FREE Holiday Handiwork pattern!

Sometimes you just want a quick-and-simple "something to quilt". Y' know? You don't want to haul out an old UFO that needs attention or to start on another UFO wannabe. At least that's how I am. If I have a spare 20 minutes at the end of the day or need to unwind in front of the TV, I might want something for my hands to do that won't make them bother my brain for guidance.

Here's a free project pattern that I'm offering to help kick off December and give us something to do in those last few minutes at the end of the day before we keel over from all of the holiday "spirit". These little raw-edge applique "thingies" make great Christmas ornaments for the tree or for creative package wrapping but they're also perfect for coasters to have around during the holiday/winter season. You can make a set of six with a fat quarter, a little batting, and some perle cotton....probably all stuff you have around, anyway. And what a great little "Secret Santa" gift that someone might actually appreciate because you took the time to make it with your own two elf-like hands :)

So, here's a little holiday handiwork "gift" from me that I hope you'll enjoy making for yourself, your tree, or someone on your list this season.

Don't forget to check out all of my new patterns and my new book that's now shipping! They're perfect gifts for quilters, too!

'Tis the season! ;-)

Terrific Tree Trimming :)

Well, despite Lily's preferred tree-trimming technique (see my last post, below), I think we were successful at decorating the tree again this year. We had a lot of fun, mostly because we didn't try to do it all in one day. The 2500 lights went on a few days ago and that makes for a much less stressful day of decorating. Here's a pic of Lauryn and Lily as we started out...first draping gold and red strings of faceted beads and then hanging simple red and gold ball ornaments for rich Christmas color.

At 10 years old, Lauryn is now an old pro from helping me the last few years. Usually she's "over it" by an hour into the process but I think she enjoyed it more this year...paying more attention to the ornaments and the memories attached to certain ones. Lily liked the Santa and snowman ornaments best and I caught her taking a close look at one of the Santas. Then, cute as can be, she gave him a kiss.

The Christmas season is going to be extra fun this year with her. It's always better with little ones around and, at 2-1/2, it's the wonder and awe in their eyes that I love the most.

I took a pic last year that I love of Lauryn helping me with the tree and, when we were all finished last night, the moment presented itself for me to get one just like it of Lily.

This is photographic evidence that the tedious (and sometimes nerve-wracking) process is well worth it.

Deck the halls! ;-)

Break Time

I hope you're all enjoying the long weekend. We spent the better part of today decorating the Christmas tree but Lily needed a nap break so we'll wait for her to finish it. She was in awe of the entire process but has little patience for neatly hanging the ornaments. She'd rather toss them into the tree and hope they stick somewhere. I'll have some photos for a post later on.

In the meantime, I've started a Facebook fan page for Party with Patrick and wanted to let you know. (What's Party with Patrick?) If you have photos or stories to share, that will be the place. You can become a fan even if you're not a member at a local quilt shop. Stop by as the page grows to see how much fun we're having with the club. If your local shop isn't a member shop, you can direct them to the page to see what they're missing. Knowing this bunch, there will soon be lots of silly stories and photos posted soon. Shop owners can use the space to share their success stories with those who are new to the club and swap ideas for future events.

That's all for now. I'll be back soon with an update on the status of the tree trimming. The last time I counted all of the ornaments, which has been a few years now, there were over 500.

That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have to re-post this from last year because, as I said then, Charles Schulz always knew how to say it. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Creating for a Cause

Quilters and crafters are some of the most generously giving people I know. What's really great is when a company with an articulate voice gets behind them and offers resources and materials to help magnify the scope of their giving.

If you take a look at the new website, http://www.weallsew.com/, you'll see that's exactly what Bernina USA is doing. I just got an email that directed me to the site and spent enough time there to know that this is something you need to take a look at as well.

At this time of year and in this economic climate, "need" is all around just waiting for someone like you to use your talents to help lessen it. Why don't you visit the new We All Sew site and learn about all of the ways you can help? You'll be glad you did. I am :-)

What a great way and a great time to express how thankful we are for what we have!

Cheers,
Patrick

Who needs fruitcake?

I've been thinking about starting my yearly tradition of making my Caramel Christmas Mix by the boat load today. I'm wondering if I even want to open that can of worms after last season. If you didn't read about it, here's a link to the post I wrote after hearing from shop owners who tried the recipe that's included in my A Patrick Lose Christmas book.

