Inspiration Strikes

I was totally taken with this photo from a blog that I just found and am really enjoying Sew Katie Did.

From her blog, Katie made this wall hanging as inspired by the American Barn Quilt project.  I think I will make one or possibly several of these to hang in the house.  They look quick, graphic and fun.  The wheels are turning and I will be sure to share.  Take a minute to give her blog a quick look, some really fun things there.

I also have a couple of fun table sets (runner and placements) to share with you.  More soon.

Follow along with this Get Acquainted Hop

Here is a great meet and greet, show and tell, make new friends adventure.  Follow along every Monday with the guest host and then share your project with others.

Annabella is this week's host. Click here

Follow on Bloglovin

Just a quick note to let you know that I have added a button on the right to follow this blog on Bloglovin if you want to use it.  I hope you will.  This is for those who might be following with Google Reader and want to make a change for when Google Reader is no more.

I have a couple of new things to show you soon so please check back.  Busy hands here, that's for sure.

Newest Design will have to wait . . .

Just a quick note to let you know that my newest finished quilt for Quilter's World, won't be up here on the website until January, 2014.  I was hoping to be able to show you the quilt in October but they decided to hold it over for the Spring, 2014 issue rather than the Winter, 2013 issue.  It really does make sense to me because it is more spring than winter.  I think you will like it though, it is really easy and fast.  So just a little longer wait but hopefully worth it.

I do have a couple of other fun things that I can't show here right now because I am submitting them for publication next year.  I think in the mean time I will put some patterns up here like I did the Ring Toss Block  and of course, I am still pondering publishing patterns for sale individually, not in magazines.

What do you think?  Would individual patterns be a good thing?  Would you like them to be downloadable as well as traditional paper patterns?  

I would love to hear from you.

Whacky Ring Toss Tutorial

This block is a really fast and fun block that I put together for a block exchange group that I am participating in, Simply Solids on Flickr, but I hope you all enjoy it as well.

The measurements here will result in an unfinished block that measures 15”.  The size of the starting squares can be increased or decreased to change the size of the block to suit your purposes.

For this block you will need:

2 each         9” squares dark (in the pictures I have used a purple hand dyed)

2 each         9” squares light (in the pictures I have used a lavender solid)

Feel free to use whatever light and dark you desire.  This is a great scrap buster block.  I have chosen to use the 9” squares to start because that make is really fat quarter friendly.  You can get 4-9” squares from a single fat quarter which will give you two of these blocks.

1.  Stack the four squares right sides up in one stack on your cutting table.

2.  Using a ruler and your rotary cutter make two cuts on either side through all layers.  Angle the cut and use a width that appeals to you cutting the stack into approximate thirds.

3.  Next cut the center strip in thirds.  Again, using a rotary cutter and a width which appears pleasing and at an angle.  Your angle may be slight or more pronounced as you desire.  There is no right or wrong on this block.

4.  Move the top fabric from the center piece to the bottom of that stack which will rotate the fabrics showing on the top.

5.  Assemble the unit as it is sitting on your table, putting the three pieces of the center strip together and then the side strips.  This method does not involve a great deal of matching and the pieces, especially the sides, will be larger than the center strip.  After the unit is assembled, trip down to 7.5” square.

6.  Continue assembling the other three units until you have all four done.  At this point you and twist and turn until you have a pleasing arrangement and then put the four units together for the completed block.  Every block will be a little bit different.

  

This block and this method is really fun to play with.  Choose your favorite colors and jump in, no stress, no waste, no matching.

Here is a picture of a table runner that I did using this technique and this block just to try is out.  Hope you enjoy this !!

May Block Swap Done

OK, here is what I wanted to show you today.  I finished up the monthly blocks for the Simply Solids swap that I am doing and thought I would post a picture here.  This is going to be a stunning quilt when Ginny gets is all done. She chose a design called Gemstone which you can see the tutorial here 

http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2012/07/tutorial-gemstone-blocks.html

Here is a picture of the pattern complete in greens and purples, love this:

(Images courtesy of Cathy @ Blueberry Patch)

The block is really a two for one type thing and the tutorial is there at the link above.  It is really easy to do and the quilt above is really eye catching.

What do you think??  I love it.

Anyway, here are the pictures of the two blocks that will to be my contribution.

 She is using several different colors but the ones she sent me were blues and browns.  Nice.

Well, that's it for now.  More soon and hopefully some pictures from Market and quilt shops in the surrounding area.

Color Stories

I am very taken with color.  I am intrigued by the feelings that it can evoke in each of us and the memories and possibly daydreams that is brings to mind.  I enjoy exploring color in my quilts more than any other design element I believe.  

This is a color inspiration photograph from the Benjamin Moore Paint website. I often look at paint websites for color inspiration.  I have been very drawn to neutrals and the cool calming affect that they seem to have for me.

How do you feel about color?  Do you have an emotional reaction to certain colors?  Just a thought.

I'm a Cover Girl

I am really flattered and excited to see one of my quilts on the cover of the upcoming Quilter's World magazine.  I heard about it yesterday and needless to say I was thrilled.  This is a fun pattern, a granny square block made with Riley Blake fabrics from their upcoming line "Hello Sunshine" which is currently in your quilt shops.  It is really a fun fabric line, please check it out.

April Block Swap Done

I am participating in a web block swap from Simply Solids.  It is a 12 month commitment.  Each of us takes a month to determine what block everyone in the group will make and send back to us.  We can predetermine the fabrics and send them to the other members or we can chose to go scrap/whatever and each of the group members will make the selected block from their stash.

This has been really fun so far and I have enjoyed making blocks that are new to me and interacting with new quilters.  My month is June and I have been trying out a couple of block choices.  I haven't made a decision yet but have a couple of finalists in the wings.

Our group is running a little ahead of schedule and we just received the pattern and fabrics from our April member this week.  Since I have some time commitments coming up I started right in and completed the block today.  It is complete and packaged to mail off on Monday.  

The pattern is available on Sarah's blog Stitching and Bacon if you want to make one for yourself.  She calls is Wonky Diamonds and it was really fun to make.  Here is a picture of the final block.

Wonky Diamonds, Sarah Lowry

I like this block and had fun putting the color strips she sent anywhere I wanted.  It went together fast as well.  Go to her website and check out some of her other creations.

Really fun stuff.

Play Day - New Toys are Fun

I received a new ruler that I ordered "Quick Curve" from Sew Kind of Wonderful here in Washington state and spent a little time watching the great instruction video and practicing with the ruler.

It is really easy to use and makes curve piecing a breeze.  I was able to make the table runner here in just a day with fabric that I had left over from other projects.

If you have wanted to do some bold curve piecing you should check this out, it really works great.  Jenny Pedigo at her website and blog:

http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/ 

Here are a couple of pictures:

Sorry this picture is so dark but the lighting in my dining area isn't the best.

I really love the colors though.  It is bright and fresh.  Just what is needed while waiting for Spring which must be right around the corner.

These curves are truly a breeze, no pinning.

You should at least watch the video on the site.  I have several possibilities in my head for this technique now.

Fun stuff.

Exciting News Today

Hugs & Kisses, 76 X 64, Large Throw

I heard today that Quilter's World Magazine will be publishing the pattern for another one of  my quilt designs, Hugs and Kisses, in the Winter issue which will be available in stores in October, 2013, later this year.

This quilt will be done all in solid fabrics.  I really love the graphic feel of this quilt and the colors, of course.

I ordered fabric today and am excited to get started making the drawing a reality.

Thank you Quilter's World.