Full Heart Farm Quilt

Happy Monday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Farmgirls Unite Fabric Tour! I am beyond excited to be today's stop on the tour - thank you so much for visiting. I have a very special wall hanging quilt to share, created with the new Farmgirls Unite Fabric Collection. It was incredibly enjoyable to put on my quilt designer hat and work with these bright and cheerful prints. This new collection has lovely farm and garden motifs, gorgeous florals, and an adorable strawberry print...all done in a striking color pallet. I truly found my joy working on this project - the color pallet and prints are just "so me".  Creating this quilt definitely brought sunshine into my studio! Let's take a close-up look at my project...

"Full Heart Farm" - A Quilted Wall Hanging

I titled my quilted wall hanging "Full Heart Farm" - it is a sampler quilt featuring traditional pieced blocks and foundation paper-pieced blocks. Twenty-five 8" blocks make of up my hanging quilt with a finished size of 40" x 40". I used an assortment of  favorite traditional pieced blocks...then foundation paper-pieced the log cabin roses, hearts, trees, cottage, barn, and twisted log cabin block. I used a fat quarter stack with every print in the Farmgirls Unite Collection, along with Country Confetti in Cupcake and Speckled Hen. I fussy cut the focal fabric print (Country Life, shown below) to show off the wonderful farm and garden motifs (check out the CUTE cow, sheep, chicken stack).

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting with me today. 

Could you feel the sheer joy exploding out of my wall hanging?! It is currently hanging in my studio, right above my cutting table, where it will bring me happiness on a daily basis.

Colorful Companion Sampler

Yesterday, I mentioned I would return to share a new sampler quilt with you...one of my latest pattern designs for AccuQuilt - the GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt. This bright and cheerful sampler quilt features twelve pieced blocks created with the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and the GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics....along the with GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) for the binding. I used lovely Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids for this colorful project...but this pattern would work equally well with prints or batiks. It uses all of the GO! Qube and GO! Qube Companion shapes, except the GO! Parallelogram...and while I designed and created it with the 9" block sets, you could easily use your favorite GO! Qube block size. Using 9" blocks, this quilt measures 35" x 46"....but if you choose to make it with 12" blocks, it would measure 44" x 58" - a nice throw size quilt...and it would make a fun mini quilt using 6" blocks!

The pattern has instructions for the twelve blocks I used for the sample, but you could easily replace any block(s) with your favorite(s). ...and the good news? - right now, the pattern is FREE for download on the AccuQuilt website:

http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-qube-9-companion-sampler-quilt-pattern.html

Even better, if you need a little kickstart for this modern project, check out this AccuQuilt video that features the GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt - it shows more details and gives you some tips and tricks! For those who can't view the video on my blog, please visit this You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpxJcKeI1NY

I hope you are inspired to start your own sampler quilt...and if you do, I hope you will keep me updated on your progress - it's a great way to practice and showcase your skills! Try doing a block each day (or each week or each month) to make it more manageable and before you know it, you will have a full quilt....

Stitching, Sewing, and Schatzi

Two 18" pillows I recently completed for a dear friend...

I'm taking a break from my sewing machine to do a little blog update this afternoon....I've been at my machine most of the afternoon and I thought I would sit down for a virtual chat while I get a dose of caffeine and clear my head.

Last night, I finished a HUGE project for Just CrossStitch magazine that will be in the October issue...oh how I wish I could share it with you now, but you will have to be patient - it was A LOT of work, but so worth every minute...and I am just thrilled with how it turned out...

Have you been voting daily for my AccuQuilt Block Design Contest entries? - if you have, then I truly appreciate you! I know I ask for your votes every year...and for some reason, they make the voting process last a lifetime...but I want you to know that I am thankful for each and every vote. I hesitated to enter this year, after some of last year's results and the voting process - I know there was a lot of frustration across the board...but this year it is not just popular vote...and the block entries have to be made from AccuQuilt shapes (not just a fabric panel with a photo or a picture of a quilt)...this year, it seems much more fair and actually as described - a "block" design contest. They do have the direct view links working now, so I will provide them to make voting even easier. If you feel so inclined, you may bookmark them and vote daily through April 19th...every single vote helps - and THANK YOU!

Simply click on the direct links listed and click on the word "VOTE" - no registration is necessary and no e-mail address is collected. You can vote every 24-hours per device for all your favorites (meaning you can vote for all four of my blocks each day, along with any others you like)....

In The Pink: http://bit.ly/1xmF620

Sequined Stars: http://bit.ly/1C7P1IE

Petal Piecing: http://bit.ly/1CFvLV8

Perpetual Pinwheels: http://bit.ly/1ATmFOz

You can also visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/contest to submit your own block design and/or view all the entries!

So, today, I am back to working on four AccuQuilt GO! Value Die Sampler Quilts - I have most of the 48 sampler blocks complete and plan to have them all pieced by the end of the day...there are a total of 844 half square triangles (2" finished square) in four sampler quilts, so at this point, I really don't want to see triangles again for at least a few days. I cut all 1,384 pieces before starting, so now I am just putting everything together. I wanted to be done with all of them by now, but there are only so many hours in a day and matching up all the triangle points is taking me quite a bit of time. Maybe in the future I will do a block by block daily tutorial, including my tips and tricks - if you would like to see something like this, send me a message...if there is enough interest, I will see about putting something together.

GO! Simplicity Block Pattern

GO! Boat Block Pattern

GO! Whirlpool Block Pattern

GO! Double 4-Patch Block Pattern

GO! Road to Oklahoma Block Pattern

The original GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt I created....

I am now off for my daily training walk with Schatzi (my German Shepherd training partner) - temperatures are in the mid 40s and it has stopped raining, so it should be a nice evening walk - we will probably do around 6 miles. We have been doing some walks around the lake, but tonight, I think we will stay in the neighborhood...then it will be back to my sewing machine until 11:00 PM (I'm on a schedule and a deadline)...

Schatzi at Blue Heron Lake (Raccoon River Park) over the weekend...

A Quilted Sampler

I know my stitching friends are familiar with needlework samplers...but are you familiar with a sampler quilt? Sampler quilts are made up of an assortment design blocks - they are often used as a teaching tool for beginner quilters to help with skill building or for more advanced quilters to show off their skills or a variety of quilt blocks. The sewist makes a range of quilt blocks and then those finished blocks are pieced together to make a full quilt.

Several months ago, AccuQuilt asked me to create a sample for their GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt which features twelve 8" quilt blocks that can can be created with one cutting die (the GO! Value Die). This sampler quilt is perfect for a beginner quilter and/or a beginner AccuQuilt GO! user, as it is straightforward piecing of squares, triangles, and strips - and you get to try out a variety of quilt blocks. Although this quilt looks a bit complicated, it only uses three cutting dies: the GO! Value Die, the GO! Strip Cutter-4 1/2" (4" Finished), and the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) - and it really is simple, if you break it down block by block. It only uses six fabrics...and if you are unhappy with any of the individual quilt blocks, AccuQuilt has 72 GO! Mix & Match 8" Quilt Blocks available, so you can easily make adjustments. I made this quilt in a couple days, but you could do one block a day (or one block a week or month) and have it done in no time.

If you are in the market for a GO! Fabric Cutter, the new GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set includes the GO! Fabric Cutter, the GO! Value Die (55018), a 6" x 12" cutting mat, a die pick, and a 20-page pattern booklet which includes the 12 block patterns and the GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt pattern I am featuring today...so you can start creating this beautiful sampler quilt right away. If you already have a fabric cutter and/or you would like to have the sampler quilt pattern, you are in luck - for a limited time, you can download the pattern, along with instructions for any/all of the 72 - 8" quilt block patterns for FREE...yep, I said free!..and that is A LOT of sewing inspiration...

You can find the GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt pattern here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-value-die-sampler-quilt-pattern.html

You can find each of the 72 - 8" block patterns and instructions here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/patterns/block-patterns/go-mix-match-quilt-blocks.html

You can read more about these quilt blocks and the sampler quilt on the AccuQuilt Blog:
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/72-go-quilt-block-ideas/
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/53-free-quilt-block-patterns/

Believe it or not, AccuQuilt has asked me to make four more of these sampler quilts, and I enjoyed the first one so much, I took on this huge job...so I will be creating four more. This quilt is a great size at 48" x 48"...maybe in my "spare time", I can make a fifth one for myself - it would make a great lap quilt! If you want to brush up on your piecing skills...or try some new quilt block designs...or perfect your triangle piecing, then I hope you will try making this sampler quilt - I think you will be impressed with yourself and how quickly it comes together!

Bright and Cheerful Sampler Quilt

I told you I would be back this week to start sharing some of the sewing/quilting projects I have been working on...and today I am excited to share a very fun sampler quilt project I recently completed for AccuQuilt. This fun sampler block quilt is made entirely with one cutting die...the GO! Value Die. The GO! Value Die includes two 2 1/2"W x 2 1/2"W triangles, one 2 1/2"W x 2 1/2"W square, and one 4 1/2"W x 4 1/2"H square, which together, can create a wide variety of blocks and borders....in fact, you would be surprised how many projects you can make with just this one die. The GO! Value Die actually comes in the GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set, along with the GO! Fabric Cutter, a 6" x 12" cutting mat, a die pick, and a 20-page pattern booklet which includes 12 block patterns and a sampler quilt pattern (the quilt I am sharing with you today).

So, let's talk about the sampler quilt - it is 12 different blocks, each measuring 8" x 8"...and with the borders the quilt measures 48" x 48". The entire quilt top is pieced with shapes from the GO! Value Die (yep, that's it, just one single cutting die)...and the binding was cut using the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2". These two dies are compatible with the GO! and the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter (and with the Studio Fabric Cutter, if you use the GO! Die Adapters).

This quilt was REALLY fun to make - and is a good starter quilt. You can do one block each day, each week, or even each month...and before you know it you will have the top complete. It is also a great practice quilt if you want to work on your "point skills"...and with the precise cutting, you will be surprised how well your points match up! ...and, of course, you could use your favorite colors and fabrics to make it extra special!

If you are interested in the AccuQuilt booklet that contains all twelve block patterns (with alternate uses) and the GO! Die Sampler Quilt, you can find it as part of the GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set. You can hear all about the this Starter Set and the sampler quilt by watching this video...and yes, the quilt hanging in the background is the one I made (it's famous!)...

I will be back soon with more of my recent projects...until then, happy creating!

AQS Quilt Show & Contest - Des Moines, IA

I know it has been a while since my last post...and I do have a good reason...I have been preparing for two large events I am teaching on the East Coast later this month...and I will share more with you in the next few days...

I did manage to take the day off today to visit the AQS Quilt Show & Contest being held at the Iowa Events Center (October 3-6). My dear friend Kimber and her husband Tom were kind enough to invite me along to view the show with them...and it truly was a splendid day! We headed downtown bright and early, so we could see everything in one day. We started by walking the vendor area (I will blog about that tomorrow), then we perused the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 29th Annual Quilt Show...and finally we walked the AQS Quilt Contest Exhibit. It was sensory overload as we visited an array of fabulous vendors, then took in all the incredible quilts on display...I was so inspired by the creativity and talent, that I completely forgot how much walking we were doing and the day evaporated without a second thought. If you are in the Des Moines area or plan to be this week, this show is a MUST SEE. After we finished our visit to the quilt show, we headed to the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall to see the antique and vintage quilts, sewing notions, and sewing memorabilia vendors prominently placed about their booths...and yes, we did find a few goodies. After our day of shopping, viewing and walking, we had all built up quite an appetite...so we headed to The Drake Diner - a local favorite/landmark for a delicious late lunch/early dinner. It was the perfect day off!

Here is my view of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 29th Annual Quilt Show through my camera lens...I truly took hundreds of photos - but here are some that stood out to me (click on each photo for an enlarged view). This year's annual show was titled "Welcome to the World of Quilting" and included over 425 quilts made by guild members. The show also included a silent auction with over 100 small quilts...

Small Quilts in the Silent Auction

Small Quilts in the Silent Auction

Missie Carpenter
Applique Medium
168J: Charmed Beginnings

Gretta Wilkinson
Mixed Technique X-Large
520J: Wedge - Red/White

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt - Close-up Owls

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt - Close-up Peacocks

Barbara Blair
Pieced Medium
151J: Diamond LeMoyne Star

Leigh Lussie
Applique Medium
337J: Pineapples and Carnations

Leigh Lussie
Applique X-Large
335J: McLean Family Album

Leigh Lussie
Applique X-Large
335J: McLean Family Album - Close-up

Missie Carpenter
Mixed Technique Small
171J: Primitive Pineapple Welcome
Loved the punch needle center!

Julee Prose
Applique X-Large
410J: A Floral Celebration

Mary Shotwell
Applique Large
462J: Auntie's Red Hot Garden

Next, here is the AQS Quilt Contest display through my camera lens - there were so many breathtaking quilts on exhibit...again, I took hundreds of photos...here are just a few of the highlights for me....

Ruth Ann Reynolds - Raymore, MO
Super Sweet Ambrosia
Wall Quilts

Leigh Lussie - Windsor Heights, IA
An Abundance of Flowers
2nd Place - Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carolyn H. Stine - Springfield, IL
My First Trip To Baltimore
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carolyn H. Stine - Springfield, IL
My First Trip To Baltimore (Close-up Fruit)
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Ann Feitelson - Montague, MA
Basket Weave II: See Saw
1st Place - Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carole J. Floyd - West Des Moines, IA
Miss Emily's Garden
Honorable Mention - Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted

Barbara Clem - Rockford, IL
Symphony of Roses
Best Hand Workmanship Award
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Dolores Easter - Urbana, IL
Ladies of the Sea
2nd Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Jean Clark - Mt. Horeb, WI
Scarlet Fever
3rd Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Joyce L. Wuehle - Galesburg, IL
Onward
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Joyce L. Wuehle - Galesburg, IL
Onward (Close-up Owls)
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Wilhelmina Vandevoorde - Maryville, TN
Tree of Life
1st Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Helen Williams Butler - Alpine, UT
Turkish Delight
1st Place - Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Janet Stone - Overland Park, KS
Letter Carriers
Best Machine Workmanship Award
Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted
My personal favorite of the show - the detail was incredible!

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka!
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka! (Close-up)
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka! (Close-up)
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

It was truly a spectacular event and exhibit! I was completely mesmerized by the talent and creativity - it was a succulent feast for the eyes. Tomorrow, I will return with photos from a few of my favorite vendors...