Market Day ~ Airing of the Quilts ~ Part Four

Here's your weekly reminder that....it's Friday, and time for another block in our Marcus Designers Friends & Companions Sew-along.  Guess what?  This is your last block....which means that next week is THE BIG REVEAL!!  So exciting!

Be sure to visit the Marcus Fabrics blog, Marcus Mentions, and meet Lisa Shepard who works in the NY city offices.  Lisa is a very talented writer and among her many responsibilities is taking care of the Marcus Fabrics blog.  Click here to hop on over to the blog and pick up this week's block instructions.  

And now....let's continue with today's.....

Airing of the Quilts

Renee from Iowa

Fluerette from South Africa

Marcia B from Texas ~ Mini version

Marcia B from Texas ~ Full version

Marcia from Texas

Mary C from Washington

Mary H from Nebraska

Maureen from Canada

Nancy from Florida

Peggy from Indiana

Penny from Canada

Rachael from Texas

Raewyn from New Zealand ~ Mini version

Raewyn from New Zealand ~ regular size

Robin from Arizona

Robin from South Carolina

Rosemary from Michigan

Roxanne from Virginia

Marge from Pennsylvania

Market Day ~ Airing of the Quilts ~ Part One

My first order of business is to remind you that today is week #9 in our Marcus Fabrics Friends & Companions Sew-along!!  Today you will meet Dolores Smith, co-owner of Homestead Hearth Quilt Shop and design partner with Sarah Maxwell.  Click here to visit their blog, meet Dolores and get her block instructions!  

We sure hope you're having fun with our Designer Sew-along.  We've had really great blocks, I think, and our big reveal is coming soon!!  So, so exciting!!

Airing of the Quilts 

Before I begin the photo display of these lovely quilts, may I take this opportunity to share my thoughts with you.  To each of you who visit my blog, these sew-alongs are my way of giving back to you.  I receive so many lovely emails and comments, and I want you to know just how much they fill my heart.  You've shared parts of your life, both of joy and sorrow, expressing what quilting means to you, and how in some way, my quilt designs and fabric have played some part in your quilting adventures.  Your kind words and encouragement mean more to me than you'll ever know, and keep me going, to be sure.  I am humbled and grateful for your friendship, and thank you from the bottom of my heart!  

Our Market Day quilts are going on the clothesline....there for you to enjoy.  I have many, many quilts to share with you, and will do so over several posts.  I am so jazzed thinking about how many people have participated in this sew-along, from all over the United States, and around the world.  Isn't it grand to think that we've all be sewing on the same project together? Oh, how our love of quilting unites us!  

I am delighted over how many of you made the mini version.  The mini version was something I decided to do at the last minute, and boy am I glad I did.  As you may know, I adore small blocks and quilts.  I wanted to challenge you to give miniature blocks a try, and the blocks in this quilt, I hoped, were easy enough to tempt you.  Many, many of you did try and tell me now you're hooked!  Those of you already comfortable working on mini blocks enjoyed the mini version, too.  I feel very strongly about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things from time to time.  That is how we grow as quilters, and there are so many wonderful things to learn.  Keep on growing!

My thanks to everyone who took the time to email photos so we can all enjoy seeing them.  I know that you will be inspired by all of the work and creativity of others.  

Without further a-do (and I can stop blabbing now and get to the good stuff), I'll let the quilts speak for themselves.  Enjoy!

Anita from The Netherlands

Barbara from Kansas

Becky from Wyoming

Beth from Michigan

Carleen from Canada

Cathy B from Texas

Cathy from Maryland

Cathy W. from Arizona

Celtic Rose from Arizona

Charlotte from California ~ regular size

Charlotte from California ~ mini version

Cherie R. from Michigan

Christie B from Nebraska

Christina M from Indiana

Claudine from France

Corinne from Germany ~ regular size

Corinne from Germany ~ mini version

Dale from California ~ mini version

Dale from California ~ regular size

Danice from Alabama 

Lots more in my next post!

Week #7 of Friends & Companions Sew-Along!!

It's another Friday...boy they're whizzing by, aren't they?  Block #7 is up and today's designer is Mary Ellen Robison of Red Crinoline Quilts.  Mary Ellen is partner to Paula Barnes at Red Crinoline, and let me say...this woman is a extraordinary piecer and funny!  You have no idea how funny!  So hop on over to the Red Crinoline blog, and see what Mary Ellen has in store for you!

Marcus Fabrics has sold out of my Pin Money fabric collection.  I'm so grateful over how well that line was received, and over the moon delighted so many prints were chosen by Di Ford in her Quiltmania mystery quilt!  

Anyway....if you're still looking for Pin Money bundles, I was able to acquire the missing bolts of fabric needed to make more Pin Money bundles!!  I have Fat Quarter and Fat Eighth bundles on my website.  So, get them while they last, because once they're gone......

Week #6 of Friends & Companions and Other Fun Stuff

It's Friday and that means another new block is coming from another Marcus Fabrics Designer!  Fabulously talented Nancy Rink of Nancy Rink Designs will post her block today.  Be sure to  visit her blog and get to know Nancy better.  She is warm, friendly and very funny, and if you ever get the chance to meet her or take a class from her, DO IT!!!  I'm betting you'll recognize her work because she's been designing Block of the Month programs for a long time now.  I can't wait to see what block she's designed myself!!  

I can't seem to stop designing new quilts with my Prairie Gathering collection.  This one just came back from being quilted.  It's one of three new quilts that will be grouped together into one pattern.  The pattern is called Gathering In Red.  The other two are in the trusty hands of my friend and quilter extraordinaire, Ronda.  A sneak peek is all I can do right now.  Please forgive me....I'm so excited about this just had to share.  Something rather special will accompany this pattern, too!  Oh, I can't wait to spill!!

Today, I'm packing the car headed for the open road leading to Mackinaw City, Michigan!!  It's time for our Great Girlfriend Getaway with Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters).  I've never been to this area of Michigan and I can't wait.  Living in the Chicago area all my life, I've heard nothing but great things about Mackinac Island, and we'll be right there!!   Can't wait to spend quality time with Girlfriends this week.  So, so fun!!  Planning to spend the following weekend on the Island with my hubby.  Watch for pictures on my Instagram and Facebook pages while I'm gone.  

Enjoy your weekend.....I know you'll be sewing....you have a new block to make!

Week #5 of the Friends & Companions Sew-Along

It's Friday and that means it's time for a new block in our Friends & Companions Sew-Along! Today, you must click over to my friends at Olde Green Cupboard Designs blog.   Gloria, Vicky and Heather have a brand new block that I just love,and I know you will, too!!  

And, now, at long last, my dear friend Lynne Hagmeier's (Kansas Troubles Quilters) new book has finally arrived!  The book features her unique "layered patchwork" technique and is chock full of great projects all dedicated to her family.  Look for it at your favorite local quilt shop or click here to order one from KT Quilts today.  

I'm still working on piecing the new quilt.  Yesterday, I was running errands and grocery shopping all over town.  We're having our neighbors over for dessert tonight and I'll be in the kitchen baking today.  I'm excited to share my newest 'no back' dessert with you.  I made it last weekend and took it to a party and everyone LOVED it.  It was gone in 5 minutes.  So, I'm making it again for tonight.  I'll share the recipe with you.  Hopefully, I'll make piecing progress over the long weekend as I have to finish this quilt in a hurry.  I'm leaving for Michigan next weekend!

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and don't labor!  Sew, sew, sew!!