February 8, 2016 by: Janelle Jones

Quilters Giddy: Designer Releases Scrap Happy Star Quilt Pattern, Earns Top Seller Spot

Scrap Happy Star Quilt Delights with Bright, Happy Colors

The Scrap Happy Star Quilt was conceived and created in love. And has paved the way to add for Quilt Maker Isabella Denham to add celebrated “Pattern Designer” her list of creative accomplishments. What started out as a project to bring delight to her nearly blind 91 year-old mother-in-law Eileen, turned into even more than a beautiful quilt.

Made for Eileen, Isabella’s Scrap Happy Star Quilt was a labor of love.

Online quilters who have anxiously been awaiting release of Isabella’s pattern are giddy. So much so, the pattern recently placed at the top of Craftsy’s best sellers list.

Isabella explains, The Scrap Happy Star Quilt evolved as a way to use scraps.

“Eileen loved the bright colors, so I made it for her,” she explained. Eileen, who also suffers from dementia, clearly adores the bright, beautiful quilt.

Isabella began her quilter’s journey while living in Spain in 2007.

“I guess the Mediterranean sun made me fall in love with the bright, happy colors.” – Isabelle Denham

The Scrap Happy Star Quilt is Isabella’s second Craftsy pattern offering. Her Rainbow Flutterbye Scrap Quilt is one I’m eyeing for a long-term project using scraps to make a Quilter’s Journey Quilt (QJQ? Another story to be told).

Rainbow Flutterbye Scrap Quilt. An Isabelle Denham creation.

Expect to see many translations of Isabella’s Scrap Happy Star Quilt and her Rainbow Flutterbye Scrap Quilt patterns on quilter community social media in the coming months. And perhaps, if we’re fortunate, we’ll see more patterns out of Isabella Denham.

Keep up with Isabella, of Halifax, West Yorkshire on her Face Book at Izy_Sewbuzy Creations (“Everything Quilting, patchwork, sewing, English Paper Piecing, Tilda dolls).

Noteworthy Halifax Gem: The Piece Hall, located in Isabella’s town, was constructed in 1779 “to support the trading of cloth.” Slated to reopen late summer 2016 after extensive renovation and restoration, The Piece Hall will welcome visitors to shops, restaurants, an ice arena, an extensive library and host concerts and events. It will also be home to the Heritage Interpretation Centre. Curious? Prospective visitor? Check out the director’s blog.

Near Isabella’s Stomping Grounds: The Piece Hall, Halifax UK to reopen late summer 2016.

SGlogo50px God created, sew should we. [Creative Joy = Therapy = Undeniable Rippling Effects.] Our stories as makers are valuable. [Life is humbling. Sharing our journeys is uplifting and productive.]

January 28, 2016 by: Janelle Jones

Got Milk?! How about Walmart Fat Quarters?

It seemed like an ordinary spouse-to-spouse request: “Please pick-up milk @ Walmart on your way home from work.”

Fortunately Quilt Maker Linda Dalton Rigney accurately interpreted her husband’s request:

“Stop by Walmart. Enjoy some self time and be sure stock up on a beautiful variety of fat quarters to feed your creative soul.”

Sometimes really extraordinary things come from every day things. Sharing our daily walks, no matter how off-the-cuff, whimsical or mundane, creates chain reactions. Special occurrences and life changers … though we may never know it.

Linda’s chain reaction Face Book status post: “Yes Honey, I’ll stop at Walmart and get milk. You’re welcome. 😀 Loving the Waverly and Emma & Mila FQ’s fabric.”

Imagine how info from Linda’s recent status post — and the subsequent mini-tidal wave “chat” response (18 shares! 110+ comments! viewed by 1,000+) on Quilt Along with Pat Sloan — will inspire the creation of special quilts, table runners, clothing, bags, you-name-it. Think: Home crafted gifts for family, friends, charities; Homemade cottage businesses buoyed; Those holding back for cost reasons entering the world of creating.

{Our stories as makers are valuable.}

Walmart Valentine Bundle Find: Emma & Mila and Waverly fabrics. Red Alert: Prewash and use color catchers.

“Emma & Mila and Waverly are quality fabrics for about $4 yd [at Walmart]. Fat Quarters (FQ’s) are less than a dollar. They [Walmart] have yardage to coordinate with FQ’s. I am a huge fan of local quilt shops and buy about 3 times a month from them but the price on these [Walmart] lines allows me to do lots more gifted quilts,” said Linda.

{Freebie Pattern! Perfect Valentines … Anytime LOVE #211 Mini Wall Hanging}

She maintains the Walmart fabrics she’s sewn with to-date launder well, however advised to test fabrics for bleeding by placing a small piece in a white bowl with hot water.

“I put FQ’s in a lingerie bag if they need washed first but I don’t routinely prewash,” said Linda.

Linda’s Pinwheel Quilt Creation: Emma & Mila Polka Dots fabrics purchased from Walmart.

Vancouver, WA Quilter Paula Lewis Bray praised Emma & Mila Fabrics.

“I like the fact that it has a good weave, not so thin that you can see through it. It drapes well and washes well. I mainly use it for children’s clothing. The colors are vibrant and patterns are very whimsical,” she said. “There are usually 3-5 coordinating fabrics. I haven’t noticed any fading from washing, and as long as I remember fabric softener and/or dryer sheets there’s not much pressing.”

Go Ask Alice: Walmart fabric obsession purred by expectant grand daughter

Alice’s Baby Quilt. Waverly and other fabrics from Walmart.

Alice Olivares, who usually purchases her fabrics from local quilt shops, was introduced to Walmart finds by her expectant grand daughter. “[She] came home with bundles of the Waverly, different colors for me to make a baby quilt. I loved the material, the feel. I made two baby quilts!”

Alice found the fabric to be of good quality and can’t seem to get enough of the Walmart finds.

“I like the backing [used on the baby quilts] so much I want to make curtains for my sewing room with it,” she said of the $3.97/yd fabric.

Carla’s Table Runner-To-Be: Emma & Mila fabric from Walmart.

Drawn to the black and gold, Quilt Maker Carla Summers envisions a table runner from the exotic Emma & Mila fabrics she picked up at last week at Walmart.

“My furniture is very old antique black Asian style.”

Debbie Lancaster Design featuring fabrics from Walmart.

Debbie Lancaster design creation featuring fabrics from Walmart.

Specialty bags and more (table runners, placemats, children’s travel bags) Quilting Pro Debbie Lancaster, whose creations retail from a shop in her hometown of Seaside, Oregon, enjoys using fabrics from a variety of sources, including Walmart. “I love all the red and white [from Walmart’s Waverly line] fabric,” she said, also noting kids’ favorites like Minions, Star Wars and Spider Man.

Sneak Peak: Linda’s Amazing First Year Quilting Trunk Show.

{Creative Joy = Therapy = Undeniable Rippling Effects.}

Day in the Life of a Dedicated Quilter: As her husband faced serious health issues, including kidney cancer and a full knee replacement last year Linda found herself homebound. Inspired by two weddings, she started quilting to “stay sane.” Outside Linda’s 40 hours work week, she finds time for family and quilting. And, she lives in close proximity to five Walmarts and passes two more on her daily commute.

Coming Soon! Linda’s Amazing First Year of Quilting Trunk Show.

December 11, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

Award-winning Tennessee Quilter Passionate about Making & Giving

MAKER-GIVER SERIES Part 2 of 2. Quilter Linda has made more than 40 quilts this year … most of which are in the grateful hands of others. Check out some of her 2015 Collection.
Photo Creds: Linda Laird (Part 1 and Linda’s scenic photos here)

“You will find yourself giving most of your creations away too. It feels so good when you give one to someone and they use it.”
– Linda Laird

Giving to the Angels Quilt Project Quilt: Maker, Linda Laird

BIG HEARTED & Poodle Doodles: Free-Motion Machine Quilter Linda receives “centers” from other volunteers, then makes them into quilts for precious preemies through the Angels Quilt Project. Cross Stitch Center: Judi Peterson

God created, sew should we.

“I believe we all have a gift of creativity in one form or other and it would be wrong of us to keep these talents to ourselves,” says Millington, Tennessee quilt maker Linda Laird.

This year the proliferate quilter has lived out her personal passion by making more than 40 quilts, most of which she has gifted to others.

Linda has also created “about 20” American Girl Doll outfits. She is an avid photographer, published author (Oreo’s Journal) and border collie flyball competitor.

“I have made lots of little dog crate quilts and a few wall hangings but my lap size and baby quilts and crib sets have taken me to new heights of productivity this year.”

Linda created and donated this pillow and accompanying quilt for a no-kill shelter auction. The set fetched $1,200.

Fetch! Linda created and donated this pillow and accompanying quilt a charity auction. The set fetched $1,200 to benefit a no-kill shelter.

The talented machine quilter’s generous heart has touched Angel Quilt Project (AQP) preemies and their families, chemotherapy patients, k-9’s, personal friends and family.

“Some of the quilts I’ve made were for herding trials or flyball raffles … dog people love anything with dog-related fabrics or themes.”

“I made a lot of quilts as gifts for people battling cancer. They take the quilts with them for chemo treatments. The quilt I made for a flyball teammate’s mother was the most rewarding. She took it to every treatment. I found out after her treatments she is now cancer free,” Linda said.

