Hi everyone!

I will be starting my first block of the month program---this month! I have posted a pattern and photo of the November Block, "Crosses & Losses" in my Yahoo Quilting Group! Go to the Files area for the pattern and go to the Photos area, click on "Block of the Month" for the photo.

To join, click here:

Here is a photo of the first block:

Tip #1---When choosing fabrics for the blocks, make sure that the contrast between prints is noticable. You want the block pattern to stand out. If you choose prints that are the same tone then the pattern will not stand out! See how light and dark the prints are above? The block pattern really looks great!

I look forward to you joining our group! I can't wait to show you December's block!

happy quilting! Denise

Hi Everyone,

I taught my first beginner's quilt class, yesterday! I have 10 ladies that signed up. Just the right size! We had a blast as I gave them some free products to get them started on the right track. One of the items was a great big shoulder bag to hold their supplies in, like the rotary cutter, ruler and mat that they got! I also gave them some "Lickity Grip." This is a great product for many purposes. (the site gives you a multiplicity of uses!) I use it on my fingers while I machine quilt. As well as when I'm piecing, it helps my fingers to hold the pieces without slipping. It is also great for threading a needle. Put a little on the end of the thread and it doesn't fray and stays in place. Great Stuff!

I taught how to cut and be safe with the rotary tools!  I also showed the ladies different ways to use their quilt blocks. We will be creating a different block each month, but if we end up with some extra blocks, then we'll make pillows, wallhangings, runners, etc. So, I showed some of my designs to let them know how embellishments can enhance their projects.

Above is a wall hanging that was enhanced with a creative hanger. I got these flags at a 4th of July party in one of the center pieces...I decided to paint them and add them to a wooden bar, and Wha Lah....a cute wall hanging...The applique stars also make an added embellishment. This wallhanging was published in the July 2007 Sewing Savvy Magazine and can still be purchased through their online e-magazine program, here. Very cool!

This "skinny" quilt is enhanced with beaded trim at the bottom edge as well as quilt buttons in each of the blocks. The other great thing to do when quilting is to choose fabric pieces that are slightly different. If you notice the purple, green and peach prints are all different shades, making your eyes flow over the piece giving it interest! This pattern can be found online, here.

These quilt buttons can be purchased at www.buttondrawer.com They are called "Stitchin' Up the Pieces." I designed them and JHB buttons manufactured them for me. You'll love them!

Above is a sample card of the buttons, up close. The holes are for sewing onto a project, but they can also be glued on with a gem glue. They are washable! They are separate pieces, so you can move them around to create your own block. (if you were to turn the corner pieces, you'd have a completely different look!)

Here is another way to use your blocks, notice how fun it looks on the tin?? This tin hangs on the wall and is used to store cell phone pieces near the outlet! The cords, etc. are kept away from the vacuum this way. See the buttons, again?? This pattern can be found here.

Another tin, with the embellishment of the silk flowers. Now this was not a very beautiful tin, it was an ugly color with an ugly print on the front, well, I painted the tin the color I wanted and glued the block to the front. The edges are not bound, but that helps it look like it is actually part of the tin. If I used a binding, the binding would stand out too much. I love how I placed the leaves outside of the "box." The pattern for the tin above can be found in Sewing Basket Fun, here. (this is a multi-artist book, edited by Barbara Weiland)

Another creative way to use blocks...place them in frames. I created this frame to look like a house because Log Cabin blocks depict the "heart of the home." An appliqued star is in the "attic" space.

Even a wallhanging with neutral colored prints can be gorgeous. I wanted to "show off" the quilt buttons and this does a great job! The black checkerboard print frames each block and helps you to focus on the centers. Notice that the wallhanging is hanging from an antique yard stick! I never throw anything away. Be creative with your quilting and your projects will last a long time!

Please let me know what ideas you came up with to enhance your quilts!

Happy Quilting, Denise