Cheery quilt topper makes the gray day brighter.

Class 3 of the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival includes a pattern for this 25 block table cloth. Finished longarming it yesterday, binding this weekend...then i'll show the entire finished top! Hopefully the sun will shine and i can get a decent photo. 

Low dark clouds today, rain, a bit of wind...and we will loose an hour of sleep this weekend.  Oh joy.  But I love the longer days!!

Making my list...

I make lists, i have to.  Otherwise...well, nothing would get done, i'm sure.  

Today is Wednesday, my weekly list of 'to do's'... going well.

Yep, Susan and Jan's quilts are finished...off my longarm, my Farmer's Wife Table topper...done, Class published.

Loading Beth's quilt tomorrow...Craftsy post almost finished...still need to transfer images onto fabric for my new quilt pattern coming out next month...and baby gift for Rachel, yep,...only requires a pretty presentation.

wait....what?  What's this?  Martha?  what?  brain tumor?  wait...that's not on my list. What? Oh...how did that get onto my list?  That's not suppose to be there.  Grief, sadness, tears...

I'm not trying to be dramatic here...i want to scream and all that comes are tears. 
 I am so very blessed to have a close and wonderful family.  Martha is my cousin, many a childhood days were spent with one another. I recall the summer of '72, a very fine summer.  Sewing!  Made my very first dress...blue,with princes seams, ruffles and a bow that tied in the back.  It fit just right because Martha made sure it did.  We both made Hawaiian shirts.  Beach Boys were the rage!
Awww, the summer of '72.

 ...and i'll leave with words from Martha's sister Gretchen as she announced the news last night to our family....forever embedded on my list.

  

"It is a difficult road ahead.  Given that, I want to also communicate that it is critical that we each take care of ourselves in whatever way is true for us as individuals.  Be gentle and compassionate with yourself...this is a new journey for all of us.  We are not prepared and have not packed our bags for this journey.  As one falters, others are there to uphold and strengthen.  Reach out when you are the one faltering.  We are so very blessed to have the family that we do - we will be guided by that love and support."

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class 3

For those taking the Farmer's Wife class using Modern cutting and piecing techniques....Class Three is now available. Visit My Patterns link above for purchase options.

A 25 block table cloth pattern is included with Class 3.  I just loaded it onto my longarm last night...I feel like i'm chasing my tail!!   i'll show it off when it's finished!  :)

Interested in learning more about the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival classes?  It's a 12 month class so please begin with Class One. However, i offer projects along the way if your are not up for the entire 12 months.  Click HERE for more information.

Leg Ta Hose.....

Supporting my niece today! Lake Tahoe, CA is Chelsea's inspiration for her beautiful designs.  The quality of the leggings are very very nice. High ribbed waistband and one size fits all with spandex comfort.

Costs for Chelsea's one of a kind handmade leggings run in the low to mid $20 range.  To view them all, check out her Etsy Shop HERE   

You will love them!  

Like them?  Share her Etsy shop with your friends!

Proper Rotary Cutting

In my recent Craftsy blog post, i demonstrate the importance of proper rotary cutting.  Whether you are a beginning quilter or experienced, you may want to take a moment to read this post.  I believe it's worth a look. Find it HERE.

 I am also happy to report that my Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival classes are doing well. I'm excited to share a very nice testimonial....from Sharon:

"I am doing your Farmers Wife BOM with you. I've wanted to make this quilt forever but the blocks intimidated me. With your directions and easier methods for construction, I'm having a ball. I can't wait for each month to be available. My blocks are perfect and who could ask for more. Thank you so much. It must take quite a bit of time to prepare each month of direction for us, so thank you for taking on the project!"

(Check out Best Seller #2!  How cool is that?!)

The Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class Three will be available on March 3rd ....click HERE to find purchase options.  Included in Class Three is a nice 25 block table topper pattern.  It's also the perfect size for a wall hanging or even a special baby quilt.

