New Friends and a New Pattern

My newest pattern is "Appli-Cake" which uses Moda's new 10" Layer Cakes (or you can cut your own 10" squares). There is a touch of simple applique ~ hearts and circles ~ which can be applied using the needleturn, fusible or machine method. I also added a blanket stitch around the hearts and circles. Of course, that is your option. If you've been looking for something to do with those Layer Cakes you purchased at your local quilt shop, this is the pattern for you. A picture of the quilt is on the left of this page under "Available Patterns."

Prairie Point Quilt Shop in Shawnee, Kansas has purchased both of my new patterns for retail sale. Prairie Point is a great shop with a terrific staff. They offer a large variety of classes and are fortunate to have Terry Clothier Thompson and Barbara Brackman lecture at the shop on a quarterly basis. Kathy Delaney, another National Teacher is an employee and quilt instructor. Prairie Point was also chosen by the staff of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine as a Top 10 Shop and was included in an issue of Quilt Sampler magazine. A link to their website is also on the left of this page.

Needle Nest Quilt Fabric & Yarn Shoppe in Louisburg, Kansas has also purchased both patterns. Their shop is adorable! It is located in a cute yellow victorian house and features, not only quilting goodies, but also yarn and knitting classes. Make sure you stop by and say "hi" to Donna, Jeanette and Rhonda and also give a pat on the head to Charlie, their resident Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A link to their website is on the left of this page.

Tranquility Quilts & Fabric Shop, an online store in Buena Park, California, has purchased both of my patterns and has them up on their website for sale. Owner, Lee Ann, is very involved in charity quilting and 5% of every purchase is donated to Ovarian Cancer Orange County Alliance. Make sure you visit their website and bookmark it in your favorites. A link to their website is on the left of this page.

Serendipity Quilt Shop is located in Dagsboro, Delaware and is celebrating their grand opening September 11-13, 2008. If you are in the area, stop by and say "hi" to Kathy and the gang. Their shop also carries both of my patterns. A link to their website is on the left of this page.

Quilter's Station in Lee's Summit, Missouri is the newest shop to purchase my patterns for retail sale. They are carrying "Cody's Flower Garden" and owner Rita knows that it is just the right pattern for her customers who like a little hand work. Quilter's Station offers Primitives of the Midwest, a 6 day event featuring some of quilting's best teachers. Make sure you mark your calendars for June 22-27, 2009. Quilters from all over the country attend this event and classes fill up quickly. Quilter's Station was also chosen by the staff of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine as a Top 10 Shop and was included in the 2006 Spring/Summer issue of Quilt Sampler magazine. A link to their website is also on the left of this page.

Thank you to all of the shops who have purchased my patterns for retail sale. My patterns are now available in 8 states and 11 shops. My goal is all 50 states and, of course, many more shops!

I am currently working on my newest patterns ~ a series of floral applique designs. Check back often for news of my patterns and locations for purchase. Until next time...happy quilting! Mindy

Red, Green & Beyond

I was recently published for the first time in the Kansas City Star book "Red, Green & Beyond" by Terry Clothier Thompson and Nancy Hornback. My quilt, "Midnight Garden Memories," became the inspiration for my interest in pattern design. Terry gave me a photo of an antique quilt (the quilt on page 8) and told me to design a new version, using any fabric or colors and make it any size. I decided to take some of the elements from the original quilt and completely re-design the border. I also decided to use a black background, a Lakehouse dot, to set off the Michael Miller Fairy Frost bright green, pink and yellow. You can see the finished quilt on page 10 in the book. A photo is below, as well.

I would like to thank Laura Van Divier of Over The Rainbow for purchasing my pattern "Cody's Flower Garden" for her online quilt store. I have added a link to her store in my Favorite Links at the bottom of my Blog. Check out her store and sign up for her Newsletter. Her Newsletters are always full of Farm and Family news and I look forward to reading about the latest exploits of the chickens, ducks, alpacas, dogs, her daughters, her husband and her mom and dad.

Thanks a ton also to Bolts in the Bathtub, a quilt store in Lancaster, California for purchasing "Cody's Flower Garden" for their shop. Bolts is a shop that I worked in prior to moving to Kansas. The gals who own the shop are a lot of fun and I appreciate their support of my new business. Stop in and say "hi" if you are in their area. A link to their website is on the left of the page.

Besides designing patterns, I also teach various quilting classes at Prairie Point Quilt Shop in Shawnee, Kansas and Needle Nest Quilt Shop in Louisburg, Kansas. If you live in the Kansas City area, make sure you check out both of these wonderful quilt shops. They have a wide variety of fabrics, patterns and books. If you get a chance to take one of my classes, make sure you tell me that you found out about it on my Blog. At Needle Nest, we are attempting to create a once a month Applique Club where those of us interested in that type of quilting can meet and share our knowledge.

Until next time...happy quilting! Mindy

Welcome to my New Pattern Company

Welcome to my new Blog! I hope you will come back and visit as I will update often with news and my new patterns as they become available.

My new pattern design company is in full swing with my first pattern, “Cody’s Flower Garden" (as seen in the above photo), on the market. My best friend, Michelle Cole, designed and made this quilt for me as a going away gift for my move from California to Kansas. When I received the quilt, I immediately suggested that I write the pattern for the quilt and that we market it to the public. She agreed and “Cody’s Flower Garden” was born. I named it after my Labrador Retriever that I lost in 2007. She had been my faithful and loving companion since October 1992 and I thought it would be a wonderful tribute to her.

I recently travelled to Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota for a family reunion and vacation and decided to bring along several patterns. Thanks go out to Emily’s Country Cottage in Bemidji, Minnesota; Quilt S’more in Roseau, Minnesota; the Bent Pin in Williston, North Dakota; and The Quilt Shop in Custer, South Dakota for purchasing my first pattern! There’s nothing quite like seeing your very first pattern hanging on a display rack. Links for Emily's Country Cottage and The Bent Pin are on the left of the page.

I am currently finishing up my second pattern. The quilt is completed and the pattern is almost done. I just have a few finishing touches and it will be ready for market. It features Moda’s new Layer Cakes with a touch of appliqué. Look for “Appli-Cake” to be released soon.

Until next time...happy quilting! Mindy