Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Desire to Inspire - December Challenger - Meet Melinda Collins



Meet Melinda Collins- She took on the challenge of using "Twilight Lake” by Andrea Tachiera in the month of December 2019

"I am Melinda Collins and I currently live in Lexington, South Carolina, near the state capital of Columbia.  I live with my wonderfully supportive husband, Tray, and daughter Kelley, who often serves as my color and/or layout consultant.  My career for the past 30 years has been in medical imaging and I work full-time as the CT Scan supervisor at a local hospital. I have always loved crafting - knitting, scrapbooking, beading, weaving, and stained-glass art- as a creative outlet, but quilting has become my passion.  
My mother and grandmother taught me to sew.  Most of the time we made clothes or home decor - I was the only one who branched out into quilting. I made my first quilt for my daughter right after she was born in 1995 and have loved it ever since.  Someone once asked me what my favorite part of quilting was - and I really didn’t have an answer.  I enjoy the whole process.  Designing, choosing fabrics, piecing, quilting and, yes, even binding!  I like taking traditional blocks and methods and coming up with my own versions and techniques. 



I mostly quilt for my family and friends, but have recently started Longarm quilting on my awesome A-1 machine (courtesy of my aforementioned supportive husband).  Longarm quilting has opened up a whole new realm for me.  Who knew ruler work could be so much fun!?!  



I’m a member of the Threads of Time Quilt Guild, Quilters of South Carolina, and South Carolina Longarm Quilters.  The members of these communities are so talented and create such beautiful things it inspires me each time I go to a meeting.  They are always willing to share and give advice and I have learned a lot from them.  Also, our local quilt shops, Jessamine Quilt Shop and Sew Suite Studio, have fantastic staff who are always willing to share their knowledge.  

When I saw the Twilight Lake fabric line, I knew I wanted to make something with it.  Then, when I was chosen for the challenge, I got my chance.  The fabrics have such a soft hand and were so easy to work with.  The lodge camping theme begged to be made into log cabin blocks, flying geese, stars, and a bear paw, of course.   My husband loves it! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this challenge!"

Monday, December 30, 2019

Get Quilting - Liberty Star Bundle Giveaway


"Liberty Star" by Kim Diehl is a 20-SKU collection featuring prints in warm shades of cream, red and cranberry, as well as aqua and teal with a sprinkling of stars. Additionally, there are two FREE projects (a quilt and a banner) available for download. IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!
Liberty Star - Liberty Legacy Quilt

Liberty Star Banner

Friday, December 27, 2019

Desire to Inspire January - Looking for a Challenger


"Calming Tides" by Jessica Mundo is a 13-SKU collection featuring crustaceans, tossed shells, seahorses, fishing nets, and more, tossed across shades of blue, white, and grey. Perfect for those who love the ocean.

In this month's Desire to Inspire Challenge, the winner will receive this collection to make something great. The caveat is... it MUST BE made in the month of January, and pictures of your finished project(s) must be provided to us by the end of the month. Along with your picture and bio, too, of course. 

Are you ready to take on this challenge? 

Send an email to jennifer@jaftex.com to put your name in the hat!

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Get Quilting- Home is Best Bundle Giveaway


Home is the starting place of love, hope, and dreams. Add a little comfort to your quaint space with "Home is Best" by Janet Rae Nesbitt. Featuring beautiful yarn stripes, tonals, and more. Additionally, there is one FREE quilt project available for download. IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!


Home is Best Quilt #1

Monday, December 23, 2019

Get Quilting - Count Your Blessings Bundle Giveaway


"Count Your Blessings" by Color Principle is a 17-SKU collection featuring sunflower vines, star check, foulard hexes, roosters, hens, and more! Also included are a 24" x 44" banner panel, a border stripe, and 10" novelty blocks. Additionally, there are two FREE projects (a quilt and a table set) IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!
Count Your Blessings Quilt #1

Count Your Blessings Table Runner

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

One Crazy Sister Club II - Premiering in January 2020

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Have you signed up your quilt shop to join "One Crazy Sister Club II" from Janet Rae Nesbitt? The "Best of Days" Collection designed by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs was created with the One Crazy Sister Club II in mind. 


One Sister designer, Janet Rae Nesbitt has long been known for her scrappy quilting techniques and crazy pattern style. Janet incorporates a unique primitive color palette with her Crazy pattern method, blending prints and yarn dyes fabrics to create her look. 

Club members will have access to eight small quilt patterns exclusively designed by Janet. These projects will be made available to the club members with a password in early January 2020 when the fabrics ship.⠀


Additionally, Janet’s Basics "Linen Closet" and her "One Sister Yarn Dyes" are great coordinates to work with the club collection and good staples to have in your shop.

View the "Best of Days" Collection by Janet Rae Nesbitt
and the Eight Free Small Quilt Patterns Below:

Open Hearted - 24" x 24"

Spooling Around - 42" x 42"

In Full Bloom - 33" x 33"

Watch Over Me - 27" x 27"

Cats Are Angels Too - 31" x 31"

Hole in the Barn Door - 31-1/2" x 31-1/2"

How Does Your Garden Grow - 42" x 58"

Now I Know My ABC's 30" x 36" 


Monday, December 16, 2019

Get Quilting - Shoe Love is True Love Bundle Giveaway


Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life. Now imagine what shoe fabric can do? "Shoe Love is True Love" by Kate Mawdsley is a 9-SKU collection featuring shoes, accessories, sunglasses, leopard, zebra, and more! PLUS there's a FREE quilt project available to download on our site!   IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!
Get Quilting - Shoe Love is True Love Bundle Giveaway
View the Full Collection Here

Shoe Love is True Love Quilt #1

Monday, December 9, 2019

Get Quilting - Winter Cottage Bundle Giveaway


"Winter Cottage" by Marcello Corti is a yuletide collection that will surely grab you. This 10-SKU collection features winter birds, pine cones, birch trees, a winter scenery banner panel, and more! Did we mention there is a FREE quilt project too?⁣ IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!
Winter Cottage Quilt #1

Monday, December 2, 2019

Get Quilting - Nana Mae III Bundle Giveaway


Pastels were all the rage in the 1930's! "Nana Mae III" by Henry Glass & Co. characterizes the bright pastels and floral prints that were popular during the Depression Era. Carry on tradition with this classic, 24-SKU collection which features a FREE quilt project download.  IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!
Nana Mae III Quilt #1