Open Gate Blog

Have you got your latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens, Quilts and More ?  If you do, you will see that I have a bag included in the magazine.  Yes, I said bag!!  Last Quilt Market, one of the editors and I were discussing different bags and I thought that using the border print from my latest fabric line, Royal Gardens , would make a great bag.  She agreed and I came up with this bag called, Day to Night: It was fun to make and easy too!  Bundles and Bolts Quilt Co is offering kits which includes the fusible interfacing and fusible fleece but not the hardware.  Another cool thing is that my friend, Jan Ragaller is making the color options for Quilts and More and did the color option for my bag!  I was so excited to see that she had made it!  Here is her version on the cover of the magazine.  (Bottom right corner). I hope you have been working on your block of the months blocks and by the looks of the flickr group, you have....

I've had a few questions on where to get the block instructions for the block of the month.  To get the information link to:  Blogger Girls Block of the Month and it will take you to my website page that has all the instructions.  It has the supply list, picture of the finished quilt and block #1 and #2 instructions. Also, on the front page of my website www.opengatequilts.com, there is a link to go to this page.  Here are the additional information for those who are new: Here are the my friends who just happen to be bloggers that are making the block along with me: 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 Here's how it works: Starting...

Can you believe it's been a month since the last block?!  Well, it's February 1st and it's time for block # 2 .  Hope everyone is enjoying the block of the month and checking out both flickr and the other participants.  Just as a reminder, here they are: 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 Here is Block #2, version 1 using Royal Gardens:  Here is Block #2, version 2 using Royal Gardens: The first thing to do is to make 1/2 square triangles.  I make them by drawing a diagonal line on the back of the light from corner to corner.  Then I place the light on the dark and sew 1/4" out from the center line.  Cut on the...

If you are a subscriber or picked up the latest issue of Quiltmaker Magazine, you may have seen my quilt, Majestic Garden.  It is featured in the March/April, 2013.  I am so thrilled to be included once again in their magazine!  I designed this quilt using the purples and blacks of my latest fabric collection, Royal Gardens .  I love the contrast that you get when you combine the darker colors with the lighter background.  It is so elegant and striking!  Another interesting thing about this quilt is the play of the blocks together.  The magazine includes different examples of using the same block and either changing the colors or rotating them to get completely different looking quilts.  Make sure you pick up your copy to see these options. I hope everyone has been enjoying making their first Blogger Girls Block of the Month blocks!  I know that I have really enjoyed seeing them.  My friend, Kathy and I have been making another v...

We have a 13 year old Old English Sheepdog named Maple.  She is a sweet old dog and I love her to bits.  It seems like I always talk about Tillie because she is young and full of energy.  (as I'm writing this, I had to take a break to take her outside to play!)   Maple lays back and just hangs out with us.  She gets lots of attention even with Tillie around!  She comes outside to keep Tillie and I company when I play ball with Tillie.  She proceeds to bark the whole time letting everyone know that she is outside with us!  Here are some pictures of my sweet Maple:  Maple at 6 years old  Glory and Maple (front) at 10 years old  Maple (front) with Glory at 9 years old  Maple and Tillie  Maple with Tillie who adores her big sister! One of the reasons that I bring up Maple is because I just got my copy of Quilt Almanac 2013 and one of my older quilts, Sweet Maple , is featured.  The quil...

Hi! Well, the Block of the Month has been going so great!  Thanks for all the comments, questions and suggestions.  Don't forget to check out Flickr in Blogger Girls BoM group.  It's so inspirational to see everyone's blocks!  It makes me so proud and excited to see them!!  I've had lots of people show great interest and a few questions have come up.  The first question is whether the block background and the light for sashing are the same fabric.  I did use the same fabric for both.  The follow up question for that was why is there so much fabric for the light for sashing?  There is quite a bit of piecing involved and there are 31 sashing pieces.  So, although I give you a bit extra to work with, a cushion, it does require quite a bit.  The second question is: Will I post the finishing instructions before the end of the block of the month?  Again, there is quite a bit of piecing so I have decided to post it sometime in...

Hi Everyone! I have had such great response for the Blogger Girls Block of the Month.  Thank you so much!!  I am so excited about this project!  As the month goes by, I will be giving updates on the questions, comments and pictures from everyone. One of the questions that I had is if I could set up an email feed so when I post a blog, you are notified.  I think (cross your fingers) that I set it up correctly.  It is on the right side of this blog.  This is my test because I signed up myself and want to see if it works.  Also, I have been posting my new blogs on Facebook and you can sign up to receive updates through there.  Button on right side too. The other question that I had was about fabric and how do you go about using it for the block of the month.  This is a great question and here is both Nicole's from Sister's Choice's  and my response: Question from reader: Dear   Nicole,   I'm a lurking devotee of your b...