Louvered

It's time for the second stop on the Stash Statement blog tour, and this week, it's all about the Louvered quilt.

With its more rustic colors, this quilt gives a nod to my Louisiana roots.  Brick red, mossy green, robin's egg blue, tan, and antique gold are common colors in French Quarter decor, and I designed this pattern to mimic the way light shines though the shutters that grace almost every building in the Big Easy.

The French Quarter is nothing if not lush, so I thought this quilt needed a quilting motif to fit the mood, and the floral pattern works so well.  I used Aurifil 40 wt. #2920, Light Brass, and it's subtle, but it stands out just enough against the Kona Bone background.

On the backing, I used two French General fabrics.  I didn't get a close up of the red fabric, but the print is actually tiny fleur de lis, and this tan floral from the Le Marais collection is just a perfect fit for the design, and even includes all of the colors.

These colors and fabrics are a little more on the traditional side, but even so, the improv piecing still looks fun and fresh.  It's a technique that really works for any style of scrap fabric you happen to have on hand!

Lindsey at Primrose Cottage Quilts and Diann at Little Penguin Quilts are today's stops on the blog tour.  They each took the Louvered pattern and modified it to make a smaller project.  Since the projects in the book are all scrappy, that's SO easy to do!

Here's the entire blog tour lineup, and if you missed the kickoff last week, be sure to head over to check out the two awesome versions of the Grand Bazaar pattern (and enter the giveaway, which ends on Wednesday afternoon).

Stash Statement Blog Tour Schedule-

4/16- Grand Bazaar    Shelley @ Cora's Quilts

                                      Connie @ Freemotion by the River

4/23- Louvered  Lindsey @ Primrose Cottage Quilts 

                            Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

4/30- Precarious  Jess @ Quilty Habit                       

                              Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

                                                            

5/7- Beach Retreat  Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts                               

                                  Liz @ Savor Every Stitch 

                                                           

5/14- Fire Pit   Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts                                          

                         Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts

                                                            

5/21- Detour    Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts                         

                         Shelley @ The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts

                                                            

5/28- Murrina    Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl             

                            Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

                                                            

6/4- Scattered    Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal                      

                           Christine @ Triangles and Squares 

                                                            

6/11- Bloom Chicka Boom   Chris @ made by ChrissieD            

                                               Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

                                                            

6/18- Regatta   Susan @ Quilt Fabrication                             

                          Debbie @ A Quilter's Table    

                          Christa @ Christa Quilts

                                                            

6/25- Catch a Falling Star  Cynthia @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework        

                                              Anja @ Anja Quilts

                                                            

7/2- College Prep   Hilary @ by Hilary Jordan                 

                                Lori @ Crossquilt

                                                            

7/9- Take Flight (free bonus pattern)  Kelli @ Seriously, I Think It Needs Stitches 

                                                             Paula @ The Sassy Quilter

Signed copies of Stash Statement are available in my Etsy shop, and the book comes with the bonus Take Flight pattern.  You can also find it on Amazon, Shop Martingale, or ask your local quilt shop to carry it!

LuLu Lattice and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  Wow, it has been an exciting but busy week for me around here, and that includes finishing up my latest quilt, made with the LuLu Lane collection by Corey Yoder.

The colors in this quilt are so pretty.  They're muted but still feel fresh, and the shot of aqua helps it feel springy to me.  Since I'm a sucker for alliteration, I am calling this one LuLu Lattice.

On the backing, I used up all of the scraps, and paired it with an apple green polkadot, which really plays up the more vibrant tones in the collection, and the Kona Pool binding is such a happy frame for these fabrics.

This quilt is a gift, and I know it's going to make the recipient very happy!  In a week with posts for April CMM blocks as well as the Stash Statement blog tour kickoff and giveaway, last week's party seems like it was a long time ago (of course, it wasn't)!  Nevertheless, it was filled with awesome projects, and I definitely want to highlight a few.

Just look at this Postcards from Sweden quilt by Something Rosemade.  The colors are a little deeper than the ones I usually see, and it is just beautiful!

And oh my goodness!  Look at this hexie quilt top by Den syende himmel.  It contains 16,762 hexies!  By the way, she is Norwegian, but her blog is written in English too.

And this queen size quilt by Julie at Pink Doxies, made with Amy Butler's Hapi collection is gorgeous, and the layout is unique!

Wow!!  What awesome inspiration!  I can't wait to see what you share this week.

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

April Sponsor News

Wow!  There really has been tons going on around here this week, with the kickoff of the blog tour, celebrating the release of my new book, Stash Statement.  Since it's the middle of the month though, I definitely want to take a few minutes to let you know of some special happenings at a couple of my favorite shops on the web.

