Prefurred! The Paper-Pieced Designs of Lisa Fryxell

Pets are family, and we love seeing quilts that honor them.  We also love the paper-pieced designs of Lisa Fryxell at PreFurred Quilts!  Her Etsy pattern shop includes pet portraits, Southwest designs, and more!  

The Doxie Race - Who Let the Dogs Out? by Lisa Fryxell 

 

 

What's more fun than a bunch of racing dachshunds?  Lisa Fryxell says she made this foundation paper pieced quilt just for the fun of it. Check out the humorous "sponsor ads" on the fence, featuring the Chow Hound Grill, Hund & Katz Veterinary Clinic, and Fetch's Sporting Goods.  Check out this cute doxie with his big ears:

Note: The pattern for The Dachshund Race is available at Lisa's Prefurred Quilt Shop on Etsy. 

Howdy Pawtner, made and quilted by Lynn Rubel, design by Lisa Fryxell  

How cute is this smiling Corgi?  Lynn Rubel says, "This banner is my corgi, Phryne, with her cowboy hat on ready for some boot scootin'."  We love the use of recycled denim, made from jeans Lynn collected from family members. Lynn says that the faded bandana is "from many miles on a horse in the Arizona sun."  There are lots of fun details in this quilt, including Phryne's button eyes and a silver concho on the cowboy hat.

 We didn't realize how many of Lisa Fryxell's designs we've photographed at the Tucson Quilters Guild shows!  Here are more quilts from posts at Quilt Inspiration:

Attention! by Lisa Fryxell (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORIGINAL POST)

 

Painted Ponies by Lisa Fryxell (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORIGINAL POST) 

 

Four Little Cowpokes by Lisa Fryxell (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORIGINAL POST)

 

Rocky Mountain Trout by Lisa Fryxell  (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORIGINAL POST)

 

  Phread on the Run (Running Afghan) by Lisa Fryxell (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORIGINAL POST)

 

 

 Image credits: Photos of The Doxie Race by Lisa Fryxell and Howdy Pawtner by Lynn Rubel were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

 

Feeling Happy (or Crabby?) Make a Quilt!

Quilting is not only an art form, but a way to express friendship, humor, and joy.  We especially love whimsical quilts!  These make us smile. We hope you enjoy these favorites from a 2025 show.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains! For continuous free patterns and news, please follow us on X (Twitter).     

Beads and Buttons and Quilting, Oh My! by Karen Fisher  

Check out the variety of colorful buttons, along with Karen Fisher's masterful machine applique! This original art quilt was made for the 2022 Cherrywood Fabric "Graffiti" challenge.  Karen says, "The words readily describe the majority of my quilts, and I used both my Tucks and Skinny Piecing methods to further highlight the words.  [This quilt is] a little nod to the "Wizard of Oz" (Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!) 

Last Mingo in Paradise by Katherine Verbeke  

This flamingo is incredibly stylish! The paper pieced pattern, designed by Lisa Fryxell for Katherine Verbeke, is an ode to Jimmy Buffet. Katherine Verbeke says: "The flamingo, palm tree and beach are calling... go grab a margarita!" The quilt is filled with embellishments, including beads, charms, and a Landshark beer bottle cap (can you spot it in the above photo?) 

Using Cherrywood Fabrics, beads, and other embellishments, this piece represents the carefree Caribbean lifestyle emulated by Mr. Buffett's lyrics and music. Sparkly beads and a tropical print "shirt" add to the festive atmosphere.

Feeling Crabby by Monique Baczewski, quilted by Linda Schwartz.  

Such cute crabs, in a variety of cool hues! Monique Baczewski says that this quilt pattern (Feeling Crabby by Wendy Sheppard) called to her from the rack at Cactus Quilt Shop.  "I raided my grunge stash from my sewing closet for the crabs.  [There were] lots of little pieces. I really enjoyed making this quilt!"

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona.

 

Pretty in Pink!

Pink is a delicate color that represents romance and femininity, and feelings of love, tenderness, and hope.  At recent quilt shows we enjoyed some beautiful pink quilts including two that came from challenges.  We hope you enjoy our post!

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on X/Twitter!

