Archive for the ‘Color Inspiration’ Category

 Have you seen the latest addition to the Tea Leaves family? It’s the Tea Leaves Bedroom Suite! This pattern contains project instructions for a bed runner, a pillow and curtain tie-backs.

I really enjoy the Tea Leaf technique and the results that people have been achieveing are amazing! We have updated our technique and we now use “Lapel Stick” to reduce bulk! For more details, see this blog post! 

When designing this pattern, I had the pleasure of working with Cathy Ruggiero (of Candlelite Quilts) on this pattern! She provided me with a pattern for the stitchery which is included in her “Flowers of Hope” pattern! (If you like the stitchery, click here to go to Candlelite Quilt’s website for ordering!). Cathy’s pattern contains the version of the stitchery at the size you’ll need to put into this pillow.

Flowers of Hope is a pattern for mini penny squares which features No-Hoop Redwork. You have to try this out! It’s so easy, even I can do it! This pattern was addapted from antique applique designs for redwork. It’s a versatile pattern which could be used for a wall hanging, sweet additions to a tea cozy, napkin, tablecloths….when I look at this pattern, I see afternoon tea and a warm fire!  Which reminds me…I think I need a cup, right now!  -Kris

All of these pretty panels…what’s a gal to do? Our inspiration today for the Everyday Bag today is the Henry Glass Botanicals panel!

Sometimes a panel is perfect! We spied this panel at Stitched in Stone in Kingston, NH and decided it had to be a class sample! What a hit! Our bag is 9 1/2″ wide – same as the panel squares!  We were even able to use a shorter panel as the rear slip pocket of the bag (shown on the right).

You will love using the Everyday Bag – it has everything you need for every day! Five credit card pockets, a change pocket, key leash, adjustable strap, inner cushy pockets and outer slip pocket!

(The only drawback in using a panel is the fussy cutting that you have to do – if you are using an allover panel, you’ll be able to stack your pieces and cut more than one, not so with the panels.)

Also included in this pattern are instructions for custom piping for a tailored look. Don’t be afreaid of piping! You will surprise yourself!

Thanks for letting me share this project with you!  -Kris

Good rainy morning to everyone! I think we’ve had enough rain this month (in NH) already!

What is new this week? Poorhouse Quilt Designs is coming out with a new pattern for Leaf Bowls!  Here are some pictures:

 The pattern will include a palm leaf, a maple leaf and a birch leaf! We are featuring InnSpire by Innovative Craft Products – it is a heat set moldable non-woven stablilzer! This is what creates these wonderful bowls!

Finally – leaves I don’t have to rake!

If you have an idea for the name of the pattern, comment and you’ll get a free pattern!

Look for this pattern soon! -Kris

I think it’s time for a coffee break – and here is how I’ll set the table…with Blank Quilting’s Coffee Shop fabric #6121! And for the curvy piecing (left side of placemat), I used the new blender line from Blank Quilting’s Yolanda Fundora, called Tessuto! I used the Red and the Black – always a winning combo in my book! This is a placemat from my pattern called Tea Leaf Tabletop - you can make these up quickly and use up some stash also!

These placemats are very struday and come out of the wash looking great! Why? I used Innovative Craft Products’ Inn Control! Its a foam that holds it’s shape through the wash. Ask for it at your local quilt shop! (You’ll need a one yard package for 4 placemats)!!

Happy sipping and sewing!  -Kris

Do camping and quilting go together? They certainly do! Bear’s Pine Woods Campground in scenic Moultonborough, NH is hosting a Quilter’s Camping Weekend  – June 24, 25, and 26! And… it’s a bargain at $99.00 for the weekend!

Get your camper and your sewing machine ready!

Think of it: situated on beautiful Lake Winnepesaukee, nestled in the trees, 4 miles from Keepsake Quilting!! Your hosts, Rebecca and Barry are setting up their beautiful lodge as your “quilting central”! I will be there to lend a hand and give 2 classes on Saturday! I can’t wait!

Highlights:  Friday Night – open sew and get to know your fellow quilters; Saturday morning, we will head off to Keepsake to talk about Color, Color, and more Color! Then we’ll head back to the lodge to work on Monday Messenger Bags! (See example at the right!)

For more details, click here! If you have any questions, please contact Bear’s Pine Woods Campground for camping questions or email me for quilting questions!

Keep on sewing!  -Kris

I did not attend Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City last weekend..(boooo)..but, I had friends who did! And, they were kind enough to bring Poorhouse Quilt Designs’ bags with them, so I feel I was there if only in spirit!!

