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Jennifer Stevens from Hays, Kansas

Jennifer Stevens is our twenty-something quilter but since she started quilting when she was seven, she has quite a few years of experience! Jennifer is expecting her first child in May. You’ll find Jennifer’s blog here.

Jill Montgomery from Fairfield, Ohio

Jill Montgomery is a single gal whose day job is accounting. She uses the master bedroom as a quilting studio (now that’s dedication) and keeps her stash where she can see it! You can see Jill’s blog here.

Jackie Hughes from Spirit Lake, Idaho

Jackie Hughes is mom to eight children, six of whom are still at home. Jackie says, “I find time to quilt most every day. With so many people in my home, all the work I do (laundry, housework, meals) is quickly undone. Quilting is something I can do that lasts!” You can see Jackie’s blog here and some of her quilts on Quilters Club of America.

Cathy Buel from Clinton Township, Michigan

Our handwork lover is Cathy Buel, who has been quilting for about 20 years. She recently joined the “15 Minutes Play” group and is making blocks with pieced “fabric” she creates. She also creates scrap quilts in miniature! You’ll find Cathy’s blog here.

Melissa Radtke from Dubuque, Iowa

“Melzee” Radtke calls her sewing machine “Nina” and counts Nina as her therapist. She’s a Master Floral Designer who owned a floral shop for 28 years. Mel has sewn everything from prom dresses to bathing suits and says she loves color!  Find Mel’s blog here; she has a page on Quilt With Us, too.

Bonnie Stapleton from Powhatan, Virginia

Bonnie Stapleton is our quilting veteran with 30 years under her belt. A retired elementary school librarian, she was “born with a bit of wanderlust dust on me” and has lived in many places. Bonnie has a longarm and you’ll find Bonnie’s blog here.

Donna Hanley from Cincinnatus, New York

A retired school teacher, Donna Hanley puts that experience to work with quilt students at a local shop. She enjoys reading and cooking “when I can tear myself away from my sewing machine.” You can see some of Donna’s quilts on her Facebook page.

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Please join me in congratulating these women! We know each one will add her own special flavor to the Scrap Squad in the coming year. We look forward to seeing their creativity soar! The revealing posts for this group’s first project will begin in just a few days. I hope you’ll be back.

Jennifer Chiaverini

Jennifer was in Colorado not long ago and came by to have lunch with the QM staff. She’s delightful! We asked if she’d consider penning a story for Quiltmaker, and in this issue readers can enjoy the results.

Just to whet your appetite, here’s a morsel from The Runner’s Quilt…

Molly would be the first to admit that her favorite activities—quilting, reading aloud stories to her three adorable daughters, munching double chocolate chip cookies with a steaming hot cup of Earl Gray Tea—were somewhat sedentary. Nevertheless, when her youngest daughter started kindergarten and Molly prepared to return to the work force, she was surprised to find that somewhere along the way, she had picked up an extra—and very much unwanted—twenty pounds.

Pick up the March/April issue to continue reading about Molly and The Runner’s Quilt.

LEGO® sewing machine

This LEGO® Bernina version was made by Miss Sews-it-all who was inspired by Carrie’s version over at Suchity Such. Apparently there is a lot of LEGO stuff going on over at Carrie’s house!

As the mother of an 11-year-old boy who LOVES LEGOs®, I knew I had to ask him to make one for me. He is the grandson of a mechanical engineer and the son of a designer, so I should have known it would not be a simple reproduction of the original. Must make it bigger, better, more structurally sound, over-engineered, over-designed, etc., etc.

My son was SO excited about what he’d created when he presented it to me and I was beaming with pride and joy when I saw it.

My son’s LEGO® sewing machine

My version has a computer keypad, feed dogs and space for multiple spools of thread. He wanted me to know that he had to dig deep for the spool pieces and that the silver hand wheel piece was his only one. Guess that makes me pretty special in his eyes!

I am one proud mama and everyone here at Quiltmaker was duly impressed. Their first question was “Can he make a long arm machine?” Hmm… he’s so smart he probably could!

Pinterest is free and easy to use. Think of Pinterest as a personal bulletin board that lives online. You “pin” things of “interest” to you so you can easily find them later or share them with others.

Some of QM's Pinterest boards are shown in this screen shot.

Anyone can view the images on Pinterest, but in order to add your own images you’ll create an account after receiving an invitation (it’s easy and free).

Here are several great articles covering everything to acquaint you with Pinterest:

• What it is and how to use it from sheknows.com
• Pinterest: A Beginner’s Guide from sortacrunchy.net
• Pinterest: More Tips and Tricks and FAQs from sortacrunchy.net

Pinterest also has great information in their Help section.

I started using Pinterest several months ago. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t pin several new images, and I regularly browse my boards for ideas and inspiration (boards are categories you create to help organize your pins).

These are some of the boards on my personal Pinterest page.

I have many interests and so I have many boards. Examples of a board or category would be Quilting Designs, Favorite Art and Artists or Color Combos.

QM's board of Pincushions

Quiltmaker has 41 boards on topics from Bonnie Hunter’s Addicted to Scraps to Pincushions to Back Issues Still Available and more. We’ve pinned a lot of Freebies and loads of Helpful How-tos. Need some Inspiration or ideas for Easy Quilts? We’ve got them on Pinterest.

You can also create your own boards on Pinterest. How about one for quilts you’ve finished (you can upload a photo to create a pin) or UFOs you want to tackle? Techniques to learn or fabric to ponder make great categories. How about a board featuring your children or grandchildren?

I hope you’ll read the articles linked above, request an invite, create an account and then just spend some time looking at what others have pinned. You’re welcome to start with Quiltmaker‘s boards and we’d love to have you “follow” us.

We add images regularly: Scrap Squad, Books Worth Reading and Sew Cool are fun to check out.

While we do promote Quiltmaker on Pinterest, the atmosphere there is really about more than business. On Pinterest you can get a feel for who we are and what we think is beautiful or funny or poignant.

You’ll see who we’re partnering with inside the quilting industry to bring you the best of everything. We have a few off topic boards like Cooking and Gardening because we’re interested in those things and you might be, too.

This recipe appears on our Cooking board on Pinterest.

Come on over to Pinterest soon. We’ll see you there!

Please leave a comment and tell us: Are you on Pinterest already? How do you use it?

I have a Pinterest board to keep some of them close by all the time.

At International Quilt Market last fall in Houston, I was happy to find Jack and Susan Davis, owners of Olde America Antiques in Bozeman, Montana. They create a product called American Quilt Blocks that I think QM readers will love.

American Quilt Blocks are vintage images printed on soft, 100% cotton sateen with a giclee printer. Their colors are vibrant and the detail in the images is amazing. And best of all, no matter what your topic or area of interest, they probably have it already printed on cloth.

Jack and Susan have collected vintage postcards and ephemera for almost 25 years. They have amassed more than 25,000 vintage images. Of those, more than 5000 images under 40 different topics may be seen and ordered on their website. Here are examples:

• Angels
• Valentines
• Flowers
• Sports
• Gardening
• Cats & Kittens
• Railroads & Transportation
• Sewing & Quilting

Each category has dozens of images. You could get lost in there!

The images are available individually or in sets. With many sets comes a pattern for a simple 17″ x 21″ wall hanging to make use of the images (other sets have patterns for different items). When purchased individually, the images are available in a long list of sizes ranging from 3″ x 5″ to 12″ x 18″. Prices start at less than four dollars; the largest print is less than $30.

Each image comes backed with paper which is peeled off before use. The prints are soft and ready to use—just sew them in to whatever project you have in mind. They are generally intended for items which will not be laundered, but are colorfast for hand washing. Care instructions are included.

I can see these pieced into a quilt label for a quilt made from reproduction fabrics. I’m definitely going to try it.

Jack and Susan Davis would like to give six sets away to Quilty Pleasures readers! Six winners may choose any set they like from the Olde America Antiques website. A set I’m enjoying is Set 2 from the Sewing/Quilting category:

Set 2 from the Sewing/Quilting category

Aren’t they adorable? I’m also fond of Mother Goose Set 1. There are four in the set, and one is shown below. These are wonderful images from early children’s book covers—they would make any grandchild a perfect wall hanging!

Leave a comment by midnight Wednesday, Feb. 1 and I’ll choose six random winners who may choose any set of four 4″ x 6″ American Quilt Blocks. Many thanks to Jack and Susan for their generosity.

I’d encourage you to visit OldeAmericaAntiques.com to see the images within a wide range of topics. There truly is something for everyone.

Before I ship the books off, I wanted to tell you about them. All three are from Martingale & Company.

S is for Scraps by Gayle Bong

The first title is S is for Scraps: 18 Great Quilts by Gayle Bong. These quilts feature piecing techniques from easy to more challenging, great if you’d like to stretch yourself a bit. The color recipes are varied—it’s nice to have everything from traditional to serene to bright and happy—to help your imagination take flight. It’s also available as an e-book.

Gayle has written other books you might be familiar with. Save the Scraps: Great Quilts from Small Bits has been one of my favorites for a long time. Trouble Free Triangles and Twin Peaks are others.

