The Bitty Bag

I'm finally caught up with Market orders and I have finished unpacking and sorting all of my Market goodies!  I found a few fun rulers and other little notions, but the best thing I came home with was this Bitty Bag personalized just for me!  I was so surprised to receive this sweet little bag with pockets galore.  The very talented and generous Peggy H. was so sweet to have made this special bag for me.  I feel so lucky!  The pattern Peggy used is great because it has so many compartments-  it's easy to keep everything where it belongs. Click on the link to go to the Sew Mini Pieces website if you want to see other patterns.
Thanks so much Peggy!

pattern by Sew Mini Pieces

Simply Red in the face

Quilt Market is over!  It ended with a beautiful sunny day in Portland, Oregon.  I hope everyone that made the trip to this part of the country enjoyed their stay.  I have some photos to share but I'm partial to close-ups and I didn't realize that ALL of the photos I took were zoomed in pretty tight!  I hope you enjoy them anyway.  To see more pictures I started an Instagram account while at market and I'm so happy that it's such a simple and fun process.  My Instagram account is Kathyschmitzstitches. 

Before I share the photos I need to tell you that I am red in the face.  I am soooooo very sorry, but I do need to point out a small error in the Simply Red book.  The yardage for the red fabric says it includes enough for the binding, but it doesn't.  You will need to add an additional 1/2 yard.  I am busy putting stickers in the rest of the books.  My sincerest apologies.

Laundry Basket Quilts

Pieces From My Heart

Primitive Gatherings

Thimble Blossoms

Simply Red is here!

Simply Red KS-1301 $14.00

They have arrived!  14 boxes filled with Simply Red books! The book has 16 colorful pages and four projects.  The biggest project is a quilt (54" x 65") which has 12 appliqué blocks (would work well as a BOM).  Each appliqué pattern also has a little quilty quote to go with it.  I chose to fuse my appliqué pieces and machine appliqué the edges.  The detail on the appliqué blocks is done using DMC wheat colored floss.

embroidery detail

Wool appliqué pillow pattern.  Choose whichever appliqué design you like best

Needle Nest opens to a full circle

Heart & Home is only 12" x 12"!

If you would like to check it out on my website click HERE.
Tomorrow is set up day for the International Quilt Market which takes place right here in Portland this time!  The next few days will pass in a blur of inspiration and fun - so many amazing quilts to see and old friends to meet up with. I will be taking lots of pictures which I'll share on my next post.
Take care,
Kathy

GARDEN BLISS

 The sun has blessed us this week and the flowers in my yard are soaking it up!

Tree Peony - Tuesday.....

.......Thursday

Southern Hospitality (and yummy fried food)

Karen - THE SCARLET THREAD - McDONOUGH, GA

I just returned from a great trip to Georgia and South Carolina.  What a beautiful part of the country and what a perfect time of year to visit!  Steve made sure we included a Braves game in Atlanta and then we hit the road and visited some lovely quilt shops.  The first one was The Scarlet Thread - a bright and friendly store (very large store!).  I think they had something for everyone!  What nice folks! They recommended a great place to stop for lunch - Buckner's.  The fried chicken was sooooo good.

 Little Quilts in Marietta feels like walking into a quilter's home - very warm and way too much to see in one trip through! After seeing Mary Ellen at Quilt Market for so many years it was great to see her beautiful quilt shop in person. I felt right at home there, all I needed was a comfortable chair and a good quilt book!

Mary Ellen - LITTLE QUILTS - MARIETTA GA

The next stop was Tiny Stitches - oh my!  So bright and cheerful!  It felt like a breath of fresh air walking into her light filled shop.  Love, love, love her customers!  I had a lovely visit with customers and staff and was treated to some delicious homemade snickerdoodle cookies.  I was a happy camper.

