Kansas Troubles Quilters

Slow Recovery

2012-01-24T12:27:00.000-06:00

It's been a looooong week of feeling yuckier than I have in years. A bug bit me hard and has hung on for almost a week now. Thought it was probably strep throat at first, but a negative result on the test showed it was "just a virus", meaning no antibiotics. I was told to wait it out. After several miserable days of severe sore throat and feeling like I was going to cough up a lung, I went back to the Dr. She gave in and ordered drugs - finally - that are slowly starting to kick in. Today is the first day I've felt well enough to even blog.

So, enough with the whining. Let's get on with something way more fun. How about a giveaway? Onalee sent in this picture of her Fiddlesticks quilt using KT fabrics. Thanks for sharing - it looks great! This is a simple pattern to piece featuring 2 1/2" strips. I've got the pattern and some strips to get you started if you comment here by Sunday 10pm. Let me know your favorite home remedy for colds/flu or to stay well this winter. I'm ready to try anything!

O' Dear, you're a winner!

2012-01-15T22:04:00.001-06:00

Congrats to Cindy O' Dear. You've won our new KT Stash pattern for January - Snow. Several ladies commented about making it in different colors, and I agree. My daughter has requested it in traditional KT fabrics, so I need to get going on it before my travel schedule heats up in March.

As for this weekend, I met my daughter and granddaughter for a girls weekend of shopping, snacking, swimming and movies. It's a quick winter break to play/visit before the snow flies.

More pics from the followers when I get home.
Back in a couple days,
Lynne

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Just a Little "Snow"

2012-01-12T14:31:00.000-06:00

I've been working on the new website every day until I'm bleary-eyed and my butt is numb. One of the new features on the site is our KT Stash Society project of the month. We have a list of participating quilt shops that do a great job of promoting the Stash Society with monthly gatherings, kits and specials. If you don't live neat a quilt shop that offers it, we don't want you to miss out, so we'll be offering the patterns on our website each month, too. For January, we have a table runner in crisp blues and tans to celebrate the SNOW without ever being cold. We updated and simplified a traditional block with a little raw edge applique for the star points. Each block is basically a 9-patch with triangles or squares stitched on top, so there's never any distortion or lost points. I loooove easy!

Win the January Stash Society "Snow" pattern and a few bits of KT fabric to get you started just by commenting here before Sunday night 10pm. See you Monday with a winner!
Lynne

You're a Winner!

2012-01-09T11:38:00.000-06:00

Gosh, I wish I could send everyone our new patterns! By the end of the week, our brand new website should be up and running with all the new patterns, so check it out.

Our two winners are Sandie-callmecrazy and Quilt 'n Queen. You will each receive the 2 new KT patterns featuring precuts for Sandhill Plums. Check back in on Thursday for another KT giveaway.

Linda Goulty shared a picture of a charm quilt using Eleanor Burns' Buckeye Beauty pattern featuring a KT Warm Memories charm pack. I think it worked out beautifully! Thanks for sharing. I've received several other pictures from quilters out there and would love more, so keep them coming.

Hope your New Year is going splendidly!
Lynne

New Patterns

2012-01-05T10:01:00.000-06:00

I'm finally done with the new patterns that were introduced at market - Plum Perfect and Just a Little Loopy. Whew! Seems like it's taken forever with the holidays to get everything finished. Now it's up to Robert to send them out - along with Collection of Scraps and the new BOM Bird's Eye View - to the quilt shops and distributors that have been waiting very patiently.

I'm really excited about these two projects for Sandhill Plums, mainly because they go together so quickly with precuts. Here's your heads-up to start watching for the Jelly Rolls, Honey Buns and Charm Packs now, because once they hit the shops, they'll go fast. Plum Perfect features a Jelly Roll and Charm Pack - the JR strips are used to frame a center block that I would normally never do since it requires a template, but with a little raw edge applique for the star points, it's all good and simple. The pieced triangle border really isn't pieced at all - we just placed charm squares cut diagonally into triangles on top of the tan border strip and stitched them down. Cool effect with no worries about anything having to fit perfectly. The strippy pieced border with squared-off corners looks difficult to make, but is really a breeze and adds another great effect. I'd say it takes about 8 hours to assemble for this 70" square lap quilt.

The leftover charm triangles are used on a fun pillow to match! Note the scalloped edge on the triangles. I didn't have any charm packs yet when we started this project, so we cut our own with a wavy-edged rotary blade. I really like the softly scalloped decorative edge. Don't be afraid to make your own precuts if they're no longer available.

Just a Little Loopy starts with Charm squares and Honey Bun strips to simplify an already simple block - the rail fence. Who knew by layering a 1 1/2" wide HB strip over a Charm square you'd end up with a perfectly proportioned rail fence? I love it! The loopy part comes in when HB strips are doubled and stitched into the tan border; the loops are buttoned down and create added dimension. After finishing the quilt, I still had a pile of HB strips, so I cut a bunch of loops and stitched them into strips to make a chunky fringed pillow. Still had tan HB strips left, to I added them to the top of a tote bag I was playing with using my prequilted fabric from Cattails & Clover. It only took about an hour to assemble (plus hand stitching the binding). I use it all the time to carry quilts, patterns and misc. stuff back and forth from the KT building to the cabin.

Both of these patterns will be available at your local quilt shop soon and online at ktquilts.com next week - just as soon as my new webpage goes live! So excited, just need to figure it all out.

For today, 2 lucky winners will win one of each of these patterns - just leave a comment on whether or not you like precuts and why between now and Sunday 10pm. Winners will be announced on Monday morning.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T18:28:00.000-06:00

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend ringing in the New Year. Robert and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home grazing thru holiday leftovers and watching movies with Captain Morgan :). We carried the lazy theme into New Year's Day and thoroughly enjoyed the "do nothing" day. It doesn't seem to happen very often so we relish every minute. We're both back on the clock today even though several of my kids still had the day off for the holiday. I thought maybe getting a jump on the week would put me ahead, but not so much. Most of Christmas is put away and cleaned up and 3 of 4 new patterns/books are being printed, so I'm getting there - just slower than I wanted. Do you have those days when everything seems to be going great but the clock is racing faster than ever? It seems most days now only have about 16 instead of 24 hours in them!

Someone who's accomplished alot recently is Cindy Dunlap. I received an email with a photo of her new shower curtain and wanted to share it with all of you. Love that she used the One Step at a Time pattern and a KT Jelly Roll to make a unique shower curtain for her bathroom. Awesome!

Do you have a KT project you'd like to share? I'd love to see it and post it here! That way, I don't have to think so much about what to say every time. Help me out, ladies. Let's see what you've been up to!
I'll post again on Thursday. See you all then. Lynne

Grand Finale winner!

2011-12-26T12:45:00.000-06:00

Puddles of Grace is our Day #12 winner of the Flannel Days fat qtr. bundle. Colorado is the perfect place for a flannel quilt. Enjoy!

Thanks to all of you who have commented this year on my blog. I truly appreciate your time and enjoy reading every one. If you haven't won a KT giveaway so far, don't despair, there's lots more coming your way in 2012. I just received a huge box of strips from Moda that I'll HAVE to share from next year's Christmas line, Holiday Medley. Quilt shops will be introduced to all the new collections for the holidays in Jan., so watch for a sneak peek in February.

Robert had to work Christmas Day, but I enjoyed brunch with my son and his girlfriend after church, then my parents came over for dinner after R got home. I made an easy crock pot Chicken Marsala that Pam Buda shared with me. So simple but a little more elegant that your normal chicken/pasta dish. Everyone loved it! For dessert, I made a banana cream pie - R's fav - but added a little twist with a layer of dark chocolate on the crust before adding the bananas and pudding. (Just sprinkle mini dark chocolate chips in a still warm crust, let sit a few minutes and spread with a knife.) I think it helps keep the crust from becoming soggy and who doesn't love the addition of chocolate to anything?? All in all, a very quiet, but wonderful day. Today, I've puttered around all morning, picking up after having a grankid for a week. I always seem to get a burst of organizing energy each year after Christmas. As much as I love all the decorations and special holiday decor, I'm always ready to return to "ordinary time" as my sister says, doing some major cleaning and purging. It's an instant lift for me. Since Moda and our other main distributors are closed this week, it's a time for us to catch up at work, too. Seems a week is never enough!

Here's the Chicken Marsala recipe. It would great for a New Year's celebration, too!

6 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup butter
1 pkg. Good Seasons salad dressing mix
2 cans Golden Mushroom soup
1 cup Marsala cooking wine
1 large can mushroom stems and pieces, drained or 1 1/2 fresh mushrooms, sliced
8 oz. tub cream chees with chives & onion
1 lb. pasta - linguini, penne, etc. cooked according to instructions
Parmesan cheese shreds
Place chicken in crock pot. In a large bowl, soften butter and cream cheese. Add seasoning, soup, wine, cream cheese and mushrooms; mix well. Pour over chicken; cook in crock pot on LOW 5-6 hours. Serve chicken and sauce over hot pasta sprinkled with shredded parm cheese. Add breadsticks and a green salad for the perfect dressed up dinner that's everyday easy. Yum!

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #12 Finale

2011-12-23T06:56:00.015-06:00

Okay, my Friday post didn't upload automatically - sorry. Here it is on Sat. - last day of Countdown to Christmas. Day #11 winner of the Bird's Eye View BOM is kshackabq. Thanks for following my blog suring this busy, crazy time of year.

Now, Day #12 of Countdown to Christmas. Just one last chance to comment and you could open your mailbox to a fat 1/4 bundle of Flannel Days fabric. I've really enjoyed working and playing with it - it's so cuddly soft and yummy. Winner will be announced Monday Dec. 26th, so make a Christmas wish and hit enter!

It's not too late to ask for an Alaskan Quilting Cruise for Christmas. Pam and I are so excited about our Great Girlfriend Getaway in August 2012. There are lots of emails flying between Kansas and Illinois full of plans and surprises, so don't wait to book your spot!

Have you ever been on a quilting cruise?

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #11

2011-12-22T06:41:00.001-06:00

I'm so glad to have discovered the random number generator early this year so I don't have to select a winner. All of your comments have been so fun to read - thanks! In answer to one comment, the Mini Table Treats are each 17" round.

Congratualtions to Jayne from TX - we'll be sending a dozen MTT patterns to you next week! Please email your address to ktquilts@twinvalley.net.

Two more chances, ladies, to win a KT prize. For today, I'll be sending a lucky someone the very first, signed copy of our new BOM, Bird's Eye View. It will literally hit the presses on Monday after Christmas, so the winner will have to be a little patient :).

The winner of Thursday's giveaway will be announced along with Friday's winner on Saturday. I'll be out of town with the granddaughters overnight and we'll be very, very busy....or so I hear.

Don't miss Friday's final prize - especially if you like soft, fuzzy stuff.

Countdown to Christmas Day #10

2011-12-21T06:38:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to the winner of the Perennials fat 1/8 bundle, QuiltinginMinn. Maybe this little bundle of fabric will help inspire you to get your personal creative space in order. I can't imagine having to move!

A dozen Mini Table Treats patterns are up for grabs today for a mere moment of your time and a comment. With the additon of Frost, Pinwheel and Spoolin' Around, there's a different motif for almost every month of the year! All of the MTT are available on our website (or will be soon!) for just $5 each. They are a great gift idea since it only takes about 3 hours and $15 worth of materials to make each one.

Thanks for all the suggestions for my glaring windows. Someone asked what I see out that window, so I took a shot of my grandaughter, Aleece, playing in the newfallen snow here yesterday. She ran and played with Gus until he was begging to come back inside. I didn't enjoy the weather quite so much. My car doors were frozen shut so we were truly snowed in and couldn't get into town. Lots of hot chocolate and movies saved the day so I could work for a few hours.

Are you a cold weather gal? What kind of outdoor activities do you look forward to each year? I love watching the snow from my comfy chair with a quilt, a book and a cup of hot tea. How about you?

Countdown to Christmas Day #9

2011-12-20T07:08:00.001-06:00

Monday's winners of the Primitive Quilts magazines are Grandma M and Ronnie. Hope you enjoy perusing all the wonderful projects.

Today's prize is a fat 1/8 bundle of Perennials fabrics. It blends especially well with the new Sandhill Plums with the rich plum/purples, greens and golds and classic KT reds and blues. While taking pictures of the prizes, I decided to share my design space with you. Here's the Perennials bundle sitting on the loveseat in the corner of my studio where I relax, read quilting books and magazines, and edit patterns. We used to have a twin bed in here for the grankids, but this little sofa bed from IKEA takes up so much less space and is comfy, too.

Here's a look at where I work, designing quilts and gazing out the window - writing this blog, too. Note that I had to cover the window with an old quilt on stretcher bars to keep the glare down. How ironic that I wanted a big window to be able to see out, but the sunshine glares on my computer screen so much, I have to cover it up! I'm checking into having the window tinted or glazed to cut the glare and prevent sun fading, too. Any suggestions?

Countdown to Christmas Day #8

2011-12-19T07:14:00.002-06:00

The winner of Sunday's KT tin with mini charms is Melody. Congratulations! Hope you enjoy playing with a little bit of KT - actually over 100 different prints.

We had a great weekend even though I'm dragging today. Late nights, lots of laughs, too much rich food. Wonderful memories! Robert and I received gift certificates to dinner and tickets to our local community theatre, which we enjoy. Plus some gourmet beer and snacks for our Christmas Eve alone - fun stuff! My daughter, Nicole, found a beautiful cashmere scarf for me to go with my new winter coat and bought R an MP3 player he's been coveting. The best gift of all was a picture of my 3 handsome sons, all together for the first time at Christmas in 5 years. The bestest part was having all 4 of my kids and grankids together - all night/day. We had a blast. Wishing you all this much fun for Christmas this year.

Today's giveaway is the newest issue of Primitive Quilts with our Starry Flight quilt on the cover. This one makes flying geese even easier with raw edge applique triangles for a fun, frayed look and feel. I actually have 2 to share with 2 lucky winners. We haven't advertised on our web page, but we have a few more of these kits left, if anyone is interested.

I think these sisters do a great job of putting together a beautiful magazine. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of a couple of your first issues.

How about commenting on your affection/addiction/allergies to wool projects today? I'm hooked, how about you?

Countdown to Christmas Day #7

2011-12-18T06:36:00.001-06:00

Carrie P. (who takes a drive in the mountains each year) is the winner of the Sandhill Plums strips. Thanks for hanging in there ladies (and gentlemen). Halfway there with a fun little treat for you today - a KT tin filled with 4 mini charm packs.

My 4 kids, their spouses and 5 grandkids all spent the night at the building for our Christmas slumber party. Gotta get the egg casserole and apple french toast in the oven soon.

The little kids are already asking to open presents.

See you tomorrow for another KT giveaway. Lynne

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #6

2011-12-17T06:16:00.002-06:00

Ladies, thank you so much for sharing your favorite Christmas gifts with me. I teared up reading several and can totally relate to the statement that it's who gave you something and how they did it that makes it even more memorable.

It's just a week until Christmas, so we need to keep moving along on our Countdown. Congrats to Lesley (pine hutch is favorite gift) who won the set of 3 QM 100 Quilt Blocks magazines and Debbie (homemade vanity) who will receive the 6-pack of charm patterns. Thanks for commenting!

Day #6 brings a bundle of Sandhill Plums assorted strips. Moda generously sent a box of leftovers after cutting swatches for their salesmen so we have lots to share. With strips between 2" and 7", it's like getting several Jelly Rolls!

Share one of your favorite family holiday traditions here, if you wish.

I'd love to know how you celebrate the season.

See you tomorrow!

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #4 & 5

2011-12-16T06:28:00.002-06:00

Day #3's winner is Laura from Phoenix - congrats and enjoy the tin full of Warm Memories. I loved reading all your comments about your favorite holiday treats. I'm inspired to try several - I know the grankids would really enjoy the candy cane cookies. My weakness is dark chocolate, so any cookies made with that and I'm off my diet. Breads are a close second - banana, pumpkin, cranberry, cinnamon rolls - mmmmm......

For Friday, we're going to do Day #4 and 5 (since I goofed on Wednesday). We can't let this Countdown to Christmas run over the 25th! Soooo, the 2 prizes for today will be a set of 3 QM 100 Quilt Blocks (issues #2,3,4) and a six pack of my favorite charm patterns - Summer Joy, KT Classic, Signs of Fall, Churn Dash, Cockscomb & Deck the Walls.

As I was shopping for the last couple of gifts on my list today, I remembered some of the most wonderful gifts I've ever received for Christmas. One of my all time favs is from jr. high when my parents gave me a rabbit fur jacket with leather sleeves. It seemed so cool and outrageously extravagant for the time (and not very politically correct now) and I wore it for years until the fur was almost all rubbed off. As a young Mom, my favorite things were the homemade ornaments and cards from my kids with glitter, Cheerios, buttons or yarn. I still have them and get them out each year. Recently, the best gift ever was my studio at the cabin. I really will take a picture soon and post it for you all to see where I work. I'm still rearranging and tweaking.
What was one of your favorite gifts and why?

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #3

2011-12-14T06:49:00.015-06:00

Wednesday 10:20pm
Dang, dang, double dang! Just checked in to see how the comments for today were going and you weren't there! My post from last night didn't automatically go up this morning (I'm sure due to user error) so here it is for Thursday. We'll double up down the line to catch up. I've had quite a day - dentist, shopping, editing/printing/stuffing/shipping patterns and a big date night with Robert. We went to a Clint Black concert in a small old movie theatre converted into a stage that is just the coolest venue. Haven't really listened to his stuff for several years but sang along like it was yesterday. Sorry again about the delay on Day #3, but had a great excuse for just now getting home :). Merry Christmas to me!

Day #2 winners of a Quiltmaker 100 Quilt Blocks magazine are Happy Cottage Quilter, Jan and icraftnqlt. Congrats, ladies. Santa will have your prize delivered and under the tree in a flash.

For Day #3, we have a Moda Jelly Roll tin stuffed with 22 assorted Warm Memories fat 1/8's. Interested? Just comment here about your favorite holiday treat (I need some inspiration for our Christmas get-together this weekend).

KT Countdown to Christmas Day #2

2011-12-13T06:37:00.000-06:00

Carol and LKDrum are our winners of Day #1 Primitive Quilts magazine. Please send your mailing addresses and I'll get Robert right on it. I warned him about the daily giveaways in our countdown and his response was, "Well of course you're giving away stuff right now since there's nothing else going on..." Aren't husbands so understanding? My 10-year-old grandson Cooper's reply to Grampa now is "Can you spell sarcasm?" Gotta love it!

Okay, for Day #2 in our Countdown to Christmas, more magazines - 3 of the newest Quiltmaker 100 Blocks! Three lucky quilters will each win a magazine if they comment by 10pm tonight. Here's a look at my block with Sandhill Plums and Cattails fabrics. It's so much fun to transform a traditional block with a gazillion pieces into a simply doable raw edge applique version. My daughter, Nicole, turned 30 this year and selected this block (30 of them) in a really scrappy quilt as her birthday gift. I just hope I can finish it before she turns 31!

Do you buy this magazine for the eye candy & inspiration or actually make some of the blocks? Watch later during the Countdown for a set of Issues #2,3,and 4!

Countdown to Christmas Day 1

2011-12-12T06:09:00.001-06:00

Once again, congratulations to all the winners of the Sandhill Plums strips and the stack of 1300 charm squares. We'll be boxing up and shipping off the goodies on Tuesday when Robert's back in the office. Thanks so everyone who came by to visit. To keep the holiday spirit soaring, let's keep giving away good stuff! For the next 12 days before Christmas, we'll be offering a few more chances to win something for your stocking. Check in each day, leave a comment by 10pm CST and cross your fingers and toes that the random number generator will hear your plea.

For Day #1, my true love did not give me a partridge in a pear tree (thank goodness!) but uncovered 2 more of the Fall 2011 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. It sold out early, so here's your chance to win one to complete your collection. It just happens to be a bonus that our Summer's Last Bloom quilt made the cover. The winners will receive a magazine and a few fabric squares to get started on the quilt.

Do you subscribe/purchase Primitive Quilts magazine?
See you Tuesday, Lynne

Moda Blog Hop Winners will be Merry, Merry

2011-12-10T11:05:00.000-06:00

Wasn't the Moda Merry Blog Hop just too much fun? I've had a great time peeking into my fellow designer's lives to see what they were up to this holiday season. So many creative, generous women all working together for the best fabric company - period.

Congratulations to Sarah Z, Shelley and Brenda! The 3 of you will each receive a bundle of Sandhill Plum strips - assorted widths from 2" to 6" - to enjoy before the fabric arrives in quilt shops in February. Thanks to everyone who commented during the Moda Merry Blog Hop. I love reading all your comments and appreciate your support.

It's not too late to have a little surprise under your sewing machine for Christmas. Join us for Countdown to Christmas beginning Monday for a little treasure each day for 12 days. There are odds and ends of KT finds from magazines and fabric scraps to precuts and patterns. I've even been cleaning out the back room and found a few cool things leftover from our quilt retreat days. Join me here Monday morning for the first day of fun.

After a couple days of "The Cruds", I'm back in action today, ready to decorate for our family Christmas - next weekend! No need to panic since the tree is already decorated under a big bag in the back room with just a little fluffing required. With our 12 foot ceilings at my design studio building where we gather, a queen quilt works as a wonderful wall quilt. A pile of Christmas quilts is ready to set the holiday theme and act as a backdrop to the festivities. Now, just a few last minute gifts to find, packages to wrap, cookies to bake, beds to make....I'll try to remember to share a few pictures this year. See you all Monday, Lynne

And the winner is....

2011-12-09T11:02:00.000-06:00

The wait is over - finally! Congratulations to DebrafromMD! The random number generator gods have smiled on you today. Thanks to Debra and everyone who so faithfully commented over the past 2 weeks. It's been so fun reading all your comments and overwhelming to have over 1000 for one giveaway. Some of your names appear so often I feel we should be chatting on the phone! Thanks again for following my blog. But don't despair if you didn't win today. Beginning Monday, we're starting a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway - something new each day for 12 days. I've been gathering up all kinds of things as I clean and organize and would love to share with all of you - issues of Primitive Quilts, 100 Quilt Blocks, APQ; odds and ends of KT fabrics; a tin full of mini charms; a bundle of patterns - so much good stuff!

Sorry this post is so late today but the bug that's been going around bit me yesterday and I've been slow to start this morning. Better now than next weekend when all the kids/grandkids will be here for Christmas. It has made me feel warm all over, though to announce the winner of the Grand Finale 1300 KT charm squares. Hope you all come back next week to countdown to Christmas. This is just so much fun!
Lynne

Deadlines, deadlines...

2011-12-08T09:26:00.000-06:00

There are only 2 days left of the Moda Designer Blog Hop. Make sure to visit Camille of Thimbleblossoms, Kathy Schmitz at her blog, Edyta of Laundry Basket Quilts, Kate Spain's blog and Lisa Bonegean at Primitive Gatherings to see what's going on in their quilting worlds. I'm sure these creative ladies have a whole lot of fun in store of you.

You have one more chance to comment to win the 1300+ KT charm squares (see previous post) before the winner is announced tomorrow. Good luck to everyone!

And, tomorrow is the deadline to comment for a chance to win the new Sandhill Plums strips - there will be 3 winners! - here or in previous Moda Blog Hop posts. So much to giveaway this season!

But it's not all over yet! Check back on Monday to see what I have in store for the KT Countdown to Christmas! I've been cleaning and organizing and finding all kinds of interesting stuff to share. That starts Monday, December 12th.

Moda Designer Blog Hop

2011-12-06T06:37:00.002-06:00

Hello! and welcome to another edition of Moda's Designer Blog Hop. At market, we all decided to share the bounty as a holiday "Thank You" to all the quilters out there in blogland. Four or five designers will host one day this week, so make sure you stop by each and every one of them. Along with me today are Joanna at Fig Tree, Julie of Cosmo Cricket, Lucie from Summersville and Liz at Paper Pie. Some of us have been around Moda for a while, some are brand new - how fun to get to know everyone thru a blog hop!

As for KT, our world is all about Sandhill Plums right now - stitching, writing, editing patterns, etc. We're thrilled to share some bundles of this brand new line for our blog giveaway this week. Just comment here before Friday, Dec. 9th, 10pm. to be eligible to win an assortment of strips (3-6" wide) of Sandhill Plums. No one else will have it until February!

Somehow, I'm out at the cabin and my link for the recipe and quilt block are in town. It's 18 degrees here, so I'm not too keen on getting out again tonight. :) I'll post it as soon as I can tomorrow.

Okay, it's a sunny 24 this afternoon so I've ventured out to post the link to my recipe and quilt block. I've used the block for a couple of upcoming projects with just a few changes. It's been fun to play with. Hope you enjoy playing with all the block, too.

http://www.unitednotions.com/LA_KT_BLOCK.pdf

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to comment on my previous post for our Grand Finale Charm Giveaway. Enjoy the blog hop and have a happy, happy holiday season.

Moda Designer Blog Hop

2011-12-05T08:34:00.000-06:00

It's a cold, damp Monday here in Kansas. A perfect day to stay home with a hot cup of tea and cruise over to my fellow Moda designer's blogs. Hop on over to Minick and Simpson, Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill, Barb Groves of Me & My Sister and Deb Strain of Saltbox Studio today to kick off the 5-day Moda Designer Blog Hop. There's a block pattern and recipe at each website to download - free - as our little holiday gift to you. I'm sure there will be a few other surprises along the way, too.

Join me back here tomorrow for a chance to win something Sandhill Plums. And stay tuned for the BIG WINNER revealed on Friday of more than 1300 charm squares (see previous posts).
Happy Blog Hopping!

One More Week...

2011-11-30T18:14:00.002-06:00

Just one more week to comment and be entered to win over 1300 KT charm squares. It's been fun to read what everyone would do with this stack of fabrics - lots of drooling and fondling going on for sure. And many generous quilters willing to make quilts to donate to good causes.

We're in the process of revamping out website so I've taking pics of stuff at the KT studio. I enjoy collecting anything having to do with sewing, especially acorn shaped items. Here's a look at some of my favorite junk.

Many of my acorns have a thimble and needle holder inside and are carved from vegetable ivory. Some are wooden, a couple have a pincushion, as well. The paper acorn on the left front is an Acorn Stove advertising piece; the card in back holds Acorn snaps. Too fun!

Clamps to hold a quilt in the frame were shaped like birds for fun and function.
The beaks open like a clothespin and some have a bonus pincushion.

An old printer's tray (about 5 feet long) keeps vintage sewing items neatly displayed - advertising thimbles, tape measures, needle cases and thimble holders. It's fun to hunt for things with local advertising as I travel.

Now if someone would just dust it for me!

Moda's Designer Blog Hop begins Monday, Dec. 5th and continues throughout the week with almost 2 dozen designers sharing a block and a recipe for you to download free! I'm sure there will be more a couple giveaways, too. I'll post a list of designers to watch for over the weekend.

Keep commenting!

More ideas for 1300+ charm squares

2011-11-26T09:17:00.000-06:00

I realized last night as I was working on the pattern for Collection of Scraps that this might the perfect quilt for the stack of charm squares. There are only a couple of strips (that can be pieced) that are too long to cut from a 5" square. You can just about get one block from a pack of charm squares.

Here's a closer look at several blocks so you can see that we made each one just a bit

differently depending on the fabric available. Very fun!

I better get cookin'! The kids/grankids/parents will be here this afternoon expecting to eat our version of Thanksgiving leftovers. I make a massive turkey hash with all the fixin's; Mom makes the pies (with her perfect flaky homemade crust) and my oldest son, Neil, always comes up with some fun new dessert to try. This year, pumpkin/gingersnap/cheesecake parfaits. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Have a good weekend enjoying leftover turkey.

Please comment for the giveaway on Thursdays post. Thanks.

KT Charm Collection Grand Finale

2011-11-24T06:38:00.001-06:00

Okay ladies (and gentlemen), here's what we've been waiting for all year - a chance to win one of each of the 38 KT charm packs from the past 11 years! I'm so glad we did this because now even I have a charm square of each of the fabrics. Here's the pile - over 1300 5" squares - almost 19" tall!

What would you do with over 20 yards or 34,000 square inches of KT prints and plaids? Can you imagine the number of projects you could make? Simply sewn together as charm squares (4 1/2" finished squares), you could have the makings of 4 centers for queen size quilts (16 x 18 squares each) or 7 lap quilts (12 x 14 squares each). Cut some into half into bricks, triangles or fourths for mini charm squares for truly charming quilts, runners and gifts galore. Oh my!

Thought I would share my stash of KT precuts - Charms, Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Honey Buns and Turnovers. I also have fun collecting Moda designer tins and specialty items.

Quilters ask me all the time how much fabric I have and the answer is: Not as much as most quilters! I save small amounts of my favorite pieces for scrappy projects, but we're usually using the latest collection so it doesn't help much to have alot of oldies on hand. This is all I have of Sandhill Plums - so far :) .

Bits and pieces, works in progress and leftover precuts are kept in 16 vintage locker baskets on an old wooden shoe rack. That's Flannel Days piled up on top. It's so fluffy, it's hard to fit on the shelves!

Best of luck to everyone! You may comment as often as once a day until Dec. 7th at 10pm. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Dec. 8th. Stay tuned for a fun little blog hop with the Moda designers in December, too. More goodies!

Sandhill Plums Winner

2011-11-22T20:35:00.002-06:00

Pat from New York is the winner of this week's Sandhill Plums charm pack and charm pattern. Just proves how random our random number generator is since she won just a couple of weeks ago, too! But Sandhill Plums is all so new, she'll have to wait a few days to receive her goodies since the pattern is still being edited. It's been so fun reading all your comments recalling memories of Gramma's cooking specialites. I thoroughly enjoyed the warm feelings flowing from the pages.

Don't stop following the KT blog now - we're not done with our year of giveaways yet! Still to come is the grand prize of one of each KT charm pack printed to date - over 1200 charm squares from the past 11 years. The giveaway begins this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and continues for 2 weeks thru 10pm on Wednesday, Dec. 7th. You may comment as much as once a day over the 2 weeks. The winner will be announced Thursday Dec. 8th.

