Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Christmas Quilt Show - Part 1

This is a hard post for me ... I'm one of those people who like their celebrations in order - Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas.  But I'm also kinda getting tired of fall - I'm over the Pumpkin Spice Latte look in the house. I'm over leaves needing bagged in the yard. I'm over the squirrels coming up on the front porch and munching on my decorative corn! 

But I'm also a realist, I know if red and green quilts and decor start going up at the end of November, then you have to start making them now!  

So, let's get this Christmas Quilt Show party started.   

First up, one of my favorites!  Christmas Friends.  Strong reds and greens paired with white make this quilt appear as fresh as newly fallen snow.  


I like to describe it as a little bit modern, a little bit contemporary and oh so wonderful to snuggle under watching movies while the snow falls outside. 

Christmas Friends is available as a PDF digital download pattern.  Watch for the print patterns to be coming soon!    UPDATE:  Print Pattern is now available! 

Up next is one of my favorite wall hangings - Tree of Presents.  It celebrates what really matters - the presents!  With a bit more whimsical take, there is nothing traditional about this wall hanging. 


The metallic fabric presents pop against the blue background. 

Tree of Presents is available as a PDF digital download patternLook for the Print pattern coming soon!   UPDATED:  Print pattern is now available! 

One of my most popular wall hanging designs is Oh Christmas Tree.  It celebrates a more vintage decor with an off-white background and muted green tree fabrics. 

It is perfectly sized for behind the buffet or an entry hallway in your home.  

Oh Christmas Tree is available in three options for your convenience. A PDF digital download pattern, a Print Pattern or as a complete Kit with all the fabric to make the quilt top + binding + print pattern. 

To finish up Part 1 of the Christmas Quilt Show (don't worry, Part 2 will be coming!), is my Block & Tackle quilt pattern.  I know the name Block & Tackle sounds more like fishing than quilting, but this quilt design uses panels as the center of the blocks! 



I made this quilt earlier this year using the Winterberry Collection from Benartex fabrics.  The colors are perfect for a primitive / vintage decor with the muted greens, deep brick red and black accent fabrics.  If you missed it, you can catch the blog post here that was part of Benartex's Christmas in July Blog Hop.  

Block & Tackle is available as both a PDF digital download pattern as well as a Print Pattern

Additionally, I designed a couple pillows to go with the quilt and to use the remaining portions of the Winterberry panel.  The pillow pattern is available for free download 



That's all for Part 1.  Leave me a comment if you enjoy the show :)  I've already started on Part 2! 

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

#SewPink Initiative Blog Hop

I am super excited to be part of the #SewPink Initiative Blog Hop put together by By Annie and Patterns By Annie.  This is my second year to participate in this very important cause - to raise awareness for breast cancer. 


As a quilter one of my most frequent requests is to help put together a "Sentiment" or "Signature" quilt for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing chemo treatments.  Since I've never actually written out the instructions or put together a tutorial on how to do this, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. 

"Sentiment" quilts are made using fabric pieces where friends, family, co-workers, classmates and others have written inspiring messages to support the person with cancer or any type of illness.   There are a variety of different ways and styles to make a quilt like this, so don't feel like there is any "right" way and other ways are "wrong". 

Here is a list of the supplies that you will need to make a 39" x 58-1/2" quilt with 54 blocks on the front side:

  • 8" squares of light-colored solid or tonal fabric - enough for everyone to sign plus some extras
  • 6-1/2" square cutting grid or cardboard template
  • Thread
  • Rotary Cutter, Mat and Cutting Grid
  • Water-Soluble Marking Pen
  • Permanent Fabric Markers - preferably fine or ultra fine point
  • 7" squares of coordinating fabrics - person's favorite color, pink for breast cancer, prints that match the person - enough to complete the front of the quilt. 54 minus # of signature blocks. 
  • 1-3/4 yards of 42" wide fabric for backing
  • polyester batting to size
  • 1/2 yard of binding fabric

Since making a sentiment quilt is more of a process than step-by-step instructions, I put together a video that explains what I'm doing but more importantly, the why I'm doing it.  Many times when sentiment quilts are put together it is a team effort and not all of the team are sewists or quilters.  One person may do the cutting, another helping mark, someone else mails and collects all the fabric pieces, another person presses, etc.  My intent for this video is to help everyone understand the process so they can make a quilt that best meets the needs of the person they are making it for.

