2008 December

The Story of Catch a Christmas Star!

December 5, 2008 By Anne 18 Comments

I was talking to Jennifer at http://www.shabbyfabrics.com/
today and she mentioned that she has the last of the “Catch a Christmas Star” kits on sale. Oh be still my heart because that quilt means so much to me. I hate to see the “last” of any kits, but this one especially.

Catch a Christmas Star was one of the first large applique quilts I designed and while I was working on it I got a call that my mother was in the hospital. My son and I got on a plane as fast as we could and I grabbed all the fabric and drawings to bring with me to work on. It was not meant to be, because my mom was very sick and I was told she only had a few weeks or months left. My mother loved to see the things I made and to watch me sew so she insisted I try and work. I just couldn’t.

After she died, it was several months before I could work on this design. But when I did I just couldn’t stop. “Catch a Christmas Star” took on a life of it’s own. It filled me with joy, hope and love and every stitch was a pleasure to stitch! My mother would have loved this quilt. She always encouraged me when I colored my cows purple or did something different than other kids. She would have loved the slightly crooked tree on the bottom left. These snowmen are magical Christmas snowmen filled with happiness and love. The quilt is traveling this year so it won’t be home with me. It’s in France for the season. France! Can you imagine?

The inspiration for “Catch a Christmas Star” came from somewhere up above I’m sure. If you’d like to purchase a kit you can find it here on Jennifer’s site.

Hugs to you all!

Anne

Filed Under: Applique, Quilt Design

Don’t miss these!

December 3, 2008 By Anne 10 Comments

There are So many great magazines and books out right now I can hardly keep up with all of them. I love going to Barnes and Noble and searching the magazine section. And then there are the books. I could spend hours in that store.

Here’s a few of my new favorites you might want to pick up. These are “keepers” that will have a place on my shelf.

“Stitched in Time” by Alicia Paulson from Posy gets Cozy has to be the most delightful craft book I’ve ever read. Not that I “read” most craft books but this one I read from cover to cover. The pages are filled with Alicia’s wonderful writing style writing. The projects are simple and sweet. It’s the perfect book for beginners or the more accomplished. She not only designed the projects and wrote the book, but she also photographed it too! Charming is the word that comes to mind. A keeper!

The premier edition of “Where Women Create” is wonderful! If you liked the book you will love this magazine. And here’s the best part…this is only the beginning. There will be more! I went to www.stampington.com and subscribed.

If you read my market posts you may remember that I met Kaari Meng at market. She owns the French General in Hollywood California. Not far from me! Any one interested in taking a class together? She has the table all set for us! She’ll have her first line of Moda fabric at Spring market. I know I will want her fabric!

One of the best Christmas craft magazines this year is Better Homes and Gardens “Holiday Crafts”. It’s FILLED with great crafts for the holidays. A designer friend of mine, Karina Hittle from Artful Offerings is featured throughout the book! You will LOVE her projects.

What could be cuter than “Sweet Treats”? I’d use these for party decorations anytime! Imagine a table set with these.

Have you tried English paper piecing yet? I haven’t, but after seeing this quilt by my friend Vicki Bellino from Bloom Creek on the COVER of the February issue of McCall’s I may have to try it. She swears that it’s addictive and the magazine teaches you how to paper piece. (Vicki likes to make her projects portable so she substitutes “finger pressing” for the ironing part). Just look at her quilt! It’s gorgeous! If you’d like to purchase a kit just go to her web site. She’s may be sold out, but she can refer you to a shop that still has some.

So you can see I’ve been busy reading. Oh my how did we get so MANY talented people! Aren’t they wonderful? Keepers, each and every one!

Filed Under: Inspirations

Winter Wishes!

December 1, 2008 By Anne 12 Comments

Winter Wishes everyone! It’s December 1st can you believe it? Doesn’t it seem like Christmas was just here? I did a little decorating in the studio this weekend, but that’s it. I still have an entire house to go. (:

This will be Mooch’s first Christmas with us. Maybe her first Christmas in a home, ever! I found this picture from July, when we first rescued ” Mooch”. She was so, so skinny and every bit of food we gave her she gobbled up.

And now after just 5 months, she’s gained a good 4 lbs. and looks like a different cat! EVERYONE comments on how big she is. It’s really rather embarrassing! But one thing is for sure. She is a very loved cat.