Busy week

Sorry everyone for no posts and no sew along pics or updates. I've had a family emergency along with other things that have taken me away from the computer. I hope to be back up and caught up in the next couple of days.
Quick update: 1) talking with Gammill about something very exciting, 2) a magazine editor contacted me to ask if I can piece 2 quilts (small size) for them. Absolutely, the challenge...can't help myself...I love it! 3)Need to interject that I have some wonderful friends and mentors who are helping me....can't say what this is about but exciting 4) another exciting event for me in the quilt world.....5) I have to piece 6 quilts by the end of October.......
I was going to try to drive down to Rock Hill, SC, my home town, at the end of the month. But with all that has been going on I don't think I can afford the travel time. I might have to make the trip in December.

So.... what do you think? Do you like this quilt? Look for it in a magazine next year....I will let you know when the time gets closer!! until then.........Happy Sewing!

Sew Along! oops!!

Hello everyone, I forgot yesterday was my "post sew along" blocks!! I totally forgot! I was busy working on my Blooming 9patch, sitting with Kate and grandbaby AnnaLynne...just enjoying my Sunday...so sorry!!
I will go and get the next blocks up! It will take me a bit so be patient with me.
Now, who turned on the cold temps!!? It is freezing here and we had a frost advisory last night. I never said that could happen!! LOL brrrrr.....
Off to work I go!

Our Potluck Sit-n-Sew

Last night's event was fun! As usual, I did not get anything of mine done, but I'm supposed to be there for helping others and help I did. I enjoyed all the different projects the ladies are working on. I love it when my students come in!
Chef Shannon was with us last night, loved her Asian cuisine! That was some good eating!  Great job Shannon!!

Before the potluck I had to stop at Kroger to pick up cookies. While I was in the store I stopped by the magazine stand. There was the newest magazine!! Fons & Porter Scrap Quilts Bookazine!! My Blackford's Beauty was in there, page 82!!! Wooohooo!!!

Hopefully I will have the quilt back in my possession soon!!

Happy Sewing everyone!!

Sit-n-Sew Potluck at the Village Quilt Shoppe in Lake Orion

For those of you Michiganders....Tonight is Sit-n-Sew at The Village Quilt Shoppe!! It is potluck too and I hear we are having a chef cook some Asian cuisine for us!! If you plan on attending, bring something to share!! The cost is $5, give the shop a call 248-391-5727 so that we can make sure we have enough tables set up!! Its gonna be fun fun fun!! Food, Sewing and Great Conversation!! The staff is here to help you with your project, so come on out and join us.

I've been viewing my quilt recently, this is the one that made the cover of F&P Easy Scrap Quilts last year. I love this quilt!! I do believe I want to make it again...but alas I have other projects in front of it...like..............

This quilt is my Blooming 9patch. I am using Robert Kaufman's fabric line oh darn...what is the name of it...season of splender? Oh I forget now...when I go to the shop today I will find the name and update this!!

Now this quilt is due back here at home any day!! It is Fons and Porter's Scrap Quilts newest release....I wonder when it will arrive at my doorstep?

Happy Sewing everyone!!

Why oh why do we quilt?

So, can you answer that question? What makes you want to sew? What makes you want to create? Do you get an adrenaline rush when you pull into the parking lot of the quilt shop? or, see that "perfect" fabric, that you must caress, touch, hold, carry around the store in your arms so that no one else can have the fabric? What about thread? Do you get excited from seeing all the threads and what you could possibly do with it?
What inspires you? Is it nature? Someone else's pattern? Is it something that is in your surroundings example: curtains, rugs?
Now, this question was posed on one of the yahoo email groups I belong to: Who taught you how to sew?
So, did you take classes? Did one of your friends beg and plead you to come take a class with them and if you did not like it then you never had to do it again...and as it turned out, you were the one hooked!! and not your friend?!! LOL
Did you take home ec when you were in school? Did you love it or hate it?
Are any of you self taught?
Even after taking lots of classes do you feel confident to tackle things on your own?

How about choosing fabrics? Can you do this? Do you prefer to purchase kits? This way the colors are already chosen for you and you should not have any waste? That means, no scrap stash!! But for some that is exactly what they prefer. Me, I love my stash! Do I use it? Sad to say not very often...why is that?

So, why do we quilt?....that is the ? of the day..........

Happy Sewing! Love to hear from you!!

Classes at The Village Quilt Shoppe

Hi everyone, I thought I'd post the newsletter so you can see what is being taught at my favorite shop!

Sorry for the winter shot!! This is the only picture I have...maybe I should go update it!! Road trip!

