Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Best of 2010: Twister!

Twist and Shout!



If you have been to a quilt festival - large or small - you have probably seen this tool. The Twister is taking the quilt world by storm! We have had SO many ordered and had only wonderful feedback!

The Twister comes in 2 sizes - one is "charm" size and the other "layer cake" size. What is so neat is that when you use the large twister tool you end up with small pieces that can be used to make a second, smaller twister quilt!



Tips for this tool: 1. 
Use a design wall! If you get too happy cutting you may accidentally put a piece in the wrong order...and if you are like all of us at QBTB we try SO hard to avoid "unsewing!"
2. Be prepared to not be able to stop! This really is a fun quilt and it is so exciting to watch the twist pattern come to life!

Here is a fan picture we received - we shared this earlier this year but in case you missed it:

This is a great tool to use on some fabrics from your stash or to get a good deal check out our sale fabrics!

Happy Twistin'
QBTB

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Best of 2010: Block of the Months!

We all know that quilting is truly addicting. We just can't help it, we have to build our stash, we have to hear the hum of our sewing machine, and getting fabric in the mail is too exciting!

That is probably why so many of you email us and comment on Facebook about Block of the Months! BOMs are a great way to satisfy your "fabric tooth" and it is so much fun to get a little package in the mail!

You may have seen this video from a previous post on Facebook but here is a quick way to get a glimpse at all of our BOMs. Click HERE to view video.
You can also check out our BOMs on our website by clicking HERE.
And you can see all of our BOMs in our Facebook photo album by clicking HERE.

We currently have over 25 BOMs and will be announcing more in the coming weeks!

What is your favorite BOM?

Happy Quilting,
QBTB

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Best of 2010 - Perfect Cicles

So, let's be real honest for a second. Circles can be less than fun at times when we are appliqueing. Have you ever not finished a project because the circles drove you crazy? Have you ever decided not to even make a quilt that you love simply because of the applique circles?

Well, if you have not already tried these then you really must! Perfect Circles are going to become your best friend!

Make perfect applique circles ranging in sizes fro 7/16th to 2". Package contains 4 each of 15 sizes from 7/16in to 2in, plus ring to store circles & detailed instructions for hand or machine applique
This package contains 2 each of 10 different sizes ranging from 2-1/4in to 4-1/2in. Following the directions included in this package you can make perfect circles for your hand and machine applique.

Creative shortcuts for busy quilters. Make easy perfect circles in your choice of 4 different sizes. Just sew on the solid line, trim on the dashed line, turn, fuse and zig-zag! Two 24in x 36in pre-printed interfacing panels & instructions. Each panel makes 48 finished circles. 

All of these tools will help you and are recommended by quilters just like you!
Stay tuned tomorrow for another 2010 favorite!

Happy Quilting,
QBTB


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Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas and our SALE!

Merry Christmas Eve! 

We are here at the store today until 3pm filling online orders and taking care of the last minute shoppers that come in. We are all in the Christmas spirit and getting ready for the big sale next week! If you subscribe to our newsletter or happened to see our FB post yesterday you will know that we secretly (or not so secretly) started our sale early! (Tehehe!)
Click HERE to see all the goodies!

We hope Santa brings you everything you wanted!
Merry Christmas, 
QBTB



And for fun here is a Christmas Eve classic:


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

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Monday, December 13, 2010

On the 6th Day of Christmas...

On the 6th Day of Christmas I finished ordering all my blocks for the Patchwork Party!

There is always so much going on in the world of quilting...and we hope you didn't forget about the fabulous Patchwork Party! 
Each of the participating stores offers one of the blocks of the quilt. After collecting all of the blocks you get to decide which finishing kit you would like...there are so many beautiful options but of course we love ours! 
 Above is the block you can purchase from us - it is called Nesting Ducklings. This block was designed by Marti Michell and made with the Wild Roses collection also designed by Marti for Maywood Studios. You can make this block using Marti's Template Set M.
Our Quilting by the Bay finishing kit "Rose Garden Path" contains all the Wild Rose fabrics you will need to complete this beautiful 74" x 90" (queen size) quilt top and binding. Your kit also includes complete instructions. Rose Garden Path is elegant yet easy to construct.  There are no triangles to cut just squares and rectangles to cut and assemble!  

