New Classes Coming Up

The new class schedule is out for Bolts in the Bathtub.  I have a few new classes scheduled and am looking forward to them.  I have a new beginning paper piecing class scheduled that I designed a table runner for and, of course, I forgot to take a picture.  I'll try to do that this week.

This quilt is made from the pattern by Atkinson Designs call Winner's Bouquet.  Barbara S. noticed that I used the fat quarters you gave me last year.  I added a few others but I really like the colors.  Thanks Barbara!

This is Log Cabin Paseos, my first published pattern!

 These blocks are for the Farmer's Wife quilt.  I thought I was on the ball my making May's blocks but forgot that Susan and Dawna changed months.  Oh well, August is done.

I

I'm in the process of three other quilts that need to be done this week, Beginning Quilting, Beginning Quilting the Next Step, and a quilt for the store as a sample for a fabric line.  And we mustn't forget that Strip Club is Saturday.  I finished the binding last night but must wait till next week to show it.

I wanted to share the pics from Andrew's graduation from the Mounted Police Academy.  I wish I could have been there but Virginia is too far for a quick trip.  Serena was able to be a part of the ceremony and pinned his badge on.  Just waiting to hear if he gets on the force.  I feel like a proud "Mom".

Well, I better get off this computer and start quilting!

Needle Divas Retreat

 What a fantastic time we had at our annual retreat here at my house.  It was so exciting to have almost everyone together.  We did miss Carol,  We sewed, ate, laughed, painted fabric, visited Bolts in the Bathtub, made rubber stamps and had so much fun.

Lesley concentrating.

So glad Kathy could come since she now lives in Colorado.

Sara was doing some amazing stuff like usual.

Linda and Grace figuring out something together.

Linda checking her phone.

Barbara taking a break.

Where's Suzi?  Probably upstairs cutting more fabric.  She was very productive.

Here some of us painting fabric.  Now I need to do something with it.

We also made rubber stamps.

 Here are printings of our rubber stamps.

After they all left I headed to Bolts and have been very busy helping at the store and teaching.  I love it.  This week I'm home working on more class samples.  Postings soon!

I miss you Needle Divas!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy! What else is new!

Life has it's twists and turns but I get through it with thoughts of my family and my quilting.

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." Ray Bradbury 

This is the quote from our last Loose Threads Challenge and this is my cup.  I call it my Cup of Joy.  My little sweeties.  I had hoped to announce the coming of another grandchild but this is not to be.  My daughter, Katrina, went to the doctor yesterday for an ultrasound and there wasn't a heartbeat.  Please pray for her as she has to go though a natural miscarriage this week.  This is her second in 7 1/2 months.  The baby before this would have been born this week.  We are all sad and tears are so close to the surface it's hard to get though the day.

While visiting in Redding I purchased all this material at the Blue Iris quilt shop.  They were having their 2nd anniversary sale and their clearance fabric was 72% off so that's what I bought.

I taught a purse class and this is Sandy's bag.  Sandy takes all my weekend classes.  She is so loyal.

We are also running a "Farmer's Wife Block" class at Bolts in the Bathtub.  Each teacher is taking a turn teaching this monthly class.  These are the teachers blocks. From left to right: Susan's, Tiffany's, Mine, Dawna's.  I don't see Peggy's up there but she is teaching next week so they will be up there soon.

Here are some of my students blocks from our Curves class I taught this past Saturday.

These are Karen's.

These's are Kathrine's.

These are Sandy's.  Notice her fabrics are the same as her purse.  She has a lot in her stash.

And this is Caroline.  She is making a bag with hers.

Well, life goes on.  Last week was Best of the Valley quilt show and this week is the Needle Divas Retreat at my house.  I've been crazy getting things ready but thought I should post.  I did receive a comment at the quilt show that this person stopped looking at my blog because I didn't post much.  Well, thank you to those who stick with me.  I hope to post pictures of the retreat and then of all the furniture I've painted recently.  Stay tune.

Happy Easter!

I hope you are all having a blessed day!  We are in Redding visiting my daughter and her family.  It's Martina's 31st birthday today.  Is that really possible?  It wasn't that long ago that I was there.

She'll probably kill me for putting this in but it was just too cute.  

I made this bag for her to use when she takes the kids to the library.  I made them bags for their books but not for Mom's books.  It was a class I taught at Bolts in the Bathtub.  

Speaking of Bolts, this was March's Strip Club Quilt.  We show it on the first day of Strip Club so I was unable to show this earlier.  I'm in the process of piecing the one for May.  I have the center together but need to add the borders and quilt it.  I have another top together for a class I'm teaching but need to quilt it.  I'm also going to teach paper piecing so I'm developing a pattern for that.  I have the material and the pattern designed.  When I get back home I'll post the fabrics.

I'm starting to feel a little over whelmed.  Who would have thought a year and a half ago when I moved to Southern California I would be so busy.  I am so thankful for the wonderful people at Bolts in the Bathtub.  They are keeping me busy.  I just taught a beginning quilt class (last minute fill in) and I loved it.  We are working on a quilt for a Beginning 2 quilt class, too.  It's getting harder and harder to find time to make all the class quilts and try to keep up with my Loose Threads group. (forgot to take a picture of my last assignment)  Next week will be two days spent in the valley for the Best of the Valley Quilt Show.  If you get a chance to go it is so worth it.  Fabulous display of quilts and vendors. Then the next week will be the Needle Divas Retreat at my house.  So much to do and so little time!

Now to enjoy the little ones.  

Keira's birthday is next month, so we brought her present up (her new princess bike) early.

Ephram riding his bike.  I can't believe he will be 7 in May.

Pretzel hung out with me on the porch.

The kids slept in the trailer with us one night.  I think they are begging for tonight also.

Two more nights then on our way back.  I try to stay busy on the long ride home (it took us 10 hours to get here) by designing on my computer.  My brand new mouse died on the way up but thankfully, my wonderful husband is letting me use his.  It makes the ride so much easier.

Peace!

I'm on my way home!  I had a great time in Virginia but it's time to go home.  I miss my wonderful husband and I miss by studio.  May sound strange but I miss my space.  It's a part of me.  Of course, being gone for three weeks means I'm also behind by three weeks.  But I'm looking forward to the quilting busyness.  Miss my friends at Bolts in the Bathtub and at church, too.

Here is one project I finished while in Virginia, entitled "Peace".  This was a quilt project I have wanted to make for Serena for years and decided the only way to make it was to take it with me.  I didn't want to take it back home so it's done.

I also made Lexi this dress.  This is Lexi this morning getting ready for school.  I think she is still half a sleep.

Lexi and I also made sock bugs.

We worked on lots of crafts.  We painted, made puzzles, made butterflies out of toilet paper rolls, played games and watched endless Disney movies; sometimes the same ones over and over again.

The other grand kids got to get together in Visalia for a day at the park.  I miss them but glad they had a great time together.

Well, I guess I need to finish packing.  Looking forward to seeing some of you real soon.

Review on FREE eBook: Modern Quilt Patterns

If you ever wanted to explore the world of Modern Quilts you will want to check out this new FREE eBook, Modern Quilt Patterns from McCall’s Quilting and McCall’s Quick Quilts. 

This eBook gives you three very fun and impressive quilts to make.  As someone who is in the processed of developing her own patterns, I take a special interesting in how directions are written.  I’m very impressed with this eBook and how clearly everything is laid out.  The directions are clear and easy to follow.  I defiantly could take lessons from these people.

The first quilt, called Baubles and Beads by designer Susan Guzman is such a fresh and fun quilt and easy to make.  It takes a square in a square block and adds a modern twist.  This is one I’m going to keep in mind for my granddaughters.

Then there is Rainbow Ribbon by Tricia Camp.  It’s made up of half square triangles in  a setting that makes triangles modern.   This is a quilt I can see using your scraps to make it look more traditional or use more contemporary fabrics for a modern quilt.  This quilt also gives you some great opportunities for design.

I already have plans for this next quilt, called Lemon Squeezy by Sherri Driver.  It’s a fun take on a strip quilt using strips on the diagonal and a quilt as you go technique.  You could whip one of these up for that next baby shower in no time at all.

Now it’s your turn to check out some eBooks and make your next project.  In no time at all you will impress your friends and you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to do it.  Check out this FREE eBook here at http://www.mccallsquilting.com/free-modern-quilt-patterns .  I hope you enjoyed these reviews and will look into these eBooks.  Keep on quilting!  

Check out this FREE eBook!

How many times have you bought a quilt book and found you only make one quilt from the whole book and then wonder why you spent all that money for something you barely used?  Now is the time to discover eBooks!  I was asked to review two new FREE eBooks recently and was rather impressed with how easy these “books” were to use and the wealth of information they contained.

The first is called Build Your Best Log Cabin from Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting.  For many who know me my favorite block has always been the Log Cabin block.  I think it has to do with the fact that there is so much you can do with this block and every quilt you make can look so different with just a tweak of the pattern.

In this eBook you will explore three different variations on the log cabin block: the Traditional, the Courthouse Steps and the Chevron block.  I was extremely impressed with how the cutting directions were laid out.  You don’t just get directions for one size block but for several for the traditional log cabin block and also different layout options. 

  

There are four variations of the Courthouse Steps block.  First, a quilt by Ricky Tims called Bear’s in Bertie’s Log Cabin containing not only this Log Cabin block variation but the Bear Paw block as well. This section also contains a section called Bobbin Work with Trapunto.  The second quilt, by Shon McMain, is more of a contemporary quilt called Woven Log Cabin.  The quilt is just stunning and so easy. The third one is a very traditional look at Courthouse Steps with directions for two variations and five block sizes for each.  The last is a fun quilt called On the Dark Side by designer Lori Christianson, with a more contemporary and simplified version of the Courthouse Step block.  This quilt is beautiful in dark batiks.

The Chevron Log Cabin block is also introduced with five different block sizes and then we get a pattern for a quilt by Marti Mitchell call Linked Chevrons which is a miniature quilt only 19 ½” x 19 ½”.  You would definitely impress your friends with this one!

To top it all off you will get directions for connecting your binding called Lumpless Binding.

You do not want to miss checking out this FREE great eBook from Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting at http://www.fonsandporter.com/landing/free-log-cabin-quilt-patterns.

Check in tomorrow for a review on Modern Quilt Patterns by McCall’s Quilting and McCall’s Quick Quilts and how you can get your free copy.