Tetris Block 1

This is a post about firsts. It's about the first block in the Tetris Quilt Along that's being hosted by Melissa over at Happy Quilting. If you don't know about it, hop over to her site and join in the fun. And don't worry if you don't know what Tetris is or have never played. Melissa gives a great tutorial on how to play to get everyone started. I must admit I'm a Tetris newbie. Another first. I just played my first game. I don't know about you but I'm much better at Tetris quilting than Tetris the game.


This is also my first ever quilt-along. Can you believe it? I've never done a quilt-along. I get so caught up working on new designs for my quilts and patterns that I don't make time to participate in much of the online fun. I'm working on finding the right balance between design/quilting and online blogging fun. How do you all do it?

This quilt along just spoke to me though.  The unplanned, randomness of the blocks is just what I need to break the planning and control I usually bring to my own quilts. Now I'm not going to promise I won't tweak something here or there. It's my nature. But I will try to stick to the Tetris game rules as I understand them.

That said, I've already broken the first "rule" by wanting more control over the color palette. I love love color but just wasn't feeling the whole primary color thing. So I'm going with Kona solids in a blue-green palette. Oh, and did I mention I changed the size too? I'm using a smaller 2 1/2" finished square which will give me a nice sized 30 x 45 baby quilt. But that's the nice thing about this QAL. Mellissa is so ok with everyone doing what they want . . . so I am.

Here's my first block. I reassigned the colors to the shapes Melissa gave us and "played" the game.

And I'm also trying something new to me by using starch. I know I know . . . how can I have quilted for all these years and never used starch? Well, I just haven't. But I'm tired of all those loose threads and limp fabric so I'm giving starch a try. Do you use starch? If so, at what point in the process? Before you cut or after? I'd love to hear your methods and which kind of starch you prefer. So far I love the nice crisp feel of all my little Tetris squares. I just might be a convert if the process isn't too time-consuming.

So far so good. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with and next week's block. I think this is going to be fun.

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

"Fresh Baked"

July means berry pie around here. Not the mouthwatering taste of fresh baked pies even though my husband LOVES cherry pie.  Instead it's the eye catching pie combo of all things fabric fruity. Unfortunately for my family, I'm just not a baker or even much of a cook. I cook because we have to eat. But when it comes to fabric recipes I love to whip up a tasty treat to go with my fruit and veggie dish collection. (You can see my citrus collection here).

Guess you could say I'm a baker with fabric just like I'm a gardener with fabric. I think it's easier and it definitely lasts longer. When July rolls around it's the month of quilted berries. This is as close as it gets to red, white and blue in my house.

A few of the apple collection

The berry collection

I call this quilt "Fresh Baked"  I used lots of apple and berry prints set with some creamy pie crust colored prints to evoke the image of a table full of pies. I think the little red check and a basketweave print for the binding give the feel of a picnic. Now if only it weren't 100 degrees outside and we could actually have a picnic. I also used some buttons in the center of each pie just because I wanted a little hand sewn touch.

Doesn't it make your mouth water?

Fingers Crossed

I've got my fingers crossed. This week I submitted two different projects/ideas to two different magazines. It's my first time submitting and I don't know all the ropes but just wanted to jump in and give it a try. Obviously can't share what they are but here's a sneak peak of what fabrics might be involved.

Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler and Kona Solids. I've had this print for awhile and this project just seemed like the perfect choice. Plus I'll still have enough left over for a quilt!

Modern Quilt Guild, Fancy Tiger Crafts and Tradewinds by Moda

Finally got a chance to attend my first Modern Quilt Guild meeting with the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild that covers Denver and Colorado Springs. It was hosted at Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver. So glad it was closer to me this time so I could check it out. Seems like a great group of quilters both new and experienced. Wish they met in Denver all the time so I could go more often.

Also my first time at Fancy Tiger Crafts but it definitely won't be my last. It's great to find another modern style fabric shop. I loved their fabric selections and even though I'm not a knitter the colors and textures nearly lured me into a knitting obsession too. All the yarns were scrumptious.

For now though, I'm more than happy to stick with the fabrics. Picked up this great new layer cake called Trade Winds by Lily Ashbury for Moda. I've been eyeing this fabric even before it was released, so am thrilled to have it. Now what to do with it . . .

Love these basic prints. I can see using them in lots of quilts.

Here's how Moda describes this great collection.

Picture an ancient market in Zanzibar. Traders from Ceylon have crossed the Indian ocean braving the Barbary Coast pirates. They make their way to Zanzibar where they can trade spice for colorful cloth and other exotic treasures from far away lands. “ Trade Winds” captures the spirit of new discovery, and historic trade. Modern designs in vivid colors mix with ancient visual flavors to create a rich and timeless collection.

Love the colors combos. Very lively. Must be the hidden bohemian in me. haha
I've got a couple of ideas stirring around. Check back to see what I dream up.

Fresh Squeezed, a Juicy Quilt

Last month I mentioned my collection of flower dishes. Well . . . I have an even bigger collection of fruit and veggie dishes. It all started innocently enough with 3 fruit plates. Then another and another and another. Once again, they are mostly flea market finds just like the floral dishes. Before I knew it I had amassed quite a collection so when we remodeled our kitchen, one of my objectives was to incorporate some type of display area. Now I have space for all (well most) of my dishes.

The juicy dishes.

At about the same time this obsession started with the dishes along came all the delicious fruit and veggie fabrics. Of course it didn't take long before an equally large stash of fabrics developed. What can I say? They make me happy  : )  and I'm obsessed with more than fabric. As I collected the fabrics, the initial idea was to make one single quilt but somehow I could never imagine the right quilt. Then it hit me . . . make several quilts, each with their own fruity/veggie theme.

Think I have enough citrus fabrics?

I had the best time cooking up these delicious quilts. Fresh Squeezed, Fresh Baked, Fresh Picked, Vine Ripe to name a few. This summer I will rotate them into my kitchen/dining area starting off the summer with Fresh Squeezed.

"Fresh Squeezed" my juicy summer quilt.

See the great display in the background? Love it!

What better what to enjoy a hot summer day than with an ice cold glass of lemonade? So here's to summer and relaxing with a cold drink.

Summer and Submissions

Summer is here and I'm re-adjusting to a full house after our first year of the empty nest. Lots of chaos, piles and moving, but two young adults are mostly settled in for the summer and I'm finally getting back to the studio.

I'm in the midst of a home decor project for my daughter. Black and white fabrics to go with her fabulous black and white striped chair and create a little added flare to her room.

I'm thinking of submitting my idea for this project to a magazine (thus not many pics to share right now) and am wondering if anyone has experience with the submission process? It's a home decor project that is quilted and very modern in design. I've never submitted before so don't know the ins and outs. Do they want things that have never been published before including on a blog? Do you submit to one magazine at a time? How long does it take? etc etc etc. I have looked into online submission info on websites. Seems some sites don't readily share submission info. Perhaps they don't want unsolicited items. Right now I'm considering Stitch magazine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.