Is It Spring Yet?

Ugh!  So tired of snow!  Now, I know that we don't have as much snow as some other areas have.  I know we don't have it so bad really.  But keep in mind that I am a southern girl born and bred and I hate being cold.  I especially hate having to venture out into it when I would rather be cozied up in a warm house drinking coffee and sewing or watching movies.
Ah, well.  Enough whining.

I found (through a student who used it to make a class project) a line of fabric that I am totally absolutely in love with.  It's called "Simple Marks" by Malka Dubrawsky for Moda.  The colors are so rich and warm!  And the "solids" look like suede.  Yummy.
  

There is also "Simple Marks Summer"!


I just ordered a set of charm squares for each line from stitchesngiggles4U on Etsy.  (As a seller on Etsy, it is my first source before I go anywhere else.)  I guarantee you will like her prices!
I decided to wait and look for yardage to coordinate after I have the charms in my hot little hands.  But I can't wait to make something with this!
Fabric Therapy.... I heart you!

Piecin' Love
Terri

Am I The Chicken or The Hamster?

So many ideas, so little time.
    I feel like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off....I have all these ideas and plans but I don't know which one to tackle first.  How do you prioritize multiple tasks that all hold the same importance and value? I'm losing sleep at night because the hamster in my brain won't jump off the wheel!
     I continue to teach quilting at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which is probably the most rewarding thing I've done since launching my quilting career in 2004.  I have no words to explain the joy I feel when a brand new quilter tells me they are addicted.  They are so excited to share the projects they want to do next or the fabric they just bought at their new favorite quilt shop.  They come in to class and show off what they did at home since last week with a huge grin on their face.  The experienced quilters warm my heart when they say they want to sign up for a class and "I hope you're teaching it!".  I look forward to teaching like an adrenalin junkie looks forward to their next bungee jump.  LOL!
     Pattern designing has also lit a flame in my heart.  Some of my patterns evolve from class requests.  Some are inspired by blocks found when playing in my EQ (Electric Quilt) Software.  Some evolve from old favorites into new variations and new favorites.  The pattern designing process is not a quick one and I get impatient when I don't have time for taking the pictures and writing out the instructions or sewing the cover sample and testing the pattern.  My patterns are here:  www.craftsy.com/user/629411
     I'm also selling some of my quilts on Etsy but that's going slow.  I need to get some new listings up and breathe new life into my Etsy store.  It's not like I don't have stacks of quilt tops to finish and sell.  ;)
My Etsy shop is here:  www.piecinlovequilting.etsy.com
     And there's this blog I want to grow.  I've updated it a little bit but sitting in front of the computer also takes time. I want to add a tab for free patterns and tutorials.  I want to add a photo gallery or something like that.  I want to develop a block of the month and post it here.  I want, I want, I want to.....
     Side note:  I have a few client quilts on my longarm schedule to finish but after that, I have decided to take a break from longarm quilting for others.  It will allow me more time to do all of the above things and will allow me to have better control of my work schedule.  Better control of my work schedule will provide relief from a repetitive motion issue in my neck.  I love my longarm clients and will miss them but I won't miss deadline stress.  :)
     I know that I'll get my business to where I want it to be.  I just need more hours in the day....or a housekeeper and a cook.  Unfortunately, my hubby isn't going for the hired help.  Sigh.

Piecin' Love,
Terri

Toss And Turn

And here is another one!
It's called "Toss and Turn" and it's Fat Quarter friendly!

Jellybeans

I've posted a new pattern on Craftsy.
It's called Jellybeans and it's Jelly Roll friendly!

I am addicted to precuts like jelly rolls, charm squares, fat quarters, etc.
I also love fast and easy patterns that make complicated looking quilts.
Nothing makes me happier than being able to combine the two!
Happy quilting!

piecin' love,
Terri

A New Adventure and Clearing The Air

In the last couple of days, I have opened up a pattern store at Craftsy.com.
I am so excited.  To top it off, Craftsy's Facebook page, facebook.com/quiltingclub, posted my pattern on their wall and got me off to a great start!  I am over the moon!

There have been a few comments and posts which imply I have stolen or copied the pattern from another designer.  I feel that I need to address this to clear the air:

• I admit that I used a block known as "disappearing nine patch", "split nine patch", "tossed nine patch" and some other names.  This technique can be found for free on multiple websites if you simply type in the block name on a Google search.  
• This block pattern is considered a technique.  Patterns are copyrighted, not techniques.
• My quilt pattern was not copied from anyone and cannot be found anywhere else that I know of.  I realize it is similar to an Eleanor Burns pattern but it is not the same.  
• I designed my pattern in 2009 on EQ6 without ever having seen Eleanor's pattern.  And, as I said above, it IS different from Eleanor's design.  Eleanor's quilt is bigger than mine and uses different instructions. 
• I am unable to even find who originated the block technique.

You can find a little bit of history here:  Cookie-Cutter-Nine-Patch-Quilt-Pattern
"The technique appears to have developed from the work of many quilters, so I feel comfortable writing my own version of the pattern -- instructions are copyrighted, not techniques. However, I do not feel comfortable calling the pattern disappearing nine patch, since the phrase was used in (at least) two books. So I'll join the ranks of writers who coin a new phrase for designs that ultimately become traditional:"
You can see more discussion here:  Pirate's Forum Post

I am not the first designer to use this block in a book or pattern and I won't be the last.  It is timeless and unbelievably easy.  And no two quilts are alike, even if you use the same charm pack in more than one quilt.
I am happy that so many people like my pattern and equally happy that others are paying attention and defending copyright.  Thank you all.
Piecin' Love,
Terri