January is always a tough month for me…getting through 5 weeks of winter can be grueling. I stay in Wisconsin, and take advantage of the snow with some cross country skiing and snow shoeing. AND I decorate with paper pieced snowmen. They can stay in place until Valentine’s Day or beyond, so it’s an easy decorating theme.
I have my SNOWMAN TABLE RUNNER on my dining table this month. And wouldn’t it be adorable with this GNOME SNOWMAN used for the blocks? He has been one of my hottest sellers this month.
This block pattern includes an entire applique alphabet for the flag and even numbers. You can customize your FOOTBALL GNOME with any team letters or numbers!
It’s not too late to sew some christmas magic! Here are some of my newest Christmas paper pieced patterns. Most of these patterns were designed after hearing feedback from my wonderful customers. I appreciate your input and requests!
This Volkswagon Beetle is delivering the Christmas tree. You could use your own photo and put yourself in the driver’s seat in BUG WITH TREE. This pattern is stinkin’ cute!
I designed this holiday potholder set for a Christmas blog last year, but it has been such a popular pattern. CAROLING BUDDIES is a sweet pattern for Christmas and dog lovers everywhere!
These ornaments are small, and can be put together quickly. Make them for stocking stuffers, or for your own tree. The tiny pom pom braid is hot glued around the finished ornament…so EZ!
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.
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.
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!
This book has something for everyone. I have designed 2 images for each month of the year… that means you will be getting 24 paper pieced block patterns, plus the patterns for 7 different projects. All blocks fit in all patterns in this book, as well as all of the projects in my previous 5 books.
These 2 adorable Gnomes are the images for March. Here I have used them together in a pillow. Pillow pattern is included, as are all of the projects I show you in this post.
Lots of customers have been asking me for a Squirrel pattern, so I am including him in this book. These September POTHOLDERS can also be used as MINI QUILTS.
These super easy hand towels could be used in your kitchen or bathroom. Customize them with any 2 images from my book. Wouldn’t the Octopus and Crab also work great as bath towels?
As you can see, you are getting LOTS … with 24 paper pieced block patterns, and 7 project patterns! But just for fun, let’s add an extra FREE project pattern right here! Attach any of the Mini Quilts to the top of this CALENDAR HOLDER with a strip of Velcro. This will make the Mini Quilts interchangeable.
CALENDAR HOLDER
This Calendar Holder is 15″ wide and 28″ long.
Cut from main fabric: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle. Cut one 15″ x 25″ rectangle for pocket (to be folded in half). Cut two 2 1/2″ x WOF strips for binding.
Cut from muslin: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle for backing.
Cut from fusible fleece: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle for main body. Cut one 15″ x 12 1/2″ for pocket.
Cut from Fast 2 Fuse Interfacing, Heavy: Cut two 2″ x 15″ strips. Cut one 4″ x 15″ strip.
Fuse the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the 15″ x 28″ main body using a pressing cloth. Fuse one of the 2″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strips to the wrong side of the main body, at the top. Fuse the 4″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strip to the center. Pin the muslin to the back of the main body. Top stitch approximately 1/4″ from the edges of all Fast 2 Fuse pieces through all layers, to keep them in place.
Pocket: Fuse the 12 1/2″ x 15″ fusible fleece to the wrong side of the pocket, at the bottom. Fuse the remaining 2″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strip overlapping the top of the fusible fleece. this will give extra strength to the top of the pocket. Fold the remainder of the fabric to the back of the pocket for lining. Top stitch 1/4″ from the edges of the Fast 2 Fuse strip to keep it in place.
Pin the pocket at the bottom of the main body, matching the bottom corners and the raw edges. Prepare the 2 strips of binding. Bind around the 4 sides of the calendar holder, catching the pocket as you stitch.
Hand sew a hanging pocket to the back, or hang as desired.
Slide a piece of cardboard into the pocket, then slide in the calendar. I used a calendar from the Dollar Store, which came with the a piece of cardboard.
Machine stitch a 10″ strip of velcro 1″ from the top of the Calendar holder, on the right side.
Hand stitch a strip of Velcro to the back of any of the Mini Quilts to hang at the top of your Calendar Holder.
This is such an easy pattern…using a striped fabric for Wanda The Witch’s hair makes it look like it has lots of texture. Wanda has such a beautiful wonky nose! Very witchy indeed!
