{allpeoplequilt}

There’s a chill in the air this morning and I am dreaming about beautiful quilts!  There’s something about the time and care that goes into a quilt, not to mention the fabulous fabric, that really makes them a treasure.

I actually don’t have much quilting ability, but I did manage to make a super simple quilt last year and it has turned out to be a family favorite.  One day I’ll have to take some classes or talk someone into to teaching me how to make beautiful quilts like in the ones in this post.

I’m constantly in awe over quilter’s ability to mix fabric of all different colors and patterns and come up with stunning results.  Quilts are simply a work of art.  Oh, and the keep you cozy at the same time…awesome!

You can find all the details about this lovely quilt over at A Spoonful of Sugar.  Great colors!!!

{Via Craft – Heather Bailey Pattern}

Everyone knows Heather Bailey is extremely talented.  This one would look great in my house.  Can someone make me one?  It’s all bright with sweet ruffles…love it!

 {littlegwarmers}

This is one of those quilts with fabric mixed together just right…beautiful!  I would never be able to do this!

You can find this modern quilt pattern at Olive and Ollie.  Heather is super talented and I love her style.  Check out her blog for more fabulous quilting inspiration.

For all your quilting needs check out these wonderful fabric shops…

• Contemporary Cloth
• Fat Quarter Shop
• SkyeReve Fabrics

Do you sew quilts or do you purchase them?  They are beautiful either way, aren’t they?

~Kim

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You can find a great article all about Etsy on TheStreet.com, a business blog.  Of course it included a few quotes for me…lol!

Here are a few more links for you to enjoy with a cup of coffee {or tea} this weekend.  We finally have some cool weather and I’m scrambling to find our sweaters and jackets.  Anything under 72 degrees is freezing to me.

• Make this yarn candy corn from Southern Lovely.
• Pumpkin Spice Cake Pops from Making Lemonade.  We’ve been on a cake pop kick around here since I have a new cake pop maker.
• Create something pretty with these vintage maple leaves from The Graphics Fairy.
• If you can’t get enough of Fall tutorials there’s always my list of 101 Festive Fall Tutorials.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Kim

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Would you believe that this site has been without a proper “about” page mostly forever!? We had one for awhile, then trashed it. (don’t remember why) Finally, we’ve done a decent about page. All the who, what, why, when, where… is right here.

~ Kim

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Did you know that you can buy scented yarn?

Yep, you can now find 100% cotton yarn in these scents…

• powder
• lavender
• chamomile
• aloe vera
• fleur-de-lavande
• vanilla
• rose petal

As you crochet or knit the scent from the yarn is gently released…wow!  What will they think of next?  It would make a great gift for your knitting friend that has everything!

Have you tried this?  What’s your favorite type of yarn?

~Kim

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Oh my word…I love all the colorful paint chip ideas I’ve seen over the last few months.  Creative people rock!  These ideas I’ve collected might spark your imagination and give you a little nudge toward creating something fun with some of those paint chips you have stashed away in a drawer.

1.  Paint Chip Matchbook notepads created by Campfire Designs…way cool!

2.  Amazing bookmarks…the perfect gift for your book lovin’ friends!

3.  Business card holders that let everyone know you creative before you even hand them a card…gotta love that!

4.  Create a matching game for kids…too cool!

5.  These gift tags add a bit of your colorful style to any package.

6.  A paint chip orb…just because.

7.  Sport these cool utensil holders at your next picnic and let the neighbors know that you’re a Creative Diva!

8.  What a fun way to let someone know your new address!

9.  Use them as display cards for your handmade goods.

10.  Place cards that are sure to be a conversation starter.

Looking for more information on one of these fabulous ideas? I have all these and more on my Paint Chip Love Pinterest board. I can’t wait to make a colorful little banner with some paint chips I have already.

What kind of paint chip ideas have you seen or tried? One can never have too many paint chip ideas!!

~Kim

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Did you know that blog commenting overall has reduced over the last couple of years?

It’s not that people aren’t talking anymore, it’s just that they have more places to talk, and they don’t have more time, so something has to give. More activity on Facebook, or Twitter = Fewer comments on blogs. Generally speaking.

Did you think it was just you? Maybe people don’t like your writing anymore? Nope. It’s an across the board shift. It’s also an opportunity in disguise.

Fewer Comments Could Mean More Clicks

If you’re like me, you often read the comments when you read a blog post. Especially a post that has particular interest to you. I do, and when I do, I often click through on interesting comments or commenters. Call me nosey.

