The Monday After: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour Giveaways

Last week, we participated in the Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 Blocks Special Issue, Vol. 2, Blog Tour.  It was a week filled with many give-aways, not only from SuzGuz Designs, but from other designer's blogs, as well as many wonderful items given away on Quiltmaker's blog.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did!

I mentioned last week that I would be announcing the winners of the give-aways I hosted, and I'm thrilled to share the winners with you!  If you are a winner, please contact me privately through e-mail with your name, mailing address, and e-mail address, here: info@suzguzdesigns.com, and I will send your prize in the mail to you immediately. Thank you!

Monday, November 8th, we offered 2 SuzGuz Designs patterns: Patchwork Rendezvous and Candy Bar Road.

The winner for Monday’s patterns is:Marcia said...Congratulations on the publication of your block in QM 100 Blocks! Your patterns are lovely. Please enter me into the drawing. Thanks for the giveaway. P.S. I follow your blog publically - don't have FB or a blog of my own..November 10, 2010 9:08 PM  
CONGRATULATIONS, Marcia!  Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


The winner for Tuesday's Quiltmaker Magazine's *new* 100 Blocks is:
Martina said... Thanks so much, that was very interesting to read. And thanks for the chance to win a copy of the magazine. Love your block, so cute! November 9, 2010 3:42 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Martina!  Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


The winner for Wednesday's Red Rooster fabric samples is:Sherri said... Love your block! Thanks so much for the fun giveaway! November 10, 2010 1:29 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Sherri! Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


AND the winner for Wednesday's Quiltmaker Magazine's *new* 100 Blocks is:annmarie said... Found your page on Facebook but can't figure out how to do a Friend request - would love to be your friend. I already have your blog bookmarked & read it every day. Red Rooster fabrics are great. thanks. November 10, 2010 3:51 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Annmarie! Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


The winner for Thursday's 2 Quilt Patterns: Patchwork Rendezvous and In A Snap! is:WoolenSails said... I love all the variations, each one has it's own look. It is amazing how a change in a border or color can make all the difference in the style. Debbie November 11, 2010 10:15 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Debbie/WoolenSails! Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


AND the winner for Thursday's Quiltmaker Magazine's *new* 100 Blocks is:Melissa said... Thanks for sharing. This block is simply gorgeous! November 11, 2010 8:15 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Melissa! Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


The winner for Friday's 2 NEW Quilt Patterns by SuzGuz Designs: Across the Street, and Gables & Eaves is:Leanne~*~Harvest Moon by the Lake said... Hi Susan, Never a quiet moment with you...you always have something going. I hope you find some time to enjoy the weekend. Leanne November 12, 2010 4:22 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Leanne!  Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


Lastly, the winner of Friday's Quiltmaker Magazine's *new* 100 Blocks is:
Lee Ann said... I love giveaways. Of course, I rarely win! LOL. :-) PS I have added you to my Google reader. :-) November 12, 2010 3:57 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Lee Ann! Please contact me through my e-mail address, listed above.


Thanks again for everyone who took the time to read my blogs last week!  If you were not a winner, please stay tuned, as I occasionally give away my newest patterns and fabrics.  I've even given away enough fabric for a quilt top, along with a current pattern.

Hope you all enjoy your holidays, and please keep in touch!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan

DAY 5: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Greetings, friends!  This has been such a fulfilling journey, meeting new quilters during Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour, this week.  I wish you all many fabulous hours of planning and designing!  If any of you have questions, I'll gladly answer them for you, if I can.  So please feel free to ask.  If I cannot answer, I can certainly start by pointing you in a direction for more information.  You can either ask in one of my posted blogs, or feel free to e-mail me.

With a new quilt to be made with a December 1st deadline, I must run.  I will be writing about it in a future blog.  For those of you who purchase magazines and are curious about the process, planning for issues typically begins 6 to 9 months before a magazine is scheduled to be published.

Don't forget to tune back in on Monday when prizes are announced!

Before I close out for the day, I have one more give-away!  Of course, as mentioned all week long, I'm giving away a 100 Blocks magazine.  In addition, I'm excited about my 2nd give away, which will be my two newest patterns, "Across the Street", and "Gables & Eaves" + bonus pattern!, for SuzGuz Designs.

Good luck to everyone!  As we've done all week, please leave a comment and either "Friend" me on Facebook, or add my blog to your "read" list!  Thanks!

