Happy Spring 2010!! Spring is finally here and I've been busy designing a number of exciting new pieces.  Some of them are "garden" inspired, while others are drawn from my never-ending love of traditional quilt blocks.   A couple of the traditional pieces are larger, more complex quilts that were challenging, yet fun to do.   One features a totally new (for me) block, the Lone Star, and another is a new arrangement of my favorite block, the Variable Star.   I've also added two new songbirds to my collection, the Tufted Titmouse and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  These two new pieces round out my songbird collection to ten and can be seen with all their other feathered friends on a new page in the Quilt Gallery called Songbirds.  Click here to check them out. Each of the other new pieces are introduced below.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  Enjoy browsing!

Lone Star - introduced in March 2010 This design features a single Lone Star block also known as the Star of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Star and Texas Star.  It is one of the oldest and most recognizable blocks in quilt history and one that has always fascinated me.  This year I decided to give it a try myself and I'm very pleased with the outcome.  The color combinations are endless, each one just as dramatic as the next.  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Oh My Stars - introduced in March 2010 Just when I thought I couldn't come up with another design using the Variable Star block, this one popped into my head and onto my design tablet.  I absolutely love the "scrappy" feel of this quilt with its simple lattice border and accent buttons in the corners.   It's at the top of my "Favorites" list right now.   Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Garden Delights - introduced in March 2010 One of the first quilts I designed this Spring was Garden Delights.  I was SO ready for Spring to come this year, I decided to arrange the "Spring-iest" quilt blocks I could think of into a fun collage.   It was a lot of work, but definitely worth the effort.  It was great therapy too!  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

First Blooms - introduced in March 2010 I'm always trying to come up with designs that celebrate and inspire all us humble flower gardeners out there.  First Blooms features three sweet little flowers with fun petal quilting and little flower buttons.  Just like the first blooms in my own garden, this quilt lifts my heart and makes me smile.  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Garden Basket - introduced in March 2010 Every gardener has to have a garden basket to hold all those beautiful flowers.  This little quilt is my simplified version of the old traditional Flower Basket quilt block.   I love using traditional blocks to celebrate timeless pleasures.  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Garden Fountain - introduced in March 2010 This quilt design was inspired by one of my favorite garden sights, a splashing garden fountain where birds come for a quick drink or to savor a luxurious bath.   I think it nicely captures the serenity and beauty that a simple fountain brings to a garden.  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Topiary - introduced in March 2010 Whether indoors or out, I love the simplicity and symmetry of garden topiaries.   I think they bring a sense of order and calm to chaotic surroundings, which is exactly what inspired me to do this piece.  Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Flying Pinwheels - introduced in March 2010 I'm always looking through quilt books, calendars, catalogs, etc. for inspiration from traditional quilt blocks.  The Pinwheel block is one of the most fun blocks to do, with many different designs from which to choose.  I designed this quilt using the Pinwheel block derived from the Flying Geese block, thus the name Flying Pinwheels.  I think it's my favorite Pinwheel block now. Flying Pinwheels is made up of four Flying Pinwheel blocks.  When I was working on it, I decided that a quilt made up of just one of these blocks would be great also.  You can see the single Flying Pinwheel piece in the Quilt Gallery along side this four-block Flying Pinwheels piece.    Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.

Love Always - introduced in February 2010 Valentine's Day is one of my favorite occasions.  I just love being with my favorite people and showing them how much I care.  Needless to say, I'm also a sucker for heart quilts.  I designed this one using a new (for me) Heart block embellished with some tiny red rick-rack and a heart button.   I thought it only appropriate to call it Love Always.   Click here for more details in the Quilt Gallery.