Lunch Box Quilts

New Website

2011-06-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased that the new website has been launched. The location is the same, but it is very much improved. There is all kinds of new information and photos for you to enjoy.

Because of the changes our RSS feed has been changed to http://www.lunchboxquilts.com/news/rss/latest/ We will no longer be maintaining the blogspot location. Please change your links, so that you do not miss out on any of the Lunch Box Quilts News.

Keep Stitchin
Angie Steveson

New Spring Designs

2011-03-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

Things are really gearing up around here as I get ready for Spring Market in Salt Lake City, UT. Yesterday, Ginger, at the local quilt shop asked me if I was working on the designs for Fall Market. I told her I was working on Spring Market designs. She was surprised and thought I was behind. I assured her I was actually ahead of schedule compared to the last few markets. I purchased my new fabric and headed home.

This week will I will be testing designs and auditioning fabrics. This is the part of the process that I like best. I love hearing the embroidery machine stitching the designs! It is so much fun seeing it all coming together. I hope to have something to show you soon.

As always I have a little helper. I came back from my office and found Beebster on the table with all the fabrics I was gathering. He has climbed up there to apparently give his opinion on the fabric. I have four birds, but this is the bird that likes to work with me from the beginning of digitizing to putting the binding on the quilt. He is my little quilting buddy!

Keep your sewing machines stitching!
Angie

Magazine Articles

2011-03-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hitting the newsstands this week is the latest issue of Quilting and Embroidery. I feel very fortunate to be asked to design and have an article in the magazine again. The Lady Bug appliqué is on the cover of the magazine!
I don’t know why, but I have always been fascinated with Lady Bugs. Even as a young child I remember holding Lady Bugs in my hand and watching them fly away. Maybe it is the beautiful and distinct red and black colors on such a tiny bug.

Speaking of color, the red and black fabrics used for this project are gorgeous. The fabric is from Red Rooster Fabrics, the new Carnival line. There are more pieces to the collection than shown in this project. The backing is not shown, but it’s black with red white and gray spots. Perfect! This fabric is due to start arriving in quilt shops next month.

The Lady Bug appliqué and poem are a free download on the Lunch Box Quilts website. The instructions for the quilt are in the Spring 2011 issue of Quilting and Embroidery on sale through May 2, 2011. The magazine comes out twice a year and is newsstand only. It can be found at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Jo-Ann Stores or ordered directly from Quilting & Embroidery

Also on the internet is an article for Through the Needle Online #4. This article is called Angie’s Cut Work Eggs. It’s a cutwork project with the Bernina CutWorks tool. This fun project will have you stitching fabric eggs in time for Easter. The cutwork appliqué designs are also available as a free download at Through the Needle

I hope you have fun stitching these projects!
Angie

On the Road to California

2011-01-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again when I take my annual trip to California. The Road to California Quilter’s Conference and Showcase is January 20 -23. Quilters come from all over the United States to take quilting classes, view the beautiful quilt show and of course shop the vender mall.
Years ago the trip started out as a vacation from the job of motherhood. My boys were a lot younger then and very involved in outside activities. I would leave my Husband pages of notes on the schedule for the week. What time the buses came, swim practices, music lessons, scout meetings, etc. It makes me laugh now and feel a little tired.
Now when I go to Road to California it is part vacation and part Lunch Box Quilts business. I still take classes, but not as many as I used to. Someone asked me the other day why I take classes and suggested that I know everything. I am the first to admit I don’t know everything. There are so many things to continually learn as the quilting industry grows every year. Also I like taking classes just for fun. Get twenty or more quilters in a class and there is sure to be fun.
For a few years now I have been the guest artist in vendor booths at Road to California. This year I will be in the Redlands Sewing Machine Center booth. I will be demonstrating embroidery machine appliqué. Come by and visit if you are at the show.
After Road to California I will be having workshops at Redlands Sewing and Machine Center in Redlands, CA on January 25, 2011. Then on to Thimble Towne in Visalia, CA. There I will have workshops on January 28th and 29th 2011. If you live in these areas I would love to meet you in a workshop. Contact the stores for class fees and times. Don’t forget you could win a pair of Havel’s scissors for attending a workshop.

