Today we present the remaining projects by the QM Scrap Squad; they are scrappy versions of Raspberry Dessert by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts. Here is Julie’s quilt which appears in the brand-new May/June issue of Quiltmaker.

Ruth used a striking color recipe! The teals and browns play together in a way that is rich and full.

She added voluptuous quilting which further enhances the design.

Ruth gave this quilt as a wedding gift. What couple wouldn’t be thrilled?!

Carol went with a multi-colored recipe for this project.

To me this version says “autumn campfire” or “back to school.”

And here is yet a different look, again with many colors but oh-so-unique from Linda:

And last but certainly not least we have Jane’s quilt. She rotated the design so it is no longer on point. What a great idea. And look at that braided border! So much fun.

The Scrap Squad has more pictures and comments of its own at the QM Scrap Squad Group on Quilters Club of America. You’re invited to visit there. To post your own photos and further participate on QCA, just take a minute to register (it’s fast and free).

Read more about the Scrap Squad here.

Tomorrow I’m leaving for my annual quilting retreat at the foot of the Collegiate Peaks near Buena Vista, Colorado. There will be no shortage of scenery. No shortage of great food, talking, laughing, piecing, quilting, show-and-telling and general all-around good clean fun. It’s something I look forward to all year.

But I always have one major problem getting ready to leave.

I can never decide which quilty projects to take along.

?       ?       ?

There are so many choices! I go ’round and ’round with myself for days. My thoughts go something like this:

• I should take some UFOs.
  But those are no fun and who wants to work on an old project?
• I should take some really challenging blocks.
  But what if I get stuck and get all frustrated and waste the luxury of a retreat?
• I should take some really easy projects.
  But won’t it be a waste of time if I don’t make something more interesting?
• I should take a charity quilt to finish.
  But a retreat is something you do for yourself. Why don’t I sew for me?
• I’ll get started on some Christmas gifts.
  We just had Christmas! No way.
  

You get the idea. I’ve come to think of the time as so valuable, nothing seems worthy of it. And that’s a problem because this is supposed to be about fun and relaxation and time with friends. Keep. Repeating. Fun, relaxation and time with friends.

Here are the candidates so far but more will undoubtedly be added.

This is a UFO I love but have never gotten back to. I loved it so much that I made blocks in two color recipes but didn’t finish either one. Remember Jan Mullen and her Stargazey quilts? She was way ahead of her time with improvisational blocks like these Daisiez.

Or maybe I should pursue the idea of adding this yellow Kona cotton from Robert Kaufman to some feedsacks to reproduce a vintage quilt I once saw:

I could start making Ferris Wheel blocks, like I saw over on Twin Fibers which led me to Q is for Quilter, which I am dying dying dying to make.

This is Martha’s quilt made from Ferris Wheel blocks. (Martha is the blogger behind Q is for Quilter).

Martha's quilt, shown at Q is for Quilter (used with permission)

The pattern is from Aunt Martha’s Quilt Designs: Old Favorites—and New.

Jessica’s Ferris Wheel looked like this:

(used with permission)

And then became this pillow:

(used with permission)

Now you see why I’m dying to make it. That is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. But I digress.

I could rev my engine by working on this improvised project started in a class with Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran last year at Empty Threads at Asilomar.

I love the little ladies and their hats. The ladies are from Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.

How could these be anything but fun?

I could work on my Roll Roll Cotton Boll, Bonnie’s Hunter’s latest mystery quilt.

Luscious, right?

I could make something with my new, clean, white fabric and this pile of Westminster yum:

Or I could be really really good and quilt this UFO string quilt I basted recently.

Making this list has reminded me of a couple other possibilities. What’s your pick? Leave me a comment please, because I could use some help deciding. Come back next week and I’ll show you whatever I accomplish on retreat. Maybe I can do it all.

Over many years I’ve discovered the remedy though, and yesterday I put it into place.

I just start sewing. This is what it takes to “prime the pump.”

