NQA Show - Columbus, OH

Just back from the National Quilting Association Show in Columbus, OH and as always, an amazing show. This year I was honored to be selected as one of three NQA Certified Judges to judge the 412 judged quilts. They were amazing! Here's a picture of my two Judge's Recognition selections.

The quilt's title is "Baskets of Blessings", the creator is Gail H. Smith. Love the subtle toile used in the background, the sharp contrast of the outer border edge and the transparency Gail achieved in the inner border triangles.

The quilting was beautiful too and we especially liked how she created a separation of the block areas with a linear arrangement of quilting designs.

My second selection was Mt. Ruffmore by Paulene Salzman. The presidential dogs: Bo, Buddy, Barney, and Heidi look very regal on their mountain. Each of them has a bit of attitude as they survey their surroundings and a twinkle in their eyes. A bit like they're getting ready to dash off the mountain and run around to greet their visitors - a wonderfully whimsical piece.

Spinneret Block in Sue Beevers Mulberry Lane

Working away on a quilt of my "Spinneret" from "100 Blocks, Vol. 7" block for an upcoming issue of Quiltmaker "Quilts from 100 Blocks". The fabrics are Northcott's Mulberry Lane collection, designed by Sue Beevers, very pretty, feminine fabrics.

Coming out beautifully and I'm appreciating the fact that Quiltmaker published my block as paper piecing. Even though it's a simple block, paper piecing it is making those points come out more accurately.

 

Spinneret Block Sausalito Fabrics

I'm giving away two chubby fat quarter packs of the Sausalito fabric line by Quilting Treasures so be sure to leave a comment to be in the running for a pack.  The line contains some wonderful prints as well as coordinates to enhance the designs.

As I love the look of fussy cut fabrics in a quilt, the stripes especially can be rotated and cut at various angles for different effects and even more connection between the blocks.

Spinneret Block

Here's the block itself. I designed it in EQ7 as a 12 inch block, simply drawing the lines of the piecing  on the Easy Draw worktable. I like to have the blocks I design connect to an adjoining block and by giving this one "open arms", it connects very well from block to block providing lots of movement and design possibilities.

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks - Blog Tour Today

Good morning everyone!

Welcome to my blog. Today I'll be posting about how I design my blocks and quilts. I'll also be giving away a copy of the 100 Blocks magazine and 2 chubby fat quarter packs of the Quilting Treasures "Sausalito" fabric which I used in my block. Here's a picture of the block used in a virtual quilt - designed in EQ7. En

joy!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks

I'll be on the Blog Tour on Thursday, May 2nd so be sure to stop by for a visit. I'll be giving away a copy of the magazine and some fat quarter packs of the fabric used in my block, Sausalito by Quilting Treasures. I'll also be describing my design process for blocks and some quilts setting ideas for the blocks. Hope to see you there!

Getting back up to speed

Just back from a wonderful river cruise vacation in Holland visiting Amsterdam, Brugges,  the historic windmills, and an incredible visit to Keukenhof. Although the tulips were about a month behind schedule in the fields, the greenhouses and their incredible displays were out in full force. I've never seen so many varieties of tulips and they say there are more every year - truly amazing!