Beads, Buttons and Baubles remix

I was very excited to receive these pictures of Kerstin's version of the Beads, Buttons and Baubles quilt the other day. She agreed to test the pattern for me...you might remember that she tested the Against the Tide Mystery pattern last year as well. She has a great eye for color and I love her beautiful quilt. Her fabrics capture the playful aspect of this design perfectly. 

Jane tested the pattern as well and made a smaller version last month for a baby gift. She chose soft colors to match the cute animal print she had found. The two quilts look so totally different, yet both are so pretty in their own way.  That's what I love about seeing different versions of the same pattern.

If you want to try this design, the pattern is available now through my Craftsy shop. I would love to see pictures if you do!

Beads, Buttons and Baubles

Love getting quilty mail!

 I was excited to see a box in the mail yesterday...what is it about a pkg that is so exciting? Maybe it's the mystery of what might be inside, maybe it's the excitement of getting something that isn't a bill... I knew something was coming since I had won Kerstin's end of the month giveaway last month. She lives in Germany, so it had to travel a long way to get to me.  First off, there was a new quilty book to read. Kerstin's read this series and recommends it, so I am excited to start reading it. There were also two happy pieces of fabric...hmmm...what to do with them?

 Last, but not least, this great ironing pad that will be great for taking on retreats as well as using at home. I use a tabletop ironing board most of the time because I don't usually need my big board up and I worry about the cats knocking it over. This is a bit larger that that plus rectangular in shape so that it will be better to use for larger pressing as well.

 You could also set your machine on it for ironing as you sew and there are handy pockets along a drop down edge for scissors, seam ripper and other goodies. I will be going on retreat in a few weeks, so will be excited to have this to take along with me. Thanks Kerstin!

 There was something for everyone in this mail delivery...

 the cats are always happy to investigate a new box and spent some time sniffing it and trying to make it into a bed.

Goodies in the mail and a giveaway!

I won the end of the month giveaway on Kerstin's blog last month, so I was excited to see a box waiting for me the other night when I got home! I have wanted to read one of Terri Thayer's Quilting Mysteries for awhile, just hadn't gotten around to it. So this is a perfect giveaway for me to win! Plus with school out for the summer, I have more time to read. She also sent me a box of chocolates, which every quilter needs, and a pattern. They were all wrapped up in a pretty piece of green fabric! Kerstin is making the Snake Dance Mystery along with a group of quilters here, so I will take the candy to share with them tomorrow when they get their last clues for the quilt. 

Kerstin has a giveaway on the last day of every month, so hop on over there and sign up for this month's giveaway. It is open until June 7. She has some patterns that need a new home!

I took this picture the other night during class of Rose's center block for her Sampler 16 quilt. She has been having trouble getting enough time to work on it, so was excited to have it finished!