Submitted...With a Motive- and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, my friends.  I am so happy to report that I have submitted my manuscript for the Twelve Days of Christmas book.  Of course, that doesn't mean that there won't be additional things to do along the way to final publication, but the initial push is complete.  And I must confess that I had an ulterior motive in getting it done so expediently, which will continue to affect my blogging and sewing time.  

You may remember that last February, we tragically lost our beloved Boxer, Finn at the very young age of four, and it almost broke me.  Afterward, I couldn't fathom ever having another dog and opening myself up to the possibility of another loss like that, but I'm a Boxer lover through and through.  I grew up with them, and my mom grew up with them as well.  We are a Boxer family, and the longest I've ever been without one in my entire life is 18 months. 

Eventually, as I remembered Finn and talked about his funny antics, the tears were slowly replaced by smiles, and I realized that I truly missed having a dog in my life. So, we will be welcoming another Boxer puppy into our hearts, and will be going to pick him up next Thursday. And here he is-

Puppies are a lot of work, especially in the beginning, and I knew I needed to get my manuscript submitted before all of the puppy madness.  We got Finn during the summer right before our son started high school, so of course he lived at home and was able to help out with house training, and with general puppy-wrangling.  And then, not long after, Covid happened and all three of us were at home!  This time, I'll be on my own during the day, and I know it will be tough to get anything done (for awhile anyway).  But that sweet little face will be worth it!  All of this is to say that I will continue to post NTT each week, but I'm not sure how much sewing I'll be able to do for a little while.  

On that note, let's go ahead and check out some of my favorite links from last week's party.  This beauty is from Something Rosemade-

Deb at A Scrappy Quilter linked up this fun quilt top.  Y'll know I love scraps!

Viridian's Blog linked up her progress on this pretty quilt-

These three quilts from Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting are so cute and fully of scrappy goodness!

And this embroidered quilt is from Gretchen's Little Corner, and it's a joint project with her granddaughter (who embroidered the blocks).  So lovely, and I love that they shared this!

Okay, my friends!  It's time to get our party started.  You know what to do!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Twelve Days Book News and NTT

Happy June, and welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday, my friends!  I have some big news to share today, and it involves a shift back to an original plan!  After getting back from all of my travel just before Easter, I set to work on finalizing my Twelve Days of Christmas pattern, all set to start a Block of the Month for Christmas in July.  

But, when I got them all finished, I just kept thinking that they would be so amazing all together in a published book, with all of the pretty professional photos, detailed piecing tips, and close-ups of all the quilting- all the pretty things that are hard to include in a stand-alone pattern.  Well, after getting it all compiled, I sent it to my publisher as a nearly-completed manuscript, and they wholeheartedly agreed.

So, my fourth book, my Twelve Days of Christmas quilt, will be released as a book in late Spring of 2026.  We'll still be doing a Block of the Month sew along, but instead of starting next month, we''ll just have to wait until next summer.  I promise, seeing it all together in a gorgeous book will be worth the wait!

As it happens, amidst all of the crazy book writing, I DID sew something this week!  You know that I always offer a little thank-you bonus with my books.  With Stash Statement and Scrappy Improv Quilting, I give away the Sweet Bee pattern, and Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs includes 18 free downloadable quilt patterns within the book itself.  This Twelve Days of Christmas book (still not officially titled) continues the trend, and of course, the thank-you bonus pattern had to be Christmas themed.  So, I will be including my Father Christmas quilted pillow, a pattern for which I've had lots of requests.  

Since photography needed to happen ASAP, I spent some time this week getting this pillow made (I've gifted the other two), and have already shipped both the Twelve Days quilt and this pillow off to my publisher.

So, I think now it's clear why this has been taking up SO much time.  I haven't been writing a pattern, I've been writing a book!  

It felt so good to get back to my sewing machine, but alas.  That was just a brief respite from editing and revising.  I'm in the home stretch of this thing, and I'm so close to getting it submitted.

It's almost time to party, but before we do, let's look at the highlights from last week. These two beauties are from Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic-

Gretchen's Little Corner linked up this soothing quilt-

This cute quilt is from Kat at Scrapbook Quilts-

And these sweet little baby quilts are from Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

Okay, friends!  It's time to show what you've got going on in your sewing space this week!  

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

An Exciting New Book!

Hey there, friends!  I am so excited to share a brand new book that's being released today by my friend, Laura Piland at Slice of Pi Quilts.  It's called Storybook Quilts, and I have to be honest- I'm a little jealous that I didn't come up with this idea myself!

After spending 15 years in an elementary classroom, I had SO many children's books, and of course there were some that were very near and dear to my heart.  Laura has chosen fourteen beloved children's books and designed quilts that are inspired by them.  Genius!

Here are a couple of my favorites from the book, but honestly, they are all SO cute.

Wouldn't this be fantastic for the special little readers (or storybook lovers) in your life?  You really need to go take a look at all of the designs.

You can find Storybook Quilts in Laura's Etsy Shop, Slice of Pi Quilts, HERE, and of course on Amazon HERE.  Go check it out!