JEANNE MADE AN EGG HATCHING QUILT

Jeanne Bird made this lovely wall hanging in time to the Easter weekend.  Jeannie saw the pattern for one block in Quilter Maker's Magazine.  However, Jeannie wanted four blocks and being the creative talent that she is, she decided to slightly alter each block that she made.

This is the first block.  Notice the all the beautifully colored eggs.

This is block number two.  Notice the green egg on the right has a crack in it.

This is block number three.  Oh…oh, something’s happening.  What’s happening to that green egg?  Is something hatching?

This is block number four.  Yeah!  At last.  Now I can flap my wings and feel free in this beautiful spring air!  Jeanne this is so clever and so beautifully done.  

As you can see above from the label on the back, Jeanne made this block from Quilt Maker’s Magazine into an Egg Hatching.  Thank you Jeanne for sharing with us.  Great job!

 On Another Note: Lori H. Designs has a tutorial for an English Paper pieced tote!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Weekend!
 
Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

LET'S TALK ABOUT COLOR

There’s nothing like color to catch your eye!  These shirts grabbed my attention while shopping at Kohl’s and I had to go back and take a picture.  I love it that men are wearing color.  I’m sick of the boring white shirts.  Can’t you imagine your guy wearing one of these gorgeous shirts?

Speaking of color, check out the new fabrics at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  These fabrics are Razzle Dazzle by Kona Bay Fabrics.

This is a close up of one of the fabrics.  I love these luscious colors and my minds is whirling as I think about how I can put this one to use.

On Another Note: 

• Mark your calendar NOW!  It’s almost April and you want to get this on your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.  
• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5.

Check This Out:  In Color Order has a tutorial for a grocery bag holder...you know...those pesky things that come home with you on your various shopping trips and seem to multiply in the closet.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

MAKING A WHIMSICAL GARDEN IS LOTS OF FUN!

We had the Whimsical Garden BOM Tuesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  This is the block they will be working on this month.

Above some of those participating in this BOM show off the blocks they worked on since last month’s meeting.  I’m trying to turn them into appliqué lovers!  Some of them are trying this Freezer Paper appliqué technique for the first time.  They are doing a great job too!

Above, Peggy shows us her latest finish!  This is her Back To Nature quilt that she started when she attended a BOM at the Attic Window Quilt Shop two years ago.  Isn’t it beautiful!

This is a close up of Peggy’s quilt.  Check out that perfect piecing!  Great job Peggy.

On Another Note: 

• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5.

On Another Note:    If you like redwork you will like the Stitch Along that Super Mom-No Cape! is having.  The patterns are of Vintage Chore Girls.  So cute! 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

THIS BAG IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST!

I have two things to show you today.  Above is the darling bag that Lee Ann made.  It is the Vinyl and More Bag, and, of course, the outside is made of vinyl fabric with a bright cotton lining and straps.  You can make your own quick and easy bag with vinyl or cotton with Lee Ann during a class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Saturday, March 30th, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Call the shop to register.

Check out this tea leaf quilt that Judi made.  I showed you part of it last week, but Judi decided to add a row of tea leaves around the outside border.  I love how this turned out.  She has inspired me to hurry up and get mine finished.

On Another Note:
Mark your calendar NOW!  It’s almost April and you want to get this on your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.

On Another Note:  The Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild is having a "virtual meeting" instead of an actual meeting in April. They have a block for you to make and at the end of the month the blocks will be displayed online.  Participants will be entered in a drawing to win the all blocks!  The block pattern is Converging Corners and can be found at Film In the Fridge.  I love this block and am excited to see the posted blocks.  Check out the Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild (see link above or on the sidebar under Blogs I Follow) for all the details.
Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHY ARE THESE LADIES HAVING SO MUCH FUN?

Last weekend I missed the Stitch-In at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Thankfully, Judi took pictures and is sharing them with us.  When you see these pictures you will be as sad as I am that I was unable to attend.  Above is Rosa’s Micky Mouse Quilt for her grandson.  I think I showed you before that she was making a mouse quilt, but I think that one was for her granddaughter.  She sure is a busy lady. 

And Rosa is a lucky lady, too, as her handsome husband showed up with this wonderful dessert.

This is a closer look of that (these are Judi’s words) Wonderful Homemade Cheese cake that Doug made for us.  I’m drooling.  Are you?

Sue M. shows us her first quilt finished.  Since I took this from Judi’s notes, I’m not sure if this was the first quilt that Sue has finished, or if Sue was the first to finish a quilt that day at the Stitch-In. 

This is Dee H’s project.   Don’t all these triangles look interesting!  I can’t wait to see this finished quilt.

As usual for a Stitch-In, Chris had a project for everyone.  Above they show off the block they made from the Fat Eight’s that Chris gave them with her Challenge.

Looks like the Stitch-In was a great success and that these ladies were having way too much fun!  Thank you Judi for taking the pictures for us.  Hope to see you at the next Stitch-In!

On Another Note:  Mark your calendar NOW!  It’s almost April and you want to get this on your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday, April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.  More info to follow in future posts.

