Hi Friends! Just trying to keep warm here on the first official day of spring break...like many of you, this sight greeted me this morning! God has a great sense of humor, huh?

just heard the snow plow going through ;)
I thought I would show you some great resources for quilting ideas. These are my new, favorite books on quilting design and technique.
(sorry about the sideways photo)
Modern Quilting Designs by Bethanny Pease
Beginner's Guide to Free-Motion Quilting by Natalia Bonner
Free-Motion Quilting with Anbel Walters
My long-arm is very basic, no bells and whistles...no stitch regulator or computer, no single-stitch button, etc. When I bought my machine, I wanted the largest throat space I could get, but other than that, no frills was what I could afford. Someday I'd like to upgrade, but for now I just choke everytime I think about spending that much money! ;)
If you like to do your own quilting, I would recommend any of these books!!
When I'm thinking of trying something new, i get out my books and look around. Then, I practice here on my whiteboard. It is very smooth to draw on and I can erase it so it works out great. The next customer quilt in line is a graduation gift and I am looking to try a new allover, edge to edge design. These are the ones I auditioned. Pretty sure I'm going with the swirl/flower combo, bottom center, #7. What do you think?? You can just see the edge of the quilt in the background hanging over the bar. It is pink/aqua/grey...very cute and trendy right now!

Enjoy these last few days of winter, even though it is spring! At least all my flowers won't come on way too early this year! ;) And, I think my kids are grateful that it's too cold to clean the garage this week like I had planned!
Happy Sewing,
Julie