Celebrate the Seasons with Cindy Staub!

Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs has been busy creating fresh inspiration for her SEASON SAMPLER collection, including her signature pre-printed panel and coordinating prints. Taking inspiration from the seasonal changes in her own garden, Cindy started with the BOM program, a collection of four season-themed wall hangings highlighted with hand embroidery, piecing and applique – the program begins next month!

Next, Cindy created fun FREE projects using the fabrics. They’re available for download on the Marcus website…shown here are her Shoo Fly quilt and Mini Seasons, versatile 12.5″ blocks. Both incorporate the fussy-cut printed panel and hand stitching.

Finally, Cindy’s adorablebee-themed Honeycomb quilt pattern is available for purchase online

#MondaysWithMarcus: Spring Decor with Cindy!

Aren’t we all ready for spring by now? Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs shares her adorable and decidedly springlike “Coneflower” table runner project. She used prints from our COLLECTABLE CALICOS collection by Laura Berringer, and you can also dig into your stash of 1930’s prints, too. Her design features easy piecing, and has just the right amount of applique for any skill level.

DOWNLOAD the free project here!

VIEW Cindy’s VIDEO Tutorial, too!

Come back each Monday thru May 17 for another fun free project from your favorite Marcus designers. This time around, several projects will also be redone by other designers, in their own signature styles, for a wider variety of creative options… You’ll find the complete line-up of projects on the Mondays with Marcus page, and our Facebook page. Join us!

#MondaysWithMarcus: UpClose with Cindy Staub!

To keep the MWM momentum going as we prepare for the next series, we decided to give a weekly glimpse into the lives of our designers each week. No kits or supplies are needed, just sit back and get to know them better by enjoying some of their most recent creative escapades…

This week, we’re pleased to present Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs. Like most of us, she’s remained busy throughout the holidays, creating right into the New Year, as she explains:

“I have been busy designing. I find the time just after the holidays a great time to get
back to the drawing board and work on some new projects and ideas. I usually spend a few days doodling away. It’s my way of relaxing after the flurry of the holidays.

I have also introduced “Woodland Holiday”, a new mystery block of the month project on my website. It was inspired by my trips to northern Minnesota. The mystery quilt will feature all sorts of woodland creatures. Details are available online. There is also a monthly tutorial posted on the Quilt Doodle Blog the 1st of every month.

I am also excited about my Bundle Up BOM project and the BLUE ICE flannels! I love the combination of hand embroidery and easy piecing, and I hope you will, too! Look for it at your favorite quilt shops.”

Editor’s Note: Remember, there’s still time to enter our big giveaway for the Deluxe Prize Basket! See the previous post, or visit the MWM page to enter by January 15.

#MondaysWithMarcus Week 9: Cindy Staub

This week, we feature “Woodland Holiday” by Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs! This adorable mini quilt which features her Primo Plaid Flannels: Lumber Jacks, easy piecing and hand embroidery. Cindy’s offering the free pattern download, or you can order the fabric kit or printed pattern. Plus, her free video offers expert tips and techniques for completing the project. You’ll find it all here!

Be sure to continue your Likes, Follows and Shares of Marcus Fabrics across Facebook and Instagram, and all or our featured designers for the chance to win weekly fabric prizes, and a Grand Prize at the end! You’ll find all of their social links on our Mondays with Marcus page.

Mondays with Marcus!

While the real MONDAYS WITH MARCUS fun begins on October 5, we invite you to explore the various Marcus and Studio 37 Fabrics designers taking part in this very special FREE program! Get familiar with the projects and plan ahead…

Grab a sneak peek of the project slideshow here:

LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE your favorite designers on their social media outlets now in preparation for the series (you’ll find their links on our main MWM page), and be sure to join the Mondays with Marcus Facebook page and share directly with the designers and other participants during the series, which runs through December 14. And wherever you share, be sure to use #MondaysWithMarcus!

Who’s Participating??

#MondaysWithMarcus

Get Ready for #MondaysWithMarcus!

Beginning Monday, October 5, set your calendar to receive FREE PROJECTS from your favorite Marcus & Studio 37 designers. Some will also offer optional kits for their designs, while for others, you can just dig into your stash. Along the way, you’ll get to know our designers better as you Like, Follow and Share them on social media, and learn valuable, inspiring tips and tricks along the way. And did we mention that we’ll be sponsoring FREE FABRIC DRAWINGS throughout?

Be sure to join the fun, and tell your friends!

All-Star Designer Line-Up — October 5 thru December 14, 2020:

October 5 — Vicki McCarty, Calico Patch Designs
October 12 — Deirdre Bond-Abel, Hat Creek Quilts
October 19 — Pam Buda, Heartspun Quilts
October 26 — Nancy Rink, Nancy Rink Designs
November 2 — Dolores Smith, Timeworn Toolbox Designs
November 9 — Lisa Norton & Lora Zmak, Material Girlfriends
November 16 — Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison, Red Crinoline Quilts
November 23 — Sarah Maxwell, Designs by Sarah J
November 30 — Cindy Staub, Quilt Doodle Designs
December 7 — Tracy Souza, Plumcute Designs
December 14 — Laura Berringer, Marcus Fabrics

#MondaysWithMarcus

#staysafeandcreate – Designer Updates

It’s interesting how differently the current COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent shelter-in-place regulations are affecting people. As quilters, we can’t imagine how anyone could be “bored” at home. As one quilter’s social media meme said, “Bored? This the moment we (quilters) have been training for all of our lives!” Can you relate?

We asked our Marcus & Studio 37 designers how they are spending their time at home. With their travel schedules suddenly cleared for the time being, they, like many of us, are making the best of the situation quite well…

Cindy Staub of Quiltdoodle Designs has been “busy making facemasks for our local hospital and experimenting with different embroidery stitching on my Blue Ribbon and Woodland Getaway panels. (Facemask Pattern) I did do a three day quick scrappy quilt with my followers. I’m planning on blogging about some smaller projects too. I also have designed a scottie dog quilt as an additional project using the Aunt Grace Apron fabric. Need to get around to cutting and sewing…. Been spending a lot of time in my sewing room listening to audio books as I stitch.” Whew!! Impressive, Cindy ; )

Vicki McCarty of Calico Patch Designs also checked in with this update: “Here are a couple of things that I am working on. Barn Stars Runner using my Black/Tan Patch-Its and Tan/Tan Patch It’s. Just one cut using MSQs Rhombus Ruler and the stripe on the Patch-It!    Patterns and kits on my website. Also making a Periwinkle Quilt using my entire Patch-It collection!  6” squares.” Beautiful as usual, Vicki!

And Pam Bud of Heartspun Quilts celebrates today’s release of her new book, Vintage Treasures (Martingale). ” My new book is actually began shipping to shops yesterday and today.  Perhaps this is a good time to say….if you ordered one from your LQS, time to have it mailed or arrange a curbside pickup.  If you haven’t do so now to support our LQS.  If you don’t have a shop nearby, you can order it from me.” Congratulations, Pam! And of course, she’s working on a new collection, too…

How are you spending your time? Tell us in the comments… and watch for more fun designer updates soon. Until then, #staysafeandcreate !!

Celebrate National Embroidery Month with Our Newest Designers!

February is National Embroidery Month!  And it just happens that the newest additions to our design family are both embroidery experts!  We asked them to share a few of their favorite tips for creating beautiful hand embroidered projects.

Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs debuted with Marcus last month with her SNOWMEN SNOW GLOBE BOM program, using her pre-printed panel and coordinating PRIMO PLAID FLANNELS: New Blues. We love Cindy’s mix of blue flannel stars surrounding the “snowfriends” globe, which she cut from the panel.  On the panel you’ll find other fun design elements suitable for smaller projects, whether stitched or used as they are.

We asked Cindy to share a few embroidery tips; these are some of her favorites:

  • Use good quality thread such as Valdani #12 pearl cotton. “I am fond of the variegated thread since I like the extra dimension it gives my stitching.”
  • Have a small scissor handy for snipping threads. Cindy uses the OLFA.applique scissors.
  • If you are a beginner to embroidery, don’t fret, you don’t need to know a bunch of stitches. “Good stitches to begin with are a backstitch
    and French knots.”
  • Cindy also recommends using a light to medium weight fusible (iron-on) interfacing to underline your fabric, it helps hide your thread from the ‘backside’.

Karen Phillips-Shwallon made her design debut for Marcus with HEIRLOOM SPLENDOR, a trio of pre-printed panels ready for your thread embellishment and more.  The designs would be perfect for wedding and anniversary gifts and new baby keepsakes, as well as everyday home decor enjoyment.

She also share a few favorite creative products:

  • For her stuffwork dimensional needlework Karen prefers Tuscany 100% Premium Polyester OR  Mountain Mist Light as her batting and DMC Perle #12 thread
  • Embroidery thread:  DMC Perle #12
  • Embroidery needles:  John James  JJ135-3-9
  • Quilting thread:  Mettler Silk Finish quilting thread 50 wt solid cotton
  • Quilting needles:  Tulip 10 quilting needles (“the best”)

Look for these beginner-friendly pre-printed panels in quilt shops – Heirloom Splendor is available now, and Snowmen Snow Globe comes to quilt shops in June, when we’ll likely welcome cool thoughts as we line up new stitching projects for fall and winter!