Big Reveal! My new Trim Tools with Creative Grids

Quilters have been asking me for a tool to sew and trim perfect Square on Square block. It took me two years to work out how to do this new trim tool because it uses triangles instead of strips. Then one night, I woke up in the middle of the night, and wella! the solution just popped right into my head. Creative Grids was so excited about the new ruler they decided to introduce it in two sizes: 6" and 8". The rulers and patterns can be ordered from my website or ask for them at your local quilt shop. www.jeanannquilts.com

To see a youtube demonstration of the rulers follow this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmyDghC_HU&feature=youtu.be

I have six patterns to go with the rulers, 3 patterns in each size. Here are the quilts with 6" blocks. La Petite Fleur, Team Colors and Little Widgits

Here are the quilts with 8" Square on Square blocks. The quilts are Penny Candy, Pinwheels on Parade and Sew Many Snails. 

Sewing all day

Today is a great day. I get to sew all day. I am making the Basket of Eggs quilt I designed for the Little House on the Prairie collection called Prairie Flowers for Andover fabrics. The neat thing about this hexagon pattern is the connecting triangles. When they are added to the hexagons as shown in the directions you put the quilt together without any "Y" seams. Just make straight rows, then sew the rows together. So easy!

Here is the link to download the pattern: www.andoverfabrics.com/Grid.php?groupId=25932&GroupName=Little%20House%20on%20the%20Prairie%20-%20Prairie%20Flowers

When you get there click on Quilts and Patterns in the menu bar just above the fabric swatches.  It is a FTU (free to use) download of the pattern so you can make the quilt. I have been designing quilts for Andover Fabrics www.andoverfabrics.com for several years now. All of the patterns I design for them are FTU patterns.

These fabrics will be in your local quilt shop this fall. They are scheduled to be released in early November.

Solar Sisters

This past Saturday I went to a quilt exhibit, Quilting For A Change, www.facebook.com/quiltchallenge at the Artist & Makers Studios in Rockville, Maryland ArtistsAndMakersStudios.com. Artists have studios here where they work, teach classes and sell their and there are changing exhibits open to the public.

I took some photos of quilts in the Solar Sister room solarsister.org. Solar Sister is a non-profit that empowers women by teaching them the potential of solar technology to bring electric power. They provide a woman-centered direct sales network to bring light, hope and opportunity to remote communities in rural Africa.

The name of this quilt is Light & Shadows Parts 1 & 2. Made by Timna Tarr, South Hadley, MA

The quilting was very closely spaced diagonal lines making the illusion of a corduroy like fabric across the surface of the 2 pieces.

There was no identification tag close to this quilt, but I was very taken with the color and movement. 

Cheering for Madeline

Every year our family supports September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is IMPORTANT to us because my granddaughter, Madeline Gaffney is celebrating her 7th year as a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with leukemia just 3 days before her 14th birthday. Many years of research and many dollars were given to finding the medication that she takes everyday to keep her leukemia in remission. We are very thankful for all of the people who gave of themselves so Madeline can not only live, but live life to it's fullest. 

Madeline is a junior at Georgia Tech in Atlanta and this year she is a cheerleader for the football games. Last night was her first game. Madeline is on the far left.

Georgia Tech painted big gold ribbons on the field for the game...Gold ribbons are the color and symbol for childhood cancer. Madeline is in the back line...the one with the highest kick! The top right shows the big gold ribbon.

And a word from her mom, my second daughter: "Today I am that annoying stage mom who posts too many pictures of her child doing something she loves. I won't apologize because I'm her cheerleader and I thank God every day that she is here. Day 3 Childhood Cancer Awareness month." Ellen Gaffney

Ellen volunteers for the Rally Foundation. Rally raises $$$ for research and provides support and events for the children. Here is the link: rallyfoundation.org

Did you know? Only 4% of the money for cancer research is used to research new medicines and treatments for childhood cancer. Our children are worth more than 4%!