My latest published pattern

I thought I would give you all a shout out about my latest published pattern, Pinwheel Posies.  This little beauty is in the current issue, Spring 2016, of Quilter's World Magazine which is currently on newsstands and in quilt shops.

I love the bright colors especially when set off with black and white polka dots.

Photo courtesy of Quilters World Magazine

I know its been awhile and there are several things going on that I will fill you in on soon.  I do hope to be sharing more frequently so stay tuned.

Until next time,

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!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE ! ! !

I love my Christmas tree.  It is one of the very best parts of the season for me.  I love family and friends and good food and making things for those who are important to me. I love spending time with my family and friends.

I am a Christmas baby and so this season has always been very special for me, my favorite time of year.

I hope all of you are sharing this season with those who are important to you and doing everything you can to bring joy to those around you.  Enjoy your time together, there is no substitute for that.

Wishing you all the very best the season has to offer.

Washington State Quilters Annual Show is in the books . . .

Such surprising and exciting news.  One of the quilts that I put in our local guild quilt show won a second place ribbon.  Needless to say I was thrilled.  I haven't ever received a ribbon before.  Our show isn't a juried show or anything like that.  It is voted on by the attendees which is really worth alot to me.

Here is the quilt and the ribbon.

The pictures are separate because I didn't go to the show today (the ribbons were put on the quilts this morning) because I really wasn't thinking about getting a ribbon or anything like that and so I didn't get a picture of it hanging with the ribbon on it like you usually see.  I took a picture of the ribbon on my bulletin board though.

Really fun.

Until next time,

I love Barn Quilt Blocks

Here is a picture of another pattern that I am writing up.   I have two more that are of the same type.  I love large quilt blocks on the sides and fronts of barns. These wall hangings are one block or motif in a large format, 36" X 36" and are reminiscent of those large quilt blocks on barns.


This pattern is a traditional Bear Paw block, easily recognizable. It was fun and quick to do.  I like the impact of the colors and how graphic it is on the wall. I need to get a better picture, this is on my design wall. I will try to get one outdoors when the rain stops.  

I used a perle cotton for the big stitch quilting and machine quilting as well.  I really like the effect.  What do you thing, would you be interested in something like this?  I have two more, different blocks of course, to show you.  I seem to be taken by these at the moment.

Until next time, keep stitching.

Patterns really are coming soon. . . I hope ! !

It seems to be taking me forever to get my pattern format and cover photos together to get some patterns available to purchase.  I am working on both paper patterns in the mail and downloadable patterns as well.  I thought I would put up some pictures here of what I am working on at the moment.

I designed several baby quilts and submitted them for a book.  One was selected, really exciting, but I decided to make some of the others for patterns. Here is one that I just finished. 



I plan on calling it "Splash"  it is a little larger than I usually make baby quilts, 51" X 51" but since it isn't really totally cute infant I think it will grow along with a toddler really well.

I'm working on the pattern now and hopefully will have it out soon.

Let me know your thoughts, I would love some feedback.  Also, I am linking to "Let's be Social", on Sew Fresh Quilts tomorrow, so check it out HERE

Until next time, keep stitching.

A Fun Distraction

I thought I would take a minute to show you something really fun that I worked up during the week.  I follow a blog by Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts and the other day she put up a tutorial for a block which looks like a package with a bow on top.  She also showed several items made with the blocks including a really cute table runner.  

I downloaded the information and proceeded to raid my stash looking for some fabrics which would go with a recent purchase at the Buggy Barn Quilt Show of two pieces of Christmas fabric.

The link to the measurements and tutorial is here on her blog at Sew Fresh Quilts.

First, here are the lucky winners of the fabric search.

The two fabrics (red and white backgrounds) on the left are the new fabrics that I picked up at the Buggy Barn.  The other fabrics seem to work great with the new ones.  I will have plenty of the reds and greens to make several of these blocks.

The layout of the block is here.  If you look at Lorna's pattern you will notice that I made one change to her block.  I wanted to use the same fabric for the entire bow but with the center block being the same size as the two next to it the knot doesn't really show up.  Lorna used a different fabric for the center knot piece.  I decided to make the center unit half bow fabric and half background so that the knot portion isn't exactly the same size as the two pieces on either side and doesn't get lost.  I really like this change.

It goes together really fast and easy.  The following picture is the completed block with the borders on around the edges.  Really great don't you think. 

This was a nice distraction and a fun little detour from the other things I am working on.  Definitely starting to have some ideas about the holidays now.  These blocks would be great to use for a special "Birthday" type table runner to use for family gatherings or a special birthday girl or boy placemat on their special day.  What a great gift.  I can think of several fun things to do with this block.  Thanks Lorna.

Please visit Lorna's blog, I think you will enjoy her work.  I know I do.

Until next time, keep stitching.

Robin

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood . .

Today was the Buggy Barn Annual Outdoor Quilt Show.  You may know the Buggy Barn, the Crazy gals, with the stack, cut and sew patterns and books.  That Buggy Barn is just a few miles east of where I live in the middle of a wheat field in beautiful Washington state.  We are so fortunate to have them as part of our local quilting community, such an inspiration.

This year's show was threatened with rain for the past few days but yesterday and today could not have been more perfect.  I love to walk around the outdoor show with all of the beautiful quilts, many made in their classes by students, hanging on the lines, waving in the breeze, draped over the fences.  Such a wonderful, and very Washington, backdrop for gorgeous colorful quilts.

I took a few pictures today.  If you ever get a chance to visit here, make sure to stop in at the Buggy Barn shop.  It is a treat you won't want to miss.  Now, without further fanfare, follow me.

This is what greets you when you turn off the gravel road.

The quilts are hung on the sides of every building, every fence and on lines waving in the breeze.  Quite a site, full of color.

 The hollyhocks are blooming as well.

This is the walk up to the classroom building

This is a closer view of the classroom building

Usually, at quilt shows I take tons of pictures of quilts, especially upclose.  Today I wanted to give you more of an overall view of the setting for this wonderful show.  Of course, the quilts were wonderful, but the venue was what really made my day.  I hope you enjoyed my little travel log, I sure enjoyed myself.

Until next time, keep stitching!

Daily Dose of Color

I just wanted to share this color inspiration quickly today.  This is exactly how I am feeling sitting here looking out my window at the gray sky and intermittent rain.  Dreaming of spring and new beginnings.  This photo is from a wonderful website that I adore www.design-seeds.com.  You should check it out.  The story boards can set the mood for your day and inspire so many creative thoughts.

Tomorrow I will give you a bit of an update on what has been going on in the "Woods".  A couple of exciting things coming up including a book cover.

Until then remember to Dream in Color Every Day ! ! !

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 !!