I’ve learned that to just begin is what I have to do. Somehow, in a way I don’t understand, this works. I have some simple projects always ready to go for this purpose. Yesterday I made little Nine Patches.

Each one will be sewn to a 3.5″ square.

Eventually they will all go together into a large scrappy quilt that I saw once on a calendar from Avalanche Publishing. Easy peasy!

Already the ideas and enthusiasm have started flowing again. I’m dreaming about which binding to apply next, which top to baste, which design idea to pursue.

How could these Red Cross blocks be set, how would this yellow look in those patches, why don’t I try hand piecing a Swirling Sunburst?

There. That’s more like it!

As of 7 weeks ago, I have a new grandson. Parker Stephen Beam was born 10/24/10, bringing much joy to our entire family. He needed a stocking to go with the ones I made for the rest of his family.

Parker's stocking

Here are the instructions to make this quick stocking:

Materials:

You’ll need 4 different fabrics for the patches on the front. From each one, cut 3 – 4 1/2″ squares. From one of them, also cut a
2 1/2″ x 6″ rectangle for the toe and a 2″ x 7″ rectangle for the hanging loop.

You’ll also need:

• 3/8 yard for the lining and top of the stocking (under the cuff) – cut a
  3″ x 12 1/2″ rectangle across the selvage and save the rest for the lining
• fat eighth (9″ x 20″) for the cuff – cut a 7 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ rectangle
• fat quarter (18″ x 20″) for the back
• fat quarter of muslin*
• batting: 13″ x 20″*

* You’ll need these if you quilt the front like I did. You can also skip the quilting step if you choose.

I arranged my squares in diagonal rows by color for the stocking front. Sew the lining rectangle, squares and toe rectangle together as shown below.

Piecing for stocking front

If you’re going to quilt the stocking front, layer the muslin, batting and pieced stocking front. I quilted a casual wavy line over the seam lines.

Stocking Pattern

On a 12″ x 20″ sheet of paper, draw a 1″ grid. Following the grid lines, copy the stocking pattern above and cut out along the solid lines. Lay the stocking front on the backing fabric, wrong sides together. Position the stocking pattern on top, matching the top of the pattern to the top of the stocking front. Trace around the pattern and cut out the stocking. In the same way, cut out the stocking lining.

All seam allowances are 1/4″.  With wrong sides together, sew the stocking front to the back. Turn the stocking right side out. With right sides together, sew the lining front to the lining back. Insert the lining into the stocking.

I used an embroidery machine to add Parker’s name to the cuff. You can also hand embroider or use a pigma pen to add a name. To center a name on the cuff, fold the cuff rectangle into quarters and lightly press. Add a name to the top right quadrant of the cuff. With right sides together, join the 2 short sides of the cuff. Turn the cuff right side out and fold in half along the crease (the raw edges will be at the top).

To make the loop for hanging, fold the 2 long sides of the rectangle to the center and press. Fold again and stitch close to the folded edges. Fold in half. Matching raw edges, baste the loop to the inside of the lining on the right side.

Insert the cuff inside the stocking, matching raw edges and the seams on the right, with the right side of the cuff to the right side of the lining (the name side of the cuff will be facing the front of the stocking). Sew around the top of the stocking. Fold the cuff over the seam to the outside of the stocking.

Stockings on the mantel

What “quilty” decorations do you have in your house? Leave me a comment by Friday, 12/17 at noon MST, and I’ll randomly draw a name to receive a bundle of holiday fabric. The winner is commenter #15, Lisa. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

I saved my allowance until I had enough to buy them. Oh joy! I wore them until they were literally falling apart. My mother finally threw them away while I was at school one day. I was devastated and threw a royal tantrum threatening to throw away a pair of her shoes in retaliation. Ever since I’ve had a penchant for shoes – not necessarily high-end shoes (you can’t have as many if you spend a fortune!), but lots of different shoes. It’s all my mother’s fault and that’s the story I’m sticking with!

So naturally for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol. 2, I had to design a shoe block.

Shoe Boxes by Denise Starck

I thought they looked like shoes stacked in shoe boxes, thus the name. These shoes will never pinch your toes and come in the perfect color to match your outfit.

I’m already thinking about my block for Volume 3 – what kind of shoes should I make this time? Leave me a comment by 10am MST Friday, November 12th, and I’ll draw a random winner to receive a copy of 100 Blocks Vol. 2.

From Denise: Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful comments and suggestions!  A random winner has been selected and notified by email – but guess what? I’ve also selected two additional winners JUST BECAUSE! We just love to give things away here at the blog tour! Check out the list of all of the blog tour winners.

May Flowers

I’m intrigued by blocks with partial seams—they’re easy to sew and leave room for a little design creativity. I also like to design blocks that form secondary designs when blocks are sewn together. The green triangles in the corners of this block form a Pinwheel when sewn block to block. Once I have a design, I draw it in Electric Quilt and start playing with layouts and colors.

Mayflowers quilt #1

This layout, with every other block rotated, is nice, but it’s a little plain to me with all the blocks being the same. Different shades of pink and red would add some interest to this quilt. I also think it would make a great scrappy quilt with lots of different colored flowers.

May Flowers quilt #2

This variation also has a border, completing the Pinwheels. This design is a lot more interesting to me and one I think would be fun to make.

Which one do you like best? Leave me a comment by 10am Thursday, November 11th, and I’ll draw a random winner for a copy of 100 Blocks.

Let’s start Day 3 right off with Today’s Featured Designers:

1. Deanne Eisenman: snugglesquilts.com

2. Rachel Griffith: psiquilt.com

3. Barbara Groves/Mary Jacobson: meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog

4. Susan Guzman: suzguzdesigns.blogspot.com

5. Lynne Hagmeier: kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com

6. Nancy Halvorsen: arttoheart.com

7. Reeze Hanson: katlovesquilts.blogspot.com

8. Dawn Heese: dawnheesequilts.blogspot.com

9. Julie Herman: jaybirdquilts.com

10. Amanda Herring: thequiltedfish.typepad.com

11. Maria Hrabovsky: mariamichaelsdesigns.wordpress.com

12. Sandi Irish: irishchain.blogspot.com

Each one will be giving away a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks. Some will have additional giveaways, too!

Today’s Featured Sponsors:
(we’ve got prizes from both and look for giveaways on both their sites as well)

1. Clothworks

2. Everything Quilts

Here are sneak peeks of a few more blocks:

Pinwheel O'Strings by Rachel Griffith, P.S. I Quilt

Hope Blooms by Nancy Halvorsen, Art to Heart

Nova by Angie Hodapp, Quilters Newsletter Editor-in-Chief

Whenever I go back through the blocks, I find several more that I want to make, or try in a certain setting. This issue could keep me busy for months, even years! As you can see above, there are blocks using many different techniques for all skill levels.

Reminders: Each day’s initial post will stay at the top of the blog–so keep scrolling to see what else is going on here at Quilty Pleasures. Watch for the * in post titles to find active giveaways.

How about you? What’s your favorite technique, and what’s your skill level? Leave a comment and on Thursday we’ll pick winners for some of the delightful prizes shown below. Each winner gets a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, too. We have lots of copies to give away! Three winners have been chosen: comments#15 Laurie, #63 Jane and #173 Delia. Congratulations!

A variety of quilting books could be yours!

This luscious pile of batiks could be coming your way!

A pattern, a kit and a SideWinder may be in your future!

Be sure to come back and leave a comment on Friday, when we’ll have our Big Bundle Giveaway! Loads of prizes to several winners, both U.S. and international. Don’t miss it!

We’re on to Day 2 of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Blog Tour. Yesterday’s links were exciting and today we have a whole new batch. But first, here’s a preview of what happens when you make multiples of some of the blocks in Volume 2.

Vanishing Squares by Sandi Irish, The Irish Chain

Four of “Vanishing Squares” create interesting secondary designs.

Isobel's Flight by Cinzia White

Sixteen of “Isobel’s Flight” make a wowser quilt!

To further whet your appetite, here’s a peek at some of the prizes for blog tour giveaways.

Fabric prizes in candy colors from Planted Seed Designs!

Nancy Mahoney's latest book and fabrics!

Check out the 12 designers’ links below for more giveaways and tons of inspiration.

Today’s Featured Designers

1. Peg Spradlin: handicraftsbypeg.com

2. Paula Stoddard: pacificpatchwork.typepad.com

3. Helen Stubbings: hugsnkisses.typepad.com

4. Maria Umhey: windhamfabricsnipits.typepad.com

5. Cathy Van Bruggen: cathyvanbruggendesigns.com

6. Pam Vieira-McGinnis: pamkittymorning.blogspot.com

7. Cyndi Walker: wishfulstitches.com

8. Ann Weber: ginghamgirls.biz/blog

9. Cinzia White: lgfns.blogspot.com

10. Elisa Wilson: blog.backporchdesign.com

11. Kathy York: aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com

12. Patty Young: modkidboutique.blogspot.com

Today’s Featured Sponsors
(we’ve got prizes to give away from all of them; check the third sponsor for an issue giveaway)

1. C&T Publishing

2. Northcott Fabric

3. Quilt Kits Online

Each day’s initial post will stay at the top of the blog–so you may want to scroll beyond it to see what else is going on. Watch for the * to find active giveaways.

Maybe we should just give away some fabric, along with a copy of 100 Blocks, right now! Leave a comment telling about one of the best quilt-related speakers you ever heard (such as a guild program or a lecture). If you’ve never heard one, leave a comment anyway and we’ll pick a winner on Wednesday. Winners have been chosen. They are comments #50 Bonnie, #120 Sharon and #239 Joyce.

Be sure to come back and leave a comment on Friday to be entered in our Big Bundle Giveaway. Loads of prizes to several winners (U.S. and international), and more copies of 100 Blocks too!

I recently discovered the coolest free online color tool at colorschemedesigner.com. The possibilities of quilters using this tool are limitless! Here are a few things I have learned.

1. Under “About & Help” in the top right corner, turn on “show tooltips” so that when you hover your cursor over anything on the page, a box pops up to tell you how it works.

2. Near the top left, under “Color Scheme Designer” are six circles that look like clock faces. Each circle represents a type of color scheme. Hover over a circle for a definition of that scheme. Click on it to give that color scheme a whirl. Then click on different places in the bigger colored circle to see some of the possibilities. ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET???

3. At the bottom left are three tabs. “Hues” gives you the colored circle. But click on “Adjust Scheme” and you can tone down or liven up the hues by moving the little circle around on the grid.

From there you can explore on your own. A word of caution: you can spend hours playing with this and thinking of the quilt possibilities! Here’s the best part: if you’re not technically savvy, you can still use this tool in amazing ways. And if you do happen to know a lot about computers, you can do even more.

I have a few tools I turn to again and again on the topic of color.

Often-used color tools

One is the 3-in-1 Color Tool by Joen Wolfrom for C&T. I use this tool constantly. I also use a color wheel called the Rainbow Color Selector and a book called ColorWorks, The Crafter’s Guide to Color by Deb Menz. It’s a good idea to consider making use of these tools to plan the colors in your quilts.

Now I’m off to pull fabrics based on a color scheme I created in Color Scheme Designer! With any luck, I’ll show them to you in a post to come soon.

Even the quilt’s name—Fandango—makes you want to dance! Fandango is featured in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Quiltmaker, which should be arriving any day now. It was designed and made by Karen Griska, an interesting person who has made more than 200 quilts, all original designs. And the quilts are ever-so-interesting! They invite you in for a closer look. The ones we’ve had here in the office intrigue me day after day after day!

Karen has a great blog chock-full of ideas at selvageblog.blogspot.com. You’ll want to read our interview with Karen, too. I’ll be interested in hearing about your experience making the first few fan blocks (instructions are in the Fandango pattern). My first successful block looked like this:

I haven’t gotten back to this project yet, but I will. These little charmers are addictive.