It's October, that means MARKET TIME!

Cannot believe that 7 weeks have passed since our last posting.  Janice and I have been busy.  I have had two new grandbabies born during that time.  Janice went to Pennsylvania twice, Missouri once, had a birthday.  I have been to Houston and Philadelphia.  We have been working overtime the last couple of weeks, only three more crazy weeks to go before market.  Here is a sneak peak of our NEW BOOK.  We will have it ready to go for market.  Oh, and by the way, WE ARE STAYING FOR FESTIVAL.  We have never done that before, so it should be a lot of fun and a lot of work.

The book will have 9 diffferent quilts.  They cover all four seasons and a bonus, but since it is October, here are a couple of pics of one of the Halloween ones. 

This is just a teaser.  Taking all the final shots tomorrow, so I will post a couple more.  Just wait till you see the Christmas quilts.



SHARING TIME

It is so exciting when we get emails of pictures of your finished projects made with our patterns.  The creativity is amazing.  First quilt in point.  The pattern, Just Let it Be.  It was one of our very first patterns and we have loved it so much we have remade it three times to show you all the options.  The first version uses a focal fabric and then six other fabrics that coordinate with the focal fabric.  You can use fabrics from any line, mix and match them.

The Second version we made used fabrics from Joel Dewberry.  This is probably one of my all time favorites.  Whenever we have a new quilt, Janice and I go through a tug and pull.  Sometimes it is a quilt that Janice loves and sometimes it is one I love.  The problem comes in when we BOTH love the quilt. Well, this Just Let It Be,  I LOVE.

For our latest version of Just Let It Be, we used Laura Gunn's "Poppy" collection.  It is the most beautiful quilt ever.  We hung it at spring market.

By the way, Janice wants this one, and when Janice wants something, I just get out of the way.  We both adore Laura Gunn's fabrics.  Check out her blog, http://lauragunn.typepad.com/ when you get a chance.

There is a funny story behind this quilt's name.  We had all the squares up on a board, and we kept moving things around.  A change here and there.  However, after the original design, I didn't like the changes, and I finally said to Janice "JUST LET IT BE", and the quilt was named.

We recently got an email from TWO THIMBLES QUILT SHOP in Bellingham, WA.  Here is their website, http://www.twothimbles.com/.  They made up the Just Let It Be pattern in Halloween Fabrics.  Check their blog for more pictures http://twothimbles.blogspot.com/.

They called it HAUNTED MANSION, and I can't wait to get my hands on Sanae's Haunted Mansion collection from Moda.  I see another JUST LET IT BE version on the way.  Thanks again for sharing.

The second email we received was from SK Burton from Country Fabrics and Quilting in Brainerd, MN.
She wrote, "I wanted to share with you my Uncle Albert Quilt that I absolutely LOVE. I saw your version at spring market and needed to make one of my own. The rouching was just too cool!   I've been blogging my process for weeks, I just cant get enough of this amazing quilt. Thank you for such a great design! I have a few of your other quilt patterns in the works as well, they too will be great, I can't wait!"  Here are her pics.

I absolutely love it.  She added the border too.  To see more, here is her blog, http://www.sewwithsass.blogspot.com/.  We love to see the creativity that goes into our patterns.  UNCLE ALBERT  is one of my very favorite of all times.

Funny story behind this quilt's name also.  I had this big print and I LOVED it.  It was not Janice's favorite.  I sewed the entire quilt, then decided it would look better set on point, so I unpicked the whole thing and recut and resewed.  Basically this quilt was around sooooooo long, it was like that Uncle who comes to visit and never leaves.  To see both these patterns and all the other fun stuff we have, head over to our website, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/

Again, thanks to all who share their treasures with us.  And if you have made an Abbey Lane pattern, send us the pics, you may find yourself right here on this blog.  Have a great week.
Janice and Marcea

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT...

I love Disney.  Spending 23 years in Orlando could have helped a little bit.  My mother was a school teacher and she quoted Walt Disney all the time, "If you can dream it, you can do it."  It was her motto.  It is my motto.  Last week I got to take my grandson to Disneyland.  So much fun.  Here he is with grandpa.

When it comes to creativity, remember this motto.  We love getting your emails and pictures.  This week we got an email from Rosalyn Drew from Elkhart, Kansas.  Here is her email:

I received my Blooming Possibilities yesterday and made these flowers last night. One for my new purse, a key chain (double sided so there's no 'back side') and two fluffy ones that perched nicely on cones of thread to dry.  They will go on my boring sun hat.

Lots more to do. Fun stuff!

And here are her pics:

Thanks fo much Rosalyn for sharing.  I can't wait to make some key chains.  What a great idea.  I made a few flowers also this week.  I started with a bunch of fabric circles.

Here is the cute pile of fluffy flower balls straight out of the dryer.  Aren't they cute.

Here they are all fixed and jewelled up.

And finally, a close-up of my favorite of the bunch.

Some of these flowers were sent to our giveaway winners.  You will be getting a box in the mail any day.  We hope you enjoy.  So let your imagination and creativity blossom, and remember, "IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT!. 

Have a great week.  Janice and Marcea

WE HAVE OUR WINNERS

We want to say thank you to everyone participated in our giveaway.  As always, there was a mixed bouquet when it came to the favorite flower.  (Yes, i am working on as many budding flower puns as I can.)  As far as projects, no clear favorites.  I think that is the best thing about BLOOMING POSSIBILITIES is it has a little something for everybody.

Ok, the WINNERS!!!!!

