Fragrant Delights is an embroidered quilt in soft, pastel colors. As well as the instructions to make the Fragrant Delights quilt, this magazine show cases 10 wonderful pillows submitted by embroidery designers and distributors from around the world who also are giving away free sampler designs from their collections – 17 FREE designs that you can download!!

In Moulin Rouge, color seduces the eye and excites the senses on this richly designed quilt that features black velvet with red and black silk, embellished with rich red roses, bows and gold lattice. Plus there are many other projects included from great designers such as Kerrie Hay from Bernina with a bridal trousseau, Robyn Cawdron from Elna with summer outfit fun and Sharon Bummer’s school formals. All fantastic ideas to keep your mind overflowing with possibilities. Plus a cd is included with the magazine filled with FREE designs!

These issues are no longer in print and once they’re gone – they’re gone! So be sure to get your copy today! Machine embroidery ideas galore plus free embroidery designs; what could be better?!

Do you want to learn more about machine embroidery, quilting and embroidery software? Then the Latte Quilt class is for you! Not only will you learn lots of features on your machine and discover fun techniques, but you will also be creating a unique heirloom you can enjoy for years to come!

This class will start in September 2009, so please register before August 22nd! You need to have your fabrics, threads and supplies by the first of September, as we will jump right in and get started on the first block! Don’t delay – sign up today!

Read the online class notes for details on class schedules, supply lists, class notes & pricing, kits available and even a quilt introduction video you can download! You can see full details on my class schedule page.

Don’t miss out on this fun and exciting class! Click here register!

What can I say? I’m already addicted! I’ve just seen a little of what Bernina has packed into their new version of embroidery software and I’m just thrilled! Of course, I knew that V6 would be on my “want list” as soon as I heard that Bernina was introducing a new version of software.

With every version Bernina has released (and I’ve been using it since V2!), there are always so many creative tools that I think there just can’t be improvement on what is already so great! But there always is and Designer Plus V6 is no different – just much better! I can’t wait to get my hands on it on my own computer!!

If you want to see the new color wheel tool, the lettering that makes you think “WOW” or find out what the halo and ripple effect can do to your designs, take a peek at Bernina’s Designer Plus V6 webinar. The webinar will be on Bernina’s site until Monday, August 17th, so don’t miss out on seeing what’s up and coming!

Did you know that Bernina has a new webinar every month and YOU can join in on their seminars? Be sure to sign up for Bernina’s newsletter to be informed of the upcoming webinars.

Jenny Haskins has joined the online video community by offering her first Jenny’s Sewing Studio video clip. Take a peek!

Looking for quilting and machine embroidery classes that may not be available in your local area? Consider taking a class online! See my class schedule for details.

Need some sewing room organization ideas or quick tips to watch? Watch my YouTube videos.

Welcome to the brand new look of my blog! I’m sure some of you have already noticed the new and improved look that now matches the rest of my site! And, YES; I am thrilled to have it completed!!! Not only am I thrilled to have the new layout, but also the new and improved blogging platform which makes the back-end of blogging and maintenance much easier.

The last couple of weeks I’ve been tweaking and editing to get the page layout as it should be and am thrilled to be finally finished! You can’t believe how exciting that makes feel! Added to that fact, the weather here in Kansas feels much like Spring (60’s, 70’s & 80’s this week!) which certainly improves my outlook as well. There are still a few issues I’m resolving that comes from switching blogging platforms, so if you encounter a few mis-directed links, broken paths or strange image and text layouts, don’t be too concerned. Over the next few weeks, I will be skimming through each and every archived post (yes, all 540 + 1,053 comments) to check for errors.

I know some of you have left comments the past week which seem to have been lost in the transfer. So if you don’t see the comment you left, I apologize and feel free to comment again. I’ve tried to make this transaction as smooth as possible, but in that process some comments and images have flown out to cyberspace.

And for those of you who have been wondering what’s happened to me and my regular blogging schedule, I’m happy to report that I’m back! The last couple of months have been exciting, but very full-to-the-brim days and I had to put a few things on hold. Blogging and my bi-monthly newsletters ended up being some of them. I’m sorry for the absence and appreciate all the emails you have sent! I’m looking forward to getting back to some of my regular features and a few new ones soon to be announced.

A new year has started (yes, I know we’re several months into it already! LOL!!!) and spring is just around the corner with warmer, bright sunny days to come. Plus I attended the Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA and that just renewed my interest in several projects which I’m itching to be stitching! So, now it’s time to get back to blogging…….:)

Fabric Freedom is a fabric line that Brewer Quilting & Sewing Supplies carries and one that I have been wanting to try. Their selection of marble/batiks looks perfect for an embroidery background, so I picked up several fat quarter bundles to try some stitching.

Fabric Freedom Fat Quarter Bundles

I have had the Latte Quilt on my mind the last couple of months, partly because I am getting ready to teach that quilt next year. So it seems that everywhere I looked, I was drawn to neutral colors. But I found these medallions that looked so neat and see the colors I picked out – ivory, taupe and brown! :)

tassel medallions

This little beaded purse and colorful butterfly buttons are a just because. I didn’t really have a reason for purchasing either one…it was just because they caught my eye. Don’t you ever have a “just because” purchase?

beaded purse and butterfly buttons

Benartex has some beautiful new collections coming in the next couple of months and I picked up several bundles. These fabrics are not even listed online yet, but there’s a cute collection from Mary Lou Weidman called “happiness is…” with some fun little children themed prints. Plus Marianne Elizabeth has a breathtaking collection entitled “Laurel Cottage” of florals in a pink and blue colorway! Just too gorgeous to pass up!

Benartex bundles

These little take out boxes caught my eye and I just couldn’t resist. Snuggled inside are several yards of cording in various colors to be couched on or various other uses. I have to admit the packaging is what sold me on these. Oh and notice the ivory/taupe colors again! :)

cording take out boxes

I was making my way to the door, finished for the day and then I spotted the RJR booth with this soft, elegant collection. Oh my, I’m just itching to be making something with it! It’s called Sumptuous Living by Robyn Pandolph. I can just see a MarJen for Error quilt created from these fabrics. I really don’t need a third MJE quilt, but oh is it hard to not think of stitching another one with these fabrics!

Sumptuous Living by Robyn Pandolph

International Quilt Market
George Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas

Joanna and I spent part of our time Friday setting up Bernina machines for classes to be held through Market and Festival. We did manage to sit in on a couple of classes and I was able to attend Sample Spree that evening. It is always such a crazy place Friday evening…lots of people trying to crowd into every booth to see what’s available! But still a fun adventure!

We spent quite a bit of time with some Bernina staff members and looking around at the Bernina booth. And especially the new BERNINA 830! Ok, I admit, I fell in love with that machine from the very first time I heard about the jumbo hoop and large embroidery area back in April/May. And then when I actually saw the machine on the Bernina webcast in July, I was totally hooked!

Can you just imagine what I felt like when I actually saw that wonderful machine in person?!?! You know it’s a large machine and you can read the dimentions, but you don’t fully realize just how big it is and just how large of an embroidery area you have to stitch until you actually SEE it. Not only is it great for embroidery, but also so helpful in getting a large quilt in the machine!

Bernina Booth – the Bernina 830 with Jumbo hoop

Just look at that huge hoop!!! Can you just picture the designs that could be stitched within that area! My mind is swirling with so many possibilities!

One fact that I found especially neat is the ability the 830 has to backstitch with decorative stitches. In the past when stitching decorative stitches, the secure function must be used to tie off the threads at the beginning and end of each row because simply hitting the backstitch button would continue the pattern of stitches with stitches piling on top of each other, creating a rather undesired look.

But with the 830, when you hit the backstitch button, the machine tracks back and follows the exact same stitch pattern, eliminating the need for the securing button. Yes, it backstitches the decorative stitch in the same place so you still have a wonderful row of stitches! Now, isn’t that just too wonderful?!?!

Bernina Booth – the Bernina 830

Oh, and see that little green outfit behind the machine? Gayle Hillert from Bernina designed it and I never have met someone as creative as she is. She is an amazing lady! It’s amazing the number of decorative stitches and techniques she used to create such an adoreable children’s outfit. Gayle shares some of the techniques on the Bernina Blog.

Bernina Booth – the Limited Editions Machines

Bernina also has a set of limited editions machines which I seen photos of, but also got to see the machines in person. The activa White Pearl is my favorite! The elegant printing on it just enhances the look of the machine. And the fact that it is a limited edition makes it all the more enticing!

Bernina Booth – activa White Pearl

Jeanne Delpit from Bernina is such a joy to be around! She is such a burst of joy and excitement that there is no way you can be down and discouraged around her! Joanna and I met Jeanne at the Bernina Teacher’s Retreat in Chicago last year and she is so sweet!

me, Jeanne, Joanna

Joanna and I had a wonderful time walking the market floor, seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new ones as well as gaining way too many ideas for new projects!

Joanna and I

Plus I always gain a ton of ideas for projects to stitch and other fun things to do! Seeing all those wonderful booths just makes me want to just come straight home and start sewing! I’ve got some fun things to share with you regarding quilt market, including seeing Bernina’s brand new 830 sewing/embroidery machine! Which that wonderful machine with the JUMBO hoop is most definitely at the top of my “got-to-have” list!

I’m still in the process of catching up on email and answering those I’ve received from the past week, so if you haven’t heard from me yet, you will be soon!

Oh and that wonderful Olfa rotary cutter giveaway – the winner is Sue! Congratulations! You will enjoy this new rotary cutter; it’s breeze to change blades! If you didn’t win, you can purchase your very own cutter here or put it on your Christmas wish list!

I’m skipping this week’s giveaway, but another new and fun giveaway will be posted on Monday, so don’t miss it! Plus I brought some wonderful little treasures from Houston that are just waiting to find their way into your home!

For those of you who have heard little tid bits about an online Latte Quilt class starting in 2009 – yes, it’s true! Starting in January/February 2009, I will be teaching an online class to stitch the Latte Quilt. You can sign-up for more information as it becomes available here.

After watching the Bernina webcast introducing the new 8 Series machines, I am so excited and thrilled about this new machine – the Bernina 830! I can just see all the possible projects that can be stitched on this impressive machine.

There are several features which I am totally thrilled about, the number one thing being the jumbo hoop which increases the embroidery field to 16″ x 10″!!! Can’t you just see all the large designs that can be stitched and just imagine the borders and continuous designs that can be stitched with only one hooping verses several! I have been waiting for the width of the embroidery area to increase for several years and it’s finally here!!! :)

Plus there is an added amount of space between the needle and the machine, making it much easier to quilt larger projects and just gives so much more room to hold the fabric! And another favorite feature of mine is the automatic needle threader. Yes, it is totally automatic – a one-process threading system! And the jumbo bobbin which holds 40% more thread!!

Be sure to peek at Bernina’s new and improved website as they have great class lessons on sewing, serging, embroidery and software! Plus you can download instructions for lots of neat projects. And there are always free embroidery design downloads available as well as other fun things that get you totally excited about stitching!

You can always catch the latest Bernina news on the BerninaUSABlog!

You can access the link here…