A New, Fresh Look

Remember my previous banner? The one with my Diamonds and Blooms quilt in the center?

Center of Diamonds and Blooms from Paper Piecing Perfect Points

Placed my blog title and a few extra words in the center

Then my blogging friend, Madame Samm, gently told me I needed to update that banner. From her designer's eye, that slab of white in the center of the quilt was too much. Yes, she was honest with me. I expect nothing less from friends. I don't like people to tiptoe around me. Just say what you mean; just don't be mean about it. I'm wearing my Big Girl pants!

She had one idea in mind, created it and asked me what I thought. Here is how she viewed my blog identity: I travel a lot, I use a lot of green in my quilts and she wanted folks to STOP and take notice.

Debby's travel identity!

I asked that there be some more quilts in there (as in a LOT of quilts). I absolutely love this font. She told me she DREW it - it's her authentic handwriting, can you believe it?!? And you know what? She didn't get her Big Girl panties in a wad. She actually had a backup design (and she NEVER has a backup). One with more color. That's what you see in the banner at the top of this page.

This is my Stained Glass Pickup Stix quilt, featured in my 2014 wall calendar of quilts

I like them both; it's the second one with more color that seemed to fit me a bit more (according to my husband and daughter).

Just wanted you to know the back story on my new, fresh look. Sometimes less words is more. And color always trumps words! 

Thank you, Samm! What a lovely, lovely gift.

The Joys of Hex, Day 7

Discovered these 40 GFG blocks in a thrift shop in Cape May, NJ

One last quilt from my Hexagon Quilt Vault. Way back when my 3 daughters were small (early 1990s) we took a little vacation to Cape May, New Jersey and stayed in a friend's beach house. I took a trip into town and discovered these 45 antique blocks in a thrift shop and the price tag was HUGE (for me): $50! I buried them behind some other items, dashed out of the store and consulted with my husband. He said, sure - go get them. Of course, it helped that I still had a few $20 traveler's checks in my wallet (no ATMs back then). I went the next day, bought them. Took them home. Stroked them. And then my insides melted into butter - these things were hand pieced and there was no way I was going to finish them by hand piecing!!

What did I do? I trimmed them, ironed the raw edges under, machine sewed them into vertical rows onto green background strips, sewed the strips together and I had my quilt! The double bed it now rests on was my parent's bed from the early 1960s, rock maple and was in pristine shape before my youngest daughter put her wet drink glasses all over the edge! Only love saved her from being strung up by her toenails!

Here's a picture of how this appeared in a previous magazine article I did on this quilt, just so you know how I did it. My philosophy is always: Get 'er done!

Now, go take a visit to our last day's bloggers. I have SO ENJOYED my hopping these past few days, haven't you? I have so many ideas . . . so little time. How to get it all done? I know - take a nap and dream about it!

Wednesday, August 28

  

Adventurous Quilter 

Scraps of Life 

Sew and Sow Farm

  

Creatin' in the Sticks

Kwilty Pleasures

Just Sew Quilter 

   
Marjorie's Busy Corner   

NitaDances

Pig Tales and Quilts 

   
Quiltscapes

Livinbluequilter

Sew We Quilt

Our sponsor is Connecting Threads who has sent 3 fat quarter bundles of
Sun Kissed Harvest....

How to win..

1. participate in our hops..all those who do get a chance to win

2. be creative, be original, take great photos...you can win in our top 3 per day...
at the end of the hop..all those have another chance to win.

3. leave lovely comments....you can win too...

Thank you Connecting Threads; you are always a great sponsor!

The Joys of Hex, Day 6

Welcome to Day 6 of the Joys of Hex blog hop (OK, Hexie Queen Hop)!

Free pattern and tutorial here: Hexagon Pinwheels and Plaids

I pulled this Hexagon Pinwheels and Plaids out of my Hexagon Quilt Vault and there's a FREE pattern along with step by step pictures on how to make this quilt. You won't believe the neat trick for sewing those triangles together!

In case you didn't get to see Karen's Blog yesterday due to a broken link, take a visit to:

SewMuch2Luv

Now, get set for two more days of awesome inspiration. Today's bloggers are:

Tuesday, August 27

   

We Shall Sew  

  

Life@RuffHaven

Pieced Brain  

   

Den Syende Himmel 

   

Creatin’ in the Sticks 

   

Meadowbrook 

   

Sandra Kaye Designs  

   

Let’s Patch it Up 

   

Sew Many Yarns  

  

Around the Homestead 

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

The Joys of Hex, Day 5

Spiderweb 4 block table topper; no batting

Straight from my Hexagon Quilt Vault - my Spiderweb pattern with Bella Fabrics.

This is lined with three different prints. You can see my steps here: Turning 60

Blocks sewn, lined, then stitched together with invisible thread

Remember, you can catch up on any bloggers you missed last week by going to the Hexie Queen Hop button above.

Now, take some time to visit our Day Five Bloggers. They are sure to inspire and uplift you today.

Monday, August 26

  

Scrapbook-ChickaDoodle

   

Kathys Quilts 

   

A Quilt and a Prayer  

 

I Piece 2 - Mary 

   

Life, Quilts and a Cat, too   

Quarter Incher 

   

Sew Much 2 Luv  

  

Kwilt Krazy 

   

Selina Quilts 

   

Espritpatch 

  

Nunu’s Quilt World

The Joys of Hex, Day 4

 Three little folded Hexagon flowers.

Yes, those are prairie point leaves

Same technique using authentic 1930s fabric yo-yos

I pulled these from my Hexagon Quilt Vault. I made these years ago using my method of folding hexagons into, well, smaller hexagons! And one more . . .

Folded hexagon flowers, gros-grain ribbon and dragonfly fabric.

Now take a visit with today's creative bloggers. Stay awhile and get your creative juices flowing. It's Friday, the weekend is here, and if you missed anybody, you have two days to catch up before we start up again on Monday. Remember, the entire list of bloggers for this Hop can be found on the Hexie Queen Hop button/tab above. Or just click on the Hexie button at the top right of this page.

Friday, August 23

Sew Peace to Peace

  

Quilt Crossing 

      

sarah did it!

  

Jane’s Quilting 

   

Life in the Scrapatch

  

Lixie Makes It

  

Creative Notions 

   

Modern Handcraft 

   

Feathered Nest Studio 

  

Moneik Quilts
Our sponsor is Connecting Threads who has sent 3 fat quarter bundles of
Sun Kissed Harvest....

How to win..

1. participate in our hops..all those who do get a chance to win

2. be creative, be original, take great photos...you can win in our top 3 per day...
at the end of the hop..all those have another chance to win.

3. leave lovely comments....you can win too...

Thank you Connecting Threads; you are always a great sponsor!

The Joys of Hex, Day 3

Just a circle of hexies sewn together

Fussy cut owls in those trees - perfect size for a perfect block

I pulled this from my Hexagon Quilt Vault: Owls are the Bomb

Each block fits onto a fat quarter - Yikes!

These were sewn into a circle and I added an appliqued center hexagon. All this was then appliqued to the red background square, which really was a fat quarter - can you believe it? You can see my steps to get to this block here: Owls are the Bomb.

How about FREE Printable Sheets to transfer the markings to the wrong side of fabric so you can cut out and stitch 1" hexies without those pesky papers? You can have this file for PERSONAL use only; not to be printed and distributed, please. I know some of you like to sew along the line. This is perfect for just that.

Print accurate cutting lines for perfect 1" hexies to sew by hand or machine

 Yes, you can! If this sort of sewing interests you, then please go ahead and get the file. The second page has 12, one inch hexies to print as you can see in these pictures.

FREE Pattern for printing and sewing

Print. Cut out. Sew by hand or machine.

Now, take some time to visit our Day Three Bloggers. They are sure to inspire and uplift you today.

Thursday, August 22

   

Negligent Style 

   

Sue Mac Seeds   

The Tilted Quilt

   

Julia Plunket 

Just Let Me Quilt 

   

More Stars in Comanche 

   

Be a Quilter 

   

Sew Me Something Good 

   

Cherrys Prairie Primitives 

   

Words and Stitches 

Our sponsor is Connecting Threads who has sent 3 fat quarter bundles of
Sun Kissed Harvest....

How to win..

1. participate in our hops..all those who do get a chance to win

2. be creative, be original, take great photos...you can win in our top 3 per day...
at the end of the hop..all those have another chance to win.

3. leave lovely comments....you can win too...

Thank you Connecting Threads; you are always a great sponsor!

The Joys of Hex, Day 2

I have pictures of my Windham Scrap Bags! See below. But first look at my bugs.

Check out the short tutorial here: Love Those Hexies

I pulled this out of my Hexagon Quilt Vault. Check out the cute child's quilt made with easy hexagons: Love Those Hexies

Hexie blocks sewn into 3 vertical rows with dotted sashing

I received my TWO scrapbags from  Windham Fabrics yesterday for not one, but TWO winners in my giveaway. Aren't these fine?

Scrap Bag #1, Front

Scrap Bag #1, Back

Scrap Bag #2, Front

Scrap Bag #2, Back

If you haven't already seen my post of August 20 and left a comment (only one comment per visitor will be counted in the giveaway), please check out my Hexie Projects. I will now have TWO winners because Windham sent me TWO bags.

Now, please go visit these Hexie Hoppers to see what they've come up with today. I am so excited to see all the creativity; aren't you?

Wednesday, August 21

  

Sunshine Girl Nicola 

Cheryl James

   

Fish Kopp   

Grizz 'n' Dove   

Secretly Stitching  

In the Boon Docks  

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs 

   

Quilt Doodle Designs 

   

Ridge Top Quilts 

  

KaHolly 

   

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Our sponsor is Connecting Threads who has sent 3 fat quarter bundles of
Sun Kissed Harvest....

How to win..

1. participate in our hops..all those who do get a chance to win

2. be creative, be original, take great photos...you can win in our top 3 per day...
at the end of the hop..all those have another chance to win.

3. leave lovely comments....you can win too...

Thank you Connecting Threads; you are always a great sponsor!

The Hexies are Coming!

Hmmm. What can these be?

I'm just saying . . . The Hexies are coming and you better be ready.

The fun starts on Tuesday, right here and right at the Mother Ship: Sew We Quilt.

Stay tuned. The Hexies are coming (did I say that already?)

Two English Paper PIecing Books

See all quilts here: English Paper Piecing

I am teaching a new class for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo beginning in Fredericksburg, VA (October 3-5). That coincides very nicely with the upcoming Hexie Queen Hop! I have been busy sewing (by hand) samples for my classes and realizing how fun and relaxing this can be. Those who know me call me the "Machine Queen" - I love my sewing machines! I gave up handwork years ago. Until a few weeks ago!

My publisher sent me this book by Vicki Bellino and it's delightful. Here is one quilt that is a sneak-peek of what I will be revealing next week (just a LITTLE like this, mind you!):

One of Vicki's delightful quilts

What I love about Martingale books is that you can see ALL the quilts in a book before you buy it. And there is so much "how-to" information with clear illustrations for the techniques they use. There is a LOT of good information about English Paper Piecing and I even learned a few things myself!

English Paper Piecing by Vicki Bellino . . . "presents a delightful selection of English paper-piecing quilt patterns. Using gorgeous pieced elements as appliques, Vicki takes out the tedium and opens up exciting new design options. Twelve inspiring quilt patterns, from a small quilt suitable for framing to larger wall hangings and bed quilts."

I also got a second book, which is very traditional - with a twist! Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks on steroids! Beautiful, creative ways with hexagons that give so many ideas to those who don't mind making all those little parts! See all the quilts here: Quilts from Grandmother's Garden

So many hexies, so little time!

See quilts here: Quilts from Grandmother's Garden

"A little handwork-and a few quick tricks-is all it takes to create these striking quilts inspired by old-fashioned Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts. Instead of sewing together thousands of tiny hexagons, make appliqué units instead! Learn how today's inexpensive precut papers make the process a breeze-no need to draw and cut hexagons. "

Just show me the pictures!

Wreath for All Seasons

Friendship Basket with Buttons and Bows

Please come back on TUESDAY when the Hexie Queen hop begins! Until then, keep stitching.

Christmas Vault - Day 8

The Diadem Quilt from my book, Supersize 'Em Quilts

Christmas Vault - Day 8 @ Debby Kratovil Quilts

Are you still with me? What a ride, huh? Today is Day 8 of the Ho Ho Ho Hop and these bloggers are so excited to share their creations. This is the last day and we've had so much inspiration. I am pulling out fabrics and planning some new things as a result of seeing so much awesome work!!

