The Pattern Place has a new look

Well, with some toil and a little struggle the renovations to
The Pattern Place web presence are complete, mostly. We are still working a few little bugs out - so if you see any please let me know :) I am now re-focused and excited about new patterns and maybe some new pattern example projects, we will have to see.
I have been invited to join a wonderful quilting group and I am absolutely loving it. It is a real joy to be with other quilters and breathe in their energy and creativity. Thank you ladies, I look forward to the next few months and some great afternoons.
My three year old and I decided that we need a St. Patrick's Day decoration for our house. Love that. So, if the day goes as planned she and I will have a shamrock banner to show for our efforts. So fun. No pictures yet but maybe tomorrow?
Happy Quilting


We had such a great day making our shamrock banner, follow the link to see a picture of it nearly finished. We added and green 3" border and tried a new to me binding/backing technique. It all worked out quite well. Love you big girl.

Thread Storage for Applique Quilting

Ahh I love good gadgets, ones that keep me slightly organized are especially good. So my latest treasures are the Bobbin Mates from EZ quilting. Love them. I like to keep the bobbin and thread close together, just in case I need to know where they both are :) Some projects just have to have the same color in both the top and the bottom and so with these nifty little things I can still store my thread and keep their 'mate' at hand. I am patiently researching the perfect thread holder still but soon my collection will require its own storage solution. So much fun.

The sewing room received a good clean and sort, even purged a few things! So I had to take a picture -it won't look this way for long. New patterns are on their way from The Pattern Place and I am in the mood for a quilt just for me, crazy I know. We hope that Spring is in the air at your house like it is at ours, Happy Quilting.

Looking forward to March

My how time flies, I can't believe it's almost March. I have been busy at the machine, the quilting frame and my computer - who needs to sleep ;) We at The Pattern Place are looking forward to our copy of the next issue of Quilter's Connection Magazine, a wonderful Canadian publication. The magazine is beautiful and worth the little bit of looking to get your copy.

Farmyard Friends is off the quilting frame and just needs binding and some final photos. We think it is our favorite so far but then we always think that about the newest pattern :) I was so thrilled and rewarded when my three year old saw the finished top for the first time. She ran over and said "Wow, it's beautiful." Strong words from the girliest girl I know. Then she started counting the animal appliques, too cool. I love making applique quilts and now with the influence of our children, our cousins and family friends - my designers brain won't turn off! Not the worst problem in the world just not the most sleep producing ;) Our princess design is complete and up on deck at the cutting table, then I have a great cat tale and butterfly applique project. It is the final touch to my sister's wedding quilt, I hope to have it done before their next anniversary. Their fourth anniversary but who's counting. Well time to get off the computer, get to that binding and settle in for some serious Olympic fun.
GO Canada GO

Farmyard Fun

Well I just can't hold this one on anymore. It's not quite finished but almost. I am very pleased with how it is turning out. So here's a sneak peak at our newest pattern, Farmyard Friends. Six critters and all the things you need for a really great farm. Once our example project is completely finished look for the full project pattern on The Pattern Place website.

Things, like normal, are very busy around our house and life seems to be moving faster and faster. I am very thankful for my quilting outlet and the quiet pleasure it brings. I do wish there was 34 hours in a day and that my 1 yr old would have a long nap every afternoon though. I am very grateful for my children, they are wonderful and very patient with their mom.

My dreams are filled with my next project and Pattern Place design, so many ideas. I do have a three year old princess who needs and quilt, as I was informed just before Christmas. So I think I am headed into the land of fairytale castles, coaches and maybe a magic wand? Very fun indeed. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions for the 'must haves' of a princess quilt. Well someone has to make dinner around here, oh right that's my job!! Happy Quilting.

Happy December and Applique Ornaments

Well, its here!! I am almost as excited for Christmas this year as my 3 year old is, almost. I am so looking forward to good friends, food and fun!! We are trying to be ready before the crush of crowds begin to lets say take away from your Christmas spirit, wish me luck as I wish the same for you!!

The studio has been a busy place lately and we are getting close to having our projects finished, on time even. This latest pattern more or less made itself, so nice when this happens. Gingerbread Family Applique Pattern is now up and ready for quick and easy download direct from our website, The Pattern Place.
I was inspired by a good friend and my box of ornament exchange ornaments to create this pattern. I love versatile designs, they literally lend themselves to sooooo many fun projects. Embellish these little guys, or girls to fit a specific theme or color. The sky is the limit.
Leave a comment, send me an email or visit us on Facebook and let me know your ideas, I have coupons that would make this a free download from the website for all those I hear from. A Christmas gift for this magical time of the year. Then when you have your project finished, send me a picture and we will post them to the website. I love show and tell and to give away more coupons. Happy Quilting.

More Grandmother's Flower Garden Fun

The only thing I love more than applique quilting is teaching new quilters different applique techniques. I had a wonderful opportunity to teach a wonderful group of ladies an intro Grandmother's Flower Garden project. We appliqued a single flower to a simple quilt sandwich. One day I will put mine in the frame I have yet to stain, so many projects.

It is such a compliment to have someone send photos of their projects. Thanks Lisa for these great pictures and for being such a great mom to your children and bus kids.Quilting @ the Provincial Semi Finals, Yes this is my RED hair I wear it and CHEER LOUD!!!

Making Grandmothers flowers, out of my Grandmas old clothes.

Quilting on the bus. (not while I'm driving!!!!)

Showing off some of my flowers! I get 1 1/2 done a day, only do it on the bus,
or I wouldn't get anything done!!!!!!!!!

So I am thrilled to share my love for creating future treasures with those around me, I am so blessed. I am looking forward to the beginning of December and a girls trip to Las Vegas. A little shopping and little seeing the sites and a few quilt stores if I am lucky. I plan to bring along my own Grandmother's Flower Garden, this beautiful quilt is becoming quite the world traveler. Of course I will post pictures when I get home. Life is good, Happy Quilting

Fall Fun and Machine Quilting

How the time flies, three weeks out of commission with a nasty cold makes a month go by faster, I guess. Our colds are just about gone and so here I am back at my computer.

We had two of the cutest trick-or-treaters, a Panda and a Skunk. Our oldest collected some candy this year, it was very entertaining and lots of fun.

Between the nose blowing and the apple juice I was able to get some projects finished. My Joy to the World by Nancy Halverson quilting group project is DONE, awaiting quilting and binding. I am very excited to see the other ladies complete their projects.

I was also able to complete the top of a special project, we'll talk about that later.

So now we have my quilting frame up and an old friend being worked on. I have a little rule about quilting a pieced top from the "archives" before quilting a new project. It helps to get as much practice as possible and to have some quilts to show for all my time spent at the machine. This is I think, the third quilt I ever made. It's a machine pieced drunkard's path, crazy for a newbie - I don't suggest it. I was inexperienced when selecting my fabrics so ya, not my favorite but a great tea party blanket for my girls.

I love to quilt my own quilts, its so much fun. I get overly frustrated at times but at the end of it all it's a great way to spend an afternoon.