Tag: quilts (Page 5 of 13)

Introducing…Merry!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Image of Truck Quilt

It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like red truck Christmas quilt season!

Merry is a red truck Christmas quilt that’s easy and fun to make! You can start your holiday decorating with a fun Christmas wall hanging OR make one for a favorite friend!

Use BOTH sides of one red Christmas fabric on a snowy bed of winter fabrics to make this quilted wall hanging.

This little red truck is dashing through a snowy lane. On a background of winter trees, various sizes of snowflake motifs, cardinals on lighted lines, and glitzy deer, this red truck Christmas quilt is made with both sides of one focus fabric. So toss a tree in the back, add the mirrors, tires, license plate, and reversed details to “trim out” your truck. Pull out your winter/Christmas stash and start auditioning your fabrics!

Image of Merry in Snow

Shop the “Merry” quilt pattern in my Etsy shop: HERE

Merry Red Truck Quilt

Below are the current Christmas quilt patterns available. For each you will use both sides of at least one fabric. With each #usebothsides pattern, you’ll discover the nuances of value as you learn to audition BOTH sides of fabric. I teach you HOW, like what to look for and how to use value to your advantage.

Look at each picture below and notice where the reverse side is used. Look carefully because you’ll see that the reverse is often used in the background as well. Chances are you have fabric in your stash that will work, with beautiful reverse sides. So pull out some stash and turn it over! Once you learn about what makes reverse sides work, you’ll never look at one side of fabric again! It’s almost like doubling your stash (without taking up any more room). Plus, it’s fun and makes choosing fabrics easy!

You can learn more about value HERE.

SHOP more Christmas quilt patterns in my Etsy Shop HERE.

Have yourself a wonder-filled quilting journey!

Step Inside the Yellow Door Quilt Store

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

In the heart of Indiana is a bright yellow door. Inside is a quilt store.

Enter the Yellow Door Quilt Store to find a cute little quilt shop filled with fun, beautiful fabric (and some cool patterns)!

Image of front of Yellow Door Quilt Store

Take a peek inside the Yellow Door Quilt Store!

Located south of Indianapolis, in Nashville, IN, the Yellow Door Quilt Store carries unique and bright fabrics. They might have a modern flare, but there’s definitely something for everyone!

Initially, I met the owner, Mary Beth, when I popped in to her booth at the Paducah quilt show. I think she noticed I was looking at both sides of her fabrics. As usually happens when I’m auditioning both sides, a lively conversation ensued. I knew right away her fabrics would work beautifully with my patterns.

We hit it off and Mary Beth now offers a number of my designs in her booth and shop!

You’ll likely find bright, bold, and interesting fabrics at the Yellow Door Quilt Store which might include Kaffe Fassett Collective, Marcia Derse, Kathy Doughty, Jane Sasseman, and Alexander Henry. Regardless of your favorite quilting and fabric style, I’m certain everyone will enjoy a visit to the Yellow Door!

Additionally, it was Mary Beth’s who suggest I make a sugar skull pattern using both sides of one focus fabric.

It was certainly a milestone to send the first printing of the Flora Quilt Pattern (sugar skull) to Mary Beth, even though she already carried a number of my titles. It’s fun when a shop owner is excited about using both beautiful sides!

Basically, Flora is a fast, easy pattern made with fusible applique and broderie perse. First, trace and cut the skull shape from a full-size paper template. Next, press the fusible template onto the RIGHT side of the floral fabric. Finally, cut Flora’s flower garland from the floral motif itself, arranged on the quilt and fused. Learn more about broderie perse HERE.

Flora is made with BOTH beautiful sides of a floral fabric. Click HERE for link to Flora Focus Fabric Kit.

Image of Mary Beth
Give Mary Beth a shout-out on her Facebook Live!

Furthermore, you simply MUST experience Mary Beth’s “Hootie Hoo” Facebook Live sessions!

Grab a hot cup of coffee and stay in your jammies to shop!

Visit Mary Beth online HERE or in her quilt store!

SHOP more than 50 unique quilt patterns that use both beautiful sides of fabric!

Read about The Quilt Shop in Chamberlain, South Dakota!

Creative Bee Studios #usebothsides

Kate Goes Modern

Do you remember Kate, the vase and bouquet quilt made with both beautiful sides of Kaffe Fassett fabric?

While Kate (shown below) is made with both sides of one fabric, Kate’s Bouquet is made with both sides of two fabrics!

Here’s Kate.

But don’t stop scrolling… Kate’s Bouquet is shown next!

