You are invited!

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Hapyy New Year!  I am excited to announce that I will start off the new year giving a mini-presentation at Prairie Quilt Guild on January 11th.  

Prairie Quilt Guild Presentation

The January Mini-Workshops will be held at the Prairie Quilt Guild meeting on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m.

 Presenters:
  Deb Johnson – “How to produce a Pattern”
  Cheryl Nordstedt – “How to make a design wall without tools or carpentry”
  Barbara Kroeger – “Log Cabin Star Quilt”
  Jackie Clark – “On the Go Hip Purse”

I sew hope you can make it!

New E-Pattern has arrived!

Monday, December 6th, 2010

At Spring 2010 market, I featured my Ruched Baby Quilt as the bakground for a free applique owl pattern.

I received such a wonderful response, I have put the quilt and applique pattern together as an E-Pattern.

If you would like to purchase this pattern, visit The Quilt Pattern Shoppe -Patterns!

The Owl Family free pattern is available on the website.

Midwest Sewing & Vacuum demonstration

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Saturday, the staff of Midwest Sewing & Vacuum was kind enough to invite me to visit

with their customers and answer questions about fabric and pattern design.

I would like to thank Jean & Judy for their hard work in setting up a

lovely refreshment area with a beautiful linen table cloth, crochet doily and pretty

floral china plates for guests to enjoy!   All very nice and well done!! 

They have so generously placed my display models made from my patterns and books in

Benartex fabrics right in the front window for several weeks now!

My sister, Tamara Gonzales came and took some pictures for me to share with you.

Jeff Gordon was on hand answering all the important, technical questions about the machines! 

I demonstrated on the Bernina machines with the ruffler attachment,  and also the BSR;

 Bernina Stich Regulator (the machine stitches when you move your quilt under the needle!) 

I wish everyone could have it on their machines when quilting.

I also showed decorative stitches & threads that I like to use on pockets and hems.

I want to thank everyone for all their help and kindness, and to the

guests who visited with  me about their sewing hobby.

I hope you had a happy weekend!

Free pattern!

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Click on the pattern image above for a free downloadable pdf E-pattern.  I hope you enjoy making your Three Birds Tweet applique baby quilt displayed using Benartex fabrics from my collections: In The Nest and Baby Business.

Happy Sewing!

Market notes..

Friday, November 12th, 2010

How exciting!  School House is a great opportunity to share with shop owners my new patterns and fabrics.  I have held several over the past few years, but this was an awesome turnout!  I am so honored that these hardworking shop owners found time to listen to some boutique tips I have picked up over the years in this industry.

We had the pleasure of working next to wonderful Benartex Fabrics.  Susan Neill and David Lochner and Susan .

We were so fortunate to get to airline to Market.   A wonderful sister pattern designer, Deborah Johnson, In the Dog House Designs who allowed us some space in her van with her booth this year.  Thank you Deb!

I don’t settle in until the booth is just so.. and every day we work in the booth, we learn something new about what works best, by the time the show is over, we have it “Right ,Right”.

My newest pattern, On the Go Trio was so perfect for market this year.. I was traveling with my staff and we all had our hip purses with the flower pins and the perfect colored scarves.. the three of us were the actual “on the go trio” ! We love this picture of the model.. we all want to be her!

This is the first time that my team and I (R to L: Jackie, Beverly, Stephanie) have all three traveled together to market.  I was so delighted to introduce everyone to our friends at Benartex and have the chance to sit with Susan face to face to look over the new line we are working on.  We squealed, we hoo-rha-ed, we drooled, (but only in the most professional way).

I always make a point to give shopowners a display idea they can recreate in their shop.  This corner “closet” made from a bi-fold hinged shutter, some cable ties and cafe rods to support and act as closet rods is something anyone can do.. and it looks so darn cute full of kids clothes!

My friend and fellow Prairie Quilt Guild member, Lesa joined us and helped in countless ways at our booth.  She and her sister, Lori showed us where to shop, where to eat and all the Houston tips.  Lori drove us to  The Container Store!  Lesa was the cable tie queen.  Thanks for all your help, ladies!

Brave and bold.

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Is there anything more wonderful than soft baby toes?  Everytime I was tempted to update the Britches & Bloomers cover, the JCD girls and I nearly came undone!    How could anything be sweeter than our little hugging barefoot girls? 

But, it did get sweeter.  I am so excited to have wonderful fabrics to sew the models for the new cover.  This photo has been in my mind for several years.. waiting for the right circumstances to remake the delightful pattern cover of  Britches & Bloomers. 

 The Little Flower Pocket Top looks so good with the Britches, and I couldn’t resist showing more fabrics using the owl pattern.. Sew many choices!  I am sew excited to be using my Baby Business and In the Nest fabrics by Benartex, and my little granddaughter, Ava and her cousin, Lyrik for this brave step. 

I can’t wait to show the new cover all finished!

Come see the trunk show!

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

Midwest Sewing Center at 7348 W. 21st Wichita, Ks, 316-722-9737

graciously invited me to display a trunk show at their west store location.

 Midwest carries an unbelievable selection of sewing and embroidery machines, including

Bernina!  They offer an extensive list of sewing classes including quilting and embroidery classes.

I was sew excited to display my Baby Business fabrics in the front window!

On Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to Noon, I will be at Midwest Sewing

to answer questions and discuss fabric and pattern design.  My patterns will be available for sale as well. 

I can’t wait to see you there!

Simply Smart Idea..

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Lisa at Picket Fence Quilt shop has this simply smart idea..

She choose 5 fat quarters from my In The Nest fabric line and wrapped them around card stock, slipped them in a clear zip bag..

display with the model and pattern .  A pre-packaged sample pack!

Sew Simple!

Pick up a Fall Newsletter at  Picket Fence Quilt Company 7130 W Maple, #230 Wichita, KS 67209 Phone: (316) 558-8899 (or request to be added to email list) to find out about upcoming fall classes!

Picket Fence is one of the many shops participating in the 12th Annual “Shop Hop”.

This fun event will be October 1st,  through 3rd.

Charlotte’s Sew Natural is also participating in the event, click here for more info.

Free Sneakers Applique Pattern

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

The template for the Sneaker Applique is now available as a free pattern.  Click the image to download or visit the Free Patterns section of my website.  Two sizes are available on this pattern.  Have fun & happy sewing!

Fun with hightops!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

I have had these shoes running around in my mind for the longest time!  Finally, Angie helped me make a darling pattern so I could applique them onto a quilt. 

Watch for a free download pattern on the website!  I love this argyle fabric on the shoes! 

I wish I could make a pair to wear!