Roses are the Flower of Love - New Free Block

The iris were a big hit in my garden but are starting to fade as the last blooms on the stalk come to life.  I will miss their bright yellow and purple show out my window.

Now as June approaches the roses are starting to bloom in my backyard.  It is time to dust off some rose quilt blocks to give away, and put on sale to greet the changes taking place in my yard.

Here is the new free Deco Garden Bonus Block:  Purple Roses

This was one of first five Deco Garden blocks I offered back in 2015.  After the Deco Garden block of the month quilt was complete, I did not release the first 10 bonus blocks, but planned to release them later.  I had planned to release them in a second Deco Garden Quilt.  But with the pandemic and the need to lift some spirits I decided to release some of them early.  Originally this block was released with a black background.

I love the fact that you could see the inside of the rose, and that as a purple rose, it was totally unique.  Or perhaps I just liked the purples against the black.  So I played around with the block a little bit and came up with some project ideas to inspire you.  How about a 3 block table runner?

I love the striped borders with these floral blocks.  I think it offers a nice contrast and is easy to do.  And rotating the blocks always adds interest to a table runner, making it look good from more than one direction.  Try this project with three 12" blocks and a 2" striped border.

What do you think of this block configured as a wreath?

Cut out four 12" blocks and arrange them on a 24" background square.  Then add a couple of matching borders and you have a great summertime wall quilt, or the center block for a larger applique quilt.

If you just can't live with purple and you want something a bit bigger, here is an on-point variation in pink.  I almost like the pink better than the purple.  Almost.

By putting the block on point, I create corner triangles where partial blocks fill in those corners.  Add a lacy border and this would make a great baby quilt, large wall hanging, or small throw at 41" square.

What about making nine blocks and arranging them with a cute triangle border?

Or in pink?

Or go psycho and pull funky stuff from your stash?

Ok, that is pretty ugly.  I just threw that one in to make sure you were still paying attention.

What about reducing the size of the wreath and using 3 in a table runner?

More work than you want to do to cut all those roses?  Dust of your Brother Scan N Cut and let it to the cutting for you!!!

Ok, one more, just cuz I wanted to see what I could do with this block in a larger quilt.  This one is almost Queen size.

This pink version is set on point with half and quarter blocks in the sides and corners.  The center block is left blank and quilted with the block motif in green thread.  It is 76" square with a 3" border but you could increase the borders and bring it up to a queen size without much trouble.

Download this free block  and the 1/2 price sale blocks (below) HERE.

Here are a few more blocks and quilts on sale for half price, to offer you a few more rose and pansy inspirations.

Pansy blocks:

Deco Garden Bonus Block 1 Fancy Pansy

Deco Garden Bonus Block 43 Pansy

And a few more roses:

Roses Around Bed Runner

Deco Garden Bonus Block 48 Rosey Posey 

Deco Garden Bonus Block 10 Red Rose Trio

Deco Garden Bonus Block 44 Red Rose

Deco Garden Bonus Block 54 Blue Rose

Now THAT is a big bouquet!

New Book, New Pattern, New BOM block

I am happy to announce that EQ has included one of my designs in their new book published this month.

My quilt is the blue one on the cover, and one of 8 from nationally recognized artists and designers.

I was thrilled when they told me my design would be included, and stunned when it appeared on the cover.  WOW

I am selling autographed copies of the book on my website.  They are not only on sale but will have free shipping until September 9.

Click HERE to check it out!

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September is my BIG traveling month.  I'll be doing a lecture and 2 workshops next week in Rolla, MO and enjoying the beautiful Ozark scenery.

Then I trot off  to do a wonderful retreat in the Boston Mountains of eastern Oklahoma the following week.

Then back to Missouri to the Lake of the Ozarks to teach and EQ8 class, then on to Springfield, MO to vend at the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show the end of the month.

I hope you can stop by my booth in Springfields and see a few of my new patterns and my new Fleur de Lis Laser cut Kit!

The blocks can be rotated a variety of ways to create a unique look all your own.  Each kit contains pre-fused and laser cut applique for four complete 12" blocks.

In addition to the instructions for the 4-block pattern you will get instructions for the two block runner or set of 2 placemats.

Wouldn't this make a pretty pair of placemats for your fall table?  You purple lovers are gonna love this new pattern and kit.

Turn the block on point and add corner triangles for a whole other look.  Those corners would be a great place for some pretty quilting.

Kits are now available on Morningglorydesigns.com

The September Block of the Month and Bonus Block are both ready on the 2018 BOM Tab and on my website.  If you are a newsletter subscriber, the newsletter went out today with your links to your free blocks.

September Block 9: Hollyhocks

September Bonus Block 9: Bride of Clam

As you can imagine, there is a story behind the name of this block.  The original block was one I saw on an old vintage quilt  It looked just like a clam.

I was using it in my vintage sampler block of the month back in 2010 and tried to find the origin of this block.  

 I found several quilts and blocks which used this block.

I thought that block was way cuter than the one I was using as a model, but wanted to make it a bit different so I made the outside frilly.

I thought it looked kinda sweet, like a bride, so I named it Bride of Clam.

BOM Block 1 is Ready

The first block of the new FREE 2015 BOM Deco Gardens is posted on the 2015 BOM page. Click on the tab at the top, right to go to the download link.

Block 1 Columbine

This quilt is designed with a black background to make the colors glow like stained glass.

I am so excited and pleased to announce that I have partnered with Peggy at ConnectTheBlocks.com to offer fabric kits for each block!  See the 2015 BOM page for more info or you can sign up for fabric kits here.

Click Here To Order Fabric kits

 If you prefer a white background, here is what it would look like.

Yardage information for the whole quilt is available HERE.

Midnight Posies BOM Block 2 Ready

I am so excited to be able to offer the next block in this Block of the Month Series: Midnight Posies. This second block is "Rosey Posey Churn Dash." Again the block is simple but the colors are dramatic. Bright colors against the black background really make this pieced flower block glow.

Download PDF File.

Please let me know what you think of this block, and the super simple directions for this quilt. After the BOM is over I plan to publish this pattern and your feedback will be very helpful. I wanted to make an easy quilt that a beginner would enjoy, that doesn't look like a beginner quilt. The bold fabric, floral theme, and simple border with fusible applique makes this quilt look so much more challenging than it actually is. That is the concept that drives all my patterns. I hope you enjoy making this quilt as much as I enjoyed designing and teaching it.