Hi, everyone! My name is Linda Winters and I’m living in Texas again after being away for twenty years. I grew up in the colorful city of San Antonio, where Fiesta parades and colorful celebrations made an indelible impact on my tastes. To this day, I have a very difficult time working with soft, muted colors although I often admire them in the work of others.

I have been interested in quilts and quilting since I was a very small girl. My grandmother made a Little Dutch girl quilt that I found fascinating. Every little Dutch girl had a different print dress and her little socks were tinted (probably with crayons) to match! I thought that was just the most wonderful thing! Quilting, though, was on the decline during those years so I didn’t learn to quilt until I was grown. I did learn to sew, though, and as a teenager and young adult I made my own clothes.

I started college with the intention of majoring in art, but was persuaded by my counselor to minor in art and major in education, since that was what most women were encouraged to do in the early nineteen seventies. (Being a compliant type person, I did just that.) I found that my creativity really helped to make me a better teacher, so I didn’t regret that decision. I taught elementary school for twenty years.

When expecting my first son, I was part of a group of women at church who met for the purpose of sewing for others. We made quilts for a children’s home and knit slippers for local nursing homes. I have very warm memories of sitting at a quilting frame with women in their eighties and attempting to “quilt” with them. (I wouldn’t be surprised if they had to remove my stitches after I left, but they certainly never let me know about it if they did!) The pieced tops we worked on were beautiful and the stories from their lives were fascinating to a young mother-to-be. From then on, trips to the library nearly always included perusing the needlework aisle and bring home at least a couple of books about quilting.

It was when my granddaughter was born that I started quilting in earnest. I lived in Athens, Georgia at the time. Athens is a very diverse little town because of the presence of the University of Georgia. I bought some “how to” quilting books and dove in! My first quilt was a queen sized Grandmother’s Fan with a fancy pieced scalloped border! I had no idea it was not a good project for a beginner. I even hand quilted it, although my stitches were BIG! That quilt is now in our motor home, where only family can see it! I tried another pieced quilt, but this time I added some appliqué that I had designed. It won second place in the beginner category of the local guild quilt show. I had found a way to be creative, so I was hooked from then on. Athens has a great quilt guild called The Cotton Patch Quilt Guild. Those ladies gave me encouragement and confidence when I needed it most. I never heard anyone say anything negative about another person’s big stitches or poor color choices. Every lady who brought in her work to show left feeling validated as a quilter.

After living in Georgia long enough for our three sons to grow up and move on, we moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. This is another great area for quilters. The guild there was HUGE! Big name speakers were brought in for programs. Many of the members there were well known and published in the quilt world. We were only there for two years, but I was encouraged to believe that I could publish my patterns. It was when we moved back to Texas that my sister gave me the push I needed to actually do that. (Thank you, Darla!)

I live with my wonderful scientist husband (of forty years) only thirty minutes from the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk. We are in a small farm and ranch community where the main “industry” is oil, cotton, peanuts, and cattle. I can hear coyotes howl at night and I can see Longhorns and other cattle grazing in nearby fields. It’s not unusual to see people riding horses along the side of the road. It can be one hundred degrees in the summer, but Fall, Winter, and Spring make up for it by giving us glorious, sunny days with cool (not cold) temperatures.

I spend my days designing quilts, turning them into patterns, delivering them to a couple of area quilt shops, writing my blog, and sometimes teaching classes. (I fill in any idle time baking or gardening!) Most of my quilts are inspired by childhood themes like fairy tales and nursery rhymes. They are mostly appliqué done with a very easy, freezer paper method. I quilt every chance I get with my granddaughter, who just turned eight, and lives way too far away! She has made three small quilts so far! My three year old grandson was happy to have a Superman fat quarter that he wore as a cape.

I invite you to check out my blog and my website. I would love to hear your comments. I try to keep my blog as visual as possible for those of us who learn best from pictures. After all, I had a second grader once tell me, “Actions speak louder than verbs!” I agree with him.

Congratulations to Carla Cornelissen for winning last week’s Watercolour Quilts contest. Thanks to everyone that entered and took the time to vote.

This week’s contest is Baby Quilts and is sponsored by the Around the Block Quilters Shop.

Around the Block Quilters Shop

Babies! Babies! Babies! I love them! I would happily go "Around the Block" to hold one, or rock one, or feed one, or smell one (especially right out of the bath!). To celebrate Babies and the Winner of the Babies Quilt Contest, Around the Block Quilters Shop will be sending the Winner a 21 piece Fat Quarter Bundle from the Funny Babies Collection.

This is a $47.50 value. Follow this link to see some of those 21 fabrics in this very cute fabric line.

During the month of September, we are participating in the FabShop Hop and we have SPECIALS for all to enjoy.

September 11th – 17th – 20% off All Panels

September 18th – 24th – Free 1″ x 4″ Ruler with each order

September 25th – 30th – 15% off Deb Strain’s Saltbox Harvest Collection

Visit Around the Block Quilters Shop to take advantage of these special offers.

Enter the Contest

To enter the weekly contest, read the rules and guidelines, then submit your quilt photo by Thursday evening (EDT). Voting will start on Friday and last until Sunday night.

Grab yourself a cup of coffee and browse this week’s gorgeous Watercolour Quilts. Every week, I’m amazed and inspired by all the wonderful quilts submitted. Thanks to everyone that has entered and shared their beautiful creations with all of us.

One lucky quilter will win a $50 gift certificate to use as she/he likes from Patchwork Gracie Quilting Fabric & Services. Find out more about this terrific sponsor here.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite Miniature quilt!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Baby Quilts. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

Peggy, last week’s winner of the Miniature Quilts contest, sent me some close-up photos of her fabulous 1/4″ hexagon quilt.

Also, yesterday’s guest blogger, Elisa Wilson, has graciously donated a free pattern and template to one lucky winner. Read her guest blog post and leave a comment on that post (not here) to be entered in that contest.

I have a secret life. Most of my friends and acquaintances don’t know what I do. When I meet someone for the first time, this is how the conversation goes:

Them: "Do you work?"

Me: "Yes, I have a business. I design quilts and produce patterns and acrylic templates for quilters."

Them: Blank stare, long pause. "Oh, you make quilts."

Me: "No, I make patterns and sell them to quilters who make the quilts."

Them: "Who buys them?"

Me: "Well, I sell mostly to quilt shops across the US and to distributors who sell to quilt shops."

Then another person walks up and Them introduces me: "This lady makes quilts."

Me: Sigh. "Yes, I make quilts."

For a pattern designer, life revolves around market (it is a BIG deal for us). International Quilt Market is held twice a year. In the spring it moves around to different locations and in the fall it is always in Houston. At market you will find many different pattern designers, fabric companies, publishers of magazines and quilt books, thread companies, sewing machine manufacturers and much more.

Market is about what is NEW. It is your chance to show everyone your newest creations. Immediately after market is over, you have to start on the new NEW and have it ready in time for the next market.

So what do I really do all day?

After my breakfast and morning workout I am on the computer. Computer work takes up the majority of my day. I am sending emails, posting blogs, marketing, taking online classes, designing, writing patterns and coordinating with graphic designers, printers and shop owners. Some days I even get to sew!

I truly enjoy the design the process. This is how it usually goes:

First, I receive fabric from one of the fabric companies I work with.

Then I sort through the fabric. This time there are about 30 different colors. Immediately I pull out any fabric that does not appeal to me. Fortunately there are only about 6 I do not like in this bunch. The rest definitely speak to me.

Next I divide the fabric into colors. I make piles of colors that seem to be the same (greens in one pile, yellows in another, etc.). Then I re-divide the fabric into lights, mediums, and darks. I re-arrange it many times.

I am handling the fabric, getting familiar with the colors and patterns. I usually let it sit on the dining room table and look at it during the day. Depending upon the deadline it can sit there for a few days or a few weeks.

I begin to get a few ideas and then I go to my EQ (Electric Quilt) and play around with different blocks.

Will this be an easy pattern or something more complicated? How many fabrics do I need to use? Does it have to be a certain size? Will I be producing the pattern or am I writing it for a fabric company? Playing on EQ can take days.

Once I have a few ideas I begin to make test blocks. It is surprising that what looks good on EQ does not always translate to good in fabric. I sew a few test blocks, try a different fabric, arrange the blocks, go back to EQ, re-arrange the blocks.

Then I write down how to make the blocks. Make a few more blocks to see if my instructions really make sense. A lot of back and forth goes on. More questions: Is it a good pattern? Is it different? Does it showcase the fabric? Who will this appeal to? Is it too boring or too challenging?

Every quilt needs a name. My husband is super good at coming up with names. He writes down a bunch of names, just letting his imagination go and writing anything that comes to mind. We can get a good chuckle during the word play on names.

After the quilt top is made I have to quilt and bind it. I love the quilting but dislike the binding. I then send it off to the photographer to get its picture taken for the pattern cover. While the photographer is working, I’m writing the pattern instructions. The pattern is proof read and tested. As soon as I get the quilt photo, the graphic designer and I create the pattern cover. The instructions and cover design are sent to the printer. Everything is printed and assembled into bags.

Whew! That’s a lot of work. I usually have three or four patterns going on in different stages at one time. I work about 40 hours a week and I juggle a lot of hats.

So my secret life is out. Are you surprised? How does it sound to you? Is it what you thought it would be? I would love to hear your comments and questions.

I invite you to join me as I chronicle my life as as a designer and my adventures in the awesome Montana wilderness that is my home at Seams Sew Crazy or on Facebook. Visit my online shop, Elisa’s Backporch Design, to see my patterns, templates and video tutorials.

Give-Away

I am offering a drawing for a free pattern and template of your choice. Anybody who makes a comment is entered.

To enter the give-away: Leave a comment below sharing your favourite beginner’s quilting tip. Give-away ends September 8, 2010. Winner will be chosen randomly.

I created the Nifty Fifty state quilt block swaps which also make charity quilts for Breast Cancer Awareness. I live in Virginia and I have been quilting for almost 20 years. I love to hand piece and hand quilt. I do all my appliqué by hand including the 50 state quilt blocks that I have made in the past.

In 1995 my quilting pen pal and I started a centralized 50 state quilt block swap. I represented the state of Virginia and while making my 50 Virginia state quilt blocks (all hand pieced) I thought how easy it would be to make a couple more quilt blocks for charity. So I requested our quilters to make two extra quilt blocks. We decided to use one quilt block for a charity quilt and one for a museum quilt. As a group of women we voted to make our charity quilt for Breast Cancer Research since this disease touches so many women’s lives. The museum quilt would be used to collect signatures of breast cancer survivors and victims.

Our Original Nifty Fifty Quilters meeting in 1998 to sew the Breast Cancer Charity Quilts together

After our first successful swap, our groups continued on and we decided to name our groups the Nifty Fifty Quilters. There have been 28 successful and completed Nifty Fifty swaps with each swap making one or more Breast Cancer Charity Quilts. Each swap had its own hostess who followed our standard Nifty Fifty Guidelines.

Original Nifty Fifty Quilters collecting signatures on Nifty Fifty Survivor/Memorial Breast Cancer Quilts in Virginia in 1999.

The color theme for our first two Nifty Fifty swaps was burgundy, forest green and cream. Then as the groups grew so did our themes. Some of our most memorable themes were Sunbonnet Sue, Batik, 1930 Repro, Civil War, State Flowers, Redwork, Native American, Patriotic in Remembrance of September 11, 2001, Carol Doak’s paper pieced stars, Amish and Snowflakes.

These swaps have made thirty-two charity quilts. Each of these charity quilts has been donated by their hostesses to local hospitals to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Our Twenty Plenty International swaps, which also follow the same guidelines as our Nifty Fifty swaps, have completed five breast cancer charity quilts.

Twenty Plenty International Breast Cancer Quilt 1999

I decided a few years ago to make both Nifty Fifty One original charity and museum quilts into Breast Cancer Survivor/Memorial Quilts. They can be borrowed by quilt guilds and quilting groups to be displayed at their quilt events and to collect signatures on the back. You can find out more information on our charity web site. They were last displayed this past year in Stafford, Virginia at our local Curves during the month October.

Nifty Fifty Survivor/Memorial Breast Cancer Quilts collecting Signatures at Curves in Stafford, Virginia in 2009.

Our Nifty Fifty Quilting groups are still continuing with our Butterfly Themed Swap and our Amish Themed Swap. These groups will also be making breast cancer charity quilts. I am in the process of documenting all our Nifty Fifty Swaps and their charity quilts. I am making a web site for each of the 50 states which will feature all the individual state blocks together. View some of my finished state pages.

Nifty Fifty Breast Cancer Charity Quilts Collecting Signatures in Kansas

At this time, our swaps documented on our web site with each swap’s 50 state quilt blocks and charity quilts featured by themes. You can view these quilts and individual quilt blocks from links on our Nifty Fifty Photo Gallery page.

Several Nifty Fifty One Quilts on display while our group was sorting the international quilt blocks and sewing the charity quilts together.

In memory of one of Nifty Fifty hostesses who lost her fight to Breast Cancer we have made a Nifty Fifty Survivor/Memorial page. We are collecting inspirational and special stories of breast cancer survivors or stories from family members or friends who have lost a loved one to breast cancer. Please visit our Survivor/Memorial page.

You can learn more about the history of our groups or visit our main Nifty Fifty Quilters page.

