Sharon McConnell

15 Jun

Announcements, Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL

A Modern Classic…New and Improved!

The Polka Dot Bikini quilt pattern was among the first produced here at Color Girl and has been a best seller for several years. With the new Tula Pink polka dots and stripes fabrics hitting the market earlier this year, I felt inspired to take another look at my signature quilt. I am re-releasing the Polka Dot Bikini pattern in a new, improved format. I've revised some instructions for clarity and added more, better illustrations in full color. These updates make the pattern better and will ensure your success in making this masterpiece quilt. If you've purchased the quilt...

12 Jun

Announcements, Quilting Interest

Quilt Retreats are the BEST! Want to Join Me?

Posted by Sharon
Open sewing getaway, Quilting retreats, Quilting trip retreat
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Calling all of my quilting friends in the lower Great Lakes, Eastern Mid-West region! Just three more months until the most fun weekend of the year: Lakeside Sewing Retreat. If you haven't already signed up to join us, <<Click Here for Event Details and Registration information>> Lakeside is a picturesque little village on the shore of Lake Erie. Last year, we had a blast spending the weekend sewing and walking the streets of gardens and sweet gingerbread cottages. This year, we get three full days of sewing, September 7-9...bring whatever project you want to and spend uninterrupted time with fellow quilters....

08 Jun

Curved PIecing, Finished Quilts, Quilting Interest

The Song of Sirena, A Finished Quilt!

Posted by Sharon
Art Gallery Fabrics, curved piecing a half circle, Mermaid theme quilt
5 comments

This month is all about finishing our projects, right? Well, I am super happy to finally share a quilt I finished (even though it was last month) to be displayed at Quilt Market in Portland in May. Do you remember the little quilt I made with Tallinn fabrics to celebrate Jessica Swift's first fabric collection with Art Gallery Fabrics? Well, Jessica has a new collection coming called Sirena, and it couldn't be more fun and fresh. First of all, I love the name of the collection, Sirena. A Siren in Greek mythology was a creature of the sea who used...

06 Jun

Finished Quilts, Indigo Quilt, Quilting Interest

Sew Inspiring! Indigo Pattern + Sweetwater Fabrics

Posted by Sharon
Classic Curves Ruler, curved piecing quilt, Indigo quilt pattern, moda fabrics
1 comment

Any Sweetwater fabrics fans out there? I have enjoyed the prints by these talented designers for many years. They are pretty much tops at classics like checks, dots, retro florals and themed illustrations. The Indigo quilt is a perfect match for a pack of 10" Sweetwater prints I've had for a long time in my stash...and my wonderful quilt fairy-helper (my Mom) was a great sport to sew up this sample for me. This quilt pattern is perfect for pre-cuts like 10" squares. I admit it's a favorite because it's a really dynamic design and looks great in a variety...

31 May

Announcements, Giveaway, Work in progress

Up For a Challenge? giveaway

Posted by Sharon
quilting fabric, quilting fabrics and design, Quilting Giveaway
6 comments

June is here! We are all having a very creative year, right? As we approach the half-way point of the year, we are going to do something special this month: challenge ourselves to finish as many works-in-progress as possible. That's right: make a clean slate, tidy up the studio (and the mind!). Have you ever noticed that it's hard to feel creative when life and/or your space is cluttered? Don't worry, we are going to make it fun with some prizes! Starting a new quilt or other creative project is always so much fun and puts a lot of excitement in our...

28 May

Quilting Interest

Get the Blues…The Indigo Quilt Kind

Posted by Sharon
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It's finally here! Some of you asked, and here it is: a kit to make the oh-so-popular blue and white Indigo quilt. I have put together a selection of prints in shades of navy with touches of teal, gray and crisp white. This fresh color scheme is always a winner and will look amazing with any color scheme you may have in your home. <<Buy Kit Here>> The kit includes enough (with extra) to make the 61" x 75" quilt top, including eight different prints for the block centers, a gorgeous turquoise cross weave for the setting squares, plus a...

18 May

Eclipse Quilt, Quilting Interest

A New (AMAZING!) Eclipse Quilt

Posted by Sharon
Art Gallery Fabrics, Classic Curves Ruler, modern curved piecing quilt, patchwork quilt fabric kits
2 comments

It is so exciting to show you this amazing quilt! My friend Carol made this version of the Eclipse quilt with the green kit option that's available in my shop. I am so impressed with her skills, and super thrilled with how the selection of prints and colors look together. The Eclipse quilt is confident level quilt pattern that uses the Classic Curves Ruler. When I made the sample for the pattern, I chose a bright yellow print for the main background fabric...I love how unexpected it is for a main color and how the bright prints really shine. ...

12 May

Quilting Interest

Spring Fabric Sale!

Posted by Sharon
mothers day fabric sale, quilters fabric sale, Tilda Lemon Tree fabric
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I want to send a big thanks to all of you quilting friends! What an exciting year 2018 has been so far. Spring is finally here, the flowers are blooming, and this weekend we celebrate our mothers, sisters, friends, all the special women in our lives. This weekend, through Monday, May 14, at midnight, take 20% your fabric purchase when you use code 'love' at checkout. I hope you take advantage of Mothers' Day to treat yourself to a little (or a lot!) of creative time. Visit the shop and see what's new, Here. I've added new Tilda Sun Kiss bundles...

03 May

Finished Quilts, Quilting Interest

New! Tallinn Fabrics Little Quilt

I met Jessica Swift at Quilt Market in Houston last October. She was showing her first fabric collection with Art Gallery Fabrics, and I knew right away it was one for me. The bright, true colors and cute illustrations are too much fun. When Jessica asked awhile back if I was interested in participating in the blog tour to promote the release of the fabrics, I didn't hesitate to say "yes!". She is a such a sweet person, and I am so excited for her success and bringing her artwork to us quilters in fabric. You can find all the...

28 Apr

Announcements, Quilting Interest

Lakeside Retreat: Come Sew with Me!

Posted by Sharon
Lakeside open sew retreat, quilting retreat
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Popping in to tell you about a quilting and sewing retreat I am going to in September. I hope that if you live anywhere close to northern Ohio you'll consider joining us. I attended this retreat last September as the teacher, but this year we are having open sewing time all weekend! Of course, if you come and want help with a Color Girl pattern or the Classic Curves Ruler, I wouldn't turn you down (-; . The venue couldn't be more beautiful: a charming great lakes village of summer cottages on the shore of Lake Erie. We had a...