Book Review: Table Toppers

Photography courtesy of Martingale

This book  Table Toppers  Quilted Projects from Fons & Porter  has a nice assortment of 12 different projects.  Techniques used  are piecing and/or applique.  The book has a helpful section with 5 Sew Easy Techniques where things are explained in more detail- such as how to make triangle squares, how to paper piece, etc.

I thought it would be interesting to try out one of the projects.  I decided on the last project:  O Christmas Tree by Sue Marsh.

photography courtesy of Martingale

           

Here is my project using an assortment of Seasons Greetings fabrics from Island Batik.  I plan to quilt it with gold thread and add a gold binding.  This project was quick and easy.  It would be a great project for a quick Christmas gift.

Exciting News! New book: Little Gems

I'm excited to show you the cover of my new book:  Little Gems.  This is my 6th book and will be released in Feb 2015.  

If you love small quilts and paper piecing - this is the book for you!  All the quilts are 12" x 12" (okay, one quilt is a tad larger).  These projects are also great for using up scraps.

I love the Ackfeld wire stands which are perfect for these small quilted treasures.  There are a variety of the stands used though out the book.

Check it out soon and enjoy!

Photograph courtesy of Martingale Publishers

Color Inspiration

Who isn't inspired by the colors of fall?  Fall makes me want to pull out a whole seasonal range of colors to play with!

What is your favorite fall color?

"Fall colors are funny.  They're so bright and intense and beautiful.  It's like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary."   - Siobhan Vivian, Same Difference

Blog Block #1 Bright Star

Quilt Blocks.  I have a whole collection of quilt block patterns that I've saved - thinking I'll use them someday.  Someday...when is that?  I've finally decided to make a sample of each block to try them out, and I'll be posting them for you to see.  Maybe you'll see one, or two or three, that you'll enjoy making too!

Here is the first block I made.  It's called Bright Star or Christmas Star.  I used 4 fabrics from the line Quilted in Honor by Island Batiks.

I thought I would make all of my blocks 6" x 6".  I may have to rethink that.  The pieces in this block are pretty small at this size.

Sneak Peek - Quilter's Newsletter Magazine

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of a project that will be coming in a future Quilter's Newsletter Magazine.  I designed and made a table runner using these fabrics from Island Batik.  The fabric line is called Winter Wonderland and they are a lovely variety of blues.  Keep your eyes open for this project!

Island Batik Ambassador

The highlight of my year has been that I was accepted as an Ambassador for Island Batiks.  I'm very excited to work with these beautiful fabrics and promote them in different ways.  I will be bringing sneak peeks of new fabrics, new projects and published projects, so keep watching this site for the most recent posts.

This is a sneak peak at some of the new fabrics that will be coming out this fall with Island Batiks.  I get the privilege to start designing with them now!

Dreams of Winter Gold

This special edition magazine from Quilter's World is called Quilting for the Holidays/November 2014. I have a project in this called Dreams of Winter Gold.  It is a bed runner made with beautiful Silent Night fabrics from Island Batiks.

Here is a partial photo of the runner.  The fabrics have a lot of gold print in them.  I designed the project while watching the 2014 Winter Olympics.  That inspired the name of the quilt- Dreams of Winter Gold.

I also have a project called Stretched Nine Patch Place Mats in the magazine.