It's been said that in life you should always take time to stop and smell the roses... but what about the tulips? The past weeks have been a whirlwind of preparations, and I will be crossing the finish line this week! I've been so consumed with finishing my Home Sweet Home applique sampler for release, printing patterns, Nadelwelt preparations, and too many other things to list, that it's left me feeling a bit buried in work. A few weeks ago my mother-in-law asked if I would be interested in visiting the Keukenhof tulip gardens in Holland. Of course the answer was immediately yes, until she told me the date... the weekend before Nadelwelt! But in spite of my mile long to-do list, I decided to go with her. So this week instead of sharing my latest projects in the works, especially since I am so short on time, I wanted to keep things simple and send the reminder your way to stop and smell the tulips.... or perhaps even tiptoe through them if you prefer.
You may have noticed that it got quiet here. Last week I had to decide if I would finish my 2017 wrap up post, or take a spontaneous family vacation. Well, if you checked in last week, then you know which one I chose. But to make up for the missed post, how about if I start out the year with sharing my first flimsy finish for 2018?!? I'll give you all the specs once it's quilted, but at least for now, you can breath in a deep sound of shock when you hear that this bee quilt top won't be as big as I usually go. In the meantime, you can find the block tutorial here.
So, to get back on track with what happened this last year... I did manage two finished quilts in 2017. Do you remember my Tiptoe Through The Tulips quilt? This king size quilt is my biggest quilt ever, and due to it's sheer size and the fact that it was my second quilt pattern, it might actually be my proudest finish of the year.
My Prism Quilt finish was motivated by my self imposed deadline of finishing the first bee quilt before I start a new one. I wanted to get this one quilted before I introduced my new block to my bee mates, which just happens to be my flimsy finish for 2018! (Summer Smoothie)
I did actually I ask myself why I was only able to finish two quilts? Perhaps because it looks like 2017 was..."The Year Of The Pillows". In my defense, the pillows that I made were either gifts or smaller project samples from my pattern releases, not to mention that there is something totally satisfying in a fast finish without committing to a whole quilt... leaves room to try things.
But, 2017 was also "The Year Of Applique". I suppose when I look back, it's easy for me to fall into disappointment thinking that with "only" two finished quilts, I didn't get much accomplished... but I would like to argue that 2017 was my year in Rome... it wasn't built in a day, you know? Applique, specifically starch applique, has kind of become my passion this year... and if you have done applique before, then you know that it's not exactly production line quilting. Every little block with it's tiny pieces IS an accomplishment it itself. My aunt, who is a highly experienced quilter, reminds me that it's not about how fast you can finish a quilt, but about enjoying the process.
Another fun highlight of the year was the #30daysoffabricstacks challenge hosted by Stitched In Color... if you've been around for very long, then you already know that pulling fabric for a new project is my favorite part of the whole quilting process!... and here are a couple of my favorite stacks:
I actually had several flimsy finishes in 2017, and my Lovebirds' Garden is currently at the longarm quilter waiting for the magic touches to be put on. Writing my third quilt pattern, which is currently in my pattern testers hands, I still consider a "Finish"... the official release date is just around the corner in March!
With that being said, my fourth pattern is almost quilted, with my fifth and sixth patterns at the almost finished quilt top stage! More behind the scenes finishes than shared ones, but good things come to those who wait.
Hope you've had a great start into 2018, and as they say in Germany, have a "good slide" into the new year!
It's been so helpful for me to section my to-do project list into quarters. When I look back, I have a better overview of what I've accomplished, which is a really good feeling, and what needs to get done. I was able to finish my top four goals from my super full, and super long 2017 goals list... among them was my second pattern release which was also my largest quilt ever! I even finished two other projects that weren't even on my list. (here and here) One of my general goals for this was to stretch myself with free motion quilting... and there's a big check beside that box too!
