Paperweights Quilt from Alaska!

Maile Soto of Wasilla, Alaska made the beautiful table runner below, inspired by my Paperweights quilt pattern. Her version has nice machine hand applique blanket stitching around the edge of each circle. (I thought it was machine done because it is so neat; but it's hand stitched!)

Here's a close-up so you can see the applique and quilting. Nice job, Maile! 

I wonder how long quilting season is in Alaska. About 10 months, I would guess. I could deal with that, especially with those gorgeous mountain views.

New Puddysticks Quilt Pattern

Here's my latest quilt pattern: Puddysticks. It measures 65" x 84," XL twin (dorm bed). Instant download pdf, photos, helpful hints, 5 pages. You might already have all the fabrics you need for this string quilt, a fun stash-buster. 

The ease of making this quilt is what led to the title “Puddysticks.” In South Africa it’s a children’s phrase that means “very easy.” For example, “The math quiz was puddysticks! I finished in five minutes.” Or, if you are very cool, you might say, “That quiz was pudds!” 

See pattern here.

Seize the Day and Make a Quilt!

Step 1: Cut 12 white squares, 21" x 21."

Then cut them in half on the diagonal. 

If you already have some 3" strips, this quilt won't even take all day.

You'll love the Carpe Diem pattern.

I took this photo in my front yard yesterday before the snow. 

Mary Watt (www.quiltedewe.com) did the machine quilting. 

The quilt is 60" x 80" XL Twin size, good for dorm beds.

If you would Pin, Facebook, or blog about this, it would be great. Thanks.

Here's the link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/269710790/modern-quilt-pattern-carpe-diem-quilt?ref=shop_home_active_1 

Welcome to My Studio!

C'mon in. Left to right: design wall on the left, fabric in the white wire drawers (and yarn on top), door to walk-in closet, Juki 98Q sewing machine, Big Board ironing board in the foreground.

To the right of the log cabin quilt is the door to the porch. It has a nice view of the woods.

This is the "husband's sofa." I like to relax there too and browse through my quilt books.

The sturdy elfa drawers (from the Container Store) hold a lot of fabric, 

but I do have more in plastic boxes. 

Is my studio always this neat? Hahaha. Not even close.

Selvage Quilt by Jodi Nelson

This selvage quilt top is the creation of Jodi Nelson from the Pleasant Home blog.

She lives in Oregon. I like the little bits of color scattered about in her quilt.

Nice job, Jodi!

Selvage Rainbow Bookcase Quilt

Jessica Skultety loves to quilt and read books. See in-progress photos and read about this quilt at Quilty Habit. Jessica is the author of the Wonky Press modern quilting newsletter.

She quilted the names of some of her favorite books on this unique quilt. Nice work, Jessica!

Linda Satkowski's Selvage Quilt

A nice light and airy selvage quilt by Linda Satkowski. Great job!

Louisa's Selvage Quilt

Louisa Enright's selvage quilt is called "Ain't This Fun?" See more photos of this quilt on Louisa's blog. 

Owl Selvage Quilt is a Hoot!

What a creative selvage quilt! I wish I could see what words are printed on the owls.

Made by Darcy Ashton of Ashton Publications in Oklahoma. See her Outstanding Owls patterns.

Modern Selvage Mug Rug

Stunning modern selvage mug rug by Cassandra of The Not So Dramatic Life. She used Cotton and Steel fabrics for this little pretty. 

And here's the back side. I love the jacks fabric in every colorway. Nice, Cassandra!

Selvage Pillows

Pretty selvage pillows made by Barbara Cain from Modern Quilting by B. Her book is called Go Big Go Bold, Large Scale Modern Quilts,  published by C&T. Beautiful, Barbara!

Selvage Double Wedding Ring

Impressive double-wedding ring quilt block featuring selvages! 

Made by Miriam/berlinquilter. Nice job!

New Etsy Shop: Russian Miniatures

This little hedgehog was made by slava che in St. Petersburg, Russia.

It's a featured item in his brand new Etsy shop: Russian Miniatures. Click on over. 

He has over 200 miniature glass items listed! These are some of my favorites.

See more about this little dog.

See more photos of this graceful fish.

You can see Russian Miniatures on fb too.

Floating Star Quilt

This "Floating Star Quilt" is featured on the University of Alberta (Canada) Museums site. No date is given for the creation of this quilt, but it is probably an antique. Similar to modern quilts too.

I like the simplicity of the colors and design, so I Pinned it. Today my Pin Stats page revealed that it has been wildly popular so I thought you might like to see it too.

Happy Birthday, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. 

This clergy stole is the first in a new series made from my collection of beautiful fabrics from Africa. 

Quiltsy Team Destash Party!

The dynamic team of Etsy quilters known as Quiltsy is having a big 

Destash Party.

Quiltsy members are offering fabrics, patterns, tools, etc. 

