Spring Weather is here.

It is suppose to be in the 80's by tomorrow and I have all the doors and windows open to enjoy the great fresh air. Here are the slackers of the household, enjoying a beautiful spring day, snoozing. Hmm, that use to be my quilt, but then who's really noticing that?!!! Roxy is getting older, which really hasn't changed her puppy ways too much, but she does enjoy a nice afternoon snooze!

Peanut doesn't want to feel left out of course, so she decided to join in on a rest from the tough dog life she leads. Are we spoiled or what?

I'm sure many of you know about the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, which of course I love and have read all four books twice so far. Yes, I did say "so far". This is her latest book out, called "The Host". I love her writing, but I have to warn you, it is tough getting started on this one, but once you get through the first few chapters, this book will hold you like a vise while you read. I am about 3/4th of the way through, and I'm enjoying the story so much. Very suspenseful love story, but nothing so far like Twilight. The Twilight DVD comes out this Sat. I already have one ordered. I use to tell people I never read anymore, but Stephanie's writing just grabs me and won't let go. Have any of you read it yet?

Well, in my last post I said I want to make a table runner once a month. So far, I have the fabrics and the ideas, just no sewing in the works yet for me. Lots of company projects are just getting in my way!!! I planned to sew this weekend, but the weather was just too nice, and I couldn't stay inside. This line is the new Fig Tree line, and when you go to Moda Lisa, listed to the right on my favorites, you can get this free pattern, which is the one I'm going to use for this tablerunner. The line is called Pastierre, if I spelled that right, and I love the colors as usual. Joanna at Fig Tree just has a way with color, doesn't she?

This is a border print I discovered in a shop last month and I decided to make a simple table runner out of it using the border stripe to do all the work for me!! I love the bee hives and birdhouses and these colors will look great in my great room, no pun intended there!! LOL!!!

Do you remember those watercolor quilts we all use to make? I loved those things, they were great for scraps too, but took a long time to lay out. I think it was worth the effort though. This is one I did that I love to have out in the spring. It suppose to look like a flower box under a window.
Years ago when I thought I couldn't quilt, because of my RA, and I didn't know about longarms back then, I taught tole painting classes and this is one of the few pieces I have left. I brought out some of the Easter decorations since Easter is less than a month away!

I tried again, to turn this pic, but with no success, so forgive me for the sideways glance, but these are wool felt eggs that I machine embroidered for Easter. They were alot of fun to make, and if you have any embroidery software, you can come up with your own designs and just stuff an egg!!!!

Yes, Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill, I do love bunnies too. This is an old favorite that comes out for Spring. It just wouldn't be the same without her!!!

Until next time, keep quilting!

Free Patterns!!

I have been working with Benartex (http://www.benartex.com/) for almost 2 years now. I just discovered where they are hiding alot of my patterns on their website!!! I always thought they would be under projects, but instead you need to click on a fabric line and they have projects under each line. I wanted to share with you this free pattern for the Samara line, called Victorian Paisley. Here is the link:

http://http//db.benartex.com/storelocator/FMPro?-DB=invimage.fp3&-lay=internet&-max=15&delay=no&-op=eq&-Format=quiltcol.htm&-sortfield=primarysort&-sortorder=ascend&-sortfield=recordid&directory=49Z&quiltgal=quiltgal&-sortorder=ascend&-find and here is the quilt! This was easy to make and I love the combination of the light blue with black in the fabrics. When you click on the link, you can download a PDF file with a much better image of the quilt. I will post a new quilt for you in my next posts, so you can see some of the new designs I have done and new fabric lines that should be in your stores by now. This one is the City Blooms line and is another free pattern when you click on that line of fabric on the website. This one is great for beginners.

I have a close up of some of the quilting too.

I received a box from UPS yesterday, and thinking it was another fabric line that is ready to be made, I didn't open it before I went to my Dr. visit. When I got home I finally opened the box to a huge surprise. My Victory Garden quilt was in the box, and I was so excited, because this is the first quilt of mine ever to go into Fons and Porter magazine. I just love this quilt.

I think I showed it to you before, that was a long time ago, so for anyone that hasn't seen it yet, here it is in red,white and blue.

It was in the Fons and Porter Dec 2008 issue.

I love table runners, and I have given more of them away than I actually own. I don't have one for Easter now, so I want to do at least one tablerunner a month, just to do something for me. I learned the hard way, that working hard is fine, but you have to balance out your time with some time for yourself once in awhile. I thought this would be a perfect way to keep on track because I tend to just keep working, and the break never comes, because after all the work is done, more work finds you!!!

