Congrats to Jeanie who won the “early bird” prize of Backyard Friends!  The random number generator selected comment number 3.  Jeanie said “Sweet pattern. And when the winds of winter begin to howl, this would be a great project reminder of the warmer weather to follow!”.

A bird sitting in front of his bird house, a bee buzzing around, and a few tulips in a pot (is that a lady bug on the flower pot?) make a cute wallhanging. By the time you finish this pattern you’ll be hooked on paper piecing if you aren’t already.

Have fun with your pattern Jeanie!

Here are two more patterns from MH Designs that we’ll be giving away. 

Fall Wreath  This colorful wall hanging is season appropriate!  Hurry though, because you know how quickly winter will follow.

Animal Grow Chart

An adorable chart for tracking your little ones’ growth.  Are your “little ones” all grown up?  Then it’s perfect for the grandkids.  

One person will win both patterns.  The rule for this giveaway:  Leave a comment and tell us what color will dominate your fall wreath when you make it.  A random number generator will select the winner from all comments posted now through midnight Friday.

Mary Herschleb has over a hundred patterns (yikes!), and they are all paper piecing patterns.  If you have never tried paper piecing before, an MH Designs pattern is a great one to use for your first.  Mary’s instructions are very clear and concise.  Each pattern includes basic instructions for beginners, plus a sample of a simple pine tree for you to try so you can get the hang of things before you start the actual pattern.    Each pattern not only has clear and concise step-by-step directions, but also easy to follow cutting instructions. 

With projects as small as Christmas ornaments, like the Christmas Kittens . . .

as large as a lap quilt like Crossed Canoe . . .

and everything in between; there is something for everyone.   Some of the patterns are just right for a beginner and experienced paper piecers will find many satisfying projects.

Many of the patterns are for wall hangings and cover all the seasons.  Some are flower themed, others feature animals… some of these are tongue-in-cheek and will definately ellicit smiles.  Still other wallhangings showcase favorite vacation spots or outdoor pasttimes such as golf or gardening. 

We’ll be giving away six patterns by MH Designs in the next week or two.   Our “early bird” winner will be drawn from any comment made in the first two days this week.  A random number generator will select the winner.  Make sure your e-mail address is correct when you comment!

The first pattern to be given away - the “early bird” prize – is Backyard Friends

A bird sitting in front of his bird house, a bee buzzing around, and a few tulips in a pot (is that a lady bug on the flower pot?) make a cute wallhanging.  By the time you finish this pattern you’ll be hooked on paper piecing if you aren’t already. 

Comments left before midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) will be entered in the giveaway.  Good luck and be sure to check back later this week for more giveaways!  We will also have an interview with Mary.   Do you have any quilts that you made with a pattern from MH Designs?  We’d love to see a photo of them on our Facebook Page.

During the next several months we’re going to be showcasing different pattern designers, taking two weeks to talk about a particular designer and their patterns.  We’ll show you some of their patterns, there will be pattern giveaways,  free patterns and perhaps a few tutorials!  We’ll have interviews with the designers and you can ask them questions too! 

Be sure to check our blog often so you don’t miss anything. 

And become a fan (or “like” us) on Facebook so you can keep up and join in the fun.

Do you have a favorite pattern designer that you would like to see featured?  Do you have a favorite type of pattern?

Tune in Monday for our first designer and our first pattern giveaway.  See you then!

Before we know it we’ll be experiencing fall weather with cooler temperatures and the need for a jacket.   Make your own and you’ll have just the look you want.

Are you bold enough to make and then wear this hot pink Starstuck Jacket?   Semi-fitted, it falls just below the waist and features an easy zipper front.  Tone it down a bit by using a russet brown with deep gold stars or maybe navy with white or red stars. 

 The Shabby Chenille Jacket looks cute and feminine with floral cotton lining.  A fast, easy to make jacket that’s oh so comfy!  The soft pastel paired with the floral lining means it will work for Spring, too.

The Northern Lights Hooded Jacket is loose fitting and comfortable.  Zipper front, side seam pockets and a drawstring hood create a useful piece of outerwear.

Log cabin blocks really dress up the top of this Cabin Dance Jacket.   Smaller blocks accent the ends of the sleeves.  You’ll be toasty warm, stylish and the envy of all the quilters you know!  Jacket features a zipper front (add the star zipper pull for more pizazz) dropped shoulders and side seam pockets.

What little girl would be able to resist this Little Princess Jacket?!  So cute and sweet… the little scallops and fun buttons really dress it up.  Jacket has an attached hood, elastic waist and cuffs, zipper front, dropped shoulders and side seam pockets.

There are dozens more jacket patterns – there is sure to be one (or more!) that you’ll like.

Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month and as always there will be a special for all our Facebook Fans.  Just “like” us on Facebook and you’ll never miss the coupon code for any of the Facebook First Friday special deals. 

This month the special is FREE SHIPPING to US addresses!  The more you buy, the more you save!

Let’s go on a virtual shopping trip.  You could buy, say, this Caribbean Star quilt pattern…

It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?  Paper foundation piecing will enable you to create perfect star points with ease.  Finishing at 21″ square this makes a beautiful wall hanging.   So purchase this pattern and you save some money because the shipping is FREE! to US addresses.

But, why stop there?  Doesn’t this quilt make you yearn for batiks? 

All of the Batik Cascades fade from very dark to very light across the width of fabric.  This essentially gives you several shades of color in each piece.   

Patina Handpaints are available in blue, in green, and in blue/green with an allover mottled shading of vivid color. 

Okay, so now you have a pattern, and a few yards of batiks in your cart.  You’re buying more so you’re saving more on shipping . . . . ‘cuz it’s FREE! to US addresses.

Let’s keep going.  When you finish your quilt top you’re going to need some batting.  Quilters Dream Cotton Batting is available in several sizes, from craft size (46″ x 36″) to King size (122″ x 122″), and in four different lofts.   Made from 100% cotton, it’s specially processed so you can quilt up to 8″ apart.

Or, do you prefer Quilters Dream Poly Batting?   Made with an exclusive blend of revolutionary microfibers giving it exceptional drape, breathability and comfort.    This batting is resistant to bunching and shifting, so you can quilt up to 12″ apart.

Can’t decide?  One of each then.  So now you have in your cart one pattern, a few yards of fabric, and two packages of batting.  Wow.  You are really going save lots…. ‘cuz the shipping is FREE! to US addresses.

Head on over to our Facebook page and get the coupon code.   As always, this deal will be available from Friday morning through the end of the weekend.   Shop and save!