Take a look. Here are all the party links:

https://www.etsy.com/pages/quiltsyteam/destash-quilt-books

https://www.etsy.com/…/quiltsyteam/destash-patterns-and-kits

https://www.etsy.com/pages/quiltsyteam/destash-fabric

https://www.etsy.com/…/exciting-new-fabrics-patterns-and-to…

https://www.etsy.com/…/quiltsy…/gifts-for-sewing-enthusiasts

To see the listing for the Philip Jacobs fabric above, click here.

Wearable Art by Amber Studios

Barbara of Amber Studios in New Jersey creates the most wonderful wearable art! If I was a snow princess I would definitely wear this sweater. And I'd keep my castle nice and cool so I could wear it indoors too.

Another show-stopper by Barbara, a woodland style bag with felted flowers. Wow!

Catherine Timm's Forest Quilt

This is "Winter Forest Sumac" by Catherine Timm of Ontario, Canada. I found it on The Textile and Fiber Art website. Did you notice the little patch of red in the lower right corner? I like quilts with a surprise. Nice job, Catherine!

23 Spools of Thread Used in 2015!

Surprisingly, I use about the same amount of thread every year. In 2015, I used 23 spools, slightly more than my average of 21. I know this is a flimsy measurement. My spools are different sizes, I don't start the new year with all new spools, and hand sewing uses less thread than machine sewing. But I like to toss my empty spools in a basket throughout the year, then see how many I have at year end before tossing them out. Yes, they're all Coats & Clark's Dual Duty. The basket's empty now, ready for the new year. I hope you have a lot of quilting fun this year!

Merry Christmas, Oliver!

This is the Christmas gift quilt that I made for my nephew Oliver, a 20 yr old college student in Vermont. And this is Domo (below) a little character that is special to Oliver and his mom and his sister. They have a little soft toy version that they hide in the refrigerator or under a bed pillow or even mail to each other. I told my sister that I was making this quilt and she sent me this 3" tall Domo patch. Oliver laughed when he saw this. In the full quilt photo above you can see Domo in the lower left hand corner. 

Oliver has a little kid quilt that I made for him a long time ago. It was time for a grown up quilt. I really like the fabrics in this quilt, especially the old NYC street scenes, rulers, and batiks below.

And the garlic and polka dots too.

The quilt measures 65" x 80." The backing is black with a tiny gray geometric design. The binding is the same as the back. The batting is Warm and White, and the machine quilting is wavy parallel horizontal lines done in gray thread (on the front) and black thread (on the back).

Felted Brooch from Lithuania

These felted brooches were made by Brigita Re in Lithuania and are offered in her Etsy shop: Bridget Studio. Aren't they beautiful? Imagine how they would look on a crazy quilt. Over the top! :)

Elf Donuts!

What a great idea! I'm on the hunt for candies that would look good on gingerbread houses.

This would be a perfect addition! 

This photo was posted by Courtney Luper on Facebook. Thanks, Courtney!

A Gift for Your Pastor - Day 5

Scholarly clergy stole with marbled paper design makes this a very nice pastor gift.

See the whole collection at: Shadrach's. 

A Gift for Your Pastor - Day 4

Mosaic style poinsettias have a metallic gold background. Very pretty in the light.

Great for festive Christmas celebrations. Lovely pastor gift.

Visit Shadrach's.

A Gift for Your Pastor - Day 3

Elegant red silk clergy stole makes a great gift for the new seminary grad or for your pastor at Pentecost. Visit Shadrach's to see more.

A Gift for Your Pastor - Day 2

In case you're wondering, clergy stoles are worn by ordained pastors in many Protestant denominations. In some churches the colors are determined by the season, for example white stoles are worn at Christmas. 

See the entire stole collection at: Shadrachs. 

(P.S. I appreciate social media love. Thanks.)

A Gift for Your Pastor

Here's my latest clergy stole: red shot cottons from a package of 16 fat eighths that I bought at the quilt show in Houston. This stole was pieced on a foundation. The back is red Kona cotton. The length from the back of the neck to the bottom is 54" (total 108" end to end). 

See all 70 clergy stoles at SHADRACH'S.

Christmas Tree Quilt

Treez, an improvisational batik quilt by Jan Mullen of Stargazey Quilts in Melbourne, Australia.

Very clever, Jan!

Global Textiles and Gifts from More Love Mama

Carrie Wood in Houston, Texas offers some of the prettiest global textiles out there. Take a look at the Java print above. The selvage says "Veritable Super Java." So you know it's good, haha. I've been searching for (and collecting) interesting African fabrics for years and Carrie's Etsy shop More Love Mama is one of the best. You can even choose 5 of your favorite fabrics in her shop and she'll sell you a custom made package of fat quarters. Carrie is mom to 6 adopted kids from all over the world too. Visit her shop and say hi. 

The Australian fabric shown above is called Bambillah.

Mayleen Vinson's Fabulous Selvage Star Quilt

This stunning selvage star quilt is the creation of Mayleen Vinson in Kansas. 

See her blog post here: Q is for Quilt. 

It was on exhibit in Houston at the recent Quilt Festival. 

I love how the red and green solid color fabrics lend some 1800's charm. 

A very wonderful quilt! Nice work, Mayleen!