It's finally here!! The fabric I ordered at Spring Market, and then had to re-order when my order got mixed up in the supplier's computer, finally came! Now, I can finally begin offering this beautiful new block of the month from The Quilt Company.
This time it features barns! This quilt is gorgeous in person, and will make a fantastic addition to any one's quilt collection. These quilts are also fun to make, and are much less daunting than they appear when you take it one block at a time. (Months 5 and 6 include the setting blocks and borders.) Last year I vividly remember sewing up the last BOM in a round of 3am sewing sessions in late July. Maybe this year I will create my shop sample in the same fashion a month later? I will be sure to let you all know when it is complete. Regardless, if you are already in love with this quilt as much as I am, you can start yours anytime by ordering here!

New Monthly Program Updates

Today I finally made it far enough on my to-do list to add a new monthly program I've been wanting to start. These new patterns were designed by The Wooden Bear, and now that I've added them to my website, you can view them under Monthly Kits.
I debated about waiting until I had some samples made and everything in order, but who am I kidding? If I do that I might as well pencil it in for 2044 or so. Instead, I'm offering it right away with a promise to myself that I'm going to have to get it in gear and make some samples soon.
Here are the basics:

Once monthly for 1 year, you'll get a pattern and buttons to make one quilt. These quilts hang on a scroll stand, so with the monthly program you'll also get a stand. The price of the monthly kits ($13.75/month) includes shipping and one stand as well as patterns and trims/buttons. You can also get each kit separately, if you prefer not to do 12 months, or if you need an extra. The quilts finish to 12x12, so they are a perfect way to use up scraps and stash fabrics, making them very affordable! A very fun addition to a table, desk, shelf, or dresser in any home.

Piece, Love & Applique Up and Ready to Order

I'm so excited to share that I've finished my new BOM quilt! I will have pictures of the complete quilt some time this week, when I get my mom to help me hang it for a good shot. In the mean time, I am really excited to say that I've figured out pricing, and I think it's an awesome deal!
After finishing my quilt, I went through my notes and totaled up how much fabric I actually used. This leaves plenty of room for personal color choice and scraps for mistakes, yet doesn't leave a lot of extra yardage for no reason. What I came up with is a cost of only $10/month! The quilt is about 62x82, so this includes significant fabric for a substantial project. But the best part? For only $10 you also get your backing!
Yep, that's right, I was able to include the price of backing and keep the quilt super affordable. I just love it when you have a matching backing all ready to go with your quilt top and don't have to make another purchase or hunt down the perfect fabric months after starting your project!
Here is a link to the ordering page I've created for this project. Monthly kits will be available starting in August. Piece, Love & Applique link

Piece, Love & Applique Blocks 7, 8, 9, 10!

Here they are, almost the entire remainder of the new Block of the Month I've been working on. I'd better be careful, or I might actually finish something on time!






Here is a quick refresher on this quilt:

Block of the month (BOM) to begin at The Crazy Quilter in August 2010.
Finish your block each month and receive the next pattern for free!
Finish you quilt top at the end of the year and win the chance at great prizes, including FREE quilting!
Approximate costs will be $8-$12 dollars per month (plus $2-$5 shipping if applicable). This is only an estimate, based on the materials I've used so far in my quilt. I'm contemplating including backing so you can have a truly complete quilt kit.
Each kit will be different, and allow for individualizing through fabric choices. Share pictures with me and I will post them online so we can all have fun looking at everyone's interpretations.
Opinions or questions? Please comment!

BOM Blocks 1 and 2-Piece, Love Applique

Well, it turns out this BOM is very quick to put togther, and with only a couple of evenings after work I have churned out Blocks 1 and 2! Here are some pics for you to enjoy:
Here is "block" 1. With this project, they're more like sections than blocks.


Here you see two shots, one before and one after I've button-hole stitched the fusible applique. I went with my favorite method, fusible applique and machine button-hole stitch.




Here is section 2, the first try.


