Block Four with Sherri McConnell

Today block four -- WOW! block four already! -- is brought to us by Sherri McConnell. You can find out about Sherri here:

http://www.aquiltinglife.com/

Don't you love her header! Sherri comes to us from the Jelly Roll Sampler, but I'll let her tell you about it. Here's Sherri:

Hi, my name is Sherri McConnell, and I blog at A Quilting Life (http://www.aquiltinglife.com/). I come from a family of sewers and quilters and received my first sewing machine from my Mom when I was 10; my Mom also signed me up to take sewing lessons at a local Singer shop at about the same time. I made a majority of my clothes during high school and worked at a fabric shop, Cloth World, until heading off to college where I graduated in English and taught at the college level for a while. I have four children; however, only one is still at home--leaving me quite a bit of time to sew and create! I definitely appreciate my husband and children for supporting me in all my quilting endeavors!

I've been quilting for about 17 years...thanks to my wonderful Grandmother who bought me an Eleanor Burns Double Irish Chain Quilt-in-a-Day book...and I haven't stopped since! I started my blog in July 2008 as a way to record my projects...and have appreciated so much the inspiration and friendship from other bloggers around the world.

I loved the Jelly Roll quilt along...it was a terrific way to make a quilt from a jelly roll that would still be sitting on a shelf if I hadn't participated! I think this Layer Cake quilt along is going to be just as fun! I love stars and snowballs so thought I'd combine the two for my block!

Thanks Sherri!

CLICK HERE for the instructions to Block Four.

Here's the picture of Sherri's block:

and here's the picture of my block!

Interesting how the bright yellow doesn't stand out as much as I thought it would because the fabric is so busy.  Oh, I decided to use two layer cake squares for the background instead of the background fabric.  You decide what you want to do. 
So what happens next?

Well, any pictures posted in the flickr group by tonight will be entered into the first drawing. About 10 ish tonight (Mountain Time) I will post my Block THREE. All blocks BEFORE mine are those entered into the first drawing. It doesn't matter which block - just the one's posted before mine. If you post your block AFTER mine, then it will be entered into the next drawing. I will post the winners tomorrow.

What's up for grabs this time?

Sherri has generously donated 2 charm packs of Aviary by 3 Sisters for Moda AND a handmade pincushion!

And I, as always, have a couple additional prizes to add.

Happy Quilting!

Block Four with Kathy Skomp

I met Kathy Skomp and her husband about a year and a half ago in Houston at Quilt Market.  Our booths were across the aisle diagonal from each other.  Being from Tennessee, they were very friendly, and I couldn't help but like them.  Kathy and her husband the owners of Lavender Lime Quilt Shop.

Kathy also writes quilt pattern books.  I think this book "Sassy and Sophisticated" was the new book when we met. 

With our booths so close together, by the time market was over I could give their pitch just as well as I could give my pitch, and sometimes I did on accident.  I think I will forever remember that Kathy's quilts sell fabric, and they are easy to kit. 

Our lives came together again when I saw that Kathy was designing patterns for Northcott just like I was, and we both have the same number of books published.  BUT before I tell you everything, here's what Kathy has to tell you:

Hey Ya'll from Chattanooga, Tennessee

I started sewing at a very young age as I grew up in my grandmother's and mother's upholstery and drapery shop. I was picking up scraps off the the workroom floor and making purses which I sold in elementary school. Even some of the teachers bought my purses. I decided I did not want to make a living sewing, (don't ever say never) so I graduated college and spent the next 15 years as a math/technology teacher. I sewed as a hobby, making items for my home and sometimes sewing my own clothes. I took my first quilting class about 10 years ago. The first time I worked with Batik fabric, I was hooked.

My husband and I opened Lavender Lime Quilting in Chattanooga in the summer of 2005. In 2009, we were named by Better Homes and Gardens as a "Top Ten Shop" and were featured in their 2009 Fall Edition of Quilt Sampler Magazine.

I began designing patterns in 2007. We have 6 books published under "Designs by Lavender Lime" and #7 is almost ready. You can see all the books and many quilts made from the books on our web site at http://www.lavenderlimeinspires.com/. The books are sold nationwide and are carried by many quilt shops. The designs are easy and quick but make beautiful quilts. I also design patterns for Northcott Fabrics. You can check out their website and see my designs: http://www.northcott.com/.

My blog is http://lavenderlimeinspires.blogspot.com/ where I try to post things going on at the shop. We would love to have you as a follower. My favorite things about this business are the creative freedom that quilting allows and the wonderful people that I come in contact with. What a blessing to spend time creating!

~Kathy

Thanks Kathy!

Kathy has designed block 4.  She calls it "Stepping Down."

Click HERE for instructions to Kathy's block.

Here are my blocks:  First, with Attitude Girls

Second, with Swanky.  For this one I just used two jelly roll strips that I alternated and used my background fabric as the small squares.

REMINDER:  You have two weeks to make these blocks.  There will be a drawing tomorrow for block three.  Of course, any block that is posted before mine on flickr gets entered in the drawing.  I have a jelly roll up for grabs and Kathy has graciously donated one of her quilt books.  YEAH!

Note:  Something is being wacky this morning with my pdf files.  I hope the file works for you.  I am going to post this and then try to trouble shoot.  I will be working at the computer this morning so hopefully we can get the kinks ironed out.