It's been an exciting and wonderful week to see everyone's version of my block, Fresh Start. Last Thursday my block, Fresh Start and three other fabulous designer blocks in the Splendid Sampler II were introduced to you.
Fresh Start by myself is great for experimenting with texture. The next fun block, Pack Your Bags, by Jodie Carlton made me think I should be booking a winter break getaway very soon.
Blue Ribbon by Melissa Mortenson, was harder but well worth the persistence. Mine is still 3D. The outside edges will be sewn down when the surrounding blocks are attached. Lastly, Lauren's Flower Basket, by Annette Plog gave way to wishing the winter away. I can hardly wait for spring.
Quiltnasium is now open Wednesday to Sunday 10a-4p. Come and investigate what is behind door 4. We are ready to start post the retro fabric on Quiltnasium's facebook page for sale so that we can bring in more new. Check it out on Thursday. Be sure to like us and follow us so you can see the fabric.
Enjoy!
First, I was very excited, honoured and grateful when contacted to participate in the Splendid Sampler II program. To be among these wonderful quilt designers is awesome and humbling.
It is very interesting that my block, Fresh Start, on page 44 in The Splendid Sampler 2 book, is being presented this week because on Wednesday we opened the quilt studio for Next Step Quilt Designs, Quiltnasium. Another fresh start, scary and exciting at the same time.
The block in the book uses lots of texture. The sunny yellow version above plays with value and texture. Be brave and experiment.
Remember to post your version of the Fresh Start block to get your name in for an Aurifil Thread box.
Our giveaway from January 24 to 30 at 23:59 is $4.00 CAD off one of Next Step's patterns in PDF form that will be processed and emailed to you within 24 hours in PDF form. Enter splendid2 in the coupon box in checkout cart area. Charges will be adjusted at our end.
Enjoy!
The studio,Quiltnasium, is almost ready to open. If we wait to be absolutely ready it will never open, so, Wednesday is the first day 10a to 4p at rear entrance of #4, 12110 40 Street SE in Calgary. Parking is limited. More details will be posted on facebook page.
If you were around when we opened the quilt store in 2003, not only was it scary to us but also scary to the customer. The same is true for the studio. Now you have to know that this is not a full blown quilt store that you are use to, but a sewing your quilt studio where you can purchase supplies and sew and learn stuff, socially and quiltingly.
Last Thursday the next set of 4 Splendid Sampler II blocks were shown. How many of you are keeping up? I am just barely. The Star Plus Block by Cheryl Brickley let me go Dutch Treat by Pat Sloan.
Next, the Connection by Sheri Cifaldi Morrill led me to be In My Own Little Corner by Shannon Gillman Orr.
I had problems connecting Connection. Did you notice? Below shows how the ruler was centered and cut. Think of it as creative design. Shhsh, don't tell and know one will know.
How was your week last week? You know the saying about not putting it off today because tomorrow never comes. Oh so true it is already on Monday today. We are down to the nitty gritty details of finalizing where fabric, notions, tables, chairs, equipment are going to be in the studio. Put it here, no put it there, no it looks better here, no it fits better there. Geesh, will it ever work. At least the phone and fax are now up and running.
OOPS picture to be added here tomorrow.
Are you working diligently working on your Splendid Sampler II blocks? Once I got all the applique blocks completed, I cut out all the pieced blocks ready to be sewn together. Wow it only takes 30-60 minutes to sew them together. The fabric for each block is stored on the appropriate page. I have to keep the book in a large plastic bag so none of the fabric falls out.
These three are: (L clockwise) Trip to the Quilt Shop by Laura Kay Houser. My favourite part is the N S E W compass direction in the centre. LOL love the acronym which am making up 'Now SEW'. Next is Creative Harmony by Gudrun Erla. Love the yin yang thing happening. Be sure to check out her tutorial on how to use the Stripology Mini Ruler. Last is Rob Appell's Octopus block. Check out how he up sized the block.
The final two blocks: (L to R) Metropolis by Susan Guzman. She has a thread giveaway happening. Then Adventure Abounds by Kitty Wilkin. She has great paper piecing tips.
Oh my the weather has been fabulous. Even though cool, there hasn't been any snow. My favourite part has been security checking what goes on in the back yard making sure that the mice are staying away. My next favourite thing is hanging around with mom.
The first week of 2019 has come and gone. Whew! We spent it in Vancouver at the World Jr Hockey Games. Unfortunately, Canada was beat out in the quarter finals by Finland who went on to win the Gold. Even though Canada wasn't in the Gold game, the stress and nail biting went right down to the last 1 minute 36 seconds when Finland scored the winning goal against the USA. Our theory was if Canada had lost the quarter final game to Finland then you know it wasn't a fluke and you don't feel so bad when they win the gold.
Back into the swing of things. Country Star by Nancy Mahoney and Making Templates by Jane Davidson. Whether paper piecing or appliqueing, I like the fact that each block let you fussy cut.
I can see in the future making a larger version of the really cute Grandfather Clock by Kerry Goulder. Star Light Star Bright by Pat Sloan has a bonus quilt pattern on her blog.
