#MondaysWithMarcus: UpClose with Dolores Smith!

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, Dolores Smith of Timeworn Toolbox Designs shows off an exciting new project…

CEDAR SHAKE by Dolores Smith

I love the colors of burnt orange and teal, and I’m using my new CEDAR SHAKE collection to do a Block of the Month program for Homestead Hearth.  It is from a quilt pattern of mine called “Scrappy Churn Dash”.  The BOM starts in March and is made with different sized Churn Dash blocks — it’s one of my favorite blocks to stitch!  Want to join us? You’ll find all of the details at Homestead Hearth! Oh, and remember to check out the two new colors of Toolbox Basics introduced in this line, and the coordinating wovens, too!

#MondaysWithMarcus Week 5: Dolores Smith!

Week 5 of our Mondays with Marcus series begins with neutral-toned pieced pumpkins styled as “Harvest in a Row”, a framed art piece from Dolores Smith of Timeworn Toolbox Designs! We love her minimalist approach, allowing you to go further with various embellishments if you like, including embroidery, beadwork and more. Go with her more modern color palette, or choose more traditional autumn colors.

You can download her FREE PATTERN starting today!

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.

Next week: Lisa Norton and Lora Zmak of Material Girlfriends!

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

A Year’s Worth of Creative Excitement!

A fresh year means a fresh start for our creative projects…check out just a few of the exciting things coming your way in the coming months from Marcus and Studio 37!

Sneak Peeks!  Watch for these collections online beginning February 1:

And get caught up with our most recent releases, online now:

We (Heart) Batik Valentine’s Mugrugs!

If you LOVE mugrugs AND batiks like we do, then you’re sure to also LOVE our easy Valentine’s Day Mugrug design!  Not only can you make these by the dozen for all the loves of your life – you can also enter each and every one of them in our new Mugrug Challenge, for a chance to win one of our weekly prizes!  Check out the Challenge details, then read the how-to below make this design… it’s the perfect complement for a cup of tea made from fresh sage leaves and a couple of tea biscuits, as shown

HeartmugugFinished

First, I cut out a paper heart shape pattern to the desired size, plus about 1/4″ seam allowance all around.  (If you’d rather not hand-cut your pattern, you’ll find about a zillion of them online, print out your favorite ; ).

HeartMugrug

Using three tonal RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks, I started stitching up a crazy quilt block directly onto the batting (I used Fairfield Soft & Toasty cotton batting), for an easy quilt-as-you-go construction method. I added fabrics randomly until the block was just larger than the heart pattern.  I cut both the pieced block and a backing fabric from the heart pattern, and stitched them right sides together all around with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn. Next, just turn and press, closing the opening with hand stitches or a narrow strip of fusible tape.  Add a coordinating mug or teacup, a packet of cappuccino mix or some gourmet teabags, and a love note.  Maybe a matching batik napkin for extra credit?

Now, just take a picture, enter the Challenge on Instagram with #MarcusMugshot, and your Valentine is now ready to give!          —   lisa

“Show Us YOUR Mugshots!”

ShowMugShotGRAFHey Quilting Friends!  Ready for a FUN and EASY quilt challenge?  Well, whether you’re already a fan of the Mugrug, or aren’t even sure what one is, you’ll want to enter the Marcus Makers MUGRUG CHALLENGE!  Help us to achieve our lofty goal of “A Marcus Rug for Every Mug,”  now thru April 30, 2017 — here’s how…

Follow the various inspirations we’ve gathered from our own Marcus Makers (instructions for these mugrugs are available online!), or create your own look using at least ONE fabric print from Marcus or Studio 37, and feel free to add any solids of your choice.  In fact, it’s a great opportunity to go thru your Marcus stash for a few great coordinates to get started, then visit your local quilt shops for the newest collections, and more great mugrug ideas, patterns, tips and related activities…

DesignerMugrugsGROUP

Then, post your entry on Instagram using #MarcusMugshot, and remember to tag @marcusfabrics and/or @studio37fabrics for greater exposure! 

If you’re new to mugrugs, be warned:  mugrug making can be addictive, which is really not a problem, because they make great gifts, AND you can enter as many times as you like (one mugrug per photo, please).  Each Tuesday during the Challenge, we’ll choose random winners from the hashtagged entries to receive exciting fabric prizes and more — Join us!!

So…Who Won the STASHBUSTERS Goodies??

We’d like to thank the hundreds of quilting friends who commented on last week’s blog post as we celebrate the release of Stashbusters by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith!Stashbusters book cover Stashbusters goodies fabric giveaway

stashpica…and the winner of our random giveaway is…Mary Kolb of Buffalo, MN, who said emphatically, “I WOULD LOVE TO BUST MY STASH!”, a sentiment shared by all!  In keeping with the true spirit of a well-rounded fabric stash, the bundle includes 12 FQs from various Marcus designers. Happy Stashbusting to all!

Win a “Book & Bundle” Giveaway from Marcus Fabrics and C&T Publishing!

CONTEST EXTENDED thru MONDAY, April 4, 2016!

 

We’re partnering with C&T Publishing to celebrate the release of Stashbusters!, the new book by Marcus fabric designers Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith.  If you subscribe to the Marcus and/or C&T email lists, you might have already received our email messages,  providing you with TWO great opportunities to win a “Book & Bundle” prize.  So, leave your comment below, now through Friday, April 1.  Winners will be chosen on Monday, April 4.

Win a "Book & Bundle" Giveaway from Marcus Fabrics and C&T Publishing!

stashpica 

In keeping with the creative, “stash” theme of the book, we’re putting together a bundle that represents various Marcus designers!  We’ll choose one winner, and our friends at C&T will do the same, so you’ll have double the chance to win… Good Luck!

COMMENT BELOW!

(And while you’re here, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our blog, too!)

Make It Molly B’s…

HomesteadHearthPick up your copy of the August / September 2015 issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts today! It features this easy-to-sew creation by Dolores Smith (left) and Sarah Maxwell, done in HINT OF PRINT and CLASSIC WOVEN YARN DYES by Molly B’s Studio for Marcus.

Strip piecing speeds construction of this big, handsome quilt. The Lake Itasca king size quilt pattern  (102″ x 126″) includes blocks in 2 different fabric combinations, which create a chain-like secondary pattern when set together.

A kit is available through Homestead Hearth.

Trendy Grey & Yellow for Spring/Summer

MQQcoverThe new June/July 2015 issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts includes this quilt project from Homestead Hearth, in trendy grey and yellow coordinates from Faye Burgos’ GREY SKIES collection.  We like the mix of a contemporary palette, the paisley, floral and texture motifs, and classic block styling.

 

Subscription issues began shipping April 21, 2015. By May 5, 2015, the issue will be available on newsstands, as well as in print or digital download format at QuiltandSewShop.com. Homestead Hearth also offers a kit for the project.