Thursday, November 28, 2013

Black Friday PDF Pattern Sale!

Butterfly Quilt Pattern
 I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving with friends and family.  We have had a blast and I am just popping in to say that I have PDF patterns on sale for $3.95 for Black Friday. Some of my favorite patterns like, Butterfly, All Grown Up, and Garden Party to name a few.  I have 40 patterns on sale, so check them out here
Be sure when you are ordering you enter your email correctly and download your pattern within 24 hours to your laptop or computer.  The download will expire.  

Happy Shopping!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 


 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Book Update and Phoenix!

So, do you feel like this book deal has been a long, drawn out process?  I do. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I will have my book in my hands soon.  I got an email from my editor yesterday telling me that my book is printed and on its way to me.  That is good news for all of you who have been patiently waiting with me for my book to come out.  I checked on the tracking information and I will receive the books I have ordered next Tuesday December 3rd.  I about died thinking I have one more week to wait, but I will try and keep busy in the meantime. So, to all of you who have ordered a signed copy of my book from me, they will ship out next week - just in time for Christmas!  We are so close. I will be sure to blog about my book as soon as I receive it.  Thank you AQS for the beautiful job you have done with my manuscript. 

Speaking of AQS, did you know that they are opening a new QuiltWeek show in Phoenix?  Well, I have been lucky enough to be asked to participate as a longarm teacher coming up in February 2014.  Too fun!  I am excited and totally nervous for this opportunity, but I know it will be worth it because I will be able to meet so many amazing people.  So, check out the info here, once you are there click on my picture to find out more about the classes I will be teaching. Be sure to register for a class or two or all of them! I would love to see you there!  

Saturday, November 23, 2013

If wishes were fishes.....

............my quilting machine would be working properly right now. But, it's not - this is what I finished before I walked away this last week and took a break from quilting.  Oh, I haven't stopped doing things, does life ever slow down?  Probably not.
I am pretty sure Monday will be the day I get it all figured out with the machine.  That's the plan anyway. 

It is simple quilting, but oh so pretty.  I can not wait to finish.  It has been killing me to not work on it.  I have been productive this week, so that makes the break from quilting okay.  
 
I finished up the instructions for my newest quilt pattern Just Call Me Modern? - it was fun to figure out and the pattern is easy to follow and full of color.  I have it available in my shop as a paper and pdf pattern. I have pre-sold this pattern and those orders will be shipped out on Monday.  Those who would like to order now, please do.  It is such a fun quilt.  I also included instructions on how to draw and quilt the square motif throughout this quilt.  You can see all the quilting details on this fabulous quilt here

Well, have a wonderful weekend.  What's left of it anyway.  I plan on getting a little more done next week, but then enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.  I hope you are spending time with your loved ones during this wonderful time of year.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Starburst Sneak Peek!

Starburst Quilt Pattern
This week I finished one more of my own quilts.  I am so excited about this one.  Pretty sure I am going to call it Starburst.  I need to write up the pattern and finish the binding and then I can show you the whole quilt.  Seriously, it's another favorite. I got a little impatient and just had to share this peek.  I will share the whole quilt as soon as I can! In the meantime, I have to clean my house - I'd rather be quilting! 
Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Quilting Retreat.

 For five years now, my mom and her best friend have gotten together to have an amazing quilting retreat. I haven't been able to make it to every retreat, but I promised Mom I would make it to this one. So, I made my way up to Salt Lake by myself, Clint was in charge of the kids for a few days and I was greeted with this beautiful and cold morning at my parents house. The blue skies and the clouds are so heavenly.  It is amazing how beautiful this world is and I thank God for His creations.  
 
 I think quilting has made my appreciation for texture so much more intense and I find beauty all around me.  These leaves were just falling down like crazy, mixed in with small traces of snow - so amazing! 

We had a 3 1/2 hour drive ahead of us, but made it longer to stop at a fun quilt shop in Wyoming.  We stayed in Flaming Gorge, Utah were my mom's best friend owns a cabin.  This is the view I got to stare at.  So beautiful. 
There is nothing quite like sewing uninterrupted and watching movies and laughing like crazy.  Sadly, I didn't finish my Metro Rings quilt, but I decided to make it bigger, so that is my excuse for not finishing.  Not to mention sewing curves takes a little longer, uggh! 

This is my mom with her friend Rinda.  These two women are amazing!  The have stayed close friends for over 40 years.  

