Artful Offerings by Karina Hittle

We are delighted to feature Karina Hittle of Artful Offerings. Her designs have been seen in top quilting magazines. Artful Offerings takes clever designs and adds whimsy to create something new. Karina has paired her patterns beautifully with a variety of fabric collections seen at the Fat Quarter Shop.

First, a heartfelt thank you to the Fat Quarter Shop for the wonderful opportunity to guest blog! We truly appreciate it. Let me start out by introducing our small Artful Offerings team. My name is Karina Hittle and I am the lead designer and owner of the Artful Offerings design studio. My husband Audie helps mostly with the business side of Artful Offerings, time permitting. He also works for a software and systems company. Audie and I are high school sweethearts (we actually took high school art classes together) and we enjoy working and being together whenever we can. In addition, we feel that our team consists of dozens of individuals, friends and alliance partners, who advise and support Artful Offerings in numerous ways.

The Artful Offerings studio is located in our walkout basement that we’re remodeling to create an attractive and functional workspace with large windows to allow for plenty of light and a great view of the outdoors. Our studio and home are nestled in the breathtaking woodlands and wetlands of northeastern Massachusetts. We are delighted to announce that on July 1 Artful Offerings celebrates seven years of continuous growth. In that time we have published nearly 120 Artful Offerings’ branded patterns and about 100 more in books, magazines and commissioned and/or licensed works!

We offer an eclectic mix of creatively fresh patterns that feature a wide variety of designs, such as purses and totes, baby quilts and diaper bags, wall quilts, runners and pillows, wool appliqués and a selection of punch-needle patterns. An ongoing effort that Audie and I work on together and have a lot of fun with is creating clever names for our designs. For instance, our Diamonds in the Ruffle pattern is a play on words from the phrase “diamonds in the rough.” We suggest a variation of the design for baby boy’s called Diamonds in the Ruff, which omits the ruffle on the mini diaper bag, and the cuddle quilt is finished with a traditional binding in place of the ruffle.

Now for a quick look at three of our newest patterns featured at Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh last month. These reveal a peek into our design thinking and trends. The first pattern is our Six in the City purse. It is said that variety is the spice of life, and this chic little bag is so fun and incredibly easy to make, that you’ll find you can’t make just one! Each of these six bags are perfect for a casual affair or a day in the city. In addition, the collection of Spring Magic fabric by April Cornell, offers a fantastic material palette from which to make any or all of these bags if you choose. No more baggy linings as this purse features Karina’s Easy Sung Fit™ Lining and directions for all six bag variations are included.

The second design is our Diamonds in the Ruffle pattern, featuring a cuddle quilt and mini diaper bag that use the fun and colorful Wonderland fabric collection by Momo. We think this darling tufted cuddle quilt is a "gem," perfectly sized to tag-a-long with precious baby! Use the mini diaper bag for a quick dash to the market. It features one extra large interior pocket, one small exterior pocket and enough room for a diaper or two, plus travel necessities. The diamonds are "set" using a unique fusible machine appliqué technique that keeps the diamond edges durable and the centers soft and cuddly!

The third pattern is Triple Treat Tote, which features one quilted tote in three easy styles! Like many of my patterns, beautiful fabrics can help inspire the design. In this case, the tote was inspired by the beautiful Teatime floral fabrics designed by Holly Holderman of Lakehouse Dry Goods. Directions for a bow tote, a button tote and a pocket tote are included in the pattern. The tote features two large interior pockets and one exterior key pocket located on the back.

In addition to always thinking about new pattern designs using the latest fabrics, we are currently designing and building an all new website! We’re also looking forward to working with some new materials and alliance partners, such as the Cosmo Embroidery Floss and Cotton Fabrics by Lecien! We also plan to integrate some stitchery into our new Fall 2009 designs.

Please check out the FREE patterns page on our website for some fun and unique designs which can be used as accessories with your existing favorites or made to compliment some of our patterns. Our website also keeps up to date with our newest offerings and details of the complete Artful Offerings’ pattern portfolio. Customer service is of primary importance to us, so please feel free to contact us through any of the website email links, or directly at ArtfulOfferings@aol.com, anytime with questions, comments or suggestions. Thanks so much for the opportunity to connect with you via the Jolly Jabber blog. Please stay in touch…

Kind Regards,
Karina of Artful Offerings

Green Piece Block of the Month

There is nothing more exciting than beginning a new project, especially our new Moda Green Piece Block of the Month! This quilt is truly a representation of the ultimate quilting art form! A sturdy tree stands in the center of the quilt, surrounded by both pieced and appliqued blocks.

