The Irish Chain

Thingamajigs

2012-02-26T06:31:00.003-08:00

I haven't totally abandoned my blog, although one might think that..

I have my new line of fabric up on my web site- www.irishchain.com If you'd like to see it click on the purchase fabric tab and scroll down to Thingamajigs...

The quilt posted in the last post will be in the June July issue of 'Quilt' magazine and I also have a block coming out in the Spring issue of 100 blocks by 100 designers. It's a shamrock block. I also submitted a small quilt using the block. I'm not sure if it's going in the mag, but I hope so!
Happy Quilting!

2011-10-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

I've been neglecting my blog. It's quilt market time and I've been sewing nonstop.

The quilt pictured is one I've done for Blank Quilting Fabrics. Funny thing is that another designer did a quilt that is the same style; applique medallion center, set on point, border and pieced border. Great minds think alike! Anyway, I'm working on another one in the same fabrics plus a lot(!) more. It's a more contemporary style and uses the Quilted Jewel templates and most likely will become a pattern. I hope to have the top done by Monday so I can get to the quilting. I'll post a picture of that one soon. The quilt done by the other quilter was a different fabric grouping. Hopefully I can get a picture of it at market.

Other market projects include quilts and new table skirts for Timeless Treasures, a 7 foot Tall Pine for Hoffman fabrics and other small projects for TT and Blank.
Pictures to come!
Happy Quilting!

2011-09-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to The Quilter Magazine. I have a quilt featured in the Oct./Nov. issue. It's called Madison Garden Squared. The fabric is from Blank Quilting.

http://thequiltermag.com/

I'm adding a new template to the Quilted Jewels series. This will be a diamond shape for cutting a small diamond the same size as piece A. I'll post a picture soon, my first shipment is on it's way.

If you happen to be in Madison, WI next week, check out the Quilt Expo at the Alliant Energy Center- http://wiquiltexpo.com/
I'll be in a booth with my template manufacturer-Sew Craft. Be sure to stop by!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

2011-07-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's finally done! The Tall Pines pattern is ready for sale, at long last. This tree pattern uses the Quilted Jewels Template set.

So far, I've just been using batiks for the trees but I have some fabulous Cherry Wood hand dyed fabrics for a couple more. I enjoy working with the batiks and hand dyeds since I don't need to worry about the right or wrong side as much. I have a tree with a night sky planned and that one will include some crystal for stars.

The really long tree is quilt is 7-1/2 feet tall and the shorter version is 4 feet. I have a place to hang the tall one, if I can just get the hubby to get the ladder out......OK, I need to quilt it first but then he'll be getting out the ladder and hanging it in our split entryway. I guess I should check the wall and make sure it will fit.

The small Christmas tree quilt has those little plastic lights sewn onto it and in the right lighting, they almost look lit. I know there are some out there that are battery powered, I'm going to look for them and when I find a source, I'll post it.

I also did a quilt that was 3 pines in a row with sashing and a border, which would make a great over the sofa quilt. It didn't make the cut for the front cover of the pattern. The four quilts shown are on the pattern cover and hopefully will give enough inspiration to anyone making the pattern.

Happy Quilting!

2011-06-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a fun blog posting that shows how a sewing machine works. Just the thread part but it's worth taking a look at. Copy and paste it to your browser.

http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/09/how-a-sewing-machine-works.html

Happy Quilting!

Quilt Market

2011-06-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

I'm re-posting a picture. For some odd reason the picture of the quilt for Blank in my last post has disappeared. So here it is again.....let's see what happens this time!

I was going to add another picture from quilt market but Google isn't allowing that at the moment. Go figure!

I was a quilt retreat this weekend and came home early to attend the wedding vow renewal ceremony celebrating the 25th wedding anniversary of some of our dear friends. I did, however, get most of my Tall tree quilts done. Just need to add the corner triangles (this means math!) add borders, quilt and bind. I'll post those pictures when they are completed.
Maybe even later this week!
Happy quilting!

Quilt Mrket

2011-06-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Time to post a couple of pictures from quilt market. The 2 on the top are my quilts in my batting companies booth. Well, not really mine but they supply my batting and use my quilts whenever they do a market. Works great for both of us. The company is Air-Lite manufacturing and they are working on a website. If you'd like info on their products, please email me and I can get you contact info. The main batting I use is 85% cotton/15% poly. Works great, not too thick and has a nice hand.

The third picture is a quilt I did for Blank Quilting fabrics and it will be in the fall issue of Fabric Trends. When I get it back I'll be selling it. A security guard at the convention center liked it so well, he wants to buy it! Can't be that. Heaven knows I have enough quilts in my home already!

It was a great market. I met lots of people and had a couple of nice dinners with groups of people that I didn't really know and I made some good contacts. I also spent way too much $$$ but then, I always do that. I picked up FQ bundles, some Bali Pops from Hoffman and some notions to resell when I go to speak to guilds. So none of it was for me, really!

In the top right picture you can see some pine tree quilts. This will be my new pattern, simply called Tall Trees. It will be out in a couple of weeks, I'm working on an additional quilt this weekend-a 8 foot long version of the tree. I'm hoping to keep it under 24" wide. It will be perfect for the long wall in a split level entry into a home (my hubby is not going to like climbing up there to hang it, hehehe) or any long and narrow space. There will be a table runner, A Christmas tree and the really tall trees in this pattern and this pattern will use the Quilted Jewels Templates.

I better get at it!
Happy Quilting!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! Even if you're not a mom, you probably nurture someone in some way so that counts in my book.

Baby Evelyn was helping me quilt one day a couple of weeks ago. At 14 weeks her little arms aren't quite coordinated enough to grab things and they're too short to touch what shouldn't be touched. However, we won't be quilting together much like this, I loose a bit of coordination holding her and the quilt.

Quilt market is this week. So after church this morning and a stop at the local fabric store for a couple of supplies I'll be back at the machine. I'm almost ready for market. Just one big quilt to quilt (minimal quilting on this one) finish a table skirt and a pair of baby overalls. I'm hoping to do one more quilt for my newest pattern but we'll see how that goes. There is still patterns to print and stuff and quilts to pack and all the little things to do before a trip out of town, like a pedicure which is needed after this long winter

Have a blessed Sunday and happy quilting!

New Quilts

2011-04-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hello from the sweatshop. OK, It's not that bad but... Have you ever heard that song, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"? I'm kind of feeling that way right now. The Int'l Quilt Market is just a week and a half away.

So, I thought I'd take a break and show you a few pictures of quilts that I've done for market. These three were done for Timeless Treasures Fabrics (TT) and will be displayed in their booth.

The Floral quilt is a line of fabric called 'Blossom'. This quilt pattern is my design and will be a free download on the Timeless website. It will fit a twin bed.

The Hunter's Star (pink/green batiks) is done from the 10" squares and 2-1/2" strips. Timeless has wonderful batiks, or Tongas, as they call them. This design came from a book and I'm sorry I can't remember the name at the moment but I'll post it later. I sent the book back to TT when I finished the quilt.

The Twister quilt is in flannel (green and beige) and it is done with templates, It's fairly easy. The templates are just called Twister and Lil' Twister from Country Schoolhouse I'm sure you can get them at your local quilt shop. There is also a book (a pattern comes with the templates).

I still have 2 quilts to make, one for TT and one for Blank Quilting. Na d a few garments and I need to finish up a couple of my quilts! I'm working on a pine tree pattern using my Quilted Jewels template set. I'll be posing pictures soon and the pattern will be available by the end of May (hopefully!).

Quilt Market is a trade show for shop owners to see new products, fabrics and gadgets. It's a little slice of heaven for quilters. After market I'll post pictures so that you can see what the Quilt Market is like if you're not familiar with it.

Happy Quilting!

The studio

2011-03-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

You know those lovely books with the fabulous pictures of sewing studios of the stars? Yeah, me, too. I thought I'd post some reality for how the rest of us live!

The first two pictures are the area where I do my sewing and goofing off, er, writing on the computer (click on them to enlarge). It's pretty tidy by my normal standards. In the first picture you can see my cutting table. It's usually piled much higher with whatever and a space is cleared when I need to cut. I'm sure none of you ever do this! The bench is an old tool makers bench my husband bought from where he works before we got married. I sanded and painted it black. It's oak and weighs a ton, if we ever move I don't know what will happen to it as we had to take out both patio doors to get it into the room. You can also see a buffet that my hubby refinished, it has my quilting books and some fabric in it. He also refinished the drawer units from old treadle sewing machines that are sitting on top of the buffet at each end. On the wall, by the patio door, is an old medicine cabinet that holds thread.

The other room is where I quilt. We recently put in 'new' carpet which came from my sisters bedroom in her home when they re carpeted. This is also a 'shop' room that has a door into the garage. We didn't want to spend lots of money on carpet since there is lots of heavy traffic, i.e. dirty shoes, dog, etc., coming into this area. New shelving, bins, baskets and a valance on the window made the room look much more homey than it did before. I quilt on big George (an APQS George machine) in the back and do my bindings on little George (Brother PQ1500) in the front. Oh, I name may sewing machines, by the way.

The shelving unit was about $40 (Lowe's) and the bins were $4 to $8 (Walmart) each so it was pretty reasonable to put together. My hubby bought it as a Christmas gift. It was more for him since he really doesn't like the clutter of my sewing stuff but I'm way ok with that.

The black and gold tool box on the right side of the table is from Plano and my kids bought it for me at a local big box hardware store. It's perfect for taking my Featherweight to a class. the Machine fits in the bottom, sewing supplies in the top and it was only $35, or so.
My hubby also has a tool bench in this room.

One thing I'd like to add is more lighting to my rooms. I have some day-light type bulbs but let's face it, they aren't very bright. I'm going to add a couple more lamps.

OK, you might be wondering about my fabric stash. Well, you'll notice the crock in picture 2, there is fabric in it. We have several of those that contain fabric, I have a linen closet full and three other big plastic totes (a couple are in the garage) and several small ones with various collections. Maybe when my son moves out I'll be able to take over his room and have it all in one place!

Lastly, I have one of those flannel design walls that are collapsible and fit into a tote bag. I really don't use it much but when I need it, it's pretty handy.

I hope that my sewing studio pictures have given you some ideas for your own space. If you have any great ideas for storage, please share them!
Happy Quilting!

New pattern

2011-03-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Just a note to let you all know the Quilted Jewel tote bag pattern is now up on the web site. Click on patterns at the top of the page. The Quilted Jewel patterns are on the right side, just scroll down.

I'm headed off to a quilt retreat on Sunday and it goes to Wednesday. This is at the Lake Wappogasset Bible camp in Amery, WI. Camp Wapo is a Lutheran Bible camp set between 2 lakes, just wonderful! Great views and a huge sewing area (or scrap booking, or....). They have, of course, many Bible camps but they also rent out the facilities to other groups. My local guild has had 8 retreats there over the years and I'm going to one put on by the camp itself. Nice group of ladies and all so welcoming! I didn't know any of them before I went last spring. They must have liked me, asked me to come back for the fall retreat. Quilters are the best.

I'm hoping to accomplish a lot while there, mainly the piecing and design of the new pine tree quilt using the template set. I always have lots of packing before a retreat. Don't we always need to take at least 1/2 the sewing room? Oh, and way more projects than we can possibly get done. Since it's during the workweek, I need to take the lap top (thank goodness for wifi) and cell phone. On the up-side, no cooking or laundry!

So, tell me, when you go on a quilt retreat what are your 'must haves'? I take my chair and a lamp (maybe 2 this time). I go overboard on taking thread. I just have to have the right color! I also have it to share for others that aren't threadaholics like me.
Happy quilting!

Just news

2011-02-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

HI everyone! I hope this day finds you all well and quilting up a storm! Hmmm, maybe a bad choice of words considering our weather of late.

I'm currently working on some new fabrics designs for Blank quilting fabrics. They will be another line of black and whites and hopefully I can post some ideas soon. In the meantime, if you haven't done this, you can go to Blank's web-site (on the right is a link) and sign up for the Eye for Design. When they have a new grouping, they'll send you an email of the potential fabrics and you can help choose what goes to print! Lots of fun!

I'm also working on 2 new patterns using the Quilted Jewel templates. One will be pine trees, including a bed quilt, a couple of wall hangings and a another Christmas tree skirt. The other pattern will be a casserole carrier. Both should be available in May. I'll be introducing them at the Spring quilt market. I'll post a picture of the Pine tree block soon!

My daughter, son-in-law and baby Evelyn have been here over the weekend. Tough to get any work done with the little bundle of cuteness here!

2011-02-09T06:16:00.001-08:00

I haven't been quilting. I have a good reason: our new grand daughter, Evelyn Joyce. She was born on 1/31, weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 oz and was 19" long. She's really a pretty baby and I'm not just saying that because I'm her g-ma, she really is.

There lots of hair on this little one! My daughter, Lindsay, and son-in-law, Adam, prayed for lots of hair and a small, healthy baby and that's what they were blessed with.

I was able to spend last week with them so I didn't get much quilting in. I did make some large pillow-case like sacks that my daughter is using as sheets for the cradle. Easy to slip on the smaller size mattress. The cradle was made by my Adams grandpa when Adam was a baby. I also made a cover for Lindsay's C-shaped nursing pillow that she's been using to prop the baby in. Seems Evelyn likes sleeping sort of propped up.

I also started hand piecing a quilt. On my way out the door to Lindsay's place, I grabbed a bunch of red and white fabrics that I'd had for few years, a set of Ardco metal templates and and notions for sewing. I did get about 6 blocks done and I'll post those at some point. I'm doing a Texas Star and you can see the whole line of templates at www.ardcotemplates.com. I'm using the 8" block but I'm using the outer edge of the template for my sewing line and the block is 9-1/2", I'll get the quilt done just that mauch quicker. So, I have 3 hand pieced quilts going now. I really should concentrate on finishing one of them but what's the fun in that?

Happy quilting!

how to have a happy relationship with your professional quilter.

2011-01-25T15:12:00.000-08:00

I'm a quilter and I have a pet peeve. It's quilt borders that WON'T LIE FLAT!

There, I said it and I feel better.

I do quilting for others and I find that there may be some lazy quilters out there. Or, maybe it's just that by the time they get to the borders, they just want to git 'er done! Or, maybe proper border application was something they've missed. Well, I've taken off many a border and re sewn them to customers' quilts so that I could actually quilt the quilt. With this in mind, I decided to post simple directions for adding borders to your quilt top so they aren't wavy, (not that any of YOU do them incorrectly, I'm just saying...) I'm also planning on giving these directions to all my customers!

Determine the Length of Side Borders

Measure the quilt from top to bottom through its vertical midpoint.
Cut two border strips that match the measurement exactly, using the width you've already determined looks best with the quilt. Borders made with crosswise grain strips are somewhat stretchier than lengthwise grain border strips, but either type is suitable.

Sew Side Borders to the Quilt

Find the center of the long side of the border strip, pin to mark this point. Find the quilt's horizontal center and place a pin in this point.
Pin the border to the side of the quilt, right sides together matching the center points. Pin through both layers at the match to keep them from shifting.
Match and pin the bottom end of the border to the bottom edge of the quilt, then match and pin the other end to the top edge of the quilt.
Continue matching and pinning the border to the entire side of the quilt, pinning at close intervals if you must ease in fullness to coax the two lengths to match. Raw edges should be aligned along the quilt's entire side.
Sew the border to the quilt with a 1/4" seam allowance, removing pins as the needle approaches them. If you had to ease in fullness, sew with the longest piece next to the feed dogs.
Press the seam allowance towards the border.
Use the same method to sew the remaining border to the opposite side of the quilt.

Determine Top & Bottom Border Length

Measure the quilt from side-to-side through its horizontal midpoint, including the width of the side borders. Cut two borders this length.
Find the center of the border strip and mark with a pin. Pin the center of the border strip to the vertical center at the top of the quilt, right sides together and raw edges matched.
Continue matching and pinning the border to the quilt just as you did side borders, working with ends first then matching and pinning the remaining length.
Sew the border to the quilt with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam allowance towards the border.
Repeat to sew the bottom border to the quilt.
Repeat all steps if you want to add another border around the first.

DO NOT just sew your border strip onto the quilt and cut it off even with the quilt edge when you get to the end! This results in a wavy quilt that does not lay flat and is very difficult to baste or load on the quilt machine. ALWAYS measure, measure, measure!

2011-01-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Time for a quilt picture to hopefully brighten your day. 'In Bloom' is a quilt I designed for Timeless Treasures for the fall market in Houston, TX. I think the fabric is gorgeous. Timeless hung this quilt in one of there 'windows' at quilt market (I'll post pictures after the spring market in May that will show more of what I do for them and Blank quilting fabrics).

I love the challenge of finding ways to use border stripes without driving quilters crazy with wasting fabric, trying to do too much matching, etc. I think this is one of the best designs I've done. If you like this quilt, kits are available from Quilt Cove (web link to the right) and Keepsake Quilting. I'm always thrilled to have a quilt in Keepsake, it's almost like being in a magazine! I'm making another one just like it right now for a shop sample for Quilt Cove.

When I design a pattern for the fabric companies, they retain the rights to it for a year, I'm then free to use it as I wish. I think this will become a pattern in my line. It uses a 34" square of fabric for the center and as long as the fabric isn't directional, it will showcase one of those pieces you just don't want to cut. The quilt is 77" square overall and I think that when it's time to add it to my pattern line I will add an option of blocks at either end that will make it fit a bed. Untill then, I'll be searching for another floral line to use that will be more current at the release of the pattern. Quilts like this look great laying on a bed 'on point' over a plain bedspread.

If you ever have questions about the design process, etc. please feel free to contact me!

Happy quilting!

It's a new year

2011-01-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

Even though we are a week into the new year, I still would like to extend the blessings of happiness, great health and prosperity to all. This is going to be an exciting year.

I've been really slack posting the last couple of weeks. My daughter, who is 4 weeks away from having our first grandchild, was here over Christmas so no posting for me. My niece and a friend of my daughter's had a lovely shower for her last Sunday. Hard to get all those goodies, luggage and the dog back into the car for her drive home!
I must admit to not having started a quilt for baby Evelyn. The plan is for later this week. I have fabric, a pattern, just lack time. But then, we seem to make time for what is really important, don't we? She's not going without blankies, great grandma crocheted 2 beautiful afghans for her.

So, in my quilting world this week, I am doing the final editing of the BOM patterns for Blank (the quilt pictures posted a few weeks back) and getting some quilting finished for others. It's that quilting that usually makes the college tuition payments, etc.!
After that I'm beginning work on a couple of new patterns that will use my Quilted Jewels templates. I'm doing a pine tree quilt that will have many sizes from small wall hanging to bed size quilt. I may even include a Christmas tree skirt in with this one. I'm excited about the possibilities! Hoffman Fabrics was kind enough to supply a fabulous assortment of green batiks for the trees. Another pattern will be a casserole carrier (or Hot Dish carrier, as we say in Minnesota). You can all keep me on task by frequently emailing me and asking if they are done!

Below is a link to a humorous song about Minnesota winter. I can relate!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ii8lwN-edA

Happy quilting!

2010-12-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

Glory to God in the Highest! I just want to wish a Merry Christmas to all and I pray for God's great blessings for you. May you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Thank you all for supporting my business and just having followers on my blog is a great encouragement!

We have over 26" of snow so far this December, so no need to DREAM of a white Christmas we have one! A lovely sugar coating last night. Well, in as much as 5" is a sugar coating. We had 4" last Monday which changed over to drizzle. I shoveled a bit at my church and it was like creme brulee' (spelling!), the ice was just like the carmelized sugar coating on the vanilla pudding. MMMM.

So, why so much talk of snow? Well, it's a blessing. In Minnesota there are so many businesses that rely on it; ski slopes, plow companies, even the hardware stores ran out of shovels and snow blowers last week, everything was back ordered. Christmas shopping even picks up after the first snow, it gets people in the holiday mood. I love it!

Snow also reminds us of God's redeeming love. Did you know it's mentioned 22 times in scripture? A couple of my favorite verses are: Isaiah 55:10&11- For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
It shows that God's word does not fail. And, on Monday we had rain AND snow, I call that a double blessing!

Pictured is a view this morning out the patio door of the area where I sew. It's brighter out than the picture shows. The sun is peaking out even though fluffy flakes are still coming down.

Have a wonderful day!

The Love Of Quilting magazine

2010-12-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

HI everyone! Welcome to a snowy December. I understand we are supposed to get about 8" of the fluffy white stuff later today. Good day to stay home and quilt, but what day isn't? I do quilting for others and I have LOADS to do. Some are gifts so I need to get crackin' on those.

I have a quilt featured in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine, the January issue. I just picked my copy up at Barnes and Noble, couldn't wait to get mine in the mail! My quilt is Diamond Joy and it features my Quilted Jewels template set. There are paper templates in the magazine but plexiglass is so much better! There are 2 versions in the magazine, the darker one shown below and a smaller, light version. The fabric was designed by Hoodie for Blank quilting fabrics.

The quilts shown in the magazine are the pattern that comes with the template set. There are 3 others; Bling, the Christmas Tree Skirt & table topper and Tote bags (the tote bag pattern will be on my website very soon!). I'm working on couple more using the templates, one will be pine trees and the other, a casserole carrier and hobo style tote bag. So many ideas, so little time!!!

Back to the quilting machine!
May your points be pointy!

2010-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Time for another quilt! This is the green version of the BOM for Blank Quilting. I'm not sure which one I like better, I'm leaning toward the blue quilt posted earlier.

The colors are so vivid! Another great photo done by Charles Kopelson.

Again, it should be available in stores in January if everything goes as planned. Hopefully I can provide some stores for you to contact, if you're interested.

I'm up to my eyeballs in quilts to quilt for others. Some for Christmas gifts, some are just Christmas quilts. I'm happy for the work! My son is in college and any of you with kids in school know that means $$$! Lots of $$$!

Are any of you doing Christmas or Hanukkah quilts? What kind? Table runners, lap, bed size?I was hoping to make a couple of quilts for gifts but time is getting short, I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet! I know I don't need to shop for fabric (except in my own stash) so maybe there is hope for a couple of small ones.
Do you have a favorite pattern when you need a quick quilt? My personal favorite is the Double Irish Chain. OK, it's not just because it's my business name. I can do them fast and if you happen to have a copy of "Time For a Chain" by Possibilities and follow their cutting and pressing guidelines it may become one of your favorites as well.

Of course, I also have a favorite among my patterns and that would Be "Bless My Stars". It's an easy quilt and is one that looks more difficult than it is. Check it out on my website.
Happy Quilting!

2010-11-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

HI everyone! I want to wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving and God's best to you throughout the holiday season. May you have the kind of peace and Joy that only He brings!

I have a fabulous cranberry salsa recipe that I think originally came out of the Mpls. Star/tribune newspaper. It's for one batch, but you might as well make 2. Like I said, it's fabulous! I had a 3lb bag of cranberries and quadrupled it when I made it today.
Here goes:
12 oz bag of cranberries, wash and drained
1 cup water
1 cup sugar (I usually use a bit less)
1 whole green onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon cilantro
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 tablespoon diced jalapenos

Bring the water and sugar to a boil. Add the cranberries and boil about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and gently stir in the remaining ingredients. Cool. Serve with chips or as your side for the turkey.

I'm sorry I didn't post this when you'd actually be able to get to the store and get everything but, I'm sure you've got some Christmas parties to attend. It will be a big hit!

I hope you all get some sewing done over this long weekend.
Happy quilting!

the incident

2010-11-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Here's another new quilt design. This is a BOM that I designed for Blank Quilting Fabrics. It will be available in January. I'm sorry I don't have access to a list of shops that carry it but as I find out a few, I'll post links to them.

There is also a version with a green background and the colors are a little bit more on the Autumn side. It's a 9 month BOM and it's big, 86 x 104-ish. The fabric is the Splash line from Blank which is their basic line. The colors are great, some blend a couple of colors, some are more solid. I'm shipping the green quilt off to Blank today and I'll post a picture after I get the really good photo back from the photograher. He does a fabulous job.

You'll notice the green/yellow block in the lower right corner. I have affectionately named that one the John Deere block.

I'm writing the pattern for the BOM today and I'm thinking of digging into my batik stash to make more blocks as I write. I think I'll do rusts, golds, purples, oranges, etc. I have enough of one fabric for the light center, I think. It's a dark cream and it shouldn't be too hard to find coordinates later on.

