Have You Played Today?

 

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Lazy Sunday

Lazy hot Sunday.  I've been playing in my room a lot today.  I made a block from the Asterisk Quilt-Along. 

I found a scrap of a blue and green batik that I'd really like to find more of.  I just wanted to try the block to see what it would look like.  And now I'm in the mood to make something blue and green!

And my daily 15-minute ritual inspired by Bumble Beans' 15 Minutes Play blog:

I started with dark and light triangles, but then decided to see what would happen if I cut smaller triangles and bordered them.  I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I'm having a lot of fun getting there!

Stay cool!

Kim

Winner of Schnibbles Times Two

So we all agree!  We think Carrie's book is wonderful, Carrie's a doll, and she has a cool dog.  The winning number is 44, and if I've counted correctly, the winner is Loris!  If you'll send me your mailing address, you'll have the book soon.  I hope it's not too worn -- I've really enjoyed it!

Off to work now.  Hope you have a great day!

Kim

Schnibbles Times Two

It seems like forever ago that I told you I'd be sharing Carrie Nelson's book with you.  I couldn't give it away without first making one of these sweet quilts. 

Carrie's Schnibbles patterns have been popular for a while now. There's even a parade every month in honor of Schnibbles.  You can check out the Year of Schnibbles Parade at Sherri's blog and Sinta's blog.  If you haven't heard of Schnibbles, they're smaller quilts made with 5-inch charm squares, and they're adorable. 

Schnibbles Time Two includes patterns for 12 little Schnibbles quilts, but Carrie has also re-worked the patterns for making larger quilts from 10-inch layer cakes.  She tells you how to make each of the quilts in the small and large sizes.   So there are patterns for 12 quilts in two sizes! 

The photographer, Brent Kane, did such a perfect job photographing all the quilts in an outdoor garden setting.  I can't tell you how many times I've flipped through this book just looking at the pictures. 

If you're familiar with Carrie's patterns and books, or if you follow her blog, you already know how funny she is.  You'll giggle when you read the introduction and the acknowledgment pages.  Miss Rosie even has her own "About Miss Rosie" page. 

 

Carrie's instructions are easy to understand, and she provides lots of useful tips for avoiding problem situations.  For example, she explains how to deal with pre-cut (unwashed) fabrics to avoid shrinking when you press with steam.  Did I heed her advice?  Of course not.  I thought it was something that maybe could happen, but wasn't very likely to happen.   It happened.  Only a little, though.  But I should have done what she said -- the lady really knows her stuff.

I've chosen the quilt in the bottom right corner in the picture above as my next Schnibbles project.  Pretty, don't you think?

And here's one more -- the one I've been working on.  X-Rated -- my very first Schnibbles quilt!  (Does this qualify me as a Schnibbler?)  I can't believe I waited so long to make one of these. 

If you don't already have a copy of Schnibbles Times Two (and you don't mind that I drooled a little on this one and pretty much wore it out the first week I had it), leave a comment here and tell me what appeals to you the most about this book.  Is it . . .

a.  The projects are just so beautiful you can hardly stand it;

b.  The author is so darn cute, sweet, and smart [jealous eye-roll here];

c.  There are so many great projects;

d.  You want to know more about Miss Rosie; or

e.  All the above.  

Check back here Thursday.  I'll ask my husband to choose the winning number and let you know who the lucky person is.  Until then, happy stitching!

Kim

Getting Closer

How can you tell if you have a Schnibbles addiction?  I'm pinning rows together on my first one, and I'm already planning the next one.  Too fun!

I'll be sharing Carrie's book with you in a few days.  You're gonna love it!

Have you visited Victoria over at Bumble Beans?  She's wonderfully creative and unique, and I'm always amazed by the work she does.  In addition to her "regular" blog, she created a blog to challenge us to spend 15 minutes a day playing.  In fact, the name of the blog is "15 Minutes Play." 

Even when I don't think I have time to sew, I do it anyway for at least 15 minutes.  And most of the time, I end up spending a lot more than 15 minutes in my play room.  During my 15-minute play time, I've been using little scraps to make bigger fabric for cutting triangles. 

Skidaddle on over and see what else is going on over there.  

Speaking of wildly creative people, you probably already know Stephanie (and Abby) at Loft Creations.  If you don't, stop by there, too.  I love everything she does.  She just has a way with color and fabric that makes  me happy.  And make sure you visit her Etsy shop, too. 

Hope you have a great week!

Kim

Scrap-Basket Surprises Quilt Club

Fat Quarter Shop has the new sample quilt for the Scrap-Basket Surprises Quilt Club.  Isn't it gorgeous?

In case you haven't heard about this club, Kimberly has paired patterns from my book, Scrap-Basket Surprises, with brand new Moda Jelly Rolls.   Each quarter you'll receive a kit with two Jelly Rolls along with fabrics for the borders and binding, all in one neat package.  How convenient is that?  September's kit features Summer's End fabrics from Kansas Troubles Quilters.  You can find out all the details by clicking here or on the link above.

I think Kimberly did a great job choosing fabrics for each of the quilts.  How about you? 

Hope you have a terrific week!

Kim  

Cuttin' Up

Fabric, that is. I have a new rotary cutter, mat, and a five-pack of blades. So you know where you can find me, at least for a while.

I'm cutting these little Nature's Chorus charm packs today.    I'm a Schnibbler now!  Well, almost.  I bought my first Schnibbles pattern recently.  I've seen these adorable little quilts all over the place.  And now I know why. 
But before I started the quilt using the Schnibbles pattern I bought, this came in the mail.
 

I usually don't read quilt pattern books.  I usually daydream over the pictures until I get ready to make one of the projects, then I'll read the instructions when I need them.   But Carrie writes in a very entertaining way, so I found myself reading the entire book, minus the technical instructions. 

I'm anxious to share everything I know about this book.  As soon as I finish piecing the quilt I'm working on today, I'm going to do just that, and I'll also be giving away this copy of it.  It's only a little damp where I drooled on it.   It's okay -- you'll do the same thing when you see it. 

Drop in again soon.  I'll let you know how you can win Carrie's book, and I'll show you which quilt I finally decided to make.

To those who celebrate Independence Day, I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.   And now I'm going back to cutting.

Take care!

Kim