I didn't like how light the green of the leaves turned out, so I switched fabrics. Here is my final block, before the buttonhole finish:


So, I'm off to finish the button hold and section 2 will be done! Perhaps you'll find a picture of sections 1 and 2 attached to each other later tonite!

New Block of the Month-As Promised

OK, so I promised at Moda University that I would post pics and info about the new block of the month idea I've been cooking up. Here are the basics, about 90% organized and decided upon in my head. I'm still fine tuning the details, and won't be starting it until my sample is all but quilted, so you have some time to ask questions, get details, and think about how much fun you'll have participating!

First, the quilt. A pattern I picked up in Salt Lake City at a quilt shop about 2 or 3 years ago. Not exactly a new pattern, but one that I loved and have been saving for the right time and fabric.

Next, my idea of how this will work:

1. A 12 month block of the month. Pick up your pattern by the 10th of each month. First pattern section is FREE as long as you pay for each month's kit for the entire 12 months! You will get a fabric kit with a variety of fat quarters and a background fabric that will make the entire top. I don't know prices yet, as I'm making mine first to determine how much fabric you really need.

2. On months 2 thru 12, bring in your finished block so I can take a pic, OR email me a picture of your block if you are not in my area. This is meant to be fun for everyone, no matter where you live! I want to share all of the different quilts and different fabric combinations, so pictures will be posted either here or on the shop's Facebook page for everyone to view. Even if you get the same fabrics as someone else, you're bound to pick different fabrics for different blocks, so no two quilts will be the same!

3. If you complete and bring/email a picture of your block each month by the 10th, you will get the next portion of the pattern for FREE!!! (Do you all love FREE stuff as much as me???) If not.......sorry, you will have to buy your next pattern to continue.

4. I will post tips, tricks, and pictures of the steps my quilt goes through each month to help you construct yours.

5. After you receive the 12th month's instructions, submit a picture/bring your quilt in by the 10th of the 13th month to be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing!!! Number of prizes is yet to be determined, and will depend on just how many people are participating. The Grandest of Grand Prizes??? FREE (yes, another FREE thing!) Quilting for you quilt top! If you get your quilt, back, and batt to me I will quilt it for FREE! If enough people participate, I might even quilt 2 for free, and will also include a second and third place prize.

Questions, suggestions, and/or general comments? Please reply, I'd love your feedback!

New Fabric, New Kits, Never Enough Time

Now that I'm done with school, I feel like I have TONS of time! Consequently, I'm getting a TON of stuff done. Or, at least I'm doing a good job of fooling myself into thinking I'm getting a lot done! And yes, believe it or not, that quilting list is starting to show signs of progress.

New things in the store this week include a gorgeous fabric line from Maywood Studios, called Paisley. It's already selling online, so if you have something in mind don't hesitate to get your fabric! It will make beautiful tonal, one/two color quilts!

Just in today, the remaining fabrics for the Sunflower Hill BOM I posted about earlier. I hope to get my own sample kit cut today or tomorrow. Then, I'm making myself put that last border on Comforts of Home before I start my Sunflower Hill! By the way, Comforts of Home is looking gorgeous, with the final red border half sewn on!

Arriving this week also, some new kits from Happy Hollow Designs. I've seen this company's projects around, drooled over them at previous Quilt Markets, and now I am finally taking some time to try them out. They specialize in holiday projects, mostly Fall and Christmas, so I am ordering them in plenty of time to make some stuff before this Fall! (in theory, anyways)

With the kids' final day of school being this Friday, my TONS of time will probably soon be gone. Oh well, it was good while it lasted! With the beautiful weather we've been having, I'll have to squeeze in some time for fun anyways. My wake board has been collecting far too much dust, and I am looking forward to finally learning some fancy tricks. And no, I'm not delusional, just optimistic!

Basket BOM 1-3

Here are the first three basket blocks for the new Block of the Month, planning to start in July. There are 12 blocks, set on point with sashing and setting triangles. $5/ block, finishing kit for sashing, setting triangles, and 2 borders will be about $28.00. Finished size is about 60x70ish.