Road Trip Review ~ Lancaster County, PA

Before I begin sharing our road trip experiences, I must remember all of those who are dealing with the devastation of yesterday's tornado in Oklahoma.  Our nation has a heavy heart as we send prayers and well wishes to everyone touched by this tragic event.  

Last week, Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters) and I took a wonderful road trip "back East" to Lancaster, PA, then onto Sturbridge/Brimfield, Mass.  We were definitely on a mission in search of vintage fabric, and to hunt for our favorite antiques.  

Our first stop was Lancaster County, PA.  We explored the triangle towns of Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Lancaster, taking in the wonderful....and I mean wonderful sights of the rolling hills and farms.  Everything was so green and lush.  This is Amish country, and the horse-drawn buggies were everywhere.  

Our first stop was to The Old Country Store.  This is a terrific shop with loads of country home decorations and fabric.  Upstairs, you will find a boat load of wonderful, high-quality hand made items, both country and folk-art.  What a treasure!  You'll also find....a small quilt museum!  

These photos don't capture just how lovely this little museum is.  It is very, very nicely done and well worth your time to visit.  They rotate their display from time to time, and each year, they feature a selection of work from a different quilt designer.  Last year, they featured Jo Morton.  This year, it's my pal Lynne Hagmeier! 

As you wander from room to room, you'll find quilts, quilts, and more quilts.

Most are quilts Lynne made, but they also include quilts made by local quilters, such as the adorable Dresden Plate pillow.

All of these tiny miniatures were made by local artists as well.  We really lingered in this shop as there was so much to take in.  

There's some history in this area as well as the towns were settled in the 1700's!  Block after block stand these awesome federal style homes...so charming! 

Lynne and I were both absent from home on Mother's Day as we had to leave a few days before in order to be in Brimfield on Monday.  So, we treated ourselves to Mother's Day brunch on this train as we traveled the Lancaster County countryside.  Very relaxing and yummy!  The train travels the tracks daily, offering lunch and dinner, as well as Wine & Cheese events, and other fun offerings.  

There are a lot of quilt shops in the area, all boasting large inventories and great prices, making this location a "must see" on your bucket list.  We were so taken with this area that we're planning a Great Girlfriend Get-Away here in the future.  We're kinda torn as to what time of year to go back.  Lancaster has a quilt show in March, which would be wonderful, but the chilly weather wouldn't be conducive to strolling all the towns and shops, and the landscape wouldn't be as pretty as it would during the summer months.  We were thinking that perhaps in June, it wouldn't be too hot, and exploring the towns and shops would be more enjoyable, but we'd miss the show.  

Hhmmm....we'd like to know what you think.  If you would be interested in visiting Lancaster County for a retreat, please participate in the poll at the top of the side bar on my blog.  In addition to the retreat, we would either have a bus take us to the quilt show one day in March, or on a shop hop to the many wonderful quilt stores in the county in June.  

It would be a really fun place to visit!  We're off to Brimfield and Sturbridge, Mass in my next post.

Road Trip Back East!!

At noon today, I expect a knock at my front door from my pal, Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters).  She's coming to pick me up for our road trip "back East".  We're leaving work and family behind for a bit of adventure!

Adventure??  Oh, yes....feeling a little "Thelma & Louse"...well kinda, sorta.  We're headed "back East", and I say it that way because we've heard that phrase a lot.  We hear it mainly while antiquing as we're looking for some hard to find treasures.  As we browse the many dealers at a show, we ask..."Do you have _____ (fill in the blank naming any number things you pine for)"?  The dealers responds with, "Oh...I haven't seen one of those in ____ (fill in the blank with years or decades of your choice...we've heard it all).  You have to go back East to find that."

So "back East" it is!!  From here, we'll make our way to visit Lancaster County, Penn, deep in the heart of Amish quilt country!  We'll spend a day there catching the sights, having good eats, perhaps finding a shop or two, and scouting for the treasures that elude us at home.  From there, we're headed to the biggest, bestest, most fabulous antiques show in the US (or so we've heard....that's a lot to live up to!) ever...the Brimfield, Massachusettes Antiques Shows!!!  I can hardly believe we're going!  On Monday, they have a special antique textiles show where we will dig and scrounge for old fabric to use as inspiration for new collections.  The rest of the time will be spent attending many of the 12 different shows going on thru the week.  

With that many shows, and being at "the best shows ever", and given the fact that we will be "back East", we have high hopes of finding the treasures on our antique bucket lists.  Sigh....I sure do hope so.  

Even if we don't, I'm sure it will be a fun-filled adventure.  We'll also be visiting the infamous Sturbridge Village living history museum!!  A dream come true for this Prairie Woman who loves the nineteenth century!  Loads of Civil War Reproduction fabrics have been recreated from the quilts at Sturbridge Village.  Be still my heart!  

Now, rest assured....there will be none of this happening to us!!  

I'm so jazzed about this trip I can hardly stand it. I won't be blogging until I return, but....you can follow our adventure on Facebook!  I'll be posting as often as I can, which means you can come with us to Lancaster, Brimfield, and Sturbridge Village!!  If you aren't on Facebook, don't worry....I'll fill you in about our adventure in my next blog post.  If you've already been to these destinations and have some advice and recommendations for us, send me an email....I'd love to hear from you!  Click here to go to my Facebook page or click on the Facebook icon at the top of the blog sidebar .

Time to hit the road.......

Meet Abigail!

This is Abigail Pin's, a new pattern featuring both of my new fabric collections (for Marcus Fabrics), Pin Money and Prairie Wovens, Dobbies, and Chambray!!  Abigail's Pins is a fun scrappy quilt with easy piecing, available in two sizes...the large quilt measures 82" x 94" and the smaller version is 59" x 71".    If you're thinking of attending my classes at Buggy Barn this coming August, this quilt is the project for one of the classes as it will make for a fun class with good techniques to learn.  The photo doesn't do this quilt justice (photos never do, huh!).  It will be in the Marcus Fabrics booth at quilt market, just in case you're headed there.  Please look for this pattern at your local quilt shop, and if you can't find it there, you can order a pattern right from my website.  But...please do support your local shop by asking for it there first.  

I sure hope you like Abigail...I'm very fond of her!

The Pins & Needles quilt is also headed to quilt market next week.  You may remember I showed some of the blocks in a previous post.  

Well, here are some photos of the quilt just as my friend Ronda finished quilting it. 

My friend Debbie (who works with me) pieced this quilt and she did a wonderful job.  Again, these photos just don't do justice to the quilt.

I think Ronda chose perfect quilting designs for it.  

   
Here's a look at the back of the quilt.  So, so lovely!  Thanks to my pals Debbie and Ronda for lending their talents to making this quilt.  Remember, Pins & Needles is a FREE downloadable pattern.  Click here to get the pattern for yourself!

While these quilts are headed to Spring Market in Portland, OR next week....alas...I am not.  I am  doing something else that may prove to be just as much fun.  I will really miss seeing everyone at market, and seeing all the new stuff, but I'm doing something I've wanted to do for years.....I'll tell ya what I'm up to on Friday!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Winners!

This morning I had the pleasure of drawing three names from all of the wonderful comments I received as entry to my giveaway.  My heartfelt thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit and took the time to comment.  I loved reading each one, and I'm so happy that you enjoyed blog hopping to everyone's blogs.  It was great fun to see all the different blocks, meet new designers, and be inspired by all that creativity.

Now....to the important stuff....the winners!!

Darlene B wrote:
I like the pattern in your header that looks like Bear's Paws.  I went to your website, and when I came back to your blog, I forgot the name of it (something Whimsy?)  My computer is NOT cooperating today, so I can't get back to check it out.  Ugh.  Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Darlene, the quilt in my header that looks like Bear's Paws is called Sweet Rosie.  Actually, it isn't a Bear's Paw, but the entire center of the quilt is made of one block called The Wedding March.  I love it, too, which is why it's on the header.  The "Whimsy" pattern is called Wee Whimsies and is one of two patterns that feature cute little 5" block quilts.   They make wonderful Christmas ornaments, are cute displayed here and there in your home, or a wonderful decoration on a gift bag to a quilter friend!  