New Craftsy blog post today

I really feel badly for anyone who knows me and asks a question relating to quilting. Or even looks at a quilt! Look out!  I am sooooooo passionate about what i do, and can talk for hours about quilting.  I can't get enough of it...and I forget that some may only need/want the short one minute overview.  lol

Craftsy as given me the opportunity to write a few blog posts for them and i even have my own Craftsy 'author page'.  Who knew? Perhaps this new opportunity will help satisfy my need to talk a friend, or neighbor, or the lady in the dress shop, or a stranger walking down the street, or the antique dealer, or the ski lift operator....ears off! (i doubt it)

You'll find my new informative Craftsy blog post HERE  
Leave a comment on the post and let me know what you think! Was it helpful...did you already know this?  I love feedback!  :)

On another note...somewhat relating to my new post for Craftsy...Have you seen the great price for Laurie Aaron Hird's book The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt?

Wow!  Amazon really has great prices! Click on the book link below if you are interested in owning this incredible book.

"You take everything as a compliment"

My favorite scene from the season finale 

Duchess: ‘I know I’m late, but it couldn’t be helped. Cora insisted I come without a maid. I can’t believe she understood the implications
Mrs Crawley: ‘Well and they are? …’
Duchess: ‘How do we get a guard to take my luggage and when we get to London? What happens then?’
Mrs C: ‘Fear not. I’ve never traveled with a maid you can share my knowledge of the jungle.’
Duchess: ‘Can’t you even offer help without sounding like a trumpeter on the peak of the moral high ground?
Mrs C: ‘And must you always sound like the sister of Marie Antoinette?’
Duchess: ‘The queen of Naples was a stalwart figure. I take it as a compliment.’
Mrs C: ‘You take everything as a compliment.’

Duchess: ‘I advise you to do the same it saves many an awkward moment’

The 'Buggy Barn' Way

Remember this photo? This picture has been pinned lots and lots and lots of times onto Pinterest since i blogged about it 2 years ago...HERE

 I still LOVE LOVE LOVE this quilt today!!

I also shared a tutorial for this great Buggy Barn piecing technique which you will find it HERE Yesterday i received the nicest email from Aigul who grew up in Kasahstan and moved to Germany in 2002 where she lives today. She was inspired by my tutorial post and here is her version of the same quilt. 

Aigul named her quilt Gone with the Wind, not based on the famous book by M. Mitchell's book, but she writes; "These black/white prints give some movement, like flowers are under the blow of the wind". Lovely Aigul, and thank you so very much for taking time to share your quilt. Love your color choices!

Grow Your Blog give~away winners

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in my Grow Your Blog give~away. I am having such a fun time designing quilts!

It's a rather new adventure for me and i'm thrilled with the response! My very first published pattern was Pumpkin Spice and i cannot believe how popular it has become. I was telling my oldest son how surprised i was with it's success... he laughed and told me it was probably going to be my 'One Hit Wonder'!  LOL!!!! Leave it to our kids to keep us grounded and humble!! I thank you all for supporting my efforts.

Poppa's Tree Farm goes to

Tanya from Las Vegas, Nevada

 Pumpkin Spice goes to

Beth of Virginia

Stars for every Season goes to 

Dorothy from Richland, Washington 

 And the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class One goes to

Karen Martin of Breezy Point MN

Congratulations Tanya, Beth, Dorothy and Karen!

All 4 winners have been emailed.

To purchase any of these patterns...

you'll find options to do so on my sidebar. 

Valentine Exchange with friends

Due to the snow, i missed our exchange gathering.  :/

A few days later....these Valentine treasures arrived!

Thanks Diane, Cindy and Susan!

Click HERE to see what i made for them....

Hoping your Valentines are as sweet as mine!

Class One Photos!

I am sharing a few photos from the

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival flickr group.

If you have joined the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Classes....

please consider joining our flickr group!  

Not mandatory or anything like that...

but it's soooooo fun to see other's progress, colors...

 share hellos and inspiration!

Remember!...this is not the typical Farmer's Wife quilt~along

Oh No it's not!  

This is a 12 month class...offering modern cutting and piecing instructions! 

 Making the Farmer's Wife blocks so EZPZ!

Laurel's Lovely 

Class One blocks complete!!

Petra's Sweet 

Class One blocks complete!

Jane's first 4 fabulous blocks from Class One.

...and i know she has many more completed too!

She is anxious for Class Three to come out in March!

Click HERE to learn how you can join the 

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival today!.

A little Valentine exchange

Missed my Valentine exchange with friends last night due to snow.

These cute silly birds were my handmade gift to them.

This photo is name 'The Scolding'

 This little guy is my favorite...

i call him my knobby kneed adolescent.  LOL

 Still growing into his paws.

Table topper?? Wall hanging?? Baby quilt??

The Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival is well underway!

This 12 month online class is based on 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book. 

The online class teaches MODERN cutting an piecing techniques! 

Very few templates are used.    

Class One and Class Two are now available and can be purchased anytime.  

Don't want to make all 111 blocks offered in the book? No problem!

With the purchase of the first 3 classes...a pattern for this cute quilt will be included.

(Class Three available the first part of March)

Awesome Quilter Bev, of 44th Street Fabrics is the maker of this perfect sample quilt!

Bev's sample quilt is heading my way to be machine quilted!  

Can't wait to see it for real!!

Interested in purchasing the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Classes?

See my sidebar for options!

Snow Excited!!

Remember this photo?

Stars for every Season would make a great Valentine quilt!

i absolutely love my jay...perched on his railing come rain or shine.

Today he's almost up to his eyeballs in snow!

He looks a bit angry  :/

Such a beautiful morning in Zigzag, Oregon

I love snow and it continues to fall. yippeee!!

 My sister-in-law Miss Sandra, took a couple pictures this morning outside her window.   

I like them, they're sweet

And my cousin Andrew recently reminded me of this great song...

Thanks Andy!

Click HERE to learn more about my 'Stars for every Season' quilt.

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class Two

The next set of 10 quilt blocks using MODERN cutting and piecing instructions from Laurie Aaron Hird's book The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt are now available on My Craftsy Pattern Store and My Etsy Shop You'll find links to both on my sidebar as well as a Paypal 'Add to Cart' link offering emailed and mailed copies.

Class Two introduces new techniques, making those blocks soooo easy!!Included with Class Two is my SpringyTime table runner pattern. My runner is very long...but it can easily be modified to fit your needs.

Have you seen the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Flickr Group?  

Lots of additional information offered through discussions and great place to gather inspiration and encouragment!

Follow me on Instagram too!!  #farmerswifequiltrevival  

and share your journey with me there!

Find the Instagram button on my sidebar.

Looking for some great floral fabrics or fun springy colors?

Check out Bev's 44th street shop HERE

Or Jane's fabric shop HERE  

Need more information on how YOU can join the 

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival?  

If so....Click HERE

Look who's peeking in...

Snapped a few 'pre-finished' binding pictures yesterday of the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival table runner...

I just wanna kiss my Lucky dog!!!

The binding is all hand stitched now, thanks to my mom!  

Pattern available February 3rd with the purchase of the 

Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class Two

Viewing quilt blocks through photo collages

Whether you are taking my online Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class, or have a stack of Farmer's Wife blocks in your UFO pile (we all have those piles!) ...or working on a quilt with various blocks,

photo collages can be a great tool. There are a number of free online photo sites for making collages. I am familiar with Picmonkey There's a little learning curve...but really quite easy to do.

This collage of 9, let's one see how the first few blocks look together

This next set of 16 shows a good balance of red and aqua, but feels a bit heavy.

With 20 blocks and more white fabrics added into the mix...it's starting to look great...just needs 5 more blocks for our desired total of 25. This is a good time to decide if a repeat of certain fabrics should be introduced and a shuffle of the blocks so all the lighter ones are dispersed more evenly

Here's the final 25....now the fun of picking out sashing, cornerstones and a border!

Set your collage as your desktop...this gives a great perspective for making color/fabric decisions!

These Farmer's Wife blocks and photo collages are made by Bev of 44th Street Fabric blog.  Bev has been sewing this series of blocks to make into a table topper for me. The pattern for this darling topper will be included in Class Three of the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Class coming out in March.

Speaking of upcoming classes...

Class Two, along with a table runner pattern, will be available Monday February 3rd.  

Have you seen our Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Flickr Group?  Click the button on my sidebar to visit or join!

Let's make 2014 the year to FINISH this amazing quilt!!

If you'd like to begin this quilt journey...below is a link to purchase 

Laurie Aaron Hird's book, The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt.