Quick post...

I finished another block on Monday for Hailey's quilt, the 2nd of the book blocks. Yesterday I started working on the potions block. It is taking a little longer than I had hoped so I'll post a picture when it's done. But, I'm pleased with it so far.

Had guild last night, so much fun. I even won a door prize. Isn't it cute? It is originally from a quilt shop in Victoria, BC called Satin Moon Quilt Shop. The "bar" contains 8 Fat 8ths.

Pat at The Stitchin' Station/The Quilting Barn in Arlington has asked me to teach a class on "Sunday Brunch". We haven't decided on a day of the week or a time yet, so if you are interested give her a call.

Time to get back to my potions....

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, everything has been whirling around me as I've been so busy lately. I just got back from a quilt retreat in Maple Mount, KY. It was gorgeous there and the weather was perfect! I taught my Sassy Sixteen and had the best students!

I took a class at the retreat for making Christmas Placemat Purses. It was quite fun and I'll be sure to post a picture of my creation on my next post.

Karen Combs was also a teacher at the retreat, so now I have a new pattern and project to add to my "future to do" list. I think it will be something special for the hubby.

I've just released my newest pattern, "Charmingly Twisted" made for charms and nickels. This is the one I had meant to have available in the spring, but I just wasn't satisfied with the previous layout. However, I finally moved things around until I was pleased and then quickly finished it off.

Now, I know I have been absent a great deal the last several months, and I can't tell you how much I've missed it, but I promise I'll be around a lot more often. You can even sign up as a follower (on the right hand column). Besides, I have some more news as well, but need to wait just a short while to announce it. ;)

Also, a friend of mine, Tanja, has released a great new pattern! It is beautiful and the redwork is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to check it out... http://www.southsong.etsy.com/ I even made a block from the pattern last Christmas...

Checking In and Catching Up

Well, as usual, things have been busy here. School starts next week, church activities are on the horizon and Gentry's birthday is coming up. I can't believe how big he has gotten. He recently lost his front tooth and he sounds so cute with his temporary lisp.
I'm still on the quilting stages of Gentry's birthday quilt. But I know I'll get it done just in time. I used the X-Block tool and one of their patterns.

The BOM for the guild this time around was paper piecing. I did the demo for it, but I really don't think I did a good enough job to convince those that are not big fans to give it a try.

Pat at The Quilting Barn asked me to teach the Twisty Cakes pattern this coming October. If you are local, you know the classes are limited. So, if you are interested, be sure to contact her right away and get your name in.


I got a wonderful surprise package in the mail yesterday from New Zealand. Sue from Country Dawn Quilts sent me a wonderful FQ and a copy of New Zealand Quilter magazine.

Inside was their new ad featuring my Jelly Maker's Cabin quilt! I was so honored when she asked me if she could use it to promote her new store.

I have also recently received some original Jill Eugena hand-dyed fabric for use in one of my next patters. There were so many amazing ones that it made it really hard to choose!

And speaking of patterns, I decided to give my cover pics a bit of a makeover. I really like the added element of color framing each one. I look forward to finding just the right shade for the upcoming patterns.

My dear friend, Beaver, is now online. So, you can find this super quick and easy pattern, Toadly Ten at her new Etsy store.

Twisty Cakes Class & Fun with Judy

My class went so well! The ladies were all wonderful and I loved seeing all of the great twisty blocks they made. I thought teaching from 9:00 to 4:00 might be a bit long, but the time just flew by so quickly. I could have easily continued on until late in the evening. I hope to make another digital scrapbook page after our next meeting, when I plan to get some pics of their "Twisty Cakes" quilts, in whatever stage they are at. Aren't the graphics on the "page" cute?! They are from a wonderful site that offers free digitial scrapbook kits...Shabby Princess.

I've been very busy lately and have lots of pics to show you, but I can't quite yet.

I'm working on another pattern and have made two tops for it, neither of which will be on the cover, so I need to wait to show you those.

I've also tested out a quilt pattern for a friend, it is so easy and super fast. But I need to wait to be able to show you that one until she has a store or something else set up for orders.

Now, there are a few things that I can show. My step-mom, Judy, has taken up quilting and is flying with her progress. She has made at least two more tops, possibly full quilts, since then but I don't have pics of those yet. This a pic of her first quilt, made entirely from flannel charms, it is gorgeous! She got the kit when we went to Paducah.

She also got some interesting fiber scarf kits. Here are some pics from the one she and I made for me.

Classes and My Ostrich

Woohoo! I'm going to be teaching two classes this year.

• "Twisty Cakes" - June 28th, 9:00 - 4:00, Cordova, TN


• "Sassy Sixteen" - October 4th, Great Escape Retreat, Maple Mount, KY

The "Twisty Cakes" class is $20 and that includes the pattern. Email me if you will be in the area and are interested.

The "Sassy Sixteen" class is during the much anticipated PUP's Great Escape 2008 Retreat! Other teachers for the retreat include: Jill Eugenia, Tanja Todd-Kellum, Easie Cecil and Karen Combs. We still have a few spots open, so let me know if you would like to come.

My "Ostrich" is finally coming along. A few months ago I completed the third round, Yin Yang. I used ribbons with knots in the middle to add dimension, texture and balance. Light purple fabric with dark purple ribbons; dark green fabric with light green ribbons; half of the ribbons are vertical and half are horizontal; a much more straight and structured round after the completely reckless round prior to it...all about balance.

The fourth round, Paradise, really gave me a lot of grief. Not so much in regards to actually doing the round, but in deciding what to do. Defining what "Paradise" means to me and then coming up with a design that represents that meaning, that also works with the previous rounds...well, it took forever. Finally, inspiration struck and all was revealed. So, what does Paradise mean to me? The Lord and all the blessings he continuously pours out to me...my cup runneth over! I know the picture is rather wonky, but if you look in the corners you will see goblets and they are overflowing, running over, all over the place. :)