Reflections of Love – A Cover Girl!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Reflections of Love on Quiltmaker Magazine Cover

Perhaps “She’s a cover girl” is showing my age, but I’m too happy to care! I was stunned when I opened my digital copy from Quiltmaker and slowly recognized the cover quilt. I hadn’t the slighted thought that my quilt would be considered as a cover. Therefore, it took several minutes for my brain to catch up with what was clearly my quilt!

The Pattern – Reflections of Love

As you can see, this is a patchwork-pieced quilt of 20 blocks of “X’s” and “O’s”. These 16-inch (finished) hugs and kisses are alternating, creating a secondary pattern of a chain-like design. Surprisingly, this quilt is made from only one pieced block. Only the fabric value placement in the blocks is different.

Reflections of Love Quilt

The Fabric – Reflections of Love

Admittedly, I affectionately named this quilt Reflections of Love because of the fabric I chose. I made the blocks using both beautiful sides of Anna Maria Horner’s “Love Always” fabric collection for FreeSpirit. Having been a fan of Anna Maria’s bold use of color and scale in her fabric designs, I was thrilled when I discovered their beautiful reverse. In my opinion, Anna Maria’s work is bold and unapologetic, which is why I am passionately drawn to it. In addition to the brilliant Love Always fabrics, I chose a light background called Seeds, by Cori Dantini. This background reads as a solid from a distance, but pairs nicely.

The Use of Value – Reflections of Love

Unquestionably, using the reverse side of each beautiful fat quarter in Reflections of Love adds a certain charm to this design. In addition to the softness of the “medium” value, waves of pastel (the reverse) draw your eyes through the quilt. Incorporating that value contrast in this quilt added a subtle difference and sparkle to the quilt.

Quiltmaker Magazine featuring Reflections of Love on Cover
Reflections of Love shown on newsstand

Quiltmaker Magazine

This Supersize Double Issue of Quiltmaker Magazine is on newsstands now (as of March 26, 2024). Watch for signed copies in my Creative Bee Studios Etsy Shop! Find Quiltmaker in fine shops and bookstores in the United States and selected countries worldwide.

Great Color Value Test for Fabrics

Home » The Buzz

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Do you want to know the easiest (yet most dependable) way to do a color value test for BOTH sides of fabric? You’re in the right place!

Treasures Quilt Pattern
Treasures at the beach with hazy, natural lighting.

Let’s use the quilt above as an example. It’s call Treasures. This quilt is made with both sides of three fabrics with a soft white background fabric. Let’s pretend your are choosing fabrics for this quilt.

Both sides of each of the printed fabrics need auditioning.

However, not only will you audition both sides of each fabric with itself. You also need to test both sides of each fabric with each other and with your background fabric. Of course, this isn’t difficult. But some methods for a color value test are better than others. Here’s why.

The lighting plays a role.

The lighting conditions where you find the best fabric may be less than fantastical or even realistic. Inside lighting can drastically change the way a fabric looks. However, few fabric shops would be thrilled about us taking their fabric for an outing into natural sunlight.

Image of Coastal Christmas Decorations
Treasures displayed with a coastal Christmas theme.

The space you have for testing fabrics makes a difference.

For instance, with some methods you need distance from your fabrics and they need to be hanging vertically on a design wall. Another alternative may be to use a ladder to get high enough so that you can look down to view them on a table or floor. This could be a bit awkward.

Image of Quilt Block showing difference in color value test
Treasures is made with two versions of the Contrary Wife block. This is the “dark” version.

Therefore, while the methods of using a “testing block”, a door “peep hole”, or simply squinting your eyes may work well enough in your home, they aren’t reliable or easy methods to use when you are shopping for fabrics at your local quilt shop.

Perhaps you want to just take a chance, buy the fabric, and test it at home…I’m just gonna say, “Noooooo!” I’ve tested hundreds of fabric values and I still get stumped sometimes! You can quote me on this:

Colors can be tricky, but VALUE tells the truth.

Karla Kiefner

(My workshop students know.)

What’s a quilter to do?

Pull out your phone. You likely keep it with you anyway. It’s your best tool for the color value test. Here’s why:

Limited space is okay when you use your phone camera.

