A FREE Log Cabin eBook

What quilter doesn't need another quilt pattern? Quilters can always use another quilt pattern. I know I can. It's always good to have several patterns to choose from when starting a new quilt, especially when using some new favorite fabric that completely convinced you that you had to buy it! And, if there's a free pattern, that's all the better. I don't know a quilter who doesn't love free quilt patterns!

Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting  has a new Log Cabin eBook. It's called Build Your Best Log Cabin, and it's available online free.

I was contacted by Eric  Woolf, Online Media Coordinator for Fons & Porter, to review this free eBook and share the pattern eBook with you. I think it's a great quilt book and would make a nice addition to any quilter's collection of quilt patterns and books, especially if you love log cabin quilts! 

It features 3 types of Log Cabin quilts: Traditional, Courthouse Steps and the Chevron, with several block setting options for each. It includes many colorful pictures of new quilts as well as pictures of old antique quilts along with some interesting "history" about each style of Log Cabin quilt. Did you know that "folklore says that the red at the center of log cabin quilting patterns represents the cabin's heart while the yellow square typical in log cabin quilt patterns represents a lighted window." I love learning the history behind quilt blocks.

The eBook has 4 new quilt patterns, and the patterns have cutting charts with easy to follow instructions for making different quilt sizes. Patterns are also clearly identified as easy, intermediate or challenging, to satisfy any quilter's skill level. Helpful "Tips" appear throughout the book.

This ebook has some extra bonus features for machine quilting, including motifs and using suggested decorative threads, and unique binding ideas.  

You can get your free copy here: http://www.fonsandporter.com/landing/free-log-cabin-quilt-patterns  

Happy Quilting!
and Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

                  Now that it’s December it’s time to recall the fun we shared in 2012!  It’s been a great year spent with family and friends, traveling and camping (RVing), and enjoying our retirement! We’ve really loved spending lots of time with our 4 grandkiddos.  Gigi turned 5 in May and the whole family joined her for her first visit to Disneyland. There is nothing sweeter than seeing Disneyland through the eyes of a child! Brody and Micah are 2 ½ and talking up a storm, while little Hallee is 18 months, climbing on everything and displaying some not so cute “terrible two” behaviors early!

                  We ventured to a new location and enjoyed a fantastic week, truly relaxing by the pool which was right next to the amazing teal-blue ocean waters of the Caribbean, at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun with great friends. We traveled back to Washington DC, in the early fall, and meandering through several Smithsonian Museums. We visited with friends at their “beach” house in beautiful Currituck, (near Outer Banks), North Carolina, and in Virginia. We took a day trip to the picturesque colonial settlement of Williamsburg. It amazes us how much there is to see back east and all the history there is to absorb. So we know we will be going back several more times in the future.

                  During 2012, we used our RV even more. We went to Spring Training in Arizona for a month and attended our first Good Sam Rally held at the Phoenix Raceway (never seen so many RV’s in one location-literally 1000’s)!!  We spent several weekends at Newport Dunes RV Resort, to visit with Alex, Angelina and Micah who live nearby. We ventured to northern California for our now annual week of camping in Fort Bragg for Abalone Diving with our longtime camping buddies, Lynn & Rick. This year Nicole and David and kids joined us; it was a great week of camping reminiscent of all the years our families have camped together (although a few of our kids couldn’t make it)! Summer vacation took us back to Bend Oregon (such a beautiful area) where we attended the Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Great show, although we didn’t get the chance to see all the quilts because it was rained out for the first time in its 37 year history! We spent time in Redding with Lynn & Rick, (Lynn and I got to do some quilting while the boys went fishing) before a week of camping at Lake Almanor, meeting up with more camping friends. We spent a quiet weekend in our RV at KQ Ranch in Julian late fall before our Annual Thanksgiving week of camping at San Elijo State Beach....And did I mention we got a new diesel pusher in the Spring! It’s got 4 slides, a roomier layout, more power and better storage!

                  Nick has traveled quite a bit to Sacramento this past year and stays very busy now that he is working with the State Fire Marshal’s office on fire training curriculum. He’s also traveled to Northern California and Tucson with several other retired fire professionals for fire teaching and advising. It’s his way of giving back to the fire profession to which he dedicated his life’s work.

                  I attended several quilt retreats this year with my friend Lynn (for a couple of retreats our hubbies joined us for the weekend and we RVed at Flying Flags RV Resort).  I made many quilts for gifts and charity this year -my way of giving back!

                  Nicole, David and 3 kids moved in with us in September because the owners wanted their house back.  3 weeks turned into 3 months, but they moved this past weekend into their “new” condo. They are very excited to be first time“homeowners” and to have freshly painted the walls!

                  Alex started a new t-shirt design business and has his own online store (http://fiftyfivesouth.storenvy.com/). Check it out--he's got some "awesome" designs. But the best news of all is that Micah’s “only child” status “expires” next June when we will welcome a new Pavone into the family!!

                  Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.  

                                    May you richly be blessed by God in the coming new year.

                                                      Love & Joy,
                                                      Karen & Nick