Get your creative juices flowing by joining us for this incredible experience! We are making every effort to "go the extra mile" to provide you with a block of the month unlike one you will find anywhere else.

Each month we have included a color card and detailed color photos of each block, detailed piecing instructions, wool appliqué templates for both fusible web and freezer paper options.

There is no need for hesitation about the wool appliqué. We are providing you with two pages of detailed directions and extra "wool handling" tips, written just for us by Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilt and Gift Company! We are also including a flying geese tutorial that you will use again and again!

Like all of our block of the month programs, we are testing every part of the project so that it will be perfect by the time it reaches your hands! There will be no fabric substitutions in our kit so your quilt will be exactly as pictured!

We are providing you with extra fabric with over 14 yards of cotton fabrics, plus our specialty wool kit. This is more fabric, in larger pieces, than Moda recommended for the project, just in case! There are just not enough adjectives to describe the benefits you will enjoy by signing up for the Fat Quarter Shop's Moda You Green Piece Block of the Month!

Sign up today -- We have already placed our fabric order and once we sell out of our memberships we will not be adding new spots!

Jolly Jabber Block Lottery EXTENDED

** Edit: The Jolly Jabber Block Lottery has ended! Thanks for participating! **

Hi all! You may remember our announcement back in May about the Jolly Jabber Block Lottery, and subsequent Lottery updates. We cannot BELIEVE it's already been a MONTH since then, with all the busyness of Spring Market and new clubs (like the reveal of Pennsylvania Dutch BOM, Anne Sutton's A Vintage Christmas BOM, Joanna Figueroa's Fig Tree Club, Moda's Green Piece BOM--more on that tomorrow!, and of course the start of the 2009 Designer Mystery BOM).

Yeah -- that's a lot!!! Also, we're still getting comments from people who want to join in!

Anyhoo, because of all that we did not want to let the Block Lottery get lost in the shuffle, so we are extending the deadline until Friday, July 17.

P.S. E-mail Jocelyn@FatQuarterShop.com if you have sent blocks! We want to make sure we've received all of the ones sent so far!

If you haven't heard about our Block Lottery yet, go to our original post for details. Basically, submit a block (or two or three!) for a chance to win a set of blocks or a Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop!

You can see the blocks have already been submitted on our Jolly Jabber Block Lottery Gallery! We've seen some awesome ones so far. They could be yours! ;)

Here's just a taste... From Megumi Koga, Carol Todd, Jedde Jargensen, Calee Himes, and Michelle Rodriguez. Pretty amazin', right??

Dance With Me by Jennifer Paganelli

Jennifer Paganelli has done it again with her newest collection, Dance With Me. It is cheery enough to get everyone in the summer mood. This collection uses bright graphics, and elegant florals to create a look uniquely her own. We can't wait to see what new patterns she comes up with to complete the carefree look of Dance With Me.

No coincidence that Dance With Me spins out right after Flower Power and Pretty Please. I wanted to do a multicolored line that played off the previous collections, and yet significantly strayed from the obvious Sis Boom Signature style. The feedback has been sensational.

Across all lifestyle products Dance With Me has captured the mood of what quilters and the world want right now, which is to be entertained. Tired of the same old same old, I think Dance With Me is a refreshing departure for any sewer!

The quilts I've seen are light, but saturated with color. Make certain to find the quilt Marsha Moore did on the Free Spirit site she poked fun at the octagonal cheater by making an octagonal quilt. I love the cheater for all that it is! It has a Lilly-esque quality that was a coincidence but nevertheless Lilly Pulitzer is one of my idols!! Happy is as happy does and these fabrics make everyone happy. Just so you know when this launches there will be a raffle for a pile of Dance With Me fat quarters over at my place for a week.

Dance With Me is a mood, so put on your favorite music and revel in the syncopated beat. It truly is a line to celebrate. Big thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for allowing me to do some shameless cheerleading . . . love you guys!!

