Chalk Effects

The Chalk Effects collection by Elise K for Contempo isn't exactly the opposite of White Out, but it provides a great contrast to it! These tonals feature a variety of values, so they can be used in a quilt on their own or can be added to brights and patterned prints for nice, subtle background prints. 

All the texture and fun of a chalkboard look without the chalky mess! 

Here are a few of the prints: 

Click here to see the entire Chalk Effects collection. 

White Out!

Whether or not there's snow on the ground outside your window, the subtle tonals in Kanvas' White Out collection will remind you of freshly fallen flakes. Twenty-two delicately etched prints showcase dandelion blooms, leaves, pebbles, flowers, snowflakes and more. These prints come in two "colorways": white with silver and white with a pale taupe. Perfect as textured blenders, backgrounds,  and even in a cool monochromatic quilt design (scroll down to see it!).

Stitch a quilt with a subtle design in warm tonal whites. Find this free "Cascade" pattern on our website. 

Click here to download the pattern.

Click here to see the entire White Out collection and to find the free quilt pattern. 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our readers who celebrate it a Merry Christmas from all of us at Benartex, Kanvas and Contempo!

p.s. Make sure to check out Paula Nadelstern's Illuminated Star Quilt (and more!) on Bernina's WeAllSew blog! The quilt is featured in her new book, FABRICADABRA: Simple Quilts, Complex Fabric. 

Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing all readers who celebrate it a Happy Hanukkah from all of us at Benartex, Kanvas and Contempo!

p.s. Make sure to check out Paula Nadelstern's Illuminated Star Quilt (and more!) on Bernina's WeAllSew blog! The quilt is featured in her new book, FABRICADABRA: Simple Quilts, Complex Fabric. 

Bali Love: Quilt Inspiration

A little more eye candy...all the beautiful Balis we've showed you this week together!

Balis in action: A section of our Quilt Market booth featured this array of skinny quilts using our Balis.

Here are a few free quilt patterns:

 "Bali Ripples" free quilt pattern featuring Desert Sunset

Click here to find the free quilt pattern.

"Raspberry Sorbet" free quilt pattern featuring Berry Delight

Click here to find the free quilt pattern.

The following quilts are commercial patterns available for purchase. Find them here on our website or visit the individual designers' websites. 

"Twin Quilts" by Sue Beevers featuring Berry DelightPattern also available at http://www.suebeevers.com

"Victorian Star" by Sue Beevers featuring Berry Delight and Winter Whites
Pattern also available at http://www.suebeevers.com

"Batiks at Their Best" by Barb Sackel featuring: top: Berry Delight and Winter Whites; bottom: Lullaby Patterns also available at http://barbsackel.com/

If you'd like to browse the various Bali collections, use these links:

Desert Sunset

Cast Away

Lullaby and Winter Whites

Berry Delight

Bali Love: Berry Delight

As your week likely ramps up with holiday busy-ness, we invite you to stop by our blog for a taste of calm, quiet beauty. This week we'll be showing our newest Bali collections: dreamy, vibrant colors and patterns--much needed bliss in a hectic world. 

Enjoy!

Introducing Bali Berry Delight

If this collection doesn't send you running to your nearest smoothie store to order a berry-flavored treat, we'll be surprised! From strawberry to blueberry and everything in between...yum!

Click here to see the entire Bali Berry Delight collection.

Missed our other Bali highlights?
Desert Sunset

Cast Away

Lullaby and Winter Whites

Bali Love: Winter Whites & Lullaby

As your week likely ramps up with holiday busy-ness, we invite you to stop by our blog for a taste of calm, quiet beauty. This week we'll be showing our newest Bali collections: dreamy, vibrant colors and patterns--much needed bliss in a hectic world. 

Enjoy!

Introducing Winter Whites and Lullaby
Soft, gentle neutrals and pastels...perfect for a baby quilt or for subtle backgrounds when paired with brighter, bolder Balis. These hues are like sorbet, cool and refreshing. Dig in!

Click here to see the entire Bali Lullaby collection.
Click here to see the entire Bali Winter Whites collection.

Missed our other Bali highlights?
Desert Sunset

Cast Away

Bali Love: Cast Away

As your week likely ramps up with holiday busy-ness, we invite you to stop by our blog for a taste of calm, quiet beauty. This week we'll be showing our newest Bali collections: dreamy, vibrant colors and patterns--much needed bliss in a hectic world. 

Enjoy!

Introducing Cast Away.
Cool, soothing greens and blues...it's almost like your own getaway to a tropical island surrounded by shimmering water! This collection has such a great array of values, from the palest of greens to the darkest of blues. Delicious!

Click here to see the entire Bali Cast Away collection.

Missed our other Bali highlights?
Desert Sunset

Cast Away

Lullaby and Winter Whites

p.s. Did you see the winners from the Deck the Halls Blog Hop posted yesterday? Click here to see if you're one of them!

Bali Love: Desert Sunset

As your week likely ramps up with holiday busy-ness, we invite you to stop by our blog for a taste of calm, quiet beauty. This week we'll be showing our newest Bali collections: dreamy, vibrant colors and patterns--much needed bliss in a hectic world. 

Enjoy!

Introducing Desert Sunset. 
Hot and spicy reds, oranges, and golds that just pop with color! On a cold winter's day, these balis will warm you up, no question. Don't you just want to touch them?! 

Click here to see the entire Bali Desert Sunset collection.

Missed our other Bali highlights?Cast Away

Lullaby and Winter Whites

Deck the Halls Blog Hop Winners:
Congratulations to these lucky winners! You'll be receiving a bundle of holiday fabrics.
Day 1: Snoodles
Day 2: Nann
Day 3: Patricia
Day 4: Danette
Day 5: VA

Using Joey's Fabric

You've fallen in love with Joey's story and the Joey the Shop Dog fabric collection. Who wouldn't? 

The next question is, what will you do with it? 

Here's a look at Joey's section of our Quilt Market booth. You can see how versatile the panel is--on the right, it's used in a panel quilt (find the free pattern for a second panel quilt in this post!). The fussy cut blocks are also used for pillows on the futon. Sew cute! 

"We Love Joey" free quilt pattern:

Click here to download the pdf for this free quilt pattern.

This pup-themed line is perfect for pet projects as well. Whether you're looking for small quilt ideas for your own dog or to donated to a shelter, you'll find some simple ideas below. 

Click here to download a pdf of simple kennel quilt patterns.

Coming soon...Rose Ann has created a cloth book out of the blocks in the panel. Keep an eye on her website to find out how to get this pattern in early 2017. 

Click here to see the entire Joey the Shop Dog fabric collection.

Click here to learn more about Joey. 

Click here to visit Joey's Facebook page. 

Click here to visit Rose Ann's shop webpage. 

Joey the Shop Dog - In Fabric!

In our last post, we shared the story of Joey the Shop Dog. Today we're sharing the story of Joey's fabric collection, also named Joey the Shop Dog. 

As Joey grew in popularity at Rose Ann's store, the idea for a fabric line grew. 

Rose Ann says: 

My staff has been pestering me about doing a fabric collection. I always felt that Joey was such a perfect subject to have a fabric line around. Not only is he popular in our little world, but everyone who sees him from out of town thinks that he’s such a cute little dog. 

Joey the Shop Dog fabrics in Rose Ann's shop

How did the fabric line come to be?

I chose photos for inspiration, and many of the blocks in the panel (see below) are based on those photos. For example, Joey on the shopping cart. When we’re moving boxes in the shop, he’ll jump on and we’ll give him a little ride. 

The collection includes a second panel to make a stuffed Joey, which was a fun surprise for Rose Ann. 

This collection does more than just make quilters happy, however. It supports shelter animals as well, with 10% of sales for Joey’s fabrics being donated to The Petfinder Foundation!

Rose Ann's reaction to this charitable news? 

When Benartex suggested that the line could have a charitable tie-in, I almost flipped. It was more than I could ever have dreamed of, that they’d be so invested in this that they’d contribute money to a non-kill shelter. Not only do we get to share Joey with other quilters, we also get to help out other animals. 

Joey with the stuffed Joey and two stuffed dog toys (also part of the panel)

Joey even came to Quilt Market--here he is snuggled up with the Joey section of the booth!

So cute!

Click here to see the entire Joey the Shop Dog fabric collection.

Click here to learn more about Joey. 

Click here to visit Joey's Facebook page. 

Click here to visit Rose Ann's shop webpage.