Volume 9, Issue 4 Autumn 2012

The Village Quilt Shoppe
2359 Joslyn Ct.
Lake Orion, Michigan 48360
(248) 391.5727
www.thevillagequiltshoppe.com


Autumn Shoppe Hours
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 11:00am-5:30pm


Inspirations for tomorrow’s heirlooms…….
Where OPTIONS are a must……..

Carolyn’s Corner

I love autumn. It is my favorite time of the year. I love the warm days and cool evenings and the colors are awesome. My second authored book just hit the book shelves, I Can Quilt. It’s a great book for young “tweens”. If you have a daughter or granddaughter interested in quilting, this book was designed with them in mind. All the projects are geared for young ladies wants and needs in colors they will truly enjoy. And what also makes it special, is that all but one project can be made mainly with pre cuts. I hope you check in out.
Lots of new fun fabrics have started to show up at the shoppe. We have many new and exciting things ordered. Our instructors have added some fun and exciting classes that may interest you so make sure to check them out.
I understand that there will be some changes in Canterbury Village and I think these changes are long overdue. In the next year you will notice improvements in the grounds and new merchants. There is a push to bring in events and the people back to the village. As you all know, Carroll and I love this village and have stuck by it even in bad times. It will be wonderful to see interest in it again. Watch for the new changes and support the shops, if you can. The village is a treasure that only needs a bit of shinning.
Be happy, be creative and
Keep Piecing, Carolyn

This Year’s Motto: Refresh!!!

Learn Something New

Sewing Machine Cleaning and Tune ups
We are now offering basic cleaning and tune ups for your sewing machines here at the shoppe. Next time your machine needs a little TLC stop on by.

Join the Breakfast Club….Today

The first Thursday of every month. Come join us for coffee, tea or…. and a light breakfast. A great way to meet quilters, share recipes, show and tell, demos, get motivated, and be inspired and we try to have a special project each month. 10:00am - ? Everyone is welcome. RSVP please. (248) 391-5727. It’s a fun club.
October 4th, 10:00am - ?
November 1st, 10:00am - ?
December 6th, 10:00am - ?
January 10th, 10:00am - ?
February 7th, 10:00am - ?

Potluck Patchwork Party

Looking for a night out? Need some help with a project? Or maybe you just want to hang out with great people who quilt. We are having a Potluck Quilting Party for quilters. All you have to do is RSVP, bring a dish to pass, a project to work on and enjoy. We will supply the expert help, drinks and all the paper products. The cost is $5.00. The party will be held on a Friday evening each month.
September 21st, 6:00 – 9:30pm
October 19th, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
November 16th, 6:00 – 9:30pm
December 14th, 6:00 – 9:30pm
January 18th, 6:00 – 9:30pm
February15th, 6:00 – 9:30pm
What a way to spend an evening.

Mystery Night, It’s Time Again!

Friday, November 9th, 2012 6:00 – Midnight
It’s time again for the bi-annual Mystery Night. Come in and pick out your fabrics, pay for the class and we will send you home with your cutting instructions so you can be ready to sew, sew, sew! We will serve you dinner and be your ironing slaves for the evening. What more could you asked?
*Must pre-register…………………………………. $25.00

Let’s Help Lighthouse of Oakland Co.
Thank all of you who donated stockings and the stuffers, doll quilts and pillowcases. Again this year, we will manage to make a sizable donation for the Christmas Store. I know we will make some little ones a bit more cheerful on Christmas morning. If you are still working on projects you have until the weekend after Thanksgiving to drop them off.
I know they were truly appreciated last year and were given to needy families in our community. Now don’t forget we also have a food drop box in our foyer. Now is the time to start if you intend to donate, either food or stockings and pillowcases. With the economy still a mess, there are many in need and I personally feel every child should have a Christmas no matter the circumstances.
Don’t forget the paper bags also. They really need them.

The Great Escape Retreat... 

will be

October, 11, 12, 13 & 14, 2012, for details stop in the shoppe. 

There are still a few open slots.

WHAT’S NEW!!!!
• New fabrics coming all the time!
• I Can Quilt Book by Carolyn S. Vagts
• Batiks, Batiks, and more Batik!
• Follow me on Quilter’s World Facebook and on Pinerest
• We are carrying knit books.
• We are carrying Kanzashi Flower Makers one of the hottest new trends in quilting!
• Innspire Moldable Interfacing for Bowls
• 3D Cubes
Inspiration for tomorrow’s heirlooms…
Registration and Class Policy
• Class fees are due upon registration.
• Phone reservations will be held three days to allow for mail or drop-off of payment.
• Cancellation deadline is five days prior to class. If we do not have at least three people for class, the Village Quilt Shoppe reserves the right to cancel the class and your registration fee will be refunded or applied to another class.
• Patterns, books, and handouts cannot be shared or photocopied due to copyright laws. Let’s help to keep these talented and creative designers in business.
• A supply list will be given at the time of registration. Please come to class with all required supplies. We appreciate your purchase of supplies from us-it helps to insure that we will be able to serve your needs.
Sewing machines should be brought to your class unless otherwise stated.
Is there a class you would like to do? Let us know and we will see what we can do.

