3 exciting events

Hi everyone:

This is going to be a great week! First, I've finished some stitchery patterns that I've been working on for some time and that feels great! 

I love it when I've finished instructions, tweaked photos, created PDF's and finally "finished" a pattern. But it's not really finished until it's been uploaded on several sites and that's what I'll be working on this week. 

Look for these new patterns, and maybe another one, on my website by next week-end. I'll also have a special treat for my readers on December 3, so mark your calendars now.

You may have noticed a few new blog buttons on my blog sidebar. Yes, I have added Snow Cool as a free pattern, but that's not the one I'm talking about. 

Snow Cool appliqué and embroidery pattern
by Chatterbox Quilts

I'm talking about this button. 

And this one:

What's this all about? If you haven't heard about Bustle & Sew, you'll definitely want to read my upcoming interview with the publisher, Helen Dickson, which will be posted later this week. I'm very excited to introduce you to her and her whimsical designs from "across the pond".

There's one more event coming up this week that I can't tell you about yet. I really want to let the cat out of the bag on this one, but... no, I must resist. You can read all about it - yup, you guessed it - later this week. 

Have a great Monday!

Scraps, stitcheries and what I've been doing

Hi everyone:

I'm writing this post today as a break from pattern designing and to catch you up on what I have been doing this past week. 

I've finally finished two stitchery patterns, which you'll soon see for sale as downloadable e-patterns on my new website soon - hopefully by next week-end or sooner if my IT guy (hubby) is able to upload them. These are perfect for Christmas gifts or ornaments, and can easily be stitched up in a couple of hours. 

Christmas Stitchery Set by Chatterbox Quilts

Winter Stitchery Set by Chatterbox Quilts

Speaking of my new website, thanks to one of my quilty friends for pointing out that I may have neglected to advise my readers how to find my new website. I guess it was obvious to me, but I forgot that not everyone can read my mind (I have a hard time doing this most days!), so I didn't really give you the website address. It's the same as my existing one - www.chatterboxquilts.com. The address is the same; only the contents have been changed (are you old enough to remember Dragnet?). 

I can't believe you forgot to give them the website address!

Now that you know where to find Chatterbox Quilts, let me tell you about my week.

Last week was busy, but productive. Lee of Lala's Lovelys was over on Monday to help me organize my fabric scraps - at least one bin of them! Lee loves to make scrap quilts and I've never made one, so I appreciated her help in getting me set up and pointing me towards some on-line resources with free scrap quilt patterns and helpful tips.

If you aren't familiar with Bonnie K. Hunter of Quiltville, you'll find lots of advice  on her website about cutting up and organizing your scraps to create magnificent quilts. Bonnie has many free patterns on her site and does a mystery quilt each year. She just started her 2012 mystery quilt, Easy Street, on November 23 (I'm sure Lee will be doing this one). 

Another website to help you use up your scraps is Heartstrings Quilt Project. This website represents a group of quilters who make string quilts for local charitable organizations. If you are interested in joining them, they have a yahoo group and welcome donations of quilt tops and backings. They have lots of free pattern instructions for string quilts and wonderful photos to inspire you.

On Wednesday, I met Diane McGregor of Castilleja Cotton for lunch. Diane and I usually get together every month or so to catch up and talk quilt business. As usual I came away with lots of new ideas and will be doing a video with Diane later this year, so keep your eyes pealed for this one. Diane is a prolific pattern designer and art quilter, whose advice and suggestions I appreciate. I'm sure you've seen Diane's designs in your local quilt shop or in some of your favourite magazines (Catching Hearts is on the front cover of McCall's Quick Quilts this month), but if not, you'll want to browse through some of her over 400 patterns (or is that 500 now?!). Yes, I did say prolific :)

Catching Hearts from Castilleja Cotton in
McCall's Quick Quilts December/January 2013
Photo courtesy of mccallsquilting.com

Well, that was last week. Check back with me tomorrow to see what I've got up my sleeve for this week. Some really exciting things happening and I can't wait to share them with you!

Have a great Sunday evening and go Stamps go!

Drumroll please!

Hi everyone:

Well, the day is finally here. Drumroll, please! Ta da - Chatterbox Quilts' new website is up and running. 

Our new header

You might remember that my hubby and I have been working on this design for several weeks now. It's been an uphill slog from learning new software (my husband) to revamping photos and pattern covers (me) and editing information (me again). I'm really pleased with the new, streamlined look of the website and especially excited because I'll now have a "real" store on the site. In addition to being able to buy all my patterns directly from me, you'll also have the downloadable patterns sent to you right away. No more waiting for me to get the email and then physically sending the pattern to you as an email attachment. I like the fact that someone across the world can order a pattern and have it right away - even while I'm sleeping! I think this automatic download program will be fantastic and will save me so much time!

A peek at the storefront on the new website

You'll find lots of information on the website from tutorials to videos, blogposts to free patterns. Be sure to check out all the areas so you don't miss out on anything. 

I hope you will explore the new website and let me know if everything is working okay. I also welcome any suggestions on the site. Thanks for supporting Chatterbox Quilts!