On Another Note:  A Bright Corner has a nice tutorial for a strip tube quilt.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

I HAVE A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO SAVE MONEY

My suggestion for saving money is to attend The Second Annual Spring Cleaning Sale at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  It starts today and goes through Saturday.  You'll want to take advantage of this fantastic sale.  I’m on my way there as soon as it opens!

Above is the quilt I wrote about earlier this week.  The pattern is Everything’s Coming Up Rainbows by Krista Fleckenstein  and can be found in the book Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe.  I loved this book as it is full of wonderful Modern quilts calling out to be made.  I counted 19 patterns.  You can get it, of course, at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

This is another block in the quilt.  I just love these bright colors against this beautiful gray swirl fabric.  If you are interested, there will be a class at the shop in June.  Look for the details in our upcoming Newsletter.

On Another Note:     Mark your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.  More info to follow in future posts.

On Another Note:   Believe it or not, summer is on its way, so now is the time to get busy and make some lawn chair quilts.  Moda Bake Shop has a nice tutorial.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

A CLASS QUILTERS LOVE TO TAKE

Have you ever wanted to make a quilted bag?  You won’t be disappointed when you take a class with Lee Ann at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Once you’ve taken a class with Lee Ann you will want to take more.  You suddenly feel successful. You are pleased with what you have accomplished.  You never thought you’d be able to sew in a zipper and have it look so nice.  You would never have dreamed of making a bag that looked like you paid boo coo bucks at some high priced department store.  I bet the women who made these three bags in the photo above felt pleased when they recently took a class with Lee Ann. Aren't they beautiful!  And they look so professionally made.  Look for more of Lee Ann’s classes in the upcoming Newsletter.  Or if you don't want to wait, get a few friends together who want to take a class and call the shop to set up a time and date.

On Another Note: 

• The Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild has it’s first sew-in this coming weekend.  You can get the details by clicking on this link here or see my Sidebar.  
• Mark your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.  More info to follow in future posts.
• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5. 

On Another Note:   Mary Manson Quilts has a tutorial that intrigues me.  It looks like the Lil Twister quilt but it is not and you do not need to purchase a tool to make this one.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll 

HAVE YOU TRIED QUILTING IN A CIRCLE?

Okay, I know I should have been working on the quilt I showed you yesterday, but when I read my e-Mails this morning before going into my sewing room, I saw that Pile of Fabric had sent  a link to a video for making improve curves.   This video reminded me that in February I made an improve curve block and sent it to Pink Please.  I enjoyed making the block and made some more.  Above are the four I made, all stitched together.  However, I didn't know what to do with them.  It was really too large for me to do anything with (each block was 15” square) so I just left them on the design wall and went on to other things.  After seeing the video this morning I decided to reduce the size of my improve blocks and do the quilting in a circle that I have wanted to try. 

These are the blocks reduced in size to 9 ½” inches.  I sewed them together and got the sandwich ready to quilt.

Above they are all quilted.  I loved doing the quilting in a circle.  It goes so fast and there is no stopping and starting as in a more traditional method of quilting.

Here the quilt is finished and bound.  I’m not sure I liked the binding, but it snowed all day and this really is just a test piece, so I was determined to use whatever fabric I had on hand.

Now, what do I do with this piece?  Here it is on the library table in the east window.  Nope!  Not here.

Looks kind of dorky here on the chair near the west window.

Guess I’ll use it here as a table topper under my Begonia.  Looks, okay for a practice piece, don’t you think?  I hope you'll try making some improve curves and quilting in a circle.  It's not only fun, but freeing!

On Another Note:  Clover and Violet has a Charming Patchwork Lunch Bag Tutorial.

PS:  I'm Linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  Whoop! Whoop!

 Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll 

QUICK...IS THIS A MISTAKE?

I swear to you I was not drinking!  This is what is supposed to happen.  Really!  I’ll share more with you later this week as I get further along with this quilt.  I think you’ll love it.  I sure do!  And I love this gray fabric so much that I had to show it to you today.  It is called Swirl by Whistler for Windham Fabrics.  You can get it at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  And, yes, I will sew these four squares together to make a unique block.  You'll be able to see the entire quilt soon!

On Another Note:   Remember when I showed you the darling little bow tie blocks that Judi was making.  While blog hopping I found that Red Letter Quilts has an excellent tutorial on how to make these 3d Puffy Bow Tie blocks.  Check it out.

On Another Note:

• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll 

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL SEE

Sunday, while most people were downtown celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Vickie and I went to the Stars Over The Thornapple Quilt Show in Hastings, Michigan.  It was a wonderful show and I can’t tell you how surprised we were as we walked down an aisle and saw this quilt.   Why were we surprised?  In 2009, Vickie and I participated in a Swap Hop hosted by Jane’s Fabrics.  As I recall, there were so many people participating in this swap, that Jane divided us into groups of 12.  Since we sent our 12 blocks to Jane to be redistributed and sent to the other people in our group, we had no idea that someone else from Michigan was participating, especially since this swap included people from around the world.

