Double Giveaway to start off the New Year!!

Giveaway Closed!!!

Happy New Year! Well - almost. We have a double giveaway to get you started on your New Year piecing projects! We have one jelly roll and one layer cake to give away to two lucky people.




Dilly Dally is up for grabs! Visit our quilt kit page here and tell us your favorite quilt kit and why, and you will have one entry into the drawing.
Be sure to follow me, join my newsletter and blog about my giveaway for more entries. Be sure to comment on each entry you qualify for.

So - you have a few days and then I will announce the winner sometime Monday! Good luck and Happy New Year!

The Best Gift............and a laugh!

So Emily made me this quilt for baby Noah - what a great friend she is. All of her quilts are so fun and a lot of thought goes into each quilt. This is so fun! Thank you Em! Oh - and if she wasn't cool enough she gave me the best Christmas present! I have been telling her forever that one day I was going to buy this quilt back, but she surprised me by giving it to me. Thank you, Thank you! I don't get to keep the quilts I work on and sometimes that's hard for me because I really don't have a lot of my own work in my home - just my one quilt - so thank you again Emily!

So I can say that I am officially back in business! Finally! The part is fixed - the quilt that I have been working on is back on the frames and the rotary hook should be working just fine! Yay! - I hope to catch up soon!

Now for a laugh ----


Clint and I took the kids for a quick trip to Disneyland while the quilting machine wasn't working - gotta love those annual passes. The kids got an early Christmas present and it was great except for the tantrums! Micah and Clint were in the bumper cars and Micah kept driving into the wall and couldn't get away from the wall so Clint would try and help him, but every time Clint touched the steering wheel Micah would start crying (very loudly I might say)! We are totally laughing about it now and will use this as blackmail when he's a teenager!

Doodling

So - I am all ready for Christmas! That's means I have had time to doodle with the machine. I got the part (the rotary hook) this week and I finally got it on my machine and timed. I was terrified to time my machine - I haven't had to do it because I haven't had any problems with it until now. So - what was the problem? My white thread was turning black with every stitch and my thread kept on breaking - problem = rotary hook. Now that I have timed my machine and replaced the hook I feel invincible! I really do because timing is everything on a long arm.

I now have to break in the hook a little and that's why I am doodling. I will be getting back to customer quilts asap, but after Christmas! I can't wait to watch my kids eyes light up when they see the presents under the tree. Christmas is so much more fun when you get to watch it through your own kids eyes!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!!

What a wonderful year it has been for us! I am not the best at sending out Christmas cards - or even Thank you cards for that matter. It's one of my New Year's resolutions to become better at that, but I hope you can all take this Christmas/Thank you blog as your own personal card.
We feel so blessed to know so many of you wonderful families, friends, clients and customers. You have made our life so wonderful. We have had tremendous help with our charity from so many of you - especially Kelly - THANK YOU! This year we were able to help so many people in Romania thanks to your wonderful giving hearts.
I have gotten to know a lot of you through my blog and I am grateful for that. All the incredible comments of encouragement and praise have made my life so much fun and worth while.
We are so grateful to our customers - Thank you! We couldn't do this without you!
Thank you to all of you who have allowed me to work on your quilts this year. I feel I have been able to get better with each quilt and the practice has been incredible. Oh - and thank you for all of you that are waiting patiently for your quilt to be finished. I have been enjoying my new baby and the quilting machine is still waiting for a part - so after Christmas I will be getting back into the groove, but a little slowly now because my kids take up a ton of my time (and I am not complaining, I love them so much!)
Thank you to family and friends that have helped in our recent move and the help I received when Noah was born. Life is so incredible!

Here are a few highlights for 2010 in no particular order - Lili starting school, 2 years in business for ourselves, Disneyland annual passes (that is Clint's highlight), 3rd annual Romania Charity Trip, our move to a bigger place - my studio :) - the birth of Noah (best part of my year), Clint turning 30 - ha ha!

I am sure I could name off more, but those are the ones that stuck out to me. Thank you everyone for making our lives so incredible and so blessed!

Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday - with wishes for an incredible new year.

Love - the Green Fairy Family!!!!

Memory Lane.......

Since I haven't been able to show new quilt pictures I thought it would be fun to go back to a project I finished last year for Emily. I love this quilt! My favorite one of hers for sure, you can see all the quilt pictures here:



I hope you enjoy going back to look at one of my favorite quilting projects - and forgive me for not having new quilting pictures to share. I spent all of last week trying to figure out what was "wrong" with my quilting machine. My thread was breaking every two inches and I did everything I knew to fix it. I called my dealer Jen everyday last week and we both finally narrowed it down to an overused rotary hook - I guess I quilt quite a bit - anyway the part is shipping to me this week, then I will get it on the machine and start again. I feel like everything is keeping me from quilting and I am getting farther behind. If you are on my schedule - please forgive me - I am doing my best.

My Christmas Tree

So here's our Christmas tree. I love it, but I haven't decorated it yet and I don't know that I will this year. Clint put on a few ornaments, but it's not what I would like to say "finished." I am just glad that Santa has a place to leave some gifts.


I love it when Clint holds Noah - I love seeing a proud Daddy holding his baby, it makes me smile. Noah was super cute just staring and trying to smile - I know Doctors tell you they can't smile this soon and it's just "gas" but he was really smiling for Clint - so cute!


I have this picture hanging on my wall - my Dad surprised me with it this week. This is the one picture that I loved as a kid - whenever my mom pulled it out and hung it over the mantel I knew Christmas was close. It's one of those pre-printed canvases that you add thread to. My mom made this years ago and I told her that this picture is the one thing I wanted to remember her by, she surprised me by giving it to me now. I love it. Micah told me he wanted to go into that place - pointing to the picture. So cute! I want to jump right in myself.


Oh, and Santa - I would like this in my stocking. Just so you know!

Sneak Peek!

I feel like it's been a while - really it has. I haven't quilted in three weeks, do you blame me? Well, I have to get back in the swing of things (slowly) and this is what I am currently working on. A ton of quilting and I have got to get it finished. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving - mine was wonderful and I ate way too much food.

Take care!

Applique Book Review and Blog Hop!

I was asked to do a book review on this book called "Learn to do Applique in one Weekend" by Nancy Brenan Daniel. I had a good time looking this book over. I have attempted applique, but not needle turn applique - so it was fun to see how people do it. I usually prefer to get things done fast - only because I don't have a ton of extra time to put into a project, but I can see how needle turn applique is the way to go if you have the time. Nancy also went over other techniques of applique and she explained them well in the book.


Here's the example of the needle turn applique. It was fun to try - it will take some practice though as I found out myself. I used freezer paper for the first time and that was so fun. I didn't know how cool that stuff really is. But - like I said, this technique will take some practice and to keep from getting discouraged I would try a machine applique technique first before you tackle this.


This is the example of the wool applique. This is a popular technique right now and the way it is explained in the book makes it so easy. I like how you don't have to piece anything - it is simply put together with the stitching. What is nice about the wool and blanket stitch applique is that most sewing machines have the blanket stitch programmed into them and that makes this applique go by super fast. I have used the blanket stitch several times in a lot of my patterns. It's a fun and easy way to get your appliques done fast.


This is an example of shadow applique. I have used this technique with a satin stitch on my sewing machine - what is fun about the shadow affect is that you incorporate transparent/sheer fabric to go over the top of the applique. It gives it a fun affect. This is also an easier technique that is great for beginners and is explained well in the book.

I thought the instructions in this book were easy to follow and it made me want to incorporate more applique techniques into my own quilts. I will one day master the needle turn - when I have more time of course.

I was also able to interview the author of the book - Nancy.

Question -At what age did you make your first quilt?

I think I finished my first quilt when I was about 19 years old. I started my first quilt when I was 10 or 12...and no I never finished that one! BUT, I still have what I did finish.

