"THIS IS WHY I ROLL....OUT THE FABRIC"

Hey....hope everyone is doing great. We've been fighting the O' Flu bug but finally over it...and I truly mean over it! We have some exciting news...we have 3 New Pattern Lines coming soon along with a stunning collection of "Seasonal Mini Series" using Hoffman's New Batik line. Also, new pattern lines will incorporate a Table Square spin off for the beginner quilter. Our New Line "Fun, Fast & Fabulous was recently created due to the birth of Noah. Doug's daughter Amber delivered a sweet baby boy last year and needless to say..."this is why I roll...out the fabric". These two grandsons keep Gege busy! We are also offering Custom Quilt Designs/Patterns for you to have a "show stopper" at your next Quilt Show. Oh, did I mention....free pattern downloads...that's right! Sometimes my head gets to spinning with designs so I decided to do some free downloads. I feel it's my way of giving back to a lot of people who've helped me along the way. I truly believe in "Quilting it Forward" and forever grateful to the ones who helped me back in my younger days. Learning to quilt is like learning to cook....once you sample your wonderful work...you never get enough! I appreciate the tips that are being sent in and please keep them coming. Some were repeats but here are some recent great ideas. Please email me if you do not wish to be on our email list.

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.hoffmanfabrics.com

*Great Tip for a fast Easter Quilt....Foam Craft Shapes are great to use for large pattern stencils...she purchased a pkg. ( bunny, chick, rabbit, tulip, butterfly) all at the Dollar Store. Trace on some fabric cut and fuse/applique...
Here's my spin....use the outline of the foam shape as your quilting stencil....get creative and have fun!

*This tip never gets old...."Always cut the corners of your fabric before washing...prevents fraying

Thanks for the tips and will post more soon!

"QUILT IT FORWARD"

Tis the Season everyone....some of us might be scrambling to think of a thoughtful gift for our friends and loved ones. We don't need to go shopping for this one...I say..."Quilt it Forward". Go attack your scraps...cut some "charm squares" or "fat quarters" and put together a "no cost" thoughtful gift! This is when you can get really creative at not cost...just your time. We all love to "pay it forward"...doing something nice for someone especially this time of year. Recently, my neighbor came over and we were in  my quilt/sewing room....she asked if I would teach her to quilt this coming year. Wow, I was so excited just thinking of how special that would be passing on a wonderful tradition. I'm going to start her out slow with a "Puppy Lap Quilt" for her dogs...something fast with easy piecing but fabulous. You can design your own pattern or search a pattern off the web to download with your scraps. Dig into your thread stash and add some coordinating thread or embellishments to your gift. Make your "gift tag" your instruction tag as well and tie with a quilting tool that your not using. This would also be a wonderful way to Craft it Forward, Sew it Forward, Clean it Forward and above all "Pray it Forward". If your kids are looking for a project this Christmas break have them design their own project for helping others. 4-H kids....this would be a wonderful community service and or leadership project as well. So many of us get wrapped up in the holiday shopping spree...myself included....but it's nice to sit back and have fun making those homemade gifts! Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas and keep those tips coming. Were getting settled in and the blog will be full speed ahead this coming year! I've truly enjoyed everyone's tips and especially thankful for your comments and prayers sent during our moving time to Texas. So Blessed to be back near our family!

Christmas Blessings from our Home to Yours!
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

"ORGANIZE YOUR STASH & SEWING ROOM"

Hey quilters....I've received several tips on organizing a sewing room ( between us I cannot use the term..." clutter" in my sewing room....fabric is not clutter :-) Well...I've saved the tips to make a nice interesting article that you can even print out if needed. I know when I'm working on a project and  need some extra "punch" in a design it's nice to go to my organized stash of fabric. If your sewing room is small like mine these tips will come in handy! Anyway, thanks for sending in your tips!

DESIGN WALL...small, medium and large for your layout of current project and when you get an inspiration of your next.
CORKBOARD SQUARES...adhere to a closet door wall to organize your cutting rulers with pegs for easy accessibility.
CUTTING TABLE...purchase or create one of your own that is "Sturdy" and has storage space underneath for shelves or containers to "stash" your fabrics
CREATE A "L" SHAPE...sewing room to organize your furniture around the perimeter of your room.
ANTIQUE CORNER CABINETS and CHESTS....make adorable storage areas plus gives your room a less industrial feel while being creative
STASH...take a few minutes with scraps and cut immediately into "charm squares"...organize them by size and store/label for future use
CARDBOARD....use extra holders that your fabric store gives away and use them to wrap your pre-washed and ironed fabric on....
ORGANIZE BY COLOR AND SEASON....love this tip....creating that easy "go to" color when needed for projects
CASTERS...purchase/build tables and cabinets on casters for easy accessibility and flexibility of usage of space
PROJECT INSPIRATION WALL...have a "mini" peg wall for your goals of the week or month. I go to the next extreme....I put pics of the grandkids to make me smile when I get frustrated on a project.
2 PK SWEATER STORAGE BAGS....purchase at dollar store are great for temporary storing your projects and great for traveling to your quilt workshops.
UTILIZE THE SPACE ABOVE YOUR WINDOWS...place shelves to store baskets, quilt books etc.
I love this one....I use baskets and pre-cut my strips for projects and loosely hang them over the baskets for easy accessibility
STASH BASKET....hang a basket by your cutting table to discard your scraps in for later cutting
ORGANIZE YOUR THREAD....by color and style ( hand sewing, machine quilting etc)
MINI CUTTING MAT....by your sewing table for easy accessibility to trim while sewing
IRON....I have one by sewing machine to press seams while sewing along with the great tip above!
STORAGE BASKETS....clear storage containers to hold same size cuts of fabric....label outside for easy access
JARS....create a accessory magnetic wall to store pins etc in magnetic tins (cute one)
DOOR STORAGE....utilize the back of doors to use "clear over the door shoe holders" to store your items for easy access and visibility
UNDER WINDOWS....create a storage unit under windows to utilize that space of 18-24" depending on window size
PORTABLE IRON BOARD....on your cutting table for small projects
INDUSTRIAL CABINETS....great for storing plus magnetic holders are easy accessible for items
FLOORING....have low maintenance floors in sewing room for cleaning plus easy movement of cabinets, storage units with casters
COLOR....create color for your inspiration in your sewing room
COFFEE POT...I love this one....have a small 4 cup handy in sewing room
Thanks for the tips....keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

"CUT FOR THE CURE"

Good morning quilters...recently I was asked what rulers that I like to use. I have to tell you that thanks to my "Mother in Law's" wonderful birthday present last year, I fell in love with these. They are "Cut for the Cure Rulers by Nifty Notions". Mom has a special reason for this gift due to she's a "Breast Cancer Survivor". These rulers are designed by Kaye England and  a portion of sales proceeds go directly to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The rulers are designed with a Breast Cancer awareness theme. The 12 rulers in the collection consists of 3 squares, 3 rectangles, and 6 specialty rulers. They have bright pink and green lines, allowing them to work on light and dark fabrics. Each ruler have sight lines every sixteenth inch and sight holes at every inch intersection. If you buy the complete package you get a wonderful DVD with Kaye England demonstrating each use of ruler with helpful tips. Quilters.....I have to say...they are wonderful and easy to use plus you are helping a great cause! You can go to Kaye England website for more information.
Keep the tips or q's coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

"ADORABLE MINATURE QUILT STAND HOLDERS"

Hey quilters....hope everyone is back safe and sound from family vacations before the hustle of "back to school". Blog tips were slow last week but thanks for sending tips this week. I had to post this info in the meantime. I received this info and the website has the most adorable miniature quilt stand holders. They have "Table Top" metal quilt stand holders plus wall hangers as well. You can purchase individual "headers" to change out seasonally. They would make adorable stands for those Christmas presents when you like to add that personal touch. Anyway, the prices are reasonable so check it out at ackfeldwire.com. Thanks for sending in that great Holiday tip! Keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

T.G.I.Q/FRIDAY...."TIPS ON CONTROLLING BORDERS'

Hey quilters....it's hard to believe it's Friday already! Hope everyone is having a great week and getting those projects going for Christmas. Before we know it Santa will be going HO, HO, HO and if your like, you'll be going NO, NO, NO! I am determined this year to get my gifts done ahead of time due to me making gifts for other people. I can definitely say with this heat I'd rather be inside quilting :-) Anyway, here are some tips of the week along with a segment on controlling our borders. Thanks for sending in tips....keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

*Gather fabric cardboard holders from local quilt shops to use in your sewing room. Pre-wash and iron your fabrics and wrap on cardboards and you are "good to go" for your next project.
* At your next quilt meeting or retreat...make re-usable "quilt-tags" instead of just your ordinary
name tag....again a gift they can re-use....have a segment on how to make them as well.
* Save your plastic drink containers to safely dispose of your rotary cutting blades.
* Sweet quilt hanger for small projects....use a twisted cord drapery tie-back
* Use a clip-board stand to display your quilt design on table next to your sewing machine to have design to reflect on as needed.
* Organize your scraps into plastic containers by colors and prints....cut into charm squares for your next scrap quilt.

Helpful tips so we don't get "wavy borders"
* Cut your border strips to fit your top...instead of pre-cut strips
* Cut borders on the lengthwise grain of fabric are easier to bind....edges are more stable
* To help keep crosswise grain fabric stable use spray starch on fabric before cutting.
* While laying your quilt layers together for basting/quilting....place on a smooth/flat surface

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY....LETTER TO SANTA PATTERN"

Hey quilters....it's hard to believe it's July already. I was in a store the other day and Christmas décor is already out. With the birth of our Grandson Davin, I designed this quilt for his first Christmas. It's a fast and easy pattern and is absolutely adorable when finished. You can personalize it with your family's names or makes an adorable gift to in laws with the grandchildren's names on it as well. Pattern will be 10% off the month of July to help you get a "jump start" on your Christmas Gifts! We are also offering 10% off custom orders this month if you do not wish to make the pattern yourself.
Email me to receive mailing instructions. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

 

 

"LETTER TO SANTA"

52 X 60

 

Copyright, Children's Couture by Cat, 2013