Applique . . . how I love it!

Today my husband flew out of town for a few days and I miss him very much. Yesterday, I was telling him about an idea I have for my next applique quilt pattern design. I was able to sketch out most of it this evening and will be putting the finishing touches on it over the next few days. I am really pleased with the drawings so far and I think it could have a wide audience of interest.

I've found that one of the greatest things I enjoy about applique is the quiet time it takes. You can be in the middle of a group of excited people watching a Sunday afternoon football game and still feel the serenity of stitching fabrics in place to create a unique and beautiful result. Unique because no one will finish an applique project just like yours. I think that's pretty neat!

I'll share more on this subject later . . .

*NEW* Patchwork Rendezvous Quilt Pattern - Super EASY!

FreeSpirit's Savon Bouquet by Verna Mosquera will be used in our sample quilt for our newest pattern called: "Patchwork Rendezvous". Please let us know what you think!

We're so thrilled with how fast the quilt top goes together and how you have the option to use either fat quarters (for an 82" x 82" quilt) or a Jelly Cake (for a 64" x 80" snuggle quilt). The design shows off the fabrics nicely and we hope you will enjoy making it, soon.



Please visit our website for more information! We are taking pre-orders now for pattern delivery the first week of January, if not sooner - Thanks!

2009 Block of the Month

Our first Block of the Month is wrapping up. We have one more month to go . . . December's block is sure to fit in well with the upcoming snowy season. We hope you're thrilled with the design! We've been working on plans for our 2009 Block of the Month and will be announcing the details by the end of the week.

Please stay tuned! It is one you won't want to miss out on! It's different than other BOM's you've seen in your local quilt shops and in the online quilt shops you'll find on the web.

If you would like up-to-the-moment information on our 2009 BOM, please be sure to sign up to be included on our mailing list, here!

While visiting our website, be sure to check out our latest pattern called: Candy Bar Road! We just participated in giving away a free Candy Bar Road quilt through our friend Dana's blog: Old Red Barn Co. You can go to her blog to read up on her quilt giveaways . . . they're lots of fun and entertaining, as well!!!

New Give-away Coming Soon!

Dear Friends:

Give-aways have become quite popular in the blogging/quilting world and I would like to participate and make someone happy to receive a free gift in the mail.  I hope you'll agree that snail mail is still very fun to receive!

Please stay tuned, as I'm formulating the give-away.  It will take place very soon.  I'll let you know what's coming up and if you are not on my mailing list through my website, please be sure to sign up here.

Anyone Up For Winning A Quilt?! . . . for FREE?!

Remember Dana of Old Red Barn Co.? We profiled her in our September NuzLetter. Well, as of today, she is giving away 3 quilts through her blog.



Simply click on the link on my sidebar and it will take you directly to her blog where you can sign up to win one of the following quilts. You can also find out a little more about the quilts and Dana gives you tips on how you can increase your chances of winning.




This is my Candy Bar Road pattern. I designed and constructed the quilt top especially for this giveaway. Isn't Dana's photography fantastic?




This pretty quilt was designed and made by my friend Kari Ramsay of Fresh Cut Quilts:

So go over there now and sign up. That's all you have to do, unless you'd like to do a little more for extra entries . . . Have fun participating in this free giveaway and I hope you win!

Soup Weather . . . or not?

I can't believe it's November 1 and we haven't had our first snow fall in Colorado. It's been in the 60's/70's over the past week and I've been on this soup-making kick . . . that is, if you think making it twice in one week is considered a "kick". This is the last one I made: Minestrone. It's one of those packaged versions with dried beans and a seasoning pack. This one called for a small can of crushed tomatoes. I added one, plus a can of diced tomatoes. It also called for 3/4 cup of pasta. I was pre-occupied as I was making the pasta portion of the soup and accidentally poured the entire pound of pasta in (talking on the phone or something). What do you do at that point? Pull out what you weren't supposed to put in? Nope. Just go with it. I think it looked prettier than it would have with the little bit they said to use. The bread is a multi-grain and went perfectly.

The first soup I made days earlier was a Northwest Lumberjack green pea. That called for carrots, celery, and onion sauteed in margarine. I sauteed it in Smart Balance, then added it to the rest of the soup that had already been cooking. It was so delicious. No picture this time. I'm trying to be a better blogger and am receiving great Blogging Coach lessons from my friend Dana at Old Red Barn Co. Thanks, Dana! ;)

Now Showing This Week at the International Quilt Market

This quilt design is called: Bachelorette Party! It is made with RJR Fabrics' Soiree line that came out in September. It will be showing in RJR's booth at the International Quilt Market.

You can purchase the pattern for this quilt on our website, SuzGuz Designs. Be sure to check out the Green/Lt. Blue/Brown colorway of this quilt, as well.



Showing in Quilting Treasures' booth, the following quilt is made with fabrics designed with Norman Rockwell's artwork. The line is called Rowdy Kids and I named the quilt design, Fond Memories. If you click on the pictures, you can see a closer view of the panels used. In addition, be sure to check out the outside border . . . kids hanging out of car windows.

Quilting Treasures will have a free pattern on their website in November 2008, so you can re-create this quilt, if you are interested.



This young girl, sitting outside the Principal's office, sports a shiner . . .




And the young boy in this frame, concerned for his best friend, patiently waits for the Vet . . .



This is another Quilting Treasures line designed by Julia Cairns called Joyful Days. I named this quilt Joyful Village. It shows off the colorful variety of fabrics you can get with this line and it, too, will be a free pattern available on the Quilting Treasures' website in November 2008, and is also hanging in their booth during International Quilt Market.




All quilts are quilted by Russ Adams of The Back Porch Quilters.

What we did last weekend . . .

Seriously . . . is this not the cutest puppy you ever saw? Meet Maisy . . . our youngest.


And Boomer . . . he's so pretty, even though he could use a good bath after running around in the mud . . .


Erv and I loaded up the SUV with our two dogs and some extra jackets (okay, Erv loaded up the SUV) and drove up to one of our favorite spots to visit: Estes Park, CO, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is a charming little town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. That is where The Stanley Hotel is located.


The Stanley is where the inspiration for the movie The Shining was gleaned (eek!). The story goes that Stephen King wrote the outline of the story while staying there with his wife.

We are so fortunate to live so close to one of the most beautiful national parks in the country.



I love this shot . . .



And it was so pretty in this area (wish you could see this in person . . . it's so much prettier!) . . .




And this area was very cool . . . we were heading up Trail Ridge Road (the road that takes you from Estes Park, over the Rocky Mountains, to Grand Lake, CO). The road was closed further up, due to snowy weather. I really liked this shot because where we had pulled over, there was no snow on the ground. Then just ahead and into the bend in the road, the weather had changed.




I took over 200 pictures that day. And finally, on our way home before leaving Estes, we took the puppies to a dog park for a good run . . .

Houston International Quilt Market and Block-of-the-Month News

The International Quilt Market, which takes place in Houston next week, is such an exciting event. My dear friend Kari Ramsay, of Fresh Cut Quilts, will have her first booth there, so if you are a quilt shop owner or will be attending the show under other circumstances, please be sure to stop by her booth and say hello. She's a great gal who has some great designs, so please check her out and give her support for her first time displaying her lovely quits and patterns.

Unfortunately, I will not be attending this year's Market. But that's okay, as I have lots to work on. I'm talking with a fabric company about doing a block-of-the-month using their fabrics, then distributing the pattern through their sister company. I'll actually be reviewing the fabrics that will be out during Market, after Market. The next week will give me time to wrap up my ideas for this project, which I am very excited about. In addition, I will be hosting a block-of-the-month on my website. I should have the designs complete within the next 4 weeks, so this should be a fun one to participate in, as it will be ready to go on January 1st. Anyone can participate and if someone decides to join later in the year, the patterns will still be available. I will be charging a minimum (very minimum!) fee because I will be using a third party to deliver the blocks to each club member and the funds will go toward that cost. Using the third party should eliminate any delivery problems we had over the past year with returned e-mails due to problems on the receiver's end. I'll talk more about this real soon!

SuzGuz Designs will have 4 quilts at Market. I know we'll definitely have two, but I believe a third quilt design of mine will be in Quilting Treasures' booth. The 4th quilt will be in RJR's booth. Again, if you are attending, please ask to see our quilts in QT's and RJR's booths! Say hello to Donna for me at Quilting Treasures', and Beatriz at RJR's booth.

Everything Looks Better in White

My husband Erv and I have a running joke, how I believe you can take anything, paint it white, and it will look fantastic! I have tried to do something with this blog to make it look good and, not that I'm there yet, but . . . I just needed to paint-it-white!

I heard on a program, many years ago, that chefs love to use white plates to show off their creations well. I've always stood by this simple rule when it comes to serving up my own creations in the kitchen, but I've also kept it in the back of my mind whenever I look at a beat-up piece of furniture, longing for a new life. So when you're out at a second-hand shop or an antique mall, or happen upon a good yard sale, keep this simple rule in mind and you may end up with a diamond in the rough.

Hancock's of Paducah Has A Braided Love Kit

I was searching for some fabric for a project on Hancock's of Paducah and saw that they have a quilt kit available for the quilt I designed, called Braided Love, for Quilting Treasures (see pictures of the sample quilt in a recent post). So if you're interested, check it out.

Our Online Shop Has Been Updated

Our easy-to-use shop, where you can order our patterns, dolls, and pin cushions, has been updated with more information. You will also find our new RJR quilt design patterns using the Soiree line. Buy the patterns directly from me or, if you're a shop owner, you can order the kit off of RJR's website. Shop owners, you can also order patterns in bulk directly from me for classes in your store.

Have fun shopping!

Two New Patterns And A Class, Perhaps?

A few weeks ago, Russ Adams (my quilter) asked if I would be interested in coming up with a new quilt pattern using a Layer Cake and a Jelly Roll. I combined the two and came up with a new pattern called: Candy Bar Road. There are only two shapes in the pattern and I've used the shapes to come up with two different blocks that are used in tandem. It's super easy to make and I hope the pattern catches on because it's a great way to make up a quick quilt using the latest fabrics. I made the sample top up using the Layer Cake and Jelly Roll Russ sent to me from Moda's Nest by Tula Pink. I sent it out to him yesterday to be quilted and he will be adding the backing and binding before he quilts it. When finished, the quilt will be given away through our friend's blog. I will let you know more when I have more details so that you can sign up for a chance to win it.

So that's the first new pattern. The second new pattern was just drawn up last night using 20 Fat Quarters. I'm going to make up my sample using Christmas fabrics I bought a while ago designed by Anna Griffin for Baum Textile Mills/Windham Fabrics. The fabrics have an old-fashioned, elegant feel to them and I think they will make up beautifully. This new pattern is also very easy to make and I will post a picture when the sample is finished. I haven't finalized the selection of names I've come up with yet, but hope that this pattern will also be one that quilters everywhere will want to use for a fast, pretty quilt.

This past weekend, my husband and I sat down and went over a plan for me to teach a few classes. We relied on his excellent project planning skills to get the project off the ground (I don't know what I'd do without his help!). The preliminary idea is to hold two classes: one, the first week of November, and the second during the second week of November. I'm still deciding on what we'll be making in the classes, but know that it will be geared toward Christmas entertaining and gift-giving. The quilt I drew up last night would be a great one to make during class time and is a strong contender! I'll be back to let you know what's happening when I have the final details.

Have a lovely week! And please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Craziness Is Bliss

What is it about being busy and how it fuels us to continue to strive for our best, no matter how long we're at it?!

Well, I've sewed and typed my fingers to the bone over the past month and I'm still going strong. I've had deadlines for 3 magazine issues that come out next March and April and they're wrapping up. Not only do quilt designers design and make a sample of the quilts that will go into print. We also have to write out the instructions on how to make the quilts. In addition, you better know at least a little somethin'-somethin' about layout. This means that if you want to do your best work, you need to learn how to work with graphics so that your visuals can assist your written instructions on how to make the quilt. So many of us are visual and can make something simply by seeing someone first-hand or, if that's not possible, follow step-by-step pictures.

Whatever you do in life . . . give it your all! It brings you such glorious fulfillment and enriches your soul.

Please be sure to stop by periodically and check out our website, as well! We'll be sure to let you know where our designs can be seen in the near future.

Quilting Treasures Breast Cancer Awareness Quilt Design

As promised, I'm adding a picture of the quilt I designed for Quilting Treasures' newest line of fabrics by Karen Neuberger. The name of the quilt is called: "Braided Love", and was designed with Karen's line called: "Pink Companions II". You can find the pattern for this quilt through retailers carrying the line (see Quilting Treasures' website for further information on where to buy the fabric).

Taking A Class At The Local Quilt Shop

When I was at the Spring International Quilt Market in May, I walked up to a conversation going on at Aunt Philly's booth. Phyllis Hause, who is Aunt Philly, was talking with a shop owner about holding a class at her shop in Colorado. Of course, that perked my interest, since I live just south of Denver. I figured that if the shop wasn't too far from my home, that I'd be interested in taking Phyllis' class. I found out that the class would be held at Cottonwood Quilts in Niwot, CO and asked the shop owner if she could add me to her mailing list so that I could take the class. I just called the shop now and signed up for it on August 1. I'm really looking forward to it because I've done nothing but work on my business for the past few years and would love to learn something new. I have some Amy Butler fabrics that I think would make a darling rug for my studio, so I may end up using them. If not, I have plenty of other fabrics that are in my stash (pre-SuzGuz Designs) that I'd love to use up that are bright and cheerful and would bring a great zippity-do-dah to my work space.

Signing up for this class has brought up an idea that has been lurking in the cobwebs of my mind. I've wanted to start teaching, as well. Besides, I really need to start getting myself out there in front of people since I'll be doing so at the Spring Market in Pittsburgh. It has been years since I've been in front of an audience, so this would be a great way of breaking the ice. I'll let you know what sort of classes I'll be developing and will add them to my website when I have the outline ready to teach.

It has been a while since I've made decorative pillows and I've wanted to put together a few patterns of pillows I've made in the past, so that might be a great place to begin. In addition (but, of course!), I'll be able to teach how to make any of the quilt patterns I've designed. I really enjoy being around people and helping them achieve goals, so I can see how this could turn out to be a very fun and rewarding part of what I do.

Please write to me and let me know if there are things you'd like to learn in working with fabrics (crafting or otherwise like window treatments, etc.). I'd love to hear what you're thinking!

Upcoming Projects

Here we are in the middle of July already, and things are falling into place. We're working with a quilt supply distributor on a project that will be announced at the Spring International Quilt Market, held in Pittsburgh, PA in 2009. I'll be hosting a Schoolhouse introduction class, explaining how it will work. I'm excited about this, being that I'm a former Pittsburger and this debut will be in my old home town. I haven't been back to Pittsburgh since Erv and I were married there, 5 years ago.

I just finished a quilt top for Quilting Treasures with their new Karen Neuberger line called: "Pink Companions II". The fabrics are designed to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. There are polka dots, stripes, checks, and florals in browns, pink, fuschia, apple green, light purple, yellow, white, etc. The design of the fabrics is mod. I'll post a picture of it when the quilt is completed. It is my understanding that it will be a free pattern on Quilting Treasures' website and should be available sometime in August.

Although I have an EQ6 picture of it on our website, my design called: "Highlands March" is currently being quilted. As soon as it is completed, I'll take an actual picture to replace the computer designed rendition. The pattern is currently available for purchase on our website, here (click on the picture of the quilt when you go to the site to see a larger picture of the quilt, for more detail).

I have one more border to add to another new quilt design called: "In The Neighborhood". I hope to get it finished this week, so that I can send it off to be quilted. It's a darling quilt made of squares, representing neighborhood blocks, and long and short strips, representing the main thoroughfairs and side streets in a typical urban neighborhood. I used the "Wee Play" line of fabrics, by American Jane for Moda and love how the bright colors combined with a few muted tones bring such pizzaz to this quilt.

Well, I'm off to get things rockin' so that I'm ready for a busy August. I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Suz

Our Quilts At Market

SuzGuz Designs had two quilts at this year's Spring International Quilt Market in Portland, OR.

The quilt hanging to the right of the Kona Bay Fabrics sign in the photo below, is the quilt I designed and made for Asian Fabric magazine's March 2008 issue. The name of the quilt is "Sadako's Prayer". You can find the free pattern in the magazine. I wish I could show you the fabrics in person, as this photo doesn't show the beautiful color and pattern of the fabrics. I have some scraps left over and will have to see if I can photograph them accurately for this blog. If I can, I'll add a separate post.


The second quilt was designed and made for Quilting Treasures. I used fabrics from the new line called "Kids Go Green", by Kari Pearson. This quilt has 3-D prairie points around the rectangular medallion with the large sun in the center of the quilt. The quilt was also embellished with pink buttons surrounding the sun and on each of the corner blocks, flat silhouettes of butterflies and a dragon fly in the center, and sunflower buttons sewn in between each of the diamonds in the outside border. Again, the colors aren't as beautiful as in person. This free quilt pattern will be available from the Quilting Treasure's website soon!

Getting Ready for Spring Quilt Market

Last week, the quilt I designed and made as a sample for Quilting Treasures arrived at their offices and I was so pleased to hear that they love it.  The name of the quilt is: "Kids Shine II", and the name of the new fabric line they're promoting is called: "Kids Go Green", by Kari Pearson.  The quilt pattern will soon be available on their site, so please check it out to see if it is something you'd like to make.  The quilt design has 4 15" Rising Sun blocks in the center that make up a large, 30" sun.  It is quite colorful and cheerful.  Russ Adams of Back Porch Quilters did the quilting on it, and Quilting Treasures requested that it be embellished, so I added bright sunflowers, pink accent buttons, and a butterfly and two dragonflies.

Each Market, there is a "class" you can take called Sample Spree, where you can see all of the newest lines of fabric in fat quarter bundles and purchase them for sample quilts.  This is what I did at the big Market in Houston last October.  I purchased Moda's "Swell" line and created my free 2008 Block-of-the-Month through my website.  Going to Sample Spree is terrific in that it gives shop owners and designers a chance to view all of the fabric lines coming out at one time.  This saves going around to each booth during the Market and provides an opportunity to see what lines have potential for current or future designs.

I'm looking forward to spending time at Market, this next week, and look forward to discovering new opportunities for SuzGuz Designs.

Working with RJR

I received a call out of the blue from RJR Fabrics in February. What a wonderful call to receive from a terrific gal in their marketing department. She asked me to design a quilt pattern for them using a new line of fabrics they have coming out soon. I believe they're introducing the line at the Spring Market in Portland, but it won't be available until August/September.

We ended up doing it in two different color ways from the same line. The fabrics are very 1970's and I had a ball coming up with designs for it. There was one in particular that I'd like to do; kind of a funky play on the patchwork craze of the 70's. I think it would be a great quilt to take to a concert in the park on a summer evening. Be sure to bring your pretty crystal candlesticks, a great bottle of wine, and a nice warm loaf of crusty french bread with some delicious cheese to savor and enjoy.

Being Thankful for What You Have

In the wide spectrum of things, I wonder how often people in America take the time to be thankful for what they have.  Just the other day, I was rinsing out the coffee pot and thought about how precious the water I used to swish around and dump down the sink really is.  I mean think about it . . . we have fresh water coming right out of the tap, and an option for Hot and Cold.  Can you imagine what it would be like to reach for the faucet that isn't there?  To have to wake up in the morning, walk down to the closest stream or river, and fill your jug of water to then heat to make your bowl of oatmeal?

Take a moment and sit down in a quiet room.  No matter how full your schedule is.  Sit and smile and say "Thank You".  Think of your family, your friends, the house you live in, the things you have that bring you joy.  Now go back to what you were doing.  I bet you'll have a terrific day.

Do You EQ...?

One of the best sofware packages out there today for the home quilter or quilt designer is the software put out by The Electric Quilt Co.  I love these people.  They know how to get it done if you have no clue where to begin.

Recently, I was working on my BOM quilt design, wondering how I was ever going to figure out the yardage requirements for the final quilt.  I played around with the software for a while but couldn't figure it out (and I like to figure things out on my own, if I'm able to and there aren't any time constraints).  So I call EQ.  Their phone number is on the inside cover of their User Manual and I ended up talking with Andrea.  This girl is a mathematical whiz.  She had me whipping around my software, changing, adjusting, moving, increasing this field, checking the box on that field, and all that jazz.  We did it!  Okay, 'she' did it.  Thanks for your help, Andrea!  And Penny is just as delightful as you!