Machine Quilting

Thursday, September 27th, 11:00am – 3:00pm….…..$30.00
Saturday, October 27, 10:00am –3:00pm…….….…..$30.00
This is a technique class. Learn all the tricks to machine quilting from Elizabeth. She will teach you the how-to’s and all the little tricks to make your quilting a success.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Instructor: Elizabeth Helwig

Biscuit Basket

Saturday, September 22, 10:00 – 3:00pm……..……. $24.00
Learn to make this clever little basket in an afternoon. Once you make one you will want to keep making them. It’s a great way to use up leftover fabrics and create beautiful gifts at the same time. Just think of how organized you will be with these gorgeous baskets to fill.
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Carolyn Vagts

Inn-Spire Leaf Bowl

Saturday, October 6, 10:00 – 1:00 pm……………$18.00
Create beautiful bowls with Inn-spire and your stash. They’re like potato chips, one is never enough. Come and spend a day learning all the possibilities with this new product.
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Carolyn Vagts
Inspiration for tomorrow’s heirlooms…………

Machine Appliqué Carolyn’s Way

Saturday, October 20, 10 – 3:00pm………………. $30.00
Come in and spend a day creating a fun and easy floral wall hanging. Let Carolyn show you her way and discover a care free way to create quilted art.
Level: Confident Beginner/ Intermediate
Instructor: Carolyn Vagts

Elizabeth’s Appliqué Day

The first Sunday of every month…………………...$15.00
Many of you are in the midst of projects started, and some of you need to get going. This class is an open workshop that will benefit everyone. Come join in the fun whether you are experienced or just beginning. Hand appliqué only please. Elizabeth is knowledgeable in all forms of hand appliqué.
September 9& October 7, 11:00am- 2:00pm. Must pre-register for this class.
Level: All
Instructor: Elizabeth Helwig

Holly Bowl

Friday, November 23, 10:00 – 1:00pm…………... $18.00
These bowls are like potato chips. Once you start making them you can’t stop. Learn to work with Craftex and how-to finish edges with satin stitches. This bowl can easily be completed in class.
Level: Confident Beginner
Instructor: Carolyn Vagts
*Your machine must have a satin/zig zag stitch.

Beginning Quilting 101

Wednesday, October 10 &24, 10:30 – 3:30pm
Or Saturday, Nov.10 & 24, 10:00-3:00pm…………. $60.00
If quilting is what you want to learn, this is the class for you. Learn the basic to quilt construction along with all the tips to make it a successful journey. Nancy will teach you all the basics to cutting and piecing.
Level: Novice
Instructor: Nancy McNally

Monday Morning Sit and Sew

Come on in every Monday from 10:00am to 1:00pm for our sit and sew. It’s free and the coffee is always on. What a great way to meet new friends and get a little sewing done.
You’re always welcome.

Blooming 9-Patch

Saturday, November 3, 10-3:00pm …………………$30.00
Or Friday, November 9, 10-3:00pm…………………$30.00
This quilt shows you how to work with contrast and value. You will layout your fabric choices first and then begin working from the center out. You will love the end result!
If you need help in picking out fabrics, let Nancy know in advance and she will meet you at The Village Quilt Shoppe to help you. The collection Nancy has used: Robert Kaufman's: Shades of the Season,
Level: Confident Beginner

Instructor: Nancy McNally

Scrappy Delectable Mountain

Saturday, December 1, 10 – 1:00pm……………. $18.00
Come on in and learn to make the Delectable Mountain Block. It’s “sew” easy to construct. This block is also great to add as a border. Nancy will show you a couple different layouts and let you run with it.

