GO! Play

I have wanted to play with my GO! Baby for a long time. I've had a special project in mind that always gets pushed behind other projects. Well today I decided I had waited long enough and that it was time to PLAY!

I pulled several pieces from Going Coastal, Hall of Fame, and of course Shore Thing, plus TONS from my scrap bin. That's one reason I love the GO! Baby- it's so easy to use those scraps! I'm playing with the 3 1/2" tumbler die. Can you imagine cutting all those pieces by hand!? I have all the pieces cut that I need and was done in less than 30 minutes. I did have a little help though.

In the middle of a "boring" (her words, not mine) summer day this was the best project for her. She even figured out that if you slide the cutting mat off instead of lifting it straight up, it's easier to keep your cut pieces all together. Smart girl!

Ok, enough talking about it- I want to get sewing so I can show you the finished product!

If you're ineterested in getting FREE patterns from AccuQuilt simply click on the button in the left column.

HAPPY SEWING!!!

NEW-est patterns!

I am trying to figure out how I forgot to post these? Summer, that's how.

I designed and released 5 new patterns to accompany my 'Shore Thing' collection.

Bannerama is definately at the top of my favorite's list. I love the fun look of it. Of course, in these fabrics it takes on the look of sea flags, but in any other prints it would look like a party!

Seaside Sampler mimics the look of nautical flags. With 4 basic blocks it's a fun beginner quilt with the look of an expert!

This time around I was being drawn to solids and had so many fun ideas. I wanted to keep the designs simple and graphic- easy for a variety of applications. The oversized blocks in Cruisin' remind me of lanterns hanging in an outdoor restaurant overlooking the sea.

If Bannerama is my favorite of the quilt patterns using prints then Riviera is my favorites of the patterns using solids. I. LOVE. THIS. QUILT. The inspiration came from a sweater I saw in an ad. I kept trying to find the sweater on the stores site and never found it. Grrr....  But it's ok because I reinvented the pattern in a fun row quilt.

Lagoona's insipration was instantaneous. As soon as I saw the new Andalucia by Patty Young this simple design popped into my little brain. I paired Patty's prints with several Cotton Couture solids. My favorite element of this quilt is the randomness of the blocks and with this cool palette it's as soothing as the sea.

I hope you like 'em. :o)

Snippets from Summer

The hubs is gone this week at Scout Camp. That means it's just me and the kids. All. Week. Long. We had a rough couple of days with nasty summer colds and a bout of cabin fever but everyone is feeling better now so we've been out playing. We went to the aquarium yesterday and today we plan on seeing a movie!

I have managed to spend a little bit of time in my 'studio' though.

Here's a little clue to one of the projects I've been playing with. :o)

I'm also working on a new pattern using the fabrics below. Yes- all solids!

My girl has been helping me a lot too. We've been playing "Quilt-Shop" daily. It's one of her favorite make-believe games. I like it too because I can get work done and play with her at the same time. She's a big help too. She helps me press pieces and fold fabric. She even gets to sew every once in a while. It's good training for her to become a real "Crazy Old Lady" in a few more years.  :o)

The other day I promised her I would sew a leash for her puppy.

'Snowball' sure looks cute with a leopard print collar and a white grograin leash.  ;o)

I also managed to finish up my Bee blocks this week. Hop over to the Bees Knees to check them out!

Finishing Touches

I've dedicated today to finishing a special UFO. This one is a custom order that (I'm embarassed to say) is a couple months late! Yikes! Thankfully the recipient has been very understanding.

All I have left is the binding (ugh!) This quilt is a twin sized version of Flora and Fauna made with the fun and bright 'Amelia' by Me and My Sister. It turned out SO CUTE!

I'm almost done and then I do this. Seriously!? In case you can't tell, I sewed the ends of my binding strips together- twisted. Time to get out Jack (the ripper) and fix this quick.

HAPPY SEWING!

The Chosen One!

Thanks for playing along friends!

QUILT FOR FUN said 'Luscious'

(email me!!!)

I have to agree!  :o)

Hoping you all have a great weekend and a fabulous Fathers' Day!

Bundling!

I thought I'd tease you with a bundle picture.

Yep. This is the one you could win.

All of these gorgeous prints and solids are from Michael Miller Fabrics

View THIS post for more information on how to win these gorgeous goodies.

For those of you that live in the area-

don't forget that the

Wasatch Front Shop Hop

starts tommorow and I'll be at the

Corn Wagon Quilt Shop from 10-2

doing a book signing.

Hope to see YOU there!

Quilt-what!?

The other day I mentioned something called QUILTCON. Remember? You can click on the link to find out more but basically it's a conference put on by The Modern Quilt Guild. Speakers, vendors and so much more. It's scheduled for early next year and I really hope I can go.

One of the things I'm most excited about is the fun QuiltCon Block Challenge.

Using the colors of their logo you can make a block that reflects what modern quilting means to you. (If you're not sure what modern quilting is: read here. Or, just read it anyway because I LOVE IT! :o)

Where was I? Oh yeah, the colors of the QuiltCon logo. Yeah, they're my new faves!  I can't help but invision every new pattern design I have in these colors.

Don't you just LOVE these colors!? QuiltCon has not specified which fabrics to use. In fact, they have left that up to interpretation. However, many of the fabric companies have put their own bundles together. "Tiny Dancer" and "Lady Marmalade" from Marmalade fabrics sent me these bundles a few weeks ago. I really want to make something but haven't been able to bring myself to cut into them yet.

Of course MMF has a variety of their own prints in these gorgeous colors that I'm playing with too. Look for a Crazy Old Ladies pattern exclusive coming soon!

Not sure these colors are the PERFECT combo for a project in your future?

Take a look at this:

The Portland Modern Quilt Guild made this amazing quilt that was hanging in the MMF booth at market. LOV-ER-LY! See, now you can understand why I'm seeing everything in these colors.

Guess what!? just because it's summer. And just because I'm feeling generous I'm going to give away a custom bundle of my own. A little of this and a little of that- 1 fat quarter in each of the colors for you to play with! (I haven't taken a picture yet because I just thought of this right when I was writing this post. Cool huh!?)

So, want to play?

Leave me a comment- One word. Any word. Make it a good word. (no bad words, if you know what I'm sayin') I'll pick a random comment on Friday.

Tomorrow is my big boy's birthday. 12! WHAT!? I'll be busy eating cake and ice cream. Talk to you soon.

Do you love Lucy?

I do!

The Wasatch Front Shop Hop is coming up next week. Their theme this year is 'Those were the days." Each shop participating (there's 13 of them!) Has chosen a different retro TV program as their theme. Can you guess what my LQS The Corn Wagon Quilt Shop is doing?

That's right!  Everybody's favorite- I love Lucy!

The gals at the shop are so creative. I can't wait to see what they have planned. I  hope you'll join me in hopping around

June 13th - 16th

Make sure you pick June 14th as your day to come see Lucy

That's the day when I will be in the shop from 10-2 signing copies of , you guessed it- 'Geared for Guys'!

Before I forget, I better pick a winner for that FQ bundle of Shore Thing.

Thank you Gloria for playing along.

And thank ALL OF YOU who left comments of your favorite beaches. Reading through all of those lovely places- a few I have been too, most I have not -really makes me long for a coastal getaway.

I hope you're all sewing something fun. I know I am!

Here's a CLUE of what I've been playing with.

OH MY GOSH! 

I almost forgot to tell you. I haven't been posting here,

but I have been out and about.

I finally posted my blocks on The Bees Knees

and the lovely ladies from Fat Quarter Shop are featuring my book as their June book of the month. Check out my little write-up on The Jolly Jabber

Ok, I got work to do. See ya' soon!

A more formal introduction:

I feel like I am finally starting to breathe again after the last few weeks. With market prep, then market aftermath, kids finishing school and crazy summer schenanigans starting I kinda swept over one of the most exciting events:

SHORE THING!!

"The sun on your face and sand beneath your feet- nothing's more relaxing than a trip to the beach.

Now you can take a tropical vacation whenever you want with SHORE THING!"

"Take an oceanic adventure around a picturesque bay or find a peaceful port to relax under a palm tree.  Stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy the local cuisine"

"FInd sandy beached where children play tag with the surf and towels still hang out to dry"

"Explore all there is to discover and let your imagination take over.

There aren't any rules- just find your own adventure and spend the day having a blast."

"Whatever your pleasure you'll find your 'Beach Style' here...

it's a SHORE THING!"

I wanted Shore Thing to evoke the same feelings that Going Coastal did. Anyone and everyone that saw Goind Coastal longed for a vacation and reveled in fond memories of favorite trips. Recreating that a second time I feared, would be a challenge.

I was wrong, it was the complete opposite. As soon as I started drawing Shore Thing took shape and form before my eyes. I was wisked away to vacation destinations I've never been before. Someday I'll visit. But until then I can dream of the shore.

I wanted a more tropical feel with the pinks and touches of green, but I still wanted it to speak to all sea-goers. There's a little something for everyone here.

To prove it- I'm giving some away  :o)

Tell me your favorite beach vacation (it can be on the lake!) and I'll enter you into the drawing. Don't forget to make sure you're a follower, too. I'll pick a winner towards the end of the week. Probably Friday, but at this point I feel like giving myself a deadline is a lost cause.  :o)

GOOD LUCK!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming...

Sorry for the delay in posting the winners. We decided to have some family time and enjoy the weather. 

Water was a little cold still. These guys decided the best way is to just run right in.

My littlest kidlet 'cheesing' for the camera.

Testing his toes. Don't you love that little tongue sticking out!  :o)

And this is where I sat, enjoying the warm sun on my toes. I was NOT about to get in that freezing water. Maybe by the end of August when it's had a few months to warm up.  :o)

Anyway...

How 'bout we get down to business and post some winners!

Random.org picked numbers 3, 83, and 53

(what's with all the 3's!?)

Happy Cottage Quilter

Smileynann

Jo

Thanks to EVERYONE for playing along and showing your support.

If you weren't one of the lucky winners you can still get the book and feel like a winner. Fat Quarter Shop is featurings 'Geared for Guys' as their book of the month! That means you can purchase it (either version) for 20% off during the month of June. WooHoo!!!

Ok, now back to playtime with the fam.

Have a GREAT weekend!