September 20, 2014
Hi everyone, Mary Ellen here. Check out more fun with Bonnie! Natalie, your featherweight is so photogenic! Click here
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September 18, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Check us out! Fun at seminar! click here.
September 16, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Got any spare fabric around? (LOL!) It could be used for gift wrapping instead of paper. In this video the demonstrator also suggests silk scarves. I don’t know about you, but I have many of those just sitting in a drawer from my working days. I often wore a basic T or light weight sweater and put a scarf on to jazz it up, or to make it match a particular skirt or slacks. Although scarves are coming back, they aren’t the same style as the ones in my drawer (of course not, that would be too easy). I think this fabric wrapping would be particularly nice on gifts for your fabric loving friends. Much better than paper that ends up discarded. See what you think. It looks quite easy to me. Click here. Here’s another gift wrap idea for using up smaller pieces from […]
September 12, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Spent some time at the BNHV yesterday getting folders stuffed for our seminar attendees. I spoke on the phone with Bonnie Hunter while I was there. We thought we had a book order missing, but it was found after we heard from Bonnie who had signed for it. It had gotten tucked away into an unused office for safe keeping. Bonnie’s in Alaska right now, doing her schtick for the guild in Ketchikan. As she always does, pictures are posted on her daily blog. (Make sure you do your hair and put on lipstick if you’re coming to our seminar. You may get a moment of fame on her blog if you’re in a class of hers) Yesterday Bonnie explored the town and spent time in a brand new library. Check out the cool art work in the library and be sure to go all […]
September 9, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Perhaps you have a new little one on the way in your family, or perhaps you make toppers as charity quilts for newborns and preemies. This technique shown in the video (click here) would be perfect. My only suggestion to those of you making this sort of quilt to give to a hospital NICU is to find out the size restrictions if any. Some hospitals put them on top of the isolette and some put them inside. Some hospitals are particular about the sizes they will accept. Just check so your efforts can be used and appreciated. I recently signed up for the free subscription to the group making the video above (along with others). I’ve watched just a few so far. To date I’ve recognized the names of all the featured quilters as belonging to the staffs of Quiltmaker magazine, and both McCall’s quilting […]
September 9, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Busily getting the last of seminar preparations completed. Fielding lots of e-mails from those quilters coming from a distance. Where to stay? Where to eat? Are there quilt shops near by? Where else can we shop? Those are the FAQ’s for this week I think! As I’ve gone through my own e-mail each day, I’ve just copied and pasted a few links that I think might be of interest to you. No time to do much more than that these days. I hope I’ll see you at seminar! funky stuffed pumpkins click here found this via a Facebook friend, I have heard several of these comments after demos I have given. Yikes. And BTW what are quilting chakras? Every comment on every quilt blog ever: click here. beautiful star quilt, perfect for featuring a collection of fat quarters or for using up scraps: click here.
September 2, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Are you a fan of Amy Butler fabrics and patterns? I just received notification that her free pattern for her latest fabric line is now posted at her website. Here’s the link: click here. I also received notification not long ago that her latest clothing pattern: a pieced duster, is now available. She looks great in it, and I love the concept but I’m afraid I may be past the age cut off for her style. Although I am thinking about how it would look in a collection of somewhat “quieter” fabrics–batiks maybe. See what you think of her style. It would be great for you younger women out there. Looks like it would be very comfortable and could definitely take a pair of jeans up a few notches. Click here. As I worked through my e-mails today, I noticed that a theme was in […]
September 1, 2014
Good morning! Mary Ellen here. I thought I was in New Orleans this morning. It’s so darn humid out-even with the actual temp at 67º I ended up all “dewy” from the humidity. Thank goodness for central air. If you’re a fan of the disappearing 9 patch method, you’re going to like this one-the double disappearing 9 patch. It results in a very graphic, interesting block and it’s quite easy. Give this a look! click here While you’re there have a look at some of her tutorials for free motion quilting. I like her all over patterns with no marking needed! Just came back to add this bit. While exploring the blog above, I found this tidbit. Just yesterday I was puzzling over what to do with the bag full of batting scraps that keeps tipping over in the quilt closet. I like this idea! click here. Have you got […]
August 29, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I think this idea from Jenny Doan is super. You may remember that last summer we came up with a few ideas for these Jelly Roll 1600 quilts. They are archived in the side bar of the blog or you can just search for jelly roll 1600. Many quilters love these because they are so fast, and just as many dislike them because of the “boring” appearance. I don’t know which camp you’re in- I’m in the camp that thinks this idea is great. Click here to see Jenny’s video with an idea for changing up the appearance a bit. Watch to the end. If you went to summer camp, I think you will remember enjoying the same sort of silliness that Jenny and her assistant get into! I will tell you that when you make them with a jelly roll of batiks, they are […]
August 28, 2014
Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Want to see some extraordinary quilts up close? At this site (click here) you can zoom in close for a good look at some spectacular quilting and applique. I don’t see myself ever making a quilt of this caliber, but I do get some inspiration from the quilting. When working on my free motion skills, I have a few patterns that I fall back on again and again, and it’s nice to find some new ones to try. I’m sure those of you who applique will find the designs on the applique quilts amazing as well. What are you working on these days? Remember the Lucy Goosey quilt along that I had on the blog a while back? I’m making another block so I can set the blocks on point, and then I’ll be finishing the top up. I am making an effort to get […]