The lovely customers at TINY STITHCES

Maetha - TINY STITCHES

I loved seeing what Cindy Lee (Tiny Stitches staff) had done with some of my patterns.  She has a great eye for color and piecing and it was really fun to see patterns stitched up with her creative twist.  She took my pattern Love and Laughter and completely made it unique and fresh!
A customer, Vicki Nielson, showed me what she had done with the patterns from my book Gather the Passing Seasons.  She had made each one using wool applique and they turned out so cute.  I'm kicking myself that I didn't take a photo.  I love how creative people are and how they feel comfortable making changing and bringing their own creativity to projects.  This was a wonderful way to end out trip.

Cindy Lee's creative adaptation to Love and Laughter pattern

I also need to mention that my website, www.KathySchmitz.com,  is now up and running!  There have been a few little glitches - sorry to those of you that received multiple newsletters!  My new book SIMPLY RED is now available for pre-orders (all pre-orders will be signed). I'm crossing my fingers that they will be here by mid May.  They retail for $14 and have 16 full color pages and four projects.

How sweet!

I had to share this cute embroidery by Lizziebusy!  She borrowed the image from my last chalkboard drawing and embroidered it and then colored it in and I think it turned out so cute.  She has a shop on Etsy full of great finished products.  Check it out HERE.  Thank you for sharing that with me Lizzie

Sweet Spring

Simply Red coming May 2013

Yesterday was such a beautiful day I just had to get out and take a REALLY long walk and boy did it feel good!  Nothing like a little spring sunshine to put some giddy-up in my step.  The Daphne is in full bloom and the scent only makes the journey that much sweeter.  It was one of those days that I opened all of the doors and windows and did some deep cleaning. (I love my cats, but I had thoughts of shaving them yesterday until the vision gave me the willies).
Today it's back to business - which in my world is stitching and stitching and maybe a little more stitching.  I'm working on my new book called Simply Red which features 4 patterns using just red and ivory.  There are patterns for a quilt (my piecing is slowly getting better), a wool appliqué pillow, a tiny quilt  to hang on a table stand and an embroidered needle keeper.  I CANNOT wait to get this one printed.  I have always loved the look of simple red and white quilts and it was so much fun creating this one. It is currently at the quilter's (I can't wait to see what you do with it Laurel).  The photo is a close-up and doesn't show the borders.  There are twelve appliqué blocks (I fused them) so it could be a BOM too.
Happy spring everyone!

 

Can't you just smell the Daphne?

Moda Friendship Quilt Along

Welcome!  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I had so much fun playing with my new fabric line -Round Robin.  The fabric will be in stores until April.

Fat quarter bundle give away!

The block I am sharing with you today is fairly simple as I am still perfecting my piecing skills.
This is also the block pattern I used in my free table runner pattern using Round Robin fabric. Click HERE to download the table runner pattern.

Click HERE to download the quilt block directions. I am sorry that some of you are having difficulty downloading this pattern.  Feel free to send me your email through the "contact me" tab and I will email the pattern to you directly.  

After successfully sewing this table runner I had enough confidence to attack a lap quilt!

This is also a free pattern.  The center blocks are fussy cut and I really like how that turned out. The quilt (below) was beautifully quilted by QuiltRocker (thank you Kathy!)

Click HERE for the free lap quilt pattern.

43" x 52" - just the right size for Olivia!

Robin's Garden Gate - FREE PATTERN

I have 4 kits available for this quilt!  The kit includes the backing and binding fabric.  Click HERE to start shopping

This apron and pot holder pattern uses the panel from Round Robin.  This is a free pattern too!  Click HERE.

Check with your local quilt shop to see if they have this line on order.  If not, it's not too late!

My newsletter will be going out shortly.  If you like free tea towel embroidery patterns, sneak peeks and coupon codes make sure you sign up.  Just click on the "newsletter" tab in the right column at the top.

Check out the other designers sharing today -
Edyta of Laundry Basket and Lauren and Jesse Jung.





Thank you for all of your comments!  The winner of the fat quarter bundle is Lesley and she has been contacted.  Thanks again!

Tiny treasure!

