2019 Reflections!!

Wow! It is hard to believe that this year is almost over, and so is the decade.  Today, I want to look back at what I did and didn’t get accomplished in 2019.

 

When I look back on my January 2019 post on my goals for 2019, I feel that I finished many of them, but fell behind in some of my goals I wanted to get done.  Let’s start with my long-term goals first; I started working on getting my name out as a pattern designer, which is a long hard process; therefore, it is on my long-term goal list. I did get another one of my long-term goals completed, which was to get picked up with by distributors.  I signed with Checker this last year, I hope I can gain more as time goes on.

One of the short-term goals that I accomplished this year was to have a booth at Quilt Market. I had two Quilt Market booths, Spring (Kansas City) and Fall (Houston). I feel having booths at the quilt markets greatly benefited me as a person and my business.  The Spring Market was difficult, not knowing what I was getting into, plus I ran the booth by myself.  The Fall Market was far better due to my good friend, and my Longarmer Januari Rhode, aka The Quilted Ginger, went with me. I learned so much from her on pushing myself a little further, and getting my name out there and getting over those fears. 

Another goal that was on my list was to find time for myself and take a few classes. This year I attended a couple of Deb Tucker class during the AQS Lancaster Quilt show. That was great, just to get away and spend time learning from the best. Another way to find time for myself was to sell my longarm. This was a tough decision, but not doing the quilting on my patterns, freed up more time so I could produce more exciting designs and get to take a break here and there as well.

Another goal was to continue to grow my social media, blog, and newsletter followers. This year I did fall behind in my newsletter and social media posts. However, I had a great Quilt-Along that was fun, called Graceful Points, which combined the Studio 180 Design Blockbusters into one learning process to make either a wall or queen size quilt.

I did continue to design fun and exciting quilts over the past year. I released four new patterns, Getaway, Garden Enchantment Block of the Month, Stormy Seas, and Whimsical Dance, with more coming shortly in 2020.

One accomplishment that was not on my set of goals, but I’m so glad that I didn’t pass up the opportunity was to become a Sue Pelland Designs Certified Instructor.  She has opened the door for me in the designing world.  Stay tuned as the first of these designs will come out in 2020, you may glimpse some of these projects on my social media posts.

There was so much more I want to get done but got neglected this past year, such as grow my lecture and workshops, design more patterns using various fabric companies. However, I will add these to my long-term goals and work on them over the next couple of years.

This was a fun reflection on 2019, tomorrow I will have my new goals for 2020 ready to go for you. It will be an exciting year coming up, and I look forward to sharing the adventure with you.

Tina

"Designs to Inspire"

End of Year Sale

Hope everyone had a great Christmas yesterday.  I sure did, even with a one member of the family missing it was a great Christmas, even in 70 degree outside with rain all day long.  The house quite warm by the end of the day with the oven all day.

Now that Christmas is over it is time to think about the end of the year, which means sales, sales and more sales. Well Quilting Affection is having an Year Ending Sale.  We are trying to get remove all the remaining fabric in our inventory.  All Fabric is 50% off, and we even have our patterns down to 30% off. So come over to our main page and check out what we have for you.  Great time to Stash build!!

Tina 

Flower Bloom Pattern Released

Today,  I'm really excited to introduce you to "Flower Bloom" Piece Pattern.  This pattern has been getting all kinds of attention at quilt shops.

We delayed the release of this gorgeous quilt pattern so we could adjust it to not only a wallhanging, but to allow for bed-sizes: twin, queen, and King size quilts.  The wallhanging makes a lovely hanging for an entry or bedroom. The bed-size quilts are beautiful on any bed. 

This quilt is great for Batiks, which will brighten any room.

Our Flower Bloom pattern has complete and easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams.  You can get the pattern here for only $8.00.  If you would like to get this pattern for your store, please email us or visit our wholesale page.

Peace Bird Pattern Tutorial

Wow, I can't believe it December the last month of the year, December.  Time to bring out the Christmas decorations and putting all the presents under the tree.

Quilting Affection's has a small gift for all our readers. We’ve developed a pattern that you can use to make a darling little quilted bird called "Peace Birds".  These little guys are great for last-minute gifts. You can make one to hang in a window or a dozen to embellish your Christmas tree, wreath or Christmas package.  We have attached a PDF version at the bottom of the tutorial.

Peace Bird Pattern
By Tina and Diana Dillard © 2014 Quilting Affection

Material List:
Fabric Scraps – enough to make 2 10” x 10” pieces, this can be one color or 2 different colors
Batting Scraps – 10” x 10” piece
Polyfil Stuffing
Thread and Needles
Template Plastic or Cardboard
Ribbon
Decorative Buttons, 2- x-small and 2 small to medium sizes
Decorative Beads (Optional)
Safety Pins
Scissors
Fabric Marking Pencils










#1
Prepare templates by tracing pattern pieces onto thin cardboard or template plastic. Be sure to mark the notches.


#2
Cut out Templates pieces.











#3
Trace the pattern template pieces onto the wrong side of the fabric with a fabric marking pencil, 2 body pieces, 4 wings.

Cut fabric along marked lines including the notches.

Note: the notches indicate where stitches will begin and end.


#4
Trace template pattern pieces onto batting, 2 body pieces, 2 wings. Cut batting along marked lines.


#5
Lay each fabric body piece right side up onto a body batting piece. Pin-baste each body fabric/batting pair and machine quilt as desired.


#6
Line up the two quilted fabric/batting body pieces aligning notches. Fold the 13” ribbon in half lengthwise and center the folded end between the body pieces at the top of the bird. The folded end of the ribbon will be tucked in at least 1/4” between the body pieces with the raw ribbon ends extending loose. Pin in place. Beginning at a notch, sew a 1/4” seam around bird. End seam at the second notch. Back stitch at the beginning and ending of the seam.


#7
Clip along the edges of the seam allowance being careful not to cut into the seam! Turn body right sides out. Use a turning tool or blunt stiletto to ensure that the beak and tail are fully opened.


#8
Use Polyfil to fill and plump out the bird shape.


#9
Whip stitch the Bird bottom closed.
Set bird body aside.


#10
Place 2 wing fabric pieces right sides together on a wing batting piece. Beginning at a notch, sew a 1/4” seam around the wing ending at the second notch. Back stitch at beginning and end of seam line. Repeat for second wing.


#11
Clip the edges around the seam allowance and then turn right side out.  Whip stitch the open ends closed. 


#12
If desired, quilt the wing or add some decorative stitching.


#13
With a button placed at the wide part of each wing and using a long needle and thread, attach wings to the body. For the eyes, attach a small button to both sides of the head.

Optionally, add beads or other embellishments to the ribbon.





Have fun making this fast and easy pattern.  PDF Pattern

Introducing "Falling Leaves" Patterns

Let me introduce you to the Second Pattern in the Precious Season Collection.  Falling Leaves is a darling wall hanging with a little girl with dancing leaves and flying braid with the wind as she hangs seasonal elements outside. 

This pattern is an easy raw-edge applique pattern made with double sided web on a muslin foundation.   This project is fun to make. 

Like the "Let It Snow Man!!" the pattern is loaded with instructions

The pattern is loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and pattern pieces.  The quilt hanging finishes at 24" x 25".  The pattern retails for $12.00 each.

To buy both patterns click here!  We hope you enjoy these them as much as we as we do.  If you do make one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so I can put it in our gallery.

The last two in the Precious Season Collection will be release around the first week in September.  So keep coming back for updated information and sign up for our Newsletter to get more information on the patterns.

Love, Inspire and Create,

Tina

Introducing "Let it Snow Man!! Pattern

Quilting Affection would like to you to see our first Pattern in a set of 4 that is being introduced to the public today. The collection will be called Precious Season's.  Precious Seasons, brings together the seasons in a little girls life.  Picking Flowers, Building a Snowman, Hanging Outdoor Decorations, and Playing in the Rain using raw edge applique techniques.

Starting Today, you can buy the First Two Patterns, "Let It Snow Man!!" and "Falling Leaves".  The First of September the next two patterns will be available for purchase.

The patterns were created by my dear and talented Mother-In Law Diana Dillard.  We have worked together over the last couple of years to putting them together.

"Let it Snow Man!!" is an adorable little girl and her snowman.  You can have fun with your favorite winter fabric collection or dig into your stash.  The pattern uses raw-edge fusible webbing to complete this charming quilted hanging. It is quick and easy, so even a beginner will have no problem getting this pattern done. 

The pattern is loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and pattern pieces.  The quilt hanging finishes at 25" x 25".  The pattern retails for $12.00 each.

To get your pattern order here.  We hope you enjoy these patterns as much as we as we do.  If you do make one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so I can put it in our gallery.

Tomorrow, I will show off Falling Leaves, the second pattern to be release in the collection.

Love, Inspire and Create,

Tina

Balancing Act

Finding time in my busy life to quilt has been a huge balancing act.  I'm a full time government employee in downtown Washington DC.  My day starts with a 4:00am wake-up call, to catch the local commuter bus at 5:20. If the traffic is good the commute to DC is little over a hour one way.  By time I reach my desk it is 6:30 and I'm there until 4pm Monday through Friday.  Then I get back on the bus for another hour trip home. One day a week I work from home so I don't have the commute and I do get every other Friday off due to working a 9 hour days.

When we get home we head to the gym for a hour workout, then come home to make dinner. By that time it is 7pm. When I'm relaxing for the night I'm either drawing up pattern ideas, or other projects that need be done for the night. Then finish up the evening by writing my blog for the next day, and relax a little before bed.  Which leave most of my quilting for the weekends. I would love to have more time during the week to quilt so I can practice my longarming, or for finishing projects.

My goals is to have my long arm service started and selling some of my patterns online and locally by summer of this year.  Once I have a those things are going strong, I would like to stop work for the government and work for myself.  Until then I have a balance act to keep up.

How do you balance your life?


Tina

Balancing Act

Finding time in my busy life to quilt has been a huge balancing act.  I'm a full time government employee in downtown Washington DC.  My day starts with a 4:00am wake-up call, to catch the local commuter bus at 5:20. If the traffic is good the commute to DC is little over a hour one way.  By time I reach my desk it is 6:30 and I'm there until 4pm Monday through Friday.  Then I get back on the bus for another hour trip home. One day a week I work from home so I don't have the commute and I do get every other Friday off due to working a 9 hour days.

When we get home we head to the gym for a hour workout, then come home to make dinner. By that time it is 7pm. When I'm relaxing for the night I'm either drawing up pattern ideas, or other projects that need be done for the night. Then finish up the evening by writing my blog for the next day, and relax a little before bed.  Which leave most of my quilting for the weekends. I would love to have more time during the week to quilt so I can practice my longarming, or for finishing projects.

My goals is to have my long arm service started and selling some of my patterns online and locally by summer of this year.  Once I have a those things are going strong, I would like to stop work for the government and work for myself.  Until then I have a balance act to keep up.

How do you balance your life?


Tina

My Favorite Shop - Fat Quarter Shop

I can’t believe it is Thursday already, time for another one of my series on My Favorite shops.  This week I like to highlight Fat Quarter Shop.  

Fat Quarter Shop is very nice online quilting store that has a large selection of fabrics from all the major fabric manufacturers, from Moda to Windham.  They make is easy to search for fabrics you need by letting you search by theme, designer, collection and Manufacturer.  You can even buy fabrics in specialty cuts, jelly rolls, layer cakes, desert rolls, and much more.  They even have the Moda Pre-cuts in their own page.

 

Not only do they carry a large selection of fabrics, but they also carry a nice selection of patterns, books, quilting kits, notions & thread. They also have quilt clubs, which are similar to Block of Month, but you also receive fabric.  You can choose from fat quarters, jelly rolls, charm packs, and for a set price you will receive 12 print bundle plus 3 solids, depending on the club on which you choose.  

Fat Quarter Shop has a nice selection of Block of Month programs, including Fat Quarter Shop exclusive Designer Block of Month Program.  I’m at the half way point on a block of the month and is turning out very nicely, their patterns are easy to read.  They don't skimp on the fabric you receive each month. I really look forward to see the end product.  I also have been receiving the Women of Courage Block of Month quilt pattern; the patterns are mailed right on time. I have never had a problem with them.

 

They have a whole selection on Christmas fabric called the Christmas Cloth Store. The Store is set up like the Fat Quarter Shop’s main page only has Christmas Fabrics and patterns.

 

Fat Quarter Shop also has a great selection of free patterns, and other helpful links.  In addition they have a selection on fabrics, patterns and kits that are coming soon.  Great way to look and see what fabrics will be coming out in 2013.

 

I really like going to Fat Quarter Shop to find Fabric I need.

Tina

My Favorite Shop - Fat Quarter Shop

I can’t believe it is Thursday already, time for another one of my series on My Favorite shops.  This week I like to highlight Fat Quarter Shop.  

Fat Quarter Shop is very nice online quilting store that has a large selection of fabrics from all the major fabric manufacturers, from Moda to Windham.  They make is easy to search for fabrics you need by letting you search by theme, designer, collection and Manufacturer.  You can even buy fabrics in specialty cuts, jelly rolls, layer cakes, desert rolls, and much more.  They even have the Moda Pre-cuts in their own page.

 

Not only do they carry a large selection of fabrics, but they also carry a nice selection of patterns, books, quilting kits, notions & thread. They also have quilt clubs, which are similar to Block of Month, but you also receive fabric.  You can choose from fat quarters, jelly rolls, charm packs, and for a set price you will receive 12 print bundle plus 3 solids, depending on the club on which you choose.  

