You Can Quilt Blog Hop

Welcome to day 6 of the You Can Quilt! Blog Hop.  Today I'm introducing you to the Chapter on Improvisation.  This was a fun chapter and I think you'd enjoy making these three  blocks - I did!

To start with, I picked 6 lovely new fall fabrics from Island Batik.  The top three are from the line Sea Salt Sandy.   The bottom three are from the line Lavish.   I thought these bright cheerful fabrics went well with the fun improvisational blocks I was going to make.  I also used a white Island Batik fabric called Baker's Dozen - Flour for the background in two blocks.

The first block I made was a string block.  this is a good block for a beginner, or anyone wanting to make some fast blocks.  It's a great block to use up scraps of strips you might have laying around.

 After you make one block, you make three more and sew them all together into one big block- quick and easy!

The strips can be different widths in each block.  I made each color strip the same size.

The blocks in the book are made to be a 12" x 12" finished block.  This makes a large block and is very easy to make.

Since I only made three of the blocks from the book- not the whole quilt, I have to admit that I took some liberties of the size of the blocks I made.  To you - the viewer-  my blocks may look 12 1/2" x 12 1/2", but I actually made the blocks all 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".  Over the years I've make a lot of sample blocks and I don't like to have them just laying around. I finally wised up and decided any sample blocks I make, I will make into hot pads!  That way they get used and don't lay around forever in a box.

Here is the string block made into a handy hot pad.  I used Insul-Bright Batting from The Warm Company and one layer of cotton batting for the inside of the hot pad.

 The second block  in the chapter is called the Asterisk Block.  This block was really fun to make.  The instructions are very good, and it's very easy- just make sure you line up the rows before sewing.
 Here is a photo of the second strip sewn on, with a cut thru the block.  The book has very good step by step visuals.  Then I sewed on the red strip, and then the yellow strip.

I made this into a hot pad also.  Photos of the front and back.

 The third block I made was the House and Tree Block.  This is a cute block, and you can have fun picking out different fabrics for the house and tree and grass.  This would be cute on a kids quilt.

Here is a photo of the finished block.  This block is actually on the back of the String Pieced block, so the hot pad has the String Pieced block on one side and the House and Tree block on the other side.

As mentioned earlier, the instructions for these blocks are very clear.  There are good visual step by step photos and lots of tips.

Thanks to Island Batiks for the fun fabrics to use in this blog hop.  Check their website to see all the great new fabrics coming out this fall.

AQS  is excited to present their ultimate beginning quilting handbook- You Can Quilt!  You can purchase it here:

Be sure to follow all the other posts for the You Can Quilt Blog Hop

Bloggers are by Date, Chapter, Name, Blog

Oct. 9 – Ch. 1. Basics - Leila Gardunia  http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com

Oct. 12 – Ch. 2. HST - Tammy Silvers  http://www.tamarinis.typepad.com/

Oct 14 – Ch 3. QST - Connie Kresin Campbell http://www.conniekresin.com

Oct. 16 – Ch 4. Flying Geese - Maryellen McAuliffe http:// teachpany.blogspot.com

Oct 19 -- Ch. 5. Wonky - Christine McCrann Martinez http:// madeinscraps.blogspot.com

Oct. 21 – Ch. 6. Improvisation - Connie Kauffman http:// kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Oct. 23 -- Ch. 7. Foundation Paper Piecing - Joan Kawano http:// moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

Oct. 26 – Ch. 8. Curves - Marlene Oddie  http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

Oct. 28 -  Ch 9. One-Patch Blocks - Bea Lee http://www.beaquilter.com

Oct. 30 – Ch. 10. Applique - Barbara Gaddy http:// bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com

Nov. 2 – Ch. 11. Inset Seams - Pamela Boatright  http://pamelaquilts.blogspot.com/

Nov. 4 – Ch. 12. Challenge Blocks - Linda Stewart Pearl http:// www.onequiltingcircle.com

Nov. 6 – Ch. 13. finishing – Marlene   http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

For the contest with this blog, Island Batik is offering a fabric bundle and AQS is offering a physical copy of the book to 4 lucky winners.  To enter, be sure to post a comment to my blog and enter the rafflecopter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Can Quilt! Blog Hop

The You Can Quilt Blog Hop starts today!  This is a great hop- especially for those of you who are beginning quilters.  Check out the bloggers each day and be sure to enter the drawing for a free You Can Quilt! book and bundle of some of the new Fall Island Batik fabric!

 Bloggers are by Date, Chapter, Name, Blog

Oct. 9 – Ch. 1. Basics - Leila Gardunia - co-author -  http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com

Oct. 12 – Ch. 2. HST - Tammy Silvers  http://www.tamarinis.typepad.com/

Oct 14 – Ch 3. QST - Connie Kresin Campbell http://www.conniekresin.com

Oct. 16 – Ch 4. Flying Geese - Maryellen McAuliffe http://teachpany.blogspot.com

Oct 19 -- Ch. 5. Wonky - Christine McCrann Martinez http://madeinscraps.blogspot.com

Oct. 21 – Ch. 6. Improvisation - Connie Kauffman http://kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Oct. 23 -- Ch. 7. Foundation Paper Piecing - Joan Kawano http://moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

Oct. 26 – Ch. 8. Curves - me! - Marlene Oddie  http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

Oct. 28 -  Ch 9. One-Patch Blocks - Bea Lee http://www.beaquilter.com

Oct. 30 – Ch. 10. Applique - Barbara Gaddy http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com 

Nov. 2 – Ch. 11. Inset Seams - Pamela Boatright  http://pamelaquilts.blogspot.com/

Nov. 4 – Ch. 12. Challenge Blocks - Linda Stewart Pearl http:// www.onequiltingcircle.com

Nov. 6 – Ch. 13. finishing – I'll share a variety of ways to finish off your blocks that aren't covered in the book.   http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

More Little Gems

My friend Mary Ebert made this cute quilt from my book Little Gems.  This pattern was called Playing with Plaids.  She made it with pastel gingham plaids and white fabrics.  So sweet!

Thanks for sharing the photo Mary!

More Little Gems

I  love to see what quilts other people are making from my book Little Gems.
Brenda has made this little beauty-  the Star Burst pattern.

And this one called Spinner

This was her first paper piecing project- great job Brenda!  Isn't her Ackfeld Wire stand wonderful!  Now that she's made two projects- she only has 14 more to go!

Summer in the Country Blog Hop winner

The Summer in the Country Blog Hop winner for  my blog is Appleblossom.  A pattern for Popsicles is coming your way!

Hope you've enjoyed all the blog postings of patterns, recipes and prizes!

This winner was chosen by Random.org

Summer in the Country Blog Hop

Today is my day to share on the Summer in the Country Blog Hop.  There is nothing more fun than to receive a package of beautiful Island Batik fabric and to be asked to make something with it. The fabrics we (the Island Batik Ambassadors) are showing you in this blog hop are brand new- hot of the press- appearing in stores this August. This time we were to be inspired by summer and fun in the country.  Isn't their logo cute with the barn and windmill!  So many ideas... The fabrics I worked with are from the Flower Fields line. 

Aren't they yummy!   Click here to go to the Island Batik website and see all the Flower Fields collection in true color. We were asked to design something that had a "summer in the county" feel to it.  When I think of summer, I think of cool and refreshing things like ice cold lemonade, ice cream, popsicles or frozen desserts of all kinds. For my summer fun project I made a little table topper called Popsicles. This is a simple paper pieced block pattern.  I used four of the Strawberry Fields fabrics (the four on the left) and added a white background and a basics green fabric- both from Island Batik.  I just had to have that lime color to have the four basic popsicle colors!  Does it make your mouth water?  It's been in the 90's here lately, so a Popsicle sounds good!

Another cold and refreshing dessert I like in the summer is called Freezer Cherry Delight.  This recipe is easy to make, only has 4 ingredients and you can make it ahead and have it in the freezer for whenever you have company.  Give it a try!

Freezer Cherry Delight

     1 can cherry pie filling

     1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk

     1 can crushed pineapple- drain 1/2 liquid

     1 container Cool Whip.

Mix all together, spread in pan, cover and freeze.  

Remove, cut and let thaw awhile before serving.

*My giveaway is a free pattern for Popsicles.  Leave a comment with your favorite popsicle flavor or memory.  I'll draw a winner with Random.org after the hop on Sept 7.

Here’s the schedule for the rest of the hop.  Be sure and stop by and visit each day!

8/17 – Island Batik
8/18 – KISSed Quilts – Part 1
8/19 – Kauffman Designs
8/20 – Adele Mogavero
8/21 – MooseStash Quilting
8/22 – Pamela Quilts
8/23 – Freemotion by the River
8/24 – The Patchwork Pearl
8/25 – Fun Threads Designs
8/26 – For Quilts Sake
8/27 – Lemon Tree Snippets
8/28 – Bejeweled Quilts
8/29 – Tamarinis
8/30 – KISSed Quilts – Part 2
8/31 – Beaquilter
9/1 – Purrfect Spots Designs
9/2 – Maria Michaels Designs
9/3 – Mary Mack Made Mine
9/4 – Made In Scraps
9/5 – Happy Cottage Quilter

Summer in the Country Blog Hop

Summer in the Country Blog Hop starts today.  Celebrate summer and see what the Island Batik Ambassadors have created.  Here’s the schedule!

8/17 – Island Batik
8/18 – KISSed Quilts – Part 1
8/19 – Kauffman Designs
8/20 – Adele Mogavero
8/21 – MooseStash Quilting
8/22 – Pamela Quilts
8/23 – Freemotion by the River
8/24 – The Patchwork Pearl
8/25 – Fun Threads Designs
8/26 – For Quilts Sake
8/27 – Lemon Tree Snippets
8/28 – Bejeweled Quilts
8/29 – Tamarinis
8/30 – KISSed Quilts – Part 2
8/31 – Beaquilter
9/1 – Purrfect Spots Designs
9/2 – Maria Michaels Designs
9/3 – Mary Mack Made Mine
9/4 – Made In Scraps
9/5 – Happy Cottage Quilter