Wanta Fanta block - Building Blocks Tuesday

Hi there!  Welcome back to Building Blocks Tuesday.

Today, I'm sharing the block I made for Joy in the Bee Hive bee I joined this year.

The block is called "Wanta Fanta" and was created by Janice at Better of Thread.  The free tutorial is here on Blossom Heart Quilts website.

Joy wanted her block to be jewel colored with reads as black backgrounds.  I hope this fits.  I think these colors will make a fantastic quilt and I hope she shows us the finished top.

What blocks have you working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspirational Sunday (3) - via Road to California 2015

Welcome to another Inspirational Sunday courtesy of the Road to California quilt show for 2015.

I'm continuing with special exhibits today.  The next several quilts were part of an exhibit highlighting many of the wonderful State Parks we have in the US.


This one depicts Antelope Valley California State Poppy Reserve by Dorinda Goff.

Mid-February through May acres and acres of California poppies bloom just outside of Lancaster.  Dorinda's quilt focused on the poppies.  They are quite lovely, aren't they?

This next one depicts Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park by Barbara Blake.

Pigeon Park is located on the California Coast about 50 miles south of San Francisco.

This one is for Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park by Linda Molter.

Bale Grist Mill is 3 miles north of St. Helena, CA.  Built in 1846, and restored in 1925, this water-powered grist mill was operated by the Bale family in the late 1800's.


This lovely quilt depicts the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park by Kimberley R. Heaps.

I can tell you that there is nothing quite like walking through a redwood forest, and it is difficult to capture its beauty,even on film.  Kimberley did a fantastic job though!

This one shows Tomales Bay State Park by Julie Harris.

Julie decided to focus on the tranquility of the park's picnic area.  Tomales Bay State Park is located about 40 miles north of San Francisco.

This last one depicts a park a little closer to my home.  It is Malibu Lagoon State Beach by Karen Griffith.

I love how simple this quilt is with the strips of color.  Lovely!


That's it for this week.  I hope you return again next week for another installment from the Road to California quilt show.


Thanks for reading today,



Jen

Rainbow Mini - a finish Friday

It's a finish Friday! and a colorful one too.

Behold!  My finished mini for the Rainbow Mini Quilt Swap on Instagram.  This mini is about 23 inches square, and each colored block is made of 25 one inch squares.

Speaking of those little scraps, I was getting a little nostalgic as I was putting them together.  Most of the pieces came from my scrap bins, and I used pieces not only from my most current projects, but also from my very first quilt!  So, in a way, this quilt sums up the last few years in fabric.  I hope my partner likes it.  I liked it so much, I decided to make one for myself too......

I mean you can't take a trip down memory lane and not want a memento for your yourself!  Plus it is just as easy to make 2 at once.

I quilted it using my walking foot and one of the more decorative zigzag stitches on my machine.  I learned how to do this in Jacquie Gering's, "Creative Quilting with Your Walking Foot"class (affiliate link**) on Craftsy.  She shares some great tips on how to keep those quilting lines straight!  It is an excellent class if you haven't checked it out - one of my favorites for sure and one I keep going back to for reference.  I reviewed it a little over a year ago HERE if you want to know more.

On to the next mini!  I'm currently working on one for the Spring Fling Mini swap, and I need to get going on my Outlander Craft swap item.  I have several ideas wandering around in my head, but I haven't started anything yet.  Oh yeah, and then there is the Cotton and Steel Mini that needs to be made and 2 fun minis for the winners of the 500+ giveaways.  So, I hope you like minis because it seems like that is what I'm doing around here for a while!


Thanks for reading today,


Jen




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Rainbow blocks - Building Blocks Tuesday

Today, I'm sharing all the tiny blocks that went into my mini for the Rainbow Mini Swap.

These are all 5 inch blocks finished.  Those were some tiny scraps!

Given that I am showing you these in mosaic form, I doubt the final layout of the quilt will be much of a surprise, but I will be showing you that on finish Friday.


What blocks have you working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspirational Sunday (2) - via Road to California 2015

Hello!  For today's inspirational post I thought I would dive right into some of the special exhibits at Road to California, because they are my favorite to look at.

First up, the Wicked Cherrywood Challenge.

In this challenge, the participants had to complete a 20 x 20 mini quilt, with the theme from the Wicked musical, oh, and a very limited color palette (using Cherrywood fabric).

The results are dramatic!

And I love how different they all are!

The next group of quilts are just a couple from the "Celebrate the Day with Quilts" exhibit.  In this exhibit 53 artists came up with 72 quilts that interpret some "special days" that might make it onto your calendar.


This quilt is called "National Tooth Fairy Day" by Bunnie Jordan.

Who wouldn't want to celebrate losing a tooth by getting a quilt like this?

I only snapped a few of these as the crowd was thick on the day I went to the show.

This one is called "DNA Day" by Renelda Peldunas-Harter.

I learned that April 25th is a significant day in the history of DNA discoveries, and here I just thought it was a few days after tax day.

This one is called "Nerd Pride Day" by Kathy Lincoln.

So the next time May 25th rolls around, make sure to hug the nerd to your right and left.  I just love the pocket protector included in the quilt!


Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Tula Pink Mini - finish Friday

It feels like a really long time since I've finished anything.  I guess I've been working on so many different things that "the finishing" has been spread a little thin.

That said, there is nothing like a deadline to spur a finish, and the ship date for the Tula Pink Mini Quilt Swap (through Instagram) is next week.  The theme for this swap was obviously, Tula Pink's fabrics, and we had to use them in the majority.  My partner gave me just the right amount of information to come up with this mini for him/her.

This block is the Esme Restyled block, and I found it in issue 16 of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  Lynne from Lily's Quilts had a BOM feature in the magazine and this was one of the blocks.

I was going to try to fussy cut the octopi, but I didn't quite have enough fabric.  In the end, I liked how it seemed like they were peeking out from sections of the block.

And, of course, I quilted it almost to submission.  On Instagram, I apologized to my partner, trying to explain that I have a condition, a form of neurosis called, Blank Space Aversion Syndrome.  I just can't leave background or solid fabrics alone.  I went on to explain that there was hope - not for this mini, but for future ones - as I did not quilt inside the diamonds as I was tempted to do.  Perhaps these little steps will one day lead to a cure?

I even quilted a little seahorse to go with the Salt Water theme.  It created the perfect place to put my label on the back.

Yep, that is the back.  This swap had a strict "no extras" policy, which I can appreciate, but clearly had trouble with.  I was hoping by making a back just as fun as the front that my partner would have 2 minis in 1, and thus double the fun.  For this reason, I did not put hanging triangles on the back.  I've started hanging my minis with some refrigerator clips from Command.

This block is called the Woven Star, and is a free pattern on the StitchSupply Co's website.

So those are 2 new blocks that I tried out in one little mini!

Well, there it is, all finished up.  I just need to stuff it in an envelope and send it on it's way.  I hope my partner likes it.


Thanks for reading today,


Jen




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500 Follower giveaway WINNER!

I am very excited to announce that Deb Girotti has won my little giveaway of a custom mini!  She was lucky #75!

So Deb, your homework is to start thinking about what kind of quilt you would like.  You can choose something similar to one I've made before (I can't promise exact matches), or we can come up with something new together.  This will be fun!

Now for those of you that didn't win this time, don't despair, I am almost to 500 followers on Instagram too!

Thanks for reading today,


Jen

Sunshine and Shadows - WIP Wednesday

Today was unusual.  Having just finished up a couple of minis for swaps (I'll post more on Finish Friday), I decided to dust off one of my UFO's, which led to dusting off a few more.  Now before we get all excited, I didn't actually finish any of these UFO's, but I did touch them!

First, I decided to get a jump on my Lazy Bum challenge for March.  My goal is to get my Lucky Star 2013 BOM top, backed and pin basted.  I know that doesn't sound like much of a challenge, but it is!

I spent at least an hour cutting and sewing up a proper backing, then another 2 hours with the tweezers picking out the tiny bits of paper that I missed when I removed them from the blocks.  Man!  That was a chore!  I have changed up my paper piecing techniques a bit since I completed these blocks and don't usually leave the papers in the seam allowances any more.  Today, I pledged to continue that practice so I could avoid the hassle of today.  Finally, I started pin basting everything together.

I got nearly finished and ran out of pins!  So I had to get another UFO out that is partially quilted and steal some pins off of it.  I still didn't quite have enough, so I concocted a plan to do a little more quilting on that UFO tomorrow so I can have enough pins to finish basting this quilt.  Sounds a lot like robbing Peter to pay Paul to me, but I guess I will get a little further along on both UFO's.

****CAUTION: Please excuse me one moment while I talk about FEELINGS.  It is abrupt and the transition back to quilty talk is awkward.  Skip ahead if you need to.****

I couldn't shake a feeling while working on this one today.  I think it started by thinking of the fabric bundle that started this project - Sunshine and Clouds from Connecting Threads (I don't think it is available any longer).  Somehow, these thought led me to think about a high school friend that passed away last year.  Tracy Hayslip.  She died of breast cancer.  Other people from my graduating class have passed away, but none struck a chord like Tracy's passing.  It's a combination of 1) knowing the person well, remembering all the times we rode around in her mustang, toilet papering other people in our church's youth group (believe it or not, this was an acceptable form of reckless fun in the group), how she wouldn't take crap from anyone, always told you how it was and should be, and was always willing to defend a friend, and 2) not really wanting to acknowledge that people still die from breast cancer.  My head was in the sand.  I recognize that there is no cure, but I guess I just thought that the people who die from breast cancer, just didn't realize they had it until it was too late,  Even when my mother was diagnosed several years ago, I didn't once doubt that she would survive.

Anyway, this quilt really made me start thinking about Tracy.  The yellow reminded me of her laugh, and the good times we shared in the Florida sunshine.  The light gray makes me think of all the years since I last spoke to her, not good, not bad, just time passing by and growing apart like people do.  The darker spots make me think of the sadness associated with losing someone we care about.

I was going to give this quilt away when I was finished with it; but, I think I need to hold on to it.  Not only to remind me of Tracy, but also that crap still happens to people we love.  I hope the next quilt I make that reminds me of someone has a lot more sunshine, and a lot fewer shadows.


***OK, emotional outburst over, quilt talk resuming NOW***

I also got out one of my oldest UFO's today and put it up on my new design wall.

The way I had my blocks stored suggested this layout.  But I think I like this next one better.

I'm leaning heavily toward the 2nd.  I think it feels more balanced.  What do you think?

I don't want to apologize for today's little blurb of emotions.  I really needed to get them out.  As this is like my online journal, it really helped me to try to put into words what I was feeling.  I am not good with feelings, and even worse at expressing them sometimes.

Thanks for sticking it out, and for reading today,



Jen

16 Patch with wonky stars - Building Blocks Tuesday

I finished up these 16 patches with wonky stars for my We Bee With it Bee.  Celeste asked for one in scrappy pinks and one in scrappy blues and greens.

It's funny.  Not too long ago, I would have cringed at a block like this.  Not because it is difficult, but because I didn't have that many "quilt shop quality" scraps to complete blocks like this.  I would have had to cut into yardage for one silly 3.5 inch square (times 15 colored fabrics for each block - yikes!).  But, I am happy to report that I have now made enough quilts, in enough colors, that I have a decent scrap pile.  These blocks don't make me cringe anymore!

Last chance to enter my 500 follower giveaway if you haven't already done so!  You can enter by leaving a comment on this post.  I'm drawing a winner on March 20th!  Good luck!

What blocks have you working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspirational Sunday (1) - via Road to California 2015

Based on my little poll last week, it sounded like you guys would like to see Road to California first, then QuiltCon second.  I hear ya!  QuiltCon did get a lot of social media attention, so perhaps a little break is in order.

So here they are....the first quilts I am sharing from Road to California 2015 have a rainbow theme.  I guess I just feel rainbowish at the moment since I am working on a few rainbow items (none as gorgeous as these!).

The first quilt is called "Color Fondue" by Swan Sheridan of Vail, AZ

She says, "This quilt was an opportunity to use simple applique in a study of color and value.  The goal was to create a piece that was exciting both for the interaction of a variety of fabrics and the experience of texture achieved through a dense quilting process, changing thread throughout the project to better emphasize the value change. The quilting of each block is tied together by the connecting "rivers" that draw the viewer through the quilt."

Check out the cool quilting in the borders.

The next quilt is called "Starlette" by Cheryl L. See by Ashburn, VA.  I waited for about 10 minutes for the crowd to thin out enough to snap one picture!

Cheryl says of her quilt, "Starlette was inspired by a larger quilt I made called Star Struck.  It is entirely made by hand using English Paper Piecing, applique, trapunto, embroidery, and hot fix Swarovski crystals.  It is reversible with the back having woven appliqued bias strips in a triangular pattern.  Includes 4,582 hexagons, 335 circles and 192 ovals."

I'm not sure if it was "Starlette" or "Star Struck" that I've seen on Pinterest, but I can tell you, seeing this quilt in person is just amazing.  Pictures do not do it justice.  It won "Best Use of Color"

The next quilt is called, "Square Dance" by Marge Holtz of Alexandria, VA.

Marge says, "I love color...bright, bold, daring color.  Color is beautiful.  Color makes me happy.  Color is joy.  Color is like a magnet; it draws me in; it demands to be used.  It is enticing; it is inspiring.  I willingly submit to the energy color emits.

"Ideas comer from anywhere and everywhere.  Color will likely be the spark that demands my attention, but after color, shape, design, and motif beckon.  The heart of it all is color - vibrant, breathtaking, joyful color.  Color is my muse.

"I dare to dance with color."

Okaaay...

Here is a close up view.

I do love the color.

I hope you will come back next Sunday to see more quilts from Road to California 2015.  Does anyone have a specific request for a type of quilt for me to share?


Thanks for reading,


Jen

Tula Pink mini front - Building Blocks Tuesday

I've been plenty busy around here.  I am STILL cleaning and dusting from our remodel.  But, I have made some significant progress there.  In fact, I have removed myself from the dining room and am sewing back in my dungeon studio.  There is still dust falling, but I am happy to be back in my own space.

I've even started working on several of the mini's I am making for swaps due this month and next.

This paper pieced block is called "Esme Restyled" and was found in issue 16 of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  I made it for my partner in the Tula Pink Mini Swap, where we had to use Tula Pink fabrics.  I made this one with the green colorway of Saltwater, and I hope my partner likes it.  I considered fussy cutting the fabric so that each triangle would be the same, but I didn't quite have enough.  In the end, I like how the octopus seems to be peeking out of some of the triangles.

I will be working on the quilting later today, and I am hoping to keep it simple.  But, you guys know me, I will probably start simple and before I know it every millimeter will be quilted.  Only time will tell!

Don't forget to enter my 500 follower giveaway if you haven't already done so!  You can enter by leaving a comment on this post.  Good luck!

What blocks have you working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspirational Sunday (5) via the Quilts exhibit at Muzeo 2015

This post will wrap up my visit to Muzeo in Anaheim, and focus on two of the quilting artists in the "modern room".

However, before I share, I want to know which show you would like me to share next??  I have pics from both QuiltCon and Road to California.  So think about it, and let me know at the end of this post!

This first one is called "Safety in Color" by Joe Cunningham.

It was a bit interesting to learn that this quilt is politically inspired.  Joe was reacting to the different colored "threats" that our government has put in place, and the "Green Line" in Baghdad showing safety.

Here is a close up.

Sometimes I really like to look closely at these art quilts to try to figure out what they did.  This one appeared to be appliqued bias pieces, something I was going to learn a lot more about at QuiltCon.

Joe's other quilt exhibited was "Circular Logic".

It looks very similar to me despite being made nearly 2 years apart.  Perhaps it is because some of the same fabric was used?  I know artists have their own look and style, but I would have liked to have seen some of work in different colors.

You can learn more about Joe the Quilter here.

One of the other artists whose work was exhibited was Sheila Frampton-Cooper.  She has a very distinct look to her quilts, and I must admit that I really like them.

This first one is called "Yellow Brick Road".

I love the use of near solids (she dyes her own) in her work AND the intense quilting on them.  Take a closer look.

I think I could really get into something similar.  You know how I like to quilt the Dickens out of things.

This one is called "The Ray, the Roses, and the Portal".

Something is definitely happening to me.  There was a time when I wouldn't have given these quilts a second glance, they just weren't "me".  But, I can sense a change occurring.  Quilting is opening my mind to other possibilities, palettes, and styles.  I may even stop wearing black and gray at some point (gasp!).  I still don't want to label myself, but I definitely want to try out a few new things......when I have the time of course.  LOL!

Before you go, please let me know which show you would like to see next....Road to California or QuiltCon?

Thanks for reading,

Jen