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan

DAY 4: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

I hope you all are enjoying your week of blogs and give-aways, compliments of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks!  I know I am, and I look forward to picking winners of my giveaways this weekend!  It's always fun to participate in programs such as this, and I especially appreciate all of you and your kind words!  When you work in a one-girl-studio, it helps to know that people like what you're doing and it gives us, as designers, such great energy to plan new designs and projects for you to enjoy.  So I thank you, from the bottom of my heart! :)  For without your feedback and interest, it simply would not be as satisfying to continue to come up with new patterns and designs.

With today's blog, I plan to share some ideas you may like to use to set my block into a quilt.  I have a few basic tips that are easy and fun, and will enhance a simple quilt top design.

Because the block should be the focus, you'll want to stay away from large, oversize prints.  I would suggest that you find a tone-on-tone, or two-color mini or medium-sized print to sash your blocks with.  I will use my block and it's fabrics as an example, and we will create a few different, easy designs with a touch of panache!

My first example balances the dominance of the deep rose appliqued hearts with a rosy red print border from Verna Mosquera's Savon Bouquet for FreeSpirit.  Sash your blocks with the Lecien blue-on-brown dot I used as the small center square and mini circles.  Then bind the piece with the same blue-on-brown dot.

My second example shows a softer setting, where I use a light blue medallion print for the main border.  The blocks are sashed and the piece is bound using the same fabric as the appliqued hearts.

My 3rd and 4th examples will give you an idea of taking the same sashing and border prints and changing up the binding.  In these examples, I again used the same tone-on-tone deep rose print I used for the hearts to sash the blocks.  Next, I pulled in a pretty, French-inspired floral from the Savon Bouquet line that has touches of blue to marry back to the blue dot background fabric of the appliqued blocks.  Where these pieces differ is with the binding.  See how you can use the blue-on-brown dot for the binding (#3), or pull the tone-on-tone deep rose print out to the border for #4.  Both are attractive and can give you a different "feel", depending on where you will be using the piece.  For example, if you wish to use it as a wall hanging, you may consider using version #3.  You could also use this version in a room where there is a lot of dark wood.  The #4 version is very pretty and feminine and could be used on the wall or as a dresser scarf in a girl's bedroom.  Or, add it to the center of a rustic pine table.

With a few simple changes, you can give your quilt designs a different personality.  Give thought to the myriad of possibilities you can dream up and interview fabrics into your designs that you never would have imagined.  A few questions you can ask yourself, as you pull your fabrics for this design are:

1) Does the fabric work better as a frame to the blocks or as a border?
2) What "feeling" do I want to show with my design?  Do I want it to blend into an eclectic environment, or something more traditional?  More eclectic, use a few different fabrics, if more traditional, stick to the same fabrics with smaller borders and use a different print for larger borders.
3) What decor do I wish to place this design in?  Consider the style and color tones of fabrics in order to blend well with your decor.  Before purchasing fabrics, ask your local shop for sample pieces to bring home with you if you are not sure they will work.

In addition to the table runner/wall hanging design shown here, I'd like to share an idea with you on how to place the blocks into a quilt design.  The quilt size is approximately 67 1/2" x 67 1/2".  I will be posting a pattern to make both the quilt and the runner designs next week!

Now back to the give aways for today!  As mentioned on Tuesday, I will be giving away a Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 2 magazine today.  My second give away for today is my Patchwork Rendezvous pattern, as well as my In a Snap! pattern.  Both are very easy and fun to make for any level of quilting experience.

Thanks again for all of your kind messages left this week!  Please remember to leave a comment and either "Friend" me ("Susan Guzman") on Facebook, or add me to your blog read list.  Have a lovely Thursday!

Susan

DAY 3: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Welcome to Day 3 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

And Welcome to SuzGuz Designs by Susan Guzman . . .

If you are just joining the blog tour, here is my block from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 2:

This week, Quiltmaker Magazine continues to give away lots of great items at: QuiltyPleasures (Quiltmaker's blog) during the entire week of November 8th - 12th.  Some give aways are planned and some have been spontaneous, so you'll want to check back often!  Fabulous prizes include fabric, patterns, books, notions, and of course, copies of 100 Blocks magazine.  In addition, designer blocks will be given away to very lucky recipients!  I will also be giving away something every day this week, so please be sure to check on each day's post this week, as well.  Prizes for each day will not be chosen until after Friday, November 12th.  Everyone who signs up will have a chance to win!

