February Newsletter 2009

A Bit About Life

This last two weeks have been a buzz and so much fun! It was the 10th anniversary for the Quilt Show in Shelley. It was the best! I don't know if you remember that I had entered some quilt blocks among many beautiful ones that were entered. I ended up winning 3rd place on the quilt block below.

Then to top it off, my name was drawn to win HALF of these beautiful block. I received 24 blocks made by such wonderful quilters! Take a look at these beautiful blocks.

I also was privileged to teach two classes. One was on making fabric chenille and the other one was on paper piecing. I also got my picture in the paper. Does that mean I'm famous? (Highly unlikely!)

Here is the quilt I made and added the chenille. It is called "Fresh Cut in Chenille". The pattern is available HERE.


These little Needle Books are what I demonstrated for the paper piecing class. We made the striped heart one on the right. I sometimes like to sneak in a little surprise with my newsletter. If you would like the Striped Heart Needle Book pattern, it is available for FREE. Just drop me an email at quiltingforless@gmail.com and it is yours!

Quilting Views and Tips:

I learned so many tips at our quilt show from other quilters who presented demonstration. I wish I had a recording of the two days that we were there.

I was impressed with cutting traditional blocks again to make a totally different pattern. I am giving you a link to something that I think would be a lot of fun to try. Click HERE and tell me what you think. This looks FUN!!

While I am into cutting fabric, follow this link to learn about Stack-n-Whack. I have seen some of these. Check it out HERE.

New Patterns

Okay, I had so much fun working on the April Element for the Month after Month Wall Hanging. Here she is in all her splendor. This one is called "Tulip Bouquet" Isn't she a cutie? Wish you could see her in person. CLICK HERE to find the pattern. Don't forget that these monthly elements button or tie onto a personalized wall hanging with your family name.

As mentioned above, the "Fresh Cut in Chenille" Pattern is also available. Try making some chenille and adding some fun to a project. The "how to" for making chenille is included in the pattern. CLICK HERE to find the pattern.

Block of the Month

The second block pattern for 2009 "Beautiful in Black" is ready to send. If you didn't receive it with this newsletter, hop on over to my guestbook (Look at the upper right side of this page) and indicate that you would like the patterns each month. It is as simple as that! We are also finishing up the 2008 BOM series "Sampler in Pastels" You will receive both of these this month. If you have missed any of the previous month's BOM patterns you will find the "Sampler In Pastels" by CLICKING HERE and the "Beautiful In Black" by CLICKING HERE. Past block patterns can be purchased for only $.99 each.

Here are the BOM blocks for February. These are going to work up wonderfully! (Is that a word? LOL!)



Mystery Quilt Patterns

Clue #3 is available for this Mystery pattern. I am really excited about this one! I wish I could show you the pattern, but that would spoil the fun! CLICK HERE then click on the big ? mark to find the clues. It is a fun treasure hunt!

Clocks and Socks

Just a quick mention of Personalized Christmas Stocking and Personalized Clocks . It is never to early to think about Christmas or gifts for a quilter friend. Choose from a wide selection of Quilt Block clocks. CLICK HERE

Here are a few of the most popular ones.




It is so fun meeting quilters whether it is online or at a quilt shows or wherever! I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. I look forward to your comments either here or at my guestbook.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Susan
http://www.quiltingforless.com/

Mid January Newsletter

A Bit About Life

I hope everyone is settled into the New Year of 2009. It looks like we have had the last of the big snow storms here in southeast Idaho. I shouldn't speak too soon, though. We could have major snow storms STILL! At least the roads are not icy. FOR NOW!

My husband Roger and I are Cub Masters for our cub scouting unit. It is almost time for another pack meeting. The theme this month is A-MAZE-ing games. This will be a fun time for these young boys. We feel like we are grandparents to 20! It makes us feel young, except when Pack meeting is over, then we feel older than we should! Wish us luck!

Quilting Views and Tips

Our yearly quilt show will be the 27th and 28th of this month. I will be giving two demonstrations. One on foundation paper piecing and the other will be how to embellish with fabric chenille. I will have the pattern available for the chenille wall hanging by the next newsletter. It is turning out REALLY fun! I'll give a small hint... it is very "springy" looking.... :o)

I also finished quilting the Disappearing Nine Patch. I have added a close-up of how I quilted it. I quilted Iris flowers into the blocks. I wish you could see it up close and personal. It turned out very nice, IMHO (in my humble opionion).

