Hi everyone,

I have been away from my blog for a few days but I am back.......

I hope that everyone is doing well...

I have started to read a book that was given to me by my special friend Cheryl from Illinois...

"HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW" - A secret story of quilts and the underground railroad....

by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D

I have just started to get into this book and it is just so interesting....

Hidden in Plain View tells the fascinating story of a friendship, a lost tradition and an incredible discovy, explaning for the first time how enslaved men and women encoded messages within quilt patterns that helped fugitives navigate their escape along the Underground Railroad....

I will let you know how I enjoy this book - but if the first few pages are any indication -

I am going to love this one......

Wishing everyone a great Saturday evening..and a wonderful weekend!

Bill

Pattern #3 - "ALL BOTTLED UP" Placemat......

Here's my latest pattern - ALL BOTTLED UP...Placemat......

FQ Friendly.

The center panel is Paper Pieced...& the whole project is FQ friendly.

You can make this up with fruit or vegetable themes - perhaps bug jars for kids...candy jars for the holidays...you can have a lot of fun....your imagination is your limit on this one....

If you would like to purchase this pattern, just click the BUY-NOW button on my blog home page.

Best wishes..

Bill

A FREE PATTERN - From MODA

Hi everyone,
I found this pattern and thought that perhaps some of you may enjoy this one as a great scrap quilt pattern...a wonderful way to use up lots of those pieces left over from other projects...check it out....

http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_wee-woodland.pdf

Att: QUILT SHOPS........

Be sure to ask about the great wholesale program available to your store for all

BILL LOCKE DESIGNS

patterns.....

"QUILTING ESSENTIALS TOTE" & "MY CHARMING SUNFLOWER GARDEN Table Runner" Patterns

The QUILTING ESSENTIALS TOTE pattern is indeed a great pattern and a wonderful evening project.........it can hold your sewing accessories and notions; for quilting class, for travel.........4 pockets....opens to 8" x 11" and folds to a compact 8" x 4".....there are felted wool rosettes for your needles and pins...........absolutely adorable......

KITS are currently out of stock but more Kits will be available soon in assorted colways.

MY CHARMING SUNFLOWER GARDEN Table Runner pattern is a perfect item for display on a dining table, a side table...turn it into a wall hanging....you will have so much fun making this one - it is an absoute blast......

The Table runner measures 15" x 44" finished...the perfect size for a great weekend project....and a fabulous way to use up lots of those smaller pieces that you already have in your stash.... There have been a lot of requests for kits - although not yet available, I do plans to offer kits for this item in the near future.

Either of these patterns can be easily purchased directl from my blog - the buttons in the righthand side bar make that so easy - just click and Buy-Now...it's that easy...all orders ship next day.

Someday, I would love to have a piece of furniture, upholstered in a quilt......

Using Quilts for Upholstery - very interetesting...

Here's the link so you can see more...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/inspiration/using-quilts-for-upholstery-085192

Ok..I love buttons....but this is something that I've never thought about doing......but it does make for a very interesting conversational piece....

Here's the link - and the instructions on how to do this yourself....ifyou dare :-)

It does look like a lot of fun though....

http://slideshow.ivillage.com/home/buttonbacked_chair/sewing_supplies.html

NEW PATTERN: "My Charming Sunflower Garden" Table Runner

Hi Everyone,,,

Here is the photo that I promised this evening - my new pattern will be out and ready to ship by Wednesday....

I have had a blast bringing with this project and designing the pattern for my Table Runner.

There are a couple of different techniques in the runner - but is quite simple with the instructions and templates provided....even without any applique experience any quilter should be able to complete this one.....And of course, I love notions..so I just had to include some buttons, a coupe of yo-yo's..I love introducing another medium into my projects.....


Also, I would like to add that for all of my patterns, if at any point after purchase or during the sewing process you have any questions, I am available via email - to personally answer ASAP.

This pattern is now available for purchase for $7.95 + shipping..(Large padded envelope via letter mail):
Canada: $1.22
United States: $2.00
International: $4.00


If anyone would like to order a copy, you can just contact me here simply drop me a line at:billlockedesigns@hotmail.com

For immediate purchases, you can send payments via this email address though Paypal.


If you have any questions, please drop me a line....

Wishing you all a great evening!

Bill

Here's a beautiful blog.....pictures, music..I had a great visit here and wanted to share it with you.......

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

SEWL MATE SISTER is having a free giveaway....

She has a great blog - go over and check it out - and grab a chance to win a really cool prize.....

http://sewlmatesister.blogspot.com/

Have you always wanted to take quilting classes but just can't get to the classes....check this out.......

Hi Everyone,

I have heard so many people say to me "I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN HOW TO QUILT"...well, now there are places that are catering to people who would like to learn how to quilt - out of the comfort of their own homes....

ACADEMY OF QUILTING is one of those places...

http://www.academyofquilting.com/

I have no experience from this site..but it does look really interesting...

I do however know people who have taken classes at QUILT UNIVERSITY..... www.quiltuniversity.com/ and have really enjoyed the experience.....

I am having trouble opening their site this morning...hope it will be up later....

Just wanted to share these 2 "QUILTING SCHOOLS" with you - perhaps it will help someone dive into this wonderful world of quilting!!!!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Bill

It's been a busy evening at the sewing maching.....

I just wanted to let you all know that there are still patterns available for the QUILTLING ESSENTIALS TOTE .....

Meanwhile, it is time to complete the work on Pattern Nbr. 2....my project that is the inspiration for my 2nd patterns is getting wrapped up - and this weekend I hope to be able to put the final touches on my design - go though the directions one more time - and make sure that all is ready to hit the press....

This second pattern is really going to bring on a bit of Fall inspiration a little early - but in a good way...... and I can't wait to share this one with you......keep watching......!!!!!

Good News, the offer of free shipping on my patterns will continue til further notice...so that makes it even better for you to purchase them....no extra costs.

This evening I did spend some time working on some of the blocks for a prototype for another pattern.....this one is an absolute blast...and I am like a child in a candy shop putting this one together - when I release it you will understand why......I did 5 of the blocks this evening and can't wait to see this one put together.......and most of this project can be done with pieces form your scrap basket - which is wonderful..... :-)

Being a part of this huge quilting family and world is amazing - it is exciting to be able to take these little pieces of fabrics and use them to paint wonderful quilts and projects that we and others are going to enjoy......

I am happy to share this world with you...

Thanks for visiting - come back often - there will be lots of new things - from me - from others.....

Let's have fun - and create!!!!

Heh, anyone need a new backpack for school...... School reopenng is closer than you think....

I came across this wonderful pattern today for a BACKPACK........looks like fun - thought I would pass along the link in case some of you have some students needing a new creation before school starts....

Enjoy....the pattern incluses templates and everything...how wonderful is that!!!

http://www.finecraftguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/free_fabric_backpack_pattern.pdf

Have a great evening everyone!

Bill

"QUILTING ESSENTIALS CONTEST"

As a little thankful for all of the people who have purchased my first QUILTING ESSENTIALS TOTE pattern, I am going to do a little prize give-away.....for the first month - until August 31, 2010 - Midnight, I will put the name of everyone who purchases a pattern into a hat for a little prize draw.......

And what better prizes than actual QUILTING NOTIONS......for your new totes.

On August 31st at midnight, (or Sept. 1st, early) I will pull 3 names at random...and send out your prizes as follows:

1st name - A package of Quilting needles

2nd name - A seam ripper

3rd name - A set of colorful pins

Just a little bit of fun....the winners of these items will all be listed here in my blog on Sept. 01st.

Thanks again to everyone who has purchased my pattern - and keep watching - Nbr. 2 is very exciting - and No. 3 is just as exciting........I am have a grand olde time bringing patterns of my very own projects to you....Others are on the design table and as promised, I will keep you all posted once things are ready.....

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Hugs,

Bill

JAR QUILT and Free Canning Labels.......

Happy evening everyone...

I was thinking about my jar quilt - and finishing it off and it reminded me that many of you are perhaps canning and bottling the fruits of your gardens..........

So, I thought I would share my Jar Quilt top with you - and at the same time, here's a great link for some free jar labels, etc...... ENJOY!!!!!!

http://www.sweetpreservation.com/labels-crafts

Wishing you all a wonderful evening!

Bill

NEW BLOG FEATURE!!!!! BUY NOW BUTTON

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have added a new feature to the righthand side of my blog.....

In order to simplify your pattern purchases, I will be adding buttons to make this easier.

You will see that the link for the QUILTING ESSENTIALS TOTE Pattern has been added.......

Thanks to everyone for your support with my new pattern...I am very pleased with the response...and I will be sure to let you all know as soon as new patterns are released.

Best wishes,,,

Bill

It's a rainy evening in Montreal.....

which means that it is a great evening to stay inside and work...of course, I have to watch my next eposide of Coronation Street at 6h30....then I can do perhaps work on a project or 2.......

I was browsing the net and found this great idea that was put out by FAT QUARTER SHOP.....the picture above allows you to work with a simple pinwheel block - and then add a piano border..and VOILA.....try it in different color schemes.....a great SCRAP QUILT....to use up all of these pieces left in your scrap basket....

Here's the link to the site where you can download the full instructions for the quilt!

Enjoy!

Bill

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fatquartershop.com/Free-Quilt-Patterns/images/PinwheelKtNew-450.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fatquartershop.com/Free-Quilt-Patterns/Free-Quilt-Pattern-Pinwheel-Polkadot-Quilt.asp&h=451&w=450&sz=108&tbnid=LilHgFmlOZYImM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfree%2Bquilt%2Bpattern&hl=fr&usg=__hBeG937NMsumP_H4lybDM3iKCxc=&sa=X&ei=uYxYTMvFFpH29QTv4K3sBw&ved=0CDwQ9QEwBg

Free Recipes, Free templates for Recipe cards, shopping list...... www.cookingnook.com

http://www.cookingnook.com/

The Cooking Nook is a great site to visit for lots of wonderful recipes:

http://www.cookingnook.com/free-online-recipes.html

FREE RECIPE CARDS, SHOPPING LIST (different templates) - Just print them out for free!

http://www.cookingnook.com/free-printable-recipe-cards.html

Check it out..there's even a place to sign up for free recipe emails from FOODSTUFF EZINE.

FREE PATTERN: Table Runner

Hi Everyone,

I found this pattern on the CAPITAL QUILTS website: http://www.capitalquilts.com/freeproject/tablerunner.htm

and thought I would pass it along.....it is called the Patriotic Table Runner but I think that it is a great pattern that would be FAB in any color scheme........

I hope that you will enjoy it as well!

Bill

Yesterday was a great day in Burlington, VT...

Beautiful weather, a beautiful city - it was so nice to cross the lake on the Ferry yesteraday - had a wonderful time.....and the Church Street Marketplace was very, very busy......WOW!!!!!

And, there was this big presence of colorful, handpainted cows all over the marketplace.....the name of the exposition was THE COWS COME HOME TO BURLINGTON!!!!!

Here's a link so you can find out more about the exposition!!!!

http://www.vermont.org/cows/index.aspx

Enjoy!!