It is my sister Ann's birthday today.  "Happy Birthday, Ann!"  I sure wish I could have taken her out to lunch today.  Unfortunately, the miles between us wouldn't permit.  I hope she had a marvelous day!

Tired . . . very, very tired . . .

I have been sewing non-stop for a couple of weeks and I finally finished up the last of it (well, almost).  I finished up the binding of the Asian quilt that will be going in Asian Fabric magazine for March.  I still have to make up the label to stitch onto the back, then I'll pack it away and send it off to the West Coast.  I'll post a picture of it here after it's been officially published.  I hope to do more work with them in the future.  The publishing gal is wonderful to work with!

Russ Adams of The Back Porch Quilter did the long-arm machine quilting for it and it turned out beautifully.  I haven't worked with many quilters because I've always done my own work, except for a few instances.  I'm not very good at it, so it is a blessing to have met Russ and his wife, Rhonda, through my friend, Dana, of Old Red Barn Co.  She's the girl who has the cool blog that I'm so envious of.  She's got the knack for it and I wish I could be like her when I grow up.

Making Basic Italian Tomato Sauce

Do you ever get a craving for a good tomato sauce?

I do . . . and I'm craving it now.  This shows the tomato portion of my sauce.  The rest is a combination of a couple of recipes I've acquired from friends: my girlfriend's mom's recipe and another girlfriend's recipe.  I add olive oil, fresh garlic, celery, carrots, fresh and/or dry basil, garlic powder, and purified water to dilute the paste.  Sometimes fresh onion, too.  That's it!  I sometimes like to take a soup spoon and dip into a cold pan of this stuff the next day, right from the fridge.  Yum!  And it is always better after the first day.  Always.  If you have time constraints but would like a delicious dinner, boil some frozen ravioli and make your favorite oil & balsamic dressing and pour over baby salad greens.  Very easy, delicious, and it looks like you spent all day making it.

Website Block-of-the-Month

I started an Applique Block-of-the-Month Club on January 1st of this year. It's very exciting, as we are now up to 546 members from around the world. Sadly, I've had trouble sending the block out to a handful of people, where their e-mail address is denied. I don't know what to do with them because I have no way of getting in touch.

January's block turned out very cute and I'm using Moda's "Swell" line of fabrics, by Urban Chiks. It is a fun, quirky, colorful line that I love and I'm using the fabrics in rather a non-traditional way. I like to take more traditional designs and put a spin on them, making them playful and whimsical.

I'm working on February's block now. I have most of the pieces cut and freezer-papered, with just a couple of more pieces to iron down, then I can begin sewing them on to the base fabric. I'm excited about this 2nd installment of the BOM, as well! The entire BOM is themed: "Hearts-a-Flutter" and each appliqued block will incorporate the heart shape. There are a lot of wreath designs, although I've also sketched out some other designs that blend nicely, as well.

The finished quilt is also sketched out and I will be developing it into a pattern (all 12 blocks, plus the finishing borders, applique, etc.), and it will be available in quilt shops. It's been a wonderful project to work on and I look forward to making up the finished quilt.

If you'd like to join this BOM, please sign up via my website, here: http://www.SuzGuzDesigns.com/ While there, please check out my newest pattern: Boston Common. I added it today! It is a very versatile pattern that can utilize many different fabric colors and designs.

Ciao!

Someone: Please nominate me . . .

Would someone pleeeze nominate me as the worst Blogger on Planet Earth?!  I think it's a time issue with me.  I actually love to write, but I have to keep my current priorities straight.  Perhaps one of these days, I'll be able to get into the groove of it.  I so admire those who do blog and do it well.

My schedule has been quite full, adding new club members to my 2008 Applique Block of the Month Club, through my website.  As of this moment, we are up to 517 sign-ups from around the globe.  It has become a very exciting process and one I'm so thrilled to have done.  The first block has received a great response, and I'm hoping it helps the club continue to grow.

Check it out on my website, here: http://www.SuzGuzDesigns.com/

2008 Applique Block-of-the-Month

I started a Block-of-the-Month on my website recently. We're up to 361 members who will be appliqueing my monthly 8" x 8" blocks. The 2008 January block was sent out on New Year's Day and continues to be sent out to new sign-ups, as they come in. It has been a very exciting process.

The fabric used for this project is Urban Chiks' Swell for Moda.