Last day of November. Don't even want to think about Christmas! (And yes, I have some Hanukkah quilts; they're coming!) I do have a lot of quilts that I can share in the next few weeks and maybe even a few patterns. The first one I thought of is my paper pieced sampler. In looking through my computer files I see that this was published in 2003, so probably made a year before. It also appeared in my 2007 Block a Day Calendar. Winter's Favorite Things, appeared in Quilt Magazine 2003 I'm going to dig around to see what I can find. If you still have the 2007 calendar, this appears in December (natch!). Winter's Favorite Things from the 2007 Block a Day Calendar These sorts of projects appear in my 2013 Block a Day calendar. 2013 Block a Day Calendar (hundreds of blocks, about 70 quilt projects)  You can still order the 2013 Block a Day calendar . I have so many quilts to share. I'm going to find a pdf of one of those foundation patterns and a...

My Random Number Generator selected Alberta P. as the winner of my Spiderweb Ruler and set of 2 patterns ( from Wednesday's post ). Thanks to all 59 of those who commented and gave me their opinions of how to set those 16 Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks . I am close to putting them together, and it won't even be like the two options presented. I've been sleuthing! Sometimes it's just fun to play with novelty prints. This new collection, Bugalicious by Blank Quilting was perfect for my current theme: The Joys of Hex/Turning 60. One buggy hexagon and four spotted triangles These were cut with a 60 degree ruler (not to be confused with a Kaleidoscope or Tri-Recs tool) 15 blocks stacked in rows of 5; dotted vertical sashing. Fun! I combined all 3 of the colorways (green, yellow and blue). These butterflies, ladybugs and caterpillars will put a smile on any child, young or old. These blocks were cut using my 60 degree Spiderweb ruler. So, tell me a...

You've probably noticed that many of my most recent posts are about hexagons and the 60 degree angle. It's my "Turning 60" series, subtitled "The Joys of Hex." This is Friday and I like to post about Benartex fabrics on Fridays. A new collection that I had no idea what to do with finally spoke loud enough to me to let me know what it wanted! This is the Feathers and Fancy Collection that is full of peacocks and beautiful, sophisticated curvy patterns. I discovered a block someone has called the Twisted Hexagon and I used my own half-hexagon template to cut out the patches. First the block: Twisted Hexagon block using Feathers & Fancy by Benartex I discovered that the center hexagon shape can be fussy cut to include the entire peacock! How cool is that? The center hexagon is twice the finished height of the half-hexagon (of course!) Full hexagon, fussy cut center using a freezer paper template cut from the half-hex tool Cutting the half-...

It's Wednesday and I made more of those New Colonies blocks. Remember the collection from last week? New Colonies Collection by Windham Fabrics And remember the block I showed sewn all by machine? Well, how did I cut those hexagons using my Spiderweb/60 degree ruler? This is part of a future pattern series, so I won't be spelling everything out. Just showing the basics. Fold strip in half along length. Align any 60 degree ruler along horizontal line that corresponds with cut strip minus 1/4". Cut along both sides of the ruler. (BTW, my name is on that ruler for when I teach this class and there are 20 rulers that all look alike!) Well, how many did I make? (You can see my process in last week's post: New Colonies .) 16 Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks - all by machine! Now, here is where I need your help. I can't decide how to arrange them. I will be stitching them to a white on white background fabric. I have pinned them up...

City Traffic Quilt by Pam Rocco, as seen in the latest issue of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine It is very rare that I would make someone else's pattern. I don't get paid to make anything other than my own patterns. So, you know I was quite taken by Pam's quilt. The fun part is that the blocks are a combination improvisation and paper piecing. And it's a FREE PATTERN at the QNM web site. I asked permission from both QNM and Pam to share this and the blocks I am making for my oldest, favorite grandson (his little brother was born October 30, so he's my favorite youngest grandson.) City Traffic Quilt is a free download at the QNM site and is very easy to follow and is several pages of color. I am making my blocks with a white background and got the cool idea to put people and critters in the windows. And my oldest daughter Audrey suggested I print pics of family members and put them in the windows! How cool is that? Here are the blocks I have so far. S...

I must confess: I am not a big fan of the muddy colors of reproduction fabrics. But when I saw this new collection from Windham Fabrics, New Colonies , I was immediately taken by them. Why? Who asks "why" when you have new fabric? You pull out your rotary cutter and start playing. New Colonies fabrics by Windham . A bundle of 1/6 yards (12" x 22") Aren't they beautiful?!!  I am in my current streak "Turning 60" and my favorite shape, the HEXAGON, was beckoning. I had a set of 3" English Paper Piecing papers from years ago and started cutting out rectangles. Oh, you don't cut rectangles when you EPP? It sure is easier than skimpy hexagons and a lot quicker to cut. Block #1 (fits on a 12-1/2" square). Notice the messy folds. You don't think I'm going to leave the backs of the hexagons looking like this, do you? It is faster to whip stitch around the corners (but not through the papers). Then I forgot about the hand...

WINNERS have been selected: Aunt Marti Miss Moozie (Shawna G) Yasmin B (of Chile!) Still awaiting confirmation from 4th winner. THANKS to all who commented. Stay tuned for another giveaway this month.   Even after all these years (18) of having my quilts published, it is still a treat to see them in print. I am especially happy to have one of my favorite magazines feature one of my blocks. This is the third time I've had this privilege and it still makes me smile! Follow the 100 Blocks Blog Tour daily November 4-9, 2012 at The Quiltmaker Blog Quilty Pleasures for inspiration, ideas and giveaways galore! They have prizes (did I say that?) Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 6 is  the newest issue of this fabulous magazine. It hits the newsstands on November 13.  Honestly, I think a magazine is the most bang for the quilting buck around. All the blocks in this magazine finish to 12" so the possibilities are endless. Many thanks to June Dudley, Caroly...