Tetris QAL Top Finished

Got a little sidetracked last week but want to quickly post my finished Tetris QAL top. I added a white border and whenever my empty spaces fell on the outer edge I pieced in a "missing" square to pull the blocks out into the space. Am hoping to get the quilting done in time for Melissa's parade next week. Fingers crossed. Then I'll post better pics, but for now here it is. My first QAL and I had a terrific time and forced myself out of the pre-planned mode of operation. Thanks Melissa! Great job hosting.

Another WIP Wednesday, Another Tetris Block

Week 3 for me and WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
Last week I posted about my Tradewinds quilt and runner getting finished and you can see more final results here. Love how both projects turned out although I'd like to get some better photos.

Also finished up my Stitch project and it's ready to ship. Wish I didn't have to wait till spring 2013 to see it in print and share it with you. I'm very excited.

Last but not least is the ongoing Tetris WIP. Week 6 of the Tetris QAL by Melissa over at Happy Quilting and this is the last block. Melissa has done a great job of mixing up the shapes and colors every week and this week was no exception. Staying true to playing by the rules of the game, I tried several arrangements before settling on this one.

With the other blocks already done, I was able to see which layout played nicely with the rest before I committed to sewing up the final block. At first I wasn't too happy with having 2 blue squares right on top of each other and tried several other block possibilities. There seemed to be just a little too much dark blue going on near the top half of the quilt. But after consideration, I realized these 2 blue squares provide a valuable resting spot for the eye amidst the randomness of all the other shapes. So stacked blue squares got the go ahead and it's just right. Now all I have to do is sew the blocks together.

Next week will be border considerations and after that quilting and finishing up. I already have  good idea of how I'd like to finish this up. Looking forward to my final quilt and seeing what everyone else does with theirs.

I've also got piles of fabric on my counter as I try to decide what to do for an upcoming tutorial for the Let's Get Acquainted blog hop by Plum and June.  This blog hop has been a great way to get to know more newbie bloggers like myself.

Keep quilting   : )

Tetris Block 4

Week 4 of the Tetris QAL and I had a little catching up to do. I'm so addicted to playing each Tuesday that I can't wait for Melissa to give us our shapes of the week. And since I have it set up in Illustrator it's so easy to keep playing with different layouts that sometimes I don't stop myself and move on to sewing. That's what happened last week. So this week I caught up and sewed both blocks.

week 3 block

week 4 block

Sewing two blocks isn't really a big deal but it did make me realize it's much better to keep up. Procrastination is usually my middle name, so the fact that I'm keeping up is pretty satisfying if I do say so myself.  : )   I even have a pretty good idea of how I'd like to finish up the quilt top. Here's what all 4 blocks look like together. I love how the white pops.

All 4 blocks so far

How about you? Are you keeping up? From what I've seen it looks like there are going to be lots of very nice quilts as a result of this fun QAL. For those of you using black instead of white for the empty spaces I think it looks very striking. Looking forward to seeing everyone's finished quilts. Keep going, the end is in sight!

Tetris Block 3

Week 3 of the Tetris QAL and it just keeps getting better. This week I had a harder time switching Melissa's colors over to my color scheme. It just got confusing for a bit between shapes and colors. I should have made my little color chart right from the beginning. Plus, it would have helped if I had kept her blue and green my blue and green. But alas I didn't start out that way so now just need to be very careful about which color goes where without getting confused by the shapes.

I know this might seem too exacting, but I'm determined to play the game for real. No switching shapes, colors or the order to suit the design. That way I have to work with what I'm given and have less control. Not something I'm used to.

But I must admit I was awfully tempted to cheat this week. I did more layouts than in the previous 2 weeks and at one point came up with a way to fill all the squares . .

Did anyone else notice that there were 2 different L shapes? The blue and orange L's read like an uppercase L no matter which way you turn them. The last 2 L shapes in green and red are the mirror image or backwards L's. Maybe this shape has been flipped before and I haven't noticed?

Oops. Just checked and sure enough, for week 2 the L shapes were flipped. Oh well . . . I'm learning. That's what I get for using the shapes in Illustrator and assuming they were all the same just in a different order. Probably won't bother to remake the block but at least I know to pay more attention. 

Anyway, if only that last red L shape (my dark blue L shape here) had been flipped I could have filled all the spaces. I even considered flipping it just so I'd have a full block. It would look like this:

But once I looked at the 3 blocks together I realized how much the empty spaces are adding to the overall design . . . so no need to break the rules after all. Here's my block for week 3. Haven't sewn it up yet so this is my photoshop image. Yes I have 4 empty spaces. I'm definitely not going to win any real Tetris games that's for sure.

Now that there are 3 blocks, I'm beginning to see the whole quilt top come together and have some ideas for how I might finish it up. Glad this is a quick 6 week QAL because the end is in sight and I'm excited for the final results.

This is my WIP of the week too. I'm linking up to Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's for the first time. Hop on over and take a look at what everyone is working on.

Tetris Block 2

Time for Tetris Block 2. When I started this QAL last week, I thought I would make each week's block over the weekend. That way I could stay focused on work during the week and enjoy a change of pace on Saturday. WELL . . . I couldn't wait till the weekend!

Since the fabric squares are all cut it's just too easy to whip up a block. I have the grid and the basic shapes set up in Illustrator so it's fun to grab the new shapes of the week and play.

When I started, I wasn't sure whether the colors stayed the same for each shape from game to game. Now I know they don't and it's probably for the best. Just in case anyone is wondering, I assigned each of the colors Melissa is using one of my blue/green colors. It's tempting to consider switching it up to suit the block, but I'm going to resist. Here's how my colors correspond to Melissa's.

