I love to go on a journey, whether it’s in my vehicle or in my mind!  I saw the barn quilt Hillside Barns and Pasture (ME-108) I love the little doors that open to reveal animals inside.

Hillside Barns & Pastures Quilt Pattern ME-108

That triggered my search on the QuiltWoman.com website for barns…which led me to Quilt Barn Trail (BBD-127). I love the feel of this scene, it’s so peaceful and inviting.

Quilt Barn Trail Quilt Pattern BBD-127

and the book Quilt Blocks on American Barns from Quilt in a Day (QD-1082) also came up,

Quilt Blocks on American Barns Book QD-1082

There is nothing like an Eleanor Burns book to guide you step by step through the process. For our neighbors here in western New York (our stomping grounds), there are two barns in the book from Kendall, New York.

Traditional quilters will like this Barn Dance Quilt Pattern from the Straight to the Point series, (QW-06)

Barn Dance Quilt Pattern – Straight to the Point Series QW-06

With apologies to Willie Nelson…

On the road again-
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is doing quilting with my friends….

Willie Nelson may not have included that line about quilting in his lyrics but its such a good traveling song that it just pops into our heads when we think of a road trip! Have you ever taken any of the quilt barn trails?

We found a lot of information on quilt barn trails at the American Quilt Barns website.

If you have quilt barn trail information or suggestions to share, the QuiltWoman.com staff would love to hear from you.  When you set out on your Autumn road trips, check out if there are any quilt barn tours in the area!

Mary said…..

When I first saw this quilt it was done in navy and tan.  I loved it.  I ordered the pattern and you can imagine my surprise when it (the cover) arrived in black/white and pink.  At the time I was dealing with breast cancer.  Just the title “Circle of Hope” had a special meaning for me.  I found pink fabric with cancer ribbon on it and the pink polka dot online.  My search for different blacks and whites began.  What fun.  I am now hand quilting my assembled quilt and want to have it ready for our quilt show in March.  Why am I writing you?  I would like your permission to show my quilt with pride at our show.

Of course we said “YES!”  Mary also included a picture of herself with her finished quilt top and gave us permission to share it with all of you.

Mary and her Circle Of Hope Quilt Top

Mary, we wish you nothing but excellent health in the future.  The same goes to all cancer survivors.  Our hats are off to you!

Want to make your own Circle of Hope?  You can find the pattern on our website.  It was designed by Susan Mayer, one of our more prolific designers!

Fall Harvest Medley Wall Quilt PGD-101

Pumpkin Topiary Quilt Pattern OTL-101

Autumn Splendor Quilt Pattern TPQ-024

Pick Me! Quilt Pattern EQD-003

Barn Along the Trail Quilt Pattern BBD-139

Remember, you can download these patterns instantly and print them yourself so you have them in hand while you shop, or you can purchase a paper pattern and have it mailed to you. If a spur of the moment impulse hits you to take a drive on a beautiful autumn day, download a favorite pattern and go in search of fabrics to create a memorable piece, plus a memorable journey!

We will leave you with this great Nat King Cole Standard called Autumn Leaves

I truly enjoy the fantasy and the make believe spirit (Pardon the pun) of this celebration. Decorating for Halloween is something I look forward to. (Of course, in the list of reasons I like this day, there is the chocolate factor.) Here are a few fun new patterns for you help you get a leg up on your broom, oops I mean on your Halloween preparations.  Click on any of the images to see the full details of the pattern.

You can see more Halloween themed patterns on our Halloween page!  Check them out.  Happy Haunting!

All Hallow’s Eve Quilt Pattern YF-115

Spooky Fun Wall Hanging and Placemat Pattern LLS-106

Halloween Horseman Wallhanging Pattern ME-211

Pumpkin Topiary Quilt Pattern OTL-101

There is nothing like a day at the beach, lots of images float through my mind, drift through my thoughts. OK, everyone at QuiltWoman.com is groaning at the puns…maybe I can get off early and go to the beach!

