With this newsletter I’m introducing a new pattern I produced for Mary EllenHopkins. It’s a strong graphic design with a contemporary flair. I call it “Charlie & Friends. ” That’s because I accented the border with a fun Charlie Chaplin fabric I had in my stash. In black, white and red it looks great but other colors would befun, too. This one is for a quilter with some patchwork experience.

Click to see "Charlie and Friends" at Hearthsidequiltersnook.com

Another attraction added to my store is a pattern called “Happenstance,” from a new designer, Caren Zimmerman. It’s a contemporary design that is sensational in batiks but shows well in any fabric. Two simple blocks make a great design. I did one in a table runner, also.

Caren is focusing on several other concepts and we will definitely keep an eye on her progress and present the results when they’re ready to be revealed.

Click to see "Happenstance" at the Hearthside online store

One more fun new design, from Rosemary Malzahn, owner of Bigsby’s Designs, is a round log cabin block called “Once in a Blue Moon.” Featuring a great border idea, the pattern stands up great to big prints.

Click to See "Once in a Blue Moon" at the Hearthside online store

Sew much is going on in the quilt world offering sew much fun. I’m off to Las Vegas in July for a week of sewing and teaching. The “Vegas Strippers” meet out there each year; five days, four teachers and lots of extra projects and great sharing. It’s a gathering of about 40 quilters from Australia to New York. I’ll give you an inside look when I get back.

One last announcement for those of you searching for programs for your guilds. Linda Marcou and I have a new road show called “Restitching Tradition.” We’re backing up to go forward and remembering our basics and how much we can do with 9-Patches, 4-Patches, Rail Fence, Drunkards Path and even curves. “Restitching Tradition” is a rapid fire one hour presentation featuring 30 quilts. The fee is $290ºº plus travel expenses. Let me know if you need more information. We’re booking for Fall 2010 and beyond.

Click to to see the "Restitching" info page at Hearthside

SUMMER HINT: Are the mosquitoes bugging you on your deck or patio? Put two or three drops of Lemon Joy in a dinner plate. Fill with water and place the dish on your patio. Mosquitoes will flock to it, fall in and die – or get a few feet away and die. Great around kids.