Whether it’s an embroidery design, a quilt, or a purse, you can be sure it will be colorful if it’s a Black Cat Creation.

Chicken For Dinner has easy applique that can be done by hand or machine.  With cute chickens, eggs and red checkered borders, this quilt would certainly brighten a kitchen or dining room.

Charmed is charmingly simple!  Grab your bright colorful scraps and you’ll put this fun 48″ X 64″ quilt together lickety-split.

2 Fat Quarter Clutch Bag is one of those patterns that you’ll use over and over.  Just 2 Fat Quarters and you’ll have a really cute clutch bag.  Make one for every season and one for every friend!  Dress it up or make it whimsical. 

These little Sittin’ Pretty placemats are perfect for using charm packs.  Show off your favorite newest fabric line.

I fell in love with Periwinkle Lane and had to start this project.  Block are colored with ordinary crayons, heat set, and then embroidered.  The houses are so colorful and cheery. 

Purchase a block at a time or go for the complete set at once – your choice – and sharpen those crayons!  Quilting is always a mood lifter but these blocks will work overtime cheering you up.  How can you not feel good looking at, or working on, these blocks?!

And if you get hooked on coloring blocks you could try Plaid Cats which is, believe it or not, more colorful!

Browse through the rest of Black Cat Creations.  And while you are there, check out the rest of the quilt patterns.

Currently at Quilters Warehouse the designs of The Wooden Bear are being featured.  The talent behind the company is Kelly Mueller, who comes from a long line of artistic, creative folks.  Her patterns are fun and easy.  Kelly has several themed patterns that can be made and displayed as a group.  The newest is the Woodland Group . . . Moose, Bear & Mallards.

These are all table toppers that measure 24″ x 24″ when finished. Each includes instructions for a matching pillow and for a small project.  Make each table topper and put one on each of the end or occassional tables in your family room.  Make each of the pillows and scatter them on the couch and chairs.  Make the mini-hangings and group together on a wall.  And you have a “Woodland” makeover!

Country Santa is part of the “Country” group that also includes a Country Angel and a Country Snowman.   Each of these patterns includes instructions for a 20″ x 25″ wall hanging, a 14″ x 20″ pillow, and a decorative towel.  Kelly also gives you tips on how to give these projects an extra touch of country.

The Hanging Witch has a few friends . . . a Hanging Scarecrow, Santa, Snowman, and Bunny.   These all finish at 22″ x 30″ and would look great just hanging around your house.

The Patriotic group has several critters each surrounded by stars and waving a flag.

And, of course, we can’t forget the Straddling series of patterns . . . several different characters each holding a little something.  These are all adorable wall hangings.

The Wooden Bear Patternlets all give you a basic pattern and an idea for a quick and easy project. Then you can take that basic pattern and let your imagination take you where it will from there!  A lot of the patternlets are seasonal and they are all cute.

Wow, that was a lot and it’s not even everything that the Wooden Bear has to offer!  Check out the rest and if you have any time left browse other quilt patterns too.

Raggedy Ruth Designs is new to Quilters Warehouse but Ruth Grihalva is certainly not new to quilting and designing.  Ruth has been sewing since she was a girl. Her grandmother taught her quilting and when Ruth’s son was born she really got hooked on quilting.  Since then there has been no stopping her.  So with Raggedy Ruth Designs debut at Quilters Warehouse there are 32 patterns that run the gamut from simple, cute placemats to king size quilts.   The patterns are cleary written so a careful beginner should be able to complete any of the quilts. 

These placemats are as easy to make as they are cute.   Perfect for picnics.  Load the Take A Bite Out Of Summer placemats with napkins and plastic cutlery, then roll them up and pack them in the picnic basket.  These would make a great shower gift.

Do you have a Snips & Pin Catcher?  These things are sooooo handy.  Mine has taken up residence just to the right of my sewing machine and I don’t know what I’d do without it!

Pathway to the Stars is one of those quilts that looks more complicated than it is.  And with Ruth’s clear instructions and illustrations it should go together without a hitch.

This is Bear’s Paw Sampler.  Isn’t it pretty.  The colors in the example are really pretty, but wouldn’t it look good with blues & greys & greens? Made this way the quilt finishes at 60″ X 48″ – perfect for a throw.  There are also instructions for adding log cabin blocks around the entire quilt and then it will finish at 84″ X 72″.

These are just a few of the patterns by Raggedy Ruth Designs.  Check out the rest of them.  While you are there browse some other quilt patterns.  So many to see.

Award winning quilt artist Nancy Rink has designed several quilt patterns using a variety of techniques.  Her patterns include piecing, applique and paper piecing.  From table runners to king sized quilts you’ll find beautiful designs, both traditional and contemporary. 

Today, Nancy Rink tells us how she got her start . . .

“As a young girl, my first attempts at sewing involved making clothing for my Barbies. My grandmother did a great deal of sewing and I would take her discarded scraps home with me and fashion them into what were in all likelihood horribly constructed doll outfits. But in my child’s mind they were beautiful and they were made with my own hands.  Later as a teen, I learned to sew and sewed most of my own clothes.  I was an avid seamstress until I completely fell in love with quilting.  However, I did not fall in love as some do – head over heels.  My love of quilting came on gradually as sewing clothes becase less of a focus and quiltmaking took over my time and ignited my creative passion.  “What was the event that triggered it?”  is a question I’ve been asked many times.  It’s hard to pinpoint one specific event as the trigger.  I think it was more like a confluence of events that came together and illuminated some things about quilting and about myself that I had not previously known.  One of those events was the Hoffman Challenge.   The fabric shop near my house closed down and I “discovered” a quilt shop across town.  A quilt shop?  Would they have dressmaking fabric?  When I walked in I was overwhelmed.  A display caught my eve.  It had the Hoffman Challenge fabric draped gracefully across a shelf and there with it were the entry forms.  The fabric reallly caught my eye – it was burgundy, green, and had shimmering gold streaks.  how would somone use that in a quilt? I wondered.  Up to that point I had used very traditional calicos, plaids, and solids that were characteristic of the early ’80s. and had used them to make ordinary everyday use quilts from simple patterns.

But that Hoffman Challenge fabric called to me.  I bought two yards.  I also bought a book about mariner’s compasses by Judy Mathieson that day.  I took that book home and must have read it cover to cover at least ten times.  Transfixed by the mariner’s compass, I was certain that that was what I would do with the Hoffman Challenge fabric.  And because I was on my own, learning by myself with Judy to guide me, I did not know that a mariner’s compass was a hard thing to make.  And so I made the mariner’s compass.  It was beautiful.  The gold streaks in the fabric shimmered.  But there needed to be more.  The compass was not enough.  It needed a border.  I drew several ideas out on graph paper and finally settle on one.  And that is when I became a designer.  I worked doggedly to finish the quilt – or wallhanging, actually, and my first one at that.  I filled out my paperwork and sent everything off.

Several weeks later, after I’d moved on to another project, I received a phone call.  It was from someone at Hoffman Challenge who wanted to congratulate me on winning first place!  For the life of me, I cannot recall my reaction.  I actually don’t think it registered.  Moreover, I know I did not understand the magnitude of the award.  I’d never seen any Hoffman Challenge quilts, and I’d never seen a quilt show other than the quilt exhibit at our county fair.  At that point I had absolutely no idea that a whole world of quilting existed beyond my doorstep.  But what I did know is that at that point quilting changed for me.  I realized that quilting could be art, that I could design my own quilts, and that there was fabulous fabric, books, tools, etc. waiting for me to put them to use.

Now, I’ve been to, and exhibited in, numerous quilt shows.  I proudly display my award ribbons on a wall in my “studio”.  But when it comes down to it, I’m just a quilter.  I decide on a quilt pattern.  I pick out fabric.  I cut, I sew, I quilt (these days on a APQS longarm).  And like many quilters, I enjoy trying out new gadgets, new tools, new techniques, new materials, new books, and new fabric.  When I get in a slump I look through some of my favorite quilting books for inspiration.  Judy Mathieson’s Mariner’s Compass book is still one of my favorites and I have designed many quilts using it, and her subsequent mariner’s compass books, as guides.  Or I get out that gadget I’ve yet to try and put it through its paces .  And now, thanks to the internet, I can browse websites, read blogs, and look at quilt photos on Webshots and Flickr.  Sometimes I am actually daunted by the wealth of materials and wonder how I am ever going to try all of those new tools and techniques, how am I going to finish all of my planned projects, and how am I ever going to use up my stash . . . especially when it seems that more goes in than comes out!

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your story!

Pippa’s quilts are all about color.  Her Kitambaa Designs were created with African and other vibrant fabrics in mind.   She also has Art Deco inspired patterns.

It Takes a Village is a perfect example.  Lots of color and what a great mood this quilt exhibits.   Christmas fabrics would also make this quilt shine.  And the stars really add a little something extra.

Five Part Harmony is an easy, scrappy lap sized quilt. While you can make this quilt with any fabrics, the African fabrics really make it stand out. So easy to make but with such a “WOW” factor.

Serenity is an Art Deco inspired wall hanging, 22″ X 28″ with easy to follow fusible applique instructions. It’s a beautiful design which gives you ample opportunity to get creative with your quilting in all the open space and around the curved lines. Shown here with echo quilting, but you can make your own mark – let yourself go!

Have you ever made a log cabin quilt like this before? The blocks give the illusion of curves even though it’s made with all straight pieces. Instructions are included for two sizes. This quilt would look great on a wall.

Zebras Crossing is an African scene made bright with African fabrics.  You can choose your favorite method of construction: hand applique, machine applique or fusible applique.

Do you have a bit of floral fabric that you’ve been wanting to use. Grace will give you the chance. Use it in the border of this quilt, then dig out your scraps for all the flowers. The easy to follow fusible applique instructions mean even a beginner can make this stunning quilt.
Check out the rest of the Kitambaa Designs. You won’t find a single one of them to be boring.
And for all your quilt patterns, you know where to go…. Quilters Warehouse!

Kay Gentry of Noble Needle Quilts has lots of patterns available at Quilters Warehouse.  I had a chance to interview Kay recently.  Here’s what she had to say. 

How did you first become interested in quilting?
“I started sewing at age 8. Have sewn just about everything imaginable from upholstery to wedding dresses. My degree is in Textiles and Clothing from The Ohio State University. I made my first quilt in 1980. About 1996 I pretty much stopped doing other sewing to concentrate exclusively on quilting.”

Can you describe your first quilt?
“It was a brown sampler for a double bed. I used a red pen to trace around cereal box templates. I was completely self taught from an old quilting book. I hand quilted the quilt. It was marked with an early blue wash out pen and the residue of the marker has turned brown over the years.”

Do you have a favorite quilt block?
“I collect antique quilts and love the Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern. I think I prefer to make appliqué blocks. Or combine appliqué and piecing.”

What is your favorite part of the quilt-making process?
“Show and tell with other quilters!”

…your least favorite part?
“Deciding what to do with the leftover fabrics after finishing a quilt.”

Do you ever hit a slump, and if so, how do you get out of it?
“Spending time with other quilters and seeing what they are working on can help. It can also happen by just picking up a magazine and seeing possible projects.”

Do you have favorite fabric color combinations?
“I prefer clear colors. I go in spurts of working with 30′s, Civil War, Batiks, florals, solids- but all in crisp clear colors.”

Do you prefer to hand quilt or machine quilt?

Thanks for your time Kay!  I have to agree, I never know what to do with my leftovers either.

Here’s a sampling of Noble Needle Designs . . .

Antique Garden

  Collide-O-Scope

Twirling Blooms