Level: Confident Beginner
Instructor: Nancy McNally

Christmas Tree

Saturday, November 17, 10-1:00pm………………. $18.00
You will have two options for quilt size in this class, full size or table runner. Please choose a size when signing up. This is such a fun and easy quilt to make, 3D Christmas Trees and Pinwheels. Choose bright and fun fabrics. You’ll fall in love with this quilt
Level: Confident Beginner
Instructor: Nancy McNally

Bargello Table Runner

Thursday, November 8, 10:30 – 2:30pm & Nov. 15, 10:30-1:30………………………………………………. $42.00
Grace your table this holiday season, with a beautiful bargello table runner. Learn the bargello technique based on
Historic needlepoint patterns, updated into a quilt pattern. Using Eileen Wright’s book, Twist & Turn Bargello Quilts, you will create a timeless piece for your table.
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Dawn Nelson

3D Magic Cube

Tuesday, October 16, 10:00 – 2:00pm………..……$24.00
Or Tuesday, November 13, 10:00 – 2:00pm…...$24.00
Create a fascinating piece that will have young and old alike, twisting and turning the blocks to see what pattern comes up next. Using a kit created by Carla, we will make a cube from fabric and foam. This will make a fun gift for someone special.
Level: Confident Beginner
Instructor: Dawn Nelson

18” Doll Clothes

Thursday, October, 18, 10 – 2:00pm………………$24.00
or
Wednesday, November, 28, 10:00 – 2:00………$24.00
Is there a young lady with an 18” doll in your life? Do you love those colorful fat quarters, but are not sure what to make with them? Try making some bright fun outfits for 18” dolls. We will be using a House of White Birches book available at the Shoppe. And learn some shortcuts, and fun techniques along the way. Let Dawn show you how to turn fat quarters and scraps into treasures.
Top 3 Patterns
1. Poorhouse Inn-spire Bowls
2. Turning Twenty Again
3. Bailey Island Bag

3D Kanzashi Flowers

Tuesday, October 23, 10:00 – 12:00pm…….………. $12.00
Or Wednesday, November 7, 10:00 – 12:00pm……..$12.00
Using Clovers Kansazhi makers, you can create a whole bouquet of flowers. Quick and easy, you will find much use for these adorable pieces; add to your purses, lapels, make magnets or add to just about anything.
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Dawn Nelson


Top 3 Patterns
1. Poorhouse Inn-spire Bowls
2. Turning Twenty Again
3. Bailey Island Bag

Inspiration for tomorrow’s heirlooms…..
Top 10 Notions
1. Clover Binding Clips
2. Inn-Spire
3. Kanzashi Flower makers by Clover
4. Sewline Mechanical Pencil
5. IBC Glass Head Pins
6. inn-spire™ Non Woven
7. Kanzashi Flower Makers
8. Quick Yo Yo Makers
9. Little Gripper
10. Desk needle threader

Classified Ads

Long Point Quilting
Margaret Serda
Custom and Pantographs
Phone: 248-693-4349
http://community. Webshots.com/user/ms3rose
(Photo website)
Email: ms3rose@gmail.com

Nancy Hughson
Custom and Pantographs
Phone: 248-683-7983
Email: www.QuiltedImpressions.com

Nancy McNally
One Stitch at a Time
Phone: 248- 275-9465
Email: nancy.Mcnally@comcast.net
http://nancysonestitchatatime.blogspot.com

Darlene Zimmerman at guild meeting

We had a wonderful guest speaker last night at our guild meeting, Darlene Zimmerman. I enjoyed her trunk show and I love her products (rulers)! I wanted this book as soon as I saw it!

The cover caught my eye!! I can't wait to try out some of her techniques from the book. I think I'm ready to attempt new bindings!! Thanks Darlene for a great night!

Here is Darlene's website:

http://www.feedsacklady.com/

Happy Sewing everyone!!

Sew Along Time!!

I began posting this yesterday, which was Sunday afternoon, when I realized that I was so exhausted that I was not and could not think straight. So, I saved it and figured I would post it this morning (Monday). Sorry folks, my brain was just fried!!

Hello everyone, Sorry it is the afternoon and I'm just now getting to post the Sew Along. Sunday is a very busy day for me, I had to take a nap! LOL I was tuckered out!
So here goes the first two blocks. I will put up the chain block and a single block.
Please send pictures when you can.

Eight Pointed Star

I used my Tri Recs rulers for this block.

Cut 1 strip from the light background fabric 3 1/2" x wof. Out of this strip you should be able to gt all of the back ground units.

You will need 5-3 1/2" squares. For the equal lateral triangles, using the Tri Recs triangle that matches the shape, cut out 4 light colored triangles. Now for the Right Triangles (dark units) Cut out a 3 1/2" x 22" dark strip of fabric. Fold the fabric wrong side to wrong side, so now your strip will be 3 1/2" x 11". Use the right Triangle ruler and cut out your dark triangle units. If you have never used these rulers they are worth a trip to the store!! I use them often. Instructions on how to use the rulers are included when you purchase them. Also you can go to their website and print off the instructions if you have lost yours.

For assembling the blocks: we will do the triangles and right triangles first. I lay out my units just like this for sewing. Now you can line up your fabric pieces and sew. 

The rest of the block you sew in a 9patch formation. I layout mine just like they appear in the block. Make certain your center triangle units are facing in the right direction!! 

Chain block running through the quilt:  

Alabama Variation

You will need 18 blocks

Center square: cut 2 light background strips 2 ¾” x wof, sub cut into 2 ¾” squares (18 total). Set aside

Chain squares: cut 9 strips of background fabric 1 5/8” x wof, subcut into 1 5/8” squares if you are making the dark colored logs from a variety of scraps. You need a total of 216 of these squares.

***If you are “controlling” your colors, then you will want to cut two of the background strips for each “red” strip, to make your strip sets, then you will subcut these into 1 5/8” units.

Dark colored fabrics:

You will need 2 of the same size of each log (same color) for each block.

Green: cut 2 strips at 2 ¾” x wof, cut 2 strips at 5” x wof, cut 2 strips 7 ¼” x wof. With each of these green strips, sub cut the strips into 1 5/8" rectangles. You will need 36 of each one.

Strip sets for easier piecing: (red)

Strip set 1: you will be making 2.(red) cut 2 red strip at 2 3/4" x wof, cut 4 strips of light (cream) at 1 5/8" x wof. Make your strip set light, dark, light (cream/red/cream). Press towards the dark. Sub cut your strip set into 1 5/8" units, you will need 36

Strip set 2: (make 2) Red cut 2 strips at 5"x wof, cream cut 4 at 1 5/8" x wof. Make 2 strip sets: L/D/L or cream/red/cream. Press towards the dark. Subcut into 1 5/8 strips, you will need 36

Strip set 3: (make 2) Red cut 2 strips at 7 1/4" x wof, cream cut 4 at 1 5/8" x wof. Do the same as above, you will need 36 of these units.

For assembly: you will begin working from the center out.
1) Attach 2 greens (2 3/4" x 1 5/8") rectangles to opposite sides (top & bottom) of your solid cream block 2 3/4" x 2 3/4". Press towards the dark.
2) Attach 2 reds strips from strip set 1, to sides of your unit (left and right).

3) Attach 2 green strips 5" x 1 5/8" to top and bottom, press towards dark.
4) Attach 2 red strips from strip set 2, to left and right sides.
5) Attach 2 green strips 7 1/4" 1 5/8" to top and bottom
6) Attach the last red strip set (3) to the left and right sides

You need 18 of these blocks. You can make 1 a week to ease the work, or make them all at once.

Happy Sewing!
Now I have to get to work on a quilt due to Quilter's World magazine....due next Monday and I still have to longarm quilt it! AHHHHHHH Sorry If I have made any mistakes....My brain is in a thousand places this morning!!

Rainy Friday

Today is raining outside and it is Friday!! But, I'm happy today!! My bestest ever quilting buddy is over!!! WOOHOO!! We have been working on quilts together for a long time and today I was helping her use the longarm machine...practice practice practice....

This coming week I plan on designing a few quilts, little quilts from this book. I would like to practice some of the blocks in the book and make some miniature quilts. Or should I say, small quilts...

Happy Sewing!

Autumn Breeze Design & Delectable Mountain

This fall I will be teaching how to make the Blooming 9-patch quilt. Most quilters already know that it is just a 9-patch and a solid square, BUT, when you make this quilt it is a study of color placement and values!! I love making this quilt, I have made a couple...don't own either one...I gave them away...sigh...
So, without further delay here is the one I will be teaching:

If you own the book Tradition with a Twist, you will notice the authors, Blanche Young & Dalene Young Stone, make their Blooming quilts very busy. I have heard numerous times that most quilters don't care for the busyness of the quilt. Most quilters add some solids or light colors to rest the eye. I agree. I did design my quilt in solid fabrics, just looks nicer in EQ7 to do this. I will not make my quilt out of solids. I probably will use batiks! I so love Batiks, especially Hoffman Batiks! If you pay attention to my work in the magazines, I use Hoffman's Batiks!

Also, I will be teaching a scrappy Delectable Mountain. 

 I love this with the applique in the border!! 

Hope you have a wonderful day!! 

Happy Sewing!

Wonder's Binding clips....

I used the clips today for a different purpose than binding. See how I attached my units to my pattern. I have a bazillion half square triangles to piece and keep them separated! So, instead of using paperclips or just making a pile, I clipped them to my pattern sheets.

SWEET! Love it when I can use something else for more than just its original purpose! 

They won't damage your fabric, are easy to open and close!

Here is the link to purchase the wonder clips if you would like some:

http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=15637&criteria=clips

And by the way, isn't this fabric adorable?!! It is from Moda, here is the link:

http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_good_morning_me_and_my_sister.pdf  

I'm working on a quilt for Quilter's World magazine, and this is the fabric line I chose! I fell in love with it! It wouldn't have anything to do with being a grand mother now and have a precious little grand daughter, now would it?

