Hot Tips, Quilt Shopping Out & About

Hot Tip-Selvage Signatures in full force!

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I’ve been doing some re-stocking in the fabric department here at Suzn Quilts.  I used some fabric in my new pattern samples and I’ve been running a bit low.  A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, so…

I fell in love with some of the new Wild Rose Collection by Blackbird Designs last week.  Then Monday I fell in love with some Christmas photos that were full of nothing but reds & creams, so…

yesterday I stocked up on some much needed Glorious Reds, and a bit more of my new favorite Christmas background.  I can really get caught up in great backgrounds. To me thery’re kind of like a painter’s canvas.  They set the tone of your whole quilt. 

After I got home and checked messages from all my technical sources and got an order ready for shipping, I sat right down with my Sharpie and gave each piece of fabric their “selvage signature”.  Don’t want Mr. Murphy (Murphy’s law, you know it’s going to happen) dancing a jig when I run out of one of these and need a bit more.  This little exercise also gives me an excuse to refold and stack my new pretties.  I’m pretty sure the only reason I quilt is to use up some of the beautiful fabrics before the stacks fall over and smother my family members!

Until next time,

Susan

Hot Tips

Hot Tip Tuesday #1, Selvage Signatures

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Does anyone out there besides me like great tips?  I have all kinds of quilting tips in my sewing room and in my little noggin. So, I’ve decided to start “Hot Tip Tuesday” and share them with you.

Since I know there are a lot more very good tips out there, I’m also going to open it up to you, my blog readers, to email me your tips SuznQuilts@aol.com If I use your tip I’ll send you a free pattern!

Tip #1, I don’t know if any of you have this problem, but I buy quilting fabric here, there, and everywhere and perhaps while it’s aging, I forget where I bought it. Then, when I do finally put it into a project I find that I bought a tad too little and want to buy more.  In my experience, it’s easiest to call the shop that at least at one point in time had the fabric.  Now, every time I buy new fabric, I write with a Sharpie on the selvage where I bought it and when.  I bought these two fabrics in Tennessee while on vacation with my family last summer. Yellow fabric is from Susan’s Mountain Stitches & the black is from The Cherry Pit.

This tip comes to you with a warning, it’s not dummy proof!  A year or so ago, I used a fabric that I’d labeled “EBT   ’08”.  Well, I had enough fabric, but a friend wanted some after she saw my project.  Do you know I could not, for the life of me, remember what my stupid note “EBT   ’08” meant?  It was months later that it dawned on me that I had bought it at Eleanor Burns’ tent sale in Paducah during the quilt show in ’08!!!  So, to expand on this tip, be sure to write yourself a note that you will understand more than a week after the purchase!

Until next time,

Susan

Family Time, New quilt pattern, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

100 Blocks Blog Tour Winner

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Happy Veteran’s Day to all our veterans!

It’s been a busy few days at my house, and on my blog.  My wonderful Mother-in-law helped me fold and bag patterns this week so I could get them shipped out, partly because I really needed the help and partly because she needed to be busy on the first anniversary of my father-in-law’s passing away. I have to say, everyone has said it would take her a year, not to be over her grief, but to start to be OK with it.  I’m happy to say, in the last two months, I’ve seen a calm in her that’s been missing since the untimely passing of her husband.  She’s even booked a bus trip to Branson with a friend, a huge step. Here’s to moving forward!

Speaking of moving forward, not only am I amazed by the number of people following the 100 Blocks tour, but also by all the comments that have been posted on all of the blogs participating!  So much excitement, and real soon you’ll all be able to get your hands on a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks vol. 2, one way or another.

I put all my comments into a number generator and the lucky winner from my blog is #113.  Now that is Kismet.  My favorite number is #13!  So, Michelle Clemons, if you’ll send me your address, Quiltmaker will send you a free copy of 100 Blocks vol. 2.

For the rest of you, there are still two more days of the great give-aways going on. Go to Quiltmaker’s blog for the lists of remaining blogs to visit.  Have fun and good luck!

Until next time,

Susan

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Welcome to 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

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I’m honored to be part of the second volume of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks.

While vending at Minnesota’s International Quilt Market in May, I was asked to submit a block to be considered for this issue.  What an honor to be selected along with 99 other talented quilt designers. 

My block, #140 “No Ordinary Flake” is featured on page 41.

 I used civil war fabrics that I collected while in Minnesota for spring quilt market.  And by “collected” I mean Celine, Robin & I had to visit at least four different quilt shops in the Minneapolis area so I had fabric for this block submittal.  What a girl has to go through! Here’s a setting option for a 54″ square quilt.

