More changes

My friend and graphic designer, Brandy Fishback,  is working on my Reluctant Quilter page.  Notice?  She is giving it a fresh look that is similar to my business blog page.  She isn't finished yet so expect more changes...and don't think my blog has been hijacked!

By the way, when you have a moment or two, click on the link to Brandy's site.  She is a talented quilter and has lots of eye candy on her blog.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Best, fast baby quilt!

For a very long time, I have been referring to a quilt pattern that I love to use when I am in a hurry to make a quilt.  I use this pattern for baby quilts, healing quilts (lap size), twin bed quilts and even a queen size bed quilt that my sister and I made as a wedding gift.  It is my "go to" pattern.

The quilt pictured on the left was made only slightly different than the pattern in that I substituted one block with an embroidered block.  This size quilt is made mostly with 4 fat quarters, about a yard of focus fabric and just a little additional fabric for a border (or two). I can cut, sew and quilt this baby quilt in about 3 hours.

Here is a link to the pattern.  I think it may be the only place you can buy it.  (I got mine through QNN years ago as a freebie.)   Other baby quilts I have made with this pattern are here, here and here.  As you will see, I have used quilting cotton, flannel, chenille and even a little Minky.  I have quilted it with a big meander, loops and swirls and even straight line stitching.

Since the pattern is not pictured on the order page, if you have any questions about the pattern that I can answer, please leave a comment and I will get back to you as quickly as I can.


Linking to Today's Creative Blog Get Your Craft On

Quick shopping trip

I got rolling pretty early this morning and got to Burkholder's just after they opened.  I saw in their ad that they had a new shipment of Westminster Fabrics.  Since Fabric Mart also just got a shipment I wondered if both shops had the same fabric.  Yep - though I did discover a couple of pieces that I had not seen at Fabric Mart.  The price at Burkholder's was higher but I really liked these and at $4.99 I couldn't go wrong.

Look at me buying bright fabric!!

Pretty, huh?  This will make a couple of really great looking bags.

Burkholder's also has a "round" of fabrics marked down to $1.99.  I picked out two that I liked.

I think I have an idea for these.  The purple is gorgeous.

My last purchase (and I got to use my discount coupon) was this charm pack.

I am a sucker for cardinals!

I am one of the hosts for a "Sew We Quilt"  blog hop next month.  Table runners and charm squares kind of go together.

So, have you done have any fabric shopping lately?

Shopping

I did manage to restrain myself...for now!  Want to see what I bought yesterday?  I posted them here.

Have you switched?

The time for Google Reader to shut down is quickly approaching.  Have you found a new way to read all your favorite blogs?  I decided on Bloglovin and I am so happy that I did.  I love the way blogs show up on my page.  I can read a short blurb from a blog and then either click to read or just make the post "read" and move to the next one.

If you need help switching to Bloglovin, here is a link to a blog post that shows you exactly how easy it is to do.  Seriously easy.  I have little button on my sidebar you can click to continue to follow me via Bloglovin.  Go ahead, click it!

Looking for suggestions

I just picked up 8 yards of Denyse Schmidt fabric.  It is all from the Aunt Edna collection sold at Joann's.  They had the fabric on clearance with another 50% off.  I usually keep away from most Joann fabrics just because the quality is often pretty poor.  This fabric has a lovely hand, was made in South Korea and originally was pretty pricey for this particular chain store. I purchased it because we had an Aunt Edna  (my great-aunt) and the fabric actually reminded me of her.  I think it has something to do with the 1930's vibe.

I am going to throw in some Kona raspberry solid and probably some Kona white (snow).  That will make it 2 yards each of 6 different fabrics total.  Any suggestions on a good pattern to use?

It's either feast or famine!

Two posts in two days?  I know!  I am amazed at myself!!

Are you a long arm quilter?  Do tension issues with your bobbin make you a little twitchy?  I know they make me just a little bit crazier than usual.  There is a great video on YouTube by Jamie Wallen that helped me enormously.  I was always afraid of messing with that little screw on the bobbin assembly. My mother warned me to never, ever touch that screw so I didn't.  My method for adjusting my tension came strictly from the tension knob on the machine.  I would just keep cranking it up until the quilting looked good on the bottom.  I cannot tell you how many times I have gone under the long arm with a flashlight to look at my stitches!  I saw the video about a year ago.  Suddenly the light bulb went off, angels sang and there was a fresh breeze over my sweaty brow.

Today I am sharing the love.  Watch this.  You will thank me!

It's been HOW long?!

I think I have a "love/hate" relationship with blogging.  Either I am posting consistently or posting every third blue moon.

What I have been doing is pinning.

I am a Pinterest pinning fool.  I have several patterns, tutorials, etc. posted on my "Quilt Patterns" board.  If you click on the tab at the top of the page, it will take you to my boards.

Check them out if you get a chance!