It's a Mini Quilt Along - Criss Cross Applesauce

Is anyone feel as crazy as I do in December? Between getting other people's Christmas quilts quilted and my Christmas sewing done, and helping children with Christmas presents, I don't know what time of day it is half of the time. I think it's getting worse too.

 

First, my apologies to all the winners who haven't received prizes. That is next on the list. I have a stack of charm packs that are begging me to be sent on to a new owner.

 

This week, I played with Criss Cross Applesauce. My kids learned in school how to sit criss cross applesauce. When I was a kid, we sat indian style. I guess somehow it has evolved. I thought it was a fun name for the little quilt that reminded me of sitting cross-legged.

 

This is a flannel charm pack by Holly Taylor for Moda called Christmas Spirit. Instead of making the entire quilt, I put four blocks together. I also played with the layout. Here is a diagonal layout.

 

 

Here is a circular layout.

 

I can't decide which I like better. These measure about 8 inches. I was thinking about how to turn them into Christmas gifts. I really liked the circular layout to put under a candle. Are they called candle mats?

 

My ideas were a potholder, mug rug, or candle mat. I would love to hear any other ideas. What do you think?!?

Autumn Glory Quilt Block

Today is my day in the Glorious Autumn Block Party. There will be a total of 45 free blocks by the time it's over! My block is called Autumn Glory. It's a scrappy leaf.

 

 

Here's the link to my designer profile and all the other blocks:

 

http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/autumn-block-party/

 

CLICK HERE for the link to the block instructions.

 

When I designed this block, I had a Juggling Summer Layer Cake that I thought was perfect for this block. I made four leaf blocks and wanted to use the rest of the layer cake. This quilt is what I came up with.

 

My block is a celebration of fall. We don't get much of a fall in Utah. Doesn't feel much like fall now that it's December even though it is technically still fall. To celebrate, I'll be giving away one of my books Simply Charming Minis.

 

 

Need a last minute Christmas gift? Try a mini quilt! Simply Charming Minis has 16 patterns from 13" to 21" all shown in two colors. Mini quilts are so fun you'll be done before you know you started!

Here are the other designers whose blocks are being posted this week:

 

Wednesday, Nov. 28
Erin - One Piece at a Time   
http://erinrussek.typepad.com/

Thursday, Nov. 29   
Nan - Purrfect Spots   
http://www.purrfectspots.blogspot.com/

If you make this block, I'd love to see a picture of it on the flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/autumn-block-party/

Karlene's Simply Charming Mini

Konda asked me on Wednesday if I would make a quilt from her Simply Charming Mini book for this blog hop.  Thanks Konda, it was a lot of fun.  I actually have a lot of this Fig Tree Fabric "Butterscotch and Rose" because I wanted to make Konda's pattern "Charming Flowers" from her book Simply Charming.  So when she asked me to do this I thought it would be fun to make this pattern "Mini Flower Garden" to go with the big quilt that I hope to make one day.  I tend to change patterns that I make, for instance this quilt I made 16 flowers instead of Konda's 8 flowers. I used 2 charm squares for the red in the center of the flowers and I used the same yardage for the background, border, binding and backing.  I love to make little quilts like this, they don't take much fabric, I love putting them out on little tables, and I love practicing my quilting on my Bernina.  Hope you enjoy!

My daughter who is my photographer has gone to bed, so I didn't get some things on my blog that I wanted to tonight.  Please check out my blog today or later to see what I enjoy doing - www.karleneskreation.blogspot.com

Water in my Basement and Sandy

When I came home from Quilt Market, I found that the hose behind my washing machine had overflowed sending lots of water into my sewing room. My husband had noticed, and cleaned up, the water that was in the laundry room. He didn't go into my sewing room though. Why would he?!?

Of course, I noticed this on Thursday, November 1. Sandy had already done her damage on the east coast. It's hard to feel sorry for having no measurable amount of water soaking a couple magazines and some fabric that will dry when so many others have had water wash away their houses. Sandy helped me keep things in perspective. 

