New Purse for a New Season

I have a favorite purse pattern, The Potato Chip bag.  Ask for it at your local quilt shop.

I have made over a dozen of these cute and easy bags and since I am headed to my first show of the 2019 quilt season, I decided it was time to make myself a new bag.  I broke into my well-protected stash of Cotton and Steel fabrics, selected a few fat quarters, and set to work!

Isn't this the cutest bag you ever did see?

Look for it (and me!) at the American Quilt Society show in Lancaster PA this week.  I'll be in the Handi Quilter booth sharing Handi Quilter love with all of the quilters.

Did You Hear That?

That noise you heard was me squealing with excitement.

I.  Just.  Published. My.  First.  Online.  Class!!!!

I have filmed for Craftsy, Annie's, and Annie's Creative Studio, but this is the first time I've filmed a class by myself and am presenting it directly to you.

SQUEAL!!!!

I decided to start filming as I'm quilting my quilts and putting them together as inexpensive classes so you can learn at home.

The first class I chose to release is Arbor.

I am nervous.  And excited.  And nervous.  But really excited.

Check out the class HERE.

And now for something completely different

Between medical treatment recovery time, losing a month to "lung crud", and travel for work (and play!) I don't feel like I've had much fun quilting in 2019.  I've decided to incorporate more play into my quilting starting NOW.

I pulled out my set of Bloom Templates from the Bloom quilt that I never finished (I decided to hand applique it instead of following the directions and using the sewing machine and it is now just another one of my un-finished hand applique projects).  There are so many adorable shapes in there and I decided to play with them and make some nutty postcards.

The first thing that happened is out of this world:

I used template number A-16 to make great big alien eyes on a postcard.

The green and blue fabrics are 5"x6".

I use Steam a Seam 2 for my fusible applique.

When I machine applique, I use a tear-away stabilizer.

I use my Postcard Trimming Tool Kit for the stabilizer and accurate trimming tool. (shameless plug)

I tried something new with this postcard:  cardstock for the back instead of fabric.  I've been having trouble writing on fabric postcard backs and the cardstock is SO MUCH EASIER to write on!

I zig-zag stitched around the edge of the postcard as usual:

This postcard makes me stupidly happy.

Today is my 31st wedding anniversary and I'm giving this to my husband with a clever note on the back.  He already has me, so he already has everything and needs no gifts.  Right?

I have about 30 different ideas of odd things to make from the Bloom Templates that have nothing to do with Bloom.  Is this bizarre?  Or a creative exercise?

I don't really care much about the answer because I'm having loads of fun.

Stay tuned for more creative prompts thanks to my Bloom Templates.

New ACS Episode: Houston Quilt Market New Fabrics!

If you are a quilter and active on social media, you've seen the "Look at these new quilt fabrics just released at Quilt Market!" posts.  Every October/November, Quilt Market takes over Houston, Texas and the inspiration there is breath-taking!

I filmed an episode of Annie's Creative Studio featuring new fabric lines and interview with their designers!

Do you ooh and aah over all the gorgeous fabrics in your local quilt shop? Don’t miss this Products We Love episode as we tag along with quilting expert Debby Brown at the latest Houston Quilt Market. Join Debby as she discovers unique designs and beautiful colors from preeminent designers and several of the finest fabric companies in the world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•             Which new fabrics will be available in 2019.

•             About the inspirations behind many new fabric lines.

•             How to plan upcoming quilt projects based on new fabric arrivals.

Annie's Creative Studio is a subscription-based platform where members can watch an unlimited number of classes about quilting, knitting, crocheting and more.  If you aren't yet a member, sign up here for a free trial.

If you are already a member, sign in, search for the episode, and learn the stories behind your favorite fabrics!