50 Days: The Countdown Begins ... What was I thinking?

I have been gone a while, I know, but I am back now.  I wish I could say it was for some super overseas adventure, can you say Italy, but no; or some fabulous cross country quilt shop hop, but no; or even some wonderfully productive creative hiatus, but no.  No to all of the above.

What is happening in 50 days you might ask and what is this countdown thing?  

Well, our local quilt guild, Washington State Quilters, hosts a fabulous quilt show every year with over 500 member quilts on display and around 5,000 visitors with a great Vendor Mall, demonstrations and speakers.  This is happening this October for three days, October 16 through 18.

Why the countdown you ask?  Well, as I was thinking about what I have finished this year to enter for display in the show, I had a couple of class projects that I managed to finish and then it occurred to me that there was this free Quilt Along pattern on Craftsy, here, Hillside Houses by Pretty Little Quilts, that had been calling to me since we were first introduced.  I couldn't get is out of my mind.

I love the colors, I love the simplicity, I love the graphic nature of this quilt.

I thought, I know, why don't I make this for the Quilt Show this year, how great would that be.  I would be making something that really spoke to me, something for myself, something that I loved.  At the time, it made so much sense.  WHAT WAS I THINKING!!

I still think this will be great and I still love this quilt pattern but I have 50 days to get this thing together, quilted and bound before it needs to be delivered to the quilt show set up crew to be hung for the show.  I have made quilts for magazines in this amount of time before so I know it's possible but I am going to countdown here to try to keep myself on track so here goes...

Progress to this point:

Blocks 1 and 2 in the colorway of the original design.  These are 20" blocks.

Then, I woke up the next day and felt that I needed to change the colors a bit, of course I did.  I still love the original colors but thought maybe something a little less bright.  You have to see the size of these things to fully get the impact.  So, pull some different fabrics:

Yep, loving these.  Proceed with Blocks 1 and 2 again in new colorway.  So far so good.

Proceed with Block 3, not fully pieced but about half way at this point.

OK, only 10 more to do once Block 3 is complete.  I think I am going to love these colors as much as the originals.

I am going to make a wall hanging size in the original colors as well, just not in time for the quilt show.

I will keep you posted as I progress and welcome any support offered.

50 Days and Counting.

For now, keep stitching,

Excited to be teaching an Applique Class

Well, I have to say that I am thrilled to be teaching an applique block of the month class at a relatively new quilt shop here in town, Regal Fabrics & Gifts, www.regalfabricsandgifts.com, on April 18th from 1:00 - 5:00.  Here is a picture of the class sample for the first month.




We will be covering a new technique of applique each month using patterns by Erin Russek from One Piece at a Time, reprinted with her permission.  

This pattern was a block of the month that she did several years ago and I just love her work.  Please check out her blog and look over her work, total inspiration.

I plan on covering a different technique each month starting with Back Basting.

As much as I love applique, it truly is my therapy, I can't wait to share this with others.  I hope we get a good turn out for the class.  Sign ups should start soon so we will see how it goes.

What is your favorite method of applique?  Do you applique much?  Why or why not?

The class, by the way is called Fearless Applique, and I really believe that trying is believing.

Until next time, keep stitching

Exciting mail today

My mail delivery today was more than exciting. I received a package which contained one of my quilts being returned from the publishers as well as a copy of the book in which the quilt pattern has been included.

I was thrilled to see that my quilt was one of the quilts chosen for the book cover.  The book is available on my Shop page here .  Please stop in and check it out.  I only have two items in my store but I got it up and running OK I think.  Here are a couple of pictures.

Picture courtesy of Annie's Crafts

It is really something to see your work in print like that.  It's hard to explain.  Please check out the book if you are in the market for some fun and quick baby quilts for yourself or as a gift.  Several talented designers contributed to the content.

Until next time,

Restful and quiet

I found this in my email this morning and wanted to pass it along.  I think this color palette is just what the doctor ordered.  I know we are all thinking that we want a little sunshine and some bright colors here at the tail end of the winter months but this palette made me feel so restful and quiet, the way things feel after a snow.  Just thought I would share.

I think a quilt with these colors would compliment any season and any decor.

Until next time,

Pantone Color of the Year is Here ! ! !

Just a few short words on color and inspiration.  Below is the 2015 Pantone Color  of the Year, Marsala.  What is the Pantone Color of the Year you ask?  Well, every year and Pantone organization selects a color which it feels will be prominent in design, fashion, home dec, virtually everywhere as well as predictions as to color combinations or pairings and other colors which it believes will figure prominently in our lives.

Expect to see this everywhere in the coming year and start thinking about how you feel about this color.  Frankly I love the color, it can work as a neutral in so many ways but adds a depth and richness to everything is bumps up against.

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE THIS YEAR WITH THIS COLOR?

A quilt or wallhanging?

Clothing?

Pillows to update a room?

Fashion or home dec accessories?

Let me know how you feel about it.  Does this color inspire you or turn you away and why?

To find out more about Pantone and the color pairings and predictions CLICK HERE.

Until next time enjoy and become inspired.

New Pattern Coming from Kim McLean

You may not know this but Kim McLean is one of my very favorite designers.  Yes, I know, she does design appliqued quilts (the dreaded "A" word) but I happen to love applique and do quite a bit of it for my own use, gifts and relaxation.  The patterns that I design are graphic and bold, beginner to intermediate, but I truly love to applique.  I can't wait to have a look at this pattern and I have included a picture here from a blog that I subscribe to, Glorious Applique, which features her patterns and those who make them.

The Village, designed by Kim McLean

I am starting her Roseville Album quilt this year after I finish up a couple of other things but I may just order this pattern when it becomes available to save for later.

Take a look over at the website and the shop at Glorious Color, which features Kim McLean patterns for sale and some great fabrics and fabric packs which can't help but inspire you.

Start something that makes you happy this year,

start an adventure,

something bright and beautiful

that makes your heart sing every time you touch it.

Enjoy!!