It is always so interesting to see which projects are the favorites and which ones intrigue people. Believe it or not it is seldom the ones that I would have guessed, so thanks for all the comments!
And from the comments, it sounds like there are a lot of you who have not yet tried the paintstiks, so I guess I need to work on some sort of tutorial. In the books that have projects where the paintstiks were used, I do have detailed instructions on the technique that I use. I don't leave you wondering what to do with them! But my best advice is to just experiment with them. I should put a big note where I use them saying NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY because believe me, anyone can do it. I've seen people with no painting experience get really great results!
If you want to purchase some of the paintstiks, I found a website, www.artsupply.com, that has them for a good price. Although I've never ordered from them before, you might give it a try!
With that being said, I have one more project in the Make It Merry book that I used the paintstiks on. It's a little ornament called A Little Joy.
Again, I felt the need to add some additional texture with the lace trim, but that's what makes it so fun!
And I had some of you ask about the little box that was in the picture with the pincushion, so I'm pleased to let you know that it is in the book as well. I show two different versions.... One of them I did with the fabric from Winterberry Lane, so it is very Christmasy (is that a word?!) and the other is one that can be used for just about anything.
I leave one on my counter to store my tea bags in because it is the perfect size for that. Wouldn't it be fun to fill it up with hot chocolate packets and peppermint sticks to give to a friend? Or tea bags, like I did, and have some friends over for tea and scones?! Ah, too many ideas and not enough time!
Here's another project. How could I do a Christmas book and not include a tree skirt?
I called this Simple Gifts. See the big border stripe from Winterberry Lane? Because there are two distinct portions of the stripe, I tried to make the best use of the fabric and cut them so that both could be used, resulting in very little waste. I can't wait to put this under my tree next year!
My mom helped me out a little with this book by designing this Christmas Star...
This little quilt is the perfect size to place in the center of your table to give it a nice festive look. And you can complete your table with the Jolly Holly Placemats....
Anyone who did the Cross Country Quilter's Blog Hop a few years ago will recognize these. This was my projects that I shared when I was a part of that. I love the big holly leave and the big rick rack. What a statement!
So, there you have it. I think I covered them all and I hope that you like them! Don't forget to leave me a comment to have a chance at winning a fat quarter bundle of Winterberry Lane and a copy of Make It Merry! You can check out my website and see all of the fabrics included in this line by clicking here.
I'm going to wait until Monday morning to draw a winner, so keep the comments coming! Hope you have a great weekend!
Terri
Love the place mats and the basket. The basket would be perfect at my sewingtable keeping my stitchery :)
Posted by: May Britt | March 25, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Oh, I've loved everything...but today's projects are the best! I love the little boxes and the tree skirt and the Christmas star! I have to get this book!
Posted by: sherri | March 25, 2011 at 01:09 PM
thank you for sharing.
I love the mats, I should try.
regards
Posted by: maria patchwork | March 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
I would love to see more on the paint sticks. I have tried watercolors and acrylics, but I still haven't gotten the look I want and better ways to blend shading without bleeding into the fabric.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St.Germain | March 25, 2011 at 01:39 PM
Whimsicals strikes again with the delightful style that always brings a smile to one's face. The tree skirt is great -- anxious for the fabric to be available to get a jump on the season. Patti Wiggs
Posted by: Patricia Wiggs | March 25, 2011 at 02:00 PM
I lovvvee those placements with the giant ric-rack! How festive.. and the tree skirt... very cute! And the star quilt... so nice! Love all of your designs :o)
Posted by: Colleen | March 25, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Love the rickrack on the place mats and little basket. Your pattern books are always a delight!
Posted by: Jo | March 25, 2011 at 02:18 PM
I make new ornaments every year so really like the JOY ornament!! Need to try those paint sticks, I got out your "If Quilts Could Talk" book this morning and read how to use them so just have to buy some and try it, I sure like how it looks! I like all the projects from this new book and the line of fabric. I have a nephew being deployed to Afghanistan, thinking it would be nice to make his wife the PEACE on Earth piece. Thanks for all the inspiration!!
Posted by: Gail | March 25, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Those little fabric covered boxes are so cute! And I love the placemats! And the tree skirt. And the ornament too! Thanks for sharing all these beautiful projects with us! :0)
Posted by: Terry | March 25, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Very difficult again to choose because I love all... even my preference will be to the baskets, so cute and the placemats !
Many thanks to share those pictures with us.
Enjoy the spring!
XXX
Posted by: rouge cerise | March 25, 2011 at 03:22 PM
I am anxious to try the box. I love storage things.
I want to encourage all of you out there to just try the paint sticks. They open up a whole area of fun, fun, fun! Thanks,Terri for re-introducing me to them. I first used them in 1977 for stenciling on the wall. Great paints!
Posted by: Ruth Hawley | March 25, 2011 at 03:44 PM
I love the joy pillow and the placemats. But I HAVE TO MAKE THAT TREE SKIRT!!
Posted by: Melissa | March 25, 2011 at 05:06 PM
I love the placemats!!! I think I am going to be very busy making them for family, friends, and of course me.
Posted by: Kimberly | March 25, 2011 at 05:20 PM
A Little Joy is so sweet! I also like the boxes; I'm such a sucker for containers :)
Posted by: Barb Colvin | March 25, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Today, my favorite is the box. I actually saw some paintsticks on an on-line auction in our area...considering bidding :0
Posted by: Cindi P | March 25, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Love those boxes. They would make such great gifts.
Posted by: Pat | March 25, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Gosh, it's looking like this will be another wonderful book! I have the paintstiks, but haven't used them yet. Glad to know I don't have to afraid to!
I love the Christmas tree skirt and it is one I will definitely have to make!
Posted by: Sue | March 25, 2011 at 08:35 PM
The tree skirt is adorable! And I love the Joy pillow, too. I might have to try those paintstiks.
Posted by: Nancy Anne | March 25, 2011 at 09:02 PM
I haven't tried the paint sticks, but would love to give them a try. Thanks for link. Love your stuff and always enjoy seeing your trunk shows at the BackDoor.
Posted by: Nancy E | March 25, 2011 at 09:33 PM
The tree skirt and All Wrapped Up are my favorite projects. Your fabrics are so fun...I just love them!
Thanks for giving us a preview of all these wonderful projects and an opportunity to win.
Posted by: Nancy | March 25, 2011 at 09:56 PM
I am definitly going to try the paintstiks. I love all your new projects and your book is on my must have list.
Posted by: Mary Jean Price | March 25, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Love the placemats and little baskets. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Beatrice | March 26, 2011 at 01:54 AM
How do i get this book???? I just loooove the place mats and the star your Mum designed...well just too cute!! I have a thing about baskets...little to big..so there are losts that I need to make...
Hugs Gloria
Posted by: Gloria J Wellington | March 26, 2011 at 04:03 AM
I love all the projects, The place mats are wonderful. I can't wait, I am going to do the boxes for my friends at knit night, they will love them!
Posted by: Beth | March 26, 2011 at 09:25 AM
GOT.TO.GET.THIS.BOOK!!! Seriously, I love every single project! I've also never used the paintstiks. I imagine it must take some practice to get the shading down as nicely as yours. Thank you so much for sharing all the wonderful projects.
Posted by: Barbara L | March 26, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Oooh, such beautiful projects! The placemats are my favorites, but I see several things I would like to make. I would love a tutorial on the paintstiks. I really like the effect they make, and I have not idea what a painstik even looks like.
Posted by: Mary | March 26, 2011 at 08:22 PM
I really like all of the projects. I think I would like to experiment with the paintsticks. The table topper & place mats are very festive too!
Posted by: B J Bullock | March 26, 2011 at 10:36 PM
I love all of these projectws too... I can't wait for the book! Will you have these samples at Market? I'm going this year for the first time and I have you on my "must see" list!
Posted by: marcia e | March 26, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Oh ! I love the little boxes (I want one for my tea bags too !)and the Xmas star and the placemats...
I'm embarrassed to say I don't like tree skirts... But I love yours ! :-))
Hugs from France,
Sylvie.
Posted by: Sylvie BG | March 27, 2011 at 06:17 AM
I love your inspiring work that you do. Have ordered the quilt pattern 2 weeks ago so it should nearly be here, cant wait to start it so i can have it ready for chrissy. I cant wait to purchase the book as I am a christmas aholic. The tree skirt will look fantastic under my 7" tree, I wont want to put presents on top of it.
Thanks again for your inspiring designs.
Narelle from Australia :-)
Posted by: Narelle Alexander | March 27, 2011 at 06:15 PM
I love the new book, especially the placemats. I checked in a local quilt store and they didn't have the book yet, so I hope I can win this one and the fq's. I love all of your designs. Please keep designing!!
Posted by: Sandy Neff | April 14, 2011 at 02:54 PM
I love all of your Christmas projects, especially in March! I only get started at Thanksgiving time. Thanks for your Christmasy pics!
Posted by: Carol Gram | November 5, 2011 at 08:56 AM
love your whimsical projects -- is there a place to find patterns.
found your site on Pinterest
Posted by: daveneprice@gmail.com | September 29, 2012 at 08:42 PM