Here is what put me into this lackadaisical, carefree mood. I found all these quilt patterns that make me think of the beach (click on any image to see more details about that pattern)…..

Beach Fun Quilt Pattern BS2-304

Floating Gems Quilt Pattern EBD-1107

The colors in this one below look like a beach ball to me.

Ride the Wave Quilt Pattern QNS-113

These two take me away to a tropical island.

Blue Lagoon Quilt Pattern LLD-043

Turtle Party Quilt Pattern EBD-101

The turtle gets his close up!

A 3 dimensional turtle!

Whereas this one seems more like a mysterious, hidden pool that you might stumble upon while adventuring in some far away land.

Marble Pools Quilt Pattern AA-20

And the hot sandy dunes in the Sahara, there could be a caravan of camels approaching from the distance.

Sand Dune Quilt Pattern BS2-302

I think my brain went to the beach even if I am still sitting here in the office on this warm summer day!

Click on any image to see more information on that pattern.

Well, maybe the tea cozy idea is pushing it a bit for the man cave part, but it would be great at the cabin!

Gone Fishing Tea Cozy Pattern BTH-016

These would look great hanging in the camp, maybe personalized with a camp name!

At the Edge of the Woods ME-110

Deer in the Woods Quilt Pattern AV-115

The Mount Everest quilt pattern would make a great piece to pull the whole décor together in the bedroom. This quilt uses Marblehead collection by Ro Gregg for Paintbrush studios and it is an AccuQuilt GO! compatible pattern.

Mount Everest Quilt Pattern BS2-301

Here are some other wall pieces that would be perfect for outdoors-man or woman in your life.

Mountain Meadow Wall Quilt and Throw MR-214

These items, but especially the place mats, would look great in any country  kitchen.

Covey of Quail Quilt Patterns MR-208

We may not like it, but fall is coming.

Hope there are plenty of Marshmallows, Graham crackers, and chocolate bars…

Swirling Leaves Quilt Pattern PC-121

Forestscape Quilt Pattern MR-134

This one is a home run in my mind….

Acorn Table Runner RGR-065

And when the day is done, you’ll have sweet dreams under this quilt.

Galaxy Gala Quilt Pattern TPQ-038

Know what’s best about the cabin…no, phone, no tv.  Just a sewing machine and lots of fabric…!

The blocks are based on the illustrations in the book The Word is Alphabet by Sharon Word.

The pattern comes with the illustrations for all 26 letters of the alphabet. You can trace them or print them on fabric (we recommend buying the pattern as a downloadable ePattern when printing your own). Have your little ones embellish the blocks as they wish! What a great way to make memories!

Don’t want to transfer the images to fabric yourself? Purchase one of our block kits. We have the 26 blocks pre-printed on fabric, both in a black and white kit (shown above – you embellish with your favorite method) and in full color kit (shown below, no embellishing required).

Finally, do you want the Crayon Fabric for the sashing and backing? We have that too! Enough said.

How about a long cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade on Grandma’s veranda with the Lemons into Lemonade Wall Hanging Pattern?

Lemons into Lemonade Wall Hanging Pattern

Here is a great way to bring laughter to your picnic, the Uninvited Guests Table Runner and Placemats Pattern.

Uninvited Guests Table Runner and Placemats Pattern

This charming pair of vino quilts (Vino l Wall Quilt Pattern and Vino ll Wall Quilt Pattern ) makes me think of a romantic, carefree picnic with a loved one.  Make time to do something special with that someone special on a summer day.

Vino 1 Wall Quilt Pattern

Vino II Wall Quilt Pattern

And go ahead, sip a little while you sew…makes the whole effort more enjoyable, and it’s heart healthy.  There, quilting is good for the heart…in many ways!

A perfect Summer wedding gift would be the Starry Picnic Quilt packed in a picnic basket !

Starry Picnic Quilt Pattern

Since we’ve moved into the patriotic color scheme here, wouldn’t the Pinwheel Flags Quilt make a wonderful  way to say thank you to a veteran, or the family of a service member?

