Introducing Batter UP!

This is the pattern that I have been working on for so long! Below you will see the packaging and the final quilt. I will be selling them tomorrow at Miltown Quilters Members Market!

NEW PATTERN! Bleeding Heart!

I was so drained from the Batter pattern that I needed to come to my studio and do something that is much easier. I finished the Bleeding Heart Pattern. I had done the research and some sketches. I concentrated on finishing up the composition and details. I will write up this pattern very soon. This will be MUCH easier than the Batter. I think i will try that geranium next – or maybe a poinsettia – What do you think?

BATTER IS DONE!!!!

My goodness – putting this pattern together was like giving birth! UGH! But it is done! I will be sewing up the four samples this weekend and get these patterns printed! After I get these together I think I might create a couple of new flowers to make the current total of floral to 20. I am mid way through a floral of “Bleeding Hearts” and I had a student suggest a “geranium”.

Today I also got two huge boxes filled with patterns that need to be stuffed. That will be a welcome relief of a non-thinking task to replenish my brain from all the Batter writing and drawing.

I think I may start my Obama quilt. I have had the sketches done since January of 2008.

THE ONLINE ZEBRA STORE IS UP!!!!!

This is HUGE news for my quilt business! Gary has been working hard to get the website store up so that patrons can buy my patterns direct from me via paypal. Yesterday we got our first two internet orders! Wahoo!  Both quilters ordered the “Trucks” pattern. That is quite ironic as the Trucks were among the very first patterns that I ever printed.  If you want patterns from Zebra you can now either visit the listed quilt shops or buy direct online.

My business pal – Maria O’Havor and I are vending our patterns next week at my local guild – Miltown Quiulters.  We are hoping to have a good venture!

I also want to post some cute pictures from Halloween 2008 at the Gabel House hold. Talk to you soon!

Batter Up – almost done

Pictured above are the four samples that I am making, along with two large patterns for positioning and the possible backing fabrics. This pattern has been brutal to write! It is big and complex. However – the directions are written and formatted into a 2 page document! Hurray! Next it is onto labeling each of the pattern pieces – then finishing the applique, quilting and binding of the four samples. Last will be to photograph and make the cover for printing! Whew! This has been a long one! I am on the home stretch now – keep posted to see when the actual pattern is released.

I met a incredibly talented 16 year old young lady from the Chicago area in a quilted post card exchange a few years back. We became fast friends and we even visited together at my home last summer. Her name is Kayla Fujimoto. Kayla is a natural! The big news is that Kayla is featured in this month’s “Cloth Paper Scissors” magazine! I still have not picked up the magazine – but intend to do so today! Kayla’s mom, Laurie,  is very talented and teaches quilting in the windy city. If I ever get out to Chicago I will surely need to visit and go shop hopping out there! In fact I know the Chicagoo Quilt fest is going on this week – wish I could have gone!