Simply open your optional bolt of fabric enough to turn a neat corner down, revealing both sides of the fabric. Lay it flat on top of the display of bolts in front of you or on a nearby cutting table. Hold your phone above the bolt, centering and leveling it as best you can, extending your arm as high as possible. Now reach up with your other hand (or use your thumb if you are real good at this) to tap the button, taking a picture. Indeed, it make take a time or two to get a level photo, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

You can crop your photo, if needed.

While it’s not totally necessary, I prefer to crop distractions out of my photos so that I’m not seeing my feet or surrounding fabrics. To do so, use the edit tool that appears when you are looking at your individual photo.

You can adjust for less-than-optimal lighting.

Next, take a look at your photo to see if the colors look similar to what your eyes see in real life. If not, use the edit function again to make the photo closer to what you see. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Each phone camera is different, so you’ll soon learn if you need to lighten your photos or change with coloring, or use your photo as is.

The “light” version of the Contrary Wife block. Notice that the REVERSE is used for the same elements (half-square triangles) in both blocks.

Finally, to do your color value test, change your photo to black and white!

You might have a setting called noir or mono. Choose either of these to remove the color from your photo. Now look at your fabric. For this quilt, you need there to be a significant difference between the RIGHT and the REVERSE sides. Unlike one of the applique patterns, you don’t need to test each element (like flowers) with other elements (like a vase) in your quilt. There simply needs to be a good contrast.

After auditioning the printed fabrics with the color value test, audition them WITH your background fabric.

Oftentimes, when you find a line of fabrics with beautiful REVERSE sides and the contrast you need, you can make quick work of choosing which ones you want in your quilt because the contrast is similar in them all. The three I used in my Treasures were like that.

Lastly, make sure your REVERSE is still a darker value than your background fabric. That’s usually quite easy. Exceptions to that may be if you are usually a digitally printed fabric with an unusually light REVERSE.

Auditioning fabrics with this color value test is SO easy! It makes choosing fabrics FUN.

Be sure to watch Treasures on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE!

Shop more than 50 quilt patterns that use both beautiful sides of fabric in my Etsy Shop!

Sewing Machine Tee

Home » The Buzz

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The Featherweight sewing machine has long been a work horse for quilters.

Additionally, the Singer Featherweight sewing machines have a simplicity in their design that makes them dependable, even 90 years after they were made!

Quilters collect the little machines for display and use. Some owners even name their featherweights and display their birth certificates.

Moreover, the trend with these machines is to get the Singer Featherweight professionally painted in the owner’s favorite color. But you don’t have to own a actual machine to “paint” your own! Just make her with your favorite focus fabric! See Aria below!

Scroll down to learn about the new Singer Featherweight Tee for quilters!

You’re probably quite familiar with my quilt pattern that features a Featherweight Model 221.

Her name is Aria, because she’s a singer (Singer Featherweight)!

Singer Featherweight Quilt

You make the Aria quilt pattern with BOTH beautiful sides of one focus fabric. Use the RIGHT sides of the fabric for the Singer Featherweight machine and binding; use the REVERSE for the pennants, vintage scissors, and thimble!

It’s all about value! Learn more on my YouTube Channel.

It’s all placed on a fun, scrappy background fabrics which include:

  • Mottled teal (for the table)
  • Vintage newsprint
  • Beige “Grunge”
  • Beige geometric batik
  • Contemporary newsprint with doilies, butterflies, and more
  • Off-white on white
  • Miniature floral (reversed)

Likewise, see another version of Aria here.

Introducing…Aria’s Tee Shirt for Quilters!

Furthermore, owners of Singer Featherweight machines are quite proud of their little workhorses. With this in mind, I’ve designed quilters’ tee shirts featuring my Aria artwork!

Choose from ten wonderful tees that feature my Singer Featherweight artwork from the Aria quilt pattern. These Bells + Canvas Jersey T-Shirts are the most popular shirts in the Print on Demand marketplace.

SHOP the Aria Tee Shirts NOW!

Most importantly, take a look at all the new quilting-themed t-shirts, more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric and MORE in my Etsy Shop!

Pinky, the Baby Octopus

Home » The Buzz

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Miniature quilts are fun to make!

This miniature quilt gives you a burst of happy for a baby’s room or even coastal decor!

Pinky Mini Miniature Quilt Pattern

Firstly, her name is Pinky Mini. She’s the same baby octopus as the original Pinky (see below). However, this Pinky is a 12-inch square quilt.

Secondly, like the original, Pinky Mini is made using BOTH beautiful sides of fabric!

Watch PINKY on YouTube!

Fishbone Dance Fabric

Furthermore, both quilts shown above are made using a fabric I designed called Fishbone Dance. This fabric features little curved fishbones swimming around sand dollars with tossed starfish. See Fishbone Dance here on a bubblegum pink background. However, there are several colorways available, including dark blue, lime, and aqua (see products below). These designs are printed on the exquisite Spoonflower fabric called Organic Cotton Sateen. Learn more about Spoonflower.

In addition, you can find matching merchandise and home decor with all my fabric designs, including this one! Be sure to check out my shops at RedBubble, Zazzle and Society 6, too!

Seasonal Decorating with Miniature Quilts

These pint-size designs are great for seasonal decorating, too, because they fit perfectly on a 12-inch table-top quilt stand.

See the additional miniature quilts made with patterns using both beautiful sides of fabric:

Felicity features a tea pot and lid (made with the reverse) with a bouquet (made using the right side). You’ll also make the binding with the focus fabric! This makes choosing fabrics fun and easy! This is a simple broderie perse technique.

Finally, quilting friends say that sometimes they like to make miniature quilts because of space, cost, and the fact that they’ve made more large quilts than they know with what to do!

See more fun ways to use both sides with Seven Ways to Use Both Sides of Fabric!

Creative Bee Studios on YouTube

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Creative Bee Studios is now on YouTube!

With exciting new Creative Bee Studios videos being added to YouTube, you can watch short clips to learn more about patterns and techniques any time you want!

Most assuredly, the queen of quilting on YouTube has to be non other than her majesty, Jenny Doan!

Years ago, Jenny, with the help of her kids, started recording videos. Those videos led her to fame and fortune and ultimately saved the town of Hamilton!

A great resource for quilters and crafters of all kinds.

Why add Creative Bee Studios to YouTube? Firstly, it’s a great way for many quilters to learn in the comfort of their own homes. Secondly, unlike online shopping platforms, videos let quilters see more and learn more before deciding on purchase. Thirdly, its a great way to share little tips and tricks which I normally share in classes and workshops.

Creative Bee Studios on YouTube

Being creative on YouTube includes knowing what to look for!

Not only can you learn just about any kind of quilting or stitching technique, you can learn to cook, play ukulele, train a dog, or build a fence!

My hope is to teach more quilters about the nuances of value and the fun of using both sides.

With more and more online business and increasing costs of doing business, it’s more important than ever to get click-throughs and followers on all social media.

image of video from creative bee Studios youTube

How you can help Creative Bee Studios on YouTube.

All I ask is a few clicks of your time! Here’s what you can do and it won’t cost you a dime.

  • Use the link above to go to my YouTube channel.
  • When you get there, click the SUBSCRIBE button.
  • Watch some videos and be sure to click the “like” (thumbs up) button.
  • Tap the bell icon so you’ll be notified when new videos are posted.
  • Click the “down” arrow where it says “Read More” to find the video description and helpful information. Click on the links there!
  • Share with everyone you know!

I am forever grateful for your support and interest in my creativity!

Be prepared for some laughter and bloopers. Funny things happen when the camera is rolling!

Perhaps I’ve come to this moment kicking and screaming, but the moment is here! Why be hesitant? I’m telling you right now, it’s really HARD!

Creative Bee Studios on YouTube

Learn more about Bubbles the Baby Whale Cuddle, Treasures, and The Adventures of Bubbles the Baby Whale soft book panel!

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use both beautiful sides of fabric!

Learn more about using both sides of fabric HERE!

It’s a Whale’s Tale

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It started with a sketch and ended up as whale quilting fabric!

