Indian Blanket Photo Shoot

 As a new quilt pattern writer,

I am learning the tricks of

the trade.

One of the statistics that I have heard

is that buyers generally decide

which pattern they will purchase

within 3 seconds

after looking at the front cover.

A clear 

concise

picture 

can make all the difference.

Some designers

can afford professional photographers

to work their magic for the front cover.

 And then there are people like me

who do their own photography 

and hope for the best.

 Sometimes we rope friends and family into helping us

with a photo shoot.

The other morning my very kind friends

Paul and Niser helped me with

my latest pattern

Indian Blanket

We arrived at the Scottsdale Arizona Mall

hours before the stores opened.
It was just us and the Mall Walkers :)
We moved from spot to spot
searching for the best lighting.

We found the perfect wall

with a background that matched the quilt

and natural light streaming through the nearby windows.

Niser brought her quilt rack

which was especially helpful

because

Indian Blanket is a long

67" X 94"

Twin size

Thank you Niser!

Paul brought his fancy camera

complete with tri pod.

Thank you Paul!

Both of the Holland's have been so

generous with their time.

We desired to capture the beautiful color combinations

of the solid fabrics.

I went downstairs with my camera

 to the main floor

and tried a few other shots

on the couches and chairs in the common area.

It's always so hard to know which picture is best for a pattern cover.

For a final decision, I cropped out all of the background

and opted for the full length shot,

where the colors of the quilt

can be seen in full view.

Instructions for each Kona solid color 

within individual rows

is included in the pattern.

As a reminder,

Indian Blanket 

can be found on my ETSY site

HERE

Indian Blanket Quilt Pattern

 Introducing

Indian Blanket

by Cactus Needle Quilts!

A new pattern I have designed.

Size: 67" X 94" (Long Twin)

 Made from 8 colors of Kona Cotton Solids from Robert Kaufman

 I give you all of the 

information 

and tips 

for making this beautiful quilt

in the pattern instructions

 Pattern available on my 

ETSY

site

HERE

 I love these colors!

 

This Family of Mine

 I am not much of an adventurous person.

I wouldn't exactly call 

quilting

Daring

So when I see my family members

challenge themselves

to activities

I would never dream of doing,

I stand 

in 

awe

 Our Son In Law Dano

recently got back from Utah 

where he participated in a

1/2 Iron Man

In this Triathlon event he 

started out with a

1.2 mile swim

in Utah Lake

 Followed by a 56 Mile bike ride,

and then a

13.1 mile run around the Provo River

Oh my

Even after dealing with

the unfortunate experience of

 two flat tires

Dano managed to come in

under his 5 hour goal.

All of his early morning training

paid off.

I think he calls this fun. 

 I do see a smile at the finish line

as he hydrates 

and accepts his medal.

 Then daughter #1 called me the other morning

from
the beautiful Red Rock country of
 Moab, Utah

where I thought she was on a 

simple
Labor Day jeeping trip.

"Mom, I just jumped out of an airplane!"

"Whhhaaaatttttt????!!!"

 Lets just say I was

relieved that I found out 

after

she was safely back on the ground.

The first 30 seconds out of the plane 

is a 

free fall

Aubrey, like her mother, has a fear of heights.

(I get dizzy climbing a step stool)

Skydiving 

 was something she 

challenged herself to do as

a way of 

Overcoming

and

Facing Her Biggest Fear

I am so proud of her!

Is that a smile I see

on her face?

or is she shouting

H
E
L
P
!

Those Heart Stealing Grandbabies

 Who Ever Wants To Understand Much

Must Play Much

 Here in the United States we celebrate

1st Monday in September as

Labor Day 

 a holiday in honor of the working people.

It's a day off from the regular work week -

 a day to relax and play.

 We spent our holiday

at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix

 with those

heart stealing grandbabies 

of ours.

Children have that unbridled impulse to 

touch

 prod

or poke

 every aspect of the world around them

and this is a perfect place to fill those needs.

 The science exhibits were outstanding.

We learned how control and manipulate light 

through a Stroboscope

 An entire floor is dedicated to understanding and interacting

with exhibits on

 the Human Body

 Noah even experienced what it was like to lay on a bed of nails.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said

It is a Happy Talent to Know How To Play

 Isaak realized he had the strength 

to pull his own body weight.

 And with floor after floor of 

well designed, exciting exhibits,

we learned that the kids were most drawn

to building and creating

 with simple blocks.

 With mommy's help

Kayla would have been content at this table for hours.

 Even Dano showed his creative side.

 "The World is full of magical things, patiently waiting for

our senses to grow sharper" (W. B. Yeats)

Socrates said

"Wonder is the beginning of Wisdom"

These beautiful children seem well on their way.

Those Mesa Ladies/ August

 A lovely day yesterday with

those cute Mesa Ladies.

They really are the nicest of people,

and I feel it's a privilege to 

meet with them each month.

One of my favorite parts is to see what everyone is working on.

 Stephanie (Stuph From Steph)

just finished her amazing Row Along Quilt 

designed by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet.

I love Stephanie's version.

Such beautiful fabrics!

And do you notice how she combined her colors

around in the border?

Wonderful idea!

 When Steph and I both made these rows 

we worked from tutorials on Lori's blog.

The Row Along became so popular

Lori expanded the ideas and

has a new book coming out.

Quilty Fun

can be pre-ordered 

HERE

 Chevrons

The ladies had  lots of 

Show and Tell this month.

 Cars

 Peg made a String Quilt

using newspapers as her foundation

for the blocks.

  String Quilt

by Janet

 I fell in love with another quilt

Janet was working on.

 Paris by

Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket

 Each block has a cute gathered ruffle that 

is sewn down the center.

 I've been seeing Margot's name around a lot lately.

She is the designer of 

Strawberry Social

that so many are making right now.

(If I had the time, I would love to make this quilt!)

Each month one of the ladies brings lunch

for our group.  

Peg really out did herself!

Such an amazing cook!

Peg runs a catering business

Snaps Cookies and Catering

which I highly recommend if you live 

in the Phoenix Metro area.