Boulder Creek Designs

 

It will be three years since Cliff of Cliffsbear left and went to Heaven.  I have many mixed feelings about Boulder Creek Designs now that he is gone.  However, I have finally decided to close the business.  I have a few Templates that may be order before March first.  

Thank you all for the memories of Quilt Market, Festivals and Quilt Guild visits.  

May God Bless you!

Diane  

Feeling like Creating!

 

This past weekend I had a friend over to sew.  My friend and I watched several sewing videos on YouTube such as:  Kimberly Jolly of  Fat Quarter Shop, Lori Holt, Pat Sloan, A Quilting Life with Sherri McConnell and Erica Arndt. It was like a mini Quilt retreat without the red licorice.  

It felt good to create something just for me. I'm used to making Bear and Moose Quilts for Boulder Creek Designs.  My friend worked on a Mystery Block of the Month quilt from Fat Quarter Shop.  I worked on  Flea Market Flowers quilt by Lori Holt. I'm taking my time and enjoying the process. No hand applique for me though.  I'd like to finish it within my lifetime.    

I'm not sure what will become of BCD yet.  I'm still praying for direction from the Lord.  Honestly, He is the one who gave me the ideas for most of the quilts except Christmas in the Woods.  That pattern came from Cindee Ferris who now owns Between Stitches Quilt Shop in Temecula, CA.  Cindee once owned a pattern company called Quilted Treasures.  God gave her the idea for her Tree Skirt 'Positively Angelic' with Angels and Hearts.  She offered it to me one year when I didn't have anything new for Quilt Market.  "Make it yours with Bears and Moose," she said.  And I did! 

Have you noticed that special friends come into our lives just at the right time.  Cindee, I've know for over 20 years.  My other friend, ironically her name is Cindy also.  She works next door to the salon where she quilts, sews, and embroiders for people.  One day I heard an sewing or embroidery machine running.  I went next door to find it was her 10 needle embroidery machine.  I love Sewing Machines and I thought we might just have something to talk about.

  
Blessing!

2023

 Welcome 2023!  I'm sure all of you will agree it's been an interesting journey the past couple years.  Not that anything changed when I flipped the calendar page, but I felt a hope, excitement and expectancy in the air.  Two years down the road from the death of my husband and I'm feeling ready to move forward (some). 

Boulder Creek Designs (BCD) is in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment.  I don't have a creative direction as to where I will take her yet, but I don't think we are finished.  They say change is good.  If you're talking about changing the furniture around then I'm with you.  But with all the changes I've had in the last two years, I think BCD can wait a little bit longer.  

I realized I haven't made a quilt for fun in years.  So, under my needle is: Lori Holt's Flea Market Flowers and Chicken Salad.  I'm not in a race to finish these, it's just pure enjoyment.  I've been making some Bowl Cozys too. 

OH - by the way, there is a Memory Quilt for Cliff in progress.  I'm using some luscious plaid flannels.....I couldn't resist.

 

Blessings!    

 

September and Plaid!

Finally, September arrived!  I thought we would never get out of April with what seemed to have 45 days.  Even though we’ve all experienced the oddest things these past few months, there is always September!
I’m working on a new project with plaid flannel.  I purchased what I think is the most beautiful bundles of fat quarters of Mammoth Flannel by Studio RK.  Cliffsbear will look mighty dapper in this fabric. More about this later.  Here one of my favorite plaid.....

Fall Quilt Festival in Houston 2018

Finally, I went as a shopper to the Quilt Festival with my two friends Cindee and Cindy.  We had a wonderful day wandering and shuffling through the isles searching for just the right gadget to be added to our extensive collections of sewing notions.   Cindy is fairly new to Quilting.  This being her first Festival, it was a joy to watch as she slightly overwhelmed, discovered the treasures that make the Houston Fall Festival a legend to Houston.  Cindee, a seasoned long-arm quilter, headed to the APQS Booth to see the new items that will soon appear in her Long Arm Quilting Studio.  If you are looking for a Long Arm Quilter, I believe you will be quite happy with her quilting.  We have an 18 year friendship and I try to get Cindee to quilt my personal quilts and the ones for Boulder Creek Designs.  Her contact info: Cindee Ferris of The Artful Loft, cindeequilts2@gmail.com.

 

Finally Fall

My last post was in July.  How can one person actually be that busy.  No Excuses, Diane!  I want to post a photo of our new quilt, 'Cliffsbear Goes Mod'.  Cliffsbear wanted to star on a Quilt that was modern and bright.  He is a fun type of guy that always plays within the written rules he makes for himself.  So I was a bit surprise at how well he looks in his new suit of clothes on this quilt.

