I'm finished with my American Patchwork & Quilting Quilt Along Quilt...the "Tone it Down" quilt designed by Lissa Alexander.  I'm absolutely in love with this quilt...it's one of my favorites ever. Not only is the pattern amazing...but because of the great design I was able to pull

Hello and welcome to the February edition of Simply Small Sewing...I have some quilts to share and a new project to feature!  First, I have to share a sneak peek of the next project...but more on this at the end of the post...here are some quilts from last month's project! The

 On Wednesday of last week I traveled to Bryce Canyon Utah to attend and teach at the yearly retreat at Ruby's Inn. I had a wonderful time and was busy teaching 3 classes and enjoying the lectures and trunk shows. The scenery on the way up and back is always stunning--there is just nothing like

While I was traveling last week I was able to get my American Patchwork & Quilting quilt along quilt back from Abby. I didn't get to see her in person to tell her how happy I am with it...so thank you Abby!!!  Abby and I decided on a lovely clam shell design which adds a lot of

  Hello and welcome to a fantastic small quilts parade of the Schnibble pattern "Jersey Girl" by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. First up is this gorgeous version made by Barb! I am in love with her quilt! Next up is this beautiful version by Carol (no

I just returned home this afternoon from an incredibly amazing and inspiring quilt retreat in the mountains at the Utah County Modern Quilt Group retreat--Quilt Bliss!  The event was held at the spectacular Timber Moose Lodge near Heber City, Utah. The lodge is over 26,000 square feet, sleeps

 I always have so much fun with Monique's Blogger Girls Block of the Month quilts! It's always so fun to see two quilt blocks turn our so differently due to fabric placement. I love the whimsical appeal of both of this months blocks, and I'm loving the Fig Tree reds and greens. I can't believe

House blocks have always been one of my favorite blocks. So when my Fat Quarter Shop 2013 Designer Mystery Block arrived last Saturday I had to make it. This block was so much fun--it was probably the most simple and fun block yet! I loved last month's house block too. One more and I'll have

 Today I have some gorgeous "red and white" quilt eye candy to share, and I'm also helping to get the word out about a charity event sponsored by my friend Joanna Figueroa and benefiting the George Mark Children's House in San Leandro, California. First I'll present some information about these

 On Friday night...with a whole list of things to do including new quilts to make and patterns to write...I finally sat down and worked on a pattern I've been wanting to make for over a month! Actually, I made two of them!  I used scraps from Ruby, Vintage Modern, Scrumptious, Happy

 My advance copy of  Fresh Family Traditions arrived yesterday via FedEx! I think the FedEx guy might have thought I was a little crazy...it was hard not to contain my excitement as I signed for the package!  While I'd seen the cover image months ago...I had no idea about the

 “Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2014 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.” The next issue (April 2014) of American Patchwork & Quilting is about to hit newsstands (subscribers may start receiving copies this week), and I have something fun

When I recently posted about half-square triangle options I received a few e-mails asking me for some more details about my construction method. Since I had to make some half-square triangles for this months Bee blocks, I took a few pictures along the way. Half-square triangles are so much fun to

I've finished piecing my American Patchwork & Quilting quilt along quilt! And I think I've found the perfect backing, too! After auditioning all of the available backing fabrics in my backing "stash" I decided on this Scrumptious floral by Bonnie & Camille. It just seemed to echo the vintage

 Today I'm participating in a blog tour for the recently released book Vintage Quilt Revival: 22 Modern Designs from Classic Blocks. I was able to attend the Schoolhouse presentation on this book at International Quilt Market in Houston this fall and thought you might want to see some of the

 Happy Saturday! And welcome to the first Simply Small Sewing post of the new year! I was supposed to have this ready yesterday, but a not-so-fun head cold really had me sidelined the last couple of days. Anyway, I'm feeling much better now and ready to kick off this year's program. While I was

What are your thoughts on half-square triangles? Do you love them...or are they just a necessity in creating some of your favorite blocks? I happen to actually love them...and try to stitch them up with scraps whenever I can You can probably imagine how excited I was the other day when I

 I'm still quilting along with the #APQquiltalong! I really intended to get the quilt top together by New Years, but I got distracted taking down the Christmas decorations. It just seemed like I couldn't let another day go by without putting everything away and feeling like the house was clean

Hello...I didn't mean to stay away so long; I meant to get this post written before leaving on a little New Year's getaway to visit family. But there just wasn't time to get everything finished up before I left, and so here I am about 5 days later writing what I've been thinking about for a week