Quilter Laura wrote:
I think Blueberry Pie looks delicious!

I think Blueberry Pie is delicious, too!  Blueberry Pie was the very first of my quilts ever published in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  I think it was 2007.  My dear friend, Mary Mc and I designed that quilt together, and I can still remember both of us sitting on the floor of my sewing room in a sea of blue fabrics, picking out the prints and plaids we wanted in the quilt.  Very fond memories!  That quilt is great fun to make, and truly easy breezy!!  You can see other color versions of Blueberry Pie in the gallery on my website.  

Rose wrote:
I love your block.  It's so hard to choose.  I think I love Heart of the Prairie best and Suffragette would be a close second though.

Rose, Heart of the Prairie was inspired by an antique quilt my dear friend Docia owns.  She graciously allowed me to copy her quilt, right down to the colors.  It was a perfect pattern for my first fabric line with Marcus Fabrics, also called Heart of the Prairie.  While the traditional construction of the Carpenter's Wheel block and the LeMoyne Star block calls for set-in Y-seams.....ugh.....I drafted a modern version without the set-in seams!  It's a lovely design (I can say that very humbly 'cause I didn't design the quilt!) that was great fun to piece.  

Congrats to Darlene, Laura, and Rose....and thanks so much to everyone who stopped by to visit my blog celebrating Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine.  I just love sitting down and browsing thru each issue, and I know you will, too, so please be sure to look for your copy at your favorite local quilt shop or newsstand!

Welcome Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Visitors!

It's always a thrill to design new blocks, play with fabrics and layouts, and have your design chosen as one of the 100 blocks for this unique magazine!  This issue, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 7 is just full of great blocks I know you'll want to play with!!  

This issue will be at your local quilt shop and on the newsstands 
May 7th!

Tucked inside, you'll find my block, Towne Square, on page 47.
I made this block using fabrics from my very first fabric line,
Heart of the Prairie for Marcus Fabrics.

The angles within the block create an interesting secondary pattern.

Add some sashing for another look.

Wanna try?  Play with the design and see what you come up with!

How about a give-away??

Visit my website and pick out your favorite 
Heartspun Quilts pattern.  

Then, return to my blog and leave me a comment telling me what pattern you chose.

Your comment will be your entry into my drawing.  
I'll pick several winners who will 

receive their favorite pattern and a few special prizes, 
including a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 7!!!  

Check back Saturday to see if you've won!

Follow the blog tour every day from April 29th thru May 3rd.  
You'll find loads of creative ideas, and lots of prizes to win!  

Have fun and thanks for stopping by to visit!!

PS...check out my last blog post to participate in my next freebie sew~along!  

Announcing My Next Pocket Patchwork Sew~Along!

I'm so excited to give you the preliminary information about my next Pocket Patchwork Sew-Along!  The quilt project is named Nabby's Dowry and it features all of the fabrics from my new fabric line, Pin Money, as well as most of the Prairie Wovens, Dobbies, and Chambray line, too!  You may know that Pin Money was named for First Lady, Abigail Adams, and her daughter's name was Abigail as well, but the entire family called her Nabby.  Perhaps Abigail pieced a scrappy quilt for her daughter?  I liked the thought and that's how I came up with the name.  I know...weird how my mind works!

This will be the largest quilt we've made in my sew~alongs thus far, measuring approximately 36 inches square.  The block size is 6 inches finished, and is very, very scrappy!  There are lots and lots of Half Square Triangles!

I will post the sew~along instructions every Friday for 12 weeks, making it the longest sew-along as well.  But, don't worry...it will be easy, breezy and lots of fun, suitable for all skill levels.   You can certainly use your scraps and choose your own fabrics, but just in case..... 

There is a kit available for Nabby's Dowry!  

What a great way to collect fabrics from both of these collections!  

Click here to see all the fabrics and pre-order a kit!

Click on the link above to see all of the fabrics in the kit for the quilt top and binding.  The kit price is $45.25.  Postage within the U.S. is included as well.  International customers are welcome to participate.  Please read instructions with order information on my website.

PLEASE NOTE:  I am taking pre-orders at this time to best accommodate everyone who desires a kit.  Kits will be shipped in early June, and you will have them before the sew~along begins!  

Here's the fabric yardage you'll need to make Nabby's Dowry from your own fabrics:

10 Assorted light print 10 inch squares

25 assorted medium/dark print 6 inch squares

3/8 yard light print for setting triangles

3/8 yard red print for sashing

1/2 yard brown print for borders

1/3 yard binding

1 1/6 yard backing

The best way receive the weekly instructions for the sew~along is via email.  To get my blog posts via email, simply enter your email address in the "Follow by Email" icon found on the right-hand sidebar of my blog.  That way, you can easily print the sewing instructions!  Remember...the quilt pattern is free!

I look forward to sewing together with each of you once again!  June will be here before we know it!  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Hop Reminder

Just a friendly reminder to join us on the 

Quiltmaker magazine 100 Blocks 

Blog Tour!

It starts Monday morning!

You'll find all the stops on the tour at

quiltmaker.com/quiltypleasures

Come back to my blog on May 2nd for your 

chance to win good stuff!!

Have fun hopping!

Little Blue Schoolhouse Kit Available!

At long last....The Little Blue Schoolhouse kit is available on my website!  It took awhile, but I finally got all of the fabric back in stock to cut more of these kits.   This is an alternate version of my Little Red Schoolhouse pattern made mostly of fabrics from my Heart of the Prairie collection (Marcus Fabrics).  The background and all of the yummy blues are mine, and I chose four reds from other designers.  This project was made exclusively for a workshop, and now that it's past, I can offer it to you!

I designed the block so there's no set-in seams, and uses modern rotary and piecing techniques. It's the perfect red, white and blue project to decorate your home for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July!  

The kit includes all fabrics for the quilt top, backing and binding!  Kit price is just $51.55 and includes postage within the U.S. (International customers, please email me for postage fee.)  
The Little Red Schoolhouse pattern is sold separately.    Unfortunately, I have a limited amount of kits, and when they're gone...they're gone!  Click here for order info.

I recently updated my Facebook page!  I will be posting behind the scenes photos and tidbits there that you won't see anywhere else!  

Click here to Like me on my Facebook page!

The Summer Issue of Primitive Quilts is Here!

At long last, the Summer issue of one of my favorite magazines, Primitive Quilts and Projects has arrived!  I'm delighted to say that both Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters) and I have quilts in this issue.


Last summer, Lynne and I had the pleasure of spending time and teaching a really (really!) fun group of quilters while we cruised to Alaska.  We designed this quilt, which was one of the three projects we made while cruising.  We are, of course, fans of each other's work with very similar tastes, but we also bring creative differences as well.  So,  we decided to put our own twist on the same basic quilt, and that resulted in two different versions of our quilt named Friendship Garden.

Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine ~ Summer 2013 issue ~ Friendship Garden Quilt

You'll notice the same basic elements in both quilts.  I made my quilt entirely from scraps I had of Lynne's Kansas Troubles fabrics (Moda).  I have a lot of KTQ scraps!!  Most of my appliques are wool, with the exception of the red flowers where I English Paper Pieced the hexagon blooms.  I also have a few additional stars, and added our initials.... a nod to my other passion, samplers.  

Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine ~ Summer 2013 issue ~ Friendship Garden Quilt

Lynne's version features her appliques made with her awesome "layered patchwork" technique.  
This technique is easy breezy and a lot of fun to do.  She even used it on her red hexagon blooms! You'll find all the instructions on how to do her layered patchwork in the magazine, and Lynne has a ton (lots and lots) of great patterns that use layered patchwork.  Check out all her patterns on her website KTQuilts.com  

Guess what?  We have kits for both quilts!!  

Quilt kits feature Kansas Troubles fabrics and everything you need is included....buttons, rick rack...the works.  The kit for Lynne's version is $40.95 plus $5.15 for postage.  If you'd like to make my version, the kit is $76.95 (includes wool) plus $10.95 postage.  (Postage prices are for US addresses only.)  You can also purchase the magazine as well.

