Far away friends...

Awhile back I designed my version of a sewing mat, the Stitching Oasis Sewing Machine Apron. I offered to let a few online friends try out the pattern for me and Heather jumped right on it. She searched through her stash, and came up with these lovely blues.

She sent me pictures of her progress and finished it quickly. 

Getting ready to quilt.

Ironing surface and pocket added.

attached pincusion

Ready to use! I love her cute chair too.

 Another online friend, Connie, used my Peas in a Pod pattern to make this adorable baby quilt.

 She quilts on her domestic sewing machine...I love these cute flowers.

She has a great backdrop for pictures...I wonder if I could build a deck....

 What baby wouldn't love this bright, cheery quilt!

More pretty quilting.

 Both of these patterns are available in my Craftsy store!

Many years ago, I joined several Yahoo quilting groups online. Over time, I dropped some for different reasons, but always stuck with one of them, Country Quilters. I developed some great friendships with people in the group and as the yahoo group seemed to become less active, we all joined Facebook and caught up with each other there. We have been talking about how much fun it would be to go on a retreat together for years, and it's finally going to happen in July. Several of us are from the Midwest, but we have quilters coming from Tennessee, Florica, Calif. and Oregon. Since Iowa is central, we are meeting in Exira, IA at Log Cabin Quilting's Retreat. Heather and Connie are part of this group. It will be so much fun to meet these talented quilters next month!

Who's ready for some new projects? Craftsy SALE!

I know I am. I finished the patterns for the new sampler today, so I'm ready to move on to another project. Not that I'm all caught up or anything, you know how it goes...

• I have several quilts upstairs on the quilting frame waiting to be quilted, for starters. 

• Some challenge squares to sew together and made into something charming or at least usable before our next retreat in Feb. There are about twenty-two 10"sq. I want something quick for this new project. A bag maybe?

• My project for my small group challenge that I gave them, but haven't even started myself, unless thinking about it counts. I'm anxious to start it but time has gotten away from me. 

  

  We chose a calendar picture without looking to draw inspiration for our project. this is mine.

• I started cutting squares for the next quilt in the Circle and Spin series the other day, so want to start working on it soon, though I have a feeling it will actually be sewn on retreat. The list goes on and on.

I'm always thinking of the next new project...that's what keeps me going, I guess!

If you are looking for a new project to start in the new year, you might want to check out my Craftsy store, Quiltinjeanie Designs...all the patterns there are on sale right now! Check it out and see what you think. I hope you find one that is just right for your next project. I have a couple of new ones that I will be adding soon, as well, so sign up to follow me while you are there and it will notify you when I add a new pattern.

If you make one of the projects from my patterns, I would love to see it! Send me pictures or add them to Craftsy yourself. 

On to the next project! It's back to school/work for me tomorrow, so I had better sew while I can!

Tangled in the Kite Strings

As you can see, we were all tangled up a few weeks ago for the Tangled in the Kite Strings class. At first the strings were very orderly...after some sewing they seemed to burst out of the tidy groups and take over!

Dianne was buried under hers.

Very messy but very creative atmosphere. As you can see, they went quickly!

Tangled in the Kite Strings is one of the patterns that are available through my Craftsy store. 

Ruby Shadow class

It's been a busy week, starting with the Ruby Shadow class last Saturday. (Now I know the week doesn't technically start on Sat. but some weeks just run together....ok? )

The class went well...it was small but very dedicated quilters who were working hard to get as much done as possible in class. We went through allt he steps and marked each set of block "parts" as they made them so that they could go home with fabric patterns of everything they needed to complete the rest of the blocks.

June decided to use one red batik for her color and was excited to see her blocks come to life! Barb chose four different blues from the same grouping...she making this quilt for a grandson. I loved both of their color choices and can't wait to see them finished!

This pattern is now available in my Craftsy Store if you want to make your own version of this versatile quilt!

I have a Bookfair coming up next week at school, so I had lots to do this past week to get ready for it. The books came yesterday and I spent some time after school with  a PTO friend setting it up. I had to leave before I was finished to teach a class so I am going back this morning to finish the set up.

The Co. Bluffs quilt show, Innovative Piecing: A Look at Quilting Through Today's Eyes is tomorrow so I need to get my entries fluffed and ready to hang....we are setting up for the show later today. I'm doing a demo on making free pieced letters throughout the day, so will get to meet lots of friendly quilters! I'm excited to hear our speakers as well. We have lots of quilty fun going on, so if you live in the area, plan on stopping by!

There is no school today so after I get back from setting up the bookfair I need to get serious with my house....it needs a good cleaning. Happy Friday!

It's a giveaway!

Have I mentioned that I'm so excited about being published in a national quilt magazine that I'm hosting several giveaways this week?  Well I am! Many of you know that I teach quilting classes and that I design many of the quilts I teach, so I thought it would be fun to give away one of my other patterns. 

This is the popular Circle and Spin quilt...make circles without headaches or fear! It is one of my favorites because the blocks are quickly put together and you can use a variety of fabrics. I love it made with batiks, but have also used asian fabrics. I have taught it numerous times, most recently last weekend,  and  have made several, including one for each of my three daughters.

 Starflower Cascade is a newer design that I made last summer to enter in a contest. I really love the ombre effect this quilt has and think it would be so pretty made out of bright colors for a kid's quilt.

I have several for sale on Craftsy. Just visit my Craftsy store for more views of each one and see which one you like!

 Miss Tess  is my newest design and is fun and easy to make! It's a great design to use up fat quarters you've been collecting!

 Which Way is Up is a fun quilt with geese flying in different directions. Another great scrap quilt.

 Peas in a Pod  is easy enough for a beginner, in fact I have been teaching a version of it to beginners the past few weeks.

Tangled in the Kite Strings is stringpiecing at its best.

Twisterweave was a mystery quilt originally too...It's hard to tell where one block ends and the next begins in this one!

To enter, all you have to do is follow me here or like me on my Quiltinjeanie Designs Facebook page and leave a comment after this post telling me which pattern you want if you win! It's that easy. I will pick a winner on Sunday, March 9. Feel free to share this giveaway with your friends!