Random Stuff and Random Number Winner

I haven't accomplished a lot lately, unless you consider buying fabric an accomplishment.  I do.  I get a little overwhelmed with all the choices, styles, and colors.  I love that we have so many options, but fabric shopping without a plan is dangerous.    

Over the weekend, I worked on this quilt for a co-worker who's having a baby really soon.  Actually, his wife will be having the baby.  I'll share better pictures after it's quilted.  I still need to trim the blocks and sew them together.  It's made entirely from scraps, and it's the easiest quilt ever.  Seriously.

Since I'm not always able to share what I'm working on, and struggle to think of anything interesting to blab about, I got a giggle from this post by Dawn at Linen Closet Quilts.  Too funny!

So it's time to announce the winner of Sue Abrey's new book, Pick Four.  Congratulations to Happy Cottage Quilter!  If you'll send me your mailing address, your book will be on its way soon. 

If you haven't visited all the stops on the Pick Four Blog Hop, there's still time. Here are the remaining stops: 

• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb (giveaway open until 9/3)
• Monday, August 29 - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal (giveaway open until 9/4)
• Tuesday, August 30 - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks (giveaway open until 9/3)
• TODAY, August 31 - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thursday, September 1 - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Friday, September 2 - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Paulette's!

Kim

It's Official

Brown is no longer my favorite color.

Summer House.  By Lily Ashbury. 

I neglected to mention in my last post that the give-away for this book will close on

Tuesday, around 5:00-ish, Central Time.  I'll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Barb is hosting the blog hop today, so go by and visit her for another chance to win a copy.

The "tour guide" and author of Pick Four shared some information about Barb

that you'll be shocked to know.

And here are the rest of the stops on the Pick Four Blog Hop:

• TODAY, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Barb's!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 4

It's finally my turn to share with you Sue Abrey's new book, Pick Four. 

 

Sue has provided very detailed instructions, beautifully illustrated, for making 12 gorgeous quilts in this book.  The patterns are suitable for beginning quilters as well as more experienced quilters.

 When I'm looking for a new quilting book, I usually flip through it to see if I like the projects.  I definitely love all the projects in this book, but the first thing that really impressed me was that Sue has included close-up photos of the quilting on each of the projects, along with a section explaining the process for choosing the quilting design for each one.  This is in addition to a separate chapter on quilting options!  How many times have you finished piecing a quilt top and wondered, "How will I quilt it?" Reading Sue's comments about the quilting will certainly give you ideas. 

The book also includes a section on choosing fabrics for your quilt.  If you lack confidence in choosing fabrics, just use Sue's helpful hints to find "clues" in the fabric, and you'll soon be selecting fabrics effortlessly for a stunning quilt. 

Sue and I have frequently discussed the differences in our quilting styles.  Sue, along with many others, prefers quilts with limited fabrics. The book is written with these quilters in mind.  Also, beginning quilters may not have a huge stash of fabrics to choose from.  But what if you do like scrap quilts?  Don't worry, I've already checked -- my opinion is that each of these designs would make a wonderful scrap quilt.

Sue will  be giving away an autographed copy of Pick Four to one lucky person who comments on this post.  If you'd like to be that lucky person, leave a comment here and answer this question:

When you "Pick Four," what color will be in at least one of your fabrics?  

There are still lots of stops left on the tour.  If you haven't visited Hazel, Mary, and Pat, go now!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble

  The rest of the stops:

• TODAY, August 27 - You're here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Barb's tomorrow!

Kim

p.s. - To those you who may be in the path of Irene, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be safe!

Entries are now closed.  I'll announce the winner on 8/31.

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 3

Today's host of the Pick Four blog hop is Pat at Silver Thimble Talk.  Pat also has a new book coming really soon!  Not only is she giving away a copy of Sue's amazing book, but she has an extra surprise for you as well.  For interesting facts about where Pat lives, stop by and visit our "tour guide."

 

If you haven't visited Hazel and Mary, go now!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow

And here are the rest of the stops on the tour:

• TODAY, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you back here tomorrow for my day on the blog hop!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 2

Mary at Quilt Hollow is hosting today's stop on the blog hop.  If you'd like to win a copy of this fabulous book, go by and visit with her.  And stop by Sue's blog to read some interesting facts about where Mary lives.

