Moda Blockheads Week #26

Blockheads Week #26

Question of the Week: Is there a product/ruler/tool you wish you'd invented? 
Duh, rotary cutters/blades. No one has just one cutter and we're always buying more blades so we don't run out. And now, with pinked/wave/scallop blades, there's even more reason to have a variety. 

Betsy's delightful block this week combines little half squares inside larger half squares for lots of movement and interest. It will be fun to see your fabric choices this week.

Block #26 - Cat's Cradle by Betsy Chutchian

Kathy & Joy both opted for a 2-color block. Kathy's red/white/blue block is not the usual patriotic look, but I like the more graphic background for impact. Joy chose a more subtle background with a purple print for the triangles and the center square, which totally changes the look of the block. So many options.

Kathy's tradtionally pieced block.

Joy's Layered Patchwork block.

 Click HERE for my Layered Patchwork version of Cat's Cradle.

As always, check out what the other designers are doing this week:

Lisa's Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan's Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Jo's Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Carrie's Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Moda Blockheads Week #25

Blockheads Week #25

What goes around, comes around. And here we are again with a KTQ block, Twice the Friendship. I feel I've gotten to know so many of you through your Blockhead posts on FB each week - your favorite colors, fabric choices and tidbits you've gleaned from everyone in the group. I've thoroughly enjoyed scrolling thru the dozens of blocks each week. Thanks to all of you for hanging out with the Blockheads.

I've added a little twist to a simple friendship star to create twice the movement. My Layered Patchwork technique makes it twice as easy. Or, choose the Traditionally Pieced option. See, twice the fun!

Block #25 - Twice the Friendship - Lynne's Layered Patchwork

Block #25 - Twice the Friendship - Traditional Piecing

Here are Kathy & Joy's blocks. The block on the left is pieced traditionally, the block on the right features layered patchwork.

Traditioanal piecing on the left; layered patchwork on the right.

Question of the Week: 

In the many, many years you've been quilting, has there been a product invention in the quilting industry that makes you happy? (Carrie worded the question slightly differently, but this is the basic gist of it.)

Who doesn't love the rotary cutter? I only had scissors and a plastic template for my first quilt. For borders, I laid my fabric on the floor, used a wooden yardstick to measure a straight line and cut with scissors. Yikes! Rotary cutters, mats & rulers changed my world and were probably a big reason I made my second quilt. But that's a pretty obvious answer. What really makes me happy is how much better fabric and thread are today versus 20+ years ago.  Moda and Aurifil are always striving to improve the quality of their products, which in turn, make my quilts better, too. Gotta love it!

Please check out my fellow designer's blogs this week to see all the fun they have to offer.

Betsy's Blog - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

Lisa's Blog - https://lisabongean.com/
  
Jo's Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Carrie's Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/


And of course, you can always catch up with all of our blocks to date here:
Moda Blockheads Directory 

Moda Blockheads Week #24

Blockheads Week #24

Oh my gosh, we're halfway there! Woohoo! Time to celebrate! Time to start considering setting options for my blocks. Oh, Yikes! We're already halfway there. I have to seriously come up with a plan - and soon. It's been such a crazy summer here I haven't had a chance to do any serious contemplating. My thought is to sash each 6 1/2" block with a 1" finished strip, then add some 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" blocks in randomly for interest. Flying geese, checkerboard, some of Betsy's mini blocks, and Jan's appliques all are options for "1/2 blocks" to break up the straight setting of all the same size blocks. More later...

Block #24 - Corn No Beans by Carrie Nelson

This block made me think of fresh corn-right-off-the-cob chunky salsa. I enjoy good Mexican food and love really good salsa, but I prefer my salsa on a rice bowl and it wouldn't be complete without black beans and guacamole. Sorry, Carrie. We'll have to agree to disagree on the bean issue.

Click HERE for the link to Carrie's blog for her block, Corn No Beans.

Here are Kathy & Joy's blocks for this week. With sooooo many tiny half squares, my Layered Patchwork method eliminates a ton of seams.

Kathy's purple/tan block on the left; Joy went with a corn & beans color scheme.

Alot fewer seams with Layered Patchwork (right).

Click HERE for my Layered Patchwork option of Corn No Beans.


Stop by the other ladies' blogs for more ideas.

Betsy's Blog - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

Lisa's Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan's Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Jo's Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

KT Winners & Travel Plans

KT Winner

Congrats to:

Deborah from Valparaiso- brown or green or navy or red or tan......they all seem to show up!

Deborah, you're the winner of a KT 8-pack of fat quarters. Choose your favorite color and email us with your selection and shipping address - lynne@ktquilts.com. Robert will send them out ASAP.

And our box of Gooseberry Lane scraps goes to:

Angie Bowling - Scraps Scraps Scraps!! I love scraps. I can always find something to make with bits and pieces. Thanks for offering them.

Email your shipping info, Angie, and we'll gather up the scraps!

