Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Introducing - "Blue Me Away"

Giving the story a little backwards .... here is one of the newest patterns from Black Cat Creations, designed by "ME". Once again, Amy with Black Cat Creations "Blue Me Away" with her ability to write these patterns from my notes -- can I say "Patience". As much as I love Acappella (introduced last Tuesday), I loved making "Blue Me Away" so much that I have made it THREE times!

Here is the latest made with many dark blues and a beige background -- my husband gladly holding it from the back of his truck. Amy did a better job above for the cover shot taken in nature.

The second time -- in all pinks for a Breast Awareness Fund Raiser. This one you will see again later after it is quilted. The Fund Raiser was postponed until Fall of 2012, so the top went into the closet for later.

And of course, the first one I made in purples for Judy's 2011 Monochromatic Challenge at Patchwork Times last year.

Because I am a generally a scrappy quilter, making these quilts were so gratifying. Pulling and pulling and pulling from the stash was so much fun. The joy of buying fabric can only be beat by using it in a project ... which makes room to buy more!

Now .... will there be a 4th??? Yep, I see bright batiks in MANY colors on my wish list.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday Design Wall - H2H, BOM

All the blocks are done for the Hands 2 Help Challenge hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. The quilt will be heading here to Louisiana in St. Bernard Parish (hence the bright colors of Mardi Gras), who is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. For those of you visiting New Orleans on vacation, take the time to ride a little south east and tour this area. They have achieved huge goals, however they still have a long way to go.

On Sunday, the new Blogger's Block of the Month was announced by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew. I took advantage of the day off and made my duo blocks (bottom left and top right). My fabric choice is Basic Grey / Origins by Moda. A big thanks to Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works for hosting and inspiring this fun little BOM!

For more Monday Design Walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times -- I can't wait to come home tonight and take a tour of all the links.


Friday, March 23, 2012

H2H Pattern -- No Name Yet

It's Friday and time for an update on my H2H Quilt Challenge. Along with a few instructions you can use to make the same quilt (no details -- I am using scraps). My choice for colors -- all brights (orange, yellow, purple, green and blue) with a black background. Since I have all the squares and HST's done, I will start here.

Finished size units -- 4 1/2", unfinished 5"

Black Squares:
(18) 5" squares

Half Square Triangles:
(14) 5" Black/Orange Scraps
(10) 5" Black/Green Scraps
(14) 5" Black/Yellow Scraps
(10) 5" Black/Purple Scraps

My favorite method for HST's is using the "Easy Angle II" cut from 5" strips.


Here is my progress so far --- actually this is more than I expected since they are coming together using Bonnie Hunter's "Leaders and Enders" for another project I am working on.

And .... here will be the finished pattern.

Sarah from Confessions of a Fabric Addict is hosting the Hands 2 Help Challenge and a Friday link up. This is Sarah's second year for hosting a charitable collection of quilts for worthy causes which you can read about here. The pattern and quilt above is my contribution to Sarah -- I just need to find the perfect name, which is harder than designing the pattern.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Introducing --- Acappella

Acappella --- "A Salsa Dance of scrappy oranges without instrumental musical accompaniment." Riffle through all those different shades of orange fabrics (or your favorite color), put on your dancing shoes and start cutting!


Last year, I made the orange quilt for Judy Laquidara's Monochromatic Challenge at Patchwork Times using Acappela -- to date, this is my favorite quilt.

Amy with Black Cat Creations, has now patiently wrote the Acappella pattern using easy to follow instructions and is now available. I am so excited over my "first" pattern to be published. Be sure to sign up for Black Cat Creations Newsletter, for first hand notice of all their patterns and news.


Stay Tuned .... more to come!

Friday, March 16, 2012

H2H Quilt Pattern


My pattern for the H2H has been chosen. My wonderful sewing machine (Janome 6500) has been in the shop for 7 weeks and is now home working beautifully. I have been very lost, so now I am making up time. Above is a little EQ pattern I designed for Sarah's (Confessions of a Fabric Addict) H2H Quilt Challenge. Each block is 5", 4 1/2" finished. I will update the progress every Friday, as I put together this simple little quilt as a "Leader and Ender" project (technique made famous by Bonnie Hunter).


Thursday, March 8, 2012

New BOM, 9-Patches within 9-Patches

Over at Quilt Story, Heather and Megan are hosting a simple block of the month. I have several behind the scenes sewing projects, so this is a perfect little project I can sew and share. I am using a pretty bright green for my background fabric and coordinating scraps. My plan is to make two blocks per month, mirror images of each other. Above is my "Nine-Patch" block for the Month of March.

Heather and Megan have also set up a link to share the others participating in their BOM project over at Quilt Story, Block of the Month. If you visit the other links, be careful -- you may get hooked like me!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Blogger's BOM - February Done.


Two more blocks have been added to the BOM, hosted by Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works. In February, Amy with Diary of a Quilter introduced her pattern -- the cutest little star. I am making two of each, because I just love this project. I am using a Moda Layer Cake, Basic Grey/Origins and can't wait for the end so I can put it together.

A very special lady, Miss Sarah with Confessions of a Fabric Addict, is hosting her weekly Friday Whoop Whoop Party, so I am heading over there to join her. Be sure to also check out her Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge.