SnugglesQuilts's Blog

The Snow is Back!

2011-03-07T22:41:00Z

Hello everyone!

The snow is back in north Iowa, but I don't think it will be around long. Spring is not too far off. Wishful thinking?

Two new patterns of mine are now on my web site http://www.snugglesquilts.com The patterns are #194 Basket Banter and #195 Basket Weave Stars. I have photos of both of these at the bottom of this post. I am excited to have these out on the market. Also, I have four more patterns that will be coming soon. I have sent all my information to my web person and, as we speak, things are getting updated. Hopefully, those will be up in April. If you are on Facebook, check out my page for Snuggles Quilts to get a preview http://tinyurl.com/http-4snugglesquilts

My book has been out for a month and I am so pleased with the reception! There are a couple of nice reviews out there already. Hopefully, there will be more good feedback to come!

Well, back to the design board for the day. Happy Quilting!

Basket Banter Basket Weave Stars

Visit this cool blog!

2011-02-22T17:46:00Z

My quilt, Checkerboard Stars, from my new book will be included on the Forty-Two Quilts Blog's Wednesday Quilt Show. This is designer Jenifer ***'s blog. She has a new book from Kansas City Star Books called The Circuit Rider's Quilt. Looks awesome! Have fun! Here's my quilt:

Here is the link to the blog: http://milo-designs.blogspot.com/

Today is the Day!

2011-02-08T21:48:00Z

My book, Scrap Quilts Go Country, is out today! I am excited to report that it is being shipped to quilt stores around the country as I type this message. I love creating scrap quilts and I hope you will take the opportunity to look my book when you see it. Below are a few of the projects in the book that I can now show you.

Right now, it is really, really cold here in north Iowa so it is a great time to work on more new projects. Happy Quilting!

Winter was made for quilting!

2011-01-17T15:34:00Z

Good Morning! I hope everyone is enjoying the new year. Are you working on a new project or are you keeping that "New Year's Resolution" to finish up all those UFOs? For me, the only good thing about winter is I don't want to go outside, so I have to look for something to do inside....and I do get more quilting time because of that. As you can guess, I am not a "winter sports" person.

I was really excited last week to receive an advance copy of my new book from Martingale! It will be on sale on February 8th. This book has been in the works for over a year so I am ready for it to be on the market. My goal was to write a book using mostly strips and fats to create some fun, scrappy projects. There are nine projects of various sizes that are entirely pieced or pieced and appliqued. I think they are really fun! I hope you agree. Look for my book at your favorite quilt shop in February. Below is a copy of the book cover. Martingale actually chose my favorite project for the cover!

Happy Quilting!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T19:28:00Z

I hope everyone has had a great holiday season! We are really cold here in north Iowa today. I've got my feet up and I'm watching football as the turkey roasts in the oven. I think I may get a little quilting done today.

The purpose of my post today is to announce the winner of the free 1 year subscription to The Quilt Pattern Magazine. The winner is: Rosemary Dempster!

Don't for get to check out this great new magazine! Go to http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com to get your subscription today!

Hello from snowy Iowa!

2010-12-11T17:07:00Z

As I'm writing this, the snow is falling and blowing here in north Iowa. I think it's a little to early for all of this, but when it's before Christmas, I don't mind too much. Once January comes, I'd like it to be out of here! Ha Ha! Like that will happen. If this is your first time visiting my blog, welcome! Feel free to look at my previous blog posts to see what I have been up to! I am a quilt pattern designer who has been designing and selling quilt patterns for about 7 years. I have a book out from Martingale & Company called Country Fresh Quilts. My new book, Scrap Quilts Go Country, will be in stores February 7, 2011. I am so excited!

Speaking of January.....that marks the inaugural issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine! This is an all new online magazine that will be full of great patterns and other quilting information. I have a pattern in this magazine for the table runner/wall hanging shown here. I'm so excited to be in the first ever issue of this magazine!

To subscribe to the magazine and get more information on this great new publication, go to http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com

To see more patterns I have designed or to view my books, feel free to visit my web site at http://www.snugglesquilts.com

To comment on this blog post, send me an e-mail at snugglesquilts@hotmail.com or contact me through my web site. One of you will be chosen to win a free 1 year subscription to The Quilt Pattern Magazine!

Happy Quilting!

Cold Winter Days!

2010-12-07T15:56:00Z

Yes, the cold has set in here in north Iowa. The snow has fallen and so have the temps! As I write, I have my little space heater going in my studio and with the door closed, I seem to be able to warm up the room enough to make it comfy. I wanted to let those of you who are on Facebook know that I have created a Facebook page for my pattern business. Look up Snuggles Quilts Pattern Company and you will see information on my upcoming patterns and tentative release dates. I'm trying to find as many ways as I can to promote my business and this is just another one. Welcome to the 21st century (as my daughter would say!) So, pay me a visit if you are on Facebook and let your other quitling Facebook friends know!