Patchwork-Play Quilts by Lynn Roddy Brown

Lynn Roddy Brown is a 100 Blocks designer whose new title Patchwork-Play Quilts is a scrap lover’s delight. These are not just blocks set in rows! Lynn’s setting ideas are fun and fresh, and they make each quilt sing. The subtitle of “make the most of scraps, spare parts and leftovers” can’t help but get you excited about scrap quilts! Easy piecing, but the quilts are oh-so-interesting. It’s also available as an e-book, and there’s even freebie desktop wallpaper.

The Big Book of Patchwork by Judy Hopkins

The Big Book of Patchwork: 50 Fabulous Quilts from Judy Hopkins is a treasury of patchwork ideas. It’s a great value (50 quilt patterns for $27.99) you might want to consider owning. Quilts in many sizes plus fast cutting and piecing techniques make it a great addition to your quilting library. Find the e-book option here.

The three winners were comments 158, 190 and 115. These books are on their way shortly, along with some miscellaneous fabrics you can put in your next scrap quilt.

I’m excited to be teaching at our inaugural Block Party event in Williamsburg. I hope you can join us.

Carolyn Beam

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve got wonderful teachers lined up and a broad range of classes that we hope will appeal to you. Two of the classes I’m teaching are centered around designing your own quilts (with help, of course!).

“Creative Block Settings” starts with a block of your choice from any of our 100 Blocks issues.

Midnight Flight by Bonnie Hunter

I’ll help you design a setting, sashing and borders to create your own one-of-a-kind quilt. Your quilt could be a one-block wall quilt on up to a bed-size quilt.

Little Laundry by Sandra Workman

In “Block Combinations for Unique Quilts,” you’ll learn how to choose two or more blocks that work well together in a quilt.

Jester by Anita Grossman Solomon

I’ll talk about what to look for and why some blocks “play” better than others.

Rose Bud Reel by Sue Garman

Once your blocks are chosen, you’ll learn how to design pieced borders to complement your quilt design. I think pieced borders add so much interest, and you’ll see how easy they are to design.

 

We’ll do more than talk in these classes. You’ll also get a nice start on sewing your quilt design.

 

“Charm Squares” is a class for anyone looking for a way to use the 5″ squares that are so popular today. You can add more variety to your charm square collection by participating in the class exchange.

I’ll show you different ways to cut these squares and lots of different quilt designs you can make. Find out how addictive sewing with these can be!

Carolyn’s enthusiasm is practically contagious! We’re all very excited about August 2–4 and the plans we’ve made for quilty fun. We’d love to see you there! Find Block Party details here.

Let’s generate some 100 Blocks excitement! I have two copies of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 3 for giveaway. Leave a comment by midnight Sunday, Jan. 29 and we’ll draw for random winners. The winners are comments #25 and #3, Debbie and Barb. Their issues will be mailing shortly!

Some of the quilts we received.

Michelle Knight, owner of Knight’s Quilt Shop in Cape Neddick, Maine (mainequiltshop.com) and her staff collect quilts for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine (mmc.org).

More quilts!

Every year they collect quilts from local quilters, as well as quilters from all over the world who have visited their shop and heard about this great cause. Michelle and her staff visit the hospital every December, loaded down with quilts and toys for the children.

Load 'em up!

Recently we received an email from Michelle, giving us an update:

“We had 116 quilts for the Barbara Bush hospital when your article came out in Quiltmaker in October. My staff and I were so shocked to start getting quilts from all over the United States, 25 in one day! We ended up receiving, in just a little over a month, 138 quilts, thanks to your article.

On December 6, 2011 we delivered 254 quilts to the Barbara Bush pediatric intensive care unit!!! The nurses and doctors were ecstatic to say the least. We received a hand-written card by Barbara Bush, thanking everyone.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Of course, when we read this email from Michelle we were touched and grateful and thrilled! But we were not surprised. When quilters are called, quilters deliver. Every time. What a great community we all belong to!! Thanks to everyone!!

Rolling them in...

If you would like to contribute to this awesome cause, send your quilts to:

Knight’s Quilt Shop, 1901 US Route One, Cape Neddick, ME 03902. The approximate quilt sizes needed are infants (22″ x 36″), toddlers (36″ x 44″) and teens (44″ x 56″). For more information visit mainequiltshop.com or call 207-361-2500.

A happy day at the hospital.

Ruth Wasmuth	Carol Vickers	Kim Brandt	Dionne Gordon
Pat St-Onge	Donna Amos	Linda Ferguson	Forest Jane

This talented group of eight select QM readers has worked really hard all year and produced an amazing array of scrappy quilts to inspire you. They started with Rhapsody in Bloom from #138, March/April ’11. The original quilt looked like this:

Rhapsody in Bloom, a Doug Leko design

Here’s what Dionne Gordon did with it:

Dionne Gordon's version of Rhapsody in Bloom

The next project was Julie Herman’s design, Raspberry Dessert from May/June ’11, #139:

Raspberry Dessert designed and made by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts

Look at the serenity created in this version by Ruth Wasmuth:

A calming version of Raspberry Dessert, made by Ruth Wasmuth

Third in line was Spinout, designed by Barbara Cline. Here’s the original quilt as it appeared in #140, July/Aug ’11:

Spinout, designed by Barbara Cline, pieced by Denise Starck and quilted by Donna Smith.

