News

INSPIRATION AND EYE CANDY Posted on 24 Sep 10:41 , 13 comments

So, to inspire you while you're poking around the nooks and crannies ... browsing and shopping ... a wholecloth quilt using the BEE BALM BLOCKS ... just 4 blocks, an easy layout to follow ... balanced smooth stitching all the way across the quilt top ... 

... need a closer look at those blocks ...

 ...  thanks for shopping with Mountaintop Quilting.

 


NEWSLETTER: WHAT'S NEW AND POPUP SALE 032316 Posted on 23 Mar 16:54 , 13 comments

THIS YEAR: 99 NEW PRODUCTS TO DATE ................................... 03232016
___________________________________________________________
... TODAY: A POP-UP SALE ...
Well, who knew ... NATIONAL PUPPY DAY is TODAY! We can not pass up this day.
Let's celebrate with a pop-up sale ... 1147 PUPPY LOVE E2E ...
marked down from $15 to only $9.
Lots of new patterns have gone into the store this year. I set a goal for myself this year to design 20 new products each month. So far so good and I thought I'd catch you up on the latest designs entered into the store during the last week. Actually, I have added more than 20 new products to the store each month so far, but I'm trying to get ahead because I know it will be much harder to focus on Mountaintop work during the summer months when I "moonlight" as an inn-keeper during the Tanglewood Season. Fun times, busy times, but fun times.
You'll notice several block options for the Hunter's Star block pieced using Deb Tucker's Rapid Fire Hunter's Star piecing method/ruler. I'm working on a book sample quilt for one of Deb's designers so we needed several options for her to choose just the right one for her new Hunter's Star design. (more about that in another newsleter) In the meantime ... here's a little sneak peak ...
... the DAILY DEAL ...
You can always find a good deal when you click on the DAILY DEAL tab.
Three new products marked down - different ones each day ... sometimes they are quilting designs
and sometimes they are patchwork patterns.
Not to worry, you'll always find something with a price tag to fit your budget.
Today: three favorites of mine ...
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... and that's a wrap-up for the last few weeks ...
Feel free to share with a friend - tell them to subscribe.

WHAT'S NEW UPDATE: 0321 Posted on 21 Mar 17:43 , 6 comments

I set a goal for myself this year to design 20 new products each month. So far so good and I thought I'd catch you up on the latest designs entered into the store during the last week. Actually, I have added more than 20 new products to the store each month so far, but I'm trying to get ahead because I know it will be much harder to focus on Mountaintop work during the summer months when I "moonlight" as an inn-keeper during the Tanglewood Season. Fun times, busy times, but fun times.
    
   
Want to see all of the new designs and fun stuff entered into the store since January 01? All you have to do is choose SHOP CATEGORIES from the menu at the top of the page and 5 pages will pop up for you peruse at your leisure. OR, you could just click on this link: WHAT'S NEW

WHOLECLOTH: RECIPE 01 Posted on 20 Mar 06:00 , 5 comments

INSPIRATION AND EYE CANDY ... quilting diamonds with a 45 degree angle ...
 
      

 


NEWSLETTER 03042016 Posted on 4 Mar 12:11 , 1 comment

03042016
... TODAY ONLY ...
It's a deal you can't pass up ... a must-have FAN FAVORITE (no pun intended LOL)
 1312 FAN E2E for your quilting library.
I had totally forgotten about scheduling this goodie in the DAILY DEALS for you.
You'll want to get right over to the store before midnight tonight.
Grab this pattern at an incredibly low price while you can! 

 
Lots of new patterns have gone into the store this year ... over 4 pages (nearly 80 in all) of new designs.
But this one 1741 HUGS TRIANGLE has to be a favorite for me.
Isn't that just the prettiest border!
I can't quite figure how you could possible get more value for your dollar spent with this design. It's like the energizer bunny ... it just keeps going and going and going. The design possibilities are endless but here's a few to get you started. 

... LOOKING BACK ...
February was a busy month all the way around  ... lots of fun playing with the design possibilities with quilt tops piecing using a log cabin block style. I put together a little slideshow highlighting patterns that work with these blocks, ran lots of "featured of the week" sales with heart designs, and helped out with some custom work/design consulting on the side with a Mountaintop customer.
Pat did a great job with her Chevron Log Cabin quilt.
It was a good month and win-win for everyone. 
We started here:

And ... ended up here:

... all point-to-point - even the border 1274 POPSICLE STICK P2P E2E
... and that's a wrap-up for the last few weeks ...
Feel free to share with a friend - tell them to subscribe.

LOG CABIN QUILTING IDEAS Posted on 20 Feb 13:48 , 0 comments

Have fun thinking about the possibilities as you mix-and-match with the point-to-point triangles or you make it simple and drop block designs in each block of the quilt top. It's fun to dream and scheme and play with the possibilities.


QUILT TOP PLAY TIME: LOG CABIN BLOCKS Posted on 16 Feb 09:49 , 0 comments

Design time fun playing with blocks as they come ... or tweaking, mix-and-match, or use them in a different way than intended ... the idea: have fun while creating and learning. 

What's my favorite ... playing with the triangles and mixing and matching to create a whole new look ... because ... what a great way to get double-duty or more value from the quilting designs in the pattern library. That's the best! 

 


WHOLECLOTH: INSPIRATION & EYE CANDY Posted on 13 Feb 10:55 , 0 comments

... you could be sleeping under this ...
ELEGANT WHOLECLOTH QUILT TONIGHT!
  1. the price is right
  2. the design is beautiful
  3. the layout is easily executed

All you have to do is ...

  1.  get your longarm machine warming up
  2. cut the fabric for the front and back
  3. unwrap the batting
  4. load everything up (fabric and design set up)
  5. start quilting

And while the blocks are stitching out you could sneak in some time to prepare the binding, so you're all set to catch up on your latest TV favorites or Netflix movies while finishing up the edges.

... CLICK to see all of the DAILY DEALS ...

TIMELESS TRADITIONAL HEART QUILTING BLOCK Posted on 11 Feb 18:48 , 8 comments

Here it is just 3 days until Valentine's Day. That's enough time to whip out a quick little Valentine love-themed-snuggle-on-the-couch quilt.                                                                                                                                                                                       There are several versions of simple heart block patterns patterns and different layouts for quilt blocks for free (or for purchase) on several different locations on the internet. I did an image search and found a full range of beautiful blocks with as many different variations as one could ever imagine.

 

 

 

 

As usual, so many ideas, so many possibilities ... so little time. GRRRR ...

Isn't the heart tied up in a bow with the LeMoyne star in the middle just the most precious block ever!

One of my favorite things to do is to use a heart block as a filler when I'm putting together a sampler made of orphan blocks and exchange blocks.  See my little heart sandwiched in between 4 patches, a little hexie flower, and some bigger star blocks. Just the thing I needed to make all the different sized blocks come out as neat and tidy rows and strips.                                                                                                                                                        This means I need to be able to create heart blocks in a variety of different sizes as I try to make all of my strips and rows come out with even edges. I found a great tutorial on the internet with Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew. She has a chart with cutting instructions for heart blocks sized from 4" to as large as 10" AND she has a very easy to understand picture tutorial for assembling a heart block.

Way to go Allison for helping us out with our projects!

You may have noticed (if you've been poking around the store a bit this week and last) that heart blocks and heart edge-to-edge quilting designs have been on sale! And sale prices are always a good thing. So hop on over to the HEARTS CATEGORY and check it out. New designs have been uploaded just so you can keep your pattern library fresh and up-to-date.

 

 And ... as a special thank you for stopping by and following along on my blog I have a special freebie for you this month: a redwork pattern featuring ribbons and flowers in a heart shaped wreath. I used an outline stitch and french knots for embroidery stitches and then used my completed block as the center of my wall-hanging surrounded by ... of course ... heart blocks!

 

And, if that wasn't enough I found this cute table-topper on McCalls Quilting website that seemed to be calling my name. I love the little heart chain in the center and the way the heart blocks are flush to the edge without the distraction of a binding.

 Have a wonderful love-day-holiday with all who are special in your life, and thanks for stopping by.


HEXIE DESIGNS ON A PRISMATIC QUILT Posted on 8 Feb 22:47 , 0 comments

I knew, the minute I saw this quilt pattern I would have to make this pattern. Let me start by telling you this is a free project pattern that can be found at Make It Sew home of Cloud 9 Fabrics. The strips are wide and the blocks are large so this quilt top will go together really quickly. And the best part ... its a scrappy stash buster.                                                                                                                                                                                                           And so, while I'm waiting to get the time for some cutting and sewing I find myself at the computer design screen playing with curves and shapes and making marks. Do you see that hexie hiding in there among all those triangles? I am a HUGE fan of hexie. I always have a (or several) hexie projects going all at once using the English Paper Piecing method. My project tins, baskets, and bags make great "take-alongs" when I know I'll have time where I need to be responsible for entertaining myself. 

Soooo ... I was really hooked ... my fingers were itching and my mouse was twitching ... when those hexies popped out on the top for me. Here's what I came up with:

I designed the Diamond Kiss patterns years ago when I was working with a 4-patch 60 degree diamond patchwork pattern. When I saw the 60 degree diamonds again here with this pattern I knew what I had to do. And, 1694 KISSES came to life. I love the swirly motion in the hexie block and the curvy lines lead your eye back and forth across this quilt top as you are led to discover something new every time you stop for a minute and just "enjoy the view."

Here's what my quilt will look like ... except I will most likely be working down my 30's reproduction stash ...

And you can have fun dreaming and playing as you think about making your own prismatic quilt. Just grab your markers or your crayons and go here for a free download of the Kisses Coloring Sheet.

PS: Hey, if you do decided to play with the hexies on a Prismatic (or any other quilt) send me photos or tag me on instagram. (@kayoft) I always love checking out your projects and seeing what's on your sewing table today.