Linda uses different materials, sizes, and techniques but the one common element seems to be the mood.  Thistledown designs are all bright, cheerful, optimistic and fun… a reflection of the designer.  Lots of them have practicality thrown in for an added bonus.   Hmmm, or are they practical with fun thrown in?  I’ll let you decide.

Among the designs are several coin catchers, such as Kitty Kit.  Each of the coin catcher kits contains all the materials you’ll need….. everything but the coins!

Dolphin Delight is one block of nine from the group of Florida Album blocks.  Instructions include both needle turn applique and fusible applique methods. Also included are the beads used to embellish the block. 

Any of the nine blocks would work as a small wall hanging or could be used to make a decorative pillow, but were designed to go together in this Florida Album Quilt.

Chocolate inspired this 4-patch quilt titled Chocolate Chips.  The colors and values used make this an eye-catching piece.  Instructions are included for three sizes: lap, twin and queen.  It makes me want to break open a box of Fannie May and dig in!  I’ll have to settle for looking at the quilt and munching on some carrot sticks.

This is just a sampling of what Thistledown & Co has to offer.  We’ll be looking at more this week and next.  We’ll be having pattern giveaways.   And don’t miss our interview with Linda.  She’ll be showing us photos of her studio and you’ll get to see who is watching her work. 

Linda is hosting a Stitch Along on her blog.  I’m going to be stitching along with her…. why don’t you join us?   Here’s the fabric requirements:

1-1/4 yards of a print focus fabric 
1/2 yard of a dark (I’m using the red)
1/4 yard of a light (I’m using the pink & white check)
1/4 yard EACH of 4 other fabrics  (I’m using an orange print, 2 greens prints and a pink dot)
Buy another 1/3 yard of one of the fabrics for your binding.
 Fabric needed for the backing is 1-3/4 yards
*There is also an optional step in this Stitch -a-long that will require another fabric that will contrast somewhat with the rest. You’ll need about 3/4 yard.
 

But be sure to visit her blog, her fabrics choices are pictured and she has suggestions about choosing your fabrics.

And she has a fantastic list of reasons to go fabric shopping!

We’ll announce our first pattern giveaway a little later today (later this morning?).  

Keep up with us on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook Page so you don’t miss anything!

Double Paw was the most popular pattern, followed by Cat Nap.  What is it about quilters?  So many of us seem to have cats!  It’s a cute pattern whether you have cats or not.  It makes me want to curl up (but under a quilt) and take a nap.

So.  The winner, chosen by a random number generator, is comment number 13 (who says thirteen is unlucky?!).   That means Laurel  will soon be sewing away, wrestling with her cats over possession of her quilts.   

Have fun with your patterns, Laurel!

I hope you all enjoyed our first session of Designers’ Showcase as we concentrated on MH Designs quilt patterns.   We’ll be sure to let you know when Mary’s new owl-themed pattern debuts.

It’s Facebook First Friday.  Are you a fan? Do you like us? Head on over to our Facebook page and get the coupon code for this month’s Facebook First Friday special.  Hmmm, what do you think it’s for?

As I was perusing the paper piecing patterns, which by the way promote perfect points, I pondered the presence of patterns that start with a P.   Perhaps a perfect post pic parade!

Painted Stars

Parade

Prairie Stars

Baby Elephant Walk

 So why is this one included? There are no Ps in the title!  

 But . . . . . it’s a Baby Pachyderm Walk!

Puddle Duck Baby Quilt

Pine Lake Lodge

Posy Pots

Pineapple Punch

Polar Bear Picnic

Pina Colada

Peek A Boo! I See...

I know! I know! Something that starts with the letter P!

Pele's Star

Okay, that’s plenty.  Done.  Phew!

Don’t forget to pop on over to Facebook and become a fan if you aren’t already.

Mary Herschleb is a paper piecing pattern designer with many patterns.  Beginners to advance quilters will have no trouble finding a pattern to suit.  I had the opportunity to speak with Mary recently and she graciously answered a few questions for me….

Are all your patterns for paper piecing?  Do any patterns involve applique.  “Yes, every pattern is paper pieced.  None of them include applique but there are many which have pearl cotton embellishments.

Where do you find inspiration for your projects?   “Usually from my life, my family, my surroundings.  For instance, one of my grandchildren (he’s grown now) was interested in penguins.  We looked at penquin pictures, read books about penquins, talked about penquins.  From that came CRACK THE WHIP, a group of penquins having fun on ice skates.” 

“Here’s another example - I was sitting on our deck one beautiful morning with my coffee and I could hear the loons calling – in fact they wouldn’t stop! That inspired me to create Loon Lake.

Do you have a favorite pattern?  “I really like Quilters Wash Day.  I probably had the most fun making that quilt.  It’s not the best pattern for a beginner paper piecer as there are a lot of tiny pieces, but it’s really cute.”

I agree, it IS cute!  What patterns would you recommend for a beginner?   “Tulips Spring and Tulips – Red are easy patterns.  The Pines is another easy one.  The pattern includes instructions for a small square wall hanging and for a table runner.

Can you tell us what you are working on now?  Anything new coming?  “Well, it’s not finished yet, so I’m not sure what the final piece will be, but I can tell you there will be owls involved!  It will be something easy… maybe a kitchen project or something for a baby.  We’ll see!

Okay Mary, we’ll watch for it!  Thank you for taking the time to share with us a little of your designing life.

That’s right!   We’re giving away THREE patterns by MH Designs!  

THE THREE PATTERNS:

Four Toy Ornaments  made to look like old fashioned glass ornaments…aren’t they cute?!   Embellishments are added to make them a bit 3-D.  The rocking horse tail is several strands of floss, as are the pig-tails on the doll.  The truck has buttons for wheels and the drumsticks have little buttons on the ends.

A stack of quilts is just the right place for a Cat Nap.  Traditional blocks are visible on the folded quilts… flying geese, star, and square in a square.

Double Paw is a variation on the Bear Paw quilt block.   You can make a small lap quilt, a runner and a single block wallhanging.

THE RULES:

Leave a comment on this post telling us which pattern you’ll probably make first.  You have until Friday midnight.  US residents only. A random number generator will select the winner from all eligible comments.  

THE DISCOUNT:

All this week 10% off any and all MH Designs patterns.  Use coupon code:  DS001

Kim Q is the winner of both patterns by MH Designs - she will soon be delighting in the perfect points paper piecing permits!

Can you imagine making all  those HSTs AND getting all sharp points with regular piecing?   I think Fall would be over before that was done.

A smiling sun looks down on all the critters and on the children standing to be measured.  Little ones will remember which critter they were as tall as and will be able to monitor their progess as they grow by using the animals.   Mom, Dad, and the grandparents can watch the numbers.

Be sure to check back with us for more about MH Designs.  We will be posting an interview with Mary, more patterns will be given away, and all next week a discount will be available for purchase of any MH Designs patterns.  A coupon code will be posted on our blog.   See you soon!