My sweet customer Julie suggested I design some paper pieced Camping/Glamping blocks. I’m not so clear on the “glamping”, but the “camping” suggestion was spot on, especially with summer just starting.
Two more adorable pups have been added to my paper pieced dog block collection. Betty sent me photos of her sweet AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD to inspire me to create this new dog block.
Australian Shepherd
Here is a side by side comparison photo of my block and Betty’s pup.
I love how expressive he turned out! Find the pattern HERE on Etsy.
It was also brought to my attention that I did not have an IRISH SETTER in the collection.
Irish Setter
Making an image that has wavy or curly hair is very difficult in paper piecing. It is all an illusion, made from straight seams. I have always loved the beautiful fur on an Irish Setter, and am pretty in love with his soft wavy ears. You can find this cutie HERE on Etsy.
Last week I had so much fun paper piecing with the Village Quilters of Lake Bluff, Illinois.
Such a lovely group of quilters! It is inspiring being with friends who love to paper piece as much as I do. When I returned home, I was motivated to do more designing.
Carol, a customer from the West Bend Quilt Guild asked me create a set of blocks that would work for a special child who loves Paris. We brainstormed a bit about things that might work for the “Parisian Collection”.
Eiffel Tower Block
The EIFFEL TOWER is one of the images that Carol specifically requested. This grey check, used on the bias, worked well to give the illusion of the delicate lines criss crossing the structure.
Fifi the Poodle Block
FIFI THE POODLE needs a lot of small pieces since there’s quite a bit of detail in this block. I’m using gray and pink in all 3 designs to make them look like a complete collection.
Tiara Block
The TIARA BLOCK completes this Parisian Collection (for now!). I hope these images will work for Carol. I had lots of fun creating them. All blocks measure 8″x 8″ unfinished.
Please let me know what new paper pieced images you would like to see!
If you want to learn to paper piece and live near the Fox Cities, keep reading. The Darting Needles Quilt Guild from Appleton, WI is sponsoring me to hold an all day workshop on Paper Piecing Basics, Friday 14 from 9 to 3. This class will be held at the Fox Cities Quilt Company in Appleton.
Those attending the workshop will learn how to paper piece simple and combination blocks from my Sew Yourself A Merry Little Christmas book.
SIMPLE BLOCKCOMBINATION BLOCK
On Thursday, the day before the workshop, I will be lecturing on” Paper Piecing, and Selecting the Right Fabric for your Projects”. Join me for an evening of fun held at the First United Methodist Church on Franklin St, Appleton at 7pm. The lecture is free!
Contact JoAnn Nemitz for information about the Paper Piecing Workshop, (920) 731-3722.
I love my customers. They constantly motivate me. Kelly asked me to create a SKUNK BLOCK.
Creating paper pieced animals is one of my strong points, so this was a joy to create.
SKUNK
This Skunk Block would look great in my Forest Friends pattern, along with the other sweet woodsy animals.
All this designing has made me tired…
Here is an Owl Tote and a Fox Tote created by another customer. Mary is using the animals from Forest Friends for her handy totes.
Owl Tote
Fox Tote
Now do you see why I love my customers so much? They are super creative!
This Hedgehog Block was paper pieced with the coolest background color.
Instead of adding buttons, this customer used satin stitching for the eyes and nose. Super cute, and a great idea for a baby quilt.
Keep sharing your awesome photos! AND, if you are in northern Wisconsin this Saturday or Sunday, visit me at the Northwoods Quilters Quilt Show in Marinette. I better take lots of northwoods patterns.
I also recieved a message from a longtime friend who wanted me to design a Retriever dog quilt for her new grandson. I have a GOLDEN RETRIEVER block, but I wanted more than one retriever in the quilt.
Golden Retriever
I designed another RETRIEVER to add to the quilt. I decided this dog should be in profile.
Retriever
Here is the finished Retriever Quilt.
Retriever Quilt
The first dog is a pup that I thought could pass for a retriever. It is HAPPY DOG from the CATS N DOGS pattern.
This was such an exciting week! My visit to F&W Media, home of the top quilting magazines, was so inspiring!
Boyfriend Tom (left), Mary (AKA Marney), and brother Jim (right)
When I was visiting my brother Jim who lives near Golden, CO, I asked my friends at F & W Media if I could stop by for a visit.
Mary with Lori Baker
Lori Baker, Acquisitions Editor, was there to meet me at the door and give me a tour.
The F & W “Crew”
Here I am with the F & W Crew. F & W Media publishes our favorite quilting books and magazines, like Quilty, Quilting, Quiltmaker, Easy Quilts, Quilting Quickly, Quick Quilts, Quilting Arts, and Modern Patchwork.
We sat down and had a lovely discussion about paper piecing, designing patterns, life, and great places to eat!
Here’s one of F & W’s many publications. My “RIBBIT, RIBBIT” pattern is in the Spring 2019 issue of EASY QUILTS. That’s my froggie on the cover!
This cute little table topper measures 15″ x 15″, and is so fun to paper piece. A great pattern for beginners! Those wonky eyes are made from buttons.
A great vacation full of exploring new vistas, eating at fun restaurants, and meeting new friends. As Tom and I are heading home to Wisconsin, I want to send a big thank you to F & W for the warm welcome!
Here’s my new LUCKY LEPRECHAUN block, just in time for your March projects. His nose is somewhat 3-dimensional, made from a fabric yo-yo with a bit of stuffing inside. I love his pipe!
Mug Rug made using the Lucky Leprechaun block, and adding a 2 1/2″ strip of extra background fabric to one side.
Here are my other St. Patty’s related blocks. This is CLOVER. This block was sewn by Allison. I love the fabrics she chose!
This gift sack was sewn by my friend Marilyn, using my Clover block. So cute! If you are thinking of more clever ways to use my St. Patty blocks, please share photos.
It’s here! My newest paper piecing book, Sew Cute and Clever Farm and Forest Friends (longest title ever, right???) has arrived fresh from the printers. And, as advertised, it is as cute as can be!
Oooops…bad hair day! Oh well, who needs great hair when they are sewing…
This book contains 16 whimsical paper pieced animal blocks AND 6 projects for your home decorating needs.
As you can see, these blocks were designed with simplicity in mind. They are EASY PEASY! This FOX is cute as can be, and here are a few more that are not pictured on the cover of the book.
This quizzical OWL is ready for a pillow or potholder, don’t you think?
This adorable PUPPY PILLOWCASE was designed with a special little boy in mind!
I especially love this octagonal table runner. Any 4 blocks work because all the blocks and projects are interchangeable.
The BENCH PILLOW can also be made into a TABLE RUNNER, like this one. This runner reminds me of growing up on the farm…
I am loving this fun and colorful book and so will you! With step by step paper piecing directions included, you will be piecing like a pro in no time.
Find this book, and all of my books and patterns on ETSY.
