We are starting a new BOM designed by Cindy Mccoy named Painted Hearts, and we will continue with our ongoing BOMs. Garden Beauties Part 5 by Rochelle Martin, Bullas Bears Part 5 by Nan Baker, and Part 2 of the Broken Arrows Mystery Quilt by Janet Barker.
Some beautiful quilts from our designers Big Block Baskets by Susan Claire-Mayfield, Pretty in Pink by Angele Comeau, Honeycomb Cathedral Window by Jane Lay, and Moonshine Serenade by Inge Baum. Reeze Hanson brings us Lesson 5 in EQ7.
Maria Hrabovsky reviews the book Successful Scrap Quilts from Simple Rectangles by Judy Turner and Margaret Rolfe, and we begin a 4-part series on quilt photography by Helen Stevens named Quilters, Take Your Best Shot. We introduce a new feature called Gold Star Blogs where we will review the best quilting blogs we can find and share them with you! We also have new articles from Anna Branch, our Barefoot Quilter and Chris Hammacott, who writes Diary of a Quilter.
You know what I love about the summer? The sounds! There are sprinklers swishing, screen doors slamming, children’s voices clamoring, music streaming from the ice cream truck and lawnmowers in the distance. I love having my windows open, the smell of freshly-cut grass, grilling in the backyard, and going to baseball games. Generally, in the summer we tend to be outside more, and not in our sewing rooms. But I think this issue might entice you indoors to make a few projects.
Karen
I designed Spring Buds Star in this issue. Rochelle Martin continues with her BOM series Garden Beauties. This month, we will finish Donnely Barber’s BOM Flutter By Me, and you’ll have a beautiful quilt to celebrate spring! We get to make another Bullas Bears block by Nan Baker.
We will start a new Mystery Quilt by Janet Barker, Broken Arrows, and Carol Dockery brings us a quick and easy pattern for a Spirit Tote that’s great for spring picnics. Jo Moury designed a quilt named Freedom’s Colors that you can finish in time for July, and Marija Vujcic designed Star Player, a fun patchwork quilt.
Reeze Hanson brings us Lesson 4 in EQ7. Aren’t you learning a lot from these lessons? Maria Hrabovsky reviews the book, Nurture Your Creative Spirit, by Vicki Pignatelli.
And last, but never least, The Barefoot Quilter Anna Branch writes on Quilters to the Rescue, and Chris Hammacott shares some serious thoughts on quilting in her column, Diary of a Quilter. Join us, won’t you
Karen
Spring is bursting out all over! Can’t you feel the soft air, the lovely breeze? Do you see the new green grass and first flowers blooming? Do you see quilts when you look at your garden? I sure do! When Mother Nature puts colors together, they always look perfect. So, take your cue from her next time you’re picking out colors for a quilt. Just look outside!
Karen
This month, we continue working on Garden Beauties by Rochelle Martin, and the Stained Glass Workshop by Mary Marcotte. Play with more color in this installment of Flutter By Me by Donnely Barber, and make another Bullas Bears block by Nan Baker.
We have a quick table runner, Little Bloomers by Joan Bassett, and the Seaside Splendor bed runner by Sally Johnson, if you’re in the mood for a smaller project. If you need a bigger quilt, Surrounded by Geese Over the Fields, by Carol Dockery will fit the bill, and Cindy Mccoy designed a Penny Rug Lamp Base.
In this issue, we have Cut-Away Triangles Mini-Workshop by Joan Bassett. We will also hear from Anna Branch in The Barefoot Quilter, and Chris Hammacott in Diary of a Quilter. Also, I’ve written a book review on More William Morris Applique.
Isn’t April a wonderful month? It’s like everything is new again. The grays and browns of winter are being covered with color, and the air is soft and warm. Breezes blow through our open windows, fluttering white curtains. The tulips and daffodils are blooming and color is everywhere! Color is everywhere in this issue of TQPM as well!
All in all, we have a great issue for you; but it will also leave you some quality outdoor time. Why not invite a friend over, ask them to bring some handwork and stitch on the patio? That sounds like a great afternoon to me!
Karen
Susan-Claire Mayfield’s Big Block Sashed 9-Patch uses coordinating color sets of 5″ squares you can cull from your stash. Off the Grid by Sharon Kirkpatrick uses 4-1/2″ squares cut from scraps. And, Simply Beautiful by Inge Baum uses strip-piecing to create 4-patches with tiny 1″ squares.
We also continue with our BOMs Flutter By Me Block 4 and 5 by Donnely Barber, Garden Beauties Block 3 by Rochelle Martin, Bullas Bears Block 2 by Nan Baker and our Stained Glass Workshop Part 3 of 4 by Mary Marcotte. We have EQ7 Lesson 2 by Reeze Hanson, and a fun wall hanging, Gathering Basket by Deanne Eisenman.
Our articles this month include a book review of Gail Garbers book, Flying Colors, and we hear from Sharon Kirkpatrick again, as we find ways for Helping Needy Children with our quilting. Chris Hammacott shares her experiences with the mad March hares in Diary of a Quilter and Anna Branch writes about her experiences From Cardboard to Computer in The Barefoot Quilter. Also, I’ve written an article on Adding Primitive Touches to Your Quilt.
Welcome to almost-spring! March is a month in which anything can happen, weather-wise. We may see the crocus blooming through the snow. The weather may be unpredictable this month, but here at TQPM, we are not! Does the phrase “Be there or be square” ring a bell with any of you? We are so square this month, we’ve become awesome! We present a collection of quilts this month, based on squares and using up your stash! While the square may seem boring and ordinary at first glance, in the hands of our talented designers they become beautiful quilts!
All in all, I do believe we have something for everyone this month. I do wish you a Happy Almost-Spring!
Karen
Who doesn’t love TQPM? This month, we continue with two BOMs – Flutter By Me by Donnely Barber, and Garden Beauties by Rochelle Martin, and start another one - Bullas Bears by Nan Baker. We progress with our Stained Glass Workshop by Mary Marcotte, and we’ll also begin learning how to use our EQ7 with ongoing lessons from Reeze Hanson, an expert in EQ products.
Cindy Mccoy gives us a patchwork pattern named Dragon Tails, and also insight into the mathematical principle governing her pattern by explaining the spidron. Jan Allston tells us how to make a Sewing Machine Cover, and Jo Moury shares Sunny Baby Quilt, with both boy and girl versions. Martyn Thomas writes to us from Wales about his adventures in fabric shops in There Be Dragons! Linda Carlson shares her knowledge on Increasing Brain Power in our babies. We also hear from our favorite regulars Anna Branch who writes about Winter: A Quilters Paradise and Chris Hammacott who tells us another story from her life, when she attends a Vintage Fair.
February is not my favorite winter month. Winter has worn out its welcome, but it’s not quite spring yet. There is the occasional lovely warm spring day and all I want to do is get in the garden, but it will be to no avail. There are still frosts and perhaps snows to come. I’ve found it best to focus on February as the month of love, since we do indeed celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th. I think it’s fun to decorate the house with hearts of all kinds – paper, stuffed hearts, or wooden hearts sitting on the mantelpiece. Start the day with some heart-shaped pancakes just to let everyone in your family know they are loved. Hang some shiny hearts in the window. Bake some heart-shaped cookies! Yes, it might be silly, but it’s also fun. Celebrate the love in your life!
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the month of love!
Karen
Editorial | Cindy M | 
June 7, 2013 10:15 am | 
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