Open Gate Blog

Another year is almost here and that means another Block of the Month!  I have been working furiously on finishing my quilt top (sorry, won't be quilted) and writing the instructions.  I had a few questions so I thought I would answer them in a post: Q.  Will I have the supply list before the end of the year? A.  No I won't, but I will post it with the first block.  I thought that I might be able to but want to make sure that everything is done and have the correct amounts for you.  Q.  How much does it cost? A.  It's FREE!  Just head to my website each month and you can download the instructions.  On the first of each month, I will write a blog post on how to piece the block. Q.  What size is the quilt and the blocks? A.  I decided to go with 6" blocks and the quilt size is approximately 59" x 59".  I have all my blocks done right now and just have to put it together and put the borders on.  Once I get that ...

I know that it's a busy time of year for everyone and I am no exception.  I just talked to my friend and told her that I have not left the house since Friday.  What have I been doing?!  Well, I have been working on pdfs, Craftsy and BOM. First, pdf's.  I decided to add pdf patterns to sell on my website.  My friend, Carrie Nelson hooked me up with a company that sells pdfs.  I have been sitting on the info for a while but decided that this is the time to do it.  So...my first pattern being sold as a pdf is now live!  I decided to go with Tropical Nights .  It's a new pattern from Spring Market.  It's a popular pattern and fun to make.  Here is a picture of it.  I will keep you posted on the additions as I make them. Second, Craftsy.  It looks like my class, Flying Fat Quarters is going well.  I'm so thrilled with it!  I check every day to answer any questions that students may have.  Don't forget that ...

I can finally spill my news!!  I am now teaching a class for Craftsy!  Lissa Alexander from Moda gave me the contact for Craftsy and mentioned that they were looking for a Workshop instructor.  I emailed them and gave them some ideas and we agreed on a quilt.  Check out my workshop that launched on Saturday:  Four-Square Dance Mystery Quilt .  It's a workshop with instructions and pictures, not a video.   At the same time that I was working on the workshop, I applied to do a video class with them.  They contacted me and asked if I could get a class together for the beginning of October.  Keep in mind that this was the beginning of September!  So, of course I said YES!!  That's how it all started.  Needless to say, September was a busy month.  After working hard to get everything ready for my class, they flew me to Denver to make a video of me teaching.  It was so fun and exciting not to mention VERY nerve wracking...

Yay!  We are almost done with Best Laid Plans... The fourth and final installment is on my website.  You can click here:  Best Laid Plans...Step 4. Here is the picture of the finished quilt.  A couple of things to remember: Make sure that the four-patches in the blocks are oriented correctly.  It is very easy to twist the block around.  Also, watch the sashing pieces so that they are in the correct spot.  Placing the ones that go on the sides of the blocks at the top and bottom is very easy to do. And, lastly, quilt, bind and enjoy!! Thanks for joining me for Best Laid Plans...I hope you enjoyed it. One more thing, look for our next free block of the month starting January 1st, 2014!

The winner of the first Quiltmaker 's 100 Blocks is:   judy1522 said...I like having all the different blocks available in one magazine. It really is fun to look through it and see all the different designs. Your block is beautiful! The winner of the second signed copy Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks is:  bertiequilts said...I love the patterns in Quiltmaker... they are very clear and easy to follow. thanks for the giveaway Congratulations! Thank you everyone for taking the time to make your wonderful comments on my blog! I was just at a retreat this weekend in New Hampton, IA.  My good friend, Denise, owns an awesome shop called Quilter's Window .  It was our third annual Dealer's Choice Retreat.  For the past 3 years, I have taught from my fat quarter books through C&T Publishing.  This year I taught from Diamond Traditions .  The quilts that the students made were Marquis and Diamonds and Pearls.  Here are my quilts from the ...

Hi Everyone! Glad you could drop by for the blog tour.  It is day 2, make sure that you check out all the featured bloggers on the tour.  You can see who is blogging today and all week on Quiltmaker's Blog . My block is called Celtic Cross #775.  Here it is: When the editors of Quiltmaker's first decided  to do this, they had given out forms and information on how to submit a block.  So, I decided to go ahead and try it.  I am so glad that I did!  I have been in every volume and I can't believe that we are on Volume 8!  They have a great thing going.  I thought that I would give you some setting options for my block.  Here are a few: Set straight with no sashing For the second quilt, I added sashing and cornerstones in the quilt and they are shown above.  Now for the giveaways!  Quiltmaker will be giving an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 8 to one lucky winner.  I will also be giving a signed c...

