"Honey? What's that strange light coming from the sky?" Oh, it's the SUN! Hello sunshine, hello. It's been dark for a very long time....We have had something like 25 consecutive days of rain here, and today it didn't rain! With any luck, we will have a few days to dry out before the next storm blows in. And if we are really lucky, there won't be any more storms and the sun will keep on shining until next November. Wouldn't that be lovely?
Speaking of lovely things, I want to introduce you someone you may not know very well. Her name is Monique Dillard, and she is the designer behind the pattern company Open Gate Quilts. Bet you are familiar with her patterns! She has been designing marvelous quilt patterns for years, and has a strong presence in many of your local quilt shops.
She often features one of her beloved Old English Sheepdogs on her pattern covers. Are you placing her now? lol She is also well known, and beloved, for her two fantastic rulers "Fit To Be Geese" and "Fit To Be Square", both essentials for every quilter, in my opinion.
Well, Monique has had an excellent year! She debuted a gorgeous line of fabric called Olde World Style. My dear friend Thelma made a quilt with Monique's fabrics, called Olde World Stars. If you are a regular reader of Thelma's blog, Cupcakes 'n' Daisies, you may have seen it. This is Thelma's picture of her quilt.
Well, the exciting news is, the marvelous and talented Monique is coming out with a new book, and has invited Lisa, Thelma and I to do a book tour on our blogs! The three of us, plus Monique will be doing a month of periodic posts on quilts from her new book, "Fat Quarter Winners". You are going to love this new book.
Being a lover of scrappy quilts, I am thrilled that there is a new book on the subject of using fat quarters for making quilts. Monique is a firm believer in using one's stash, so in her book, you will find a ton of ideas on using up that gorgeous fabric you all have on hand that deserves (yes, deserves!) to be made into a quilt. (Your fat quarters are all calling out "Pick me, Pick ME", can't you hear them?)
The book tour will start on Monday, April 4, and we promise you a month of new ideas, tutorials, information and inspiration!
In closing today's post, I would like to say something about the designers, patterns, books, fabric and tools that from time to time I endorse on my blog. In the past week there has been some chatter in Blogland about individuals possibly being "on the payroll" of the companies or individuals they praise. Well, I am not on anyone's payroll, and in fact, do not know anyone who is! Sometimes I wish I were, but nope, nobody is funding me to say nice things about them. Quilt related goodies are not raining from heaven down on my house, I can promise you. I am absolutely sincere about anything I rave about here. Any person or product I review will be written in my own words, from my own heart. With very few exceptions, all items will have been purchased with my own meager funds. If I like something, I will tell you why and how, and show you lots of pictures of why it works for me. And I hope you know me well enough by now, to realize that if I don't care for something, I will be honest about that as well.
I always looking for ways to use my stash, because I have the tendency to buy new, and not use from my stash, and I have a HUGE stash. Waiting to see the book to see how it might help me use that stash. Thanks
Posted by: Deb A | March 28, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Can't wait to hear and see all about Monique's new book!! How exciting! Her rulers changed my quilting life for the better!! I love her rulers so I know I'll love her new book too!
Posted by: Linda | March 28, 2011 at 05:41 AM
Oh, goody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never seen Monique's patterns or her rulers but will look for them.
I adore scrap quilts and I, too, have a healthy stash from which to choose fabrics. I also have 2 large drawers full of lovely fat quarters who do want to come out to play.
Happy sunshine!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 28, 2011 at 05:52 AM
me again ...
I forgot to say how much I love Thelma's Rising Star quilt and how much I'm looking forward to the blog tutorials!
Where is the "p.s." function that allows adding more to a post?!!
More hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 28, 2011 at 05:55 AM
I always look forward to using up the stash. looking forward to the tutorials and the new book. The Rising Star is gorgeous. The greens and reds work well with that pattern
Posted by: Sue Bennett | March 28, 2011 at 06:01 AM
I recognize the pattern company now. I have a pattern and now need to go look to see what I have. This will be fun to watch the book tour for the month of April.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | March 28, 2011 at 06:26 AM
I purchased one of Monique's patterns that had the flying geese ruler with it. But since our move, I have been unable to locate either the pattern or the ruler :-( I am hoping it will turn up in a box somewhere.