Call me a pusher, but you really need this recipe so you can start another holiday tradition, too.

You can order your copy by calling us at 623-414-9464 or by emailing gary@patricklose.net. You can also order online here. And if you're looking for single holiday patterns, you've come to the right place.

Here's to a good sugar buzz!

Patrick

Party with Patrick™ for the holidays!

If you were a Party with Patrick member at your local quilt shop, this is the project you'd be making at the November party. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Your local shop isn't a member shop yet? Tell them you want to Party with Patrick every month and have them contact us to sign up! For more information, take a look here.

It's time to welcome in the holiday season with a PARTY!

Website facelift

With winter and the holidays fast approaching, it was time for the website to get a bit of a facelift. Take a look here to see why I love this time of year so much. Fat lot of good it does me living in the desert! ;-)

Thankfully, I have a vivid imagination.

Wherever you are, I hope you like what winter will bring.

How about another?

The gang at the retreat really liked this one, too. I hope you do, as well. Click the cover for a larger view and you can see the rest of my holiday offering here and here.

I'm sure you've noticed that I love to use type/text in my designs. When I finished the rough sketch for this one, the words popped into my head immediately...merry & bright. I had to include them in the design. It didn't include the snowflakes until I was almost finished placing the appliqués for the festive tree and its twinkling stars. Then it dawned on me that the only thing that would be more merry & bright would be if it started to snow. That made the picture perfect, to me.

I completed this project in no time at all with a raw-edge appliqué technique and lots of free-motion "scribble" quilting over the tree in gold metallic thread that makes it look like it's covered in spun sugar. Because it's so easy, you plenty of time to have it done for your holiday decorating or gift-giving.

Let me know what you think and have a great day!

Cheers,
Patrick ;-)

Brand Spankin' New Pattern!

Honestly...There's so much new and exciting stuff going on around here that I feel like I'm meeting myself coming and going. I'm getting used to it, though ;-)

On top of the release of my new book, Terrific Table Toppers with Patrick Lose, I have a new pattern that's ready to ship tomorrow! I shared this one with everyone that came to my retreat in Boulder City, NV this past weekend and they all loved it and made some really cute versions of it for themselves as well. Click on the photo for a larger view.

It's a 12 x 18" quilted snow guy with a cheery, striped scarf that doubles as a pocket to hold the holiday greetings you receive in the mail. I call it a Christmas Card Caddy. To order, just give Gary a call at 623-414-9464. He'll be happy to help and I'm sure you can talk him into having me autograph your books for you! This one won't be posted to the website right away so call to get it in time to make for this holiday season.

To see more of my patterns, click here or visit: http://www.patricklose.net/online/new_092109r.html

I'll be back in touch soon with more info on all of the new things coming and maybe even another new holiday pattern!

Check back often!

Cheers,

Patrick

New Fabric Collection!

I also have a new fabric collection to show you. It's a companion print to Satinesque called Satinesque Stripe that comes in a beautiful range of colors. Click the link to take a look. This should be arriving at your local quilt shop in early December! Judging by the popularity of Satinesque, you'll want some of this collection as well. We've also added 14 new colors to freshen up Satinesque. Here's a look at a bundle of the vibrant new colors.

Don't forget my fairly new and VERY popular Dot-to-Dot collection and Scribbles (which may be getting a couple more coordinates added to the line soon :-)

I've been having lots of fun designing new projects with these fun-to-use fabrics.

Hope all's well with you.

Terrific Table Toppers with Patrick Lose ships soon!

My new book, Terrific Table Toppers with Patrick Lose, begins shipping in two weeks! It's time to pre-order your signed copies now for your holiday gift-giving.

As the title suggests, this book is full of table runner and placemat projects for everyday, holidays, and special celebrations. There are 10 projects in all and the price tag on this one will help you stick with your gift list budget. Want a sneak peek? Click here. The arrows at the top right allow you to skim through the pages for a preview. I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Order at your local quilt shop or call Gary at 623-414-9464 to order a signed copy that will ship to you in a couple of weeks. You can also reach him at gary@patricklose.net.

Halloween may be over but Autumn is in full swing. Celebrate it by making a new table runner and/or place mats from my Fall Finery pattern now available. It's super easy to make and a wonderful way to display the colors of the season. Check it out here.

Cheers,
Patrick

P.S. Be on the lookout for a new Christmas pattern coming next week as well. More on that later ;-)