something new - something old

You know the feeling... the feeling you get when you finally put the finishing touches on a quilt you've been making or a room you've been decorating, or even a junk drawer that needed cleaning.
I have just finally finished up an exciting project that I have had in the works since the summer. It is such a nice feeling to have it all come together.
I'm guessing that you have children or grandchildren that you love to make things for. Of course we love to make gifts, that's all part of being a quilter/crafter, isn't it? 
This new pattern is a wholesome toy and quilt all rolled into one.
 Color My Garden.... is a pattern for a playful, interactive quilt that includes a pre-printed fabric panel with 11 fruit and veggies for kids to color with crayons or washable markers, and then "plant" in their quilt garden.
This is easy to make and the instructions are very complete and well illustrated.

I  also added a free download on my site for instructions to make a cute little matching harvest bag for their quilt garden. 

If you want more details you can click on this link or go to my site. I am also going to have a limited quantity of finished quilts available for purchase.


So...what's old you ask.........that would be me!

Actually..... I was going to say the stack of unfinished projects that require my attention. LOL

Of course now I am also working on some Christmas gifts in progress. I have enjoyed seeing that so many people are making gifts again. I know that handmade has always been popular with avid stitcher's and crafter's, but now it seems that even more people are getting into the handmade spirit.
I am happy to see the next generation finding their way to handcrafts and foodcrafts. I believe that taking the time to "craft" something is good for us. 
With today's fast pace, "crafting" makes you take a breath and connect with your creative side,  physical elements, and time.

How many handcrafted gifts are you making this year? More than last year or about the same?
How many did you have the intention of making :) ?
Well, I'm going to go work on my gifts so I don't have to use next day shipping to get them there in time :)

play like you mean it....
Linda

Featured designer at Quilters Showcase

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that I will be the featured designer for the next 2 weeks over at the Quilter's Showcase blog. Hooray! I had an interview with Kathleen that will be shared as the feature continues. They are also doing some giveaways so you'll want to get in on that. Kathleen will also be linking to the Stitch-a-long so you can find it here or on the Quilters Showcase blog.
She is also stitching up one of my favorites but I'll let her share that with you.
This quilt is from my Bar nine pattern and the pattern is included in the first giveaway.....

I'm heading into the studio for now and tomorrow I will be posting the cutting instructions for the Stitch -a-long with Linda.  I hope you get busy picking out your fabrics!

Got gunk???

Have you  de-gunked your iron lately, or is your iron sparkly clean? Well mine wasn't and I finally got fed up with the gunky mess. It has been accumulating from all the fusing I have been doing this past year.  I came across this cool product at a quilt show somewhat recently and I bought it hoping it would bring my poor pitiful iron back to it's former glory. It's called Iron Clean by Bo-Nash and just in case you're wondering... I am not getting anything for sharing this with you... other than the pleasure of sharing my results.

Now granted this was a very inexpensive iron. I wouldn't treat a good iron this badly. Anyway, I followed the directions and because it was sooooooo gunked up I had to repeat the steps (just like they said I would). I was halfway through the process when I thought to take pictures, so you can imagine what it looked like before I started. YIKES!

Yes, I know you are asking "don't you use a pressing sheet?" and yes,  I do use a pressing sheet -
well, sometimes :)
Ta-da! Here is the finished result. I am im"pressed" with the results and now that I have the Iron Clean on hand, chances are it won't ever get as gunky as it did. Have you de-gunked lately? What did you use?

Enough cleaning for now and back into the studio to make more models of "Whoo's Hanging Out?" for Spring Quilt Market. Now where's my pressing sheet?????

Studio Bling is here!

 This is what I've been so busy with.... Studio Bling - is a really fun new product that I just released. Studio Bling is my line of  reusable FABRIC stickers that you can use to "bling" your sewing machine and just about anything else in your studio. The stickers come of clean with no sticky residue and you can use them over and over again. They make a great gift for your quilty/crafty pals and of course as a gift to yourself.

You can bling your sewing machine.......(they leave no residue)

 Your OTT light......

your storage bins, your computer, even your shoes......

Perk up your studio with some Studio Bling and if your mood changes, just change your bling. Available in 2 styles with more new designs in the works. 

Each sheet has at least 20 sticker designs to use.
You can get even more creative and embellish your bling! Add buttons, glitter, rhinestones or even draw on them with colorful markers. Because they're fabric they're durable and reusable!

Click here to see the full collections and order now.

 Now it's back into my studio (blinged of course) to stitch.

a little bitty quilt...

I've been fiddling around with a little bitty quilt to try out a few new techniques. First step was to print my fabric. I use the sun blueprint fabric, in this case the cheddar yellow and I "dyed" it in the sun.  My DH just happened to have a great selection of metal washers so I placed them all over my fabric piece and put it out in the sun to print.....

 Voila! after rinsing and drying I now have this fun cheddar yellow print. I decided to hand embroider in some of the circles. I like hand work and haven't embroidered anything in a while. I chose magenta, bright blue, bright lime green and yellow to embroider with. I am using pearl cotton with the exception of the magenta, which is a lovely wool fiber.

 Here's a little closer look.... I am now machine quilting it. I have a layer of thinsulate batting right under the fabric and then I fused it all to Fast-2-Fuse and then fused my backing fabric to the other side of the Fast-2-Fuse and I am quilting through all of it. I am quilting around all of the circles individually - Yikes talk about a bunch of thread tails! I leave the tails long and then thread the tails on a needle and bury them in the layers. So....even though it's an itty bitty quilt it's slow going. That, and I am still catching up from all the time I took off to have fun with my family and friends while they were here.
I miss them and can't wait until I see them again.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.....now it's off to bed and tomorrow I have another friend visiting from out of town....that means out to lunch and shopping, oh my.

Quilt Day download

What are you doing to celebrate National Quilt Day??? 

Do you have plans to attend an event, get together with friends to stitch,  go shopping for fabric, or start a new project? Maybe you're participating in one of the many group charity projects.

Here are just a few projects you can get involved in:

project linus

a million pillowcases 
quilts of valor
quilting for peace

In celebration of National Quilt Day, I did stitch up a great little table topper and.....

 you can download the instructions for free from my website! It's a fabulous way to spread the joy of quilting so tell your friends too.

Also.... on Monday I will be starting a new giveaway! Spread the word.

OMG, I have been out goofing off with my family that is visiting and have been so bad about blogging. I will have some fun stuff to share once I sit still long enough to share it! Hope you have a wonderful quilty weekend!

New Lollipop quilt pattern release

I just released my latest new quilt pattern and I hope you'll like it.
It's called Lollipop Garden and it was a fun quilt to design and make.
I enjoy working with stripes and plaids and had fun going through my stash picking them out.
The scrappy pieced border is super easy and if you don't have enough stripes and plaids in your stash, then it's a great reason to go shopping!
The quilt measures 40" square and can be made with fusible or hand-worked appliqué.
As always I include helpful hints and tips and the instructions are clearly illustrated.
Naturally, if you want a bigger quilt just make more blocks. The finished block size is 10".
I will be releasing another new pattern in about 2 weeks...busy, busy, busy.
Oops, gotta run, I have chocolate chip cookies in the oven and the timer is going off..
til next time,
Linda

Finished projects...of all sorts

First of all thank you all for your glad tidings at Christmastime.
I can't believe this week will ring in the New Year! Where-o-where did '09 go?
I am happy to say I have been getting some projects finished up though.
A couple of them were just for fun holiday projects.
The first was an ornament I saw on a Martha Stewart holiday special and so I dragged my DH to the craft table and actually his turned out better than mine. I thought he was using too much glue but alas I was proven wrong. Anyway here is the finished ornament which is made with string, a balloon, glue and glitter. Messy but fun. The next was a little Christmas scene kit that my mom gave to all the "kids". It's made of craft foam and you just have to glue it together and decorate it. It was a fun little project and now sits in the kitchen window and I will think of mom whenever I look at it.



No, I haven't been goofing off the whole time.....
I have also spent time in the studio and finished up a couple of new pattern designs. One is a scrappy little quilt and will be available in January. It's a great project for helping to whittle down your stash to make room for new fabrics! Here's just a glimpse to tease you.


I have also added a couple of coupons to my webstore. One is a 10% coupon for any of the non-stick applique sheets or grip & grip work surfaces and the other coupon is for a $5.00 discount on my Push-button Prints CD. The CD has numerous design collections that you can print out onto fabric or paper right at home on your inkjet printer. You may recall I used one of the prints on one of my project jars. (the left one)
Well, I need to go get busy if I'm going to have those new patterns ready for you in January.
I hope you are all getting in some quality stitching time as well.

new kits

Just wanted to let you know about the new kits I just posted on my website.
The kits are for the Penny Pouch pattern which is a nice heart embellished little pouch made with woolfelt and blanket stitches. It also has a pattern for a matching scissor sheath. The pouch is great for carrying around small stitchery projects or to use for jewelry, makeup, or whatever.
A 6" x 9" vinyl project bag will slip neatly inside. The kits are available in several color ways and contain the pattern, all the woolfelt and plenty of pearl cotton to complete the project. This makes a great gift for stitching friends, give them the kit and let them make it!

New BFF pattern

I just released my newest BFF swap-pliqué™ pattern ~ "BFF Trick or Treat" and you'll have plenty of time to get it done for Halloween. This new pattern includes 6 costumes, 5 new hairdo's and fun Halloween accessories to mix and match. The use of glow in the dark fabric for some of the elements adds another level of fun to this project. And yes, the costumes also fit the best friends from my other BFF patterns. I had so much fun designing this, I hope you'll have just as much fun making it.

Okay, back to work......no, really

Tropical Toucan

Gosh, guilty again. Has it been another week? Well, I've sent my Toucan off on it's way to Quilt Market.
Sorry the pic isn't better. I was in a hurry and both the lighting and the perspective were not the best. I had such a good time making this piece. I let the colors inspire me and also the request for something tropical. Other than that I just played around and decided on making the Toucan. I machine quilted the piece but instead of binding it I put a wavy blade in my rotary cutter ( okay, actually my husband changes the blades for me, I'm a klutz) and after I quilted the piece I just cut the edges through all layers. Yes, I did put batting inside but kept it away from the edges so it wouldn't show.
Then I sent hubby outside to cut some bamboo for the hanger. He's such a dear!
This weekend I'm starting a new project organizing system inspired by my mom.
It'll be fun ~ no really it will. You'll see.

Silly me

Mary, thanks for asking where you can find the new bamboo blend felt by National Nonwovens. I meant to link to it in the first post, but alas, it was late and my brain was already sleeping. I checked their site earlier and the new XoticFelt wasn't posted yet. It is being introduced at Spring Quilt Market (May 15th) so I'm sure they'll have it up soon. Click on the link to go there and sorry for the goof up.

Loving the green

I know, I know, it's been a week since you heard from me. Believe me I haven't been sitting around eating bonbons (sounds like fun though) I have been working on models to send off to Quilt Market. Here's a glimpse of the projects I made with the bamboo/rayon felt.....



I am so loving working with this new felt, and I love, love, love, this green. Actually I think I have at least 3 tee-shirts this color. LOL
The bamboo felt has a much softer drape to it than the WoolFelt which I also use. The bamboo blend is a very nice alternative for when you want to use something a bit softer. It is also very nice to stitch through. I will definitely be using this again.
Speaking of green, a friend of ours has this super cool VW camper. Don't you love the awning stripe?




Oops ~ a momentary distraction here, there's a bunny hopping outside my office window, he (or she) just jumped up on the window ledge (it's low) . Naturally the camera was out of reach, sorry.

Well, now it's off to make dinner, on the menu tonight are.... chicken & mushroom kabobs on the grill, summer squash, rice and a nice fresh fruit salad for desert, with kiwis....oh yeah...love that green!

The new BFF pattern for spring

Yes, I've finished the latest in the BFF series the "BFF Celebrate Spring" quilt. As in the first BFF quilt (Dresses & do's) the best friends are permanent appliqués but their outfits, hairdos, pets and even their shoes are Swap-pliqués™, changeable, mix & match appliqués.
The BFF Celebrate Spring pattern features 5 playful spring outfits, 3 new hairdo's, new pets plus numerous fun accessories to mix & match. There's a ballerina outfit, a delightful gardening outfit (go figure) , an Easter bunny costume, an Easter dress and a rainy day outfit. The pattern includes the instructions for the quilt as well as the outfits. All of the outfits, hairdo's etc. mix & match between both BFF patterns so your Best Friends wardrobe can keep growing. You don't want them wearing the same old thing all the time do you?
The new pattern should be up on my site early next week.

New Quilt Patterns hot of the press!

Finally .... here are my two newest quilt patterns I've been promising you. The first pattern shown here, "BFF Dresses and Do's" , uses a fun and easy new technique that I call "swap-liqué" The dress, hairdo, shoe and pet appliqués can be changed any time and a different one put in it's place. How fun is that?
The BFF's (best friends forever) themselves are permanent appliques and the pattern includes traceable faces and full size templates. Use delightful '30's fabrics for the borders and dresses as used in the model, or get brave and pick anything you like. How perfect for any little girls bedroom. This pattern includes 6 dresses, 6 hairdo's, and 2 pets. Watch for companion patterns with even more holiday and seasonal outfits, accessories. pets, and more available soon.
The quilt measures 26" x 41".

The second quilt pattern "Blondies" is one block easy with quick rotary cutting and easy as pie instructions for "Fearless Blonde Quilting". This easy machine quilting technique is an ideal way to conquer your fear of machine quilting. Designed for the timid and blonde alike this technique will not intimidate you. If you are still hesitant to try machine quilting, make the crib size and start there. If I can do it so can you, I'm blonde. The quilt comes in 2 sizes and also has easy pick fabric selection based on values, i.e. light, medium, dark. Lap size is 56" x 70", crib size is 36" x 42".

You can find both of the new patterns on my website www.thistledownquilts.com or if you're a retailer contact Checker Distributors, Pattern Peddlers, or Quilterswarehouse.


Now I have to get back to drawing board - literally, and finish designing the "BFF" spring/summer/autumn collections and take some pictures of my green peppers that are growing in my earthbox garden.

Whisperlite™ - A "how-to" lesson

I just finished packing up an order of my Whisperlite™ product to ship out and realized that now that I have a blog I can show you a "how to" on it's many uses.
Whisperlite tracer is a sheer, lightweight, yet strong material. It's a very versatile product and the techniques are designed to help save you time and frustration. It can be used for marking quilts, as a guide for applique placement and for foundation piecing.
I'll begin by showing you how to use Whisperlite™ to easily mark your quilts or any other fabric projects.
Note that this marking method requires that you wet your fabric afterwards so don't use it on a project that you can't or don't want to get wet.











To protect the page with the design, place a piece of plastic or a page protector over it.
Tape the Whisperlite on top of the design you want to trace. Using a water soluble marker, trace the design on to the Whisperlite. The tracing I am doing here is from my Berry Cherry pattern that was featured in McCall's Quilting magazine.























Remove the tape and place the marked
Whisperlite onto the quilt or fabric you wish to mark.

Pin in place. With the water soluble marker, retrace over the marked design and the marking will come through to the fabric underneath. You may have to retrace more than once if your marker is running low on "ink".






Lift the Whisperlite occasionally to see if the marking has come through to your satisfaction. That's it, your design is marked. To remove the markings follow the instructions for the marker you chose. Most water soluble markings are made to remove with clear cool water. If you are in doubt, test the marker on a scrap of the same fabric.


Whisperlite™ comes in 1 yd. packs or is available wholesale to retailers by the 10 yd. bolt.