Partners in Design Presents.....Fall into a QAL!

Quilting friends who met in the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers group launched a succesful QAL last year - I Wish You a Merry QAL.  We decided to continue and in so doing, branded ourselves Partners in Design.  We design in many ways - some design the blocks, some their quilts and others just are generally helpful.  Many of the designers who participated last year are participating this year.  

Introducing our new theme:   Fall!  

Like last year, you will get directions for 12 blocks and some possible settings.  The block designers are listed below with the weeks their blocks are released and also if they are a host or not.

Abbie at Sparkle On (Host + Block 11 Designer)

April at JANDA Bend Quilts (Host + Block 2 Designer)

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting  (Host + Block 7 Designer)

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Host + Block 8 Designer)

Karen at Tu-na Quilts, Travels and Eats (Host + Block 9 Designer)

Kathleen at KathleenMcMusing  (Block 5 Designer)<---that's me
Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 10 Designer)

Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Block 4 Designer)

Sherry at Powered by Quilting Host + Block 3 & 6 Designer)

Vanda at Quilt in Piece  (Host + Block 1 & 12 Designer)

Here are some of the particulars:

Theme:                        Fall

Dates of QAL:            May 15, 2018 through October 16, 2018

Blocks Schedule:        Every 2 weeks, 12 total

Settings Released:      October 16, 2018

Final Quilt Due:         November 13, 2018

Hosts:                          There are 7 and they are listed below

Fabric:                        These are approximations based on 12 blocks, 2"lattice, 6" border (56x70)

                                                    Scrappy will work!

                                     Blocks: 6 fat quarters (or scraps)  2 dark, 2 medium, 2 light [minimum]

                                     Background:   1/2-1 yard

                                     Lattice: 1 yard

                                     Border: 1 yard or length of quilt if you like straight of grain

                                     Binding: 3/4 yard

                                     Backing:  3 yards pieced or 4 yards for one seam

What else do you need to know:  

WHO?                Anyone who can sew! 

WHY?                TO have fun, win prizes, make a quilt or some blocks

WHERE?           Join the  Facebook group OR follow on Instagram #fallintoaQAL

HOW?                Post a completed block/quilt picture on facebook or instagram #fallintoaQAL

WHEN?              Usually by Monday 11:59pm EST 13 days after release of block

       

Below are some of the prizes that will be awarded (open to international quilters too!). Blocks and prizes for the particular block are announced at the same time.  As with many of the QALs (quilt alongs) more prizes are often added as we go.   Each block will have its own prize and then a Grand Prize for a quilt that is complete (all 12 blocks - top only is fine).  

To keep the contest portion of the quilt-along fair and fun for everyone, only quilts that use all of the designers' blocks will be eligible for prizes. Slight variations are okay, but substituting another block will disqualify you from the giveaway.

So we hope you join in,

share with your friends,

quilt, 

and have fun!!

OMG for February and other activities!

One Monthly Goal:  Fancy Forrest #2
This quilt needs only some quilting and some binding, I think, as it has been awhile since I looked at it.  I was thinking it might be the loon, but as our time in Maine is less this month, due to work obligations, I am committing to getting this one done.  I made another version two years ago (you can read about it here).  I had quite a bit of fabric left, almost enough to make this one, and decided to do the thistles with purple and the lightning bug with a yellow bum.  I love this quilt and think I know who might be getting it! 

Squiggles

This quilt is nearly done.  HA HA.  I always say this when it looks like this.  Really, it just needs a little border, some sandwiching and quilting and binding.  I am keeping up with the group so far, let's see if backing and sandwiching can happen this week!  This quilt will go to our guild's benefit quilt group.  First benefit quilt of the year (for me)!

#30QuiltDesignsChallenge

Well, my internet friend Sandra is egging me on again.  I am doing this at my pace, don't think I'll get 30 but I do think it will help me get my design mojo going.  I used Quiltology on my Ipad and it  took nearly no time to do it.  I am intrigued by the uploading of fabric and the quick way this worked.  I may draw some too or use EQ8, but for now I at least have one done.  Mostly the reason I want to do this is the next story.....

Island Batik Ambassador

Yes, I am an Island Batik Ambassador for 2018.  