The title of Peggy’s quilt is Let Freedom Ring!. It finishes at 7.875″ x 7.125″. Here’s the story she submitted:

About 2 wks before 9-11 I took a mini class with Carol Henry. I made 5 tiny grandmother’s flower garden blocks of various colors. 3 of them were red, white and blue. Over 2 yrs later I was inspired to finish the quilt as my dedication to 9-11. Hexagons are 1/4″ wide & fussy cut. Total time 300+ hr.

To see the scale, Peggy included a quarter and a dime in the photos.

I can safely say I will never have the patience to accomplish such a quilt. Thanks Peggy for sharing these detailed photos.

This week’s contest is Watercolour Quilts and is sponsored by Patchwork Gracie Quilting Fabric & Services (a new sponsor here!). They’ve donated a $50 gift certificate for the winner to use as they wish in their online shop.

Patchwork Gracie Quilting Fabric & Services

Patchwork Gracie Quilting Fabric & Services was started by four sisters and a daughter in 2008. With over 100 years combined quilting experience, we are keeping our family quilting tradition alive through Patchwork Gracie and bringing you our favorite quilt fabrics, batiks and quilt supplies.

Our family’s creativity for quilting started as far back as our great-great grandmother growing up in Ohio. We keep the passion alive through Patchwork Gracie and have expanded from Hawaii to Oregon to Tennessee.

Bette, our longarm quilting sister, now has her own quilt shop studio built by her wonderful husband of over 25 years in the heartland of America, Tennessee. Her smoke-free studio is equipped with the lasted quilting technology including her Gammill Statler Stitcher. She provides professional longarm quilting services at competitive prices and 100% customer service guarantee.

Tammie, the daughter, has recently opened a small physical location in Kapolei, Hawaii and plans on expanding the space to allow quilter’s from the Islands to gather and share various projects. Visit our web site for more information on this location.

Our online quilting fabric store carries an extensive inventory of fabrics for quilting, batiks and quilt supplies to cater to all your quilting needs. We stock a variety of name brand, quality quilting fabric and batiks at everyday low prices and continue to bring new inventory in each month. With the stunning collection of beautiful patterns, colors and designs available, the biggest challenge will be choosing!

Look for our fabric stash-builders, scrap bags and great quilting fabric markdowns.

We are currently offering FREE shipping for all online orders through 2010 (offer does not apply to longarm quilting services).

We are offering a $50 gift certificate to this week’s winner towards any of our fabrics, batiks or notions. Here’s one of your fat quarter bundles that this week’s winner might like:

To enter the weekly contest, read the rules and guidelines, then submit your quilt photo by Thursday evening (EST). Voting will start on Friday and last until Sunday night.

Grab yourself a cup of coffee (or two!) and browse this week’s fabulous Miniature Quilts. Every week, I’m amazed and inspired by all the wonderful quilts submitted. Thanks to everyone that has entered and shared their beautiful creations with all of us.

One lucky quilter will win a $50 gift certificate to use as she/he likes from The Fat Quarter Shop.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite Miniature quilt!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Watercolour Quilts. Get your cameras out!

Please note: I encourage you to submit your quilts early for next week’s contest as it’s highly likely the site will be undergoing an extended maintenance period during the middle of the week.

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

Not much stitching going on here this week, but I did manage to finish six applique posy needle cases. One I will mail to my swap partner later today and a couple others to friends.

What about you?? What have you been working on?

Congratulations to Marika Szabóné for winning last week’s Flowers quilt contest. Thanks to everyone that entered and took the time to vote. It was a great pleasure to see so many wonderful quilts.

This week’s contest is Miniatures and is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. I am a huge fan of miniature quilts made using traditional patterns.

Fat Quarter Shop

Hello once again Quilting Gallery fans!

What do you think of when someone says miniature? Whatever it is a smaller version of anything is always cuter! That brings along this week’s contest theme, miniatures. The first thought that comes to my mind when I think of miniatures is our 1900s Reproduction Fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop, especially lines like Darlene Zimmerman’s Paper Dolls, Aunt Grace Circle of Friends, and Everything But The Kitchen Sink. So let’s see what kind of miniatures you come up with!

Last week we had a special for Everything but the Kitchen Sink! Watch out for our specials and sales like that by signing up for our newsletter to stay updated! Or, “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for other easy ways to see shop updates! We have started posting weekly Facebook and Twitter specials you won’t want to miss.

Our prize for the top winner this week is a $50 gift certificate at Fat Quarter Shop! Good luck to everyone!

To enter the weekly contest, read the rules and guidelines, then submit your quilt photo by Thursday evening (EDT). Voting will start on Friday and last until Sunday night.