Month: November 2015

My Life

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

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2015vintage-thanksgiving-postcard

I hope you’re able to spend Thanksgiving with those you’re thankful for like I am!

Our pies are warm from the oven & ready to go to my sister’s house for dinner at noon.

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Clare baked the Cherry & David & I made the rest.

It takes all morning since they have different baking times…

Too bad for my family, I make them come for cinnamon rolls at 7:30 a.m.

When they start whining I just ask them if they want pie for lunch or not.

Wow does the whining stop in a hurry.

I think everyone’s favorite is here at least none will go to waste!

Happy Thanksgiving &

Just keep sewing…

Susan

A Giveaway!, Blog tour with give-aways

100 Blocks Volume 12 Winners!

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I hope you’ve been inspired to get your sewing machine going with all the beautiful blocks in the new issue.

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It was fun reading your favorite season or reason to quilt.

Now for the winners…

For a free copy of the new 100 Blocks Volume 12:

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Pat D Says:

I like your Tiny Dresden series patterns. Thanks for a chance to win

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and for a free pattern from Suzn Quilts:

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Patricia Says:

I love giving at Christmas, especially handmade. Thanks for the recipe.

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I hope all of you had fun & hopefully won something too.

If not, don’t forget the magazine is now on the newsstands.

Just keep sewing…

Susan

Family Time, My Life

Knee Deep in Red Crosses Today

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I can’t believe it’s been a year & a half (no way…) since we celebrated Chloe’s college graduation & in a few weeks we’ll be celebrating Blake’s.

I don’t think I procrastinate, it’s just time flying faster than me!

Nothing like a bit of a reality check for a kick in the pants, huh?

Being a quilter…

I had this cool idea for Chloe’s party.

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Until today, this is where cool idea had stagnated for the past 18 months.

Before her graduation I received these lovelies for my 50th birthday from some of my quilting friends & since the colors went together perfectly with this piece of nursing fabric & her signature blocks, I thought this is where the quilt was going. Also, because Chloe spends time with these quilting friends at market with me that would be even more special.

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Today though, when I came across this piece of fabric,

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I knew it was where this quilt needed to go since this fabric matches Chloe’s living room perfectly. This also leaves my friends’ gifts to do something just for me.

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I had these charm packs or pieces of charm packs close by.

Look how perfectly they coordinate with a one of the nurse hats.

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This was meant to be!

I’m so excited to get working on this project, finally!

So, I’m marking crosses

(notice I had the guests sign pieces of fabric ironed onto freezer paper with a window cut where they should sign instead of the actual hat shape)

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& practicing my stitching.

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I don’t want to mess any of these up.

Sadly, three of our relatives that attended the party have passed away since then, including my Mother-in-law just last month.

This is what I treasure about these kind of projects.

My next obstacle is whether to include my block as “Susan R. Marth” or if I should do like David did & sign it “Mom.”

What do you think?

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Please don’t tell me to include both because I have an even 48 blocks including just one for me.

Gotta get to work.

Is this procrastinating, Lol???

Don’t tell Chloe, I want her to be surprised.

Plus I may get delayed again so I wouldn’t want to get her hopes up.

Just keep sewing!

Susan

 

Blog tour with give-aways

My Day on the Blog Tour for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 12

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I’m once again honored to be part of another volume of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks!

My block, Frosty is #1150.

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He is pieced & then his face & scarf are applique.

He’ll make a great after Christmas project when the snow starts flying.

By the way,

fabric snowmen are the only ones I truly love.

If I could move to a sunny & warm climate 365 days a year I’d be happy!

With Frosty here though, I can stay where it’s warm & sew him all day.

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How cute he would be at opposite ends of a runner for your winter table.

You would have space in the middle to put a pretty bowl of snowballs (real or the cookie kind)!

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                                       Mini Chip Snowball Cookies (very Best Baking by NESTLÉ)

  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
  • Powdered sugar

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
Beat butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers. Yields 5 dozen cookies

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But don’t limit your sewing creativity to one of my ideas…

Run out to your favorite magazine stand & find your brand new copy of

Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 12 and start dreaming & sewing today!

If you would like to try & win a free copy of this issue,

just leave me a comment

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AT THE TOP OF THIS POST

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telling me your favorite season to sew for

& give your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Want to win a free Suzn Quilts pattern?

Tell me your favorite pattern from my website!

I will draw one lucky winner to receive a free copy of the issue

& another will win a free pattern from my website.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of Quiltmaker’s blog tour for more fun & freebies.

Just keep sewing!

Susan

 

Dresden Plates, Finishing up a quilt project, My Life, New tiny Dresden plate quilts

Cutie Patootie Christmas Stocking

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Several months ago (I’m not telling how many…)

I bought this pretty Barbara Brackman charm pack & two coordinating prints.Suzn+Quilts+Richmond+RedsThis is what I had in mind.

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I LOVE these stockings!!!

They’re fun to make & so darn cute!

I cut the charm squares into fourths making 2-1/2″ squares.

Then I made this.

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I love using a stripe fabric for bias binding.

It creates a nice barber pole effect around the perimeter.

How cute is this hanger?

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Instead of my usual binding loop,

I used an antique-looking twill measuring tape ribbon for the loop.

You can purchase this twill measuring tape ribbon on my website, $2.00/ yd.

Totally cute for a sewist friend, don’t you think?

Perhaps you need a secret sister gift idea?

Well, you have a special friend or two at the very least!

This is what I’ve been up to.

What about you?

Just keep sewing…

Susan

Mini Dresden Patterns, My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, New tiny Dresden plate quilts, Quick Little Projects, Quilt Market, Suzn Quilts Patterns, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Fall 2015

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I know I’m a bit late to the party…

International Fall Quilt Market was over two weeks ago…

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(Image from Moda’s Cutting Table Blog)

I wasn’t able to attend, but I do have new quilt patterns that would have been there. I was with my family instead since my wonderful Mother-in-law passed away the day before Chloe & I were to fly to Houston.

How appropriate that this is the first of my three new patterns.

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I’m sad, I’m tired & I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful family & such dear friends. Getting older is not an easy thing for anyone involved. I will miss my mother-in-law dearly. She was one of my best friends. I’m so thankful that she was able to live independently in her own home & will not be going into assisted living or to a nursing facility.

So, if you’ve been wondering why I’ve been lacking in presence here, she is one of the reasons. Also, my dad had heart surgery the day Chloe & I were to fly to Minneapolis for spring quilt market back in May. We did fly out the next day though so we didn’t miss that. I then spent the majority of the next six weeks at the hospital & then rehab with him helping him to recover from the surgery. I’m happy to report that he was able to resume baling hay this summer, his passion!  Once a farmer, always a farmer…

One of the reasons I do what I do is because of the ability to work around my family & its many schedules. I can work at any hour & stop at the drop of a hat to help whoever needs me at that moment. It started with raising our children but more recently it’s been helping with our parents.

I’m very fortunate & I’m so thankful they at least take turns!

How appropriate that this is my next new pattern.

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I’m definitely in “My Happy Place” with my family & in my sewing room!!!

My third & final new pattern: Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+Happy+Birthday+cover+RGB

All three use my Tiny Dresden Template,

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& “My Happy Place” also uses my Mini Dresden Template.

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Like my previous Dresden plate patterns,

the paper template is included in the pattern, but you’ll want to also purchase the plastic template because it will make your cutting so much quicker & more accurate.

Look for them on my website & hopefully soon at your local quilt shop!

Just keep sewing…

Susan

Flea markets & antiquing, My Life

A Dolly Bed Day

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The last couple of years I’ve been on the look-out for doll beds to help display or perhaps inspire small quilts.

You might remember me showing you one here.

They’re a lot harder to find than you may think.

It seems a lot of little girls had cribs or cradles not beds,

but I prefer the way a quilt drapes over a bed instead of going down into a crib or cradle.

Well, Friday I went to an estate sale and found a bed.

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What an adorable print on the little mattress cover.

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Not sure of the era, but it reminds me of feed sack cloth.

I also found a wicker cradle.

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Although I prefer beds, I could not resist!

Then I stopped by an antique barn & found one more bed…

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I knocked off the goofle feathers (my mom’s term for cobwebs & dust) & have been admiring them up close.

This green bed appears to be home made.

Not the best craftsmanship, but my favorite just the same.

Is it because green is my favorite color?

Think of all the hours some little girl enjoyed her favorite dolly.

I’d like to make a little quilt for each one, but for now I’m just admiring their sweetness!

Just keep sewing…

Susan