The quilt pictured above appears in my second book. It is a traditional block that dates back to the early 1900s. I converted it to foundation piecing those sharp points and the center squares are nice and large (10") so you can showcase a large scale print. The block finishes to 14". And yes, this quilt comes out during the holidays!

Here are the remaining bloggers for our hop. They may be last but I am confident they are sure to WOW us with some great ideas. What are you waiting for? Get hopping!

August 9

Moose Stash Quilting

Cathy’s Chatter

Darlington Delights

Life in the Scrapatch

Quilt n Queen

Forget-Me-Not Stitches

Quilted Delights

AnnieOak Designs

Sew Peace to Peace

Wips & Tuts

Just Keep Swimming

Sew We Quilt

Christmas Vault - Day 7

Simple tessellating stars. Sewn like a Rail Fence block.

Christmas Vault - Day 7 @ Debby Kratovil Quilts

Yes, we are still at it! This is Day 7 of the Ho Ho Ho Hop and I think this is better than Pinterest! 

The quilt above has been a "go to" pattern for years. I had one appear in my first book, Bold Black and Beautiful Quilts, which was done in autumn colors of black and golds. Truly lovely. I taught this as a workshop and have since retired it. It's a traditional pattern that is everywhere on the internet. I still own this quilt and she appears at holiday time (and I do try to press out that nasty crease that somehow appeared in this pic!).

Go visit these fellow bloggers to see what they've come up with for today's hop. 

August 8

Quiltscapes

Marla’s Crafts

A Stitch In Time

Mehitabel’s Musings

Buzzing and Bumbling

Transitions For Meee

A Little Bit of Lorene

I Piece 2-Mary

Under the Presser Foot

A Reformed Heath’n

Just Sew Quilter

Christmas Vault - Day 6

This is my cheater's Baltimore Album Christmas quilt - printed panels!

Christmas Vault - Day 6 @ Debby Kratovil Quilts

Yes, this is as close as I have come to having a Baltimore Album quilt. I found these lovely, small cheater panels many years ago and set them with red squares and triangles for a quick quilt. Just a smidgen of border fabrics and I was done. I still hang this on my wall at holiday time.

This is Day 6 of the Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop. I have been SO INSPIRED by all the marvelous creativity I've seen so far. I want to sew it all! So much fabric, so many ideas, so little time . . .

August 7

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio

From This to That

I Like To Quilt Blog

Leah @ L3designs

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

Just Quilt It

Meadowbrook

Peanut’s Patchwork

Around the Homestead

Feathered Nest Studio

In The Boon Docks

MO Broker, My Creative Side

I hope you take a few minutes to visit these folks. Enjoy the ride!

Christmas Vault - Day 5 of the Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop

First we begin with fabric: the Let it Snow Collection by Windham

Email followers click here to see blog post online: Debby Kratovil Quilts

Elizabeth C. of Massachusetts won the fat quarter bundle of these fabrics. Thanks to everyone who shared such special memories of your treasured Christmas decorations!
 
Yep, today is my day to reveal my holiday project. Never mind that it's the middle of summer, we are all sweating like a dripping Popsicle! I love these novelty prints and, of course, making something for my little grandsons was upmost in my mind.

First, I AM NOT CONFUSED. I know this is NOT the Hexie Hop, but I've been sewing with hexies all summer and they just happened to appear in this Ho Ho Ho Hop. (Come back August 20th for 8 days of awesome hexie projects with 75+ bloggers!)

One center hexie (already basted) surrounded by 6 fussy cut robins (with pins holding the fabric to the hexagon paper).

Fussy cut center hexie (2") surrounded with fussy cut robins. Cute, huh?

 Working with the second set of hexies and a different center fussy-cut snowman:

Getting ready to add the last hexie. All done with the English Paper Piecing method

Auditioning fabric. I like this snowflake print!

Added a hexie to each side and then appliqued the whole thing to a large rectangle

So, what do they look like, huh?

Over-sized place mat with our favorite Frosty the Snowman night light

 Can you see Frosty there over in the corner? He has lived with us for over 25 years. Bought him at a yard sale when my 3 lovely daughters were little kiddos. They fight over him to this day (they are 33, 31 and 27 years old - can you believe it?)

The winter scene behind that place mat is used for the backing on the place mats. I know my little grandsons will be happy using either side, don't you?

Different fussy cut center snowman for this hexie

Yes, I pinked the edges instead of using binding. I wanted to finish these in time for the Hop.

What's my giveaway?

A bundle of 4 fat quarters from this "Let it Snow" Collection

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite holiday decoration is (quilt, nativity scene, candle set, or even your own Frosty nightlight). I will choose a winner Monday, August 12.


Until then, go see what my other fellow bloggers have to show you today!

August 6

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Debby Kratovil (you are here)

Apple Avenue Quilts

Domestic Deficit Disorder

Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Cate’s Linens

Brenda’s Blog

Charlottes Creations

Selina Quilts

Made By Me In Red

Blooming where I am Planted

Christmas Vault - Day 4

One Day Lone Star - the quilt no magazine wanted to pick up!

Christmas Vault - Day 4: Debby Kratovil Quilts

Today is the FOURTH day of the Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop. And Carol (Just Let Me Quilt), along with Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt are our glorious cheerleaders.

I sewed this quilt on spec for Blank Quilting, both of us hoping a quilt magazine would pick it up for publication. No one wanted it (their loss, I say). I turned it into a very popular and successful workshop which I've taught about 10 times. There are no y-seams, only straight line sewing. We work with pre-cut strips, make diagonal 9 patch units and most students finish the center units in class.

I blogged about this same quilt (different colors) with a FREE pattern link here: Very Big Lone Star

New week; new set of bloggers. Now it's time to visit all the creative people for today's Ho Ho Ho Hop (there are way too many "h" and "o"s in there!)

August 5

Cherry’s Prairie Primitives

Scraps of Life

Words & Stitches

Blue Heron Quilts

More Stars in Comanche

Handmade by Mama

Just Let Me Quilt

In Stitches and Seams

Scrapbook ChickADoodle

Jane’s Quilting

Beaquilter

Life@RuffHaven

Timeless Treasures is a sponsor (see details at Sew We Quilt site)

Don't forget that TOMORROW IS MY DAY. I will show off my NEW Christmas creations and have a GIVEAWAY!

Christmas Vault - Day 3

One of my absolute favorite Christmas quilts, traditional Oak Leaf and Rose Wreath blocks

Email followers click here to see blog post online: Debby Kratovil Quilts

Today is the THIRD day of the Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop. Carol of Just Let Me Quilt is the cheerleader, along with Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt.

 I hope my followers are still with me for the ride! The red and green quilt above is one that appeared in Quilt Magazine many years ago. I started by hand appliqueing a block, realized I prefer my sewing machines, threw the first block in the trash and went to work creating the entire quilt by machine. I loved every minute of it!

August 2

Quilt Doodle Doodles

life, quilts and a cat too

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Ridge Top Quilts

Editha

Stitchin By the Lake

Quilts, Fabric and Thread Tales

Sew Many Yarns

Kwilty Pleasures

Kris Loves Fabric

52 Quilts in 52 Weeks

Robin’s Fabric Nest

Remember, this is the prize giveaway (see information at the Sew We Quilt site link above):

I hope you take a few minutes to visit these folks. Enjoy the ride. We are taking the weekend off. I hope your weekend is filled with happy sewing and relaxing with family and friends. Come back Monday for more of the Ho Ho Ho Bloggers!

Christmas Vault - Day 2

These come from my Cookie Cutter Bonanza pattern set (on CD) - yum, yum!

Email followers click here to see blog post online: Debby Kratovil Quilts

Today is the second day of the Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop. Many thanks to Madame Samm and Carol of Just Let Me Quilt for pulling this all together.

 I wanted to make sure that my followers got to see all of the fabulous creations made by today's Hop bloggers. The red and green quilt above is one that appeared in Quilt Magazine a few years ago. I still teach this workshop and students can choose one of 11 different cookie cutter shapes. This quilt comes out every year for the holidays.

August 1

Vroomans Quilts

Abyquilt

MacDonald’s Patch

Life and Everthing Around It

Hill Valley Quilter

Traveling Quilter

Quilting Lines

The Reluctant Quilter

Pig Tales and Quilts

Teatime Creations

Ravelly1

Here is the giveaway at the Sew We Quilt site for participants in this Hop, with Timeless Treasures one of the sponsors:

I hope you take a few minutes to visit these folks. Enjoy the ride. Come back tomorrow to see a new list. And be sure to see what I will have on Tuesday, August 6.