NEW 3-Pocket Purse

I've created a new pattern for a 3-Pocket Purse that I've just added to sisterhoodofquilters.com. The finished size is 8.5" x 9" with three layered pockets inside. It's the perfect size purse for your essentials.

So quick to sew, you will want one made from all of your favorite colors! Visit my site to see my fabric designs that will make this purse extra special.

It's also easy to embellish on the flap edge with fancy stitches, beads, and charms.

As of 3/12/11, this pattern has been discontinued.

Bags for All Seasons

The Halloween themed totebag pictured at right is the first in the BAG for ALL SEASONS collection.

Quilting Sister Hope is ready for Happy Halloween fun! An 8" x 12" art panel pocket makes this quick and easy Halloween fabric tote fun for any All Hallows' Eve occasion. The finished size is 15.5" square and it can be carried as either a tote or purse.

Watch for this collection as it grows for each holiday or season. The pattern and complete kit are available for purchase at www.sisterhoodofquilters.com.

Cell Phone Bags Are Here!

Mattie Rhoades of Quiltsmart® and I met as quilt show booth neighbors several years ago. I loved her printed interfacing and quickly saw how fun it was to make complex projects very easily.

I am proud and pleased to include Quiltsmart® products at www.sisterhoodofquilters.com and I have created several Cell Phone Bag kits that are available now. Pictured at right is my Earth Blessings Patchwork Cell Phone Bag. It's quick and fun to make. The Quiltsmart® Cell Phone Kit is included for supplies and instruction, along with Earth Blessings Patchwork fabric.

Be sure to check out my other designs. More will be coming soon!

*As of 2/13/11, Quiltsmart® products have sold out and will not be reordered.

New Fabric Collection Sneak Preview

My newest fabric collection, BEACH BABES, will be available for purchase December 2010.

Faith, Hope, and Charity are in their beach attire and are ready for Girlfriend Getaways. Samples of the designs are shown here on the right. The fabric will be just the inspiration you need to start making summer totebags and beach quilts.

In addition to the new fabrics, I have designed a large panel wall hanging that is perfect for embellishments. The pattern will be a free download on www.sisterhoodofquilters.com. Yardage and complete kits will also be available as soon as the fabric arrives. Enter your e-mail address in the box that says "Join Our Mailing List" on the right side of this page and we'll let you know when you can begin ordering.

Shop owners contact your Northcott.com sales representative now for pre-ordering of the Beach Babes fabric collection.

Meet Me At The Coast

This weekend, August 6th, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, and August 7th, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, I will be sharing a booth with Monica Lyons at the 20th Annual Quilts by the Sea in Newport, Oregon. The booth will feature my current fabric collection EARTH BLESSINGS and new totebag and quilt patterns will be previewed.

Monica, shop owner of Toledo's Quilters Cottage, has entered her Earth Blessings Quilt in the show. I wish her the best of luck. I will also be judging a local quilt guild's All Blue competition; the best of luck to those quilters as well.

If you are on the Oregon Coast this weekend, please come by and say, "HI"!

What a fun trip: Alaska Quilt Camp at Sea!

About 60 quilters joined the Sisterhood of Quilters Alaska Quilt Camp at Sea. The ladies were from across the US and several from Canada.

At the first gathering of the group, I officially made each attendee a Member of the Sisterhood of Quilters, presenting them with Membership Cards and Certificates. The only qualification was to "pledge and promise to create handmade items with a joy-filled heart." All became enthusiastic members! It was for fun and to honor our coming together as quilters and soon to be friends.

The cruise was a great mix of classes, new sewing tools and techniques, and sight-seeing in awesome Alaska. The week went by very quickly and many signed up to join the Alaska 2011 cruise as well as Mexico 2012 with Quilt Camp at Sea, both of which I have been invited to be the Special Guest on board! Read more about these cruises in my previous blog posting.

I am designing a new fabric collection that will be available for fun, sun, and cruise projects. Keep watching. I'll be posting a sneak peek, very soon.

Two New Quilt Camp at Sea Cruises

Join me as a special guest on these Quilt Camp at Sea Cruises:

Alaska “Stretch Your Imagination” Quilting Cruise, July 31 to August 7, 2011. We sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington aboard Holland America Line's ms. Oosterdam. Ports of Call: Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, with spectacular Glacier viewing during our visit to Glacier Bay.

Mexican Riviera "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Quilting Cruise, March 10-17, 2012. We sail roundtrip from San Diego, California aboard a Holland America Line beautiful vista-class ship. Ports of Call: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

These fabulous cruises sell out quickly, so please make your reservations now by clicking the name of whichever destination you're interested in.

When you sail with Quilt Camp at Sea, the only "surprises" are the numerous door prizes and gift items guests receive during each cruise! In addition to the fabulous meals, beverages, snacks, entertaining shows, and onboard events provided by the cruise line, our upcoming escorted QUILTING cruises feature:

• TOP OF THE LINE BERNINA or JANOME sewing machines with TWO sewing machine vendor representatives sailing on every cruise to provide classroom assistance and support
• SMALL quilting classes with nationally recognized instructors (10-15 maximum average in each class instead of 20 or more) so you will have plenty of one on one time with your instructor
• Comprehensive and PRE-CUT kits for classes provided at the beginning of your class
• Exciting special guests and lecturers

Hope to see you onboard!