First Prize, The Hat, and we are also throwing in a book:

#85 - MARY ON LAKE PULASKI  from Minnesota

Next, we have Three Books and they go to:

#148 - JENNIFER from Ontario, Canada

#76 - DESERAE from Tooele, Utah 

#39 - LIS from Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Now, 5  Flowers, made by yours truly

#178 - CHRISSY PATRICK

#138 - FISHTAIL DESIGNS - Knoxville, Tennessee

#96 - ANI

#158 - TERESA

#6 - SAR DEE

If you are a winner, please email us at abbeylanequilts@yahoo.com and give us your mailing address.

If you didn't win this time, don't worry, there will be another chance. 

Heading out of town this week, so we will catch you next week. 

Janice and Marcea

IT'S A FLOWER FEST, COME JOIN

It's finally finished and back from the printer, our first book, BLOOMING POSSIBILITIES.

The idea for the book started one day when Janice and I went shopping and found a cute little flower.  From there, it blossomed into 3 fabulous fabric flower designs.  Those 3 flowers inspired the 9 projects in the book. 

First the specifics.  The book has 12 patterns and projects in all.  The book is 32 pages with color photographs of every project.  Complete instructions and full size templates are also included.  The best part is, the flowers are only the beginning.  Once you start making them, the POSSIBILITIES are endless.

First the pictures, then the giveaways.  These are the three different flowers.  Fun and easy to make.  Try mixing the flowers together to create all different looks.

Then we came up with bags to put the flowers on.  There is a clutch bag and a sling bag for the Ladies.  The girls get a purse and a smaller version sling bag.  The sling bags are reversible too.

After purses and bags, it was easy to see these flowers could go everwhere.  How about hair clips, lapel pins, t-shirts, jackets, even flip flops.

We didn't stop there.  We thought, hey we can put these flowers on the wall.

And last, but not least, we topped it off with a hat.  There are even two different brim sizes.

Now, what you have been waiting for.  THE GIVEAWAY.  Rules for give away - 5 ways to get their name entered.

1. Leave a comment on which project you will make first - or maybe which is your favorite. Not sure, sorry, you gotta pick at least one.

2. Tell us which flower, first, second or third, is your favorite. Their official names are the "LIZZY", the "SADIE", and the "ELANOR".  Check our website to find out which is which.   http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/.

3. Mention our give-away on your blog. Leave a link so we can visit and yes, Janice reads every one.

4. Become a follower on the blog. We really want to get 300 followers.  If you are already a follower, be sure to let us know.

5. Face book - become a friend. If you are already a friend, then tell everybody about the book.

That's it.  Now, what are we GIVING AWAY.

We will start out with a hat.  The cute one made with the Amy Butler red and off white Polka Dot.
You get a book too, to make something to go with the hat.

We are giving away books, three to be exact.

And last, but not least, Marcea will be making five special "LIZZY" flowers for five lucky ladies.

So,  GOOD LUCK. We will randomly pick the winners a week from Tuesday. Oh yeah, Janice went to everyone's blogs during the last giveaway. It is so fun to see what y'all are doing.

That's it. Hope you all are as excited as we are. Can't wait to hear what you think.

Janice and Marcea

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Janice and I had a very busy couple of weeks.  She went on the road from Florida and ended up all the way in Utah.  We had a great week.  We went to most of the local quilt stores, nothing new there, bought more fabric, nothing new there, and then put together our book outline, SOMETHING NEW HERE.  Well, can't even talk about it, cause books take forever, but WE HAVE STARTED, YEAH.

Next bit of news.  We have our FIRST BOOK, BLOOMING POSSIBILITIES, back from the printer.

It will be ready to purchase on the website, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/ later today.  And the most exciting news for you, a big contest next week right here to launch the new book.  Pictures, prizes, and soooo much more.

In the meantime, we all need to take a break and enjoy the holiday weekend.  I wanted to share a recipe that has been around my family for years.  My aunt made it when I was a little girl, and it is quick, easy, can be done in a crock pot, and makes the best side dish for any barbeque or get together.  I think Utah is the home for great get-together dishes.  I do have a confession though, I made up a fancy title for this recipe, but it isn't too sweet and it isn't too spicy.  It is very delicious and even little kids will love it.  You will want to double this recipe.  It will go fast. 

Hope you enjoy it.  Let's go out with a bang and wish everybody a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, have a great weekend.

We hear BABY STEPS

It's finally here.  QUILT magazine, the July/August edition.

Why is this important?  We have a new quilt design in it.  Actually we have three quilts.

Last December, our friend Demetria at RJR fabrics called and asked if we would do a design for a great new line of fabric called BOABAB.  She sent us the pictures and we were so excited.  Great modern prints, and a border to die for.  All this, three color waves, and it is the softest FLANNEL we had ever felt.  The end result was BABY STEPS in three color waves.  Yes, the magazine loved it so much they asked for all three color waves.  Here is the picture from the magazine.

They are even offering a special WEB BONUS

 www.quiltmag.com/quilt-patterns/quilt115-baby-steps-variation

And the best news of all, WE ARE SELLING THE KITS FOR ALL THREE QUILTS.  We have them NOW, but the fabric won't be in stores until late August.  All the details are in the magazine or on our website, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/ .  The kit is selling for $ 49.95 plus $10.50 for shipping and we picked the adorable matching polka dot fabric for the backing for each quilt.  The total including backing and shipping will be $ 99.95.

Brown/Blue color wave

Pink/Brown Color Wave

Green/Orange Color Wave

Great quilt, great fabric, great deal. 

We have more exciting things happening, so check back next week for the next surprise.  Have a great week. 

Janice and Marcea