Kate Quilt Pattern

Kate was made using both sides of Japanese Chrysanthemum by Philip Jacobs for Kaffe Fassett Collective.

Firstly, you make the vase by tracing a template onto lightweight fusible and adhering it to the RIGHT side of the fabric.

Next, press lightweight fusible to the REVERSE side of the fabric. Cut the blooms out using the fabric motif as the guide. This is also known as Broderie Perse applique.

Learn more about Modern Broderie Perse.

Finally, you build the bouquet on a fun collection of scrappy background fabrics!

Now see Kate’s Bouquet, made with both sides of two fabrics!

Image of Kate made with both sides of two fabrics.
Kate’s Bouquet Quilt Pattern

Kate’s Bouquet is a dramatic statement for statement in any home!The negative space gives Kate a modern appeal, especially when used with a brilliant solid background fabric.

Notably, the best part about making Kate’s Bouquet is that you only need three fabrics to make this quilt! Use BOTH beautiful sides of the focus and table fabric and get one fabulous fabric for the background!

Kate’s Bouquet is shown with the same floral focus fabric in a different colorway.

Look at this lovely and softer version made by my friend, Linda. She’s named her quilt “Rose”. Her softer quilt has a calm feel about her and goes beautifully in Linda’s newly decorated living room.

“Rose” made by Linda Gast

Just imagine the options for background fabrics! You could mimics wall paper or old plaster walls. So many options!

Image of Quilt
I love how Linda quilted her table!

And, of course, there are always fabulous floral fabrics on the market for designing your own bouquet!

Image of Quilt made with both sides of two fabrics.

Remember, it’s all about value. See The Tricky Traits of Value .

Each #usebothsides pattern comes with tips for auditioning BOTH sides of your fabric PLUS the Bonus: Prairie Point Hanging Method!

Shop “Kate’s Bouquet” HERE, at my Etsy Shop

Image of Quilt and Magazine

Merle’s Bouquet is featured in the AQ Magazine. Limited quantities of signed copies in my Etsy Shop/CreativeBeeStudios

Share with your friends – tell them to Join The BUZZ!

It’s a…Dash About!

Here’s a fun, fast quilt pattern made with only one block and THREE fabrics!

Dash About is made using the Churn Dash block and BOTH beautiful sides of three fabrics!

At first, you might think there are separate background fabrics for each block. But when you take a second look, you notice that the background for each block is made from the REVERSE side of the same fabric!

Using both sides makes choosing fabrics, well, half the trouble!

It’s all about VALUE. Each #usebothsides quilt pattern describes how to audition your fabrics’ value by “removing” the color. Of course, you don’t physically remove the color. But colors can be tricky when it comes to value. And, fabric values change, depending on what fabrics are next to them! Take a look here at The Tricky Traits of Value for more information.

The most important thing to know is that auditioning both sides of fabric is easy and fun. Learning to look at fabric values in this way is a fantastic tool for all quilters when choosing fabrics or designing their own quilts.

Image of Quilt Hanging on Line

I’ve found that auditioning both sides of fabrics is a great conversation starter in quilt shops. Quilters can’t help but ask what you’re doing!

Karla

Next, look at the Dash About quilt shown above. It is made using three unrelated fabrics. The centermost, smallest block is made with fabric that has a tiny motif. The floral in the middle block is larger. Of course, the outer Churn Dash sports an incredible large motif that comes in backing fabric widths!

The fabric shown, starting in the center, include a sweet little blue print which belonged to my late mother-in-law, Pat, a darling Anna Marie Horner floral, and a super-big Kaffe Fassett print. (I love adding a touch of her to my designs).

Additionally, see what happens when you make Dash About using a line of fabrics:

Dash About Quilt Pattern
Dash About for Hoffman California Fabrics

When I saw the beautiful reverse sides of this line by Hoffman California Fabrics, I was certain this would be a winner in the Dash About layout! The line is “Floral Rhapsody”. The reverse is lighter but has lots of movement and can definitely stand on its own!

Image of fabric
Floral Rhapsody Splash
Image of fabric reverse
Floral Rhapsody Splash Reverse

Like most quilts, these fabrics are even more fabulous in real life!

When compared with a solid or white on white fabric, the movement and slight changes of color and value of the REVERSE side makes for an interesting background!

Shop both Dash About patterns in my Etsy SHOP HERE.

These patterns are identical, except for the fabric listings and photo.

See more quilts designed for Hoffman California Fabrics HERE.

Enjoy your quilting journey!

Use the share buttons to post on Facebook and add to your Pinterest boards!

#usebothsides

South Dakota Quilt Shop

Do your adventures include visiting a quilt shop?

When our daughter landed her first job out of college, we had no idea that her new adventure would become one for us, too. I didn’t expect it to influence the quilt patterns I’d design or what quilt shop my carry them!

Because she’d landed the lead role and we’d never been to South Dakota before, we took a road trip summer to The Black HIlls of South Dakota. Of course, along the way we stopped at quilt shops. That’s how I met the owner of the Quilt Shop in Chamberlain, SD. It was just on our list and close to the highway! See And…dance by the light of the moon, South Dakota Quilts & More and OKLAHOMA Backroads in South Dakota .

OKLAHOMA! at the Black Hills Playhouse

The owner, Sonya, and I brainstormed pattern ideas for her clientele and soon I was designing bison and other wildlife patterns. She carries LOTS of fun fabric with beautiful reverses!

The following summer Jacq landed Sophie in Mamma Mia and off we went again! If you get a chance, stop in Chamberlain, SD – its simply loaded with fabric and has wonderful local art and craft as well.

These are some pics of patterns and fabrics she carries.

Sophie and Donna in Mamma Mia at the Black Hills Playhouse, Custer, SD

We were able to visit Chamberlain again and drop off some new designs!

Here’s a big shout-out to Sonja in Chamberlain…and many thanks!

Step inside the Yellow Door Quilt Store in Nashville, Indiana.

Shop Creative Bee Studios Etsy Shop for more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides!

Enjoy your quilting journey!

Introducing Merle’s Bouquet!

A quilt pattern made from a vintage watering can? You betcha!

My fun, sweet, adventuresome neighbor travels from time to time. When she’s away, I walk over to her house and water her flowers using her vintage watering can.

I’ve always admired that can. They don’t make them like that anymore!

So, when the editor at AQ Magazine asked me for a quilt design, my first stop was Merle’s house!

Merle has lovely vases and other containers. I took photos of them all. But before I left, I asked if I could photograph her watering can. “That old thing?” Yep!

That old thing was perfect for a quilt pattern!

Without further ado…here is Merle’s Bouquet!

Image of Quilt
Merle’s Bouquet by Karla Kiefner, Creative Bee Studios

As you can see, she’s made with both beautiful sides of one floral fabric on a scrappy background. When using a combination of fusible applique and broderie perse, the technique is what I like to call “modern broderie perse”.

You see, the watering can is cut from a template, using the REVERSE side of the fabric. The flowers are cut using the fabric’s own motif.

Fortunately, finding fabric with a beautiful reverse isn’t hard. It just takes knowing what to look for and how to look! Each pattern that uses both sides of fabric (more than 45), teaches you how to easily audition both sides of fabric.

Learn more about The Tricky Traits of Value HERE.

Because of the long time between designing a quilt pattern and publication date, it seemed the day would never arrive. One day I got a call from my friend, Nancy, to look in my mailbox. I knew it was time!

I raced out to the mailbox and ran over to Merle’s. It was fun for Merle and I to open the issue together.

Image of magazine cover

Finally, here is the original quilt as it appears in the magazine.

Image of Quilt Pattern in Magazine

Subsequently, I made another version. This focus fabric gave the quilt a whole new look and feel! It’s pictured here with Merle’s can.

Image of Quilt and Watering Can

This RJR fabric has a vivid, painted look with a variety of flowers and birds to add the bouquet.

Image of Quilt and Magazine

You can shop for Merle’s Bouquet quilt pattern HERE.

Image of Quilt and Fabric
RJR Digiprint Arcadia “Secret Garden” Focus Fabric for Merle’s Bouquet

Reflections of Love is the Cover Girl for Quiltmaker Magazine!

Please use the Facebook and Pinterest share buttons and enjoy your quilting journey!

Tying Up Loose Threads

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Fun with the Loose Threads quilt program began with an integrated trunk show and screen presentation.

The Loose Threads Quilt Guild of St. Peters, Missouri, is a fun group of quilters. I was honored to present my quilt program to this large turnout of enthusiastic members.

Image of Quilters at Loose Threads quilt  program

We begin the Loose Threads quilt program with our “selfie” photos!

Loose Threads Quilt Program Group Photo

The group was so large, we needed three!

Image at Loose Threads quilt program
As my kids would tell you, selfies are not my forte.

With help from the membership, my Loose Threads quilt program began. The “quilt angels” hold up the quilts while viewing the screen.

First, I start the quilt program by inviting the Loose Threads guild members to ponder their own quilting journeys.

