THE GLUEING DILEMMA

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Yes a little late, but better late than never.  What a holiday season.  As many may know, I take care of my 84 year old father who had massive heart failure the middle of December.  10 days in the hospital and we still have a long recovery.  He fell last night and put a huge gash in his head, spent an hour trying to decide whether to super glue it or not.  Opted not to.  Anyway, my hands are full.  I do however have a wonderful segway on glueing.

Janice and I are in the middle of a huge project, or 27 small projects.  Not sure we can really talk about it, and don't you just hate it when people say that.  Anyway, I made a sweet little quilt over the weekend and tried a new product that made it a lot easier.  I was raw edge appliquing small circles on to blocks, and I tried something new called LAPEL STICK.  A company from Canada sent us a sample.  Great Concept.  Spread it around the edge of the piece you want to applique and stick it on.  It holds while you sew, no pinning, you can press it with the iron and it washes out completely.  It is also very nice because it did not clog or gum up my sewing machine needle either.  The best part is it holds the edges down which is great when Janice machine quilts the quilt.

Now, I had the product, but had not even paid attention until Marlene, My Heritage Fabrics, told me that lots of ladies used ELMERS WASHABLE SCHOOL GLUE STICK.  She had a stick and so I stole it.  I really did, I just told her I am taking this.  I experimented with it on a sample piece.  Almost died at first because it went on bright purple and I was so afraid I was going to ruin the fabric with purple die, but before I had finished sewing the color was gone.

Now the dilemma, which to use.  The ELMERS was a little gooier, but the purple made it easy to see when I was applying it.  So, have you tried either of these methods and what were your results.  Inquiring minds want to know, ok, so I want to know.

Finally got the new patterns up for sale on the website, you may want to take a quick look, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/.

It takes only 18 fat quarters for the whole quilt.





Have fun with Charm Squares and Ric Rac.


























Great for "Tweens" both girl and boy.

























Also, Janice has made who knows how many FAB FIVE quilts, http://abbeylanequilts.com/FABFIVE.html but here were two that I just loved.  This is the Pretty Posies, she used Sandy Gervais fabric for this one.  This version used 16 fabrics.



and French General on this one, which used 8 fat quarters.   They will be quilted this week.

Glad to be back, sorry it has been awhile.

Have a great week, Janice and Marcea







THE WINNERS ARE!!!

First, a thanks to everyone who left us a comment.  Janice and I both have our favorite quilts, but it is so fun to hear which ones ya'll like.  We had comments from 29 states and 7 countries.  Based on the comments, it looks like the book is as versatile as we hoped it would be.  There was no clear favorite winner.  They all got votes.  So, now, as promised, 5 books going home with 5 winners. 

We took all the entries and assigned them a number, the we used the Random Number Generator to pick for us.  Here we go.

Our First Winner is, #64 - Paula from Illinois

Our Second Winner is #43 - Kandus from Ontario, Canada

Our Third Winner is #174 - Karenfae from Arkansas

Our Fourth Winner is #75 - Lisa from Montana

and our Final Winner is #20 - Billie Dee from Texas

Thanks again, and if you didn't win, you can still buy the book on our website, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/.

Please email us with your mailing address at abbeylanequilts@yahoo.com .

We have had several emails about a post we did last year for the 10 MINUTE TABLE TOPPER.  So, a first for us, a repost of this great last minute christmas gift.  Here is the post:

My local quilt shop is only three miles from my house.  It is called My Heritage Fabrics and is owned by Marlene  Lewellyn.  If you are ever in Ogden, you need to stop by.  When I stopped in the other day, she showed me her TEN MINUTE TABLE TOPPER.  It is a quick pattern that needs only two pieces of fabric.  One piece is 1/2 yard x WOF and the other is either 10" or 12" x WOF.

Marlene went a step further with the idea and made placemats to match the runner by cutting the runner in half.  She has a pattern she can email you.  Just send her a note and tell her you saw her runner on our website, myheritagefabrics@gmail.com.  Check her blog also, http://www.myheritagefabrics.wordpress.com/.

How cute are these.  I bought a couple of half yard pieces of christmas fabric and headed home to make some.    I had some assorted Moda Layer Cake bundles laying around.  I decided to use two of them to make my TABLE TOPPERS.

