Seasonals and Standards

Hey there, friends!  I am so happy that today I get to give you a little overview of the final sections of my new book, Scrappy Improv Quilting.  The third section of the book is titled Seasonal Sensations and contains six adorable little seasonal quilts.

Every year, I go all out decorating for Christmas (I put up four trees!), but I don't have that same stamina when it comes to the other holidays and seasons.  Even though I don't decorate my entire house during the rest of the year, it is nice to have a little holiday touch here and there, and these mini quilts are perfect for that!  They're easy to turn into pillows, use in a fun table scape, or even hang on the wall, and you'll always feel like your home is ready for the season!

The fourth section of quilts in the book is called Standards With a Twist, and as the name suggests, each of these projects is built around a traditional quilt block, but with a little extra pizzazz to make the quilt fun and fresh.  It just goes to show you that this technique is not a one-trick pony.  It can really be used with any of your favorite quilt blocks.  

Remember when I said that this book was written so that even a novice quilter would be successful?  Well, once you peruse the 22 mini quilt projects contained in Scrappy Improv Quilting, you're not left alone to "quilt and bind as desired."  Sure, if you're experienced, you may not need the guidance for turning your quilt top into a finished mini quilt, but if you need it, it's there for you in the final section of the book. In Finishing Your Quilt, you'll find full instructions for choosing batting, basting, quilting options, and binding.  There are even detailed steps for turning your mini quilt into a pillow, and for sewing a hanging sleeve!

Well, there you have it, friends!  For the past couple of weeks, I've given you a quick overview of everything Scrappy Improv Quilting has to offer, so I hope you're ready to start seeing the individual projects NEXT WEEK!  I've been getting sneak peeks from these amazing quilters, and I promise you're in for lots of eye-candy.  

Beginning next Monday (9/13), the blog tour will feature four projects each week- two on Monday, and two on Wednesday.  

And beginning this week, and for the duration of the blog tour, NTT will be posted on Thursday mornings, rather than the usual Wednesday evening, just to make sure that the posts don't get crowded. 

Scrappy Improv Quilting Blog Tour Schedule-

8/31- Intro, Single Block Beauties, and Simple Shapes

9/7- Seasonal Sensations, Standards With a Twist

9/13- Summer Blossom- Lori @ Crossquilt
           Up, Up, and Away- Sandra @ mmm...quilts!

9/15- Flutter- Rose @ Something Rosemade
           Botanics- Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

9/20- Face the Sun- Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
           Full Spectrum- Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

9/22- Prismatic- Anja @ Anja Quilts
           Downpour- Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting

9/27- Funkytown- Vasudha @ Storied Quilts
           Cherub Wings- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

9/29- Chapel Window- Kris @ Sew Sunshine
           Winter Frost- Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

10/4- Heartstruck- Rebecca Grace @ Rebecca Grace Quilting
           Star Spangled- Christine @ Triangles & Squares

10/6- Birds of a Feather- Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts
           Fall Foliage- Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

10/11- Ornamental- Gail @ Quilting Gail
            Churn, Churn, Churn- Cynthia @ Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

10/13- Sunset Crossing- Kate @ Katie Mae Quilts
             Positivity- Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts

10/18- All Dressed Up- Linda @ Flourishing Palms
             Shockwave- Anne-Marie @ Stories From the Sewing Room

10/20- Sweet Bee (a bonus thank-you pattern), Finishing, and Wrap-Up (here!) 

Signed copies of Scrappy Improv Quilting are available in my Etsy shop HERE, or ask about it at your local quilt shop.  It is also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other major booksellers.  
And shop owners, you can get it from any of the major distributors- Checker, Brewer, United Notions, and EE Schenck.  I hope you'll consider adding it to your library or carrying it in your shop!  :) 

Before we go, I owe you a giveaway winner!  Comment number 3, grammajudyb is the winner of a signed copy of Scrappy Improv Quilting.  Congrats!  I'll be sending you an email to get your shipping address very soon.

NTT- The Official Release!

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm almost finished with the Halloween Spiderweb quilt I shared last week.  I just need to finish up the binding and get some great photos, but today, I have bigger news!  The official release of my new book, Scrappy Improv Quilting, happened on Monday.  YAY!

The official blog hop to celebrate the book release begins next week, but today I want to give you a quick overview of everything the book has to offer.  Scrappy Improv Quilting is the perfect way to dip your toes into improv if it's new to you, or if you're well-practiced, the book is a fun way to add to your improv repertoire.  If you already have my first book, Stash Statement, it is a great companion book, and this one has some extra tips and tricks to make it worth your while.

It contains a step-by-step tutorial with lots of photos to show you just how easy it is to sew your scraps using the scrappy improv method.  There are 22 complete mini quilt patterns using the method, and it even has full instructions for finishing your mini, including adding a hanging sleeve or turning your mini into a pillow.  In case you're wondering how to use mini quilts, Scrappy Improv Quilting even has plenty of ideas for that too!  This book really is perfect for newbies and seasoned quilters alike.

Signed copies of Scrappy Improv Quilting are available in my Etsy shop HERE, and you'll also receive the Sweet Bee digital thank-you pattern for purchasing (pictured in the second row).  The book is also available on Amazon, or ask about it at your local quilt shop.

Is your guild looking for a fun workshop for 2022 (or beyond)?  Now that the book is officially out, I am scheduling classes and trunk shows with Scrappy Improv Quilting. The scrappy improv technique is easy and SO much fun.  Because the technique is similar, and because minis don't take up much space when traveling, my trunk show will also include all twelve quilts from Stash Statement!  That's a lot of eye-candy!  Reach out to me via email (link on right sidebar) to schedule something for your guild.  I promise we'll have a blast!

As I gear up to fully celebrate the release of Scrappy Improv Quilting, it is very clear to me that I couldn't travel to teach or write successful books and patterns without the support of all of you, and for that, I am truly grateful.  :)

Last week's party did not disappoint (of course, they never do).  Jayne at Twiggy and Opal linked up this gorgeous quilt.  The colors just glow against that dark background.

This simple, cute table runner is by Cindy at Stitchin' At Home-

This beauty is by DonnaleeQ.  It is scrap-happy!

And Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting linked up this pretty patriotic quilt-

Alright y'all, it's time to get our party started!

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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)

Back At It, and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  Well, my quilts, manuscript, and other materials for my book have been shipped out to Martingale, and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted right off my shoulders.  Though I'm sure I'll have plenty of contact with my editor and some revisions to do before the book is released next spring, I'll be getting much more sewing time now that the big push is over.  Woohoo!

After all of that work, I needed some fast, fresh inspiration.  Anna Maria Horner to the rescue!  I've been hoarding AMH prints for the past several months for an eventual king size quilt for my bed.  By hoarding, I mean that I have amassed 120 different fat quarters (umm, that's 30 yards of fabric- yikes!), and though I am not quite ready to tackle a giant quilt right now, I couldn't help but cut into several of them.  This quilt is my Folk Dance pattern, designed to look like bright, twirling skirts, and it took just over a fat eighth of 25 different prints (including a couple of Amy Butler fabrics for good measure).  I sold my original Folk Dance quilt before I began teaching quilt classes and presenting trunk shows, so a remake was in order, and these prints were the perfect choice for a celebration quilt.

It also occurred to me that I never got the chance to share this fun mini with you here.  My guild organizes a couple of swaps each year, each with different themes, and they are always SO fun!  The theme for this particular swap was Savvy Solids.

This mini has 24 different solids and each strip only measures 3/4" wide, making the entire mini 18 inches square.  Most are Kona colors, but there are a few Moda Bella solids, and even a couple of Cloud 9 Cirrus solids as well.  I quilted it very densely and matched the thread as closely as possible to each solid.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but the thread actually makes its own soft rainbow in the background.  I love this little mini so much that I almost kept it for myself (and I definitely plan to make a second one someday), but it makes me happy to know that the recipient truly loves it.

Don't feel sad for me though, because the swap mini I received flat-out rocks!  I was lucky enough to receive this mini made by prolific modern art quilter Paula Kovarik, who is also a member of our guild.

So, let's get down to the eye-candy from last week's party!  This improv sampler from Diann at Little Penguin Quilts is awesome!

Just look at this fantastic mini created by Lori at Crossquilt.  Lori is one of my guild friends, and I always love getting to see her projects in person.

Check out the Grape Fizz quilt from Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty.  It's gorgeous, and the addition of the single print amongst the solids is a great design choice.

And I just can't help but share this improv quilt with stunning quilting by Mary at Fleur de Lis Quilts. Be sure to check out her post for close-ups of the quilting.

Wow, friends!  I am floored by your amazing work week after week.  This week, it was particularly difficult to choose features.  I hope you're having lots of fun in your sewing space this week, too.  Let's 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!  :)

Winners, Another Mini, and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  The weeks of summer are slipping right on by, aren't they?  Well, my house is still not put back together, so sewing has been happening in small snippets lately.  I did manage to finish another mini quilt for my wall though.

This is my Baubles pattern (sized way down, of course), and it measures only 15 inches square.  I found all of the fabric bits for this one in my scrap jars, even the binding!  On the back, I used this fun fat quarter that I just haven't been able to work into another quilt.  The peacocks and flowers in this print are the perfect colors and so much fun, and I'm so happy I finally found a great place to use it.

So, before we get to the party, I owe you some July giveaway winners!

First, the winner of the gorgeous polkadot half yard bundle from Five Monkey Fabrics is comment number 25, lalaluu!

and the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop is comment number 126, mpv61!

I am so excited for you ladies!  I'll be contacting you soon via email so that you can get your prizes.   Congratulations!





Okie dokie!  Time to share the amazing highlights from last week's party.  Look at this cutie from Deb at newcreativestate!

or this finished Star Light, Star Dark quilt called Illuminate by Jess at Quilty Habit.

and this Merry Mermaids quilt by Jen's Craft and Quilt Scrapbook is so fun and summery (ps- she made a second mermaid quilt, too)!

I hope you're ready to show me your latest projects in your sewing space!  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!  :)

More Minis

You know, until I had the space for lots of minis, I never fully appreciated how much fun they are!  They are fast and a make great use of treasured bits of fabric.  Right now, I'm also working on some secret sewing, so minis are also a great way for me to sew something I can actually share with you.  In the last couple of days, I've made two more!

This is my Courtyard Tiles pattern, and this whole thing measures just 20 inches square.

The second one is my Gyroscope pattern, and it is even smaller- just 16 inches square.  Those little green sashing pieces are only at a half inch (finished), y'all!  This is another pattern that I need to expand to three sizes, but that will have to wait!  For now, I'm looking forward to making a few more fun mini quilts.

Last week's party was amazing!  Myra at Busy Hands Quilts shared her Brick Cottage Lane (2) quilt-

This pretty Palisades quilt is by Afton at Quilting Mod-

and this beauty, called Prairie Scratch, is from Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts-

Y'all are amazing!  Time to show me what you've got going on this week in your sewing space!

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!  :)

Paint Chip Challenge Swap

In the spring, my chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild decided to have a Paint Chip Challenge swap for members and it was SO much fun!  In May, each member chose two paint chips/cards in coordinating colors they love, wrote our name on the back of them and then sealed them in an envelope.  Our task was to create a mini quilt for the person we chose using only the 8 colors represented on the paint chips.  We were allowed to add gray, black, or white, and a small pop of a third color if we chose (I didn't choose to do this).  Yesterday was the day where all of the minis were presented.  We were challenged to really represent modern quilting in our minis.

My partner chose shades of blue and purple.  When I actually got down to choosing fabrics that matched the paint chips, it was tougher than I thought.  There is real subtlety in these colors.  The purple is really a deep periwinkle, and the blue has more aqua in it than I initially realized. I chose to play around with snowball blocks in varying sizes for my swap partner.  The tiniest snowballs finish at 2 inches, with the corners at just half an inch.  That is by far the smallest piecing I have ever done, and I'm not entirely happy with the way the binding covered up part of the edges, but I like the finished piece nonetheless.  It's hard to tell, but the stippling is pretty tiny as well.

My mini was made by Nysha, of Studio Nysha.  He is a Zentangle instructor and really pushes the boundaries of modern quilting.  It's no surprise that I chose shades of blue and green, right?

The photo does not capture the artistry in this piece, called Intersection.  Although the green stripes are Kona Cotton, the print stripe at the bottom is organza, and the creamy background is silk.  In some places, the matte side shows, and in others, the shiny side.  The quilting is done in varying shades of blue, and with various thread weights.  It really is a work of art, and it looks amazing hanging above my quilt ladder (beside the window, out of direct sunlight).