This would make a nice sized wall or baby quilt. I like the secondary pattern made by the four patch background squares.

To make this quilt, first make 16 blocks, instructions from magazine, then add:

 Now for the really exciting part, if you leave a comment (Back at the top by the date) on my blog between now and Wednesday night you will be entered to win a free copy of this issue!   I will draw a lucky winner Thursday morning.  Be sure and leave an email address so I can contact the winner.  Also visit Quiltmaker.com because they are giving away lots of other prizes, including the original signed blocks from this issue, and some of my “Best Friends” books to name only a few.

Good Luck & Have Fun!

Until next time,

Susan

New quilt pattern

Day #5, 5 New Patterns in 5 Days!

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It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.  It’s been 5 days and I’ve posted 5 times.  It certainly helps that I have 5 fun, new patterns to boast about. 

So here’s #5,#171 In Season for Winter

A perky little snowman to hang on your wall, don’t you think?  These quilts at 18″ X 22″ are quick and easy to make.  You could make them as Christmas gifts, or in time to hang on your own wall as the seasons change.  If you’re like me, especially when winter sets in, I like to have quick little projects to work in my spare time.  There’s nothing better than finishing a project!

Until tomorrow, yep, don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the beginning of:

Susan

Family Time, My Life, New quilt pattern

Day #4, 5 New Patterns in 5 Days!

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Well, Carol Burnett was fun.  My mom and I laughed, and then we laughed some more. They showed clips from some of her favorite shows and it’s funny that I remember them.  That’s been well over 30 years ago, how can that be?  It was fun to hear Carol tell stories of things that happened behind the scenes during that time period as well.  A classy lady that carol!

On to New Pattern #4, #172 In Season for Christmas

I love this scene on the black background, don’t you?  You can purchase all of my patterns on my website, just give a click.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New quilt pattern

Day #3, 5 New Patterns in 5 Days!

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It’s been a great day so far. 

1.) Dropped off new pattern instruction files at the printer (covers will be done Monday).

2.) Met my BFF Kathy Sands, very talented artist, at Lota Wota Creek for lunch, show & tell and loaned her some of my pattern samples along with extra patterns because she’s headed to Columbia, MO to vend her artsy quilt paraphernalia at a quilt show this weekend.

3.) Went to  JoAnn’s and purchased this:

because my BFF Robin Koehler has a quilt, Ginkgo Romance,  featured on page 60, too cool!

Also bought this,

because another BFF Celine Perkins has a quilt, Sweet Morsels, on page 60!  Isn’t it amazing that I have such talented friends?  AND their quilts are both featured on page 60???  I just had to recheck that, I thought I made a mistake, weird!  Way to go girlfriends! And all three of us are featuring blocks in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 2 this month, remember yesterday’s post?

4.) Went to Dillard’s and bought myself a much-needed new pair of everyday shoes for winter.  But I’ll have to wear them around the house on carpet for a while just to make sure my feet are going to like them.  I tell ya, the older I get, the pickier my feet get.  Here’s hoping in a year or two I can kick myself for not buying two pair when I had the chance.

5.) Went back by printer on the way home and picked up several thousand copies of my new patterns.  Now I just have to fold them and pick up new covers Monday and get to stuffing bags.  I just made arrangements to hire my MIL Monday to help me get my order out.  OK, hire is a strong word, much more like slave labor, but don’t tell her it’s just lunch that she’s earning!

So as not to bore you anymore, here’s new pattern #3:

#170 In Season for Fall

Isn’t he cute?  He’s probably one of my favorites.  Once again, he’s a product of a Fall Crafts Open House of mine.  I dug out my original sketch of him and it was dated 2003.  I didn’t realize until now that these new patterns are products of my past open houses, again weird.  So they’re new patterns, but they’ve already been open house tested and approved!  I hope you like my scarecrow.  You can buy him on my website now.

Now I’m off to get dinner on the table and then to see Carol Burnett at the Fabulous Fox!  Can’t wait to tell you all about her.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New quilt pattern

Day #2, 5 New Patterns in 5 Days

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Announcing:

I, along with 99 other designers, am featuring a block in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 2!  It contains 100, original 12″ blocks by different designers and contains full size patterns and setting ideas too. It is scheduled to be out Mid-November, but the blog hop that you’ll want to join in on starts Monday, November 8.  So, mark you calendar, because Quiltmaker is giving away lots of nice prizes.  Among the prizes will be the 100 autographed blocks featured in the issue.  You’ll have a chance to win a copy of the collector’s edition publication right here on my blog, Monday.

Now, back to my originally scheduled “5 new patterns in 5 days” blog…  This next pattern,

#169 Welcome to my Home

  It’s made using fusible applique.  The houses are two different sizes and the larger one I’ve also shown appliqued  on a tea towel.  I love making quick little projects like applique tea towels for gifts.  Like yesterday’s pattern, 3 Little Words, this quilt and towel were also featured at one of my holiday open houses.  I recently visited a friend of mine and she had one of these towels hanging in her kitchen.  I had stopped in unannounced at Vi’s house to give her some Christmas baking dishes for our upcoming smorgasbord bazaar for church. so I know she didn’t hang it on my account!  That got me thinking I needed to turn this design into a pattern too. 

If you’re so inclined, stop by my website and shop a bit.  More patterns in the next coming days. And don’t forget to drop by Quiltmaker’s Website and get ready for the blog tour!

Until next time,

Susan

New quilt pattern

Day #1, 5 New Patterns in 5 Days

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First of all I can’t believe I did not post, not once, in the month of October!  It’s no wonder though, because if you take another look at the title of this post, I’ve been designing, sewing, photographing, writing, and polishing 5 new patterns.  On top of my business tasks just listed I’m also a mom with three school kids at home, our oldest attending college as a freshman.  So, laundry, food shopping, cooking, cleaning and errand running, etc. I pretty much am never doing nothing.  Still, I’m a bit surprised at myself for not noticing this big lull in my blogging.  I certainly hope to not repeat said bad blog etiquette. 

Without further ado, here is the first of 5 new patterns,         

#168, 3 Little Words

I first started making these cute little things when I was having holiday open houses.  I crafted and sewed seasonal and holiday decorations for months and then sent out invitations to all I knew who loved my “stuff”.  I would practially kill myself   empty the first floor of my house of all it’s decoration and fill it with the holiday crafts I’d been making.  Lighted pinecone baskets, applique towels, sweatshirt jackets, wreaths, framed and quilted  items such as these, homemade chocolates and much more.  Then for one day, from 7 a.m. ’til 3 p.m. I would open my home to shoppers.  What work that was, but I loved every aspect of it.  The idea hunting, the shopping and then the creating.  Once I started vending at market, which falls the last weekend of October, I really didn’t have enough time to do all the work in time to sell before Christmas.  So, now this little idea of mine from several years ago blossomed into a pattern to send to market this year! 

You can buy it here on my website.

Hope you like it!

Until next time,

Susan

My Life

Me, a Millionaire?

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My favorite of favorite TV shows is, hands down, Antiques Roadshow.  I love watching to see if someone’s treasure is actually worth something, or if it only has personal value.  I have fun guessing out loud what the item could be worth and when I guess it right, my family swears I’ve seen that particular episode before.  OK, I’ve probably watched too many episodes when I can guess exactly how much something is worth, but really they’re just guesses.  And usually the appraisers kind of give it away. Well, it’s one thing when Great Aunt Gert’s antique turns out to be valuable, it’s not like they’re going to sell it anyway. BUT being the junker that I am, I’m a lot more excited when that $2-$10 garage/estate sale item turns out to be worth thousands or even better, tens of thousands of dollars.  That’s why last week when I helped our church sort donations for a rummage sale, and noticed the painting of a clown set amongst other priceless treasures, I decided I needed it. I first of all couldn’t believe another sorter of said treasures didn’t choose to take it home themselves instead of putting it with other like treasures, or better yet, someone else gave it away!!!   I’m sorry to admit that I know nothing about paintings.  The only thing I knew is that this was an original work of art.  The paint is a bit crackled, but if I put $1,000 into it for restoration, that could increase the value upwards of another $10,000. I couldn’t read the signature. Can You? 

Then, when I turned it over, thankfully there was a plate, and that I could read, sort of!

It says the painter’s name is Braun, I think, it’s a bit worn.  He was born in Italy, 1934.  I tried to find out something about him online, but found nothing.  I would assume he is still living.  Perhaps when I have more time, and drive, I will try again to find out more about this artist. 

For now, I’m content with the idea that this is as close as I will come to owning a Rembrandt, Van Gogh, or any other valuable painting.  That’s OK with me.  He’s a cute little clown.  The true value is really what it means to the owner, right?

Until next time,

Susan