Just A Hint of Life

Over the last several months I have been noticeably quiet. My absence in blogging has not been due to any illness, depression, secret projects, or lack of desire or motivation, but quite simply... lack of time. When your daily schedule has been so completely turned upside down (like I suppose the rest of the world) one is forced to prioritize, re-think and re-structure how those very few, but precious moments are spent. Tasks and goals become question of "what is an absolute necessity, and what things can stay on the backburner?"My re-emergence post will be notably absent of promises of doing better, posting more often, or anything that sounds remotely close to a New's Resolution, peppered with...

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Bye, Bye, Butterfly Pattern Release + 20% SALE

Just this week I was sharing with my youngest son why spring is my favorite time of year. It’s always been thrilling for me to discover those first bulbs, bursting up through the dormant soil…the perfect shade of spring green that adorns foliage with the promise of new life – tender and delicate…the much-craved light and warmth from a sun that now lingers longer than in the previous winter months. More than anything, I think my love of spring has more to do with the feeling that it ushers in… a feeling of hopefulness that hovers thick. Winter is coming to an end. With this in mind, it feels like it is perfect timing for the release of my latest pattern, “Bye, Bye Butterfly”. A butterfly is...

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Partridge In A Pear Tree - Today's Quilter Magazine

Are you looking for an applique project to warm up those cold winter months? Then my "Partridge In A Pear Tree" applique found in the latest issue of Today's Quilter magazine might be just what you're looking for - such a soft and subtle palette is perfect for almost any season!Combining applique and reverse applique can be a satisfying way to highlight focal point design elements. Showcase them for holiday artwork or make a pillow ready to adorn any sofa.Soft orange and salmon colored berries add just a hint of warmth to any wintery project.Simple leaf details add interest to this soft-winged snow bird.The "Perfect Pears & Branches" blocks can be used either by themselves, or in a larger...

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HOW-TO: Stitching Applique BEFORE or AFTER Quilting?

At various times, people have been taken aback that I don’t applique per hand… ever. If we are laying it all out on the table, then you should know that I don’t even hand bind any of my quilts. In spite of my lack of affection for hand sewing, I am glad to have seen a revival of the slow stitching movement. I will never cease to be awed with the amazing work needle turn appliquers and English paper-piecing enthusiasts create… but when it’s all said and done, it’s simply not for me.No matter what applique technique you prefer, let me tell you why the starch applique technique (turned edge) has become my method of choice, and one that I am obviously super excited about: because it allows me to...

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Cool or Warm color palette?

My grandmother loved blue. She had piercing blue eyes and found beauty in surrounding herself with that cool and calm shade... every room, and even a large percentage of her wardrobe. Because my mother grew up with so much blue around her, she attributes that as one of the reasons why there was an extreme absence of blue in the house. Like my mother, blue is also noticeably missing in my home, but in spite of all of that... somehow blue seems to follows me.If you were to look at my most recent projects, you might get the impression that an ocean-inspired palette is what make my heart sing. Hmmm... there's Purdy Bird, then my second Fly High Dragonfly, my reverse applique quilt, and now my most...

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NEW YouTube Video - Sewing Drunkard's Path Blocks

I find that there a few quilting techniques that newbie, and sometimes even experienced quilters shy away from... and one of those is sewing curves. Sure it's a little nerve wracking to cut into your much beloved fabric and try a technique that looks really hard... but what is the point of doing something unless you are always pushing yourself towards the next thing?There are a couple different approaches to sewing curves. One way is to pin them, and then sew, but I much prefer the no-pin, or ease method and trim later. In my latest YouTube videos, I demonstrate both of these techniques, so if you've never sewn curves before, what are you waiting for?I recently shared a few Purdy Bird color...

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