Celebrating Sue Bleiweiss's new book - Colorful Fabric Collage with prizes for you!

I am honored to be one of the featured artists in Sue Bleiweiss's new book- Colorful Fabric Collage. This wonderful book is about appliqué and how varied and wonderful it can be. Sue has some amazing projects in the book and several guest artists so you can see different styles of work. Sue has done a great job of writing this book and sharing her love of appliqué. She not only gives you tons of ideas for creating, stitching and displaying your work she also has lots of fun projects in the book! I know you will enjoy this book! 

THE SUNBATHER

When Sue asked me to do a small piece for the book I was thrilled and really thought about what I wanted to share with you. I decided that it had to be one of my favorite family's pets. I love to do these wonderfully lit, fun pieces that capture our furry best friends! This is Winston, he is my brothers Frenchie and he is a character. They live in northern CA where it gets cold, in the winter you won't find Winston far from the wall heater. In the Spring you will find him sunning himself in the garden! Make sure you check out Winston on page 57! And make sure you check out Sue's book for more wonderful examples of different methods to use  appliqué. 

If you leave a comment here today you will be entered to win all this;  a prize package that includes a book, a stack of 10" squares of Sue's hand dyed fabric, some spools of Aurifil thread and a package of Mistyfuse.
Click on the book to see more, its an affiliate link to Amazon where you can get your copy! Below is a list of the contributing designers that will be doing the blog hop and offering free prizes!! Don't miss out!

May 4: Sue Bleiweiss: http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog/

May 4: Jamie Fingal :http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/
May 5: Leslie Tucker Jenison: http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
May 6: Terri Stegmiller : http://stegart.blogspot.com/
May 7: Deborah Boschert : http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/
May 8: Desiree Habicht : http://myclothesline.blogspot.com/
May 9: Kathy Sperino : http://finishinglinesbyksperino.blogspot.com/
May 10: Barb Forrister : http://www.barbforrister.com/blog/
May 11 Kathy York : http://www.aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com/
May 12: Lyric Kinard : http://lyrickinard.com/lyric-kinard-blog/

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks! All this from one inspired idea!

Its my turn to share with you my block and remind you to leave a comment here to be entered into a drawing for lots of great prizes!

This story is all about inspiration! I was working on a new Mug Rug pattern for my Mug Rug Club and I was babysitting my twin granddaughters. We were watching cartoons and a fish poked his head out of the water and my heart jumped and I knew I had my new pattern. While I was designing and making my new Mug Rug pattern I decided to make my block for Quiltmakers 100 block volume 11 magazine.

My first Fish Mug Rug

Then I had another idea

and another, all Mug Rug patterns then I went to the block

Here is my block that you have in your magazine with the pattern and templates! But I wasn't done yet, I was on a roll!

From the there my mind was still spinning and I decided that this would be a wonderful fabric line so I designed the small stripe after my Mug Rugs and block and sent it off to see if my fabric company, Quilting Treasures was interested in me developing the line, they were very excited and I started developing the whole line. 

This was the painting of my idea for fabric I sent to QT and I went on to develop the panel with all the characters and the coordination fabrics too. 

The Under the Sea Panel

But wait! Thats not all! I thought to myself that it was too cute to not make a baby with this idea, and so I designed this cute quilt that matches everything! 

Same idea, worked a bit differently. And just when you thought I was finished with this idea I thought that these adorable and now very popular fish would make a wonderful embroidery CD to go along with everything else and so Free in the Sea Embroidery was born!

All that from one afternoon watching a cartoon and being inspired enough to keep developing my idea! 

So if you are interested in anything you see here today you can find it on my website at www.desireesdesigns.com but you can get the block pattern now in the Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol 11 out now!! Leave a comment and be entered into a drawing to recieve a free magazine and gifts too! I will also be giving away a free panel to one lucky person who leaves a comment here! 

Right NOW!! Blog Hops with tons of giveaways!!!

This week is a crazy week of blog hops for me but that makes for a great week for you and it all starts Today!! Make sure you check back often in the next week and a half and leave a comment for chances to win some amazing prizes from magazines and authors and other creatives!! This is going to be a killer week for everyone!! I am so excited you will be joining me!! First we have the Quiltmaker Blog Hop Tour featuring the 100 Blocks Magazine that is available now!!

  

Check out the designers that are featured today and leave comments on their blogs for chances to win some great prizes! I will be on Thursday so come back and leave a comment here too!!!

Today also starts my good friend, Sue Bleiweiss's Blog Tour to celebrate her newest book called Colorful Fabric Collage! Friday the 8th is my day! I am honored to be one of the featured artists in the book and I will be talking about my little quilt I made for the book and if you leave a comment on that day you will have the chance to win all this prize package that includes a book, a stack of 10" squares of my hand dyed fabric, some spools of Aurifil thread and a package of Mistyfuse.
Click on the book to see more, its a link to Amazon where you can get your copy! Below is a list of the contributing designers that will be doing the blog hop and offering free prizes!! Don't miss out!

May 4: Sue Bleiweiss: http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog/

May 4: Jamie Fingal :http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/
May 5: Leslie Tucker Jenison: http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
May 6: Terri Stegmiller : http://stegart.blogspot.com/
May 7: Deborah Boschert : http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/
May 8: Desiree Habicht : http://myclothesline.blogspot.com/
May 9: Kathy Sperino : http://finishinglinesbyksperino.blogspot.com/
May 10: Barb Forrister : http://www.barbforrister.com/blog/
May 11 Kathy York : http://www.aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com/
May 12: Lyric Kinard : http://lyrickinard.com/lyric-kinard-blog/

Then on to my dear friend Lyric Kinard who just released her amazing DVD called Thermofax 101, which is all about thermofax screen printing and mixed media. I took one of my paintings and had her make me a thermofax screen and I will be showing off my project and offering not only a free give away of Lyrics DVD but also I will be giving away some of my prints of my screen on fabric and paper for you to do what you please with! More on May 12 here on my blog. Here are links and the blogs to visit starting May 1st and check out the Thermofax 101 picture is a link to Amazon!

May 1- Elizabeth and Sue Gibson-http://pgfiber2art.blogspot.com/
May 2- Judy Coates Perez http://www.judycoatesperez.com
May 4- Linda Stokes  www.lindastokes-textileartist.com
May 6-Jane Davia http://janedavila.blogspot.com
May 7- Liz Kettle http://www.textileevolution.com/index.php/our-journey
May 8- Carol Sloan  http://carolbsloan.blogspot.com
May 9 - Kathy York- http://aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com
May 11- Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com
May 12- Desiree Habicht- http://myclothesline.blogspot.com
May 13-Jamie Fingal-http://JamieFingalDesigns.blogspot.com/
May 14- Deborah Boschert- http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com
May 15- Sarah Ann Smith-sarahannsmith.com/weblog

The Big Tree Painting

Today, Jennifer and I went to a community art project called The Big Tree Painting with Jeff Soto, a local artist. Participants were able to paint wood blocks that make up the Big Tree in Jeff's signature edgy style.

All the paintings will then be assembled and exhibited this summer at the museum. It was so much fun to see the community come together and just paint whatever they wanted on their blocks. I will be excited to see the exhibit when they all come together. Jenn worked on smaller blocks and gave them to the boys. As we were walking away from the painting tables we were immediately distracted by the flying antics of lots of some birds, as we looked up we spotted the mud nests of swallows. It was fun to watch them but I am glad I don't have eaves on my house anymore.

         

 It was back to the house for a day outside with the boys! Counting my blessing today!

Cuddling with Aunt Jen Jen

The Dog Walker

I have a neighbor who rescues dogs. She always walks by our house with her pack. I love seeing them, they are all very well behaved and they look like they are totally enjoying themselves. I grabbed my paints and decided to capture this group in oil. Some days there is nothing better than grabbing some friends and going for a walk!

Perfectly imperfect Placemats!!

I am a guest designer on the Stencil Girl blog today, I had a blast doing this really fun project with my grandkids! I hope you will get a chance to pop over and check it out! Even though Blake's picture isn't in the post he was there! He was doing his own thing, making his placemat his way, without stencils. If you get a chance check out their amazing selection and variety of stencils. I love their stencils and I had such a hard time settling in on just one project. Here is Blake's adorable pictures as he paints away. I hope you like the post, and will leave me a comment!

Back to the studio!

I have been busy since I returned creating new pieces of art and working on my newest fabric line along with some other fun projects. I am so excited to have spring arriving and the flowers all starting to bloom, I can't help but want to create more!

I just had to paint!

These little art quilts are mounted onto canvas for easy hanging. All hand painted and ready for display. I will even add on of my cards with the same design! Price is each so please specify which design you would like.

With Easter fast approaching I need to get all of my flowers in the ground. This year we are going to the Mission Inn for their famous brunch! Oh happy day!

Some exciting news while reaching for the gold ring

I had the amazing opportunity to be featured on three segments for Quilting Arts TV and to write some articles for the magazine. I had such an amazing time that I thought I would share it with you! I will say that creating all the steps outs and writing was a ton of work but it was all worth it!

But wait, before I skip ahead to that, first I traveled to NC, Asheville for a business retreat with my coach. It was a wonderful, empowering trip and I learned a lot! It was a perfect way to launch me into the show! Here are some pictures from the even. I also wanted to tell you that today Christine Kane is offering a free webinar, hope you can make it, here is the affiliate link.  If you are interested in upleveling your business you might want to check Christine Kane out! She is amazing

I put some arrow so you could find me! I am right next to Christine

Our favorite hangout French Broad, a chocolate lounge

Then I flew off to do my tapings! It was so cold there, freezing! But I had such a great time, the women were wonderful and we had a ton of fun!

Susan and I for the 1600 Series

Susan and I for the 1700 Series

getting ready

We had a fun dinner together and enjoyed learning more about each other.

So for me this was all about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing something new and scary! Do you have those things that you know you want to do but your fear of failing or looking bad holds you back!? I am here to encourage you to take a step out of your box and reach for the gold ring! These are those times when we really grow! Enjoy

Easter is just around the corner- Time for a giveaway

Your probably thinking wow, its only March!! I know, it feels a bit like Costco huh, with their Christmas decorations up in July. Well its all about timing, so to make sure you have time to display it I am giving you only a week to sign up and then on March 8th, the winner will be selected and my little Bunny block will be hopping its way to a new home!

I designed this fun 12"x12" Bunny Block but I haven't published yet, so you will  be the first to own it. I have it all ready to go, its sewn, has some cute wooden fabric covered buttons too. Maybe its ready to go to your house! Check out my FB page Desiree's Designs Studios and sign up! You only have a week to sign up this time. Lets make sure you get this cute Easter Block in time to hang it up before Easter!  Good Luck!

To be first to receive info on future giveaways make sure you sign up for my Newsletters at www.desireesdesigns.com 

An assortment of these handmade, fabric covered wooden buttons are new and I will be adding them to my website this week but they are in very limited amounts.

Spring is in the air!

I love this time of year where we live it is absolutely gorgeous. I know the heat will be here soon but for now I can't get enough sun. I have my garden planted, lawns are greening up and there is a newness about everything. I just wrapped up my latest give away, I hope you entered! It was so much fun I will be doing one each month so check back often. The warm weather inspired my painting which feels like spring to me. I painted, sewed and made this cute bookmark for Cathi Early who won my first give-away! Congrats Cathi!

Today I took some time to just enjoy the weather and the yard. The trees budding up and the daffodils blooming really inspire me! 

 Tiny reminders that spring is here for us, but sadly the east coast is still under tons if snow if freezing conditions. Jennifer and I are praying for all of you in this cold weather. We often talk about how hard it must be to be handicapped in those conditions, I can't imagine having to try and clear the walkway of snow to get Jennifer's wheelchair out to the car, oh and then clear the driveway etc. I am always so thankful I don't have to deal with that and I admire those who do it everyday! So to spread some sunshine here is another tiny reminder that spring is approaching! Hang in there!

 Randy disturbed a nest of baby cotton tails while working in the yard and they scattered! I caught one.

I think I might have to paint this!

The Stew of Self Doubt

I don't know why it is that no matter how much my brain tries to convince my heart I still deal with self doubt. Obviously, the more confident I feel in an area the less the self doubt is but, it still seems to creep up and catch me, when I am must vulnerable, like yesterday.


The what if's, the why's, the how comes, mixed with the tears, all start to stir into a giant pot of self doubt stew. Then to make things worse, everything else that comes along on during that time is added to the mixture like a bad seasoning, only to make it even harder to swallow.  Instead of throwing out the whole batch, like I should, I decide to just let it simmer.

It continues to stink up my whole day as it's foul odor permeates everything else that seems to come along.  It almost causes all the good things that are happening to melt away as it demands its way and tears away my confidence.  It happens to all of us, in many areas of our lives. This pot of self doubt will just continue to cook down into just a rue of fear, and we all know fear does.

Its what happens next that makes the difference. Its what I do with that fear and self doubt that will either make me breakthrough it or be overcome by it. Will I figure out a solution or curl up in defeat in the corner. It is my choice, it is your choice today.

 Today, I am throwing out that stew of self doubt,  and I have decided to bake some cookies instead!! Won't you join me?

Creating Magic

I have been busy working in the studio, writing articles for a magazine and playing with textures. I love having the time to explore new possibilities. I have been exploring some uses with colored pencils on fabrics for some articles and a TV appearance!! Yes, you heard it right, I am going to be flying out next month for a taping, I will share more as it gets closer.

But for now its all about creating my magic for you and for my Valentines Day drawing I am having. I hope you have signed up, I can't wait to see who will get my hand made, painted, colored, quilted, sewn bookmark!

I will also be signing it and maybe sending you other goodies! It is my Valentines gift to you!!

Yesterday I treated enjoyed a day at the spa with my daughter, using a gift certificate my family gave me last Mother's Day! It was so nice to just have a day to relax and regroup. I work so much by myself that it is so much fun to visit with other women and especially my daughters who are usually very busy with their own families now. It is really amazing how energizing it is to just take a day and relax. By taking care of me I am better able to take care of those around me so it is a win win! Feeling special today!

A Giveaway just in time for Valentines Day! Will you be my Valentine?

I love Valentines day, a day to remind everyone how much I appreciate and love them, friends, family everyone is included.

While I was writing my Newsletter this month I thought it would be nice to send one of you a special Valentines Gift! To tell you how much I appreciate you too! You won't get it on Valentines Day, but I will announce the winner that day. I am making a bookmark just for you, painting, sewing, stitching something special to give away. It will be a one of a kind and I want you to have it, just follow the link to my Facebook page where you can also sign up to win. I hope you will Like my page too!