Creative Quilting Designs Book by Valerie Smith of Pumpkin Patch Quilter

I have had a number of people ask me about design ideas in a book form - now it's here!  This book is geared towards the quilter who already knows the basics of free motion quilting/long arm quilting but is looking for simple designs that can be expanded on to create an infinite number of simple or elaborate quilting designs.

Take simple easy to create shapes including but not limited to stippling, hooks, hearts, pearls, and loops and pull from my designs or create your own unique quilting plans.

A section of the book is dedicated to feathers- creating simple basic feathers, curling feathers, and tall long skinny feathers and how to use them in common block and border designs.

This book is a great jumping off point for the new or intermediate level free motion quilter/long arm quilter who has mastered quilting their own quilts with edge to edge style designs and is looking to delve into custom designs.  Easily adaptable for use on your domestic home sewing machine, mid arm, or long arm quilting machine.

Available for purchase NOW through my Etsy Shop!!!

Beginner Free Motion Quilting Class

Our beginner free motion quilting class yesterday went well!  We had a wonderful day, just the perfect temperature, and lots of creativity took place...

One sewing pal escaped before the camera came out!!  We had a great time and I was really amazed to see the quick progress.  Thank you to all my ladies who came - I feel confident that with practice they will soon be free motion quilting their own quilts and showing me a thing or two!

A beginner quilting class for friends in the area will be coming the some time around the second week of July - and I've already got plans in the works!  I'm looking forward to that as well as customer quilts that should be on their way soon to quilt.  A fun yet busy start to the summer!

JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS FOR THIS SALE!!!

FREE RETURN SHIPPING or 15%  OFF

 your total bill (local customers) on quilts received by July 4th! 

Celtic Knot Quilt Progress

I've been so busy lately I haven't had much time to work on my Celtic knot quilt.  I have made a little headway in the evenings stitching on my leaves - many, many, many more to go!  This is the center of the quilt, and I have more leaves, birds, and flowers to add yet.  One more knot goes in the center and then I can move on to adding the borders.  I know those diamonds in the corners don't make much sense yet...but I have plans for them!

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Blogger's Quilt Festival Winnings and FMQ with Mom

  First I just have to say - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!  She reads my blog, and today is HER day!  :)  We had much fun practicing free motion quilting today and I have pictures to share, but first I wanted to share my winnings from the Blogger's Quilt Festival and say a little thank you!

   I didn't win anything for my quilts, though who can complain because it was fun just to participate in the Blogger's Quilt Festival this year!  Though, I did win something!!!  Thank you to Amy from Amy's Creative Side and Pat Sloan for my goodies!!!

Thread junkie that I am you know that I squealed when I discovered I was going to get to finally play around with Aurifil Thread!  Alex Veronelli from Aurifil was picking on me a while back for not yet trying his thread...well, it took me a little while, but here's my chance!  I didn't realize that Aurifil had such selection...I really wish I had paid closer attention earlier.  You can bet I will be doing some playing and reporting back on this.

I was also tickled...well not just tickled...I was ECSTATIC when I discovered that bundle of fabric was not just fat quarters...it was half yard cuts!!!!  WOW!!!  This fabric is sooo good too - filled with batiks!!!

I just wanted to share - I feel so lucky to have won something and the prizes were so generous.  What a great event!!!  Thank you all who visited and voted and everyone who participated and made it such a fun fun time.  :)

I'm pretty much set for the free motion quilting class on Sunday - I have books finished and I'll share pictures next week so my pals are still surprised.  I have one more gift for them I need to finish up tomorrow, then I'm ready to go.

Today my Mom came over to work on her free motioning skills...it was a fun time!

Hope you had a wonderful day Mom!  I had great fun, and it was wonderful to share something with YOU, after all you've shared with me!  :)

How to Fold A Quilt - Tutorial

   I learned about this method of folding quilts years ago when I began quilting, but you know how your mind becomes cluttered with different ideas and thoughts, and you simply forget.  It came to mind recently as I was preparing a quilt to be returned to its owner after long arm quilting - there is a better way I could be folding these to prevent permanent wrinkles from being set in.

   This is the method I like and use for my quilts for long term storage - do you have a favorite way of folding quilts?  I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!  Click on the images to enlarge.

Busy Week, Preparing for Classes

This week is a busy one - my daughters have finished school for the year and are home for the summer.  I plan to spend as much time having fun with them as I can this summer making lots of happy memories, as they are growing far too quickly.

At the request of many friends and acquaintances I will be teaching this weekend a free motion quilting workshop.  I have done some teaching in the past but I am really looking forward to the opportunity to expand on what I have previously taught and teach new classes that I have been wanting to teach for some time.  I have been up late into the night developing work books, design booklets, and class samples over the past few days - I think we are going to have a wonderful time and much will be learned!  I would love for this to develop into a monthly occurrence or more, but it will just depend on what my schedule looks like and that of the venue where I am teaching.  For now, I am truly enjoying myself! 

I hope all in blog land are having a wonderful Monday!

Long Arm Quilting - SALE - Free Return Shipping

Still looking for quilts to quilt up!  Free return shipping to US customers for all quilts received by July 4th - local customers not requiring shipping receive 15% off your total order!!!

**Linda's quilt arrived on Thursday and shipped back out by Saturday!  Little to no wait, less than a week turnaround for most quilts!