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Apr
26
Holly Mabutas of Eat Cake Graphics just posted an adorable free Santa pattern on her blog Sprinkles of Thought.
Like all of Holly’s artwork, the pattern’s special and wonderful. Be sure to take a look at all the quilt patterns and rubber stamps at Eat Cake Graphics. You’ll be glad you did. I keep telling Holly’s she’s the next Mary Engelbreit, Susan Branch, and Debbie Mumm all rolled into one.
If you like scrapbooking, be sure to subscribe to A Sprinkling of Samples, which shows what ‘bookers have done with Eat Cake stamps. So creative, and a feast for the eyes.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Dec
21
Sharp notches
Filed Under Hand appliqué, Holiday, Needleturn, Photo tutorials | 5 Comments
When I posted my illustrated guide to points back in September, I had some requests for the same type of thing for sharp notches. It’s been on my list and I’ve been checking it twice, so here you go. A very happy holiday to you in all the flavors!
Stitches are exaggerated for illustration purposes.
Clip almost to the turn line.
Sew to within 2 or 3 stitches of the notch. There will be very little turning allowance in this area. That’s okay. Use very small stitches and tuck under any loose threads.
Turn the project. Tuck under the first bit of turning allowance on the other side of the notch. In this illustration, some threads from the motif fabric are sticking up in the notch. The needle is not stitching; it is behind the motif, ready to sweep the misbehaving threads under.
Use the shaft of the needle to sweep across the notch, creating a tiny fold and encouraging any threads to go under. The needle is still not stitching, just sweeping.
Take the remaining stitches down to the notch. The last one, directly in the notch, should pick up 3 or 4 threads of the motif fabric.
Sweep again if needed. With the tip of the needle, dig under the motif fabric and insert the needle exactly where the current stitch came out. Swing the needle and come out going uphill for the next stitch. Snug the thread down well to create a sharp notch.
I hope that whatever Santa you celebrate brings you all good things
this year.
“A Happy Christmas to All” by Kay Mackenzie (detail), designs from
A Merry Little Christmas to Applique
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Nov
26
The big things
Filed Under Hand appliqué, Holiday, Needleturn, Photo tutorials | 2 Comments
My husband of 20 years, Dana Mackenzie.
Our dog of 15 years, Bertram Wilberforce Woofster Mackenzie III, aka Willie.
The Last of the Mohicans, Pixel, 19 years old and sleeping snugly in the closet with my old Bernina.
Chutney and Maikai, our two kitty friends of 18 years, to whom we bid a furry farewell this year.
My hands. I was thinking about this after the quilt show in Sacramento last weekend. Sometimes ladies come into my booth, look around, and say, “I used to appliqué but my hands don’t work any more.” That’s a sadness to me. So I’m thankful that I have my hands. Not many people know this, but I’m what I call a ‘closet arthritic.’ Two major bouts earlier in my life stiffened my joints and crimped up my toes but, very thankfully, spared my hands. I can appliqué.
The above photo is a staging shot that I sent to Martingale for their reference in creating an illustration. Here’s the corresponding figure from Easy Appliqué Blocks, showing how I pinch the turning allowance under ahead of my stitching.
Those are the really big things. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Mar
21
Ruth wins the fabric
Filed Under Fabrics, Holiday | 2 Comments
Ruth B’s the winner! Ruth, your comment is the same as what I would say about why I love quilting. It allows me to be a creative person. I never found ‘it’ until I found quilting.
Ruth, send me your name and mailing address to topdog at quiltpuppy.com and your beautiful blue fabric will be on its way.
Thank you all for sharing what quilting means to you. It’s good to stop and think about it every now and then.
Until next time,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Mar
21
It’s National Quilting Day
Filed Under Fabrics, Holiday | 7 Comments
Today we give extra-special thoughts toward celebrating quilting in all of its forms.
Let’s talk about it. Leave a comment telling everyone why you love quilting.
At 7:00 p.m. California time I’ll draw randomly from among all the comments posted, and I’ll send the winner a yard of this gorgeous Michael Miller fabric “Lotus Blossoms” designed by M.E. Hordyszynski.
Your fellow quilter,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Jan
22
Free pattern for V-Day
Filed Under Holiday, Patterns | 4 Comments
Here’s a free pattern for you to stitch up for Valentine’s Day.
Click the pattern to download a pdf version.
This block is from my book Growing Hearts to Appliqué. In the book I called it Love Bug. However, since then I’ve found out that there’s a real love bug and it’s not that pleasant of an insect LOL! I’ve now rechristened this block ‘Almost a Butterfly.’ You can see it in the lower left corner of the quilt. Very cute.
Enjoy! and let me know when you stitch it up… I’ll post a photo here on the blog!
Until next time,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Dec
23
‘Tis the Season
Filed Under Books, Borders, Embellishment, Fusible web, Holiday, Improvisational appliqué, Machine appliqué, Patterns, Raw edge | 3 Comments
And here’s my quilt of the same name.
I made this little 18 x 18 wall quilt last year, just putting together some motifs from A Merry Little Christmas to Appliqué and filling in the white space with some cute red and green buttons. I used different prints and widths for side and top and bottom borders, something I’ve become fond of doing. The Christmas cracker is tied with embroidery thread. This one’s machine appliquéd and machine quilted.
If you’d like to see more Christmassy quilts, click on the ‘Holiday’ category in the left sidebar and that’ll bring up the ones I posted last year.
