Organic Cotton Is a Good Thing. Right?

The New York Times has an article titled “The Cotton Tote Crisis” that raises so many questions in my mind about organic cotton that I do not have answers for… According to this article, an organic cotton tote bag requires daily use for 54 (Yes! fifty-four!) years, to offset its overall impact of production. (…

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Can I Quilt Over a Steam a Seam 2 Applique?

“Can I quilt over a Steam a Seam 2 iron-on applique?” and “Do I need to stitch the applique down, and if so, how?” are two questions I get asked quite often. The tote bag in the featured photo is my go-to example to answer these questions.  I made this tote bag almost three years…

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Perfect Gifts for a Quilter

Ever need a quick gift and realize… hey, I own a laser? I did!  Problem solved! Engrave a mug they’ll actually love. I’ve been making these tumblers as gifts for years, and they’re always a hit. I created four brand-new designs—exclusively for Artfully Quilted Design—and each one comes in four gorgeous colors. And starting today,…

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Would You Join Me in Reaching Out?

It seems as if most of the country is experiencing some kind of upheaval in the weather.  I am so thankful for a warm house and electricity during storms like we have been experiencing!   Oh, the things we take for granted.   There are those however, who do not have a roof over their head, or…

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A Block is Born

The best part about doing a Mystery Quilt is putting that first block together from all those bits and pieces that you have been cutting and piecing.  I was really anticipating the Grassy Creek block, as I had abandoned the suggested colors, which I do not normally do.  I had found a large piece of…

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A Block Emerges

I knew I was late to the party, but I didn’t realize I was THAT late!  Bonnie Hunter’s last clue came out this past week for the Grassy Creek Mystery Quilt.  Oh my!  Friday morning when I opened the blog and saw that it was the reveal, I was so sad that it had taken…

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Beginning the Grassy Creek Mystery!

I know I am late to the party, but I have finally begun Bonnie Hunter’s Grassy Creek Mystery Quilt.  I love doing these mysteries.  I always learn so much! I have been redoing my sewing room for the last couple of months, and have folded and sorted all of my quilt fabric by color.  This…

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Piecing a Quilt is Like Living a Life

While I work, I love to listen to podcasts or audio books.  Recently I have been listening to Frances O’Roark Dowell read the book “Aunt Jane of Kentucky” on her Quiltfiction podcast.  This book was written in 1898 by Eliza Calvert Hall and is available to read for free on Project Gutenberg.  Frances is an…

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A Slower Paced Easter

No masks in this post!   I did make myself one and a couple for friends, but have laser, will move on.  Another need that is out there is “ear savers.”  Nurses and other medical personnel are covering their masks with fabric masks.  The elastic us home sewists are using hurts the back of their ears,…

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A New Pet… Kinda

What a beautiful weekend we had, and time to enjoy it! It has been nice to take a break from all the rush and enjoy the blessings that surround us.