I have heard chatter about people wanting to donate quilts. Of course they are. That's what we do. It's nice to be able to donate money, but there's something about sending a quilt that tells people we are sending them our love. But we don't want all our time and effort not going to the people that need it. What to do? Today I heard about one reputable place to send quilts if it is something you are interested in.

Luana at eQuilter has worked with Mission of Love many times - for 9/11, Katrina, Haiti, and Japan relief efforts. She is collecting quilts for Sandy. If you want to send quilts, I would suggest sending them her way. Here is the link:
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/quiltrelief.html

She will be updating that link with current information.

Thank you for being the good and kind people I know you are!

Giveaways Postponed

In getting ready to attend the International Quilt Market in Houston, I was not able to post winners. I know it doesn't take that long, but there are already 6 undone things on my To Do List.

We'll have some fun giveaways when I get back along with the Quilt Along prizes!

Thanks! Houston, here I come!

It'a A Mini Quilt Along-- Flying Around in Circles

I am SO glad that Konda invited me over for a visit today :)  

HI!!!!, I am Marion (I blog HERE) and I met Konda back in January when I began my SUPER Awesome Quilting Adventure!
(You can read all about my Quilting Crusade HERE)

I soon discovered that Konda was probably the best person I could have happened upon as I was learning how to quilt.  Little did I realize, at the time, that she was FAMOUS and so TREMENDOUSLY talented!!

(DON'T DELETE THIS PART, KONDA!!!) :D

So, are you ready to party??? YEE HAW!!!

I chose "Flying Around in Circles" because, let's face it, it's what I do best ;D

...and it's so DARN cute ;)

So, SERIOUSLY, how did I not know how much fun making Mini Quilts is/are/was???

(Which is it?  That sentence is making me CRAZY!) ;)

How cute is this MINI 16 patch??  The squares are 1" :)

This quilt came together in a SNAP!!

I have a serious crush on these little flying geese ;)

I whipped this bad boy up in no time and gave it to a fiend for her birthday :)

My friend has two little kids, and isn't "Flying Around in Circles" exactly how life is with babies running/crawling around?

I have to add one more thing :)  Konda is a FANTASTIC pattern writer.  Her instructions are SO clear and easy to follow.  A++++++++++++

So it's time for you to show me how you Fly Around in Circles ;D

Bar Hop Quilt Along Block 12

Welcome to Moose on the Porch Quilts! I am so excited to show you the block I designed for the Bar Hop Quiltalong!

 

 

But first! My favorite bar - besides a Hershey's chocolate bar - is a potato bar. I haven't been to a good potato bar for ages! It use to be the go to dinner for feeding a crowd. What do you like on your potatoes? I usually stick with cheese and bacon. I need to get a little more adventurous.

 

Here's the block I designed. I call it Bricks and Mortar.

 

I used just the four fabrics provided by Clothworks. A strip set and partial seams make this block quicker than it appears!

 

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

 

Here is a mock up of what a quilt of just the blocks would look like with a pieced sashing. Kind of makes me want to build a brick pillar.

 

 

In case you are interested, this is the pieced sashing I used in the quilt above.

 

 

It's a 2" x 12" finished sashing. So the pieces would measure, from left to right, 1 1/2" x 2 1/2", 2 1/2" square, 1 1/2" x 2 1/2", 2 1/2" x 4 1/2", 1 1/2" x 2 1/2", 2 1/2" square, and 1 1/2" x 2 1/2".

 

If you make a block, we'd love to see it! You can post it on the flickr group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2057848@N25/

 

NQR: Doing Hard Things

I'm decompressing today. This post isn't really quilt related. Last weekend I took a trip to Las Vegas. This was not your typical weekend in Vegas. We did walk down the strip which frankly just gave me a headache - all the new smells. I was there for an obstacle race with two of my younger brothers. Their wives came to take pictures. My other half stayed home to control the craziness that six children bring. He thinks I'm crazy. He's usually right.