The Elvis Dress, made and quilted by Katherine Verbeke

This quilt was made for the 2020 Cherrywood Challenge, which was to take inspiration from Diana, Princess of Wales, to create a unique quilt using a limited color palette: pink and white.  The quilt was accepted among 224 other quilts and traveled the world at various prestigious quilt shows with her final destination on display at the Bohin Factory Museum in Paris, France, in 2022.

Katherine Verbeke says, "Ever since she first emerged in the public spotlight, Diana Spencer has been my favorite Royal. Lovingly named "The Elvis Dress" by her son Prince William, this particular pose is beautifully enchanting - the Princess smile, the tilt of her head, her eyes - all sum up the perfect princess. Not being a graphic artist myself, my friend Lisa Fryxell converted a lovely Lady Diana photo into a paper piecing pattern exclusively for me for the 2020 Cherrywood Challenge." The lower part was covered in silver seed beads, representing the Elvis dress as Diana wore it.

You can check out more than 200 fabulous Diana quilts from this challenge online at the Cherrywood website:

Geese Crossing by Jolene Ficklin 

 

We love this unique and beautiful quilt! Except for the flying geese border, the blocks in this quilt were createc with cross stitch embroidery!  Jolene Ficklin says, "The 6 marked blocks for embroidery were given to me at least 15 years ago by my friend who was downsizing.  Working only while traveling or when extremely bored, it is finally finished.  The color choices are mine and most interesting is the embroidery cross-stitch flying geese. Thus the piecing called out to me.  The blocks were fron Wonder Art Needle Craft Corp, dated 1985."

 

Paint Chip Challenge (2022) by Charlene Nelson (South Jordan, UT)

This quilted table topper with its giant hexagons showcases Charlene Nelson's beautiful machine quilting!  It resulted from a quilt group challenge using a paint chip to guide the color choice. (Shown below is the paint chip - Taffy Twist - in the lower left corner of the quilt.

Charlene explains the challenge: "Our quilt group decided to do a paint chip challenge in 2022.  Two people picked out some beautiful paint chips with very few extras.  They were put in a bag and we each drew one.  you had one opportunity for a second draw at the end, or you could exchange you paint chip with someone else.  The rules were that the paint chip color you drew was the main color and background, and you could use one other color.  you could use different values of the paint chip.  My quilt is a table topper.  I used Victoria Findlay Wolfe's large templates.  We had six months to finish the quilt."

Image credits: Photos were taken at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show (The Elvis Dress and Geese Crossing) and the 2024 Springville (Utah) quilt show (Paint Chip Challenge).

If you enjoyed this post you might also like our Free Pattern Day for PINK quilts (CLICK HERE!)

 

 

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (4)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 4.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

Four Little Cowpokes, made and quilted by Lisa Fryxell

Lisa Fryxell says, "Thanks to my friend, Lynn Rubel, for allowing me to make a quilt featuring her mom (in red) and uncle, with their cousins from Illinois at Arivaca Ranch in 1935. The original photo was black and white."

Lisa Fryxell is known for her paper-piecing patterns, and it's impressive to see the photo-realism she achieved in this original portrait quilt.  

Echoes of the Past by Kay Walen, quilted by Laura Farnham 

Each feature appliqued block is surrounded by small blocks, many of which are pieced, adding to the extraordinary detail in this quilt. Kay Walen says, "This quilt pattern reminded me of prehistoric art - prevalent in the Southwest.  I decided to hone my blanket stitch applique technique and enjoyed the process." (Pattern source: Echoes of the Past by Elizabeth Anne.)

(Note: The printed card next to this quilt said "quilted by Laura Faenham"; we are assuming this is a typo, so have tentatively corrected the spelling to Laura Farnham.)

Beach Boards and Balls, made and quilted by Nancy Zeller

This small improvisational art piece really captured our attention with its energy and sense of movement.  It was inspired by the fibert art of Sue Benner, a member of SAQA.  Nancy Zeller says, "This piece was created for a monthly challenge in our Art Quilt Group to emulate the artist drawn (selected) for that month."  We loved the end result.

Remembering Nancy, made and quilted by Tami Graeber

Winner of a blue ribbon for 1st place in the applique category, Tami Graeber says: "This original design was made in remembrance of Nancy Arsenault, my friend and mentor. Machine applique was her favorite technique." Some of the beautiful details can be seen in the closeup photos.

The quilt was "inspired by a Victorian tile I own. Heavy background quilting [was used] to make the design pop." Fancy double prairie point edges add to the piece, shown below.

African Art by Janet Chumbley, quilted by Quality Quilterz

We loved this quilt, which was made with random African fabric pieces with occasional thin strips of black fabric to set off the blocks.  Janet Chumbley says,"Over the years, I had collected several different pieces of African fabric.  Eventually I had to figure out a use for them. I tried to just use yellows, reds and black." Her choice and expert arrangement of the fabrics makes for a fabulous composition.

Note: If you enjoyed this post you might also be interested in our Free Pattern Day for Africa Inspired Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (3)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 3.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

Retro Living, made and quilted by Tami Graeber

This fantastic, large art quilt was one of the top award winners at the show.  The original design was awarded 1st Place - Viewers Choice, Judge's Choice, and 1st Place - Art Whimsy.  Tami Graeber says, "I grew up in the 50's - sat in front of a TV like this.  The good old days! [It was] fun creating the mid-century modern iconic images." Check out the retro wallpaper, a pole lamp (on the right), stylized cats, a French poodle, and even a martini glass on the arm of the sofa. 

The black poodle has a daisy collar and a real bow in her hair. She sits next to a modern potted plant.

Tami says, "I wanted to use "I Love Lucy" on the TV, but copyrights made me use the NBC peacock that was first used in color in 1957."

Summer's Night and Day by Caroline Ellermann, quilted by Glenda Davis

Multiple borders surround this fabulous medallion quilt with its lollipop flowers, houses, Dresden plates, hearts, and more beautiful elements. Caroline Ellermann says, "After seeing this Sarah Fielke pattern made by one of our accomplished guide quilters, I decided to make it. With all of the machine applique, it was a very big challenge.  However, I now have new skills." Pattern source: Sarah Fielke with adaption.

The Blue Door, made and quilted by Lisa Fryxell

Lisa Fryxell is known for her original paper pieced quilt designs.  She says, "This quilt is based on a photo I took in France in June 2024.  It is foundation paper pieced and quilted on my domestic machine."

Psychedelic Carpenter Square, made and quilted by Penny Boese 

A stunning color combination with its an ombre effects truly light up this modern quilt.  It is made with numerous brightly colored batiks. Penny Boese says that her design was inspired by a traditional pattern and Carpenter Square pattern.  The detailed machine quilting adds considerable interest to the design.

 Firewall by Carol W. Carpenter, quilted by Kris Neifeld  

A wonderful stained glass effect is achieved with this design, thanks to the vertical black borders and bright geometric fabrics. The pattern Source is Free Spirit Fabrics' "Play Quilt" by Adrienne Leban (this is a free download).  Carol Carpenter says, "I'm unsure why these wild, swirly fabrics from Adrienne Leban captivated me, but they certainly did. I had a great time under the tutelage of Susie Weaver, making sense of diverse directions, shapes and colors with a cohesive, beautiful result."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Paper Piecing Quilts: Running Afghan

Paper piecing is a type of quilt making in which you sew patches directly onto a paper template (foundation).  You then join the different sections to construct the full quilt. The technique allows tremendous precision and can be used for nearly every type of pieced quilt, including this elegant Afghan dog.

p.s. Please see our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns and vintage collectibles. For continuous free quilt patterns and blog updates, please visit us on Twitter.

Phread on the Run by Lisa Fryxell

The grace, beauty and aloofness of the Afghan Hound comes alive in Lisa Fryxell's interpretation of BaiJai's 'Phread' of New York. 

Lisa Fryxell says, "Phread was well known around the Clinton Corners, NY area as he would take his owner, Kate Anderson (Verbeke) for daily 5-mile runs along with his sister Afghan.  Kate was later recognized as 'The lady who runs with the dogs.' "

As of this writing, the paper-piecing pattern is available at Lisa's Prefurred Quilt Shop on Etsy (see Running Afghan.)

 Image credit: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Quilt Fiesta (Tucson, Arizona).