 If you missed Hazel's post yesterday, it's not too late!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts

The rest of the stops:

• TODAY - August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

Hope I see you at Pat's tomorrow!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop

Please join us for the Pick Four Blog Hop.  Sue Abrey, the charming and talented author of this book, will be your "tour guide."  Each day, Sue will share interesting facts about the area where each blog hop participant lives.  And each day, a different blogger will be giving away a signed copy of Sue's book!  I'm very late for Day 1, but please stop by and visit Hazel to see what she has to say about the book. 

So that you don't miss any of the stops, here's the schedule:

• Today, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Mary's tomorrow!

Kim

Oops!

I ran out of time yesterday, and didn’t get around to posting the winner of Out of the Box with Easy Blocks.  I chose the winner from the random number generator, but was too  busy lazy to take a screen shot to post here.  The winning number is 23.  If I’ve counted correctly, the winner is Candace.   If you’ll send me an e-mail with your mailing address, the book will be on its way.

I have a couple of projects in the works so I haven’t made much progress on my Farmer’s Wife blocks.  These are the first three.  And maybe the only three for a little while. 

I’ll catch up one of these days, but for now I’m scrambling to find spare minutes here and there. 

Hope you have a peaceful weekend!

Kim

Out of the Box with Easy Blocks

Mary Lou Weidman and Melanie Bautista McFarland have combined their amazing talents and have just released the most wonderful book, Out of the Box with Easy Blocks. 

You can’t help but smile when you see all the whimsical projects throughout this book.  If you think you could never in a million years make an original and clever quilt like one of these, then you should definitely check out this book.   

Using the “Hoochy Mama” technique for piecing blocks allows you to create a quilt that’s completely your own.  You’ll find ideas for tons of blocks – people, animals, food, the alphabet – if you can think of it, you can sew it!  And if you can’t think of it, by the time you finish reading this book, you will!  I have so many ideas floating around in my head and can’t wait to put them all together with fabric. 

The Gallery is full of projects that will make the creative part of your brain jump into overdrive.

There are also very helpful discussions about color and how to choose fabrics for your projects. 

And an entire section on how to create faces!

If you’d like to get out of your box, just leave a comment here and tell me about a quilt you would like to make using Mary Lou’s and Melanie’s techniques, and you could win your very own autographed copy of Out of the Box with Easy Blocks!   I’ll announce the winner on Friday. 

Have a terrific week!

Kim

Couldn't Resist Any Longer

I really tried.  For several weeks.  Even after seeing this post.  And this one.  And this one.  Oh, and this one.  And a hundred others.  I'm sure I need some sort of therapy.  If you'd like more details about the Farmer's Wife Quilt-A-Long, visit Amanda and Angela who are hosting this wonderful quilt-along.   

Oh, and one more thing!  The winner of a copy of Scrap-Basket Sensations is Kathie.  Congratulations!  If you'll send me your mailing address, the book will be on its way.   And if you entered the drawing at The Fat Quarter Shop, hurry on over to see if you won a copy there.  Thank you all for playing along.

Hope I run into you at the Farmer's Wife Quilt-A-Long!

Kim

Good Help Is So Hard to Find

 

To his credit, he’s always on time, doesn’t make a lot of personal phone calls, and works for kitty treats.

 

Stop by Tuesday to find out the winner of Scrap-Basket Sensations.  And if you haven’t entered The Fat Quarter Shop’s giveaway, go now!

 

Hope you’re all having a good weekend.

 

Kim

Fat Quarter Shop's Scrap-Basket Sensations Quilt Club

Have you been to The Fat Quarter Shop's blog, The Jolly Jabber today?  I'm "visiting" over there today, so hop on over to see what's going on.  Kimberly has paired patterns from my book, Scrap-Basket Sensations, with unbelievably gorgeous Moda Jelly Rolls.  As a club member, you'll receive a complete kit every quarter that includes fabrics for the top, border and binding!  There's also a separate club for the backing fabric.  I know you'll love the Jelly Rolls Kimberly has chosen for each of the kits.  Here's the kit that will ship in August -- Picnic made with the Hometown collection by Sweetwater.  

And in November, you'll receive the kit for Flowers for Nana Girl made with Butterscotch and Roses by Fig Tree & Co.

