HELLO ALL!     WELCOME ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND QUILTMAKER MAGAZINE!      

     I’m so please and honored to share my block with Quiltmaker Magazine and all of you.  KANSAS FORTUNE is a great block for your future quilts.  Positioning of the block can give you lots of really quite different looks.   I’m excited to be working on a pattern that puts KANSAS FORTUNE on point too.    Great block for just about any line or style of fabrics imaginable.

        Here are two more ideas for you!

   Post a comment on this blog  May 2-6, and be eligible to win your own copy of QUILTMAKER 100 BLOCKS VOLUME 3.     Or get your copy on the stands appearing by May 10.   Trust me, you’ll want to get your hands on another great bunch of sampler blocks.    Make sure and check out all the designers on the blog tour.  

            My boys, MICKY, RUSTY AND WYLIE say bye-bye and Joyful Stitching to all !!!

Hello all!     Well,  Miss Emily has whipped up another winner.   She is quite a prolific and talented young quilter, making models for Friendship Star Quilt Shop in El Dorado, Kansas.   You go girl!

WOWEE!!!    This lovely creation (my pattern Fancy That) was made by my friend (and favorite quilter) Debra Freese.  This eye-popper also has some extra treats, as Debra has added some Celtic designs.   Debra is an extremely talented quilter (who also has been published).  I’m so blessed to get to share in her extraordinary creativity.

A week or so ago, I’d planned to get outside on a nice day and pull the weeds in the front flower bed, remulch, and look forward to my summer perennials peeking out.  Surprise!!!   Also “peeking” through the maze of weeds (although lovely purple, weeds none the less) and the oak leaves, and the hyacinth blooms, I find three baby bunnies.   So other chores were found that day to keep me busy!        To all of you be the blessings of the true Easter!

Well, well, well,  we are ahead of schedule!   Great-nephew due in June, and the baby quilt is finished and delivered!  This simple quilt is an “I SPY” game for the whole family.  But I have to admit, there is an unusually high number of blocks with DOGS.   No surprise there,  ha!

Emilie with Micky & Friends

 Ta Da!    A new quilt shop FRIENDSHIP STAR QUILT SHOP,  in El Dorado, Kansas.  Tammi Jo and gang have a great hometown welcome waiting for you.  Lovely ladies all, with a love of fabric and quilting with the best of us.  A very talented young lady, Miss Emily, is a model maker extraordinaire, and is pictured with her handiwork in creating MICKY AND FRIENDS.   Great work, Miss Emily!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !!!

Busy, Blessed, and Joyful was the Christmas holiday with family.  Sharing the year’s events, playing volleyball, chasing each other on go carts, and eating, of course!

But I admit I’m anxious to get back to the sewing machine with all the new designs popping around in my head, like a new t-shirt quilt pattern, tablerunners, and baby quilts.

Shipped off lots of patterns for a test run in two national stores, so am thrilled at the possibilities that could bring, including the cross pattern above.    I’m to teach a class at Picket Fence Quilt Company  on crayon tinting/embroidery coming soon.  Bought a brand new box of crayons just for that project – too fun!  Have the coloring done, now must go upstairs and prepare to get started with the embroidery.

Joyful Stitching to you!

   Just in time to start the New Year, I’ve had my pattern covers re-designed.  I love the results of the houndstooth pattern I chose.   I’m hoping it will give a great jump start to one of the opportunities that came from Houston Market.  As soon as I know more,  you’ll all be the first to know!   Let me know if you like the new look. Joyful Stitching!

These fun fabrics were  chosen by Cindy Mastro (pictured), the owner of DEMELIA’S QUILT COMPANY.  It is located in the quaint Amish community of Yoder, Kansas.  Cindy’s vibrant personality matches that of the loads of colorful prints she delights you with in her store.   Which makes it all the more interesting, being in that location.  With Cindy’s version of  “Forever K&J”,  instead of  buttons in the center of the blocks, she will be using yo-yo’s.  What a terrific option!                                                                                                                                     

My version of  “Forever K&J” (on pattern cover) has finally been presented as the wedding gift to niece and her husband (married June 2009).  So now I must get busy making a new model of my own.   MORE NEWS -  now finding out that a baby quilt will be in order for Kylie and Jonathan next summer.  As luck would have it, I have a quilt top already done.  If you’re like me, it’s a rare occasion to be ahead of the game.    Joyful Stitching!

This precious face is Haley.  She is the official store mascot for PICKET FENCE QUILT COMPANY.    She also just happens to be the sister of my dog, Wylie Coyote.   Haley and I make a fuss over each other when “Aunt Debbie” comes into the store.      Lisa Johnson , owner, (and  husband David) are always  ready to display any of my new patterns.   Even though I’m not an official employee anymore, this great quilt shop serves as a “home base”.