This was so much fun for our entire team to work on and we hope you have just as much in your sewing room putting together this lovely quilt!
Happy Quilting,
QBTB

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On the 5th Day of Chirstmas...

On the 5th Day of Christmas I decided I had to have a new BOM for 2011!

We love block of the months! They are exciting to receive in the mail - you get to open up the package and see the next pieces to a beautiful quilt! Then you get to take an afternoon to yourself and make the block - and we all deserve a little time just to quilt! Sometimes we get together with friends and sew a few blocks for those busy months when we happen to fall behind. Then, at the end of the BOM we put together all the pieces into this absolutely wondrous quilt! It really doesn't get much better! 

So here are a few of our many, many BOMs...these happen to start in January so it is a wonderful way to begin the year off on the right start!

Patriots in Petticoats was designed by Denice Lipscomb of Common Threads. The quilt uses the Hanna Wallis Collection by Windham Fabrics in association with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Windham has plumbed the archives of the DAR to reproduce beautiful and elegant fabrics used by women over 170 years ago. Denice worked with Windham to choose the perfect colors and patterns for the fabrics, and designed this quilt exclusively for the line.
Month 1-8 you will receive the fabric for two blocks, along with the stories of two different women who were influential in the American Revolution. Month nine you will receive the fabric for the center medallion. Month ten will bring you the fabric for the log cabin and setting blocks. Month eleven will be the fabric for the ribbon border, and month twelve will be the small red inner border and the striped outer border.
A beautiful applique quilt created from submissions from the Rose of Sharon Block Challenge sponsored by Sharon Pederson, Island Batik and other companies who have pledged a portion of the proceeds to be donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Our block of the month kits feature the same beautiful batiks from Island Batiks that were used in the original quilt.

Sign up now to make this beautiful Glacier Star Technique of the Month quilt by Judy Niemeyer. As you create this quilt you'll learn and perfect basic foundation piecing and construction techniques that Judy uses in all her other quilts! All kits feature hand-dyed batiks. Each month you will receive a portion of the quilt pattern plus required fabrics. Your final shipment will include border and binding fabrics too. Finished quilt measures 60" x 60".
You can choose between Judy's original colorway (Hoffman is reprinting the main fabrics for certified shops!) or Sandy's colorway - Purple, pink, teal. 

Our goal is to always provide you with beautiful and enjoyable BOMs - hopefully you find that we do!

Happy Quilting!
QBTB



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Thursday, December 9, 2010

On the 4th Day of Christmas

On the 4th Day of Christmas Shopping I found the perfect gift for my...

Daughter in Law, Mother, Mother in Law, Aunt, Family Friend, Sunday School Teacher, Friend in Choir, Co-Worker, Best Friend, Granddaughter, Daughter, Friend from my Sit N Stitch Group, 
Friend from the Guild, Maid...
(HA! we threw that last one in to see if you were paying attention!)




We have had so many of you LOVE the Cash and Carry Pattern so we decided we would try and make your life even easier!! 

Here is our Cash and Carry Kit! 
Click HERE for the kit 

 Make either size Strip Zip or the Pocket Zip. Includes fabrics, fusible fleece and coordinating zipper. This little zippered pockets are great to carry your cash, cards and coins. Use Terry Atkinson’s easy zipper techniques and you’ll agree that zippers are no big deal! We have lots of kits in great color combos; let us choose one for you. Save by buying 5 or more kits and the price is then only $5 each. 
Terry Atkinson’s Cash and Carry pattern not included- click HERE for the pattern.

SEW EASY to make and SEW LOVED when received as a gift!
Happy Holidays,
QBTB






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