February Bite Size Class

We did it! Everyone got their paper pieced heart completed. Three of the ladies got out the door before I remember to get my camera out. But didn’t these turn out lovely? I really had a good time. Well done ladies.20150208_170503

Jennie got a lot done. Loved the splash of orange!

20150208_165709

Nicole is Jennie’s daughter in-love and is making her blocks with the black batiks as backgrounds instead of white. It was stunning. LOVED how the black background was looking.

20150208_165722

I love love love Pat’s fabrics. And she was quite clever in creating a fix when she noticed she missed a strip of background. Looks lovely.

20150208_165736

My brain just isn’t recalling this sweet lady’s name. She did her block by hand! She handstitched her paper pieced heart and kept up with the ladies with the machines! We were all amazed. I really like her choice of backgrounds too. The gray set the pink off quite nicely.20150208_165755

Kim’s block turned out beautiful. She used more of the orange, fuscia and purple batiks. The photo image just doesn’t show off her colors as well as real life. It turned out great!

20150208_170039

Sharon is a new quilter and she thought this was the most stunning block she has created so far! Paper piecing is definitely a process that she enjoyed learning. The process gave her the precision she was wanting. We were both delighted with how beautiful her block turned out. Sharon was so pleased that when she pressed the last seam, she exclaimed, “I should frame this!”

20150208_170019

Not to be left out, I made the steps outs/examples for the class with some fun fabrics from my stash. When I was at the Cotton Patch in Lafayette, I found some chocolates fabric and thought with roses, it would make a sweet pillow. I’m going to finish up my pinwheels, add more chocolate fabric around to frame the block and make a quick pillow cover for the sofa – just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Next month we’ll be creating a Celtic Knot. I hope that you can join us!

Absewlutely,

Lisa

 

February Bite Size Block

20150131_141205Will you be my Valentine?

Some say it is just a fake holiday manufactured by the florist, chocolate and greeting card industries. Single people say it just makes them more aware of being single. That is all sad. This is what I found out regarding the history of St. Valentine’s Day.

The story goes that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in several bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius found it tough to get soldiers and felt the reason was men did not join the army because they did not wish to leave their wives and families. As a result Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A romantic at heart, priest of Rome Saint Valentine defied Claudius’s unjustified order. Along with Saint Marius, Saint Valentine secretly married couples. When his defiance was discovered, Valentine was brutally beaten and put to death on February 14, about 270 AD. After his death Valentine was named a Saint.

According to another version of legend Valentine was killed because he attempted to help Christians escape from the Roman prison as they were being tortured and beaten there. By the Middle Ages, Valentine assumed the image of heroic and romantic figure amongst the masses in England and France. Later, when Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to honor the martyr Valentinus and to end the pagan celebration.

Sounds to me like Valentine was  single too. So whether you’re paired or not, lets celebrate the gift of Love with this beautiful paper pieced heart block! Download the pattern ILoveUsYearRound.Pgs10-12 (Sorry, free download expired. Please purchase I Love Us pattern to get the instructions). I didn’t include detailed instructions on paper piecing but I did list several links and tutorials if you’re not familiar with the paper piecing process.

This class will be held Sunday afternoon on February 8, at 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. I will supply the pattern and instructions and teach paper piecing at a beginner level. I hope you can join us for a fun afternoon. You can sign up online or visit In Between Stitches in Livermore.

Absewlutely,

Lisa

New Interwoven Hearts Pattern

InterwovenHearts.Cover.flat

Just in time for February! Check out Material Girlfriends new pattern! This is a quick and easy table topper or wall hanging pattern that is great for your February decorations or for all year long. It measures 30″ square.

20150119_184253

Material Girlfriend, Judy White tested the pattern with these adorable Valentine fabrics. LOVE the chocolate bon bon fabric. And zero calories too! She picked up these cute fabrics at the Cotton Patch Quilt shop in Layfette, CA.

20150123_210538

But wait! Lora Zmak made the Interwoven Hearts Pattern in Saint Patrick’s Day fabrics! Tada! A Shamrock! This quilt is displayed at In Between Stitches.

20150123_210614

 

Stop by In Between Stitches in Livermore to pick up your pattern or you can order online here.

Contact Lisa at materialgirlfriend@yahoo.com if you’d like to order wholesale for your shop.

Absewlutely,

Lisa