 

I have also prepared a pattern to accompany the video.  The Sentiment Quilt pattern is available as a digital download.  Please click this link to start the process of having it emailed to you. 

To find the complete schedule for the blog hop and more information about breast cancer, this link connects you to the ByAnnie.com page. 

And finally, we can't have a blog hop without a prize!  It's super simple to enter, just leave a comment on this blog post and I'll select one lucky winner to receive a $30 coupon to ByAnnie.com  Isn't that easy!  Please make sure your settings will allow me to email you or otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win. 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer. 

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you: 

To donate directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://give.bcrf.org/give/31404/#!/donation/checkout


Monday, October 19, 2020

Oh Christmas Tree Quilted Wall Hanging - Print Patterns, PDF Digital Download & Kits available!

Depending on where you live, it's starting to look like Christmas.  Thankfully I'm in Indiana and we are getting a really cold rain but I'm seeing photos from Iowa and they have snow!  Yikes!  I'm not ready for snow, I'm still wearing capris :) 

Speaking of Christmas and Christmas shopping.  I know a lot of you have already started shopping or are putting together your shopping lists.  I do not want to instill any panic - I'm not that type of gal - but I have set the Christmas Shipping Deadline for my Etsy shop as Monday December 7, 2020.  

What does this mean?  All orders placed by 12 midnight EST Monday December 7th will be guaranteed for delivery by Christmas Day.   Yes, that is in less than 2 months... so shop early, shop often! 

And what wouldn't make a more perfect Christmas present than a quilted Christmas Tree wall hanging? 

In my Etsy shop, I have both print patterns as well as PDF digital download patterns AND kits!  Yes, kits!  Complete kits to make the quilt top + binding with print pattern.  This is a popular pattern and the kits are already selling quickly - so don't miss out.   

For your convenience, I've added the links below. Thank you for shopping my Etsy shop. 



Thursday, October 15, 2020

Halloween Gift Giving in Style! Mug Rug Free Tutorial + Pattern

If you are like me, life is getting a bit weary right now.  While so many things have changed this year beyond our control, I'm viewing this as an opportunity to make our own changes and start some new traditions!  Who says Halloween has to be for kids and candy?  Why not take some time and gift a few simple gifts to your adult friends for Halloween?  Whether it be co-workers, old college friends or folks in your neighborhood, a simple gesture can mean so much.  


I'm using my Super Simple 9-Patch Mug Rug pattern that is available for FREE at this link to make some adorable mug rugs. 

Since this is a stash based project, I grabbed black and orange tonals that play well together for the 9-patch and binding and a coordinating tonal for the backing. 




The first step is to make the 9-Patch block.  



Next I layered the backing, batting and the top.  
Please note:  if you are planning on using this mug rug with really hot coffee mugs or soup bowls, make sure you use a heat-reflective batting to prevent any damage to your furniture. 



I did some really simple 1/4" quilting to hold everything together. 




The next step is to add the binding and viola!  It's finished! And now, I'm ready to celebrate Halloween in style!   For gifting, you can pair it with a matching mug, some hot chocolate mix or the beverage of your choice ;) 





Friday, October 9, 2020

Masterpiece Prime Sale - October 12 -14

Hi Everyone - just popping in here on a Friday afternoon to give you a heads up that I'm having a Masterpiece Prime Sale next Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday October 12-14. 



To make it easier for everyone, I will be sending out emails with the sale links and promo codes starting Sunday night.


Why am I doing it this way? 

First, social media is really noisy right now and I don't want you to miss something your really wanted because it didn't show up in yours newsfeed for 2 days (does that happen to anyone else besides me??) 

Second, I want to reward you for being willing to share your email address with me.  I promise no spam, just quilting related goodness. 


What do to next?  Sign Up.  Here is the LINK.  


And one more thing!  Hop over to my Etsy shop and start browsing.  Be sure to favorite my shop, put items into your cart so you don't forget them or favorite them.  I'll be adding more items over the weekend too! 

