You can learn how to create all six animals for the quilt, or do a smaller scale version by creating the table runner.
Table Runner
These animals are nice and easy, great for beginners! Both the lap quilt and table runner are in the pattern.
Thanks to Vonnie, for teaching this class. Vonnie also had some fun creating a tote from my Cute and Clever Totes book.
One side of the tote has a Hen…
and the other side has a Rooster.
Love her choice of fabrics! This may be another class offered at Julie’s Sewing Center in the future. You can call their shop for more info…(920)965-0680.
One of my proudest moments in 2018 was the creation of the “Doggie In The Window” quilt. The Orange County Quilters Guild in California contacted me in 2017 about using my dog block patterns to create their next Guide Dogs Of America charity quilt. I was thrilled!
Doggie In The Window
The hard working guild members used 30 of my different dog breeds to construct this 60″x 70″ masterpiece. The quilt traveled throughout the US during 2018, and was raffled to a lucky winner in December. This is their big yearly contribution to their favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America.
Close Up
I have been designing paper pieced dog blocks since 2014 and now have about 50 different breeds. This obsession started as a fun way to connect with my customers. They would email me photos of their pets, and I would try to recreate their breed in a quilt block.
I created this quilt pattern, “Dogs Only” after designing my first 11 dog breeds. Then all **** broke loose, and I was flooded from all over the world with requests from customers who wanted a specific breed to substitute into this pattern. Here are some of my favorites…
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.
This is an early Valentine’s gift for my wonderful readers. As a thank you to my subscribers, I am offering this FREE Valentine paper pieced pattern.
The LOAD OF LOVE paper pieced block is FREE to all of my wonderful SUBSCRIBERS. You can find the FREE PATTERN HERE: THIS PATTERN IS NO LONGER FREE, BUT CAN BE PURCHASED HERE. LOAD OF LOVE PATTERN
If you are not currently a subscriber, consider signing up in the SUBSCRIBER BOX on the right (if you are on a laptop) or scroll to the last post (if you are on a cell phone). By subscribing, you will be notified by email whenever I add a new post to this website, which is usually once a week. That’s it! Building my list of subscribers is very helpful, especially for my ability to publish my books. So, if you are enjoying my books and want me to write even more of them, please consider subscribing.
Wouldn’t this block make a cute pillow or potholder? Please show me how you use it to create a clever project by emailing me a photo of your creation at: maryannhertel@gmail.com
What an exciting way to start 2019. Quiltmaker magazine is featuring a new designer each month. The article is called “Meet The Designers”. I was thrilled when asked to be their first featured artist. This issue, the January/February 2019, just came out.
Here’s one of my favorite table runner patterns for Christmas, 3 Dogs and 1 Sassy Cat. Please excuse me for reposting this photo, as I have already shared it with many of you, but it is so darn cute and a Christmas pattern that my many dog and cat loving friends adore.
Here’s my friend Lana’s version, made into a wall hanging. Love it!
What could be cuter than the Little Red Truck? Especially with a fun novelty character in the driver’s seat.
The Little Red Truck
This paper pieced block measures 8″x 8″ unfinished and is super easy. Find a cute novelty fabric in your stash to use for an interesting little driver, or leave the window blank. I love using buttons for the wheels…it makes the paper piecing so much easier!
