IT'S GETTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE REINDEER TIME

Saturday when I was at the Attic Window Quilt Shop taking a bag class, Laurie Schoebridge stopped in with this quilt.  I was so thrilled to see it as the blocks were free on this blog several years ago.  You may remember that Barb of Bejeweled Quilts and I shared these blocks with our readers.  She made the quilt in appliqué and I did my reindeer blocks in Redwork, as Laurie did.

Check out this close-up of one of Laurie’s blocks.  It is so cute! You can’t see it in the picture but she also added some silver metallic thread to the snowflakes.  She did a fantastic job of making this fun quilt and I was overjoyed that I was in the shop when she stopped by.  You can still get the patterns for these reindeer blocks by going here or here.  However, there is now a small fee for the patterns. ALL of the money made from the sale of these patterns goes to Judy and Clint Madsen for the Children of Romania.    I hope you will consider making this quilt or making the blocks into pillows and contributing to this very worthy cause.

A special thank you to Laurie for sharing this quilt with us.  I love it!

DON’T FORGET:

• To mark your calendar for the West Michigan Quilters’ Guild Quilts on the Grand.  The date is October 3 – 5 at the DeltaPlex Arena.
• On Thursday, October 9th at 10:00 A.M., Vickie will be holding a finishing class for her spiral lone star for anyone who has previously taken the class with her and who needs some extra help with the finishing steps. 
• Shop Swap – Attic Window Quilt Shop and Quilted Memories – October 19 and 26

ANOTHER NOTE: 
The Busy Bean has a tutorial for an organizing bucket.  I think I need one of these for my car.

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

BARB DAVID DOES IT AGAIN

There is no Modern Monday block this week, so I saved something special to show you.  Barb David showed us this beautiful redwork quilt when we were at the Knotty Girl’s Stitching Bee last week at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.   I thought it deserved a space all its own.  Check out that border (click on the picture for a closer look).  The snowflakes in the border as well as within the quilt are done in Twilling.  Don’t forget, you can get Barb’s newest Twilling book here.

This is a close up of “one of the blocks.”  I put that in quotes because this quilt is really not done in blocks.  The center is all one piece.

This is another close up of one of the special snow people.  I think this character is my favorite.  Wouldn’t it make a wonderful block on its own?  As a mom who quilts I think it would make a great gift too.  The pattern is Months of Snow by Jana Davidson at Turnberry Lanes and can be purchased at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Don't Forget Happenings at the Attic Window: 
           BREAKFAST STITCH-IN – Friday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. - ? Stop in and sit and stitch and enjoy a light breakfast with quilting friends.
           CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9-5.  Join us for a fun filled day of making some early Christmas gifts. Class is FREE. Three or four projects will be available. Kit fees will vary. Bring a dish to pass. Call and sign up as space is limited.

On Another Note:  Jacey Craft has a nice tutorial for a Happy Trees Mini Quilt.

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

REINDEER GAMES ENDS TODAY!

 Reindeer Games draws to a close today.  This is the final posting.  If you have followed both Barb at Bejeweled Quilts and I over the past couple months, you should have all eleven patterns as of today.  We hope you have enjoyed the game as much as we have and use the patterns to make pillows, quilts, wallhangings.   Above is today’s Reindeer and you can get the pattern here. I called mine Rudolph.  I don’t remember if Barb’s Rudolph is the same as mine or not, so be sure to check out her blog.

This is the design in appliqué.  I never did get these applique blocks put together.  Now that I think about it, I think this is Barb's Dancer but I thought he looked like Rudolph!

I did get my nine redwork blocks made into this wallhanging.  This was the one I complained about in an earlier post because I hadn’t saved enough sashing fabric for the binding and had to use this green.  I noticed the quilt today hanging at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and I guess that binding doesn’t look too bad.

A special thanks to all of your who visited, left comments, and played our game.   A special thanks also to all who posted on the Flickr group.  You’ll want to stop by and see how wonderful those blocks are.  We have some very creative people playing this game.

By the way, when you visit Barb’s blog check out her previous post.  She has a darling free pattern for you. And be sure to put your name in for the give-away she has for the Reindeer Games.  She really has a wonderful pile of items and you don't want to miss out on that.  Barb has been wonderful to work with and I look forward to our continued friendship. 

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

PLAY REINDEER GAMES TODAY!

Are you ready for some Reindeer?  It’s time for Reindeer games again and today I’m posting my Donner.  I say “my” Donner because I don’t think Barb used this pattern for her Donner.  You can get the pattern for My Donner here.  You’ll have to visit Barb at Bejeweled Quilts to see what pattern she has up today.  Maybe she’ll post "her" Donner pattern. 

Here “my” Donner is in applique.  You'll want to check out the Flickr group to see what others are doing.  They are all so cute and provide great inspiration.

Did I tell you about this before?   This is a great time of year to start thinking about those Christmas/Holiday projects.  The blocks in this quilt by Patchplay will be sure to have you thinking cool thoughts. 
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

REINDEER GAMES FOURTH WEEK

It’s Friday again and time to play Reindeer Games.  Barb has named this little guy Comet, so, this week I’m posting a picture and pattern for Comet.  You can get the free pattern here.

 This is my applique version.  Now go to Bejeweled Quilts to see what reindeer Barb has up today.  I know she's in the middle of a move, and she may not have her pattern up yet, so keep checking with her.  And don’t forget to check out the Flickr group for inspiration and/or to add your finished block.  Be sure and check back in two weeks for another pattern.

PLEASE NOTE:  I'm trying to add all the patterns to the tutorial tab at the top of the page for your convenience in the future.  Wish me luck!
 
Wendy at Ivory Spring (also on sidebar) has a free pattern for you too.  This one is for a beautiful throw quilt and pillow with an excellent tutorial.  This is definitely one I’d like to try. 

PS:  Mary Lou Weidman of Mary Lou And Cherries Too has a beautiful post today on being happy, positive and healthy.  Check it out. 

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

REINDEER GAMES PATTERN #3

It’s Friday and time for the third posting of Reindeer Games.  Above is my redwork version.  You can get the pdf pattern by clicking here.  I think Barb named this one Prancer.  Check out Barb’s blog and see what pattern she has up today.  And don’t forget to check out the Flicker group.

I hope you are enjoying our “game” and will join us again in two weeks for our next reindeer pattern.  You can still get the first pattern by going to this post and the second pattern by going here.   Above is my appliqué version of this week’s pattern.

♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

READERS MAKE MY DAY!

Some of you may remember that a couple of years ago I offered free montly-redwork patterns on the blog.  The feature was usually of a cat.  I was so thrilled when Erika sent me this picture of the quilt she made using my patterns. (Click on the picture for a closer view.)   Erika says that about twelve years ago she and a friend decided to take a quilting class at the LQS.  Her first project was a Mariner’s Compass.  Talk about jumping in with both feet!  But that did not discourage her.  She said they had loads of fun and that she’s been quilting off and on since. 

Erika said she happened upon my blog one day and saw the cat pattern.  She loves cats.  The patterns  made her think of “Katze” a cat that adopted her about three and a half years ago.  Erika said she also loves painting, embroidery, crewel work, doll making, beading, needle felting, etc.  However, quilting is right up there at the top of her list for now.

 She lives in upstate New York and last summer finally built a studio.  Oh, how I envy this woman.  Erika says that Katze is her constant companion and they both are enjoying the huge windows with all that natural light in her new studio. 

Erika thank you so much for making my day.  It did my heart good to see a completed quilt using my designs.  Later this year Barb and I will be posting more free patterns that can be used for applique or red work.  Stay tuned for future details.

PS:  The above close ups are of pictures that were on my blog.  I wanted you to see some of the detail that is in Erika's quilt.  If anyone wants all of the patterns, just send me an email or leave a comment.

Take a look at Aby Quilt and see what your quilter’s brain looks like. 

Do you like dolls?  Love Laugh Quilt has a tutorial for a darling doll. 

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

CHRISTMAS SEW ALONG - BLOCK 7

This is the last block of the Sew Happy Sew Along.  Isn’t it cute? And so true!  We got snow here today on the west side of Michigan.  Oh, Joy!  Be sure to click on the button on my side bar to get instructions for how to put this banner together.  I think it will make a wonderful Christmas gift for ….well I can’t say.  I’ll probably give it to… on Thanksgiving so it can be enjoyed during the holidays..

Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts has a wonderful tutorial for a Starflower Block.  Love those bright colors.

 ♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll