Block Two Winners

I think you know how relieved I am that the block yesterday posted.  I was traveling home and not able to get to a computer to even check until late.  Sorry the winners are late, but we have three winners today.  Let's see who they are!

This is one of those times when  you didn't want to procrastinate.  The super secret prize from Mary Lou is this quilt kit!  Then I have 5 more fat quarters that I picked up on my trip AND one of my quilt books to give away!

The winner of one of my quilt books is:

carruthers2011!

The winner of my 5 fat quarters is:

bmjmsb!

And the winner of Mary Lou's quilt kit is:

SeamWeaver!

Congratulations!  Love all these fun stars!!! Email me your address and Mary Lou and I will get those right out!
Happy Quilting!

Block Three with Mary Lou Casada

I am crossing my fingers this morning that this posts correctly!  I am not home and have scheduled this post.  I use to be able to schedule posts just fine, but sometimes it doesn't work.  So I'm crossing my fingers!  I will be home to draw for prizes though!

Today, block three is brought to us by Mary Lou Casada from Cheaper than Therapy Quilting.

Here's Mary Lou!

What a privilege to be a part of one of Konda’s Quilt-Alongs!! I had so much fun doing the Layer Cake quilt-along earlier, so when the Fat Quarter Stars project came along, I jumped at the opportunity to design a block!  Thanks so much, Konda!

I’m Mary Lou Casada from Cheaper than Therapy Quilting (http://www.cheaperthantherapyquilting.blogspot.com/) and I’ve been quilting about 20 years (Oh My Word!!!)!! I’d dabbled in quilting a little because I had a grandmother who loved quilts and a great grandmother who was a prolific bee-quilter.  I can remember the frames being lowered from the ceiling of her little house when I was just a girl!  When Emily, my first born – who just turned 21 this Sunday! (Oh My Word!!) – was expected, I decided she needed a quilt…and off I went into the glorious addictive world of quilting!!

I am self-professed Queen Starts-a-Lot, and I love the process of selecting fabrics and piecing and/or appliquéing quilts.  I love the hand quilting part, too, but I’m notoriously slow.  Currently in the frame is the Mountain Laurel Quilters Sampler, a project I designed for my club ….in 2008! J   Slow! :-D  But it’s because I love starting new things.  That’s why I love quilt-alongs….Deadlines!! LOL

At Cheaper than Therapy I always end my entries with a Bible verse…Here’s an encouraging word for you!

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”  Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)

Thanks so much for letting me be part of your Fat Quarter Stars quilt!

Blessings!

Thanks Mary Lou!  Here's Mary Lou's block that she calls Friendly Winds!

and here's my block!

My block didn't turn out quite how I had planned.  I forgot that the orange was going to go in the middle so the orange from the outside was brought into the middle like Mary Lou's.  Then I went and cut too many orange and not enought of the light green.  When I realized what I did, I decided to sew it up anyway -- it was all cut!  I still like it even though it probably would have been better the other way. 

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group.  The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block 1 was posted.  The drawing is technically for block 1, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing.  There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted. 

This block is "due" in two weeks.  I say due, but it really doesn't matter.  Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing.  If you make one block, post one picture.  If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Two super secret prizes!  We will find out tomorrow who the winners are and what they win!!!

Happy quilting!

Crunch Time

Sometimes I don't do "crunch time" well.  Today I did pretty good.  I got three "have to"s done, and then I sewed a Uber Quilt Fest block.  It was one without any half square triangles so it went quickly.  I really like this block! 

 

The instructions made the block just a bit too large and then had you square it up to the right size.  I opted to make the center 1/2" skinnier, so I didn't have to square up.  This is block 13 by Erin of Two More Seconds.

This block was my play today.  If I have time to play, then things must be going well, right?

Quilts of Valor

Before the crack of dawn, I was heading an hour north with 7 other ladies to deliver some Quilts of Valor.


Here's the link to the website to find out more information about the organization: 

http://qovf.org/

Quilts of Valor is a national organization.  A few of us here in Utah have been working with the organization for many years.  We have finally been able to get the ball rolling and a lot of quilter's in the area have made quilts.  Because of this, we really wanted to distribute the quilts locally.  Another quilter, Brandy, knows a lot of these soldiers and was able to make this delivery possible.  We went to a Army National Guard Unit that returned a couple months ago from being deployed in Afghanistan.  Those who we gave quilts to today are getting or have received purple hearts.  We were suppose to deliver 25 quilts.  Somehow we had 31 quilts.  Of course, they all got delivered.

Here are the ladies getting ready to hand out QOVs.  Diane Jaeger, the Utah Quilt of Valor rep is telling the soldiers about the organization and that we made these quilts by hand just for them.  I am not in the group.  I am taking pictures.

Here's Brandy handing out the first quilt.

This is Francine who is the President of our Utah Valley Quilt Guild.

 

 Here's Brandy with a quilt that I quilted.  A friend of mine, Suzanne, made it.

Diane was showing this soldier this quilt that she quilted for him.

 And here are all the soldiers we gave quilts to.

This unit now has around 90 soldiers in it.  While we were there,  Brandy and Diane promised these soldiers that all of them would get a quilt!

HERE's a local news article about this unit.

Brandy and I, and a few other quilters around here, quilt these quilts for free.  This call for quilts is mostly for local folks, but we won't turn down a quilt if you aren't local and want to help.  For more information call Brandy 801-794-3428 or email me at [email protected].

It was a great way to start the day -- even if I did have to wake up before the sun!

Block One Winners!

I love seeing all these fabulous stars!  We have six winners today, so lots of fun stars posted today!  Just a reminder, I do let random.org pick the winners.  Everyone has an equal chance to win!

The first winner who gets Carrie's Caroler Turnover is:

celim7!

The second winner who gets the pirate fat quarters is:

mlwatson2010!

The next four winners each get a yard of background fabric, so be sure to tell me what color you want, or don't and it will be a surprise!  These winners are:

Nanners1222!

You rip what you sew!

Vanessa9185!

 and Niff08!

Congratulations to the winners!  Email me your address either responding to the FlickrMail I sent or to [email protected].  I get both of them.

More chances to win in two weeks!  Thanks for playing!

Fat Quarter Stars Block Two with Carrie Graziano

Lots of stars of popping up on the flickr site! So much fun!  That's how you get into the drawing for the prizes -- by posting 1 picture of each of your blocks.

Today block two is brought to us today by Carrie Graziano.

Here's Carrie!

Hi there! I’m Carrie Graziano of crickets studio, and I basically love to create and make EVERYTHING! That’s why I opened my studio back in 1993, so I could show others how to do the crazy stuff that I think up! I’m a published author of decorative painting books and magazine articles, and before my kids came along I traveled around the US teaching cool students all about my art. I’m also an avid photographer and scrapbooker, having been in the scrapbooking business now for 10 years. To “relax” my husband bought me a sewing machine in 1995, and well, I haven’t stopped quilting yet. I did take a short break when my daughter (she’s 7 ½) and my son (he’s 3) were born. I’ve been back for a couple of years now with needle in hand and ready to go! I actually re-entered the traditional workforce on October 3^rd and am now working full-time again in a local interior design firm. Right now my primary focus is trying to balance job, kids, quilting, fun, home and well, everything!

My blog is fairly new, and I’m venturing out into the online world of quilt blogging and designing. Although I have taught quilting classes in my home studio, “teaching” via a blog is a whole new world for me. Check out my blog for my Tips & Tricks Quilt Along that started in January. It’s perfect for any level quilter….it’s a monthly class where at year-end we’ll have a lovely sampler quilt top, and some new techniques and tips under our belt, too! You can start it at any time. I hope to have more tutorials and another faster-paced quilt along up soon.

 
So, enjoy the block I’ve designed, feel free to pop questions to me. Remember to enjoy the journey!

~Carrie

Thanks Carrie!  Now, before I show you Carrie's block. . . .  No, I will just show you the block and then make an observation.  So, here's Carrie's block!

and here's my block!

Okay, you might notice that my corner triangles are different than Carrie's.  (You might also notice that I need to press my block, but you are kind enough not to say anything, so thank you!)  The way Carrie has her corner triangles would make a very interesting secondary pattern if you were making a quilt with this block.  Since we aren't, I couldn't resist the way I put the block together.  Feel free to experiment with that!

And just a quick comment on the pattern that I'm sure someone will ask about.  For the inner hourglass block, Carrie has you cut 6" squares.  She does this so your blocks will turn out perfect!  You can cut 5 1/2" squares.  It does leave you room to square up, but just barely, and it isn't enough if you have a tendancy towards larger seams. 

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group.  The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block 1 was posted.  The drawing is technically for block 1, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing.  There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted. 

This block is "due" in two weeks.  I say due, but it really doesn't matter.  Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing.  If you make one block, post one picture.  If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Fabric!!!

1)  Carrie has graciously donated one turnover of The Caroler by Mary Engelbreit for Moda!

2)  I have 5 Pirate fat quarters by Emily Taylor for Riley Blake for one person! (Not the black, three prints in light blue and two in cream -- yes there are skulls.  Just in time for halloween.)

3)  And don't forget we have 4 -- 1 yard pieces of possible background fabric to give away because I messed up!  Info HERE is you missed it.

I am just posting this information again:

Sometimes the pdf doesn't download for some reason or another.  I don't know why.  I like to think it's because so many people are downloading it!  If it doesn't work after you have tried a few times, email me [email protected], and I will send it to you.  One other thing you can try is to right-click on the link and click on "Save target as," save it to your computer, and then open it.

If you have questions on the block, ask here or on flickr.  Ask a question in the comments of your block or start a new discussion in the flickr group.  In the past quilt alongs, those who post on flickr become a community.  I am sure this one will be no different.  Often others in the group will answer each others questions before I even see the question.  I love being part of the community of quilters!

I will post winners tomorrow.

Happy Quilting!

Uber Quilt Fest Blocks

I am making progress on my Uber Quilt Fest blocks.  I am only missing two so far.  I have found myself making two one day and none the next.  Every day is tough.

I have mixed feelings about my blocks so far.  Here they are:

1) From Quilt Dad

2)  From Kaye Prince

3)  From Karen Linton

4)  From Me 

5)  From Amy Lobsiger

Definitely turning out interesting.  I will keep you posted!

Quilt Along Mistake -- An Apology with Prizes

Oh, I really did not want to write this post.  I think it's a good idea to fess up when you've made a mistake, or when I've made a mistake that is.

Somehow when I was figuring fabric requirements, I neglected to calculate the fabric for the first border.  So we really need 3 1/2 yards of the sashing/background/border fabric.  You need this even if  you add the extra border.  This gives us 3 yards for the sashing and border and 1/2 yard for backgrounds in the blocks.

To sum up -- you need an extra yard of background fabric.

I know this is not a big deal for some of you but is a big pain for others.  I am sorry.  By way of apology, I will be adding four extra prizes to the next prize drawing.  I know this won't really help, but the prizes are appropriate.  Because we need an extra yard of background fabric, I will be giving away 4 yards -- 1 yard each for 4 people -- of possible background fabric.  Here are the ones I have.  You can tell me which one you want.

Color 1 -- Moda bella solid white:  This is true white.

Color 2 -- Moda bella solid feather:  This one looks white unless you put it next to true white.  Then you realize that it is an off-white.

Color 3 -- Moda bella solid grey:  This is a light grey.

Color 4 -- Moda bella solid etchings charcoal:  This is a dark grey.

