Quilting my way through life!

Applique quilt projects, My Life, New Christmas Quilt Fabric, New Christmas Quilt Patterns, new fabric collection, New Pattern Sample, Quilt Market

Knee deep in petals

February 27, 2014 suznquilts

These petals can grow & multiply even in frigid temperatures!

The weather is still crazy cold here.

It was just 12 degrees here this morning,

but it’s warm in my sewing room!

I’m sewing up my new Christmas designs for spring market using the new “Winterlude” by 3 Sisters for Moda that I showed you a while back.

So far today I’ve made these blue plates.

They’re actually mini Dresden plates.

They will make a 4-1/2″ finished block.

I told you they were MINI!!!

Now I’m working on green plates.

I like to make these in assembly line fashion.

Cut a million petals…

Stitch a million petals…

Trim a million petals…

I found a way to use my new bowl that was a Christmas gift from my friend, Kathy.

She sells the hand made pottery in her new studio.

It’s best to keep the different fabrics segregated since they’re so close in color & design.

That’s what I like about this collection.

There aren’t a lot of different colors, just a few used over and over with different patterns.

This quilt will have an organized scrappy feel to it with a feel of antiquity.

I love this collection!!!

I think I’ll move this to the living room tonight.

I can turn a million…

Press a millions..

all while watching my favorite shows!

Perhaps I’ll move my featherweight in there too.

This is a fun little project for that machine.

The days are getting longer.

Think spring!!!

Until next time,

Susan

fabric shopping, New Christmas Quilt Fabric, new fabric collection

Yet another Moda loving moment

January 27, 2014January 26, 2014 suznquilts

Did I ever tell you the reason I quilt is so my family doesn’t accidentally die in a fabric avalanche?

Well, it’s true.

My name is Susan and I have a fabric addiction.

I didn’t get it from my mother, she still has hers…

Perhaps I have mine & my sister’s since she also learned to sew from our mom, but she hasn’t been afflicted with the fabric thing.

I-love-fabric!

So when a box like this shows up,

although I ordered it and I know what’s inside,

it’s like Christmas morning and I’m a kid again!

I know Christmas is now over,

but in my world it’s just starting

or really it never ended because I’ve been working on new

Christmas designs since I got home from fall market…

The new Moda Christmas fabric samples are now available.

Let me introduce Winterlude by 3 Sisters for Moda due in quilt shops in June:

Christmas is my most favorite season and my most favorite reason to quilt.

Next is Through the Winter Woods by Holly Taylor for Moda due in quilt shops in May:

I guess it’s the red/green combination that I’m drawn to, not sure.

What I do know is that I have plane tickets for Chloe & me to go to Pittsburgh on May 14, where spring market is this year and I have a lot of work to do!

Do you have any requests of patterns you’d like to see?

I’ve been working on small Christmas quilt designs.

I had so many shops comment on my mini Vintage Play quilt at market.

My new designs aren’t this small,

but I thought I’d start there and see where else the spirit leads me!

Do you get inspired by the fabric?

Not sure where I’m heading, but it’s going to be with some lovely fabric!

Thanks, Moda!

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

Best Birthday Ever!

January 26, 2014January 26, 2014 suznquilts

When it comes to birthdays, everyone is different.

(note: the little signs say 50 Sucks, Bites & Blows…)

I personally think they’re a lot of fun.

My family in particular likes to celebrate them,

and this year, since it was a big one for me,

they really did that!

It was a surprise party for me.

I had no clue.

I didn’t want a party.

My DH turned 50 last summer, and we had a party for him, so it seemed like it would be a bit redundant.

It wasn’t!

They went all out and reserved a new tea room,

invited all my friends,

and were able to keep it a surprise up until the very moment we turned onto the street.

We were supposedly on our way to church, a typical Saturday evening for us,

but when we passed up our church and instead turned a couple of blocks later,

I knew right away what was going on then.

I have no clue how they pulled it off without anyone slipping, even a teeny bit.

My only out-of-state brother came!

My out-of-town college roommate who I’ve remained close with all these years came too!

We talked, we ate, we had a lot of fun!

I got cash, gift cards, flowers, candy, jewelry,

& these:

It’s no surprise to you I’m sure that I have quilting friends.

Two of my designer friends sent me a box,

& in that box was a fat 1/4 of red & white fabric, thread & cash to add more fabric

along with a challenge!

I have to send them a photo of a finished project by July 15, 2014.

Another designer friend sent me the tiny red, white & black 9 patches.

They go perfectly with the red & white fat 1/4 & my Vintage Play black road dashes plus she included my Vintage Play red tonal numbers in the center of each block!

Whoever said getting old is no fun?

I disagree!

I plan to just keep sewing…

Now you know what I’ve been doing.

I’m busy getting old!

Until next time,

Susan

A Giveaway!, fabric shopping, My Life, Quilt Shops

Quilt Shop Day – Saturday, January 25, 2014

January 20, 2014 suznquilts

Have you heard?

The second annual “Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day” is Saturday, January 25, 2014!

It’s a great way to support your local quilt shop around the world.

You don’t need to do anything special,

BUT if you

visit a participating quilt shop,

photograph yourself there & add a caption of why it’s your favorite shop,

then upload the image to

http://ww.quiltshopday.com

you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 shopping spree in that store!

You (& your friends) can vote on the website once a day during a six-day period

following January 25.

Winners will be announced in early February.

Sound like fun?

If you don’t wish to do the photo thing,

just go visit your local quilt shop anyway and pick out a new project for the new year.

Tell them I sent you!

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

An Extra Chocolatey New Year 2014!

December 31, 2013January 20, 2014 suznquilts

Going anywhere this evening to celebrate the new year?

We’ll be going to my brother Dennis’ house for an informal gathering of family.

It’s potluck.

I decided to make chicken salad to serve on crackers,

& this.

I just love it when my family really likes something that is so easy to make!

This is my go-to-recipe when I get called to make a dessert for a funeral at church.

One of the reasons it’s my go-to-recipe is that I keep everything for it in my pantry.

It’s so easy you’ll want to make one for tonight too!

Just prepare a brownie mix for a 9 x 13 pan.

Bake it in a 9″ or 9-1/2″ spring form pan for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let it cool then remove the pan.

Invert it onto a serving platter.

Ice the top only with chocolate fudge frosting (Pillsbury is our favorite).

Sprinkle the edge of top with sprinkles.

Typically I use chocolate sprinkles.

Since it’s still the Christmas season I decided to use my red & green sprinkles.

It’s really rich, so cut the wedges small.

The ladies at church used to think I bought these!

Stay safe & Happy New Year!

Until next time,

Susan

Quilt Magazines

Got Magazines!

December 15, 2013December 15, 2013 suznquilts

This week I made a magazine page on my website.

They are each $6.99 + shipping.

Quilting magazines are some of the best values out there.

They contain a lot of patterns for a little bit of money!

Some I only have one issue left, so if there’s one you need don’t delay.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

Suzn Quilts Snowed in…

December 14, 2013 suznquilts

I didn’t order it, but it came anyway…

(cool panoramic by Chloe)

Chris & I were to go to Kathy’s new studio open house and art studio tour.

Instead we got 6″ of winter early this morning.

It’s the good kind that you can build a snowman with but alas, no one here is interested. (least of all me)

I’m in where it’s warm trying to organize my sewing room & basement to accommodate our ever-growing family that will be here on Christmas day at 11:00 a.m but whose keeping track?

If I get my organizing done before I’m too tired, I’m going to make something with fabric!

Until next time,

Susan

new fabric collection, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, Suzn Quilts Vintage Play fabric collection

“Playtime” Quilt Hits Newsstands in Quilt Trends -Winter 2014 issue

December 10, 2013 suznquilts

I have a new quilt; Playtime.

Of course it’s made with Vintage Play!

It’s featured in Quilt Trends’ Winter 2014 Magazine.

A fun lap quilt using the panel with kids playing,

plus the green border

and a few more prints.

The pillowcase shown is made with the cute dog print in red.

The pattern for the pillowcase can be found here on Quilt Trends’ website

and the quilt kit can be ordered from my website here.

A nice gift for a quilter on your Christmas list???

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

The Weather! You can’t get away from it…

December 9, 2013 suznquilts

It’s everywhere…

I’m just sitting here minding my own business when I get this email, EXHIBIT A:

“It’s like people that brag about being taaaall…” (in a whiny voice: You’ve got mail)

Then I notice Jonathan can’t keep his thoughts to himself either, EXHIBIT B:

Lyrics: People talk about the weather (LOL!)
Like it’s always gonna rain
They say it’s getting harder
When’s it ever gonna change?
Take a look at all the flowers in the field
For none were dressed like this (Matthew 6:28-29)

I like to listen to smooth jazz, USUALLY no lyrics…

Me?

I’m just going to keep on looking at my Sun(beam) & the stars (3″ finished), EXHIBIT C:

and ignore that white stuff right outside my window!

I hope you’re at least in the blue with me and not the pink,

but if not, just keep sewing.

Perhaps you can pull some warmth from your iron?

Until next time,

Susan

new fabric collection

Vintage Play: Fat Quarter Shop’s- Friday’s Feature!

November 15, 2013 suznquilts

Take a look at what’s being featured today over at The Fat Quarter Shop!

Kimberly & the folks at The Fat Quarter Shop made my lap size Vintage Play quilt (61-1/2″ x 77-1/2″) featuring the panel & prints from my fabric line, Vintage Play, and they’re selling kits.

You can also purchase backing kits, fat quarter bundles plus yardage.

Check them out!

Until next time,

Susan