The biggest news this week is the long awaited completion of my new updated website! Hopefully, it will be easier for this computer novice to make changes and announcements more easily and quickly. There are some nice new features, for example, if you click on the fabric photos you will be linked to a swatch page that also includes a nifty little slide show of all the Prairie Gothic fabrics. Plus my 2009 teaching schedule is listed and the quilt gallery is finally up to date. Thanks to Minh and Dan for all your hard work and patience! This is real progress!
Check it out!
I had a quick and delightful teaching job in charming Mt. Dora, Florida last week. Ironically, it was about the same temperature there as it was back home in Illinois! And it has been warm here all week. Yesterday it was bright and clear and almost 60 degrees! The snow has all but disappeared and today it is gray and raining. But it's just the second week of February, so we know Mother Nature is just teasing us.
I am busy in the studio working on the new line. It has been hard getting in the groove, as there is always secretarial work to catch up on and teaching obligations to fulfill. But I believe the "theme" has finally surfaced, but time will tell.
This weeks project for Show and Tell is the Reversible Wrap Around Pillow, above. The pillow is first fitted in a simple gingham case with an overlapping closure. Then two coordinating fabrics are quilted and sewn into a tube which fits around the pillow. Ties keep the wrap in place and add a nice detail to the overall design. For a quick change of mood, the wrap can be turned inside-out to reveal the complementary fabric on the other side.
I thought you might enjoy this photo of my Mod Podged bowls basking the winter sun, too. It is almost 3 dimensional with the deep shadows and strong highlights. We have many new ideas just waiting for their pictures are taken, so please check in next week for new Prairie Gothic projects and inspiration.
PS... Many of you are interested in making the Spiderweb star quilt featured in the last posting. It was made using Jan Krentz's Fussy Cutter Ruler Set: 45 degree Diamond Guide plus a 9 " square. You can order Jan's template and books with Star patterns and instructions at
Jan's website or at your local quilt store.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here is a little quilt made especially for you! Thanks to all of you who take a few minutes from your busy week to check into the Idea Book.
Today there is a pristine dusting of snow... absolutely perfect for this day of celebration! Take the time to count your blessings today. Thanks again for your enthusiasm and support!
The biggest news this week is the long awaited completion of my new updated website! Hopefully, it will be easier for this computer novice to make changes and announcements more easily and quickly. There are some nice new features, for example, if you click on the fabric photos you will be linked to a swatch page that also includes a nifty little slide show of all the Prairie Gothic fabrics. Plus my 2009 teaching schedule is listed and the quilt gallery is finally up to date. Thanks to Minh and Dan for all your hard work and patience! This is real progress!
I had a quick and delightful teaching job in charming Mt. Dora, Florida last week. Ironically, it was about the same temperature there as it was back home in Illinois! And it has been warm here all week. Yesterday it was bright and clear and almost 60 degrees! The snow has all but disappeared and today it is gray and raining. But it's just the second week of February, so we know Mother Nature is just teasing us.
I thought you might enjoy this photo of my Mod Podged bowls basking the winter sun, too. It is almost 3 dimensional with the deep shadows and strong highlights. We have many new ideas just waiting for their pictures are taken, so please check in next week for new Prairie Gothic projects and inspiration.