and the winners are...

JoAnne J.
Diane V.
Cheri B.

Congrats!

~c

What a difference!

Have you ever made the same quilt twice? Have you ever changed just one thing on a project? What a difference it can make. Take this quilt for instance...recognize it? I have this thing for taking one of our original ideas/patterns and making it smaller. In this case I turned the original quilt into a baby quilt! Now the second picture is really what the original looked like, I didn't change anything other than the fabrics used and the finished size. I chose fabrics from our completely kids collection and threw in 2 handsprays and a solid cream fabric. Pink and orange is one of my favorite color combo's! But back to the first photo. See what I didn't do? That's right as if this project wasn't fast enough I took out the appliqued circles! I found this awesome Heather Bailey print and "fussy cut" these big flowers out to take the place of the circles in the original quilt. It gives the feeling of a circle with out the applique. This palette of fabrics were all Heather Bailey's except for the soft yellow handspray and solid cream. What a fresh and spring like feeling.

And for those of you who say "APPLIQUED CIRCLES?" They are fast and easy, and yes they are done by hand. (you are more than welcome to use fusible :))

So can anyone tell me what this quilts original name was? The first 3 people to email cori@bluemeadowdesigns.com TODAYand tell me the name of the pattern that I took this quilt from will get a free pattern. This pattern is not available on our website, however a very limited number of kits will be available on our Etsy shop next week. Pattern will not be sold separately.

~c

p.s If you have not signed up for our newsletter go to www.bluemeadowdesigns.com and do that TODAY! Our newsletter goes out very soon and we have a free pattern in the newsletter this month!! It's worth your while.

Sweet Inspiration

We got this photo from one of our friends, who wanted to share her finished quilt with us, and the story of the little girl who owns it. As you can see, the quilt looks great, and little Celeste looks healthy, but the reality is that she has Cystic Fibrosis. We hope that she continues to grow strong and healthy, and she is very lucky to have a special friend like Jackie to encourage her, and to make her special quilts.

When I read Celeste's story, and saw the quilt, it reminded me of an incident I had with my daughter a few years ago. Late one night, when my daughter was 3 1/2 years old, she was playing on my bed, and fell off the edge...backwards. It was a simple fall, but I instantly knew something was wrong when she only reached up to me with her one arm. I knew her other arm was broken, and I had to take her to the hospital. In an effort to comfort her, and make her feel safe, I grabbed her quilt off her bed, and wrapped her in it. Robyn was carried in her quilt from the emergency room, to the X-ray room , and into the casting room. When we were all finished (at midnight) and her arm was set, she once again fell asleep wrapped in her quilt. And then a nurse made a comment that I have never forgotten. She said "When you see a child wrapped in a handmade quilt, you know that the child is very loved." After the stress of that night, those words almost made me cry.

So I wanted to pass those words along to Jackie. When I saw Celeste laying on a handmade quilt, I knew she is very loved.

See you soon.

myra

Peaking is aloud
Here is a sneak peak at the two new projects on the go. Just when we think we have a break in the action, we come up with some new stuff! We had the new mingle and about town fabrics in stock NOW in our NEW on-line SHOP. The colors and prints are perfect for spring and summer projects. Yes, you heard me the new and much improved shop is up and running smoothly. These fabrics will not be around for long so be sure to get yours now. We are now selling fabrics by the 1/2 yard. These two projects will be released very soon, but not in the usual way. So, keep your eyes on the blog for further details.

We only have 2 more spots available for our fall retreat, so don't get left out email me today to sign up!

As for the new web site, it is still in progress so keep checking to see the improvements. If you have not signed up for our newsletter yet, be sure to do so. I will be sending out a newsletter very soon.

~c

p.s thanks for the well wishes for our puppy!

Introducing....

the newest addition to the Derksen family. I just had to share this photo of our newest "baby", MAX. He is a 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. He is a very affectionate puppy. When we are all playing with him outside he always picks our son over the rest of us....?? BUT when they aren't around, he likes to cuddle with me! I'll take that.

And the day we brought MAX home we found out that our cat had a small litter of kittens. Lot's of excitement on the yard. Spring is in the air.

~c

p.s stay tuned for an exciting announcement (quilting related that is).