This was my very first swap, and I really loved the experience.  I don't have a ton of room in my sewing space for minis, so I have to be really selective about participating in swaps, but I may just have to seek out others!

March Mini Giveaway!

Hey y'all!  Have you heard that Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring March Mini Madness?  The month of March is the time to whip up a little mini quilt and show it off on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the tag #marchminis!  There are still several days left in the month, and plenty of fabulous prizes, so jump right in!

In honor of March Mini Madness, Fat Quarter Shop has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway for my lovely readers as well.  Read on for the details!

For my mini, I used the Speck pattern, and rummaged through my scrap jars for the perfect little bits.  I had to modify the size to suit my needs, but the pattern was quick, fun, and simple to follow.  This entire little thing is only 14 inches square, and contains 147 pieces.  I must say though, even with all of those pieces it went together more quickly than I expected.

Instead of binding it, I just sewed it right sides together with batting (leaving an opening) and then turned it out.  I topstitched around the edge, quilted it, and this mini was all ready for it's new home.  By the way, I backed this quilt in a scrap piece of big black and white polkadots, but neglected to take a pic of the back.  Apologies!

It is the perfect little mat for the area beside my sewing machine and brightens my sewing space so much!  It will be great for keeping my seam ripper from rolling around and will perfectly soak up every drop of condensation from the drinks I will inevitably sit upon it.  Eek... it makes me happy!

Okay friends!  Here are the details of the giveaway.  Fat Quarter Shop is graciously providing a PDF of the Speck pattern that I used, along with two mini charm packs of the Color Theory line- plenty of mini squares for creating a sweet little mini of your own.

All you need to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post.  Make sure that I can contact you!  I'll use a random number generator to select a winner next Tuesday, 3/31.    Good luck to all, and happy mini sewing!

Quilt Show Mini

The Memphis area has only one real quilt show each year (that I know of).  It is at a local plantation, and it is a wonderful display of the time-honored traditions of quilting.  As you might guess in such a historic location, the quilts are absolutely gorgeous, but definitely very traditional.  Well this year, they're in for a little bit of a shakeup.

Our MQG chapter has decided to have a real presence at this year's show.  Even though there isn't a "Modern" category, we have each decided to enter a quilt (I'm entering Serendipity).  There are also tables for rent where groups can demonstrate a block or technique.  We really want to take this opportunity to show how awesome modern quilting is, so we're demonstrating improv quilting and letting visitors try it, and are each making a mini quilt that is an example of modern quilting to have at the table.  So this is how I spent a lot of my day yesterday-

(Why yes, I did scotch tape the quilt to the side of my house.  It works for this little bitty quilt, and I couldn't find anywhere better to photograph all of that busy color!)

It's small of course (only 24" square), but I think it packs a modern punch, don't you?  I used my improv piecing technique (sewing by color), then used those blocks with my Easy Peasy Chevron tutorial to create rainbow improv chevrons!  Each HST measures 3 inches finished.

I had so much fun with this one.  Don't you just love projects you can start and finish within a day or two?  I chose big, black and white polkadots for the backing, and I like the pop of the colors against it!

I was really torn about the binding for this one.  I almost used a solid gray binding, but I wanted something a little more interesting.  I decided on this type-text print I had on hand, and I think it looks so cute without being distracting.  This was a little bit of a risk for me, and I'm glad it paid off!

The quilt show is in two weeks, and I can't wait to show visitors a fresh, fun side of this amazing art form.

Here's my only issue.  I am not a mini-quilter.  This is the only mini I've ever made, and unless I have another specific purpose, probably the only one I will ever make.  I really like this quilt and it was fun to make something so quickly, but beyond the show, I don't know what I'm going to do with it.  I know I could hang it on the wall, but I don't really have the wall space.  I know I see tons of minis out there in the blogosphere.  So tell me, what do you do with them?

Edited 10/26- Since Blogger's Quilt Festival is going on right now, someone suggested that I enter this quilt in the mini category.  Makes sense...why didn't I think of that?  So, this is my second entry in the festival.  Shattered Rainbow is entered in the ROYGBIV category.  You can find this, and other amazing quilty inspiration on over at Amy's Creative Side.  Pop over and check it out!

Quilt Stats:

Name- Improv Rainbow Chevrons

Quilting- Free motion meandering by me

Entry Category- Mini Quilts