FLORA & FAUNA

INTRODUCING:

Have you heard? The color of the year is TURQUOISE! At first I wasn't sure about this color- but then I saw this fabric and I knew they were right on. Of course, SANDY GERVAIS has done it again with her spring line- FROLIC.

As I was stitching together this sample names kept popping through my head but I always came back to 'Flora & Fauna'. I wanted to stick Merryweather in there somewhere, but it just didn't work. Anyway, it must've been the inspiration floating through the air because soon after I got all the covers printed I found out that Patty Young's new line for Michael Miller is also called Flora & Fauna. It also features TONS of beautiful turquoise and, if I do say so myself, would look FABULOUS in my Flora & Fauna pattern. Hmmm, maybe I need to get my hands on some of that fabric!

So, if the fabric every shows up I'll have kits on my ETSY for this one too!

Shout Out!

Today I started off my day with my normal routine. I sit at the kitchen table as my kids ready themselves for school and I go through my blog list one by one. This just starts my day off right. I love seeing all of the creative things people are working on.



It got me thinking.



There are creative women all over the world. But people may or may not know that Utah has a very high concentration of talented women. It's fantastic! I find myself feeling very grateful on a daily basis that I have been fortunate enough to become one of them.



So this morning I thought I would send a 'Shout Out' to all my Utah peeps and draw your attention to some local Utah talent (some you may, or may not be aware of)



Moose on the Porch Quilts- She designs patterns, runs a machine quilting business, heads the commitee for our yearly local quilt show and many, many more things!

April M. Designs- a fellow quilter and now pattern designer also runs a very successful Etsy show for eco-friendly feminine products.

Izzy & Ivy- "I knew them when they were just...." Ok, not really. But I did have the pleasure of working alongside Shasta and her crew at the quilt shop Gracie Lou's when she was starting her fabulous pattern line. OMGosh! For serious the cutest children's clothing, bags, etc. EVER!

Chitter Chatter- this girl has TALENT! I recently blogged about her when I found her blog. You've got to see her work. It is nothing short of AMAZING!

Jillily Studio- if you needle turn you probably use her glue- if not, you should! Her patterns and now her fabric lines for Henry Glass are must have's!

Lila Tueller- Yes, that's right. One of THE fabric designers for MODA (*gush!*) is just moments up the interstate. I've only met her once- in PA of all places- but I secretly hope someday I'll bump into her at the mall! ;o)

Basic Grey- way up north. But they're still in Utah (if not, close enough to count!) Don't get me started. I'm still having heart palpitations that they design fabric now, too. And for MODA! I was a die-hard BG scrapbooking fan!

Riley Blake Designs- Oh yeah, them too! A little newer on the list of fabric manufacturer's but they came in with a BANG! I can't even begin to list all of their talented designers from here in Utah. I just can't get enough of their fabric. And just when I think it can't get any cuter they show a new line and I'm aw-struck once again. (P.S.- look for patterns coming from me featuring Riley Blake fabrics on the cover!)

And there are SO MANY MORE that I haven't listed!

It is so amazing to be able to work in the same industry as some of these women. Sometimes I feel like I'm so not on the same level as them, but somehow I manage to hang in there.

Hope you had fun checkin' them out. Don't forget to come back here tomorrow for another quilt patterns peek!

(p.s.- more LILIANA kits coming soon!)

MAISON BLEUE

Thanks for all your wonderful comments and purchases. I was so excited about my LILIANA kits and even more excited that they sold out in a day. Granted there were only 4, but still. It just makes me feel loved. :o) I am trying to get my hands on more fabric, so for those of you interested- keep looking, I may be adding more kits soon.

Until then, feast your eyes on this:

Maison Bleu is the name of the pattern I designed using 'Martinique' by 3 Sisters for Moda. It is made of the most creamy goodness when it comes to fabric. I seriously can't get enough of this line. It's classic 3 Sisters in every way. I'm still awaiting shipment, but there's kits coming for this pattern, too.
So here's the cool thing about this pattern: You can use yardage, a Jelly Roll, or a Layer Cake to make this quilt. The directions are written for all three!

The other thing that I'm so excited about is that it's my first pattern that uses an "on-point" setting. I could've set the blocks straight, but I LOVE the feel of them like this.

Lastly, I love the pencil border. I don't know what it's really called, but it's pretty skinny. Kind of hard to tell in the pic, but when the quilt is done the thin red border and binding create an awesome framing effect that I'm still drooling over.

Again, I'd love to hear your feedback on this one. I wasn't sure about producing this pattern. I feel it's a little less "Crazy Old Lady"-ish. Meaning: it has more of a traditional feel to it, rather than the funky twist I usually try to add in my patterns. Of course, a lot of that has to do with the line of fabric I chose. However, I fell madly in love with this quilt as I made it and knew there had to be SOMEONE out there that feels the same. Is it you?

Liliana

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments regarding "Secret Garden". Using Random.org I selected someone to recieve a FREE pattern- #6: Charissa. Please send me an email with your shipping info. so I can send it right off. Thanks! :o)

Here is the next pattern in our new patterns series:

This pattern was so fun to create! However, after I finished the quilt top I didn't like it anymore. (does that ever happen to you after working with the same fabric for so long?) So I folded it up and set it on my shelf and went on to other projects. After a few weeks I pulled it back out to show and friend and she LOVED it. So I decided to write the pattern for it. Now, it's one of my favorites!

LILIANA features "Verna" by Kate Spain for Moda. This is her debut line with Moda and I know she's going to be a new favorite. In fact, I've already seen a sneak peek of her Christmas line- it's WONDERFUL!

Another thing that makes me so excited about this pattern is that it's the first pattern I am selling KITS for!

The kits will be one sale on my ETSY shop. They come with everything needed to make the quilt top (including Binding and Jumbo ric-rac). The KITS will be $50! (When you add it up, it's really a steal because I'm giving the pattern away for FREE when you purchase a kit!)

Here's the catch: There's a very LIMITED amount of kits available. SO if you want one- you better HURRY!

Secret Garden

Remember that stack of quilts I was teasing you with a couple weeks ago?

Well, here is the firs of 5 new patterns that we have. I absolutely fell in love with this fabric line from the moment I saw it. It's EDEN by Lila Tueller for Moda. I love the spring-y-ness of it. Honestly, my photos do it no justice- you have to see this one in person.




This quilt pattern was one I designed over a year ago and finally found the right fabric for the job. I love how it all blends together and takes your eye a moment to see the pattern. I've done it in more contrasting prints too, and am equally pleased with the results.

At last minute I decided to pull it out of mu 'unfinished' pile and snap a quick pic to show you. I made this one out of a Heather Mulder Peterson line. I think the contrast is striking. (Please forgive the wrinkles)

So, what do you think?

Let me know your opinion of my new pattern and you may just WIN one! :o)

A little bit of sunshine

No, I'm not talking about the weather (though I wish I was). I'm talking about a blog I just became aware of. I know, if I was a true blogger I would've been a fan of this one long ago. But in my defense- I have been a fan for a loooooong time, I just didn't read the blog.

I better get to the point!

Cori of Chitter Chatter Designs has the cutest blog: Creativity Amongst Chaos. She does the most exquisite needle-turn I have ever seen. Makes me a tad bit jealous everytime I see her work. Also makes me almost think about trying it for myself (then I talk some sense into my thick skull!) Her artwork is just as awe-inspiring as her technique. Hop on over and take a peek. Don't forget to check her website, too and see all her amazing patterns.

Ah, just what I needed. :o)

Winter Blah's

I once heard that January has the highest suicide rate of all the months. It's because it's so dreary outside and the only thing to look forward to is Spring- but we all know it's still several months away. Nothing else to do- BLAH!

Today I found another reason to feel the winter blah's.

Cherry Tree Cottage is closing their doors at the end of this month! I know, I'm shocked. This is absolutely my favorite LQS. They're a smaller shop but when you walk in the door it always feels like home. I completely adore Machelle and love going in there and gabbing her ear off for an hour or more. I'm sure she always had better things to do- but she never let on.

If you live in Utah County and have ever visited The Cherry Tree Cottage you know what I'm talking about.

On the bright side- if there is a bright side- they're totally liquidating their inventory. Their doors will remain open through this month and close for the last time on Jan. 31. If you want some good deals you need to pop in there sooner, rather than later. Because you know- all the best stuff will be gone in no time.

It's a sad, sad day for this Crazy Old Lady.

First AmandaJean- now this! I'm afraid to think of what might happen next week.

Mourning

Yes, I am in mourning. I am greiving the loss of my favorite blogger. Oh, she's still alive- but her blog is missing her presence.

On Jan. 1st she posted a fabulous blog with pix of her '09 quilts. She then went on to say she was "moving on".

I'm in denial. I click the link to her blog everyday and she's not there. Just the same collage of '09 quilts. I don't know what I'll do without her.

CRAZY MOM QUILTS is giving up the blog. Thankfully she's going to leave it up for a while as a resource- but no one knows how long. But I will no longer be able to log onto my comp. over breakfast and see what she's been working on.

I just emailed her requesting a post of her machine quilting patterns. She's a stippler like me, you see. But has recently branched out into some AMAZING allover designs. I guess I'll just have to search them out for myself.

So today I sit in sadness staring blankly at my screen. No more Crazy Mom. :o(


p.s.- If you happen to see this Crazy Mom- BEST OF LUCK IN ALL YOU DO!

COMING SOON!

The samples are finished and the patterns are being sent to the printer today. Look for 5 new titles by Crazy Old Ladies in your local quilt shop soon.
I'll be posting each quilt one at a time so you can see them better. But right now I like beinga tease. :o)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!