A New Year and A New Book

I really didn’t mean to ignore my blog for so long! Between the holidays, snow-days, and my new book time has just flown by! So, first things first, when I last posted I was giving away a copy of Classic Modern Quilts to whomever got the closest to picking the colors that I love for 2014. The winner was ‘usairdoll’ with smoke and dark violet. I love that shade of gray and my personal favorite purple or pink, or whatever color you want to call it, is cerise. I finished the quilt top and my sister (Quiltin Kaboodle) is quilting it for me. I’ll post a sneak peak when I get it back. I’ve seen some of the quilting that she is doing and it’s phenomenal!

On to more current news: my book is out and I think it’s just beautiful. The photography and the layout alone are enough for me to stare at it for hours! I am so excited to have it in my hands! The book is laid out in six chapters each addressing a different way of using negative space. Each chapter includes three quilts and patterns for each demonstrating the technique. I’m looking forward to seeing what other quilters will do with these techniques. Here are a few peaks inside the book.

Technically, I guess this is not an ‘inside’ peak! Isn’t this cover awesome!

AtN-front-coverHaving a sister that is battling breast cancer, it is always on my mind. This quilt – ‘Aware’ – can be made to represent any awareness by changing the colors.

Aware_WatermarkThis quilt – ‘String of Pearls’ – was inspired by Lizzy House’s pearl bracelets fabric. The quilt uses two charm packs and a few extra pieces. I love the way it turned out. It was quilted by Ida Houston of Cowtown Quilts – the quilting is amazing!

StringOfPearls_Watermark

This last peak is ‘Savanna Nights’. I have a weakness for Echino prints in general and this Echino print was the inspiration for this quilt. All of the blue solids are In The Beginning Modern Solids.

Savanna_watermark

If you would like to purchase a signed copy of the book, you can click on the button on the right side of the screen!

Design Star Challenge 2

About a week or so before the voting for the first McCall’s Quilt Design Star challenge closed, I recieved a small package. In the package was a piece of fabric with a note saying it was just in case I made it to the second challenge. Obviously, the next challenge was going to be a fabric challenge.

 

Fabric for Challenge

Challenge 2 Fabric

It is a very busy fabric, but the circles are what stood out to me. I could see them being terrific owl eyes!

Once I found out that I was moving on to the second challenge, I got out my graph paper. This is my original sketch.

 

Owl Quilt Sketch

Original Sketch

To be continued …..

 

McCall’s Design Star 2012 – Design

The designers that entered the amateur contest were given the Amish Star block to use as the basis for this first challenge. As usual, my first step was to pull out my graph paper. I have software for this, but I still prefer pencil and paper! This is my first sketch.

Amish Star Sketch - Changing Lines

Amish Star Sketch - Changing Lines

I knew that I wanted to try changing some of the straight lines to curves. I started overlaying my sketch with curves lines. From there, it really didn’t take long to come up with my basic design.

Solar Flare - Original Sketch

Solar Flare - Original Sketch

A few changes have been made from that original sketch.

I knew I didn’t have time to hand applique or piece this, so I went with machine applique. I basically used the method I learned in a workshop by Sharon Schamber. Luckily, I have a friend that had some of Sharon’s Applique Stabilizer that she was happy to share!