Pat Sloan's QuiltersHome

What's new??

My newest book "Quilt the Seasons, book 2" is here!! I'm so excited. You know I love seasonal quilts and make lots of them. The quilts are of varied sizes and I love them ALL, hope you do too! 

http://patsloan.biz/quilttheseasons-book2.aspx

Quick Quilts Using Pre-cut Fabrics by Edie McGinnis
Designs that will make you want to break open those precut fabric packages and take them right to your sewing machine. Grab you favorite Charm Pack, Jelly Roll, or Layer Cake and whip up one of these quick desserts.

Tips tricks and 6 cutie patootie designs to make up with all those pre-cuts!
http://patsloan.biz/justdessertsbook.aspx

I use this pocket reference book ALL the time! If you don't own it you should... it answers lots of questions we quilters have like

• Quilt back sizes
• Diagonal measurements on blocks
• Yardage for quilt backs
• Calculations for what amount to add to create any size Square/Half Square Triangle/Quarter Square Triangle.. etc
• Figuring Border Lengths
• Size of square to make continues bias binding
• And MORE!

http://patsloan.biz/thequilterspocketreferencebook.aspx

A Backing Bundle SALE! A limited number of 6-yd bundles for $34.95.... hurry!

http://patsloan.biz/fabric-2.aspx

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Arabella Sighting!

Arabella's Court Yard that I designed for the "Love of Quilting" magazine... May/June 2009 issue!! Click here

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Death by Quilting- The Website

You've heard of Death by Chocolate... its a chocolate dessert term coined by Erik Russell in 1984 while working for London-based dessert manufacturer, Kaysens. On tasting the sample for a proposed new chocolate product he exclaimed, "This one's death by chocolate".

It also means just chocolate so good you don't mind if eating it ... well... kills you.....

My friend Margi and I got to talking about this and decided that I needed to build a "Death by Quilting" website.

A place where I can host my challenges, SeW AloNGS!, swaps, and games. A place where obsessed quilters can hang out and be together.  Where I can host challenges 'to the death', run my SeW AloNGS!, or just do a simple swap.  There is a blog, a games page where you see what is coming up, AND a brand new forum!

I hosted the first EXTREME Death By Quilting game and we just finished it... it was LOADS of fun!  Barb won and she is the reining QUEEN of Death by Quilting.... see it at the blog page

To say I'm excited about this putting it mildly... I'm over the moon with this idea.. and ready to kill to quilt... bring on the fun... I dare you to join me...

http://www.deathbyquilting.com/

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Arabella's Secret Garden SeW AloNG!

 

It's time for Pinwheel love... I'll be doing a SeW AloNG! Blog post next week!

And load your photos to the new Flickr group. I will send a prize to someone who did the monthly section... A random drawing from the photos posted to Flickr!

Flickr Group Folder

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1128404@N22/pool/

Get the Pattern here -

http://patsloan.biz/asecretgardenquiltpattern.aspx

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Up Coming Trips, will I see you there?

Many of you have asked me 'how' a quilt cruise works, let me tell you ALL about it!

On a cruise you will be combining a fabulous trip to a fabulous location with quilting time.. the best of both worlds! We will have workshops during Sea days. On my June trip below, that means 2 workshops full days of workshop.  We have a morning and an afternoon session.  When we are in port, there are no workshops.

The REALLY cool thing about the trip is that we work with a sewing machine dealer (my good friend Scott!) to have machines available.... so you don't have to bring one! AND I provide a quilt kit, you only need to bring a few things along.  The workshop is fun and relaxing, nothing too serious, just some good sewing time while on a GREAT vacation.



Many evenings the sewing room is available for 'open sewing'.  You can go see what the other quilters are doing, bring your own project to work on, sew on the class project, or not go to the sewing room at all. The ship has a TON on things planned in the evening and almost all are free! You can listen to live music, see a show, play games, karaoke is most nights, sit outside on the deck, play the slot machines and even shop!

Non quilting friends and partners are welcomed. We'd love you to bring them along. While you are sewing during Sea Days the rest of the ship is HOPPING with activities! Dance lessons, tours, swimming, sun bathing, reading by the pool, and ship hosted workshops are going on in every corner of the ship.

Have a question? Email me at pat@patsloan.com and I'll get it answered!

Cruise Dates are June 18-26 2010.
Sew Many Places is my travel agency. They have the itinerary at their website. And the BEST thing is that you can start a payment plan NOW for the trip! Call the office and they will set up a monthly payment so by the time we leave next year your vacation is paid for, it's fabulous!
http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/canada_0610.html

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May 13 - 17, 2009 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Group - TRADE SHOW - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
Website - http://www.quilts.com/home/

July 24 - 26, 2009 - Long Beach, California

Group - Quilt Festival Long Beach - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://quilts.com/home/

July 30 - Aug 2, 2009 - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Group - Quilt Odyssey (10th Anniversary show!) - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://www.quiltodyssey.com/

So where ELSE will I be?? Check my workshop page at the website!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/workshops.html

PS - I'm working on my 2010 events too... send me a note if you want to get on my schedule!

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Good Book Cafe

How's the reading going? Let us know at the group site what good read YOU have going on!

book list
http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

book club

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Good-Book-Cafe/

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Yummy!

Can you smell the peanut butter?? Denny sent this Reese's topped cookie and it's SO easy....  at my Yummy Recipe site!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

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Season of Grace FREE BOM - From Pat and Emilie Richards

This month the block is at Emilie's website. Be sure to read one of websites ... we are announcing a 'Grand Prize' and what you have to do to be in the running!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

And Emilie's site-

http://www.emilierichards.com/

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SeW AloNG! - I Believe - May Block

 

Let's get the top section done. Angels for May... think of them as Garden Angels!I would love to see these little girls in summer dresses on a table runner.. so sweet I think.

Need the pattern? It is a single pattern or it's in my Folksy Favorites book

Click HERE for the single Pattern - http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

Click HERE for Folksy Favorite book - http://patsloan.biz/folksyfavoritesbypatsloan.aspx

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Thoughts and a Quote

The beauty of fragrance is that it speaks to your heart…and hopefully someone else’s. ―Elizabeth Taylor A mother holds her children's hands for awhile, their hearts forever.

This month I'm doing a few really exciting things. One is a artist retreat where I will NOT be working with fiber!

My first workshop is a mixed media paint/collage and funked up piece to use as a wall hanging. I've decided to do it in with lots of red so it fits in my studio! My friend Brenda and I are doing this one together.

The 2nd class is a beaded necklace. I've done simple beaded  necklaces, but it has been YEARS... so this will be very fun to play with beads for a day. I'm going to try and do a design that I can get mostly finished in class... sound familiar to you quilters taking workshops?  And guess what? I can buy a KIT.. woot!! All I have to bring is scissors and a light.. I'm so happy!

We will get to hang with other artists for 2.5 days... which is REALLY the most fun. They have a room set up for hanging out, there will be loads of kool people in our classes.. and the hotel is attached to the conference center... which means hanging out in the lobby chatting art!

Where is this wonderful event? Hampton Virginia... sponsored by Art & Soul... rock on!

http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/index.html

Watch my blog later this month for photos!

Link to ME at Facebook- make me your friend
http://www.facebook.com/people/Pat-Sloan/1004154166

My facebook Quilt group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45564533357

twitter - not sure what I'm doing here but feel free to listen in!
http://twitter.com/QuilterPatSloan

 

What's new??

Since I'm on a QUEST to convince ALL quilters it's OK TO APPLIQUE (has a nice ring to it....)... I put together a Learn to Applique KIT... woot woot!!!

The kit includes a BONUS pattern and the fabric to make it... plus fusible, thread, my learn to applique book. The book is a super teaching tool as it walks you through step by step the way I do my fusible applique. It's my workshop in a book!

http://patsloan.biz/learntoappliquebeginnerskit.aspx

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Sand Hut is awesome!

This is such an amazing and useful fabric! This is very similar to Sandcastle for those of you that loved that until it went away. I got the natural as we can DYE IT!!! OH MY!! The colors are endless.. just you, your washing machine and a package of rit dye!    The fabric is 58" wide (woot!) and has a quilty texture. When you wash it the texture crinkles up like it's already quilted.

FABULOUS for Bags, the base of a table runner or place mat, PERFECT for embroidery by machine or hand, I even made a jacket out of it once.

http://patsloan.biz/sandhutfabricnaturalsoldin12yardincrements.aspx

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Some other kit love...

Check out the sale on a few of my other kits.. pick one up.. like my all time favorite quote quilt! So how is your fun factor? Good? Need to make a quilt for a gift.... make someone smile with this one!
http://patsloan.biz/kits.aspx

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Death by Quilting- The Challenge

The Death by Quilting challenge has been AWESOME so far! We have weapons hitting their targets right and left. There are still a few players in the game... read the blog to see what has been going on... and it's funny... really funny... so if you are at work don't laugh TOO loud!

Are you tough enough and brave enough to enter the competition next time? Stay tuned for a date in late May for round 2.....  if YOU can handle this EXTREME Quilting challenge.. I dare you!

http://www.deathbyquilting.com/

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Arabella's Secret Garden SeW AloNG!

A Secret Garden -  70" x 70" quilt.

The Secret Garden SeW AloNG! starts on Saturday April 11! A perfect project to start over the holiday weekend. I will do a post on Saturday giving all the details, so be sure you check it!

ps - if you want to pre-order a kit I'm taking more names. Fabric will be in after the 20th sometime, then I'll email you when the kit is ready to ship.  send me a note to pat@patsloan.com

http://patsloan.biz/asecretgardenquiltpattern.aspx

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Up Coming Trips, will I see you there?

First I'm SUPER excited to tell you that my 2010 cruise is final and it's WAY different than the others! We decided to change it up as the Port of Baltimore Maryland now has more cruises and they look so fabulous! 

We will be sailing in the summer on Royal Caribbean (such first class!). My idea is to offer a summer cruise so you could bring your WHOLE family, what cool thing for a family to do!  We are going up the coast to visit New England and Canada, which means we are seeing the Historic East coast in all it's summer glory.

A lot of people have told me they wanted to try cruising but didn't want to have to fly to Florida, so for those on the east coast you can DRIVE to port! If you are close enough you can drive to port the morning we sail. If you want to come a day early, the marvelous city of Baltimore is home to so much history. It's a wonderful place where you can walk the town, see a ball game, visit the museums, even see Baltimore Album quilts!

Cruise Dates are June 18-26 2010.
Sew Many Places is my travel agency. They have the itinerary at their website. And the BEST thing is that you can start a payment plan NOW for the trip! Call the office and they will set up a monthly payment so by the time we leave next year your vacation is paid for, it's fabulous!
http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/canada_0610.html

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Apr 17-19, 2009 - Rosemont, Illinois

Group - Quilt Festival Chicago - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://quilts.com/home/

Apr 28-29, 2009 - Glouster, Virginia

Group -  River County Quilters
website - email me pat@patsloan.com

May 13 - 17, 2009 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaia

Group - TRADE SHOW - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
Website - http://www.quilts.com/home/

July 24 - 26, 2009 - Long Beach, California

Group - Quilt Festival Long Beach - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://quilts.com/home/

July 30 - Aug 2, 2009 - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Group - Quilt Odyssey (10th Anniversary show!) - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://www.quiltodyssey.com/

So where ELSE will I be?? Check my workshop page at the website!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/workshops.html

PS - I'm working on my 2010 events too... send me a note if you want to get on my schedule!

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Linky Love...

I got some Linky Love this last month...Longarm quilters Matt and Bradie Sparrow featured me on their website in Canada, I'm the MARCH Calendar girl... hehe!

http://learn-2-quilt.com/

And Stitchin'Heaven in Tx just gave me a little feature love on April 9.. how cool is that!

http://blog.stitchinheaven.com/blog/

Smooches!!!

 

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Good Book Cafe

I loaded up April and May book options.... and the best part is that this month people are sharing their 'current' read lists at they yahoo group! It's fabulous as lots of new authors are being share. So come join us!

book list
http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

book club

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Good-Book-Cafe/

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Yummy!

this photo speaks for itself! Come see 2 versions of apple dumplings at my Yummy Recipe site!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

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Season of Grace FREE BOM - Pat and Emilie Richards

--Are you doing the New FREE Block of Month with Emilie Richards and I? Season of Grace is based on her novel "Sister's Choice" and we are having a BLAST!   

This month the block is at my website... and we have a fun new thing to reveal for this BOM (oh LOVE a reveal!) so stay tuned in and be sure to be making your blocks!

And do you want Emilie to sign a copy of "Sisters Choice" for you? Many people have told me they got a copy for their guild library or to raffle at the guild.. excellent door prize and of course a signed copy makes a perfect gift! Email me at pat@patsloan.com.  I will be placing another order next week.

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

And Emilie's site-

http://www.emilierichards.com/

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SeW AloNG! - I Believe - April Block

 

Our next block is the EASY EASY stocking block!Just look at how sweet and simple this block is!The rest of the blocks are more detailed, so work this month of April to catch up, you know you WANT it done by December. We'll finish up in Sept, then you have all of REST of Sept to set the blocks, Oct, Nov to quilt it or have it done... get crackin!

So EVERYONE make me proud this month and FINISH your monthly block AND SEND me a photo or a link to your photo... you will be in the running for a little prize... woot woot!

Need the pattern? It is a single pattern or it's in my Folksy Favorites book

Click HERE for the single Pattern - http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

Click HERE for Folksy Favorite book - http://patsloan.biz/folksyfavoritesbypatsloan.aspx

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Thoughts and a Quote

Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours. - Doug Larson To be happy, it first takes being comfortable in your own shoes. The rest can work up from there. ―Sophia Bush

Ok... It's spring (well.. let's PRETEND it's spring... as I don't think waking up to 34 degrees is spring.. but I digress).

Let's try again... It's SPRING!! That mean sorting and airing out and starting fresh. It means ORGANIZING!

I've been in my studio location almost a year and well.. it needs some adjustments. I have boxes and boxes of things in the dining room that need sorted and moved to their proper home (or sold or given away).

I have loads of baskets and containers in my studio with the WRONG STUFF in the WRONG PLACE. So that needs fixed.

It's just THAT time again.  So I was chatting on facebook about this and several people really wanted to do a studio/space over haul. I have started Organization 101 write ups/discussions at my Facebook Quilt group. The best part is hearing how others handle THEIR space and storage. AND seeing the photos!  

I also posted my current studio photos and my current dining room storage (yikes!!). So come check it out, join us at facebook and rework YOUR space so it's more efficient, useful and ... well.. pretty!

Link to ME at Facebook- make me your friend
http://www.facebook.com/people/Pat-Sloan/1004154166

My facebook Quilt group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45564533357

twitter - not sure what I'm doing here but feel free to listen in!
http://twitter.com/QuilterPatSloan

Where on the 'Internet' is Pat??

 I was thinking the other day that I'm in a lot of places on the internet, and maybe you don't know all the places you can find me. So I started a list, which grew and grew and GREW!  I could not believe how many groups I run AND belong to.

So I added a bunch of things to my contact page so you can FIND me now on the internet at the places where I host quilters, or where I usually hang out.. woot!

Just to give you a brief overview, I host several yahoo groups, I'm in Facebook with a quilt group, I twitter (yep!), I'm on ravelry, I have several blogs, a flickr folder.. and more!

Go to my contact page to find all the links.... see you on the net!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/contactq.html

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Irish Quilting Issue 2

I'm so PLEASED to announce that I'll be in every issue of Irish Quilting this year! I have a little stitchery in issue 2 and I was able to get a few for the webstore... jump on over to get your copy!

http://patsloan.biz/irishquiltingmagazineissue2.aspx

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Death by Quilting- The Challenge

Margi and I came up with the NEW EXCITING challenge called.... Death by Quilting (DBQ). What is it?

It is the first (as far as I know) and original extreme quilting challenge. A challenge where you will go after your victim with stealth and speed. You'll hit your victim with fabric and thread. And the last quilter standing becomes the Death By Quilting Queen and wins a grand prize given by the DBQ Empress herself, ME!

So if you are tough enough and brave enough to enter the battle, read my recap at my blog, see if YOU can handle this EXTREME Quilting challenge.. I dare you!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/challenge/

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Arabella's Secret Garden SeW AloNG!

A Secret Garden -  70" x 70" quilt.

After my next two events I'm going to start a SeW AloNG! for A Secret Garden. Be sure you have your pattern and fabric READY Freddy!!!! I am looking at a 4 month span starting at the end of March for  April/May/June/July  ... as May/June can be crazy for people we will span them as ONE month... works for me!

ps - if you have the kit you can certainly start anytime you like!

http://patsloan.biz/asecretgardenquiltpattern.aspx

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Up Coming Trips, will I see you there?

March 11-15, 2009 - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Group - Mountain Quiltfest
Website -  http://www.mountainquiltfest.com/

March 22-23 Lawrenceville GA

Group - Patchwork Cottage - GRAND OPENING and workshop the following day

2070 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 1100

Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Phone: 770-237-5455

Apr 17-19, 2009 - Rosemont, Illinois

Group - Quilt Festival Chicago - Demo George sewing machine in APQS booth
website http://quilts.com/home/

So where ELSE will I be?? Check my workshop page at the website!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/workshops.html

PS - I'm working on my 2010 events too... can't wait to share!

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Quilting is FUN.. yes it is!

Judy Anne and I have QUICKLY become BFF through our facebook 'meet up'.. yep.. she is a quilter's quilter!! Judy Anne is the one that was cutting OP blocks on her kitchen table... yep that Judy!

After the OP Virtual retreat was over Judy asked me to use my flow of FUN and write my thoughts on why quilting should be FUN!! She has published it here -

http://www.womenfolk.com/frugal_quilting/quilting_fun.htm

I asked Judy to tell us a little bit about herself, and you can then learn WAY more at her website.

"In the fall of 1996 I retired from teaching and took a quilt workshop on making a little wall hanging. I was hooked by the end of that day!  Soon I became intrigued with the history of quilting and especially how it gives us a picture of the lives of the ordinary women of our past.  Over the years
this has grown into  womenfolk.com site with over 200 articles that you now see." Judy Anne

Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting
http://www.womenfolk.com/
Discover the creative world of quilting including quiltmaking history, quilt patterns and highlights about quilts and quilters.

Frugal Quilting Fun
http://www.womenfolk.com/frugal_quilting/
Quilting was popular during the Great Depression. Find ways to spend less  and have more fun quilting much like quilters did then.

Her OP journal!  http://www.womenfolk.com/orange/

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A SeW AloNG Recap!

The Virtual retreat was awesome beyond belief!!! I hosted this on my blog, yahoo group and at my Facebook group! That did make it a bit crazy for me, but I had SUCH a FAB-O Time I can't wait to do another!

If you want to see the series of posts I did during the retreat here is the link to the first day, then read through Sunday. You can still 'do the OP' yourself ... and I'm STILL getting photos of blocks and quilts daily.. so awesome!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2009/02/sew-along-the-op.html

And see my 'Keystone Cop' kind of day when I went to finalize the center of MY OP quilt, I had such a good time with it I had to take photos to prove I'm an everyday quilter just like you!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2009/03/just-because-.html

I'm looking at a summer SeW AloNG! in June/July/Aug... any preference? Also one in November!

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Good Book Cafe

This month Roberta Picked is author Dorothy Giman and her Mrs. Polifax mystery series. She has an active fan club, which might be fun to look into!  And Emilie Richards gave us the alternate author, Casey Daniels, link at my Good Book Cafe site.

Join the Yahoo Good Book Cafe group too! We have a lot of fun sharing authors and books titles. We don't critic the books, but people will give their opinion on a book if you want to ask about one!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

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Yummy!

I've gotten some GREAT peanut based recipes but don't want to share until we have that peanut thing all cleared up.  Marge sent me a photo of her mini cheesecakes she made for Valentines day.. yum!! This is not a family recipe but from a book, which was not online.

I searched a bit and found a nice write up on these. Go to the Yummy Recipe page where you will click over to the recipe at another site, well worth it!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

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Seasons of Grace - Pat and Emilie Richards

--Are you doing the New FREE Block of Month with Emilie Richards and I? Season of Grace is based on her novel "Sister's Choice" and we are having a BLAST!  

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

And Emilie's site-

http://www.emilierichards.com/

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SeW AloNG! - I Believe - February Block

Our next block is 'I Believe'.  I've noticed that a lot of people are not getting the monthly block done, shockers!!! So please just do THIS block.. do NOT go back, do not think about going back, only think about THIS block being done! You can do the others at the end. It's easier to do the block of the month, then catch up with the others after this one is done.

And it's a EASY ONE!!! Just look at how sweet and simple this block is!

So EVERYONE make me proud this month and FINISH your monthly block AND SEND me a photo or a link to your photo... you will be in the running for a little prize... woot woot!

Need the pattern? It is a single pattern or it's in my Folksy Favorites book

Click HERE for the single Pattern - http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

Click HERE for Folksy Favorite book - http://patsloan.biz/folksyfavoritesbypatsloan.aspx

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Free Free FREE!!!

Let's write something, something on your quilt!! My gift to you is my FREE alphabet.. to be used anyway you like!  Tell me how you plan to put words on YOUR quilts.
http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

Rachel and the Calendar quilters are GOING STRONG over on her blog. Check it out, it's never too late to join them, just start this month and either roll around into 2010 or just catch up for Jan/Feb!

http://calendarquiltchallenge.blogspot.com/

Get the book here.... don't miss the fun! (ps..the book has a TON of things in it.. enjoy!)

http://patsloan.biz/patsloansfavoritetechniquesbook-2.aspx

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Thoughts and a Quote

To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life. - Samuel Johnson

So it's March... how has your winter been going? 

Are you like me and just RIPPING for spring to get here? As I am writing this I'm looking out my window at the first 'real' snow we have had in years. 6" of white-ness blankets my backyard.

This has been a very bitter cold winter for us, not enough days above freezing, not enough sunny days.  But March is always my turning point!

The month that is warmer rather than colder

The month my early Daffs start to come up

The month I can get out and walk again... oh yeah!

I LOVE to walk each day outside, inside doesn't cut it... can't be motivated... can't get my thinking time inside. I need outside with birds, and trees, and flowers and such.  I need my walks.

So I'm really up for spring as I have a health goal for the year. A goal that I'm ONLY going to hit if I put on my sneakers and go hiking around the neighborhood. 

I'm going for 5. Some of you know EXACTLY what I mean.. some of you are asking... 5 what?  5 lbs.. yes... lbs... as in my jeans need to fit, I need to be healthy, I need to do it this year. 

My goal is 5 then 5 more then.. mm... maybe several MORE 5! 

For years I've had a yahoo group called 'Healthy Living'. It's a place where a group of us chat about keeping/getting/and working on being healthy. It's a positive environment. Sometimes active, sometimes not. We share and encourage each other.  If you want to hang out I'd love to have you, just remember it's a community helping ITSELF as I am not the solution, just a member!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Healthy-Living/

So grab your sneakers and let's walk... see you there!

Let's Chat!

  If you want to hang out.. come on over to Facebook and make me your friend, join my group, and meet LOADS of great quilters! If you are not in Facebook I highly recommend it.. and believe me I sometimes felt I was the last person to have tried it.. hehe!! 

 It's more interactive than email and a group list, and I'm really having fun with it! Go to http://www.facebook.com and join.

Once there search on Pat Sloan and send me a friend invite. I'll approve it and send you a message to my group Pat Sloan's Place!  Simple!

PS - Be Sure you read ALL THE WAY to the end of my newsletter this time!!

Extra Kits just for you!

 

I have a few kits for my NEW pattern Caribbean Sunrise, which is the project we did on the cruise this January ... and the single pattern too! $39.50 for this 48" x 48" quilt kit.. pattern way less... hehe!

Kit - http://patsloan.biz/kits.aspx

SIngle pattern - http://patsloan.biz/caribbeansunrisequiltpattern.aspx

And an extra kit from the China Trip. There is plenty of fabric to do you own thing, a pieced 26" x 20" background, a bonus needlecase to applique, and enough Hexagon papers ... a very good deal!

$19.95

http://patsloan.biz/kits.aspx

I can make just a few more kits for this 50" x 50" flannel quilt... so pick one up at this fabulous price of $34.99 ... grab a backing while they last! (ps.. once you are at the store, click the photo for a larger image)

http://patsloan.biz/kits.aspx

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Arabella's in Da House!

This is a 70" x 70" quilt.

 

I am CUTTING kits as we speak for 'A Secret Garden' and FQ bundles of Arabella... let's all say a big WOOT!!

If you are interested in a kit email me at pat@patsloan.com and I'll put you on the list. I am doing my first set of pre-orders now and I'll do a second set as soon as I order a bit more fabric! So email me a pre-order and I'll keep you updated on when it will be ready.

Costs is $83.95

Please note that Shipping is extra as it will depend on the size and weight of your actual order.

To PRE-ORDER send an email to me at Pat@PatSloan.com  Put PRE-ORDER in the subject. In the email tell me if you are pre-ordering a FQ bundle, a Kit, or both.

When your FQ bundles and/or kit is ready for you I will send you an email with a link to the purchase page.... it's that easy!

I will also have a SeW AloNG! for the 'A Secret Garden' quilt... won't that be fun!  And yes... the pattern is available by itself.. at the webstore now!

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Let's do Lunch...Dinner AND Breakfast!

My trips are fun... and I'd LOVE to have more of you hang out with me!! I have a little incentive for guilds to share my trips with your members.. or maybe even to organize you very OWN trips! How fun will THAT be???).  Email me at pat@patsloan.com to get the guild incentive info!

Sew Many Places also has a payment plan for your trips. When you call the office ask them to work with you to develop a payment schedule that fits your budget.. pretty nice eh?

I'm hoping for a few more of you join me in Alaska in May! Have you wanted to go to Alaska? Take my trip where you'll meet other quilters AND enjoy the vast beauty of Alaska!

 

My Alaska trip is May May 23 - 30 2009.

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/alaska_0509.html

 

And my Bali trip is going to be another trip of a life time. Do you LOVE Batiks, warm weather, exotic locals?? Then come with me Sept 1-10 2009 on my trip to Bali! Have you read the book 'Eat, Pray, Love'... well if you have then you KNOW we must go! See the Itinerary at the travel site

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/bali_0909.html

So where ELSE will I be?? Check my workshop page at the website!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/workshops.html

PS - I'm working on my 2010 events too... can't wait to share!

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A Virtual Retreat.. come SeW AloNG... and do The OP!

My next virtual retreat is Feb 20-22 and it has a theme. A color theme! I selected Orange as our 'color' of the retreat and it's going to be so fun to play! From now until then, I'll have a few tips and 'to dos' for you to be ready. 

We'll be using orange in combination with 2 other colors (or more if you are adventurous!) to explore how orange looks with different colors. To explore balance of color. To explore using orange if you never have!!!  I will be giving you an easy block in 2 sizes ... so you can work the way that you like.

There is no supply list.. but over the next few weeks you'll start to get a feel for your fabric and what you may want to add.

Don't have orange... OI VEY!!! Correct that! Beg, Borrow, or Steal... um BUY some soon so you can play!

The posts about the Virtual Retreat will all be on my blog. If you want a button for your blog here it is!

Link the button to the SeW AloNG! category... that is also where you need to go NOW to read the first post... next post on Tues or Wed!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/sew_along/

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Celebrity Interviews in Feb!

I'm so pleased that my next Celebrity Interviews will be with the design team of Laurie Simpson and Polly Minick!!! Watch my blog as I'll announce the February interview dates.

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Good Book Cafe

This month Betty's Pick is author Patricia Cornwell. She is an author with exciting and interesting stories.  And join the Yahoo Good Book Cafe group too! We have a lot of fun sharing authors and books titles. We don't critic the books, but people will give their opinion on a book if you want to ask about one!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

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Yummy!

 

Resident Chef Cindy gave us this month's dish "Sausage Chowder".  Thanks Cindy!!

Ada Lee also sent me a fast dessert that sounds really yummy!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

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Other Things

Come read about my 5 minutes of FAME... I was on the NBC news in Atlanta!! Well.. not EXACTLY me.. but close.. read about it at my blog post

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2009/01/you-just-never-know.html

Do you play with yarn? Well it turns out LOADS of quilters do! So my new blog is Yarn Mash where I write whenever I see/find/do something yarnie
http://patsloan.typepad.com/yarnmashup/

And I joined the biggest yarn community around... Ravelry - add me as your friend ... I'm Pattycakes! There is an nice group of quilter's who knit and LOADS MORE!

http://www.ravelry.com

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SeW AloNG! - I Believe - February Block

Our next block is the top right bird in the bird bath. You could make this as a single wall hanging and it will be adorable... and of course put it in your main quilt too!

FINISH the monthly block AND SEND me a photo or a link to your photo... you will be in the running for a little prize... woot woot!

Need the pattern? It is a single pattern or it's in my Folksy Favorites book

Click HERE for the single Pattern - http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

Click HERE for Folksy Favorite book - http://patsloan.biz/folksyfavoritesbypatsloan.aspx

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Free Free FREE!!!

Here is what you will find on my free pattern page

--NEW NEW NEW Block of Month with Emilie Richards.. yes AUTHOR Emilie R and I have teamed up to bring you a BOM based on her 'Sisters Choice' book.  

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

Check out Emilie's site TOO!

http://www.emilierichards.com/

-I have my 'Remember it's 5 o'clock Somewhere' quilt top DONE.. well almost done as I have to stitch the words... but done enough to show you! It's loaded to the page.

-And next month I'm going to give you a FREE alphabet to use! Two sizes of letters... it will be on the free pattern page as well.. something to look forward to!

-Watch for the Start of 'Quilt Dash'... I'll be sending out an email when it begins...

-AND if this is not ENOUGH fun... Rachel has started a blog for people who want to do my Calendar Quilt project during 2009... woot! I hosted this a few years ago and then put it in my Techniques book.. along with several quilts YOU made!

Maybe you have wanted to do this, maybe you want to finish one you started, maybe you are just learning about it.

.. come one, come all and join Rachel at the Calendar Quilt Challenge blog! And guess what, I'm going to hang out too, I'll post at least once a month... cheer you on and answer any questions you have. And you don't HAVE to start with January... just start the day you start... catch up the missing days during the year.

http://calendarquiltchallenge.blogspot.com/

Get the book here.... don't miss the fun! (ps..the book has a TON of things in it.. enjoy!)

http://patsloan.biz/patsloansfavoritetechniquesbook-2.aspx

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Thoughts and a Quote

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.  — Danny Kaye

Oh .. hi!  I see you made it all the way to the end of my newsletter.... good for you as this seems like such a LONG one this time!! 

The last few weeks I've been exploring the internet community of Facebook and really loving every second! I am meeting new quilters, quilters who have taken workshops with me, getting to know people better that I've meet, and chatting with quilters who have followed my work.  This has been SO exciting!

This infuse of communication had me chatting with lots of people and one person mentioned that I took to Facebook so quickly.  

And that made start to think about what I've been doing all these years on the internet. How I started with cap-access in about 1995 (yes... really... 1995!!!) where our quilt group had a community. There were only so many allowed on at once and I'd get SO IMPATIENT for my turn!! I'd keep signing in and signing in until someone had either logged off or got disconnected... here is waving to Barb who started that group!!!

In 1998 I was in some delphi communities, then in 1999 I built my first website.  At some point I discovered yahoo groups and started my own... which I still have going strong!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Quilts/

I created MORE yahoo groups and about 2 years ago I built my blog. I have also cruised many forums, other yahoo groups, and last year hooked into Ravelry (which is all about yarn).

There is SparkPeople for healthy living and the list could go on and on... and it does! http://sparkpeople.com/

With all these places I realized I didn't have a way to tell you where I am, so I'll be creating a page at my website with my internet locations.. stay tuned!

Snowman Love!

Loving this snowman quilt more and more, it's hanging on my design wall for a week... woot!  Pick up one for yourself for fabulous price of $34.99 ... grab a backing while they last! (ps.. click the photo for a larger image in the store)

http://patsloan.biz/kits.aspx

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Arabella Plans

This is a 70" x 70" quilt.

As soon as my Arabella fabric arrives I'll start cutting kits! I'm still taking pre-orders... here are the details.

Option 1- Pay in full for your kit and the cost will be $83.95

Option 2 - Pay in 3 installments. The first charge is when we send you the FULL kit, the 2nd and last installments paid the following 2 months. Each installment will be $30.00.

*****************************************

Please note that Shipping is extra as it will depend on the size and weight of your actual order.

To PRE-ORDER send an email to me at Pat@PatSloan.com  Put PRE-ORDER in the subject. In the email tell me if you are pre-ordering a FQ bundle, a Kit (full or 3 installments), or both.

When the FQ bundles and kits are ready, early February, I will send you an email with a link to the purchase page.... it's that easy!

oh... we will have a SeW AloNG! for the 'A Secret Garden' quilt... won't that be fun!  And yes... the pattern will be available by itself, as soon as I get it ready!

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SeW AloNG! - I Believe - January Block

Did you catch up? We are now on the Snowflake block. One of my favorites! In real life they look like they are popping off the quilt.

FINISH the monthly block AND SEND me a photo or a link to your photo... you will be in the running for a little prize... woot woot!

Need the pattern? It is a single pattern or it's in my Folksy Favorites book

Click HERE for the single Pattern

Click HERE for Folksy Favorite book

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Let's do Lunch...Dinner AND Breakfast!

My trips are fun... and I'd LOVE to have more of you hang out with me!! I have a little incentive for guilds to share my trips with your members.. or maybe even to organize you very OWN trips! How fun will THAT be???). More about all this .. but if you can't wait.. send me an email at pat@patsloan.com

Sew Many Places also have a new payment plan for your trips. When you call the office ask them to work with you to develop a payment schedule that fits your budget.. pretty nice eh?

Have you been thinking of taking a vacation? Get a group together and come with me!!! Go see wonderful and exotic places with quilters, hosted by a quilter, run by a tour company that caters to quilters... what could be better? You can even bring your family,  I'd LOVE to meet them! On our China trip we had couples, several groups of sisters, and Mother/Daughter groups.. fun fun!

My Alaska trip is May May 23 - 30 2009. There is a quilt shop in every port plus amazing scenery. See the Itinerary at the travel site

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/alaska_0509.html

 

And my Bali trip is going to be another trip of a life time. Do you LOVE Batiks, warm weather, exotic locals?? Then come with me Sept 1-10 2009 on my trip to Bali! Have you read the book 'Eat, Pray, Love'... well if you have then you KNOW we must go! See the Itinerary at the travel site

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/bali_0909.html

So where ELSE will I be?? Check my workshop page at the website!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/workshops.html

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Good Book Cafe

So what good books have YOU read ... did you get some for Christmas? Did you read over the holidays? I put up the first three months of 2009 and hope to have REALLY good reads! Check it out, send me YOUR favorite authors that we have read yet!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

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Yummy!

Gregg and I tried out my new slow cooker (seems they are NOT called a crock pot anymore).. and we made Emeril's Spaghetti Bolognese.  It was FABULOUS.. a bit thin as we needed to reduce it more with the lid off. But it made tons, we froze 2 batches and have eaten them too.. we LOVE pasta!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/spaghetti-bolognese-recipe/index.html

Resident Chef Patty gave us this month's dish "Cheese Tortellini with Cannellini, Kielbasa, and Kale Soup".  Thanks Patty, I'll be over for dinnerl!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

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Free Free FREE!!!

Wow there is always SO MUCH happening and I want all of you IN on the fun!

Here is what you will find on my free pattern page

--The NEW quick and easy pinwheel pattern 

--The 2008 Good Book Cafe Block of the Month - No setting yet!! If you have an idea send it to me, if I use it you will win a prize! I have a few entries already

--A Newly organized page, all is still there just cleaned up!

--NEW NEW NEW project coming later this month with Emilie Richards.. yes AUTHOR Emilie R and I have teamed up to bring you a BOM based on her 'Sisters Choice' book. We'll be sending a special notice out on JUST this project later in Jan! 

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

-And did you know I have a SWAP list?? We are starting 2 new swaps for Jan/Feb.. so hurry over and sign up to be in on it!

  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Quilts

-AND if this is not ENOUGH fun... Rachel has started a blog for people who want to do my Calendar Quilt project during 2009... woot! I hosted this a few years ago and then put it in my Techniques book.. along with several quilts YOU made!

Maybe you have wanted to do this, maybe you want to finish one you started, maybe you are just learning about it.

.. come one, come all and join Rachel at the Calendar Quilt Challenge blog! And guess what, I'm going to hang out too, I'll post at least once a month... cheer you on and answer any questions you have.

http://calendarquiltchallenge.blogspot.com/

Get the book here.... don't miss the fun! (ps..the book has a TON of things in it.. enjoy!)

http://patsloan.biz/patsloansfavoritetechniquesbook-2.aspx

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Thoughts and a Quote

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. —Henri Bergson

              Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
                                                                        – Mohandas Gandhi

I have been reading SO MANY wonderful New Year's posts on blogs the last few days. Resolutions, no resolutions, lists, no lists, words to live by, and many other awesome and inspirational things.

At my blog the other day I was doing the 'big sigh' because I had not 'done' what I was thinking I wanted to do.... a look and plan for the next year.

Then when I sat down to write this newsletter, 4 days into the year, with no time in sight to do this 'plan', I realized that maybe what I need is a bit of the 'now'.

Don't we often get caught up in what we 'need to do'?

The 'if' syndrome. 

If I do this life will be better. If I do that I'll be thinner (oh... do you have the answer for that one.. LOL!)

If this happens or that doesn't happen then life will be better.

So maybe this year I will focus on goals, but really truly and DEEPLY appreciate every second for what it is. Not look at coulda shoulda woulda.. but just look at what is and enjoy it. Be grateful, Appreciate the now.

So that is what I'm feeling for the new year. I'm grateful for every second and every person, be it family or you my friends!

****

And what ELSE did I do in December.... well I went a TAD CRAZY and started these these.. come join me.. it's awesome fun here at 'Sloanie Central'.... hehe!

Facebook - send me a friend request to Pat Sloanco. Oh and if you are facebook WHIZ KID.. tell me so I can pick your brain!
http://www.facebook.com

Do you play with yarn? Well it turns out LOADS of quilters do! So my new blog is Yarn Mash
http://patsloan.typepad.com/yarnmashup/

And I joined the biggest yarn community around... Ravelry - add me as your friend ... I'm Pattycakes! There is an nice group of quilter's who knit and LOADS MORE!

http://www.ravelry.com

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And a quote on the slightly SPUNKY side of things!!!  This just CRACKED ME UP!

 All the things I really like to do are either immoral, illegal, or fattening. 

— Alexander Woollcott

free photo from thetruthabout

I think It's Snowing Snowmen!!

When I saw this snowman and snowflake fabric I just HAD to have it for something! The snowmen are truly adorable and the snowflake fabric is so... mmm.. WINTERY...hehe!

 

I made up a nice easy winter project, Pat's Snowman Pinwheels!

I have a limited number of these 50" x 50" quilt kits available.

The $34.99 Kit includes
--Pattern in full color - this pattern will also be loaded to my free pattern page at my website... woot!
--All fabric for the quilt top
--Binding in charcoal
Click HERE for the Kit
http://patsloan.biz/snowmanpinwheelfabrickit.aspx

There is also some of the same flannel for backing at a special price. So be sure you grab some. The link to the backings is on the kit page above.

This is printed Flannel from Maywood designed by my friend Bonnie Sullivan. Hurry ... I don't want you to miss out!

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Pre-Orders OPEN for Pat Sloan's Arabella!

I am taking pre-orders for my new fabric line 'Arabella'!

The fabric line won't be here for a few weeks, so I'm taking EMAIL pre-orders for two items.

First is a Fat Quarter bundle of Arabella. There are 26 pieces in the line. You can go to my fabric page to see see the fabric swatches.

http://patsloan.biz/arabella.aspx

Each FQ Bundles with all 26 pieces is $58.50

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The second pre-order is for a kit of my quilt 'A Secret Garden'. The kit includes the pattern, all the fabric to make the top, AND the binding. You will receive the kit all in ONE mailing, but I'm going to offer the kit with two payment options.

This is a 70" x 70" quilt.

Option 1- Pay in full for your kit and the cost will be $83.95

Option 2 - Pay in 3 installments. The first charge is when we send you the FULL kit, the 2nd and last installments paid the following 2 months. Each installment will be $30.00.

*****************************************

Please note that Shipping is extra as it will depend on the size and weight of your actual order.

To PRE-ORDER send an email to me at Pat@PatSloan.com  Put PRE-ORDER in the subject. In the email tell me if you are pre-ordering a FQ bundle, a Kit (full or 3 installments), or both.

When the FQ bundles and kits are ready, in about 5 to 6 weeks, I will send you an email with a link to the purchase page.... it's that easy!

Thank you so much for your interest in Arabella and my designs... I am happily working on more single patterns with Arabella!

oh... we will have a SeW AloNG! for the 'A Secret Garden' quilt... won't that be fun!  And yes... the pattern will be available by itself, as soon as I get it ready!

I decided to kick off my Holiday Spirit with a Rumble... a Christmas Rumble!  It started Dec 6 and will end at midnight Dec 15. I've asked everyone "What gets YOU in the Holiday Spirit?". What do you do to get the Rumble going?

There are AMAZING comments.. simply joyful and full of life comments! Read them all... really... it's worth it! At the end of each page of comments click the 'NEXT' button to read more.

And I'm giving away a super nice prize.. I'm even going to wrap it! A pattern, red and green fabrics, red and green trims, and a little surprise tucked in there.... don't you LOVE surprises?

And I want to give away more than one prize! For every 300 comments I will give away a prize. That means when comment 301 hits, I give away TWO prizes.. woot!

So go comment, then send a note to your guild newsletter, your yahoo groups, your knitting and scrapbooking groups, your friends, your quilt shop for their newsletter, your blog... yes.. post it EVERYWHERE!

Jump on over here and get your Rumble going!
http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2008/12/a-little-christmas-rumble-1.html#comments

*****

Also on Thursday Dec 11 is my next Celebrity Interview with the ADORABLE Renee Plains! And since it's December and the Holidays... I'm giving you an ADDITIONAL 10% off coupon for my store.. wow!!

And because you are on my newsletter list... I'm giving that gift to you today.. woot!

Use the special Coupon code 'Renee' when you check out at my webstore. This gives you an ADDITIONAL 10% off your ENTIRE order! Valid 12/10 thru 12/16.... so use this Coupon Code: RENEE and have fun shopping!

http://patsloan.biz/

****

Oh... don't forget to send me your Good Book Cafe block layouts. If I select your layout you'll get a prize... woot! send to me at pat@patsloan.com

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

****

Guess what else? I am SO TOTALLY INSPIRED by the Rumble I'm going to be having them all year.. maybe FOREVER... you wanna Rumble? Stick with me for some FABULOUS fun ... yep... MAJOR league fun!

A new Item in the store

I added my favorite hand sewing needles to my webstore... Straw Needles by Jeanna Kimball.  Pick some up!

http://patsloan.biz/strawneedles-size11-16inacasebyjeannakimball.aspx

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My Trips are FUN!

I had the BEST TIME with an AWESOME GROUP on our 'Quilters Tour of China'!! Every single event trip that I have hosted has been FABULOUS. Are you reading about my trip to China on my blog? I've been writing posts since Nov 25. CLICK below to see them all grouped together

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/travel/

Have you been thinking of taking a vacation? Get a group together and come with me!!! Go see wonderful and exotic places with quilters, hosted by a quilter, run by a tour company that caters to quilters... what could be better? You can even bring your family,  I'd LOVE to meet them! On our China trip we had couples, several groups of sisters, and Mother/Daughter groups.. fun fun!

My Alaska trip is May May 23 - 30 2009. There is a quilt shop in every port plus amazing scenery. See the Itinerary at the travel site

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/alaska_0509.html

 

And my Bali trip is going to be another trip of a life time. Do you LOVE Batiks, warm weather, exotic locals?? Then come with me Sept 1-10 2009 on my trip to Bali! Have you read the book 'Eat, Pray, Love'... well if you have then you KNOW we must go! See the Itinerary at the travel site

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/tours/bali_0909.html

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And Don't miss out on these items in the Store!

I LOVE this snowman, its SO DARN CUTE! Change the words to "Let it Snow" or leave them off ... change him into a mini wall hanging or front of a tote bag! It uses red rick rack (got that!).

I found some GREAT ticking for us to  use... put a square on each side for a table runner. Or do TWO snowmen facing each other, ticking square in the middle for a table runner.. the ideas are endless!

pattern -

http://patsloan.biz/stitchery.aspx

 

ticking -

http://patsloan.biz/red.aspx

red rick rack -

http://patsloan.biz/rickrack.aspx

pearl cotton thread-

http://patsloan.biz/thread.aspx

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Polka Dot tea towels are BACK! So how many ways CAN you use a t-towel? First off they make FABULOUS and FAST bases for Table runners. Just applique a little something... like Noel, Xmas, holly leaves, a snowman (see pattern above!)... how about the NAME of the person who sits there.. how cute is THAT?  When this last bit is gone they are gone... so don't miss out!

Get your t-towels

http://patsloan.biz/supplies.aspx

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Arabella Fabric Update

I'm starting to work on the Arabella fabric quilts.. can't wait to have something to share with you! As soon as I have some of my new quilt 'A Secret Garden' stitched up, I'll post a photo.. so stay tuned.. it's one of my MANY December projects I'm working on! (ps.. this is the virtual quilt we did for the trade show)

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I Believe SeW AloNG! and Winner

KAREN won the prize drawing for her twig tree block! woot!!

December is a 'pass' month for our SeW AloNG! of 'I Believe' because you are busy with FAR too many holiday events! But....... you CAN use this time to catch up... come on... you want to be in on the prizes next year... don't you? If you want to work ahead, the snowflakes are for January so all you snowbunnies have some SNOW!

Need the pattern? go here

http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

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Holiday Shopping

 

Create a 'Wish List' from my store and send to those who need ideas... let them surprise you!

When doing your Amazon Holiday shopping, it would be FABULOUS if you started from my blog search button. This helps support all the free things I do here at my website and blog. Like the sew alongs, virtual retreats, and free patterns.

As long as you start your order from my blog I will get credit for it... I thank you so much for helping to keep all the fun going!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/

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Virtual Shop Hops!

We are currently running in the AniLee's Mystery Quilt Treasure Hunt ... WHAT FUN is THAT! Once again FREE signup, prizes and MORE! Ends soon.. don't miss out as they are giving away 13 of their BOM club memberships at the end of the hunt.. woot woot!

http://www.anilee.net/island/island.html

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Yummy Recipes

Our resident Chef, Betty, has given us an awesome Turkey soup for December! I'll bet many of you have some turkey in the freezer? Maybe cooking one for Christmas? Put those leftovers into a FAB soup!