Wanna see what I played with yesterday?

Hi everyone, yesterday I got a little curious and had to try out a method of piecing these Christmas Tree units from a customer's quilt. The pattern is free through Moda, I'm hoping the link still works!!
http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_jovial.pdf if not, please drop me a line!!

So here is what I made yesterday, I think this quilt is adorable!! And!! I wish I would have had some fun fabrics like my customer, I used what I had here. So here goes....

17" x 7

fold in half, fold is on your left

place ruler on diagonal, fold is on the left, only place your ruler this way!!

cut in half, you will use the bottom portion for your tree

I opened my triangle up to see the size, used several of my other triangle rulers to see if this could have been cut different, but none fit...so follow the instructions!!

sorry, I forgot a step!! Here you place a white background square that is 8  x 5 down, right side facing up.  The fold of the triangle (green) is where the scissors are. Place the tip of the triangle 1 1/8" away from the top of the rectangle. The raw edge of the triangle and raw 8" side of rectangle line up. Now take another 8 x 5 rectangle place on top, pin in place and sew the layers together. Yes, you will have excess hanging below your newly pieced unit....sorry, no picture, I forgot.  Open the unit and trim off the bottom excess. I pressed the seam open on the tree and added the trunk. click on the link for all the measurements. This quilt is adorable!! 

I love these blocks. Included in the pattern are 3D pinwheels also!! Just a fun quilt..now back to work!!
Happy Sewing everyone!!

Sew Along fabric requirements

Here are the Sew Along fabric requirements:
Blue/Red version with Applique:

Background: 3 1/2 yards
Blues (variety) total yardage: 2 1/2 yards
Reds (variety) total yardage: 4 yards
Now, remember this is scrappy, yet controlled! LOL go figure! Attack your scraps if you want or go support your local quilt shop and buy the fabric.






Green/red version with designed border:

Background: 2 1/2 yards
Greens (variety) total yardage: 3 1/2 yards
Reds (variety) total yardage: 2 1/2 yards

If someone would like to use different colors but are unsure how it would look, send me your idea and I will do a recolor and send it to you or post it...maybe someone else would like to use your color scheme.

Please let me know how things are going. I will post the first blocks (the chain and 1 block) on Sunday, September 16. More than likely it will not be until the afternoon. Sundays are busy for me in the am hours, so afternoon is best. Also, don't forget that both fabric requirement include the border designs.

Happy Sewing everyone!!

Allergies...and Block of the Week

Who can figure out what I'm allergic to? I can't!! The hotel we stayed at on Friday night was the Marriot of Troy, MI. I woke up every hour on the hour with a wicked sore throat! I also thought the mattress was extremely comfortable but woke up in pain from tossing and turning all night long! I just wanted to come home. And we did early. My poor husband wanted us to spend the entire day together...he had no plans as to what we were going to do...just stay together....sitting in the hotel room all day long...ummm no.....so we came home by 10:30. I got some meds in me and within a few hours I was feeling sooo much better. Last night sleeping in my bed was wonderful!

I would like to being posting a free block each month and also have a block that will be the chain in the quilt.

There are 2 different colorways and 2 different borders. If you don't like the colors, choose your own. It is meant to look scrappy. Also, if you are not into busy borders or applique, then choose a solid border.
The quilts finish at 63 x 85. The block size is 9 x 9 finished (9 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished). There are 18 of the chain blocks, and 17 of the other blocks, total number of blocks 35. I'm going to change this to a Block of the week, who wants to wait almost 3 years to get a complete pattern?
Applique, do however you wish, needle turn, raw edge, machine, freezer paper method....does not matter to me! The busy border in the first quilt, I will add those blocks at the end. Remember, you don't have to do either one, you can finish it with a solid border.
So, if you are interested get your fabric ready and please drop me a line for the sew-a-long Block of the week!
Happy Sewing everyone!!

Friday!! I have a song in my head!!

It is Friday morning and I have a song stuck in my head! Who remembers "Delta Dawn" by Helen Reddy and Tanya Tucker???
Here is the youtube link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKvo_NyeTcs

Ok, here is another one from the 70's by Cher...remember this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOSZwEwl_1Q&feature=fvwrel
Found another one that I loved when I was kid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnYAkvCpom0&feature=related
yes, I like woman who have a strong alto voice!! I can sing with them!!

Today, my friend Dawn is coming over and we are going to "power sew". Do you know how to power sew? You just sew!! You don't have lots of chatter going on...just get the work done! Go to lunch and then come back and sew more!! One thing when I have friends over for sewing, I can't crank up the music, sing and dance around my sewing room!! It really gets my creativity flowing and it is exercise for me! Anyway, it is going to be a productive day. I have to finish piecing a quilt for Quilter's World magazine. This is a neat quilt that will go to my grand daughter when she is old enough for her "big girl" bed ;o)

Tonight, my husband and I are going to have a wonderful date night. He said we are going to get Mediterranean food!!! I can't wait!! I'm so excited!

Tomorrow, our church is having the annual free to the community Fall Festival....so come on over to Oakland Woods Baptist Church.

Time to get busy folks.....

It is Thursday...and....Book Review!!

This morning I was working so hard on getting the binding finished for the quilt that was due to Quilty magazine. I did not design the quilt, I just pieced, quilted and bound the quilt for them. I hope they ask me to do another one. But here is my issue: I have contact dermatitis with lets just say fabrics and battings...well I emailed the editor and told her I was working on the quilt and should have it completed by the morning. But my hands were on fire! I thought it was the flannel. I thought there might have been something, chemical?, in the fabric that was burning my hands. The editor suggested that it could be the batting. Now that makes sense. Anyone else have this issue?
Also, I was reading the back of my Roxanne's needle holder I noticed that the needles are made from Nickel! I'm allergic to nickel. No wonder I don't like holding the needle! Yes, I could use a thimble or I could use a leather wrap type of thimble...and those have chromium...which I'm allergic to also ...go figure! What is a girl to do?!
Anyone have suggestions?

Book Review: Learn to Make A Quilt from start to finish

by Carolyn S. Vagts

Every month at The Village Quilt Shop in Lake Orion, Michigan, I teach the beginner's quilt class using this book! See, my name is at the top of the book. This book is one of the easiest reading quilt books I've ever gotten my hands on! The instructions and clear and concise (easy peasy)! Oh, and quilters love pictures, we would rather look at the pictures than read, you know!  Also, there is a unique way to bind your quilt in this book. I will confess I did not even read that part of the book until recently! I was caught red handed by the author of the book (who is also the editor of Quilter's World magazine)...she asked me,  "How I teach binding?"...ummm...my way? Wrong answer!! I just assumed, and we know you are not suppose to do that, that everyone did their binding the same method I did. The method I'm referring to, is how you join the ends together. Now, I'm not going to give it away, you have to go check this out for yourself. The book is very reasonably priced, not expensive at all...heck, buy it just to learn this easy way of binding..there is no math to it!! No awkward sewing to join those ends!!

Another great note about this beginner quilt book is that the beginner learns how to cut properly: bricks, half square triangles (2 sizes) and solid squares.She instructs proper piecing, pressing seams correctly... There is also a list of extra tools that you just might want to have on hand.

Carolyn takes you literally from beginning to end! You complete the quilt with this book! 

Way to go Carolyn!

So, where can you purchase this book? 

Here is the link: 

http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=16154&cat_id=175

Happy Sewing everyone!

give away over, winners picked

Hi everyone, thank you for all the wonderful comments. i have chosen the winners at random and they have been notified.
please continue following along this quilting journey with me! I will be posting book reviews starting this week.
take care everyone and happy sewing!

Picking winners

Oh my goodness! I'm picking the winners for my blog drawing from yesterday's post. I must have neglected to tell y'all to leave me your info cuz most did not! LOL OH my! I click on your name and there is no information for me to write down or to email you "Hey you won!" I had my son choose numbers at random, came back to my blog and then started counting...well this is not working out as well as I had hoped! LOL
Ok, I will do my best to pick the winners...and there is an extra fat quarter pack that I am sending out! So there will be 3 winners total, how sweet is that?! Wish me luck!
 Please look for my work out on newstands! Now to figure out a winner!

Quiltmaker Magazine's Rocks the Block Blog tour!!

Good morning quilting fans!!

It is Quiltmaker magazine's Rocks the Blocks Blog tour day!! How exciting! All the quilter designers who are featured today have a quilt in the newest magazine: Quilts From 100 Blocks.

Here is the cover of the magazine that should be on newstands today!! What do you think? I love the cover!!

 

Here is my quilt featured in the magazine, my quilt is on page 87 All a Glow!! And man does it ever scream "Look at me"! 

And yes, this is the quilt, not a digital image from EQ7. I quilted the heck out of it too!! 

Now, I thought I would show where this quilt came from. What inspired me ....first I found the "100 Blocks" magazine. I decided I would try to design a block and see how that went. I did it, here is the block:

 Now, can you see this block in the quilt image above? Once my block was accepted into the magazine...well honey, it made the cover!!

See? My block is top left! How sweet is that?! I was asked, like all others that made the magazine to design a quilt using that block and you could combine it with other blocks that also made volumes 1-5 of the magazine.  I was so stinking proud of myself that I just used my block!! But, the challenge was on! What could I do to make me step out of my comfort zone, do something that is not the traditional setting? Also, I wanted stricking colors, come and getcha colors!! Did I accomplish this? I think so!! Man, did I ever step out of my "box"! You can see what I came up with....Here ya go again, just for your viewing pleasure:

 Quiltmaker magazine did a great job in digitizing my quilting. I do all custom work, no computer! And in case you are wondering, this is a king size quilt...and it is LOUD! 

Now, if you would like to win a free copy of the magazine, please leave me a comment and your email!! I need this information so I can contact you to let you know you have won. I would also like to add a little something myself...I will offer a free fat quarter bundle to a 2nd winner. I'm not going to show you the bundle, it will be a surprise!!

Don't forget, leave a comment and please participate in the blog tour!!

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures  

There is the link to Quiltypleasures blog!! If you did not begin the tour and just came to my blog click on their link and get started!! 

Here are some alternate color ways for the quilt...just playing around...

Happy Sewing everyone!!

Labor Day Monday!!

Hi everyone, My husband and I decided, while still in our pj's at 7:30 this morning that we were going to go have a morning date! How cool! Guess where we went? Home Depot!! LOL Yep, I wanted to go look at their tool bar magnets to use on my longarm, which are recommended by another longarm quilter. And I will be painting some quilt blocks on mdf soon ...this is a very cool idea! As soon as I can get started, that is after I get a head of the game with 4 quilts due to 2 different magazines....I will get started on this unique project. I'm going to call these "Porch Quilts"! I'm so excited about this!!
When we left Home Depot, we were going to go to breakfast, I was extremely hungry! We drove to several "Coney Island" diner type restaurants and they were all closed! It is Labor Day....oops! We also were going to go to Mannie's Bagel shop in Lake Orion, but it was closed too. They have the best bagels ever!! So, we ended up back in Clarkston at our usual Leo's Coney Island on Sashabaw Road. That is ok, I was so hungry that my stomach had started to devour my backbone!! Oh my goodness, those scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast never tasted so good!!
Now we are back home.
(I did purchase my supplies for my Porch Quilts! Woohoo!!)
Today I will be working on a very simple quilt for F&P's magazine Quilty. I don't know which issue this quilt will be going in, I'm just making the quilt for them, it is not my design. They needed it done quickly.
Read on ....
I heard rumor that a quilt magazine is making its way up from its current ranking and heading to the number 1 position!! Which is making the top quilting magazine a little uneasy.... Readers!! If you have not checked out Quilter's World magazine please do so!!  I love all the quilt magazines that are out thereand they all offer their own "flavor" and we can all benefit and learn from each one. So please go give Quilter's World a try if you have not. And if your local retailer that carries magazines does not carry Quilter's World, just ask them to. Or get a subscription!!
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend folks!!

Video craft classes online!!

I know a lot of us are into several different venues of crafting. We also love to go online and check out the latest classes being offered in our favorite craft. Well, Annie's Publishing (Clotilde) is offering classes now! Here is the link to a quilting class put on by Carolyn Vagts, the editor of Quilter's World magazine!! How cool is this!
http://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/list.html?cat_id=1326

go check it out!

It is definitely Sunday Afternoon....

As usual I have no energy on Sunday afternoons! I take my usual nap....20 minutes max today...I placed my cell phone too close to me and I was getting txt messages from friends! LOL So I gave up...I should have put the phone on my night stand, I could have ignored it then. Oh well....tizz life

I have designs swirling around in my head!! I can't seem to get them out! I want to do so many things today, but am getting nothing accomplished.....I guess it is just a down day.....anyone else have those? Oh, laundry is done...i guess I need to get up and take care of it.......

Book Reviews are coming!!

This is another book that has caught my eye each time I walk into my LQS! The colors are calming, cool and just scream at me to pick the book up. Now in this picture the book cover looks gray, this is just the lighting in my sewing room. I'm going to take another picture of the book when the sun is not going down. The pillows are adorable, easy and modern! I will add more this afternoon or tomorrow...I have to go get ready for church...

Now this book! I have taught a T-shirt quilt class from! As soon as this book arrived in the shop and the owner showed it to me...well he tried to tell me this is the book he wanted me to use....I said I had never seen this one before....I would remember this book!! Look at the fabrics on the front cover!! Who recognizes the fabrics? This is not your typical T-shirt quilt instructional book! These quilts are really "cool". I'm offering another class using this book! I love it! More info to come later...I have to go ready for church!! 

I have 3 books that I will be posting reviews, the other book's image will come later on today....