On the Run Again Preview

The last weeks have been a whirlwind – getting everything ready for market, finishing the book and getting all of the promotional stuff done, traveling and speaking for work, etc, etc.    I’m so happy to say that the binding will go on the last quilt today, and with this blog post, the last of my major promotional work will be done.  Yeah!

That means that I am skipping quilt market this spring.  There are good and bad things about that.  It’s so much work to go – so while my fellow designers still have all that work to do, I will be staying home with Carter.  The bad part is I don’t get to meet up with all the shop owners and industry people.  It’s a hard decision not to go, but it’s also hard to go when you have little kids.  A constant balancing act – as many of you know (or remember from when your kids were younger).

So this blog post will have to suffice as a tour around my “market booth” and the comments section will have to suffice as the conversation that might happen in the market booth.  As you approach the booth, I would say something like – “Would you like to come in and see our new book?”  Hopefully you would say something like “Yes, please,” and step in to take a look.  I would then hand you a copy of the book – (see cover below)

I would then explain that the book contains 15 designs – all runners or toppers – using your favorite Precuts.  It’s a follow up to our popular “On the Run” book, which has the same theme but is about 100 books shy of being out of print.  The back cover gives you a quick glimpse at a few of the projects from the book.

Step inside and let’s take a closer look . . . .

 

The runner from the cover – “Granny Square Stars”.

It’s made using 1 charm pack and a little bit of background.  The larger size can be used for a bed runner and the smaller size for tables.

#2 – Fresh Connection, also made with a charm pack.

Simple, yet lovely – especially if you have this blue dresser.  (If the dresser goes missing from my SIL’s house, you know where to find it.)

 

#3 Chatter Box  – also Charm Friendly.

Such a graphic block!

 

 

 

And now the Jelly Roll Friendly Runners –

#4 – Book Ends

Perfect for Jelly Roll Scraps – Or you can make 5 runners from one Jelly Roll if you want to assembly line some gifts.

I have to say this little quilt has the most thread color changes I have ever done on a quilt (14).  But it was worth it!

 

#5-7  Awesome Blossom – Available in 3 size options because I couldn’t decide which one I liked best 😉

This pieced flower looks complicated – but I have a couple techniques that simplify the process.  It begins with a simple strip unit and a 60-degree triangle ruler (I used the Creative Grids 60-degree ruler).  The second easy technique used is the folded corner technique.  Plus, every seam nests.  I love when that happens because I hate pinning!

The second size option is this unique shape –

 

 

And the third option is this topper –

Very addicting, this one is.

 

#8 – Framed Florals.  This runner uses assorted scraps or 10″ Layer Cake Squares.

 

 

I think that’s enough pictures for one day!  I will work on Part 2 for next week.

In the meantime, I will be giving away a couple copies of the book.  To enter, just leave a comment saying which of the runners is your favorite.  Thanks!

 

Click here is you are interested in ordering the book.  Have a great weekend!

 

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday Everyone –

After my last post, I’m not sounding like a very good parent, am I?  From letting my son play with pins, to the colorful language.  Does it help if I explain that he only gets to play with pins at the table with me sitting next to him?  Or that the language doesn’t get any more colorful than what I mentioned?  I did enjoy reading the comments and I think I may have to take Carrie’s suggestion and start watching some cartoons to learn some better phrases to use in front of my son!  I also appreciated that there were others who thought that loving washing machines was normal and I loved hearing the stories about the couch and the lawnmower.  Kids are funny, aren’t they. . . . .

As part of Flashback Friday, I want to share this video of Carter from almost a year ago.  He was 11 months old at the time and it is one of my favorites.  (I can’t seem to figure out how to insert the video clip, so click the link above, rather than the picture).

For my quilt related part of Flashback Friday, I want to revisit a favorite quilt pattern.  It’s from my book Living Large 2  and it’s called Starlit Evening.

The original quilt featured in the book uses an older fabric line from Bonnie and Camille called “Bliss”.   I have loved this design and the fabrics fro the beginning, but I think my favorite part about the pattern is the technique used to make it.  It looks really difficult, but it is made from simple strip units!  Can you spot the strip unit?  They are kind of hiding, so you will just have to trust me on the fact that each block starts as a strip unit.  In addition to using strip units, I also love the fact that every single one of  those intersections nest. So no pinning, with better results in less time.

 

The thing that got me thinking about this design again, was a blog post by Cindy of Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  I’ve mentioned before that her blog is a favorite of mine and her version of my Starlit Evening pattern is the perfect example of why.  It makes me want to make this pattern again in these fabric!

If you want to visit her blog to find out the rest of the details on her quilt, click here.  A special thanks to Cindy for letting me link over – and while you are there, take a look around 😉

 

I have made this pattern a few other times – like this one made with our Whimsy fabric line.

 

The book features 3 size options, including this tree skirt

 

My mom also used this pattern when she redid her room a while back (link to that post here)

 

I am always amazed by how different fabrics can change a quilt pattern.  The possibility of so many fun color combinations always inspires me!

If you are interested in the pattern, you can find the book on sale here.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Carter’s 21 Month Pictures

Every few months I have been posting a few pictures of Carter.  The problem this time, was when I went to look in his folder of 21 month pictures, there weren’t any!  When he was younger,  I had a folder full for each month.  I guess blogging isn’t the only thing that has gone by the way side with my work deadlines.  Time to start getting the camera out again!  Now, if only I could get him to sit still!  Most of the ones I have taken have turned out too blurry to keep 😦

 

Here are the few I had  –  Along with a few notes to help me remember this stage in his life:

He still likes to sit and play with dice.  He also likes to color, paint, and do puzzles, though each thing only lasts about 10 minutes.

He still looks handsome in blue –

Though he is looking less like his Daddy  (and a little more like me.)

 

He loves to wear his boots and “po” pants.  His favorite things to do outside are play bubbles and dig in the dirt.  He actually prefers this over riding his battery operated 4-wheeler !?!?

 

I think his favorite thing in the world is still the washing machine.  He loves to help put clothes in the machine and push the buttons.  In fact, we were at a home show the other week and I could hardly keep him out of one of the appliance booths.  He even got his shirt off before I could stop him, and was trying to get the door open so he could start a load of laundry.  He also prefers the laundry soap section at Target to the toy section.  I’m not sure if I should be alarmed by that, or think it’s funny.

He has never been big on traditional toys, but he loves machines.  We heard a story the other day from a guy who buys an old washing machine or something when his grandsons are coming over.  They get to take the whole thing apart, and then he just throws it away.  So I guess Carter isn’t the only one!   It makes it a challenge for me to keep him entertained, as we don’t have a lot of machine laying around here.  He still loves drills and playing with my sewing machine.  He loves stacking up bobbins, and as I discovered yesterday, sticking pins into any opening in the machine that he can get them in.  Oh crap, right?  Which is exactly what he said.   Yes, he is repeating everything we say, whether we want him to or not.  He knows he isn’t supposed to say that, so he follows it up with, “Oh, funny.”   He says the “Oh Crap,” with such conviction, that we find it hard to hide our smirks, and apparently he knows it.   We just can’t get by with anything!   I’m sure many of you have similar stories.

 

All for now –  I will try to get some more pictures soon!