Question - How many projects do you think you have made since you started quilting/appliqueing?

Judi...I've been designing new quilts for over 25 years! Before that I made traditional patterns with some modifications. I've made HUNDREDS & HUNDREDS!

Question - How long have you been appliqueing?

Applique came later for me. I learned to quilt from my Grandmother and she did not do much applique. The only applique she did, that I know of, was for my daughter, Karen, when she was a baby. It was a 'Kitten' quilt. I started seriously looking at and designing applique in the late 1960s.

Question - How did you learn to applique?

I taught myself, mostly, from books AND I had an English friend who taught me English style....until this day.

Question - What is your favorite applique technique? Why?

I've pretty much 'translated' the English paper foundation applique technique into a freezer-paper technique...which I've taught since the early 1970s.


Question - What applique technique do you recommend for beginners?

I prefer to introduce my beginners to the paper foundation techniques because it is forgiving and easy to do. What they see is what they get (or sew). Needle-turn and other advanced techniques come when they are ready for them AND after they have had success with the beginning techniques.

Question - Why do you love applique?

I prefer hand applique... even though I also do the work by machine... I like
applique because it is portable AND because I can use so-o-o-o many different fabrics in a single project!

Question - When you started to applique, did you plan on writing a book?

No... I just loved doing it. I was a designer long before I started writing and
designing applique for the books. In the 1980s and 1990s I was in a small guild of members who wanted to learn to applique... because they saw me doing it at meetings. I said I would teach them...BUT only if they would sign up for a series of twelve easy lessons AND do a block a month. That was my first
collections of patterns.

Question - What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I learned so much from my first applique students. When a pattern was too difficult I certainly heard about it...so I would simplify it or toss it out of the collection. I learned that a single technique didn't work for everyone...and that by offering a 'different' way now and then would 'click' with different students. I continue to learn more about teaching ALL the time.

Question - How long have you been teaching?

I've been a certified academic teacher since 1966. I've been teaching quilt making
since 1974.

Question - What is one goal that you would like to accomplish in your quilting career that you have not done yet?

WOW...that is a good question Judi. I always have a new book in mind. I'm always designing new applique and patchwork. I love to create...PERIOD. My total goal in life is to live a 'creative life' as long as I'm able.

Thanks Nancy! I had a great time doing this book review and I hope it has been helpful to you. You can order Nancy's book here and please check out these other blogs - they have done other reviews on different projects for this same book.

Jessica Kovach from Twinfibers

Joanna Martinez from AppliqueToday

Stacy Gandy from SewButterfly

Introducing Baby Noah!!

If you have talked to me lately you would know how stressed I have been with trying to catch up on quilting and this baby was not to come until I was ready! Well - he had a different idea and just couldn't wait. He was due on the 29th and I had him the 10th. I am so glad he didn't wait because I love this little man. He's a wonderful addition to our crazy house and we are so grateful to God for blessing us with him.


Me at the hospital with Noah - you won't see my face because I looked awful after a natural birth. Why natural? I kept asking myself that and telling Clint how stupid I was, but for some reason I wanted to know what it was like. It's painful - and epidurals are awesome. So - I won't be telling anyone they have to go natural - only if they want too. But - since I went natural I won out on the name - Noah Clint - and I get a $750 dollar shopping spree - that's half the difference in cost of an epidural which I went without. Just so you know - Clint didn't expect me to go natural to save money (we are self pay patients) but he did promise me that I could get a shopping spree if I did it. I would say that I was going to buy fabric, but I am in desperate need of new clothes - I will wait until the baby weight is off.


Here he is in his cradle - we didn't have that ready because I was sure I wasn't having him yet and had plenty of time to get ready. I was in denial about having contractions since Sunday.


Here he is with me on my bed. I have parked myself here and haven't left much. Clint was great about taking charge today and last night. He's a great Daddy.


His feet are so cute. He is so lovable. So far he's a great eater and he only cries when he's hungry.


Here he is with my oldest Lili - she has been really cute with him. The perfect older sister.


Jonah used to be my little guy. He's so huge now in comparison to Noah.

Thanks to everyone who wrote on my last post by Clint with congratulations. I am really thankful for your sweet compliments and great advice. I am going to just take a week or two to myself and this little guy. I hope you will understand.

Baby #4 is here...

Hey everyone, it's Clint - I wanted to give you all an update on Judi. She is now the proud mother of 4, and gave birth to baby Noah last night at 10:22 pm, weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Judi decided to go natural, so she's quite the woman!!! Only problem now is that we have 3 boys ages 3 and under, all 3 in diapers!!! We better get our 3 year old potty trained pretty quick or we won't be able to keep up with our diaper bill each month!! Judi will post pictures and more details soon. Have a great day everyone!

A couple answers..............

I have had several people ask me how I am still quilting with my "Big ole Belly" and I thought I would show you how it has been possible - not comfortable - but possible.


As you can see in this picture above one quilt bar is in front of the other - or unstacked! When I moved to my new house - Jen told me that I needed to stack my bars and since she moved my machine - I just had her stack them for me. I am so glad she did!


So, here you can see the bars are stacked and I really can get closer to the quilt. There are positives and negatives to the stacked bars: loading the quilt is a little more tricky and there is a small gap at the end of the bars that I am not used too, but it doesn't affect the ability to quilt - it's just different.


So, there you go - I hope that answers some questions. I am sure I will go back to the unstacked bars once I am not pregnant - as long as Clint can remember how to get them back to their original position. :)

Sneak Peek....

I am currently working on this quilt. Love it so far - I was debating on whether or not to fill in the outside feathers - but husband, mom, brother and sister said to leave it alone - what do you think?

Also - last day for our Halloween Charm pack deal - you can see the details here.

4 weeks and counting - I am way behind and this baby can't come early - but I am really ready to meet this little guy. Have a great week everyone! I can't believe it's already November!

Happy Birthday Babe!

So Clint's 30 today! I am married to an old man - just kidding. But it really is crazy that we are entering that next decade. I can happily say that I am still in my 20's but not for long.

It's hard to believe that a chance meeting (well - I made sure to meet him) 12 years ago would lead to the best life! Thanks Babe for all you do - I love you tons!

Winners!!!!!! Oh and Sherri's quilt............and some Bliss!

WOW - what a great giveaway! Thanks everyone for leaving a comment. So glad you all wanted the Fat Eighth Bundle.

So - the winner of the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Fat Eighth Bundle is:

Needled Mom

And the winner of the $30 gift certificate to our Website is Paulette - aka Sweet P.

Thanks so much ladies for entering my giveaway - be sure to email me at judi@greenfairyquilts.com with your address and I will get those sent right out!


Here's some quilting pictures!



This is Sherri's quilt and I believe Camille's pattern and fabric. Beautiful quilt! I love it and had fun quilting it.


Sherri is an awesome piecer. Everything is so straight - I love a straight quilt - makes life easy with the long arm quilting! Especially with all the stitch in the ditch I did on this quilt.


I can't get enough of this first blue border! I haven't done a border like this before and it turned out perfect - at least I think so!


There you go Sherri - I hope you like it!


Since pretty much everyone that commented on my giveaway said that they like "Bliss" the best - I thought I would let you know that we got some more "Bliss" Fat Quarter Bundles, Jelly Rolls and Charm packs in.

Double Giveaway!!! You don't want to miss this one!

Okay - it has been a while since I have done a giveaway on my blog! So here I go! What's up for grabs? This super cute "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Fat Eighth Bundle. There are 38 fat eighths in this bundle and I know one of you will have more than enough fun with this super great prize!

So - here's the rules!!

1 entry - leave a comment telling me what your favorite product is on my website.

3 entries - blog about my giveaway and be sure to tell me you did!