Since there's so much going on, I'm going to keep this post short and sweet, so read on!

Over at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, there's a Bundle Bash going on!  Most of their exclusive FWFS bundles, and even some manufacturer bundles are at least 40% off, starting at just $8.95!

You can find them HERE.  Once they're gone, they're gone, so you definitely don't want to delay.


         

At Shabby Fabrics, the first round of signups for the Enchanted Garden Block of the Month went so quickly, they've decided to add a second round.

The program will run from July 2018 through June 2019, and includes all patterns, pre-fused and laser cut pieces, top fabric, background, sashing, and binding!  Check out all of the details HERE!


                      



There is not a sponsored giveaway with this month's post, BUT, there is another giveaway happening right now.  Take a minute and visit the kickoff post (HERE) for the blog tour to celebrate the release of my new book, Stash Statement, and enter for a chance to win a copy!

Happy Spring and happy shopping!

Stash Statement Kickoff and Giveaway!

After months and months of hard work and tons of secret sewing, it is officially time to kickoff the blog tour to celebrate the release of my new book, Stash Statement!  Because this time of year is so busy, the tour will span several weeks, featuring one quilt each week.  The very first quilt in the book is Grand Bazaar, and it's also the cover quilt!

(why yes, my husband and dad really did move this antique vanity from my bedroom to my backyard so I could take this photo!)

The design of this quilt was inspired by hanging lanterns in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.  The improv piecing adds to the light illusion, and gives the lanterns an awesome twinkling effect.  The background fabric is Cloud 9 Cirrus Solid in Ash, and the soft gray adds to the look of lanterns shining at dusk.

I quilted with a fairly tight stipple with Aurifil 50 wt. Dove #2600, and though it adds plenty of crinkly texture, it doesn't compete with the design.

The backings of each quilt are not featured in the book, so I will definitely be showing them all during the tour.  For the back of the Grand Bazaar quilt, I decided to stick with the ornate theme and pull out my stash of Amy Butler prints.

Stash Statement is all about using your own scraps to make quilts with WOW factor!  The book covers three different (easy!!) methods of improv piecing, with virtually no waste, and the technique requires no extra cutting of your scraps to specific sizes.  Then, you'll take those pieced units and use them within twelve full, detailed quilt patterns!  It's the perfect blend of structure and play.  Whether your scraps are bright and modern, or softer and more traditional, they'll create gorgeous quilts, and I promise, this is doable for everyone.

You can get a signed copy of Stash Statement in my Etsy shop HERE, which of course, comes with the free Take Flight bonus pattern.  It is also available on Amazon, or you can ask your local quilt shop.  I hope you'll give it a try to make your treasured scraps make a real statement!

Shelley at Cora's Quilts, and Connie at Freemotion by the River are the first two stops on the tour,  and I can't wait for you to see their gorgeous versions of the Grand Bazaar quilt.  And Jenny, from Stitch This! The Martingale Blog made a mini version of the Precarious quilt to kickoff the tour.  

Take a look at the entire lineup.  There are lots of quilty superstars in there, and you won't want to miss any of these quilts!

Stash Statement Blog Tour Schedule-

4/16- Grand Bazaar    Shelley @ Cora's Quilts

                                      Connie @ Freemotion by the River

4/23- Louvered  Lindsey @ Primrose Cottage Quilts 

                            Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

4/30- Precarious  Jess @ Quilty Habit                       

                              Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

                                                            

5/7- Beach Retreat  Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts                               

                                  Liz @ Savor Every Stitch 

                                                           

5/14- Fire Pit   Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts                                          

                         Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts

                                                            

5/21- Detour    Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts                         

                         Shelley @ The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts

                                                            

5/28- Murrina    Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl             

                            Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

                                                            

6/4- Scattered    Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal                      

                           Christine @ Triangles and Squares 

                                                            

6/11- Bloom Chicka Boom   Chris @ made by ChrissieD            

                                               Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

                                                            

6/18- Regatta   Susan @ Quilt Fabrication                             

                          Debbie @ A Quilter's Table    

                          Christa @ Christa Quilts

                                                            

6/25- Catch a Falling Star  Cynthia @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework        

                                              Anja @ Anja Quilts

                                                            

7/2- College Prep   Hilary @ by Hilary Jordan                 

                                Lori @ Crossquilt

                                                            

7/9- Take Flight (free bonus pattern)  Kelli @ Seriously, I Think It Needs Stitches 

                                                             Paula @ The Sassy Quilter

Before you go though, I'm giving away two copies of Stash Statement- one hard copy to a US winner, and one digital copy to an international winner.  To enter the giveaway, just leave a single comment on this post.  Don't forget to let me know whether you're a US or international quilter!

