Is it really free?

margaret | February 23, 2009

Does the word “free” brighten your day, or are you skeptical? If I were to tell you of websites with “free” software, would you then be skeptical? Would it make a difference if I changed the term to “open source” software? A clear cut explanation of the term open source may be found at www.opensource.org, so I won’t attempt to explain all the nuances of the definition; however, open source software means the source code is not proprietary, but open and transparent for people to see kind of “what’s under the hood”.

(more…)

Not a pressing problem

margaret | February 14, 2009

The room was abuzz and all the workshop attendees wanted one. This was not the first time members of the group had adapted products to meet quilters needs. Several of the group had small folding tables, even tv trays which were used as ironing boards. The tables were complete with small Hobbico custom sealing irons, the perfect size for workshop travel bags. But this day they were all interested in Anne’s innovation, the strip stick.

stripstick3

Rather than tell you about it, I’ve asked Anne a few questions.

 What is your quilting background?  I have been sewing most of my life.  I have been a member of the local quilt guild for several years and am currently working on my fifth quilt. Since I’ve been interested in quilting for at least ten years, I’ve learned a lot from other quilters and have taken quite a few classes. (more…)

Tears in the Trees now showing in the multimedia player

margaret | February 14, 2009

redtreesIf you’ve visited the multimedia page on this blog recently you may have noticed a new category, poetry. If you’ve never visited the multimedia page and accessed the player I urge you to click on the Multimedia Player on the horizontal bar beneath the banner. The Music category holds mp3 files which you may access while you visit any of the blog pages. Movies about quilting or interests of quilters may be found under the category Movies and likewise for the new category, Poetry.

Below is a quilter’s husband’s explanation of the inspiration for his movie, Tears in the Trees. I hope you’ll enjoy this one as well as others he has produced; they reside in the movies category.

His thoughts:

Quilters like poets, authors, composers, painters, and others artists have an intrinsic need to create. Not only do they create, inspire, and reveal but also bring comfort and security to the people they love. We all need our security blanket or quilt. What can be more comforting the wrapping oneself around a quilt that brings both physical and emotional warmth.

In the poem The Leaves, the poet makes a metaphorical reference about leaves that evoke the same emotion.

The North Wind is calling, is calling,
And we must whirl round and round,
And then, when our dancing is ended,
We’ll make a warm quilt for the ground. (more…)

Free, easy applique patterns

margaret | February 9, 2009

Fluffy, Muffy, and Puffy

Each of these three free, easy to appliqué, quilt blocks will fit comfortably on a rectangle of fabric 7.5” x 9.5”. The full size patterns are in pdf format. Simply click HERE to access each pdf file. I have more free patterns on my website: www.patterns2quilt.com…take a look! (more…)

Using color, cloth and a computer

margaret | February 3, 2009

cwheel

Have you ever thought of using your computer to help with making fabric selections? Do you have one piece of fabric you just love, and don’t quite know which colors will support that fabric? Have you consulted your color wheel and you’re still not quite certain? (more…)