FLOURISH QAL: Fabrics

 The first exciting step in starting a new

project....FABRICS!! 

YAY! YIPPEE! YAHOO!

I had a lovely floral print, 

"First Impressions" designed by

Mary Anne Henderson 

from Red Hen Fabrics 

for Northcott 

that started it for me.

The color is true in the pic above.

I used the colors in the print

to pull my applique' and other

piecing fabrics.

 I placed a ruler over the 

fabric so you can get 

an idea of the print scale.

This print worked perfectly 

with the size of the templates.

You want a small to medium

print so that the fun details show

in the smaller pieces of the design.

Here is a second colorway

shown with ruler and with

the F template since the print

is larger than the original.

It still shows a lot of

color movement though and

that is important too.

A couple of fabrics

pulled to go with

this firework/spray print.

A third colorway 

shown with ruler and 

F template for scale.

Fabrics pulled to go with 

the floral print.

I really like that architectural

print to the left and wonder 

what it may look like in an F:)

Let's look at some

other print / color options..

Wild bubbles above or

repro below?

Folk art floral above or

tulips below??

I love these tulips but will

be saving them for another project:)

As you can see,

there are soooo many options!

How do we ever decide

when we start  new projects?!

In case you missed the 

first post 

discussing some

of the basics, go

HERE to read all about it.

Start your stash hunt and 

next time we will discuss supplies.

~Keep Stitchin'~

Bramble Blooms

 The May issue of AQ Magazine is out and you will 
find my Bramble Blooms within its fine pages.

Let's talk fabrics:)

My fabric supplier was very

generous with this HARLOW 

collection from Northcott.

There is some truth to having too many decisions:)

Sometimes you need to try a new

technique, quilt style, or in this

case, a new block.

I have an affinity for pinwheel

blocks and tried something new 

this time by splitting one square of 

a half-square triangle set up 

before stitching together.  

It gives some fun extra movement.

Then you chain piece

every step of the process

so that you can stay on 

track and not mix 

up the steps.

Remember when I said I had too

many choices?  

When it came time to decide how

to make my applique' POP, it

got hard:)

My color aesthetic is not to mix

cream and white due to the 

cool/warm tones possibly clashing.

I really thought my flowers should be 

cream to blend in with the cream

background tones of the prints.

The chartreuse really threw me and

I felt it would be too in your face against

the soft pastels of the hydrangeas; but it looked

SO good with the white and gave

that POP I wanted my flowers to have.

Sometimes going out of your comfort 

zone gives you a surprise and opens

your design choices up for the 

next project.

I mixed cool and warm, bright and soft tones

and ended up loving it.

This is one of my favorite 

quilting motifs that I like

to repeat throughout a project.

I also like to do scribble or 

wiggle stitches along a raw

edge applique' for the 

ease of getting it done.

Lastly, don't forget to label your work 

and it can be as easy as using a micron pen:}

Remember that digital issues are 

available of all issues of AQ.

Visit the website HERE 

Keep Stitchin:)

Minneapolis Spring Market Part 1

WELCOME TO MINNEAPOLIS

 I found this photo online and it is a beautiful and

artistic shot of a wonderful city!

So after MONTHS of working hard designing, quilting, writing, editing, photographing, packaging, and packing, the day finally arrives:)

Here is my booth, with sign, showing me the way to my home away from home for the next few days!  You can see the many booths beyond me....

 To the right, Bird Brain Designs and one of the fabric companies.

To the left, Quilting (magazines, etc.) and of course you can see the Giant NORTHCOTT box in front of us:)

Our entry to quilting magic!

Above and Below, NESTLINGS by Robin displaying all new baby quilt designs including spring frogs and baby bottle rockets.  In addition to babies, we have a new BOM of shoes...one for every month.

GET PUMPED buttons to spread the word about the most comfortable shoes you will ever own:)
This group of booth mates should look familiar to you by now.  Have friends will travel and they actually like to be near me too:)
Go figure...We try to be near one another at Market since we usually travel alone and may have to go to the bathroom at some point!  (NO, I don't mean we need other women to come to the bathroom with us:) 

Meet Susan Marth of Suzn Quilts.  Her booth bloomed in Dresden Plates this year. I know we shouldn't covet but, oh man do I want that quilt directly behind her!  I may have to make one in Red for myself:)

Here is Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods.  She has a fun way of using traditional designs and making them her own.  Look at how cute that Christmas pattern on the table is...reminds me of Christmas Crackers.

Susan Knapp of The Quilt Branch with her booth mate Karen. Some really neat designs going on over here including a bag so big you can pack for days in it!  Who doesn't need one of those??

Have you met Cheryl?  THE Cheryl Sleboda!  She stopped by and she is too cute which matches her web name: Muppin:))))

When in Minneapolis......We had the opportunity to eat at a local landmark that will unfortunately be closing: Nye's Polonaise   Wow, the whole atmosphere takes you back including these cool glass lamps.  Delicious food too.  I had a polish soup that was so comforting that I could have eaten a whole pot!

I hope you enjoyed Part 1...stay tuned for part 2:)