New Patterns for Summer

Where, oh where, did summer go?

Here it is the end of August already!

I did manage to complete patterns for July and August in spite of home reno's and vacation time (just didn't get around to blogging about them) and  here they are...

 The first one is called "Churndash Chains".

It measures about 60" x 60" and uses only four fabrics.

The blocks are arranged to give the illusion of interlocking churndash blocks.

Super easy!

The second one is called "Sunrise, Sunset"

It measures about 57" x 57" and uses four fabric combinations--

blue/purple, green/grey, orange/red,and gold/cream,

accented with the rich black fabrics that I love.

The stars are fusible appliqué.

I'll be posting them on my website tomorrow

and they'll also be ready for instant download at www.patternspot.com at that time.

Hope you like them!

New Pattern for June

Way back in January, I set a goal for myself to introduce a new pattern to you every month this year.

Well, I just managed to squeak this one in before the end of this month!

Here it is.... (drumroll please)

It's called "Harvest Dance" because I made it with all those gorgeous fall colours--

red, green, gold, orange, rust, brown--

which I just love!

Then I added some sunflowers and stars and berries with fusible appliqué.

The quilt measures 48" x 48", which isn't a huge project.

So, if you feel like making a quilt for fall, now would be the time to get started!

(Even though I don't like to think about summer being over, just yet!)

The pattern's available on my website, www.countryquilts.ca now so come on over!
And while you're there, check out the finished items I'm selling--
just click on the "Stuff for Sale" button on the left side of the page.

New Pattern

So here's my latest!

What do you think?

It's called "Pineapple Squares"

and measures 64" square.

I love scrappy quilts, don't you?

The little squares measure 1" after they're sewn together.

Here's a close-up of some of the exquisite custom quilting by 

Deb Sanderson of Surrey, BC.

And another one.

You've got to see the back!

Isn't it a work of art?

The pattern is now available on my website.

Hope you like it!

New Pattern for April

So who's ready for spring?

It can never come soon enough for me!

To celebrate its faithful return, I'm offering a new pattern, "Garden Blooms".

It measures 56" x 56" and features a large flower medallion in the center.

It's actually so new, I'm just putting the finishing touches on the pattern today, but it will be available for sale on the New Patterns page of my website, www.countryquilts.ca, within an hour or two!

Hope you like it!

Merry, merry spring, everyone!

New Pattern for March

Here it is--another new pattern for you!

It measures 64" square and I called it "Bumbleberry Pie" because it was inspired by all the wonderful berries that are grown here--blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.

Many teenage summers were spent picking berries to earn pocket money and I can tell you, I'd much rather quilt them than pick them!

I have to thank Darlene Epp for her exquisite custom quilting.

Doesn't it just make the quilt?

You can order the pattern from my website, www.countryquilts.ca

or you can download it instantly at Patternspot and save on shipping costs!

Hope you like it!

Also, just to let you know that I have a few copies of my first book, Country Comforts, available on my website for the sale price of $15.95!  While quantities last.

New Pattern for Spring

I admit it--winter is my least favourite season.  So to get me in the mood for spring, I made up this little guy and christened him Benny Bunny.

He measures about 22" long, from the tips of his ears to the bottom of his big feet and is wearing his favourite overalls.

You can download the pattern here: http://www.patternmart.com/pattern/18136/Benny+Bunny

Here's to an early spring!

Free Quilt Pattern for Instant Download!

Hi dear friends,

With Valentine's Day approaching, I want to give back to all of you who have made my patterns over the years, enabling me to continue doing what I love--designing and making quilts.

So here's a scrappy little quilt for you to whip up.

You can see it's very simple--just two blocks--the Half-square triangle and the Nine-patch.  So if you're new to quilting, this will get you started.  And it's not overwhelming--just 21" square.  And if you've been quilting awhile, this pattern will help you use up some of the scraps in your stash.

It's so quick and easy to make, you can whip up a bunch to give to friends on Valentine's Day.

Best of all, it's FREE!!!

I call it "Opposites Attract" (to make it work with the Valentine's Day theme)

and you can download it on my Patternspot page.

While you're there, check out my other patterns that are available for instant download.

(From the response to my last post, it seems that a lot of you like the idea of instant downloading patterns so here I go!)

Hope you like the pattern and have fun!

First new quilt pattern for 2014!

I typically don't like the idea of New Year's resolutions but I do like setting goals for myself so that's what I'm doing this January.  One of them is to try (note--the word is "try" so I won't be too hard on myself if I simply can't) to create at least one new quilt pattern over each of the next 12 months.  And here's the first!

 It's called "Patchwork Posies" and measures 56" x 56.

Here's a close-up of one of the applique blocks.  Note to self: remove bits of thread before taking the close-ups.

And here's my next goal:

I'm going to try selling my patterns as instant downloads and have already downloaded this one.  You can find it (and a few other of my patterns) at this link:

http://patternspot.com/patterns/quilt-patterns/4122-patchwork-posies-pdf

There are a few reasons why I want to give instant downloads a try.

First, Canada Post is raising its postage rates again and I don't want to keep charging you more for shipping.  Plus, this way you can get the pattern right away, instead of having to wait a couple of weeks (or more) for it to arrive, and you pay just for the pattern.

Second, my husband keeps threatening to downsize, which means I won't have the room to store a lot of patterns and paper and envelopes, etc.