Jennifer Paganelli
Sis Boom Day Dreams
Sis Boom Fabrics

Winter Joy by Sue Zipkin

Sue Zipkin's newest winter line for Clothworks has us excited for the holiday season...though I guess we still have a bit to wait! Winter Joy is the name, and it's just bursting with these juicy colors -- blues, plums, greens, pinks and reds! Check out these celebrating snowmen and starry snowflakes! There's also a free quilt pattern using the adorable panel here. It's got us dreaming about a...purple...winter :)

I am so excited to be back at the Jolly Jabber jabbering with you! I was delighted to hear that my "Winter Joy" fabric collection by Clothworks has arrived just in time for your "summer" sewing projects. I loved creating this collection. It was a lot of fun to work with Clothworks on developing this whimsical winter story. This is my first snowman collection with Clothworks and I couldn't be more pleased with the way it came out.


When I was a little girl one of my favorite things to draw were snowmen and winter wonderlands. As an adult I am blessed to be able recapture the enchantment of childhood as I create my happy snowmen. The winter is a visually magical time. There is something about sparkling snow and glistening lights during the holiday season that has always inspired me as an artist. I never tire of creating snowmen.

In 2001 I designed a dinnerware collection called "Sweet Shoppe Christmas" it was based on my top selling design called "Sweet Shoppe", the holiday pattern was a huge success it is still being manufactured and collected today. I would love to see Sweet Shoppe Christmas owners who sew create some fun and festive tablecloths and other kitchen textile items with "Winter Joy" fabric collection. Even though the designs are different they mix and match well together.

Please send me pictures of your "Winter Joy" creations! I would be delighted to post them on my blog.

Sue Zipkin
Sue Zipkin's Blog

Debbie's Recipe Box: Posole Marcello

Posole Marcello. Posole Soup is a traditional Southwestern dish, popular in New Mexico and old Mexico for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Legend has it that it is a good cure for "The Morning After". Click on the image for a printable PDF!

P.S. Don't forget about our first Jolly Jabber Block Lottery! Send us a block and you might win a smorgasbord of blocks right back!

Hedgerow by Lynette Anderson

Lynette Anderson graces our blog again today to talk about her second collection for Henry Glass Fabrics, called Hedgerow. Inspired by idyllic summer days from her childhood, it boasts bright, rich, yet subdued country colors -- deep blue, rich red, field green, woodsy brown and cream. She livens the mood with little birds, flowers, and butterflies on her prints, making it a great collection for a country cottage kind of home!

G'day from downunder,

What an exciting year it has been for me, a dream come true, designing not one but two fabrics collections. Hedgerow is my first everyday collection with Henry Glass Fabrics. I grew up in a small village in the UK, during the summer months my brother and I played in the hedgerows around our home and it felt right that this my first everyday fabric line should be reminiscent of those happy times when the butterflies, flowers and birds were a part of our everyday lives.

It has been such an exciting process, from my first little paintings to the paper samples showing how my fabric will look to the yummy fabrics ready to be made into something special.

Here the three amigos are 'testing' the new quilt. The pattern for this quilt is available to download free. I have chosen not to put the green into my quilt like it's shown in the pattern as my sitting room is predominantly blues and creams. The fabric is gorgeous to work with and was a delight to quilt. Elizabeth who does my machine quilting has used cotton batting in this quilt.

This is some close up detail of another quilt we have just finished which will be featured in one of our Australian magazines, Quilters Companion later this year. If you like the look of either of these quilts then it may be a good idea to stock up on the fabric now before it's all gone!

Be sure to come and visit me on my blog and let me know what you think of Hedgerow.

Lynette Anderson
Lynette Anderson Designs

New Patterns from Thimble Blossoms

Today we have the 2nd half of the Bonnie & Camille team, bloggin' on her latest round of spunktacular patterns. Why do I say spunktacular? Besides it being fun to say, in my definition it fits Camille's bill. Her Thimble Blossoms designs are spectacularly classy with a punch of modern spunk, with whimsical applique and fun, bright colors. We definitely were wild about these at Market. If you haven't already, check out these newest goodies! We know you'll get addicted...much like Camille's addiction to a certain soda...? :P Oh, and be sure to hop on over to her blog wish her a belated b-day if you haven't already!

