What’s not to like about cherries?  Yummy fruit to eat and so pretty to look at.  Plus they remind us of all the good things about summer.   So how about a few quilts that incorporate cherries?  Here’s what I found….

Berry Cherry by Thistledown & Co (you can’t find a Thistledown pattern that isn’t cheery!) is a penny rug.   Batiks, felted wool, and simple stitches make this adorable rug.  Quilting design is included.

This one makes me think “picnic”.    Cherry Blossom is a 54″ square quilt by Sandy Kop of American Jane Patterns.  The appliqued flowers sprinkled across the top add some whimsey.

Me and My Sister Designs created this Cherry Turnover quilt.  You can use charm squares and turnovers, and you won’t have to do any cutting for the main body of the quilt….. you’ll finish in no time!

Since we are still deep in winter, we’ll be seeing Cherry Blossoms before we see any cherries.  Yo-yos with stitched centers create the three dimensional flowers.  Other techniques used in the project are fusible applique, piecing (for the border) and the vase is stuffed to give it more dimension.  Full size applique patterns are included.

Very Cherry is a Bloom Creek pattern.  Easy pieced blocks are alternated with appliqued cherry blocks for a bright cheery quilt.  This easy quilt will brighten up any room.

You enjoy browsing quilt patterns…. I’m off to find a piece of cherry pie!

We all know that our quilts need light, medium and dark fabrics to bring out the design.  We tend to use several colors to get those values in our quilts.  But sometimes it can be satisfying to use just one color and vary the value within that color.    When you have a lot of other color going on in a room, having a monochromatic quilt can offer a quiet place for the eye.

Square Up by Janet Pittman is a fat quarter friendly quilt.  This lap size quilt (42″ x 54″) is fast and easy to make.  

Break out of the box with this break-some-rules design.  Syncopated Ribbons will let you dig into your scrap bag to create a truly one of a kind quilt.  

What a beautiful quilt for hanging on a dining room wall…  or in your French Country kitchen.  It soothing and pleasing to view.  China Dishes is a quick, easy quilt finishing at 57″ x 63″.

Here’s another quick & easy quilt.  Dutch Treat from Rasmatazz Designs is 64″ square so it on the table or on the wall.  It’s rather striking, don’t you think?  The designer, Susan Nelson, suggests using a color that coordinates with your favorite dishes.

These patterns were designed for a simple color palette, but you can take almost any pattern and make it monochromatic.  If you’re not sure if you’ll like the effect with a particular pattern, just make a couple blocks.  If you’re not thrilled enough to make an entire quilt you can use the blocks for a tote bag or mini table topper.

Have you heard about Janome’s Friend-to-Friend Challenge?  In an effort to grow their online community, Janome has given themselves a challenge to reach 20,000 likes on Facebook.  When that happens they will give a TWO machines (yes, TWO!)  and a Mystery Bag filled with patterns, fabric and notions!!!

Here’s what you need to do (it’s so easy!):

Visit Janome.com each day and read their daily post.  You’ll learn a little something every day, so even if you don’t win the fantastic prize package, you are still coming out ahead!  Then leave a comment on the post.  This part is important – the comment is what enters you into the contest.

Then head over to the Janome Facebook page and “like” Janome so you can watch the number of “likes” grow.  As soon as it hits 20,000 one of those Janome.com commenters is going to be making room in their sewing room for TWO new pink ribbon Janome machines!

More than just a pattern for a quilt, this book is a collection of thank you letters and photos from children who won ponies by selling subscriptions to The Farmer’s Wife magazine in the early 1900′s.   Laura Hird selected 90 letters from the lucky pony winners and chose blocks inspired by the stories and photos.  The sampler quilt consists of 90 traditional 8″ blocks to make a large queen sized quilt.   Though the blocks are traditional, many of them will be blocks you don’t see used over and over.

As Laura states, “these endearing, poignant, and sometimes hilarious letters provide a unique window into the lives of children in rural America at the turn of the 20th century”.   

Following the letters is a section with complete, detailed assembly instructions and illustrations for each block.

  The book includes a CD with templates, foundation patterns where needed, and full sized line drawings of each block.  There are assembly diagrams for not only the queen size, but also king, lap and twin. 

Sampler quilts are always interesting to make and this one is even more so.   Just two blocks a week and you’ll be finished this time next year even if you take a few weeks off.   The Pony Club Sampler Quilt would make a great project for a quilt guild and would provide for interesting conversation.

You may want to join the Yahoo group “The Farmer’s Wife Pony Club Quilt“.   There you can chat with other quilters about your progress, post pics of your finished blocks, and view pics of other members’ work.

Laura Hird has been collecting copies of the Farmer’s Wife magazine and has one of the most complete collections in existence.  You can follow her blog, The Farmer’s Wife Quilt, where she posts excerpts from the magazines, and discusses upcoming projects.

Hopefully you have been enjoying the holidays!  

Before you take down and store all your Christmas decorations, have a look around.  Is there anything missing?  Is there anything that really has seen better days and perhaps should be replaced or updated?  Don’t wait until next year when you pull out the decorations again to take note of what you need.  By then you’ll be pressed for time and have to make something in a rush, or rush out and buy something.   Take a few minutes now.   You don’t have to purchase fabric yet, just buy the patterns and then throughout the year, when you are in the mood, or have a lull, you can look for fabric and get started.  Even if you wait until fall, at least you’ll know what needs to be done without relying on your memory. (I don’t know about you, but my memory gets worse every year!) Get ready now and make next Christmas less stressful.

How are the stockings?  Are they getting worn?  Are there new family members that need one.  Have there been any announcements of impending births?  (screeee!!!!)  The new baby will definitely need a new stocking.  Choose a stocking pattern now and write a note right on the pattern to remind you who needs it. 

Do you have an empty spot on a wall that’s just begging for a cute wall hanging?   We have well over a hundred Christmas Wall Hangings; you’re sure to find something that will add to your decor.

Now would be the perfect time to start a Christmas Block of the Month quilt.  Come December of next year, you’ll be glad you did!

Don’t forget tree skirts, ornaments, dolls, table toppers…. better yet, check out our entire Christmas pattern section.  Browse, plan, and enjoy the good feeling of being prepared!

Do you need a new Christmas Tree Skirt this year?  Here’s several suggestions…

Christmas Celebrations Tree Skirt will put presents under the tree before you even do any shopping!  Measuring 54″ x 54″, appliqued lights and candy canes with holly leaves are scattered among the presents.

You get lots of choices with the Tablecloth/Tree Skirt pattern from the Quilters Patch.  The 12″ squares can be pieced blocks, embroidered, appliqued or fussy cut a holiday print/scene.  Make a tree skirt or a tablecloth (or both!). Scallop the edges… or not! Your choice!

Kathleen Colleran designed this art deco looking elegant tree skirt.  It would make a terrific wall hanging as well.  Winterberry Star would work with other fabrics and could be a year-round wall hanging.

Poinsettia & Holly decorate this tree skirt.  The points look tricky but they are really easy to do with detailed instructions and lots of illustrations.  Two sizes, 52″ and 66″, so you can pick which would work best for your tree. 

Got a soft spot for Scotties? Let them parade around your tree is this Scottie Tree Skirt.  Look, they are all dressed up for the occassion!  This American Jane pattern, designed by Sandy Clop, measures 50″ x 50″ and will be certain to be the envy of many of your dog loving friends.

Holly, Berries & Pine from Prairiegrove Peddler offers instructions for a 42″ tree skirt, a 16″ pillow, and a 17″ x 34″ table runner, all on a light background.  You could make the background a shade darker, and use brighter greens and reds for the holy and Berries.

There’s more! Check out the rest of the tree skirt patterns and pick a favorite.