FEATURED PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Drum roll please....

Ormond Beach Quilts
Designer: Robin Wilson
Pattern Name: Christmas Tree Wall Hanging
Finished Size: Finished size is 33" x 39"

Christmas tree wall hanging will make the most wonderful gift for yourself or the one you give it to.

*****This pattern is a digital download e-pattern. You will NOT receive a hard copy pattern. You will receive download link via email within 24 hours of cleared payment.

To find this and other products by well known designers go to: http://www.handmadewithlove.artfire.com/

Whether you are an established or "budding" designer and would like to talk about getting your designs "on paper" and/or online contact us here on the blog or at one of the following email addresses:


susan.hmwl@gmail

HandmadeWithLoveOnLine@gmail

OR if you prefer to call:

281-353-1203

Remember...more than likely you will get an answering machine most the time 'cause I am a hard working gal and don't just sit around waiting for a call. BUT, I will get back with you A.S.A.P.!     PROMISE!



In and Because of  HIM,
Susan

OH MY!

I can NOT believe it's been 10 days since my last blog update and 3days past the time I promised myself and announced to the world that Handmade with Love was going live!!!

However, I'm giving myself a break...considering I work a 40 hour week "real" job, already own 2 online venues where I sell wares, Twitter, FaceBook and trying to get my new site up and running it's no wonder I haven't blogged in days! Whew I'm tired.

I now have a bit of help...the parts of my new online store that I can't do right now...a friend is helping. SO, perhaps it won't be long at all before I can hit the "LIVE" button!

My dear hubby has been so patient and encouraging! The many nights sitting in front of my laptop with fingers flying over the key board, listening to me grumble when things don't go quite right, he has consistently sat here lovingly with me and spoke words of truth and has uplifted. Thank you God for that bit of support and letting me know I'm on the right track.

Today my plans include finishing up one bit of HMWL business and then I'm off to the sewing room. I bought some new fabric yesterday and now my fingers are itching to sew. A bit of diversion from sitting in front of my friend Mrz Laptop!

Y'all have a really nice day now YA HERE!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

HANDMADE WITH LOVE online!

Handmade with Love
is not a new kid on the block but we are a new on the World Wide Web venue offering PDF (down loadable) patterns from all genre'. 

Will  feature "ready made" products....got a sample of the quilt you just designed and want to sell it? We will be happy to help you do that. (Just remember all ready mades MUST be new and unused, except for having been displayed at a show, shop, festival, etc.)

IF you would like to have your patterns published contact us...we are going live on the web next week and would love to feature your designs as our NEW KID on the block!

So whether you design jewelry, quilt, make purses, embroider....name it.....we'd love to help you sell your product.

You may contact us here on the blog or at one of the following email addresses:
susan.hmwl@gmail
HandmadeWithLoveOnLine@gmail

OR if you prefer to call:
281-353-1203
Remember...more than likely you will get an answering machine most the time 'cause we are hard working gals and don't just sit around waiting for a call. BUT, we will get back with you A.S.A.P.!
PROMISE!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

NEW DESIGNER! BLACK CAT CREATIONS

We are a very close to opening day at Handmade with Love...
I know we've been saying it for a while now however, it really is going to very soon! So, keep your eyes peeled for OPENING DAY!


....please meet the brains behind our newest designers...from

Judy Reynolds

Mom was an excellent seamstress. She passed her techniques down to me. I had 3 kids and made just about everything they wore. While raising my kids, I drew, painted, and crocheted – just about any craft that came along.

At the prime age of 49, I graduated from college with an art degree. I painted for a year, and taught classes at many shops. Then I got a job at my local quilt shop. My palette changed from paints to fabrics. I began making baby quilts adding my own perspective and originality. The shop really appreciated having a budding designer in their midst and they encouraged me to create some original designs.

I started Black Cat Creations in 1998 but soon realized I would need some help to make my designs come to life. That’s about the time that Amy Cotham began working at the shop. We became partners and started marketing patterns our way.

It’s so much fun to open a catalog or magazine and see one of my designs. They seem to take on a life of their own. I hope everyone else enjoys making my patterns as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Amy Cotham

I think I was born crafting! I’ve always been interested in something – macramé, decoupage, crochet, folk art painting. I took my first quilting class in 1984. I was pregnant with my second child – bad timing. Have you ever tried to piece a Double Wedding Ring quilt on the machine when you couldn’t even reach the pedals? Well, with determination and lots of luck, I managed to get it done. That was the start of a love affair. No matter what craft trends have come and gone, quilting has always remained my #1.

Quilting has brought me so many great friends. In 1992, our family moved to Saudi Arabia. I quickly discovered that there wasn’t much to do, so I formed a quilting group – the Bedouin Piecemakers. Would you believe they’re still going strong today?

My love of quilting lead me to pursue a job at my local quilt shop. I’ve cut fabrics, sold machines, managed employees and kept the shop stocked. It was there that I met my partner, Judy Reynolds. With her art background, she was able to design beautiful original quilts that everyone just had to have. Together, we formed Black Cat Creations in 1998.

Since then, Judy and I have really enjoyed creating fun and easy patterns that appeal to quilters of all skill levels. We hope to continue to grow and expand as the market and our customer’s needs grow.

Handmade with Love is the "go to" site for Black Cat Creations newest pattern format. We will offer PDF form of  their most popular & "oldies but goodies"  patterns.

Black Cat Creations has several designers on board...you will be able to choose from several pattern types. So, now that you've met them....check 'em out here: Handmade with Love

Just to tease you a bit....

In and Because of HIM,

Susan

Handmade with Love

Kathy Adams of KoolKat Quilting

Kathy Adams of KoolKat Quilting is one of  Handmade with Love designers. We are so excited to have Kathy with us.

I had an opportunity to interview Kathy a while back and would love to introduce you to her. Hope you enjoy reading about her and her "rise to fame" in the quilting world.

Hi Kathy, how did you come up with the name for your company? 

"I have always had cats as pets, right from when I grew up.  Currently we have one very spoilt Burmese cat named Kurtley.  Since I have been working from home, I have noticed how often the cat is stretched out sound asleep.  This led to thoughts like “If I come back, I’m coming back as that cat,” and from there to contemplating how “cool” the cat appeared to be in its whole approach to life.  Hence “KoolKat Quilting”

How did you get your start and who gave you your first “break” if they did?

"I have been quilting for the past 20 years and after having sent my quilts to a long arm quilting service and appreciating the benefits, I decided to purchase my first Gammill Classic in 2003.  My first “break” occurred shortly afterwards when a friend appeared on my door-step with five quilts.  “Heard you just bought a quilting machine,” she said. I had hardly opened the instruction book before I found myself plunging in at the deep end as a machine quilting service.  Some time after that I decided to start designing my own quilt patterns.  I have had art and design training and a love of designing and making things which has encompassed anything from making my own clothes, to pottery, lead-light glass work and now quilt patterns.  This background coupled with a working knowledge of design software such as CorelDraw, helped me get started.  A quilt shop in Brisbane took one of my first designs, Gather Ye Rosebuds, as a Block of the Month, and this, plus KoolKat’s machine quilting customers, has helped me to develop my quilt pattern design work."

What type “work” do you prefer?

"I love stained glass quilts, contemporary quilts, traditional quilts – everything!"

How long have you been at your craft?

"I started making quilts about 20 years ago – gosh, it is that long ago!  I thought it would be an easy and “cheap” hobby and that I could just use scraps of any old fabric – fortunately I am much wiser now.  But as my friends say – it’s still a lot cheaper than therapy!"

Who has been the most influential person in your craft career?

"My first quilting teachers and quilting friends were so very supportive and encouraging.  Quilting has been very relaxing during challenging times of my life. I have found the quilting world to be very positive – I love “show and tell” as do all quilters.  It is also a very social activity."

Kathy lives in Queensland, Australia in a large rural town. She has been married for thirty-four years and wonders "where they all went". Kathy and her husband have one daughter, twenty-eight years old and is currently studing."

What gives you the greatest JOY in life.

"I have so much to be grateful for – my wonderful husband, great family and friends, good health and many creative opportunities. The artistic drive is very strong within me. I love to see an original quilt design come to fruition.  After visualizing an idea it is wonderful to be able to touch and feel the finished item.  I am lucky, working professionally in the quilting field, that I have had access to the best quality machines and materials to help my work come to life.  Also, because I quilt full time, all the practice I have had over the years has developed my skills enormously so that I am now able to execute most of my ideas without too much frustration.

My goals for the next decade include getting my patterns and designs out there for more quilters to enjoy, entering some major quilt shows, and continuing to provide a terrific quilting service for all my customers."

Kathy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.

 

You can check Kathy and KoolKat Quilting out at our temporary home by clicking HERE!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

STRANGLED BY WILD GEESE!

Strangled by Wild Geese
by Rochelle Martin and Laura Day

First in the new Quilted Cat Mystery series!
Released May 2010

Strangled by Wild Geese is the first in a series of 10 books written by Laura Day and her mother Rochelle Martin of Cottage Quilt Designs.

In this first book, of The Quilted Cat mystery series, there are 10 projects, 64 pages, 4 color pages of photos plus Laura's first story in the Quilted Cat mystery series.

Laura has written 8 stories about Isabelle and Tara Reed and Isabelle's cat, George-all solving a mystery with quilts each time. The stories were previously printed in Cotton Spice magazine. Laura is also the author of Orchid Remembrance which is the companion book to the pattern BOM Scrappy Bali Orchids. It's a fabulous story and can be purchased by itself for $4 from our website.

The next book in the Quilted Cat mystery series is entitled Cat Napping and Churn Dashes.

I have already preordered my copy of Strangled by Wild Geese! What are you waiting for?

To get your preorder discount go  HERE   now!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan