Texas Twofer Set 3!

Source: Texas Twofer: Set 3 (Paper Pieced) via sewhooked on Craftsy

It’s here at long last! Texas Twofer Set 3 joins my ongoing Texas series of two Texas-themed patterns for just $2. These patterns are available only through Craftsy!

In this set:

Tiny Texas Four Patch (5″ x 5″)

and

Texas Cowboy Boot (8″ x 5″).

Both patterns are paper pieced.

Why do I use Craftsy?

For starters, it’s free to join! They do not charge independent designers to use their service, which means more money in designers’ pockets and less fees to pay! When you buy one of my patterns through Craftsy, you will receive an notice if I ever update it. That means if an error gets corrected or improved, you’ll get a free updated version of the pattern you already bought and paid for!

Why only one boot? Because you can do this!

Get Texas Twofer Set 3!

Here are the rest of my Texas Twofer Series so far:

Source: Texas Twofer: Set 1 (Paper Pieced) via sewhooked on Craftsy

Source: Texas Twofer: Set 2 (Paper Pieced) via sewhooked on Craftsy

Don’t forget about the Tabby Face Block Lotto! You still have time to send those blocks in for a chance to win the lot!

And remember, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Learn to paper piece with me now through December with my full-length video workshop available only through STITCHED. You get access to over 20 classes AND instructors and registration is now only $40! Click for details.

TTMT #180 – Doom By Any Other Name

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In which I wax on and on about The Project of Doom’s Excellent Adventure! Sorry guys, I just can’t help it!

Super sorry about the additional soundtrack this week, I swear that was totally unintentional. I was quite literally between two computers while working on this and I guess I jigged when I should have jogged! Hopefully it isn’t too annoying!

To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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A Quick Post!

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This is just a quick photo I took with my phone. Better photos to come!

The Project of Doom is now an award winning quilt!

Overall Award: Creativity (large quilts)

Overall Award: Judge’s Choice

Honorable Mention: Two Person Quilts

Designed, pieced and hand embroidered by me, Jenifer Ofenstein. Quilted by Shannon Shaw. There are two of every ribbon, one for me and one for Shannon.

I have to go help with the band dinner for tonight…more later!!

Check out this post for my quilt show challenge!

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TTMT #179 – Gifties

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To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Time is running out!

Shrinking Solution

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Get more Harry Potter patterns on Fandom in Stitches!

When Cheryl over at Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting asked for permission to use some of my free patterns for an upcoming project she’s working on, I enthusiastically agreed!

What’s her project?

Well, you’ll just have to wait and see…don’t worry, I’ll share when she does!

What I can tell you is that she asked to use six of my Harry Potter patterns. She was planning to reduce each pattern to 4″, but I volunteered to do it myself.

All this happened at the same time that the hard drive on my laptop crashed. I have access to many of my files on my backup drive, but not EQ7, the design software I’ve been using for the last couple of years and I’m waiting for my laptop to be repaired and before I will have access to all my design tools. While I wait, I decided to try out Quilt Assistant, free block design software

I recommend this software all the time based on the experience of other designers I know over at Fandom In Stitches. It’s about time I try it out myself!

Now this software is not EQ7, and I knew that going in. I wasn’t expecting the bells and whistles of fancy design software, layout options, etc. QA is intended for individual block design, and if that’s what you need, and all you need, it’s perfect for that. I found it super easy to navigate and use and had redrafted several blocks using my original designs in a relatively short amount of time.

In addition to drafting patterns, you can also import a photo to follow, color and number images, as well as export and print different versions of your pattern.

Since most of the patterns I was redrafting were originally designed in Photoshop and not EQ7, I worked from my quilt blocks and “printed” my work to PDF.

I’m a picky girl when it comes to the way my patterns are presented. I like clear, concise lettering that goes left to right and top to bottom. If you’ve used any of my patterns previously, you will find they are all labeled this way. If a design software exists that allows complete control over labeling, I have not found it yet!

The following four images were generated using Quilt Assistant print options:

QA Print Option: Design at true size, no seam allowance added. Numbers generated with QA.

QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, no seam allowance added.

QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, Seam Allowance Added.

QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, Seam Allowance and Colors Added.

I printed to PDF as a paper pieced pattern with seam allowance but no color (third option above). I opened up each PDF file in Photoshop and rearranged the pieces so they would be as close to the actual piecing order as possible. In EQ7, arranging pattern piece placement on the page is an option before printing, one I use often.

I also deleted all the numbers generated by QA and renumbered each pattern myself so they would reflect my personal design style. I started designing back in 2004 using Photoshop for every step of the process. I still color and label all my patterns with it, even my patterns drafted in EQ7.

You will also find sewing order on all my patterns. When I first started paper piecing, I came across a very complicated pattern with oodles of asymmetrical pieces and no instructions whatsoever. It took me ages to figure out how it went together. Because of that, I started adding sewing order with my very first design!

Making it mine: How the Cauldron pattern looked when I finished editing.

Download the 4″ Cauldron pattern

In a nutshell, Quilt Assistant is free, it’s easy to use and you can share your patterns from it by printing them to PDF with software like Primo PDF or Cute PDF. If you want to make changes, use Photoshop or open source software like Gimp. Save the file as a PDF for easier printing.

The best part about this for me? Well, a couple of things. First, I got to revisit some of my older Harry Potter patterns that I hadn’t played around with in ages. Second, I get to share these patterns with Cheryl and look forward to her upcoming project (and I hope you will, too!). Last of all, as soon as I’m up and running on my own computer again, I can export these files to EQ format and edit them just like any of my other EQ7 projects!

Direct links to the magically shrunken versions of the above blocks:

I hope my little review of Quilt Assistant is useful to you. If you’re still on the fence about designing your own paper pieced patterns or about using design software and you’re looking to draft individual blocks, give it a try. It’s a nifty tool, it’s free, and if you decide to upgrade to EQ7, all your QA work is exportable!

Visit the Quilt Assistant Website

A footnote: I am reviewing QA because I want to and for no other reason, but if you happen to take up pattern drafting, consider becoming a Fandom In Stitches Designer! Fandom In Stitches is my all-fandom quilt pattern site featuring Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Doctor Who, Sesame Street and much, much more! All the patterns are free and all the designers are volunteers!

To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Time is running out!

TTMT #178 – Doing Things

Bee Happy, Make Quilts!

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Here’s a little something fun!

Honey Bee Quilt Store in Austin, Texas has kitted up Tree Trimming and A Little Haunted with fun fabrics!

The kits even include binding!

You can pick up these fun quilts in the store or by giving them a call at 512-257-1269.

***

I’m in the middle of a computer crisis today. My laptop had critical hard drive failure this weekend and I’m waiting for repair and to see if any of my data can be restored. I am usually faithful about backing up because of all the pictures, patterns and documents I produce. Unfortunately, and insanely, I have not backed up in several months which means if my data can’t be recovered, I will lose design work, photos and documents from those last few months. If it wasn’t shared either online for via email, I won’t have it. I can’t even begin to express how distressing the prospect is!

To detract from the stress, I’m diligently working on cleaning my studio, finishing some charity projects and pushing ahead with 12 for 2012. My August quilt top just needs borders and I’m about to pull September out of the bag.

Hopefully, the quilt therapy will keep me sane until I know what the damage is!

The Tabby Face Block Lotto is another ray of sunshine. I’ve received quite a few messages and photos from you all sharing that you’ll have Tabby Faces in the mail this week. How can a slew of happy kitty faces not make me feel better?

And for everyone checking in to see how Tackett is doing, we have not really seen any change. He hasn’t lost weight, but he’s not gained any since the first couple of weeks of his treatment. He still seems chipper, though, so we remain hopeful.

Thanks for listening…see you for Talk To Me Tuesday! Tomorrow’s will be a little different since my computer is out of action…along with all my usual files!

To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Time is running out!

Tabby Face Block Lotto!

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Welcome to the Tabby Face Block Lotto!

How would you like to win a pile of Tabby Face blocks made by quilters from all over the world?

This is your chance!

During the month of September, make up to five Tabby Face blocks, mail them to the address below, and be entered to win.

One lucky quilter will win them all!

Rules for Entry:

Use the free Tabby Face pattern to make a quilt block. Pattern also available on Craftsy!
Cats can be tabby or calico (see above for examples)
Use a bright tone on tone or solid background. Red, yellow, blue, orange, etc. work great to make that kitty face stand out! Please avoid pastels and black backgrounds.
Blocks must finish 5 1/2″ when trimmed. Make sure your printer is set to “no scaling” or “actual size” for best results. This step is very important. Blocks that are the incorrect size will not be included in the lotto.
Please staystitch 1/8″ from the raw edge of your block and then remove the paper. Staystitching helps prevent stretching on bias edges and removing the paper will help save the sanity of the winner!
Embroidered (hand or machine) whiskers are optional.
Please sign block(s) with your name and location on the front, lower right of the block (bottom of the kitty face or in the background fabric) using a quality fabric pen. Micron Pigma Pens are awesome for signing!
You may enter up to 5 blocks. Each block receives one entry. If entering more than one block, try to make each of your cats different. The more variety, the better!
Please include your name, mailing address and email address on a 3″ x 5″ card with each block you enter. This is very important as it is how the winner will be chosen, contacted and the blocks mailed.
To be entered to win, mail your blocks to Tabby Face Block Lotto c/o Sewhooked; 12903 Margit Dr. Austin, TX 78729, USA.
Blocks must be received by October 1, 2012. Winners will be announced October 2.
Spread the word with copy and paste HTML badges for your website or blog!
Add pictures of your blocks to the Sewhooked flickr group! (Pretty please with sugar on top?)

If you downloaded Tabby Face prior to today, please note that there is a minor update to the pattern. The pattern itself has not changed, but I added an optional note for a nicer finish.

To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Time is running out!

Socks!

Block Lotto On the Way!

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Tabby Face Block Lotto

Coming September 1!

It’s been ages since I did something like this and it’s high time for some fun around here!

The last time I hosted a block lotto was way back in January 2010 with Batiks on Black.

Full details on Saturday!

Use coupon code TACKETT right here on Sewhooked and in my Etsy Shop for 25% off your total order during the month of August. This special coupon has been created as a fundraiser for my beloved and sick kitty, Tackett. Tackett is a regular visitor to Talk To Me Tuesday and even has his own Facebookpage. The great majority of the patterns I’ve designed have come into life with Tackett sitting in my lap or on my feet.

Have you made patterns or projects from Sewhooked? I would love to see! Add them to the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to be featured on my blog!

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Time is running out!