That’s how information spreads online. That’s the beauty of the community and the beauty of links.

So, if a post had 100 comments, and you left one then using simple math you have 1 in 100 chance of getting a click on that. (not totally true, because the first comments get the most clicks) If a post has 10 comments and you’re one of those, then your chances just went up ten-fold. Right? Sorta?

That’s it. Just thinking out loud. Just thinking that it’s a bigger opportunity than it looks like (maybe than it feels like) to go out there and comment on lots of blogs.

Plus, I’ve been told that bloggers are exceptionally needy emotionally. You’re doing a good thing when you say hello. I’m just sayin’.

~ Kim

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The handmade community on Etsy is always ready to help!

I have been watching the news, emailing friends in Japan and praying for their safety.  One of them is located near the power plant and expecting a baby soon.  I wish we could help more!

I’ve gathered a few links from Etsy sellers, fellow bloggers and more to make it easy to donate.  I’m not affiliated with any of these, so please do your own research on them before donating.

• This I Heart Japan necklace from Shixie is a great way to show you care.  100% of the sale will go to the Red Cross.

• Love for Japan is an Etsy shop full of donated handmade and vintage goods with all the proceeds benefiting the relief efforts in Japan.
• The Red Cross is an amazing organization that I’ve experience the assistance from after Hurricane Charley.
• 25% of all sales from antithesis will be donated to the British Red Cross.
• 50% of each sale from Oh La Dee Dah will be donated for relief.
• This and That From Japan lives in Japan and is donating 15% of sales to Save the Children Japan.
• Sachiko from Tea Rose Home grew up in Japan and has family there.  She has a organization listed in this post that you might be interested in.

Please leave a link in the comments to any sales or organizations that might benefit the Japan relief efforts.

Thank you!

~Kim

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Isn’t this a dreamy bunch of wool roving? I wanted to take it all home!

The other day I was lucky enough to notice that the Southwest Florida Quilt Festival was going on at the Convention Center here in Punta Gorda.  It’s so close I can walk!

This is my first quilt festival and I was amazed at the crowd.  It was packed full of people of all ages…no offense, but I thought quilting was more popular among retired people that have more time.  I’ve noticed since having this blog that quilting is hot!

I love all the designer quilting fabrics and I even made a very simple quilt of my own last year.

They had a huge silent auction and I decided to bid on this fun hula girl quilt, but of course I didn’t get it.

I learned that taking photos at a quilt show is super challenging, and I know it has to be a ton of work for all the vendors to set up all their fabulous fabric.  They do a great job of displaying quilt kits and new fabric.  I’m always attracted to those Moda jelly rolls and layer cakes…love them!

Here’s a fun quilt that had to take FOREVER to finish…very cute!

Once my feet were starting to hurt I decided to walk home.  Our weather has been outstanding for a couple weeks here so we walk whenever we can.

I found a couple flowers on the way home that I would love to have in my yard, but I don’t know what they are…can you help???

They are both vines growing on a fence and the flowers were just beautiful!  The red ones were so big!

These purple ones were growing right next to the red ones.  Any ideas on the names of these?

Oh, and let’s not forget what I bought at the quilt show…

A sweet little apron for $10! I couldn’t pass it up!

Do you have any photos of quilts you’ve made? Leave a link in the comments, I’d love to see them!  Anyone know the name of these flowers?

~Kim

*The Southwest Florida Quilt Festival is a biennial show by the Peace River Quilters’ Guild.  They do a fabulous job!

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The Wind Knitting Factory has created a whole new way of knitting up a scarf!  They harness the energy from a windmill to knit…how cool is that?!

Each scarf is marked with the date and how long it took to knit.  These would make a great gift for your friend that has everything, and what a fun conversation starter!

Want to see more great photos? Wind Knitting Factory has tons of colors and a really neat set-up to create these…don’t miss this post on Merel Karhof.

Have you ever seen an automated system like this? I could use one on my roof!

~Kim

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Here’s a little peek at the newest designs by Happy Zombie! Aren’t they fantastic and colorful?!  It should be available in June or July, but you’ll want to check out the Happy Zombie blog to know the latest and greatest about her new fabric!

Earlier in the week there we shared a peek at Bari J. Ackerman’s newest collection…I love that they’ve shared a few photos to help us plan for Summer.

While you’re waiting you can find beautiful designer fabric at these great shops:

• Contemporary Cloth
• Jo Jo’s Quilt & Gift Shoppe
• Fat Quarter Shop

What do you think about this collection?  Do you have a favorite collection right now or a designer you watch?

~Kim

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