Better get to the grocery store before everything for Thanksgiving dinner is gone. We do our family thing on Saturday so I have plenty of time to prepare. Just Robert and I hanging out, watching movies in our pj's all day Thursday. Now that's something to be thankful for!

Something else to be thankful for is good friends, like my dear friend Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts. We met in Ottawa, IL last week to do some brainstorming and planning for our cruise to Alaska next summer and met with our travel agent to plan even further into the future. We had a great time antique hunting all day Thursday and stayed up late chatting about family and plotting projects and surprises for the cruise. If you haven't decided on whether or not to join us, ask for a Girlfriend Getaway for Christmas. Your hubby will appreciate not having to shop and you'll have a wonderful trip to look forward to next year. Have any of you been on a quilting cruise? Where to? What was the best part? Where would you like to go next?

Sandhill Plums Charming Thursday

2011-11-17T06:37:00.001-06:00

Our newest KT fabric line, Sandhill Plums, just made it's debut at Fall Quilt Market in Houston a couple weeks ago. Yummy shades of plum, red, navy, green, gold, black and tans are just made for a spring-themed project. The charm quilt for this line is a little table runner called Sand Plum Jelly. Sandhill Plums are unique to this part of the country, planted as windbreaks in sandy soil back in the homesteading years and are known for their tart berries each summer. Anyone who's tasted a Sandhill Plum can certainly appreciate how much sugar it takes to make those little berries palatable for jelly.

Several other projects featuring Sandhill Plums precuts are in a blog posted last week on

Nov. 9th. Check them out!

Comment here by Sunday 10pm. for a chance to win a charm pack and pattern for Sandhill Plums!

Anyone out there ever had Sand Plum Jelly?

What is your favorite food memory from your Grandmother/family?

Cattails & Clover Charming Thursday Winner

2011-11-15T07:14:00.002-06:00

Congrats to Lisa Marie - you're the winner of the Charming Thursday Cattails & Clover charm pack and pattern. There's only one more edition of Charming Thursday this week, then the grand finale begins on Thanksgiving Day with the most charming giveaway of all: over 1200 KT 5" charm squares - one of every fabric so far! You'll have 2 weeks to comment. What a great Christmas present to yourself!

Yesterday, I reintroduced several projects we're now offering as single patterns from previous books or quilt shop exclusive clubs. Today, I have a few more for you - Wildflower Baskets Charm, Pinwheels in my Garden Charm,Twinkling Stars and Flowers by the Cabin.

Flowers by the Cabin is a former KT Stash Society favorite. Raw edge flowers bloom

on traditional log cabin blocks.

Twinkling Stars is another KT Stash project. We've simplified a traditional Huner's Star with a raw edge template stitched onto opposite corners of a square; cut in half to make triangles, then sew 2 different triangles together. Easy, peasy!

Simple little baskets make good use of a charm pack for a spring

wall quilt to brighten up your entry.

Pinwheels and a pieced border offer the perfect background for fused and raw edge

appliqued flowers borrowed from the fabric prints in Garden Inspiration.

Stay tuned for our final Charming Thursday this week featuring Sandhill Plum, our newest

KT fabric collection due in quilt shops in February. You'll be the first on your block

(heck, on any block!) to have a little piece of it!

100 Quilt Blocks Winners Announced

2011-11-14T10:14:00.000-06:00

Okay ladies, the 3 winners of a Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol #4 magazine are: Kathy, Anne & Dona! You know who you are because you received an email from me with the big news. Thanks for having your email link on your profile. It's so much easier to contact my blog winners if I can email directly instead of just posting your name and hoping you check back to see it. I appreciate all the lovely comments about the block. We're planning to make a couple projects next year featuring it, so keep watching.

Over the years, we've made quilts for books, our KT Quarterly Newsletter, KT Stash Society and Charmed Club that were very popular and have had requests to offer those projects as single patterns. I'm happy to announce several new projects as single patterns this fall - Bachelor Buttons, Prairie Medley, Crossing Mulberry Creek and Picnic Plaid. Each of these was offered in a shop exclusive program or KT book over the past few years. Now, we're making them available to everyone!

Who doesn't love a blue and tan scrappy quilt that's easy to piece with a touch of raw edge applique and finished with red buttons? Bachelor Buttons first appeared as a bonus project in our

Seeds of Time Block-of-the-Month.

Prairie Medley is just that - a medley of print, plaid and wool charm packs that work together to create a fun little quilt with lots of personality and charm.

Crossing Mulberry Creek is pieced with simple 9-patches - a quilter's staple - then embellished with raw edge navy plaid squares cut on the bias that are added after the quilt is quilted. A great man quilt!

Picnic Plaid is one of my son's favorites - very soft and cuddly. More 9-patches carefully placed to look like a giant plaid. Doubled red plaid bias strips are added while you quilt-in-the-ditch for an easy finish. Imagine the color possibilities - browns and tans with pumpkin strips, reds and greens for the holidays, or any combo to match your home decor or school colors.

These are a few of the new/old patterns. Watch tomorrow's blog for more!

Cattails & Clover Charming Thursday (on Friday)

2011-11-11T09:49:00.000-06:00

For those of you regularly checking in on Thursdays here at the KT Blog, you had a nice suprise yesterday with the 100 Quilt Block magazine blog tour. Hope you commented to win one of the free issues. It's packed full of great ideas for future projects.

Sooooo, Charming Thursday is today. We're getting very close to the end of our charm pack giveaways with Cattails & Clover. This collection is so new it's just now arriving at your local quilt shop!

Living "in the wild", as my granddaughter Delainey says, offers alot of inspiration for fabric themes. We have a marshy area on one end of the pond that keeps the cattails happy with wet feet. We enjoy watching them change throughout the summer as the green shoots poke thru the earth in June, the fuzzy brown heads appear in July and then burst into white fluff in August. The clover was once a cash crop my Grandfather grew when Dad was just a kid. He said they tilled it under over 60 years ago and planted wheat. When we built the cabin a couple years ago, Dad had a terrace built to redirect the water flow into the pond to avoid flooding our road. The next spring, an acre of clover appeared where the ground had been turned, seed that had laid dormant for over 60 years! Amazing! The graceful rows of clover, curving by the side of our road inspired our project Creek Bottom. Two charm packs are cut with our new KT-1/4 Circle Template, then raw edge stitched onto opposite corners of a Layer Cake square. Doubled bias strips of coordinating plaids are stitched over the raw edge of the curves to create dimension and texture. When the blocks are sewn together, the look of waves across the quilt is very dramatic with no curved piecing. I love it!

For even more definitive curves, we used just 5 fabrics for Cattail Creek. The wavy border is made easy with the template, adding a 1/4-circle to a setting triangle.

The table topper with just a few fabrics and giant rickrack trim instead of bias strips and the runner with rows of buttons were fun to play with and only require a few blocks. There's still time before the holidays!

Comment here before Monday night at 10pm. to be eligible to win a Cattails & Clover charm pack and booklet with all the projects shown here. Next Thursday is our final single charm pack giveaway, then the grand finale starts Thanksgiving Day. You'll have 2 weeks to comment (limit one comment a day, please) to win over 1200 KT 5" charm squares! There will be a couple other prizes offered, too, so don't miss out.

100 Quilt Blocks Blog Tour

2011-11-10T01:50:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the new 100 Quilt Blocks #4 magazine by Quiltmaker? I enjoy seeing all the new, innovative, charming blocks the designers have created. This is one of those magazines you keep and collect for future reference. Do you have yours? We have them on our website now.

My block is #340, Kansas Home. A traditional star block is simplified with raw edge applique squares (4 brown corners and red center square) for even eaiser piecing. I love the texture and dimension of adding raw edge to any quilt block.

Also included in this edition are blocks by fellow Moda designers Kathy Schmitz and Camille Roskelley. Check it out! Comment here to win a free 100 Quilt Blocks Vol.#4. The random number generator will choose 3 lucky quilters on Monday.

Announcing: Sandhill Plums

2011-11-09T07:53:00.001-06:00

KT's new fabric collection for spring is Sandhill Plums. The header at the top of the blog shows the Sandhill Plum bushes this fall changing color. In late summer, they produce a grape-size berry that varies from cream to yellow to pink to red. This year's extreme heat and drought left us plum-less - barely enough for the birds. My Gramma used to make Sand Plum Jelly every year for my Dad. After the first couple of pints magically disappeared slathered on homemade bread, it was hoarded thru the winter and only brought out for special occasions.

One of our projects for this group is called Plum Perfect, a 70" square lap quilt featuring a Jelly Roll and Charm Pack. A traditional star block is simplified with raw edge applique for the center, then surrounded by Jelly Roll strips. A charm pack cut diagonally to create triangles is stitched into the border seam for dimensional appeal. Leftover Jelly Roll strips are pieced and cut across the corners for a unique look. Remaining triangles were put to work on a charming pillow. Easy to do, great results!

Notice the scalloped edges? I hadn't received my precuts yet so we cut our own charm squares with a scalloped edge rotary blade. I love the effect!

One of my favorite projects is Just a Little Loopy. (Did I ever tell how hard it is to name quilts???) A Honey Bun and Charm Pack work together to make 3 different projects - a wall quilt, pillow & bag.

A rail fence block is made even easier by simply laying a 5" strip from a Honey Bun centered on a charm square and stitched about 1/8" from the raw edges. This results in 3 - 1 1/2" strips for a 4 1/2" finished block - very cool! With parts of Honey Bun strips left, I made long and short loops, tucked them in the border seam and buttoned them down for fun. With even more Honey Bun scraps, a textural pillow with loops sewn into the seams was next on the list. Then, when I realized I hadn't used any of the light strips, an easy bag from our KT pre-quilted Cattails & Clover fabric (3/4yd.) embellished with 3 rows of loops came to life. A Honey Bun and 2 charm packs makes a great sized lap quilt, too. How much fun can you have with a Honey Bun? Tons!

Both of these patterns will be available by Jan. 1st, just in time for precuts of Sandhill Plums. Yardage ships in February.

I enjoyed playing with the precut Honey Bun strips, creating texture and dimension with the pinked edges. Anyone out there having fun with them too?

Flannel Days Charm Winner

2011-11-08T09:53:00.000-06:00

Monday came and went - actually the whole weekend - and I totally forgot about the blog. Now that I'm back on track with the calendar (kinda) after market, let's announce the winner of this week's Charming Thursday Flannel Days charm pack and pattern - quilter4. Lois and I will be cutting 5" squares tomorrow for the lucky winner so send your address and we'll get them sent out as soon as they're ready.

Another one of the market projects is Collection of Scraps. I showed a couple blocks last summer when we started piecing them. The idea began when Lois and I saw a quilt by Lissa Alexander, Moda Marketing Director, on the cover of an APQ magazine. Lots of 1" squares in a Grandmother's Flower Garden type block seemed the perfect way to showcase 11 years of fabric collections. As we assembled 1 1/2" strips and squares, I thought how crazy it was to spend so much time making a king size quilt and then not be able to sell the pattern. So, I designed a block that could be pieced in a variety of ways with lots of scraps. We each have 1 block using the first 36 KT fabric lines and a great pieced border with leftovers. A lap size quilt with 20 blocks started with a couple of Honey Buns and a simpler border. I love the result! My quilt came home from market and went directly onto my bed at the cabin. I'm sure sleeping under 11 years of fabrics will inspire me in my dreams.

My quilt has 36 blocks - 34 of the first KT fabric collections in the order they were released plus 2 scrappy blocks in the places where Lucy's Feather Bed and Farmyard Friends would be. Lois pieced the quilts together with the pastel baby fabrics in the quilt top, but I just couldn't live with it, so mine are sewn into the backing. The border has a few squares of these two lines, so I'm good with it.

The simplified border on the lap quilt finishes it off nicely without all the extra piecing. I think this would be a good long term project, making a block with leftover scraps of fabrics from each project you finish over the course of time. Eventually, you'll have enough for a bed size quilt. For those less patient, cut 1 1/2" strips from fat 1/8's and exchange with friends to add to your collection of strips, or split a Honey Bun and share. We found that 40 - 1 1/2" x 22" strips will easily make 2 blocks with leftovers to add to other blocks. The pattern, Collection of Scraps, will be available around Dec. 1st. This project has inspired some of our blog giveaways for next year. Watch for more details in January.

Question of the Day: How do you save your scraps? Do you cut them into strips/squares and keep them organized? Any tips?

Flannel Days Charming Thursday

2011-11-03T05:55:00.001-05:00

A Flannel Days charm pack & pattern will go to the winner of the this week's giveaway. If you haven't cuddled with the new flannels, you've missed out! I was so thrilled with the feel of this fabric, but of course, it's come and gone in most shops already. Moda was unable to precut charms at the mill, so we've cut one just for this week's winner. I'm hoarding most of what I have since several of my kids have requested quilts made with this line. Even for quilt backs, it's positively yummy!

We created a simple project to showcase the flannels and keep it from getting bulky in the seams. It's amazing how "fluffy" the quilt feels!

Cheryl Ross from Heaven on Earth quilt shop in Wabash, IN made the quilt and is in Houston at Festival with a load of KT quilts and patterns. Check with her if you're interested in a kit.

Here's a look at one of the new quilts from market, Bird's Eye View, our block-of-the-month for next year. Each of the blocks was selected because of it's historical bird name, such as Hens & Chicks, Dove in the Window, Circling Swallows and Hovering Hawks to name a few. The wool & cotton appliques, buttons and stitchery add personality and dimension. So much fun to see it come together. For those of you who make KT Favorites-10 Years & Counting last year, this project is a breeze!

Watch each day thru the weekend for a new quilt/project and a peek at Sandhill Plums, available in your local quilt shop in February 2012.

Question of the day: Do you enjoy block of the month projects? What's the last one you made?

Warm Memories Winner

2011-10-30T22:48:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Moosecraft from NJ - you're the winner this week of the Warm Memories charm pack and patterns. This post comes to you from the lobby of the Hilton at 10:45pm on Sunday night because the cheap &!@?! charge for Internet in the rooms and it's $100 to connect at the convention center. Really people? Whatever happened to free air? Guess it's time to purchase a monthly plan for my iPad.

Anyway, what you want to see are pictures from market. A slightly fuzzy one of the KT booth will have to do for today. I'll have more for you when I return home on Wednesday.

Happy Halloween to all! Have a mini Snickers for me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Warm Memories Charming Thursday

2011-10-27T06:06:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the countdown to Christmas! Warm Memories is all about setting aside a little time leading up to December 25th to spend with family and friends. The season is too full of love and goodwill to cram into just one day. Take a little time each day to make a memory. Our Feather Tree Advent Calendar does just that. We created an ornament and activitiy for each day from Dec. 1-24th to help you get started. The ornaments may be stitched from a Warm Memories charm pack or wool.

The lap quilt has the ornaments stitched on for a cozy throw to wrap yourself in the holiday spirit.

Our Simply Runer is just that - an easy checkerboard design for the ends allows you to make the runner any length you need to fit your table or serving space perfectly.

The Warm Memories charm pack pattern was fun to make with a variety of fused/raw edge ornaments surrounding a pieced center. The winner of this week's charm pack will also receive BOTH of these patterns!

Be sure to comment here to win! What's your favorite Christmas tradition? Are you starting an new tradition this year? I'd love to hear about it.

Perennials Winner

2011-10-24T06:45:00.010-05:00

Before we load the truck for market, let's announce the winner of the Perennials charm pack and book. Congratulations to Nellie B in Iowa (who, from her blog, is turning 50 this year - congrats on that life milestone, too!). Please send your mailing address and we'll send it right out. Well, maybe not until after market, but as soon as we can :).

It's nuts around here! Quilts returning from the quilters, pictures to take, brochures to print, one more quilt to whip up because I can't seem to leave well enough alone. Oh well, such is life right before market. Three of the projects that are done are new Mini Table Treats. Each one only takes about 3 hours (one I had to make twice!). Just layer, quilt/applique/bind. Great for gifts! Need I remind you it's time to make that Christmas to-do list???

Frost

Pinwheel

Spoolin' Around

IF there's a good Wi-Fi connection and IF my iPad cooperates and IF I have a minute, I'll post pictures from market. Wish me luck!

Charming Thursday this week features Warm Memories - just in time for a quick charm quilt for the holidays!

Perennials Charming Thursday

2011-10-20T09:54:00.000-05:00

We're getting so close - only 4 more weeks in our Charming Thursday blog giveaways. This week's featured KT collection is Perennials. The back story on this is one of practicality. When we built the cabin, I knew I wanted to landscape with low-maintenance, deer-resistance plants native to our area. Easy to care for Kansas Perennials were the answer. We enlisted the help of our local garden store expert who came to our home and made an outline for us - a plant-by-numbers, so to speak. Since she knew how large the plants would get and what would thrive in sun and shade, it made my job much easier. All I needed to do was pick what I liked for each area in the yard. I don't have much of a green thumb although I have grown to love digging in the dirt, trimming back bushes and splitting/rearranging plants each year. Spending time outside is a great way to unwind, decompress and relax while at the same time being inspired and re-energized about a new fabric line or quilt. I can't say I LOVE to garden just yet, but it's definitely growing on me.

Perennials were uppermost in my mind when we were planting our flower gardens and designing last year's spring line at the end of the summer. A vintage French floral set the stage for a variety of prints and geometrics that reminded me of all the flowers we had planted.

After working with straight lines in all the Moda precuts the past few seasons, curved lines appealed. Our Perennials quilt features curves with no curved piecing thanks to our unique raw edge applique technique. Each block is simply a square-in-a-square with (4) 1/4-circles raw edge stitched on the center square. The border echos the theme with 1/2-circles raw edge appliqued to a long border strip - small effort, big payoff!

The flowers scattered all over the quilt top are fused in place and raw edge stitched (I was blessed to have my quilter stitch them as she quilted.) The winner of this week's Perennial charm pack will also receive the pattern with 3 projects. Enjoy!

Let me know your feelings about curved piecing - love it, hate it, allergic, love the look but never tried it?

KT Fav winner

2011-10-17T06:15:00.000-05:00

Char S. (cannewa) is the winner of the KT Fav charm pack & book. Please email your vital statistics and we'll send it right out.

The last quilt for market was dropped off at the quilter's last week so I headed to KC to spend a couple days with my daughter - my youngest - who turns 30 next Saturday. It seems we seldom get much girlfriend time together anymore so it was really nice to spend a whole day alone together - I feel blessed to call my only daughter one of my closest friends. Nicole and her family recently moved into a new place, so we shopped for home decor and storage items to get their lives more organized and personalized. With a 7-yr-old daughter, they were drowning in all the papers from school. Now, they each have cubbies, baskets and hooks to drop mail, shoes, video games and keys. Nic picked out a few cool wall decor pieces with subtle earth tones and a vintage-looking metal clock (Aleece needs to learn to tell time on a "real" clock!).

We took a break at Texas Roadhouse for an early dinner - great kabobs - then indulged in chocolate/caramel/nut covered apples at the Legends outdoor mall, window shopping on a beautifully perfect Sat. night. After helping put everything in it's place, I returned home Sunday evening to find a delectable, indulgent triple chocolate ganache dessert that my oldest son had left for Robert and I in the fridge. A tiny sliver with fresh berries and whipped cream was the perfect ending to a delightful weekend, although I'm surely going to be eating more Special K and yogurt this week to get back into my "skinny" jeans before market.

Here's a first look at the charm quilt for Sandhill Plums called Sand Plum Jelly. Simple piecing and a bit of whimsical applique are perfect for a kitchen runner. It still amazes me that it takes about a bushel of Sandhill Plums simmered down to make 6 cups of pulp/juice mixed with 8 cups of sugar to make the jelly. I remember helping Gramma make it each year and we savored those sweet bites of toast well into winter, but I'll buy mine by Smuckers these days, Thank you very much.

Quilts will be arriving throughout the week so we'll have updates of new stuff soon. I'd like to know where you find the bestest, newest quilt stuff out there - quilt shop, internet, fellow quilters? What's your source?

KT Favorites Charming Thursday

2011-10-13T06:19:00.001-05:00

After 10 years and 32 fabric lines with Moda, I was able to reintroduce some of my favorites in a basic line we call KT Favorites. Not very original, but it gets the point across. Every couple years or so, we'll freshen things up with some new favs, so if you have any requests....

To celebrate the first 10 years of KT, I designed a BOM quilt with 33 elements - blocks and appliques - that represent each of the 33 collections and finished it off with a KT border using all the fabrics in the quilt. Lois and I had a great time pulling prints out of my stash from the original lines for each block. It's one of my favorite quilts so far.

Can you find Seeds of Time (3 bachelor button blocks along the bottom), Bound to the Prairie (Spiderweb), Aunt Purdy's (purple flowers on right side) and Kansas Winter (cream wool snowflake lower center). The winner this week will receive the KT Favorites book plus the charm pack! Comment by Sunday 10pm. and the handy dandy random number thing-a-ma-jig will pick the winner to be announced Monday, barring worms, power outages and other natural disasters.

If you like BOM's and enjoyed KT Favorites, here's a sneak peek at the new BOM for next year, Bird's Eye View. All the blocks are based on bird-themed quilt blocks (according to Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Blocks) and the view from my studio windows. I'll post a full picture after Lori Kukuk works her magic quilting it.

Now, on to more pattern writing in prep for market. Later, ladies (and gentlemen). Lynne

Summer's End Winner, etc...

2011-10-11T10:31:00.000-05:00

Pat F. from Jamestown, NY is the winner of the KT Summer's End charm pack and pattern this week. Congrats! Please send your info to ktquilts@twinvalley.net and we'll ship it right out.

For those of you who've been following my blog, you know we're under construction AND having computer issues. (Anyone I've sent an email with an attachment that's bounced dozens of times knows what I mean.)We moved my computer, sewing machine, etc. out of my studio on Sat. so Neil could install windows on Sunday - and it rained all day. We haven't had but a few drizzles of rain for 4 months, but as soon as the windows arrived, we got soaked with over 2 inches! Isn't that the way it goes?? But, if that's what it took for it to rain, I'm fine with it. Sooooo....the windows went in last night, I plugged in this morning and we're kinda back in business.

I've been doing some research on cameras - anyone have a favorite? The only couple of requirements so far are that it has to have the stablization feature (I tend to wiggle a bit when I take pics) and a zoom lens. I trust you guys to help me out here. Thanks for all your comments.
Lynne

Summer's End Charming Thursday

2011-10-06T06:03:00.002-05:00

I love fall! Sweater weather is the best time of year with cool mornings, sunwashed afternoons and evenings curled up with a quilt. It's no wonder I saved more of last fall's fabric line than any other to date - so far. Summer's End has a collection of the yummiest autumn colors and lovely prints. A favorite of mine for sure.

If you're crazy about the warm colors of autumn like me, watch for KT's fabric lines that arrive in your favorite quilt shop Aug-Nov. These collections feature rich browns and pumpkins in addition to the classic KT red, navy, green, gold & tan.

Moda had Honey Buns precut for this line, so we played with the 1 1/2" strips, creating a log cabin style flower. The lucky winner of the charm pack will also receive the pattern Summer Joy that utilizes a charm pack.

Neil announced that my new windows should be delivered tomorrow. By the weekend I hope to have some before, during & after shots of my studio in chaos. He asked if he could unplug my computer for a couple days. I told him he had 4 hours. It's crunch time before market, after all! We'll see who wins....

Do you wanna go cruisin'? Check out our 1st ever Great Girlfriend Getaway Alaskan Quilting Cruise and watch for more details in the coming weeks! Pam Buda, Heartspun Quilts, has more info on our great adventure. Or check out yesterday's KT blog entry.

The Great Girlfriend Getaway

2011-10-05T06:00:00.009-05:00

Ladies, it's time to grab your best friend (or husband, if necessary) and plan a unique quilting trip for Summer 2012! Come with me and my dear friend and designer, Pam Buda, of Heartspun Quilts for a trip we've both been dreaming of for years!

We'll be cruisin' Norwegian Cruise Lines

August 19th-26th,

leaving out of Seattle, WA

with a half dozen fabulous ports of call, including

Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchican & Victoria, BC. Awesome!

Besides gourmet cuisine, cozy accomodations and lots of entertainment, you'll also have the opportunity to take three different workshops:

One day with me stitching up some Spare Change featuring KT precuts and our unique raw edge applique technique ...

PLUS - A day with Pam learning all her tips and tricks for perfect piecing (she's a techical genius) while creating Stillwater Creek (see her project at Heartspun Quilts)

PLUS - a day with both of us whipping up a project created just for the cruise featuring KT fabrics and wool - too much fun!

Cruise fare includes use of a sewing machine and kits for all 3 projects. For more information, go to Pam's website and check out the cruise brochure (technical difficulties here, but we'll have it up soon).

We're dreaming up all kinds of surprises for this unique destination quilting retreat - you won't want to miss it!

Watch our blogs for updates and sneak peeks after market. Much more to come!

Moda Blog Hop Winners!

2011-10-04T12:54:00.000-05:00

IT'S TIME! Time to announce the Moda Blog Hop winners.
Mary - Fat 1/4 Bundle of Cattails & Clover
"Cattails & Clover-how do you keep coming up with these wonderful names?.."

Julie in WA - Jelly Roll of Cattails & Clover
"Whew...thanks for clarifying some those pictures..."

the woolen cellar - Designer Roll of Cattails & Clover
"Have always loved your fabrics & would be so happy ..."

Ladies, thanks to all of you for commenting on my Country Fair experience. I hope you enjoyed all of the designers posts. Watch again next spring for another Moda Blog Hop!

I have an exciting announcement tomorrow, so come back again!

A Peaceful Walk

2011-10-03T06:01:00.011-05:00

The weather is slowly turning to fall - absolutely glorious here in Kansas. I've been stuck inside most of the weekend working on projects for market (deadlines next week!) but had to take a break to enjoy the outdoors and the ever-changing colors. The new header on the blog is what I see out my studio window (if I had one) to the northwest - a row of sandhill plum bushes. I've done some investigating since the new line for market this fall is named Sandhill Plum (that's a secret) and discovered most of them grow to about 4-6 feet tall. Ours stand more like 10-12 feet tall in a row more than 40 feet long. Dad claims they were here before his parents homesteaded and must be over 100 years old. Maybe the sandy soil, which they prefer, and close proximity to the pond have made them thrive over the years. He and I both remember picking the tart, nickel-size fruit for Gramma to make pints and pints of sand plum jelly each summer. Unfortunately, the extremely hot, dry summer here did not allow for a good crop - basically enough to feed the birds. I guess we'll just have to make do with the beautiful foliage this year. In my wanderings, I found some other delights of nature to share. (More on the fabric line in the coming weeks.)

The last few clusters of sunflowers.

Goldenrod - some farmers spray it as a weed, but I won't let Dad kill it.

I found the pictures of the yummy sour orange pie Marty & Teri Wilson's Mom made for me while in New York at Material Rewards. They can only get these prized oranges in Florida each winter and hoard the juice all year. I was honored to share this treat with the Wilson's during my stay. Thanks, Ann. I can still taste the unique tartness - even better than lemon meringue.

Now on to the business of the day - the winner of Wrapped in Paisley Charming Thursday. This week's winner is Anne - congratulations and welcome to the KT Blog. I hope you all stick around for the grand finale in December and all the surprises we're cooking up for next year. Thanks for all your lovely comments. Reading them each day makes everything a bit brighter. See you again this Thursday for another Charming Thursday featuring Summer's End - how appropriate!

Wrapped in Paisley Charming Thursday

2011-09-29T10:30:00.002-05:00

Welcome to another edition of Charming Thursday. For those of you who are new to the KT Blog, we've been giving away a charm pack a week for the past 30 weeks, in the order my fabric collections were released. This week, Wrapped in Paisley (#31) is up for grabs. We'll continue untill all 38 charms have been won. In December, the giveaway will be for one of each of the 38 charm packs - over 1200 charm squares!!! You won't want to miss a chance at that one!

A lucky find in an antique store scored the pretty paisley print that inspired the line. Although it was 3 times larger and pretty ugly in pinks and greys, I could see the potential. After returning home, I found a cute stripe with dots in my stash as a companion piece. Laying on the table next to each other, they very much reminded me of cool vintage wrapping paper. Hence, the Wrapped in Paisley name.

For the quilt projects, what better way to use Wrapped in Paisley than to wrap presents? From the charm quilt to table runners to a large lap quilt, all featured various packages wrapped in delightful prints. It's one of my favorite Christmas quilts to date.

All Wrapped Up Charm Pattern

The lucky winner this week will receive a Wrapped in Paisley booklet, charm pattern and charm pack. Just comment by 10pm. Sunday night and check back Monday morning to see if you're the winner.

There are still a few more days of the Moda Blog Hop. Don't miss it!
Sept. 29 - French General

Sept. 30 - Primitive Gathering
Oct. 1 - Kathy Schmitz Studios
Oct. 2 - Paper Pie

Butterfly Garden Charm Winner

2011-09-26T06:00:00.003-05:00

The Winner(s) of this week's charm pack and pattern is (are) P B but no J. Congrats to both of you. Welcome to you and all the newcomers to the KT Blog. FRom several of the comments here, I feel I need to clarify that Butterfly Garden is a couple years old- Cattails is the newest fabric line. We're counting down to the latest KT collection in just a few short weeks, then ending the year with a huge finale of over 1200 charm squares!

Robert and I just spent a lovely weekend in CO checking out the new IKEA, antiquing, and visiting our dear friends, Chuck and Connie Huddleson (The Little Wool Shoppe) in Windsor, CO. I should have taKen a few pictures of somE of the cool stuff we saw and the tasty treats we found, but I promised R this would be a non-KT trip and restrained myself. It made for a very relaxing Weekend.

Still a whole week of the ModaBlogHop to go. Not too late to enter for some cool loot!

Butterfly Garden Charming Thursday

2011-09-22T06:18:00.001-05:00

I hope you've all been following the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop. It's so cool to get to know each of the designers a little better and win some great prizes. You can still comment on my entry from Friday, Sept. 16 for a chance to win a Cattails & Clover Layer Cake, Fat 1/4 bundle or Desiger Roll.

Now on to the business of the day - Butterfly Garden. A lovely floral print inspired this line, as well as my 5-yr-old granddaughter, Delainey. She loves 'helping' in the garden, mainly watering with her little ducky watering can that holds about 1 1/2 cups of water. That's a lot of trips to the hose, but it keeps her busy. About a year ago, she was watching as I trimmed some tall, fuzzy purple flowers. She asked what they were called; my response was "tall, fuzzy purple flowers that attract butterflies". Her smart aleck older brother, Cooper, told her that they were really caterpillars that would grow into butterflies someday and fly away. She bought his line hook, line and sinker. We went for a short walk and when we returned there were several butterflies flying around the tall, fuzzy purple flowers. Delainey exclaimed, "Look, Gramma, we growed a butterfly". Hence the name Butterfly Garden for this fabric line.

Delainey also inspired the quilt featuring a Butterfly Garden Jelly Roll.

Comment here by Sunday night to win a Butterfly Garden charm pack & pattern.

My trip to Dansville, NY was memorable - good food, good people. Marty & Teri Wilson (and mom, Ann) were so warm and charming - and fed me way too well. Three days of classes were attended by KT fabric devotees who were surprised and thrilled with our easy raw edge applique technique making a difficult quilt so much easier to make. There were lots of smiles by the end of the day. Here's a look at the ladies (and Rick) in the Skipping Stones class on Friday.

Thanks to Cindy Dunlap for the pictures. The airline crunched my camera so she really saved my hide. Here's a picture of me with Rick, the KT Stalker, who owns more KT fabric than I do. He has a t-shirt that reads "I'm not a lost husband, I'm a quilter." Gotta love it!

Stay tuned for more pics this week. Later, Lynne

At the Fair, continued...

2011-09-19T07:26:00.008-05:00

My Moda Country Fair Blog Hop day on Friday recapped our trip to the Kansas State Fair last week. Here are a few more highlights.
It was fun to see what people will do with gourds...

witches and snakes...

and mounted steer horns! They must be so proud!

We enjoyed seeing the bounty of Kansas in a wheat fountain...

a future bolt of fabric...

and a few steps away, the noxious weeds display (keeping this one for future reference)...

One thing we found fascinating and mind-blowing was the human slingshot. The sign read $25, but Robert said I'd have to pay him a whole lot more than that to be shot over 250 ft. into the air in a metal cage suspended by two weeny cables stretched to their limit, flipping over and over again, operated by 2 guys that didn't even have all their teeth. The pictures were at night so they didn't come out real well. Should have had sound so you could hear the 2 men on the ride screaming like little girls!

We hadn't made the trip to the fair in several years. It was a nice break and a really good time. Thanks for coming along on my fair adventure.

Now on to the business of picking a winner for our Charming Thursday giveaway. Congratulations to

, you're the winner of the Vine Creek charm pack and pattern. Stay tuned this week for another charm pack giveaway.

Don't forget to check in with all the Moda designers throughout the month for lots of prizes and surprises! Hop on over today to visit Barbara Brackman's blog. I could listen to her talk about vintage fabrics for hours - she truly does know it all.

Next up tomorrow is Bonnie of Cotton Way. She and her daughter, Camille, are so much fun to visit with at market and make amazing quilts.

Vine Creek Winner Addendum

2011-09-19T06:39:00.000-05:00

I thought I was being very clever setting up today's post before I left for Material Rewards in NY last week. Good in theory, but somehow, my iPad won't allow me to edit this morning and add the Charming Thursday winner's name. So, congratulations to LKDrum! You're the winner of the Vine Creek charm pack and pattern.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to comment on the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop, too. Winners will be announced Oct. 2nd.

See you back in Kansas tomorrow with an report on my trip.
Lynne

At the Fair

2011-09-16T06:32:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Kansas Troubles' edition of the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop! With the theme this year, I couldn't resist heading out to the Kansas State Fair that's going on this week in Hutchinson, KS to check out all our country folks have to offer. I wanted to see the quilts, the exhibits and have a funnel cake. Robert was planning a route to snack his way over to the livestock barns. We headed for the Poultry barn and found this....

Gobble, Gobble!

FYI: I'm married to the one on the right :).

Next on the list was the 4-H exhibits of canned goods, fresh vegetables and flowers with some pretty big purple ribbons and gourds...

Yup, that's 366 pounds - on the right, that is.

High on my list was to see this year's butter sculpture - usually a cow or something related to the dairy industry. This year...

a monkey riding a sheep??? Seriously??? You mean the monkeys indiginous to the plains of Kansas???Oh yeah, they must be from Western Kansas cause we don't see that many of them in our backyard. (Good grief!)

A walk thru the Domestics building revealed many beautiful quilts - several nicely done in KT fabrics - all covered in thick plastic to keep butter-covered fingers away. Couldn't get any good pics of the quilts, but did find some interesting offerings in other catergories, like the Duct Tape Division...

best use of selvedges...

and a beautifully done Halloween crazy quilt with fabulous stitchery and a well-deserved Best of Show ribbon...

So many other good things to see at the fair, but I'll save those for another day. Moda has a few questions for each of us...

What's your favorite fair food? I'm usually all over the funnel cakes, but there were so many other tempting treats this year, my favorite may have changed to fried, chocolate covered ________ (fill in the blank).
Here are a few other options - not that I tried them all or anything...

Deep fried cookie dough

What's your guilty pleasure? Dark Chocolate Snickers. Each month when I go to Walgreen's to pick up a few of our vitamins/herbs/supplements to keep us healthy, they have Dark Chocolate Snickers by the cash register 2 for $1.00. Who can pass that up??

What's on your bucket list? Travel - to Alaska, St. Martin, Belize, Italy, France and New England. I'll be checking Alaska off the list next year when I get to teach with my dear friend, Pam Buda, of Heartspun Quilts on a quilting cruise - too much fun!

What inspires your work? Nature, travel, my life. It's funny how you begin to see quilt blocks in tile floors in old churches in Italy or in a stained glass window in an antique shop or even in a beautiful landscape on an island with the deep blue of the ocean for a background. I keep telling Robert that our vacations are all about inspiration and design.

Who would play you in a made for tv Lifetime movie? I love Kathy Bates in virtually any role she's ever done - Fried Green Tomatoes, Misery and now on tv in Harry's Law. Now that's a woman who knows how to get things done her way!

Do you sing when no one is listening? What song or artist? One of my favorite songs (and my ringtone for Robert) is Smile by Uncle Kracker. I also enjoy just about anything by The Script and OneRepublic. Once I figured out how to do it, I get a kick out of assigning songs to each of my friends/family members for their ringtones. It often surprises and delights them when they hear it!

As you read this, I'll be in Dansville, New York at Material Rewards Quilt Shop hanging out with Marty, Teri and a lovely bunch of quilters for the weekend. More on that next week when I get home.

What would a fair and a blog hop be with out prizes??? Here are a few for your consideration. Just comment here before Oct. 2nd at 10pm. when the blog hop ends to be eligible for a Cattails and Clover Layer Cake, Jelly Roll or fat 1/16 bundle.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check in with Barb & Alma of Blackbird Designs for tomorrow's edition of the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop.
Lynne

Vine Creek Charming Thursday

2011-09-15T06:36:00.004-05:00

Our featured charm pack this week is from Vine Creek. I found a wonderful old border stripe fabric that looked very KT to me and built the group around it with several smaller prints in leaf-y, vine-y patterns.

To utilize the stripe without cutting it up, we used a Jelly Roll to piece vertical strips and alternated them with the border stripe to create a lap quilt. Since we were using a JR, the flying geese units were pieced with a rectangle and 2 squares leaving small triangles on each side to be trimmed. My trusty piecer, Lois (hating to waste any fabric) double-stitched the corner triangles so when she trimmed them off, it resulted in little bias squares - almost 200 of them! My challenge was to make another project using the new-found treasures.

The bonus project in this pattern turned the often times wasted cutoff triangles into a delightful table topper. By enlarging the floral motif from the fabric for an applique, it came together simply and easily.

Comment here by Sunday 10pm to enter for a chance to win a Vine Creek charm pack and the pattern. If the stars align and I get an internet connection while I'm away, I'll post the winner next Monday.

Hop on over to Joanna's blog for her big day on the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop. She always has something fresh and fun to share. Then click back here on Friday for KT day - Sept. 16th - for a trip to the fair and a pile of goodies you won't want to miss!

Kansas Winter Winner

2011-09-12T06:29:00.003-05:00

Kansas Winter Winner - say that 5 times fast! Anyway, the winner is Labbiegirl. Congrats to you and thanks for commenting. Send your mailing address and we'll send your goodies in the mail.

Yesterday was busy so I didn't get around to checking my blog reading list until late last night. If you haven't read Kate Spain's blog post with the haunting and stirring 9/11 poem, it's not too late. The event is one our country will not soon forget, remembered for it's horrors and heroes. Makes you proud to be an American.

Today's Moda Country Fair featured Designers are Laurie Simpson and Polly Minick of Minick & Simpson. Laurie's blog posts are always entertaining and their patriotic-themed fabric is apropo considering the recent 9/11 10-year anniversay. I collect Moda designers' charm packs as I travel and visit quilt shops across the country, but often splurge and buy a Layer Cake or Jelly Roll of their collections to make myself a quilt for my July 5th birthday.

Check in with Sandy Klop tomorrow to see what's new in her colorful world.

Kansas Winter Charming Thursday

2011-09-08T06:05:00.003-05:00

Welcome to another Christmas charm pack, Kansas Winter. A couple of years ago, we featured KT precuts in a couple of fun wintertime quilts. Snow Day starts with a Layer Cake, then easy piecing is embellished with raw edge snowflakes.

A Chance of Flurries uses a Jelly Roll to create the pieced vertical strips with raw edge swirls of snow and blanket-stitched stars for a touch of Brrrrr. Any Christmas fabric would yield great results and now is the time to look for them at your favorite quilt shop. The winner of this week's charm pack will also receive both patterns. If you'd like them, too, we'll offer them both for $10 (a $16 retail value). Send me an email and we'll ship them out via Santa and Rudolph.

I hope you're all enjoying the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop. Loads of fun today with Barb & Mary of Me & My Sister. I'm working on my free patterns and gathering loads of goodies for KT day on September 16th, so don't miss it!
Lynne

KT Classic Plaid Winner

2011-09-06T08:43:00.003-05:00

Congrats to Shannon - you're the winner of the KT Classic Plaid Charm Pack this week. Send me your address and we'll get it right out to you.

Sorry for the delay - our internet was down most of the weekend. Next on my list of things to do? Check into other carriers. Oh yea, there aren't any others here in the outback.

Today kicks off the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop! Sandy Gervais of Pieces of Heart - the veteran amongst the Moda designers - is up first. Sandy draws and paints all of her fabric prints in several colorways. Her whimsical designs are always fresh and fun. Check it out at Sandy Gervais.

Continuing thru the month -
        Sept. 7 - Bunny Hill
        Sept. 8 - Me & My Sister
        Sept. 9 - Thimbleblossoms
        Sept. 10 - Laundry Basket Quilts
        Sept. 11 - Basic Grey
        Sept. 12 - Minick & Simpson
        Sept. 13 - American Jane
        Sept. 14 - Oliver + s
        Sept. 15 - Fig Tree
        Sept. 16 - Kansas Troubles
        Sept. 17 - Blackbird Designs
        Sept. 18 - Aneela Hoey
        Sept. 19 - Sunflower Pattern Co-op
        Sept. 20 - Cotton Way
        Sept. 21 - Cabbages and Roses US
        Sept. 22 - Deb Strain
        Sept. 23 - Brannock & Patek
        Sept. 24 - Lauren & Jessi Jung
        Sept. 25 - Lily Ashbury Designs
        Sept. 26 - Cosmo Cricket
        Sept. 27 - Kate Spain
        Sept. 28 - Sweetwater
        Sept. 29 - French General
        Sept. 30 - Primitive Gathering
        Oct. 1 - Kathy Schmitz Studios
        Oct. 2 - Paper Pie

There will be lots of giveaways and surprises, so don't miss a day!

See you in a couple days for another Charming Thursday.

Shopping for Inspiration

2011-09-03T12:06:00.000-05:00

I enjoy exploring the island's artisans workshops. One of the pottery shops is off the beaten path down a one lane road thru an enchanted forest. Pots, bowls, vases and plates are outside on picnic tables and chairs, leaning against trees and hanging from the side of the building with an old rowboat filled with seconds labeled "sale boat". Robert loves pottery mugs without a handle for coffee and water so I picked up a cool "drippy" one for him. I was in need of a new soap dish for my bathroom, and the bowl (from the sale boat) holds jelly beans perfectly! The silver cuff bracelet is one of my favorite finds - part of a serving bowl from the 1800's fashioned into jewelry. Love it!

I added to my bird collection with 2 more of these resin birds embellished with all kinds of fabulous finds. The robin on the ball was purchased in Portland during market. The other 2 were found in LaConnor at a gallery full of interesting art. I was only going to buy one, but had to get the bird on the "H" for Robert.

I'm always fascinated by pieces made from found objects. "Time Flies" jumped into my hand and wouldn't sit still on the shelf. Just had to bring it home. At an antique store in Snohomish, I found a large old clock face that will be perfect on an old marshmellow tin that's a bit too beat up to display, but wonderful for embellishing. Robert is excited to use some of the old junk we've accumulated over the years. It's also a really good excuse to buy more good old junk - much like buying fat quarters even when you're not sure what you're going to do them right away.

Monday I'll announce the winner of the KT Classic Plaid charm pack. I'm inspired by all your comments to begin offering plaids by the 1/2 yd. on our website. We'll get on it next week.

I love hearing from all of you. Thanks so much. Lynne

KT Classic Plaids Charming Thursday

2011-09-01T11:48:00.000-05:00

What can I say, I'm mad about plaids! I love the way the straight lines and geometry of the plaids add so much interest to prints. Even a bit askew, they create movement and visual texture to a scrappy quilt. For several years, I added 12-16 plaids to each collection of fabric. Since the prints are milled in Korea and the plaids are yarn dyed, woven and brushed in India, the coordination of color and shipping was always tricky. The solution? An assortment of plaids in every KT color available in the Moda warehouse all the time. We'll freshen them up every couple of years to have a continuing assortment. After all, how many ways can you make a plaid??

One of our favorite ways to use plaids is in our throws with no batting - More Frayed Edges. Large squares of plaids are cut on the bias for the front with raw edge applique embellishments of wedges, triangles and squares, layered with squares cut on the bias for the back. Front and back are placed right sides out and stitched together with exposed seams on the back that fray softly without raveling. They're the grankids' favorites, too! They're easy to make any size you want since it's all based on 10" squares - just add more to make your quilt wider or longer. Perfect for kids and college dorms since each washing makes them softer.

From now until Sunday night, buy a fat 1/8 bundle of KT plaids on our website and get our More Frayed Edges pattern FREE!

I can't believe we're over 2/3 of the way through all the KT fabric collections - only 11 weeks left! We'll finish the series with the new collection that's premiering at fall market, Sandhill Plums. Then during the month of December, we'll take your comments for the grand prize of over 1200 KT 5" charm squares. Just think of what you could make with those! But don't worry if you're not the top winner, I'm sure we'll have a couple other surprises, too.

See you Saturday for a look at some of the treasures I found on my trip. The artisans on the island are truly inspiring. Who wouldn't want to bring a piece of that home?

Enjoying all the Island had to offer...

2011-08-31T14:03:00.000-05:00

Connie and I flew into Seattle Thursday morning, then headed north to Anacortes to meet the ferry the next day. Our first stop was a delightful deli in Marysville, WA for the most spectacular California Turkey Sandwich I've ever had. Fresh avacado and a special salsa dressing made it perfect. They even throw in one of their homemade cookies for the road! Can't beat that.

In LaConnor, we love to explore the rows of little boutiques and shops with clothing and accessories unlike anything we see in the midwest. After dumping our purchases in the car, we headed up the hill to Nell Thorn for dinner on the patio. We shared an outdoor feast of crab cakes, tender assorted green & yellow beans in a light viniagrette sauce and a lusciously creamy berry dessert. We started the day off right with brunch at Calico's in Anacortes then headed to the ferry. Usually arriving an hour or so before boarding is plenty of time - except during the summer on a Friday - duh! We waited more than 4 hours in line to drive on the ferry, but it was worth it to know we had a spot. We made the best of it with cookies and Diet Coke while Connie stitched and we caught up visiting. Before we even set foot on the island, we encountered enterprising ferry-goers grilling a feast on their tailgate grill, making the most of their wait time. Connie made herself at home as the grillmaster - check out her smooth technique with the tongs.

Once on Orcas Island, we headed for our cozy secluded cottage (cabinsonthepoint.com) to unpack, then straight back to town for dinner at Luna's. Tender, homemade ravioli stuffed with mushrooms, spinach and cheese was the perfect end to the day.

Saturday morning, we made a beeline for the downtown market to check out everything from fresh fruits & veggies & gorgeous bouquets of flowers to homemade art and crafts of all kinds. After shopping for jewelry and pottery, we took a break and had these two handsome fellows make us fresh fruit smoothies in a rather unique way. Delicious!

The wafting aromas from the unique food vendors, including fried oysters (Connie's husband's absolute favs!) called to us by late morning. So far in my life, I've never had to eat more than one oyster - memorably awful. But we dared to try them, they weren't too bad, now we're done.

After more shopping, we stopped to indulge in a relatively new island offering - Kathryn Taylor Chocolates. A cup of frozen chocolate drink topped with chocolate whipped cream to savor with a delectable chocolate almond torte was the perfect mid-day mood booster (like we needed it). We were thoroughly enjoying our chocolates, making yummy noises, when a table full of ladies beside us leaned over and asked, "What are you having?" Right out of When Harry Met Sally....

Our perfect day continued with more shopping, then dinner at Chilada's Mexican restaraunt with fish tacos that were to die for (no dessert). Sunday morning started with brunch at the Olga Gallery with omelets, cinnamon rolls the size of a dinner plate and homemade granola we bought to eat with yogurt and fresh berries the next morning. Supper was simply the best with a piece of berry pie from Passionate for Pies with locally made ice cream as we sat by the water and savored the cool evening breezes.

I can't say enough good things about Orcas and the people who live there and so generously share their little piece of heaven with the tourists. Maybe it's the weather, or the food, or the wonderful company. It was a girlfriend's weekend to remember.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Charming Thursday. Then watch for highlights of my shopping trips over the weekend - just as soon as I get unpacked!

And don't forget about the Moda Blog Hop beginning Sept. 6th. I'll have more info tomorrow.

A Little Bit of Heather

2011-08-29T23:03:00.001-05:00

Connie (The Little Wool Shoppe in Windsor CO) and I are waiting on the ferry this morning, heading back to the realities of life and work after reveling in 4 glorious days of chatting, shopping, eating and relaxing in the beautiful southwest. We stayed at a property owned by Jennifer Fralick at Cabins on the Point on Orcas, nestled in the Heather cabin on the water's edge in a setting as close to paradise as you can get. I love waking to the sound of the ocean and the clean, crisp smell of the air - and no flies or mosquitoes!!!! After weeks of 100+ temps in KS, this was such a fabulous respite for body and spirit. We're already planning a return trip with the hubbies for next year.

I awoke in my bed perched among the tree tops with an amazing ocean view each morning. A little bird tweeted outside my window as a kinder, gentler nature's alarm clock. So sublime.

The artisans and foliage on the island are so inspiring. Watch over the next couple weeks for pics of food and finds - just as soon as UPS delivers it!

Now to the business of the day - the winner of the WSII charm pack is Barb, the first to comment this week. Congrats!

I've so enjoyed reading all your comments each week. Stay tuned for the Moda Blog Hop beginning Sept. 1st. I'll have a list of designers here as soon as I get home on Wed.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Orcas Island, WA

Winner

2011-08-29T13:28:00.001-05:00

A poor WiFi connection here on the island is limiting my blogging - no pics until I'm back in civilization. So, the winner of the WSII charm pack is Barb with her #1 comment. Watch tonight for a first look at vacation pics.

Much more as I return to the real world once more.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Orcas Island, WA

Wildflower Serenade II Charming Thursday

2011-08-25T06:18:00.001-05:00

Wildflower Serenade II- #26 in the KT fabric collection - is our featured charm pack this week. Lighter tans and blues were inspired by a wonderfully detailed French print. The addition of these colors provided a bit of "pop" to the KT classic navy, red, green and black. One of my personal favorites was the small bird print with a dotted background.

A couple of the projects created using this line are below.

Petit Fours - Lap quilt features a Honey Bun & Charm Pack; Queen Quilt features a Jelly Roll & Layer Cake. Pattern $3.00

Flower Shoppe Quartet - 1 Jelly Roll, 2 lights, 2 darks, 2 easy! Pattern $3.00

Email Robert directly now thru Sept. 1st at ktqrmh@twinvalley.net for a deep discount on these project sheets - just $3.00 each. Help us clean out the storeroom to make way for all the new patterns coming this fall.

Day #1 - Buggy Barn

2011-08-24T10:38:00.001-05:00

A delightful group of WA ladies (and one all the way from Houston, TX) spent the day with me playing with Layer Cakes to create Skipping Stones quilts. Lori and her 3 friends were the envy of all with die-cut triangles.

A wonderful lunch of Curried Chicken Salad & a yummy chocolatey-mint dessert was enjoyed and savored. A visit to the famous Buggy Barn quilt shop scored a couple of quilt books, some beautiful wools, the new 2012 Buggy Barn Calendar and a messenger bag with this year's logo. Reardon's own Bubba's Bar served up cheeseburgers, awesome onion rings and a local brew. Very tasty!

Out the door for Day #2!
Later,
Lynne

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's winner...

2011-08-22T06:30:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Marcia W. You're the winner of this week's Wildflower Serenade charm pack. Be sure to keep watching for the grand giveaway at the end of the year for a charm pack of each of the 36 KT fabric lines to date. That's over 1200 different 5" squares!!

Stay in touch thru September for another Moda Country Fair Blog Hop. More than twenty different designers will offer prizes and free patterns galore for those persistent quilters who follow along each day. KT day is September 16th, so be sure to check in then.

I'll send pics from the Buggy Barn!

Lynne

Wildflower Serenade Charming Thursday

2011-08-18T06:43:00.001-05:00

Featured this week is KT fabric collection #25 - Wildflower Serenade. Some lighter, brighter colors joined the KT classics for a fresh look in this line. An antique quilt inspired the crewelwork prints.

A friend of mine with a keen eye, Connie Huddleson (designer for Starry Pines and proprietor of The Little Wool Shoppe in Windsor, CO) found the quilt (see Wednesday's post pic) at Houston Market several years ago. The center appears to be a remnant from crewel-work drapery panels with assorted star and hexagon blocks arranged around the perimeter, some just whacked off to fit. She knew immediately I'd love it - and she was right. Don't you wish we could be that free with our quilts? Just piece and chop as needed. How freeing!

crewelwork center of antique quilt

Wildflower Star Duet features a centerpiece of the reproduction crewelwork fabric surrounded by 2 sizes of stars. Pattern $3.00.

Flower Basket Trio - rich reds, browns and tans pieced into beautiful baskets for your bed. Pattern $3.00.

Email Robert directly (ktqrmh@twinvalley.net) today thru Sept. 2nd for either of these patterns at clearance prices and actual shipping costs. Watch for more patterns next week.

Check in Monday for the winner of the Wildflower Serenade charm pack. I'll be on my way to the Buggy Barn in Reardon, WA for their annual outdoor quilt show/classes. Hoping for cooler weather. I'll check in via my iPad (if it cooperates!).

Puzzled...

2011-08-15T13:37:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Cranberry Wishes Charm Pack is....Nancy E. Enjoy a little bit of KT Christmas for your holidays this year. Check the website for our Christmas Specials - quantities limited on some items. All of our Christmas-themed patterns are 33% off retail, so don't wait until Dec. 1st!

While retreating with Pam last week, I made a quilt in a day - eat your heart out Eleanor Burns, I really got in done in 1 day! Of course, it's soooooo simple to piece. I wanted to make a fun lap quilt with big chunks to showcase the Flannel Days fabric - cutting it into little pieces and fighting bulky seams wasn't my idea of fun. Because of the connectors between strips in the border, it looked like puzzle pieces to me, hence the name Puzzled. The pattern will be on our website later this week - FREE! Kits will be available for $50 for the top/binding - 1 1/2 yds for the center + (8) 1/2 yards for the borders & binding. You'll have a choice of several colorways but only a couple of each - so don't wait!

With the weather cooling off a bit at night, I'm dreaming of Flannel Days and soft, cuddly quilts. I have a feeling all of my kids will be adding it to their lists when they snuggle up to this one.

Lynne

Cranberry Wishes Charming Thursday

2011-08-11T19:25:00.000-05:00

I had a delightfully relaxing, productive, enjoyable time with Pam the past few days. We talked, stitched, visited, ate, discussed and shopped til we absolutely had to part ways. Pam arrived with a special surprise for my birthday - a little quilt! It's diminutive size and collection of KT prints only make it that much more awesome.It will have a prominent spot in my studio where I can enjoy it daily. It's laying on the "wrapping paper" - a star-spangled towel in matching navy & tan. Very cool. This is one chick who knows me well.

So on to the business at hand today - even tho I am about 12 hours late. No internet here in the outback this morning. Severe storms the other night didn't affect a thing, but a cool breeze last night knocked out the TV and internet - who knew???

This weeks charm pack is Cranberry Wishes. A very busy holly print was simplified and reduced in size to create the featured fabric for this line. Tiny stars, a printed grid plaid and floral motif decked out in holiday colors complete the look.

We used a Jelly Roll to make a simple holiday quilt that could be used all year round.

Question of the week: Do you make/love/decorate with Christmas themed quilts in your home? Let me know by Sunday night and we'll announce a winner on Monday. You'll also get a sneak peek at the project I completed in just one day while petting the new Flannel Days fabrics.

Garden Inspirations Winner

2011-08-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

Aleece and I spent the week creating t-shirts, flip-flops and a book bag - no quilting this time. After a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby, her head was turned by all the shiny beads and baubles and bling. I guess that makes her a pretty average 6-yr-old. I was fascinated by her choices and encouraged her to experiment with different techniques. She used stick-on stencils (that stuck to themselves more than the garments), glue on beads and flowers and fabric markers to "paint" with. Here's part of the results:

The little artist posed with some of her creations. Her favorite thing to do right now is to write love notes and draw little cards for me to hang on the 'frig, but with 5 grandkids all vying for space, I found these cool foam-backed frames she can open and change each time she visits. That way, she chooses "the best" stuff to keep and we can rotate the dozens of pictures, notes and pins to display.

All in all, a fun way to spend the week, but now I'm playing catch up - again!

Now to the winner of the Garden Inspirations charm pack - jmniffer. Congrats and thanks for commenting. Email your address and we'll send it right out.

As for my week, I'm taking a few days of creative play with my designer friend, Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts. We met halfway in Des Moines, IA for a couple days of intense girlfriend time. She always challenges me to learn more about this techie world we navigate in and inspires lots of ideas. I am blessed to have her as a colleague and buddy. We all need those girlfriends in our lives that just "get us". How do spend quality time with your inspiring girlfriends?

See you all Later this week for another edition of ChArming Thursday.

Location:Des Moines, IA

Garden Inspirations Charming Thursday

2011-08-04T07:04:00.000-05:00

Our featured charm pack this week is Garden Inspirations. It premiered in 2008 just after we finished the cabin and my mind was on landscaping. When you build in a pasture next to a wheat field, it's pretty much a blank slate. My studio is on the front of the cabin with full length windows the width of the room with a view of the pond and trees. I knew I wanted a flower garden on both sides of the flagstone walkway to the porch just outside my windows - kinda planned, but more just an assortment of deer resistant wildflowers that would thrive in the Kansas weather with little special care. I love my garden, but I'm not a constant gardener. Coneflowers, shasta daisies and liatris with some day lilies and decorative grasses fill in most of the space. Other purple and yellow flowers (that I cannot name) fill in between. If I'm ever stumped for a theme to a fabric line or quilt, gazing out my window seems to provide inspiration any time of year - but late summer when everything is in bloom is my favorite.

These are a couple of the projects inspired by Garden Inspirations - Springtime Mini Table Treat & Flowers by the Cabin. A couple ladies at the Quilt 'n Kaboodle workshop on Sat. made the Springtime topper with satisfying results. Flowers by the Cabin is a former KT Stash project but will be a single pattern before fall market.

Have I asked if you're a gardener and a quilter? How does your garden grow? With lots of care and fussing - or on it's own?

Another Monday Winner

2011-08-01T08:25:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Autumn Journey charm pack this week is "farmgal". Enjoy!

I love hearing from quilters who have taken my workshops and send pictures of their finished projects. Here's one from Nancy Reed of Wabash, IN. I love that she reconfigured the blocks in Five & Dime, making it a "Nancy original".

That's Nancy, third from the left in blue. The workshop in Wabash, hosted by Quilts 'n Bloom, was held in a wonderfully renovated old gym with a stage - very fun. We're posing on the steps to the stage here. Thanks to all the ladies of Wabash - and shop owner Cheryl - for an entertaining event.

Send your pictures to ktquilts.com. You just might make the blog!

Aleece and I are off to the building to work this morning, swim this afternoon and wait on the plumber to come fix our water pump. What a time for the well to shut down! No showers, no laundry, no flushing....it's almost as bad as having no electricity at all!

Stay cool,
Lynne

Autumn Journey Charming Thursday

2011-07-28T07:20:00.001-05:00

By the time you read this, I'll be on the road to visit the Threads of Friendship Quilt Guild in Bloomfield, IA, then on to Quilt 'n Kaboodle in Cherokee, IA. When I return home, my granddaughter, Aleece, will be visiting for a week while her parents get settled into their new place. I plan to get a little pool time in and help her make a small doll quilt she's had laid out on the floor.