In the spring and fall every year, the quilting industry gathers to woo the quilt shops at “Quilt Market”; those attending are treated to all of the latest tools and trends in quilting! Let’s take a look at a new fabric line….

Our first stop is Blank Quilting! Yolanda Fundora has designed a line of blenders called Tessuto (textiles in Italian). These are beautifully textured and mottled fabrics that will blend nicely with your stash. All of the available colors are shown at the left of the postcard. Yummy!

I only used a few of the colors here along with Yolanda’s Earthlight Ivory for the Tea Leaf bases as well as the lining. The colors I used: Ocean, Cornflower, Indigo and Celery.

I can’t wait to use more of the colors – particularly the red!

Find Yolanda on Facebook here!

I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peak at some new fabric on it’s way to quilt shops near you!

Tomorrow will be another installment of Friends and Fabrics so y’all come back!

Happy quilting!!

-Kris

Fresh Flowers on the Tea Leaf Tote!

This is the Moda Fresh Flowers Charm Pack – - really cute and fresh and ready for Summer!

This tote will stand up to your shopping demands because it’s made with Inn-Control Plus! This is a fantastic batting alternative that is made right here in the USA! The folks at Innovative Craft Products have done it again! This is a double sided fusible polyester foam that will bond permanently with your fabric.

I’ve been using Inn Control Plus to make the large Tea Leaft Tote lately and I have been so pleased with the results. Here are some tips for using Inn Control Plus:

1. Read the clear instructions that come with your package!
2. In order to produce steam to bond the fabric to the foam, I use a press cloth that I wet with a spray bottle. I spray on an even amount of water (don’t soak – just wet it) and then hold the iron on the wet press cloth until the water evaporates.
3. When I am bonding the front panel (the tea leaves!) to the Inn Control Plus, I add a light spritz of water to the tea leaves, then cover with press cloth and spritz the press cloth. I found that the tea leaves are thicker and need a little more water! 

Have fun and try Inn Control Plus – I know you’ll like it!

Stay tuned… I may be giving a package away soon!   -Kris

I think you’ll be Green with Envy when you see our On Tour bag made with Exclusively Quilter’s Green with Envy Fabric! Isn’t it just a perfect match? I used the main Green with Envy with the black ground on the outside, along with the green dots on the additional piping and grey mottled on the inside. It’s just too cute and it makes me smile!

And…I have a freebie for you! I have a bundle of 6 fat quarters from this collection that I’d love to send to an appreciative quilter! All you have to do is comment on this blog entry and I will draw a winner on Thursday!

So…comments please!

Keep sewing and smiling….

-Kris

It’s a great morning for a cup of tea! Or, how about Tea Leaves Totes? Here is a sampling of what you can do with black and white and a shot of a bright color in this tote. The large tote and the mini are both included in your pattern!

So – you have a charm square (5″ square) pack but what to do with it?If you have at least 40 squares, you have enough fabric for both fronts! The large “shopper” is big enough for a major shopping trip or a day at the beach. The mini is great to have with you for a quick trip into the store.

This pattern is loads of fun – a nod to the Cathedral Window pattern, without the work! Use your machine to turn back those curves and reveal your design!

Next, we’ll show some rainbow effects with this pattern! Stay tuned!

Until then… Happy Quilting!  -Kris

Oh- I don’t mean it that way!

My friend, Hoodie designs wonderful fabric – just take a look at the onion fabric at left! This is from her line of fabrics called Veggie Patch by Blank Quilting. Check out her Blog: Hoodie’s Land!

Who could resist this fabric for making a tote for your weekly trip to the Farmer’s Market? I’d love one in the tomato, eggplant and pepper varieties also!

This is the On Tour Bag Pattern - with a twist! I made it a little smaller! How? Take your On Tour Bag pattern and crease it at the pocket line. Fold that crease again, so that the length is decreased by the amount that you desire. Now, place on top of a paper bag that you’ve cut apart so that you have a large piece of paper to work on and trace the top half of the pattern to the fold. Stop and slide the bottom of the bag pattern to meet your drawn line and trace the bottom half of the pattern. You now have a shortened pattern! You will have to adjust the length of the sides also, but you can do that during the construction of the bag. Don’t be afraid to trace and shift…it’s only paper!

Check out Hoodie’s Joy Basket fabric also – http://blankquilting.com/FabricDetails.aspx?collectionid=298 - this is what I used on the inside (brown dot) – very cute!

Off to the post office to send this bag to Hoodie!  Have a great day sewing, all!  -Kris