I am so in love with this tiny pieced charm!  I found it at Me and my Stitches.  Just to give you some perspective, the button is only 1".  I've always had a thing for miniatures and I was thrilled when a friend directed me to this website.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Today is the second stop on the Moda blog hop.  Make sure you stop by Bonnie of Cotton Way,
Brigitte of Zen Chic, Anne of Bunny Hill.  For the rest of the schedule click HERE.

MODA FRIENDSHIP QUILT ALONG!

Moda's designer blog hop starts today!  Each designer will be sharing a quilt block pattern using their fabric and sharing some of this lovely fabric in give-aways.  The first designer to hop to is Barbara Brackman.
To see the full line up you can go to Moda's the Cutting Table.
My day is February 25th!  I hope you stop by for a visit and a chance to win some of my new fabric - Round Robin.

QUILTMAKER MAGAZINE

I had the pleasure of designing a block for the very first QuiltMaker 100 Blocks magazine.  The magazine was such a huge success they actually ran out of the that first issue.  Being the kind and thoughtful folks they are, they have reprinted it!  And to celebrate they will be giving away their cute coffee mugs and issues of the magazine.

My block from issue 1 of QuiltMaker's 100 blocks magazine

Click here to go directly to their blog!

CHALKBOARD DOODLE

NO AFTER CHRISTMAS BLUES HERE!

All of the Christmas decorations are put away - with the exception of the occasional glitter sparkle that escaped from an ornament and has been migrating around the house.  January can be pretty gray and cold in Oregon so it's time to add some after Christmas Cheer!  It's time for a give away!

Round Robin

My new fabric line with Moda will be in shops in April, but a lucky few of you can have a sample of it now!  Oh what the heck!  How about 24 of you!  I have 24 sweet 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" pre-cuts to give away.

I had so much fun painting this line.  The colors are bright and fun and the design is a fresh folksy look that I'm always drawn to.

While I was painting this line I took snap shots along the way and compiled them into a little video so that you can see my process.  I hope you enjoy watching it!
***someone asked about the beautiful quilt hanging behind me in the video.  It is a Minnick and Simpson pattern pieced by my generous mom for me.  I love it!****

When my big box of fabric arrived at my house I was inspired to make an apron with matching pot holders and a table runner.  All of these patterns are free for you under "free patterns" on my blog.

Round Robin free apron pattern

Round Robin free table runner pattern

If you want a sampling of this new line just leave me a comment regarding what images you would like to see in fabric and I will draw 24 winners on Sunday January 13th at 5:00pm Pacific time.
Thanks to everyone who left a message!  The winners of the drawing have been notified by email and they are - Sherrill, Fiona, Debbie (Woolen Sails), Dortha, Sandra M.P.,Kigwit, Mary, Regina, Linda, Anda W., Terrie, Dirty Martini Queen, Mom2RyandSis, Nancy, Robin C., Lesley, Heartsease54, Country Whispers, Becca, Charlene SC, Doniene, Johanna, Carrie P and Paulette!

PRIMITIVE CHRISTMAS BLOG HOP

Welcome!  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and thank you Buttermilk Basin for organizing this blog hop!  I have to say this is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the songs and the little lights on the tree.  I love the crisp night air while walking through the neighborhood looking at all of the pretty Christmas lights illuminating the night.

When I was little our family would gather at my Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We would have to wait until all of the dinner dishes were down before we could open the gifts.  Those few minutes seemed like hours!

I rounded up some old family pictures of my sisters, cousins and myself at Christmas.  I have wonderful memories of those years!

1962 - I'm the munchkin in the middle 

1966 -  Mom made us matching nightgowns with
 embroidered Winken, Blinken and Nod
around the neck.  

1968 - I loved Grandma's tinsel tree!

I have been wanting to play with wool for a while now and this blog hop was the perfect opportunity to start playing.  I only had bits and pieces of wool; just enough to make this sweet little (3" x 3") Holly Bird ornament.  To download a free pattern click HERE.

