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

Fabric shopping or stash busting?

Need some good reasons to go fabric shopping?

Reason #1...... I need fabric to join in on Stitch-a-long with Linda.

Reason #2 ...... because it's Friday (fill in the day of your choice)

Reason #3 ...... I heard there was a sale (there's always a sale somewhere)

Reason #4....... the fabric I have doesn't fit anymore

Reason #5........ I need one more fabric to go with the others I'm using in the Stitch-a-long with Linda

Reason # 6....... to help stimulate the economy

Reason # 7 ...... because it's there

Reason #8 ....... I don't have enough fabric (only if you can say this with a straight face)

Reason #9 ....... I need to go buy some thread, so while I'm there.....

Reason # 10...... I better stock up now while the weather is good

Reason # 11.... there's some great links posted here.......

Fat Quarter Shoppe, Stitchin' heaven,  Suzannes quilts, Ericas, Country Crossroads,
Cotton Patch quilt shop, Quilt Lovers Hangout, Sew Studio, My Quilt shop, quiltshops.com
Jo-Ann's fabrics, pink chalk fabrics, glorious color.
That should get you started......
If those reasons don't help, you can also dig into your fabric "stash" a.k.a. "collection".
The quilt top that we'll be making in the Stitch-a-long is going to finish around 40" x 60" and it uses at least 7 fabrics so it doesn't take a whole bunch of any one fabric. It's an easy to make design and so it's a good project for beginners or a stress free, quick project for more experienced quilters. The yardage you'll need is listed below. To help get you started I'll show you the fabrics I'm using from my "collection" and why I chose them.
I chose this print "focus" fabric because it has a good variety of colors in the print.

We'll be making two sizes of 4-patch units in the quilt and so I chose a light and a dark to go with the larger print.....

We'll also be making some strip pieced units and I chose another 4 fabrics for those. I like to vary the scale and visual textures in my fabric choices to add interest. I also like to add a very light fabric and a dark fabric instead of using all mid-tone value fabrics....

So here are the fabrics I'm going to use..... I'm not sure which one I'll use for the binding yet.

Here is another "collection" I pulled together out of my stash that I may use when I make this quilt again.

 I hope that gives you some inspiration to begin gathering or buying your fabrics for the Stitch-a-long!

Here's the yardage you'll need for the Stitch-a-long with Linda quilt top. Have fun shopping!

*yardage is based on 44" fabric width

1-1/4 yards of a print focus fabric 
1/2 yard of a dark (I'm using the red)
1/4 yard of a light (I'm using the pink & white check)
1/4 yard EACH of 4 other fabrics  (I'm using an orange print, 2 greens prints and a pink dot)
Buy another 1/3 yard of one of the fabrics for your binding.
 Fabric needed for the backing is 1-3/4 yards
*There is also an optional step in this Stitch -a-long that will require another fabric that will contrast somewhat with the rest. You'll need about 3/4 yard.

how to traumatize a quilter - day two

Did you really think I was going to stop at day one???? (see my August 24th posting if you missed day one of how to traumatize a quilter)

I find this is becoming a very cathartic experience. Today I also began the process of starting anew by choosing the fabrics for the quilt that will supplant the %#@* quilt.

In the meantime my DH was helping out his nephew by working on his truck. I think they put new rotors on or something to that effect. I'm usually the go-fer for my DH when he has a big project going on. In this case he had a helper but I wanted to contribute somehow so......

,

I let him borrow the %#@^* quilt to lay on while he worked on the truck.
I figured it would be much more comfy than the concrete driveway- don't ya think?

Hmmmm, not sure if that grease is going to come out.  Now ask me if I care- LOL
I am feeling more liberated by the day!
Do you ever feel the need to liberate yourself from a bothersome project?????

 I returned to my studio and continued pulling some fabrics from my stash. Here's what I have so far....

If you want, you can stitch along with me as I go.  It's a great stash busting project and you'll have a cozy little quilt in time for the chillier days ahead or to donate to your favorite charity. If you're worried you won't keep up, rest easy. I have a lot going on right now and this isn't going to be done at a lightning pace. I'll  be posting the yardage needed this week.


Next I'll be cutting the fabrics and...... who knows what else!

Shibori sunshine

I am having too much fun. Our quilt guild had a guest speaker Carol Anne Grotrian and one of her specialty is Shibori dyeing. I was fascinated with her fabrics and her quilts. Thank you Carol for inspiring me so.
What is Shibori you ask?
Shibori is a Japanese term for resist dyeing, such as tie-dye. Remember all the tie-dye t-shirts - that's just one Shibori technique.
When I got home and kept thinking about the examples I saw, it dawned on me that years ago (about 6-8 years) I had purchased a kit of special pre- treated fabric that you expose to the sun to imprint an image.
Surprisingly I found it right where I had put it many years ago and I have been having fun ever since.
I took some to retreat with me so my friends could play with it too. In fact I had just received the order I had placed for more kits and now they come in more fabulous colors. If you've always wanted to dabble in dyeing fabrics but don't have a place to do it or you are hesitant about working with dyes then this technique is for you too. I now offer packages of 8-1/2" pre-treated squares on my website. The colors available are the original white/indigo and five new colors.
I have a workshop posted at S.E.W. Studio so if you are in the SW Florida area let me know if you are interested in a class.

This is the defining block Karen did at retreat.....



Here is the block that Cathi made... don't you love the bear!



These are some I have done, along with the one at the top of the page.










In case you can't tell, I am so excited about this. I have only wet dyed a couple of times and it was fun, but much more time consuming, messier, and many more supplies are involved. Of course you can't duplicate the unlimited effects and color combining that you get with wet dyeing but if you just want to have a little fun, no mess, and be creative you can't go wrong with this technique.
More to come...........

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.

BFF's bundle up

It's getting chilly outside and so the BFF's now have their new winter/Christmas wardrobe!
Here is the newest BFF paper doll quilt pattern. It is up on my site so you can order right away.
This pattern not only has delightful winter/holiday outfits and hairdo swap-pliqués to mix and match but it has oodles of fun festive holiday trims to decorate the quilt with. All of the appliqués, even the trims, are removable swap-pliqués so you can change them around anytime and they fit any BFF quilt.
Here's a peek at some of the swap-pliqués.



More shopping.......
I just found out about a brand new online shop called Inch worm fabrics.
They carry Kona Bay, Seattle Bay and Moda fabrics. Check them out when you just have to have fabric!
Don't forget to post to the Nov. 19th post to enter the giveaway. Monday is the last day to enter.

launched at last

Whew,
I finally got my new redesigned website up and launched. What a job, I guess I didn't realize how many items I have available until I started entering them all into the site, and then had to describe them all, etc.!
It still has some tweaking that needs to be done, but that will be an ongoing process as I add more things. My next job is to open a flicker account, I heard it's quick and easy, I hope so I need to get back into the studio and out from behind the keyboard.
If you go over to my site make sure to check out the "what's new" page from time to time, where I'll be adding bonus downloads for the BFF patterns.
Last Saturday night was girls night out a.k.a. vintage chicks night and it was so nice to get together and stitch and chatter and giggle. A very welcome break.

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.