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!

Material Girls opens their doors!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Congratulations to the hardworking gals at Material Girls Quilt Shop in Wichita, KS on your opening!  It was an exciting experience visiting this shop.  It’s what I call “the complete shopping experience”.

The displays and merchandising were fresh and fabulous.  From curb to cash register, these gals have done a fantastic job.  I bought a wonderful book, The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking, by Jane Brocket, C&T Publishing and have loved looking through it.

Delightful day of shopping.

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!

Fabric and Pattern giveaway

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Keeping you posted..

Jen Eskridge, Reannalily Designs has been giving daily birthday gifts to celebrate the one year birthday of her blog.    Today’s gift will be some of my fabrics and patterns!  Jump over and enter for a chance to win.  Happy Blog Birthday, Jen!

http://reannalilydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/08/birthday-gift-fabric.html

Celebrating with friends!

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

A wonderful and talented young designer, Jen Eskridge has used some of the Benartex Baby Business fabrics to create a model of her wonderful new quilt, Baby Boxes.

I took this quilt and displayed it in my booth at Spring Market.  Jen is celebrating her blog’s birthday next week and will be giving away some patterns and fabrics.   One of the prizes is some of my fabrics and some patterns, that is set for Thursday, next week.  

She sent me this darling photo of the Baby Box quilts and sweet baby model.  If you get a chance, drop in on her blog,  www.reannalilydesigns.blogspot.com  wish her happy birthday and to get more info on prizes.

BERNINA JOY!

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

There are all kinds of joy in life, joy of motherhood, joy of first love, joy of friendship.  But there is another joy, Bernina Joy.

The wonderful delight of working on a machine that sews effortlessly!  I have been getting to know my new machine and have been testing it quite thoroughly.  I can’t say enough how much I love my new Aurora 440!

Free pattern, Border & Bind and Owls

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

To download pdf pattern, click on image. 

To view fabric swatches used in this pattern, visit www.benartex.com, Fabric Gallery, In the Nest & Baby Business by Jackie Clark.  Visit my website for more free patterns & helpful hints using my new lines.

Shop Owners,  visit Shop Owner Ideas for fast, fun ideas to promote and display these fabrics. 

Download complimentary Border & Bind Baby Quilt tags, kit your fabrics and label! 

Dessert Club!

Monday, April 12th, 2010

How FUN!  Cottonwood Quilts of Hutchinson sent me this photo of the gals in the Desert Club that made Junk Bags as one of their patterns.  There are 24 ladies in the group.  Look at all the different colors, styles and design ideas they came up with off the pattern!

I love that this shop encourages sewing groups that build lasting friendships.  What a delight to see their  creations and to feel the excitement of being a part of that creativity!  I am sending new products and a gift to Cottonwood Quilts for keeping me posted and sending the photo of their sewing friends working on one of my patterns.

If you have a group that has used one of my patterns or fabrics, send me a photo and your story!  I would love to post it on my blog.  Send your information to: have2sew@sbcglobal.net

I want to encourage sewing groups to come to Wichita and see the Wichita Quilt Show :

Pristine Junk

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Bev. would do almost anything I ask of her in her job at JCD (some restrictions apply).  But, she doesn’t really sew enough that she is set-up to test a pattern.  She had been waiting and collecting things for quite some time, though to make herself a Junk Bag once the edits were done and the pattern was finished.

 At some point, we decided  I should make it for her, so she brought me a wonderful stash of linens, hankies, & embroidered pieces to chose from.  It was hard to decide!  I kept asking myself – “what would Bev do?”.  She has a very unique gift of being able to “edit” and her discerning eye has saved me many times.  Only Bev. can be Bev. – too much pressure!

 She loves soft, romantic, clean, crisp, vintage-inspired pieces in the way that I do, so it was a joy to make her bag, even if it was hard to have her “eye”.    She loved it in the end.. I love the brooch an the silk flower on the vintage tag.

There were a few things in her fabric basket that I didn’t want to send back when I was finished.  But,as she said, “now you kow what I’ve got tucked away”.  She brings her Junk Bag to work each week, but what I can’t get over is how pristine and pretty her bag looks!  I think it’s another of her special super powers!

Sweet Quilting Retreat

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Last weekend at Picket Fence’s annual quilt retreat, I met wonderful, talented women.  This is Terri and her sister Marsha who was visiting from Missouri.  They both made Junk Bags, but with a crazy quilter spin to the pattern using wonderful, interesting embellishments.  I love seeing how they used their imaginations – crazy quilters find the most ingenious ways to use so many different elements in their quilts and projects.

Donna, Lisa’s daughter, who is in the education field, worked on finishing up the Mother’s Love quilt with the ruched borders.  Donna is also a knitter and crocheter and does wonderful work. 

Barbara, who I didn’t get a photo of, was working on two Cute as a Button Baby Jackets for gifts.   Baby girl  Lilly, has  a  L on the  pocket.  She fussy-cut the letter from my Sweetest Gifts fabric.  Both jackets are lined in cotton flannel.

Three glorious days in the quiet country sewing with friends and getting projects finished, what a wonderful treat!  Thank you Lisa for putting together a lovely experience!

PS: I promise I didn’t pay these gals to work on my patterns at this retreat, but what a wonderful  thing to get to see!  I learn so much watching others create and it helps me as a designer to see what the patterns and fabrics can become!