Nothing New Under the Sun, or Copycats?

One of the online quilting groups I belong to is currently having a conversation about others copying quilt patterns and other designs. Here's my 2 cents:

Do you know that every adult uses about 250-400 words in their daily language? Some writers jumble words around to portray one way of thought. Others, using the same words in different order make those sentences mean something totally different.

Let's say there are about 300 basic quilt block designs that all quilters use (and there are a bunch of us!) I never made a quilt exactly as the pattern. I choose a color scheme from one of your quilts, make blocks in various (but basic) shapes. Usually I combine 2-3 blocks in one quilt and either don't put sashing or add it. Am I a copycat?

No, I'm inspired by other artists! That's how creativity is generated with one idea leading to 5 ideas and probably even changing your mind partially through the construction.  I use color schemes from magazines because those page creators went through hours of trial and error before coming up with the combination that is most pleasing and accepted to print.

I posted mini Halloween totes on my blogs last year. In the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting they are having a contest to make these same treat totes. The pattern is fun, easy and free at allpeoplequilt.com. They have displayed a few of the bags entered into the contest so far and guess what? They are all made from Halloween fabric! I did send my photos to the APQ last year just to share. I wonder if they will now accept my efforts into an entry for the new Bernina Sewing Machine?

Happy sewing,
Suz

I'm Back!

It's been waaay too long since I've kept up with my blogs. I'm finally at a time where much time has been freed up. (Little man I take care of is in school fulltime.)  I lost both of my cats over the past several months. One was expected--he was 16 years old. But his little brother was only 3 and died a few months ago from liquid surrounding (not in) his tiny lungs.

I found a new furry quilt tester (above) at our local animal shelter Monday. He's so extremely tiny it's going to be a true challenge to keep him growing. He was found by a mailman on a busy intersection. If love can keep him alive and strong, he'll be just fine!

National Quilting Day Each Month

I totally missed the first day of Spring and National Quilting Day. There was talk on one of the online quilt groups that March might be considered as National Quilting Month as well. That still isn't going to work for me.

Therefore, I am claiming the 20th of every month "National Quilting Day" and on that day I'm going to practice FMQ on my DSM!! (For the newbies, that's Free-Motion Quilting on my Domestic Sewing Machine.)

Knowing that I must be accountable to the blogging universe, I need to force my focus one day each month on getting over the intimidation and akwardness and just do it. I've been making many tops for OQC and kids, so now it's time for me to put the batting with the backings and get them ready to turn into a real quilt!

On Tuesday, April 19th I will be getting everything set up so that when Iwake up on April 20th, Nat'l (monthly) Quilting Day, I can have my first cup of coffee while digging right in to actual quilting. Anyone want to join me?

My Pillow Made the Cover!

The February issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine is available now, and I was lucky enough to have one of the patterns I tested published! The selvedge hearts are actually 5 small pockets, and there is also one heart on the back. This is a really fun pattern, and for only $1 per month you can get lots of fun, new patterns at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/ (Also, if you DO subscribe and mention my name I will earn a free issue!! Only good until March 15th, I believe it is)

My Pattern Test is Published!

This is my first test pattern for the new online quilting magazine, The Quilt Pattern Magazine! It's called "Framed Hearts" and is really fun to make. I cannot give you the instructions/pattern; however, I can happily invite you to subscribe. It's only $1 per month, and if you order it and aren't pleased with it, you can ask for a refund for the months you don't want!! Tell me another magazine does that! Also, next month there is a chance my test for February just might be on the cover!! If you do subscribe, tell them that "Susan sent you" and I'll get some issues for free! http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/

A Small Delay

Schools have been closed for 3 days, so of course I had to take it off, too. My little man (now 5) got a snowboard for Christmas. Thanks to the recent snows we've broke it in well! First, he started on the small slope at the front of our townhome. Then, it was on to the BIG hill across the street. Hopefully, I'll learn how to transfer the video(s) so everyone can get a lift for the day/week!

Time for Another Holiday Cyber Retreat!

You are invited to join me for the 2011 New Year's Eve Cyber Sewing Retreat! Just go to: http://www.susanround.com and click on the number to the top right of the post (number of posts). It's going to be great to hear from old friends and new ones after taking a couple of months away from cyberspace! Hope to hear from you, Susan

Crazy Happy, or Happy being Crazy?

I might call this "End of the Donation Scraps!"

It's definitely a crazy quilt, and I just smiled the entire time I put the pieces together. These are all the pieces of string blocks that have either been sent to me or from my projects last year.

Do you recognize any of your block cutoffs?

No Halloween Retreat This Year

It just didn't work out this holiday. Thanks for checking in!

Halloween Mini Totes

These are made from the mini tote pattern available for free at allpeoplequilt.com. Only instead of making each individually, I mass produced them making 3 at a time! Very fast and fun!

To get the pattern for these, go to www.allpeoplequilt.com and in the search box type, "Small Treat Totes." If you are going to make many, instead of cutting each one out individually, I stitched the 3 strips of fabric the width of the fabric then sliced them apart. I even inserted the handles on the one long seam, so all that was left was to stitch down the side and turn it! So fast and fun.

Almost NaNoWriMo!

It's almost National Novel Writing Month! Starting November 1st the goal is to write 50,000 words before November 30th.

Downy's Quilts for Kids Program

I've ordered another quilt kit from Downy for the Quilts for Kids program. This was the first one I made, and posted it again here because it's so bright and colorful (more so than the busty cups, below).

Busty Cups in progress

This is a fuzzy photo of the Busty Cups I'm making for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With the guidance and inispiration of Marguerita in Alaska, I'm having the most fun putting these together. I bought thrift store bras and cut them apart. Once they are finished, I'll post another (more clear) photo.

Is this the ugliest block ever?

THIS is without a doubt THE ugliest string block ever! Good luck, Sue in MN in blending this one in and make it blend!

Ugliest Block?

This HeartString block I purposely tried to make as ugly as possible:

It's Cyber Retreat Time Again!

Can you believe it's Labor Day Weekend again? As always, I will be hosting another holiday cyber retreat and I sure hope you can join me this year. I have LOTS of goals to accomplish before and during this holiday, and I welcome your support! Anyone else want to clean up and organize before continuing with charity work for hibernation this winter?? (Just click on the title of this post to go to the cyber retreat gathering.)

Crumby Color Storage Bags

I made lined crumb blocks and glued them to the front of some "commercial" canvas totes. Without gluing the top, I can use that pocket to quickly stuff in crumbs as I use them--in the appropriate color bag! The purple bag is done, the green crumb pocket is ready to be glued down on the right side. I've tested the glue--it holds beautifully. With small spaces vertical storage is idea. I hang these bags on a coat rack and sometimes just stack them in a corner on top of each other. Larger pieces and scraps go inside the bag. I may dump out all the pieces sometime and use the tote to carry--then replace it as the crumb/scrap bag!

Making Cookies From Crumbs

When I want some mindless and fun creating, I start piecing crumbs together by color. From a lack of what else to call these pieces, I use "cookies." I make 4 or 5 at a time then put them away. When I'm ready to make crumb blocks or bags, I've already got a fun start!

Too much pink area on this block I'm going to fix with a green applique. (See photo below, bottom center block)

Floating Green Crumb

This is how I fixed the too-pink space. I made a green applique the same shape as the space in the original crumb block. I'm going to stitch it down so it looks like either the last piece going into the pink space, or it's falling out!!