Havel's Scissor Giveaway

2011-01-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

If you have ever taken a Lunch Box Quilts workshop you will know that I am a HUGE fan of the Havel’s Snip-Eze scissors. They work beautifully for trimming the fabric for appliqué. The 3 ½ double curved scissors and the new 5 ½ Curved tip scissor work equally as well.

Don’t know which one you will like? Come to a Lunch Box Quilts workshop. I will have all three scissors plus more for you to try. It’s a test drive/cut. Find your personal favorite, but I think you will fall in love with all the Havel’s Scissors.

As an added bonus there will be one lucky winner at every Lunch Box Quilts workshop. The winner will receive a pair of the new 5 ½” curved tip sewing scissors. The scissors are fabulous. I have had mine since Fall Market and LOVE them.

You must be registered and attend the workshop to be eligible. Contact your local store for workshop fees and times. The Lunch Box Quilts calendar has been updated with workshops through March.

I look forward to seeing you soon at a Lunch Box Quilts workshop!

Keep Stitching!

Angie

Happy Holiday from Lunch Box Quilts!

2010-12-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hope this find everyone ready for the Holiday Season! As I write this blog, I am not ready. I never am ready until December 24th. Somehow it will all get finished!

Thank you to everyone for purchasing Lunch Box Quilts patterns! It was a busy year. Spring market in Minneapolis and Fall market in Houston. In between trips to Orlando with Bernina, Minneapolis again with Viking and Pfaff and Las Vegas for the VDTA show.

Lunch Box Quilts released three new quilts patterns this year, About Trout, Boots and Bandanas, and Scoop it Up! Also to the product line two embroidery recipe collections were added. The embroidery machines were working overtime this past year.

The Classic Series was introduced for those without an embroidery machine. The three most requested patterns, Merry Christmas, Halloween Fun, Everything Baby and the newest Scoop it Up!, were released with rewritten instructions. You can choose your favorite way to appliqué these patterns and they don’t require an embroidery machine.

Check your calendar for next year and take a workshop! I will be at the following stores at the beginning of the year. Contact the stores for workshop times and fees.

Redlands Sewing Center, Redlands California on January 24th and 25th

Thimble Towne in Visalia, California on January 28th and 29th

Hi Fashion fabrics in Grand Junction, Colorado February 11th and 12th

Quilting Delights in Clackamas, Oregon March 21st thru the 27th

Bernina Connection in Phoenix, Arizona March 30th

Thank you again for a wonderful year. I look forward to seeing everyone next year at a workshop or wholesale trade show. I promise to have something new and exciting for everyone.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season with your family and friends!

Angie

A New Year

2010-02-16T19:36:00.001-07:00

It’s 2010 and this is the first blog of the New Year, YIKES. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is having a great new year. Thank you to everyone who made 2009 a successful year for Lunch Box Quilts!

January was my annual trip to the Road to California Quilt show and Convention. I was very excited to have Autumn Wind juried into the show. The trip has now become half business and half vacation. I was one of the guest artists in the Fabric Patch booth for two days and took classes for two days.

The classes were all great. The most interesting class was an all day photography class. I learned so many new skills on photographing quilts. I can’t wait to try them out. I also attended a mystery class and saw my Road to California buddy’s Pat and Tracy. Every year we are in at least one class together just by chance. See you next year girls.

February was a very cold trip to Chicago. A snow storm had canceled many flights there the day before I left. I didn’t have boots! I quickly ran to the mall to buy some boots. Scottsdale does not have a big winter boot selection. After several hours and stores I finally found boots. I was so excited to wear them when I arrived in Chicago. I had to go outside and walk around in the fresh snow to break them in! No time to make a snowman, the trip was all business. Good things are coming!

It’s time to get the creativity going and get a new quilt or two ready for Spring Market in May. I have a few ideas and I will post a picture as soon as there is something to share.

Oh!..one more thing, dont forget to sign up to become a fan on Lunch Box Quilts on Facebook
Until next time, keep your sewing machines stitching!

Angie

Woodstock

2009-12-10T16:32:00.009-07:00

Last month I had the opportunity to teach a Lunch Box Quilts workshop in Woodstock, Illinois. Sewing Concepts and Quilter’s Destination hosted their annual retreat. The retreat provided three days of quilting and embroidery classes for students.

I arrived on Thursday evening just in time to present the Lunch Box Quilts Trunk Show. The students had already has a full day of classes.

Friday was my free day. In the morning I wandered in and out of the classroom and shopped in the quilt store downstairs. I had to see if there were any quilting treasures I couldn’t live without. Of course I did find some.

After lunch I went outside to explore the town of Woodstock. It was a little chillier than Scottsdale. I wore a wool coat! Anyway Woodstock Town Square is famous for having the movie Ground Hog's Day filmed there in 1992. I walked the square and saw the plaques on buildings and sidewalks to mark the memorable movie scenes. I visited all the shops along the way. I bought some chocolate at the candy store!

On Saturday it was finally my day to teach. The students were still anxious to sew on the third day. Students had the choice of picking their favorite Lunch box Quilts pattern to make. After basic instructions of embroidery machine appliqué it was time to start the machines and have fun. The ladies making heats and stars finished all their blocks. A few almost finished all the leaves for the small Autumn Wind. It was a great day and fun was had by all.

A Big Thank you to Annie, Lynda, and Patti for having me be a part of their annual retreat.

Keep your sewing machine stitching!

Angie

Fall Market

2009-11-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have been home from International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas for a few weeks and finally finding the time to share some photos. This year Lunch Box Quilts had a 10 X 10 booth and the adjacent 5 X10 booth. I wanted to show the booth before we start putting it together. I forgot to take the picture until after the curtains and poles were installed.

After many hours, renting some new poles, and taking a break for lunch, the booth was transformed. I gave the Island Breeze the premier spot in the booth to showcase it.

There was a lot excitement as everyone entered market the first day. Some store owners walked every row and took notes on which booths to return to. Others have a plan with definite booths that they are visiting. We saw many of our customers and met some new customers.

Jill and Therese from Pine Needles in Cedar Rapids, Iowa came by.

Also Vivian from Quilters Choice in Jupiter Florida stopped by for a visit. Although I saw them every day, I didn’t take a picture of Norma, Julie and the rest of the girls from Hickory Hill Quilts in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mike and I enjoyed their daily visit to the booth!

I was very fortunate to have Bernina loan me a 730E embroidery machine for the booth. It was fun to have a machine embroidering Island Breeze designs in the booth. YLI Corp was very generous and provided Iris embroidery thread. All the Island Breeze table runner samples will all be stitched with this wonderful thread.

All in all market was a success. Next will be Spring Market in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I better get to work on some new ideas!

Keep your sewing machine stitching!

Angie

Island Breeze and Houston

2009-10-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

It has been weeks of hard work, but the Island Breeze quilts are finally finished. Island Breeze is the newest pattern to be added to the Lunch Box Quilts pattern line. The quilts will debut in Houston in a few days. I can hardly wait to see them hanging in the booth.

The Island Breeze quilts are very tropical and colorful. The table runner would be perfect for outdoor summer parties or on the table for a New Year’s Eve party. The large quilt would very fun to have out in the summer months or take to a picnic. Why am I talking about summer when fall has finally come to Arizona? Well you need to start the project now so it will be ready and the shop owners will be buying for spring and summer at market this weekend.

I am leaving for the international Quilt Market in Houston tomorrow. I enjoy going to market even though I am working. It is always fun to see everyone and their new patterns or fabric. If you are coming to market please come see us in Booth #919/921

I don’t stay for Festival which follows market, but all the quilts will stay for festival. Two vendors will have the quilts and Lunch Box Quilt patterns in their booths Calico Cats Sewing Center booth #351/352 and It’s a Stitch booth #1336/1437. If you are attending festival these booths are a must see.

Also October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lunch Box Quilts will be donating 10%of all October sales to Breast Cancer Research. All patterns sold during the month of October are marked with a special Pink Ribbon sticker. If you have been watching any football as I do, even the NFL is supporting the cause. The players are wearing pink shoes and gloves for the month of October. Help spread the word that early detection and screening saves lives.

Keep your sewing machine stitching!

Angie

Fall is Coming

2009-09-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Most of the country has begun to get ready for the fall season. The weather will be cooling, leaves will be changing colors and the fall holidays are coming. Here in the southwest it will continue to be hot and feel like summer through October.

Sunflowers stay around into the fall season. I always see sunflowers with pumpkins. This beautiful sunflower pincushion was made for me by my very talented friend Diane. She used the large dimensional Sunflower from the Lunch Box Quilts Sunflower pattern and attached to a round stuffed base. I just love it!

An exciting season at my house that has officially started is football season! I watched hours of games this past weekend. Don’t worry I did work on a quilt while watching the games. It’s time to gather up all the quilts that need bindings and hand stitch them during football games. You know what I will be doing on Sundays.

Fall Market is right around the corner too. I have been working almost non stop to get my newest quilt pattern completed for market. Somehow I always seem to get behind. It’s not finished and it doesn’t have a name, but here is a sneak peek. There will be a lap size quilt and a table runner. Start looking through your stash (or purchase) for tropical fabrics. This quilt will be bright and colorful!

Back to the sewing studio for me. More fabric cocktails to make. I’ve been very thirsty during this project!

Keep your sewing machine stitching!
Angie

Everything Baby! Rattle Swirl

2009-07-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

There is no embroidery swirl in the center of the Rattle. This is done specifically so that it can be quilted after assembly to hold down the large area of of fabric. Otherwise the center of the rattle will pucker after washing.

Janome 11000 and 11000SE Jump Stitch

2009-07-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Certain embroidery designs have a problem with the machine stitching in the wrong place when starting the satin stitch on the Janome 11000 and 11000SE that have been upgraded.

There is a download on the Janome website known as Memory Craft 11000 Version 2.01.
You can navigate to the download at the following link

Download

Once this update is installed all problems regarding the jump stitch will be resolved.

New Quilt and Spring Market

2009-05-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

I know I have been bad. The blog has been neglected again. To tell the truth I am not much of a writer. Anyone that knows me can tell you I love the phone. I can multi task while on the phone doing dishes, cooking, ironing and of course sewing. I hated writing assignments in school. I liked math. There was one answer. You were either right or wrong.

I think you will all be happy though. I completed the newest quilt for the Lunch Box Quilts line. It is called “Autumn Wind”. The large quilt looks like the wind is blowing the leaves across the fabric. There also is a smaller wall hanging size. Both were very well received at Spring Market.

I did attend Spring Market in Pittsburgh with my husband, Mike. I drag him out for the shows. He helps set up the booth and tear it down. Most importantly he runs the computer taking orders. This frees me up to do what
I like best, talking. I enjoyed catching up with all my customers and meeting new customers too. I had planned to take pictures of everyone in the booth. Well I started talking and forgot. Here are a few pictures, when I remembered to take out the camera.

This delightful person is Erica from Erica’s Craft and Sewing Center in South Bend, Indiana. She was one of my very first customers and helped me to get my patterns distributed through Brewer.

Next is Cathy from Snip and Stitch Sewing Centre in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. We had never met, just emails and phone calls. It was great fun to finally meet her.

Last but not least is my buddy Jeanne from Bernina of America. She is the Director of National Events. She amazes me with energy! I always enjoy seeing her at show.

There was a lot of energy at Spring Market. We had the best vendors surround the Lunch Box Quilts booth. We all got along great. Our neighbors to the left from Marlous Designs loved Mike. He was their human ladder helping them get their purse samples up and down. Across from us was Mountain Peak Creations. I gave them a hard time for stopping all my customers with their free pattern coupon. The there was Ted from Gutermann Thread. He gave me grief that I had a sandwich every day and didn’t get him one. A good time was had by all.

Last I want to tell you that Mike, the human ladder, also keeps the website up to date. He does remind me of my lack of blogging. Anyway he has put a new feature on the blog were you can become a friend of my blog. Then you will get updated when I blog, hopefully often. Until next time!

Keep your sewing machines stitching!

Angie

Celebrating and Demonstrating

2009-02-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have neglected my blog long enough. It is time to get everyone caught up.
Since I have last posted I had a Birthday! On my birthday I celebrated with my good friend Judy at one of our favorite lunch spots. I also visited The Olde World Quilt Shoppe in Phoenix after lunch. If you visit the store on your Birthday you receive 20% off your purchase.

I had to go get new fabric for my birthday and it was on sale! While I was there Dee and Whitney, the owners, had told me that local lady Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie’s Quilts had been in the shop and she took pictures for her blog. Well I whipped out my camera and had a staff member take our picture. Here we are on my birthday. The shop is exquisitely decorated and fabric is beautifully displayed

Later in the week I was at the Sewing and Craft Festival in Phoenix. Susie and Hank Parker of Sew from The Heart in Scottsdale were kind enough to have me in their booth. I demonstrated my appliqué designs on one of their machines at the festival. I kept busy for two days. I saw so many people I knew and met some new friends too. I don’t have a picture of the Sew from The Heart group. I took out my camera and they ran. I’ll catch them another time. I will be teaching the Everything Baby quilt at the store the end of February.

The Quilter’s Ranch in Tempe was next on my agenda. Susan, the owner had asked if I could come out for a day. They celebrated their Grand Reopening at their new location. I spent the day visiting and demonstrating my appliqué designs. I met so many wonderful people. The new store is very spacious. I was compelled to purchase some fabric to celebrate the occasion.

The next weekend Bernina Southwest Quilt & Sew in Mesa was celebrating their Grand Reopening. Pam, the owner, had seen me at Sewing and Craft Festival and invited me. I heard there was cake and had to go. I once again demonstrated my appliqué designs. The store was so busy you needed a number to check out! I could never get to the fabric cutting table, I purchased notions instead. I will be teaching the Sunflower quilt at the store the end of February.
With all the demonstrations I have been doing lately I should have enough appliqués for another quilt sample. A BIG thank you to all the shop owners who have had me celebrate and demonstrate with them these past few weeks! I had a lot of fun!
Keep your sewing machine stitching!
Angie

I'm Back

2009-01-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Wow did we have fun at the Road to California Quilt Conference and Showcase. Denise, Mary and I had a safe trip there and home. Upon our arrival to the hotel we did the usual unloading and quick trip to the grocery store. I ran my quilts and patterns over to the Fabric Patch booth at the Convention Center. Wednesday night the quilt show is open for early preview. We went over for several hours and viewed all the beautiful quilts. Here is a picture of me with Halloween Fun quilt in the show. It was so exciting to see it hanging at the show.

Thursday and Friday I had a class called Angle Play with Margaret Miller. It was a very creative class working with different angled templates and color. As you can see I stepped outside my box and worked with bright colors. At lunch time old habits kicked in and I went into the vendor mall and purchased a civil war quilt kit. I was back to my comfort colors. Margaret Miller is excellent teacher and has a great sense of humor. If you every have the opportunity to take her class I would hope you would.

Saturday I had a class called Compass for Almost All Quilters with Sharyn Craig. This class was more angles and templates plus curves. I am always taking a class with some kind of curve to improve my curve skills. I chose my comfort colors for this block. At lunch there was more shopping and I think this is the day a bought a small travel ironing board among other things. Sharyn is also an excellent teacher and has a wealth of information. Unfortunately she is retiring from teaching. I was in one of here last classes.

Sunday what can I say but, endless fun. I was in Eleanor Burns’ class called Stars all around Table Topper. Eleanor kept us on task, because as you know she is the Quilt in a Day lady. I kept up until lunch break. At lunch time Sunday football playoff games started. The Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC Championship game. I was very distracted. My very nice husband text messaged me every important play.
As you can see I didn’t finish my block. Yea! The Cardinals won and are going to the Super Bowl. I would recommend any of Eleanor’s classes as well, get ready to sew and laugh.

Sunday was also time to say goodbye to all my friends I see once a year at Road to California. I picked up my quilts at the Fabric Patch booth. I was pleased that they had sold many patterns and were taking orders on Everything Baby after they ran out. A big thank you to Mary and staff for having Lunch Box Quilts be a part of their booth. I picked up my quilt that was in the show, but the trip was not over yet!

No trip to Road to California is complete without a stop to the Calico Horse quilt shop in Redlands, California on the way home. We get the last of our shopping out of our systems. We always enjoy visiting with Donna and Linda before we head home across the desert. With our shopping bags packed we officially say goodbye and anxiously await the schedule for next year.

Keep you sewing machine stitching!
Angie

Road Trip!

2009-01-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I have packed all my sewing gear and tomorrow morning I am off to California for the Road to California Quilter’s Conference and Showcase in Ontario, California. I will have four days of quilting classes and wandering through the vendor mall every chance I get. I don’t have to cook for six days! No worries, I have packed my chocolate!

My quilt Halloween Fun was accepted into the juried quilt show at Road to California. I feel quite honored to have my quilt in the show. Every year the quilts are so beautiful and come from all over the country.

This is an annual trip I make with my good friends Denise and Mary. Denise is our driver, Mary is our navigator and I sit in the back seat and saying “are we there yet”. We catch up on each other’s lives during the five hour trip. There is a lot of laughing and even a quick trip to the outlet mall on the way there.

The Fabric Patch from Montclair, California will be hanging my samples in their booth. They will have Lunch Box Quilts patterns for sale as well. I can’t thank them enough for having Lunch Box Quilts be a part of their booth.

I will try and take a lot of pictures to share with you next time. I had better close now and pack some clothes for the trip.

Keep your sewing machines stitching!

Angie

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank all my customers and friends for all your support and encouragement with Lunch Box Quilts this past year. I enjoyed a year of meeting all of you especially at Bernina University and in Houston at the International Quilt Market. My new year’s resolution, along with the usual exercise and lose weight resolution, will be to maintain this blog and let you know what’s in the works.

With the release of the Everything Baby pattern, I have been busy making a few more samples of the quilt for trunk shows and teaching samples. It is time to start a new quilt design. There have been many suggestions and requests for the next Lunch Box Quilt. I will take all the suggestions into consideration, sit down with my fabric stash and see what develops.

I started off my new year with a two day 12 mile backpacking trip in the Superstitions Mountains of Arizona with my husband, Mike and two sons, Zach and Nick. Let it be known that Mike, Zach and Nick are all experienced backpackers. I am not! Carrying a backpack for six miles in one day is hard work. Now I have hauled pounds of fabric out of stores, vender malls and through airport security, but I had motivation. We’re talking fabric! Although I may never experience the complete joy that my family had hiking, eating freeze dried food and sleeping on the ground, I am glad I took the trip. I did something new and challenging and spent time with family.

Try something new this year. I have, this blog and a backpacking trip. You might find out once you get going it is not as hard as you thought.

Keep your sewing machine stitching!

Angie

Bernina Aurora 430/440 Known Issues

2008-08-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

You may find that some embroidery designs will not fit in the hoop.
Simply decrease the size of the design in your Bernina Software until the red outline turns blue and re-send the design to the embroidery machine.

Bernina Software Known Issue

2008-08-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

In sending a design to your Bernina Sewing Machine from your Bernina Software sometimes you may get an error saying that the design will not fit in the hoop.

Do not worry! The design fits. You need to modify the following settings in your Bernina Software. Open the Bernina Software, go to the settings panel, open the options, go to hoop and change from Auto centering to Manual position.