Here's the second book:

Since I don't use a sewing machine (I have to learn how first. The last time I actually used a sewing machine was in Home Economics in 7th grade! Over 15 years ago.) So, I think I could use the patterns for hand-quilting.

Here are some patterns that can be found in the book:

Another pattern.

Books on Embroidery and Quilting patterns

I bought two books with a birthday gift card to Barnes and Noble last month. I just love the designs in both books- so creative and pretty! Can't wait to use the designs in the quilts. I was looking for an embroidery design to use in a wall quilt for my cousin. This quilt will use the 5 by 5 squares (Batik and Jewel Mirage) from Connecting Threads. I will upload those later after I have pieced them all together.

The first book:

I love this cover. So colorful! It has hundreds of little embriodery pictures! You can choose from a wide range in this book.

Isn't this so cute! This book is a great resource because the book is divided in segments according to color. I took two pictures from the green section and one from a darker pink section.

Garden quilt

Hello! Well this was another quilt project I did while I was working on the previous quilt. This is almost done. I have to iron lightly over the quilt to get rid of the creases. I had to put it over a wide stool. My closet is full of my clothes and knick-knacks for now. Very tiny closet anyway. The inset pattern is made with 2" wide strips from Amy Butler's fabric collection. I still have some strips left over for another quilt.  I bought the creamy medium yellow fabric from Emily's Closet; a local store in town. The backing is from the same yellow fabric. I was lucky to be able to buy out a roll so I have plenty for another project too. The quilt looks so cheery, doesn't it? Brightens up the room. I added a thin yellow and white polka dot ribbon along the perimeter of the facing inset border that backs up the end border. I should be done with this hopefully by next week or so.

As usual, hand pieced and hand quilted.

Finally!

Here is the result of my quilt that I started way back in the summer. I'm glad to get that done. I already have another quilt in progress. This quilt is the opposite in color choice and quilt design so it will be interesting to see the difference once I post the second quilt.

Ok, ok, ok!

*Looks around*

The quilt top has been pieced together and it looks so lovely! I was able to pin the batting and the backing to the quilt top and start quilting. I added a mother of pearl button to the central block. I did some linear quilting pattern in some of the areas around the central block. It may take me some more time before I complete the quilt. I hope to finish it soon and put up the picture on the blog.

By the way, Happy 4th of July just in advance! :D

New Gadgets!!!

I'm always on the prowl for interesting gadgets in the world of quilting.

I think I may have stumbled upon an intriguing website for quilt design software. The Electric Quilt software allows you to design your quilt ideas on their EQ program before you even have a chance to run for the pen and paper to craft your inspiration down! The prices are a bit expensive for my budget but hopefully later on I will be able to buy and try it out until my laptop screams at me, "No More!"

Here is the link to the EQ site:


http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/MoreSoftware.asp

P.S. The lowdown on my quilt is: well... check out the latest post upcoming in few minutes!

WIP (Work in Progress)

Here is the messy, ugly, unfashionable 'before' shoot of the quilt layout. I decided to lay it out and snap a picture so I would remember  where every piece went after I had sewed all the pieces together before doing the backing and the border. I had to hold my camera really high ( a challenge for a petite-average woman) to get everything in one click! At first, I admit I was thinking of nine-patch but realized after I sewed the strip blocks that it wasn't exactly coming out as nine-patch when I was positioning the pieces. So I came up with a more of an asymmetrical pattern that your eye can pick up on after going around for a minute or two.

I would like to point out the two 'blank' spaces in the quilt layout will be filled with white squares for a "pop". Remember, this is only a "rehearsal" before I actually finish the top. A bit of ironing and smoothing out seam allowances and repositioning before the final act!