Pinwheel Flags Quilt Pattern

And here is a charming Garden Pinwheel Throw for those nights on the porch swing, watching for a shooting star, hearing the cicada, sipping some lemonade…or wine!

Garden Pinwheel Quilt Pattern

Have a wonderful summer, and sew on! Be sure to thank those service people in your lives: military, civil, volunteer.  We need them.
Listen…can you hear  it…..

You’re a Grand Old Flag
by George M. Cohan

You’re a grand old flag,
 You’re a high flying flag
.
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
’neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
You’re a grand old flag, You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
’neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

A Year of Making Life Beautiful - available from QuiltWoman.com

I read just a few pages and already knew it was a book to make my heart sing and my mind spin in excited and creative ways.  This is not your ordinary quilt publication!   It is packed with awesome photographs (Melissa’s own photography), refreshing ideas, inspiring writing, clear and concise directions and techniques; and I am not sure how Melissa accomplished it, but she has joy and smiles tucked everywhere in this amazing book.

Flower Arranging in a Mason Jar

The sewing projects range from numerous appealing quilt projects….

Stars and Stripes Quilt Pattern - July

…to the cleverest bag made from a sweater that I have ever seen.

Memory Bag Project

It gets even better from here, there are scrumptious recipes like triple chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese
frosting…

Triple Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

…gardening thoughts…

May is about Remembering

…cross stitch and embroidery, home decorating ideas and organizing tips, and loads of inspiration.

My conundrum at this point is deciding how many copies I need as gifts for friends (both quilters and non quilters!)  Extra copies will insure that I don’t have to loan my copy out, since it is my favorite bedtime read and my morning coffee break read.  To summarize, I now have several projects on my to-do list and while I am writing this, the triple chocolate cupcakes are in the oven baking.

Would you like to win a copy of this terrific new book?  Leave a comment down below, and after June 8th we will randomly select one commenter to receive a free copy!  It could be you.  Of course, if you aren’t the lucky winner and still would like a copy, you can always order a copy from QuiltWoman.com.

 Update:  June 12 – winner announced

Thanks to all who participated in our giveaway yesterday.  We cranked up the random number generator and the winner was comment number 5, “kathy h”. Kathy, we’ll be in touch to get your book to you!

Current High Bid is $100

Scroll down to see how this Collecting Memories Bag can be yours…

At the Spring International Quilt Market, we introduced a new pattern, The Collecting Memories Bag pattern, designed by Nancy Dill.  This is a pattern for a bag that is autograph-able and pin-able!  It includes two bottle pouches, 2 inside pockets, 2 outside pockets and a place to put a pen.

Buy the Collecting Memories Bag Pattern here.

The Collecting Memories Bag

While at Quilt Market, we decided to try the bag out.  Nancy, who also happens to be the President of QuiltWoman.com, scoured the show floor for autographs of Quilting Personalities.

Marianne Fons & Nancy Dill

Nancy succeeded in getting 33 celebrities to sign the bag.  Check out the list!  Click on the image below to see it larger.

Quilting Personality Autographs

This autographed Collecting Memories Bag can be yours!  We are having a silent auction of the bag, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association.  Included with the bag are a Micron archival .25 mm black permanent fabric pen, six enameled quilt block pins, AND the pattern for the bag.

Here’s how the auction works:

• Bidding will start at $25.
• Every time the bid hits a new increment of $10, we will throw in a QuiltWoman.com pattern of the winner’s choice.
• Every time the bid hits a new increment of $25, we will throw in a QuiltWoman.com book of the winner’s choice.
• Bids should be mailed to info@QuiltWoman.com
• Daily, we will post the high bid on QuiltWoman.com’s home page, our Facebook page, and in the comment section of this blog posting.
• Bidding will continue until June 30.

Don’t delay!  Get your bid in today.  You would be the envy of every member of your guild when seen toting this bag!