Kimberly is generously giving away five copies of Scrap-Basket Sensations, so go on over now to find out how you can win a copy.  And just for the fun of it, I'll be giving away a signed copy of the book here -- just leave a comment here and tell me your favorite thing (or four or five) about The Fat Quarter Shop.  

See you at The Jolly Jabber!

Kim   

Dots!

Collecting polka dot fabric is my latest obsession.  I picked up these Amy Butler Lotus fabrics from

Lily Bella Fabrics.  I love that you can create your own fat quarter bundle there. 

They'll look really nice with the fabrics I picked up recently.   

 And a very sweet friend shared a gazillion dotty charm squares from her stash!

Don't these look fun?

 

Stephanie is actually the person responsible for my quest to find every polka dot fabric on the planet.  I was inspired by her posts here and here.  She has a pattern coming soon, too.  Thanks so much, Stephanie, for understanding my dot addiction and not being judgmental. :-)

And speaking of sweet friends, Wendy sent me the absolute cutest little bag with

stitched seashells.  I love beachy things!  Not only is this an adorable little bag,

but Wendy's work is perfection.  Thank you so much, Wendy!

I hope all of you here in the U.S. have a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend!

Kim

Folded-Corner Triangles

What do you do with your leftover folded-corner triangles?  Do you make small quilts with them?  Do you use them for pieced sashings? 

Or do you throw them away without guilt and never give it another thought? 

Personally, I can’t force myself to throw them away, so I just collect them and stuff them into a big apothecary jar.  Looking through the jar is like an archeological dig.  Each layer identifies a quilt I worked on, in the order I made it.  If I couldn’t remember when I made the quilt, I would at least remember that it was before the pink and brown layer, but after the red and tan layer. 

The jar is overflowing, so I thought it would be a good time to use some of them.  These were on top of the jar, and from my latest project.  I grabbed a few and sewed light and dark triangles together, using a small seam allowance (about 3/16”).

  Since I’m not sure yet how I’ll put these together, I pressed the seams open.  Now I won’t have to worry about bulky seam allowances, no matter how I arrange the half-square triangle units.

To make sure they end up the same size,  I used the Bias Square Ruler to trim the unfinished units to 1 3/4”.   You can use any ruler with a diagonal marking, but this is my favorite.  My plan now is to decide on a layout and sew the units together in rows, using a full 1/4” seam allowance, then trimming off the excess and pressing the seam allowances in alternating directions from row to row. 

And now for the fun part!  These are some arrangements I played around with, using only 16 half-square triangle units.   I’m leaning toward the layout in the middle row on the right. 

If you’ve created anything using your folded-corner triangles, I would love for you to share a link to your post in the box below – it can be an older post, or one you do in the future.  Hopefully the Linky thing will work.  This is the first time I’ve tried to use it, and I’m a little challenged that way.

Hope you’re having a good weekend!

Kim

 

Weekend Fun

It seems there is an issue with Blogger that hasn't been resolved.  I am only able to leave comments on blogs that have the comments page set to pop up in a different window.  If the comments page is embedded, I'm unable to leave a comment.  Hopefully the issue will be resolved soon.  I haven't forgotten about you, and I'm visiting every chance I get. 

The Azalea City Quilters' Guild held its quilt show on Saturday.  I went with two fellow bloggers and friends, Karen and Wendy.  Such a fun day!  We chattered, saw lots of beautiful quilts, had lunch, and spent lots of time stuck in traffic.  

Here's a picture of the opportunity quilt that I was absolutely certain I would win.  

It was made from Carrie's Cracked Pots pattern.  The colors are a little different in this picture, but you'll have to trust me when I say it was one gorgeous quilt.  I'm still waiting for the phone to ring, even though the drawing was on Saturday. 

And here's my friend Ellen (The Quilting Station) at her vendor booth. 

 

I love the quilt top hanging behind her.  It's made with a Green Tea Bali Pop,

and it's even prettier in person. 

The quilt show was held at a middle school, and I was fascinated by the painted ceiling tiles in the hallways.  My apologies to all the people I tripped over as I photographed the ceiling. :-) 

Wonder if my boss would let me paint the ceiling tiles in my office?

Have a great week!

Kim