Lucky Me!

Wow, I am one lucky chick-a-dee.  Jolly Jabber did a feature of Fast, Flirty, and Fun on their blog today.  

Go check it out!

Jolly Jabber.

Trunk Shows- For Quilt Shops

What's the deal with trunk shows?

Trunk shows allow you to get 3 quilts to display in your shop.  My trunk show is visiting each shop for roughly 1 month.  It will arrive at the first of the month, and the quilts will stay at the shop until the trunk show needs to be shipped off to the next location.

The only cost to the shop owner is the postage to the next location.

 Quilt samples help boost sales of fabric, notions, and the book.  What's great is that Martingale has a great "no risk" return policy, any books unsold can be returned to Martingale!  Risk free is easy.

This is a great opportunity to teach a class from the book, you will have an example ready to go.

So, email me fast to set up your trunk show.  I have two trunk shows, and they are filling up quick.  Contact me at here.

Party Time

I just finished reading a little story to that Liz of mine...and now my mind in working in rhymes...let's see if I can make this post in time.

The book release party came and went,

and I can't tell you how much it meant.

To have friends and family from near and far,

to join us to celebrate at our little bazaar.

We had some yummy food,

and my quilts were previewed.

There were lots of kids, parents, and noise

and we all enjoyed the walls of turquoise.

This morning a little mopping I had to do,

as well as clean the windows so we could view.

And now our fridge is full to the brim,

and I feel so lucky to have satisfied my every whim.

Welcome Home Quilts

Welcome home quilts. I have missed you.

You have made trips I can only dream of.  You've been to Quilt Market. 

Lucky!

But, now you are safe at home.  I am all too happy to have you back.  But, prepare yourselves for another adventure....

Trunk Shows.  

If only I could travel with the quilts in their box.

Until then, I will cherish their snuggling ability in my home.

Quilt shop owners:

 Please contact me at sbisel@comcast.net if you want my quilts for a trunk show.

Book Release Party

You are all invited.  Seriously!

Amazon Ships!

For all you quilters out there....the book shipped.  How exciting, I can't wait to have everyone get their books.  The fun begins!!!!

Now, we need to have a book release party.  May the planning begin!!!!

Appearance

Do you want to see it?  Check out my appearance on Tucson's The Morning Blend.  

http://www.tucsonmorningblend.com/videos/96177159.html

Alert, Alert!!!!

I am going to be on our local morning TV show.  The Morning Blend on KGUN 9 at 11:00 am. on Monday morning.  Yes, June 14th.  Soon.  Crazy soon.

I am a little nervous.  Okay, a lot nervous.  In real life, I like to only be in the spotlight when I spontaneously freak out.  Otherwise, I like to sit in the background.

Do I need a new outfit?

Maybe I should bring the baby..that would put me at ease....

alright, maybe not.  But he's cute.  Book buying cute.

Rambling? 

 I know! But, you like it.

Prepare Quilt Sandwich

Preparing your quilt for quilting is a VERY important step in the process.  You have worked so hard to produce a quilt top to love and cherish, you want to make sure your quilt is properly prepared so you don't have wrinkles and puckers.

Steps to Prepare your Quilt Sandwich

Materials needed:

Masking Tape

Safety Pins

(thinner and longer is best)

Quilting/Gardening gloves (optional)**will save your thumb

Quilt Top

Batting

Quilt Back

1. Lay quilt back right side down on flat hard surface.

2. Tape down quilt back in the center of one side.  Next, tape the opposite sides center down.

3.  There are two sides of the quilt back (opposite of each other). Tape each center down.

Clear as MUD?

4.  Now that all the centers are taped down, tape the rest of the sides down.  Starting with one side, place tape about every 5-8",  then tape the opposite side of the quilt back. Then do the same thing to the other two sides.

5.  Lay the batting on top of the quilt back. Smooth out!!!!

6.  Lay the Quilt top on the batting, right side up. Smooth out starting from the center.  Get every bump and wrinkle out.  If you have stubborn wrinkles, pull out your iron and attack!

7.  PIN baby PIN!  Start in the middle, and pin about every 4", smoothing as you go.  Be aware of your quilting pattern, and try to avoid pinning in the spaces you know you will be quilting. 

Monogram Pillowcase Tutorial

A couple weeks ago we celebrated my daughters birthday.  She wanted a pajama party and all the fun to go with it.  We brainstormed about party favors, and we came up with pillowcases, necklaces (those girls love to be pretty), and chocolate (yep, girls love that too).  I pondered about what to do with pillowcases.  Should I make the pillowcases?  Should I embroider them? I love the embroidered look, but I don't have an embroidery machine, and my sweet hubby suggested asking a friend for help would be a burden.  New idea, what if I bought pillowcases and decorated them?  I finally came up with the simple (if you don't know me yet, I LOVE simple) idea of ribbon and a first initial.

Prepare the letters:

I have heard the Cricut can cut fabric.  I tried it once (with a friends machine), and it didn't work. Hmmm.  If you can use your cricut, please do, and ignore my advice.  If, you are like me, and are too cheap for a cricut, read on.

I created in Photoshop (I am sure you could use Word, I have Pages, and I couldn't find a way to make it in a mirror image), a document with the letters and sizes I needed.  Measure the area you plan to put the letter first.  Pick a font you like, I used century gothic, made it bold, and then used the outline feature of the font.  Now, make it a mirror image of the letter.  In Photoshop,go to Edit, Transform, Flip Horizontal.

Here comes the fun part.  Choose the fabric you want to use, and use an iron on adhesive according to its directions.  Cut the fabric to an 8  1/2" x 11" size (or if you are expert, make it the size your printer can handle).  Place the fabric face UP, and then print (make sure the printer will print on the paper, not the fabric).   Using the printed lines as a guide, cut your letters out, and iron them on your pillowcase.  I also used a small satin stitch to finish off the letters.

Adding the Ribbon

This is super easy, simply sew the ribbon on using matching thread on the top and bobbin.  One bit of advice is to start at a seam, with the ribbon extending a little over the seam, and then when the ribbon is completely around the pillowcase, fold the ribbon over 1/2 - 1/4" and sew down (right on the seam).

Pretty easy, pretty cute, and super fun.

Today I....

This morning, I was lovingly going through my blogs.  I have had some questions about the release of my book....I have two dates, June 8, and June 21.  I think the real one is June 8....pretty exciting.  Whoever gets their book first better leave a comment on here!!!!  

I was checking the martingale website, and what did my eyes behold?  My book, on their top banner, on every page I clicked.  Pretty exciting to me!  My book is partnered with 2 others books, a collection of fun.

Check it out.

 This is really happening, all those hours of writing, correcting, sewing, sketching, etc...  It's all coming together into a tangible result. 

 My heart is full.  

WINNER of Baker's Dozen Book...and more.....

MIN you Won.


Also....

The winners of the love note stickers NEVER contacted me.  So, the first three people who send me their addresses will win.  How's that?