Blog Block #2 - Betty's Delight

Blog Block #2   Betty's Delight

I've liked this simple block pattern for a long time.  I didn't know the name of the block, so I looked around and the only name I found was Betty's Delight.  I'm sure it also has some other names - send me a post if you know this block by another name.

I made the block using a simple paper pieced pattern.  It takes two patterns to make one block.  Each block only uses two fabrics.  My block is a three inch finished square.

I had a small sampling of Island Batik fabrics that I loved, and thought I'd see how many blocks I could make out of them. 
Here is my finished mini quilt.  
Aren't the colors lovely!

Give-a-Way Winner

The winner of the Island Batik fabric Give-a-Way is Carol C Thomas!

Carol- please contact me within 3 days with your address so I can get the fabrics sent out to you.

(winner was drawn from Random.org)

Fabric Give-a-Way

Fabric Give -a- Way

Welcome to my first fabric Give-a-Way!  I'm giving away 5 half yard fabrics donated from Island Batiks. These are from the Quilted in Honor fabric line.  Just leave a comment on this post and I will select and post the winner on Nov. 18.  

Give-a-Way open to U.S. and Canada only.  Winner will have 3 days to provide a mailing address.  If no address is received in three days,  a new winner will be announced.

Published Project- Christmas Star

This table runner is called Christmas Star and was published in Quilter's World Winter 2014.
Seasons Greetings fabric from Island Batiks were used in the project.  This is a quick and easy project for winter gift- giving.

Photo courtesy of Annie's

Book Review: Table Toppers

Photography courtesy of Martingale

This book  Table Toppers  Quilted Projects from Fons & Porter  has a nice assortment of 12 different projects.  Techniques used  are piecing and/or applique.  The book has a helpful section with 5 Sew Easy Techniques where things are explained in more detail- such as how to make triangle squares, how to paper piece, etc.

I thought it would be interesting to try out one of the projects.  I decided on the last project:  O Christmas Tree by Sue Marsh.

photography courtesy of Martingale

           

Here is my project using an assortment of Seasons Greetings fabrics from Island Batik.  I plan to quilt it with gold thread and add a gold binding.  This project was quick and easy.  It would be a great project for a quick Christmas gift.

Exciting News! New book: Little Gems

I'm excited to show you the cover of my new book:  Little Gems.  This is my 6th book and will be released in Feb 2015.  

If you love small quilts and paper piecing - this is the book for you!  All the quilts are 12" x 12" (okay, one quilt is a tad larger).  These projects are also great for using up scraps.

I love the Ackfeld wire stands which are perfect for these small quilted treasures.  There are a variety of the stands used though out the book.

Check it out soon and enjoy!

Photograph courtesy of Martingale Publishers

Color Inspiration

Who isn't inspired by the colors of fall?  Fall makes me want to pull out a whole seasonal range of colors to play with!

What is your favorite fall color?

"Fall colors are funny.  They're so bright and intense and beautiful.  It's like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary."   - Siobhan Vivian, Same Difference