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Sneak peaks and garden flowers every where

I have some exciting sneak peaks to share along with photos of my garden flowers that are blooming every where. I’ve been taking lots of pictures the past few mornings of quilts and flowers. They seem to compliment each other so well!

Sneak peaks

I have a new quilt pattern coming out this Sunday, and I’ve really had fun photographing this one. I like to take advantage of the overcast mornings and cloudy days because they are perfect for picture taking. Here are some peaks of my Sterling Quilt pattern….

Sterling sneak peak by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter.
Sterling sneak peak by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter.
Sterling Quilt made & designed by Julie Cefalu, cat tail made by Zoe Cefalu
Sterling sneak peak - made by Cindy Reak. Pattern by The Crafty Quilter.
Sterling Quilt made by Cindy Reak

Sterling sneak peak - made by Donna Hughes. Pattern by The Crafty Quilter.
Sterling Quilt made by Donna Hughes

I just finished making a new quilt block which will be offered as a free pattern next month! It’s my version of a sunflower and it’s the perfect size for a pillow or a table topper. It sews up fast and I have some sneaky piecing tricks that you are going to love. Here’s a little peak…

Garden Flowers

I live in the bay area of Northern California and everything is blooming right now. My garden flowers are brightening up my yard with their gorgeous colors. Most of these pictures were taken this morning (thanks to our overcast start to the day).

Double budded rose – Joseph’s Coat (I think)

These next flowers are not IN the garden, but OF the garden. If you’ve been quilting long enough, you might recognize the Convergence Quilt in the background of the applique.

Poppy Convergence made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter.  Background based on the Convergence Quilts by Ricky Tims.
Poppy Convergence made by Julie Cefalu

This is one of my oldest UFO’s. I wish I could put a date on its genesis, but I can only guess it’s around the year 2005. Ricky Tims’ Convergence Quilts book came out in 2003, and I was teaching classes with it shortly after. It was a very popular technique and quilt! This started out as one of my class samples. I added the applique and then the thread painting on the poppies came later.

Thread painting detail of Poppy Convergence by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter.
Poppy Convergence – thread painting detail by Julie Cefalu

A thank you worth sharing

I often received the kindest messages from blog readers and newsletter subscribers. I thought this particular message from Lori G. was worth sharing…

Wow! There is so-o-o much good stuff in this newsletter, and I am sorry to say I almost missed it. I’m recovering from shingles and Strep throat…

Seriously, I just reread it. Who doesn’t love an Amy Smart tute?! She’s one of my favorites. But, the boho curtains, Corey Yoder’s blocks, Krista Moser’s spring pillow, the blueberry recipes, AND a sale on your Vinca pattern – this is probably the most action-packed newsletter I have ever received from the many people I follow. So, thank you very much for taking the enormous amount of time I know this newsletter must have taken you! It’s much appreciated.

Lori

Thank you for those kind words, Lori!

If you’re not familiar with my newsletter, it’s a way for me to share what I call “quilt-y news” every month. It includes links to free tips and tutorials that other designers and bloggers have shared, upcoming events, and behind the scenes photos from me. Sometimes I even have special subscriber-only discounts and freebies. You can subscribe using the button below. I’ll follow up with my latest newsletter which includes all the fun things Lori mentioned in her message.


Don’t forget, you can still receive a 20% discount on my Vinca Blossom quilt pattern through May 15, 2023, with the code VINCA20.

Vinca Blossom quilt pattern by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter Designs

Thanks for stopping by today. I’ll be back on Sunday (Mother’s Day) with another new pattern release and lots more pretty pictures from my pattern testers.


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13 Comments

  1. Happy Mother’s Day Julie. The blocks are so appropriate for the flowers. You are certainly creative.

  2. such a great news letter. I just love your Garden Julie, the colours are amazing
    Thank you for the wonderful things you share with us out here in quilter land.
    Happy days to you and yours
    Keep happy and Keep Safe
    Gayle Z

  3. I am so excited to see the new quilt, It is gorgeous. Purchased the Vinca pattern and anxious to get started. Living in San Jose everything is in bloom. Winter rains have resulted in flowers everywhere. Your roses and flowers are just beautiful. Looking forward to new hint and tips that are so helpful.

  4. Living in the northcentral region of the US I’m just now seeing the first of our daffodils and tulips blooming, so seeing all your beautiful flowers is making me so hopeful for more! And, can’t wait to see your new pattern…sunflowers remind me of my dad who grew them on our farm.

  5. So enjoyed the photos this morning. Perked up my day. Your garden is perfect and so are your picture taking skills. Thank you so much.

  6. Hello! I also love your newsletter! I just took a class in thread painting and am not very good at doing it. I’m admiring the work you did on the poppies – so nice! Thanks for sharing the pictures of your garden. I live in New York State and our spring flowers are blooming. My oriental poppies, irises, and peonies are loaded with buds. Such a wonderful time of the year! Thanks again for sharing your quilts with us! Have a wonderful day.

  7. Love the new pattern coming out in a few days! I already have some fabric selection ideas for it! Thanks for sharing all your time and talent with us, Julie!

  8. As one of your many newsletter subscribers, I would also like to thank you for your thorough work, helpful advice and wonderful ideas. I greatly appreciate your approach, as so many newsletters are mostly superficial and a bit too self-centered for my taste. Along with Krista Moser’s, you are among my favorite, on the top of my list. Thank you so much for your work and insights, your newsletter differentiates itself from the mass in terms of quality, pragmatism and generosity.

  9. Oh Julie, I feel like we are best friends with all the sharing of beautiful things that you do! Thanks for the lovely flower pictures (do ALL of those bloom in your yard at the same time?!) and the beautiful quilts. If you ever find yourself in Nashville I will show you some lovely things but most won’t be in my yard!

  10. Your flowers are beautiful, especially the double bud rose, never seen anything like it. I am just a bit north of you in Eastern Contra Costa County and the rains and warmth have made for beautiful blooms and wonderous tree growth. Thank you for all the work you put into your great newsletters and blogs

  11. Always enjoy an email from you and your newsletters are always worth a 2nd or 3rd reading – lots of quilty ideas. Thanks so much.

  12. absolutely adore your may flowers! i am a bay area girl transplanted to the midwest. i have learned to bloom where planted, but home will forever hold my heart. thank you for the glimpse of its beauty.

  13. Yes, a super bloom year of May flowers! Always love reading your newsletter and spotting you occasionally at the Granary.

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