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page, with a photo, and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

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Freebies

Have you been reading my China Travel Log? Do you have China on the mind? This stitchery is a gift from me to you.... I just LOVE pagodas!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

Stay tuned for a new FREE BOM I'm working on with Emilie Richards.. YES .. THAT Emilie Richards! We are have a 'lunch meeting' to work out the details... so excited!

Book club -  Now you have 12 pieced blocks.. woot woot! So how should we set them? I have a few favorite settings but... I'll bet you do too!! So let me bribe you ... ahhh.... entice you with a PRIZE!! If you send me a setting idea.. and I use it... you'll win a nice goodie! So get quilting....  Send me your ideas at pat@patsloan.com

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

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Thoughts and a Quote

I'm excited to announce 2 more upcoming Celebrity Interviews! Renee Plains is on December 11 and Valori Wells on January 5... how fun will THESE be? A few days ago I put a question on my blog asking which celebrities you'd like to learn more about. Now I have a nice LONG list and will start contacting people for future interviews. I love getting to know my friends and 'new' friends better through interviews!

...And 2 quotes to think on...

 Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. 

— Janet Lane

How often do you find yourself wearing a frown? How often do you smile just for YOU? Do you know that JUST SMILING will lift your spirit? Try it... let me know how you do!

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The best antidote I have found is to yearn for something. As long as you yearn, you can't congeal: There is a forward motion to yearning.
– Gail Godwin - Author

So do you just sit back and let life happen, or do you yearn? Yearn to learn? Yearn to Travel? Yearn to meet you people and see new places?

Let's make 2009 OUR year of forward motion... take me hand... let's go!

Meet 'some' of Arabella!

 

This is a PEEK at my new line, Arabella. I am just getting in the fabric to build the quilts... woot woot! When I come back from China I'll do a more photos and video of the fabric line. There will be quilts in American Patchwork & Quilting AND in Fons/Porter magazine this winter. I have a large quilt called Secret Garden and a series of table mats for the seasons which will be patterns.

I will be kitting those and having fabric for sale at my web store.. yeah!

There is also a free pattern that I designed for P&B and that will be available on their site in the near future.

Fabric should be arriving by early February... maybe a bit sooner. Patterns will be done about the same time! When I come back from china I'll start taking some pre-orders for project kits and fat quarter bundles (since i know lots of you love those!)

A few NEW items in the Store!

I LOVE this snowman, its SO DARN CUTE! Change the words to "Let it Snow" or leave them off ... change him into a mini wall hanging or front of a tote bag! It uses red rick rack (got that!).

I found some GREAT ticking for us to  use... put a square on each side for a table runner. Or do TWO snowmen facing each other, ticking square in the middle for a table runner.. the ideas are endless!

pattern -

http://patsloan.biz/stitchery.aspx

 

ticking -

http://patsloan.biz/red.aspx

red rick rack -

http://patsloan.biz/rickrack.aspx

pearl cotton thread-

http://patsloan.biz/thread.aspx

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Ever have trouble threading your bigger needles with pearl cotton or DMC floss? This nifty needle threader will help you out!

http://patsloan.biz/tools.aspx

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Polka Dot tea towels are BACK!  Use for the base of a table runner, decorate for gifts, make into a purse.. these are just the most fabulous dots around! (stitch that cute snowman on some!)

Get your t-towels

http://patsloan.biz/supplies.aspx

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I Believe Winner and NEXT block

Lina won the prize drawing for her house block! woot!!

The next block is the TREE on the I Believe Quilt.  I think this block will make an AWESOME single quilt.  Border it for a table mat. Make 3 trees side by side for a runner. Or make a bunch of trees for a wall hanging!

TWO TIPS for doing 'I Believe'. All the patterns are for needle turn applique, so the directional ones face the direction they will face when finished. SO ... if you are doing fusible applique you will need to REVERSE ALL DIRECTIONAL shapes.. only the directional ones.

And for the tree... I give you CUTTING DIRECTIONS for the straight pieces. THE SEAM ALLOWANCE IS INCLUDED... so once again, when doing fusible applique subtract the seam allowance.

Need the pattern? go here

http://patsloan.biz/ibelieve.aspx

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Holiday Shopping

 

Thinking of a extra special holiday gift? One that the whole family can enjoy? Why not give one of my 2009 trips as a family vacation gift? I would LOVE to have your whole family join me!

Alaska Itinerary

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/trips/alaska_0509.html

Bali Itinerary

http://www.sewmanyplaces.com/trips/bali_0909.html

 

Create a 'Wish List' from my store and send to those who need ideas... let them surprise you!

When doing your Amazon Holiday shopping, it would be FABULOUS if you started from my blog search button. This helps support all the free things I do here at my website and blog. Like the sew alongs, virtual retreats, and free patterns.

As long as you start your order from my blog I will get credit for it... I thank you so much for helping to keep all the fun going!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/

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Virtual Shop Hops!

 

The Quilt Dash shop hop ends SOON! Be sure you have registered (it's FREE) and visited all the shops so you can WIN prizes... top prize is from ME!

http://www.quiltdash.com/

My next shop hop to participate in is from AniLee's Mystery Quilt Treasure Hunt ... WHAT FUN is THAT! Once again FREE signup, prizes and MORE!

http://www.anilee.net/island/island.html

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Yummy Recipes

Our resident Chef, Denniele, has given us an awesome pumpkin cookie for November!.

Calling all Chefs!!!!

Do you love to cook? Love to take Photos? Love to share?  Send me a recipe for the Yummy Recipe page, with a photo, and if I use it I will send you a little 'Fabric goodie bag'.  Send your original recipe and photos to me at pat@patsloan.com

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/yummy-recipes.html

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Freebies

Be Thankful - make as a pillow, a table runner, or a wall hanging! Do it all in wool, or maybe just wool applique... send me a photo!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/freepatterns.html

Book club -  "I Love to READ" block!  Pick up your reads through my amazon store to help support this FREE club... thank  you!!!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/good-book_club.html

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Interview

Did you listen to my interview at Women on Quilts? It was a lot of fun to have call in/write in questions! Go to the website and register (FREE) and listen to my interview and all the future ones.
http://www.antiquequiltdating.com/Women_on_Quilts_VIP_list.html

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Thoughts and a Quote

I'm going to make this short... be sure to read my blog EVERY DAY as I'll be sharing thoughts and more on how I'm going to celebrate this coming year... because it's a very special year to me!

Leave me comments, even when I'm out of town, as I read them all either while gone or when I get back!

...And a quote of inspiration!

"Few people will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all these acts will be written the history of this generation."
                                              

                                                                   --Robert F. Kennedy