SUZANNE MARSHALL AT WMQG

Suzanne Marshall was the guest speaker at the West Michigan Quilt Guild last night. Marshall’s lecture included slides of her quilts, from her first attempts to her prize winning quilts. She said that she is a self-taught quilter and began quilting over 34 years ago. As you can see from these pictures, she is an expert in appliqué. (Click on picture for a closer view.)

This is a close up of one of her prize winning quilts.

Another prize winner!

Isn't he cute. Marshall said she often gets her ideas from old books, tapestries, lamp posts in Europe. She said there are endless possibilities.

While here this week, Marshall also taught classes on her appliqué technique. I envy those able to attend. If her classes are anything like her lecture, those attending learned a lot and laughed a lot. Marshall is such a delightful educator.
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Fat Quarter Shop has some free patterns. The one that caught my eye was Full Swing. Check it out.
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Don’t forget that Quilts On The Grand 2010 starts this week. Over 250 quilts are being featured. There is also a vendor mall and a small quilt auction. The show is Oct 1 – 3 at the DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Avenue, NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Admission is $8. Proceeds will benefit the Tie That Binds Fund at the Neonatal Unit at Spectrum Butterworth and the Covenant Enabling Residence, Faith House.

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Also, Knotty Girls meets tonight at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Stay Positive!
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Until next time,
Caroll

AROUND THE WORLD QUILTING BEE BLOCKS

I have had so many things to show you lately that I haven’t had a chance to show you the blocks I made for the Around The World Quilting Bee. Remember, the theme this year is Christmas.

This first block (above) is for Jen. She sent along special fabrics for us to include in our block. This block is made with the paper piecing method. Not my forte, but I think it turned out okay. Hope she likes it.

This is Dionne’s block. It’s supposed to look like a Christmas present. Actually, it is the State of Michigan block that I found at Bellaonline.com. It really does look like a wrapped gift, doesn’t it? This block is made with straight, old fashioned piecing.

This block is for Patty. It has been a while since I finished this block and sent it on its way. I think I recall there being several of trees in her other blocks and that’s why I chose this design. I like it because I was able to appliqué this block.

And I must have made this for someone in the group, but I can’t remember who. It is on its way around the world. If you are reading this and it is in the collection you now have, please let me know who it belongs to so that I can put a name on it.

Don’t forget that Quilts On The Grand 2010 starts this week. Over 250 quilts are being featured. There is also a vendor mall and a small quilt auction. The show is Oct 1 – 3 at the DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Avenue, NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Admission is $8. Proceeds will benefit the Tie That Binds Fund at the Neonatal Unit at Spectrum Butterworth and the Covenant Enabling Residence, Faith House.

Sew Mama Sew has a tutorial for a three ring binder pencil pouch. What a great idea for those school kids, young and old. Think Christmas Gift!

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Stay Positive!
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Until next time,

Caroll

ARE YOU THINKING PUMPKINS?

This tablerunner is called Autumn Harvest. The design is by local designer, Tammy Finkler. Can’t you just picture this on your table this autumn? You can pick up a pattern at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Lee Ann made this little Trick or Treat bag. It’s small and would be just the right size for those little ones. Or it would look cute sitting on your table filled with candy.

This little guy is holding one of Lee Ann’s bags, all ready to go Trick or Treating. Isn’t he cute?

Piece N Quilt has a wonderful tutorial for a Christmas Quilt. Check it out.
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Stay Positive!
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Until next time,
Caroll

YOU'LL LOVE THIS BUG!

Here’s another one of those little “creatures” that are on sale at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Guess I wouldn't mind having this little bug in my house! Isn’t she cute?

These items are by the same designer and are on sale at the shop. Each necklace is made of a bottle cap. Imagine how small the items inside each cap must be! They really are cute and something a teenager might like for Christmas.

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TLC Stitches has a nice tutorial for a Faux piped binding. This looks quick and easy and something I want to try on those Coffee Mats I’m making as gifts. This detail ads that designer touch, plus says “hard work” and will make your friends ask, “how’d you do that?”
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This morning was fun. I was in the shower when the security alarm goes off. I jump out, put on my robe and run upstairs thinking Mother has gone outside and I'll have to go get her. She was standing in the kitchen and wondering what all that noise was about. I asked her if she had opened the door and she said yes, she was looking for Howard. I tried to explain that Howard was not here. He was her husband and has been dead for four years. Bless her heart. She gets so confused sometimes.

Stay Positive!
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Until next time,
Caroll

BETTER THAN PAPER DOLLS

Have you noticed, I’m crazy about dolls. I fell in love with this darling wallhanging that Barb made for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. It is from the Dolly Days book by Brandywine Designs. Barb hand embroidered the eyes. Notice how she has added that touch of white to give them a realistic look. Click on picture for a closer view.

Here is a different view of the wallhanging. I bet your child/grandchild would love this. The pattern includes several changes of clothes for you to dress the doll.

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What about making a Happy Birthday wallhanging? I saw it on the Quilters Quarters Newsletter from BellaOnline.com. Check it out here. Really cute!

Stay Positive!
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Until next time,

Caroll

LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT

This wallhanging is from Kim Schaefer’s Calendar Quilts. There are 12 months of fun projects. I love her patterns and intend to make all of these. I'll have something new on my door every month.

Comfort Stitching has the cutest tutorial for a raw edge appliqué of a girl on a swing.

My mother, you gotta love her. She will be 93 in December and still has it…The other day we went to the hospital for some tests. I took her into the lobby and told her to sit there while I parked the car. When I came back she was holding a newspaper up like she was reading it. I was surprised because she has macular degeneration and had to give up reading several years ago. “Are you reading that?” I asked. “No. I’m trying to make a good impression on that good looking man over there!” I hope I have her sense of humor when I’m her age.

I found an interesting magazine I want to share with you. It’s called Going Bonkers (The Self-Help Magazine With A Sense of Humor). All kinds of fun stuff in it, some serious, some helpful, and some that will make you laugh. Hey, in their “facts” section, I learned that chickens have earlobes. I bet you didn't know that! I picked up three issues at the local library and think I’ll subscribe. I need all the help I can get!

Darlene over at Sew Cal Gal had a nice post the other day. Take a look. It’s something we all should remember.
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Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAPPENINGS AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

Mary Holt (Maggie’s mother) made this Snow Globe table topper sample for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Don't you love these fabrics! Kits are available. Stop in and pick one up!

(See below)

Somehow, the Penny Rug Club was omitted from the Newsletter. Above are the two different patterns available for this six-month Club. Join Glenys the 4th Friday of the month for this fun class. Call the shop for further information.

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Don’t forget the annual Harvest Shop Hop is Sept. 18, 20-25. Registration is $12, which includes passport, pin, bag and, as always, a free pattern from each shop. Ten shops are participating and there will be daily drawings, grand prizes, and baskets of goodies.

This may not be quilting related, but it is still something you can do. Ever wondered what to do with all those plastic grocery bags. How do you store them? The Polkadot Pineapple has a tutorial on how to fold those plastic grocery bags so they will look neat and are easy to store.

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Until next time,

Caroll

CHURCH DOLLS

I had such a fun weekend. I fell in love with these little guys when making them. These are Church Dolls and the pattern is from Down Memory Lane. On the pattern is says, “This is an interpretation of church Dolls children used to have in church to play with in times past.” I have a very special little girl who I thought would like these.

I had so much fun making those in the first picture for a little girl, that I made these for the little boys next door. Note the boy’s hair. What a hoot it was making these.

Here they all are, tucked into their little carrying pouches. The pattern also includes directions for making a blanket to tuck into one end pocket and a notebook to tuck into the other end pocket.

Here are all three of the little carrying pouches ready for those special children. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as I did.
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Don’t forget the annual Harvest Shop Hop is Sept. 18, 20-25. Stop by the Attic Window Quilt Shop and register. When you register you get a passport, pin, bag and, as always, a free pattern from each shop. Ten shops are participating and there will be daily drawings, grand prizes, and baskets of goodies.
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Erik Homemade has a new Christmas mystery tutorial. Check it out.
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Until next time,
Caroll

HARVEST SHOP HOP

It’s that time again! Our annual Harvest Shop Hop is Sept. 18, 20-25. Registration is $12, which includes passport, pin, bag and, as always, a free pattern from each shop. The above quilt is the quilt the Attic Window Quilt Shop will have on display. Ten shops are participating and each shop designed its own quilt. These various designs will give you an idea for using the blocks that will be available to you. There will be daily drawings, grand prizes, and baskets of goodies.

When you come in to the shop be sure and take a peek at this little lady. She and other unique items are also available at the shop.

