Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol. 7–Blog Tour Day #2

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Quiltmouse

 

Join me for 100 Blocks Blog Tour Day #2!

joinforblogtour7_200

#100 Blocks

In today’s Blog, Quiltmaker shows several blocks.  One of them is Stepping Stones Stars by Martha McCouskey.

I tested this block in November and used Christmas colors.  It almost looks like stained glass.

mef-McCloskey-SteppingStoneStars1

Today’s Featured Designers

From today’s Featured Designers, I tested Stacey Carey’s Bedtime Story which is Block #627.  In her blog post, Stacey talks about her love of reading which inspired this block.

I liked this block, maybe because I like to read in bed.  Although now-a-days, I’m reading on my NOOK rather than a physical book.  I haven’t done much applique before and testing some of the blocks was challenging.  But this block had both piecing and applique.  My block

MEF-CareyStacey-Girl in Bed

Check out the other Designers and their blocks.  I bet you just might find one you like.  Leave a comment on Quiltmaker’s Blog or one of the Featured Designer’s Blogs and you might win a copy of 100 Blocks Vol. 7 or one of a number of great prizes from fabulous sponsors!

Posted in QM 100 Blocks, Quilting, Quilts | Leave a comment

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 7–Blog Tour Day #1

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Quiltmouse

It is finally here! This is the week of the Blog Tour celebrating Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 7.

JoinMe-BlogTour

Why am I so excited?  I’m excited because I was part of this publication.  In October a group of us began testing/proofing the patterns for the 100 blocks in this issue.  We were broken down into smaller groups – Mine was Group #1 – that had 4 testers.  Each week or so we were given a pattern of a block to make.  After making it, we submitted a picture of our completed block along with an evaluation giving any comments we had. Our group tested 13 blocks.

Vol7-100Blocks-Cover

This was a fun process, but unfortunately, we had to keep our projects a secret.  That is until now! 

During the Blog Tour, each day, Quiltmaker will highlight a number of the blocks and their designers.  Each designer will also have a blog post sharing their block, and maybe showing quilts, wall hangings or table runners using their block. 

This is truly a Party!  There will be issues of Vol. 7 given away and prize bundles to be won.

Today’s Featured Designers

I tested a block from one of these Designers – #2 Nancy Mahoney.  She named her block “Emerald Isle.”

This is the block that Nancy made.  It is Block #620 on page 31. It is a paper pieced pattern.  I haven’t made too many blocks using paper piecing.  The first one I did was a kite pattern for our grandson.

Now, this is the block I made using Nancy’s pattern.

I’ve got so much more to share, but for now, why don’t you check out the Featured Designers.  Maybe you’ll find a block you might want to make!

Posted in QM 100 Blocks, Quilting, Quilts | Leave a comment

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 7–Blog Tour Day #1

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Quiltmouse

It is finally here! This is the week of the Blog Tour celebrating Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 7.

JoinMe-BlogTour

Why am I so excited?  I’m excited because I was part of this publication.  In October a group of us began testing/proofing the patterns for the 100 blocks in this issue.  We were broken down into smaller groups – Mine was Group #1 – that had 4 testers.  Each week or so we were given a pattern of a block to make.  After making it, we submitted a picture of our completed block along with an evaluation giving any comments we had. Our group tested 13 blocks.

Vol7-100Blocks-Cover

This was a fun process, but unfortunately, we had to keep our projects a secret.  That is until now! 

During the Blog Tour, each day, Quiltmaker will highlight a number of the blocks and their designers.  Each designer will also have a blog post sharing their block, and maybe showing quilts, wall hangings or table runners using their block. 

This is truly a Party!  There will be issues of Vol. 7 given away and prize bundles to be won.

Today’s Featured Designers

I tested a block from one of these Designers – #2 Nancy Mahoney.  She named her block “Emerald Isle.”

This is the block that Nancy made.  It is Block #620 on page 31. It is a paper pieced pattern.  I haven’t made too many blocks using paper piecing.  The first one I did was a kite pattern for our grandson.

Now, this is the block I made using Nancy’s pattern.

I’ve got so much more to share, but for now, why don’t you check out the Featured Designers.  Maybe you’ll find a block you might want to make!

Posted in QM 100 Blocks, Quilting, Quilts | Leave a comment

An Unexpected Package in the Mail.

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Quiltmouse

Last week I started seeing comments on Facebook and on a number of Blogs about Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol. 7 pre-release Blog Tour.  The week of April 29 – May3rd there will be a Blog Tour highlighting the Designers and previewing their Blocks.  The issue hits the news stands on May 7th.

I was planning where I would head to get my copy once it was released.  Then I got a fat envelope in the mail.  Guess what they sent me – a couple of copies!!

My 2 Copies

It was exciting to see the other blocks that I didn’t test – I tested 13 of the 100 blocks.  Then I had to turn to Page #90 – My quilt made using 3 different Blocks I tested is among the 11 quilts made by Block Testers & 16 quilts made by Designers that are pictured in this issue.

So, now I’m planning my Blog Posts to show off the Blocks I made and today the mailman brought me a box I wasn’t expecting.

Don’t you just love getting unexpected goodies?? I do!  I had seen a blog posting by another Vol. 7 Block Tester – Tiffany Hayes – Needle in a Hayes Stack which tipped me to expect a package.

So, inside my box I found a lovely, unexpected thank you from Quiltmaker Magazine – A mug that commemorates 100 Blocks, Vol. 7 which has all 100 blocks on it.  I liked looking for the ones I tested.

And in true Quilter’s fashion, the mug was wrapped up 3 squares of batting!  Waste Not, Want Not.  I’m seeing some NICU quilts using these squares!  Do you think I should use one of the blocks from Vol. 7 to make them – just thinking…..

Posted in Quilting | 1 Comment

I Can’t Wait

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Quiltmouse

Since October, I’ve been working on some quilting activity I haven’t been able to share.  I have been part of a group of Quilters that have been testing instructions for making quilt blocks for publication in the Spring 2013 Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol. 7.

Vol7-100Blocks-Cover

On May 7th, this issue will be available for purchase.  But before that, Quiltmaker’s Blog will host a Blog Tour involving the designers of the 100 Blocks.  Many will showcase their Blocks and ideas for using them in quilts on their own Blogs.

There were several groups of Quilters that were involved in the testing process.  I was in Group #1.  Each Group was given blocks to make, and check out the directions.  No, I didn’t get to test all 100 Blocks.  Our Group had a total of 13 blocks to work on.  Once a week or so, we would be given a set of instructions and were required to make the block, write a review and return the review along with a picture of our block within a week or two.

This was a challenge for me and stretched my block-making skills.  The 12-1/2” Unfinished Blocks were pieced, paper pieced, templates, applique or a mixture of techniques.

A number of the Patterns I tested are featured on the cover.  I can’t wait to share with you the Blocks I made.  Although, not an ‘official’ part of the Blog Tour, I will begin posting my pictures during that week.

Posted in Quilting | 1 Comment