We took a picture of all the things that we put together.  My sister's Amy and Patti were there too.  It really was one of the best times I have had.  What could be better than sewing your heart out with people you love?  Seriously!  

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Just Call Me Modern? A new quilt pattern!

JCMM1 
Okay, so I live in a desert playground.  This area, Snow Canyon is just 20 minutes away from me.  I decided I wanted to try the red rock backdrop for my newest quilt design.  I am always so happy when I take the time to visit the incredible places around me. 

JCMM2
Anyway, I give you - Just Call Me Modern? This is an original quilt design by me.  I thought it would be fun to play on the whole "Modern" quilting thing.  People have asked me what my quilting style is and I am not sure what category you would put me in.  I love traditional piecing and I always will, but I love to add my own style to it.  Isn't the backdrop just gorgeous?

 JCMM3
I finished this quilt a few months ago, minus the binding.  The plan was to save it for my second book idea, but really - I have been too impatient for that and realized it would be way more fun to come up with new ideas and release this pattern now. 

 JCMM4
The quilting was time intensive, but oh so worth it.  The best part? It's all mine.  I can not tell you how happy I am to have my own quilt exactly like I planned it and to keep it is even better. 

JCMM5
Every block in this quilt was given its own special quilting treatment.

JCMM6
So the four-triangle squares in the middle of the quilt?  Love.

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I had so much fun taking pictures with my sister today - this picture is one she took and I absolutely love it.  We only had one issue of the quilt being blown off the rock because of wind.  But, thankfully it did not get too dirty. 

JCMM8
I love the colors in the quilt and the red rocks are such a compliment to the quilt.

JCMM9
Love.

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JCMM11
So the quilting on this quilt took me over 35 hours.

JCMM12
You can see why here.  Best part of this pattern, as a bonus I will also be including the instructions on how to quilt this super cute square motif that is bouncing around in the quilt.

 JCMM13
Here's what the whole quilt looks like.  I just love it!

JCMM14
Quilting texture that makes my heart sing.  Seriously, have I told you I love what I do?

JCMM15
I love the frame I created for the above block. 


JCMM16
So, what do you think?  Do you like how I continued the quilting as if the white strip with squares was not even there?

JCMM17
I still love it.  I don't think I will get tired of looking at this quilt, ever!

JCMM18


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 So, I give you Just Call Me Modern?  I am so happy with it.  I hope you are too.  I have it available as a pattern on my website for pre-order now.  I will be shipping the paper patterns out around November 25 and that is when the PDF patterns will be available as well. 

Thanks for letting me share this with you! 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Quilter's Bee Giving Kickoff!


 As you know Clint and I have our charity for the Romania homeless and we recently returned home from our latest trip.  I know a lot of you know about what we do and why we do it, but for those of you who don't I would like to explain a little about our charity.  SewCalGal as arranged a wonderful PR event that is bringing attention to 4 different charities and this event is going throughout the month of November. You can read about the charities here.  Throughout the month SewCalGal will update her page on Raffle Prizes and Auction Prizes. You will be able to donate to the cause of your choice and be entered to win several prizes throughout the month of November.

 I just have to say thank you to those of you who have already donated to our cause.  We use 100% of your donated money to buy food and supplies for those in need in Romania.

 
When Clint and I started our business, we also wanted to have a charity.  Clint grew to love the people in Romania when he lived there for 2 years serving an LDS mission during 1999-2001.  It only made sense to continue to help these people.  We don't go on these trips to proselyte, but instead to hand out quilts, food and supplies. It started out 5 years ago with handing out quilts, for our first trip I sent Clint off with about 16 of my own quilts. Each year we have been able to do more for people in need because the awareness has grown so much.  This last trip we decided to not bring quilts because of how hard it is to get them there and the need for quilts is not as great as the need for food, hygiene supplies and sometimes school supplies for the street orphans attending school.

We feel blessed to have been able to be a part of helping those in need in Romania.  We cover travel and hotel expenses because we don't feel it would be appropriate to use donated funds to do this.  Because of this we have made this a trip that also includes a chance for us to visit another country while we are there. It has been humbling each year that I have been, I have only been 3 times while Clint has gone all 6 times.  It is a trip that we anticipate each year and plan on continuing as long as we can.  We hope that our work will inspire those around us to do what they can to help those in need, whether it be a monetary donation or your own charitable acts towards other people in need throughout the world. 

So, do what you can. Be aware of those around you in need. Please take time to read about this month long event and help if you can.  Thanks everyone for your support to our charity throughout the years.  It means so much to us.  Happy November!