Open Gate Blog

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...