Fat Quarter Shop has a nice selection of Block of Month programs, including Fat Quarter Shop exclusive Designer Block of Month Program.  I’m at the half way point on a block of the month and is turning out very nicely, their patterns are easy to read.  They don't skimp on the fabric you receive each month. I really look forward to see the end product.  I also have been receiving the Women of Courage Block of Month quilt pattern; the patterns are mailed right on time. I have never had a problem with them.

 

They have a whole selection on Christmas fabric called the Christmas Cloth Store. The Store is set up like the Fat Quarter Shop’s main page only has Christmas Fabrics and patterns.

 

Fat Quarter Shop also has a great selection of free patterns, and other helpful links.  In addition they have a selection on fabrics, patterns and kits that are coming soon.  Great way to look and see what fabrics will be coming out in 2013.

 

I really like going to Fat Quarter Shop to find Fabric I need.

Tina

A little California quilting shopping

A couple days before we left to come home from California, we decided to brave the wind and rain to adventure out and do a little quilt shopping in Chico, California, a college town about a hour and half from Cottonwood where we were staying.  

The first shop we visited The Rabbits Hole quilt shop.  When you first pull up to the store it looks very small, but actually it is a nice size shop.  As we walk in, we were greeted by the very friendly and helpful staff.  The store is very well organized, neat and loaded with lots of fabric.  The over all fabric selection is very nice, and well organized through out the store which included a large selection of batik fabrics.  They also offer a long arm quilting service that is located right in the store. They do have a nice selection of notions and books. Both and Diane and I came out with some nice fabrics including more turquoise fabric for my Easy Street mystery quilt.

The next shop we visited was the Honey Run quilting shop, located inside Cathy's sewing and vac shop. They have a large variety of antique and new sewing machines all over the front of the store. For the new machines they carry Baby Locks, Janome, Brothers, and many more.  They also carry 4, 6 and 10 needle embroidery machines, plus a large assortment of embroidery supplies. The quilt shop is located in the back quarter of of the sew and vac store. As you walk into that area of the store, they have a nice selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Batik, and other fabrics.  Diane fell in love with the voile fabrics. Voile is a softer, and sheerer fabric.  She found a nice pattern and picked up three contrasting voile fabrics, with the assistance of the friendly staff, who helped us lay it out.  In the back of the store, they had a nice assortment of fabrics as low as $6.95 per yard.  This is where I found a few that I could use to finish an old UFO applique project.  I also found a pretty snowflake pattern made with Batik blue fabrics and the snow flakes  appliqued on to the top. It will be a nice laps size quilt for the winter time.    

If I lived in that area I would definitely go back to these shops.  Both have very friendly customer services and great fabric selections. 

It was great day of shopping and exploring in Chico, California.

Tina 

A little California quilting shopping

A couple days before we left to come home from California, we decided to brave the wind and rain to adventure out and do a little quilt shopping in Chico, California, a college town about a hour and half from Cottonwood where we were staying.  

The first shop we visited The Rabbits Hole quilt shop.  When you first pull up to the store it looks very small, but actually it is a nice size shop.  As we walk in, we were greeted by the very friendly and helpful staff.  The store is very well organized, neat and loaded with lots of fabric.  The over all fabric selection is very nice, and well organized through out the store which included a large selection of batik fabrics.  They also offer a long arm quilting service that is located right in the store. They do have a nice selection of notions and books. Both and Diane and I came out with some nice fabrics including more turquoise fabric for my Easy Street mystery quilt.

The next shop we visited was the Honey Run quilting shop, located inside Cathy's sewing and vac shop. They have a large variety of antique and new sewing machines all over the front of the store. For the new machines they carry Baby Locks, Janome, Brothers, and many more.  They also carry 4, 6 and 10 needle embroidery machines, plus a large assortment of embroidery supplies. The quilt shop is located in the back quarter of of the sew and vac store. As you walk into that area of the store, they have a nice selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Batik, and other fabrics.  Diane fell in love with the voile fabrics. Voile is a softer, and sheerer fabric.  She found a nice pattern and picked up three contrasting voile fabrics, with the assistance of the friendly staff, who helped us lay it out.  In the back of the store, they had a nice assortment of fabrics as low as $6.95 per yard.  This is where I found a few that I could use to finish an old UFO applique project.  I also found a pretty snowflake pattern made with Batik blue fabrics and the snow flakes  appliqued on to the top. It will be a nice laps size quilt for the winter time.    

If I lived in that area I would definitely go back to these shops.  Both have very friendly customer services and great fabric selections. 

It was great day of shopping and exploring in Chico, California.

Tina