So, about the incident mentioned above. I was binding a quilt the other day and managed to sew into my index finger. Right through the nail. Ugh. Thank goodness for Vicodin, hehehe. It's still slightly tender but fortunately it was my left hand (I'm a righty) so I was able to finish the binding after the throbbing subsided. Learn from my mistakes; watch your fingers!
Happy quilting everyone!

The retreat

2010-11-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!

I got home from the quilt retreat late afternoon yesterday and what a great time we had! Now to recover. Sleeping is always optional at a quilt retreat and I need to make up for staying up very late sewing. I think most of us gauge our bedtime by the frequency of mistakes.

I did get quite a bit accomplished. The quilt pictured is the one I mentioned last week that I needed to enlarge. I didn't need to take too much apart to redo it. And even though it's not as big as I had originally planned, it's large enough to get a good color sense. It's my Doo dads fabric and the pink and green Twinkle. I used one block from the Bling! pattern.

I also made a quilt top for my son's bed (time to replace that ratty one he's been using that now belongs to Daisy the dog) and a Minkee/chenille/flannel baby quilt top for the shop I work at I finished all of the blocks (another version of Bling!) done for a twin size quilt in '30's fabrics. I would have completed the top but the yellow fabric I had for setting the blocks was a rather poor quality and I decided not to use it. Hmm, must go shopping.

While at the retreat, which was in Amery, WI, there was quite a snow storm. We only got about 3" in Amery but there was about 8" in Inver Grove Hts, where I live. Heavy, wet stuff that I did not have to shovel, whew! We were hoping to get snowed in at the retreat center but no such luck. I had enough projects for a week of sewing.

I'm done retreating until next spring so I need to put everything away and try to organize a bit.
Blech.
Happy Monday everyone!

yesterday

2010-11-11T05:26:00.000-08:00

Wow! Thank you all that took time to visit my blog and share comments! As I commented yesterday, quilter's are the best. I truly appreciate your encouraging words.

I'm off to a quilt retreat this weekend so I need to pack my projects. I always take way too many but it's good to have variety, isn't it? Something may not be coming out as planned or maybe I've grown tired of a project, need to be able to switch to another project. I guess running to a quilt shop to get a new one would be fun but Heaven knows I have plenty already.

So how many projects do you all take to a retreat? 1, 2, 15? I think I'm taking at least six. A couple are UFOs, the rest have yet to be started. One that I WILL GET DONE this weekend is a quilt from my black and white Doo Dads line and the pink and green Twinkle (see it on my web site). I'm using the quilted Jewel template set. I stated this particular project the afternoon before heading to quilt market. It was going to be a throw size quilt but the later it got in the evening the smaller the sample became, It's about the size of a bathroom rug. I'll be separating the rows of blocks and adding until it's a decent size. Picture to come, maybe Monday.

Have a great weekend, get lots done and may your points be pointy!

Fabric and fun

2010-11-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

It's my blog tour day as part of the 100 blocks magazine.

First thing I want to do is thank all of the staff involved in the making of the magazine. What a nice group! They kept us well informed and put together another wonderful issue. I know I'll be using both volumes for reference for a long time!

Next, I now have my line of fabric available for sale on my web page. It's the black and white Doo Dads collection. Next is a few colors of Splash followed by the Twinkle group designed by Yolonda Fundora. I added the bright colors because the go so well with B&W. They really add POP to your quilts. All are made by Blank Quilting fabrics.

If you like the B&Ws check out the Square Dancing pattern in my pattern section. It would look great with the Doo Dads and Twinkle. Look for the fabric and pattern tabs on my home page.

Have a quilty day and may all your points be pointy!

www.irishchain.com
www.quiltmaker.com

100 blocks blog tour

2010-11-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

It's here! The blog tour for the 100 blocks by 100 designers! My day is Wednesday the 10th. Since I'm so new to the blogoshere I'm not sure what I will be adding but there are lots of other great designers with wonderful blocks to share.

Greetings

2010-11-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is the first blog from The Irish Chain. I'm hoping to keep it up to date and add posts a couple of times a week but, honestly, I'd rather sew and design than write.

Look for photos (the first will be my quilts from the Houston market), updates on new patterns, and whatever else I feel like posting, quilt related or not.