 

 

The race was full of challenges. One of my brothers dashed through the 11 mile course in an hour and a half! My other brother, who has a bum knee, stayed with me. I just kept my eyes on his feet in front of me. He said stay left, and I stay left. He said run up the hill. I ran up the hill. Except once when I looked up at an airplane and fell.

 

It was an interesting race. It was long. It felt like we would were running all day, but I almost wasn't ready for it to be over yet. Except that all the muscles in my legs kept taking turns having spasms which I have never experienced before. While the race was hard, it wasn't hard to keep going because I had decided I was going to do it. There was no question. So I just kept following my brother's feet.

 

Today was a different story. Today was hard.

 

Today I ran 4 miles and felt terrible. I think I was just working out all the kinks from last weekend. I was full of complaining. My legs were heavy, my back hurt, on and on. I wanted to stop. Bad. Then I thought about my daughter who had her last cross country race yesterday. She didn't have a good race. I thought about what I was trying to tell her to do. And I did it. I picked up my pace a bit and then held on. (That put me at my normal pace. I wasn't going fast.) I had to grit my teeth to keep going. It was hard. I never fell into a rhythm like I usually do. It would have been so easy to stop. Who cares if I stop? It wouldn't hurt anyone? So what if I go for a nice easy walk?

 

Every time those thoughts came, I had to fight them back. I care! I can do this! I am not going to be lazy today! I made myself run a block farther than my usual stopping point to prove to myself that I wasn't quitting today.

 

Okay, I'll embarrass myself. Here's the picture you really want to see. My sister-in-law got this after I finished. I had face planted into the mud moments before.

 

 

 

Sometimes just living every day is hard. But we can do hard things! Sometimes. . .

It's a Mini Quilt Along Winners

One of my favorite things to do is show some of the fun variations of the blocks and quilts on my blog!  The winners this week are:

 

stitchingauntie!

 

 

AReformedHeath'n!

 

vroomansquilts!

 

and sassypacks!

 

Fun quilts! Thanks for sharing them! I have a couple of your addresses, but if I don't, then please send me your address, and I will mail you a prize!

 

Thanks for everyone playing along!

It's a Mini Quilt Along - Fire and Rain

Hi all! My name is Brooke Johnsen and I blog at Pitter Putter Stitch.

My mom tried teaching me to sew when I was 10 and I took a sewing class in high school. After getting married, I had all these ideas for projects that I wanted to make, but not really knowing what I was doing, I'd go to my mom for help and she'd pretty much finish each project for me. (Thanks, Mom!) It wasn't until the fall of 2009 that I started thinking seriously about buying a new sewing machine and learning how to quilt. I had happened upon Allison's blog, Cluck Cluck Sew, and seeing her quilts totally made me want to learn how to make things like that. Before then, I could see a quilt and appreciate the time that it must have taken to make, but the colors and motifs didn't appeal to me. I love modern design and bright colors. My mom had given me her old White sewing machine, which worked great, but it wasn't really made for quilting. So, I bought a cheap Singer machine and set out to learn all I could about quilting. Early in 2010, I joined the Modern Quilt Guild and attended my first guild meeting with the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild in March of that year. The rest, as they say, is history.

Over the last three years, I've learned so much about quilting and about myself as a quilter. I now sew on a Babylock Symphony, which I love, and have found myself wanting to stretch and try new things. I have a huge bucket list of quilts to make and start more projects than I have time for with three little kids and a full-time job, but I love this hobby and I know I will be a quilter for life.

Alright, enough about me. I'm excited to show you the project I made from Konda's Simply Charming Minis book - an autumn Fire and Rain pillow. I don't have a dedicated sewing space, which means no place to hang mini quilts. So, I opted to turn this mini into a pillow to use on my couch this fall.

I LOVE this design! When Konda asked me which project I'd like to make, this one was my first choice and I crossed my fingers, hoping that no one else had picked it. I've made several projects out of half-square triangles in the past, but with Konda's instructions, even a beginner would have no problem sewing these puppies up.

I looked through my stash and pulled an assortment of green, orange, and yellow fabrics of varying values to make the zig zags on the front. For the envelope back, I used Alexander Henry's Farmdale Crosshatch in Green.