A very happy holiday time to you all! See you next year.
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Dec
13
Fusible web appliqué tips
Filed Under Articles, Designers, Fusible web, Holiday, Machine appliqué, Patterns, Raw edge | Leave a Comment
Kim Jamieson-Hirst of Chatterbox Quilts in Calgary, Alberta, has posted a very nice article on her website giving lots of tips and information about fusible-web appliqué. Visit Chatterbox Quilts and click on the Tips and Techniques page.
You can use Kim’s information to make her brand-new, exceedingly cute table runner pattern, Bundle Up. It’s on the Patterns page at Chatterbox, or go directly to
Kim’s Etsy shop.
Happy holidays, and bundle up!
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Dec
8
What I’m giving this year
Filed Under Fusible web, Holiday, Improvisational appliqué, Raw edge | 1 Comment
The past few years, I’ve really been trying to avoid that horrible credit card bill that comes in January. So I’ve been putting my thinking cap on to figure out ways to make gifts instead of buying them. After all, I’m a creative, crafty person, right? Last year I unearthed some small stained-glass quilts that I’d made umpteen years ago, added some more quilting to them, wrapped them up, and sent them to all the relatives. This year I hit upon the idea of making some quilty note cards.
I had fused fabric to paper once before, when we moved to California and I decorated moving announcements that way. And, although I haven’t read it, I knew that Elly Sienkiewicz had done a whole book about it called Appliqué Paper Greetings. Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Paper Greetings: A Quilt Approach to Scrapbooking
A quick Google search found me CardBlanks.com, and I immediately knew what I wanted. A flecked line of blank note cards came in coffee, cream, and sugar LOL! I ordered the sugar.
A rummage through my stash turned up a set of pieced borders that had never made it onto a quilt. There were my fabrics, all color-coordinated! I drew some very simple appliqué motifs that would fit on the cards and printed them out in reverse for fusible appliqué.
I wasn’t sure whether I needed to use regular-weight or heavy-duty fusible for this, so I started with the regular. Worked fine. My favorite is Wonder Under; your mileage may vary.
For fusing on paper, I didn’t bother with cutting out the interior of each motif (although that does make it easier to get the paper backing off) and I didn’t worry about precise placement either. I just eyeballed it, and used a dry iron throughout.
How simple, yet cute. A creative, crafty, handmade gift.
I even signed the back of each card. The relatives like that.
I slipped four with matching envelopes into some flat cellophane bags that I had had kicking around forever, and voila! Ready to put in with the holiday card, shipping cost an extra Nutcracker stamp.
When we were kids we used to ask my Scottish grandmother, “Grandma, what do you want for Christmas?” Or, “What do you want for your birthday?” She just would shrug and reply in her thick brogue, “I don’t need all that I’ve got.” Really, most of the people on my gift list have all that they need and want, for that matter. I think they really appreciate receiving something original and unique, even if it’s just a little something.
Now admittedly this isn’t going to fly for the teenaged nephews, but I think it’ll work for just about everybody else on my list. What’s your creative, crafty solution?
Until next time,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Nov
25
Stocking stuffers
Filed Under Books, Holiday, Patterns | 2 Comments
Here are some great “little something” suggestions for your dear quilting friends this year.
Magnetic Needle Minders
These Needle Minders look just like beautiful cameo brooches. A magnet in the back keeps them in place so you can wear it on your clothing, or you can set it down beside you. No more needles in the arm of the sofa or stuck through your shirt! You’ll always know where your needle is.
Makes a great gift for someone who likes to sew, or for yourself. Available in a range of colors and styles. At only $9, these may just be the ultimate stocking stuffer. They’re on the Kits & Notions page at Quilt Puppy.
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Quilting books
Have you browsed my Appliqué Bookstore lately? I hand-selected the titles… tons and tons of gorgeous appliqué books, gathered together for your shopping pleasure. What quilter wouldn’t love to receive that book they’ve been admiring but wouldn’t get for themselves? The bookstore is powered by Amazon, which offers great prices.
Speaking of Amazon, the pre-listing for my book Easy Applique Blocks:
50 Designs in 5 Sizes
On my website, Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs, you’ll find the books and patterns that I publish. They’re all economically priced, with low shipping, because that’s what I believe in. You might find the perfect stocking stuffer for your quilting friend there.
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Quilts
Quilts make the perfect gift for quilters and quilt appreciators alike. Visit Quilts For Sale to view a wide selection of pieces made by quilters like you and me. You’ll see me listed as one of the designers so while you’re there be sure to check out my lollipops quilt, Puppydoodle Pops. Perfect for someone expecting a baby, or for some special kid in your life.
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Etsy
Have you discovered Etsy yet? It’s a crafter’s paradise. Everything’s handmade and you’ll find a bazillion things to drool over and gift your friends with (and probably keep some for yourself). You name it, if it can be handmade, it’s there. I have a Quilt Puppy Etsy store where you’ll see my books and patterns listed. also a couple of little quilts that are still available. Very cute, hanger included, a perfect inexpensive present.
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CafePress
CafePress is very cool. You can create your own original custom products! Choose a product to customize… t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, etc., and upload your own photo or image. Or, choose from among the bazillions of images available on the website, submitted by designers from all over the world. I myself have exactly one there so far, a very cute “Merry Quiltsmas” design that looks great on a t-shirt or tote.
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Okay, that’s my roundup of gift-giving suggestions this holiday season. Now I better get started on my own list!
Happy holidays,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
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