Next, we explore all the ways we are influenced in our journeys.

Finally, I share how my very curvy quilting journey has been like a train ride of surprise destinations.

At the conclusion of the program, the Lil’ Susie quilt pattern was debuted.

Image of Lil' Susie Pattern

The next day, the Grace class began.

Take a peek at just a few of their “Grace” class projects in progress:

Notice how the focus fabric makes all the difference? Each one has it’s own personality.

Image of Class Project

In classes, in addition to making a cute little quilt top, the quilters’ play with their fabrics, learning the nuances of value and how it relates to both sides of the focus fabric and what’s surrounding it.

(I had to get her matching machine and bouquet!)

Once their fabrics are chosen, it’s all about building their bouquets!

Now, take a look at this creative gal – who just happens to be the gal who inspired me many, many years ago to join my local quilt guild. Vickie brought an old window pane to build her “Grace” bouquet!

Image of Quilter Working

Isn’t she fabulous?

Image of Quilt in Window
Notice how Vickie added a crocheted doily, a vintage hankie, and lace to her bouquet? She adapted her background fabrics to fit her window and then built her bouquet! Sew fun!

A happy shout-out to the Loose Threads Quilt Guild! Hope to see you lovely quilters again soon!

Image of Grace Quilt Pattern
Grace Quilt Pattern

Meet the Calico Needlers and visit Margie’s Sew Much Fun!

Meet the Twilight Stitchers Quilt Guild!

The Twilight Stitchers Quilt Guild of Blue Springs, Missouri hosted me as their program speaker and teacher.

Twilight Stitchers -their name is intriguing and their guild is a lot of fun! One of my many new friends, Vickie, made the trip extra special for me with her care for details and accommodations. Thanks, Vickie!

I love to see how other guilds operate.

Initially, the venue of the meeting can be a big variant from guild to guild. Also, the personality of the guild can be portrayed by how they run their meetings and what committees are reporting (involvement in the community, etc). Lastly, how the guild members interact with one another contributes to the enthusiasm and fun of a guild meeting.

It’s fun to note new ideas like “Quilt Angels” (an appreciative title for the members who sacrifice seeing the fronts of a speaker’s quilts because they’ve volunteered to hold the quilts for the guild to see).

A special thank you to my Quilt Angels for the night!

To begin, here are some pics from our opening selfies – they appear to be a rowdy group!

Image of Twilight Stitchers Quilt Guild Selfie
Image of Twilight Stitchers Quilt Guild

The “Grace” quilt class the following day was exciting. I give LOTS of pre-class guidance for choosing fabrics to bring and I was so delighted to see that they were all well prepared AND sew creative!

Classroom Set-up for the Grace Quilt Class

In this class, each quilter brings one or several unique focus fabrics. First, they learn how to audition and choose a focus fabric. Secondly, they audition background fabrics and accents strips from the variety they’ve brought to class. Oftentimes, quilters will share opinions and fabric with their surrounding quilters! (“I thought this would look good in my quilt, but it would work really well in yours!”)

To summarize, you can see in these photos that they chose varied fabrics. As a result, their bouquets were unique, even presenting the quilters’ personalities! In addition, one quilter used men’s’ ties and other out-of-the-box fabrics and was going to design her own vase to fit her bouquet!

Image of Quilters with Projects
Image of Three Twilight Quilters with Quilts
Image of Quilter's Bouquet
Image of Vickie's Bouquet
Image of Hydrangea Bouquet
Image of Couple's Bouquet
Image of Two Quilters

I wish I’d gotten a pic of my first husband/wife duo – but she slipped off before I could snag her pic – busy lady. Their quilts have “related” but different focus fabrics and will hang together in their home! Hope they’ll share them with us using…wait for it…#usebothsides !!!! Yes, they all learned about hashtags during the program!

Image of Quilt in Progress

Now that you’ve looked at the focus fabrics (bouquets), scroll back up to note the clever background fabrics they chose!

I hope to get to see the Twilight Stitchers again soon! You just never know where quilters will cross paths! See Quilts at the Beach to see how I bumped into a quilter, from Warrensburg, Missouri (a hop, skip, and a jump from Blue Springs) at Pensacola Beach!

A hearty THANKS to my new friend in Blue Springs!

image of quilt pattern taught at Twilight Stitchers
Grace Quilt Pattern

See “Grace” Quilt Pattern at my Etsy shop: Creative Bee Studios #usebothsides

Quilts at the Beach

Give me a good beach quilt in the midst of winter!

Why do I love a good beach quilt? We lived in Pensacola, Florida – twice! The first time (as newlyweds), my husband was a student pilot. The second time, with two little ones, he was a flight instructor. When he left the full-time USMC life, we moved to Missouri. We’ve spent many vacations going back “home” to Pensacola (also home of our favorite: the Blue Angels).

Location, location, location. It’s the key. As you can see in these pics, Sally, Sandy, Fiona, and Bubbles are right at home on the beach!

This weekend we attended a wedding to attend in Baton Rouge, so we decided to grab a couple of beach days on the tail end of the trip. I debated whether I should even bother to take quilts along to photograph…I’m SO glad I DID!

Image of Sandy Quilt on Sand.
It’s Sandy on the beach. 🙂

My favorite name for a beach quilt has to be this: Sandy! Doesn’t she look happy in the sand?

Image of Sally Quilt at Beach
Sally

Sally the seahorse was flying high in the morning light. She’s made with both beautiful sides of one of my all-time favorite KFC fabrics: Shell Bouquet by Philip Jacobs.

Image of Fiona Quilt at Beach
Fiona

Fiona the friendly flamingo helped me spot a friend at the beach:

It’s hard to spot another quilter at the beach. Therefore, when I passed a gal on the walkway who was wearing a MSQS shirt, I HAD to speak to her! It turns out she’s from Missouri, too! She had just bought fabric from the pharmacy (now A & E Fabrics) to make some #usebothsides quilts! See my blog about her guild HERE: Inspired Quilters Inspire

Image of Karla and Cheryl, quilters at the beach.
Cheryl helped me take evening pics. Quilters are so nice!
Image of Bubbles on deck.
Bubbles

My husband came up with the name “Bubbles” for this happy guy! See The Marine Behind the Quilts to learn more about his role (my husband’s, not Bubble’s).

You might wonder how those quilts just seemed to hover in the air above the beach…You can see in this blooper: thanks to his quick reaction, my hubby saved Bubbles from a big one! I thought he hid quite well on that little beach chair behind the one-yard square quilts!

Image of blooper photo.

Patterns for each of these quilts and MANY MORE are available in my Etsy shop: Creative Bee Studios

Read more at Summer Books & Quilts.

Home Sweet Home

Travel with me, back to my home town, to teach a class of wall hanging quilts!

Early on, the Memory Maker Quilt Guild of Perryville, Missouri invited me to teach a class of wall hanging quilts. I was trilled to drive down memory lane, where I had memorized every crack in the sidewalks around my neighborhood.

First, the quilters chose from a variety of patterns that finished as 36″ square quilts. You’ll see in photos below that they picked a variety of patterns, including the bee, butterfly, seahorse, and even the cauldron.

Quilters learned how to audition both beautiful sides of their fabrics by using value as their guide.

Learn more about VALUE here.

Their unique focus fabric choices reflected their maker’s style in the finished wall hanging quilts.

In addition, the stitchers used fusible applique and broderie perse techniques for these patterns.

After making their fabric selections and cutting and piecing the background fabrics, the students began the fusible applique and broderie perse phase of class.

A softy for nostalgia, I like to drive down my old bike-riding routes and good, ole Church Street.

Whether we were riding bikes or just playing outside all day long, I enjoyed a carefree childhood. I remember taking turns rolling down our terrace, wrapped in a quilt (what was my mom thinking?), playing “Penelope Pitstop” (only Peppermint Patti would understand), and putting on plays and magic shows in our yards. Those are some of the warm memories of my childhood.

Karla

We had a great turn-out of quilters and I couldn’t have been more happy with their creativeness when using my patterns. See just a few of their wall hanging quilts below.

Image of dragonfly wall hanging quilt
Martha’s “Lilly”
Image of Phoebee Quilt
Phoebee

Use Both Sides Category at Memory Maker Quilt Guild’s Show

Imagine my delight to learn they were having a Use BOTH Sides category of their class quilts in their next quilt show!

Image of wall hanging quilts being hung in quilt show.
Quilt show setup, view from my booth!

Setting up a booth as a vendor, I was even more delighted to see them hang their class quilts right across from my booth!

Image of "Sally" Quilt
Image of "Belle" Quilt

Similiarly, for my home town guild to arrange a whole quilt show category on my behalf was quite an honor! Below, you see many of the class wall hanging quilts entered into the judging.

Whether it means anything to anyone else in the world, this means the world to me.

Image of Quilters at Show

My thanks to the members of Memory Makers Quilt Guild. Hope you enjoy seeing their very creative quilts from class.

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Shop Quilt Patterns HERE

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