Mary’s Labyrinth Quilt

Posted on March 27, 2013 by ccblogger

My main goal is to make patterns that work for all levels of quilters and ones that you can customize and make your own. I recently had this email conversation with a quilter named Mary. As you can see, with a few minor email tips, Mary was able to take the Labyrinth Pattern and put her own twist on it.

“Mary- you did a great job and the quilt is lovely! I’m so happy for you and your friend.”

Email Conversation between Mary and I:

Mary Said:

I ordered the labyrinth pattern (on-line thru keepsake quilting), thinking that the lap quilt would look like the picture shown for the pattern – which is actually the king size.

I want to make this quilt for my girlfriend who has just had a double mastectomy as labyrinth has a special meaning for her. I would like to make the double diamonds and squares around the centre star as shown, but not make her a huge queen size quilt. I’m not good at shrinking the sizes to make that happen, if you know what I mean.

Can you help me in determining the size of the squares to obtain the result that I want?

Mary

My Response:

Hello Mary:

What size do you want the center to be before any borders are added?

Debbie Maddy
Calico Carriage Quilt Designs

Mary Said:

Thank you for a very quick response. I was thinking of doing 2 borders and not making them that wide, so that the emphasis is on the labyrinth centre. I wanted the overall quilt to stay within the 60 x 60. You can tell I’m not that good at even knowing how big the centre should be. Hope this helps.

Mary

My Response:

If you make the queen center without the strips at the top and bottom….see page 8, it will be 60″ X 60″ before borders. If you add only one border….say 7″ wide you will have a 74″ X 74″ quilt. That is a very nice size to cover up with on the couch or not too terribly large to take to treatments etc. Do you think that will work for you or do you need it smaller?
Debbie Maddy
Calico Carriage Quilt Designs

Mary Said:
I thought you might like a picture of the result. My friend is very happy with it. I used blue flannel on the back.
Thks again for your help.
Mary

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Posted on March 26, 2013 by ccblogger

These cookies are wonderful, easy to make, and store great. I’ve included the step by step instructions. Happy Baking!

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Prep Time 20 min
Total Time 50 min
Servings 12

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup applesauce or mashed banana (about 1 large)

1/2 cup natural almond or peanut butter (unsalted and unsweetened)

1/2 cup honey or raw coconut nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup dried cranberries or raisins

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Step 1- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat two cookie sheets with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together applesauce or banana, nut butter, honey, and vanilla.

In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, milk powder, cinnamon, and baking soda.

Stir the oat mixture into the wet mixture until combined. Stir in dried cranberries and almonds.

Step 2 – Using a ¼-cup measure, drop mounds of dough 3 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. With a thin metal or small plastic spatula dipped in water, flatten and spread each mound of dough to a 2¾-inch round, about ½ inch thick.

Step 3 – Bake, one sheet at a time, for 14 to 16 minutes or until browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.

Finished Cookies. Enjoy!

Quilts from the Quilters Guild of Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Posted on March 25, 2013 by ccblogger

I went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in October of 2012 to teach the Evening Star class at a retreat sponsored by the Quilters Guild of Pine Bluff. We met at a Girl Scout camp for the weekend. There was a lot of food, fun and fellowship with great ladies for the weekend. We laughed and visited and ate and learned.

The pictures are the result of some of the quilter’s efforts. They took the class quilt and really made it their own quilt. Some added extra stars, some extra borders etc. Every quilt is different and beautiful!

The ladies brought them to show me at the recent class I taught in Pine Bluff, Arkansas for the Jefferson County Quilt Guild. What a fun treat to see their finished results!

Josephine’s Knot Workshop in Pine Bluff, AR

Posted on March 7, 2013 by ccblogger

I am teaching a Josephine’s Knot workshop for the Jefferson County Quilt Guild in Pine Bluff, AR March 9, 2013, from 9 am to 4 pm. For details, email Mary McCaskill at cboyd99229@yahoo .com.

You can purchase this quilt pattern online at http://www.calicocarriage.com/

If your guild or shop is interested in one of my lectures or workshops, please email me at info@calicocarriage.com.

Feathered Star Displays Carpenter’s Star Pattern

Posted on March 7, 2013 by ccblogger

Shaula Patton owner of Feathered Star received her Free Calico Carriage Quilt Designs Carpenter’s Star pattern for sending in a picture of her quilt. Her lovely quilt is displayed in her front window! Check out her shop in Clyde or visit her online at http://www.featheredstarquilt.com.

Quilts from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Magazine on Sale!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by ccblogger

Quilts from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Magazine featuring my Chain-link Fence quilt design went on sale this week! My quilt was only one of nineteen that was chosen from the 100 Blocks to highlight. You can see my quilt on page 72. Get your copy today at http://www.quiltmaker.com. You can order similar patterns online at http://www.calicocarriage.com

New brochures coming soon

Posted on February 7, 2013 by ccblogger

Visit www.calicocarriage.com starting Monday and download your free brochure.

New home for a Table Art

Posted on December 3, 2012 by ccblogger

It is always fun to make things to give away especially when you love what you are making.
I love colorful quilts and wanted to make something as a gift for my daughter in law’s parents.
Well….she happens to love color as much as I do so it was a delight to make a very colorful table runner. I chose my Table Art pattern and bright dupioni silk. When I say bright I mean bright!
Orange, lime green, purple, gold and grey became my palate. With that I chose ribbon with dahlias to match. I was happy with the top and absolutely thrilled after it was quilted by JoLynn ONeil and I had bound it. I took the finished runner to Dallas at Thanksgiving when both families get together for the holiday and gave it to them. Pam sent me a thank you with the following pictures.

I think it was a great match for their entry hall table.

Quiltmaker’s 100 Block blog tour

Posted on November 9, 2012 by ccblogger

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Today is my day for the 100 Blocks blog tour put on by Quiltmaker’s magazine. It is such an honor to have one of my blocks in the magazine and to be a part of this fabulous tour with so many talented designers.

My block is called “Chain Mail” and it is on page 61 but it is also on the front cover in the upper right corner. It is fun to be a ‘cover girl’. It was a delight to design this block in a contemporary style. I design a lot of traditional quilts but am really getting into the Modern Quilt movement. My house is also transitioning from traditional to contemporary. I think it is exciting to see new things around you along with your old standbys. The fabric I played with was called Gumdrop. It is a cheerful batik from Timeless Treasures fabrics.

Be sure to go to the Quiltmaker’s blog Quilty Pleasures for some great inspiration and great give always. There are lots of designers participating in this tour and you need to read everyone’s post. Who knows, you might be surprised at all the free things offered.

Leave a comment here and I will be drawing three names at random to receive a copy of my new patterns…..Gypsy Sampler, Carpenter’s Star / Bali Sky Revised Three Sizes and Simple Beginnings along with a copy of the magazine.

Visit the Calico Carriage website to check out the new patterns and good luck on winning one.

Be sure to let me know what you think about my newest creations and check out my itinerary to see if I will be in your area of the country teaching. I love meeting new people on my trips.

Good luck on the tour and if you don’t win a copy of the magazine look for it in your favorite quilt shop.

New patterns are on the website

Posted on November 9, 2012 by ccblogger

Hooray……the new patterns are up on the website.
Calico Carriage Quilt Designs

Gypsy Sampler is my new modern quilt.

If you love all things contemporary and are into the modern quilt movement, the Gypsy Sampler
is a fun stress free quilt. You start with nine fat quarters or three charm packs plus 3 1/4 yards of background fabric for the cover quilt. It is a 60″ X 80″ accent quilt for the sofa or the end of your bed. How do you like it in dupioni silk? I think it is scrumptious. All the blocks start with 5″ squares.

If you want smaller projects there are six in all.

A wall quilt.

A table runner, a queen bed scarf, lap quilt or add two borders to the accent quilt and you have a queen bed quilt.
This is my booth at fall quilt market with the different sizes.

I have also designed a pattern called Simple Beginnings to learn to piece quilts. It has three small quilts included….a Nine Patch, Pinwheel and Medallion.

I have also combined my Carpenter’s Star, Bali Sky wall quilt and queen size into one pattern.

Check back tomorrow because I am participating in the Quiltmaker’s 100 Block magazine designer blog tour. There will be lots of free goodies!