My Goofy Witch has 2 sparkling teeth and a giant wart on her nose. Wouldn’t it be fun to make potholders from these two lovely witches? Which witch is which????
Here are a few more adorable Halloween projects made from my paper pieced witch and cat patterns…
Gayle constructed this wonderful Halloween pillow using my TOOTHY WITCH. I love her fabric choices!
Here is SCAT CAT used in a pillow. See how easy those crazy teeth are using a striped fabric? And what a great border fabric!
Here is the same SKAT CAT pattern. Look how fabrics can change the look of a pattern! The fabrics you choose say something about your personality.
Keep sending me your Halloween photos. I love seeing what you are creating.
The 16 mystical blocks in this book are amazing. I can’t wait to see what you will do with them. Here are some of the things I came up with, and all of the directions for sewing these projects are included in the book.
Lap Quilt
This adorable lap quilt is so versatile. You can add any of the blocks from the book to create your own masterpiece quilt.
Backpack
This super sweet Backpack would make the nicest gift for someone you love.
Baby Quilt
This quilt could be for a baby, or perhaps just someone who loves mermaids!
Unicorn Pillow
There are 2 pillow patterns in the book, so any of the blocks can be incorporated into a pillow.
Gnome Pillow
Plus these 5 blocks…
Gryphon
Fairy
Hydra
Pegasus
Knight
This book is jam packed with fun for all you paper piecers! If you live anywhere near APPLETON, WISCONSIN, please join me on Friday, June 26 for my official SEND OFF for SEW MAGICAL. This Trunk Show is being held at FOX VALLEY QUILT COMPANY, and I will be there to meet you and sign books from 10 am -1 pm. The address is: 1400 W College Ave, Appleton, WI 54914.
There will also be a Quilt Show with 20 of my newest projects. Hope to see you on Friday!
After months of staying home, I am ready for something fresh and new, and I’ll bet you are too! Fons & Porter has started a brand spanking new publication, QUICK & EASY QUILTS, and this fun, fresh, and new publication is bound to put a spring in your step.
The premiere issue is coming in August/September. Inside you’ll find 12 fresh projects that are not only Accessible to Beginners but Appealing to All Quilters and guess who has a project inside…
All of the Star-Studded Designers in this issue include:
Victoria Findlay Wolfe @VictoriaFindlayWolfe
Charisma Horton @CharismaHorton
Kimberly Jolly @itssewemma and @fatquartershop
Abigail Dolinger @aby.quilts
Geraldine Wilkins @LivingWaterQuilter
Jen Daly @JenDalyQuilts
Mary Hertel @MadebyMarney (me!)
Scott Flanagan @ScottAlanFlanagan
Nancy Mahoney @NancyMahoney
Reed Johnson @BlueBearQuilts
Ramona Sorensen
Gina Reddin @GinaReddin
POCKET PILLOWCASES
My Puppy and Kitty Pocket Pillowcase patterns are featured in the issue. This pint-sized pillowcase has a paper pieced pocket that can hold a special surprise for your little one.
A 12″ x 16″ travel pillow fits perfectly in this mini pillowcase. The pocket can hold a toy or book, to entertain your child when you are traveling.
The pockets are paper pieced, and so easy. Make both pillows in no time!
I am so excited to share the news about this new publication. Order your copy HERE and see 11 more stunning projects.
While I have been relaxing at the cabin, sipping Bailey’s and coffee, and enjoying the serenity, my friends and customers have been hard at work paper piecing!
I am super impressed with Anita’s fabulous adaptation of my HAY GIRL horse quilt pattern! Wow. Blue and brown has always been my favorite color combination. Didn’t she do an awesome job?
Christine made this charming birthday pillow using just one of the horse blocks. I love how she choose neutral colors, which will match anyone’s decor. This pony is one of my all time favorite horse patterns. I even have it on my computer screen saver!
Besides the 12 ponies in the HAY GIRL pattern, here are some of my other iconic horse patterns…
I designed my newest pattern with my Florida friends in mind. After spending a week with my sister in February in the Villages, Florida, and admiring all of her lovely sea turtle sculptures, I designed a paper pieced version. After adding a few more ideas, I designed this sea lovers dream.
The UNDER THE SEA pattern offers 12 paper pieced blocks with a nautical theme. Customers were requesting sea shell patterns, so of course I went all in and added fish, turtles, and even a lobster.
