Off I Go!

I am flying out this morning for Quilt Market in Houston. Goodbye family and hello fabric friends!

See you there!

xo, L

Cool!

We in the quilting industry are gearing up for Quilt Market this week. I'm so excited to see what's new and to see my friends. Thanks to you who purchased my on-line class. I hope to see some finished quilts soon!

Meanwhile, to occupy your time, I wanted to tell you about a couple of cool things. My friend, Alex, from Aurifil Threads has developed this free awesome app just for quilters. It should be available sometime this week.

It is a store locator that uses GPS that gets you to the nearest quilt shop, you can get the phone number, e-mail and even comment or rate the shop! There's information on designers and videos too. It will be in the Apple App shop soon!

For those of you staying home and looking for something to do with your kids, why not enter this fun contest? The folks at White Cloud contacted me to tell me about this super fun contest. Now I know why my little one collected all of these toilet paper rolls! Actually, we were collecting them for a re-purposing class that I might teach. Check it out! There's a $1000 prize for the winner!

While getting my things ready for Quilt Market this week, I ran across the color card for a fabric line that I had designed last year but the fabric company had decided not to produce at this time. It happens but I wanted to share this one because I loved it so much and I thought that it was worth sharing.  It was called Bella Flora. This was the free pattern on the cover. Bye, bye, Bella.

The colors sort of remind me of the many oranges and reds that I am seeing as we driving along the road.
I'm loving the shades of green at this time of year too.

I've been trying to get the kids off of their Nintendo machines and to do a bit more hands-on stuff. We had our best bud over Friday night and we decided to make monsters. It entertained them for a long time!

These were my little monster puppets. There has to be some mysterious she-monster around!

See you soon! xo, L

Chirp! Chirp!

Finally! I'm excited to announce that Chirp! will be available at CraftEdu this Saturday and the good folks of CraftEdu will have an introductory special at 25% off for 24 hours starting at 2 p.m. EST. Please join me in this advanced beginner class. Don't worry for all of you who are more advanced quilters. I've got a couple of designs in the works for you! Please join me in my classroom at CraftEdu for some fun too! Please note that once you've joined the CraftEdu community, you will have to join my classroom under Instructor's Classrooms. I don't want to miss you!! You don't have to take classes to be a member there. You can join the fun and I am going to have some freebies there too.

xo, L

Gift Giving

In case you missed out on the pattern insert the first time, I just saw the design with the latest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. It's easy and oh so fun to make!

xo, L

Coming Soon

Make sure that you stalk your bookstore for the awesome new edition of this magazine. It's at the printer and should be available very soon. I forgot to draw a name for a copy of this magazine during my blog hop day. I've drawn a name for a copy of this. Please e-mail your information to me and I'll have it sent to you! The lucky winner? For all of the winners who haven't claimed their prizes, you will forfeit your prize if you don't contact me within a week. Please contact me!

Such a cute pattern. I bet my "trick or treaters" will be running to my door with this cute, cute, cute pattern! Thanks Linda! candy*

By Candy on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/8/10

I have a block in this issue. Look for this symbol around the internet. Lots of designers are featured in this awesome special issue.

Care for another blog hop? The magazine is going to have one for the launch of this magazine. Stay tuned for the details.

Thanks for all of your support of Justine at Angelfirestudios!

xo, L

Awesome, Amazing, Wonderful, and Fabulous

Congratulations to all of the winners! Wasn't it a fun blog hop? Thanks for hopping along. What should we celebrate at the next designer blog hop? Spring? Summer? Christmas again?

This week, a lot of people inspired me. I don't want to sound sappy but it all warmed my heart and inspired me to do better and to live and work better. As a designer, reading the hundreds of fantastic comments was a great boost. Thank you for that. Others inspired me by their passion, strength and generosity.

McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India

Copyright 2010 Umesh Bhatt

My friend, Umesh, came back from a trip to India. It was an awesome trip. He took a trip to take photographs of the Himalayas. Wow. I'm not sure his latest photos from the Himalayas are up yet but do check out his people gallery. Awesome. I'm sure that he'll update more on his website soon. Afterall, he just got back! I admire his passion for photography and I always enjoy seeing his perspective in the things that he photographs.  He also brought back this lovely little quilt that was made in Dharamshala, a city in northern India. McLeod Ganj, pictured above, is a village within the municipality of Dharamshala and is the home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government.  Thanks, Umesh! For those of you who missed it, his wife Roopa had her Dad come to the US with this quilt for me two years ago. Lovely.

On to a bit of sad news. My friend Justine, owner of Angelfirestudios, is going through a tough time. Her husband was fixing a car and it fell on top of him. She's been at his bedside for a week and a half now and she's had amazing help from friends to keep the store going. She has an inspiring store and her enthusiasm is contagious. She's one creative entrepreneur, wife and mom. Her strength in this time of difficulty has been amazing.