Custom Comfort: Linda made this quilt for a chemotherapy patient. “They like to take them along to treatments.”

To design her creations Linda takes inspirational cue from the eventual quilt owners’ interests or life work. Linda’s friends also inspire her creations.

“Flip Flops”

“I made several quilts as gift to friends this year,” she said referencing one she made for a high school chum who wears flip-flops year round. “I found a cute appliqué and made the most colorful quilt for her. She was totally surprised.

Linda’s friend cried and said “I can’t believe you made such a special gift for me. I love it!” For Linda, that made the time and energy she put into the quilt “so worthwhile.”

Block Exchange: Linda’s Quilt-Along Sampler, made together with a friend block exchange.

“There is no better satisfaction than when a quilt is finished and I am pleased with the results of my efforts. When I give the quilt to who it’s made for and they’re happy with the results, my heart does a leap and my pride and confidence grows,” Linda said.

“It’s addictive, that feeling, very addictive and I can’t wait
to start another quilt.” Linda Laird.

“Peggy’s Quilt”. Linda also does consignment quilts, many for friends she’s known for decades. This Dresden Plate beauty has a companion quilt. because Linda’s friend asked her to make a “sister” quilt for gifting to her sister. The quilts have different sashing, borders and quilting design but but duplicated ‘petals’ of the same fabrics.

Linda’s Vitals
Married: High School Sweetheart, Kenny.
Linda’s & Kenny’s Fam: Two adult sons, three grandkids, pooches Bailey and Oreo.
Home: Countryside near Millington, TN
Years Quilting: About 14. Lifelong seamstress.
Equipment: A Singer and a Bernina Quilters Edition
Prewash or Not? Not usually.
Swears by: Fuzion erasable pens
Style: Traditional with an occasional venture out of the the comfort zone.

"English Garden" Best of Show: This Linda Laird consignment Creation was fashioned using ribbons earned earned in show dog competitions. It also netted Linda

“English Garden” Best of Show: This Linda Laird consignment creation was fashioned using ribbons earned from the consignee’s success in the show dog arena. This quilt netted Linda Best in Show accolades at the Ripley Quilt and Needlecraft Show.

“Little Black Sheep”. 1st Place, Traditional Machine Quilting, Ripley’s Quilt and Needle Craft Show. Linda’s gift to Linda.

Baby Shower Gift. ABC's theme for Little Boy's Room.

Adorable! Baby Shower Quilt: Gifted for Little Boy’s Room.

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God created, sew should we. [Creative Joy = Therapy = Undeniable Rippling Effects.] Our stories as makers are valuable. [Life is humbling. Sharing our journeys is uplifting and productive.]

Christmas Idea: If you liked this story, you might also enjoy our review of The Quilt Maker’s Gift.

October 7, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

The Quiltmaker’s Gift: Just what is it?

Maker’s Tale Encourages Creativity and Giving

Must Read: Must Hear. A Tale for all ages.

Must Read, Must Hear: Tale for all ages.

UPDATE 11.03.15: Subscriber awarded free copy of this title in First Ever Sew God Children’s Literature Drawing!

Congrats to Jerry Janet Cook of Hazelwood, MO! Enjoy!

The story. The illustration. STORY. ILLUSTRATION. Those who’ve read The Quiltmaker’s Gift (TQG) written by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail de Marken understand this pondering:

“Is it the story or the illustration that creates such a beautiful, insightful experience?”

In real life, imagery and creativity is supposed to come wrapped around our stories. And, without our words, pictures and illustrations don’t always tell our tale. No matter what we attempt to convey on our personal social media.

In the midst of our to-dos, events, obligations, deadlines, schedules, bills, laundry, sad times and joy-filled times our creativity with it’s lovely rippling effects gets lost. Without our nurturing our creative souls with its precious byproducts mingled in, we miss life as intended.

[Read more…]

September 24, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

“So God?” Sew God.

Alone with our Maker, prayers sometimes take a conversational tone. Often starting with, “So God …” venturing into some “where do I go from here?” question.

Work In Progress: Me.

“So God?” prayers come from deep inside and are often pleadings with our Creator to find a sense of comfort or simply request guidance. “So God?” prayers are the ones that most clearly show resignation, a willingness to listen and to follow.

“So God?” conversations do not always provide immediate answers, like when seeking to comprehend worldly injustice, make sense of school shootings, a good friend’s divorce, the unexpected loss of those close or when “time marches on” as my Mom used to say.

How does ‘So God?’ get us to Sew God?

My “So God?” prayers sometimes seek answers to current life challenges and milestones, kids growing up, moving away and new normals.
[Read more…]