to reduce the bulk. To be honest, there was no bulk.

If you press your seams to one side consistently there should be now problem. When joining the rows just make sure that you press row one blocks to the right, row two blocks to the left and just keep alternating. That way the seams will nest.

I hope you can see this in the photo above. This is the back of my silk quilt so there is the light weight interfacing fused to the back.

This photo may show it a little better. But you just need to be consistent in your pressing and your seam allowance as well.

So if you still want to give the Lil' Twister or the Twister a try, make sure you enter my giveaway by clicking here, it is still open, so hurry.

If you can't wait to get your Lil' Twister, you can find it in my shop here.

Until Next Time...

The Back

A Big Giveaway!

Hello Everyone,

Do you remember this quilt?

And this one?

No, I am not giving them away, sorry. But read on and you will see what I am giving away... 3 BIG prizes!!

The first up is our 1st prize.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Quilt Magazine, we are giving away a 1 year's subscription to their wonderful magazine. If you don't get it, you should!! Some of my designs have been featured and currently one is in the magazine above. But one of my favorite features of this magazine is that Kaffe Fassett has a regular column in every issue!! Yes, that is right... so all you Kaffe fanatics, NEED this magazine!

Our 2nd prize is...

The Twister template. This is the big brother to the Lil' Twister. You get the same design as the quilts pictured above but with larger patches. All you need is 10" squares of fabric.

Our 3rd prize is...

The ever popular Lil' Twister!! Yes, this is the one that the two quilts above were made. It is fun and fast and all you need are 5" squares of fabric.

If you can't wait to get the magazine, Twister, or Lil' Twister, they are all available in my shop. But if you would like to get in the running to win one of these, here is what you will need to do:

1. Head over to Quilt Magazine's site and leave a comment for me on my newest blog post (click here) letting me know about your favorite gadget. Browse their site too! Lots of great stuff there. Come back and tell me here and leave a comment letting me know you left a comment on Quilt Magazine for one entry.

2. "Like" Quilt Magazine on their brand NEW Facebook page (click here) and then come back and leave a comment here telling me you "like" them.

***I will keep the giveaway open through Midnight, April 11, 2011, EST.***

Best of luck! And yes, you can blog, tweet, Facebook about the giveaway!!

***The giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!***

Until Next Time,

A Big Giveaway!

What Does Mary Ellen and Octagons Have In Common?

Hello Everyone,

I am working on a new project that involves octagons. While I love Octagons, the technique that I am using requires them to be appliqued. So there is some prep work that needs to be taken.

Mary Ellen's Best Press and my iron are my new best friends. Have you ever used Best Press? I love it much better than regular starch. It is light weight and doesn't cake or build up like much like the store bought brands. Plus, it comes in wonderful smelling scents too!

Anyway, it has really been a dream in assisting me in turning under the 1/4" seam allowances. See how they stay put until they are ready to be appliqued! Love that.

From the front side they look almost perfect. I am sure that they aren't because, I know I just can't make them perfect, but they are close.

I love how they look... so pretty. If you haven't tried this method, go ahead and give it a try! You will love Mary Ellen like I do!

Until Next Time...

What Does Mary Ellen and Octagons Have In Common?

Diamonds Down Under Revealed!!

Hello Everyone,

I can't tell you how much I have been bursting at the seams to show you this quilt. If you remember back in January I made this tutorial. Well, at the time I was making a quilt that I designed for Quilt Magazine.

The magazine is now out and you can find it in my shop here or on your local newsstands. I had fun designing this one with Australian Aboriginal fabrics and Kona Cotton Solids. Diamonds have always been a favorite of mine and I loved combining these colors to make a diamond zig zag quilt.

Here is a close up of the quilting that I did on the quilt.

Yup, that is me!! My friend Justine took the photo and did a great job. Thank you, Justine!! Although I don't think that I look any younger... LOL!

The quilt can be found in this issue...

and it is a quilt for intermediate quilters or those who are willing to give it a try. Remember you are working with diamonds.

So I had taken a bunch of photos, but my photos can't beat Quilt Magazine's photos, so I will show you theirs...

This is the first photo. They were going for the rumpled teen room look. I love it!!

This is the photo that is in the magazine. I forgot to load the full flat photo of the quilt, but you can see it by clicking here, as I am the exclusive source for the quilt kits to make this quilt. So come and check it out if you would like to give it a try, it is currently available in my shop!

I would love to know what you all think of this design and if you have ever worked with diamonds.

Also, I would love to hear what specialty quilting tools that you like too, but you need to come visit me on my Quilt Magazine Blog Post by clicking here. Leave me a comment there, I would love to know about your favorite quilting gadget.

Until Next Time...

Diamonds Down Under Revealed!!

A Little Bandit Came to Visit

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I was working in my studio and looked out the window into my back yard and saw a little bandit digging in the yard!! Well this little critter was not so little. I had fun watching this guy, as did my kitty Pavi.

When the raccoon was all done foraging he decided to climb a tree for a little snooze, so I was able to get some photos.

The perfect spot in the crook of the tree, cleaning his little paw.

Zooming out for some perspective.

Even further.

See the big tree in the middle, that is the tree he was in and I took the photos through the window and the screen. Not too bad. I had a great time watching him. But alas, he did not hang around all day.

One thing that I had always heard was that raccoons out during the day are rabid. But I contacted Animal Control and they said that is not necessarily true. In this case, he was just looking for food. Cute to watch and I just love the bandit look!

Please stop by here and read my newest blog post. I would love for you to say hello!

***Today is the LAST day of the batik sale!! They are only $7.50 per yard, click here to start shopping.***

Until Next Time...

A Little Bandit Came to Visit