To order, call Lynne at 785-488-2120 or email her at ktquilts@twinvalley.net

There's a limited supply of kits, so don't delay...order today!

Decision Made

You may remember a few weeks ago when I asked for your opinion about the fabrics in the photo above.  You shared your ideas and thoughts...all of which were great by the way....and did give me lots to think about.  But...in the end, while I love all of the fabrics in the photo, it just wasn't working for me.  So, I set them aside for awhile to work on something else, and decided to go a completely different route.

I chose these fabrics instead.  Same color palette, but I knew when I laid them out that it was right for me.  I've really learned to trust my gut instincts (on many, many things!), and am pretty happy with this combo.  Quilt will be under construction this week, so stay tuned.

Last week, I had the pleasure of returning to the quilt guild of Lodi, Wisconsin.  All I can say is ....lucky me!....as this is a fun and talented group of ladies!!   Thanks, ladies!  I had a wonderful time!!

Spinning Wheel pattern by Heartspun Quilts

I taught my "Mock Needle-turn Applique by Machine" class, and used my brand new  Spinning Wheel pattern (coming soon).  You can see the reel block on the tables.  I loved seeing all the different fabrics everyone chose for their quilt.  I'm very lucky and blessed to spend my day working with quilters!  

I'd love to visit your quilt guild!  I'm presently booking lectures and workshops in 2015.  Click here to see all my lecture and workshop offerings.

Stay tuned as I have lots to share with you this week!  

Visiting The Smithsonian

I'm the only member of my family who has yet to experience the abundant treasures at our nation's capitol.  I'm aiming to fix that this fall and am planning a trip to DC.  Among the many historical offerings there are to see, I'd like to visit the quilt exhibits at the Smithsonian (among the bazillion other things in the museums!).  I'm a bit overwhelmed at the vastness of their website, so I thought I'd ask you, Dear Reader, if you have any advice for me.  I know that sometimes, the Smithsonian has special tours that allow you to see more than the quilts currently on exhibit, and I'll be looking for that info.  

Do you have any advice about the quilt exhibits and collections at the Smithsonian?  Any advice on visiting the Capitol and White House?  I have about 4-5 months to plan ahead.  Any help you can give me is most appreciated.  Thanks a bunch!

Back to my normal blog posts on Monday......

It's Time for a New Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Magazine!

I'm delighted to say that I have a new, original block in the next issue of Quiltmaker magazine!  It's always such a kick to be included, not only in the magazine, but the blog hop festivities as well.  Mark you calendars for the blog hop beginning April 29th.  Click here to read all about the blog hop and to get links every day for all of the participating blog designers.  Don't forget there are tons of prizes and give-aways from all of the designers!

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of the magazine....

  

I'll reveal my block on May 2nd.  Can't wait to show you!  

Lucy's Prairie Pocket Class Coming Soon!

I'll be teaching my  Lucy's Prairie Pockets class on Saturday, April 27th, at my favorite local quilt shop, The Quilt Merchant, in Winfield, IL!  Space is limited, and we'd love to have you join the fun!  Call the shop at 630-480-3000 to sign up!

Join the Fun At Buggy Barn Quilt Show in August!

It is my pleasure to announce that I will be teaching two classes this August at The Buggy Barn's annual Quilt Show and Folk Art Sale!  I was very honored to be chosen to teach at this legendary event!!  Click here to read all about the classes, quilt show and folk art sale.  

Practice What I Preach Quilt Project

I'll be teaching my most popular workshop, 
Practice What I Preach, where you'll learn tons of hints, tips and tricks on the most commonly used quilt units and blocks for a darling quilt.  


The second class is for a brand new pattern called Abigail's Pins, featuring all the fabrics from my new collections, Pin Money and Prairie Wovens!  (Photo coming soon!)

Contact Pam & Janet at Buggy Barn to add your name to the list.  Classes fill very quickly, I'm told, so don't delay.  It just wouldn't be the same without you!