Custom Quilt Design

So I made this beautiful quilt top using the 12" AccuQuilt Mix N Match dies.  The original purpose for making this is to have a sample display quilt for my booth.

I chose to use the bright colors similar to what AccuQuilt using on their samples in order to draw attention to it.

After the top was finished, then comes how to quilt it.  I have watched some of Lisa Calle's videos on QnnTV.com and how she designs custom quilting patterns and so off I went.  This quilt now becomes a dual purpose... AccuQuilt Display and custom quilt sampler.  Now where to start...

Lets take the second block and I'll show you what I did.

Here is the actual block with actual colors.  

I then printed out a copy (or you can print a picture) in black n white so the colors didn't distract me from the design process.  

Using a piece of tracing paper laid on top of the printed design, I was able to do my outline or stitch in the ditch and then fill in each section from there.  Knowing what I know now, I should have done this first page in about four or five pages displaying a different step on each page.

After looking at the above picture, I still had some area that I wanted to add detail to.  So here comes another piece of tracing paper...

The purpose of using multiple pieces of tracing paper is to make changes easily without starting all over.  If I decided the feathers were to much, I would just remove those pages and go back to filling in the blanks on a new page.

So this is where I'm at today.  I will post as I start to actually quilt the blocks and share with you a great new ruler that Lisa designed that I am adding to my store.

Customer Irish Chain Quilt Finished

Recently I taught a class at Hancock Fabric and had the honors of working with Beth.  This is her very first finish.  Beth said that she has started many quilts in the past and like a lot of us, they know sit unfinished.  I am so proud of and excited for Beth and feel blessed for the small part I got to play in her first finished quilt.

Way To Go Beth!!!

QuiltFest 2013 Update

Day 1 was amazing.  Everyone who stopped by the booth either loved the AccuQuilt system.  It was so good to hear so many stories from current owners about how they felt.  Thank you all for stopping by!

Did I forget until about lunch time that my second focus of the booth was my quilting for the public.  I was so excited about the response from AccuQuilt that I just forgot.  So after lunch I started adding that to the mix and again had some very encouraging responses.

Grow business grow!  Thank you Lord!

Displaying part of the GO! Baby Bundle of Joy

Look at the BEAUTIFUL Double Wedding Ring pieced by Kitty Ferrell and machine quilted by Stitches N Stories! Only takes about 1-1/2 - 2 hours to cut with AccuQuilt.

And there is me, Rhonda Kennedy, owner of Stitches N Stories and ready for business to soar!

And God has blessed me with very sweet young friends and this is one of them.  J.J. volunteered to come help me today at the booth!  Couldn't have done it without her!  Thanks J.J.!

Vendor Booth at QuiltFest 2013

This weekend will be my first vendor booth at a quilt show.  I will be promoting AccuQuilt, Superior Thread (or my new favorite OMNI) and my quilting service.  I am currently finishing up a small display quilt and designing my booth.

Look for pictures over the next few day of what it will look like.  

Most importantly, if you are in the Birmingham, AL area this weekend, come looks us up.

AccuQuilt Order Unloaded

I have spent the morning unloading and sorting my first AccuQuilt GO! order as an Authorized Retailer.  I can't tell you how excited I am.  The picture below is just what I am keeping, the rest of the order is already packed up and ready to go to UPS today for customer delivery.

If you are in the market for a new cutter or dies, please give me the opportunity to give you a quote.  I offer great customer service and because I run my business from home, I have limited overhead and can pass those savings on to you.

I can wait to share with you my next GO! project.  It is going to be a memory quilt from my father-in-laws button up shirts.  :)

Happy Quilting!

Crazy Quilting Weekend

First of all, as of Friday, I am an official AccuQuilt GO! Authorize Retailer! I can't tell you how excited I am about that. So, before you make your next GO! purchase, check with me about pricing.

This weekend I have been multi-tasking. A sweet couple from my church had their babies last week at 25 weeks. They really need all prayers possible. I have been working on the babies quilts. I have Maddie's top finished and working on Madden's top. They are embroidery Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam. Just adorable.

On the frame I have a customer quilt that I am really struggling with tension. The back is WalMart cotton, very low loft WalMart batting and an old linen top. I have been working on the tension for a while today and just can't seem to get it figured out. ????

AccuQuilt Retailer

I am so excited... I am working on getting approved as an AccuQuilt vendor. If you don't know what AccuQuilt is, go to their website and check it out. www.accuquilt.com. This system cuts up-to 90% faster which allows us to spend more time sewing and quilting and less cutting out and getting prepared.

I am getting ready to place my first order this coming Friday so if you need anything, please let me know and I will send you a price quote. You will not find a better deal online for this first order.