I’ve got a couple new wall quilt patterns.


Hearts on a heart-shaped vine!


Over 20 years ago, when I signed up for my Beginning Quilting class, I got a look at the four-block sampler we were going to make. One of the blocks was Spice Pinks. But when the class began I found out that another block had been substituted, so I didn’t get to make it. I’ve never forgotten that beautiful block from all those years ago, and here it is re-engineered through the miracle of appliqué to avoid curved piecing.

Another project I just finished is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time… figure out a way to show the projects from the patterns more closely on the website. I do my own coding, and wasn’t quite sure how to do it, but I tried it the simplest way, and yippy skippy, it worked! You can now click on the pattern cover and a larger version of the quilt will come up in a separate window.

Patterns at kaymackenzie.com

Lastly, I added my notecards to the website. They’re on the Notions page. They come four to a pack, with envelopes, and you can get all one style or an assortment. These notecards are great for dashing off a note to a quilty friend, or as a gift.

Thanks for listening to what I’ve been up to lately. I’m off to San Luis Obispo on Friday to set up for the annual Seven Sisters show. Hope to see you there this weekend!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

I don’t know about you, but from time to time I like to drop in on the thrift shop to peruse the shelves. You never know when you’re going to find something wonderful that makes you happy.

A couple days ago I was moseying through the store, when something caught my quilter’s eye.

It was in my hands in about a second flat, and I thought to myself, “I wonder if whoever made this knew what it was.”

I turned it over, and yes, they did.

It’s a Milky Way Baltimore Album Quilt Limited Edition Canister from 1997.

How very cool that I happened into the shop that day! Needless to say, it came home with me. I was prepared to pay the tagged price of $1.49, but discovered upon checking out that it was 50% off, so it was 75¢!

The back says, “This limited edition canister celebrates the making of classic appliquéd quilts during the mid-nineteenth century in America. The Baltimore Album appliquéd quilts were known for their decorative Victorian design style.

“Each pattern on the quilt was symbolic. The corner pattern on this canister is ‘fleur de lis,’ representing Light, Life, and Power.”

Lovely.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

The first year I was at the Seven Sisters show in San Luis Obispo, I kept hearing the volunteers talking about the slow quilters. I filed this away in my brain as a curiosity. It took me awhile to figure out they were saying SLO quilters, as in San Luis Obispo LOL!

SLO is three hours drive down the coast from me, and I always look forward to rolling up on the beautiful and very pink Madonna Inn, with horses grazing in adjoining pastures. This year the show is June 28-29.

For the first time, they’ve added a workshop to the festivities!

Jan Krentz is well known for her books on star and diamond quilts. Jan will be giving a one-day class called Quick Starburst on both Saturday and Sunday, in two different locations.

In addition, Jan is giving the keynote address on Saturday evening, entitled “Design Inspiration from Everyday Life.”

You can register for these events at the show’s website, aqgcc.org.

If you’ve attended this show before, you’re used to finding me tucked away in the little side room, but this year I’ll be out on the main show floor. Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Over the bridge!

Filed Under Prizes, Quilt shows | Comments Off on Over the bridge!

Today I head north over the Golden Gate Bridge and into wine country for this weekend’s quilt show in Santa Rosa. It’s put on by the Moonlight Quilters of Sonoma County and last year it was great fun.

The Golden Gate Bridge has done away with toll booths and now you register your vehicle online and your license plate is scanned as you cross. It really speeds things up… but I still don’t know what they do with all the rental cars…

The reader who won Home Sweet Quilt is No. 4, Kathleen! Congratulations! She says she is really looking forward to this color-filled book with its combination of patchwork and appliqué. I agree, that’s the best combo platter!

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

I’ve admired the Jillily booth many times at shows. Jill Finley has been designing quilt patterns for over 15 years and is known for her fresh style and beautiful color combinations.

This month, with many thanks to Martingale, we have Jill’s book Home Sweet Quilt.

Need a gift or something for yourself? The book includes a dozen patterns for the whole house, from table runners to dish towels to pillows to quilts of all sizes. They’re all so fresh and pretty! Jill says in the introduction, “… My goal was to create and share fresh quilt designs… They’re much more than blankets or bed coverings. They’re the pop of color, the unexpected texture, or the softening element of each room.”

Winding Down, great for the family room.

Patio Tiles, wool and cotton table runner

The book begins with a few basics, such as working with wool, attaching borders and bindings, and Jill’s favorite stitching supplies. There’s a whole chapter on “Appliqué the Jillily Way,” which involves starching the edges of the motifs over freezer-paper templates. You can stitch them in place either by hand or by machine.

Berry Patch, a cheerful table topper.

If you’d like to win this very appealing book, please leave a comment here on the blog post before 7:00 p.m. California time on Thursday, June 5. Open to U.S. mailing addresses only. Good luck!!

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie