Catching up! Posts from my old site!

Hi! I'm copying and pasting these from my old website--in case you are new to Custom Quilt Kits or may have missed a post or two! Things have been quite hectic with me the past few months and I can see how you might have a hard time keeping up. Heck, even I have a hard time keeping up and it's MY life...lol

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Hi! I missed blogging last week...I was on Spring Break from school and then the family headed to DC for some sightseeing--for them...and the Creative Arts Business Summit for me. This was my 3rd year attending this conference. If you are a quilt professional, this is THE place to be to grow your business. Yesterday I went to Charlotte, NC to train how to use my new Epilog Laser. It was nice to get away by myself. ;) I have several shops signed up to to have me laser cut their Row by Row. I have a few more slots left. If you would like your shop to offer that, have them email me, OK? Rose@customquiltkits.com Gotta roll,

Rose ps. Thank you to all who offered suggestions for the new laser--I named her Madam Defarge--a character in A Tale of Two Cities who fantasizes about killing people with a tapestry thread-- or something to that effect--it's been awhile since I read the book.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Hello! I've been talking about my new laser for a few weeks. Guess what arrived? YES it did! did you hear me shouting and dancing last night? (after we had to remove a window, slide the crate through the window, and put the window back in?? lol)

Well, I was reading the owner's manual yesterday--please don't laugh...this is an expensive piece of equipment and I don't want to mess it up! I came to the section about installing the new computer drivers for it and the manual says I need to name my laser. I need your help! I need to keep it G rated--so when I yell at it in frustration--1. my neighbors aren't offended, and 2. my children can repeat it. ;) Can you help me come up with a name? Head over to my blog on blogspot to leave a comment...I can't wait to see all the suggestions! Rose Thursday, March 17, 2016 Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! Whew! What a busy few weeks I've had. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I've gotten everything cut and packaged that I plan to sell at the Quilt Fair this weekend and was able to start working on my demo that I plan to do. I plan to "work smarter, not harder" with this. Not only am I "demo-ing" this technique this weekend, but plan to teach it at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival in June, as well as, several quilt guild meetings this year. What IS this technique, you ask? Well, it's using your die cut machine to cut stencils that you can use to paint with. Paint on fabric, paint on walls, stationary, t-shirts, etc. Here is what I started playing with last night...

I thought I would use green in honor of today's holiday. This shape is using one of the Ricky Timms' dies that Accuquilt carries. They make one for the Studio and GO!. I use freezer paper for the stencil. Make sure it's ironed down really well! I also use Shiva Paintstiks and a small bristle brush. I plan to experiment with other paints and brushes soon. Would love a comment over on blogspot about any techniques you've tried...click here. keep quilting! Rose Thursday, February 25, 2016 I've had very little time recently to sew with my machine. I'm busy with a few bathroom remodels (why did I decide to have 2 bathroom remodels at the same time, anyway???), customer orders, a quilt show to get ready for, a guild meeting that I'm teaching at, and a business conference. Oh, yeah, and my oldest son's 9th birthday party. whew. I'm exhausted just thinking about all that... A few months ago I featured a friends pattern, Peppermints. (visit Elaine's website here.) I wanted to make this quilt to see if it is die cut friendly. (it is!) I pulled fabric from my stash and got busy. I quickly realized that contrast in a pile of fabric and contrast when the block is put together is not always the same. Here is what I'm talking about:

This block was super easy to put together. While I absolutely LOVE the red fabric that I chose, and I think the white is a good choice, the beige is kinda "blah". In fact, I have a hard time telling where the white "candy wrapper" part of the block is without really looking. Sooo...back to the drawing board. I haven't decided what color I'll choose next to try...maybe a silver gray?

Would love a comment about what color you think I should try.

I'm still trying to choose a new pattern for a BOM to start this summer. Leave a comment with a link to the pattern if you have a suggestion. I can always start more than one BOM if I have enough interest. To leave a comment, click here.

keep quilting, ya'll!

Rose

Saturday, February 20, 2016 Hello Everyone! I am so excited to tell you about a business trip I took to Charlotte, NC yesterday! I have had my eye on a laser cutting system for several years for my business. They are expensive. I also have 2 children that I was scared to have such equipment around (I can see Mo putting Chi in the machine, closing the lid and pressing the power button...) Epilog is the brand that I like most. There are other terrific brands out there, but this one is close (well, Charlotte, NC is 2.5 hours away) and the customer service is top notch. My machine should arrive sometime next month. I'm SO excited...can you hear my excitement? I literally couldn't sleep last night. This machine will allow me to cut ALL applique patterns. It will allow me to do so much more! I will be able to cut plastic (think templates, rulers, quilt stencils) glass (I plan to etch quilt patterns on wine glasses, coffee mugs and YETI cups!). I will also be able to etch your logo onto cups, mugs, etc. What an awesome gift for your favorite customer! I can also engrave wood and cork. I see some quilt themed cork coasters in my future. On display in the showroom the rep had etched the marble floor in the doorway. My fireplace in my studio remodel is going to have some etched granite on the hearth... Oh, the ideas are endless... But I need your help! I would LOVE to start a block of the month (or every other week, if that is what the group decides), but I need some suggestions. Remember, I will be able to cut ANY pattern. I will not be limited to the dies I own or can have created (custom dies are SO expensive!) I will have to get permission from the pattern designer, but that usually isn't a problem. Suggestions need to be patterns that I can still order--either from a distributor or from the designer directly. Please...please...please... Post comments WITH links to patterns that you would like to see offered as a BOM. Also, can I ask another favor???? Can you send a shout out to all your quilty friends on FB, Instgram, Pinterest, quilt guilds, etc. and ask for their input? They can also sign up for my newsletter on my website by clicking here, that way we stay in touch! Thank you for all your help and support as I start down this new path! Rose