Pink Saturday: Falling for Fall!

Hello Bear Thread Designs friends and Pink Saturday guests! So glad you could join us! Things here are moving right along as we move closer and closer to the International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston. With Fall comes cooler weather, and nothing compliments cooler weather like quilts. Snuggling on the porch, curled up on the sofa or cuddling in bed, quilts make life better!

For our regualar visitors, you many remember a few weeks ago when I was telling you about  Veronica's Maple Leaf quilt adventures. Well, recently we were visiting her mother-in-law, who had finished her quilts, so we asked if we could post it today. What do you think?

It's looks amazing don't you think? Quilting is definitely a family affair! Veronica has finished her top and we'll post photos of that soon too, but did you get the free Maple Leaf pattern we posted as a freebie Friday? We are also still taking entries for the Sue Pritt's complete pattern set for Up North, which a wonderful front porch applique pattern. All you have to do is Like the Bear Thread Designs Facebook page.

If you read the story about Veronica's quilt adventures you also saw a photo of me and my pretty Maple Leaf quilt block Veronica gave me. I can't wait until she makes a quilt for me with it! I just love fall!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Pink Saturday! Thank you Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for hosting this fun weekly adventure where we meet new friends!

Freebie Fridays: Maple Leaf Love

This weeks Freebie Friday is a paper pieced Maple Leaf for you to try. Send us photos of your Fall blocks and you will get another entry for our give-away which is Sue Pritt's complete pattern set for Up North as well as a t-shirt donated from Lost Pines Quilt Shop, in Bastrop, Texas.

 

 

Want to Spend Time With Veronica?

So Friday we gave you two sizes of the pineapple block as our Friday Freebie and told you that if  you checked back, we'd tell you why we gave you the two sizes ... Well, we wanted to give you a peek into Veronica's teaching and lecture world which includes a program on miniature quilts.

Veronica, owner of Bear Thread Designs, Inc., has taught quilting classes and provided lectures for more than 12 years. She has traveled extensively, teaching a variety of classes and speaking to guilds and groups on miniatures and fusible applique using The Applique Pressing Sheet.

For the miniatures lectures, Veronica shows a variety of  quilts ranging in technique, size and difficulty. Her lectures includes up to 60 quilts which is only a tenth of what she has, allowing for a revolving variety for those who participate in the program.

Veronica also teaches a number of different classes and provides lectures on fusible applique, particularly fusing various fibers, threads, scraps, organza, and Angelina and Crystallina fibers to create Art Quilts.

Many of her miniature quilts also feature her applique technique. She has demonstrated the technique at quilt shows, quilt shops, cruises, quilt guild meetings, and on television. Veronica and The Applique Pressing Sheet has been featured on America Quilts Creatively in numerous series, and she has taped a segment with Quilter's News Network.

(Photos courtesy of Dayton Quilt Guild, Dayton, Texas 

from the lecture by Veronica May 2012).

Veronica's most popular lecture, Take a Walk on the Wild Side, uses The Applique Pressing Sheet and Batiks to create raw edge applique quilts. This lecture also includes about 60 quilts, featuring wild life, sea life and jungle animals as well as a variety of flower and whimsical quilt patterns. 

Veronica's favorite class is call Pick a Chick, where participants pick from a variety of Debbie Hubbs patterns to learn the raw edge applique technique.

Veronica is always looking for more groups and guilds interested in having her provide a class or lecture. You can get a complete list of classes by contacting her. If you are interested in scheduling Veronica for a lecture, trunk show or class, please send an email to beartd@hotmail.com or call (281) 462-0661.

Freebie Friday: Pineapple Party!

Here is this Friday's freebie for you ... the pineapple block in two sizes. Come back this weekend to see why we offered two and how Veronica can come visit you!!

Freebie Friday: Let's visit the cabin!

Hi everyone! So it's Friday and we'd been planning all week to post this freebie since its a UFO project Veronica's been working on, then Friday shows up and I get totally distracted ... any way here it is!

Log Cabin Block (a.k.a. Pioneer Block) by SEW Precise!

Veronica was working on an unfinished UFO project last week, the log cabin. She got a little ahead of herself and made the first 27 last weekend, however, when she started on the second set, a group of 29 blocks to complete the second half of the quilt, she ended up completing the blocks ... backwards. {sigh} So she started over remaking ANOTHER 29 blocks - correctly. The 29 blocks that she made backwards are now ANOTHER UFO! Marked one off, added one - I don't think that is how the UFO list works.

If Veronica had used this paper piecing pattern, it might've worked out better ... but then we wouldn't have this really funny story, huh!?!

Hope you enjoy building your log cabin ...

Freebie Friday: Pat's Patriotic Present

Hello Bear Thread Designs friends, it's Friday and that means its time for "Freebie Friday"!! What a wonderful treat we have for you this week.

 

On July 1, we introduced out first Artist Investigation featuring Pat Sloan! On top of taking time to sit down with me, she also offered to share her Quilt of Valor, which she made using her line of fabrics, named Tribute from P&B Textiles. The quilt title is "Valor". It's finished size is: 54" x 66". (You can visit here to see Pat's post about the quilt.)

 

 

Not only is it an amazing quilt, but the Quilts of Valor Foundation, is an organization dedicated to helping wounded Soldiers feel more comfortable during their recovery period by giving them quilt as a sign of gratitude and greatfulness for the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect America.

If you would like to make a quilt for Quilts of Valor, some suggestions they have are:

• The most popular colors are Red, White and Blue. Patriotic themes are loved and most often requested.
• Although 10% of our military are women, when given a choice, most of them choose patriotic colors or designs as well. BUT...be advised that not all recipients want Red, White, Blue, patriotic.
• What NONE of the recipients want are fabrics which are inappropriate...such as juvenile fabrics intended for children. What will happen if you choose to go this way is that your quilt may sit on a shelf gathering dust.

You can learn more about QOVF by visiting their website.

And now, for the pattern for Valor, by Pat Sloan:

I hope you have a great time stitching this amazing quilt by Pat Sloan, and don't forget to check out her website to find out what other fun projects she has!
 

 

Freebie Friday: America Sews Creatively #801

Are you a fan of freebies? We are! Its so great to find a fun new project that is "print and play" meaning all you do is print, then you are ready to play in your sewing or quilting room! On select Fridays, we will post a freebie project for you to enjoy. It won't be every Friday, so keep checking back to see if its a lucky week!

Today, for those of you who are fans of Sue Hausmann and America Quilts Creatively, this is a is a project Veronica did when she was a guest on the show, Episode 801.

Here is the directions and pattern from America Quilts Creatively ...

So, what do you think about our "Fairy Fabrics"? This is part of Quilting Treasures' Tone-on-Tone Collection. This was a fun fabric choice for us! Look for an upcoming project using their brickwork, stonework and woodwork fabrics.

When you've finished your project, email us photos and a little bit about the project and you might be our "Guest Quilter" with your project posted on our blog! Have fun!

Happy fusing!