  I ended up making three.  I used the layer cakes to piece the front panels.  I couldn't do the fold down ends though, because they covered up some of the cute fabric pieces, so I altered the ends.  The third one used layer cake pieces for the front and the back.  When you see these, you will know why we design patterns.  Janice and I have a habit of changing every thing we sew.  Anyway, here goes.

TABLE TOPPER ONE

I added Ric Rac to the sides of this one and varied the sizes of the pieces in the front panel.  This one took a little longer than ten minutes.  Around 25 minutes with the cutting and Ric Rac.  Another fun note, these are all reversable.  How cute are green and cream polka dots.

TABLE TOPPER 2

Another different end.  This one had even strips in the front panel and took about 20 minutes to make.

TABLE TOPPER 3

By the time I got to this one, I was having way tooooo much fun.  The green front was 5 layer cakes cut into thin strips.  The back was 12 layer cakes.  I made this one longer, used the pointy end and added tassles.  I put Ric Rac across the strips on the back so I could use either side. I can't decide which I like better, the front or the back.

We have written more detailed instructions with lots of pictures and put in on our website, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/.  Just click on What's New and then click on Ten Minute Table Toppers, or follow this link http://abbeylanequilts.com/TABLETOPPER.html.  This one did take about an hour and a half, but it was soooo much fun. 

Have a great week, and start making those TABLE TOPPERS. They make great gifts.

Janice and Marcea

CYBER BLOG WEEK GIVEAWAY

That's right.  A GIVEAWAY.  We have been waiting for today to introduce you to our newest book, FAB FIVE, Fun, Fast & Flirty, and to give away 5 COPIES, one each to five winners.  First, the book, then at the end, how to win a book.

The book starts with two different basic quilts,  the first quilt uses 8 coordinating fat quarters, 4 in one color wave and 4 in another color wave.  The other basic quilt uses 16 scrap pieces 10" x 18".  Then, you get to choose from FIVE different appliques.

 For Spring, PRETTY POSIES with 8 Fat Quarters

Then, PRETTY POSIES with 16 scrap pieces.

























Next,  for summer, STARS AND STRIPES with 8 fat quarters.

Next, STARS AND STRIPES with 16 scrap pieces.

For Halloween, SPOOK ALLEY with 8 Fat quarters.

And SPOOK ALLEY with 16 scraps.

And just in time for Christmas, we have HOLIDAY HOOPLA with 8 Fat Quarters.

And HOLIDAY HOOPLA with 16 Scraps.

All the quilts have raw edge appliques.  The Christmas quilt has ornaments that you can decorate with ric rac, button, jewels, whatever you like.

And if all the holidays weren't enough, we had the bonus cover quilt, LOTSA DOTS.

The finished size for the quilts is 50" x 60", a perfect lap quilt.  The are fast to cut and sew, and fun to keep or even give away.  You will want to make them all.

So, now for the giveaway.  We have several ways to get chances.  The more chances you have the better your odds.

First:  Leave us a comment and tell us which quilt is your favorite.

Second:  Sign up as a follower.

Third:  Be our friend on our facebook page where you get updates and quick info, http://www.facebook.com/ and search abbeylanequilts.

That's it.  It is almost as easy as making a FAB FIVE quilt.  If you want more info, head over to our website http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/ where we have the book for sale for only $18.50.  It includes color pictures of all the quilts and full size templates.  Check out all the other new patterns from market on our Pattern Preview page.

Can't wait to hear from ya'll.

Janice and Marcea

P.S.  We will anounce the winners next Monday.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE

Started snowing on Saturday, and today is the big finally, the BLIZZARD of 2010.  Lots of wind, blowing snow, going below zero on Thursday, and supposed to get 12 inches of snow tonight.  So what to do, BAKE of course.  My husband asked me to bake up some goodies to take to various people, but what to you make when everyone is already making pie?  You make a pumpkin roll.

PUMPKIN ROLL WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING


Cake:

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour!
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup canned Pumpkin
1 cup pecans, chopped



Filling:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.


YUMMY, we are eating one now, I only have six more to bake.  As my son said, Thanksgiving is for family.  From our families to yours,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Janice and Marcea

A TOUR OF OUR MODA FAVORITES

One of the best parts of Market is catching up with all our friends.  While we keep up-to-date through their blogs, it is still not the same as being able to give them a big hug.  We are starting to get lots of friends, so today's tour will be of the Moda Family.