The flowers are starting to bloom outside and after a little chill, we are going to have 80 degree temperatures by next Tuesday!! I hope to be planting the annuals this weekend. The yellow jasmine is already in bloom and my african violets too!!

I got the picture a little blurry!!!

My favorite thing to do, next to being with my family and quilting, is gardening. In Vegas, I have found it to be a real challenge. And with Roxy dog, who loves to bite sprinkler heads off, and eat the flowers it is even more of a challenge. I will really have to work with her this spring to teach her to stay off!!!

She is the sweetest girl you'd ever meet, but still very much a puppy. She wants to please but gets bored very easy, and Peanut just doesn't want to play much lately because sher hurt her leg. She is getting better and Roxy and I go on walks without her until she feels better. Long walks also keep Roxy from getting so bored that she chews on things, and I give her lots of rawhide chews too which she loves.

Hope your weather is warming up. I'll be back soon, until then keep quilting!

Is Spring here?

Well, my plum tree in the front yard sure seems to think it is Spring!! I love the beautiful blossoms and they fall off all too quickly, but I sure enjoy spring. The skies have been clear and blue, and the temps vary from 58 to 76 degrees these last few weeks. I love Spring, it all feels like a new fresh start and it isn't hot in the desert yet. The dogs like it too, it is getting warmer for walks and now Peanut is enjoying the walks with Roxy and I. The SPCA called us about 2 weeks ago to ask how she was doing, and here is a great pic of her, just before a nap. She has put her weight back on, and she plays with Roxy and is a well adjusted happy girl again. She has the sweetest personality and we are glad she is a member of the family now.

More fabric shipments are on their way, and soon I will be fabricating more quilts for Spring Market. As soon as I am able, I will share my new ideas with you.

I have just finished this block for a quilt I am making called "Forever Flowers" by the Quilt Company. I have another pattern set from them with bird houses all over and sunflowers in the borders. I love these patterns and I really enjoy picking out my own fabrics instead of buying kits! I think after this is quilted and finished that I want to embellish it with beading too. What do you think? There are still 5 more blocks to complete, and the border is very involved with pieced tulips, etc, and I can hardly wait to get this together. The only thing holding me up is the time it will take to applique all the blocks. One down, 4 more to go! With the borders on it, the block measures 20 inches!!
I have sent more finished quilts off to Benartex for Spring Market, and this is a sneak peak of a quilt for the Flora and Fauna line.

This one is an upclose of a quilt I designed and shipped for P&B Textiles. This one is easy for beginners and uses almost every fabric in the line. It's bright and Spring looking!

Along with all the good, sometimes there are a few tough spells and recently I had an episode that landed me in the hospital. I am fine now, and working as always, so I am thankful for that. The same week we learned that my kids Grandmother passed away and it has been difficult and we miss her.

My daugther was born in the Spring, the month of May actually, and she was born at 8:45 in the evening. I remember waking early and looking out the window the next morning to a beautiful Spring day, as a very happy new Mother. Sometimes her birthday lands on Mother's Day, and it couldn't be more fitting. The good things in life definitely outweigh the bad. I'm really thankful for my children and my family and friends. Enjoy Spring, and keep quilting!

Quilt Almanac issue #98 2009

I just got a surprise package in the mail last week---it was 2 issues from Quilt Almanac magazine! The fun part is that it has my Cider Mill Road quilt that I designed and made from the Benartex line by Nancy Halverson. I didn't even know it was out!! I took a picture of the article, but I just can't get it to post in the right position. If anyone can tell me how to rotate a photo in a blog I am all ears!!!

Nice sideways shot, huh? I didn't take it that way, but well, you get the idea.

Our old car blew up and the hot water heater went out within the same week, so some good news was nice to have!! I have been a busy bee around here trying to get deadlines met and making all kinds of new projects.

I will be teaching another class on the Elm Creek Quilt series and this quilt is called The Winding Ways Quilt, after the book by Jennifer Chiaverinni. I now have all 10 stars made, (here's one) and am working on the alternate blocks. I really like the border fabric-- it looks alot like the quilts that came out a few years ago by John Flynn.

We have been getting alot of rain, and this one morning it was snowing big flakes the size of silver dollars. I tried to get a good pic, but they are hard to see!!

Getting back to the quilts, I have also been catching up on the longarm jobs. This quilt, made by one of my customers is such a great one. I love the fabrics. I just couldn't resist turning those big dots into daisies!!

Another beautiful customer quilt done all in civil war fabrics. I just had to do feathers! I'll have alot more to share with you soon, there is alot in the works right now. LOVING the cool weather while it's here, it just feels like time to quilt.

Happy Birthday Christy!!

This is our daughter Christy and her husband Dirk. One of the boys, Bryson above them!!!! Her birthday is Monday. Happy Birthday Christy!!! We miss you so much!!!

I just got the new catalog from Hancock's of Paducah and as I was thumbing through the pages when I saw one of my quilt designs! That was a surprise! It is the Ellie Fun quilt, fabric by Quilting Treasures. It's on page 114 if you want to peek!

The Ellie Fun quilt at Houston Market last year.

Well, I am finally over the flu and way behind on my work, but I'll give you a few sneak peaks of some of the quilts that will be showing at Spring Market this year. This one is from the Cosmo Chic line by Benartex.

Here is a close up of City Girl Holiday by Benartex. I love this line, the colors are so beautiful. I can think of all kinds of things I'd like to make for Christmas next year!

Here you can see a few blocks. Wish I could show you the whole quilt, but until I can I'll keep a few close ups so you can see what's new!!

Another quilt I am working on is from a line called Samsara. This is a beautiful line by Benartex. This block in the center is the fabric that inspired the whole quilt!!!
It is one of my favorites, because I love the black with the light blue, and the old world feel to the fabrics.
It has been a really nice week, feeling better and getting out of the house once in awhile. We went out to see Barry Manilow's show last week and it was a really good show. His voice is just as great as always.

Before I go, I want to show you this pattern by The Quilt Company. I think it is called Heart and Home. I just love it, and will be doing this as a block of the month this year. Some quilts are just too hard to resist!!!

I hope everyone is feeling great, and the flu season is OVER!!! Although my daughter, Char, said she has it this week. Feel better really soon Char!!!!

Until next time, keep quilting!

Happy Birthday to my Son Michael!

Happy Birthday to my son, Mike. He is 34 today. This is Mike and his fiance, De Anna. They are engaged to be married June 13th of this year. Have a great birthday Mike!!!!!

It's called the FLU!!!!!

Hi everyone, this darling little block can be found on Anne Sutton's blog, http://www.bunnyhill.blogspot.com/ and it is free! It is cute or what? Anne, you've outdone yourself again! Anyone interested can find it on her site!! Ok, now I know I have some explaining to do. Where have I been, you might ask, besides lounging around the house, on couches and chairs, reading books and watching TV, maybe even sleeping for hours on end. How lazy can a person be, you might say. There are only 8 quilts to be quilted and bound and shipped away. Well, I'll tell you where I've been, having a VERY long date with the Flu!!!! Now I'm not suppose to take flu shots with my compromised immune system, but this session with the flu has made me wonder. NO fun, no fun at all. I finally got in to the Dr yesterday and after 2 shots, 3 meds, a breathing treatment and strick orders to STAY AWAY from everyone, my little doggies have been my only partners, during the day that is. My husband has been so much help, but he does have to work too!! So the dogs and I have had great conversations together, if you can call it that, and I am finally getting somewhat functional!!! I didn't even want to blog, you know, I was sure no one wanted to hear about all the lovely symtoms, but as my Daughter Charlotte told me, I was seriously lacking on my posting!!!! Hopefully I will soon be forgiven and we can focus on more pleasant things!!! So I'll share some great pics for you to enjoy while I recoup.

Roxy and Peanut have become the best of friends. Here they are enjoying the sun on a lazy afternoon.

A sunset view from the couch.

The last quilt I completed for P&B Textiles and is already in their hands. It was a study in value.

I was having trouble adjusting to my new longarm frame, but it is finally getting better.

If anyone has heard of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims I highly recommend joining the membership. They always have a free BOM by Sue Garman, and just look at the pattern for 2009! I was so excited, because I had planned to buy the pattern anyway, and now I can just print the patterns on my computer!!! Check out the site, it is awesome. www.thequiltshow.com

My newest favorite book by Kaffe Fassett. I may not be able to go shopping, but there is the computer, you know.

Another night in misery on the couch was made doable by this georgeous sunset.

And lastly, my little buddies, Roxy and Peanut, showing me just how to relax when you don't feel good. Cindy is doing well too, but she likes her dog bed better.

I'll have some new things to show you very soon! So hang in there with me, but whatever you do, don't catch the flu!!!!.....and

Keep quilting!