**someone asked about the cute rick rack ribbon - it is made in France and I found it at a wonderful little quilt shop in Germany called The Log Cabin***

It was so much fun making this little guy I just had to investigate growing my wool inventory!  I had a lovely visit yesterday with Debbie Busby of Wooden Spool Designs.  I saw first hand her wool dyeing studio and design studio!  I could have looked around for hours.  Her designs are so creative and imaginative and her wools are drool worthy.  I came home with some beautiful hand dyed wool!  I can't wait to start designing little pincushions, needle holders, sachets and whatever else I can come up with. Watch for new projects and kits coming soon!  Thanks Debbie!

Lovely wools from Debbie Busby - Wooden Spool Designs 

I would like to say I'm a good cook, but I would be fibbing a bit.  BUT I do love to eat if that counts and I love eating cookies!  My favorite? These little treats! To download this recipe click HERE.

Recently I moved my shipping back to my studio and I came across some kits I thought I was out of! The kits make the little JOY banner pictured below.  It includes the Moda Crackle fabric, black wool, buttons, ribbon, jingle bells and floss.  AND it's all done by hand - no machine needed. I have added what kits I have left on my Etsy shop for anyone interested.  Sorry, the kits are all gone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  This is one of my favorite days.  Although I'm not a big turkey lover (I can skip the bird and just eat a plate of stuffing thank you) I love any excuse to get the family together.  This year we will miss our oldest son Cory who recently moved to Chicago - Happy Thanksgiving Cory! But he will be with us in spirit.

We all know what happens right after Thanksgiving right?  The Christmas songs start playing and lights adorn the houses.  It's time to find the perfect tree and make some new ornaments to hang on the boughs.  It's also time to bake and bake and bake and fill the house with the wonderful smells of freshly baked cookies.

You are in luck!  Buttermilk Basin has organized a fun and creative Blog Hop. Starting November 26th  A Primitive Christmas Handwork Blog Hop begins!  There will be 12 designers  participating; each one is creating a delightful Christmas ornament and offering you a free pattern AND sharing their favorite cookie recipes!

Below is the list of designers and their day of sharing - enjoy!

Mon Nov 26 * Tara Darr* Sew Unique Creations

Wed Nov 28 * Debbie Busby * Wooden Spool Designs

Friday 30 * JoAnn Mullaly * JAM – Wool Crazy

Monday Dec 3 * Lori Brechlin * Notforgotten Farm

Wed Dec 5 * Lynda Hall * Primitive Pieces by Lynda

Friday Dec 7 * Cheri Payne * Quilts By Cheri

Monday Dec 10 * Stacy Nash * Stacy Nash

Wed Dec 12 * Ali Strebel * Ali Strebel Designs

Friday Dec 14 * Kathy Schmitz * Kathy Schmitz

Monday Dec 17 * Jeni * Woolen Willow/Primitive Quilts Magazine

Wed Dec 19 * Lisa Bongean * Primitive Gatherings

Friday Dec 21 * Stacy West * Buttermilk Basin

And special guest...

Be sure to mark your calendar so that you can enjoy all the fun coming your way.

New Patterns!

I have been busy, busy getting ready for Quilt Market in Houston at the end of the month.  I have 4 new patterns I have  just listed on Etsy.  I'm really excited about a new feature I'm including in 3 of these patterns called Fabric Accents. These are actually pieces of fabric included with each pattern.  Each one started as a watercolor painting which I then had professionally printed on 100% cotton fabric.  These Fabric Accent pieces can be applied to the finished embroidery piece using fusible web (my fav) or hand appliqué (my mom's fav).  They add a little punch of color and a nice accent to finish off the piece.  I hope you like the idea!

Primitive Quilts and Projects

I'm very excited about the winter issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects!  It's a fun sisters issue and Bonnie (All Through the Night) and I are honored to be included.   If you haven't discovered this incredible magazine, which feels more like a book, you can subscribe HERE. Enter the code W12DSM in the comment section of your order and they will add an extra issue to your subscription or renewal!  

sneak peek at my project!