Remember, our single color 8-packs of KT fat 1/4's are only $17.95 thru the month of August.

Travel Plans

I want to extend an invitation to everyone in the areas I'm visiting over the next few weeks to join me and the guild or quilt shop hosting a KT event. I know it's a busy time of year, but I'd love to meet you and share my quilts and story with you. Grab a girlfriend and plan a road trip. We always have a great time!

Arkansas

Saline County Quilters' Guild, Benton, Arkansas

     Monday, August 21 - KT guild program - 6pm.

     Tuesday, August 22 - KT workshop - Barn Raising

     Wednesday, August 23 - KT workshop - Goose Tracks Runner

Contact Fay Poe at 501-332-7203 for more information and to sign up for workshops.

Q.U.I.L.T. Guild, Springdale, Arkansas

     Thursday, August 24 - KT guild program - 6pm.

     Friday, August 25 - KT workshop - Clara's Raised Bed Garden

Contact Lori Jones at 417-434-0329 for more information and to sign up for workshops.


As soon as I return home from Arkansas, my daughter, Nicole, and I will fly to New York City for a fun-filled 5 days to celebrate her graduation with a Master's degree in Social Work last spring. I'll get back just in time to load the car for points west.

Colorado/Utah

S&B Quilt Guild, Hotchkiss, Colorado

     Friday, Sept. 8 - KT workshop - Mini Charm Sampler

     Saturday, Sept. 9 - KT guild program 

Contact Laura McCurdy at 970-209-8326 for more information and to sign up for workshops.

Hi-Fashion Quilt Shop, Grand Junction, Colorado

     Sunday, Sept. 10, 4pm - KT trunk show

     Monday, Sept. 11 - KT workshop - Rustic Stars

     Tuesday, Sept. 12 - KT workshop - Pumpkin Harvest

Contact Angela Jones at (970) 256-1293 for more information and to sign up for workshops.

Thimbles & Thread Quilt Shop/ The Quilter's Lodge, Draper, UT
     Thursday, Sept. 13, 6pm - KT trunk show
     Friday, Sept. 14 - KT workshop - Cruisin' Sampler
     Saturday, Sept. 15 - KT workshop - Mini Table Treats

Contact Quilter's Lodge at 801-576-0390 for more information and to sign up for the retreat.

Comment to win my new Pumpkin Harvest charm pattern (or join me for the class at Hi-Fashion Quilt Shop). Do you like to take workshops to learn new techniques? Do you travel away from home for retreats/quilt shows?

Moda Blockheads Week #23

 Blockheads Week #23

What is your favorite brand of rulers? Why?
I like Olfa or Creative Grids rulers. They're clear with fine black lines and 1/8" markings - no fancy colors that glow in the dark. My go-to for everything is from 6" x 24" to 6" x 12" (a favorite) to every size square they make. They get the job done, simply.

Block #23 - Winneconne Star by Lisa Bongean

Lisa's star block this week conjures images of her home on the lake, leisurely paddling a canoe with her favorite cold beverage in hand (while someone else paddles) on a lazy, warm afternoon. I'm sure she doesn't have time for too many of those moments, but wherever Winneconne might be, it sounds like the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Click on the link HERE to find Lisa's block pattern.

Here are Kathy & Joy's blocks for this week. There's no better way to piece the checkerboard center, so my Layered Patchwork version uses layered star point triangles for fewer seams.
Find my LP option for Winneconne Star HERE.

I always love red/white/blue, so this block is just begging to be made into a small quilt for the summer holidays. Can anyone say fireworks?

Visit my fellow Blockheads' blogs for more inspiration this week:

Betsy's Blog - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
 
Jan's Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/


Jo's Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/







Carrie's Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Moda Blockheads Week #22

Ooops!

A little birdie told me I blew it yesterday. Sorry I missed the Wednesday Blockheads. I thought I'd pre-scheduled it, but it didn't post. User error, no doubt. I've been away from my studio the past few days, working on trading-in my Mom's car. Since Dad passed in May, there are times when  helping her comes before work. It's a real juggling act, but one I'm sure you can all relate to. I wouldn't have it any other way. The good news? She found a car that makes her face light up ("It's so cute!") and she feels safe in it alone. Check, check. 

Week #22 - Birdhouse by Jan Patek

Here are Kathy and Joy's Birdhouse blocks - one in cotton, one in wool (right) - both wonderful. I think Jan's primitive applique blocks will make a great addition to our Blockheads quilt. Click HERE to find Jan's pattern on her blog. (I'm sure you've already been there, done that.) She has a great tutorial for her applique method.

As always, it's fun to see what everyone else is doing this week. Lisa has an alternate pieced block for those of you who break out in a rash over applique. Betsy has her mini block, as well.

Betsy's Blog - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
 
Lisa's Blog - https://lisabongean.com/
  
Jo's Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Carrie's Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

See you next Wednesday - for sure. :)