Another friend summed it up best on Ravelry:

"Many of you may not know, but Justine’s beloved husband Ted has been in a terrible accident.All her time is now being spent at his bedside in an ICU. We all love knitting and we all love Justine. Here is how we can help:

“One Project Please”

The purchase of just one project from Angel Fire Studios can put food on her table and buy diapers for her son. Another purchase could buy the gas to get her back and forth from the hospital.

As a customer and friend of Angel Fire Studios and Justine I am hoping that along with your thoughts and prayers for her and her family each of you might consider One Project …Please. Just drop by her store or log onto the online store, www.angelfirestudios.com"

The ladies at the store, including designer, Kristen Kapur of Through The Loops, are planning on releasing an e-book where all proceeds will go to benefit Justine and her young family.

Also, my wonderful friend, Amy Butler, is so fabulous. Did I say fabulous? She didn't hesitate to help out when I asked her last week. She is donating some fantastic items that will be used at a future fundraising event at the store. Thank you, Amy!! Love you!

Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart.

xo, L

Grand Prize Winners!!!

Thanks for hopping along on our Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop this year. It was great fun. Do come back for some market news and other interesting things! You can follow me by clicking on the side bar on the right.
Of course, you're here to find out the names of the winners, aren't you?

Grand Prize Winner: Jane - Sew Create It

2nd Prize Winner: Polly http://www.auntpollysporch.blogspot.com

3rd Prize Winner:  Shannon http://nunusquiltworld.blogspot.com

Congratulations to all!!! Contact Gudrun to receive your prizes.

xo, L

A Surprise Baby Shower

In the midst of our blog hop, my friend Colleen and I planned a surprise baby shower for our friend Joanne. The surprise part is not for the faint of heart. We had a doctor's office lie for us because J decided to book an appointment for her kids smack dab in the middle of the party. We totally surprised her in the end and we had such fun! 

The terrific hostess, that would be Colleen above, made this yummy cake and an awesome vegan carrot soup. The guests were so funny because the party also ended up being a sort of recipe party. C ended up printing some recipes of the stuff that we served because the ladies enjoyed the food so much. It's always a good thing when the guests are happy.

The lucky girl received some beautiful handmade gifts too. J's most talented knitting mom, Mary, knit this beautiful baby blanket. She had already knit a cardigan the week before. Wow, right? 

C and I collaborated on this quilt though all of the credit should go to C because she put the whole thing together. For those of you who are familiar with my past fabric lines, you can see Funky Flowers if you look close enough. I knit a baby cap and made a zippered bag for her too.

Now you know why things were a bit crazy around here last week! Come back tonight. We hope to announce the winner of the grand prize then!!
xo, L

Winners!

Thank you so much for commenting on our posts. I hope that you continue to come back or even better, you can subscribe! Check the right side bar! Thanks to those of you who have already made the projects and have shown them on the Flickr account. I love them and I hope to comment on them soon.

I have the winners of my giveaways and the winner of the grand prize will be available in a couple of days. I decided to pick one winner per book/prize. I had so many comments that I wanted a lot of winners. Well, you're all winners, of course. It was fun. Please e-mail me your details.  Here are the official judges [my little one was so particular so there was no fooling around!]:

All entries were considered, including the entries sent via e-mail:

Country Threads Goes To Charm School - It has been a pleasure following the hop.

By Strlady on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Bloom Creek Quilts - What fun and clever ideas you have. Thanks for sharing

By Pat on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

House Party - Cute patterns. Thanks for sharing! Having trouble posting. I hope this works by using anonymous. Karen Stennes karenstennes@gmail.com

By Anonymous on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Sew Magical for Kids - love the googly eyes on the pattern! great 3D! Those blocks are awesome. Going to have acquire some for my young nephew. He's more into dinosaurs than haunted houses (but he's only 4, so we'll give him a few more years!)

By Anne Walizer on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Ready, Set, Go! Baby Necessities To Sew - Very cute and whimsical.

By Sharon Dimberg on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Building Blocks for Classic Quilts - That would make a cute banner to hang on the outside of my house to welcome trick or treaters. It's appropriately spooky without being too scary. Thanks, Linda! Leslie S. in MN esclante at comcast dot net

By schmidt1016 on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Fresh Cuts - This one will make a great gift for my 8 year old neice who loves to decorated. I love the hugs and kisses quilt and fabric. Thanks for taking part in the blog and for the great pattern. I will be posting a photo in a day or so.

By Gale Lavers on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Naef Toys promo - Thanks for all your comments, ideas, and pictures you have shared this week. I have 2 small boys at home and so I have enjoyed reading about your boys. Thank you for the project "Trick or Treat"...love the bright colors.

By Jessica Rassler on Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts on 10/5/10

Sequana, please e-mail me your details. You won Mark Lipinski's magazine the other day.

Come back on Monday. Hopefully we'll have the name of winner of the grand prize!

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was hard work but truly worth it. I appreciate your support for all that I do.

xo, L

Hello Friday!

Today is the last day for all of you to comment on our blogs in order to be eligible for the grand prize. Thanks so much for dropping by and I hope that you come back again. I will be announcing the winners of my giveaways tonight. Good luck everyone!

See you!

xo, L

Fall-O-Ween Day 10: Quilts

I love the blog hop but I never thought I'd say how I wished yesterday would end. It was the weirdest day but being the optimist that I am, I forged on full speed. First, note that there was an error in the pattern. The pattern said to cut 2" squares instead of the correct  2 1/2" squares for the borders. I have scaled down the pattern for those of you who have cut 2" squares already. [I know that some of you are fast!] The quilt will be smaller but still cute! I'm so sorry.

Here is the correct original pattern.
Here is the correct pattern for those of you who cut the squares 2".

What happened yesterday? We all know that I had computer problems from the documents right down to the publishing of the post. I had to re-type the pattern [hence the error]. I didn't have internet all afternoon and I didn't get it re-set until my hubby came home. I ended up downloading all of your lovely comments from my Ipod Touch.

Now, I should clearly state that I am neither medicated nor delusion before I tell you this story. I was trying to call my friend Colleen who's local here. I looked her up on my cell phone and her contact list came up. I dialed her on my regular land line using her 7 digit number. Ring! Ring! Pause. Ring! Ring!

"Hello? Is Colleen there? "
"Is this Linda?" [some strange male voice on the other end]
"Is Colleen there?" [while wondering who the guy on the other end is and how did he know my name?]
"Is this Linda, Linda Lum DeBono?"
"Yes." [Now, it's weird. The guy's voice is sounding quite familiar now.]

Sh****t!!! [and every expletive that could come to my mind]

"Edward! What are you doing on the line?"

Apparently, I called my uncle Edward in Toronto, Canada. What's so weird? I don't know his number by heart so I'd have to look it up, Colleen's contact page was still there on my screen and he wasn't trying to call me. TOTALLY WEIRD. Right?

He told me that weird things were happening with his phone line but how weird for it to happen on my "haunts" day. He said that one night he looked at his call display and it registered that the call was from his wife's cell phone. Only problem? His wife was sitting in the basement watching TVand the phone was turned off in her purse.

I'm not crazy. Really. Now back to reality.

Thank you so much for following our blog hop! As with last year's holiday hop, I enjoyed writing, designing the project and reading your comments. Remember to leave a message on every blog to qualify for a grand prize!! Check them out here!

Gudrun, Sandy, Roseann, Kari, Terry, Heather, Terri, Carrie, and Pat 


This blog hop would not have been successful with these passionate and creative women. Thanks especially to Gudrun for being our fearless leader. What a fun lady she is! Sandy's got great style both in her quilts and in person. Roseann, what can I say? She's got talent and is full of ideas. Kari, very nice and lovely designs. Terry, I am offically addicted to zippers. Heather, we are having the blog hop at your place next time. Terri, love the soft colors and pretty designs. Miss Carrie, so funny and so nice. We met at the American Patchwork and Quilting Designer Retreat years ago and I am glad to say that we did. Pat, I admire your energy!!

Also, remember to post your projects here. We'd love to see what you've done!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2010falloweenhop/

Today is the last day of the blog hop. Hop over to Pat Sloan's blog. I know that she's something cool for you. Thank you so much for reading and coming back every day for the past ten days. It has been fun and inspiring.  I look forward to seeing your finished projects in the Flickr group. Please sign up for the CraftEdu community and visit my classroom! You can find me under "Linda Lum DeBono" as an Instrucor.

I will draw the winners in the next day or so. I need to sit down and re-group for a minute. Hang on, there will be lots of winners.

Today it's about quilts.  When I started designing, I used a lot of really bright colors even for fall. I love designing with bright colors. Believe was my second design ever and it still hangs in my home. It was all hand-appliqued and gloriously quilted by Teresa Fusco in Pennsylvania. Gorgeous quilting.  For those of you who asked, you can order them from these two vendors.

Last week while talking with my good friend, Mark, on his radio program, Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski, he mentioned a quilt design of mine that he fell in love with. I published it for a short run and am considering bringing the pattern back either as a pattern or as a class. This is Byzantium and it is still my absolute favorite design. I had only done a fusible web version and I want to make a version using hand applique. Anyone perhaps interested in a quilt-a-long? I have think about it.

I have designed many fall or Halloween quilts. I love using lime green, purple, yellow, orange and black and white fabrics. You can find Boo! and Fall in my book, Row By Row Seasonal Quilts that I designed for Leisure Arts.

It's not all bright and fun. I love the color combinations in the quilt at the top of this post. This quilt appeared in my book, Cool Girls Quilt [Martingale].

My friend, Toby, owns the local shop, Kindred Quilts. I love going in to visit and to be inspired by all of the little treats that she has all around her shop. I was there about a week ago and one of the ladies who works at the shop had her awesome stitchery sample. Are you ready? I think that the design is by Crabapple Hill. Check this out!

I adore this sample on the wall. The purple and oranges are so bright and the pumpkins are oh so cute!

For some reason, I can't find a couple other photographs. Go and check out Toby's website. She's got these and other kits for sale.

Come back soon!  I hope to see you in the CraftEdu community. Thanks for being part of our blog hop.

xo, L

Fall-O-Ween Day 9: Haunts

Thank you so much for following our blog hop! As with last year's holiday hop, I enjoyed writing, designing the project and reading your comments. Remember to leave a message on every blog to qualify for a grand prize!! Check them out here!

Gudrun, Sandy, Roseann, Kari, Terry, Heather, Terri, Carrie, and Pat 

Also, remember to post your projects here. We'd love to see what you've done!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2010falloweenhop/

For those who don't know me, my name is Linda Lum DeBono. I live with my hubby, Reno, and my two boys, Adam and Alex, in New Jersey. [By the way, if you can't seem to grow your own mustache and you want one or two or four to try out, get some glittered paper and print out the patterns here.]

I am a designer in the crafts industry. I design quilts and fabrics. I've also written books on scrapbooking and knitting. You can view my portfolio here.

I design fabric for Henry Glass Fabrics. My next line, Hugs & Kisses is going to hit the store shelves in November. 

 There's a free pattern too!

I've written books for That Patchwork Place/Martingale and Leisure Arts. I've also designed for Quilts and More, American Patchwork and Quilting and Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  My presents quilt is printed as an insert for American Patchwork and Quilting. How lovely would it be as a holiday quilt?

The lovely people at Martingale send their well wishes and would like one of the readers of this blog to win this pile of beautiful books!

Leisure Arts is offering up an equally impressive giveaway of these books. Aren't they lovely?

Coming soon is my block for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. They've generously offered up a copy for me to give away to one lucky winner. I'm going to be part of their November blog hop too. Check back for the details.

I also love Aurifil Threads and am one of their Aurifil Experts. Stay tuned in a few weeks to see a new design that I designed for Aurifil and for you.

Make sure that you download Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski. I was a guest on his radio show last week and it was fun, fun, fun!!

 Believe was my first block of the month design and I've just re-published it as one complete pattern. It fits the season, don't you think?

Technology is playing a big part of my life right now. I enjoy chatting with my friends on Facebook [but I've ignored my Twitter account]. I'm excited too with a new collaboration with Craftedu. It's a new on-line community and on-line teaching resource. I will be posting my first class Chirp!  this week. It is a fun little class for beginners.  Join the community! It's free! There are a lot of amazing artists in this group. I hope to publish my second class there in the next few weeks.

Last week, I was friended on Facebook by Naef toys [makers of handmade toys] and then a creative bolt hit my little head. They had a drawing of a cat draw on their blocks. So, I thought, why not a haunted house? I sent him a message and within two hours, Jeffrey, arty Naef guy extraordinaire, had drawn me this image on his blocks. How cool is that? Thanks, Jeffrey! Also, how generous is it that they are offering one lucky winner a 20% off any item promo. Just comment here and I will choose the winner.

Around here, we sat around our deck the other night when it was still warm enough. These adorable paper bags lit up the deck. Spooky! We'll use them again on Halloween.

This mill just at the end of main street in our town is transformed into a ghoulishly haunted place in October where people wait for hours to have the wits scared out of them.

Now, for my design of the day, I present, Trick or Treat! I hope you like it!!

The pattern is here. Thanks for your patience!! *Drats, I hate when this happens. Shirley in Canada was nice enough to point out that my pattern should have said cut 2 1/2" instead of 2". Here is the download for the quilt if you've already cut 2" squares.

So, tell your friends to check out the other designer blogs. They've done an awesome job so far and we only have the one and only Pat Sloan left to do her post. Thanks Gudrun, Sandy, Roseann, Kari, Terri, Terry, Carrie, Heather and Pat for writing and designing some awesome posts this time around!

Remember to comment on the other blogs to be eligible for the grand prize and to comment here to win one of the prizes here. I will pick a few winners!

Thanks for joining us on this journey!

Happy Halloween!!

xo, L