Home for the Holidays Blog Hop ~ It's My Day!

This week I've been playing with these Peace on Earth fabrics by Ro Gregg, and I'm participating in a Blog Hop on the Inspired by Fabric's blog!

Hop on over there and check out my tutorial on how to put together my Snowy Day Table Topper!  It's quick and easy, and can be made up as a quick item to decorate your home, or as that last minute gift :)

And Fabri-Quilt is sponsoring a Give Away!  Leave a comment here on this blog post and you'll be entered in a random drawing for a Fat Quarter Bundle of Peace on Earth fabrics!  Make sure you leave a good email address with your comment so I can get ahold of you when you win!  You have until the end of day on Saturday, December 19th to leave your comment.  I'll draw the name on Sunday, December 20th :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

To All Our Quilty Friends...

Wishing all our friends a Holiday Season filled with peace, cherished memories, and time to cuddle under a warm quilt!

Enjoy the day!

~ Dawn

Special Holiday Hours: 

 

Spring Water Designs will be closed on December 24th & 25th.  We will re-open on Friday, December 26th ~ Join us for a Free Sew-In Day for the next Bonnie Hunter Mystery Clue!

We will close again on December 31st & January 1st, and will re-open on Friday, January 2nd. Happy New Year! 

My Favorite Gifts...

I got a box in the mail this week from my Mom, and along with packages for me and the little ones that we won't open until Christmas morning, it had a batch of cookies, and a bunch of these crocheted ornaments that she made :)

Abby and I immediately put them all over our tree.  I'll share and let my daughters and son choose some for their own trees when they come over on Christmas day, but right now they're all gracing my tree...

 ...I'm thoroughly enjoying them, and smile every time I look at them ~

Don't you just love a handmade ornament :)

Peace to you and yours, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Enjoy the day!

~ Dawn

Big Happenings At Spring Water Designs!

So this is what's moved into my re-arranged studio from This Blog Post (as you see, we're still in process, but almost there!)

 We still have the original Avante set up

 ...and My Sweet Sixteen.  So why all the machines you ask?

Our Long Arm Rental Program is Starting Now!

Don’t have room to fit a 12 foot long arm frame in your home, or think you might want to try long arm quilting before purchasing?  Then try our Long Arm Rental Program!
First ~ Take the Training Class…
The Beginning Long Arm Classes are $60 per person** and have only two people on each machine, in a hands-on, four-hour class. Payment is required at registration.
          Upcoming class dates are:
                    Tuesday, December 17 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
                    Saturday, December 21 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
                    Monday, December 30 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
                    Monday, January 13 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

** Limited Time Special ~ Receive Discounted Prices for upcoming 2014 reservations if pre-paid in December 2013 ~ So call us and get registered now!

(Experienced long arm quilters can take a Certification class in lieu of the full Basic class.  Certification fee is $35, and classes are set up by appointment.  You will learn the policies for renting our machines, and be asked to demonstrate that you know how to use them.)

Then ~ Rent a Long Arm & Get Those Quilt Tops Finished!
Once you’ve taken the Beginning Long Arm Class, we invite you to rent a long arm machine by the hour and get those quilt tops made into quilts! The machines rent for $15/hour with a 4 hour minimum rental period. The fee includes thread and use of our edge-to-edge pantograph patterns. Machine rental is by appointment and the hours are flexible.

Let us help you make the quilt yours from start to finish!

 …And Because we are Growing…This little guy and I are going way out on a limb…

I’m excited to announce that Spring Water Designs will be moving in the New Year!  

We’ve signed a lease to move out of my home studio into a retail space in Columbia Maryland!  We’ll have more room for lots of fabric, notions, batting & supplies, a room for machine rentals, tons of Machine Quilting Gadgets and Accessories, and a great classroom space!  We have some painting to do, and a little build out, but I’ll do some blogging to keep everyone posted on our progress as we get the space ready and have a firm move in date. 

Here's a little sneak peek at one of the rooms in the new shop :)

…But in the meantime, while we’re still in the Home Studio, we’re excited to invite you to a Studio Holiday Open House & Pre-Moving Sale! 
Take a break from your holiday preparations on Saturday, Dec. 14^th to come on by and bring a friend!  We’ll have demos, treats to eat, and lots of products on sale ~ 20% Off HQ Gadgets, other notions, and selected fabrics & kits!  Bring your Christmas Wishlist and treat yourself!

And we still have some spaces available in our HQ Club Classes ~ Check out our current Newsletter for upcoming dates and details!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

I Seem to Like Hearts on my Quilts...

Sometimes just a little heart on a block like in Shoot for the Stars is just what a quilt needs.

 Sometimes I go all out with big hearts and Valentine print fabrics like on my Soft Hearts Quilt.

 And I think no design can go wrong with a nice folksy heart as the centerpiece...

like on My Heart's Content :)

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
~ Dawn

Say Thank You to a Vet

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment XThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendment 11-27

Say thank you to a Veteran or someone currently serving, and enjoy your freedoms today!

If you're interested in making a Quilts of Valor donation quilt to comfort a wounded war fighter, visit the Spring Water Designs Free Pattern page to download the free pattern for the Stars & Bars quilt. 

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

Love is in the Air

Happy Valentine's Day!  Since Love is in the air, and several blogs are sharing their Valentine's theme quilts, I thought I'd show mine :)  This is called Soft Hearts (a 62"x 62" generous throw sized quilt). I made it originally for publication in Quilt Almanac 2010 and it showcases this lovely vintage feel Valentine fabric collection that was designed by Faye Burgess for Marcus Brothers fabrics...

...And now it's finally available as a pattern Here on my website!

These are the bonus coordinating pillows that I've included in the pattern with the quilt.  (Even the little fabric postcard in the heart pocket!)  The quilt's really quick and easy to make up, so I've made it in several different fabrics now, but this sweet little Valentine one is my favorite, and comes out as an accent on the guest room bed every February :)

 

Btw, this is my Scrappy Heart Mug Rug.  The pattern for it is available as a Free Download on my Free Patterns Page.  Just a little Valentine from me to you :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn