quilt sampler

Back in March, I got a phone call from Hamels Quilt Store that I needed to come in asap that day. When I got to the store, Pauline, the owner, handed me a box and specific instructions.

The box held a very special quilt. It was designed for Hamels for a feature of them in an upcoming Quilt Sampler . The catch? I had 6 hours to quilt the quilt and return it. It needed bound that evening and popped into the mail first thing in the morning.

I adore this quilt. It's all soft and cuddly flannels. And the snowmen-who doesn't love snowmen?

Pauline wanted the quilting simple and no quilting on any of the appliques.

I went with a large snowflake in all the 9-patch blocks and a free-hand meandering star in the border.

Around the snowmen, I did a tight stipple to anchor the shapes down.

You can find the more pictures and the pattern details in the current issue of Quilt Sampler on shelves now.

Congrats again Pauline and staff. 

And thank you for the privilege of quilting your special quilt.

last fall

I received an email from Mary at Workbox magazine asking if I would be interested in writing an article about my quilting journey. I will admit that at first I thought it was a joke; I've gotten similar emails in the past that were just spam mail. Not this time.

It took the longest time for me to get started on the article; it's really hard to write about yourself without sounding braggy imo. I went through numerous versions before I settled on the one I submitted.

Then Mary asked for pictures. I knew I had to have my friend Sheila take those.

I spoke to Mary last week and she told me that I made the cover of the issue. I thought she just meant my quilts. 

I'm not sure if the magazine is available in North America; we've ordered a few extra copies online. For all my European readers; it's on newstands now!

Thanks again to Mary and Workbox Magazine. This was/is seriously such a thrill!!

weekend wrap up

It's been a fabulous Easter weekend; we've filled it with a dinner party, spending time with family from near and far, fabulous church services and lots of family time.

I was able to sneak in sewing time here and there. I finally got the binding sewn on these abandoned Christmas 2011 gifts. Now it's three gifts finished for this year!

My favorite finish for the weekend,

SWOON!

I only did 4 blocks, added a fun border and it is 62x62 finished. I am so in love with this quilt and a little part of me wishes that I had made all 9 blocks.

And I finally, finally finished up my Thangles quilt. I have gone back and forth on keeping this quilt and selling it. A few weeks ago, I had someone comment on a similar quilt asking if I had one to sell. And now this one is ready for quilting and it's new home.

The best part of this weekend? 

Barb of Coach House Designs dropped this off just before I finished work on Thursday. I custom quilted the cover quilt and the pillow. This is the fourth time I've been published with my quilting; it never ever gets less exciting!

Now it's time to spend the day in the sun, Happy Monday!!

stuffs

Had a fabulous weekend with lots of time with friends, a fantastic BBQ, and yesterday, lots of quilting time.

There were 2 babies born in our church in the past 2 weeks; so I am back on baby quilt production. I had some classic Winnie the Pooh fabric left that I had wanted to use up. I went with a super easy 4patch quilt; I think the simplicity works with the timelessness of the Winnie the Pooh.



I hit my LQS' Saturday sale and got some Frolic for the next baby quilt. I love the bright colors in this line.



Today was the first Monday I've worked in a month. I'm going to attempt to take the entire month of July off so I've increased my work hours again to get all my customer quilts out. With all the end of the year activities, teacher gifts to make(I remembered those on the weekend lol), my calendar is looking rather frantic. Always seems to be the way when school comes to a close.

My highlight of today was a message I received from Rachel of PS I Quilt. Back in October, Rachel approached me about having me quilt a quilt for her that she was sending in to Irish Quilting Magazine. Of course I said yes!

A few weeks later, this beautiful quilt arrived. I quilted it up and shipped it back to Rachel and we waited. And waited. And waited.

And today, here it is.
I borrowed this picture from Rachel; I simply love the sheep in the background!




Thanx again Rachel for such a great opportunity!

You can read more about Rachel's quilt, and see better pictures, here.