This could be the start of something BIG :)

Quilters know how to celebrate. That's how I came up with the idea for Party with Patrick. They also know how to bring their creativity as well as their creations into the events and holidays they celebrate throughout the year.

I'm in the midst of a very exciting project that you'll be hearing more about soon. Believe it or not, quilters like you have been involved in it from its inception because I've been slowly creating it based on what I know about quilters' love of life and love for celebrating the events of life - big and small alike. But I'd like to have your input, even more, as I continue to develop this project.

So, how about another contest?

Tell us how you incorporate quilting and creativity into your celebrations of holidays and life events throughout the year and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a 12 pack of fat quarters from my Marble Mania collection for Timeless Treasures.

Let us know the big and small ways you use your creative energy to spice up a holiday party or welcome a baby or create an heirloom for a couple of newlyweds. Maybe you've quilted a birthday or graduation gift or a runner for the Thanksgiving table? I want to hear about it and share your ideas with other quilters who love celebrating life as much as you do!

Comment on this post by 5 p.m. Monday for your chance to win. And be sure to check back to see what others have to say. If your idea is something really special, you may be contacted to be a part of my project, if you'd like. The name of the winner will be drawn on Tuesday.

You can also post your comment on the Party with Patrick fan page here.

Let's hear what you have to say.

Cheers!

More winners!

Congratulations to Joann Linden and Susan Klinkhammer who each won an 8 pack of fat quarters in the drawing from yesterday's contest! Ladies, your fabric is on it's way with your orders.

Be on the lookout for more contests right here and on the Party with Patrick Facebook fan page :)

Cheers!

Another chance to win fabric!

How about another contest? Order two or more patterns today and be entered for a chance to win one of two 8 packs of a variety of fat quarters from my collections for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Visit www.patricklose.net and shop online or call 623-414-9464 or email gary@patricklose.net to order. Good luck and Happy Quilting!

More retreat photos

Thankfully, Nancy didn't really feel this way about the past weekend at the Party with Patrick in Phoenix retreat :) She just doesn't like having her picture taken, either. We love you anyway, Nancy and hope to see you and the rest of the gang again SOON!

But for now, I've posted a few more snapshots from the retreat on the Party with Patrick Facebook fan page. I'm looking forward to getting more photos posted from everyone who took them. And, yes, that is a not-so-subtle hint to the aforementioned to get them posted :) I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Party with Patrick is about to enter it's second year as the most fabulous and FUN membership club operating in quilt shops. Each month, our member shops offer a great party where a new project is introduced to their members and they work together on the project in the month's theme sharing food, friendship and fun.

If you're a PWP member shop and haven't renewed your membership, you have til the end of the month to do so to keep your Charter Member status and get the discount on the 2010 membership fee.

If you haven't joined the party yet, what are you waiting for? We're having a blast!

PWP fun in Phoenix!

Here's my first photo of the gang from the "Party with Patrick in Phoenix" retreat. Good times and FUN and talented people!! Pictured, L-R; Ken, Claudia, Roberta, Gary, Liat, Nancy, Mary, Betty, me, and Pat. Old and new friends :)

You really should ask your local quilt shop owner or quilt guild to organize a Party with Patrick event in your area. We had a blast and this retreat was actually put together as somewhat of a last-minute gathering because we wanted to have one in the Phoenix area before the heat hits us. No doubt, there will be another one planned here very soon and I hope everyone in the photo will be there to make it a reunion as well (This is a reminder for you guys to send me your photos from the weekend to post here, too!).

Our Dam Christmas Party retreat is filling up fast. I believe we only have 7 spots left so, if you want to do some Christmas-in-July partying with other Party with Patrick cohorts, contact Gary as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Contest/Win a pack of 8 fat quarters: Place an order before 10 p.m. CST today totaling 10.00 or more (before shipping) and be entered to win a fat quarter pack of my newest fabrics!

More to come...

In need of a particular fabric?

Many of you contact us looking for your favorite print from my fabric collections when you can't find them at your local quilt shop. Now we can help. All you have to do is contact us to order any of my available prints.

Call us at 623-414-9464 or email gary@patricklose.net to place your order!

You can also order any of my patterns and books this way if your local shop doesn't carry them.

The Party with Patrick in Phoenix retreat this past weekend was a blast and we'll have photos to post soon so you can see what you missed.

Hope you had a great quilting-filled weekend :)

Now available online

"Luck o' the Irish" and "Upwardly Mobile" have now been added to our secure online shopping cart for immediate ordering on the website!(www.patricklose.net)

Just wanted you to know in case your local shop isn't carrying them.

We're off to another retreat today and really looking forward to it. I hope you have a great quilting-filled weekend as well.

Cheers :)

Congratulations to Marilynn DeHoney who is the winner of the February Party with Patrick prize of 29 fat quarters from my Dot-to-Dot collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

I couldn't stop with one prize, so I added a second prize of 8 fat quarters from various collections of fabrics I've done for RK and Jill Pesti won that prize. Congrats to you, too, Jill!

We're getting ready for our second retreat of the year coming up this weekend at the Dobson Ranch Inn right here in the Phoenix metro area. There are still spots available if you'd like to join us for a weekend of Party with Patrick-style quilting and camaraderie. This one's a small retreat but I bet with a group this size we have even more opportunity to get to know one another. If you'd like to join us, contact Gary at 623-414-9464 or gary@patricklose.net.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and that winter is waning wherever you are!

Here comes another new pattern...

"Upwardly Mobile", featuring patterns and instructions for creating a 15 x 25" banner and a 12 x 12" mini quilt, is the newest pattern to be added to my line and will be shipping the first week in March.

This lady bug is movin' on up a brightly flowered vine that's made using lots of colors from my new Fizz collection from Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Fizz will be available in quilt shops beginning in March. Click here to see all of my patterns and click here to see the entire Fizz collection.

Hopefully, this will give those of you who are still dealing with winter's worst a glimmer of hope for spring.

I hope you like this new pattern and Fizz :)

Cheers!