I love making online friends! People you never actually meet in person, who are amazingly kind and giving, are true blessings. For me, Jennifer Higby is one of those people. A multi-talented lady whom I only know in the online world, but whom I know I can rely on when I need some insightful, thoughtful advice on machine embroidery and applique issues.

Jennifer is the moderator and creator of an invaluable Facebook group called – Machine Embroidery & Applique. Unlike so many Facebook groups, Jennifer is not much for self-promotion, but rather is truly available online to the almost 400-strong members of this ever-expanding group. I found her in a Facebook search, requested to join the group and have been so happy to have met her! (If you are interested in joining the group, here is the link). I needed her help and assistance with a project I was making and a piece I was writing for the Canadian quilt magazine, called Quilter’s Connection.

Lately, I’ve come to learn a little bit more about Jennifer. She became acquainted with the world of machine embroidery in her job in Kentucky, working on commercial embroidery machines. What a fabulous training ground! Like me, she learned home embroidery on a Brother machine and taught herself how to efficiently operate her little treasure. She has since upgraded to advanced Brother machines and also owns a Happy Voyager 1201C. Her embroidery software of choice is called Pantograms Fancy Works Studio Plus.

Here are photos of some of Jennifer’s inspiring and detailed embroidery work.

Since I love kids so much…

And who doesn’t love a flowering pumpkin?

And a whimsical Christmas tree?

For all of us who need answers to questions when it matters most, excellent machine embroidery resources are indeed a boon. Creative Machine Embroidery magazine, Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and YouTube tutorials are Jennifer’s favorites. She loves accessing designs from Embroidery Library and hopes to be more masterful in digitizing her own designs in the future (as we all do!).

Lovely lady, lovely resource. lovely friend. Thanks so much Jennifer!

Till later…..

Kim

CONTEST? ANYONE?

Don’t you just LOVE giveaways? Do you quilt? If you sign up to regularly receive my blog posts on my home page you will be entered into a draw for single issues of three magazines, along with some fabulous quilting fabrics, which I will choose from my voluminous stash! The magazines are:

and

and

Love to hear from you!

Meeting other quilters is always a lovely surprise. Via Facebook, my web page and several online bulletin boards, I’ve met some sweet and talented people; some of whom will remain lifelong friends.

Recently, I met a fellow quilter “in the flesh” with the same first name as mine. We had a great visit and found that we have several traits in common — not the least of which is flitting from one project to the next and back again; sorta like a bird. How appropriate, then, that I came across Kim Jamieson-Hirst’s eye-pleasing little quilt that she calls Tweet-Heart.

So very cute! I am especially drawn to the baby hearts and sweet pinks and greens of this little gem.

When Kim labels her work, she uses a pigma pen and it looks something like this….

Kim is a very engaging and personable lady – who loves to talk.  She also loves to work in her home studio….she designs quilt, hand embroidery and stuffie patterns.  You can find some of her work in Quilter’s Connection magazine and Irish Quilting magazine.  Visit her online at www.chatterboxquilts.com.

Have a fabulous and creative Wednesday!  Till later…..

Kim

Good Wednesday everyone.  Thanks so very much for joining us!  Things are changing here at KimHansonQuilts….a brand new look for the website is under development.  Shelly Caldwell, the guru of all things web-tacular is overseeing the big change.  I so love her work and I’m ever so grateful to have found her!

There will be more quilted and embroidered products for sale, lots of children’s items, more patterns, more free stuff and of course, more yoga mat bags just for you and your kids.  I can hardly wait to show everyone.

Patience is indeed a virtue, and I shall work on my patience during the website overhaul.  In the meantime, check out all these guys – who are also waiting patiently on the tree behind my house!

Till later….

Kim

Good Wednesday morning everyone. I’m so pleased today to bring you the work of Johanna Wilke – a talented quilter, quilt designer, student and accomplished seamstress from Germany.

As a former member of the Quilted Fish’s design team, Johanna brings tons of design experience and expertise to her quiltmaking. Creativity, however, is not a trait that one learns, but rather is inate. Johanna is wonderfully creative! Here is her beautiful quilt that caught my eye online…..

Unbelievably soft-looking, sweet and lovely. Beautiful work!

Johanna started sewing bags and clothes at the tender age of 12. She graduated high school and went to France to study and become a professional seamstress. I can only stand back and admire the fact that Johanna can sew clothes. Even though I am a quilter, I likely could not sew a dress or blouse to save my soul! Yikes!

She labels her work…..do you?

Johanna Wilke loves quilting…she finds it to be so relaxing and therapeutic. Working with colourful quilting fabrics is delightful and her “art” has opened doors to meeting fellow quilters from all corners of the globe.

When a moment arises, please check out Johanna’s blog and her pinterest page - it’s a visual feast! Personally, I am a convert and will be signing up as a follower of Johanna’s blog and a keen observer of her pinterest page.

Thanks so much everyone. Till later…..

Kim

Good Monday morning everyone!

I am so privileged and grateful to have my quilt, My Zen Garden, featured in Quilter’s Newsletter Best Fat Quarter Quilts magazine. The magazine is available on newsstands, quilt shops and online from Quilt and Sew Shop.

My Zen Garden is on page 88 of the magazine and is categorized as a quilt for “Kids of all Ages”. I so love that! Making quilts for kids is truly one of my greatest joys.

A close up cross section view of the quilt….

If you, like me, really enjoy embellishing your quilts and crave “imperfection” – this project is definitely for you! It’s so much fun and creative – try your hand at making this for a child that you adore.

I am giving away one copy of this magazine. To be eligible to win, leave me a comment on my blog. That’s it! I’ll choose one lucky quilter later this week.

Special thanks, as always, to the fabulous and very professional Mary Kate Karr-Petras and Danielle O’Bryan of QN. So lovely to work with you both.

Till later….take good care.

Kim

It’s such a lovely day…..especially for me, to show you Hope Nelson’s fabulous quilt she calls “Marmalade”. This little gem is named after the fabric collection that Hope used to make it. (Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics).

I was instantly attracted to both the colours of Hope’s quilt and it’s eye-pleasing geometrics.

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I first noticed Hope's quilt via Facebook, but it has also been very popular on both Flickr and Pinterest. It's so sweet - it's not hard to see why everyone likes it so much.

Hope designs some of her own quilts - sketching her ideas on paper first, refining those ideas and then making the magic happen using quilting fabrics. She does like to label her quilts that she gives away as gifts. A simple, handwritten momento......

You can contact Hope or read more about her on her blog at www.hopetn.blogspot.com.

Merry Christmas everyone!
Kim

Good morning! I just wanted to share my pin cushion tutorial with you. It’s on the Riley Blake Design website

It’s an easy to follow tutorial on how to make a sweet, heart-embroidered pin cushion. Give it a try!

Kim

Good Wednesday to everyone….thank you so much for stopping by.

I get such a feeling of satisfaction when another quilter takes both the time and the energy to make one of my projects. It’s so gratifying!

I was thrilled to receive a photo of Linda Wallis’ “take” on my Woven Christmas Stocking pattern, featured recently in Quilter’s Newsletter 12 Days of Best Christmas Quilts magazine. She was so kind to share them with me, and since it’s Wednesday, I wanted to share them with you all. Rather than feature my “Quilt of the Week” this Wednesday, I wanted to instead show you what Linda has made. As you can see, she made a bunch – in fact, 11 in total – one stocking for each of her children and grandchildren. What a lovely way to commemorate and celebrate Christmas!

Linda first saw my Stocking pattern via Facebook. So as to make the pattern her own, Linda used temporary adhesive spray rather than basting the woven fabric strips together. She found that the adhesive spray made moving the body of the stocking to her sewing machine, just that much easier. Quilting came in the form of stitch-in-the-ditch rather than the free motion quilting on the Stocking pattern itself.

Linda’s ten years of quilting experience is being put to good use. Her father passed away in March and she has chosen to make quilts out of her Dad’s cotton shirts, for each of her siblings. A sweet and beautiful tribute.

Till later….

Kim

My first cover! What a joy it was to see my work featured on the cover of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine.

Quilt design is such a creative venture…satisfying and fulfilling and totally different from the type of work that I used to do. In 2009, the editor of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine, Ellen March, published my first quilt design. It’s an embroidered rag quilt which they called Fireside Flannels.

It’s a pleasure and privilege to work with magazine editors – women who work hard and communicate efficiently. Often, with just an email or two, we manage to produce the work and images that the editors hold in their minds. I love it!

There is a saying: “If you wish to accomplish something you’ve never done in the past, do something that you’ve never done”. My first cover is a perfect example of that quote….I had never commited my artwork as drawings to be digitized, I had never worked with a collaborator (Jackie Holderbein of Oregon Patchworks) and I had NEVER, EVER worked so hard on one assignment before! Jackie and I worked feverishly to get the 12 Days of Christmas embroidery designs “just right”. Jackie is lovely; a talented woman who is a fabulous to work with.

There is still time before Christmas to make the table runner. All 12 designs are free until December 31st and are located on the Oregon Patchworks website. I’d so love to see your finished work – send me a photo when you’re done.

Till later……
Kim

Twitter, Twitter, Tweet, Tweet!

Another Wednesday, another extraordinary, beautiful quilt – from etsy.com yet again! I cannot say it enough; etsy.com is fabulous showcase of extremely talented, fresh and modern quilt artists.

Today’s quilt is by Michelle Hollis. She calls her work of art “Twitter” – such a lovely and innovative “spin” on traditional pinwheels.

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I've never made a pinwheel quilt, but have always wanted to. I'm very drawn to Michelle's use of colour, the cute little red squares at each intersection and the gorgeous quilting on the alternating blocks.

Twitter is the perfect illustration of how Michelle can take a traditional-style quilt pattern like pinwheels, and “spin” it into something truly unique and her own. Red is Michelle’s favorite colour – you will see it sprinkled throughout her work. In fact, her etsy shop is called RedBuckletList; a tribute to both her favourite colour and to starting her own business.

Like so many of us, Michelle has children AND grandchildren and they are the true loves of her life. Thanks so much for sharing!

Till next time….

Kim