Free BOM Challenge

Okay ladies, here's the deal. I have been mostly working on things that I can't show you. I have a new book in the works as well as some other stuff for publication. This doesn't leave alot to blog about. So, I thought it might fun to do a free BOM. Now, I don't want to do this all alone so if you plan to sew along leave me a comment so I know you are out there.

Free pattern is no longer available.

Here are the particulars; The quilt is called Vicksburg and it is a 10 part program. Nine of those are applique and one is pieced. The blocks are all 12" finished and set on point. I use the needleturn method but it could easily be done by machine or fused if you prefer. Here's the challenge part. I challenge you to use only fabric or scraps from your stash. Applique is a good way to use up small or odd shaped pieces. I figure if you use it off your shelf it is free, making this truly a FREE BOM. I have a ton of 1800s that I haven't been working with so that is what I will make mine from. Don't be afraid of scrappy backgrounds. They make it more interesting.

This eagle is block one. The template wouldn't fit on one page so you will have to print both pages and butt them together. When you click the link it will take you to my scribd page with the templates. You can either print or download and save for later. So, let's get started sewing.

eagle template 1 eagle template 2 Please email me photos of your blocks if you sew along.

Specialty Quilts

Yesterday we took a girls' day and headed to Jefferson City. Our primary destination was Specialty Quilts. The shop is owned by Linda Faulk "The Jelly Roll Queen". Linda is one of the nicest people around and she doesn't take her title lightly. She has more jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs than I have ever seen in one place! It is Moda central.(translate=heaven) The Moda rep just happened to be there when we were and let me tell you there is good stuff coming. Old Primrose Inn from Blackbird Designs is too die for. Minnick and Simpson has some fantastic red and blue paisleys too. All in all I was pretty good and kept my shopping under control. I bought 3 1/2 yards of 3 prints and I am dying to start designing something with them but I have to stick to my book schedule for now. Maybe that will push me along.

Don't they look happy? The girl on the right with the layer cakes is Ann, the lady in pink from the last post. This is what she looks like from the front. Nancy is in the dark blue shirt and Darlene is slightly behind her. We headed to Prison Brews for lunch and talk after that. It was a great day with friends.

I will be back at Specialty Quilts Oct.17& 18. I am doing a trunk show/lecture for the Thimbleberries group there and book signing. More later.

Needl' Love

My guild meets the first Monday of the month and the first Thursday evening of the month. Yesterday we were lucky enough to host Renee Nanneman of the Needl' Love company. For those of you who aren't familiar with Renee, she publishes quilt books called Threads. They are theme oriented such as Acorn Threads, French Market Threads, you get the picture. These wonderful books contain not only quilt patterns but wool projects, pillows, cross stitch, pincushions etc. You see why they appeal to me.

Anyway, not only is Renee a design genius, she is a wonderful person and outstanding teacher. She taught a workshop yesterday on wool. The design is a basket of hydrangeas, you make into a pillow.

You can see here the beginning of the hyndrangeas. It was nice to be a "student" and just sew and listen and not have to work. After the morning workshop Renee gave a lecture and a trunk show of many of her quilts. She also designs gorgeous fabric for Andover and she had some of her latest designs with her for a sneak peak.

Be sure to check out her brand new book Cottage Garden. (The woman in pink is my good friend Ann, I should have used her pictures. She had better shots than I did.)