Happy St. Nicholas Day!

From stnicholascenter.org

For those of you who aren't familiar with St. Nicholas' Day, December 6 is the feast day of the patron saint of children, who was the model for the modern-day Santa Claus. In lots of countries, children put out their stockings or shoes on the eve of December 6, and receive treats if they've been good, and possibly coal or sticks if they haven't! Since everyone who reads this blog has been very, very good, here's a treat to celebrate the day. McCallsQuilting.com has published the pattern to make my small Lone Star wall hanging, and you can get it free online! Click here, and get ready to turn 2 1/2" strips into something beautiful. Enjoy!

Adapted from a quilt designed by Lissa Alexander

Ocean Dreams

Today I got to write a pattern for an Ocean Waves quilt designed by Lissa Alexander of Moda. The fabric collection featured in the quilt is Hearty Good Wishes by Janet Clare, and it gave me beach longings so badly. My favorite print in the group comes in 4 colors, all absolutely wonderful. Here's a sneak peek!

Sky

Ocean

Sand

Pearl

This fabric doesn't deliver to quilt shops until February 2014 (though some may have it sooner), but we have to write the pattern super-early so we can order fabric for McCall's Quilting kits. It made my morning a little bit like a beach vacation! I love my job.

Lone Star Samples

Today's project was making samples for photos for the January/February 2014 issue of McCall's Quilting. The project is a star quilt designed by Lissa Alexander using fabrics from the Vin du Jour collection by 3 Sisters for Moda. I got to do a bunch of strip piecing and segment cutting,

and then to make pieced diamonds and stars.

I'm a lucky quilter...best homework ever!