Hello again!

I guess it is about time I blogged for the Jolly Jabber again, it has been too long! Thing have been buzzing over here at Thimble Blossoms lately, with 5 brand new patterns, a new line of fabric, and a trip to Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, there has hardly been time to breathe! In a good way though. If there can be a good way to not find time to breathe...(?)

Anyhow, I've been dying to show you my five newest patterns, which just might be my favorite so far. Do I say that every time? First off is Abundance (at top left), which features our newest line of fabric for Moda, Simple Abundance. This uses a Layer Cake and is a piece of cake to put together.

Late Bloomer is a Layer Cake pattern that uses our first line of fabric with Moda, Cotton Blossoms. This quilt was featured in the January issue of Australian Homespun Magazine.

If you are tired of your old tomato pin cushion, you should definitely try On Pins and Needles. These fun little pin cushions are addicting (you've been warned). If you have been thinking about starting some hexagons, but wanted to try it out before dedicating your life to them, here is your chance!

Pint-sized is a pattern with two baby quilts, both 'pint-sized' versions of some of my top sellers, Wild Thing and Jelly Filled. (PS, look for it in kit form at the Fat Quarter Shop soon!) Is it just me, or is everything even more adorable when its tiny? I used Wonderland by Momo for Moda for these quilts and got hooked. Can't get enough Momo!

And last but not least, Bliss. Quite possibly my favorite quilt so far, this quilt uses just a few pieces from Simple Abundance, and is just... sweet. I heart this one. A lot.

That's it for now, better get back to the munchkins and the... 11(?) projects I've got going. Make sure you stop by my blog soon, there's always fun stuff going on over there...

Have a good one!

Camille
www.thimbleblossoms.com (website)
www.camilleroskelley.com (blog)

Sandy Gervais' New Blog

Hi guys! We briefly interrupt your Tuesday afternoon to bring you this announcement: Sandy Gervais, fabulous pattern designer and one of the Moda darlings, has a new blog! Here's what she has to say about it...

Finally Pieces From My Heart is catching up with the rest of the world – we have started a blog! My plan is to update once a week. My blog will feature new products as they arrive on the market and general "stuff" about life here in Iowa. Go to Pieces From My Heart by Sandy Gervais to follow the everyday happenings at Pieces From My Heart.

Hope you can join us!

From My Heart,
Sandy Gervais

Just in case that isn't enough to entice you...she has this little gem of a photo up. 'Nuff said :) So go send her some love!

Lantern Bloom by Laura Gunn

We were so curious when we were first shown Lantern Bloom -- had never seen anything quite like it. It's so earthy, textured, painterly, and just captivating. It compels you to reach out and touch it! So of course we became curious about Laura Gunn, the artiste behind this new Michael Miller line. At Market we had the opportunity and pleasure of chatting with her, and she is all that (pardon the 90s phrase) -- sweet, cute, talented, one-of-a-kind and a busy mom-trepreneur as well!

Hi there, Fat Quarter readers!

I'm so glad to have a chance to talk to you about about my new fabric line with Michael Miller Fabrics--the Lantern Bloom collection. I'm a painter by trade and my fabric was created from my original artwork. I paint with a lot of texture and layers of colors and it really come through on the fabric. I've had a blast working with it. It's great for quilts, home dec, and women's and children's clothing.

There are two free quilt patterns available from Michael Miller using Lantern Bloom. (I love free stuff!!!!) The Early Bird quilt is a very basic quilt for beginning sewers. Anyone, I mean anyone, can sew this charming quilt. The Climbing Lantern Pods quilt is an exquisite quilt created by Marinda Stewart.

A friend and I are also coming out with a line of sewing patterns. We want to reach out to sewers of all levels of experience with these patterns. A sewing project doesn't need to be complex to be cool, right?

So get ready for some serious (or not so serious) sewing. I hope you enjoy working with Lantern Bloom as much as I have.