We are also giving away a $30 gift certificate to our website to the person who refers the most people to this giveaway or to who refers the most people to sign up for our newsletter. So - tell your friends, guild or quilt groups, or quilt forum friends to sign up and to tell us who referred them to us (you) by clicking our contact us button or leaving a comment below. So, if you have a group of 20 friends in your guild or forum, etc. tell them to come on by and sign up for our newsletter and giveaway and you could win $30 to our website - oh and follow me because I love it!

Ends on Monday sometime - I will announce the winners Monday (25th) night!

Don't forget to check out our "Hot Deals" page. We sell pre-cuts for less!

I've been Strippin'

I have had to sneak in a few little projects here and there between quilting to get some of my new designs ready for a quilt show. This is what I have done with a "Lollipop" Jelly roll - it's so cute, but it will be so much cuter when I can show you the final project! I can't wait - but you'll have to because I need to get back to the quilting machine.


You know it's my own project if I just do my swirl quilting, I don't have time to do fancy quilting for my own projects. But don't you just love the black, white and pink? I can't wait to show you this all finished either. Sooooooo cute!


Oh, and it's official - I can't see my feet. Shaving my legs is nearly impossible, I just do the best I can. But the truth is, I don't want to see my feet. The water weight has settle in and my toes - look like little sausages! The joys of the third trimester - huge, uncomfortable and just ready to have a baby!


I don't know if my being clumsy has anything to do with pregnancy, but somethings gotta give. I slammed my finger in the boys window - dummy - I held my fingers at the bottom of the window while trying to open it up through the blinds. My mind isn't working - oh and yesterday I carried a pot of hot boiling water to the other side of the kitchen to get a strainer and the pot tipped over - as I bent over to get the strainer - and burned my feet. That was really dumb, I had to laugh later at how silly it was to carry the pot with me - the brain is gone too. Crazy - I can't wait to be myself again.

Look at this cute little bag kit...

We have some fun new items on our site, including this fun new Moda Sweet Treat Bag Kit which includes 2 mini Honey Buns and an easy to follow pattern for the bag.


We've also added a handful of new Moda Quilt Kits, like Punctuation -



And some of our new Moda November Pre-cuts have arrived like "A Morris Tapestry, Kansas Troubles Favorites and Wild Rose."

I love this quilt!!!

Another quilt that I don't want to give back, but you know, I have to give it back to my customer. It's another Beth quilt, she did an excellent job on this quilt. Her applique is spectacular. I don't know the pattern, but it sure is cute. I did feathering and some swirl echoing in this quilt. I think it was appropriate quilting for this quilt.






It's just one of those quilts that are so happy! The colors are great and it's scrappy piecing so I had fun recognizing certain lines of fabric that were all thrown together to create this masterpiece. I love it!

Another finish...........

I am feeling good now with a few quilts finished and ready to be sent back to my customers. The baby deadline is creeping closer and I don't know how I am going to make every quilt deadline, but I am going to try. I really need to have a couple "quicky" quilts, but I don't. Custom quilt work is all I do and I don't know how to control my urge to just quilt everything! Help my urge! Just kidding, I enjoy it, but it does take a long time to quilt each quilt I put on the racks.


This is Beth's quilt. She is an excellent piecer - the quilt is totally straight - especially the triangles in the corners of the blocks - they matched up perfectly! It worked really well with the technical quilting I did in this quilt. A lot of ruler work, stitch in the ditch, and connecting lines. I thought this would go by super fast, but each row of squares (14) took me an hour and a half and that's without stopping (add in the interruptions - sore back and feet - and it took a while. I was able to connect all the straight lines and connecting lines without having to start and stop repeatedly. The more you quilt, the better you get at figuring which way to quilt so you don't have to start and stop over and over again. I love it - makes life easier.



Simple feathering for the borders and there you go! I love it!


Here's the back, I always love the back of the quilts! I used over 3000 yards of thread in this quilt. I hope you like it! And I hope Beth does too!