Pop Stars - A New Quilt and Giveaway

In case you're all thinking that all I do in July is celebrate my birthday, I've got news for you. I've been working on a new project for RJR Fabrics' What Shade R U bloghop. You can read all about it on the RJR Quilt With Love blog here.  There's lots to know, so check out my guest post over there because there's a HUGE giveaway involved.

I can't resist sharing here because staring at this photo just makes me happy. I've wanted to make an 8-pointed star quilt for ages and finally figured out that I could use my Improv Under the Influence piecing technique to build the star diamonds. It's a riot of split complimentary colours and the outstanding quilting by Carol of Twin Creek Quilts is jaw-dropping. It's so much fun to look at!

There are lots of close-up detail pictures in the main blogpost and you'll be able to see how I avoided y-seams in the construction of this quilt, so check it out!

**GIVEAWAY ON INSTAGRAM** Keep an eye on the @rjrfabrics IG account for a full FQ bundle giveaway of every colour of Supreme Cotton Solids (25 of them) I used in this quilt. Over 6 yards of fabric! Woohoo!

Calendar Girls!

I'm so excited to share that two projects from my book were chosen by the editors at Martingale for inclusion in their 2016 That Patchwork Place Calendar. It's a gorgeous calendar and it includes a full pull-out booklet of patterns, so you could make each of the featured projects!

All photographs by Brent Kane, copyright Martingale Inc.

My Orange Grove quilt was chosen for August. This quilt it such a favourite of mine. I really enjoyed all of the precise piecing (which I have not tackled again since, mind you!). But the very best part is the incredible quilting that Krista Withers put into this quilt. I'm awed by her work and super proud to have this quilt in my collection.

I've got a collection of rainbow pine tree blocks made by the Stash Trad Bee on Flickr a few years ago.  One of these days they need to be pieced together into a colourful version of this quilt.   Here's the calendar spread:

Also included is a gorgeous photo of Ayumi's sweet Big and Little Totes - definitely one of the most popular projects from Make It, Take It that I know many shops are featuring as a sample on their book display. Congratulations Ayumi (Ms. April)!

Ask for the calendar at your LQS, or order directly from Martingale! They're available now (and make the perfect gift for your quilty friends, or a great door prize for your December guild meetings).  Better yet, leave a comment below for your chance to win one from me. Your email address must be linked to, or included in, your comment in order to win.  I'll randomly pick a winner on July 20th.  Good Luck!

ETA: Comments are now closed. Congratulations comment #13. Jen, you've won the calendar! 

The Orange Grove Quilt

In my blog hop kick off post, I wrote about 3 of my projects in Make It, Take It. You can also find more background information on the inspiration behind the book in this post.

My final project in the book is Orange Grove, a 71" square quilt featuring a modern layout and colouration of the very traditional Pinetree block. This block has long been a favourite of mine and for years I've thought about creating a modern version with bright, colourful pine trees set on point (very different from the typical forest green and brown trees that you see in older versions).

Photo Brent Kane for Martingale, Inc. All rights reserved.

 It was long-arm quilted by the amazing Krista Withers. Her masterful quilting really shines in the negative space of this quilt!  In particular, I love how she created quilted 'ghost blocks' between the pieced trees - first by outlining the square with a 1/4" echo frame and then filling each one with a unique design.  I was so happy that she included her signature moon motif in the upper right corner. This quilt could be coloured in so many fun ways; it would look amazing in multicoloured shot cottons.  I've got a full set of blocks in rainbow colours made by my Stash Trad bee-mates that I look forward to piecing into my second version.

In the book, you'll find a tip box describing an exciting retreat activity you can do with these blocks and others.  You'll also get to feast your eyes on amazing details shots of Krista's quilting, which is truly breathtaking. Seriously, when I hold up this quilt at trunk shows people literally gasp!

AH-MAZING

The Krista Connection

The Make It, Take It bloghop continues today with more chances to win a copy of the book and more opportunities to learn about the inspiration behind the projects!  You can read about Krista Fleckenstein's handy Crafter's Apron here. I just love all of the prints she paired with Essex linen, resulting in a super-stylish apron you can wear at home or on retreat.

Photo: Brent Kane for Martingale Inc., all rights reserved.

Keep your readers, scissors & marking tools handy!

Krista Withers is sharing her work in the book today (here) as well.  She's written a two page essay in the book outlining her Ghost Quilting technique and explaining how she goes about planning, auditioning and marking quilt designs. You'll see her masterful quilting on the Stepping Stones table runner and the Orange Grove quilt, both found in the second section of the book.

Have a look at Krista's blog for process photos and a lot more quilting!

I hope you're enjoying learning more about each designer's project on the tour this week. The support and excitement for the book has been amazing. I thank you!!!