I Promise I'm Not Dead!

Thank you for those of you who are patient followers of my blog -- and even for those that were kind enough to send me an email to see if I was still quilting.

I had to take a 9 month hiatus from my  blog.  As you recall, I started a Master's degree last winter and I will graduate May 1st!  Yay!  All done!  Because of that degree, I was offered a job to teach high school science at my local school district.  Yes, the first year is completely nuts -- and with juggling 4 kids -- and all of the master's degree work, all I did was made it to my neighborhood monthly block of the month party.  So sad!

Now...that is done and I am debating what I should do for the future.  Can I juggle both quilting and teaching school?  Should quilting go back to the hobby side of life only?  (This means I can take the time to quilt my tops how I want them instead of rushing through and doing an edge to edge because I have customers waiting).  Should I start machine quilting again?  I am seriously thinking about re-opening my machine quilting business (although I wrote that previous post about why I quit it) - but as EDGE TO EDGE ONLY.  The only problem is that when clients see my custom work -- they only want custom work at edge-to-edge prices.  That reason is why I left the business.  Can I do edge to edge only?   I still get calls and although I haven't written blog posts, I still have had some good things happen.

One of my patterns was published in print in an actual book!  That was an amazing "Bucket-List" feat for me.  The book is "Fast, Fun and Gifty" from Connecting Threads and can be exclusively purchased HERE.

My Swiss Chocolate Table Runner was published from Connecting Threads and can be exclusively downloaded HERE.

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So...my question, to all of you remaining blog followers is, do you remember how I hosted a weekly link party?  Did you enjoy that?  Would you like me to bring it back?  I would probably do it on a monthly basis -- instead of weekly.

Also, do you prefer me writing about longarm quilting techniques, fabric or new patterns?

Thanks!

Happy Quilting!

-Shannon

Strawberry Field Pattern Errata

Howdy folks!

From time to time,it is necessary to update a pattern.  If you purchased it and are confused, please feel free to email me and I will attach the updated version as a reply to your email.  You can find my email address on the  cover of the pattern.

Depending on which revision of my Strawberry Fields Quilt Pattern you downloaded, there was a need for clarification in part the cutting directions for the sashing for the quilt top measuring 72 inches square:

It said to cut 15 ten inch strips and then cut them into rectangles 3 inches wide to yield 60 rectangles.  This confused some readers.

To clarify:

Cut 15 three inch strips from the width of fabric, and then cut these into a length of 10 inches (4 rectangles will be yielded per strip for a total of 60 rectangles).

Hope this helps!

Have a nice day,

-Shannon

Announcing A Kit With Connecting Threads

Hello Readers!

I am so excited to announce that Connecting Threadss chose my Strawberry Fields pattern as a kit for their new fabric line, Jolly St. Nick.  The new catalog goes live online tomorrow morning and should be shipping for you to view soon.

I am so flattered, the quilt they made using my pattern made the cover of the catalog!  Pretty exciting!

I'm going to go purchase myself a kit so I can make it using their fabrics too.  Here is a link to their Notions blog and a post about the current catalog photo shoot.

A garden photo of my original Strawberry Fields quilt pattern.

A black and white photo of my original pattern, receiving a red, second place ribbon at the Taylorsville City art show.

It is remarkable for me to reflect and think that I first debut this pattern three years ago on this blog -- clear back in 2012.  I am so grateful for all the support and opportunities I have had.  A special thank you goes out to Connecting Threads for being a blog sponsor and supporting me and my fabric habit!

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!!

The Last Block in the Charm Square QAL

Hello everyone!  I'm back.  Thank you for all of your patience.  Nope, our life's trials are not over yet, but at least I have sewed a quilt block so we can finish all our blocks in our QAL.

This is block number 9!

It is a spinning Pinwheel Star and is very similar to block #7.  In fact, all of the tricks we used on that block will be used here.

STEP ONE:  As usual, lay out all of your pieces according to the layout diagram.  I wanted the diamond shapes to "pop"--to create a visual difference from block number 7 where the outer corners face a different direction -- so I chose coordinating HST colors to match the diamonds (e.g. green with green, brown with brown...etc.)

STEP TWO: Sew into columns.  (These steps have been shown in previous posts.)

STEP THREE: Press columns in opposite directions

STEP FOUR: Nest seams and sew rows together.

STEP FIVE: Trim a little nick in the center of the pinwheel, then place your thumb on it and spin the block.  This way your block center will splay out like a fan and lie flat.

STEP SIX:  Enjoy!  Use these blocks in your favorite setting.

I'll be back soon with the sashing instructions for the setting I used.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Spring Sale!

It's time for a spring sale in my Etsy shop.

Use the coupon code "FACEBOOK25" to get 25% off your purchase of $5.00 or more.

Enjoy those spring quilting projects!  Here are some pictures of some older patterns I have written that may have been forgotten in the passage of time...Many are pre-cut fat quarter or layer cake friendly.