2018 Color Challenge - January is RED!

I am SUPER excited to part of this group of quilt designers and bloggers who are participating in the 2018 Color Challenge. 

To learn more about the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Patterns by Jen, be sure to check out Jen's post 

In January we are celebrating the color RED! 

Jen's free block use two shades - light red and dark red.  I selected two Island Batik fabrics from my stash that have a nice contrast between them. While each of these fabrics have a distinct printed pattern (spoons & forks / cherries), it's interesting to see how the spoon & forks pattern disappears in the finished block but the cherry pattern remains. 

Next I got all my pieces cut out, organized and ready to stitch.

The blocks went together very quickly - so I decided to make one in each size...  12" and 6"

And just as I was finishing up, some fluffy snowflakes started to fall so I ran outside to photograph the blocks on the patio.  

I can't wait to see what your block look like.  On Jen's blog you have an opportunity to share your red block or anything made with red from January 24 - 31 to be eligible for prizes. And speaking of prizes, the sponsor for this month is: Northcott Fabrics who is providing this bundle of 2-1/2" precut strips. 

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 Patterns by Jen
Jen of Dizzy Quilter
Sherry of Powered by Quilting
Jen of A Dream and A Stitch
Joanne of Quilts by Joanne
Dione of Clever Chameleon Quilting

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 peaks and updates. 

Island Batik Challenge - Table Scraps Topper

The December 2017 Challenge for Island Batik Ambassadors is a Scrappy Table Topper - the perfect project for this time of year.  I find I'm changing out my table more frequently so it doesn't always look the same when guests arrive. 

Throughout the year I saved scraps from each of my projects and I had quite the box full!  In the process of making this challenge, I also crossed a quilt off my bucket list.  I have always wanted to make a New York Beauty quilt and now I can say that I have.  In the past I hadn't been a big fan of paper piecing, but I'm starting to really get into.  This is the third table topper I have paper pieced recently and I'm so happy with all three of them. 

My original intent was to make a traditional Christmas themed topper, but I didn't think I had enough reds, greens and golds.  But I had plenty of Springy fabrics which worked out better in the long run. 

Also I quilted this table topper on my domestic sewing machine - which may sound somewhat odd.  I have a computerized longarm that I do all my quilting on, so I'm a complete BEGINNER at quilting on a sewing machine but I am doing better.  Practice is good!  I used Warm 80/20 from The Warm Company for the batting and since it is a low-loft batting it worked great. 

And the best part - I already have a Spring table topper ready for when the Winter décor gets put away!  

The Simple Sampler Quilt-A-Long

What's a better way to start the new year than with a Quilt-A-Long?  

I'm hosting a 13 week Quilt-A-Long (QAL) on my FB Group: Masterpiece Quilting Design Group starting January 7, 2018 and continuing through April 7, 2018.  

Once a week you will receive instructions  for the block we are working on that week as well as either a FB Live (that you can always watch later) or a video for you to learn more about that week's block and some tips on making it.  

Since this is a sampler quilt, the first 12 weeks will focus on the blocks and week 13 will cover the sashing and borders.  

All you have to do is stitch along and post photos of your block if you want to share your progress with others and ask questions to get more help. 

This is a free quilt-a-long and you are only responsible for the fabrics and supplies you need to make the quilt.  While the QAL is going on you can download all the files for free.  After the QAL is over, I will compile the files together into a full pattern that will be available for purchase.  

So what quilt will we be making ?  It's The Simple Sampler!

This is one of my original designs and is the first time the pattern is being offered! The finished size is 79" x 100" and it is a beginner to confident beginner level quilt.  

The quilt uses just four fabrics and the materials list is now available on the Masterpiece Quilting Design Group

I hope you join us for this Quilt-A-Long - it's gonna be a lot of fun! 

Let me Introduce Myself ....

As I was looking through my blog posts, I realized I have never really introduced myself to you ....  so better late than never.  

I was grew up in Northern Indiana on a farm so my early years were filled with crops, cows and pigs.  Most of my time was spent with my Grandmother who quilted, crocheted and made most of my clothes including this matching outfit one year for Easter. 

Being a farm kid, I was active showing livestock and being in 4-H and FFA.  This experience allowed me to develop a strong work ethic, taught me time management skills as well as business knowledge I still use today.  I received the highest member award possible through the FFA which was the American Farmer Degree.

Like many farm kids, my goal in life was to become a veterinarian ... but chemistry and I didn't along.  So I ended up with a B.S. in Animal Production and a M.S. in Agricultural Economics both from Purdue. I then worked for Purdue for 15 years before starting my own business in 2006 and as they say the rest is history. 

Today I describe myself as an author, designer and teacher who loves being crafty. 

Growing up in a family of “makers”, I’m a proud DIY / MIY enthusiast. I always have at least two or three or more projects going at the same time. My current favorites include sewing & quilting, refinishing antiques, chalk-painting and photography.

When I changed careers from the academia / corporate world and started my business Masterpiece Quilting LLC where I was a sales representative and certified trainer for Gammill / Statler.  My business evolved to specialize in long-arm quilting, show quilts and custom-made memory quilts.  

In 2012, I submitted my first design to a magazine for publication.  It was accepted and my calling was found that day!  Since then I have sold over 50 designs to publications and fabric companies. I’ve established myself as a leading author and instructor for creating with sentimental textiles with my top-selling book “T-shirts, Memories & More” along with DVD’s on T-shirt quilting and Restyling Vintage Quilts.  

I love to doing video work.  It bridges so many gaps and let's me teach people 24/7/365 without either of us having to leave the comfort of our studios.  Plus videos are a lot of fun and I get to work with so many amazing people!

I would love to learn more about you.  Please feel free to leave me a comment about what inspired you to become a "maker".  

And if you want to keep up on all my crafty adventures, please follow along on Social Media.  I'm on IG @masterpiecequilting or at Masterpiece Quilting on Facebook.

31 Day Day Blog Writing Challenge

As many of you know, I'm a competitive person -

so when I saw "CHALLENGE", my full attention was captured.  

I'm participating the 31 Day Block Writing Challenge

by Cheryl Sleboda of Muppin.com, so for the next 31 days,

stay tuned, sit back and be prepared to read away :) 

Curious about the Challenge, read more about it on Cheryl's blog

and if you are a blogger, consider participating too!