Here are two quilting tips for using your batting. Please enjoy:

I take a "hunk" of leftover batting and pin it over my shoulder when sewing. Then, as you snip off those threads. tiny fabric nips, etc. etc., you just put them on top of the batting where they cling very well. After your sewing session is complete. you simply unpin the batting from your shoulder and toss it all neatly away.. It puts an end to all those little thread nips. fabric snips, etc all over the sewing room floor, as well as the table top. - Kathi in Michigan

I have a ton of cotton batting. One night I was online with a friend complaining that I didn't have a design wall. She asked me if I had any cotton batting and I said of course. Well, the rest is history. My design wall is cotton batting on the only bare wall I have, right next to my cutting table. It is amazing how much easier it is to see what I am doing...lol. - Carol

New Patterns

I have the March element for the Month by Month wall hanging available. This one is called "I'm Irish". I love how this one turned out. The shamrocks are an added touch to celebrate March. CLICK HERE to find the pattern.

Here are a couple of February Patterns that you may enjoy. CLICK HERE to find them.

I also have two table runner patterns available. They are called "Three Wishes" and "Give Thanks". These are from past Mystery Quilts. If you are a beginner, these would be perfect as a starting point on your quilting journey. The pattern comes in full step by step pictured instructions. I have priced these at a very low price to get you started quilting! CLICK HERE to find these patterns. Please browse other fun patterns by clicking HERE.



Mystery Quilt Pattern

Did you know that there is a NEW mystery quilt up? The first clue is available. The next clue will be ready sometime on Monday. If you could only see the end results! (Tee Hee) I can tell you it can either be a table topper or a wall hanging and there will be 6 clues to finish. After the last clue, the pattern will go up for sale at the low price of $3.95. But get each clue while they are FREE! CLICK HERE, then look for the Mystery ? sign (it looks like the one below), then follow the Snowman's sign to get the clues. Have FUN!!


Block of the Month

Have you received the first block of the month pattern for 2009? It is a BEAUTY! (no pun intended). This year the BOM series is called "Beautiful in Black". Below you can see the entire quilt and the first block pattern. If you haven't received this month's pattern, you have until the 31st of January to sign my guestbook. Signing the guestbook will allow you to receive every block for the entire year. If you miss one, they will be available for only $.99. CLICK HERE to view the 2008 "Sampler Quilt in Pastels"




Christmas Stockings

Just a small note about Christmas Stocking... these are wonderful wedding gifts! CLICK HERE to see the current designs.

That's it for two weeks. Wishing you all the BEST of the REST of January!

Susan
http://www.quiltingforless.com

January 2009 Newsletter

A Bit About Life


Happy New Year to everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had a fantastic Christmas. We just returned on New Years day from a wonderful trip. We went to Zion National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Glen Canyon Dam. We were able to take some beautiful pictures. I'll show you a couple of my favorites. The snow in these parks really added to the beauty. We were also able to visit with family in New Mexico in Farmington. We spent a day in Durango, Colorado while we were in Farmington.





It is good to be home, but loved our trip. I am anxious to get back to sewing. I have missed that. I did take my computer along and was able to design some fun patterns.


New Personalized Clock

I just finished up this FUN clock. I call it "Barn Raising" It is a Quilt Block Clock. I hope you enjoy this one! Click HERE to order.

New BOM patterns

There are still a few BOM patterns left to finish the quilt that was started in 2008. The #15 pattern will be going out to those who signed my guestbook for the BOM patterns. There is also some more GOOD news. I am starting a new series for 2009. The quilt is called Beautiful in Black. I will be sending the 1st block pattern along with the 15th pattern for the 2008 series. Those of you who signed my guestbook do NOT need to sign again. Although, I LOVE hearing from you! These patterns will come automatically to your email. Just be sure you have quiltingforless@gmail.com on your list of friends. A picture of the quilt and also the first BOM pattern is below. A picture of the 15th BOM pattern is also below.




New Quilting Patterns:

I have the new element for the progressive Month after Month wall hanging available. It is called "I Love You This Much". Of course it is for February, the month of LOVE. The picture is below.


I have so many fun things planned for the New Year. I hope you will stay tuned to see what is running through my head!

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year!!

Keeping you in stitches!
Susan
http://www.quiltingforless.com/