Kzjo Studio has a cute idea for using those scraps and making a quick back to school product.

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Until next time,

Caroll

THE BEE HAS BUGS

More pictures from the First Saturday Bee at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Above is a close up of the Amy Bradley Pattern, Bug Quilt.

Cookie Skipp made this darling quilt and graciously let me post it. I love this quilt. It looks like she used the turned under method of appliqué. She said she made it because she likes bugs. Me too. I've got to make this one.

Gerry Cavanaugh made this Red/Green quilt. She started it last year when she participated in Redwork Club. Gerry said that a friend of Barb David’s found the blocks in a church. They were over 100 years old and never set in a quilt. Barb took the blocks and copied the designs for the Club to use.

This is a close up of one of the blocks. Doesn’t she do beautiful work! Look at all that feather stitching down the seams.

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Matching Pegs has a couple tutorials that are interesting. On the right sidebar there is a link to a tutorial for a Star Fruit Cushion and below that a link for making a patchwork Tee. Check it out.
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Until next time,

Caroll

ONE BLOCK MANY WAYS

Saturday, at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, Chris demonstrated the many ways you can arrange the Attic Window block.

Would you realize that this is simply an Attic Window block?

Here she has curved the pieces to give the block a different look.

And when you turn them around they look like this. Something completely different.

And here she shows you what it would look like using different fabrics with the same block. What fun it was to challenge our ideas about a traditional block.

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Oh Fransson has a Paint Box Quilt tutorial that you might like. She calls it a Quilt A Long since she started it several months ago. However, you can see how it's made and get the pattern details even if you don't participate in the Quilt A Long. I love the quilt with the clear bright colors. This would be perfect for a child's Christmas present.
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Until next time,

Caroll

FIRST SATURDAY BEE SHOW N TELL

I went to First Saturday Bee at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and have a few things to share with you. You will be amazed at what these women can accomplish. The above quilt is Love Bird Lane and the pattern is by the Quilt Company. Maggie has been holding a class on this. However, you can still make this beautiful quilt. Just pick up a kit at the shop.

Cathy M. made this red, white, and blue quilt out of scraps she had at home (she’s behind the quilt holding it up). I always marvel at what people can do with scraps. I love this!

Allie of Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life has a darling pattern to share with you. It is of a lemon tree. You must go see it. It is perfect as it is, but I was thinking how you could use this pattern and change it slightly to meet your décor or the changing seasons by adding apples or oranges, etc. instead of the lemons. It is a lovely wallhanging. Thanks Allie.
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Until next time,

SAMPLES AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

I forgot to show you these pictures of some things I saw recently at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. The tabletopper shown above is called Paper Chains and the pattern is from This & That. Maggie said she made this sample out of charm packs.

Colleen made this tablerunner sample. It would the perfect gift during the holidays. If you are interested in the pattern or class call the shop.

Isn’t this little dress darling? Carolyn E made this sample for the shop. It is her own design and the pattern for it should be in the shop soon. Look at those tiny little prairie points across the bodice. I think this dress would look perfect on my granddaughter. How about you? Got grandkids?

Ever thought about making a mouse pad for yourself or you kid? Funky and Delightful has a nice tutorial showing you how to make this simple but cute project. You could make one in the colors to suite your decor. Or how about making one with the school initials for that college student (MSU). Or how about one for those younger students with pictures of their favorite things. Check out this site and go wild with your ideas.
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Until next time,

Caroll

AUNT MILLIE'S BLOCK #9

Last week when I was at the Attic Window Quilt Shop I ran into Wilma. Great lady and fun to talk to. However, on my way out, she kept pestering me, “Where’s that next Aunt Millie block.” “I’ve been waiting to see that next Aunt Millie block.” All the way home her words haunted me. I am so guilty of starting a project and never finishing it. I hate to think of how many UFOs I have stashed away. So I came home and finished another block! Yeah! Thank you Wilma for getting me back on track.

These are my blocks so far. I have three more to go. As I was working on the one above I knew why I had put it off for so long. It has so many itty-bitty pieces and I just I didn’t want to tackle it. I’ve already started on the next block and believe me, it has even more itty-bitty pieces. But I won’t give up.

Speaking of not giving up, you might want to check out the Tip Nut. There you will find 35 links to things you can make with scraps. Have fun!
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Until next time,

Caroll