Fanning the Flames of Love

Fanning the Flames of Love

February seems to be all about spreading love to our special someone as well as to others around us. The symbol of that love is often a heart. In keeping with this theme, EQ8 used the Striped Heart as this month’s spotlight. To be honest, it isn’t my...
Take the Fear out of Trimming

Take the Fear out of Trimming

We are used to trimming each block, unit, or row after sewing it together. That step usually makes us feel good as it helps the next step go more smoothly – thing fit nicely. However, it is the last step in most quilt patterns, “Trim the quilt...
Make Me Wise – Do I Starch or Size?

Make Me Wise – Do I Starch or Size?

Some quilters start their projects by washing all of the starch and sizing out of the fabric. Others start their projects by starching their pieces. Should I starch or size? When do I use which and why? HELP! Starch and sizing can be a quilters friend, or a quilters...
Cat-astrophy!

Cat-astrophy!

Yesterday, I went to my longarm to attach Snowflake Whimsy and continue quilting. When I arrived, the quilt was on the floor rather than across the stretcher bars where I left it… No matter, it must have been one of the pets… I didn’t think much...
Love the Pattern, But Not the Fabric?

Love the Pattern, But Not the Fabric?

We have all been there. Love the fabric but can’t find a pattern you like for it. Love the pattern, but not the fabric the designer chose for it. Believe it or not, the second quandary is not so hard to fix. The reason you may like the pattern is the movement,...
Snowflake Whimsy

Snowflake Whimsy

What a day to release Snowflake Whimsy! It is still snowing outside and I am warming up by the fireplace. As soon as my fingers warm up, I will head downstairs to hopefully finish quilting Snowflake Whimsy. Then, I will have fun embellishing it with some metallic...
Fuzzy Friends

Fuzzy Friends

When my kids were young, one of our favorite places to go was the Columbus Zoo. We would go once a week or more just to get some exercise and fresh air. Ok, sometimes it wasn’t that fresh… The boys loved seeing the animals. One of their favorites as Coco...
Jungle Flora

Jungle Flora

Have you ever wanted to escape to a tropical paradise? Take a walk amongst the philodendron, palms, or bird of paradise on your way to cool waterfall? I have been fortunate to visit a few tropical locations with their own unique jungles – Puerto Rico, Hawaii,...
One Scoop or Two?

One Scoop or Two?

I love ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and especially gelato… As a kid, we looked forward to our special trips to Baskin Robbins or Friendly’s. For some reason, the ice cream always tasted better at a shop than from our freezer. I had no idea how scrumptious...