1. Tiptoe Through The Tulips quilt 2. Jeweled Kaleidoscope Alison Glass Pillow 3. Tiptoe Through The Tulips Pillow 4. Alison Glass Applique Pillow.
I know that practice makes perfect, but I am slightly overwhelmed with how many quilt tops I've collected that have to make it under the machine to be quilted... so let's just say that I have a good bit of actual quilting to do this next quarter.
1. My AMH quilt is basted and I've started quilting it... I didn't like how I first started quilting it, so I took the stitches out, and if you've ever done that before you know what fun it is (please tell me you picked up on my sarcasm?)
2. After I finally decided on a layout, my half square triangle quilt top came together pretty quickly. I've only made two quilts that I DIDN'T piece the back, and I think this one could end up being the most pieced backs... use up those scraps, right?
3. My bee block quilt top was assembled last fall, and I'm partially finished with the back, and using a few of the blocks that didn't fit on the front. I've decided on very simple walking foot quilting.
4. Penny Sampler is my slow stroll, stop-and-smell-the-roses quilt... I've been adding blocks here and there as I get time, but I'm in no rush to get to the finish line on this one.
5.Green Smoothie... what can I say? on the backburner, but not forgotten.
6. I'm about half way through putting together my 3rd pattern, but I've really pulled it out when it's our monthly sewing meetings. After I get a few of these tops quilted, this will move up on the priority. list.
So, there are actually two new projects that have been added to the list,
7. My Orphan Block Quilt, which is sort of a new project, but not really... is essentially giving a new face to some of those abandoned blocks from previous projects. It's nicer to finish them than through them away, don't you think? I had several squares that were left over from my Swell quilt, and these are perfect little fillers.
8. Pattern # 4 Well, this one just hit me like a ton of bricks. I was sitting with my husband during my birthday brunch date... somehow the artwork behind kept distracting and inspiring me, and I just couldn't get it out of my head... long story short, my first medallion quilt will be pattern number 4!?! Julie, I told you that you really got my brain churning with the idea of a medallion quilt... this will be a mostly applique quilt! Center block is finished and I'm working on borders now.
**TIP OF THE WEEK**: I found this fabulous, world changing video on the Fat Quarter Shop You Tube channel for the starch applique method... let's just say that these 60 orange peel leaves were whipped up rather quickly with this method... and NO freezer paper removal from the backside!
Wheh... still with me? I'm already making my list and checkin' it twice.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social.
Do you have THAT box?... you know, the one with all the orphaned blocks from past quilts?
I've had it in my head for quite some time now to make good use of a few of the blocks that had been packed away in THAT box. I was first inspired to make an orphan block sampler from Julie... I just needed to accumulate enough blocks that didn't make the cut were set aside for their special day. It was actually quite fun to pull them out again and think about what had inspired me to make each one of them in the first place.
You might even recognize a few from some of my previous projects. These first two blocks are actually from my most recent finish... any ideas?
... yup, that's Tiptoe Through The Tulips from my table runner project! Just a little redo to give a whole new makeover to these blocks.
I most certainly don't need to tell you how versatile half square triangles are. Since I was so undecided about my half square triangle quilt, it was nice to play with a few other arrangements that didn't make it in the original quilt.
Remember this finish from last year? My basket project, Modern Beauty table runner? I still had several orange peels left over to make another block.
ahhh... freezer paper, how I love you, let me count the ways. While working on my video tutorial for freezer paper applique, I ended up making several buttons in the process (free template here). These notions are far too fun to be left in the unfinished pile!
While in the middle of my let's-freezer-paper-everything phase (even if it doesn't need to be), I found this fun pinwheel/circle block, and just had to try it.
Even though I am very well
aware of my color tendencies, I have to admit that I was quite surprised about the softness of the colors and the overall feel. The surprise is that it's not my usual popping contrasts that I so often lean towards.
With this quilt, I've tried to either use blocks from previous projects or fabric that was already cut from previous projects. The only newly cut fabric will be the low volumes that I use to connect the blocks. The cherry on the top is that it doesn't take much time for a quilt top to come together!
Linking up to Let's Bee Social
May I formally and officially introduce you to...
Tiptoe Through The Tulips, my second quilt pattern, for the intermediate to advanced quilter who enjoys working with a variety of techniques. With curved piecing, traditional piecing, bias tape appliqué, and traditional appliqué, there is a good mixture of quilting methods to make sure that there is never a dull moment. This pattern includes the required drunkard’s path and appliqué templates, two coloring pages to help you create your own custom version, as well an bonus table runner project.
... and what better way to celebrate than with a 20% discount on my Tiptoe Through The Tulips AND Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt patterns now in my Payhip shop! (sale runs from March 15th through March 22nd, 2017) Simply enter the code: Tiptoe when you check out.
There are several finished quilt size options:
- Single Block (approx. 24" unfinished), which would be perfect for a pillow, table covering, wall hanging, etc.
- Wall/Throw (approx. 69" x 69") 2 x 2 blocks + border/sashing
- Twin (approx. 69" x 92") 2 x 3 blocks + border/sashing
- King (approx.107" x 107") 3 x 3 blocks + border/sashing
- Optional Borderless/Double (approx. 83" x 83") 3 x 3 blocks
- PLUS a bonus table runner project (included in the pattern)
It's fun to see how patterns can take on a totally different look with just a simple background change. I turned this single block version into a pillow for my living room, and I love the dramatic effect of the dark background.
I've also included a bonus table runner project in the pattern for those who prefer smaller projects. Simply perfect for a spring table setting, don't you think?
I
really love some the creative, think-outside-the-box ideas that my
pattern testers came up with. Julie just made my head spin with ideas when she suggested to use the 24" tulip block as the center for a medallion quilt, so I decided to play around with another layout (not included in pattern). Wouldn't this be a fun version to explore? I can't wait to see her version!
Mareike has a keen eye for interpreting quilt blocks in her own way, while still staying true to the original pattern. She came up with this masterful layout of my Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern, and I thought it was just brilliant to seperate the tulip blocks and set them on point. You don't want to miss her lovely table topper that she made. (more on her blog here)
Speaking of pattern testers, even though it's the job of a pattern tester to thoroughly pick apart and search out every little tiny mistake, here are a few things that my pattern testers had to say about my Tiptoe Through The Tulips pattern:
“I love how there are so many varied aspects to the design...I've found with this, and other similar projects that I don't get bored just repeating the same block over and over. (Tiptoe Through The) Tulips is an interesting block pattern in and of itself (each block) and my eye travels over it, taking in each aspect. The little circles are like the cherries on top of an ice cream sundae and a little reward at the end of the block construction.” Melissa from mtweedel
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“The colors in the instructions are really pleasing to the eye. Cutting charts are really clear. I think it is a good idea to have the image of the part of the block you are cutting shown on the left. I thought the pattern overall is really clear and comprehensive, cutting, sewing and pressing. I thought the block came together beautifully and the illustrations make everything soooo easy.” Carmen Attie
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“This pattern is so detailed and really well laid out. I appreciate the amount of information that you've included. I like the extra table runner project. It's a cute design.” Becca from Cleaverr
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“First of all, I LOVE the pattern! There are a couple of different methods which appeals to a more experienced quilt maker, but it is not too difficult. There are so many beginner’s patterns about, it is great to see one a bit more advanced, while it is not really too difficult for an improver.
The instructions include generously constructed parts, which means quite a lot of trimming to size. While that may not be a favorite method for everyone, I love it, because it means the parts fit together very well.”
I think your pattern is very original, clearly explained in a step-by-step way, and gives great results. Sandra from Sew Of Course
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Be sure to see what's happening under the #tiptoethroughthetulipsquilt hashtag on Instagram, and I can't wait to see what you add to the mix!