Laura Gunn
Paint in My Hair

French Hatbox by Tanya Whelan

Tanya Whelan has kept us busy this week. What with two of her fabulous Grand Revival Designs bag patterns getting some magazine love (Flea Market Bag and Practical Bag, if you're wondering), as well as the recent release of her fourth line for Free Spirit Fabrics, French Hatbox. This collection crosses country charm with French elegance! Sweet and pretty becomes lush and glorious. With bright bouquets, clean dots, and intricate fleur de lis medallions in soft spring and summer hues, add this line in your stash, if only to admire it!

Hi Everyone!

As I write this guest post for the fabulous Fat Quarter Shop blog I can't help but be excited that the Fat Quarter Shop and me (well really my fabric line Darla and my Practical Bag Pattern) got a mention in the July issue of Martha Stewart Living! A super nice way to start the summer I think.

But, I'm really here to talk about my latest collection for Free Spirit, French Hatbox. I think it's definitely the softest, most romantic collection I've done but it for sure has a bit of candy colored pop to it as well. Totally inspired by 19th century French designs, like those I saw and loved at the Metropolitan Museum Costume exhibit when I was a kid. The simplicity, the detail, the total embrace of femininity of design from that time never fails to wow me.

This collection draws on the romantic florals of the period but with a modern, spare simple and clean approach. I used soft ground colors with pops of fuschia in the petals of the roses and then used saturated candy colors like hot pink, grass green, and Tiffany Blue in other designs to complement and make the softer colors come alive. I love to make pillows with the soft florals and then "frame" them with a more saturated colored ruffle. Think Sophia Coppola's movie "Marie Antoinette" which put a brilliant, modern and super girly twist on the look of the 18th century interiors.

So, I hope you like it!! I personally seriously want to cover some hat boxes in it, but I've already at least made some super sweet ruffled pillows, twirly skirts for my girl and started a little patchwork somethin', I'm not sure what with it.

Thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for letting me blog today and thank you have FQS blog readers for reading my post!


Have a great summer all!!!
Tanya Whelan
Grand Revival Designs
Grand Revival Designs Blog

New Patterns from The Pattern Basket

We've loved every The Pattern Basket pattern design to come through our shop doors. They are always whimsical, elegant, vibrant and fresh. And her choice is fabrics is delish as well! Margot Languedoc's newest designs are no exception. Dressed in flowers, butterflies, and baby bottles, if appliqué is your thing, then these will truly delight you! Also check out her blog for sneak peeks of her design wall!

Thank you so much Kimberly for your sweet invitation to guest blog. This is so much fun!

First, a little about me. My name is Margot Languedoc -- I know, it’s quite a mouthful! My first name is pronounced Margo (the ‘t’ is silent) and my last name is pronounced Longa-doc. I am the designer and owner of the The Pattern Basket. I have been designing quilts for the past four years and enjoying every minute of it. My studio is in the house that my husband and I built on an old Christmas tree farm in a very small town called Dunrobin, Ontario, outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s Capital. We moved here from city living and I am loving country life. Visit my blog to see whoo! are some of our new friends.

My seven new patterns are finished and have arrived here at the Fat Quarter Shop. So exciting!! I hope you will love them as much as I do. They were so much fun to create. As you can tell, I am crazy about Moda pre-cuts. Five of my new patterns were designed to use them, and with Moda’s fabric designers creating beautiful fabric collections the combination is perfect to work with. Two of my new patterns -- Icing on the Cake and Daisy Roll -- feature a 3 Sisters collection called Glacé and two more -- Sew Pretty Apron and Sugar Drops -- feature Patisserie by Fig Tree Quilts. These new Moda collections are so beautiful and timeless they provided me with endless inspiration! My Butterfly Bliss pattern was designed with Beach House by Blackbird Designs, such pretty warm colors … I love it!

These designs feature more appliqué than I usually include in my patterns. I have a fantastic appliqué method and homemade starch recipe that I want to share with you. I have talked with many quilters and some are not completely happy with the appliqué techniques they have tried. But this one is great because it is so simple, fast and most of all has a wonderful finish with fine cotton embroidery thread. If machine appliqué isn’t your favourite thing, this method might change the way you feel about it! Come visit my appliqué tutorial.

Every time I finish a new pattern it’s such a wonderful feeling! I feel very lucky to be able to spend my days quilting and designing with beautiful fabric. Today it’s back to my studio to work on more new patterns. They’ll be coming soon, so come by and see what’s being created at The Pattern Basket!

