One of the things I love most about designing quilts is seeing them in different fabrics! I love seeing other peoples’ ideas and colors in my design. This quilt was made by my good friend, Mary Christensen.

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I haven’t highlighted my local quilt shop yet! It is Quilter’s Haven and is located in Bountiful, UT, just 5 miles from my house.

Quilter’s Haven has been in business for 13 years, and it started out in an old home on Main Street. A few years ago it moved to its current location in Colonial Square. It is a way cute space, with wood floors, 2 levels, and a great classroom in the basement. And, of course, there are always beautiful quilts hanging on the walls and draped over their antique bed. [ MORE » ]

One of the most basic tools for quiltmaking is the rectangular cutting ruler. I like the Omnigrid rulers, because they have a bright green highlight around the black lines, so its easy to see on dark or light fabric. They have a non-slip surface on the back, so they stay put. [ MORE » ]

My four other “babies” are home at last! I’ve missed them, and I’m so happy to see them again.

They’ve also had an eventful few months, visiting some terrific shops all over the country. They started in Clarksville, TN at Blooming Stitches. Then they were in Fulton, IL at Susan’s Calico Creations, followed by Hanford, CA at Quilter’s Quarters.

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The last stop on my trunk show tour is the Fat Quarter Quilt Shop in Wendell, Idaho! They have just recently moved into a new space, and as well as quilting supplies, they sell mid-arm machines. They offer quilting classes, and a “work day” where quilters can come in, complete projects and socialize! The Fat Quarter Quilt Shop is the home of the Wood River Quilters Guild, and hosts a number of fun activities each month.

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Four of “my babies” are home! I’ve missed them, and they have had quite a journey. They’ve been to Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough, TN, Ben Franklin Crafts in Oconomowoc, WI, Going Batty Quilts in Reno, NV, Honey Fork Fabrics in Logan, OH, and Fiddlesticks Quilts in Boulder City, NV! North, south, east and west, they enjoyed their stay in each of these fun shops. [ MORE » ]

I’ve found a great new cause for quilters! Quilts of Valor is an organization dedicated to covering all wounded veterans with a quilt, whether the damage is physical or emotional. They pair up “toppers” (those who create beautiful quilt tops) with “quilters” (long-arm quilters) and then send the quilts to hospitals and other locations.

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Wow! I got so many great comments and suggestions! I loved all your hints and tips and I wish you could all win. I picked 3 winners, though, and they are:

Becky Rabalais in Lilburn, Georgia! Her hint was so simple, but refreshing. She said, “My favorite quilting tip is to sew some each day. Snatch 15 minutes a day to work on a project. I like to leave a project with pinned, ready for sewing, near my machine. I am motivated to get to my sewing machine and get that portion of the project completed.” [ MORE » ]

Welcome to my blog if you’ve never been here before, and welcome back if you have been here! Yes, I’m featured in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks from Today’s Top Designers. In fact, that’s my block on the cover! (Bottom row, right.)The block is based on a shape you see all around you on my blog! It was first drawn for me by my husband, and it soon became a quilt block. It was first used in a quilt for my book Fresh and Fabulous Quilts.

The quilt in the book uses a 6″ finished block, so for the 100 Blocks issue I enlarged it to 8″. Then I used 2″ finished half-squares to frame it, and to enhance the “cut in half” look. It finishes at 12″. I used bright batiks (my favorite) to make it fun and young. I hope you like it!
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You could be the lucky winner of a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks from Today’s Top Designers! Just leave a comment to this post including your name, address and your best quilting tip/hint or tool that you would like me to post about on my blog. Check back here tomorrow to see if you’ve won!

Happy blog touring, and good luck! [ MORE » ]