Posted by: Jocelyn | March 28, 2011 at 06:33 AM
I can't wait to see what you all share about the new book.
Posted by: Diane Linford | March 28, 2011 at 06:34 AM
Looking forward to the book tour. It sounds great. I've been eyeing my stash lately and looking for ways to use some of it up. I have the mini Fit to be Geese ruler and now I will have the incentive to try it out. Thelma's Olde World Stars quilt is absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | March 28, 2011 at 07:01 AM
I like the community of sharing on quilting blogs. We should always be kind to each other and assume nothing!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with fabric and quilting gadgets. I always take it as "advice" not an endorsement!
Looking forward to the book tour!
Posted by: Sharrieboberry | March 28, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Well said!!
Can't wait to see the new book and hear all about it!! Thanks for spreading the word!
P
Posted by: paulettte Doyle | March 28, 2011 at 07:29 AM
I've actually seen you mention when a method isn't to your liking or if pattern instructions aren't clear, it's one of the reasons I trust when you say something is good. If it weren't, I know you'd tell us! So I'm REALLY looking forward to hearing about the new book. Her Fit to be Geese rulers opened a whole new world for me since I'd been scared of flying geese before. Now I keep looking for patterns to use them in! And yeah, my stash is calling out to me, in fact it's calling right now, it's so tempting... stupid job wanting me to work. :)
Posted by: Melissa | March 28, 2011 at 07:36 AM
I LOVE Monique's Fit to Be Geese ruler and just ordered the her Fit to be Square! Can't wait to see the book - how fun that you and Lisa and Thelma will be on the book toor!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | March 28, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Looking forward to the book tour and getting through some of my stash! I love fat quarters but find it hard to use them up sometimes. Here's hoping you will help me with that...as usual :) Thanks for not being on a payroll, but thinking you should be...I've bought lots of things based on your tips :)
Posted by: Anita | March 28, 2011 at 09:43 AM
You spend a significant amount of time "stunt sewing" for designers. What a honor. I, personally, have no qualms with a designer gifting you with some fabric, patterns, books, or even money for that matter. They make money designing the products and the samples need to be made. You are willing to help them get their wonderful designs to market. It seems to be a good exchange. I know you wouldn't sew for someone who's work you didn't appreciate.
Posted by: Kim | March 28, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Oh this book sounds right up my ally! It's all about using my stash now. I love Thelma's quilt. You both make wonderful quilts. Look forward to the book tour.
Posted by: Lee | March 28, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Nicole! I'll put you on my payroll to say nice things about me!! ;0
Listen, your blog is lovely and authentic. Don't let someone with a chip on their shoulder make you feel like you have to constantly declare your unbiased opinion. :)
Posted by: ina | March 28, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Nicole, I am thrilled for you when you get a gift from Carrie or anything any other designer wants to throw your way - even if it's just a compliment. I am cheering you on from the sidelines. And I love your quilts; they are inspiring. Keep up the good work, and the bloggers with their negative comments can only be jealous or insecure.
Posted by: Mary | March 28, 2011 at 02:27 PM
I don't know what the big deal has been this week about "being on the payroll". I could care less if someone is paying you or giving you fabric or patterns. I'm smart - if something you are being paid to talk about appeals to me, I might buy it. Conversely, if it doesn't, I won't. I think the whole conversation going around the internet is stupid. Not sure if it's the "quilting is being dumbed down" conversation but that one is stupid too.
Posted by: Debi | March 28, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Great blog.Can't wait to see the new book. Will recommend to others.
Thanks
Jocelyn
Posted by: Kitchen | March 28, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Pu-leeeeze, you do not need to explain any more about your endorcements. Those of us that know you, know that they are from the heart, and not paid for! I for one so very much appreciate all the information about new products, fabrics, patterns, and techniques I can get. I don't get to classes often and am not around quilters that much so you are my "school"! Keep up the good work!!!! Can't wait to see the book!!!
Posted by: Jean | March 28, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Great news that Monique has a book coming out! Looking forward to the month blog tour in April!
Posted by: Becky in Georgia | March 30, 2011 at 05:04 AM