The topic for today is how I go through my process of designing . . .

I have several ways I use to glean inspiration for new designs.  I've always been attentive to my surroundings, so I am constatly looking at that which is around me: the shape of a vase,

 Image from 1 Design Per Day

a pattern in an area rug,

Image from Nebraska's Best Carpet Cleaning

a painting,

Image from Nilsson Studio

or even the frame that surrounds it.

Image from Paul Mitchell Antique Frames

I also like to pay close attention to the details of fashion, with a strong emphasis on colors that are being worn.  I especially like to see what is coming out for the next few seasons, as this gives great hints on what to incorporate into the design process.

I pay attention to television programs I watch with my husband as I'm sketching, and I also like to refer to nature for color and design ideas.  Visiting popular boutique shopping areas will give you ideas for color and design, as well.  And finally, I enjoy paging through books and magazines related to the design industry.  That being said, I try not to look at current quilt magazines, as I like to try to come up with unique designs and not copy what everyone else is doing.  I have a few other secrets up my sleeve that I like to refer to, but what I've shared here is what I mostly rely upon.

For tomorrow's topic, I will be sharing some ideas you may like to use, to set my block into a quilt.  I have a few basic tips that are easy and fun, and they will show off your blocks beautifully!

In the mean time, we have yet another give-away to announce!  Because Quiltmaker is recognizing my blog on the blog tour today, I will be giving away a very special prize of fabric!  I recently received samples of new lines of fabrics coming out for Red Rooster.  When we receive samples, we typically receive a sample of each fabric in the line.  Well, I will be giving away samples of an entire line from Red Rooster.  All you have to do is comment on this post, then "Friend" me on Facebook.  It's that simple!  BONUS:  As mentioned yesterday, I will also be giving away a Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine today, so please be sure to comment and find me on Facebook! (Note added 11.10.10 at 9:30 am, EST: If you do not use Facebook--or even if you do!--I'd love it if you'd add me to your blog read list, instead!  Thanks :)

Thanks again for participating in the blog tour!  We are so happy to have you as a new quilting friend!

Susan

P.S.  Don't forget to check out my previous posts this week for a chance to win the giveaways I'm offering.  And be sure to visit Quiltmaker's blog often for a chance to win their prizes, as well!

DAY 2: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Welcome to Day 2 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Block #104

by Susan Guzman, SuzGuz Designs

When meeting new people and talking about what we do for a living, it's not a simple answer on my part.  I am often amazed at how unique my job is, when I sit and think about it.  It's not something you think about going to school for when you're young.  It seems to be a career you fall into, rather than aspire to.  I feel so fortunate to work in an industry that is so warm and friendly, and one that acknowledges talent on many different levels.

Today, I thought I would talk about what I do in the quilting industry.  I work on a few different levels.  My first responsibility is to my freelance work.  I design quilts using the latest fabric lines, manufactured by leading fabric companies.  Companies I've worked with are Quilting Treasures (see free quilt patterns I designed on their website!), Hoffman California Fabrics, RJR Fabrics, Windham Fabrics, Michael Miller, FreeSpirit, Moda, Lecien, Henry Glass, Timeless Treasures, Marcus Fabrics, and Red Rooster.  For the first time, I will be using a line of fabrics by Westminster/Rowan for an upcoming quilt, so I am always open to working with new companies.  I'm always looking for fabrics that are new and, even if they are reproductions, ones that stand out in design.

My freelance work has consisted of designing and making quilts for fabric company's booths for the International Quilt Markets, designing and making quilts for magazines, and writing and editing quilt patterns.  The second level of work I do is for my business, SuzGuz Designs.  I have a growing line of patterns that has been on hold over the past year, due to the amount of freelance work I've been doing.  However, I just came out with two new, easy quilt patterns using pre-cut fabrics, and they are available on my website beginning this week.  The first is called: "Across the Street", made using one layer cake and one jelly roll.  The second is called: "Gables and Eaves", and is also made using one layer cake and one jelly roll.  Gables and Eaves has a bonus pattern, where you can make a baby quilt from the scraps to give as a gift or donate to your local Department of Social Services.  They are always in desperate need of quilts for the children they help.

One more project that has been on hold is writing my NuzLetter, which is likened to a mini-magazine.  I write about my business, interview people in our industry, write about interior design (something I used to do for a living and thoroughly enjoyed!), share recipes and entertaining ideas, find interesting new items for gift-giving, and also have guest writers share their talents.  Our next Nuz is in the planning stages, and we hope to start it up again, soon.  You can sign up to receive a link to The Nuz by going to my website.  Simply give us your e-mail address and we'll add you to our mailing list.  In the mean time, you can go to SuzGuz Designs and read past NuzLetters we published quarterly.

Finally, I am taking classes that are helping me achieve a goal I've set for myself in bringing my business to a new and different level; still staying in the quilting industry.  I also have an idea I'm working on for a new ruler, of sorts, that I am very excited about.  It is one that will work well with a variety of different fabrics, and I hope to have more information on it, soon!

Be sure to check in every day this week for a different, related topic!  Tomorrow's topic is my design process.

Now for today's give-away...  Today, I will be giving away an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 2!  This issue will be sent to you compliments of Quiltmaker Magazine.  As a matter of fact, I have 3 issues I will give away for the remaining days this week!  So beginning tomorrow, you'll not only have a chance to win a surprise give-away from SuzGuz Designs, you will also have a chance to win an issue of 100 Blocks!

It's so simple to have a chance to win!  Please post to this thread and "Friend" me on Facebook to qualify. (Note added 11.10.10 at 9:30 am, EST: If you do not use Facebook--or even if you do!--I'd love it if you'd add me to your blog read list, instead!  Thanks :)

Have a marvelous day, and I'll "see" you tomorrow!

Susan

P.S.  DoN't ForGeT!!  Quiltmaker is giving away wonderful things all day, every day this week, as well.  So check their blog throughout every day this week for some great quilt-related items!

THIS WEEK: We're in Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

Have you seen Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 Blocks Volume 2 Issue, on newsstands, now?!  It's full of great ideas and the latest blocks by 100 of the top quilt designers!  I feel honored to have been asked to participate, and my block is Block #104, shown on page 23.  I'm so thrilled to be a part of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  It is such a great way to inspire quilters of all skill levels!

Quiltmaker Magazine will be giving away lots of great items at: QuiltyPleasures (Quiltmaker's blog) during the entire week of November 8th - 12th.  Some will be planned and some will be spontaneous, so you'll want to check back often!  Fabulous prizes will include fabric, patterns, books, notions, and of course, copies of 100 Blocks magazine.

I will also be giving away something every day this week, so please be sure to check back here, as well!

The name of my block is: Hearts Bejeweled

At the time I was contacted to submit a block, I was filling an order for my Patchwork Rendezvous quilt pattern (available for purchase through my website).  The fabrics I used to make the pattern are from Verna Mosquera's line of fabrics called Savon Bouquet for FreeSpirit.

Patchwork Rendezvous Quilt Pattern

by Susan Guzman of SuzGuz Designs

Because this pattern from our growing line has been such a great seller, AND because I love, love, love the fabrics, I decided I would pull out my scraps from this quilt to start working on an idea for my block.

To construct the block, I introduced a myriad of fabrics from my stash.  The brown polka dot fabric used in the center square and the small circles was left over from my quilt called Nonpariel, shown in McCall's Quilting, May/June 2009.  The 4 yellow squares and the fabric used for the hearts is from Verna's Savon Bouquet. The spear shapes' fabric and the pretty robin's egg blue polka dot background are from a fat quarter bundle I purchased last year at the International Quilt Market (forgive me, as we just moved, and I can't recall the fabric line . . . if interested, please e-mail me!).  I believe the green I used for the stems is one of the Kona Cotton solids.  I can check on this one, as well, if anyone is interested.

The applique hearts design I came up with was actually inspired by a fleur de lis image I found in a magazine.  I wanted to use fabrics that were fun and playful, yet connected back to the French fleur de lis.

In honor of the release of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 2 magazine, I will be giving away something every day this week.  For today, Monday, November 8th, I will be giving away a set of two of my most popular quilt patterns: Candy Bar Road, and Patchwork Rendezvous (as seen in the image, above).  These quilts are very easy to make and show off fabrics beautifully!