 
Yes, we were at Fall Quilt Market in Houston this year.  We took a break from markets and shows for a while, but we are back.  Fun time was had by all.  I especially like the people you meet at Market.  On one side of our booth was "Plum Easy Patterns" http://www.plumeasypatterns.com,  and on the other side was "Bouncing Bobbins" http://www.bouncingbobbins.com.  You may want to look at their products.

What you see is what you get!

So I realized it has been a very long time since I last posted and news about Bears and Moose.  The beginning of the year didn't go exactly how we had planned.  My husband, the namesake for the Bears, got very ill and had emergency surgery to correct a hyatel hernia.  He was in the hospital for 3 weeks and has recovered rather nicely since.

To all of our Template fans, I want to say THANK YOU for loving them as much as we do.  The whole reasoning behind creating the Templates was to help your quilting experience with our beloved Bears, Moose and Trees, a fun and pleasurable one.  As you know most all of our patterns have a story about Cliffsbear or Matty Moose in the forest with Trees.  I'm thankful for many who experienced the journey with me and my crazy imagination.  When Matty Moose got Married in 'Matty Takes a Wife', you could almost hear the forest animals singing to the newlyweds: By the Light of the Silvery Moose!

A few things have come to my attention and I want to take this time to respond openly to the issues.  I want to make it clear about our templates, that they were not designed as Long Arm quilting rulers. Although our acrylic is high quality, our thickness is not the thickness needed to be a Long Arm Quilting Rulers.  Many have asked.  To get the design on you quilt with a long arm, it is advised to trace the shape onto the Quilt top.

When you purchase one of our Templates, the header tells you what you are purchasing.  We include a 'Basic Template Instructions' with all our Templates.  Four of our templates are constructed in the same manner.  So you will find on the Large Matty Moose Template, the instruction says for the Regular and Large Matty Moose.  The same is true for our Big Bear and Medium Bear Templates.  Those 2 bears are the only ones that can be made with the paper pieced option.  So the Little Bear instruction sheet tell you haw to construct this bear without the paper pieced option.  The instruction sheet has nothing to do with the size of template you are purchasing.  If you purchase a Large Moose, he will be a Large Moose on you quilt.  For the Regular Moose size (as shown above) please purchase a Regular size Moose, etc.  A Regular sized Moose cannot be made from a Large Moose Template, also true for the Bears.  Remember, What you see is what you get!      

Angels and Bears

Recently I ran across this picture of my 'Please Don't Feed the Bears' quilt hanging on the wall of my friends quilt shop Quilted Treasures.  She gave me the opportunity to teach my first class at her shop. It was really fun and scary at the same time.  Alas, the shop is no any longer open but, Cindee is still one of my bestest friends.

You can also see in the picture a stocking with an angel on it.  If you look on our website you will see a familiar stocking.  http://www.bouldercreekdesigns.com/catalog/item/5853686/6722621.htm
Thanks to Cindee for giving me copy rights to the pattern she designed and allowing me to make it my own.  Oh, by the way, you may still be able to get one of her original pattern 'Positively Angelic'.  E-mail her for the info: cindeequilts2@gmail.com

There is a new Quilt shop in Big Bear Lake, California.  If you live near the area or plan to be there, drop in and see Belinda at Bear Country Quilts & Gifts.  42139 big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.  Here are a few photos of what you will see:

Yes, those Quilts should look familiar!  Belinda has a Trunk show from us beautifully displayed in this awesome Quilt shop.  Love the rafters.  

Quilt Market!

So, this the 3rd year we did not have a booth at Quilt Market.  Last year I attended Market and purchased fabric...of course.  If fabric was food, I could live on my stash for approximately 5 years 8 1/2 months and 2 days.  

I am working a Bear Table Runner that I will post for all to see when finished. Apparently, it's true about the not enough hours in the day to complete all the projects and ideas floating around in my head.  So sad!!  In the meantime, I'm going back to the sewing room.  Happy last day of Quilt Market everyone!

January 20th Already!!

Oh My Goodness, it's January 20th already!  I know we were all just trying to keep warm and rest up from the Christmas Holidays.  At Church last night, someone mentioned she was going to finish taking down the rest of her Christmas decorations.  I didn't even put one of my skinny pre-lit pine trees up.  Next year I will do things different.  I found myself working so hard that I missed everything.  It's time to slow down and smell the frost on the windshield.  Yes, it has been frosty in the mornings here in Houston.  I have to gobble up as much cold air as I can before May.  Why, you ask?  Summers in Houston can be challenging and I'm not a hot weather type of gal!  But for now, I'm a happy camper!  (Oh, I don't camp either hee hee!)

January 2014

Ok, I know, I never let anyone know about Quilt Market back in October.  Can one really be that forgetful?  My answer is NO!  So sorry to leave you all hanging.  I snapped a few photos of what I thought were memorable quilts and dolls.  Very fun day!!  I bought fabric too!  We ran into some of our customers who needed to place an order.  What did we do....took their order.  LOL!

Of course there was a Bear!  Apologies for not getting the name of the designer.

Here is a crazy renditions of Alice through the Looking Glass!  If you look real close, Alice is in the drop of water.

 

 

Again, Apologies for not getting names of designers. 

 





Fun colorful doll!  Apologies for not getting names of designers.



Fall Quilt Market 2013

Fall Quilt Market is October 26 - 28, 2013.  We will not have a booth this year.  I decided to take a year off from vending to make future plans for Boulder Creek Designs and my hair business.  In case you didn't know, I work a full time job as a hairdresser.  Next year marks my 40th year of doing hair and helping women look their best.  Is there life after hair?  Or do olde hairdressers dye with a comb in their hands? (hee hee) 

Usually at Quilt Market, it's all for the booth, new quilts and customers.  But this year I'll be the customer and student.  Woo Hoo!!  I'm very excited about taking the 'Social Media and Marketing' class.  The class is the same time as Sample Spree.  It's that crazy, fun, rush of Quilt shop owners, stampeding to the Moda table for the new fat quarter bundles stacked 120 fat quarters high.  It is something to watch.  Well, maybe next year.  I'll let you know how it all goes.....         

First of October

Oh, how I love the fall!  Flannel pajamas, fuzzy slippers, a sweater or sweatshirt at night.........hold it ~ ~ ~ I live in Houston, UGH!  What was I thinking?  85º and mostly cloudy.  It did rain for about 15 minutes this morning.  I changed my Capri's to long pants and my sandals to tennis shoes.  How I long for cool mornings to have coffee on the patio with my friend.  Then, off to my quilt studio looking for inspiration to start the new project.  Alas, I must go to work, day-dream to be continued....     

                                       

                                                          Have coffee with a Friend!

Times Marches on....

Back in October I was going to post pictures of our new quilts but, here it is the end of February heading into March.  Can it be that time is moving faster than ever? 

Meet the Family!

  As you can see Matty Moose and McKenzie finally had a family.  Twin girls!  Mandie Moose and Little 'L'.  Mom and Pop are proud parents.  Patterns are available for this wall quilt that measures 34" X 34"

 

And Bears, Oh My!

I love how this one came out!  The medium Cliffsbear is pieced for added interest using a fabulous plaid.  The Paw within a Paw Block can be turned in any direction to please you.  Patterns are available for this fun wall banner or table runner.  Measures 24" X 47"

Quilt Market Week

Well, here we are again, it's Quilt Market Week.  Saturday Morning Quilt Shop owners from around the world will rush in to try to find the newest and greatest for their shop and their region of the world.  I am here at 4:30 in the morning of set-up day with a stacks of patterns that need folding and bagged.  Template instruction sheets and headers that need folded and what seems like a Million Templates ready for packaging.  We are still waiting for a shipment of bags to replace the defective ones sent a couple weeks ago.  Defective Bag??  I'm not ready yet....but I will be!! 

We are looking forward to the debut of 'McKenzie Moose'!!  Her new Quilt: Meet the Family introducing her twins to the world. Of course Cliffsbear has a new Banner/Table Runner with optional placemats....And Bears, Oh My!!  An exciting year for Boulder Creek Designs. 

Pictures to come soon......

Matty Takes a Wife

October 11-14, 2012 is the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, California.  Our show quilt Matty Takes a Wife is on his way to be displayed by 'The Christmas Shoppe' in the Vendor's Hall.  Any Matty Moose fans out there in Beautiful California, plan on attending and stop by

Mary Jane Carey's booth to say Hi!

 

 

Speaking about Matty Moose, his wife's name is McKenzie Moose.  This fall at the Houston International Quilt Market McKenzie Moose will make her debut and join our line of Templates.  All the Animals are excited.  We will also be at the Houston International Quilt Festival (open to the public).  Come by our Booth and see McKenzie and the Twins!

Booth #802

Fall Market

It's September already and there is a chill in the air.  Of course, here in Texas that could last a day or two.  I am looking for to being cold again and wearing a sweater, haha.  2012 Fall Quilt Market is right around the corner.  October 27, 28, 29.  We are in Booth 802 this year.  We have had a busy summer with the babies and all.  Whoops!  I am not going to tell you anymore but there are twins. 

Christmas in July

My husband and I were watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel and I was wondering where did the saying 'Christmas in July' come from?  Christmas, the commercial part is so stressful, why would we want to do this twice?  For organized people, you are starting your shopping now. Quilters, and crafters are beginning to make their presents and I am designing another quilt for Quilt Market.  Here's a hint.....Log Cabin.  Check back to see what's new.    

Winner of the Polk-a-Dots

So the winner is Nelda.  Her comment about Polk-a-Dots bringing out the little girls in all of us is so true.  Congrats!  (Send me your e-mail address, Nelda)