Category Archives: retriever block

When Do You Start Planning For Christmas?

If you are like me, you usually wait til November, but then wish you had started earlier. This year, I am starting now. My newest book, SEW A WINTER WOODLAND CHRISTMAS, just arrived to help you start creating your Christmas projects today

With 20 adorable paper pieced blocks to choose from, you are going to be motivated to start sewing now.

Where else will you find a pattern for a sloth hanging from a candy cane, an ice skating polar bear, or a busy beaver cutting down his own Christmas tree. THIS BOOK has them all, and so much more.

I know how much my customers love their pets. Designing these cat and dog Christmas stockings was such fun! These treasures would make great gifts for the animal lovers in your life.

Personalize this little red truck with any photo. How cute is that?

Lots of cozy animals to choose from to decorate quilts, table runners, gift bags, and more!

This foxy tree skirt is so cute, I have to keep it for my own tree.

This lap quilt uses almost all of the blocks in the book. It looked fabulous on my sofa, and will look great on yours too!

SEW WINTER WOODLAND CHRISTMAS , order your copy now 🙂

New and Adorable Paper Pieced Puppies

I’ve been busy designing paper pieced dog blocks and quilts for my friends and customers. It’s been exciting putting together a collection of blocks for one specific breed. These are some of my recent collections…

Inspired by my friend’s beloved Cavalier King Charles, all 4 of these blocks were used in a quilt and some pillows for an auction. Thanks to Sara for providing this photo. You can find these Cavaliers in my ETSY SHOP. I currently have 160 dog blocks to choose from.

My niece Mandy has a Doberman which inspired this lap quilt for a Christmas gift.

The lap quilt pattern is made with “minky” to make it soft and cozy. It’s designed for a human, but it looks like her doberman is enjoying a comfy moment, too!

Doberman Lap Quilt Pattern is HERE. Isn’t she cute?

My nephew has a lovely Golden Retriever named Maggie. This is the quilt I made, but I found I loved designing Goldens so much, that I ended up with many more blocks than I needed. You can see them all HERE.

Here’s a tip for quilting over a paper pieced image. My “go to” method is to mark horizontal lines about an inch apart with a Frixion pen. Using a transparent thread, quilt over each line. Make sure you are using a thread that is a mono-filament and will not melt when ironed or laundered.

My favorites are YLI Monofilament and Superior Threads MonoPoly. Slow down when using an invisible thread to reduce breaking.

I’d love to see some quilts that you have made using any of my dog patterns. You can email the photos to me at: maryannhertel@gmail.com

A DOG FOR ALL SEASONS

Everyone knows how much I love to design animal patterns. Here is my newest paper pieced pattern, A DOG FOR ALL SEASONS.

A DOG FOR ALL SEASONS

This adorable pattern includes all 4 blocks, LABRADOR WITH BUTTERFLY (spring); BEAGLE WITH FLOWER (summer); RETRIEVER WITH PUMPKIN (autumn); FRENCH BULLDOG WITH SCARF (winter). Use them to create pillows, potholders, or a lovely table runner for the dog lover in your life. You can keep these projects out all year!

LABRADOR WITH BUTTERFLY

Although they are all super cute, I am partial to this LABRADOR! He’s my fave. All of the block patterns are also available separately.

BEAGLE WITH FLOWER
RETRIEVER WITH PUMPKIN
FRENCH BULLDOG WITH SCARF

Which dog is your favorite? Any of these cuties would look super in my DOGS ONLY QUILT, too!

DOGS ONLY QUILT PATTERN

Pond Critters and other Summery Stuff

My garden is calling me… and I’m enjoying sunny days in my yard. Here’s my “SucculentTurtle”. I left him out in the snow all winter and about half of the hen and chicks survived the Wisconsin cold.

When a customer asked me to design some “pond creatures”, a turtle was a must.

POND COLLECTION

Paper piecing a fantastic turtle is all about the fabric you can find for the turtle’s shell. I just happened to have this scrap left from a previous project, and it is perfect for a turtle done completely in cool colors. I have no recollection of the fabric company, but if you recognize it, please share with me as I’m sure someone will ask 🙂

POND COLLECTION

My customer specifically wanted a block with a DRAGONFLY and cattails. Here’s the complete collection, sold as a set of 4 paper pieced blocks.

POND COLLECTION

Since these patterns have some small pieces, I would recommend them for an intermediate or experienced paper piecer. The TURTLE is the easiest of the 4.

Here are some of my customers beautiful projects…I’m so proud of them!

PAPER PIECED DOGS

This is Terry’s first ever paper piecing project…all the dogs are my patterns except for that cute poodle in the bottom row!

Penny paper pieced all of my horse patterns from HAY GIRL. Penny’s grandaughter will love this gift on her 7th birthday. The large horse in the center is not my pattern… but is gorgeous!

UNICORN BLOCK

This UNICORN BLOCK is one of my most popular pattern blocks, and Mary made the cutest pillow for her 4 year old grandaughter. Her favorite colors are pink and purple, of course!

Keep emailing your photos! I love seeing what you are creating with my patterns.

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs…For a Good Cause.

This adorable handmade paper pieced DOG QUILT is being offered in an online auction, benefits to go to the Street Dog Foundation.

The quilt was lovingly paper pieced by Janet, using my dog patterns, of course! She donated all of the materials and her time for the Street Dog Foundation’s benefit. It would be great if you would show your support by placing a bid on this lovely quilt in the next 2 weeks, after which bidding will end.

HOLIDAY GOLDEN RETRIEVER

And speaking of dog patterns, here are my 4 newest dogs just in time for the holidays… Holiday Golden Retriever reminds me of my first dog, a lovable Golden.

Holiday Pug

This Holiday Pug block was inspired by my Pug loving customers. There are so many of them!

Holiday French Bulldog

The Holiday French Bulldog block would make a super cute pillow for Christmas, or anytime!

Holiday Dachshund

The Holiday Dachshund was inspired by a good friend who loves them.

I would love to see what you can create with these new holiday blocks…please share photos! Here are some of my customers latest photo shares…

Doggie Tree Skirt

I am in love with Marilyn’s Doggie Tree Skirt. This tree skirt could be made by substituting my dog blocks for the Christmas blocks in my Christmas Tree Skirt Sampler.

Rescue, It Does A Body Good

Can you believe this cute as can be rescue quilt created by Gina? Love it!

This is Judy being creative. She took my Pit Bull block pattern and revised it to create an image that looks exactly like her dog. I am so proud of my very talented customers!

Here’s a great version of Doggies in black and white fabrics from Bobbi. Can’t wait to see what you are making from my dog blocks!