Margot
The Pattern Basket
The Pattern Basket Blog

Crazy Eight by Sandy Gervais

"Crazy" is that Christmas comes in June. I think that's pretty crazy at least, with temperatures here in Texas nearing the triple digits. (Oh, that will not be fun next week when it gets there...) So yes, I think Crazy Eight is an apt name for a Christmas line! Although it refers to something else entirely (see panel below) we think Sandy Gervais' newest line for Moda Fabrics is perfect for the season! It's fun, and the contrast of cream, red & pink, blue & aqua, and an olive-y green have got us grinning! Be sure to check out all the cuts and quilt kits we have exclusively at Fat Quarter Shop!

It is June, and here in Iowa we had the furnace running last night! One would think Christmas is right around the corner. Well, in the fabric world it is not just around the corner, it is here right now. My Christmas line of fabric Crazy Eight has arrived!

This Christmas line was especially fun to paint out. Each of these crazy little reindeer took on their own personality as I painted them out. (My favorite one is the fourth one from the left along the fence.) This line is painted out in traditional colors of reds, greens and navy with pops of pink and blue to add interest.

There are two parts to the panel, the large part with the eight reindeer and the small part with eight individual motif squares that can be cut apart and made into blocks, or used to make tags or cards. I designed a pattern for each part of the panel, plus a pattern for each of the Moda Pre-cuts. You can buy all of these patterns right here at Fat Quarter Shop.

Start stitching today and you will be all ready for the Christmas season when it arrives!

Have a Merry Christmas!

From my heart,
Sandy Gervais
Pieces From My Heart

Anka's Treasures Giveaway Winners

Hi guys! Time to announce our two winners of Heather Peterson's Sizzlin' Sixties book giveaway from last week's post! They are...

*Drumroll*

Stina said... "They are so so lovely...have looked for them in Sweden..but not out here yet.. Lovely patterns and quilts!!! :o))" (Guess you won't have to look anymore!)

Gwendie said..."I love the cover of Sizzlin' Sixties. All the bright fabrics are so cheerful!" (Agreed!)

E-mail Jocelyn@FatQuarterShop to claim your prize, and have fun ladies! And show us what you do with it!

A Vintage Christmas BOM

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs seems to always know exactly what we girls like. No matter what your age, style, or background, there is a timeless elegance to her style that speaks to all of us. Fat Quarter Shop is proudly offering her newest beauty, A Vintage Christmas Block of the Month. It's a pink Christmas quilt (yes, pink) that you will adore! Presents, houses, bows, reindeer, bells, and a happy little snowman...so cheery and sweet! We start this BOM in July, so join us soon for your very own Pink Christmas!

A little Christmas present was the unexpected start of "A Vintage Christmas" quilt. My home is always decorated in the vintage style that I love, so the idea of a "vintage" style quilt is not a new one. Sometimes as designers, we just need a little push to get us going! A week before Christmas last year, my friend Brigette arrived with a present wrapped in pink paper. When I opened the gift I knew how special it was!

This sign says so much about me! From this "A Vintage Christmas" was inspired…

I designed "A Vintage Christmas" as a quilt that could easily hang every season in my own home. A quilt that would make my glitter houses sparkle, and my vintage ornaments look a bit more aged. Why, even my little pink sheep would be happy displayed in front of this quilt.

When Renee Nanneman of Need’l Love sent me a bundle of her newest line, Stone Cottage from Andover, I knew it was the perfect fabric! Add some Glacé from Moda Fabrics and the combination touched my heart! I wanted elegant with a touch of whimsy, old world with that aged look. I hope you’ll find all of this in "A Vintage Christmas".

Many "vintage" years ago when I was a little girl, my father would tell me a Christmas story of how he was the "real" Santa Claus. I would fall asleep waiting for him to arrive with his reindeer and a sleigh filled with presents, for me, of course. These are the reindeer across the top of the quilt! And as for the presents, I’m sharing them with all of you.

A big thank you to Kimberly at the Fat Quarter Shop for working so hard to bring you the same fabrics I used for my own. A block of the month from her is always a special treat! I hope you enjoy making "A Vintage Christmas".


Anne Sutton
Bunny Hill Designs
Bunny Tales