 

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Designer Virtual Trunk Show - Fall Quilts - Pattern Links

 

Designer Virtual Trunk Show

Tuesday October 6, 2020  7p.m. EST

Masterpiece Quilting Facebook LIVE

 

1. Autumn Bliss PDF Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/793306511

 

2. Sunburst Strips & Squares – Autumn Version

               PDF Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/556862360

               Print Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/570658709

               Fabric Kit + Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/778846834

               Precut Strips - https://www.etsy.com/listing/843545144

 

3. Peacock Proud

               PDF Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/817991347

               Print Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/828362716

 

4. Barn Raised Birds

               PDF Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/779662739

               Print Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/868620914

 

5. Let’s Gather Table Runner

               PDF Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/723265159

               Print Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/709403074

               Fabric Kit + Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/709409822

 

6. Fall Fancy

               Pattern Available at https://shrsl.com/2f4t5

 

7. Charmingly Mod

            Pattern Available at https://shrsl.com/2d20n

 

8. Fall Table Runner from Learn to Machine Bind Your Quilts

               DVD - https://www.etsy.com/listing/556831048

 

9. Star Bound Sampler

Complete pattern + video lessons - http://shrsl.com/1qlxc

 

Quick Links - Today's Designers Virtual Trunk Shows - Fall Quilts

Here are some quick links to today's presentations!  

This is gonna go fast tonight ... yep, I'm already a little worried if I can keep it at 13-14 minutes with all the quilts I want to share.  

Times are EST

Tuesday, Oct 6

6:00 pm Marlene Oddie of KISSed Quilts http://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts

6:15 pm Annie Smith http://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs

6:30 pm Cherry Guidry https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio

6:45 pm Tammy Silvers https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis

7:00 pm Nancy Scott http://www.facebook.com/MasterpieceQ

7:30 pm Debbie Wendt https://www.facebook.com/Wendt-Quilting-280123925340667/

7:45 pm Rebecca Lidstrom http://facebook.com/studiorquilts

8:00 pm Michele Crawford https://www.facebook.com/flowerboxquilts



My best suggestion is to go ahead and click the links to each Facebook page ahead of time, like / follow the designer (if you don't like them, you can always unfollow later!) and that will give you a notification when they are live. 

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Think Fall - Designer Virtual Trunk Shows

I'm excited to share the schedule for the Think Fall - Designer Virtual Trunk Shows. 


Each designer will be presenting a 13-14 minute trunk show via Facebook Live of their favorite fall quilts and then signing off so you have enough time to go to the Facebook page of the next designer. I strongly suggest you go ahead and visit all of the designers Facebook pages, using the links below, and like / follow their pages so you get notification of them going LIVE. It is so much easier to find a page when you have already liked / followed it.

Times are EST

Tuesday, Oct 6

6:00 pm Marlene Oddie of KISSed Quilts http://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts

6:15 pm Annie Smith http://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs

6:30 pm Cherry Guidry https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio

6:45 pm Tammy Silvers https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis

7:00 pm Nancy Scott http://www.facebook.com/MasterpieceQ

7:30 pm Debbie Wendt https://www.facebook.com/Wendt-Quilting-280123925340667/

7:45 pm Rebecca Lidstrom http://facebook.com/studiorquilts

8:00 pm Michele Crawford https://www.facebook.com/flowerboxquilts

Thursday, Oct 8

1:00 pm Kate Colleran https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/

1:15 pm Pretty Piney Quilts https://facebook.com/prettypiney

1:30 pm Blue Bear Quilts https://www.facebook.com/BlueBearQuilts

1:45 pm Sue Griffiths https://www.facebook.com/duckcreekmountainquilting/

I do have some sad news to wrap up with - this will be our last set of shows this year. We have had an amazing time sharing trunk shows, tips and techniques with you each month. I hope you have enjoyed it too. I do plan on continuing a month trunk show showcasing quilts for each season - so stay tuned for those announcements. I haven't decided on a schedule yet, so if you have any input regarding a set time each month, just hit reply and share your thoughts. I apprecate it!

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST