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Connecting Threads has a beautiful version of Happy Stash Quilts' "Fallen Leaf" table runner and place mats pattern available as a kit at: http://www.connectingthreads.com/Kits/Fallen_Leaf_Table_Runner__Placemats_Kit__D7464.HTML They have also added the "Baubles" pattern to their lineup.
Gorgeous Tobacco Silks Quilt! Thank you Lauri Thompson for sharing the beautiful 1920s quilt you are restoring for a very lucky friend. Enjoy the pictures of this absolute gem. I included an excerpt below the photos about the history of Tobacco Silk Quilts quoted directly from www.kovels.com (a source for antiques and collectibles).
"These are sometimes called "cigarette silks" or "tobacco silks," although the material is more likely to be satin. They were inserted in packs of cigarettes or could be obtained by sending in coupons stuffed in the packs. The designs came in sets and were meant to appeal to women. The silks came in different sizes and could be sewn together to make quilts or larger pictures. Popular subjects included actors and actresses, animals, baseball players, college mascots and seals, flags, generals, Indians, kings and queens, U.S. presidents, and Hamilton King girls. Some look like little rugs. Most were printed on satin, although some were woven. Coupons or "gift slips" that could be sent in for silks were available in packs of expensive brands of cigarettes or small cigars from about 1912 to 1915. These silks usually sell for less than $5."
In Between Stitches -- a beautiful quilt store in Livermore, CA. Light, bright and airy with wonderful fabric and a cacophony of laughter emanating from the classroom. Loved the owners Leslie and Melissa. Check out the gorgeous fabric cabinets made by Melissa' s dad and uncle. Road trip highlight!!
Quilter Mary Schmid from Oklahoma shared a photo of the beautiful quilt she made for her daughter who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. "It was a challenge, but also a joy!" wrote Mary. I love the fabric she selected for the back of her "Fractured Flowers" quilt. Best wishes and smooth sailing to your daughter Mary. What a lovely gift!
http://www.happystashquilts.com/collections/patterns/products/fractured-flowers
Thank you June Kelly, of Coffs Harbour, Australia, for sharing your version of "Rogaland Romance" from Happy Stash Quilts. I am thrilled and honored you plan to enter it in the Sydney Quilt Show!
I LOVE football and will be wearing my lucky Russell Wilson jersey and Seahawks earrings for Sunday's Super Bowl!
However, a dear group of friends had our own early Super Bowl party. With great coaching from Cindy Grove, our team consisting of Jennifer Todd, Heather Banks, Lauren Jackson and myself learned how to use fabric strips and clothesline to create beautiful fabric bowls.
First, we used 3/4" to 1 1/4" strips of fabric to wrap 3/16" diameter clothesline...
Then we coiled our covered rope and used a zigzag stitch on our machines to start making bowls.
Cindy had great tips and ideas to share... the bowl shapes and colors and embellishment opportunities are endless.
Thanks for a fabulous day ladies! What are we doing for Ground Hog's Day? :-)
How to Make 1 Design Wall in 2 Hours with 3 Friends!
Step 1. Enlist the help of a friend or two (or be lucky enough to have friends visiting from Alaska to spearhead the project -- thank you Terri Wangstrom and Dana Hyams!)
Step 2: Measure the maximum wall space for your new design wall. I had room to make a wall 7" high by 8" wide.
Step 3: Gather tools and supplies you may already have at home including: a battery operated drill, a utility knife, a stud finder, several screws and large washers, sewing pins, and a can of spray adhesive.
Step 4: You will also need a very large piece of batting to cover your design wall. I used a King Size package of Warm and Natural that I bought at JoAnn fabrics with a 50% off coupon.
Step 5: Head to Home Depot for sheets of 3/4" thick Foam Insulation Sheathing measuring 4 feet by 8 feet. (Since I already knew my allotted wall space was 7" x 8", I asked the Home Depot employee if he would cut each of my boards down to 7 feet in length so that my two 4' x 7' boards would make one large 8' x 7' wall. I consider myself lucky that the employee was willing to do this for me knowing that I am a die-hard Seahawks fan and he is a die-hard Patriots fan with a big Super Bowl showdown less than two weeks away. :-) But, never fear... even if you cannot get your boards cut at the store, you can do so with a utility knife and a long straight edge back at home.)
Step 6: We opted to peel the silver lamination off of our boards. This makes it easier for pins to be used on your design wall when it is complete. We placed the boards' R-Tech blue writing against the wall to avoid having the letters shadow through the batting which will cover the board once it is attached to the wall.
Step 7: Use a stud finder to locate the studs along your wall. Mark several spots so you will know where to place screws when mounting your boards.
Step 8: Have one friend position a board on the wall and hold in place. Have friend #2 place a large washer on a long screw and drill it through the insulation sheathing board into the stud in the wall. Make sure to drill deep enough that the head of the screw isn't poking out, but not so deep that you create a big hole from the washer sinking too far into the insulation board. We used two screws for each 4' x 7' board. The boards are so light you only need to make a few holes in your wall.
Step 9: Use a utility knife to cut out holes for electrical outlets or light switches which may be covered by the board.
Step 10: Cover entire board with a large piece of batting. Trim batting a 3" beyond the edge of the wall boards, then simply wrap the edges around the board and pin, pin, pin...
Step 11: If your board butts up to a wall or window like mine, simply use a ruler and push the edge of the batting into place.
Step 12: Cut a hole in the batting in areas covering electrical outlets or light switches and pin the batting around these openings as you did along the edges of the boards in Step 10.
Step 13: Spray your batting LIGHTLY with an adhesive to help your quilt blocks stick to the wall when you are designing your next project.
Step 14: Let your friends use your design wall to lay out their next project.
Happy Quilting!