For this week's Charming Thursday, Autumn Journey takes center stage. I love the colors of fall and try to incorporate the browns and pumpkins into the classic KT red, green and navys each year. My Mom loves to decorate with leaves, so this quilt was created as a Christmas gift for her several years ago.

This fast and easy Irish chain starts with a Jelly Roll with scattered raw edge leaves. We actually have a couple of kits for the lap size (above) that were unearthed while reorganizing this summer. Isn't it amazing what you can find tucked away? Just email me directly if you're interested. We'll have more goodies on the website later next month, including Christmas on sale in August.

Oh yes! We also have kits for the Summer's Last Bloom quilt on the cover of Primitive Quilts magazine. If you haven't experienced it yet, you can get one at ktquilts.com and check it out.

Expect pics of Aleece next week!

2011-07-25T07:58:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Donna from sunny Florida - you're the winner of the Snow Blooms charm pack this week. Your comment about "missing your regular stuff" made me think of my sister who decorates for the seasons - fall, Christmas and "ordinary time". Her house is full of bird and pear motifs about half of the year for ordinary time, then does up fall with a flurry of leaves, pumpkins and autumn colors by Labor Day.

Thanks to everyone who shared their Christmas decorating strategies. I've enjoyed reading each one. Our kids/grankids gather on the 23rd or 26th - whenever everyone can come without another commitment. I would rather have everybody there for the day than see them on the 25th for an hour on their way thru to yet another dinner. Over the past few years, our tree has shrunk from an 11' prelit artificial tree - that took hours to decorate - to a skinny 5' tree in a crock. I even tied the ornaments on with bias strips of red plaids so we could store it already decorated! We take it out before company comes and put it back in the storage room with a sheet over it when they leave. Because the cabin doesn't accomodate large groups, we have family celebrations at the KT studio building where we have a table that seats 18-20 comfortably and lots of room for the kids to run and play. Since we're no longer hosting quilting retreats there, the decorations have dwindled considerably. I pull out several of my favorite Nativity scenes by WilliRaye, Willow Tree and Jim Shore, add lots of Christmas quilts and greenery and call it good. A couple of years ago when we switched to a much smaller tree, then 4-yr.-old Delainey asked me "But where's Christmas?" I responded, "In my heart, just like you." It was an off-the-cuff remark, but it really struck me as true. All the decorations don't make it Christmas, it's the faith and love of family that makes it all special.

Thanks for sharing your stories and your time here on my blog. Watch this Thursday for Autumn Journey. I'll be on the road to Bloomfield, IA for their guild program that evening and a workshop on Friday, then on to Cherokee, IA for workshop & program at Quilt 'n Kaboodle quilt shop. I'd love to see you there!

Check in tomorrow for a preview of the new Flannel Days fabric - it feels divine! We'll have fat quarter bundles on the website soon.

Snow Blooms Charming Thursday

2011-07-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

Snow.... what a wonderful thing to conjure up this hot, hot July morning. I've been thinking about cold, snow and Christmas quite a bit lately - the new Christmas line I just submitted the first of the month, the 14 lb. box of vintage wrapping paper I bought on ebay as inspiration, and the gift for my Mom I finally found in the closet. I'm sure none of you have ever stashed a Christmas gift during the year and then couldn't find your excellent hiding spot again - or, just totally forgot about it. When I ran across this particular gift - a pair of metal leaf sconces to go with a painting in her living room - I took it directly to her house and helped her hang them up. It only makes sense - she has 6 more months to enjoy them, it's much less hectic now than at the holidays and I don't want to take the chance that the gift would be put away too well AGAIN. She was tickled and announced she loved Christmas in July. Just might start a tradition.

But I digress...snow, oh yes. Snow Blooms was inspired by a single tulip poking up thru the snow one Feb. after we'd had a week of very mild temperatures, then a snow storm. Yup, that's Kansas. Five prints, five colorways, fun collection.

With a limited number of squares in the charm pack, a mini trip around the world fit the bill.

Question of the day: When do you start decorating for Christmas and how long after do you keep your holiday theme going? Has your Christmas decorating changed over the years?

Comment here by Sunday night at 10pm CST for a chance to win the Snow Blooms charm pack - and maybe a little something extra I found hidden away.

Is it hot enough for ya?

2011-07-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

Temps are hovering above 100 here in the heartland. Oppresive heat and humidity are forcing me to stay inside and sew instead of working in the yard. Not a bad thing, it's just starting to feel like cabin fever in Feb. all over again. I'm ready for a change of scenery. Thank goodness next week I'll be headed to Threads of Friendship Quilt Guild in Bloomfield, IA for a program (Thursday, July 28th) and a workshop on Friday. Then on to Cherokee, IA for a workshop/program at Quilt 'n Kaboodle Quilt Shop on Saturday. We'd love to see you there!

Aleece was checking out the blog comments and quilter's pictures over my shoulder and remarked "June must be a nice lady". I asked why she would think that and she responded, "Because she has Hello Kitty by her name." That was random enough for me! Congrats to June for winning the BtoPII charm pack this week. I love the way that child's mind works.

Betty Lou asked in a recent comment if I would classify KT fabrics as reproductions. My understanding is that reproductions are designed to come as close to the original quilt with period colors and prints as possible. I have the luxury to choose vintage prints from any era, then recolorize, resize, cut and paste and play with them as I please to get the look I want. I'm not locked into strict reproduction rules, I've just kinda developed the KT look over the years and try to stay true to what I love. Color is the biggest factor for me, but often, I start with a print that is just 2 colors and make it a multi-color or it might be a double pink or a funky acid green and make it any color I want. Small, even geometrics/dots and vine-y prints are my go-to favs for mix-ins once I find the right larger print for the feature piece. Having a theme helps, but often, the fabric leads me to the theme. I like to use stripes and prints with a strong line and turn them on the diagonal, too. They're easier to work with in a block. What are your favorite go-to prints? Do you start a quilt with a larger print or just collect randomly and pull from your stash? I'd love to hear how you "plan" a quilt.
Thanks to all of you for your support and comments over the past 20+ weeks of Charming Thursdays. Another Christmas line is up this week.
Til then, stay cool!
Lynne

B to P II Charming Thursday

2011-07-13T23:34:00.000-05:00

For those of you that are not KT fanatics, BtoPII is Bound to the Prairie II, the follow-up to the original BtoP from last week's Charming Thursday. I'd love to bring back several of the prints in this collection for a KT Fav line someday. What do you think???

BtoPII was created as a companion line to BtoP for the BOM in the QJ series. (That's quilt-speak for block-of-the-month in the Quilter's Journal series - don't ya just love all the abbreviations? Kinda like being in the CIA, FBI, M-O-U-S-E). Together, these two fabric groups have just about everything I could want in a scrappy quilt - florals, stars, checks and tone-on-tones - perfect, if I do say so myself. Here's a project using a print charm pack, a plaid charm pack and a wool charm pack (Moda made 8 wools to match my fabric for the applique on the BtoP quilt), soon to be a single pattern.

Charming Churn Dash is already one of our new KT Classic Charms - it works well with most charm packs since there are always more darks than lights. And who doesn't need another table runner?

Leave a comment to win the BtoP charm pack by Sunday night at 10pm. Watch for the winner right here Monday morning.

Lynne

Flannel Days - computer generated quilts

2011-07-12T16:16:00.000-05:00

After messing with this for way longer than it should have taken, I finally got the Flannel Days cover to download - wahoo! Sometimes I'm so frustrated by all the technology, but it's also a lifesaver at times. Case in point - this quilt doesn't actually exist yet. I haven't received any of the fabrics from the Flannel Days collection, but the pattern is due NOW. What to do? Use fabric images scanned into the computer to make a digital quilt. It's not quite the same, but it definitely works in a pinch.

I'm intrigued by all the gadgets and whatnots that my kids can't live without and even purchased an iPad a few months ago. I really like having my life on the calendar and surfing for recipes, etc. but I don't really feel I'm utilizing it to it's capacity. What are some of your favorite apps? What do I need to learn to do on my iPad? Any suggestions out there, ladies?

Bound to the Prairie Winner

2011-07-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

Linda is the winner this week of the Bound to the Prairie charm pack (and no, unfortunately, the chest the wool candle mat is sitting on won't fit in a priority envelope :) ). Please email your mailing address to ktquilts2@twinvalley.net so we can send your winnings. I also need last week's winner's address - KathiP, are you out there?? Thanks, ladies.

Our new flannel fabric collection is finally ready! Flannel Days will be making it's way to quilt shops later this month. I can't wait to get my hands on some to make quilts for my kids. They all love my brushed plaids for casual lap quilts so it will be fun to add some prints to the mix this year. Since I haven't had any fabric to play with, the quilt for the pattern has been computer generated. I felt the design needed to be simple for fast and easy quilts that would be used and loved. Finishing up the pattern today - hope to finish a quilt soon after the UPS guy delivers the fabric!

Bound to the Prairie Charming Thursday

2011-07-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, it's not really Thursday, but after a round of really mean storms Wednesday night, our power, internet, TV, everything was blown out for the day. We have lights and A/C now, but still no TV/internet at the cabin which, of course, is where all my info for the this post was saved. Oh well, starting over never hurt anyone.

Our charm pack giveaway today is Bound to the Prairie, one of my all time fav KT fabric lines and the 6th in the Quilters Journal series. From Piecing the Trail to Kansas to Stitches on the Oregon Trail and Bound to the Prairie, it's been a great adventure for our quilter, Lily, and her family on the Kansas plains, homesteading in the mid-1800's. While reading actual journals, researching historical events and creating characters loosely based on family members, it's been quite a process for me as a quilter to make the stories come to life. All six of the QJ stories are in a book - now just $9.95 on our website. It doesn't include any quilt patterns but is an easy summer-by-the-pool (or A/C) read. Leave a comment by Sunday night to be eligible to win!

We made the cover!

2011-07-04T07:44:00.001-05:00

Have you been introduced to the new Primitive Quilts magazine? It is beautifully done - really more like a quilt book - with lots of great projects 4 times a year. The premier issue blew me away so we're thrilled that my quilt made the cover of the 2nd issue - isn't the cat a happy accident? It will be on newsstands soon but you can also subscribe by going to their website at primitivequilts.com. Absolutely worth it!

The winner of last Thursday's Winter Rose Charm Pack is........KathiP from Aurora, IL! Hope you enjoy your little piece of Christmas in July.

I'm off to pick up grankids - my daughter and several of the grankids will be coming and going all week. We're in charge of grilled corn-on-the-cob with jalepeno butter and dessert for the BBQ tonight. Better get movin'!

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
Lynne

Winter Rose Charming Thursday

2011-06-30T13:52:00.001-05:00

I can't believe we're over halfway through our Charming Thursday series with featured fabric line #19, Winter Rose. One of the projects we pieced using this fabric line was for our KT Quarterly Newsletter program in 2006. It will be available by next week as a free pattern on our website. Get a head start on your Christmas stitching! Enjoy!

We have a winner...

2011-06-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Cynthia from Maryland - you're the winner of the Aunt Purdy's charm pack this week. Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments and memories of the strong women in your lives. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them all.

I just received a disc in the mail from Doris Duffy of Salem, IN of some wonderful pictures of our day in Haubstadt, IN at the Quilts 'n Bloom quilt show. Kathy Will and her family and staff did an outstanding job of hosting this event. We walked into a neat old high school gym full of awesome quilts, many featuring KT fabrics.

Lois and I enjoyed wandering thru the aisles, trying to select a favorite. My fav, of course, was this KT quilt made by Betty (so sorry I didn't write down your last name), who graciously allowed us to take a picture.

Thanks again to Doris Duffy for the pictures. She was vending at the show with her beautiful, graphic framed photographs and notecards. I just knew I had to have some of my own, so from several of the pics she took of my quilts, she created one-of-kind KT notecards for me. Very cool!

I'm dragging out the red/tan/blue for the porch in anticipation of the 4th. I'll post some patriotic inspiration later this week. Join me Thursday for another edition of Charming Thursday and a chance to win a vintage KT charm pack.

Aunt Purdy's Parlor

2011-06-23T08:20:00.000-05:00

Our Charming Thursday this week features Aunt Purdy's Parlor fabric collection. Sometimes, one piece of fabric inspires an entire line. As a little girl, I was blessed to have my Gramma (Dad's mother, Ethel) live in the same town. She was born in the 1890's, lived without indoor plumbing until adulthood, grew and canned most of their own food, baked the best bread ever and sewed her own cotton house dresses. I only remember seeing her in pants once when she was riding a horse. She was a classic Kansas farm wife of the depression. As a rare treat, I was allowed to accompany her to The Aunts' house for tea. Her mother's sisters had lived together, unmarried, in a wonderful old Victorian-inspired house with a sprawling wrap-around porch, gingerbread trim and a round turreted 2-story room. Everyone in town knew them as Aunt Dode (Dorothy) and Aunt Purdy (Prudence). When company came to visit, they served tea in the round room filled with velvet-colored chairs, lace curtains and tons of breakable curiosities. It was such a treat to wear a dress during the week with my patent leather Mary Jane's click-click-clicking on their gleaming wood floors. Tea was served in beautiful cups with saucers along with tiny biscuits or cookies. I was served milk in my tea cup and sipped as gracefully as I could, hoping not to slurp and have it echo in the round, high-ceiling tea room. I tried to sit perfectly still while Gramma and The Aunts visited about the weather, their gardens and the latest news in town. I felt so grown up. Mom claims The Aunts both died within a couple months of each other in their late 80's when I was only 4 or 5 years old. When I saw a swatch of vintage fabric with a viney floral print that reminded me of the wallpaper in the round tea room, I could almost smell the lavender and roses that permeated The Aunts' home. It brought back such strong memories that I felt compelled to assemble a fabric collection to pay tribute to these wonderful women. Isn't it interesting the little things that make such a strong impact in our lives? Somehow, as a very little girl, I recognized the strength and unique characters of these women and have carried that with me thru my life. Is there a strong female role model from your childhood that has influenced you?

Both of these projects are in the booklet, Aunt Purdy's Parlor. Both are pieced using the same block - Spinning Stars is a 9" block on point in red/tan/navy while Aunt Purdy's Petals is a 12" block with tan centers and a little raw edge applique to make them look like tulips. Too fun!

One of my favorite sayings is:
Here's to Good Women - may we know them, may we raise them, may we be them.
Here's to all the good women out there who quilt and give of themselves every time they share a quilt with someone they love or someone in need. Quilters are the best women I know!

2 Winners!

2011-06-20T06:33:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Meadow Waltz charm pack is Dawnmarie; Brenda can claim the charm pack for Farmyard Friends. Congratulations to both of you ladies and thanks for hanging out at my blog.

Seems the weekends are never long enough. Robert and I made a quick trip to Windsor, CO Friday evening to see some dear friends, Connie & Chuck Huddleson. Connie is the proprietor of The Little Wool Shoppe in Windsor, featured in APQ's Quilt Sampler a couple years ago. While the guys caught up on their fish stories, Connie and I shopped at a wonderful antique/home dec store, Cottage Rose. Inspiration was everywhere from July 4th displays to wonderful hanging lanterns and birdcages for the porch to innovative lighting options. Connie purchased 3 wire baskets to mount on a board and electrify for a delightfully prim fixture over her new kitchen island. Very cool. I would love to find a great old colander or basket to do the same over my kitchen table. Maybe next trip.

I brought home a 3-tier wire basket that will work perfectly at market to display little quilts and a pair of oatmeal linen drapes for summer that are sheer enough to let in light but add a little color with a double red ticking-like stripe. I can't wait for the weekend to get out all my summer patriotic stuff, switch out all the quilts to red/tan/navy and hang my new curtains. Til then, have a fun summer and watch for another Charming Thursday charm pack giveaway this week.
Lynne

Charming Thursday (on Thursday!)

2011-06-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks for hanging in there with me, ladies. I swear I'm going to hire some help soon - just as soon as I can find a quilter with computer savvy and time on her hands....Oh well, I can dream, can't I?

This week's edition of Charming Thursday features my second baby line, Farmyard Friends. By this time, there were 4 grankids - 3 boys and a girl. We definitely needed a little pink in our lives, so Farmyard Friends had a blue and a pink colorway with the adorable animal print to coordinate with either. The stars of the book were the 2 newest grankids - Aleece (15 months old) and Bronson (7 months old). It's funny that the photographer had to use 2 discs to get all the shots for this book when he usually only needs part of one, hmmmm...... Guess it's harder to catch kids smiling than quilts.

The baby bed is the one my Gramma Ethel (Dad's mother), my Dad, his brother and my brother and I all slept in as babies. Dad sandblasted layers and layers of paint - no doubt some lead based - and repainted it for me just for these shots I actually had to stop him from making it too perfect. He offered to drag up and down the gravel drive, but we stopped short of that.

Now these little guys are 6 and almost 7 years old! Aleece has one of the Farmyard Friends books and proudly takes it to school each year for show and tell, explaining that it's "her" fabric and quilts. She loves it so much I made her first twin "big girl" quilt out of it, as well. She has her own stash of this line at my house and is very protective of it. I hope we can make time this summer to piece a little doll quilt from the scraps - if she'll give them up!

Share a comment about your grandkids by Sunday night at 10pm. - I'd love to hear all about them!
Lynne

Charming Thursday (on Tuesday)

2011-06-14T11:41:00.000-05:00

Trying to get caught up but it's tough with Robert not working here anymore and 2 grandsons visiting. Finally feel like I'm getting back into a routine since being gone to IN and Market. No trips until the end of July for now. The boys are actually helping to fold/stuff patterns to earn some money. At 8 and 10, I figured it would last about 10 minutes, but they stuck with it and did a really good job folding and stuffing 100 patterns for a nickel a piece. They were thrilled and had to run right down to the soda fountain for ice cream to blow their hard eaned reward immediately. Oh well, there are always more patterns to fold!

Today's giveaway if for a Meadow Waltz charm pack. Comment by Friday night at 10pm for a chance to win. I love the wool applique on the blocks for this quilt. Several friends at a retreat helped stitch them to make a deadline, so it's a fond memory for me of helping hands. This book is out of print, so any of these could turn up as single patterns, if you're interested.

This Basket Full of Blooms quilt hangs in my bathroom where I see it every morning after my shower. It was the inspiration for our new Mini Table Treats Gathering Basket. The quilt to the left is Prairie Square Dance - just 9-patches and a little raw edge applique for vines.

Were you quilting in 2005 when Meadow Waltz was new?
See you Thursday for another edition of Charming Thursday with my second baby line, Farmyard Friends.
Lynne

A Busy Week

2011-06-12T22:25:00.000-05:00

I know it's been quiet here the past week, but the craziness just never stops. Lois and I returned home late Tuesday after a delightful stop in Wabash, IN at the very aptly named quilt shop/greenhouse Heaven on Earth. Cheryl and her staff threw a great party with dozens of quilters for a KT program and workshop at the Honeywell Center. We stayed in an historic hotel downtown, The Charley Creek Inn, on the best sheets ever. Thanks so much for a great time.

Wednesday & Thursday were spent racing around trying to catch up from 10 days away - orders, phone messages, emails. Friday I picked up #2 grandson, Rowan, for several days, which means #1 grandson, Cooper, came along, too. Since it was Delainey's 5th birthday, Aleece was also here - lots and lots of kids stuff all weekend.

The birthday girl (second from left) and several of her buddies.

Grampa B (my Dad) with all 4 grandkids playing with his toys at the cabin.

Anyway, all this is to politely excuse myself from losing track of time and missing Charming Thursday last week. I'll post tomorrow for last Thursday, then again this week on Thursday. Gotta be flexible!
Thanks for understanding.
Lynne

Haubstadt, IN

2011-06-05T20:54:00.001-05:00

We had an absolutely lovely day on Saturday at an event hosted by Kathy Will of Quilts 'n Bloom in Haubstadt. More than a hundred quilters joined us for a trunk show and workshop in a charming gym hung with beautiful quilts - many featuring KT fabrics. What a treat to meet all the ladies and help them each stitch up a Tic Tac Stars mini table topper. Pictures to come soon.

The winner of the Splatter charm pack is Lana. Please email your address and we'll send it out as soon as we get home.

Our last stop on this trip is in Wabash, IN at Heaven on Earth. More later.
Lynne

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Splattered!

2011-06-01T19:51:00.001-05:00

Our charm pack for this week is one of the smallest - Splatter Basics - with only a dozen pieces. But it has one of my all-time favorite, covet-able prints - the tan with multi-colored splatter. I've used it in numerous projects and am hoarding the last little bit I have. Anybody out there want to share???

We set up for a regional wholesale show by Moda today at the Faemstead Inn in Shipshewanna, IN. It was fun to meet some quilt shop owners from the area who we wouldn't normally see at market. A surprise visitor made my day. Sandy Klop of American Jane stopped in while visiting
family and friends in the area. Since she lives in CA, it was a real treat. All in all, a good day.

Tune in later this week as we travel across IN and visit 3 wonderful quilt shops for programs and workshops.
Later, Lynne

- Posted from my iPad

Location:Shipshewanna, IN

We have a winner!

2011-06-01T06:21:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Beckyjean. You're the winner of the Charming Thursday charm pack drawing. Keep watching, ladies. We still have a lot more charms to go.

Lois and I are in Shipshewanna, IN today for a regional Moda wholesale show. We made a fast trip thru famed Lolly's Quilt Shop yesterday - definitely a case of not enough time and too much to see. We plan to shop at Yoder's today. The entire town is a quaint little piece of shopping heaven!

See you tomorrow for the next charm pack drawing.
Lynne

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another Charming Thursday

2011-05-26T07:58:00.000-05:00

Let's celebrate fall with our Shades of Autumn fabric collection. I always look forward to the first signs of fall - cooler evenings, changing leaves, sweater weather (Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts has a really cute charm quilt with this name). The colors of fall work perfectly in my home decorating scheme. I love the feel of being surrounded by warm, rich colors - deep browns, pumpkins, barn reds, greens, golds & navy. It's not a just a preference, it's a way of life from season to season.

Here are a few of our favorite seasonal projects from KT Stash that are now available as individual patterns.

Sitting on the porch, watching the seasons change, is one of the things I enjoy the most about country living. Even if I'm working, it's more tranquil and inspiring. Where's your "happy place"?

A Few Little Things

2011-05-23T07:06:00.001-05:00

The winner of the KT Seasons charm pack is Kim Q of NJ. Congrats! Don't miss this week's Charming Thursday featuring one of my favorite lines - Shades of Autumn. Heads up to all you autumn lovers out there!

Lois and I enjoy traveling to guilds and quilt shops, meeting all of you. One of our most popular workshops is the Mini Table Treats. In about 3-4 hours, you can create a 17" round table topper for any season. We have acorns/leaves, pears, flowers, stars and stripes, pumpkins, Christmas lights and a sunflower. For market, we added 3 new mini's - Gathering Basket, On the Wing and HollyDays.

Each Mini Table Treat Pattern is just $5. Watch for them at your favorite quilt shop or at ktquilts.com soon.

When it rains...

2011-05-20T10:39:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies.
I came home from market, eager to catch up on my blog posts. I awoke the next morning to a loud pop and the smell of smoke. I stumbled into my studio to find that a major power outage fried my backup battery/surge protector. I took the smoking box out on the porch and came to town to post and found that electricity is out in most of the county! I called Lois to tell her to stay home and found some filing to do by a window. Isn't it funny how you still go around flipping switches without thinking even when you know there isn't any power? Well most of my pictures are on the cabin computer, so I've been waiting to get back up and running there- no luck so far. So here I am, making the best of it on Robert's computer. Gosh, don't you hate using someone else's computer? Are we spoiled or what?

Anyway, we're announcing Charming Thursday's offering today - the Season's charm pack. My thought at the time was to do a book with projects for every season. My favorite is a simple log cabin quilt with changeable wool appliques.

The book is now out of print, but this is another project I hope to make into a single pattern - someday. Comment on your favorite season by Sunday night to win the Seasons Charm Pack. I'll be back on track again next week for another installment of Charming Thursday. Thanks for hanging in there.

Lynne

PS - It's still raining with flash flood warnings for our area. If the pond rises much more, my porch will be right by the water!

Day 2 - Spring Market

2011-05-14T16:51:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite booths so far...

Kathy Schmitz - cozy fireplace

Sandy Gervais - best at representing Moda's theme, Country Fair

And, Me and My Sister - Hopscotch is just TOO cute!

We tear it all down and head home tomorrow night. See ya again on Tuesday!
Lynne

Posted under duress from my iPad

Day 1 - Spring Market

2011-05-13T13:40:00.001-05:00

Here's a first look at KT at Market. More tomorrow.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Salt Lake City

We have a Winner!

2011-05-09T07:07:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Elizabeth (jonandbettyann@aol.com) - you're the winner of the Simply Indigo charm pack. Doesn't hurt that we share a b'day. Happy 5th to you a little early.

Here are a couple more pre-market peeks. Using the same 1/4-circle template, we played with plaids for a few More Frayed Edges. Simple shapes cut on the bias are stitched to a front and back square, then sewn together in rows. Since all the block squares' edges are on the bias, the exposed seams fray and curl but never unravel for the softest, cuddliest throws around. Three options in one booklet - American Waves, Simply Squared and Pretty Pinwheels. The larger 2 throws are perfect in school colors for that special college grad in your life. My nephew took a Frayed Edges quilt to KState with him, washed it ALOT and it only got better. He still loves it. Great for gifting those that may not be quite as quilt-worthy, if you know what I mean :). Available in June.

Charming Thursday - Seasons

2011-05-08T22:21:00.001-05:00

Ladies, so sorry about Charming Thursday post - or not. Messed up somehow with the auto scheduling and can't fix it from here. We'll catch up after market.
Lynne

Market Sneak Peak

2011-05-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

Have you ever gone to town to get your haircut and came home in a new truck??? After all the traveling Lois & I have been doing, a bigger vehicle has been a topic of conversation, but by no means did I think I could take the time a few days before market to purchase one. Just so happens that a Yukon XL (looked like a semi to me from across the street) beckoned to me saying, "Think of all the cool stuff that would fit in me if you take me to market. You wouldn't have to choose, you could take EVERYTHING!" How could I not listen to that? I looked/test drove/negotiated/called Robert/took it home. Pretty easy. Now my list of junk to take has expanded and I'm tickled to have the space.
A few days after market, we'll take off for a week in Indiana, beginning at the Moda Wholesale Show in Shipshewanna. I thought I'd have to ship a bunch of stuff, but no more! Now, if I can just get the hang of backing this beast up in parking lots!

Okay, so now you've heard me go on and on about the "Beast". Time to reward you with a sneak peek of some market goodies. We started with a 10" square, two 5" squares and a bit of bias cut plaid and ended up with a cool block that's been fun to work with. Shown here are 3 of the 4 projects using this block and our new template (the fourth quilt using the Layer Cake and 2 charm packs just came back from the quilter. Lois will be whipping down binding in the car on the way to market!) The large quilt features our new Cattails & Clover fabric line. Stay tuned for lot's more during/after market.

Simply Indigo

2011-05-05T07:51:00.000-05:00

I've always loved the 4th of July with it's red/white/blue decorations, picnics, family gatherings and - of course - the fireworks. My birthday is the 5th of July, but very often, we have birthday cake as part of our July 4th party. As a child, my Dad convinced me that everyone in the country was shooting off fireworks to celebrate my birthday, too. How naive - how cool! Now, I have a couple of my grankids convinced of the same thing. At least no one in our family forgets my birthday!

So, that brings me to my favorite summer decorating theme - patriotic red/tans/navy. One end of my studio is full of Americana all year thru and the porch sports red/tan/navy all summer from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Several items stay out all year so I can enjoy them. One of them is this stack of wooden boxes with wool flag-themed tops in front of a ladder with old feed sacks in my studio at the cabin.

I'll take more pics this summer as I pull out my red/tan/navy junk and share. I just ran across a box of 1" strips all ready for a log cabin quilt in this line. I'm going to make it my summer project. I'm kinda surprised I found any of it cut up - it's one of the fabric collections I've hoarded!

Win a Simply Indigo charm pack and the pattern for the flag boxes by commenting here before Sunday at 10pm. Tell me what you love best about July 4th.

It's May already???

2011-05-02T07:45:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Tammy from Missouri, you're the winner of the Scrapbook Garden charm pack and book. Please email your address to ktquilts@twinvalley.net and we'll send it right out. Thanks for commenting.

The countdown is on - only 6 days left until we leave for Salt Lake City for Market. We have our Christmas Advent Calendar with ornaments to countdown to Christmas. Maybe we need a Market countdown quilt - yeah, that's the ticket - with ornaments like a ticking clock, a bottle of Advil, running shoes, a pile of unfinished quilts and an empty suitcase. And there are more suprises - a broken copier, a sick quilter and oops! no motel reservations. Yes, just a few of the things we look forward to twice a year as we get ready to show our wares at quilt market. Speaking of which, I better get to work and finish a couple of things so none of these ornaments show up on my quilt!

Scrapbook Garden Charming Thursday

2011-04-28T06:58:00.000-05:00

A wonderful Thursday to you all! Today we're looking back to 2004 when I decided to start scrapbooking for the grandkids. That lasted about 3 months. Then I realized I had no time or inclination to do anything but buy all the cool scrapbooking stuff out there. So I decided to buy their Moms all the stuff they needed to scrapbook themselves. It stuck for 2 of them. My own daughter, of course, has all her photos on her computer and phone and in boxes. I tried.

Our book, Scrapbook Garden, was fun to put together because I used neat metal photo corners on the pictures and made the cover with a pocket on the inside to stash notes and fabric swatches. Cost an arm and a leg to do it. Now I can move on. Here are a couple of my favorite projects from the book.

Leave a comment about your scrapbooking adventures - or not - and you'll be signed up to win a Scrapbook Garden charm pack & book. Check our website under KT Specials and you can purchase the book for only $4 - what a deal!

The kids and grankids are home this weekend for pretend Easter (as Aleece is calling it), so I'll see you all Monday morning with the winner.

Lynne