New Pattern #1: Wonky Squares

I published 3 new patterns this week and they are now all available on my web site. Click here for more information.

I am having a special sale of these 3 new patterns: Buy 2 of the new patterns and you get the third one for free! After you place your order, just e-mail me and quote this code FPFEB09 to make sure you get your free pattern.

Wonky Squares (#228) is a Jelly Roll - friendly pattern. (Jelly Rolls are those wonderful 2 1/2" x 40" strips of fabric that are distributed by several fabric companies.) You can also use fat quarters or any of your scraps that can be cut into 2 1/2" strips.

Instructions are given for 2 different versions of this design. The centre square in each block is perfect for fussy-cutting a special fabric or using a photo printed on fabric. I used the Kaleidoscope Kreator program to design the centre squares in this quilt.

The second version has an extra row of blocks to make a quilt that is 39" x 58" - a perfect size for a lap quilt or a child's bed. I used rick-rack to frame the outer borders. Have you noticed how cotton rick-rack is becoming popular again? It comes in many colours and widths and adds a new interest to our projects.

Kaleidoscope Kreator 3

Yesterday I had the opportunity to "test drive" the new Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 software which will be released in January. Many changes have been made to the program and it is now even better than it was before.

I have a few copies of the Kaleidoscope Kreator 2 program for sale as well as the Favorite Projects and Frame Frenzy Templates CDs, all at bargain prices. There will be a free upgrade to Version 3 when it is released in January. Just e-mail me if you would like more information. This is the program I used to create the centre blocks in Christine's Fibre Friends quilt. Have a look at my post on December 15 to have a look at these fascinating blocks.

You can have a sneak peak at Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 here.

Christine's Quilt

I received 8 fat quarters from Christine to use for her Fibre Friends quilt. We exchange the fabric in February and have until December to finish the quilt. I started my quilt during the first week in December. Didn't want to rush things!

I have been using the Kaleidoscope Kreator software to create Kaleidoscope designs and decided to use some of these kaleidoscopes in Christine's quilt. I scanned this fabric from Christine's collection.

From the scans, I used the Kaleidoscope Kreator software to create the designs shown below. I sized them so they would be 3.5" squares and then printed them on EQ Printables fabric sheets. I could then cut out the squares, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance all around, and use them like any other piece of fabric. I printed a total of 12 kaleidoscope squares, all different, to use as the block centres.

And here is the finished quilt!

More Famous People Sightings at Quilt Market

More pictures of the "famous people" who were at Quilt Market in Houston.

Here is Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero, who with her husband, designed the Kaleidoscope Kreator software. It's a great product for designing both fabric and paper creations.

Mark Lipinski, editor of Quilters' Home magazine, telling his famous girdle story.

This is a preview of Mark's new "Krakow" fabric line which is available from Northcott Fabrics.

Jane Sassaman with her new fabric line

Ricky Tims autographing his newest books

Make Your Own Cards with Kaleidoscope Kreator

Here is another way to use the Kaleidoscope Kreator programme. You can make designer cards in just a few minutes using your own photographs. The designs can be printed on photo paper, other specialty papers or fabric and then used to create a unique card. You can add beads, sequins, glitter etc. to make your cards even more special. Have a look at these cards to see some of the possibilities. They were all created using just one photograph and the Kaleidoscope Kreator software.

More About Kaleidoscope Kreator

The Kaleidoscope Kreator program can also be used to make 3 dimensional ornaments. These designs can be printed on fabric or paper and then embellished with beads, glitter, buttons etc. What a great program for those who wish to create hand-made gift items or useful pieces for their home! Click here to see all the projects that are included on the Favorite Pojects CD which is an add-on to the Kaleidoscope Kreator program.

I will have this program at my booth at the CreativFestival in Toronto next week and will be doing demos as well. I also have samples of many of the projects that you see on the Kaleidoscope Kreator web site.

Introducing Kaleidoscope Kreator

Now you can create beautiful, one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope designs from your own photos with just a few clicks of your mouse! This is a great software package that is perfect for both quilters and scrapbookers and is very easy to use. I will be introducing this programme at my booth (#250) at the CreativFestival in Toronto next week. Have a look at the website to see some of the wonderful projects you can create with this software.

Here are a few samples that I created in just a few minutes using my October 11 daily photo shown below.

All of these designs were created using the picture above. They can be printed on fabric or paper in any size you wish. The resulting prints can then be used in scrapbooking or quilting projects.

You can also create a frame design which can be printed on either fabric or paper.

You could also add another picture within the frame and print that as well for scrapbooking, card making or quilting. All of these examples were done in about 20 minutes using the Kaleidoscope Kreator programme! The possibilities are endless.

New Products from the Chicago Quilt Festival

I discovered several new products at Quilt Festival last week. Although not brand new to the market, they were new to me.

Kaleidoscope Kreator allows you to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope designs from your own photos with just a few clicks of your mouse! You can then print the designs on fabric using a product such as EQ Printables fabric sheets and incorporate them into a quilt. I have had this programme since Version 1, but Version 2 along with the new template packs and a project CD were all new to me. Be sure to check out this website if you enjoy creating memory quilts as much as I do.

Fusible thread from Superior Threads has all kinds of uses including binding and applique. Look here for some great tips on using this product.

Because I use a lot of lace and trims in my memory quilts, I was very excited to see the new products that are available for dyeing lace. There were several booths at Quilt Festival selling paints and dyes for fabric and lace. I bought this set from Sara's Bloom along with 3 different brushes. This technique of dyeing lace will be perfect for my newest pattern, Portraits in Lace, because it will allow me to dye the lace to match the fabrics.

As always, way too much fun stuff to try and not enough time!