I straight-line quilted the pillow about 1/2" apart, following the zig zag lines.

I decided against putting a binding on this pillow and instead just sewed the front and backing pieces right sides together, turned right side out and stuffed with a 20" feather pillow form from Ikea (my favorite pillow form).

Now, hurry up and get started on your Fire and Rain mini quilt or pillow. This is such a great design and lends itself to all sorts of colors!

Glorious Autumn Block Party

Looks like fall is time to quilt! I don't think I've been quilting enough lately. Hasn't turned cold yet around here.

 

The Quilting Gallery is having a Block Party! It started the beginning of September. It will run for 15 weeks and there are three quilt blocks each week - that's 45 free blocks!

http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/autumn-block-party/

 

 

Here's the flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/autumn-block-party/

 

Lots of inspiration to draw from - pick your favorites for your own autumn quilt! My block isn't until November 27th. I finished it last weekend and loved it so much I made 4 of them and set them with some alternate blocks for a fun fall quilt! I can't wait until Thanksgiving to show it to you! (That will give me time to get the top quilted!)

October Bar Hop Quiltalong

Last October I participated in the Quilt Uber-fest as a quilty October-fest activity:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2011/10/quilt-uber-fest-day-1.html

 

This year, Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios is hosting a Bar Hop Quiltalong.

 

 

I was a little worried when I heard this years theme until Scott reminded us that there are all sorts of bars. My favorite bars are ice cream bars, potato bars, and of course, Hershey chocolate bars!

 

One block will be introduced each day for the first 14 days of October. The line up and intro can be found here:

http://bluenickelstudios.com/?p=4984

 

and the flickr group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2057848@N25/

 

The day to show you my block is October 12th which seems forever away! I have my block patiently waiting its turn.

 

Oh yes, that means that it started today!

Visit Mama Spark on Moda Bake Shop

Mama Spark who posted our first Mini Quilt Tuesday:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/day-one-of-simply-mini-blog-tour.html

 

is on the Moda Bake Shop today!

 http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/09/charmalade-quilt.html#more

 

 

I have been thinking about spring with the Springtime in the Rockies blog tour. Mama Spark's pattern is a great spring quilt! Check it out!

Springtime in the Rockies Blog Tour

Thanks for visiting all of us on the Springtime in the Rockies! Most of the blogs are still open for comments. Check them out right away for a chance to win:

 

Here's the list: http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/springtime-in-rockies-blog-tour.html

 

 

This book has been a long time in the making. I love how Kansas City Star put it together. Just opening it feels like a breath of spring! The pages are full of pictures of the rocky mountains that are gorgeous! Take a quilt vacation in it's pages!

 

 

This is a picture I took that I was hoping would be in the book, but I didn't even submit it when I saw the pictures they already had. This is up the road from my house where I go walking and running. I love the juxtaposition of the blossoms and the snow!

 

 

What I love most about this book is the variety of fun spring projects! Each of the designers uses different techniques reflecting their different personalities. There's something for every type of quilter!

 

Here are my projects:

 

My first project is called True North. It is made with charm packs - my first true love! However, it's applique - yes, the A-word! I love how it turned out, but it was very difficult for me.

 

My second quilt is a queen size quilt made with fat quarters. This one looks tricky, but it was easier than the smaller applique quilt!

 

For my third project, I tried a new technique. I designed the quilt pattern a long time ago, and it didn't work out for what I had intended. It was perfect for this book! I tried a new technique. First, I made thewall hanging and quilted the flowers and the basket. (The quilt design is in the book.) Then, colored it with watercolor pencils. I was surprised how easy it was! You could color it with fabric markers or crayons or paint. I loved the watercolor pencils! I even washed it, and the colors were still vibrant.

 

We are giving away 17 copies of this beautiful book. One copy on each blog.

 

To win a copy of the book here, leave a comment and tell me if you have been to the rocky mountains. I will randomly pick a winner on Friday.

The First Quilt Along Winners!

The first winners for the It's a Mini Quilt Along have been chosen (by random.org)!

 

These FIVE winners will each receive a Snow Day Batik charm pack!

 

 

The winners are:

 

Sherry

 

Grendelskin

 

Anne's House

 

Linda

 

Cathy

 

Congratulations! I have emailed each of you!

 

There are some fun quilts already on the Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/groups/2124940@N22/. The next prize drawing will be from the Flickr group.

 

Happy Quilting!

Day One of the Simply Mini Quilt Along

Hi, I'm Pam Lincoln and you can find me over at Mama Spark's World. I have been quilting for about 7 years now and am as addicted now as I was when I made my first quilt!  I am a scientist by day and quilt every spare minute I can. I have been married for 29 years to my husband, Chris.  We have three wonderful children, 2 daughters and a son.  We have one dog and are owned by 5 cats. Life is full and busy at our house but there is always time for quilting!  I have a great project coming out on Friday so be sure to stop over and check out my blog then!

 I have made so many friends in blogland and Konda was one of them. I actually got to meet her 2 years ago at spring market.  It was an amazing trip and I made a lot of new friends, including Konda.

 I am so thrilled that Konda asked me to be a part of the Simply Mini Quilt Along.  When she asked us to choose a quilt I knew exactly which one I wanted to try first so that's the one I chose.  They are all fabulous but this one just called my name.

That's the one. Mosaic.  Isn't it adorable??  I love all that negative space too.  So much space to practice your quilting!  I couldn't decide which fabrics to use.  Should I do a light background or dark.  Decisions, decisions.  I was working on another project and had some of that charm pack left over, calling my name so that's what I went with.

It always seems to go so much quicker once you choose your fabrics doesn't it?  Konda's directions to make this little gem were so easy.  I actually cut everything and laid the whole thing out on my cutting board (of course I forgot to take a picture of that!)  No large design wall necessary, this is the beauty of making a mini.  The entire layout fits on your cutting mat!  Perfect!!

I wanted to practice my straight line quilting and using striped fabric just seemed to lend itself to that.
I made lots of lines, unevenly spaced and in different directions.  I hope you like mine and I can't wait to see your versions of this little beauty too!

I  Just LOVE how this turned out!!  Here is a quick pic of the back where you can see the quilting even better!  Notice that little yellow PoP on the border?  Love it!

What fabrics will you choose for your Mosaic?  Are you playing along?  You can get the details and sign up over here.  There are going to be prizes for participating too!!  Don't forget that if you are playing along you need to post photos of your quilt in the Flickr group.  You can post 2 photos that will be eligible for prizes.  One of your quilt top and one of your finished top.

I hope you enjoyed my version of Mosaic and that you have fun participating in our Simply Mini QAL!  Keep watching Konda's blog for the next mini quilt in the QAL!!

If you get a minute, stop over and visit me at my blog, Mama Spark's World

~XOP~

. 

Blog Tour and Quilt Along

Ahh! Too much fun!

 

Have you been blog hopping along?

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/springtime-in-rockies-blog-tour.html

 

 

There's three more days and lots of chances to win Springtime in the Rockies!

Stop by each blog and leave a comment!

 

And tomorrow is the first real day of our It's a Mini Quilt Along! Are you ready?!?

 

If you don't have a book, you can get it here: http://www.moosequilts.com/shop/minis.html

 

OR it's still on sale this week 20% off at the Fat Quarter Shop:

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-of-month-simply-charming-minis.html

 

Just to recap what's going to happen --

1) Be sure to sign up here:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-mini-blog-tour-schedule-and-sign-up.html

to enter the first prize drawing. I will announce these winners on Wednesday, September 26th.

 

2) Tomorrow Pam Lincoln also known as Mama Spark will introduce our first mini quilt.

 

3) Make the same mini quilt in the fabrics of your choice and post the picture(s) on Flickr. If you need help with this, I have two tutorials - Flickr 101 and Flickr 102 that may help.

