Lynn Majidimehr became interested in art at a very young age.  As an artist who does not limit herself to quilts but works with many other mediums, she designs patterns that are non-traditional. 

Sunflower Garden has the look of picture tiles or modern art.   Put together with raw edge applique and some machine embroidery, Lynn will guide you through the process of making this quilt without the worries of 1/4″ seams.

Reversible placemats, called Let’s Eat, have a place setting on one side and basic shapes on the other side.  Constructed with raw edge applique and piecing these finish at 11.5″ x 17″.

Swirling Stars is aptly named.  This quilt seems to be in constant motion.  You have the option of turning the center block in line with the others to give a more traditional look and less motion.

Create Heavenly Hearts and learn new techniques with each block: weaving, creating fabric with fabric and thread scraps, crazy patch, and embroidery. After the quilt is pieced embellishments are added.  Grab you pinks and reds and start having fun.

Never done foundation piecing?  Get your feet wet with Wild Waves.  You’ll find out how easy it really is to make a complicated looking design.  The bold fabrics make this quilt look pretty wild but you can tame it with soft pastels for a completely different look.

Not your average quilts, are they?  Browse through all of LAM Designs patterns.  After you’ve had a taste of the unusual then you can browse the rest of the quilt patterns available… for traditonal patterns, or for more out of the ordinary ones.

For the second installment of Christmas in July we have three gift pattern suggestions and two holiday decoration patterns.

This new pattern from Carolyn’s Creative Designs, Quick Trio Table Runner, is one of those patterns you’ll want to use more than once.   With a dimensional look and buttons for accents it’s as cute as it is easy to make. It will make the perfect hostess gift or maybe for a special co-worker.  Make one as a gift and one in Christmas fabrics for your home.

The Alphabet Take-Along Book will be a hit with the baby and the parents.  A soft introduction to books with lots of fun applique.  Use up your scraps and think about that precious baby as you create this unique gift.

Do you know someone that just has to have their tea?  How about a cupcake lover?  Someone that has a weakness for both?  Tea And Cupcakes is an adorable cupcake tea cozy.  It might be fun to make a theme gift with this…. add the cozy, some real live yummy cupcakes and some flavored teas to a basket and you have a special, personal gift.

Now for your holiday home decor…

This new pattern of Silly Snowmen from The Quilted Lizard is almost too cute for words!  The brightly dressed snowman hold hands in a circle.  The birds, holly and stars on the outside and the star and mittens in the center are laid out to give a kaleidoscope look to the piece.  Can you see the snowflake that is formed?

As the poem goes, The Stockings Were Hung by the chimney with care…  Pretty quilty looking bottoms with folk art design tops, these will dress up your living room.

Remember, just a bit of sewing each week and you’ll have lots of Christmas work done before it even gets close, leaving you with more time to enjoy the holidays!

Remember way back last December.  Christmas was approaching and you had projects yet undone.  The to-do list included grocery shopping, gift shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating.  There were parties to attend, gifts to wrap, and snow to shovel.  And all you wanted was time to finish a few hand made gifts for a few special friends and family members. So now is the time to start sewing for this Christmas.  A few hours every week or so devoted to those projects and you’ll be finished early!  No stress!  You’ll even have time to create that Christmas table runner or wall hanging that you wanted for your own home!  Let’s get started…

The newest bag pattern from Purse-O-Nalities of Palm Harbor, Maddie’s Bag, would make a great gift.  Their patterns feature lots of easy and time-saving techniques.  They also include real paper pattern pieces… with shapes… not rectangles!  You will have plenty of opportunity to personalize your bag just right for the recipient.

If you need a small gift for a fellow quilt guild member or for any sewing enthusiast, these Wool Pin Cushions will fit the bill.   All you’ll need are your wool scraps and then some embroidery thread to embellish them.

That’s two gifts down… now something for you to decorate your home.

This Yuletide Ribbon Wreath will stay fresh for the entire holiday season.  Beautiful poinsettia flowers circle the wreath and holly leaves, berries and ribbon float around the border.

And here’s a bit of holiday fabric to inspire you.  Through The Woods by Maywood Studio is a beautiful shade of blue with a dusting of snowflakes. Snowmen are scattered all around, each dressed in a fun hat and a brightly colored scarf.  Do you feel the creative juices flowing?

Join us next week for some more Christmas ideas.  See you then!