 

 Seeing this quilt with our blocks in it was a pleasant surprise.  We were fortunate in that we got to meet the woman from Michigan who participated in the swap and put the above quilt together.  I’m ashamed to say that my blocks are still in the “to-do” pile.  Now I’m motivated to get busy on my “Halloween” quilt. 

On Another Note: Sew Lux Fabrics has a tutorial for an Easter Basket.  It’s not too late!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Some people just know how to warm your heart and make you smile.  A dear friend sent me this lovely card that she made.  Thank you Jeanne!  Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.  I hope you and everyone have a lucky and Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BE WILD AND RECKLESS?

 I hesitated about showing you what I’m working on, but here goes.  Do you like these blocks above?  I don’t think there is a thing wrong with the pattern, but I’m not crazy about the fabric.  The blocks look blah to me. 

The other day while blog hopping I came across this post at Color My World.   Lisa took a block she didn’t like and made it into something totally different and very modern looking.  I liked it so much that I decided to take one of my blocks and do some slashing and sewing myself.

I wasn’t sure when I finished the first block…well not sure I’d call it finished, but I thought I better stop slashing and sewing and try another block.  I admit, I was having fun and was wondering what on earth I’d do with them now, when I placed them on top of this gray fabric and thought, I kind of like these.  So now my intention is to slash and sew a third block and make them into a table runner using this gray fabric as the background.  I urge you to try this.  It’s fun and gives you a sense of freedom…wanton abandonment.  LOL  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

On Another Note:

• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5.

On Another Note:   Gen X Quilters has a tutorial for an interesting block. Certainly  more traditional than the one above.   Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

ANOTHER DAY WITH THE HAPPY SCRAPPERS

The Happy Scrappers met Wednesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and someone has been a busy little bee.  Remember I recently showed you a couple bow tie blocks that Judi was working on.  Well, she hasn’t let any grass grow under her feet.  These are how many she has made since we met last Saturday!  She also told me that this quilt calls for 1200 bow tie blocks. Yikes!  No wonder she is working so diligently!  Keep up the good work, Judi.  It’s looking great!

Nancy is working on something all purpley (as Elf would say).  I really wanted to get a picture of Nancy and show you her new hair cut.   It is adorable!

Marilyn and Sue were recently on a retreat together and made these darling bags.  Marilyn made the one on the left, and Sue C. made the one on the right.  They said the pattern is from Quilts & More Magazine, Summer 2012.  I love those fabrics!

Buffie got to sit down and sew for a change.  I love her bright fabrics.  She said she likes to make quilts for kids and have them at the ready when there is a birthday or christening, etc.  Smart gal!

Yvonne made this delightful mug rug that she designed herself.  I love her choice of fabrics.  Doesn’t that brown fabric make you think of a bubbling pot of coffee!  Great job Yvonne!

On Another Note:  Lily's Quilts has a tutorial for a kitchen project.  Check it out!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

A LITTLE WALL HANGING OR TWO

Isn’t the wall hanging adorable?  All I can tell you about it is that Sue C. made it and the patterns are available at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

I’ve been doing some appliqué.  This block is from the Catchin’ Some Rays pattern that I found in January/February issue of McCall’s Quilting Magazine.  I think it will make a nice wall hanging.  I will use this pattern when I teach Freezer Paper appliqué next month.  See calendar on Sidebar for details.

On Another Note:

• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5.

On Another Note:  Recently, when blog hopping I saw that Mama Spark’s World had an interesting block and a link to Film In The Fridge where you can find the tutorial for making it.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Carol

HAPPY SCRAPPERS HAVE LOTS TO SHOW

The Happy Scrappers met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this past Saturday.  Buffie showed us two quilts that she had recently made for two new babies.  She chose the perfect soft colors for these quilts.

Above she shows us that she used Minkee on the back of each quilt. Minkee Blankee is known as the softest, cuddliest fabric around!  Buffie said that Nancy Rogalewski of Aerie Quilting did the quilt.  Looks like she did a perfect job!

Buffie also showed us her progress on another Tea Leaf quilt that she is making.  This one is in a lighter tone and she is adding an interesting inner border that adds to that cottage look.

Judi A. showed us her most recent bag finish.  It is wonderful with all its pockets and zippers!

Judi worked on making these bow tie blocks during our day together.  I love the green background and am looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

Rosa, who missed our last Bee, was busy all day making these darling pillowcases for her grandchildren.

What’s Janalee concentrating on so intently?

Making these tiny blocks, that’s what.  As you can see, they are about the size of Rosa’s fingernail!  No wonder Janalee is so focused.

Lee Ann is participating in the Amish Twist BOM and worked on these blocks.  What interesting colors.

This is a picture of the Amish Twist quilt.  Isn't is stunning?  Can you see the blocks Lee Ann is working on in this picture?

On Another Note:    Film In The Fridge has a quick tutorial for the star burst block.

PS:  I'm linking up to Freemotion On The River.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll