The newest designer at Quilters Warehouse is Karen Eckmeier of Quilted Lizard.  And yes, she does have quilt patterns with lizards! - fun and whimsical lizards.  Many of Karen’s patterns are “Accidental Landscapes” which are a unique method for creating art quilts with minimum fuss.  You’ll love the results.

Farms & Fields has a peaceful look to it.  Pick your season and then select your favorite greens or golds and start “painting with fabric.”  You’re an artist!

Do you want to get away… maybe to a sunny beach?  Accidental Landscapes – Beaches will take you away.  You can personalize your project with your favorites – a seagull or two, a sailboat, a lighthouse to name a few. 

Quilted Lizard’s landscapes are so quick and easy to make. It just takes some free form rotary cutting and then topstiching. Your landscape will appear before your eyes – like watching a Polaroid develop!

Do you have a golfer in the family?  Accidental Landscapes – Golf Courses would make a great gift for their office or den.  Maybe you could get really creative and make it look like their favorite course or their favorite hole at their favorite course.  How well do you know your golfer?!

Lest you think Landscapes are all Karen does, here’s more . . .

Baby Wheels is not a landscape but it’s still quick and easy!  A few bright colors and some curves and you have a baby quilt or a lap quilt, your choice.

Here’s a whimsical pattern, a lizard in the midst of what looks like a stained glass window.  It’s easier than it looks and the finished piece has the look of reverse applique.

Browse all of Quilted Lizards patterns and let your inner artistic self out!

Our new designer this week is Linda Rould from Purse-O-Nalities of Palm Harbor. She has handbag designs that will really wow you.  They are so varied and they lend themselves to YOU putting YOUR “purse-o-nal” touch on them.  Linda believes you can be YOU can be the designer too.  The sizes are many and so are the styles . . . from change purse, to small purse, to large purse, to mega bag, to back pack . . . she has it all.   Several of Linda’s designs use a “bag within a bag” technique that creates extra pockets and a really neat look.

A Tote-all Purse-O-Nality is the perfect example.  The bright yellow inside bag contracts nicely with the floral exterior bag and you get four large pockets when you sew them together. 

You could make one for each season. . .  Bright red inner bag with large scale pattern in a Christmas theme,  Soft green inner bag with soft floral pattern for Spring.  The pictured fabrics would work great for Summer . . . you get the idea.

Here’s a classic pattern, aptly named The Classic Purse-O-Nality.  It’s small enough that you don’t feel like you are hauling a tote around but it’s big enough to carry what you need.  And, as most of Linda’s patterns are, it’s easy to customize – you pick the number of pockets you want the purse to have.

And here’s a quilty tote.  A Blooming Purse-O-Nality will satisfy your urge to create a quilty project and you’ll have a great tote that has so many ways to make it suit your needs.

Check out all of the purse designs and you’ll probably find several you just have to have.

Have you seen the new pattern, On Parade?  Some quilts, when you look at them you see that the designer selected just the right fabrics and color palette.  You want the pattern and you want to make that exact quilt or one very similiar.  But some patterns seem just right for lots of experimenting and are perfect for choosing your own special interpretation.  On Parade is one of those. 

 It looks perfect for fussy cutting fabrics for the squares and then coordinating fabrics in the same theme for the skinny outlined squares and of course another for the background.

Here’s an example…  The Duck Duck Goose for fussy cutting…

 Duck Duck Goose words for the outlined squares… All About Color Turquoise for the background.  Sooooo cute.     

 Charmin’ Sue - this fabric looks like it was made for this quilt.  Fussy cut for the blocks, and fussy cut this same fabric for the outlined squares. Then maybe a soft green for the background. 

How about a sewing themed quilt with Stash Management   red for the fussy cutting?  The outlined squares could be a fabric of meausuring tape.  And for the background, match one of the thread colors in the main fabric – it looks like there is a light blue, a lilac, a pink and a light green.

You could make a sports themed quilt with balls for the outlined squares, or an animal quilt with paw prints for the outlined squares, or a garden/flower quilt with leaves… someone stop me now!

Browse the other quilt patterns to find another quilt that allows you to use your imagination.  Back to this ones – let’s see… snowmen with snowflakes… fish with bubbles… boats with anchors…

Our newest designer is Virginia Cole of Galloping Pony Studios.  While a lot of quilts can be also be art, Virginia goes a step further.  Her patterns give you instructions for a miniature quilt blocks and also for collage art which includes the quilt blocks.  You’ll be able to make very personal art pieces with her help.

Pretty Thing has instructions for a miniature quilt collage with two different size options.  This piece uses Log Cabin and Cracker Box blocks.

Quilt Study definitely is just what it says. Such an interesting piece! There are instructions for ten different miniature blocks and layouts for three different size collages.  After you make the art you can use your talents and the block patterns to make many different miniature quilts… your imagination is your only limitation!

Of course, we need to include something Christmassy… Oh Christmastime! has instructions for several different quilt blocks and for eight mini projects including gifts, cards, and tags.  Make a few gifts that are personal and something to treasure. 

Now, how about a purse? It’s big enough that you can pack up your pattern and supplies for one of the Galloping Pony projects and take it along with you.  The Side Pac Sack has LOTS of detail and will turn into a conversation piece wherever you go!

If you are new to miniature quilts, don’t worry about any mistakes you make… as the saying goes “if you can’t see a mistake in a quilt from a galloping horse, it’s not a mistake.” That’s where Virginia got the name for her studio… change the horse to a pony because she does miniatures.  Virginia says she enjoys the character of imperfections so think of your mistakes as adding character.  If you get hooked on miniatures, Joan Hawley has pictures and notes about a darling, and very detailed miniature sewing room.  You’ll also find many more quilt patterns available for miniatures; just enter “miniatures” in the search box and explore.  So, no more ‘neighs’ – get sewing!