You can post 2 pictures - one of the quilt top and one of the quilt top after it is quilted and bound. Both of these will be entered in the biweekly drawings. Then just the quilted tops will be eligible for additional prizes! This is the perfect time to practice quilting your own tops!

4) The first drawing for the quilt tops will be October 9th - announced October 10th. You have until then to finish the top that will be announced tomorrow.

My goal is to flood the earth with charm packs - okay, not quite, but I will be giving away around 50 charm packs over the course of the quilt along! Quilt along and win!

Springtime in the Rockies Blog Tour

My new book, Springtime in the Rockies, came out this summer. It is finally time to formally introduce it with a blog tour! The fun starts tomorrow! Books will be given out all along the way. Join the fun!

 

 

Sept 19 - Kansas City Star http://www.pickledish.com/

Sept 20 - Amy Smart http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

                        Sherri McConnell http://www.aquiltinglife.com/

Sept 21 -  April Mazzoleni http://aprilmaedesigns.com/

                        Maggie Barber http://shortcookie.blogspot.com

Sept 22 - Becky Morganson http://stitchesandsewforth.blogspot.com/

                        Marion McClellan http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/

Sept 23 - Emily Herrick http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/

                        Kathy Miller  http://makingitfun.blogspot.com/

Sept 24 - Karlene Riggs http://karleneskreation.blogspot.com/

                        JoyLyn Rigby http://broadbentquiltshop.blogspot.com/

Sept 25 - Margie Ullery http://www.ribboncandyquilts.blogspot.com/

                        Shannon White http://itssewshannon.blogspot.com/

Sept 26 - Machelle Preston http://cherrytreecottagequilts.blogspot.com/

                        Kim Walus http://bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/

Sept 27 - Konda Luckau http://moosequilts.blogspot.com

                        Jenifer Dick http://www.42quilts.com/

It's a Mini Blog Tour Schedule and Sign Up

It's a bit late, but today is the day!

 

 

If you plan to participate, in the It's a Mini Quilt Along, comment below. In two weeks will be the first prize drawing from those who comment on this post. Let me know what charm pack you have been itching to use - or what colors if you are using scraps! 

 

Most of the quilts take one charm pack or one charm pack and one fat quarter for background fabric. My goal for this quilt along is to flood the earth with charm packs - or at least the homes of many quilters! Then there will be extra prizes for the quilts that get quilted. This is a perfect time to try your hand at quilting on your sewing machine!

 

Here's the schedule:

Sept 11 - Sign Up

Sept 25 - Mosaic

Oct 9 - Fire and Rain

Oct 23 - Flying Around in Circles

Nov 6 - Quilt Your Top

Nov 20 - Mini Flower Garden

Dec 4 - Criss Cross Applesauce

Dec 18 - Quilt 6

   There's three weeks here for the holidays.

Jan 8 - Quilt 7

Jan 22 - Quilt Your Top

Feb 5 - Quilt 8

Feb 19 - Quilt 9

Mar 5 - Quilt 10

Mar 19 - Quilt 11

Apr 2 - Quilt Your Top

Apr 16 - Final Drawing for Finished Quilts

 

As in other quilt alongs, you will get to meet guest quilters each time. And to enter the drawings, post your pictures on the flickr group:

 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2124940@N22/

 

Feel free to post pictures of fabric you are going to be using, but they won't be entered in the drawings. Two pictures of each quilt will be entered in the drawings: 1) Quilt Top and 2) Quilted Mini Quilt.

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something. Please ask me on here on on flickr and we'll get it straightened out!

Simply Charming Minis Featured and on Sale!

The Jolly Jabber has featured Simply Charming Minis as their Book of the Month for September!

 

 

I am thrilled, of course, but it gets even better! That means that for the entire month of September the book is 20% off at the Fat Quarter Shop!

 

If you haven't gotten your book yet for the It's a Mini Quilt Along - that starts tomorrow - eek! - this is the perfect chance to pick one up!

 

And about that Quilt Along - -

 

Tomorrow I will post the sign up/schedule/initial blog post. We will start sewing in two weeks. Stay tuned for tomorrow!