Don't ask why I didn't leave the green green and the blue blue. It didn't occur to me. And since some of you have asked what colors I'm using they are: Kona cotton in Deep Blue, Pacifica, Lagoon, Jade Green, Chartreuse, Kiwi, Clover and White.

I know the idea of the real game is to fill all the squares so there aren't any "empty" ones, but the designer in me would rather see some empty spaces. The white squares keep your eye moving around because they add sparkle to the block. So instead of reworking the shapes until I came up with an arrangement that fills the entire block, I just let the empty spaces play out. I did try to balance where they occurred though because I didn't really want two empty spaces next to one another. This week I even opted for a block layout that ended up with 5, yes count them 5, empty spaces. Guess I won't win any Tetris games, but I think this livens up the block. What do you think?

Hard to see the difference in the two aqua blues in the lower right from this photo, but there are actually two colors there. Next time I'll probably try to avoid those two colors side-by-side of possible.

Hope everyone is having as much fun playing Tetris as I am.  : )

Stay cool and refreshed with a new pattern . . . Cascade

Summer has settled in with temps topping 100- way too often as far as I'm concerned. So what better way to stay cool than to surround myself with some of my favorite cool colored fabrics. They are refreshing and calming amidst all the heat. The fabrics in this quilt remind me of a gentle rain in a lush green garden. I think of hanging gardens and cascading water. 

Thus was born Cascade . . . another SpringLeaf Studios quilt pattern.

I'm excited to share this pattern with all of you because it has so many possibilities.

The pattern features two different versions; 

A Scrappy version and a modern take on the ZigZag.

Plus 7 additional optional looks . . . all from the same design.

This is the Scrappy version and features fabrics from Kaffe Fassett and Michael Miller. It's perfect for layer cakes, fat quarters and of course large scraps. One of my favorites so far because it feels so refreshing.

Here's the ZigZag version featuring Kona Cotton solids. This version also works great with prints. I have to admit this is my first all solids quilt, but it won't be my last. There's a calmness about these solids that is very soothing to me.

I have so much fun designing quilts. Each time I create a new design I'm always exploring what would happen if I tried this or that. What if I arranged the blocks this way? What if the emphasis is changed? What if this? What if that? Sometimes it's very hard to stop experimenting and actually get to work making the quilt. I need little elves to sew for me... that would be so cool.

When I decided to start publishing my quilt designs it seemed like a natural choice to include all these explorations in each pattern. I've never been one to follow patterns exactly as they come. A little change here or there. I'll bet a lot of you feel the same. I really want the Design Explorations page provided in my patterns to inspire you to make a quilt the way you want. Not only with fabrics that you love but also with a flare that makes you feel like it's your very own. Here's what the Explorations page looks like.

Here's a few other versions of Cascade I've made to give you an idea of how it looks in other fabrics and arrangements. Hope they inspire.

Cascade ZigZag made with large scale prints from Kaffe  Fassett and Michael Miller.
A mini quilt was made from the trimmed leftovers.

Cascade made using a checkerboard arrangement of fabrics.

Cascade made using a concentric ring arrangement of fabrics.

A pillow made from the trimmed leftovers. The pattern gives detailed directions for the pillow.

So here's what included:

Cascade gives directions and yardage for 2 different versions; Scrappy and ZigZag.

It includes 3 sizes; baby, lap/twin, and double/queen.

A bonus pillow project is included that's made from the trimmed leftovers of the quilt. Or you can make a mini like I did with the leftovers.

And of course it includes the Design Lesson and Exploration sections to inspire you.

Cascade is available on Craftsy and in my Etsy shop. Hope you'll give it a look. I'd really love to know what you think. Please leave me a comment and tell me which version is your favorite.

Stay cool . . . and quilt on.

Anne

My First Pattern!

I’m super excited to share my quilt with you here at the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. My festival quilt marks a huge turning point for me and my quilting. 

Last year I finally discovered all you talented, enthusiastic quilters in blogland. A little late arriving, but so glad I finally made it to the party. A quilter for 15 plus years, I’ve never quite felt the connection to other quilters that I feel now as I discover more and more of your inspiring blogs. I’ve been more excited and inspired than I’ve been in years. So this year, I decided to join you and play along. My hat's off to Amy for creating this great online event.

Bloggers' Festival marks the introduction to my newbie blog and my very own quilt business, SpringLeaf Studios. And my festival quilt, Facets, is the very first of my pdf patterns to be released for sale. I have to tell you, it’s super exciting and scary all at the same time. I hope you like my quilt as much as I like looking at all of yours.

I’m a designer at heart and by training, so when I design a new quilt, I’m always exploring all the hidden potential within that design. There’s always more than one way to do something and I love looking at all the options. Simple changes to colors, fabrics and placement can make significant changes to the look of a quilt. One of the goals with my patterns is to share my process and explorations with you so that you can envision more possibilities beyond the featured design. 

The Facets pattern comes with 2 versions, optional sizes, plus 8 additional ideas and a bonus pillow project that's made from the trimmed leftovers. It’s like getting one pattern with endless possibilities. Pattern is available at Craftsy and in my Etsy shop. Check it out.

Lastly, I want to thank you for sharing all your inspiring work with the rest of us. No matter your level of experience, I believe we all have something to offer. You never know when your own little idea might be just what someone needs to give them inspiration to make something beautiful. And nothing is more beautiful and meaningful than something made by hand and with our heart for those we love. That’s what quilting gives to me. The opportunity to share my creativity and make the world more beautiful. : )

Here's a final shot of both quilts. Don't you just love that striped chair? My talented daughter, Emily, redid it last summer for her apartment. Love it!