Free Patchwork Tote Pattern

I attended my niece’s daughter’s kitchen tea the other evening and my niece proudly displayed a quilted tote her daughter brought for her all the way from the USA.  Pretty, I do admit but it made me realize how fortunate we, as quilters, are for we can simply make ourselves as many totes/bags as we wish to have in all our favorite colors.

The even better part of this story is all the kind quilters out there putting these patterns on the internet for all of us for free.  After seeing my niece’s tote it really did not take me too long to find several free patterns on the internet but today I’d like to share this one from Animas Quilts with you.

Looks easy enough and I can only imagine my niece’s face when I have one and can proudly say “I made this myself one afternoon!”  Click HERE to get your free pattern to download.

Row by Row Easter quilt

I have made no secret of the fact that I do enjoy Sindy from Fat Cat Pattern’s  designs and I am sure once you visit this website you too will find something you’d fall in love with.

She now came up with this pretty quilt just in time for Easter and even though it started as a BOM on 1 April and will continue until November it will be ready for next year’s Easter but do go check this new quilt out HERE 

Remember to set your reminder on your phone or mark your diary ahead of time so you won’t forget to download the monthly block for free when it appears.  Once you miss your free download you will have to purchase the patterns.

No sew bunny

Once a quilter fortunately always a crafter as well and even though this might not be a ‘quilty’ project I know many a quilting mom or grandmother that would enjoy making these little ‘no-sew-bunnies’ and this tutorial is just right in time for Easter.

The Stitchin’ Chicken  shared this sweet tutorial with us and you can find it by clicking HERE 

I know I will replace their suggested plastic eggs with REAL chocolate ones but o no wait..... I don’t have grandchildren yet or any little ones at home.  Guess I can then just eat the chocolates?!

I’d like to introduce Annelize Wiid to you

Annelize started quilting in 2005 on her own while living 65 km from the nearest city and with only the fax and telephone to get help from her niece (now living in Australia).  She was so glad to finally get to meet quilters in the city and become part of a group.  She is now a member of both the ‘Sterkwilter’ and ‘Loslappies’ groups.

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

A:   We are middle-aged Northern Cape people now living in Bloemfontein for the last 3 years.  She is married with 2 student sons and a grandmother living with them.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Morning

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A: Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A: Dolls that I make myself and teaspoons

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A: A bird but not one kept in a cage

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:   Blue

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A:  Breeding birds and bowling

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A:  No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A:  Drink too much coffee

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A:  I can multi-task

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A:  France

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Coffee

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Flowers

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

A:  Things I cannot use

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

A:  I am just all right with my name as is.

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  No comment on this one

From one coffee lover to another, thanks for the interview Annelize

The Quilt Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life..

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.  My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.
I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life . I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light..

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.  He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

I got this as an e-mail from a friend unfortunately without reference as to who the author might be, so without taking away from the writer, I wanted to share this with you.

Quilted Basket

Geta Grama from Geta’s Quilting studio published a tutorial for this quilted basket.

If you visit her blog by clicking HERE  you will not only find the link to the tutorial but one of her other blog readers Michelle is going or organize a Quilted Fabric Basket Swap but if you want to participate in this swap you better hurry as registration will close on the 4^th of April 2011.

Otherwise simply get the tutorial and make one for yourself.

I’d like you to meet a very patient Gerda Breytenbach

Gerda started quilting in 2006/7 because she enjoyed being creative and find it a nice hobby.  Today a member of the ‘Sterkwilters’ she also reads and inspects gardener Thabo’s handwork.

In short tell us about your family:

Married to Manie who keeps himself busy with carpentry and we have a married daughter, also living in Bloemfontein.

Are you a morning or night person?

Definitely a morning person

Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Sweet as it calms me down

Do you collect anything an what?

Tins and teaspoons

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Eagle – they seem so free and without worries

What is your favorite color?

Pink and Black

Do you believe in ghosts?

No, not at all

Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

Reading and Gardening

Have you ever been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

No

Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

I eat way too much sweets especially chocolates

What do you regard as your best personality trait?

Patience and even more patience

Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Mostly clean, occasionally somewhat messy but I’ll know where everything is.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Namibia

What is your favorite drink?

Rooibos tea

What is your favorite gift to receive?

A grandchild or anything else

Which types of gift do you like the least?

Dust gathering ornaments

If you could change your name, what would it be?

My own name is good as it means I am a fighter

Name one thing not many people know about you

I am a shy introvert especially in a big crowd or group

And on this shy note I'd like to thank Gerda for this interview.