Tammy F. used Stone Cottage Designs Tessellation Revelation pattern in these beautiful fall colors.   These are favorite colors of mine. 

Just Gorgeous Tammy,

Barb

Thursday May 1st Stone Cottage will be hosting the 8th annual Quilt-y Fundraiser for Midland County Shelterhouse, Midland Michigan.

For more information go to Stone Cottage Designs website http://www.stonecottagequilts.com  Newsletter Page

We have the Slight Mystery quilt project, the ugly fabric auction/ which includes Quilt notions, books and hand made quilted items.

It is great fun. To see pictures of last years fundraiser check out the newsletter page.

Let me know if you are interested in joining us. Even if you aren’t a quilter or a sewer. We have lots for you to participate in. -Barb

 In early January I put out a “call for blocks” to create a quilt for a couple that lost their home four days before Xmas, December 2007. The home is just up the road from us, yet we hadn’t met before. I received blocks thru February, from 18 donors, from across the US and one from

I began searching for just the right batik fabric that would pick up the eclectic colors of the blocks and came up with a “in your face” red/colorful zig zaggy print, along with a light zig zaggy print and blue black batik.  Its pretty bold but works for the blocks.

I called the Schmidt’s yesterday. Diane called me back this morning and told me that my message put tears in her husbands eyes, then when he had her listen it left her crying.  Diane came over to my studio this morning where I took photos of her with the quilt. We cried together a few times, while we established a quick friendship.  This  photo  is one where she is trying to not start up again. The one I got a smile in, was too blurry to post. She really was very happy with the quilt.

The original plan was to have their home finished in April, but complications with the powers that be, has postponed it until the 1^st of July. She says on July 4^th they are having Fireworks.   

Diane is a seamstress and says the new house will have a room dedicated and set up for her sewing. She lost her good machine and is looking forward to getting it  and all her tools replaced.

Since she hasn’t lived in  Midland for very long  so she hasn’t developed ‘sewing’ buddies here and is looking forward to getting into quilting.  Yay! Another convert.

So to all of you who donated blocks… Thank you!!! Thank you from me and thank you from Diane and Terry. I got enough hugs to pass them around to all of you.

I sent all the envelopes and notes home with Diane. She is so touched.

Thanks so much,

Barb

  Hibiscus/leaves 10″ across.   

I have been working on a couple projects for for quilt market.  The Hibiscus will hopefully be part of a coat if I can get myself to finish it.   The fabric is a Robert Kaufman Cotton/Silk blend.  It is lusious.  I love making hibiscus.   I am using Presenci/Finca brand Perle Cotton #16.  It is such a fine thin Perle cotton that it goes through the top of the machine, using a denim/topstitch needle.  Both the Hibiscus and the Presencia Logo quilt began with a diagram then all the stitching was done using straight stitching or freemotion stitching, not a embroidery machine.   The Egyptian Lady is approximately 18″ in height

Fire Within is a pattern by request. Many requests.  It started out as a challenge piece for the Indelible Spirit Challange through Fiberarts Connection of So. Cal. http://www.fiberartsconnsocal.org/  The origianal piece is called Rain of Tears Spiritual Growth, and told the story of persevering through clinical depression.  Fire Within is what came through the other side of the depression. The pattern has a full size 33″x 36″ pattern sheet. Pattern is approximately 45″x 54″.  If interested in  Fire Within contact me before it goes up on the website and recieve Free shipping.

This thread Presencia El Molino hand embroidery rayon in the bobbin gives a lovely luster to the serpentine stitch, as does the La Paleta machine rayon in the leaf/flame quilting.

Logged Elegance is a variation of my Festive Elegance in Quilters World Magazine December 2007 using a similar shape but more detail.  Contact me if you are interested in Logged Elegance before it goes up on the website in Mid April and recieve free shipping.

 Or check it out Batiks by Design at Chicago Quilt Festival. http://www.batiksbydesign.com

It has been a long month.  It has been a long winter.  I hope this will be the last of the snow, until the end of the year. Though most of this is gone now, we had lots of snow this year,  but it melted without flooding, so that is a good thing.

I haven’t kept in touch in over a month. I hope I am back in the swing and can get back to writing.I have been scrambling to get a couple new patterns finished, models made and quilted,  preparing some things for Presencia Thread for Quilt market and getting ready to put on an annual Quilt-y Fundraiser for the local Shelterhouse. See Stone Cottage Designs website for more info. 

I will be posting pictures of a couple of new patterns this week, if the kiddos let me get anything done on while they are on spring break. They won’t be on the website for a couple of weeks but will be available here with free shipping.

   The Just Penguin duo made made their debut in September just before Fall Quilt Market in Houston.  The  youth size throw pattern includes a full size applique template. No taping necessary. With the number of Penguin fabrics on the market right now, they are becoming a popular pair.    For more info  Stone Cottage Designs

The Schmidt family, who live in our neighborhood lost their home to a fire just days before Xmas  The loss of a home at this time of year is most defintly devastating. With the amount of snow we have had already, it makes me stop  to think about comfort and staying warm. How I would feel losing everything this way.
They not only lost their home, but two cars and work delivery truck. Thankfully Terry was getting up at 4 am to get ready for work when he saw the flames coming into the home from the garage.  So the family and dogs were safe.

 Obviously quilts are dear to my heart and in my mind offer comfort and warmth. To offer a little comfort and heart felt warmth to this couple I want to coordinate and sew a quilt for them.  Something for their new home. Something to help their new home feel like home.  If you have an  8″  block (that would mean 8 1/2″ unfinished) that you would like to contribute fold it into a standard #10 envelope and send it to the address below.   Any method, pieced or applique. 

For a few simple (Free) block ideas go to Stone Cottage Designs webpage.  Then go to the Newsletter page and click on the block link.  

Please send them to:
Stone Cottage Designs,
P.O. Box 214,
Midland Michigan 48640

 Please sign your block with your name and place you live (i.e.Barbara Douglas, Midland Michigan)  or add a note with your name and were you are from.

I am thinking of a time line of recieving the blocks by the end of January. 
Thank you.

 Barbara Douglas