First things first: this sketch was made for punch needle, not whale quilting fabric. But sometimes things have to simmer a while. In other words, ideas need to age like a fine wine or quilt fabric that has yet to find its rightful place!

Surprisingly, Bubbles (and his focus fabric) had already been designed before this tail sketch became part of a fabric. Read about him in Uncork the Bubbles!

First, the sketchy whale tail.

image of whale quilting fabric and sketch
Sketches to fabric.

Learn more about how to use Spoonflower at Spoonflower How-To.

The whale tail shown above, with a sand dollar and seashell, are rough sketches made years ago. The first result of the tail sketch is in a tiny frame here surrounded by seashells and a “watercolor” whale.

Punch needle before whale quilting fabric.

Image of punch needle whale
Punch needle whale tail.

Click here to see Redbubble merchandise with the blue whale shown above.

Initially, having numerous designs in my Seashore Friends Fabric Collection on Spoonflower, it had not dawned on me to use the whale tail sketch. However, it didn’t take long to work this tail into an interesting stripe of whale quilting fabric.

Deciding on the elements for the striped design.

Putting the whale quilting fabric design all together.

Furthermore, the initial fabric design began with a collection of sand dollars. Next came the sand dollars. Finally, because I was searching for an interesting third element, I remembered the whale tail punch needle.

Lastly, I made sure the directional elements went both North and South, to give more usability to the fabric.

See matching merchandise in my Redbubble shop!

See the Seashore Friends baby quilt that’s made with both beautiful sides of my Spoonflower fabrics!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this fabric’s simmering process!

Enjoy YOUR quilting journey!

Felicity, the Teapot Quilt

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Question: if you had a little Pioneer Woman fabric, what would you do?

Answer: make a little teapot quilt from both beautiful sides of Pioneer Woman fabric!

This mini teapot quilt is the perfect size for a little spot (of tea) in your kitchen. First, this quilt fits nicely on a 12″ table top quilt hanger. Secondly, it’s a sweet little way to learn all about how to use BOTH beautiful sides of your fabric!

Why is she named Felicity?

The American Girl doll, of course! Felicity Merriman is a young girl growing up in Virginia in 1774. She’s spunky and adventurous at a time when she’s expected to do “sitting down kinds of things”. Needless to say, both my girls devoured the American Girl books and treasured their dolls. Most importantly, they received their first American Girl dolls, each getting Felicity, while on a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Image of Girls in Felicity dresses
Paige and Jacquelyn with Felicity dolls and matching dresses at Williamsburg, Virginia.

We tucked them in bed after traveling all day, with sweet dreams of entering Williamsburg come morning. Much to their surprise, Felicity dolls were sitting on the ends of their beds when they awoke. Furthermore, their grandmother had made them and their dolls matching dresses!

Image of girls in Felicity dresses
Here they were making bread crumbs in the kitchen. They also took dance lessons and watched their dad march in the militia.

Paige and Jacquelyn happily played the role of Felicity while visiting Williamsburg and, to our surprise, the costumed workers played their own characters as well! They talked with the girls as though they WERE Felicity, the character from their beloved books and they were well-versed in Felicity’s adventures!

My youngest daughter, Jacquelyn, responded promptly to my request for quilt names and Felicity was one of her contributions. She also reminded me that Felicity learned to how to “take tea” in one of her books. Thanks, Jacq – perfect!

Why Pioneer Woman fabric?

Ultimately, to fully understand, one must read “Watercolor on a Whim”,

Watercolor on a Whim is an account of a trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, home of Ree Drummond, THE Pioneer Woman.

In case you didn’t click on that link (you really should, it’s quite fun), I should tell you the fabric choice had nothing to do with brand name. I didn’t even think about the (loose) timeline connection to Felicity until writing this post. (To be accurate, though, Kirsten is the pioneer girl doll.)

Pioneer Woman fabric (and, I dare say, everything else she makes) is about happy, beautiful flowers. As my daughter, Paige, says, “Ree makes no apologies for pretty!”

Ree makes no apologies for pretty!

Paige Cook

To be fair to Ree, she’s mostly all about her cooking show, but don’t let that fool you, she’s also a talented writer, and so much more!

Altogether, when Pioneer Woman fabric began showing up at our local Walmart, that’s when things began to click. In case you still haven’t read the post linked above, here’s a quilted wall hanging made from another design of Ree’s fabric:

Quilt made with Pioneer Woman Fabric
Dazzling Kate Quilt Pattern outside The Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma!
Image of Felicity Quilt
Felicity Quilt Pattern

Simply put, this teapot quilt is as easy to make as it is pretty (not exactly a quote, but I should credit Ree for that statement.) Make the teapot and lid from the REVERSE side; make the bouquet and binding from the RIGHT side. Add a fun, scrappy background to make the quilt sparkle with happiness!

This quilt is made with easy fusible applique and broderie perse techniques.

While supplies last, get Felicity focus fabric kits! (This is a pattern and focus fabric fat quarter; you add the five scrappy background fabrics.)

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides HERE.

Bubbles Cuddle Stuffed Animal

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Make a Bubbles Cuddle stuffed animal for your favorite baby in just a few steps!

Bubbles Cuddle is made with, you guessed it, both beautiful sides of fabric!

See Bubbles the Baby Whale Cuddle on YouTube! Learn more at Creative Bee Studios on YouTube

Not only is this fun stuffed animal sewing project made with both sides of fabric, it only has THREE pieces (plus his eyes)!

Obviously, this stuffed animal matches the Bubbles the Baby Whale character from the original wall quilt, mini table quilt, and soft book panel. Likewise, this little, baby whale is made with both beautiful sides of “Bubbles Geometric” fabric, also designed just for Bubbles!

Of course, you can make Bubbles with both beautiful sides of your favorite fabric! Learn more about How to Use Both Sides HERE.

This stuffed animal sewing project goes together quickly. Here’s how!

  • First, you will trace the template and cut your fabrics. You only need two “sides” and one “belly” for the body of the whale. Also, you’ll cut two small circles from the template for his eyes, which you will fuse in place.
  • Next, with a bit of hand-stitching, using an embroidery hoop trick, you’ll quickly have the eyes and mouth in place.
  • Then, you are ready to sew this guy together, leaving an opening for stuffing.
  • Finally, after stuffing the baby whale, you’ll hand-stitch the opening closed.

Lastly, give your little Bubbles Cuddle a hug!

Unlikely Quilting Tools

You might call it cheap entertainment, but I like to find useful quilting supplies in unlikely places. I also find it fun to use things for quilting that aren’t meant for that purpose.

It makes a necessary a trip to town a little more exciting.

First, you might wonder why I’d combine an ordinary trip to town with looking for quilting supplies. I guess I’m one of those people who could sport a “I’d rather be quilting” bumper sticker. The reason is because I tend to put some off things (like buying groceries) until I just really HAVE to (we have no food).

Therefore, my (let’s call it creative) mind has come up with a few ways to make these tasks more bearable.

The first one (if I’m at Walmart), is to see if there are any new Pioneer Woman products – that’s a given. (See Watercolor on a Whim about my trip to Pawhuska!)

Next, is that I am always, always, always on the lookout for items that have any useful way to be a part of quilting, sewing, painting, or crafting.

I have three to share with you today!

Image of Quilting Tools
Big scissors, hair spritzer, and popsicle sticks. And, yes, Bubbles in the background.

Hairitage Continuous Spray Bottle

You can find this item in the hair care products at your local Walmart.

It’s a continuous spritzer, very similar to one I’ve purchased at a quilt shop. This one has a light mist, but it does spray a bit longer with each pull of the trigger. These spritzers work especially well if you use a dry iron but want to mist your fabric for a good press. These also are a great tool for watercolor painting as they don’t leave heavy droplets. The best part is that it was about half the price as the one marketed for quilting. Now I can leave one at my iron AND have one at my painting desk – perfecto!

Whether they were expensive or not, I have always had trouble with steam irons that leak or spit. I have found it’s much nicer to use a dry iron and I control the moisture with a spritzer. No chances for rust spots!

Really Big Scissors

Next up is the very long scissors, found at Harbor Freight. I have no idea what they are meant for, but I use them to cut batting. They work beautifully! If I remember correctly, they were about $8.

Craft Sticks

Lastly, I have a little package of craft sticks (popsicle sticks) that I purchased for less than $2 at Hobby Lobby. I suspect they could also be found at a dollar store or discount store for even less. I chose the wider (about 3/4 inch) ones. There are 40 in the pack so I have plans for the rest of mine!

Use this little guy for projects that need to be turned right side out a pressed. This will help push the fabric outward to make the seam nice and flat. It helps to insure you don’t crease extra fabric while pressing.

Just position the craft stick on the inside on either side of the seam and gently push the seam outward while pressing with a small iron. The rounded edge won’t compromise the seam. This is especially helpful for curved seams.

Which brings to me the next thing I want to share with you, my friends…

Image of Bubbles Cuddle
Meet Bubbles Cuddle!

This pattern is coming very soon to my Etsy shop! He’s so much fun to make! He’s shown here sporting BOTH beautiful sides of “Bubbles Geometric Medium” fabric printed on Spoonflower’s Organic Cotton Sateen, so he matches the original quilt. Of course, you can make him with BOTH beautiful sides of whatever you want YOUR Bubbles to be!

Old Barns, Red Trucks, Mercantile and More

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Nostalgia at Christmastime

There’s a nostalgia that happens at Christmastime for me more than any other time of year.

Nostalgia at Christmastime includes food, music, and decorations.

Does everyone have vivid memories from childhood? From an old rendition of a Christmas song (Time Life Collection) to “holiday” foods we made when I was a kid (Pizza Fondue), Christmas brings back strong and warm memories for me. Sometimes I wonder if everyone reminisces their childhood and feels strong nostalgia at Christmastime as me.

For instance, one display in my dining room this year holds a host of happy and varied memories. I’d like to share these with you. Some are from long ago and some are very recent.

Simply put, some things we have are more than just things when they spark memories of loved ones, here and gone, and things we’ve experienced throughout our years.

image of plaster water wheel mill

Let’s start with this water wheel mill. Oddly enough, I painted it (probably during finals week) when I was in college. My aunt’s family owned a plaster shop. My friends and roommates and I would walk down to the shop on Broadway to pick out affordable gifts that we could paint for family. I suppose it was also a form of procrastination from studying, but let’s say it was a “break”!

The trees are made from the old red barn to add to the nostalgia at Christmastime.

See three wooden trees? These are made from an old red barn at our family farm. The barn is no more, but here, in it’s place, is a pavilion and cross. Notice the roof line of the pavilion mimics that of an old red barn?

image of pavilion and cross
Image of Lighted Church

Next up is this lighted church. This belonged to my mother-in-law, Pat. It plays “Silent Night” and the lights blink.

As the video scrolls, you can see a wool-wrapped candle with a snowflake made of fringed cotton fabric. Only a few years old, I made this wrap to add another texture to my Christmas decorations.

Image of P.Town

Behind the candle comes the lighted P. Town. and Mercantile. These are two buildings in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) renovated these buildings (and more), making the town a tourist and vacation destination.

In addition, my daughter Paige and I spent her spring break on a “creative getaway” here and had a blast. We ate pizza in the corner of the balcony shown here! See Watercolor on a Whim to read about our adventures and the creation of “Watercolor Whimsy” fabric and more! These decorations will spark new memories in years to come.

image of mercantile
Pioneer Woman Mercantile

At the very least, click on the link above to shop for this lighted Mercantile building and see more items fun things from Pioneer Woman!

Crafty nostalgia at Christmastime.

Do you notice how many of these memories are connected to crafts and creativity?

Lastly, you find Merry, the good ol’ red truck quilt. One of my favorite pattern designs and, of course, made with both beautiful sides of fabric, she’s sure to be a part of our decorations for years to come. Merry reminds me to stay focused and never give up on goals, dreams, and creativity.

As always, you can learn more about quilt patterns, fabric, and merchandise at Creative Bee Studios.

See more Christmas fun at Coastal Christmas Decor and Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

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