We are on volume 8 of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks from today's top designers.  Just wanted to give you a heads up for the blog tour.  Make sure that you check out all the participants each day by logging on to Quiltmaker's Blog .  There will be plenty of give-aways and some great ideas.  I am scheduled for Tuesday, so make sure you drop by then. Enjoy!

Craftsy is an online forum for taking different craft related classes.  They offer classes from cake decorating, to photography, to gourmet cooking and to of course, quilting!  I am honored and excited to be teaching on their website.  Remember when I said that I was super busy for the last couple of months?  Well, I was working with Craftsy! I am teaching a workshop - A Mystery Quilt Along .  I will be showing you how to put a quilt together using Layer Cakes.  I used Hope Chest Prints from Laundry Basket fabric for Moda.  The class is offered along with a kit and my step by step instructions.  If you sign up now, you get 30% off!  If you do, please tell them that I sent you.  Craftsy has been a joy to work with.  The whole company is professional and the people are so nice.  I have been taking some classes and have learned a lot!  Hope you check them out.  Keep an eye out for other exciting things I'm doing wi...

Has it really been a month since I've blogged?  Time just seems to fly by, doesn't it?  It's time for Step 3 for Best Laid Plans... Sashing time.  First, for the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2", trim one corner using the Fit to be Quarter Companion ruler.  You will need 45 going one way and 48 going the other way, or mirror image.  You can trim 2 together by stacking them with wrong sides together, just make sure that you have the correct number going the correct way! Sew on the triangles of red cut from a 3 1/4" square.  Press both out.  Trim using the Fit to be Quarter 6.5 by lining up the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" on the ruler.  Next, on the opposite corners, trim using the Fit to be Quarter Companion ruler.  Sew on the same sized red triangles and press out.  Trim to 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".  Sew the same orientated pieces together in groups of 3.  Press out.  Make 15 heading right and 16 heading left.  Only...

Are you ready for Month 2?  We actually get to start sewing!  Get your Fit to be Quarter 6.5 & Companion ready...here we go.  To download your instructions, click the link:  Best Laid Plans...Step 2.  The first thing you do is make four-patches out of your main light and your dark fat quarters.  Using your Fit to be Quarter Companion, line up the 4 1/2" lines on the ruler, and trim to 2 top pieces off.  Sew a triangle cut from a 3 1/4" square of dark to the first side, press out.  Sew a second triangle cut from a 3 1/4" square of dark to the other side.  Press out.   Trim the piece by lining up the 4 1/2" on the bottom and the left side.  Trim the excess.  Rotate the piece and line the piece up on the 4 1/2" lines of the ruler.  Trim. With the 4-patch, the companion pieces and 4 - 4 1/2" squares of main light, sew your block in rows.   Sew the block together, press ...

Don't forget to check out Moda... the Cutting Table blog event.  Today is my day and I wrote a blog on my Fit to be Quarter 6.5 & Companion.  There is also a chance for a giveaway for ALL of my rulers, so check it out! Hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month?  Well, I didn't until United Notions brought it to my attention and asked if I would be a guest blogger on their blog, the Moda Cutting Table Blog .  I will be blogging on September 12 and talking about my ruler Fit to be Quarter 6.5 & Companion.  If you were looking at this ruler and were wondering what it is used for, well, now you can see it on September 12.  Not only that, but on Moda Cutting Table Blog, I will be giving away a set of all my rulers!  Make sure that you stop by their blog because they are featuring different rulers all month and will have several give-aways throughout the month!

Welcome!  Today is the first day of Best Laid Plans...quilt along.  The first step is on my website today, September 1st.  October 1st will be step 2, November 1st - step 3, and December 1st - step 4.  I will leave all the instructions on my website until the end of January.  That will give you plenty of time to either do the steps or at least print them off.  The first step is fabric and cutting.  I have already given you fabric requirements but I also put them on the step 1 instructions.  You can link it here:  Best Laid Plans...Step 1 LeAnne Olson, my fabulous machine quilter, got it done quickly for me and here it is quilted and bound.  I love it!  I had a question on what fabrics that I used.  Most of the reds are French General reds, a variety of different lines and the main background is Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda.  The background is a lighter background with reds and beige throughout.  The perfect...