Open Gate Blog

Well, as you can see it's been a while since I've blogged last.  I have been to Missouri, through Illinois and then to Indiana in the last week.  I left last Thursday to teach at a retreat in Brunswick, MO at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop .  This was their second annual Sew Sweet Event.  This year they had 3 teachers teaching and asked if I would join them.  I did and I had an awesome time!  I taught two different classes, Victoria Rose and Marquis from my latest book, Diamond Traditions .  All my students were so much fun and seemed to enjoy the class. Marquis class showing their blocks Saturday night, I did a talk/trunk show for the group.  I brought a bunch of different quilts to show and then did some demos of my rulers.  Jessica and Jeanette, who ran the retreat did an awesome job.  They had great food, lots of fun giveaways and had some photo ops for us.  Here is a picture of me with two of my new friends getting into the tro...

I know that it's a bit warm to be thinking about Christmas but I recently designed a pattern that has instructions for both a Christmas Tree Skirt and Tablerunner.  It is called String of Trees Skirt and Tablerunner .  I designed it using a new line from Maywood Studio, All Wrapped Up .  I fell in love with this line because it is so fun and festive.  The stripe is like a candy cane and when you cut it on the bias and use it for the binding, it wraps around the quilt and is so CUTE!  Sue and I were talking and she is making the tree skirt for herself.  She suggested that we offer kits for the skirt.  I readily agreed and we are offering you an awesome deal!  From now until August 1st, we are offering the kit for the skirt, the pattern and the Mini Fit to be Geese ruler for $70.00.  If you already have the Mini Fit to be Geese ruler, the price for the kit and pattern is $62.00. Both prices include free shipping!  We are not putting i...

Hi Everyone! I have had several comments on both my Facebook page and on my blog about where you can buy the playing cards.  There are a couple of places that they are for sale.  First, on my website under gifts, Diamond Traditions Playing Cards.   Also, C&T Publishing has them for sale but it looks like they are not available until the 15th of July.  Here is the link:  C&T Publishing Diamond Traditions Playing Cards.   Thanks for the wonderful comments about the cards...needless to say, I'm pretty excited about them!

Happy 4th of July!  I hope everyone is enjoying their day!  I am looking forward to all the yummy barbequed food that is on deck for today.   As you many know, the quilts in my first books, Fat Quarter Winners and Traditional Fat Quarter Quilts , through C&T Publishing, are named after card games.  My third book Diamond Traditions has a diamond theme to it.  So, C&T decided to create playing cards with my quilts on them.  The front of the cards is the quilt that is featured on the front of Diamond Traditions. The Ace, King, Queen and Jack each have different quilts from my various books.  And, guess who is the joker?!  You guessed it - me!  I think that is so fun.  My friends and family have requested that I get them a deck of cards even with me as the joker.  :) Yesterday, I received my boxes of cards.  I was so excited to see them and wanted to share with you.  It's super cool to have your quilt...

Happy July 1st and to the Canadians, Happy Canada Day!  Today is the day for the Blogger Girls Block of the Month Quilt Parade.  I am so excited and thrilled to see everyone's quilts.  Make sure that you go to the other participating bloggers to see their quilts.  Here is a list: Sherri from A Quilting Life - aquiltinglife.blogspot.com Thelma from Cupcakes ‘n Daisies ~ cupcakesndaisies.blogspot.com Lissa from Moda Lissa ~ ModaLissa.blogspot.com Denise from Quilter’s Window ~ Quilterswindow.com/blog/ Nicole from Sister’s Choice ~ sisterschoice.typepad.com Lisa from Stashmaster ~ The-Stashmaster.blogspot.com My friend, Kathy, and I have been working on our Chocolat Deux quilts.  We both did a block a month and then made our own quilts.  Here is Kathy's version:  We both made scrappy sashing and scrappy backgrounds for our blocks.  We both also used the same borders.  Here is mine: They look quite a bit alike.  A...