Two of our favorite ladies, Mary and Barb, http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/.  We found their booth first day, and they had this giant jar of chapstick.  It was a good thing too, cause our lips were very chappy the whole time. 

They were always helping and teaching.



Never found them not working, except...



















 Hey you gotta eat.

























They also had a great new pattern.  Janice did her best to grab an already made one, but to no avail.

Aren't they cute.  I am sure all the info is on their website.

Continuing our travels around the Moda area we stopped by Sweetwater.  They have so many cute ideas, check out their blog, http://www.sweetwater.typepad.com/


They won 2nd place for booth decorating.  Way to go.



Next door was Blackbird Designs.  One of our very favorites.  They won First place for booth decorating.  See all their market fun on their blog, http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/.


Congratulations!

























 Next on our list was Kate Spain.  We adore her fabric, so much so that we made sure to make a new quilt design using her latest collection, CENTRAL PARK.  Here is her booth and our new quilt GOT A FEELING, pattern available soon.  Kate is a really sweet lady.  Get to know her on her blog, http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com/.


So bright and cheery, just like her fabric.



Here is our quilt, GOT A FEELING, made from Central Park.  Charm Squares, flowers and large ric rac.  Could it get any better?

Last, but not least, the main Moda area.  They have these huge walls and they fill them with lots of beautiful quilts in all the new fabrics.  Check out the two quilts on the right.  They are Basic Gray's new collection.

So that ends the Moda tour, but wanted to put up two quick patterns.  There are two of our newest, we debuted them at market and they were a big hit.  The first is a bag pattern and the second a book.  We will be having a special contest and giveaway with the book in a couple of weeks.  For now, head over to the website and you can see all the details, http://www.abbeylanequilts.com/.



Nine  quilts all in one Book.

If it feels like a whirlwind, you got a quick taste of what market is like.  We have lots more friends and pictures to share.  Check back soon. 

Janice and Marcea

WE'RE HOME, SORTA

After Thirteen days in Houston I made it home.  I was greeted by snow and cold.  Janice sorta went home, she headed to Missouri where they have a place in the country.  What an adventure.  First we had market.  It is always so fun to catch up with all our friends.  Twice a year just doesn't seem enough time.  I took pictures of many of our favorite booths, will post those in a couple of days.

Here are a couple of pictures of our booth. 

Here are two new quilts.  Patterns coming soon.  They are out of Central Park and Sugar Pop, Moda Collections.

Check out our floor.  We had so much fun with it.  Giant 2 1/2 foot black and white squares with our giant, signature green flowers, and sparkly black centers.

With two big shows in Houston, we needed help, and we were so lucky that Janice's niece Katy joined us.  She was amazing.  I think her highlight of the show was meeting TY PENNINGTON.  He has a new fabric collection for Westminster.  Gorgeous Fabric, Gorgeous Guy, and GORGEOUS KATY.

Lot's more to follow including the new book, FAB FIVE, and our fabulous new bag, THE SADIE BAG.

Check back in a couple of days.

Janice and Marcea

DOWN TO THE WIRE

This is a very hectic time of year for us.  MARKET.  This year we thought we would add to the fun by going to FESTIVAL also.  Hope you all come find us there.  Anyway, Janice and I are always joking and telling our families that no one is allowed to get married, have a baby, or pass away during May or October.  The families listened for a while, but somehow they forgot this time around.  My son had baby number 2, two weeks ago.

Meet Josephine, and this is her big sister, Genevieve.

Sadly, Janice's mother passed away earlier this week.  Genille Elliot was a wonderful woman that I was priveleged to know.  She was a huge inspiration to Janice, especially in the quilting world.  The services were yesterday, and it was a wonderful day that I am sure Janice's Mother would have appreciated.

Our good news, we sent our new book to the printers.  We hope to have it back at the end of the week, and yes, we will have it for market and festival.

I gave you a sneak peak of the two halloween quilts, here are their finished pics,

And here is the cover.  That's all the peaks at that project.  Have to wait for market.  We have four more quilts we are working on, the book had 9 quilts, and just finished a GREAT NEW BAG.

Hope ya'll have a good week, and see you in Houston.

Janice and Marcea