Book Review and Giveaway - May

I love mini projects.  The new book Lunch-Hour Wool Minis by Kathy Brown has 14 Easy Projects to Stitch in no Time.

Photos are courtesy of Martingale 

If you already know how to do wool applique this book is for you.  If you've never done wool applique - this book is for you too!  Kathy has a list of supplies and shows how to do wool applique and it's really very easy!  She also has instructions for a few easy embroidery stitches to embellish the projects.

These projects are just adorable!  As Kathy says- they are small projects to stitch in front of a tv, while waiting at the office or at a ball park.  They are small portable projects that are easy and small to have on hand.

The project on the cover is a mug rug called Bees & Blossoms.  It is 6" x 7", and has a few small buttons for embellishments.

This project is called Ewe and Me and the Jingle Tree.  Isn't that a cute name?  Look at the cute little bell at the top of the tree.  It is 8" x 9".

I think the Chickadee Days project is the largest one at 10" x 14".

If you have never tried working with wool you should give it a try.  This is a great book with such cute projects.  You will be hooked and want to do more!

Look for the book at your local quilt shops or online at Shopmartingale.com

I'm doing a giveaway for a free ebook of Lunch-Hour Wool Minis.  Leave a comment on whether or not you  have tried wool applique.  I will draw a name and announce it early next week.  Be sure that I can get back to you if you are the winner.

Have a great day!

2018 Quilt Garden & Quilt

Today we finished planting the 2018 quilt garden at the Nappanee Center in Nappanee IN.  One and a half days of planting, and hours later we had rain!  Finished just in time!

The name of the garden this year is Connie's Bloomin' Stitches.  I'm very honored that they named the garden this year in my honor for the work I've done with the gardens and the quilts I've made of each garden.

Here I am with the quilt that was made for this years garden.  I replicate the garden design in the center block, and always add a border that compliments the design.

Here is what is on the label of the quilt:

Connie's Bloomin' Stitches is adapted from a pattern called Spools and was titled as a tribute to Connie Kauffman, who has authored several quilt pattern books.  This design was adapted, named and dedicated as the 11th anniversary quilt garden for 2018 to honor Connie for her creative fabric artistry.  The Committee opted to use one vertical spool in the garden design instead of the original 4 spool pattern. 

Connie has designed all of the quilts replicating the gardens that have been planted by the Nappanee Center Quilt Garden Committee.  She served on the committee for two years and has continued to serve as a "friend of the garden" with the spring plantings.

The 2018 quilt garden also features a wood crafted needle and a spool wound with colored rope that sits within the center quilt block.

2018 Quilt Garden Committe

Bonnie Borger          Jeff Kitson

Karen Clipp              Donna Persing

Dick Conrad             Wayne Scheumann

Sue Conrad               Stephanie Topping

Julie Dyjkstra           Sandy Witt

Lora Harp

If you are traveling in Northern Indiana this summer- be sure and take in the 18 gardens in the Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail.

Pillows Part II

I thought I would add a couple comments about the porch pillows I made with Island Batik fabrics.

I quilted arc's on each side with the Westalee Multi Arc Ruler, and larger arcs on the corners with other Westalee circle rulers.

The multi arc is a handy ruler to have on hand because you have the choice of several different sizes to use.  It is helpful to have this tool to fit in about any space you need.

I also did buttonhole stitching around all the petals.  I love this look and it's very easy to do on a domestic machine.

It's great to have the tools on hand when you need them.  What are some of your favorite tools?

May Island Batik Challenge- Pillows

The challenge for all the Island Batik Ambassadors for May was to make a pillow of some kind.  This was a great challenge.  I decided to make a couple pillows for on my front porch.  I used a flower pattern I had designed years ago as a white daisy.  This time I made colorful daisies from Island Batik fabrics that came in the 5" strip rolls that were included in the Island Batik Ambassador box.  The background yellows also came from the 5" strips- but I had to piece them to make the larger background for the applique.

When I make porch pillows, I know they will be exposed to the elements and I'll need to wash them, so I stuff them with plastic bags.  No one can tell the difference!

The pillows measure 15" x 15".  I finish them with a regular binding  They make a sunny addition to my porch.