They think of us as EXPERTS!

Did any of you read the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting? Then you might have found the issue that is chalked full of all our brilliant insights! A few months ago we were asked for our opinion on certain quilting topics, which the editors complied into their 'Top Tips' issue. I honestly couldn't remember all of my answers, until I read them in the magazine. It is fun to see what others think when we are all asked to answer the same question. And did you see who was all interviewed? There were some very impressive names on that list!

Here's a question they didn't ask. What's the worst thing about your job? And for me, it is definitely having my picture taken. The article also reminded me, that when this snow actually melts, Cori and I need to go out and do another 'author photo' to give to the magazines. They keep pulling out our old pictures, so I guess it is time to get them a new one. It's like school picture day, only worse. But really, that is the only downfall to a pretty fun job.

See you soon.
myra

New Patterns on the way.

Here is the first look at some of our "hot of the press" projects that we have been finishing this past week.

The top and bottom photo's are Zippidy do da baby & twin size quilts. These projects are included in the same pattern. We used Cozy Cotton flannels by Robert Kaufman. Kits will be available our website in brown/blue and pink/green colorways in both sizes! Patterns & kits should be available in our shop next week!

The next project is impressionist. This is a wall hanging using charm packs and a little extra yardage. Pattern & kits will also be available for this project featuring Sultry by Basic Grey for Moda.

Be sure to visit our site's shop for all our new spring releases!
...there will be more on the way soon!

~c

Catching up!

Oh my! There is so much to talk about, that it is hard to know where to start! The past week or two have flown by, and now I have to try to remember everything that has happened. But now that I am older, I may tend to forget a thing or two...like picking a winner in my birthday draw. I picked #10, Terry, so if you drop me your mailing address (myra@bluemeadowdesigns.com) I will send you some of my favorite fabrics.

We are into spring break, and so the kids are home, for a much deserved rest. My youngest has decided to get sick one more time this year, so she will stay tucked in under her quilts, while my son will explore every mud puddle in Southern Manitoba. For those of you who live around here, I think I should let you know that it is actually Cori's fault that we got this last dump of snow. We have a beautiful winter quilt coming back from the quilters today, and Cori said "I wish we had some snow to photograph this quilt on" and sure enough, a blizzard blew into town. So we are going to quickly photograph the cover, and then all the snow can melt away.

And for those of you who live in the States, and may not know where we live, just watch CNN. My husband bugs me that I am a CNN junkie, and it is true. All this week they have been talking about the flooding in Fargo, North Dakota. Well, when all of that water heads north along the Red River, it will enter into Canada, just 45 minutes east of where we live. So now you have a general idea of where to find us on a map. Cori said that the Dead Horse Creek that runs behind their house has already crested, so she should be fine and dry.

Well, there is much more to say, so I will be back soon, but first I need to track down some pictures. A blog without pictures just isn't right.

See you soon.
myra

Another Mystery

I just got this photo from our friend Peggy, in Ontario. She did the mystery using a Holly Taylor charm pack, and added a few borders to make it larger. Thanks for sharing it with us!

-myra

Mystery Project update
Some of you are curious as to how the mystery project worked out. Here are 2 photo's we received from participants. Great Job everyone! I like how you customized by adding borders to make it larger. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you have a photo of your mystery quilt email it to Myra and we can post more of them on the blog. And...they don't have to be quilted, they can just be the quilt top.

~c

Have you ever wondered...

What happened to our plan b? Well it's back. I have updated the blog with some photo's and more to come. I will make the big reveal this week!

Oh, and Myra will be picking the winner of her 1 yd old birthday contest too. Check back to see if you are the winner.

And for those of you how couldn't make it to our sewing day it was a great success! We had a great day of interacting, sharing how to's and finishing projects. Thanks ladies for a great day. It was requested that we do it again so we will let you know when the next sewing day is and maybe you to can join us.

~c

Guess who....

has joined the 1 yard club? That's right Myra is 1 yard old today. We will play the same game as she did for my birthday. Post a birthday wish comment for her and you will be entered to win 1 yard of fabric! Sound like a plan?

What else is new you ask? Our 1st annual bmd sewing day in Winkler is set to happen on Saturday. I must say I am really looking forward to it. We have a great group of ladies coming and we are really excited to host this event.

I also have been brainstorming about some new ideas for the blog and our newsletter, so hopefully next week I can start sharing about those ideas. I just have to get some pictures together first.

We are also working on a new project for Robert Kauffman fabrics...that's exciting.

But anyway...Happy Birthday Myra, we hope you have a great day!!

~c

p.s Myra, are you wondering were I got this picture...I have been saving it for a long time. wink,wink.

Home...from a short trip to paradise!

I went on my first trip south and let me tell you...relaxation was an awesome experience. Not thinking or worrying how things were going at home but just enjoying the company and our surroundings! BUT it is back to reality, cold weather, work, routine. I think I still had my feet in the sand when we got back, trying desperately to hold on to holiday mode, but needless to say it didn't work. Life pulled me back in full force.
Myra has been filling you all in on our projects in progress. I too will be doing the same in a few days as I fire up my sewing machine (I had it serviced while I was away!)

And while I was away Myra had a little happy birthday contest for me. I am assuming that you are all waiting for the winner to be announced.... #7 Deanna Gipson. Deanna, email myra your address myra@bluemeadowdesigns.com . She will send out your gift. And to the rest of you that entered, THANKS so much for all the great comments and bday wishes. I had the best birthday ever.

~c

Great Expectations

I am stopping by for a very quick minute, to show you what is on our cutting table. It doesn't look like much, and the colors are a unique combination of solids, but when it is done, it will be stunning. And I would love to show you a picture of it, but you will have to wait until the December issue of American Patchwork & Quilting before you can see the final product!

See you soon.

myra

Coming soon to a quilt shop near....us.

As I looked at my calendar today, I realized how much time has passed since the beginning of the year. And during that time, some of you (Hi Marlene!) were wondering if we found the edge of the earth, and fell off. Well, the truth is quite the opposite, and today, I can begin to start telling you about it.

Since the start of this year, Cori and I have freed ourselves from some responsibilities, and took on others. Our passion is design, and we have taken the steps to get back to that. We have been working with several different fabric companies, and you will be seeing a lot of new quilts, made with some of the best available fabrics. We pieced, and produced 10 quilts in January alone, and this snap-shot is the first of many that you will be seeing.

Robert Kaufman sent us samples from a beautiful new flannel collection, called Cozy Cotton, and asked us if we had any idea's. Oh, did we ever! This is the 'Cutie Pie' pattern that Kaufman loved, and has decided to kit. The flannel, and kits are now available in the US, and we will be bringing them into our shop in the next few weeks. We have also learnt, that we will be the only supplier of the Cutie Pie kits in Canada...so if anyone is interested, please drop us a note.

Cori also designed a special bed quilt for her daughter out of the same fabric line, and as soon as it is finished, we will post it.

There are MANY more fabric collections that have been pouring into our studios from Moda, Robert Kaufman, and Freespirit, and we will let you in on all the details as soon as we can.

You will also be seeing a lot more of us in magazines. We will have 4 quilts published before the end of the year, and I can't wait for you to see the first one. It's an adorable baby quilt using the Mingle line from Robert Kaufman, and that's the only clue you get right now.

So keep checking back, because we have lots to share with you.

see you soon.

myra

More inspiration.....

I just wanted to post another quilt top that was sent to us this past week. This quilt was done by our friend Jill who was from Indiana...but was recently transplanted further east. Jill pieced this project for her guild as their Red Cross fundraiser quilt. The layout of the quilt is based on our Nantucket Rose quilt, but Jill changed the color palette, and she used a very special block as the center. The middle applique is a block that was designed for her guild by Kim Diehl! Now that is cool.

Thanks for letting us share this Jill

See you soon.

myra

One of our favorite things....





















We absolutely LOVE sharing pictures of quilts with you. Because new quilts inspire us, we want to share them, and hopefully they give you new ideas as well.

We recently got this photo from Sharon, who lives right here in the cold, snow-covered Provence of Manitoba. Isn't it cool? Sharon based her quilt on one of our designs. Our quilt was done in fall colored flannels, but with a simple change to the color palette, Sharon has given a completely new and modern look to the same design. I was completely impressed with her fabric choices, and I hope you are inspired by them too.

Thanks for sharing it with us Sharon!

See you soon.
myra