Block 2 Sees His Shadow, 6 more weeks of Block Designs

I love Ground Hogs day -- the holiday, not the movie.  Punxsutawney Phil has always had a special fascination for me.  Any critter who is a harbinger of weather, especially one who can predict the onset of spring in the midst of a bleak winter is on my A list.

So the February block is a bright and splashy floral design, so I naturally named it "Splash."  I just love how these bright colors cheer me up on a dreary ice and snow covered February day here in Kansas.

Note that the little dots around the flower center are French knots you will need to put in by hand after the block is complete.  Or if you would prefer something easy, use a fabric pen and draw the dots in.

Here is a slightly altered version of this block.  I left the blue outline edges off and spread out the block a little so it didn't look so crowded.  I prefer this look when combining the block in repeat patterns. I used this in the settings below.

All the blocks in this BOM finish to 8" squares and are patterned for fusible machine applique.  You may, of course, use whatever applique method you prefer.

You can download the free pattern for this block on my 2014 BOM page (see tab at the top of the page on the far right side.)  Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to get the free monthly bonus block.

I have had a lot of fun designing settings for these Fiesta blocks.  Here are a few of the settings I have come up with featuring this month's free block.

Splash and Drip 1

Splash and Drip 2

Splash and Drip 3

At the Cantina

Splash in the Fan

Splash Runner

Splash and Drip Runner

Splash and Drip at the Cantina

I get on a roll and can't stop myself.  I have so much fun with EQ7.  The problem is, which one of these settings do I make?  I want them all.  Do you have a favorite. Leave a comment and let me know your favorites.  I will pattern the one that gets the most votes.

Bath of Apolausis finished

Whew!  It has taken me a while to get this quilt finished, but it is finally done!

Tomorrow it goes in the mail to Quilter's World magazine and I will get a few days break from quilting before starting on the next one.  Watch for this pattern in the October issue of Quilter's World.  The quilt was really not very hard to make.  But the instructions were a booger to write!  LOL

I had fun making a label for this quilt too.

My next quilt will be for McCall's Quilting, and it is made with civil war reproductions.  That is a bit out of my usual style, but I found a great old vintage quilt and updated the pattern using reproductions.  Originally a 2-color quilt in red and white, it will have a whole new look and feel than the original.  I will post some pics of my progress as I work on it.  Calling it Civil War Stars.  Not very original for a name, but it gives a flavor of the quilt.  LOL

This week I am going to be all over the place.  I drive to Salina, KS on Monday to speak to the Silver Needles Quilt Guild.  I teach EQ Club on Tuesday night at the LQS and on Wednesday night I have a night class for my real job as a college professor.  Then a three day break. . . sigh. . . and then off to Bella Vista, AR for two days.  I will teach an EQ7 class on Sunday (Easter!) and give my Grandmother's Flower Garden Lecture on Monday.  Then back home for a little work on my day job and then off to Oklahoma City for two lectures and a workshop the end of next week.  I get home just in time to vend at the Kaw Valley Quilt Guild Quilt Show, where I am chair of the mini quilt silent auction and doing an EQ7 demo and lecture on. . . oh my, not sure which day!  Gasp.  I think I am seriously over-committed for April!

Working on Mosaic Quilt

I have really been intrigued with mosaic tiles as inspiration for quilts.  There are several great books out there that develop this theme in amazing designs.  I found an old book on antique Roman-influenced mosaics and wanted to play with several ideas.  I have discussed this before in my blog and shown a few designs I came up with.

My interpretation of this mosaic as interpreted in EQ7 is starting to come together.

These are the sashing blocks that run diagonally across the quilt.  I am using the Stonehenge fabric by Northcott to make the blocks.  They really look like stone.

These are the primary blocks that are in the middle of the quilt.  I left out the bust of Appolausis and replaced her with more primary blocks.

Then I made a few blocks to connect the sashings and border the sashings on the outside edges.

Here is a section of the quilt on the design wall with one primary block, 4 sashing blocks and four connector blocks.  It is starting to come together.

I got the top put together at retreat this past weekend.

This shows the first two borders added and the braided border applied to one side.    I put on another braided border last night and when I have the rest of the borders done I will post another picture.

While on retreat, I also put together a BOB -- Bag of Blocks.  This is a swap I invented after accumulating many many bags of blocks from swaps I had participated in.  Several of us in similar situations (many bags of blocks with out ideas about how to set them) do a BOB swap.  We exchange bags of Blocks (BOBs) and devise a setting and put the top together.  We send it back to the original block owners and they have to quilt and finish it.

I received a set of 12 black and white sampler blocks.  I wanted to add some color, and here is what the finished top looks like.

What do you think?  Several girls at the retreat thought I should pattern it.  Do you think anyone would buy the pattern?  NOTE:  I didn't design the blocks.  I only designed the setting.  If I brought it out as a pattern should I include the pattern for the blocks or as a setting for any set of 12 blocks?  Need some input on this.
Thanks. . . you always give me great advice.

Wednesday Quilt Show

The Wednesday Quilt Show is a feature of "Forty Two Quilts" a blog by designer and author Jenifer Dick.  She shares some great pictures of wonderful designs on her blog each Wednesday.  Well guess what?  This Wednesday she is featuring my Frosty Carnations Quilt  -- from the February issue of Quilter's World -- on her Wednesday Quilt Show!!!  Check it out along with the other incredible designs she offers.  It is total eye candy.

In the mean time I am working on my next quilt and here is a little preview.

This quilt is call "Bath of Apolausis" and is made to resemble the mosaic stone work in the floor of the classical bath.  I am using Stonehenge fabrics from Northcot to reproduce the  look of stone and marble.  It has been so fun to make!  I am almost done with the blocks and ready to start assembly.  I still have the border to do, and that is a bit over the top and will take a while I am affraid.  I will post more pics once I get the blocks off the design wall and put together.

I have to tell you, this is a very un-Reeze-like quilt.  But it is growing on me!  LOL