In order to be eligible to win these patterns, please post a comment at the end of this blog AND find me on Facebook by Friday, November 12th!  Winners of all of my giveaways this week will be announced by Monday, November 15th! (Note added 11.10.10 at 9:30 am, EST: If you do not use Facebook--or even if you do!--I'd love it if you'd add me to your blog read list, instead!  Thanks :)

To all of my old friends and all of my new friends, thanks so much for stopping by!  I look forward to hearing from you and I look forward to a fun week ahead.

Susan

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour, Coming In November!

Dear Friends . . .

Please join me in Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

SuzGuz Designs, along with other quilt pattern designers from across the country, will be participating in an upcoming Blog Tour, hosted by Quiltmaker Magazine, in celebration of their 2nd Volume of "Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks" special publication, out soon!

Tour dates are Monday, November 8 through Friday, November 12, 2010.  Click on the button and go directly to Quiltmaker's site for more information.

Looking forward to lots of fun and give-aways!

Susan

Buying My Bottle of Pet Rocks

In my Concept Development class that I'm taking now, we're talking about point-of-purchase (POP) displays.  It is interesting to note how effective they can be.  Whether you're at the fabric store, in line to check out with your groceries, or stopping by a drug store, the cash registers are always laden with little extras to entice us.  And it works!  One nationally known retailer has taken it to an entirely new level, where they corral you down an aisle full of POP items.  Brilliant on their part; where you don't have a choice but to look all around you while you wait in line for your turn to check-out.  Pretty smelling candles, do-dads for the kitchen, decorative frames, books, movies, and even funky socks.  Most of the items are about $10 or less.  However, the enticing isn't over yet.  When you're called to be checked out, as you approach the register, you'll see other POP displays, calling out to your hunger pangs or luring you in, visually.

I was trying to remember what I bought last, while at the cash register.  I think it was my bottle of Mary Ellen's Best Press.  Lavender Fields.  If you haven't tried ME's line of pressing spray, you really ought to try a bottle.  My friend, Kari Ramsay, turned me onto it a few years ago, while attending my second International Quilt Market.  It truly is a marvelous product to buy on impulse!

Remember the pet rock? One of the one-hit-wonders of the retail world!  Do you have any "pet rock" ideas?  All it takes is one small, quirky idea that you may have, and then act upon it.  

Fashion:

...one of my passions that has taken a back seat to my business, but one I still thoroughly enjoy keeping up on!  I'm rather classic, when it comes to dressing, but I do like asymmetrical lines, zippers where they peak someone's attention, embellishments that should be framed and shown in an art gallery . . . I love clothing and accessories that are timeless, yet give you the excuse to smile at how clever they are.

If you love fashion, check out this fabulous blog to give you inspiration and insight as to what is happening in one of the fashion capitals of the world: NYC.

The Satorialist.

It speaks for itself.

Reflections of a Quilt Pattern Designer

Often times, I come in here and have so much I want to talk about but can't.  It can be very daunting, keeping things under wraps!  I'm so thankful for all of the work that has come my way.  Recently, I've taken on extra freelance work and am taking a class for a course I'm taking through The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's online division.  It is a program that will take me into late next summer, 2011 that I'm counting on to expand what I already do.

One thing I can mention is that I'll have a quilt in the upcoming November/December 2010 issue of McCall's Quilting.  It is a quilt I called: Highland's March.  I had the pattern for sale on my site, but decided to pull it with the upcoming issue to hit newsstands within the next month.  I'm so glad to be able to offer free patterns through the magazines that keep me busy!  The quilt has a subtle 3-D effect to it with one of the borders and when I was finished making it, a few years ago, it reminded me of a quilt that would have traveled across the states heading west in a covered wagon.  The fabrics used are from Quilting Treasures and are reproduction.  I hope you'll like it!

So, what do I do on a daily basis?  It changes daily, so I'll touch on today's work, which consists of some editing, prepping binding for two new upcoming quilt patterns (look for them in October!), responding to e-mails, working on future designs, and checking in with my online class.  I also have patterns to prep and mail for shops, a distributor, and a new customer.  What I'm working on today may not be seen for up to 8 months.  And although it is still very exciting to reveal projects coming out, I typically have my head in projects that are starting a new 8 month process.  It is a crazy business, yet so satisfying.

What I enjoy most about what I do is the variety.  I like that I'm able to work with the latest in fabric colors and designs, I'm able to keep my basic math skills up when writing patterns, and I'm able to see my designs come to life from a basic sketch.

My FIRST Cover!

Beth Hayes and the amazingly talented staff of McCall's Quilting gave me a great surprise:  My first cover!

Photo compliments of McCall's Quilting, Sept/Oct 2010 Issue

Please check out this issue, on newsstands soon: McCall's Quilting Magazine, September/October 2010.  I have two quilts in this issue (also a first!).  Hope you'll enjoy . . .

Savon Bouquet and Patchwork Rendezvous

I was browsing through Fabric.com's website and saw where they have 19 different fabrics from the Savon Bouquet line on sale for $3.99/yard . . .

I used Savon Bouquet for my quilt sample on the cover of my pattern: Patchwork Rendezvous.

This pattern still sells strongly and I thought I'd mention the great pricing for the fabric.

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern to make the quilt using this fabric, keep in mind that I used 25 different fat quarters for the finished quilt.

Fabric images from Fabric.com's website.

A First: Quilting Together Quilting Retreat

I received an invitation from my friend, Carolyn Beam, Creative Editor for Quiltmaker Magazine, to attend a new quilting retreat in Chicago, this year. It is called: Quilting Together in Chicago, and will be held September 29th - October 2, 2010. I will not be able to attend, but hope you can!

The Quilting Together website says that it "is the first event to bring together editors from you favorite quilting magazines with industry experts and innovators to provide avid quilters with a quilting retreat like no other."

In addition to Carolyn, Sherri Bain Driver, a former colleague, and Angie Hodapp, Editor-in-Chief of Quilters Newsletter, will also be holding a class. Sherri is Associate Editor of McCall's Quilting, McCall's Quick Quilts, and the McCall's Special Issues magazines.

Other instructors who will be teaching are Marianne Fons, co-founder of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine, Jo Morton, quilt artist, fabric designer, teacher, author, and lecturer, Dawn Cavanaugh, award winning custom freehand quilter, Jodie Davis, "quilting enabler" and host of Quilt Out Loud & Quilt It!, and Nancy Mahoney, author, teacher, and fabric designer.

Image and information obtained from the Quilting Together in Chicago website.

Spring Market Quilts: Free Patterns on QT's Website

Here are two quilts I made for Quilting Treasures, that hung during Spring Market 2010 . . . Patterns for these quilts will be on Quilting Treasures' website, soon!

My camera was not on the best setting, resulting in a blurry photo . . . This is Jim Shore's new line, called: Royal Family. Quilted by Linda Barrett of Threads and Traditions. Linda did a beautiful all-over swirled pattern in a periwinkle thread.

This photo was taken before the quilt was sent to Market. Playing card images are hand appliqued onto the pieced blue/cream check background. Bonus throw pillow pattern included!


Here is the second quilt: Made using Sweet Baby, by Susan Branch. Again, not such a great photo, but I wanted to share the image with you.

The chicks were hand appliqued, then eye and legs/feet applied using black pearl cotton embroidery floss. Linda custom quilted this one. Pretty scalloped edge, swirled motif in white spaces, blocks are stitch-in-the-ditch, chicks are outlined, and fanned motifs in chick block corners, resembling a chick's footprint.

New Discovery: Blue Rose Pottery

My husband, Erv, has been working in Mexico and living in El Paso, Texas, for the past 3 weeks. It's tough to be away from your spouse for that long, especially if he's your best friend and biggest fan. We enjoy spending time together, so there is a big void for both of us.

Bluebell Teapot Image compliments of Blue Rose Pottery

On Friday evening, I drove up to Charlotte to pick Erv up from the airport. On my way, I saw a couple of new billboards advertising a pottery store off Exit 85 of I-77 in South Carolina. The name of the store is Blue Rose Pottery. I thought it would be a fun shop to stop by when he flew out, a few days later, so that's what we did.

Indigo Place Setting Image compliments of Blue Rose Pottery 

Check out the beautiful patterns they sell on their website. While we were at the store, we also discovered a few Christmas patterns, too. I never knew there were so many unique Polish pottery shapes and designs available!

More Market Updates from Minneapolis

Last week was crazy-busy. I finally have a moment to share a few more of my observations from Spring Market . . .

What to look for in upcoming months, online and at your favorite quilt shop:

From Robert Kaufman . . .

Coming to stores in July: Monaluna's Metro Cafe. Add some solids, and this line would make into a beautiful Candy Bar Road!

Like butterflies and darling coordinating prints? Check out Remix by Ann Kelle. This grouping is very colorful and fun! Great for quilt backings, or try all prints with one of our easy patterns, such as Patchwork Rendezvous.

I saw lots of touches of gray in many of the new lines coming out, this Summer. Check out Nancy Mim's Free to Grow; a new organic cottons line. Try it with our Bachelorette Party pattern for a dynamic throw.

Updates from Spring 2010 Market, too!

Image compliments of Cloud9 Fabrics

One of my new favorites: Cloud9 Fabrics. Fresh and crisp, modern, yet nostalgic, happy and fun! Such beautifully selected colors for their designs. Makes you want to cover your bedroom in it! Check out their blog to see a photo of their booth during Spring Market 2010.

Moda/United Notions booth is ALWAYS a treat to visit!

It's A Hoot, by MoMo for Moda, Spring Market 2010 - Compliments of Moda/United Notions

Always pretty and a fabric wonderland.

 Compliments of Moda/United Notions, Spring Market 2010

Always making a statement with beautiful fabrics.

 Compliments of Moda/United Notions, Spring Market 2010

From contemporary to vintage, playful to traditional, their fabrics are a staple to quilt shops around the world.

More Market updates coming soon . . .

Updates from Spring 2010 Market

I had the pleasure of meeting darling fabric designer, Laura Gunn, who is an artist, by trade. We met her on our ride down to the Minneapolis Convention Center from our hotel.

Flyer compliments of Laura Gunn for Michael Miller, Spring Market, 2010

She has a new line of fabric through Michael Miller, called:  Poppy Collection. I love it because it's fresh and unique. The color tones are very pretty, too! I'm going to play around with the swatches to see what I can come up with. I think it will make into a fantastic quilt pattern.

Stay tuned for more updates, later . . .

Shasta Daisy . . . Our newest quilt pattern!

This is SuzGuz Designs' newest pattern, Shasta Daisy, using RJR's Shasta line by Lori Mason. Check out the entire line. I love the other color ways. The color way shown was chosen by the RJR Marketing staff.

Each daisy is machine appliqued and has two different sized petals. The petals are kept raw-edged with two layers of fabric, then snipped along the outside seam allowance to give a rag-quilt effect. Same technique is done with the daisy centers.

Linda Barrett, of Threads and Traditions, beautifully custom quilted each strip with a different motif. It is lovely! Shop owners, it will be shown in the United Notions booth during Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis, for a closer look. You can also find our Fleur Vivant...in yellow, in UN's booth, too.

Quilters can purchase the quilt pattern on our website beginning today.

Thanks so much for checking it out!

A Sentiment to my PC . . . Goodbye, dear friend . . .

I've been using my PC for almost 7 years, now. She had a great life, storing photos of my family, the dolls I used to create, random crafts I'd make, and the beginnings of my quilt designing career.

Like a comfortable pair of slippers that have seen their last day, I must replace her with a new model. The new kid on the block will have lots more storage to hold my Electric Quilt designs, fabric swatches to play with, and a brand new keyboard that doesn't show the shiny spots on the keys, from years of clicking away.

New kid: Arriving soon! (rah!)

A Lovely Young Lady

My quilter, Linda Barrett, of Threads and Traditions, is originally from England. However, Linda's father is from Estonia. Other than what Linda has shared with me, I knew nothing about this charming little country; the smallest of the Baltic countries that sits on the Baltic Sea.

You know how you start researching one thing, then it leads you to another? Well, through Lonely Planet, I stumbled upon a young lady's blog who wrote about a trip she took to Tallin, Estonia (town square pictured, above). I was drawn in by her experiences of travel, not only to Tallin, but to other spots across Europe. Go to her blog to learn interesting facts and tidbits about unique travel opportunities. She also just started a travel planning/consulting business that I hope to one day take advantage of. I bookmarked her site for the future. Near future, I hope!

FAST King-sized Quilt in McCall's Quick Quilts, June/July 2010

 

Look for McCall's Quick Quilts June/July 2010 Issue, on newsstands now!

Our newest addition to McCall's Quick Quilts is our Suite Rhapsody quilt. It is a super-fast King-sized quilt with a web-bonus pillow pattern through the McCall's Quick Quilts website. Fabrics are from Timeless Treasures, called Veranda.

Image and photo compliments of McCall's Quick Quilts, June/July 2010.