On Monday 22 lbs of fabric was shipped to me! Friday it is supposed to be delivered.   I get to work on projects for and with about 40 other ambassadors from all over this country and a few international quilters.  I have always wanted to design quilts and so, I will try to do a few for the bigger challenges...a lot of things coming together at once.  First up is Galentine's Day, February 13 and MiniLove during this month, too.  Keep your eyes open!!!

And one more thing.  I am looking at increasing my machine quilting skills and noticed a lot of classes are on sale at Craftsy (affiliate link - I make a little money if you sign up).  Browse along with me; some of Angela Walters classes are really calling my name!

Linking up with:  One Monthly Goal

Sewing time this week:

Wednesday afternoon/evening

Thursday afternoon/evening

Friday morning

Saturday afternoon

Block 11 in the I Wish You A Merry QAL

I am so excited!

It's time for Block 11 in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-Long! I named it simply North Star and I am so pleased to have designed this block.  I was thinking of many more complicated versions, at first, but settled on one that I hope is accessible to quilters of all skill levels. 

I love stars and looking at them at night.  I spend part of my time in Maine and it is amazing the number of stars in the sky on a clear night.  Now, I am not so sure I could have them direct me anywhere, I am much happier using an app with GPS to get me there.

Please enjoy making this star!  I am so looking forward to seeing your interpretations of my design.  I am truly humbled by the amount of people who are working so hard on all these blocks and have followed along for so many weeks on this journey.  You are almost there!!!!

Block 11:  North Star

Instructions for North Star


Without further dithering, here are the instructions.  There are two versions, one for paper piecing and one for using a Tri-Recs™ Ruler.

Please download before printing.  

Also be sure you DO NOT HAVE print to fit checked.  

Paper Piecing Instructions             Tric-Recs™ Instructions

If you need to purchase a ruler, you can find them at Craftsy (and other places).



Remember, that each of the following bloggers are my hosts and specific hints that will help you and also many fun and different versions of the same block.  It is so gratifying to see the hard work each of these quilters has put into the I Wish You A Merry QAL!  Please visit and see their tips.

Abbie at Sparkle On

April at JANDA Bend Quilts

Becca at Pretty Piney

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting

Diane at Cwilt

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts

Sandy at SandyStar Designs

Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Vanda at Quilt in Piece

Giveaways

There are giveaways for this block too!  Hard to believe that the prizes just keep on coming.



First:  A binding baby, donated by Shari at Doohikey Designs.  Aren't they just the cutest things!

Second:  Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter, one of my friends from the 2017 NewQuiltBloggers group, where we met and conceived this Block Party,  has donated a pdf pattern of your choice.  Jennifer is so supportive of other bloggers; it has been really fun to get to know her in the blogsphere.

How do I enter the Giveway?  

There are three ways to enter, BUT, whichever one you choose must be done by December 4, 2017 at midnight EST.   You do not have to finish every block to enter this giveaway - that's the good news - but you do have to finish the one to be eligible for these prizes and you must upload a picture.

Please upload a photo of your finished block to either:

1. my Linky Party at An InLinkz Link-up  OR
2. the Facebook Group I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long   OR
3. Instagram using #iwishyouamerryqal

Don't forget the grand prize:

There is a fabulous grand prize package (thread, fabric, batting, patterns and more), and if you have been working along, or decide to play catch-up you can win!  We encourage you to finish the top.

You are eligible to win the grand prize if you:
1)  finish your quilt top including all 12 blocks (it does not have to be quilted)
2)  post a picture of your finished quilt.
3)  do both of these thing by 11:59 PM EST January 15, 2018.  


Thank you for joining us in this journey,

Fun, fun, fun!

In 2 weeks our annual spring fling quilting weekend occurs.  We go near Keepsake Quilting in NH and I can't wait.

I am beginning to line up my projects - ones not on the UFO list - but ones I'd like to begin or quick quilts for the weekend.  Sometimes I use the weekend to design or work out what I am doing, but  I did much of that on EQ7 and I can do a little more and I'll have a pattern made, complete with printouts of its finished look.  Its really great to do something like this for me.

1. I learned how to scan in fabric for EQ7
2. I learned how to make multiple copies of a quilt and change an few things on each one
3.  I printed out some basic info on the cutting that will help me figure out the next steps in the design process.  
4. I will have a plan and can get right down to it when we arrive in NH

The other great thing about this is that it is good preparation for my desire to make some patterns.  I look forward to a little time each week with EQ7 and to be in better shape to write patterns by the end of the May.