Remember to leave an email address if you're a no-reply blogger, and only one entry per person please!  Unfortunately, replies to your own comment counts as an entry (the system numbers those, too), so be sure to put your email address in your comment.  Additional replies/comments/entries will be deleted.  I'll announce the winners at next week's NTT (April 25th).

Good luck, friends!

                                                            

CMM April Blocks

It's hard to believe it, but we are a third of the way through the Classic Meets Modern QAL!  Don't worry if you've fallen behind, or even if you just want to join in now.  With only two blocks per month, the pace is leisurely enough that you can catch up!

This month's blocks include one of my all time faves, the Rolling Stone block.  If you're a regular around here, this won't surprise you at all.  I love blocks that have a rounded look, and sewing snowball corners doesn't bother me one bit.

Since this block is a big 18 inches, I chose one of the largest teal prints for the main part, and I love how the twigs in the pink print sort of have a swirling look around the center block.

The second block for this month, Susannah, was a really simple one to sew, but beautiful nonetheless.

My corners between the orange and green sections don't match perfectly, but when the quilt is all put together and quilted, that won't be a big deal at all.

I usually don't even point these kinds of things out, but it's important to note that there is plenty of beauty to be found in those little imperfections.  My rule of thumb is that if it isn't visible from five steps away, I don't unpick it.  Perfection is overrated, after all!

If you're looking for an easy way to sew corners without drawing lines, try the tape method.  Just use a piece of painter's tape or washi tape, aligning the right edge straight out from your needle.  Sew your square corner to corner, keeping the corners aligned with the edge of your tape.

It takes a few squares to get used to sewing without a drawn line to guide you, but after just a little while, you'll be able to sew those corners quickly and accurately!

By the way, don't forget that if you're sewing along but don't have a blog, you can still link up your blocks each month.  An Instagram account and Flickr account are absolutely free and easy to use, and you can link up from there.  When I first released the CMM pattern and kicked off the quilt along, LOTS of you purchased the pattern, but only a handful have linked up each month.  If you have trouble, let me know and I'll help as much as I can.  We definitely want to see your blocks, and remember, there will prizes at the end!

Okay, let's see those April beauties!

1.  If you're a little late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  This is a Block of the Month Quilt Along, so we will only be completing two blocks each month.  The pace is leisurely and it will be easy to catch up.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to my weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

LuLu Lane

These past couple of days, I've been putting together a new quilt with a palette that is a little unusual for me.  It's not often that I work with brown, but in the LuLu Lane collection, it really is lovely.

The lattice pattern with these fabrics is simple, but it creates such a pretty wash of color.  Last time I made a quilt with this pattern, several asked me how to make this quick block.  It's super simple!  Just cut starting squares at 6.5 inches, then slice them along the diagonal.  Cut the center strips at 1.5" x 10.5" and sew between the two halves.  Give the block a press, and trim to 6.5" inches.  Easy peasy and oh, so pretty!

**Edited, since a few have asked- I was able to just "eyeball" to line up the two triangle halves.  There is a little bit of wiggle room there.  Then, when I trimmed the block to size, I used the bias line on my square ruler to make sure the strip was centered within the block.

I'm looking forward to getting this one all quilted and finished!

Kite Festival and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  This week, I've finished up this cute little baby quilt.  My April CMM blocks also got done, but I'll save those for the post on Sunday.

I love the simplicity of the half square triangle, and the layout options are practically endless.  I opted for a random layout on this quilt, and I think the layout, along with the happy colors, gives the look of lots of kites flying.  So, I'm calling this one Kite Festival.

The backing of this quilt is an example of what happens when quilt math goes wrong.  In a hurry to get started, I determined that I needed 64 blocks for this quilt, and promptly started cutting four squares from each of my 16 prints.  Of course, since each pair of squares yields four HST, I realized too late that I was actually cutting double the number of squares that I actually needed.  Well, waste not, want not!  All of the extras just went on the back, and lesson learned-  even for a simple quilt, don't do quilt math in a rush.

I finished it off with a binding in Kona Candy Blue, and now this one is all ready for baby boy snuggles!

Okay then!  Let's get to the highlights from last week's party!  Look at this adorable Sea Otter quilt by Jess at Quilty Habit-

I'm loving the colors in this quilt by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

And this sunny Flying Geese quilt by The Lilac Cat makes me wish for warm, sunshiny days!

What are you working on this week?  I can't wait to see.  It's time to link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)