New and Improved Website!

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.

The Quilted Garden Revived!

I am thrilled to announce that C & T Publishers has reissued my book The Quilted Garden as  

an e-book!!!!!!!!! This means that you can now download the book in the convenience of your own home. Recently, the book has been selling for up to $300 on ebay and Amazon and I have had hundreds of inquiries during workshops. It is very exciting, too, that the book will be available to the new creative generation of sewers and crafters.

I recommend that you first purchase a notebook with a clear pocket cover and a pack of clear sheet protectors to file the pages safely away after downloading. The link for purchasing the book is at the webstore, as well as in the right hand corner of this blog. Pass the word!!!!!!

Last week I put together these star quilts and I'm in love! These were made with Jan Krentz's Diamond Template plus a 9" square and half square. You may remember the Cosmic Star quilt pieced from last years Hothouse fabric.  The dark quilt is made with Prairie Gothic fabrics in the Midnight colorway. I'm very pleased how all the the designs work together to create a giant Spidersweb. Hince the title... Midnight Web.

Because the Midnight quilt was such a success, I could not resist another try, so here is the Strawberry Web. Still to do is the Dusky version, but I'm hoping one of you will take on that project and send me a picture!

Get Organized

This is the most dramatic winter in my memory. Each day seems to be in competition with the last one. We are sitting on the edge of another 4 inches of snow and anticipating 35° below zero wind chills. But I'm cozy and contented in the studio where new shelves have relieved some of the creative congestion. So "organization" is our theme for this week.

Here is a handsome traveling case for my Prismacolor pencils. But perhaps you'd like to store your knitting needles or designer chopstick collection. It rolls into a cylindrical pouch and is cinched by a contrasting tie secured with a double set of lime buttons. This is a modified pattern by Linda Lum Debono from Better Homes & Gardens, Fall 2008.

This refreshing clutch can carry all the necessities... checkbook, credit cards, etc. But best of all, it has dedicated space for your needle and thread, too. Perfect for soccer moms. No more idle hands in the stands. Sewing Wallet design by Penny Sturges, McCall's America Makes FAST Quilts, Sept. 2008.

I love how the shape of this little journal pouch echoes the design of the fabric. It is just big enough to hold a 5" by 8" notepad, sketchbook or your wallet and keys. The mini pocketbook

on the right is just the size to carry your ID, a debit card and a few bucks for a dash to the library or coffee shop. These are original patterns by Melissa Peda of San Diego, California.

Out last project is a protective cover for your iPod or Blackberry. Make a cover that mirrors your musical taste. I love Dead Can Dance, so the thorns are appropriate to decorate my Pod.

There is a pocket on the back to hold earbuds, too. This pattern can be found on the Better Homes & Gardens website.

All of these projects were researched and stitched by one of my favorite enthusiasts, Melissa Peda. Thanks, Melissa, for all your energy and expertise!

Prairie Gothic Silhouettes

This week we can start thinking about fresh projects to brighten the new year. So I thought you'd like to see the Simple Silhouette patterns done in some new colorways. If you visit the web-store you will notice that each Silhouette is sold separately, but every pattern includes directions for making this larger wall quilt by combining your choice of four different motifs. 

The quilt above was make with the Folk Art Simple Silhouette Series and fabrics from the midnight colorway of Prairie Gothic.

Obviously, many combinations are possible. This quilt combines the four Spring Diva Simple Silhouettes in the strawberry Prairie Gothic fabrics. I think it could be nice to group them in a long row to make a table runner or long stairwell wall quilt, too. Good colors for Valentines!

Here we have the Dusky colors used for the butterfly series. Since the individual silhouette quilts are 18", they are also the perfect size for throw pillows, as well. Last week we bit the bullet and ordered a beautiful new bed of maple and walnut in a contemporary Arts & Crafts style, so I am thinking about duvets, too.

Please visit the web-store for an updated list of Prairie Gothic vendors.

Happy New Year!

The last two weeks have been busy, as I'm sure yours has been, too. But there has also been some time to relax and regroup for the new year and the next big creative push. The still life photo above was taken on Christmas morning. 

Last week I started a new Prairie Gothic quilt, but ran out of fabric. So I used that as an excuse to make a small art quilt, 20" x 26". It has been a while, so I went to my "Orphan" box and pulled out some shapes from a deserted project and began to play. This funky plant began to develop. I bound it this morning. Perfect timing, as I begin work on the next fabric line this Monday.

So this holiday season has been a nice break and I'm ready to get back to reality. Yes, I've made some resolutions, too... more space, more exercise, more blogs, new website and maybe a new book. New Years is wonderful for great expectations!

Creating Christmas

It's been a week of wonderfully wild weather... snow, rain, ice, snow again. As I write this installment, there is another winter storm watch and a fine persistent snow started about an hour ago. So all the errands were done early and we can just enjoy the comforts of home as Mother Nature transforms our landscape yet again.

But what better weather to spend some quality time in your sewing room? These two stylish kitties agree. It's best to lounge close to the heating vents on your favorite blanket than freezing your cute little tails off! They were stitched according to a free pattern by Chicago designer, Hilary Lang. Don't you love their funny faces?

Here are several pin cushions using the Prairie Gothic fabrics in a pattern by friend and fellow FreeSpirit designer, Heather Bailey. The ribbons are a nice finishing detail. I think they would make nice Christmas tree ornaments, too.

These soft reversible baskets are good for holding just about anything. They are simple squares of fabric over a square piece of Timtex with the corners cut out. The contrasting ties create the walls by mitering the corners and jazz things up, too.

This mantle skirt is a Victorian inspired project. It has been hand-quilted with nice big stitches, which adds to it's charm. The front panels feature the sunflower fabric alternating with the large Queen Anne's lace design. Sunflowers were popularized by William Morris and other Arts and Crafts artists. They became one of the most popular motifs of the Aesthetic Movement in Victorian England. Note the 3 dimensional bee applied to the farthest flower.

If you have been following this blog, you know how much I love to make pillowcases with my fabrics. Last year I made them for everyone in the family. It is fun to choose the design combinations according to the recipient's personality and interests. Here are six different Prairie Gothic coordinating combos. These pillows are filled with good dreams.  

Remember last weeks napkins? Well, here they are again modeling their decorative new Yo-Yo napkin rings with covered buttons and ribbon trim. Thanks to Santa's elves who helped make all the goodies this week!

Holiday Spirit

The transformation is complete! Winter weather has arrived. For too many years the winters in the Midwest have been uneventful, but last year we had a season reminiscent of childhood. This year holds the same promise... snow before Christmas. Greg went out with his brother and cut our tree on Sunday. Here it is in the front of the picture. You will see it transform in the next few weeks.

In this months posts I will concentrate on homemade gifts, which have always been a part of our family celebrations.  Handwork and craftsmanship are a way of life in this house. Above you see the Winter Tree pattern,  a contemporary interpretation of a classic image. Below you will see another delightful translation of my pattern!

Here it is done as a small wool rug hooking by Patricia Smith and was eventually made into a pillow. We met at the North Carolina Quilt Symposium in Wilmington this year. When I learned that she was a "hooker",  I hinted that the Seasons patterns would be perfect for both mediums. I think she did a nice job converting the design into wool... especially the snowy background. I would love to see them done as hand appliqued felt/wool "penny" rugs, too.

My first holiday project was to whip up a tablecloth for a new seasonal look. I have never been into the fussy old fashioned Christmas style. I prefer a clean, contemporary and fun look, so the red home decorating "Night Life" fabric was the natural choice. It was the perfect wideth and the big white pom pom trim is a fun finishing detail, like snowballs!

We have had this Christmas creche since the kids were little and is always one of the first decorations to come out of the closet. The heat from the candles make the windmill turn and the shepherds march after their little lambs. But those candles are always a dilemma, because they inevitably drip and every tablecloth gets damaged. So this year we have a new solution. 

This is a handsome wooden Ikea tray which costs about $15. I cut a paper circle as my pattern and to make sure of the size. Then I cut a fabric circle which was Mod Podged (matte finish) into place. It takes several coats, but it is easy and fast. Best of all, it cleans easily and wax doesn't hurt it. Plus it looks really great and could make a dramatic and useful gift.

Next, I made a set of checked napkins to match the tablecloth. I cut 21" squares and hemmed them with double folded edges. I think there are several other great napkin fabrics in the Prairie Gothic line. A set of  eight napkins would, also, make a wonderful holiday gift.

Here they are in a table setting with a twig and berry accent. Below is a simple ornament made by one of my favorite elves, Melissa. This would be a fun project to make with the nieces and nephews and less fattening than baking cookies!

So hopefully the holiday spirit is taking hold! If you still need goosing, I recommend an evening with Christmas in Connecticut and Holiday Inn. These movies will even soften-up Mr. Scrooge!