Get ready for another great magazine. This one is an online one! It's called The Quilt Pattern Magazine. I have a pattern in that magazine called Garden of Stars. It is a pattern that is pieced and, depending on which appliques you choose, can be a wall hanging or a table runner. I will post more about the magazine and the project next week. Meanwhile, click here to see a preview on the magazine:

http://quiltpatternmagazine.com/

This looks to be a fun magazine!

Happy quilting everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

2010-11-23T15:47:00Z

Good Morning! Boy it's really cold here in north Iowa. The thermometer says 14 degrees! That's January weather usually. I certainly hope it warms up a bit. If January weather is starting now....I'm in trouble!

I wanted to thank all of you who commented on my block in the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks issue. It's been fun to be involved with this magazine. I will be in the next issue as well. I believe will be out in May of 2011 so I'm really excited!

I spent the weekend finishing the set up of my mid-arm quilt table and machine. I had a friend who was upgrading to a long-arm and wanted to sell her smaller table. It's a Little Gracie II. I bought a Janome 1600 to go with it. I also have a stitch regulator on it. It's going to be really fun to work on. I do all my quilting right now on my small machine (except for lap size or larger quilts) so I am familiar with machine quilting. I'm excited to practice. I've got some large scraps (translation: ugly fabric that I can not figure out why I bought it!) that i will sandwich up and practice on. I'll keep you posted on my progress. If anyone of you has a mid-arm and have any advice for me, I'd be glad to hear it. Any bit helps. Below is a photo of my machine.

Well, I'm off to get started on my day. I have a new pattern I'm working on and hopefully it will work out the way I want it. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for a healthy, happy family, great friends and, of course, quilting!

And the winner of the drawing is ....

2010-11-12T05:33:00Z

Sherri M.!

e-mail address given was: sherrim@mvdsl.com

I will contact you, Sherri, by e-mail so I can get information to Quiltmaker for your prize.  Congratulations!

And to all who visited my blog for the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks blog tour, thank you!  I hope you enjoyed it and are 
looking forward to the next time!

Be sure to look for the  magazine on newsstands next week.

Deanne

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks

2010-11-09T15:26:00Z

Welcome blog tourists!

I was so excited to be included in this issue! This is my second time appearing in a Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks issue. I didn’t have a blog the first time I was in the magazine so I am excited to participate this time. Check out my blog archives to see what I have been up to since I began the blog this summer.

I have been designing and marketing my own patterns since 2003. My love is combining traditional piecing and appliqué to make unique creations. I also love to design seasonal and holiday themed items. Feel free to view my web site: http://www.snugglesquilts.com. I also have a book called “Country Fresh Quilts” published in 2008 by Martingale & Co. My next book “Scrap Quilts Go Country” will be out in February of 2011.

My block is called “Tulip Twist”. I wanted to create a pieced flower themed block and not use any appliqué. I created my block in “cool” colors, but I feel you can adapt this block to any color family you like.

Here is my block:

To make a quick and colorful table runner, follow the direction in the magazine to make three Tulip Twist blocks and then join them into a row. Next add 2 1/4” borders to the sides. You will need to cut 2 border strips 2 1/4 x 36 1/2 for the long sides and 2 border strips 2 1/4 x 16 for the short sides (about 1/4 yard of fabric will be plenty). Join the long border strips to the block row first, then the short strips. The finished runner will measure 16 x 40.

Look for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks on newsstands November 16th or visit http://www.quiltmaker.com/100blocks to purchase an issue. Be sure to visit the Quiltmaker blog at http://www.quiltmaker.com/quiltypleasures where you will be eligible for great prizes!

I will be drawing a name from those who comment here and you will receive a free issue of the magazine! Leave a comment here and come back Friday, November 12th to see if you are a winner!

Work Spaces and Big Dreams!

2010-10-25T20:57:00Z

I was thinking about work spaces the other day and thought I'd do an informal survey. Where do you do your quilting? Do you have a permanent set up or do you have to take everything out and then put it away when you are done? We are lucky to have an extra room in our house on the main floor. It is intended to be a fourth bedroom, but we started using it as an office when we moved in 13 years ago. It's still partially an office (computer, TV and large desk for files, etc) but I was able to convince my husband to let me set up my sewing space in the remaining area. Now, don't get too jealous....the whole room measures about 10' x 10'. Subtract about 3 feet for the area the desk, TV, etc take up and that leaves me about a 7 x 10' area.

I really am thrilled though! I salvaged an old kitchen cabinet for my cutting table which gives me great height for cutting (36"), put in some build-it-yourself shelves and drawers and put shelves in the closet and there you go....instant workspace. I lined the outside of the closet doors with picnic table clothes with the felted underside out for a design wall. I only have room for a small ironing board so when I have to iron large pieces of fabric, I do have to take them to the laundry room. Oh well, nothing's perfect!

Would I trade my space for a large, airy, studio? Yes! But this shows, you can make do with what you have. Even if it's just half of a spare room. Two great assets in this room are the large east and south facing windows. Now that I would not trade. Even on a snowy, winter day being able to enjoy looking outside while sewing is a great mood lifter!

Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour I am in for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue. I will post a photo of my block when it's time for the tour. It happens November 8-12. You can tour many designer's blogs, see their blocks and be eligible for prizes. Look for the magazine on newsstands in November!

Summer's Back?

2010-10-11T14:18:00Z

Seriously, last time I posted, it was really cool fall weather. Now we've had several days in a row where we've been in the upper 70s to 80s ...even one day close to 90! Clear skies and dry weather has helped the farmers in our area get their crops out of the fields. I know Mother Nature will be bringing us back to reality soon, so I'll enjoy it while I can.

The results are in. After polling here and on other sites, I have decided to name my basket pattern "Basket Banter". That was the name that received the most votes. (see my last blog post for the photo of this project). I'm now busily at work on my next projects. One is called "Basketweave Stars" that has a lap quilt and table runner. It's all piecing and no applique. It's also made with all fat quarters! The quilt is not quite done yet. I'm still adding a border that will be scalloped and it has to be quilted by my long arm quilter, but I'll post a photo below. The other projects I'm working on is a series of scrappy pieced and appliqued small wall hangings/table toppers. I'm really excited about these as I think they can be appliqued with fabric or wool! I can't wait to try.

Well, time to get to the sewing machine! Happy quilting to you today!

Fall is here!

2010-09-28T14:04:00Z

Good morning everyone! Fall weather is starting to creep in and it makes me start thinking about winter. Oh no! I'm not ready for that. Hopefully, we will continue with mild fall temps for a long while. But, as the weather gets cooler, it does give us more time inside to quilt, doesn't it? I am working on a new pattern and will post a photo here below. It is a set of seasonal basket wall hangings. I am trying to come up with a name for the pattern and maybe you can help. Give me an idea of which name you like from the following list:

Basket Banter

Basket Chatter

Basket Chat

Basket Wisdom

I have two previous patterns called "Pillow Talk" and "Pillow Talk, Too!" so I am trying to come up with the same type of "catchy" title here.

What do you think? Any of those titles for the pattern sound good? Thanks for all the help!!

Stay tuned for the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Blog Tour coming in November. You have a chance to win great prizes from Quiltmaker magazine and also win a copy of the 100 Blocks magazine by visiting my blog on the day of the "tour". I will keep you posted on the blog tour dates and other information as the time approaches. There are many designers taking part so there is a chance to visit many creative blogs and websites.

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the day and keep stitching!

Summer is Hanging On!

2010-09-13T20:36:00Z

As I write this it is a 76 degree, not a cloud in the sky day here in North Iowa. I love it when it stays warm like this into September. The winter lasts long enough as it is. I don't need it starting any sooner than it has to. I started my fall decorating though. It's fun to get those pumpkins and mums out around the house. The gardens have been groomed for fall (which took all weekend!) so here we go. Unfortunately, today I have lots of work to do so I am looking out at this beautiful weather. I may just kick off my shoes in a bit and take a swing on the hammock.

I have finished two of my latest patterns and they are on their way to the distributors next week. I have the samples traveling with two of them to the fall quilt market in Houston as well. Hopefully, I will get some good feedback on those. I am excited to be included in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue that will be on newsstands November 16th. Designers have contributed blocks that are published as basically a "block book". The 1st volume last year was a huge success (I also had a block in that one). Look for it on newsstands; it's a really fun magazine. As the release date gets closer, I will post more information and also a picture of the block I designed. Meanwhile, I will post a photo here of one of my new designs called "Autumn Breezes". I do love to design season themed patterns!

Well, that's all for now. Happy Quilting!

Back to Quilting!

2010-08-17T13:44:00Z

Now that summer is winding down and I am getting ready to move my daughter back to college and get my son settled into junior year in high school, I think I can finally get some work done. I had a busy month with visiting family (from out of state) and a little family vacation of our own to Kansas City.

I've been working on a seasonal basket pattern that I think will be colorful and fun. It's on the drawing board right now. I'll post some photos later. I have some exciting news! I have a block that will be appearing in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 2, Winter '10 issue that will be out on the newsstands on November 16th. I was involved in the first issue and am really excited to be included in this issue as well. You'll have to look for this magazine when it goes on sale. It's a fun collection of quilt blocks submitted by many different quilt pattern designers. I also will have a quilt pattern in the October/November issue of McCall's Quick Quilts called "Starfield Blooms". I am posting a photo of it here. This issue goes on sale August 10th. Here's a link to some additional information:

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/quickquilts/articles/Starfield_Blooms

Hope you all have enjoyed your summer too!