Twister Quilt Kit Giveaway!

Visit my friend Kathy Browns blog today and leave a comment on her blog to win a kit for this adorable quilt called Twister! Kathy is the creator behind the new "More Take 5 Quilts!"





The Teachers Pet Blog

More Take 5 Book GiveAway Winner and final day of Book Blog Hop!!!

Congratulations to:

Julie of Me and My Stitches Blog!!!

You are the winner of this copy of the More Take 5 Quilts book - you can thank my daughter and Bella for picking your name from all the happy commenter's!  Bella sniffed around in the basket of names - flipped a few out as she played and my daughter Ashley closed her eyes and picked a name from the ones Bella whipped out of the basket with her little paw!

It was a joint effort on drawing the winning name, so Julie - you can thank them both.  It was quite a funny site to see!

Julie is the winner of this great new book by Kathy Brown of The Teacher's Pet called: More Take 5 Quilts!

Also, today is the final day of the blog hop.  I invite you to visit Vanessa of V and Co. Blog

Be sure to leave a comment on her blog also for another chance to win a copy of this great new book: More Take 5 Quilts!

Merry Go Round Quilt and Day 4 of Blog Hop & Book GiveAway

Well - one of my kids wanted to put a smile on my face this morning!  This is the cute little thing that was staring me in the face this morning as I sat down to sew!  Love it!!!

I haven't showed you what I've been working on for the past couple weeks.  I started this project with a vengeance and then had the urge to hand piece and applique, so it's been sitting on the design board for a week looking all lonely!

This is a pattern called Merry Go Round and you can find it in the February 2012 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  It's a fun and easy pattern to piece.  Here's a few shots of the actual quilt in the magazine.

And here are a few progress photos I took.

This was actually my test block - I almost went completely scrappy - but then changed my mind and just did scrappy with the dark colors and used the following fabric as a "constant" light throughout the quilt!

This is the background "light" fabric I'm using. The photo is showing a bit darker and more gold than the actual fabric is. This is a fabric from the Holly Taylor Classics fabric line by Moda and designed by Holly Tayler. The Item and Color number is 6197 21

I started this quilt because I need to clear out my overburdened scrap fabric bins.  I have a lot of odds and ends from my fabric selling days that I wanted to clean up before the end of summer.  I've started to make a good dent in the pile!

Here's a picture of my "stack" area.  As I cut pieces for this quilt I'm working on  - I've also been cutting up other shapes and sizes of fabric to get everything organized a bit better.  So far this is the fourth go round!  I've already filled this part of my counter 3 other times and when the stacks of cut pieces get too high and start toppling a bit - I put all the shapes into their labeled bins for future projects!

Here is another quilt block on my design wall that I tinkered around with because an idea popped in my head while working on the Merry Go Round quilt.

I really need to get my act together and finish Merry Go Round.  I'm getting the itch to start working on some more small, little quilts!  So many ideas - so little time!

Now - on to Day 4 of our Blog Hop for the new quilt book by Kathy Brown of The Teacher's Pet!

(Don't forget to read Monday's post and comment for your chance to win a copy of this book here on our blog!)

Well, today I invite you to visit this wonderful blog of:

Today it's Me and My Sister Designs!  What a fun and crazy twosome!  They are actually sisters too!

Here's a link for you to visit their blog and comment also for a chance to win a copy of Kathy's book over there too!

Me & My Sisters Designs Blog

Eye Candy From Pinterest and Blog Tour, Book Giveaway!

As I was relaxing and taking a break yesterday evening after a busy day of stitching on some Dear Jane blocks, I ran across the following quilt images on Pinterest and thought I would share them with you today!  All of these quilts are from past issues of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine!

Wildest Dreams October 2009 issue!  I have a container with pieces already cut out to make this one - somewhere!!!! If anyone recognizes this pattern and knows which issue it's from - let me know and I'll update the info. here!

By Marcie Patch, February 2012

Twinkle, Twinkle by Jo Morton June 2010

Scattered Stars, Fall/Winter Quilt Sampler 2011 designed by Prairie Stitches Quilt Shop

February 2009

By Thistle Bee Quilt Shoppe - in one of the Quilt Sampler issues - not sure which one!

by Kathie Holland October, 2010

And don't forget about the Quilt Book Blog Tour for:

 the new quilt book by my friend Kathy Brown of The Teachers Pet . (Don't forget to read Monday's post and comment for your chance to win a copy of this book here on our blog!)

Well, today I invite you to visit this wonderful blog of:

Miss Pam Kitty Morning! She's so fun!  Love her ubber cute fabric lines too!

Here's your link to visit them - now go and read and have a great, awesome day!

Pam Kitty Morning Blog

Old Ladies Quilting & Quilt Book Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Old ladies and quilting..........

Now, before anyone jumps on me and comments something in defense of the "Old Ladies and Quilting" title of this blog post - please continue to read on.

I'm 39 years young and will be turning 40 in October.  In my children's eyes and I'm sure the eyes of their peers - I am old - practically antique.  In the eyes of the world, my life is half way over.  In my eyes, I'm still young, have many things to learn and have many years left ahead of me and have much to do.  I've been fortunate to have several women in my life who are older than I am that I've learned a great deal from through their actions, words or the stories of old that they have told.

(this picture is of my Grandma marking a quilt for hand quilting)

 I've also been fortunate to learn many great lessons from people younger than I am.

Today while reading through some of my favorite blogs the subject of "Old Ladies Quilting" came up and it perked me up and got me thinking right away.  Here is the original post I read:

Old Ladies by Master Of Patience Blog

Which led me to this great and well thought out blog post:

Old Ladies Know Stuff by Poppyprint Blog

Is is a fact, that when you walk into a quilt guild meeting, a quilt shop or any quilt show whether it be large of small - the majority of the people in the room will be "of a certain age" and above.  I myself still to this day feel in the minority. I myself have been made to feel like an outcast while at quilt shows or guild meetings.  I myself have felt "not so welcome" at quilt guild meetings by rude stares, comments under breath or just plain looked at and ignored with never a welcoming word coming from anyone's mouth.  I myself have been made the subject of the room by my quilting peers pointing out to everyone in the room at a quilt guild meeting "Oh how young you are!" or "You're the baby here!" or my favorite - said with much shock and that "look" in the eye of the beholder "You're a quilter?????" - which by the way always made me feel like a circus clown in a room full of people that I only wish to become friends with and feel like I belonged!

  When I began my adventure in the quilting industry I was at the ripe and tender age of 26 - (I actually began sewing and dabbling in quilting at a very young age - single digit age to be exact.) If you consider my craft show days as part of being in this industry - I began in my teens to earn extra money.  When I started in the creative industry I had two wee little babes - one strapped to my back in a baby carrier and the other attached to my leg trailing along beside me in my craft show days and a few quick years later as I began this journey in the quilting industry as a career - they were both toddlers.  They have grown up in this industry right along beside me.  For this I am blessed.  I have found memories of my two precious toddlers along with my husband taking this first adventure with me to Atlantic City, New Jersey to vend at our first International Quilt Market.  I have pictures of my cuties sitting on a pile of boxes in that single small booth at that quilt show with big huge grins on their faces while their Momma was near heart attack status at the worry of them falling from a top those boxes and the stress of doing a "first" quilt market and having no clue what I was doing.

Thankfully I never gave up throughout the past several years along this journey, but their have been many times I came close.

Yet, I better stop rambling and get to the point.

I have seen and done many things in my short amount of time in the quilting industry.  I've met some wonderful people and I've met some people that we will just think of as "not so nice" to put it kindly.  I've learned to overlook the not so nice and look for the good in all people.  I've seen many different attitudes and learned a lot through all of the quilt guild meetings and quilt shows that I've attended.

One thing I would like to stress today is the fact that we need the "old ladies of quilting" or let's say "Ladies of a certain age" (I like that better) in our industry to keep it alive.  We have much to learn from "Ladies Of A Certain Age".  Without you, we would lose a great deal of our heritage and lose many lessons we "middle age" and "younger" women have to learn.

So, for those of you women and men in our fine industry that are "Of A Certain Age", I challenge you to a few things in your quilting adventure in life.  I beg of you to help me teach my children, my peers and anyone of any age for that matter looking to become involved in quilting the fine qualities of our chosen craft, hobby or passion.

Always be kind to those wanting to learn. Leave the negativity at home.  Leave the "looking down the nose" at others persona at home.  Put on a smile and keep it positive and encouraging to all those looking to become a part of our great passion.  

Think before you speak.  If something could be perceived as negative or taken "in another way" or coy - don't say it.

Always be encouraging to the younger generation at quilting shows and guild meetings and involve them in their surroundings and make them feel welcome. Trust me - you will never be forgotten for your kindness and generosity.

Offer to volunteer at your local schools to help with crafts, teach after school activities to promote home economics type lessons or if you are lucky enough to still have a school that has a home economics department in your area - offer to come in and speak about your quilting passion and offer demos.

Take a child or younger person under your wing and encourage them to explore creativity.  There are so many children in this world that are looking for outlets and many of them would enjoy our passion.

Or one of my favorite quotes from a recent excellent book titled "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

You is Kind
You is Smart

You is Important

Isn't that something we all want to feel about our selves? Kind, Smart and Important?  I like to feel that I'm kind, smart and important - but I also like to make other feel like they are kind, smart and important.  And to do that I never wish to belittle anyone or make them ever feel as if they were not kind, smart or important.

I really believe in keeping our industry growing and alive.  I encourage each of you to be kind, smart and important at your next quilt guild meeting, quilt show or whatever opportunity you find yourself in. It is possible to pass on your quilting knowledge and make whomever you come in contact with feel kind, smart and important in a nice and pleasant way.

Now - I'd like to remind you of the fantastic Quilt Book Tour we have going on this week!  Yesterday you read about this new quilt book by my friend Kathy Brown of The Teachers Pet here on my blog. (Don't forget to read yesterday's post and comment for you chance to win a copy of this book!)

Well, today I invite you to visit this wonderful blog:

It's my good friend Carrie and her cute pooch Miss Rosie's day to blog about this great quilting book!  Carrie and Miss Rosie are ubber talented and if you've never visited their blog I encourage you to do so.  Always a good read and a good laugh or too when visiting there!

Here's your link to visit them - now go and read and have a great, awesome day!

LaVieEnRosie - the Quilt Blog by Carrie and Miss Rosie of Miss Rosies Quilt Quilt Co.

More Take 5 Quilts Book Review, Blog Tour & Give Away!!!

Don't you just love great new quilting books??

I do - I love getting new quilting books and finding the projects to be over the top great, love finding little stories and tidbits added to the quilt pattern treasures found within those beautiful pages!

My good friend Kathy Brown of The Teachers Pet has just released her latest book titled More Take 5 Quilts.

Is this cover not inviting?  The bright colors just grab your eyes and instantly make you want to open this wonderful book up and dive right into making beautiful quilts in no time at all.

The principle behind the "Take 5" fever that seems to have hit the quilting industry with a mad rush is simple.  You take 5 fabrics - any 5 fabrics and make a quilt simply, easily and quickly.  That's all there is to it.  Less thinking, more sewing.  

Here are some of the gorgeous quilt patterns included in this book:

 This is Take 5 Spins a Thread - my favorite!!

 This is Take 5 Visits The General Store - my second favorite - notice the quilting on this one - this is another great perk with this book - the photography is excellent and you can see the quilting details!

 This is Take 5 Climbs Jacob's Ladder - my 3rd favorite quilt.  I'm in the process of making one of these scrappy style right now - but after seeing Kathy's Take 5 version - I just might have to "Take 5" fabrics from my stash and jump on making another one of these quilts - soon!

 This is Take 5 Takes a Tumble - love it!  Who doesn't love the tumbler block - and they are so super easy  and fast to cut when using Kathy's great instructions!

 This is Take 5 Serves Up Scoops Of Spumoni - I envision making this one in shades of Blues for my sons beds.  He's a growing boy and in need of another quilt to fit his growing height a bit more.  I'm thinking a variety of blue Batiks!

 This is Take 5 Connects The Dots - love it!!!  I remember playing Twister as a kid and also playing it with my own children!  What a fitting name for this quilt - and the added Twister game in the photo brought back wonderful memories!  This would make an excellent baby quilt pattern too!  This is my daughters favorite quilt from the book!

This is Take 5 Loves Saltwater Taffy - is this not sweet!  I love this quilts soft, gentle appearance - the fabrics used are so delicate!  I think this pattern would make a great two color quilt too!  Grab a background color and some red fabrics or blues and you'll have a scrappy Take 5 quilt in no time!

There are more patterns in this book that you will love also, but I'll leave it up to my 4 other fellow bloggers to show you more this week.  Here is the line up for the Blog Tour:

Tuesday June 19, 2012 - Carrie - Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.
Wednesday June 20, 2012 - Pam - Pam Kitty Morning
Thursday June 21, 2012 - Barb and Mary - Me and My Sister
Friday June 22, 2012 - Vanessa - V and Co.

I also invite you to leave a comment here today for a chance to win a copy of this new fun and fabulous book! Leave me a comment telling me which of the quilt patterns that I've featured here is your favorite!  That's all you have to do here on my blog - but don't forget to visit each of the above listed blogs this week for their book give-aways also!

I will draw the winning name from the comments left here on my blog this coming Friday March 22, 2012.

And after you've left a comment here - be sure to visit Kathy's Blog -

The Teachers Pet Blog

Good luck and have a fabulous Monday!  I'm off to weed my garden, then dig into some scraps and finish up a quilt I have "in the works"!

Quilt Market ReCap Day 4

Are you enjoying these Quilt Market photos?  Here are a few more!

Here's me again - sitting at my super cool treadle table that I used as a little office space in my booth!  I bought this neat piece of furniture at an antique shop here locally and really lucked out on the price!  I paid $20 or $25 - one or the other - I cannot remember now, but I snatched it up quick when I first saw it!

And here is Lynne Hagmeier designer of all those wonderful patterns published under the name - Kansas Troubles Quilters, her husband and her daughter.

I had the great pleasure of having Lynne as a chauffeur the day before set up at Quilt Market.  Pam Buda and I road along with Lynne as she took us to a bunch of really awesome antique shops and then a fabulous Mexican restaurant.  Many goodies were found and I really enjoyed that peaceful and relaxing day out shopping!  The perfect thing to do before all the work of setting up a booth for Quilt Market!

And here we have Nancy Rink Designs