Please accept my apology.  Thank you sisbabestitches for asking me about the background fabric so I realized my mistake now!

These prizes will be drawn from the flickr pool next week with our next regular prize drawing.

Uber Quilt Fest Block 4

It's finally my day for my Quilt-Uber-Fest Block!  For some reason it feels like "finally" even though it's only day four!

We are using Nel Whatmore's fabric line Sleeping Beauty that she designed for Free Spirit along with some Kaffe Fassett shot cottons and stripes.

Here is an interview with Nel:

http://bluenickelstudios.com/?p=3417

I am a math teacher turned quilter.  I have a treasured quilt from my great grandmother, but I never knew anyone who quilted until I was expecting my first child.  It was one of those times that when the student was ready, the teacher appeared.  In my case, the teacher came in the form of a neighbor.  After that neighbor explained to me that a magical thing existed called a quilt machine, I found out that my aunt had one at her school where she taught home ec.  I fell in head over heels in love the first time I tried the machine. 

It didn't take long for me to acquire a quilt machine and begin long arm quilting for hire.  That was in 2002.  I haven't looked back since.  In 2007, a guild brown bag challenge introduced me to the magic of a charm pack, and I started writing patterns.  Simply Charming Modern is my 9th pattern book.  All but one of these books are patterns for charm squares. 

My most recent excitement is having my quilt, Snow-Kissed Star on the cover of McCall's Quilting!

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/mccalls-cover-quilt.html.  AND starting my third quilt along, Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along!  We just started last week, so feel free to join in the fun!

BUT what I really want to show you is my block!  For these blocks we were asked to use either half square triangles and/or log cabin blocks.

I call my block Cabin in the Woods.  It really is a log cabin block even though it doesn't initially look like it.  My favorite part of the block is the narrow strips.  I like to think of it as the mortar that holds the larger logs together.  Did log cabins use mortar or is that just brick?

**Note**  A word of caution on my block.  Log cabin blocks are actually difficult blocks to make because your seam allowance needs to be exactly 1/4."  A slightly larger seam allowance is compounded as you go, and the block will be too small.  If that happens, you may just want to add another two strips instead of redoing the block.

CLICK HERE for the link to the Block Instructions.

And when you are finished, post a picture on the flickr page:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloggersquiltuberfest/!


Tomorrow the block will be by Amy Lobsiger of Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts.  Let the Uber-Quilt-Festing continue!

Half Jelly Roll Winner!

Congratulations to Kritta22!

Kritta22 said...

WOW!!! So cool to be in a magazine!
I'm more a traditional girl when it comes to Christmas colors.. True red and green. That being said, I sure do love pretty much all the Christmas lines this year.

October 1, 2011 9:10 PM

You are the winner of the Flurry 1/2 jelly roll!  Email me your address, and I will get that to you!

Thanks for everyone's well wishes!  Fun to read what colors everyone likes for Christmas. 

It's my day to post a block for Uber-Quilt Fest tomorrow, so tune in to see what I have cooked up!

Quilt-Uber-Fest Day 1

The Quilt-Uber-Fest started today:

http://bluenickelstudios.com/?p=3183

The first block was by Quilt Dad.  I wasn't going to do it.  Don't I have enough going on right now???

Evidently not -- here's my Taking Flight Block!

It "flew" together!  Which reminded me -- here's a fun way to square up half square triangles some of you may not have seen.

I have just drawn a diagonal line down the back of one 4" square, put it with another 4" square with right sides together, sewn 1/4" on both sides of the line, and cut on the line.  That is a typical way of making half square triangles.

Now to square up.  I am squaring this one up to 3 1/2."  In the picture, I have lined up my triangle with the ruler in two places:  1) the diagonal line of the ruler is on my seam, and 2) the 3 1/2" mark is along one side of the triangle.  Then I trim one side.  Then, I am done.  That's it!

When I press the triangle open, I have one 3 1/2" half square triangle block! 

Give it a try sometime!