One of my favorite quilts from 2013 was my Blogger Girl's Block of the Month quilt designed by Monique Dillard. The block patterns were all free as were the setting instructions. Well, guess what? Monique is again offering a free 6-month block of the month program! So, of course I wanted to join

 Hello! As I usually do at the end of each year, I'm posting some of my finishes for the past 12 months. Each year I resolve to be better organized and save my monthly finishes in a folder; however, that wasn't the case this year--maybe next year I'll have it more together. So here are most of

Hello and happy Monday...the last Monday of the year...amazing how fast 2013 has flown by! March is just around the corner, and with it will come the release of my second book, Fresh Family Traditions. I can hardly wait to see it in print! I'm now taking pre-orders for signed copies (US shipping

Well...Christmas was wonderful...the halls haven't been "un-decked" yet, but I was anxious to get sewing again, and so I spent a good amount of time yesterday working on my "Tone it Down" quilt for the American Patchwork & Quilting Quilt Along. When I last posted I had completed just 3 of the 20

   Just stopping by... to wish you a Merry Christmas from our house to yours! (This is our first picture without any of our children in I don't know how many years...but three of the four will be here today...yay!) And we get to talk to our youngest...this funny kid who is in

On Friday I had some time to do one last bit of Christmas quilting...but first I stitched up the latest block in the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery Block of the Month. I absolutely love house blocks and couldn't wait to make this one. I even added the sashing strips so the next block is ready to

It has definitely been busy around here...but I finally finished the last gifts that have to be mailed, so I'm kind of feeling like I'll be able to get everything finished up. Along with working on Christmas gifts this week, I've been trying to sneak in the time to bind two quilts that just arrived

Hello! I have one more fabric giveaway to share with you today; this is the last one of the year, and it's a good one! Dragonfly Fabrics is offering a $25 gift certificate to one of my readers! Dragonfly fabrics offers beautiful designer quilting fabrics, pre-cut quilt fabric, and luxury minky

First I'd like to congratulate Christine S who is the winner of my Sew Mama Sew giveaway...I'll be emailing you and will get the table runner in the mail asap! I'd also like to take a minute today and introduce you to one of my new sponsors, Simply Sweet Fabric (the delightful Pam Kitty

Things have been happening in little bits and pieces here...it seems I always wait until the last minute to finish up Christmas projects and gifts. Part of the problem is I always worry about doing "just the right thing" or getting "the perfect gift," and then I stress so much I procrastinate.

Hello, and welcome to my third process post for the American Patchwork & Quilting Quilt Along. I'm going to talk a little bit more today about piecing the blocks. I have three blocks completed now, and I think I have figured out a pretty good system for how I'm going to piece the rest of the

 Hello, and welcome to the December 2013 Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! Welcome, if you are new to my blog...I hope you'll stay a while. I've been blogging here for over 5 years about my love of fabric, quilting and sewing. It's definitely "a quilting life" here! Today I'm giving away a 12" x

 Every year I try to make a Christmas quilt or wall hanging. After making and falling in love with my scrappy Trip Around the World quilt at the beginning of this year, I knew I wanted to make a scrappy Christmas Trip Around the World quilt. And I knew right from the beginning that the flannel

Hello and welcome to the Schnibbles "Morning Joe" parade (pattern by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company). We appreciate everyone who has sewn along during such a busy time of year. And now, as they say, on with the parade.  Gerri made this beautiful version.  Carol (no

The monthly Schnibbles parade has been postponed. Unfortunately, Sinta is not feeling well and is trying to get over the flu. We will have the parade later this week...I'll keep you posted!  Please read on for my second post in the American Patchwork & Quilting Quilt-Along. Today I'd

I've been going about the last couple of days doing little bits of this and that...finishing up a few things, making progress on a few others, and thinking of new projects to start! I did get my Mini Swoon quilt bound and am so excited to have two completed mini quilts now. I used the aqua

I've been taking this evening and getting ready for the Thanksgiving festivities tomorrow. Our holiday is going to be a little smaller than normal with both of our daughters spending the day with their in-laws and our youngest son away serving a mission for our Church. But Thanksgiving is

Saturday was  the perfect rainy day--not only were we blessed with a steady and much needed rain, but I didn't have anywhere to go or anything on the calendar. To top it off, I had the house to myself. So with nothing to do but stay inside and sew I had created a pretty long list for myself.