What a Novel Idea by Pat Sloan (Guest Post)

This is a guest post written by the super talented Pat Sloan, of...all things Pat Sloan (and yes, there's a lot!)!

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When I see a novelty fabric on the shelf that makes my heart go pitty patter... and I look to see who made it, it is often an amazing Robert Kaufman print! And when I got ready to write my book I dug through my things and found a dizzing array of lovelies to choose from.

I'm SO inspired by novelties with fabulous colors and detail, this grouping makes my heart sing! I really do need to make something with with the lady fabric... and the chickens.. yes.. they may even go in the same quilt.. but don't hold me to that!

One of the neat-o things about a novelty is that you can make a LOT of guy quilts with them... like this sail boat...

or the Trains.. although I did find the lady in the white dress ever so lovely... now I want to buy a white dress, big hat and go on a week long train vacation... novelty prints do that to me.

Doggie Love can go both ways.. girls and boys .. and I do believe it may be one of my favorite quilts  in the book! You can use directional or tossed fabrics on this one!

And do NOT forget the sweets... cupcakes and candies mix very nicely in this quilt!

Come visit all the sites where each blogger is featuring a quilt! AND leave comments at each site, we are giving away 2 copies from each blogger's comments!

Tuesday – 4/19/11

Carrie Nelson: - ALL ABOARD QUILT 

Pat Sloan

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Wednesday – 4/20/11
Victoria Findlay Wolfe – CUPCAKES & CONFECTIONS QUILT

Amy Ellis – A PAIR OF WINNERS, VERSION 1, QUILT

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Thursday – 4/21/11
Amanda Herring – ISLAND DREAMS QUILT

Barb and Mary at Me and My Sister – MONKEY BUSINESS QUILT
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Today – 4/22/11
Gudrun Erla – LET’S GO CAMPING QUILT

Erin Gilday – DOGGIE ADORATION QUILT

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And if someone wants it Autographed I have them at my site!

http://patsloan.biz/whatanovelideabypatsloan.aspx

A Little Birdie Told Me... all about Urban Zoologie

Ann Kelle came out with Urban Zoologie last year.  The collection included owls & whales.  Super adorable owls & whales. Here they are as giant hexagons with Urban Circus fabrics.

 

I also used the original Urban Zoologie in my Opposites Attract quilt.

 

I was excited as can be to learn that coming soon there will be more!!

  

Ann Kelle is back with 20 new fabrics!!  Butterflies, lady bugs, monkeys, dinosaurs, birds, cats, dogs and more!!! Best of all the colors coordinate with many of the prints from remix!  The new Urban Zoologie prints will be available in June.

 

Here are a few pictures from Ann Kelle's Blog

 

 

  

 

You can also get the adorable owls & whales on cuddle by Shannon Fabrics.  Cuddle is a plush knit polyester fabric that comes 58" wide.  It can be used as backing or you can make an entire quilt just from cuddle. :-)

 

It's hard to see in the photos just how fuzzy & yummy cuddle fabric is... but trust me it feels amazing and I haven't found a kid yet that doesn't love it. {...or an adult for that matter!}

 

So I want to know which animal from the new group is your favorite?

Personally I'm going with the Bird... I'm sure you are all shocked!

 

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I'll be back on April 29th with A Little Birdie Told Me!

Volume 2 post 7

{ Julie Herman blogs at Jaybird Quilts }

A Little Birdie Told Me... all about Quilter's Linen

Quilter's Linen is one of my favorite basics. Quilter's Linen isn't actually Linen at all!! It's printed linen texture on classic quilting cotton. This enables you to get the effect of Linen without having a to worry about any of the challenges of mixing linen with quilting cotton. Quilter's Linen is also a great alternative to using a solid for those times that you want an area to "read" solid but have a bit of life too!

27 of the 28 available colors

Quilter's Linen comes in 28 colors and is a fantastic basic that should be in everyone's stash.

 

Here are a few of the natural colors of Quilter's Linen.  The Quilter's Linen strips are on top of Essex which is a 55% linen, 45% cotton blend.

 

The "texture" looks fantastic!  

 

I used Quilter's Linen for the background, flange & border of my banner quilt.

 

My Raspberry Dessert quilt is made 100% with Quilter's Linen.

 

I used Chocolate Quilter's Linen for the background of Opposites Attract & Leaf Quilter's Linen for the binding.

 

For this pillow I mixed Quilter's Linen with Kona Crush.

 

The possibilities are endless! I hope you will give Quilter's Linen a try!

 

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I'll be back on April 15th with A Little Birdie Told Me!

Volume 2 post 6

{ Julie Herman blogs at Jaybird Quilts } 

A Little Birdie Told Me... Daisies & Dots is in stores!

Daisies & Dots is in stores!!!!   I'm in love with this fabric collection & I'm so excited to see what you create with it!

 

Daisies & Dots was designed by the amazing Piece O' Cake team of Becky & Linda. Piece O' Cake had a great display of Daisies & Dots with their booth at Fall Quilt Market.  You can see more photos of their booth & the other RK displays on flickr.

 

Below is some inspiration & project ideas for you!

 

Keep an eye out for Pick-It Fences, designed by Cherri House, coming in the Summer issue of Quilts & More (on sale April 26). The quilt shows off a colorful way of using rail fence blocks!

 

Becky Goldsmith also designed a great piece for the August issue of APQ (on sale June 1).

I knew I wanted to make a bag from this fabric collection.

I chose the Abby Bag by V&Co.  I'm planning on making multiple ties so that I can change the colors up whenever I want!

 

Love the bow!

 

Daisies & Dots Quilt by Karrie Lyne - Free Pattern Available Here

 

Piece O’ Cake Designs also created the Daisies & Dots free quilt pattern.  The finished quilt measures 52-1/2” x 52-1/2” and is available to download free from www.robertkaufman.com and www.pieceocake.com. The quilt pattern includes three border variations, each shown in a different colorstory.

 

 

 

Dot Party designed by me!

Thank you to Becky & Linda for the photo of me with my quilt in their booth from fall quilt market.

 

For even more inspiration check out the videos below from Fall 2010 Quilt Market

Becky & Linda had a schoolhouse session for quilt shops & it was a lot of fun!

{Hint... I even get to make a surprise appearance!}

 

 

 

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I'll be back on April 1st with A Little Birdie Told Me!

Volume 2 post 5

{ Julie Herman blogs at Jaybird Quilts } 

Betty Apron Extras

Betty Dear by Darlene Zimmerman is a chic collection of '40s era housedress prints. We loved the group so much that we decided to create the Betty Apron - a fully finished kitchen apron. A ruched sweetheart neckline adds a special feminine touch while the neck ties, and elastic waist ties offer added support. The apron is available in three color options - Aqua, Blossom, & Red Anemone.

Darlene is so sweet that she's come up with a great list of crafty embellishment ideas and the special "Honey, I'm Home" appetizer recipes!

Honey, I'm Home - Green Chili

16oz. sour cream

1 can diced green chilies, drained

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*Combine all ingredients & refridgerate overnight. Serve with Tostito's corn chips.

Honey, I'm Home - Hot Artichoke Dip

1 can artichoke hearts, drained

1 cup parmesean cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

seasoned bread crumbs

*Mix all but bread crumbs and spread in a pie plate. Sprinkle with seasoned bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

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Betty Apron Embellishment Ideas

 Choose a coordinating fabric and attach pockets for added functionality. Try these directions from Fat Quarterly for adding a pieced pocket.

Matching ric-rac or ribbon, especially 1" or larger, is a great way to personalize any accessories! These instructions from TaDa! Creations show you how to attach ric-rac into a seam or on top of any project.

Ruffles would be a great addition to this dainty apron! Use your sewing machine's ruffle foot to create your own, or buy them pre-fab like this from Simplicity Creative group.