Two New Designs Coming Soon!

I have two new designs to talk about . . .

The first quilt pattern is called: In A Snap!

. . . and it is just that easy to make.  Made with (2) Turnover packs and (1) Honey Bun plus border, backing, and binding fabric.   You will love it!  My sample will be made using American Jane's Snippets for Moda.  Look for it under Moda's "Available In March" section.

The next quilt pattern is called: Mary Ellen's Basket

It is also an easy quilt to make and my mom (with whom it is named after) already gave it high marks.  I knew she'd love it because the fabrics used are florals and colors she loves.  Made with (3) Turnovers, (1) Jelly Roll plus enough fabric for 2 borders, backing, and binding fabric.  My sample will be made using Lila Tueller's Soiree for Moda.  Look for it under Moda's "Available In February" section.  Special Note:  Lila Tueller's Soiree line does not come with Turnovers.  Instructions will be noted on the pattern if you choose to use this fabric.

These patterns should be available within the next 7 to 10 days.  The quilts will be shown during Spring Market at the United Notions booth.

Coffee Mugs . . . How many do you have?

Erv and I are muggaholics. Yep. That's us! Whenever we're out at Starbucks, visiting somewhere out of town, stopping in at a local gift shop, at the airport, etc., etc., we look at coffee mugs. We have a multitude of mugs for almost every holiday. We can justify almost any mug purchase, too. We have so many Christmas mugs that we have to clear out our every-day mugs and pack them away during the holiday season. Next time you're in a store and you see a mug you like, buy it and enjoy it. It is one of our simple life's pleasures!

Braided Rag Rug Tutorial on Moda Bake Shop

I mentioned earlier last year that I wanted to take a class on learning to make braided rag rugs. I never took the class because I had waaaay too much to do at the time. Well, I came across a tutorial written by Vanessa of V & Co. on the Moda Bake Shop blog and it looks so easy to make - includes some great photos, too!

Click on the banner and be sure to let me know if you decide to make one of these rugs. I'd love to see how yours turns out!

Asian Fabric Magazine's Winter (End of March, 2009) Issue

I'm working with this Kona Bay panel and created a wall hanging for Asian Fabric Magazine, the magazine published for Kona Bay Fabrics. Along with the wall hanging will be a coordinating throw that will blend with the panel. I'm going to attempt to do some fabric origami on the wall hanging. It will be my first time doing origami of any kind. I thought it would be neat to incorporate the 3-D - look of the origami, adding visual texture to the piece.

I picked up the book, "Origami Rings & Wreaths, A Kaleidoscope of 28 Decorative Origami Creations", by Tomoko Fuse, to use as my teacher. I'll be using up to 3 of the designs created in the book. Tomoko says, "The simple and clear instructions are so easy to follow that even absolute beginners can make units in a few steps without confusion." That comment alone would be why I bought the book.

One day, I hope to take some time and use paper to create some of these unique pieces. There are some great sites on the web where you can buy packages of different origami papers. And WOW!, are they gorgeous.

If you've ever done origami, please leave a comment and let us know how you liked it and what you created from paper or fabric, using this unusual craft.

June 2009 issue of Quilter's Home Magazine, etc.

I received a phone call from Mark Lipinski of Quilter's Home magazine on Friday, asking a few questions about a quilt I made specifically for QH.  The name of the quilt is "Go Bananas!", and it will be in the June 2009 issue, along with some other colorful quilts.  I used the fabric line called: Minny Muu, by Lecien (a Japanese fabric company).  The fabrics are very playful and fun and I hope you'll enjoy the quilt, too!  The quilt's center is a traditional, somewhat-difficult pattern but I made it up so that anyone can make it easily.

I just checked my photo album to see if I could give you a sneek-peek, but I had forgotten that, at the time, I was rushed to get the quilt in the mail and never took a picture of it.  All I have is the EQ6 image and it simply doesn't show the fabrics as well as in person.

This afternoon I must work on the upcoming "Norman Rockwell's Christmas" collection quilt for Quilting Treasures.  It's a very simple design and I'll let you know when it is available as a free pattern on QT's site (sometime after May).  The quilt will be shown at Spring Market in Pittsburgh, as well, for those of you who are attending.  I'm waiting for my "I Love Lucy" fabrics (also QT).  That's the next one I'll be doing for Spring Market, as well.  The new line is called: "Hollywood At Last".  The thing I love about QT's fabrics is that they bring back such fond memories of the past!

Life does go on . . . but I can still cry a few tears in the mean time

I found out last night that my girlfriend's mom passed away last year. Her brother told me so . . . I recently connected with him through the internet. I lost touch with the family several years ago. I sent an invitation to Erv's and my wedding but it came back without a forwarding address. I remember being very sad knowing they would not be there, even if in spirit.

Liz's mom was full of love, joy, and talent galore! She was compassionate and passionate. She was spunky! She had a lovely eye for the details, in life and in her art. I remember how profoundly her talent touched me. She could do anything! I particularly remember a quilt she made for her first grandchild, Katie. She hand appliqued the top with a story-book-like theme and it was stunning (she also wrote a story to go along with it). I also remember thinking at the time: how did she do that? and: gosh, how I'd love to be able to do that, too!

Paul wrote in his e-mail that his mom loved me like a daughter. He was so kind to say those words . . .

I loved her so very much . . . more than she'll ever know!

This Week: Playing Catch-up . . . with RJR

I designed two wall hangings a couple of months ago with the new Susan Branch's "In Love With Nature" fabric by RJR that I will be making into patterns. I got my fabric and measurements out today so I can start cutting & sewing them together. They both have the same applique on the tops (falling leaves and a few bumble bees!) but the patterns themselves are slightly different. One is called: "Picnic In The Glade" and the other is called: "Summer In The Forest". PITG is made using stronger tones from the line and SITF is made using more muted tones. I hope to have them finished soon and they will be available as patterns on my website, hopefully within the next few weeks. I'll post pictures, too.

Next on the agenda was to finish a design using the newest RJR's Everything But The Kitchen Sink fabrics (due in quilt shops this month). I finished it yesterday and made some minor tweaks today. I ordered the fabric and will begin that project, soon. That's another one that began a few months ago but, due to several deadlines, it had to be delayed. The name of this new design is called: Butterscotch Candy and it uses an array of fabrics from this line. I'm excited to get started on it, as I know the fabrics are going to go together quite well and will look so much better in person (I used my EQ6 software to place the fabrics into my design). It is always a bit challenging to design on EQ6 with the 1930's prints because the tones are lighter and aren't very true-to-life. And although this new pattern will have some traditional blocks, I hope the encouragement of using many different fabrics will peak quilter's interests to try it!

There are more things to come with RJR, but for now I can cross a few more things off of my list . . . :)