Monday, February 26, 2018

Mini Dresden Love - Island Batik Style

Each month the Island Batik Brand Ambassadors create a quilt based on our challenge theme for that specific month.  This month's challenge theme is Mini Love. 


Well, as a quilt maker who loves oversized blocks, anything MINI is a challenge for me! But as Kelly Clarkston's lyrics say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". So I started sketching and since I didn't want to do a lot of MINI piecing, I opted for some applique. I'm a huge fan of Dresden's and I discovered that with proper color placement, 3 bladed Dresden's form heart shapes!  I Love it... so MINI Dresden's = MINI Love!  Here is what my original design looked like.


After printing the patterns, I started selecting fabrics.  I swapped out some colors - primarily because I didn't have enough red or aqua to cut all the pieces I needed!  But I think the change to the darker purple was a good one. 



My Mini Dresden Love is made from a scrappy mix of Island Batik fabrics that I received as an Island Batik Brand Ambassador.  The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik and Aurifil.  To give the wall hanging some extra loft, I used a scrap of Hobbs Polydown batting that I had laying around. 

I tried a few new techniques while I was making Mini Dresden Love.  With contrasting color thread I wanted to emphasize the hearts that formed from the two matching color blades.  I outline stitched the heart shape and added some straight line fill. 


It worked but it's a bit too subtle.  I was hoping for a bolder look. Next time I try this I will use a thicker thread for more coverage. 
 

Well there's my Mini Dresden Love and if I don't stop typing this blog post will go from MINI to MAXI :)   Thanks for reading if you have made it to the end!

To keep up on everything I'm working on, be sure to follow me on Facebook or on IG @masterpiecequilting. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Flying Star Pinwheel Bed Runner

Bed runners are one of my favorite quilted home décor items to make and to use.  They are so versatile. They allow you to change the look of a room really fast without a lot of effort.  Plus they go together really quick since they are typically half the size or even less of a regular quilt. Add precut strips to that mix and my Flying Star Pinwheel Bed Runner is the perfect choice. 

Photo Credit: Annie's

This gorgeous bed runner features the Transforms fabric collection by Sarah Vedeler of Sarah Vedeler Designs from Benartex fabric.  With some strategic fabric placement the pinwheels create a secondary pattern of flying stars.

I designed the Flying Star Pinwheel Bed Runner as part of my Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts video workshop and due to it's success it is also available as an individual workshop



If you aren't familiar with my video classes, a preview is available for you to watch so you can get a feel for the quality of the instruction and video. 



As with all my other online classes, Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts is available both as an online class or in DVD format which you can watch whenever you want.  It's like having me in your quilting room 24/7 :)   



So just grab a couple of precut rolls, purchase the class and you are ready to go! To purchase Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts, please click on my affiliate link to purchase. 

If you enjoy learning online, I have classes in a variety of topics and you can read more about them. 


This post contains affiliate links, please see my full FTC Disclosure.






Thursday, February 15, 2018

Charming Chains - Cover Quilt of Quilter's World Quilts You Can Make in a Day

It's always fun to get quilts back from the publisher but it's even more exciting to find out you have a COVER QUILT!  It's such an amazing honor to have the photo of your design selected for that prized position on the cover of a magazine.  

Yesterday I got two quilts back whose designs are published in the new Quilter's World Quilts You Can Make in a Day.    On the cover is my Charming Chains quilt!  

Photo Cred: Annie's

If you follow my designs you know I LOVE designing chain quilts so Charming Chains makes perfect sense - but instead of the chain extending clear across the quilt, these chains fit perfectly in each block unit. 

To highlight the chains, I knew I needed a bright, bold, fun fabric and Christa Watson's brand new Modern Marks collection by Benartex Contempo was the perfect choice.  The colors are so fresh and compliment my design perfectly.



I met Christa a few years ago at the SewPro Conference and I was delighted when she shared her first fabric collection with designers and encouraged us to use it in our designs.  And a huge thanks to Benartex for graciously providing the fabric!   

I also want to thank Aurifil for providing the thread I used to piece the quilt as well as The Warm Company for providing the 80/20 batting I used to make it.  I love both of these products and if I didn't love them, I wouldn't be using them! 



Charming Chains is designed with precut squares and strips in mind so it gives you an opportunity to use an entire fabric collection in one quilt.  Just select your fabric and pair it with a neutral and you are ready to stitch.  The pattern for Charming Chains is available in Quilter's World Quilts You Can Make in a Day which you can purchase at your favorite news stand or at Annie's Craft Store.

For updates on my designs, be sure to follow me on IG: @masterpiecequilting or on Facebook

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Happy Galentine's Day - Island Batik Style!

No, that’s not a typo! If you’re not familiar with Galentine’s Day, a holiday created by the fictional character Leslie Knope from the TV show, “Parks and Recreation”, watch this video.

As Leslie explains, Galentine’s Day is a celebration of our best gal pals and lady friends, and it’s the day before Valentine’s Day. Why shouldn’t we celebrate our fellow females who encourage and inspire us?!

So regardless of how you refer to them - your tribe, your posse, your Ya-Ya sisterhood - they are the important women in your life.  The ones who keep you sane, the ones who comfort you and the ones who tell you to "suck it up and move on" and I'm incredibly thankful to have an amazing group of women who make up my tribe!


I know it's not the day before Valentine's Day yet, but I wanted to get my post up so you have time to make a Happy Heart Mug Rug for any of your Gal- or Val-entines... or even one for yourself.  




My Happy Heart Mug Rug is designed a little larger than most.. so you have plenty of room for a mug and a snack - chocolate, or course!   It's made from a scrappy mix of Island Batik fabrics from my stash that I received as an Island Batik Brand Ambassador.  The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik, Aurifil and The Warm Company. 



Quick and easy to make with just a touch of applique, a heart shaped mug rug is perfect for showing your love any day of the year!  The pattern of my Happy Heart Mug Rug is available for purchase as a PDF pattern.   It's a super stash buster and I can't wait to see your version.

Be sure to share a photo with me on my Facebook page or on IG @masterpiecequilting  Happy Stitching!




Friday, February 9, 2018

Island Batik Box Opening - February 2018

I am super excited to be starting my second year as an Island Batik Brand Ambassador.  Each Ambassador is challenged with a monthly theme where we create projects using Island Batik fabrics and to make that really easy - Island Batik provides the fabrics so all we have to do is CREATE!  


My overly anticipated box of Island Batik fabrics arrived today. And YES, I did check the tracking number at least twice per day to follow it's trek across the U.S. and I did arrange my schedule so I was certain to be at the studio when my wonderful Fed Ex guy arrived!  

To share the excitement with each of you - I videoed my box opening and it is available for you to watch on my YouTube Channel.   

In this box not only did the Brand Ambassadors received beautiful Island Batik fabrics but also thread from Aurifil as well as batting from Hobbs.  

 
Here are some photos that I snapped to show off the beautiful fabric collections.  




I hope you have enjoyed my Box Opening and be sure to follow me on Facebook or on IG: @masterpiecequilting to see all the beautiful items I make from these fabrics. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Shoofly Chain Bed Quilt

While I normally prefer brighter and bolder fabrics, sometimes we just need to a be little girly and break out those pastels for a fun, feminine and fresh look. 

And if I may digress at only the second sentence of this post, THIS IS one of the reasons I LOVE quilting as a craft ... you can work on so many different styles, different fabrics, different colors, etc. all with the same tools and supplies.... the same sewing machine, same iron, same rotary cutter, cutting grid and mat can make art quilts, paper-pieced quilts, appliqued quilts, modern quilts or traditional patchwork - anything your heart desires!

Anyway, back to my Shoofly Chain Bed Quilt!  

Photo Credit: Annie's
This gorgeous bed quilt features a beautiful floral print by Amanda Murphy of Amanda Murphy Designs along with coordinating light pastels all from Benartex fabrics.   Two easy blocks are alternated to make the quilt appear harder than it really is to make.  

I designed the Shoofly Chain Bed Quilt as part of my Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts video workshop and due to it's success it is also available as an individual workshop. 


If you aren't familiar with my video classes, a preview is available for you to watch so you can get a feel for the quality of the instruction and video. 

As with all my other online classes, Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts is available both as an online class or in DVD format which you can watch whenever you want.  It's like having me in your quilting room 24/7 :)   



To purchase Time-Saving Quilting with Precuts, please click on my affiliate link to purchase. 

 If you enjoy learning online, I have classes in a variety of topics and your can read more about them. 


This post contains affiliate links, please see my full FTC Disclosure.


Thursday, February 1, 2018

2018 Monthly Color Challenge ... February = Blue

Last month's block was so much fun and now we are ready for February's!  Are you participating in the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge?  I hope so!  If you aren't, there is still time for you to join.  To get all the scoop, be sure to check out Jen's post.



In February we are celebrating the color blue!  Blue is one of my favorite colors.  When I played sports in grade school our team colors were blue and white.  And blue is symbolic to first place and we all like a winner :)  



So since blue is one of my favorite colors - you can image that I have a huge stash of blue fabric... the hard part was deciding which colors I wanted to use to give me the contrast needed. Blue's can be a little fickle and have undertones to them which makes them not want to play well with other blues.. so I tried to make sure all three fabrics played well together. 

Again this month I made both the 12" and 6" version of Jen's free block. It was way too cold to take photos outside on the day I made the blocks, so you will have to settle for our kitchen floor as a backdrop! 



And something I totally forgot to do last month was to introduce myself .....  so feel free to read more about me and my quilting journey.

I can't wait to see what your block looks like.  On Jen's blog you have an opportunity to share your blue block or anything made with blue from February 21 to 28 to be eligible for prizes.  And speaking of prizes, the sponsor for this month is: The Fat Quarter Shop which is giving away a $25 gift certificate. 





Also be sure to visit the other bloggers who are participating this month.  This is always fun to see what everyone is making too!

Jen of Dizzy Quilter
Joanne of Quilts by Joanne

And if you are playing along with us, make sure to use #2018monthlycolorchallenge on social media! And speaking of social media, be sure to follow me on IG: @Masterpiecequilting and Masterpiece Quilting on FB for sneak peeks and updates!