Block Six with April Mazzoleni

Half way already!  How did that happen?  This is such a busy time!  We have another fun block today from my friend April Mazzoleni of April Mae Designs. 

Here's April!

When Konda asked me to be a part of the Fat Quarter Star Quilt Along, the first thing that came to mind was a Cathedral Windows.  While making an entire Cathedral Window quilt can be overwhelming and time consuming, one block featuring one Cathedral Window technique could be a lot of fun! Don't be scared off by the name, it's an easy machine stitched technique that adds a lot of punch.

After a few years of making my own quilts, I'm stepping into the world of pattern designing with the launch of my new pattern company - April Mae Designs.  I'm excited to have two of my quilt patterns featured in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Magazine early next year.  Other quilt designs are in the works and will be available, along with my Fairy Tale Quiet Book pattern in my shop soon.  For those green mama's out there, I also have a Cloth Mama Pad business. Don't forget to stop by my blog and say "Hey!"

Thanks for including me :)

April

Here's April's block called Cathedral Star:

Here's my version of the star:

Just a note on the pattern -- With the extra layers from the cathedral window in the center, I found that it was hard to tell where the seam from the center 4 patch was to match it up with the star points.  To fix this, I used a pin.  I don't like to pin if I can help it, but one pin there made a big difference for me.    

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 was posted. The drawing is technically for block 5, 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?

Lots of stuff!  This time we are going to have 5 prizes for those who have a minute to spare in this busy holiday season!  April is donating one of her Fairy Tale Quiet Book patterns and a charm pack.  Similarly, I have 3 charm packs.

Happy Quilting!

McCall's Quilting -- Carnaby Street

Today in the mail came McCall's Quilting's newest issue -- January/February 2012.

Inside this issue is a quilt that I love -- Carnaby Street!

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/articles/Carnaby_Street

I love to see what McCall's does with my quilts!

Here's  a picture of the full quilt from McCall's.

The fabric is England Swings by Rebekah Merkle for Timeless Treasures.

http://www.ttfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/designer.cgi?designer=71

It was a fun design challenge to work with this fabric.  I first worked with the digital images and came up with a design that I loved.  Then I was told that the fabric was a much larger scale than I thought I was working with.  It took a few more designs before I came up with this finished product, but working through things like that is part of the creative process.  I love the result!

This is a large quilt.  It's almost 88" square.  Because of the large scale fabric, the blocks had to be large, and the quilt is actually fairly quick to make.

So . . . do you know where Carnaaby Street is?  I had to look it up.  I'm not cool enough to know things like that.

Block Four Winners

There's always a week or two where the holidays make a quilt along a bit of a challenge.  But there is a reward for two of those who found a few minutes to spend with their sewing machine.  Sorry for the lateness of this post, but in my time zone, it is still Wednesday.

The winner of the jelly roll from Machelle is:

lindaofthelakes!

And the winner of my fat quarters is:

budsmam!

Congratulations! Love all the stars in the flickr group!!! Email me your name and address and Machelle and I will get those right out!

Happy Quilting!

Block Five with Machelle Preston

Time for another Fat Quarter Stars quilt block!  This is a great one for a holiday -- nice and easy!

Our block today is from Machelle Preston of Cherry Tree Cottage:

http://cherrytreecottagequilts.blogspot.com/

Machelle had a pattern published in Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts this summer:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/fons-and-porter.html

Now from Machelle:

I have been so excited to design a block for the Block a- long.  Konda has such

great ideas and I love following along with her.  I have been busy designing a few

new things.  The lastest has been for Shabby Chic fabric.  The sample is up at Broadbent's

in Lehi.  A fun baby or twin quilt for a little girl. 

I have been doing some holiday sewing.  Making tree skirts for the married kids, and fun

neighbor gifts.  I will be doing a January Sale for all those that live close to me in Spanish Fork, Utah.

 or email me and let me know what you want.  It will be a fun Snow day Sale.  Watch for details on the blog.

Have a great time sewing and stop by to see what we will be doing next.

Have a great Holiday.

Machelle

Here's Machelle's block called Strawberry Star.

Here's my version of the block.

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 was posted. The drawing is technically for block 4, 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!!!
Machelle has generously donated a Moda Jelly Roll,  Hometown by Sweetwater!

I have another 5 fat quarters as well!

Happy Quilting!

A New Name and Two Winners!

Thank you all for the wonderful names for my ABC Quilt!  I was amazed, 1) at how uncreative I am when it comes to naming, 2) how creative other people are, and 3) how I could have used pretty much any of them!  There was one suggestion that I am actually going to use.  It's because the Dr. Seuss ABC book is one of my all time favorite books!  In fact, I can't believe that I couldn't come up with this one on my own. 

Because I am actually using one of the names on the list, I thought we needed two winners. 

First is Amber because I am going to use her idea!

Second is Jan who was chosen randomly!

Email me your mailing information so I can send you both some fat quarters.

Just one other note about the patterns on Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  This pattern as well as the other patterns are all pdfs.  That is how they can be $5 each, and how all the money can go directly to the charities.

Thanks again!  Got a new block about ready to post for you tomorrow!

A Mini Finish!

This quilt was my Ode to the Red and White.  I actually got it finished a month or so ago, but I hadn't taken pictures of it yet.  The quilt is 13" square.

I am pleased with the way it turned out.  I have decided that I like mini quilts.  I even like hand quilting them.  My quilting needs lots of practice, but I don't mind. 

The one thing I have wondered about it is how to use them.  I don't really know how to use quilts as home decor yet.  But, even if I don't get that figured out, I have decided that I am going to make the quilts anyway.  Maybe one day I will have granddaughters to give them to as doll quilts.

This is the next one I am going to work on. 

I have it basted. I haven't decided how to quilt it yet. It is different looking at a quilt and thinking about hand quilting it versus machine quilting it. I love the cross hatching I did on the last one, but . . . I did that on the last one.

Oh yes, I love the names I am reading for my ABC Quilt (that's what I call it - which is why I needed help)!  You are all so clever!  Definitely helping turn the gears in my head!

Quilt Naming Help -- Please!

I finished this new pattern a few weeks ago.  It has been sitting here waiting to be put to good use, but it really needs a name!  I have not come up with anything even close to clever, or even acceptable for that matter.  I would love some help!  Please!

I am donating this quilt pattern to an organization that a friend of mine from Izzy and Ivy started called Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  The patterns on this website are all $5, and all of the money goes straight to an organization that helps orphanges around the world.  There are different organizations, but they all help orphanges.  Here's the website:

http://www.createhopedesigns.com/

And here's my quilt that needs a name before it can go to the website.

The fabric is Taali, a fun new organic line from Monaluna:

http://www.monaluna.com/

I thought it was perfect for this pattern!  My favorite print is a toss up between the sheep and the landscape.  There wasn't a good picture of the landscape, so here's a better one.

The quilting was inspired by the blue and white zig zag stripe fabric.  I wasn't sure what width I wanted between the zig zags, so I tried one inch.  That was too much, so I put one in the middle.  Then I didn't want three zig zags, but I also didn't want to unpick.  What to do?  Alternate!  I put a couple double rows between the triple ones.  I love how it turned out! 

As with all requests for help, I've got some incentive --

Monday I will have a random drawing for those who comment and give me a suggestion on a name. 

What's the random prize?

5 fat quarters!

Thanks in advance for your help!