Crazy Christmas Tree Farm

Posted on September 14, 2018 by Penny Haren

I love the Crazy Christmas Tree! It has three of my favorite things – it is fast, fun, and the perfect gift! I have made and taught this multiple times in a multitude of fabrics. Use two backgrounds, two tree colors, the same tree color, or eight different colors. The truth is I never saw a tree that I didn’t like!

Therefore, I was thrilled to see that Karla Alexander has expanded on this technique to make an entire quilt! The Tree Farm uses groups of color to create a stunning quilt. The backgrounds of one tree create a tree in another block! The lights and darks are simply stunning!

This quilt measures 52″ x 66″ so a Shannon Cuddle at 60″ wide is the perfect backing!

Both patterns take the Creative Grids Spiderweb tool so you get more bang for your buck! Order them now so you can start your quilt as soon as the pattern arrives and have it done in plenty of time for Christmas! The really is a day project!

Cats Cradle Magnified

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Penny Haren

You asked – we listened. Everyone loves the original Creative Grids® Cats Cradle Tool. You can make 1 1/2″ to 4″ and every half inch in between.

The XL size increases the options up to 8 inches – and once again, you never cut a triangle!

Deb Heatherly, the creator of this crowd-pleaser, is releasing a book of eight different designs later this month.

In the meantime, enjoy these Cut Loose Press patterns that she designed as well:

Illusionary Runner

Blue Skies and Sunshine

Big Cats Little Cats

Its Sew Easy

Raspberry Stars

Cornucopia

Lavender Fields is a full-size pattern by Christine Van Buskirk which includes multiple sizes.

With all of these possibilities, the question is which one to do first???

Diamonds Are this Girl’s Best Friend

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Penny Haren

Remember the name Krista Moser because she is going to be a superstar! This gal has it all, talent, color sense, marketing sense – and the most important of all of the senses – common sense! When a relatively new designer has four patterns in the top 100, I take notice – and you should too!

Krista designed the Creative Grids® newest 60-degree Diamond ruler. This Cut Loose Press™ pattern is so simple, even I could make it. It is all done out of 2-1/2″ strips which makes it easy to market!

Or choose this simple Cut Loose Press™ baby quilt that features the hexie aspect of the tool:

Many of you are already kitting and teaching the Aztec Table Runner which can be made with the 60-degree aspect of the tool as well.

Once you know how to use the ruler, these patterns are a piece of cake. They look like you worked really hard but are actually week-end projects once you know her techniques!

And here is the star of the show – the Creative Grids® 60-degree Diamond Ruler:

Why not start a series of classes, showcasing a different element of the tool each month? Your customers will love you for it!

Diamonds ARE a Girl’s Best Friend

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Penny Haren

Krista Moser – the creator of the newest member of the Creative Grids family – is one talented lady! This sixty degree diamond tool has triple the punch – cut hexies, sixty degree triangles AND diamonds up to 16 1/2″. Now that is a lot of bang for your buck!

These two Cut Loose Press patterns are darling and showcase the different features of the tool. Hexie Hot Air Baloons is made out of hexies and trapezoids. Woven Jewelbox is so simple since it is created entirely from 2 1/2″ strips.

Look at the diversity and design possibilities Krista has created.

I already made the Jewelbox ..it is so much fun I can’t wait to start another one. How to choose???

Drunkard’s Path Blocks Made Easy

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Penny Haren

Karla Alexander, one of the designers of the Creative Grids Circle Savvy ruler, has come up with a way to cut the two units most commonly used in Drunkard’s Paths – with very little waste! Watch this Equal Exchange Tutorial:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgowwTaWjlo

In the Cut Loose Press pattern, Equal Exchange, Karla uses this technique to create a beautiful table runner from a charm pack with very little waste. One charm pack – one table runner – who could ask for an easier project to kit! But this technique can be used with any size squares up to 15″.

This 16 x 40 inch table runner can be the foundation of a perfect demo – especially when they know there is a video to refresh their memory when they get home!

Have a sewing machine set up as well so they can actually sew a curve. For tips on how to do that, watch her video on sewing curves:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4WFZIU-vyw

Remove the intimidation factor so you can introduce them to a whole new world of quilting! The Circle Savvy tool has tons of companions – just scroll down to the bottom of the page!

The Latest from Saginaw Street Quilts

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Penny Haren

Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilts has a quirky style that is instantly recognizable. Her newest patterns are no exception. Whether she is working in curves, angles, or straight lines – her influence shines through!

I love her own descriptions for her patterns. She has a way of removing the intimidation factor and make me believe that I can do it too!

If you’re feeling a little rebellious and on the run from the Quilt Police, this is the perfect quilt for you! You can break a few rules and make up some new ones along the way with this “go to method” for making blocks that you’ll use again and again. Create blocks that weave over and under one another in ribbons of different colors and explore different ways to manipulate your block. Follow the pattern instructions step by step or change it up along the way – it’s your call.

Inversion is based on a variety of light and dark 10 inch squares. I used white and gray prints for my light and a mix of green, turquoise and dark gray for my dark. Fabric requirements are listed for yardage as well as “By the Square” (IF you have a stash).

The twirling swirling blocks for this quilt are made from a mix of two contrasting prints. I used a light background with orange arcs, however a dark background with light arcs would also work. The arcs are long and gentle which makes them very easy to sew. You could also work from your stash (if you have one) and make each block a different color.

This quilt was created with Karla’s Oval Always ruler by Creative Grids.

If this name – and style – sound familiar, this is the same gal that brought us the Crazy Christmas Tree:

Karla has a way of removing the intimidation factor so order these patterns today!

Angela Walters and Flying Geese

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Cindy Abdoo

I can’t wait for you to watch Angela Walter’s video.

Her machine quilting tools have been so popular that we haven’t been able to keep them in stock – but they are NOW!!! In this video, Angela shows how to use Slim, one of the characters in her arsenal of tools. The entire demo is done with a Cut Loose Press™ pattern created with the Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool.

The magic happens on this Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Wild and Free featuring fabric by Tula Pink and solids by Kaufman.

What a great series of classes! Learn how to use the flying geese tool, make the table runner, and then machine quilt it yourself. Talk about a trifecta!

Crazy Hearts for Valentines

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Cindy Abdoo

You all bought the Spiderweb Tool #CGRKA6 to make the Crazy Christmas Trees – one of the top 10 patterns! Now Karla used the same technique to create Crazy Hearts. Both are Cut Loose Press™ patterns.

Now that you are familiar with the ruler, it is time to explore the full potential of this gem! Here are the other patterns that support it – and they are breathtaking!

Who would have thought that one tool could create so many different looks???

Tis the Season for Trees

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Penny Haren

Tis the season for evergreens – and this is reflected in our top 100 patterns! All of these trees made the list!

Crazy Christmas Trees from Cut Loose Press™ is the perfect family craft project! None of the seams have to match so seam allowances aren’t really an issue. I’m making this with my grandchildren this weekend!

These paper-pieced trees come in two sizes. The smaller version is the perfect door decoration for an Advent tree for your favorite little ones.

Piece Fall colors on the other side to make this tree reversible!

And then there are the three-dimensional versions by Aunties Two and Poorhouse Designs.

All of these projects are simple and can be done in time to deck the halls!

Celebrate the Holidays with Creative Grids

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Penny Haren

Need demos for that holiday open house? We’ve got you covered. There are excellent Cut Loose Press™ patterns that feature Creative Grids® rulers that will have your customers making multiples for gifts as well.

Capiz Lanterns looks like a modern version of our favorite tree ornament. It is oh so simple to make with the Oval Always tool by Karla Alexander.