Monday, January 21, 2013

Spring Cleaning

No, not that kind of spring cleaning--though heaven knows my house could sure use it!
I've decided it's time to launch some of my babies out into the world to find new homes.  Here's a sampling of some of my creations that are now on sale on my Etsy shop.  Click on the link to see more.
If you see anything you like, just let me know!





Monday, January 14, 2013

Thank you!

So I'm watching the Golden Globes last night and am struck by two things--one, that many of these beautiful, accomplished people after years in their careers still have moments of self-doubt and two, how much they need supportive friends to keep them going in their chosen life path.  And I realized how similar my experience has been since I decided to make my quilting passion my career a decade ago. Many times since then I've struggled with self-doubt and asked myself whether it was time to do something else with my life.  But invariably, in those bleak and uncertain moments, when I'm scanning Craig's List to see if there's a minimum wage job somewhere that would fit me, that's when something happens to lift my spirits and encourage me to keep doing what I do.  Today was one of those days.
I opened my email to see a message from my friend Martine in France, along with pictures of some of the quilts she's made from my patterns.  Here's her version of "Chocolate-covered Churndashes" from my book, Country Comforts.  Didn't it turn out great?
And she's working on my "Out in the Country" pattern, turning it into a very cute wallhanging.
And finally, "Chickens Under the Stars".  When I first made up this wallhanging I didn't think I should make it a pattern--I thought it was such a silly idea for a quilt.  But again, a friend saw it and loved it and so I published it and now another friend in France has it in her home!
And then also this morning I got a phone call from a lady in New Jersey, whom I've never met, who wanted to order some patterns.  Her name is Ellen and she made my day with her praise and words of encouragement to keep doing what I do.
All this to say, thank you all so much for believing in me over the years and for making my patterns.
It's because of you that I'll continue to follow my dream.
Your support means more to me than you'll ever know and I'm so very grateful.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

First New Pattern for 2013!

Here it is, my first quilt pattern for the new year!
I call it "Starry Nights".
I decided to try designing some mini-quilts for a change, to use up some of the fabric and batting scraps that seem to reproduce themselves in my sewing room!
This little project measures just under 20" square.
It's based on the Irish Chain block and I've added wool stars and pennies as an accent.
I'm going to print up the pattern next week and make up some wool kits as well and then post them on my website.
If you prefer, you can download it now, by going to PatternMart and checking under "Country Quilts".
Hope you like it!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Happy 2013!

Hi friends,
I'm back!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that 2013 will be your best year yet!
My year has got off to a great start. I received an email today from my favourite quilt magazine, "Primitive Quilts and Projectsthat a quilt I designed for them is featured on the cover of their Spring 2013 issue!
How cool is that???
(Can you tell I'm a little excited?)
Also, if you'd like to purchase a subscription to this wonderful magazine, use this code (DSMSP13) and you'll get a free pattern.  Just go to their website, www.primitivequiltsandprojects.com and sign up.
I'm busy working on a bunch more projects so stay tuned!