Look what Pat St-Onge did with it!

Pat St-Onge's holiday version of Spinout

After Spinout came Linkin’ Logs, a design by QM’s Editor-in-Chief June Dudley. It was patterned in #141, Sept/Oct ’11 as a back-to-school quilt perfect for a dorm-sized bed.

Linkin' Logs, designed by June Dudley

Donna Amos used vintage feedsacks to create a quilt with a completely different mood, below.

Donna Amos made this version of Linkin' Logs

Kim Brandt did a great job on her Very Hungry Caterpillar version of Linkin’ Logs, below.

Kim Brandt made this version of Linkin' Logs.

And I have to show you the quilting from the back side:

Gorgeous quilting adorns Kim's Linkin' Logs quilt.

Linkin’ Logs lent itself to so many great interpretations. Here’s a feminine beauty by Linda Ferguson:

A Linkin' Logs interpretation by Linda Ferguson

The Nov/Dec ’11 Scrap Squad project was Dream Catcher. The original quilt was part of the Infinite Variety exhibit of 651 red and white quilts in NYC last March.

Courtesy American Folk Art Museum, New York. #76 Daisies Quilt; Artist unidentified; United States 1890-1930. Collection of Joanna S. Rose. Photo by Gavin Ashworth.

And for a real change of pace, look at the dreamy version created by Forest Jane below:

Dream Catcher by Forest Jane

The final QM project was Hip to be Square from the current issue, Jan/Feb ’12 (No. 143). The original quilt by Elizabeth Dackson is below.

Hip to be Square appears in the Jan/Feb '12 issue of Quiltmaker.

And next we have the Carol Vickers version, which she says “is the brightest quilt I’ve ever made.”

Carol Vickers made this Hip to be Square quilt.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, many of the Scrap Squad quilts became an exhibit in the gallery at the offices of Creative Crafts Group in Golden, Colorado, where Quiltmaker is based.

Our quilt gallery in Golden, Colorado featured Scrap Squad quilts for several months.

More gorgeous versions of Raspberry Dessert!

Scrap Squad members put their own spin onto Spinout.

As a grand finale, look for a group quilt the 2011 Scrap Squad made using designs from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks. That quilt will be featured in the upcoming Quilts from QM’s 100 Blocks issue, which promises to be spectacular when it appears at quilt shops and newsstands by March 6.

Once again, our sincere thanks to each member of the 2011 Scrap Squad. You’ve shone so brightly! What a great year it has been!

Let’s have a giveaway! I have fabric and a book for three lucky winners who leave a comment by midnight Thursday, Jan. 26. No question to answer, just let us know you were here. The winners are comments 158, 190 and 115. Check your email to see if it’s you. As soon as we get shipping info, the prizes will be on their way.

Pretty in Patchwork Doll Quilts is one of those little gems that practically pulls you to the sewing machine with inspiration. Twenty-four small quilts feature a nice variety of techniques: piecing (traditional, curves, improvisational, foundation and English paper piecing), applique (traditional, raw-edge, fused), hand embroidery, hexagons, big stitch quilting and machine quilting are included.

The quilts have a fresh, “modern” aesthetic but could easily be created in a more traditional palette if you prefer.

Red Riding Hood by Kerri Horsley appears in Pretty in Patchwork Doll Quilts

Two of my favorites are Red Riding Hood (hand embroidery and a Dresden plate)

and Dream Doll Quilt by Aneela Hoey. I want to make one of these for each of my great-nieces! The little pockets on the quilt to hold the tiny stuffies are so precious.

Author Cathy Gaubert rounded up designs from 19 people, many of whom figure prominently in the quilt blog scene, and each design is a delight. Here are several you might be familiar with, and if not, you’ll want to check them out.

• John Q. Adams quiltdad.com
• Rita Hodge, redpepperquilts.com
• Penny Layman, sewtakeahike.typepad.com

Gaubert’s own designs are fetching, too. From Maverick Star to Mod Log Cabin to Spiderweb Redux, the only problem is deciding which one to make first.

Mod Log Cabin by Cathy Gaubert

If you’re in the market for small projects, a clean fresh look and trying something new, this title is for you! Ask for it at your local quilt shop, or find it on Amazon.