Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #8 - Tree of Presents Wall Hanging

Welcome to Day #8 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop.  A huge thanks to each of you are participating in the hop.  I love reading your comments!  

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon We are at Day #8 with just two more days to go. 




As you have probably figured out by now, my Christmas decor isn't strictly traditional red and green. Not only do I like to decorate outside the traditional box, I like to design out of the box too!  And yes, I'm one of those people who still haven't taken the tree down until mid-January!

Today's featured Tree of Presents Wall Hanging is the perfect example of my non-traditional designs.  Don't just put presents under the tree, but deck your walls with them too! Easy row piecing and touch of applique makes this the perfect last minute project.  This fun wall hanging is a super stash buster and adds a whimsical touch to your Holiday decor. 


Photo Creds: Danielle Morales at InJoy Photography


I think the best part of the blog hop is seeing the versions made by the guest bloggers.  Don't you agree?   Today I have amazing project to share by: 



Tracy Stauch of Fearless Quilter

Terry Vanden Bosch of Lizard Creek Quilting 


As always, the guest bloggers have done an amazing job and I am absolutely blown away by their creativity! 

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Tree of Presents pattern.  In the comments, share if your Holiday decor is traditional or more whimsical.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #7 - Mistletoe Magic Throw & Pillow

Welcome to Day #7 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop!  I hope you enjoyed all the posts thus far.  As a designer, it is so interesting to see how others interpret your patterns.  Today we have one of my favorite projects - Mistletoe Magic Throw and its matching pillow. 

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon 



Today we are transitioning from the bedroom to the living room for decorating.  We have a very small house, so most of our time is spent in the living room.  

As I was selecting fabrics for the projects in this book, I deliberately searched for fabrics that weren't traditional Christmas red and green.  The softer palette of Christmas will make this throw and pillow a go-to favorite for seasonal decorating.  You may even forget that it's Christmas and leave it out all year long. 






I think the best part of the blog hop is seeing the versions made by the guest bloggers.  Don't you agree?   Today I have amazing project to share by: 


Marlene Oddie of Kissed Quilts   

Rohn Strong of Rohn Strong Designs

Pam Morgan of Sweet Little Stitches  

Andi Stanfield of True Blue Quilts   

Tammy Silvers of Tamarinis  

Sherri Noel of RebeccaMae Designs 

Sherry Shish of Powered by Quilting 


As always, the guest bloggers have done an amazing job and I am absolutely blown away by their creativity! 

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Mistletoe Magic Throw & Pillow pattern.  In the comments, share if you prefer traditional red & green for your Christmas projects or a different palette.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 







Monday, July 29, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #6 - Jingle Bells Quilt and Wall Hanging

Welcome to Day #6 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop!  I hope you enjoyed last week's posts.  I know I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful projects made by the guest bloggers.  Ready or not - week #2 is here and more beautiful projects to share!

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon.  We are wrapping up week 1 and next week will full of stunning projects too!




Today we are still focused on the bedroom for our Christmas decorating with the Jingle Bells Quilt and Wall Hanging.  This duo is presented as two separate patterns in the book, but I chose to combine them together for the blog hop.  The wall hanging and the quilt use the same swags and bells.  The wall hanging is the perfect size for over the mantle or above a dresser or buffet while the quilt will quickly be the focal point for any bedroom. 






I think the best part of the blog hop is seeing the versions made by the guest bloggers.  Don't you agree?   Today I have amazing project to share by: 


Kathy Bruckman of Kathy's Kwilts and More
Joanne Hillestan of Fat Quarter Gypsy
Marian Pena of Seams to be Sew
Rona Ribbit Herman of Rona the Ribbiter
Andrea Tisdel of The Sewing Fools


As always, the guest bloggers have done an amazing job and I adore their versions of my pattern. 

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Jingle Bells Quilt pattern.  In the comments, share which version you like better - the wall hanging or the bed quilt.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 











Friday, July 26, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #5 - Poinsettia Bed Runner + Pillow

Welcome to Day #5 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop.  Today we are shifting from decorating the dining area of the house to the bedroom and I have an important question for you at the bottom of the blog post - so keep reading! 

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon.  We are wrapping up week 1 and next week will full of stunning projects too!


The Poinsettia Bed Runner & Pillow has very little piecing with it's raw edge fusible applique vines and petals.  It's the perfect decorating option to give a bedroom some quick seasonal charm.  Just layer the runner over the end of the bed and fluff the pillow - even while the overnight guests are pulling into the driveway!  They will think you spent hours decorating just for them. 


I think the best part of the blog hop is seeing the versions made by the guest bloggers.  Don't you agree?   Today I have amazing project to share by: 


Stephanie of Quilt N Party 


I love her choice of colors and how a simple fabric switch can change the entire look of a piece. 

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Poinsettia Bed Runner & Pillow pattern.  In the comments, share whether you decorate bedrooms for the Holidays.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #4 - Mug Rugs & Coasters

On Day #4 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection blog hop we are showcasing projects that I consider essential for any entertaining - mug rugs and coasters!  During the winter months, a warm cuppa of your favorite beverage always tastes good and the perfect landing spot for it is a mug rug or a coaster.  

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon



Mug Rugs and Coasters are a great way to use up scraps from any of the projects and have accessories that match a throw or wall hanging.  Santa will spend a little extra time at your house when he finds his milk and cookies presented on a beautiful mug rug! 


And Santa might even spend more time putting presents under your tree when finds a glass a wine setting on a pretty coaster for him to enjoy! 



The coasters are made using a improvisational piecing, which maybe a new technique to many.  Rebecca Bryan of Bryan House Quilts has a great video that demonstrates improvisational piecing.  If you have never used this technique before, give it a try with these coasters.  

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Mug Rugs & Coasters pattern.  In the comments, share whether you prefer mug rugs or coasters.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 


Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #3 - Holly Topper

Welcome to Day #3 of Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop.  We are still decorating the dining area of the house and today's featured Holly Topper switches styles from the long Let's Gather Table Runner and the Wreath Runner.   

In case you are just joining us, each day for two weeks myself and a group of elite guest bloggers are highlighting one of the projects in my Christmas Collection book which is available on Amazon




The Holly Table topper features curved piecing for the outer border and raw-edge fusible applique.  I added buttons to mine for the holly berries but you could applique or embroider circles in place just as easily, especially if you have small children on pets who could easily choke on a button.  The sample was made using Island Batik fabrics, Warm 80/20 batting and Steam-A-Seam Lite from The Warm Company. 



I think the best part of the blog hop is seeing the versions made by the guest bloggers.  Don't you agree?   Today we have two amazing projects by: 

Becca Fenstermaker of Pretty Piney 


Suzy Webster of WebsterQuilt

I love the subtle changes each made to my pattern and how it really changed the look of the topper!

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Holly Topper pattern.  In the comments, share whether you prefer square or long rectangular table toppers / runners.  The winners will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 

Here is another photo I took my version of the Holly Topper. 


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #2 - Wreath Runner & Wall Hanging

Yesterday was an amazing start to Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop!  You can catch the opening post here.   I hope you join us on a regular basis for the next two weeks to see all the beautiful projects made by the guest bloggers.  The Christmas Collection book is available on Amazon and is eligible for Prime delivery. 



Today the Wreath Runner & Wall Hanging is being featured.  This duo will make your Holiday decorating super simple. Whether gracing the center of a table or a buffet this runner spreads Holiday cheer in style. The wall hanging completes the ensemble to make your decor the envy of the neighborhood.  Instead of the brighter Christmas greens and reds, I opted for more muted and darker fabrics when I made these samples. 




I can't wait to share with you the guest blogger's version of Wreath Runner & Wall Hanging - it's always fun to see how other's interpret your patterns! 

Check out the creative project by Joanne:

Joanne Hillestad of The Fat Quarter Gypsy

I am blown away by the creativity!  I would have never thought of adapting the pattern in this way, but now I think I made need to do this too! .

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Wreath Runner & Wall Hanging pattern.  In the comments, share how you would use the runner and wall hanging in your home.  The winner will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 

Here are a few more photos of the Wreath Runner & Wall Hanging 


If you wanted to use the Wreath Runner as a long vertical wall hanging, it's as easy as changing the location of the wreaths! 




Monday, July 22, 2019

Christmas Collection Blog Hop Day #1 - Let's Gather Table Runner

Welcome to Masterpiece Quilting's Christmas Collection Blog Hop!  For the next two weeks, myself and an incredibly talented group of bloggers will be sharing projects from my book with you. 

My Christmas Collection book is available on Amazon and features 11 projects perfect for decorating the dining, living and bedroom of your home for Christmas.  I am a firm believer in quick, easy yet stylish decor and all of these projects bring loads of style and function for your Holiday needs.  



No other project could be more perfect to lead off this blog hop than my Let's Gather Table Runner.  After all, that's what we are doing - gathering quilters for this amazing blog hop! 

When family and friends gather, nothing sets the mood better than a beautiful table runner. Here are a few photos of my traditional green, red and gold version of Let's Gather that is in the book. 




I can't wait to share with you the versions of Let's Gather the guest bloggers have made - they are so amazing! 
Check out the beautiful projects by Kate and Terri:

 Kate Starcher  of Katie Mae Quilts  
 Terri Vanden Bosch of Lizard Creek Quilting

I am blown away by how gorgeous their table runners are and how Christmas patterns don't always have to be traditional colors. 

As part of the blog hop, I am giving away 3 digital copies of the Let's Gather Table Runner pattern.  In the comments, share what colors you would use to make this table runner.  The winner will be selected at the end of the blog hop on Sunday August 4, 2019. 

Actually, the traditional Christmas version wasn't my first pick of colors for Let's Gather.  Originally I designed it as a Fall table runner.  The single pattern is available for pdf download in my Bluprint store or as both pdf and paper pattern in my Etsy store where I also have kits available for this version. 




Sunday, July 21, 2019

Peppermint Twist in Quilter's World Autumn 2019 issue

While we are basking in Summer's heat here in the Midwest, it's the perfect time to think about Fall and Christmas decor.  In less than a month, the kiddos will be back to school, the fall decor will be coming out of storage and Christmas will be hitting retailers shelves!  Yikes!  I know, I'm rushing the seasons as my Grandma would say. 

Well you can get a start on your Christmas decor with the fun Peppermint Twist quilt that I have designed which is in the Autumn 2019 issue of Quilter's World magazine.  


You know this design is special when both of my pooches are giving it their paw of approval!  Zoey, top, is reading through the pattern, while Lilly, lower right, is making admiring the magazine photo!  It's a rarity that they two are actually posed at the same time, so I had to share ! 

Peppermint Twist was inspired by the traditional red and green candies available during the Holidays.  The pinwheel center mimics the twist in the center of the candies and the half-square triangles at the diagonal ends of each block are reflective of the tightly twisted cellophane wraps.  

At 57" x 76",  Peppermint Twist is the perfect size for a twin guest room bed or a snuggle quilt for Christmas guests.  

Warm 80/20 batting was graciously provided by The Warm Company for the sample quilt.