Third, as I get older, I fantasize about travelling more and being able to work anywhere in the world. This would be a step in that direction.

So what do you think?

I'd love your thoughts about downloadable patterns, especially if you've had any negative experiences.

Wishing you all the very best for this new year and many, many dreams come true!

Merry Christmas from Canada!

Hi and welcome!

Hope you're all enjoying these last days of the year.

I thought I'd share a few photos from my home with you.

I'm addicted to Pinterest!

It was there that I got this idea of turning a tomato cage upside down and wrapping it in lights, creating a "tree" for my front porch.

 

And also, stuffing a bunch of lights into a burlap sack--so simple.

As you enter, you'll be greeted by Eggplant, a Lakeview Primitives doll pattern, holding a Christmas Blessings cross-stitch pillow (pattern by La-D-Da).

Look straight ahead and this is what you'll see. 

 I stuck a few white poinsettias into this vintage carpenter's box and stuck a little snowman and a few greens into an old sifter.

Look up and this is what you'll see.
It's not exactly a Christmas quilt but it does have stars.
(You can find it in my At Home with Country Quilts book.)

 I put the tree in the center of the window.  I love all the lights!
My Ikea stars stay up all year.

My "Home for Christmas" tree-skirt lies underneath the tree.

 This is my favourite cupboard.  I hung a few ornies on the knobs and put a Christmas pillow on the chair.

 What's Christmas without a few sheep?

 My favourite home-made Santa--a Pineberry Lane pattern--sits on top of an old Bible and quilts stuffed into what used to be a wood-box.

 Here's my fireplace topped with my Santa collection.  A little creche sits on the floor beside it.

 A handmade rug from Primitive Gatherings sits on the coffee-table.  On top of it is a pantry cake (also handmade) surrounded by greens.  Beside it is a little quilted sachet stuffed with greens from last year's Christmas tree.

 This poinsettia is already looking kinda straggly but I still love how it looks in an old sieve filled with pinecones.  It's sitting on top of one of my penny rugs, on top of a big old tin.

 I tucked this little Belsnickle into another rusty, old sieve and put a few greens and pinecones around him.
These old sacks are my kitchen "curtains".
I love how my Merry Christmas penny garland contrasts with them.

Of course, you need some primitive gingerbread boys in a wooden bowl.  These are from a new pattern of mine, now available at www.patternmart.com.  Just in case you've forgotten where to find me!

I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with joy and dreams come true!

Sweet Spring

How time flies!

I can't believe that April is almost over, which makes us 1/3 of the way through 2013!

Hope spring has finally reached all of you.

Some of you may remember this pattern,

featured on the cover of "Primitive Quilts and Projects" magazine for Spring 2013.

It's now available for purchase as an individual pattern on my website on the New Patterns page.

 I've also got a few issues of the magazine left for sale on the same page of my website.

Here's a glimpse of spring in my backyard garden.

If you order the pattern, you'll see that I used this picture as a background on the cover.

I've also made a bunch of primitive buntings to sell on my Etsy shop.

So if you haven't visited for awhile, please take a moment to stop by.

Happy sweet spring, everyone!

New Pattern--Summer Daze

I love summer.

I've been wanting to make a summer quilt for awhile

and just finished this one--the pattern's now for sale on my website.

The checkers remind me of red-checked picnic table-cloths

and I think the colours convey the bright and cheery mood of the season.

But it took a long time for all the pieces to come together.

I'd made this quilt top a couple of years ago

because I'd wanted to make one with a watermelon garland

but I never much liked how it looked.

So I removed the appliqued watermelons from the border

and set them aside waiting for inspiration to strike

for another quilt in which they could be used.

After I figured out the design above,

I added a new border and reappliqued them to it.

 Whew!

And speaking of redoing projects, I have to share this email I received from a quilting friend in Sweden.  She says,"I just finished your lovely pattern "Around the Block" for the second time (!), as my first quilt ended up staying at my friend's house in CT, USA when we moved back to Sweden (my home country) after  couple of years as expats in CT.
Since I missed my quilt so much. I simply had to make it all over again. " 

Didn't she do a gorgeous job?



Then she said, "I also made two of your "Peaceful Valley" since one of them also got "stuck" back in Connecticut...."

Now, that's dedication!

 Thanks Villemo, and all you other faithful quilters out there!

You're why I do what I do.

New Pattern--Barnyard Buddies

The flu hit our home this week--yuk.  Who knew there were so many places on one's body that could hurt?  Even my hair!  A good excuse to curl up on the couch with a good book and be waited on for a change!

On to happier topics.  I've actually had this quilt finished for a few weeks but when you live on the wet coast of Canada, it sometimes can take awhile for the sun to come out so I can hang the quilt on my washline and photograph it.  So the sun shone today and it's supposed to rain again tomorrow so I ran out and got the picture.

The quilt is called "Barnyard Buddies" and it will be going to the printer on Monday and will be available on my website right after that.

Like a lot of my projects, there's a mixture of patchwork and applique.

It measures 60" x 72".

I love the quirky animals!

Like the horse with his buck teeth.

The cow, not at all anatomically correct!

Mommy pig so proud of her little ones!

The fat sheep,

And Mother chicken with her brood.

Of course, I've got to stick a crow in there someplace!

Why not on the barn?

 Isn't it fun?

What do you think?