Gorgeous Blocks by Pam Kellogg

Wow! I just spent a few minutes browsing through this 40 page document...and it is wonderful!

This is Pam Kellogg's newest relese "Crazy Quilt Inspiration Volume 2: Trinket Blocks"

It is a collection of gorgeous photos, really large and clear photos...of 37 crazy quilt blocks made to showcase various collections of pins and trinkets she has collected.

It is so inspiring! Makes me really think about the various brooches, pins, patches, etc. that I'm constantly putting aside because they are just "too pretty" to use. This would be a wonderful way to showcase them.

Check it out at Magcloud or at Pam's Etsy Shop...it is so worth the look!

http://www.magcloud.com/user/kitty-and-me

http://www.kittyandme.etsy.com/

TIP: No Pins!

I'm working on piecing some blocks that have unique shapes, and am using a paper pattern for this. Here is how I do mine...no pins.

Instead, use clear tape (office variety) to tape the pattern pieces to the front of the fabrics. Leave about an inch of space between each piece.

Cut the individual pieces apart if you like, just so you can work with each then (make sure to cut where each will still have at least the 1/4" seam allowance intact.)

Then, use the ruler and rotary cutter to cut precisely 1/4" from the drawn line on the pattern piece.

There is just enough tape left on the edges to keep the pattern piece on the fabric until you are ready to sew the block together. Then, just lift the pattern and remove...easy! No pins to constantly remove, shift, re-pin as you trim up the patches.

Color Palette?

How do you organize your work when you design a quilt? I like to either work with a minimal plan (translated to be "just a stack of fabrics")...or a structured plan (like a palette and each patch planned out). Both approaches have advantages for me.; and the choice depends on what the project is to be used for and/or how much effort I want to put to the planning of it.

But, my "planned" ventures always turn out more satisfactory to me at the end...but, still that "fast project" has it's merits!

At present, I'm in the middle of a planned process at the moment...and have cut swatches of fabrics. All of these are from a group of quarter yard cuts (Maywood Studios, Shadow Play line of cotton fabrics) that are just a random selection of lights/mediums.

The fabrics all are mottled in color, but read like solids so are a perfect choice for my project. I had selected a grouping of lights and mediums when ordering...not really thinking too much about the colors. Just got a 1/4 yard of each. My thoughts at the time were more about "not" gettin any really darks or really brights in the mix. When they arrived, I could see that I had a lot of neutrals (no surprise there for me, ha!); and there seemed to be a lot of greens (who knew I liked green so much!).

So, I've broken them into two groups...a Spring Palette...

and an Autumn Palette. Guess I'll be doing two quilts!!!

Thinking the Autumn will come first...as I'm in the mood for that Season right now. I'll be adding loads of reds, violets, yellows, and more greens to the embroidery work.

BTW, the  letters/numbers under each is the stock number for Maywood. Just in case I need more later on! 

So, just wondering...do you create palettes for your work at times?

Hugs, 

BCQC-2 is Open for Registration...15-17 August

The BCQC-2 module is  OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 15-17 August 2018   You must have completed the BCQC-1 Module first!!!  

The BCQC-2 has three major objectives:

* COLOR — Learning all about Color Selection

* PIECING —Techniques for successful Flip’n’Sew pieced blocks

* EMBELLISHING — Promote individual creativity while reinforcing the

    techniques learned in the BCQC-1 module

The Color portion of the module is extensive. It will cover the first 6 tasks:

· Planning for Color

· Impact of Color Choices

· Color Mixing

- Reading a Color Wheel

- Color Play

· Fast Color Selection Techniques

The Piecing portion of this course will focus on using cotton fabrics and the flip’n’sew method of piecing a block. It will not include a pattern, but does recommend using strips of fabric rather than patch pieces of fabric. So, yardage (1/4 or even 1/8 yardage widths is fine) for this method. We will be using cotton (but you can substitute sturdy silk if you have yardage on hand). This section includes the next two tasks:

· Fabric Selection

- Flip’n’Sew Method (pitfalls and solutions)

The Embellishing portion of this course will include:

· Lace/Trims

· Seam Embroidery

· Silk Ribbon Ideas

· Finishing with Beads, Baubles, and Charms

In total there are 11-tasks for this course. Just as in the BCQC-1 each new task will be emailed to you after you have posted the prior task. 

This is the "follow-on" class to the BCQC-1, which you should have completed first. It builds on the techniques learned in the initial basic course and gives you experience in selecting COLORs for your fabrics/embellishments that will work together nicely. [Note: If you are presently enrolled in the BCQC-1, and are at least on Task #10, you can still sign up for the BCQC-2...as I know you'll have time to finish the BCQC-1 shortly.]

The reason for even offering the BCQC-2 is so that folks (especially true beginners) that want to attempt a block for themselves...with little "influence" from me...but still have a teacher available to answer questions CAN WORK A NEW BLOCK. I'll walk you through the various "layers" of embellishments and offer advice on how to balance the work as we progress through these. Before we even begin, the first few tasks will introduce the "world of color selection" to you...helping you to feel a bit more at ease when combining colors in fabrics and/or embellishments.

To register:

Email me your: name, state/country information, and the email you want me to use for the course shaw.kathy@yahoo.com

The class will begin on the 19th...so you should be logged into the class blog site by the evening of the 18th if possible. As with all of the courses...you'll receive a WELCOME email after registering and an INVITATION to join the course blogsite. The invitation only "works once" so, when you get to the site remember to bookmark the URL. If you forget, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a link back to it.

Hugs!

Ups and Downs...

...we all have them.

Life happens...and we usually just try to "roll with the punches" so to speak. My life is no different than anyone elses in that respect...some highs and some lows. Hoping the highs out number the lows, if you know what I mean.

It's been a pretty good month...but with several doctor's appointments. Got most of that behind me now, still dealing with incisions that don't want to heal up right away...but no pain...so that's good.

And, a really great "high" point this last month...as I "approved" the cover artwork for my new book...coming out soon I hope. Soon being a relative term, as it will still take weeks to finalize and then get printed...but hopefully, not counting in months any longer.

I'm especially happy that this book is the reason for the recent creation of the template set...as they go hand in hand. It's been a long time coming...being able to offer a book of seams WITH a permanent template set so folks don't have to make their own. That's a great accomplishment...and I have to give Janet of Creative Impressions huge thanks for her help in this!

So....all in all...a pretty good month. Hoping your month was also pretty good!

Hugs, to all!

BTW, current books and templates are still available in my Etsy shop. ;)

Crazy Quilt Quarterly - Autumn 2018

The Autumn 2018 issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly magazine is now available!

I've been reading through my copy...and dreaming of the beautiful blocks to be made using orange, red, green, yellow of Fall! Such an inspiration!

The Autumn 2018 issue cover design by Elisabeth Baty. just makes me want to stitch! Her stumpwork cornucopia is absolutely stunning. The entire issue is packed full of wonderful projects by projects by Betty Pillsbury, Gill Compigne-Leaney, Suzy Quaife, Jan Conwell, Angela Grasse, Janese Morris, Renee Watts, Darlene Kliewer, Brenda Sandusky, Robin Waybright, Genevieve Tracey, and Mary Anne Richardson; with a combined article by Alice McClelland & Janet Popish.

40 Pages of patterns, articles, and enjoyment. Head on over to Magcloud and check out this issue...and any past issues you might have missed. This magazine is a labor of love for Pam and her entire group of contributors!

http://www.magcloud.com/user/kitty-and-me