Click here to enter the Moda Blueberry Crumb Cake Giveaway.

You could win the extra blocks and fabrics from Sherri Bain Driver’s Heritage Stars, also fully patterned in McCall’s Quilting March/April 2012 issue.

Click here to enter the  Heritage Stars Blocks & Fabric Giveaway.

Both contests allow one entry per person, and are open through February 29, 2012;  winners will be randomly selected from entries on March 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by email, as well as posted here.

I used to think green was my favorite color, until I recently reorganized my stash and counted the fabrics in each color group. Surprise, blues lead the pack! (Green and red are second.) Now I’m seeing all the ways I’ve been inspired by things blue in my life. Here’s a few…

Does anyone else like blue pottery as much as I do?

Blues and golds have been dominating our sunsets in Colorado lately.

Colorado Skies quilt, detail, Jan/Feb McCall's Quilting 2012

The Colorado Skies quilt I designed recently appeared in McCall’s. Golds, dark greens and a hint of orange complement the many blues.

Wait until you see this peacock blue fabric appearing in the March/April 2012 issue of McCall’s Quilting. The quilt is named Peacock Pizzazz and it’s gorgeous!

Painting by Auguste Renoir

More inspiration, Renoir’s blue cat. No fur dye was in fashion in his day!

"January Blues", KG Taylor

January was a blue month for me in the painting studio.

Blue globe thistle blooms set off the pretty pinks in this bouquet from my daughter’s summer wedding day.

What color dominates the others in your stash? If you counted them up would you be surprised like me?

Do you quilt with a partner or a group? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re planning a special issue for 2012 with a quilting-together theme, and this is your invitation to submit stories, photos, and quilt designs that illustrate the fun of quilting in small or large groups.

Email your materials to mcq@creativecraftsgroup.com with the subject line QUILTING TOGETHER, and you may be hearing from us about publishing your story.

When it’s time for spring baby showers, you’ll be ready with a girl or boy version of a modern baby quilt the new mom will love.

Girl or Boy...Hugs to Enjoy

Pick your favorite collection of big prints and stitch up a fused appliqué quilt that features a super-easy twist on the classic Melon Block. (If you prefer the traditional Melon Block, we’ve got a free pattern download of the antique Melon Block quilt that inspired this design.)

Melon Blossoms

You might be intrigued by this sophisticated quilt design with dynamic black and white prints.

Silhouette

Gather up your scraps, and get started on your own quilted galaxy of stars that’s sure to become a treasured family heirloom. (We even have a contest that you can enter to win Sherri’s extra blocks and fabrics from this quilt!)

Heritage Stars

Or choose this gorgeous bed quilt with an elegant floral border. (Love the fabrics? Enter to win an entire fat quarter pack of the Moda Blueberry Crumb Cake fabrics featured in this quilt!)

Midnight Garden

Are you participating in the mystery quilt?  A Mystery in Three Parts began in McCall’s Quilting January/February 2012, and continues with part 2 in this issue. It’s not too late to start! Join our mystery quilt group on Quilters Club of America, and share your photos, thoughts and progress with fellow mystery quilters.

A Mystery in Three Parts (2)

If country is your style, you’ll want to turn to the charming Sunny Nines quilt pattern. You’ll also find a dazzling jewel-tone quilt featuring fabrics with hints of metallic gold, a must-touch quilt with unique dimensional flowers, and a pattern for a handy tote bag with a charming bright posy accessory. Plus even more quilt patterns…click here to preview them all!

If you could pick only one of this issue’s quilt patterns to start stitching today, which one would you choose? (I would have to start with this one!)

This is the newest free eBook in our growing collection. When you click the link above, you’ll also find 5 additional free eBooks you can instantly download and add to your collection. My favorite from this Sparkling Star Quilt Patterns eBook is the Mix & Match pattern. I love the clear colors and clean white background, and the huge 18″ blocks. It finishes at 65½″ x 85½″.

Download your eBook right now, and let me know which quilt pattern is your favorite!

Kari Nichols is a quilter, designer, and pattern publisher. To see more of her
work, visit her website at mountainpeekcreations.com.

Click here for the FREE Artful Simplicity table runner quilt pattern.

How about your own pinboards for favorite quilt patterns you plan to make, and one for quilts you’ve finished? Or maybe a board to collect favorite fabrics you find on the web?

What kind of pinboards might you create for yourself? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Happy pinning!

Here's my Treasures from Ireland block. I love the background fabric... too bad I didn't buy more of it!

Everyone’s back from the holidays and the instructions for the Treasures from Ireland block are online and ready to go! As I wrote in a previous blog, one of the things I think of when I think of Ireland are the many people who emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. (and other countries). They took with them their songs and their laughter, their wit and their bravery, and they added so much to whichever country became their home. The center of the block represents the richness of Irish culture and the flying geese represent those wonderful emigrants leaving Ireland (taking their heritage with them) and enriching the world. Thank you, Ireland!

Block #5 will be making an appearance shortly, and there will be a fabric giveaway along with it! We’ll keep you posted!

Are you new to quilting, or love the simplicity of the classic nine-patch block? Choose from 3 variations in the Dressed to the Nines eBook.

Need a bed size quilt, fast? Choose from three quick and easy patterns in the Fast, Easy Bed-Size Quilts eBook.

Know anyone getting married this spring or summer? You can get started on a quilt for the newlyweds right now! (It just might become one of their first family heirlooms.)

Are you a time challenged quilter? How about an anything-but-boring One-Block Wonder?

Have any red, white and blue fabrics in your stash? Show your American spirit and get sewing on a patriotic quilt.

Just click here, and enter your email address – that’s it! (You won’t even need one of those pesky computer verification codes!) In addition, you’ll be automatically signed up for our free biweekly eNewsletter, McQ News, which will keep you up to date on happenings and contests at McCall’s Quilting and McCall’s Quick Quilts.

Take a moment to get your 5 free eBooks now – you’ll be glad you did!

Stay tuned for upcoming contests that we’ll be announcing in our March/April issue of McCall’s Quilting. (Hint: Sherri will be giving away extra quilt blocks and fabrics from her new quilt design, and you’ll also have a chance to win a fabulous fat quarter pack of Moda fabrics!)

Thanks for playing in ourcontest!